Left Behind
Katerina sat quietly with the girls at breakfast. They all were chattering away about this and that. But all Katerina could do was think about Bash. Despite everything that transpired, he was the only thing on her mind. He had kept true to her request, and the two barely saw each other. When they did, Bash would avoid her gaze completely, ashamed at what he had done.
But recently, when they had passed by each other, they both had looked back. For a small brief moment, their eyes met again and Katerina began to feel her heart flutter. However the two looked away quickly and continued on with their lives. Not one word exchanged, just one magical glance.
"Katerina?" Katerina was pulled out of her thoughts as she turned to Lola, who was staring at her.
"I'm sorry. What did you say?"
"I asked if you had seen Greer this morning."
"Oh no, I haven't." Katerina resumed stirring her bowl of oatmeal.
"You're thinking about him, aren't you?" Kenna asked.
"I know I shouldn't. But I am. I can't help it." Katerina sighed. "Things are still not great between Mary and me. I'm trying to look passed what both of them did for the sake of my relationship with my sister. But I just can't. At least not yet."
"Maybe you just need another man to get Bash off you mind." Kenna purred.
Katerina laughed. "Not wanting to put myself down, but who would want me? I had it perfect with Bash. We were both bastards. No one will want to be with me."
"Nonsense." Lola said.
"Lola is right." Aylee interjected. "You are beautiful and smart. Any man would be lucky to have you."
"And I think I know just the man." Kenna added. "His name is Lord Charles Montgomery. He is from a wealthy family in Paris and he has come to court looking for a bride. Plus, he's very handsome."
"Is he even here?" Katerina asked. "The castle is almost empty with the King and his soldiers gone."
"And Montgomery isn't a soldier." Kenna explained. "I bet I could get you two together for lunch today by the lake." A cool shiver ran through Katerina as she remembered the feeling of the lake and Francis pulling her back to the surface. "I know it is so soon after Bash. But I think you need to get back at him and show him you are wanted."
Katerina was silent for a second before she conceded. "Alright. If you can set up a meeting, I will talk with Lord Montgomery."
Kenna smiled and clapped her hands together, proud of her matchmaking work. Katerina only rolled her eyes at the girl. Maybe a new man in her life was exactly what she needed to get her mind off of Bash.
Katerina walked through the hallway back to her room, a book in hand. She had just come from the library and wanted to get started on her studies on Ancient Greece. It was one of many things that truly intrigued her. She flipped the book around in her hand, admiring the detail of the leather binding, so much so, that she didn't notice where she was going, until she hit someone. Katerina dropped the book, it landing with a thud on the floor. She and the person bent down to retrieve the book, but she stopped, seeing who it was.
"I'm sorry." Bash said, staring into her eyes. Katerina quickly looked away, taking her book and smoothing out her skirt.
"It's alright she said."
"I see that you not only like Norse mythology, but Greek as well." Bash said, having read the cover of the book.
"Yes. Many things interest me."
"I know. That's what I loved about you."
"Please Sebastian, don't."
"Sebastian?" He asked. "Only Catherine calls me that."
"Well, Catherine doesn't want to be chummy with you. As you do I."
"Katerina, please talk to me. I told you I was sorry. I can't not be with you."
"A hundred apologies won't make up for the fact that you kissed my sister."
"That was a drunken mistake. It didn't mean anything."
"Then if we were still together, how many drunken mistakes would I have to look out for?"
"Katerina!" Both turned, seeing Kenna walking up to them. "I've talked with Lord Montgomery." She said. "He wants to see you."
"Lord Montgomery?" Bash asked. "You are going to see that cocky fur trader."
"Lord Montgomery happens to be a gentleman." Kenna growled, angry with Bash for what he had done to hurt Katerina. "And he has a title. Well…..at least a respectable one."
Bash grimaced at Kenna's low blow, but kept from saying anything. "Well, I hope you two enjoy each other." And with that, he walked away. Katerina turned to watch him, hoping maybe he would turn back around. He didn't.
Katerina nervously rubbed her hands on her skirt as she walked. Kenna had made her change twice already and it wasn't even noon. This made her anxious and she just wanted to meet the man already. She made her way out into the gardens, spotting two men standing at the center of it by the rose bushes, one older and one younger. The younger was definitely Lord Montgomery.
