When it was done, Kathryn sat before the tiny blaze, her mind spinning with the possibilities. She could travel through time and space. She could go home or she could try her luck in a totally different world. Or she could stay here.
Her fingers tightened around the journal as Marc’s face popped into her mind. All day, her thoughts had gone to him again and again. But the laws of the land would not allow her to remain with him. Tears pricked her eyes but she blinked them back. There was no time for that now.
Suddenly, she heard a commotion outside. Pushing to her feet, she went back to the window. Kathryn placed her nose against the glass, peering through the few clear pieces of glass. There was a huge crowd gathering in the courtyard below.
“They wouldn’t.” With her obsession with reading the journal, she’d forgotten all about the men issuing challenges earlier. She knew what that meant. A fight. Possibly to the death, with Marc right in the thick of things.
What had she missed while she’d been hiding away in her room? Because that’s what she’d been doing, she realized. Hiding.
Well, the time had come to face the reality of the situation. She’d faced down worse and survived. She could do this. But, her heart screamed that she’d never had this much to lose before. Although she was attracted to Tienan and Logan, she had deeper feelings for Marc. It might seem impossible but then this entire situation was impossible. What was one more thing?
There was one heavy thud on the door and it was shoved open. Christina, her face pale, rushed into the room. “You have to come with me.”
Chapter Nine
Standing in the courtyard, Marc swung his sword, testing it, feeling the perfectly balanced blade cut through the air. It was an extension of his hand, a weapon he’d used many times before. There was a light breeze but the sun was shining. The air was sweet with the smell of freshly cut hay, overlaid with the scent of leather, sweat and horses.
His long hair was tied back at his nape and he’d discarded his vest. His boots and leather pants fit comfortably and his wrists and upper arms were sheathed in strong, metal bands. A sense of rightness and calm descended upon him. This was his destiny.
“Are you certain?” His brother stood by his side, ready to support him but Marc could see the concern in Jarek’s face. He loved and respected his brother, had watched his back and followed him into battle many times. Now it was Jarek’s turn to watch and wait while Marc fought.
“There is no other choice. Kathryn is mine.”
Jarek’s piercing brown eyes narrowed as he watched the gathering crowd. A dog barked in the distance and the murmur of the crowd grew louder. The clang of metal and the swish of blades being tested filled the air as several groups of men readied themselves and their champion to fight. “What about Christina?” It was a casual question but Marc sensed the turbulence underlying his brother’s words.
“Christina has always been yours.” This time when he said the words there was no emptiness in his heart, for Kathryn had filled it. Marc had gone to his two nephews earlier, giving them one final hug before they were sent off with Mara. He expected to win but he wanted to say goodbye just in case. The outcome of any fight was never one hundred percent certain.
Their conversation was cut short as Tienan strode up to them, Logan by his side.
Both men looked determined and Tienan appeared more than ready to fight even with the bandage wrapped around his shoulder. Looking at him, you’d never know that the man had been close to death just a day before. His powers of recovery were phenomenal. “We will fight beside you.”
Marc shook his head. “That is not the way it is done. Each family will chose a champion and I will fight them. However,” he continued as Tienan started to interrupt.
“I would value having you watch my back in case someone gets a bit overzealous and tries to interfere.”
Tienan’s eyes narrowed and his lips thinned. “That is hardly fair. Kathryn was ours to protect long before you knew her.”
That reminder made Marc scowl. The fact that they had a history with Kathryn left him unsettled. He could fight for her but she could still choose one of the other men. Or she might simply decide to return home. His fingers tightened around his sword hilt and he forced them to relax. Now was not the time to allow emotion to take over. That would only hinder him as he fought.
Mennoc Fairmount swaggered forward, his three brothers behind him. “Come and meet your death, Garen. We would be on our way with our new bride.” The crowd roared, some of them booing Mennoc, while others cheered him. His brother Enoc laughed, his blue eyes glittering with a combination of anger and lust.
Marc strode to the center of the clearing, confident that the fight would be fair. His brother was guarding his back, along with Tienan and Logan. As well, the Bakra brothers had pledged their support. The Fairmount brothers had brought a contingent of their own men with them, as had all the visiting families but the castle guard watched them carefully. Everything was ready.
Jarek raised his hand and the crowd subsided, growing quiet. “The tapestry has blessed this land once again by bringing a potential bride.” The crowd roared again.
Studying his opponent, Marc waited for his brother to dispense with the formalities so they could get on with it.
“This is a fight to see who might claim Kathryn Piedmont.” Again the crowd went wild at Jarek’s words. “But the choice ultimately belongs to her. The power of the tapestry will not be denied.” Men muttered but they all nodded. None could deny the power of the magic.
“She will stay,” Mennoc spat. “I will destroy the tapestry.”
“Foolish words from one who has never felt its power.” Marc raised his sword, ready to fight.
Mennoc’s eyes narrowed as he circled slowly to gain a better position from which to strike. They all knew that the tapestry had taken Marc to Kathryn. That was his best claim at the moment. That and the fact that Kathryn had allowed him into her bed.
Thoughts of Kathryn, naked and writhing beneath him, filled his mind. He swore that he could almost smell her fragrant skin, tinged with her arousal. His cock stirred and he shook himself to bring his attention back to the present. Daydreams at a time like this could well lead to his death. His opponent might not be the best of men but he was a damn good fighter. Marc tracked the other man’s every movement, shifting carefully and watching for an opening.
“Stop this!” Kathryn’s voice rang out. Marc started to glance her way and caught the flash of metal off to his left. Ducking, he rolled. The blade whooshed by his head, a sharp reminder to pay attention to the job at hand.
He attacked, driving Mennoc back toward the edge of the crowd that encircled them. The afternoon sun was bright, so Marc tried to keep it behind him lest it temporarily blind him. Mennoc was trying to do the same.
The air was cool but a layer of perspiration coated his chest and arms as their blades met in a clash of steel and sparks. They battled on and the crowd cheered with each well-struck blow.
Marc’s sword slipped under Mennoc’s guard, drawing first blood from the other man’s neck. Swearing, Mennoc surged forward, renewing his attack with a ferocity that was astounding. Marc countered every move, every strike. The calmness that had enveloped him earlier remained, allowing his mind to be quick and his reflexes lightning-fast.
Kathryn. He was fighting for her and for the future he hoped they’d have together.
Whether here in Javara or back in her world, Marc was determined to be at her side for whatever time the gods granted them.
A scream ripped through the air. Kathryn! Marc swiveled around just in time to catch a glimpse of one of the Forrester brothers trying to abduct her. The crowd surged forward and Marc lost sight of her. Mennoc let out a roar and Marc flung himself to the side, hitting the ground and rolling back to his feet.