The Contract (20 page)

He found Callista in the hall. Due to Max’s loud reaction, everyone knew that Katrina was missing. Servants and guards were combing the castle to ascertain she was actually gone and not still inside. Others were looking for her outside, but within the inner walls. And of course, still more looked for her between the inner walls and the outer walls.

Callista’s eyes were wide when Devlin came up to her. She started to cry immediately and began to crumple but Devlin caught her elbow and kept her standing. “Callista. For Katrina’s sake, if not your own life, tell me now what you know.”

“Nothing.” She shook her head. “Nothing!” She grabbed Devlin’s hand and held it to her heart. “She never told me anything. Not one word.” Callista looked around her. “Why would she go? I don’t understand.”

Devlin looked at her closely, but she looked as if she was telling the truth.

She shook his hand to recapture his attention. “Devlin, she doesn’t trust me anymore. She’s completely alone. What did he do to her to make her leave? She loves him!”

Devlin said, “So help me, Callie, if you’re lying to me….”

Callie waved that away. “Why did she go?” she demanded.

Devlin nodded. “I can’t tell you that. I don’t trust you that far. But suffice it to say that it isn’t because she’s angry with Max. In fact, I think she’s trying to save him.”

“She’s insane! Trying to protect the Regent?”

“Callie, my brother, remember?” Devlin said calmly.

Callie grabbed Devlin by the shirt. “Find her. Please don’t let her run headlong into…” She threw up her hands. “And when he finds her, try to speak on her behalf. Calm him down for her sake.”

Devlin lifted his brows at her ferocity. 

“Devlin, don’t let Max kill her, thinking she’s betrayed him. She didn’t, I know she didn’t.” At Devlin’s continued silence she said, “She’s like my sister, only one I have chosen instead of the one God gave me!”

He slowly pulled her fists away from his shirt. “Callista, I’ll do what I can.” He turned to go, but her hand on his arm stopped him. He looked back at her, and she stepped to him, reaching up to wrap her arms around his neck to pull him down. She pressed her lips to his cheek. “Thank you,” she said softly.

Devlin let his hands, both of them, settle at her waist. “When I return, we’ll marry. Immediately.”

She nodded quickly. “I want Katrina there to see it. Please, my lord.”

“Max will bring her back if he possibly can. You know that.” And with those words he heard Max calling to him.

He turned to see his brother striding up. “No one has seen her in hours, but one guard reported that he let a man out of the laundry gate last night late. The man said he was about my business.”

“Katrina,” Devlin said.

“I assume so. She’s tall enough to be taken for a man, although I don’t know where she found the clothes. The guard didn’t remember what horse she had.” Max’s jaw ticked and his hand tightened into a fist. “He will be dealt with. But now I’m going after her.”

“I’ll come as well.” Devlin said.

“And what of my heir? If the King’s troops come here, will he catch us together?”

“Max, I’m coming. If you want to stand and argue, that’s only going to slow us down.”

Max glared at him. Devlin gave him bored eyes. Max growled a curse under his breath and turned on his heel, walking away. “Regent of the land, but my brother does whatever he damned well wants,” he muttered as he walked away.

Devlin followed him, trying to hide his smile.

Chapter Eighteen

When my head hit the back of River’s neck, I realized I’d fallen asleep again. I’d been riding all night and had slowed River to a trot. River had been tireless, eating mile after mile without seeming to notice.

I stretched in the saddle wondering just where I was. Now that it was fully light, my disguise wouldn’t fool anyone but the most nearsighted of people. I was having second thoughts about my plan. First, I had only the most vague of ideas where the King’s armies would be. Second, I had to reach there in one piece. Thirdly, I hadn’t had time to really prepare for this, and didn’t have anything to eat or drink. I’d rolled up a horse blanket and connected it to the back of the saddle. And that was it as far as supplies went.

I considered whether I was far enough away from the castle to take an hour’s nap. But then I thought of how angry Max had been when I’d last run off, and decided I’d never be far enough ahead.

I stopped some men who were cutting down trees, and while they ogled me, making me uncomfortable, they did tell me the quickest way to the river. Unfortunately it wasn’t the way the road was going, so I set off through the trees, glad to leave their curious eyes behind.

