Colette tiptoed through the small house and opened the door just enough to slip out. The town was quiet and dark this late but she used the light from the moon to guide her way. She was sure she could even find her way with her eyes closed by now. Her and Roman had met up countless times. It was the only place where she felt truly loved.
"Roman," she said.
She ran into his arms and leaned her head on his chest so she could hear his heart beating. There was comfort in that sound. She tilted her head to look at him and he leaned down with a smile on his face to kiss her.
"Are you ready to leave?" He asked.
"Right now?" She asked.
"We need to do it fast before they lock you away somewhere," he said.
A smile grew on her face and she nodded at him.
"Take me away from here," she said. "I wanna be with you, Roman. You are my love, my heart and my soul. I don't want to live a day without you."
"This way," he said.
He took her hand but they only made it a few steps before people ran up to grab them. There were too many to fight although Roman tried to get loose.
"Where are you taking my bride?" Baron asked.
Roman bared his teeth at Baron but he couldn't get free to jump on the other man.
"She's not yours!" Roman growled.
"I have already paid her parents. On Saturday it will be official," Baron said.
"She will never be yours!" Roman yelled.
Baron snapped his fingers and Roman gasped when one of Baron's men placed a knife between his legs.
"If I snap my fingers again, you will lose your manhood," Baron said. "Roman dickless. That has a nice ring to it. You will be the fool of this town."
"Please, don't!" Colette shouted.
"Colette, Colette, Colette," Baron sneered at Colette. "You cannot save him."
"Let him go. You already got me. I won't fight you, Baron. Let Roman go. Drive him out of town. You already warned him what will happen if he returns. He's not that stupid to try," Colette said.
Baron chuckled, walked over to Roman, and tapped the other man's cheek.
"She has a soft heart," Baron said. "You won't last in that forest tonight. The wildlings will catch you before sunrise. You'll be in a pot by breakfast and you will be served as their meal for the rest of the day. I actually like that idea. Roman dickless will be Roman breakfast."
Baron let out a loud laughter and his men followed suit. He took a step back and held his hand towards the forest.
"Run now, forsaken swine," Baron said.
Baron nodded at his men and they let go of Roman. Roman felt a push in his back and saw the man with the knife hold up the shining blade in the moonlight.
"Run!" Colette screamed.
Roman took off into the darkness without looking back. He had to get to safety first before figuring out what to do next. Baron turned his gaze back to Colette and smirked at her.
"I can't bring you home. You will run again. I can't bring you to my place either since we are not married yet. There is only one place I can bring you until we get married," he said.
He started walking and she was forced to follow by his men. He took her to jail and pushed her inside a cell. He locked the door and smirked at her through the bars.
"This is a reminder of what I can do. Trust me, Colette, this is the easy part. I can do much worse," he said.
"I will not marry you," she said.
"We'll see if you've changed your tune tomorrow by sunrise," he said. "Marry me or I will have you burn at the stake."
He left her in the cell with nothing to keep her warm. She moved over to the small hole in the wall and stared towards the forest. Roman was out there somewhere and she had to believe he would be safe. She stayed by the window all night and watched the sunrise. Shortly after she heard steps walk towards the cell again. She turned around and saw Baron who looked well rested after a night in his bed. Before he could say anything, she opened her mouth to tell him exactly where she stood.
"I'd rather burn than ever be with you," she said.
"Very well," he said. "You'll burn tonight for practicing witchcraft."