Kenna had certainly been right about Montgomery's looks. He was tall, with fair skin, and a muscular build. His hair was a deep chocolate brown, looking almost black in the sunlight, which curled ever so slightly at the ends, and he had beard and mustache that was neatly trimmed. He wore a simple black leather jacket over top a flowing white shirt, with long pants and riding boots to match. If he hadn't of already spotted her, Katerina would have stopped dead in her tracks.
Katerina made her way over to him and bowed gracefully once she reached him. "Lord Montgomery." She said, trying to keep her voice from showing her excitement.
He reached out grabbed her hand, kissing it as he bowed to her. "Lady Katerina." He said. A shiver went up her spine at the way he said her name. She really hoped her cheeks weren't flushed. "It is a pleasure to meet you. Lady Kenna told me of your beauty, but she obviously left out a lot of wonderful details."
Okay, now she was really blushing. Montgomery extended a hand out to her, and she took it, letting him lead her over to a stone bench at the center of the gardens. She carefully looked back, noticing that the older gentleman had not moved from him post. He remained straight and stern, seemingly frozen in time.
"That's just Jeffrey." He told her. "My bodyguard. My father insists that I go everywhere with him."
"I understand. Many nobleman here at court have body guards."
"And how many other nobleman have caught your eyes?" He asked, slyly raising an eyebrow and grinning at her.
Katerina chuckled. "Only one."
"So, I understand you are the sister of the Queen of Scotland."
Katerina sighed. She knew this was going to happen. "Yes. I am her sister."
"I just wanted to let you know, that I don't care about your parentage. I just wanted to tell you that first. My family will probably have something to say about it, but I don't care." He paused. "I've lived my entire life for my family. When I make my own family, I want it to be on my terms."
Katerina was so stunned, she couldn't speak. This man seemed to be saying all the right things and actually seemed to mean it. He was first man that she had ever met that was so direct, but so kind about it. "Is something wrong?" He asked.
"I'm just trying to decide if you are really real."
"Trust me, I am." He reached over and picked a single pink rose, handing it to her. "Now, tell me about yourself."
"Well, I'm currently beginning studies on Ancient Greece."
Their conversation went on from there. They ended up getting up, walking around the garden, back towards the palace. Katerina was laughing and blushing, not really believing it for a minute. This was too good to be true, but it was a wonderful reversal from the past few days. Jeffrey had followed the two back up to the steps to go back into the palace.
"You are a fascinating woman Lady Katerina." Montgomery said.
"I appreciate that." She paused. "You are far past my expectations."
"I hope that is a good thing."
"It is a wonderful thing."
"You there!" Katerina and Montgomery turned, seeing a guard stalking up to them. "The Count Vincent of Italy has demanded all people of the castle return to their rooms immediately."
"Count Vincent?" Katerina asked. "What about the Dauphin?"
"Katerina." Montgomery whispered. He leaned down to her ear. "I believe that the Queen and the Dauphin have lost the castle. He's a trained soldier." Montgomery straightened. "We will return to our rooms immediately." He took Katerina's hand and escorted her back into the castle, Jeffrey on their trail. She led him to her room, stopping in front of her door.
"Thank you for walking me back to my room. If you are right, are you going to be okay?" She asked.
"I'll be fine." He replied. "And if anything were to happen, I would make sure you were the first to know." Katerina smiled. He gently grabbed her hand and kissed it. "It was a pleasure meeting you."
"The pleasure was all mine." She said. Katerina slowly walked back into her room, closing the door, and leaning against it. She let out a tiny squeal and laughter, putting the rose up to her nose. She took a deep breath and she ran over to the bed, flinging herself on top of it in excitement.
Not long after she had returned to her room, she was summoned to Mary's room with the other girls. This is when she realized the gravity of what was going on. Everyone was scared, not just because of the fact that there were now dangerous men roaming around the castle, but because no one had seen Greer all day. Katerina was not one to show her fear, but with each passing minute, the idea of something happening to Greer left her more scared.
"What happened to Greer?" Aylee asked, breaking a long silence. "Do you think the Italians took her?"
