The Court of Love Read online

  Kat stood for a moment to pull herself together. Her breasts ached to be touched, and her womb clenched. Now was not the time. Magdalena needed her. Kat clenched her fist around the heart pendant her friend had gifted her with and continued down the hall with determined steps.

  The ball was in full swing. Night had fallen, and candles were lit around the hall. Shadows danced as the flames licked upwards, and groups of people took advantage of the night. Evidently the couple she’d seen before were not the only ones getting it on. Kat had always been a passionate person and she hadn’t had sex in a while; she was not unaffected.

  She shook her head to focus. And they thought Magdalena was the heretic. Kat’s eyes searched the room. The stairs she needed to get to the basement were located across the hall near another entrance. If she could make it, then she would find a way to save her friend. Dancers pranced around the middle of the room sharing flirtatious glances with each other. Kat barely missed being sideswiped by the skirts of a lady spinning in a circle.

  She bumped into another gentleman who grasped her by the arms. She could smell the sweet mead on his breath.

  “Well, what do we have here?” He asked boisterously. His doublet was halfway undone and his tunic un-tucked.

  “Hello Sir.” Kat obediently did a quick bob of her head in acknowledgement glad that she was schooled in etiquette. She tried to move out of his reach, but he stopped her.

  “Not so fast my lovely. I have a gift for you.” He held out his meaty palm with a cloven orange in it. He waited for her to take it.

  She knew this game. The game of the cloven fruit. She took the orange from him and pulled a clove from the skin with her fingers. She didn’t want to kiss the man, so instead she leaned forward and pecked him on the cheek before he had a chance to do more. If she had taken out the clove with her teeth, it was tantamount to an invitation. He wasn’t her type. A flash of Michael’s face popped in her mind and Kat sighed. She smiled up at him innocently. “I thank you, Sir.”

  He laughed and patted her on the head as though she were just a child. “You’d best run along my lamb, before someone gobbles you up.”

  Kat hurried away from him and she heard his hearty laughter follow her. Gobble her up indeed, she could hold her own with the best of them, but she didn’t have time. No more distractions, she told herself as she hurried across the hall. She was almost there.

  Chapter Four

  The yawning chasm of the stairwell opened before her. Torches were lit along one side. Kat glanced around. No one paid her any heed. They were too far into their cups, and didn’t care what a lone woman did. Kat steeled herself as she started down the stairs. There was bound to be a guard. She tested the stretch of her gown across her shoulders as she continued on her search. If she got into a scuffle the dress would be toast. As it was, she could barely move her arms. The fabric cut stopped her before they even lifted to her shoulders. Kat sighed. She’d spent hours making the damn thing.

  Oh well. Her foot reached the bottom step, and Kat stopped abruptly. Sure enough, a guard stood at watch near the cells. A large keychain hung from his belt. He turned and noticed her for the first time.

  “What are you doing down here?” He took a belligerent stance and placed both his hands on his hips, one palm on the sword at his side.

  Kat flexed her hands and when the prickly spines of the cloves bit into her skin she remembered she still had the cloven orange. She gave a little pout and fluttered her eyelashes at him. “I felt bad that you were missing the party. So,” she held out the fruit, “I thought I’d bring the party to you.” Kat leaned forward so the man would get a nice glimpse of her ample cleavage. She loved corsets for just that reason.

  The guard looked from the fruit to Kat and a lecherous smile crossed his features. He reached out and lifted the orange from her hand. As he took it, he pulled Kat closer to him, by her wrist. She smiled at him not wanting to reveal her plans.

  “You’re thoughtful lass.”

  She grinned at him and moved closer. “You have no idea.”

  The guard pressed her against him, and moved in for a kiss. She moved quickly, dodged his lips, and reached for the sword at his side. It cleared the sheath in seconds, and Kat stepped back into a fighting stance. She was suddenly grateful for all the fighter practices she’d attended in Seattle where she had learned to handle a sword and fight.

  The guard froze. “What are you doing?”

  “Rescuing a friend. Now, I need you to open Magdalena’s cell.” She pressed the sword point to his neck.

  He reached out to grab the sword. Kat took a step back and swung with all her might. At the last second, she turned the blade so the flat side hit the guard against the temple. She felt her dress rip as he fell beneath the blow, unconscious. He hit the floor hard with a thud. Kat rushed forward and fumbled with the keychain that hung from his belt. The man wouldn’t be out long.

  “Magdalena?” She whispered into the empty length of passageway. “Magda?”

  “Here. I’m here.” A tiny hand waved at Kat from the third cell down.

  Kat almost tripped again on her heavy skirts as she made her way to the cell. The keys were huge, and she tried each one until she heard the clunk of the door unlocking. Kat yanked on the heavy door and pulled it open. Magdalena stood in the center of the room, wringing her hands. As soon as she saw Kat, she rushed forward.

  “What are you doing here?”

  “I’m here to rescue you, of course. Silly woman, did you think I’d let you burn?” She hugged her friend to her chest, and then stepped back. “We have to go.”

