- Chapter 66 -

After waiting for a while to regain his composure Guy started to make his way back towards Esme's chambers. She had never felt so broken beyond repair as she held his dagger tightly in her hands; her palms began to sweat slightly as Guy reached for his keys and placed them in the lock. Esme was oblivious to him entering the room as she went to press the metal against her wrist.

"You don't want to do that dearie" That menacing voice chuckled as Guy was frozen in his spot in the doorway, Esme's back to him watching a devilish man with scales coming around the corner.

"I have nothing left but death, thanks to you." She whispered as the dagger had fallen from her hands making Guy's chest constrict as he knew what she had meant to do.

"You stole my childhood, you left me broken and scarred, you stole my mother from me.....and when I thought I was finally free from the nightmares that haunted my childhood. You came back.....not once.....but several......and the day of the wedding.....you had me humiliate him!" She struggled forming her words before screaming in fury at him ruining her life, as she pulled at her hair.

"Well I did enjoy it" He cackled laughing as Esme wanted to grip his throat and squeeze it.

"I didn't. I watched as I turned him cold hearted. I turned him to stone because I feared for his and my father's life......" She muttered as Guy almost didn't catch hold of her words.

"You were pretty convincing so I kept to my word and left them alone." He chuckled hopping on his feet applauding her performance as she slowly raised up from the ground where she had remained since Guy threw her from their previous encounter.

"But it wasn't enough for you was it? Those months when you broke my body with whips and torture.....it made me see....it....it helped me stop denying how I felt for him. So I could see I did love him...which made what I did ten times worse." Esme choked on her words as Guy felt a lump form in his throat.

"But of course you were gloating at misery....you always do...and now you had another excuse to hold me captor....did you want to break me....was that it? Is that why you continue to haunt and torment me?" She growled in the man's direction as his eyes sparkled evilly.

"Yeah"

"Well congratulations! You've finally done it. When I hoped maybe he would see I truly did love him you had me show him the fact I was the Nightwatchman a position which I had long given up on. Now he refuses to listen to me....he thinks everyone word I say is of deception....I would never lie to him....I love him and he can't stand the sight of me...." She screamed defeat as Guy's voice seemed to be stuck in his throat.

"What good is life...when life and love itself throws you into the gutter?" Esme whispered emptily as she leant down slowly to retrieve the dagger in her numb hands as the man skipped over to her knowing he had won. All this time his eyes remained on Guy gloating as Esme remained unaware of his presence.

"You wanted me to run....to escape....but I....I have nothing left....and maybe in death I will be free from you.....cause I will be free from you here. I won't have to live another day thinking that you could appear over my shoulder in an attempt to bring me to my knees.....I can't be strong any longer you have finally succeeded in drawing out all of my fight and hope....." Esme wept her soul hanging by a thread as Guy wanted nothing more than to keep her safe as he realizes that is what she has done for him. Protect him.

"You won't be able to escape from me dearie even in death!" He warned her before he seemed to vanish. The spell freezing everyone broke as Guy almost stumbled forward as Esme sobbed, staring at the dagger in her hands. Guy walked up behind her, his chest against her back as one hand held her hip the other slowly taking the dagger form her shaking hands. Esme couldn't look at him in shame as he sighed and stepped away allowing Allan and the guards to take her down to the gallows.

*************

I was currently standing several paces back in the archway to the stables, looking out at the gallows platform, calmly waiting. I had accepted I would die by the hands of the man I loved, working with the man I hated most, thinking I had betrayed him. For I had, he had warned me of the past of what my actions would bring and now I had to suffer the consequences. I saw the Sheriff striding in through the gate with an evil smile on his face as Guy comes down the steps to meet him.

"Ah, Esme!" The Sheriff calls in my direction as I am led forward, oblivious to my pale and grim face as Guy steps to me.

"Just in time for a little entertainment. We're going to execute the Nightwatchman." He smirked as I hadn't realised that the Sheriff didn't know it was me he was about to hang.

"I am ready." I submissively inform Guy as he stares at me, his eyes trying to convey a message to me by my unsteady heart is too busy looking at the gallows. Suddenly, on top of the tower, a man in the Nightwatchman's mask and wearing black beneath his cloak, aims his bow and shoots an arrow into the floor of the gallows. Guy quickly turns around to look as the Sheriff looks up to the tower as the "Nightwatchman" lets loose another arrow.

"It's the Nightwatchman! He is supposed to be behind bars!" He screeched towards Guy as I stare up at the tower, perplexed watching as the Nightwatchman runs along the battlements, only to realise that Allan is now where to be seen.

"He's escaped! Get after him!" Guy orders as I felt a slight bit of hope and love burst through me as I look questioningly at Guy, who gives me a meaningful look to keep quiet before running out of the gate. Obeying his command I watch but stay put, saying nothing. The Sheriff paces by the gallows as I watch Guy return through the gate.

"Good news, Gisborne. Only good news. Tell me you have caught him. Tell me you're ready to string him up. Tell me I can have my execution." The Sheriff pleads as Guy sheathes his sword and hangs his head.

"He escaped. The Nightwatchman is gone." Guy reported as I saw fury flash over the Sheriff's face.

"You have failed me again." He snapped as I watch the Sheriff backslaps Guy, who falls into the platform with his upper arm taking the brunt of it. Gasping I went to run forward only to pause when the Sheriff draws his dagger and holds it to his neck and whispers something in Guy's ears. I watch as the Sheriff releases Guy and storms off as he grimaces and grabs his sore arm, then looks up at me. I couldn't help but run forward to place my hand on his shoulder and the other cupping his face.

"Go to your chambers!" He ordered softly removing my hand as I hesitated and nodded before doing as he asks. I was constantly pacing in my room staring at the fire as I hear a knock on my door and pause slightly nervous.

"Come in." I timidly respond as Guy enters with Allan behind him making me sigh with relief and smile brightly.

"You're safe." Guy promised me as I saw that Allan was holding my Nightwatchman's disguise.

"You did this for me?" I blushed up at Guy who held a genuine soft smile on his face with love in his eyes.

"Er..." Allan chuckled as he holds a hand up, pointing at his chest making me chuckle.

"So, both of you." I smile.

"Well, what's being chased by angry soldiers between friends, eh?" He winked as I laughed brightly.

"Burn that. The Nightwatchman is no more. You will not get another chance." Guy ordered as Allan burnt the clothing before giving me a final warning as I nodded enthusiastically.

"I've heard that one before." Allan joked as I struggled to contain a laugh as Guy rolled his eyes at Allan.

"I don't think I asked for your opinion. You can go." Guy instructed Allan as I skip over to him and give him a big hug.

"Thank you. You saved my life." I whisper in his ear as he smiles warmly to me before he did as Guy instructed and shut the door behind him as I bit my lip and walked back over towards him.

"After everything you said?" I softly spoke placing a hand on his chest as his hands caressed my hips and pulled me closer.

"You don't know me as well as you think." He breathed.

"Guy..."

"Would you do something for me now?" He asked as I took a step forward even though we were practically completely touching each other.

"Anything." I truthfully promised.

"Stay... and make this place bearable." He whispered as I smiled.

"I will stay with you forever. Thank you." I promise as I kiss his cheek, my lips lingering as he smelt my hair and nuzzled into my neck. He smiled shyly before he gripped the back of my neck and pulled me in for a passionate kiss.