That was a mistake. Before long I was completely lost and not even sure I was headed in the right direction. My legs and arms were scratched, and River had at least one deep scratch that was bleeding. Finally when we found a clearing, I dismounted and removed River’s bridle so he could eat. I was so exhausted and discouraged that I lay down on the horse blanket and berated myself for ever leaving Max in the first place. Why hadn’t I trusted that he’d do the right thing? He was my husband and I loved him. Why couldn’t I have trusted him as well?

I was still trying to decide whether to try to go back and throw myself on his mercy or try to continue when I fell asleep.

A rough shaking woke me. A soldier was shaking my shoulder. I sat up and looked at him blearily. Max’s men had found me. I supposed I shouldn’t be surprised. Then I realized he was wearing colors I didn’t recognize. My eyes widened as it all clicked. These were not Max’s men.

I sprang to my feet, every muscle that had tightened during my sleep screaming at me. “Who are you?”

The man looked at me with some distain. “I’ll be asking you that,” he said. “What would a woman be doing with a fine horse in the middle of the forest? Did you steal it?”

“I certainly didn’t!” I said with dignity. “I’m—” But would it be smart to tell him who I was? This is what I’d wanted, wasn’t it? To turn myself over to the King and try to talk to him and convince him to leave Max’s lands alone.

The soldier scowled at me. “You are?” he prompted.

“I’m Katrina, wife to the Regent Maximus.”

The soldier reeled back. “You’re—“I stood in front of him, trying to look like a Regent’s wife.

Another soldier said, “She can’t be—”

But the leader of the soldiers, the one who had been talking to me, said, “silence.” He studied me. “How do I know you tell the truth?”

“Why would I lie? Did you tell everyone you were looking for me? Have the heralds announced it from the castle walls?” He scowled and I rolled my eyes. “I used to live in Faralee with my father, Bartimus.”

The soldier leader swallowed, and his entire demeanor changed. “My lady, uh, Princess Katrina. I’m sorry I doubted you.”

I tried not to look as surprised as I felt. “I left Max in order to see the King. Can you take me to him?”

The soldier nodded. He directed his men to remount and took the reins to River.

“What are you doing?”

“We wouldn’t want you to lose your way, Princess,” he said respectfully. “The reason we’re out here is to search for information of you.”

I allowed him to lead River and we headed out. I tried not to think about Max. Part of me had expected him to catch me, and now that it didn’t look as if that would happen, I was sick at heart. This was what I’d wanted though, so I lifted my chin and pushed my tears away.

We went through the forest until we met another road, then we traveled quickly along it until it got dark. At that point the men found a house and forced the people to put them up, eating their food and insisting that they give up their home to these rough thankless men. I tried to apologize, but the captain of the soldiers didn’t want my identity known, so kept me from the people.

I was left in the best bedroom, with two guards at both the window and the door. I certainly wouldn’t be leaving here, should that be my intention. The bed was comfortable, and I was exhausted, but I couldn’t immediately sleep. I thought of what Max was doing right now. Was he looking for me? Angry? Worried? I turned over and tried not to think about it, but my worries followed me into my sleep, and I dreamed all night of Max, betrayed and furious.

The next day we approached the river. We weren’t traveling by the road now. Max’s men were gathering, and the soldiers had removed enough of their armor to hide the fact they were the King’s men. Still, Max’s men appeared to be watching the bridges, so we were forced to swim across the river, a wet and dangerous exercise. We managed all right, but I was shivering and my teeth were chattering after we crossed. I was given a dry blanket to wrap around me, but part of me was horrified that I’d left Max’s lands. There was truly no hope for me now.

I’d assumed that we’d have to go all the way to the capital city, many days riding away, but Max had been wrong about the King’s location. Not far from the river a large group of soldiers were gathered. We went to this camp, with me freezing and sore in both spirit and body. We were questioned, and I was taken to an unassuming tent. I waited for a time, not really paying attention, all my thoughts inward, until I was ushered inside.

There was a swirl and a woman, as tall as I was, grabbed my shoulders, tearing off my dirty cap. “Katrina?” she said.

I looked at her curiously. She had hair similar to mine, but nothing else seemed recognizable. I wasn’t sure, but thought this might be Queen Ophelia.

