Chapter 5

After there weren’t any tears left to cry, I stood up from the ground and surveyed the cell. In the right corner, there’s a pile of hay with a blanket on it. I would assume that is the bed, and in the left corner is a metal bucket with a reeking stench coming from it. I approach the bucket with much caution, covering my nose in the prosses. As I peek over the edge of the bucket, I could feel the vomit appearing in the back of my throat. I gagged, and luckily, I didn’t throw up. The bucket is used for a toilet. It is absolutely revolting. How could they just leave it here to rot? They are supposed to dispose of it.

Late that night, I was still locked up in the little cell, and no king had shown up to decide my fate, or he did, and that is why I am still stuck in this cold dungeon. I wanted to cry, but all my tears were all dried up from the crying earlier. This is all so unbelievable. If I ever get out of here, the first thing I am going to do is go back home and never leave again.

On that note, I hear footsteps approaching from down the hall, and it sounds like more than one person. Shivers run down my spine as I hear them getting closer. It must be the king finally coming to decide whether I am a thief or not. To my surprise, it is the guy from earlier who kissed me and not the king.

“ Well, if it isn’t my sleeping beauty,” a smooth voice cut through the darkness. His voice made me want to rage. Why was he here? Was he the king’s right-hand man, the one who did all the dirty work?

I wanted to lash out, but I kept my mouth shut, not wanting to make things worse.

“ I heard you tried to steal from the castle,” he said in his deep, tantalizing voice.

“ I didn’t try to steal anything,” I snapped back. A smile played at the corner of his mouth.

“ So you’re saying the guard is lying?”

“ I’m saying the guard should get some glasses and stop assuming things that aren’t true.”

“ So, you did not try to steal gold from the pillars in the castle?”

“ Are you as dense as the guard?” My blood began to boil. “ No, I did not try to steal gold. I was just admiring the details. When I went to touch it, the guard called me a thief and dragged me here.”

The man stayed quiet, looking at the guard. Something changed in his gaze, and a low grunt came from his voice. The guard went pale and lowered his head in submission.

“ Is this true?” he asked the guard. The guard hesitated, then nodded.

“ I’ll deal with you later,” he said harshly to the guard, before turning back to me. “What are you doing in Valtor?”

“ My spirit animal, Merilla, brought me here. She said I might find answers about my biological parents.”

He stared at me with a scrutinizing look. Then he unlocked the cell door.

“ You are free to go,” he said, motioning for me to come out. Without hesitation, I rushed out. But as I stepped through the door, a strong hand grabbed my wrist and yanked me back, slamming me into a broad, muscular chest. Looking up, I saw his caramel eyes. For a moment, I noticed a hint of red in them, distracting me. The warmth from his body was overpowering, drawing me in.

I shook my head, trying to snap out of it and push myself away, but he was too strong. He leaned close to my ear, and I froze.

“ I’m not letting you go so soon, little one,” he whispered, his hot breath making me gasp for air and sending shivers across my body. No man had ever been this close to me.

Suddenly, his hands grabbed my waist, and he picked me up, throwing me over his shoulder as if I weighed nothing.

“ Put me down! You… you barbarian!” I shouted, hitting his back with all my strength.

SMACK!

The sound reverberated through the dungeon as he slapped me on the rear.

“ How dare you touch me, you Barbarian!” I exclaimed, anger coursing through me.

“ Behave yourself, little one, or I might have to do it again,” he warned, giving me a smirk that hinted at the possibility of another smack.

“ You wouldn’t dare,” I warned, glaring at him over his shoulder. His smirk made it clear that he just might.

The barbarian swaggered out of the dungeon with me still on his shoulder. I kicked and screamed. I kicked and screamed, desperately trying to break free from his grasp, but my efforts were in vain.

As he carried me on his shoulder, people stared at us with curious eyes. Their gazes fixed upon us, they smiled and whispered to each other, their words barely audible but their amusement evident. The sight of me, helpless and being carried away, seemed to entertain them.

Their smiles widened, their laughter hushed, as they relished in the spectacle before them. Their whispers filled the air, adding to the tension and making me scream in frustration, which resulted in another…

SMACK!

Once again, his hand struck my rear, causing a burning sensation.

“ I warned you, little one,” he gruffly stated.

As we passed by others, they turned their heads as if they hadn’t noticed a thing. No one was going to help. They must all be afraid of the king. After numerous failed attempts to escape, I gave up and hung over the pervert’s shoulder like a lifeless sack as he continued to carry me towards the castle.

“ Please, put me down,” I pleaded, hoping he would show some mercy.

“ Will you leave the kingdom if I do?” he questioned, his motives unclear to me.

“ Yes, I’ll go back home. I never should have come here in the first place,” I replied, frustration evident in my voice.

“ I’m sorry, little one, but I won’t put you down,” he stated firmly.

“ Why did you release me from the cell if you’re not going to let me go?” I asked, confusion and fear intertwining within me.

“ I have my reasons,” he replied, sending a chill down my spine. I should have never followed Merilla here. What was I thinking? Now I’m in an unfamiliar place with a stranger who refuses to set me free. I fear for my life, unsure of where this man will take me on his shoulder.

I can only imagine the worst, perhaps to his king as a plaything. If he won’t release me, then I’ll put up a fight.

I start kicking and screaming as loudly as I can, but I’m weak and exhausted from lack of sleep and I haven’t eaten in two days.

He ascends a staircase with what seems like a thousand steps, effortlessly carrying me on his shoulder until we reach a massive set of double white, wooded doors.

He flung the door wide open, revealing an interior covered in white marble with touches of gold on the furniture and fabrics beautifully draped over the bed. It was hard to get a full view while hanging upside down.

The Barbarian tossed me onto the bed, his back turning as he swiftly locked the door. Hope of escape vanished with the key now tucked safely in his pocket, far out of my reach. He turned back towards me, his gaze fixed and predatory as he closed the distance between us.

Fear coiled in my chest with each step he took closer. I leapt off the bed and dashed for the balcony, fueled by adrenaline despite my exhaustion. Dizziness swept over me suddenly, threatening to betray my escape.

But before I could reach the door, he was there, strong arms wrapping around me just as my legs threatened to give way. He lifted me effortlessly, holding me close.

" Stop being so stubborn, little one," he murmured in a soft voice that almost sounded caring. Almost. I knew better than to believe his facade.

" What do you care?" I growled back, defiance coloring my voice, even as my energy drained.

His eyes darkened the moment the words left my mouth, a shadow passing over his face. I could see a storm brewing in his expression, but he didn’t respond right away. Instead, he placed me gently back on the bed, his touch surprisingly careful for someone of his size and strength.