  Magdalena nodded in understanding, and moved out into the hallway. Together, they grasped the guard by the arms and moved him into the cell. Kat locked the door behind them. They couldn’t have anyone finding out too soon that she had helped Magdalena escape. Once the cell door was shut, Kat leaned against the wall for a second to catch her breath.

  “How did this happen Magda? How did I get here?”

  Magda stared at her then reached out to touch the heart-shaped pendant hanging around Kat’s neck. “Who gave this to you?”

  “You did.”

  Magdalena shook her head. “No dear, that wasn’t me.” The look she gave Kat was full of benevolence. Then understanding dawned in her gaze. “I see.”

  “See what?” Kat was totally confused. “You gave this to me earlier today, only not today.”

  “Not here. We will talk, but not here. We must go. It is no longer safe for you now that you have helped me.”

  “Fine. But as soon as we reach a safe place, you will tell me what is going on.”

  Magdalena nodded again and took off in the opposite direction from the stairs.

  “Where are you going?”

  “There’s another entrance that leads directly outside. We will take that one. There is less chance of being discovered before we make our escape.”

  Together, they moved rapidly down the corridor. Flickers of light from the torches, their only lighting source, cast the hallway into eerie shadows. Kat tried not to jump as they moved. She could hear squeaks and creaking like the building was going to eat them alive. The floor gave way to a large stairwell, and they climbed to the top. There was no door, only a large archway, and the sound of clashing swords lit the night sky as people cheered. The tournament Michael wanted her to attend was still in full swing. Kat stifled a giggle at the pun, and followed Magdalena who seemed to know just where they were going.

  A large, long building lay to their left. As they approached, Kat smelled the manure and knew this must be the stables. Kat could see her breath come out in puffs before her in the cold. She had no cloak and was thankful that the dress she wore was made of thick velvet and brocade. It was no wonder the people in Tudor times wore such heavy clothing. She’d heard it was a mini ice age, but she d
idn’t fully understand what that meant until now.

  They hurried into the stables and Magdalena dipped into a room and came out with two bridles. Kat took one from her.

  “We don’t have time to saddle the horses, can you ride?”

  Kat grinned. It had been a while, but she’d taken horseback riding lessons for years. “Yeah, I can ride.” She took one of the bridles.

  “Good. Pick your mount and we will go.”

  Magdalena moved to one of the stalls. Kat glanced around. Several stalls down, she heard a horse pawing the ground. She approached the stall and saw the large black Percheron standing there, pawing the ground impatiently as though he’d much rather be out running. Puffs of vapor filled the air from his velvety muzzle, and Kat was instantly in love. She moved into the stall.

  “You want out of here more than I do I think.” She held out her hand palm up and the large horse moved forward its powerful muscles bunching and glistening in the torchlight. It sniffed at her hand and then nuzzled her shoulder. Kat couldn’t help the laughter that escaped from her lips. “Okay, let’s get out of here.” She placed the bridle on the huge beast and led it from the stall.

  Magdalena smiled at her when she saw the mount Kat had chosen. “Interesting.”

  Kat patted the horse’s neck and walked it over to the stepping stool placed in the middle of the floor. She climbed up and launched herself onto the horse in one leap. The stallion didn’t move, and patiently waited for her to get settled. Once positioned, Kat grasped the reins and a handful of mane and turned the horse towards the entrance of the stables where Magdalena waited on her own horse, a smaller dapple-gray.

  Chapter Five

  In silence, they bolted from the stables and immediately turned to make their way out of the courtyard and into the surrounding forest. A shout went up as they passed by the erics where the tournament was being held. Kat didn’t want to think about what that meant, but there was no other way out of the castle grounds. She squeezed the horse with her thighs, encouraging it to go faster. A glance to the side revealed Michael’s stunned face as he watched her ride away with his prisoner. So much for any chance there.

  The wind whipped her hair across her face and she reached up with her free hand to wipe it away so she could see where they were going. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Micheal start to run toward the stables. Too late, he was too late. For some reason her heart felt as though it was breaking, but she couldn’t stop and explain. He would never believe her.

  A tear slipped down the side of her cheek and landed on her hand. Maybe she was not meant to find love. The stallion’s hooves pounded the ground as they escaped. At least her friend would be safe.

  Chapter Six

  The water lapped at the shore. Stars shone down from the sky and glistened on the black surface. Magdalena stood beside her, and the horses grazed on the gently swaying grass behind them. A ship waited on the coastline to take Magda to France where she could find sanctuary with her people.

  “Thank you my friend.” Magdalena placed a hand on Kat’s arm and gently patted it. “All will be well soon.”

  Kat’s heart was heavy. No matter how she looked at it she was stuck in the sixteenth century. She would never find her way back home. “You still haven’t answered my question. Who are you, if you are not the Magdalena I know?”

  The woman shrugged looking for all the world like her best friend. “I can only assume it was one of my descendants. I do not know what the future holds, but I do keep journals. It is possible that they were found at some point in the future. I do not know, nor do I want to know. I have a feeling that I would have been dead right now if it weren’t for you. So, thank you.”

