Lions in the Garden

  “We could leave,” Henrik said. “The three of us. We can go to Kladno to see Father and Uncle.”

  “What about the shop?”

  “Who cares? We’ve lost our account with the castle because of Jiri. Besides, you just told me that Radek is chopping off Protestant heads.” Henrik made a face. “How long do you think we have before they start beheading people in the streets? And who do you think they’ll start with? We have more weapons in our house than anywhere else in Prague.”

  “But we have to—”

  Henrik held up his finger. “More importantly, once Radek gets word that you two are together, do you think he’ll let you be? Let me repeat—in case you didn’t absorb that crucial piece of information—Radek is chopping off Protestant heads! He’s not going to sit around quietly when you’ve stolen his bride-to-be. Any minute now, this whole rotten town is going to erupt. We should get out of here while we still can.”

  I swallowed a gulp of beer. The taste no longer bothered me, and I welcomed the slight fuzziness it offered. It made the truth a little easier to swallow, because everything Henrik had said was absolutely true. And it was terrifying.

  “I agree with you.” Marc leaned forward. “All three of us can go to Kladno, but we have to go to Mila’s father first. He has the king’s ear. Maybe he can straighten this out. We have to try Václav first, before we flee. We can do this the right way.”

  Henrik didn’t look convinced. “Fine. I’ll go with you to the castle.”

  “No,” Marc said. “I need you here.”

  “But—”

  “I need you here. Just in case it doesn’t go well.”

  Henrik sighed. “I don’t like it.”

  “I’m sorry, but this is what we have to do.”

  “I’m packing our things anyway. We may need to leave in a hurry.”

  “Good idea.”

  “I’m going to move the weapons out, too,” Henrik said. “Little by little so I don’t attract attention, but it has to be done. We can’t leave the stockpile here. They’ll raid it and we can’t afford to be unarmed. Just in case.”

  Marc kissed the top of my head. “That’s fine. Mila and I should go before it gets too late.”

  Henrik walked us outside. I watched the brothers embrace. Marc whispered something in Henrik’s ear. He closed his eyes and a flash of sadness washed over his features.

  “Take good care of my brother, Mila,” Henrik said. “I’ll see you both soon.”

  Unlike my last return to Prague Castle, I wasn’t terrified or upset at my homecoming. This time, I welcomed the sight of the enormous fortress with its sprawling grounds and tall walls sitting high on top of Hradany Hill

  This would be our refuge. Inside, I’d find the solution to all of our problems.

  Marc led the mare to the front of the castle. There was no need to sneak around to the Eastern Gate. We were no longer hiding in the shadows. Two guards stood on each side of the giant iron fence. They didn’t move as we approached. There wasn’t the slightest bit of acknowledgment—they wouldn’t even look at us.

  “Open the gate,” I said.

  “No visitors.”

  “Open the gate.” My voice rose and I hated the way it sounded so authoritative. It sounded royal.

  One of the guards lazily glanced up at me—first at my rather plain ivory and pink gypsy dress and then slowly to my face. His eyes widened. “Lady Nováková?”

  The guard kneeled. The other man followed suit, but his eyes drifted behind me to Marc. His mouth opened in a circle. “It’s one of the jewel thieves!”

  The guards drew their swords and pointed them at Marc. The man’s voice was loud enough that a handful of others from inside the walls rushed to the gate.

  “It most certainly is not.” I made my voice stern. “He’s my rescuer. Now, open the gate. I wish to see my father immediately.”

  The guard’s sword wavered. He glanced at the other guard.

  “Shall I tell the king you refused to grant me entry?”

  Marc was silent behind me. He’d dropped his hands from my waist when we approached the castle, but he discreetly squeezed my hip to calm me.

  “No, my lady,” the guard mumbled. “Steig, open the gate!”

  Marc chuckled. “You’ve quite the temper.”

  “Open the gate!” the guard screamed. “Lady Nováková has returned!”

  Metal groaned as the giant gate slowly parted. Marc urged the horse forward and we entered the castle’s grounds, up the same stone path where I had attempted my escape from Kristoff.

