Chapter 22
Sandy was devastated after hearing the news that morning; Conor was arrested last night, he didn't make it back to his home after sneaking into the pack-house to see her, and now, he was locked up. He was in that cell because of her, and he was going to be executed tomorrow all for her sake. No! She couldn't stand by and watch this happen, she couldn't stand idle and let her brother kill the only man she ever loved. No way in hell was she going to allow it.
She reached her destination, and in front of the dungeon gates, two heavily bodied guards stood in the way.
"Open the gates," she commanded. "I want to speak with one of the prisoners."
"Which one ma'am?" The guard on the left asked her.
"Omega Conor."
"I'm sorry Princess, but the Alpha gave strict orders for Conor's cell not to be opened until his execution time. You will have to wait until then ma'am."
"The Alpha has given me permission to see him," she lied. "And do not forget that I am a member of the royal circle. If the Alpha finds out that you disobeyed one of the high-ranking members, you won't like what he'll do to you. I won't repeat myself. Open the gates now, I want to see the prisoner."
The guards looked at each other, signs of worry sketched on their faces. They couldn't tell whether the princess was lying or not, but it would be serious trouble for them if she weren't. They finally agreed.
"Okay ma'am, we'll let you see the prisoner for the normal duration given to cell visitors."
"Thank you."
One of them waited outside while she followed the other inside, passing by many cells containing lots of prisoners, different as night and day until they reached the one that belonged to Conor. The guard retrieved a pair of keys from his pocket, sifting through the many keys until he found the one that matched the lock of the cell door, opening it for Sandy to enter.
"10 minutes ma'am."
"Thank you," Sandy repeated. Now she was all alone with him. Conor lay on the ground, facing the wall until he heard the sounds in his cell that prompted him to get up, and now seeing Sandy, he couldn't contain his joy as he hurried to get up and hugged her. The pair embraced tightly for a few seconds before letting go of each other so they could talk.
"What happened? How? How did this happen?" Sandy cried.
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have come here. After the last prisoner was killed mysteriously, the Alpha gave orders to double the defenses, the area I usually hid was swarming with guards, and I couldn't escape them before they captured me."
"Oh Conor! It's all my fault! It's my fault this happened!!"
He brought his hand to push back a lock of hair that had fallen in front of her face, before bringing his hand to her cheeks, "Shh... don't say that. If there's anyone to blame, it should be me. I should have been more careful, but I don't regret what happened. I would risk my life any day just to have a moment with you."
"Conor... Do you even know what you're saying? How do you expect me to carry on without you? How? How will I live knowing that I'll never see you again? How do you expect me to do that?"
"You will dear, you will... I'll always think of you, till the moment I draw my last breath. You are the best thing that ever happened to me, Sandy."
"Stop it! Stop talking as if you're going to die because you're not. No way will I let that happen! I know you didn't kill that prisoner. You were framed. We have to tell Walden about us, Conor, it's the only way to prove your innocence; you've been with me the past few nights and I can help you confess as your alibi."
He cut her short, "Thanks Sandy, but you know your brother better than I do. Walden will even kill me faster if he finds out about our affair."
"Conor... Please, don't give up because I refuse to give up on you! Please, we can do this together. We'll beg him. Let him banish you instead and we can then leave together to go somewhere else."
"Sandy, please, you know I would want that more than anything in the world, but apart from me not wanting Walden to find out about us, there is another reason I have to stay quiet and accept my fate."
Sandy furrowed her brow, "what are you talking about?"
Conor shook his head, refusing to tell her anymore. He shouldn't have let those words slip out in the first place, now Sandy wouldn't rest until she finds out what it is.
"No, Sandy, it's nothing. Please go... Please I'm begging you, just let this go. I promise that life will be better for you without me."
"Never!!! I'll never let it go! You're being threatened, aren't you Conor? Someone is forcing you to stay mute and you will rather die and leave me than speak the truth. I'll get to the bottom of this, you know me well already. I won't give up on you, I can't. I can't watch you die... I just can't..."
The tears came flooding in then, as Sandy buried her head in her face, weeping. Conor brought her closer with his arms and held her to his chest, comforting her. "Please Sandy, please... Just let this go for me."
The door of the cell then burst open, and the guard entered, interrupting them. "I'm sorry ma'am, but your time is up, you have to leave this cell now."
They let go of each other, and as Sandy left, she heard Conor mumble behind her, probably which will be his last words to her,"I love you, Sandy, I always have and I always will."