  “You’re welcome.” Kat didn’t know what else to say.

  “You’re sure you don’t want to come with me?”

  Kat looked at the ship gently resting in the coastal waters and shook her head. “No, I am more familiar with England than France. I will be able to find my way here, somehow.”

  The men waiting in the dingy started waving frantically at them. Shouts sounded in the distance and they both glanced back. Michael and around eight other men rode at full tilt towards them.

  “We must go. Take care.” Magdalena jumped into the dingy and the men pushed off as Kat climbed back up onto her mount. Their gazes met for a moment, then Kat whirled the stallion around and took off for the forest. She could lose herself among the brush and trees.

  Her torn dress snagged on the tree branches as she passed, trying to get deep into the heart of the forest. Her hair picked up twigs and leaves. She didn’t care. She had to get away. If she could lose the men chasing her, then she would eventually make her way to the city where she could find employment as a seamstress or something. She wasn’t without skills. Kat’s mind raced as she rode.

  Suddenly, a branch whacked her across the middle and she was knocked from her horse. Her breath gone, she gasped and held her middle where the tree branch had struck. Her horse had stopped only a few feet away, well-trained to stay with his rider. She crawled to her knees and tried to move over to where he waited.

  Kat coughed and her ribs felt as though they were broken. Sharp pain split her side. As she reached for the reins, something crashed through the brush at her side.

  “I wouldn’t.”

  It was him. Michael. He sat tall and imposing upon his charger. His sharp green gaze flashed with anger, and Kat knew she had nowhere to run. She was injured and he had men with him who would stop her if she tried to run. She had dropped the sword in the tumble from her horse. There was no way she could win.

  She gave up. This was it - the end. He would kill her for letting Magda out of jail. She’d helped her friend escape, and she would do it again if she had the chance. She rolled over defiantly and glared at him.

  He jumped from his charger’s back and dropped to one knee beside her. “Why?”

  Kat met his gaze. “She’s my friend.”

  She prayed he would understand. It wasn’t about them, or anything else. Magda was her friend, and that demanded loyalty.

  Michael closed his green eyes and leaned down, resting his forehead against hers. “I knew you were too good to be true. You know what this means.”

  Kat took a deep breath, but ignored the sharp pain in her ribs. It didn’t matter anymore. Death. She’d freed a heretic. That made her a heretic, and she would die.

  “I must. Forgive me.” He lifted his handsome head and she met his gaze without flinching.

  “I know.”

  He helped her to her knees and stepped back grasping the hilt of his sword.

  “Wait.” She reached out a hand to stop him. His hand stilled. “I want to give you something.”

  She stood and closed the distance between them. Reaching up to her neck, she grasped the necklace Magdalena had given her. “Will you grant me a last request?”

  “Of course.”

  “Kiss me.”

  His green eyes darkened and he placed a hand behind her head drawing her lips to his. Their mouths touched and she kissed him for all she was worth. When they parted, they were both short of breath.

  Kat yanked on the chain holding the heart-shaped pendant in place. She held it out to him. “Take this, and remember me.” She reached for his palm and placed the pendant in his hand closing his fingers over the charm.

  The fingers on his other hand were still tangled in her hair and he pulled her close again. “I wish it was different.”

  “Me too.” Her voice sounded as though it were far off in the distance.

  “Katerina?” Confusion laced his voice, and she could see him glancing around as though he couldn’t see her. “Kat?”

  “Michael.”Kat reached out and her hand passed through him. She suddenly felt very sleepy and could no longer keep her eyes open. S
he slumped to the ground.

  Chapter Seven

  “Michael,” she muttered as a hand caressed her cheek. “Are you still going to kill me?” Her lashes fluttered open. Michael’s deep green eyes met hers with surprise, and a slow smile spread across her face when she realized she was back in her own time.

  “How could I possibly kill you?” His laughing eyes gazed down at her, “Or for that matter, why would I want to? I’ll ask you later how you know my name.”His mouth lifted in a crooked smile and a dimple appeared in his cheek.

  Kat sighed in relief and a sharp pain gabbed at her side. “Ouch.”

  He glanced down with concern. “Let me see.”

  She shifted to stop him and he grasped her wrist.

  “It’s okay, I’m a doctor.”

  “A doctor?” She eyed him skeptically. He was dressed in Sixteenth Century clothing, with an emerald green doublet that matched his eyes, black leather pants, and a white linen shirt. He looked just as though he’d stepped out of history, but the florescent lights in the ceiling told her she was back in her own time. The re-creationist groups she played with had people from all walks of life, so she supposed it was possible.

  “Yes. Now let me see.” He gently moved her hand to the side and she glanced away as he moved to touch her side.

  She met the concerned gaze of her friend Magdalena. Frustration furrowed Kat’s brow. She didn’t know how she’d gotten back, but here she was.

  “How could you?”

  Magdalena didn’t even bother looking confused. “I had to.”

  “What do you mean, ‘had too’?”

  Magda held a finger to her lips and motioned to the man who looked so much like Michael.