"Don't think that way Aylee." Katerina quickly spat out. As she said this, there was a knock on the door. A guard opened it, letting in a servant. But not just any servant. It was Greer!
"Your Grace." Greer said, bowing to Mary before the guard closed the door. Greer put down the tray as he left, leaving them alone.
"Greer, are you all right?" Lola asked, the girls running up to her.
"I can't stay long." Greer told them. "I've been in the kitchen."
"Why are you dressed like a servant?" Katerina asked.
"Servants are invisible. I thought I'd be safer as one of them, so I borrowed some clothes."
"So you're actually working in the kitchen?" Kenna asked, in a rather disgusted tone.
"Trying to work, and making rather a mess of it." She sighed. "What's going on up here? Are you all right?"
"For the moment." Lola replied. "All we can do is wait to find out if the queen and Francis will strike a bargain with the count."
"But I have never been good at waiting." Mary said. She moved over to her side table, grabbing a candle, heading to the panel on her wall. She carefully opened it, turning back to the girls. "I'll be back. I'm going to find us a way out of here."
Katerina walked up to the dark wooden door and waited as Jeffrey opened the door for her. She quickly entered, taking off her hood as the door closed behind her. "Katerina, what are you doing here?" Montgomery asked.
"We need your help." She said. "Tonight, Count Vincent is throwing a feast before he returns to Italy with the Dauphin." Montgomery stood. "He's going to take Francis hostage, and mostly likely kill him."
"What do I need to do?"
"Mary has found a way out through the tunnels under the castle. Francis is going to escape with his little brothers, but he needs your help in getting the servants and everyone else out safely."
"I would love to serve my Dauphin, but what about you? How will you get out?"
"My sister, friends, and I will attend the feast, but find a way to leave and slip out behind you. We will meet outside in the woods."
"I don't feel right about leaving you and your friends behind."
"We will be fine. We can protect ourselves." She moved closer to him, taking his hands. "But if you really do care for me, I need you to help Francis get everyone out."
Montgomery sighed and squeezed her hands.
"Mary, I can't do it." Kenna said, the nerves getting the better of her. "Think of how angry they'll be when they discover they've been tricked."
"We'll be gone before they do." Mary replied, trying to reassure her.
"What if it doesn't work?" Aylee asked. "What if he doesn't believe you?"
Suddenly, there was a knock at the door, startling the girls. It opened to reveal Catherine, who looked almost as scared as them. She quickly entered the room and the door shut behind her. "I know what you're thinking." Catherine started. "It's what any woman would think. But I've come to tell you not to be afraid. I'll be there when you enter the room and I'll be there when you leave. Get through this night, and these men will be gone from your lives."
"And suddenly you care about us?" Katerina asked.
"Katerina, she wants to help, to shield us from these evil men."
"Please." Lola spit out. "When has the French court not been full of evil men? And women? Since we got here, we've been lied to by people who smile and say pretty things as they stab us in the back. At least these men don't pretend to be our friends."
"I agree with Lola." Kenna added. "You come in here mouthing platitudes, but you have no idea what this is like, to have a target on your back."
"I know exactly what this is like." Catherine spat out, walking towards the girls. "When I was eight years old, rebels stormed the Florentine palace. Both my parents were already dead, but my name and my family's fortunes made me a target."
"At eight years old?" Kenna asked.
"War doesn't spare children. I was held hostage for years, until finally they had to decide what to do with this Medici girl. Many of the soldiers, just like these, they demanded that I be turned over to them so that they would…" She paused, swallowing before she started again. "So that I would be shared. And I can still hear their laughter outside the convent. That sickening laughter."
"What happened?" Aylee asked.
"The nuns and I prayed. We prayed for God to send the Pope and his armies to retake the city and rescue me in time. And then one day... the laughter stopped. It grew quiet. And I stepped out into the sunlight, over their bodies, and Pope Clement welcomed me into his arms. I emerged intact and so will you if you have faith."