  Three of the guards escorted us to the main palace entrance. We slid off the mare. Marc immediately released me once my feet touched the ground. I didn’t like the distance he’d put between us, but it was necessary. At least for now. Everyone believed I was still engaged to the Duke of Prucha. I hoped Radek was still somewhere outside the castle’s walls.

  Two of the guards took the reins and led Jiri’s mare down to the stables. One guard stayed with us as we walked down the corridor.

  “Is there a reason why you’re following us?” I asked the guard.

  “Simply a precaution, Lady Nováková.”

  “A precaution against what?”

  The guard didn’t answer.

  I muttered curses at him and rang the servant bell. I had no idea where my father was and I didn’t want to waste time searching the grounds.

  A woman appeared. I didn’t recognize her, but she bowed. “Lady Nováková! My goodness! You’re back! Are you all right? Everyone in the castle has been going crazy since you were taken. We’ve been so worried.”

  “Thank you. I must see my father at once. Can you find him?”

  “Yes, my lady.” She disappeared around the corner.

  We stood in silence and waited. Marc and I couldn’t say much to each other with the guard watching us. Minutes ticked by and I grew nervous.

  What was going on?

  A man rounded the corner and bowed severely. I recognized him as one of the king’s aides. “Lady Nováková, your father will meet you and . . . your friend in his study.”

  “Thank you,” I said. I pointed my finger at the guard. “You stay here. I don’t need an escort.”

  The guard frowned, but my threat must’ve been sufficient, because he stayed put. I led Marc through the front palace, under the covered corridor that connected the other sections of the castle, and into the building where I lived. My father’s study was located on the top floor. We climbed the spiral staircase and stopped outside his closed door.

  The torches were unlit in the empty hallway, casting Marc’s face in a dark shadow. I rose to my tiptoes and kissed him softly on the lips. “Everything is going to work out.”

  He brushed his hand down my cheek and kissed me again, more thoroughly than the quick peck I’d given him. I straightened my hair, smoothed my gown, and knocked twice before entering.

  The study was as bright as day. A fire roared in the fireplace, several lanterns were lit, and the balcony’s drapes were open, allowing the bright half-moon to shine inside.

  My father stood on the balcony watching the city. He turned when we entered, his eyes sliding over my Gypsy dress and then moving to Marc.

  “Ludmila,” he said. “You’ve come home.” He extended his open arms to me.

  I crossed the space and hugged my father. He squeezed me tightly and kissed the top of my head before releasing me. “I was dreadfully worried about you. I can’t believe those savages took you. Did they hurt you?”

  “No, I’m all right. Marc saved me.”

  My father glanced behind me. “This is Marc?”

  I pulled my father to him. “This is Marc Sýkora. Marc, please meet my father, Václav Novák.”

  Marc bowed. “Chancellor Novák.”

  “Sýkora?” My father pressed his lips together. “Are you the blacksmith’s son?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  My dad looked at me. A crease formed between his bushy eyebrows. “But
I was informed that you were kidnapped by the blacksmith’s son.”

  “No, Father, Marc saved me,” I repeated. “These men named Urek and Kristoff—”

  “It was my younger brother, Jiri, Chancellor Novák,” Marc said. “He was involved in the theft of the jewels without my or my older brother, Henrik’s, knowledge. My deepest apologies.”

  “Where is your brother Jiri now?”

  “Dead.”

  “Well.” My father pushed his sleeves up to his skinny elbows. Age-spotted skin sagged from his bones. “I’m most grateful to have my daughter returned to me. I’ve been extremely worried about her.”

  “It’s my pleasure, sir.”

  “You’ve had quite the week, Ludmila,” my father said. “You must be exhausted. You too, Mr. Sýkora.”

  “Wait.” I stopped my father before he could dismiss us. “I need to tell you something. It’s important.”

  “Yes, of course, my dear.”

  “I won’t marry Radek.”

  My father’s gaze slid to Marc and then back to me. “Ludmila, this is something you and I can discuss in private.”