“Katrina?” she said again, shaking me lightly.

“Yes, I’m Katrina,” I admitted.

A man came and stood next to her. He was only an inch or so taller than I was. His hair was red, almost orange, and he was dressed richly. “Ophelia, we can’t know if it’s really her.”

The woman who must be my mother—Ophelia, said, “What do you know of Bartimus?”

“Papa?” I shrugged, noticing that the man stiffened and frowned. “He raised me alone in Faralee. He was about my height, slim and quick. I adored him,” I said deliberately.

“He…was good to you then?” Ophelia asked.

“Of course. When he died I was devastated, but Max became my guardian and took me in.”

“And married you,” Ophelia spat.

“Yes, and married me,” I said calmly.

“Well, he couldn’t have been too kind to you. The captain of the cadre that found you thought you were running towards us, away from your husband,” the man said.

I nodded slowly. “Are you King Walter?” I asked.

He nodded in a kingly manner. It looked a little silly. “Then I’m here to ask the two of you to stop this ridiculous attack on Max, er, the Regent.”

Walter looked over at Ophelia. “Did Max send you?”

“Of course not. He’d never want me to endanger myself like this. He’s most likely furious at me.”

Walter said, “You’re my daughter, not that…Bartimus.’ That makes you my heir.”

I waved my hand. “I don’t care about that.”

Walter frowned.

I added, “I just want you to stop. I couldn’t get Max to listen to me, so I thought if I could convince you…”

“The Regent has overstepped his authority and committed treason against his King. I will not stand for it. I will see him hang.”

I put up my hands as Walter hissed those words. “You’re still going to attack?”

Ophelia said, “Of course. While we want you back, darling, that was just an excuse to take back the lands that bastard has stolen from us.”

“That bastard you speak of is my husband,” I hissed right back at her.

My mother stepped away from me, shocked. “You speak to me so?”

“I don’t even know you. And I do know Max. He’s honorable and clever and wonderful.”

Walter looked over at his wife. “It would seem Max has made quite an impact on our daughter.” He looked at me. “You will forget him in time. And I have decreed your marriage null,” he said archly.

“I couldn’t care less what you’ve decreed,” I snarled. “And I’m not your daughter!” I wasn’t completely sure about this, though.

Ophelia said softly to Walter, who was glaring at me, “Let me talk to her alone, woman to woman.” I thought about the knife in the sheath and wondered if I had the courage to draw it. After some discussion between the two that I wasn’t privy to, Walter left the tent. Stalked out, actually.

Ophelia considered me. “You have all the fire of your father,” she said in a quiet voice. Then she shrugged. “Yes, you could be right, Bartimus could be your father. I don’t know. I told him you were his only because I was afraid he’d kill me otherwise. He was a violent man.”

“Not with me, he wasn’t,” I said.

“He wasn’t always, I guess,” she admitted. “And I must say, you do look a bit like him. But you could just as easily be Walter’s. If a live King wishes to claim you, and the other possibility is dead, then why not embrace him and call him father?”

I just shook my head. I couldn’t understand her casual attitude. “How could you? How could you be with them both? I assume my father never knew?”

She shrugged. “Bartimus never knew I was sleeping with Walter, no. And of course I told Walter that Bartimus had forced me. I’d told Walter I’d lied about your parentage to Bartimus when he stole you away. I still can’t believe he did that. Yes, he was quite insistent that we run away together, but why would I ever leave a prince to be with an assassin?” She gave a laugh.

“But both of them?” I asked again.

“I knew once I married, my choices would be limited. Walter is a jealous man. And Bartimus…” her eyes seemed far away now. “He was so handsome, exciting, and so very lethal.”

I realized I would never understand this woman. I wasn’t sure I wanted to anymore. I’d made a horrible mistake to put myself in the hands of these two. What could I do now? Was there any way out?  “Mother,” I said, trying not to frown, “Please let me go back to Max. I love him.”

“Don’t be ridiculous, dear,” she said. “You’ll come back with us, and he’ll die. You’ll find someone else. And Walter, who I will from now on refer to as your father, already has a man who will wed you, even if you aren’t a virgin.”

I stared at her. “What if I carry Max’s child?”