Katerina, Mary, and their friends entered the hall to an already filled table. They all took their sits at the banquet table, Katerina noticing that Greer was serving alongside the kitchen boy Leith. She was seated in the middle of Kenna and Catherine, who was positioned beside the Count. Once the girls were settled, Catherine got up, going to a giant chest at the head of the table. "Gentlemen," She started, getting everyone's attention. "Please, my gift to you." She opened the chest to reveal more coins and jewels then Katerina had ever seen in her life. The men clamored at the reveal, eyeing their master to see if they could steal some handfuls. The Count nodded and the man began to laugh, each filling their pockets with Catherine's gift. As she took her seat again, Katerina noticed that she flipped over a sandglass, before passing around the food with the Count.
A few minutes into the meal, she looked over and saw Mary lean over to the Count, whispering to him. The plan was officially in motion. She only hopped that Montgomery had helped Francis and the others get out before they were allowed to leave.
"My ladies will attend me." Katerina heard Mary say, and all of the girls got up, following Mary out of the banquet hall. As they walked towards the hallway, they cautiously watched for passing guards, Lola grabbing a candle from a lone table. Mary stopped at the panel, knocking twice. No one answered. She tried again. And then a third time.
"Perhaps it's the wrong panel." Lola offered. But Katerina was not convinced. This time she knocked twice.
"Olivia?" She asked quietly, hoping the girl would hear her on the other side. Still no answer. She began to furiously knock.
"Hurry." Mary begged. "It only opens from the inside. Olivia?!"
But Katerina stopped, knowing that the girl was not there. She let out a frustrated sigh. "Count Vincent sent me to find you." All the girls turned, seeing one of Vincent's guards standing there.
"Oh, we were just on our way back." Katerina said, giving him a smile as she tried to sound calm. The man escorted them back into the banquet hall, and Katerina could have sworn Catherine had seen a ghost when they walked in. She quickly jumped out of her seat, not letting the girls sit back down.
"Count Vincent... isn't this enough?" She asked the man, walking over to the chest. He did not reply, and she closed the chest. The room was now silent. "You know the king will go to war for his heirs."
"What of it?" Vincent asked. "Can Henry give me the life I had a year ago?" Catherine sighed. "Then let the heavens fall." He paused. "Enough. Thank you for this generous feast." He and his man now stood. "Now we will be on our way."
"Please." Catherine begged. "Please do not take my children. What else can I give you?" She paused, lost in thought. She glanced back at the girls for one quick second, and Katerina almost choked the woman. "Do you want women? Take them. Take their virtue."
"Catherine, no!" Mary exclaimed.
"You liar!" Katerina shouted.
"They won't dare say a word about it." Catherine said, convincing him. "They'd be ruined! You can have them, you can have anything."
"Give me your heart then." Vincent exclaimed, pulling out his knife. "Carve it out and hand it to me so that we might understand one another." He forcefully slammed it into the table, causing the girls to jump and hold onto each other. "That is diplomacy; to understand my loss. To carry the weight of your dead heart with you every night and day until you find your grave!" He paused. "Roberto. Give me Roberto... and I will let your children live." Vincent calmly stalked over to Mary, causing Katerina to almost throw herself in front of her sister. However, he still walked up to the two, almost whispering in Mary's ear. "Forgive me, Mary... for I am not a gentle man."
That's when the men grabbed at them. They screamed and fought, trying to save themselves. Katerina, skilled in some combat, punch her attacker in the face, causing him to stagger back, long enough for her to see Kenna get pushed to the ground and kicked. The man regained his balance and went back for her a second time. This time he was able to push her up against the wall as she watched in horror, as Mary was forced onto the table by Count Vincent.
"Count Vincent." She heard Catherine say. "Count Vincent!" This time the room stopped and went quiet, as Catherine yelled and sent her sandglass flying. "Do you know why your son is dead? Because of you. Because, unlike me, you aren't willing to pay the necessary price." She walked closer to him. "So I'll make you a new offer. Take your hands off of Mary and I'll let you leave this castle with your life."
"My lord?" All attention turned to a guard whose nose was bleeding. "My lord!" All the men began groaning, letting the girls go as they dropped to the ground lifeless.
"No..." Vincent mumbled. "We... we ate the same food. We drank my wine."
"Poison is an art." Catherine replied. "And the essence of art is surprise."