  “No.” I shook my head. “On our way back to Prague, we stopped at a village. I saw Radek.”

  “You saw him? Where is he?”

  “I don’t know. I hid from him.”

  “What?” My father made a face. “The duke has been searching for you since the night you were taken. He’s been worried sick about you, Ludmila.” At this, my father’s eyes lingered on Marc. “I don’t understand why you didn’t go to Radek.”

  “Maybe I would’ve gone to the duke if he wasn’t busy murdering people,” I snapped.

  “What?”

  “A Protestant,” I said. “We saw Radek with three of the king’s guards. They had this poor Protestant pastor out behind a building. Radek beheaded him with a sword.”

  My father blinked, shook his head, and walked toward the fireplace. “There has to be some reasonable explanation. Maybe the man was a criminal?”

  “Since when does Radek have the authority to try criminals? Or to execute them in the streets? If the pastor were guilty of some crime, shouldn’t he have been brought back to the castle and dealt with by you? Did you hear what I said? Radek beheaded a man!”

  My father threw me an exasperated glance. “Calm down, sweetheart. There must be an explanation. You know Radek. He’s a good man.”

  I took Marc’s hand and intertwined our fingers. “I will not marry Radek because of what I saw him do. But, more importantly, I will not marry the duke because I don’t love him. I love Marc.”

  My father stared at our entwined hands. “And how does Marc feel about you?”

  “I love her more than I ever thought I was capable of, sir,” Marc said. “She is everything to me.”

  My father bit his lower lip. “All right.”

  “What?” I asked.

  “I said, ‘All right.’ He saved you. You love each other. I want you to be happy, my dear.” My father smiled. “Now, it’s late and I’m tired. You have been through too much this past week. We all have. Let us end this horrible nightmare with a good night’s sleep. I’ll call for Branka to take you to your room and I’ll have someone escort Marc out.”

  “I’ll walk Marc out,” I said.

  “As you wish.” My father kissed me on the forehead. “Good night, my dear. I’ll see you in the morning.” He turned to Marc, but before Marc could bow, my father extended his hand.

  Marc had a peculiar look on his face when they shook hands.

  “Thank you for saving my daughter,” my father said. “I mean it.”

  “You’re welcome, sir.”

  My father nodded, dismissing us, and I practically dragged Marc out of the study. As soon as the door closed, I threw myself in his arms. “See! I told you! He’d never make me marry Radek if he knew what he did!”

  Marc looked down at me. “You were right.”

  “What’s wrong?”

  He forced a smile. “Nothing. This is wonderful news.”

  “He liked you,” I said. “Come on, I’ll walk you to the gate.”

  I led Marc down the hallway. My heart raced with excitement—I couldn’t have asked for a better reaction from my father. Marc was silent as we crossed the covered corridor to the front palace. He smiled at me whenever I looked at him, but he didn’t say much. Maybe he was tired? I was—I longed for my own bed and a hot bath.

  We arrived at the front gates, where the same two guards were posted. Jiri’s mare waited for Marc on the other side of the fence.

  “You searched my horse?” Marc asked through the iron bars.

  The guard shrugged. “Standard procedure.”

  Our sack of supplies from Zora was in a different position. I immediately thought of Radek’s diamond necklace, but then I remembered I’d put it in my dress pocket. I patted my leg and felt the hard gems beneath the thin fabric.

  “I have the diamond necklace,” I whispered. “Do you need it for the—”

  Marc shook his head. “No. You keep it.” He wrapped a long strand of my hair around his finger and tugged gently. “That took a lot of guts to tell your father that you loved me.”

  “I do.”

  “I meant what I said up there, too,” Marc said softly. “I love you more than anything.” He rested his hands on my hips and kissed me good night. It was odd that he displayed such affection in front of the guards, but I hardly cared what they thought.

  He nestled his nose against my ear. “Stay strong,” he whispered.

  Before I could ask what he meant, he kissed me again, but rougher. His tongue moved deeply against mine and then, just as quickly, he released me. He kissed me once more tenderly on the forehead before he turned and walked away.

  “I’ll see you tomorrow,” I promised.

