Baron smirked at Colette through the bars and unlocked the cell door. She kept her head held high and stepped out of cell without saying a word.
"One last chance, Colette," he said. "I can still blow the whole thing off and burn someone else in your place. The town don't care as long as they get a show. Marry me and you'll be safe."
"Take me to the stake," she said.
"Why are you so god damn stubborn?" He growled.
She turned her head and looked him straight in the eyes.
"You will never tame this water," she said.
He slapped her and held his hand hanging in the air, waiting for her response. She gave him none. She turned her head back to look down the corridor leading to the outside.
"Colette!" He growled.
"I'd rather burn!" She growled back.
"Take her to the stake!" He yelled.
She was grabbed and escorted to the stake in the middle of town square. She stepped up on it and had her arms tied behind her back to the stake. The town was a loud crowd. They didn't care about her or what she had supposedly done. They just wanted to see her burn for their own entertainment.
"Colette Garnet, you stand accused for practicing witchcraft," Baron said. "Any last words?"
"I am only here because I refuse to marry you," Colette said. "This is my only way to freedom."
Baron sneered at her and walked over to the executioner and the priest.
"Get on with it," Baron said.
The priest opened the bible and started reading out loud. The whole thing got interrupted by a man singing with a drunken voice. Seth stumbled out from the crowd with a jug in his hand.
"What is everyone doing here?" Seth looked over at the priest. "Am I in church?"
"No, you're not in church," Baron said. "You're interrupting a witch burning."
Seth looked at Colette still tied to the stake and then back at Baron.
"Oh!" Seth grinned. "I forgot that was tonight. This wine is so good. You should try it."
"I don't want to," Baron said.
"Seriously, just a small sip. I promise you'll love it. It's the finest wine imported from France," Seth said.
Seth walked towards the three men standing side by side. He stumbled over his feet and the liquid inside the jug went flying and hit all three men. Baron took the worst of it.
"What on earth are you doing?" Baron shouted.
Before anyone could stop Seth, he grabbed the torch close to the executioner and sat all three men on fire. Panic broke out and people started screaming and running around. Some were running away while others tried to help. Seth ran over to Colette and worked a knife through the rope keeping her hands tied.
"What was in that jug?" She asked.
"Oil," he answered. "Start running."
"Where?" She asked.
"Just run," he answered.
He grabbed her hand and started running. He looked over his shoulder and she heard horses ride towards them.
"Be ready!" He yelled.
He let go of her hand and she turned around to see Roman ride towards them with another horse in tow. He let go of the reins to the other horse and it ran towards Seth. Clearly a horse that knew him well. Roman rode towards Colette and held his hand down. She reached up and felt herself swing through the air as he lifted her up to sit on the horse in front of him. She held on tight as they rode out of town. They kept riding for a while before finally slowing town. Seth took the lead and led them through the forest to places she would never have dared going. After a long time torches lit up and she looked at a small town having been built out there.
"Wildlings," Colette whispered.
"They're good people," Roman said.
"Becky!" Seth called.
A woman with orange hair came running towards Seth. He jumped down from the horse and pulled her into his arms. Roman helped Colette down and jumped down right after her. He leaned down to give her a kiss and only broke it when someone cleared their throat. They looked over at Becky who was grinning at them.
"She's cute," Becky said.
"I'm cute?" Colette asked confused.
"They talk differently out here," Roman said. "They're really funny. We're gonna love it here."
"As long as I'm with you, I'm gonna love being anywhere," Colette said.
"We are preparing a feast. The deer is almost done roasting," Becky said. "Roman, take Colette to your new home and show her around. Let her clean up a bit and then we can eat."
Roman nodded at Becky and took Colette's hand. She followed him to a small cottage. He held open the door for her and she stepped inside. She turned to look at him with the biggest smile on her face.
"I love it," she said.
He smiled back and lifted her up while laughing. She laughed too and moved her arms around his neck before leaning down to kiss him.
"Are we safe out here?" She asked.
"No one from town dares going this far into the forest. We're safe here, my love," he said.
She kissed him again and sighed happily into the kiss.
"I love you," he said.
"And I love you," she said. "Forever and more."