"The gold." Mary whispered as she looked down at the floor and the knocked over chest.
"I never touched your gold, Medici bitch." Vincent exclaimed, drawing his sword. Katerina saw her opportunity and grabbed the sword of her attacker, stabbing it through Vincent's chest. Mary gasped as she escaped from under the man, joining the girls as they helped stand Kenna up. Vincent grabbed onto Katerina, knocking her to the ground, his sword still in the air. "You will pay for this he gasped, sending little droplets of blood onto Katerina's face.
Suddenly there was a loud gasp as Vincent's hand was cut off by an unknown person. They pulled Vincent off Katerina, revealing that her savior was none other than Francis. He helped her up, being careful in case she was hurt. Katerina looked down at the man's lifeless body. "Your son awaits you." Was all she could say.
Francis hugged Mary as Katerina rejoined the girls, finally getting her first look at the hurt Kenna. "It's all right, Kenna." She said, carefully pulling the girl close.
"You saved us." Lola huffed out, still in shock. She turned. "Catherine saved us."
Catherine walked over to them, carefully examining Kenna's face as the girl began to cry. "Why didn't you tell us?" Aylee asked.
"I learned long ago that only a secret known by one person remains a secret." She replied. "And of course, I... I wasn't sure it would work."
"Kenna, I'm so sorry." Mary said, intruding in order to hug the girl.
"I'll be all right." Kenna replied, clinging to Mary.
"I'll get her to the infirmary." Francis said. "Here. Come with me. Take my arm." He put Kenna's arm around his neck and helped her walk as Lola and Aylee walked alongside them.
"That could have been me." Mary hissed at Catherine as soon as they were out of ear shot.
"Or worse." Katerina added. "Why did you stop the Count? Why didn't you just let him... finish Mary off... ruin her chances of marrying Francis?"
"You risked your life for my son." Catherine replied. "Perhaps I owed you... a moment of respect."
"You called them animals." Katerina said, remembering her story. "Soldiers, laughing. That sound you couldn't forget. That story you told us, they didn't make in time, did they? In Florence?"
"The first lesson I ever learned was never to wait for a man's rescue." She looked from Katerina to the bloody sword on the ground. "You've already learned that. History is written by the survivors. And I am surely that."
Katerina quietly opened to big brown door, making her way into his room. What she didn't expect was for him to already be awake.
"Katerina?" Bash asked. "What are you doing here? Are you alright?" He walked up to her, taking her in his arms.
"I couldn't sleep. I couldn't close my eyes without seeing him."
"I'm so sorry this happened. I wish I could have been there for you." He said, pushing a piece of hair back from her face.
"You were." He raised an eyebrow at her. "You were there for me. When I killed that man, I wasn't just saving my sister. I told myself that. But I was really making sure I would come back to you." She paused, taking in a quivering breath. "When that man grabbed me, all I wanted was for someone to come save me. But it wasn't Montgomery." She looked up at him. "It was you. No matter what has happened, I still love you Bash. And I deeply want you to still feel the same way for me."
Bash didn't say anything. He just stared at Katerina for what seemed like an eternity, the two in each other's arms. "I do." He finally spoke. "I do love you. I never stopped."
That's when Katerina kissed him, a kiss that neither had ever felt before. This was pure raw and emotional love. And she didn't want it to end there. The two made their way over to the bed and laid down, Bash on top of Katerina. "Tell me when you want me to stop." Bash said, in between kisses.
Katerina stopped him, making him look at her. "Never stop." She calmly said.
And nothing else mattered.
I don't know if you noticed, but there was A LOT of original stuff in here that I hope you all like. I took a lot of suggestions from you guys, because I realized I had basically written myself into a wall. So if you guys want to see anything else, please tell me. I'm already going to incorporate other suggestions, because I love making this story for you all.
Along those lines, do you like Montgomery? I imagined him as Henry Cavill in The Tudors. Let me know, because I can add him into more episodes if so.
Also I have a polyvore account where I make outfits for Katerina. My username is tvdcjm if you wanna check them out, to see what I imagine her wearing. Also if you noticed, unless actually described in the chapter, most outfits reflect on how Katerina is feeling in said episode.
Hope you all enjoy!