  Marc glanced over his shoulder as he stepped through the gates. “I love you.”

  He mounted his mare and rode down the steep hill. I should’ve been thrilled at the turn of events, but as I watched him disappear over the bridge, I couldn’t fight the feeling that I’d never see him again.

  Chapter Sixteen

  One would think that after being kidnapped and forced to sleep on the uncomfortable forest ground, on top of twigs and rocks, sleeping in one’s own bed would feel like heaven.

  It didn’t.

  I hardly slept. My mind raced with thoughts of everything that had happened in the past few days. Jiri’s death. Radek’s beheading of the Protestant. My father’s accepting of Marc.

  But mostly, I thought of Marc.

  We had been together every second of every day for the past week. His absence bothered me. I wanted him to grin at me with that crooked smile. I wanted to touch him, but more importantly, I wanted to talk to him.

  I was bothered by how Marc had acted at the gate. Why wasn’t he more excited about what had happened last night? Wasn’t he happy that I no longer had to marry Radek? Why did he tell me to stay strong? What did that mean? What more could possibly happen to me where I would need to be strong? I didn’t understand it. And what was with that kiss? So fierce. So urgent. Like he’d never kiss me again.

  I sat up in bed.

  I couldn’t think about that—the idea upset me too much.

  The drapes in my room were pulled shut, but weak light spilled in between the fabric. At least it was morning. I could take a bath and eat, and then it would be an acceptable time of the day to go down to the city to see Marc. I was anxious to see his face.

  I swung my feet off the bed. The muscles in my thighs ached from the long hours on horseback. I flexed my ankles and stretched my calf muscles. A swift knock sounded at the door.

  “Who is it?”

  “Leticia.”

  “Who?” I stared at the closed door.

  “I have your bathwater, my lady.”

  I walked to my desk and pulled open the drawer. My garnet dragon dagger was where I’d left it. I grabbed the knife, noting that I no longer feared the visi
ons of my mother’s suicide, and opened the door. I hid the dagger behind my back.

  A young servant girl held two buckets of water for my morning bath. I moved to the side so she could enter. “Where’s Branka?”

  “She’s not feeling well.”

  “What’s wrong with her?”

  “I don’t know.” Leticia poured the water into the tub. “Will you need help dressing?”

  “No, thank you. I’ll manage on my own.”

  “Have a good day.” She bowed before leaving the room.

  Branka must be extremely sick. I’d expected to see her face the moment I woke. Technically, I’d expected a stern lecture for sneaking out of the room when I was told to stay put. She must’ve been so worried about me when she’d learned about my kidnapping.

  I sank into the tub, enjoying the warmth of the water. I scrubbed every inch of my body, luxuriating in the cleanliness. I picked out a dress to wear—a pale pink gown with a white bodice.

  I dried my hair and pinned the sides back with one of my mother’s pearl combs. It felt good to be clean and properly dressed again. My stomach snarled at me to feed it, so I headed downstairs to the kitchen. I would find something to eat for breakfast, visit Branka, and then go to the blacksmith’s shop to see Marc.

  I walked down the main corridor that led to the kitchen. I passed two girls from court whom I knew, but they lowered their eyes when they saw me. “Hello,” I said.

  They didn’t respond.

  “Hello,” I repeated.

  The girl turned to her friend. “Did you hear that she stayed in the woods with four Protestants for almost a week? She slept on the ground with those filthy men.”

  “I don’t know why the duke still wants to marry her. Tainted goods.” The girls sneered at me before turning down the long corridor.

  My back teeth ground together. I’d never been overly fond of any of the girls at court, but their nastiness upset me more than I cared to admit. I took a deep breath and quickened my pace to the kitchen. I was halfway to a plate of eggs and sausage when Radek rounded the corner.

  We both froze.

  “Ludmila, I heard you were back.” Radek regained his composure and bowed at the hip. “I was on my way to find you, my dear. I’m glad you’re safe.” He stepped toward me and I instinctively inched back. All I could see was the satisfaction on his handsome face when he’d beheaded the Protestant.