War of Hearts || Reign || REWRITE

Chapter 13

June 14th 1562, Château de Fontainebleau, France

The next morning I knelt behind Mary in the chapel. For the first time in my life, I felt relieved to follow Mass. My rosary slipped silently through my fingers as I prayed for forgiveness for the sin of lust.

God, what had happened last night should never happen again.

Wait. That was a lie. I wanted more. I needed more.

Even now, my body still burned for Francis. I did not know how much longer I could endure without his touch before I went mad.

I was his secret love.

Did I know it all along? Perhaps. Francis himself had said we knew each other too well not to recognize our feelings.

How long had I loved him like this? A love different than before. Months, perhaps.

Carefully, I opened my eyes and glanced sideways. There he was, kneeling a few rows away, behind his parents. His younger siblings beside him.

Was he seeking penance too?

I doubted it. Francis had no intention of stopping. In truth, had I not run, we would have gone much further.

Would I truly give him my maidenhood? If it had to be anyone, I would choose Francis. But the thought of carrying a royal bastard terrified me.

What would I tell my father? Catherine? Or worse—Mary?

Mary... in the few weeks I had served her, I had begun to like her. She was not only a naïve queen, but a girl my age who loved gossip, dancing, and music as much as I did. Reporting her every move to Catherine already made me feel guilty. To betray her by lying with her betrothed before she ever could—and to fall pregnant?

That would destroy me.

Yet my hunger for Francis was stronger. The memory of last night still brought heat to my cheeks. Oh, how I wished we had not stopped.

Suddenly Francis opened his eyes and turned toward me. Our gazes locked. I wanted to look away, but something held me.

He smiled faintly and mouthed: We must speak.

I shook my head and flicked my eyes toward Mary.

Then he lifted his hand, revealing a folded note, which he slid beneath the kneeler. His eyes held mine, commanding.

The note was for me.

I gave the faintest nod and closed my eyes again. The rest of the Mass blurred into nothing. My mind circled only that note.

When it ended, I followed Mary back to her chambers where breakfast awaited.

"Did you sleep well, Bianca?" she asked lightly.

I blushed. "Majesty... perhaps we should simply forget last night."

Mary laughed, her ladies giggling along. My face grew hot.

"I thought it rather thrilling to watch," one of her ladies teased.

"It was quite the display," Mary added. "Fortunately, the dauphin was gallant enough to see you back to your rooms, wasn't he?" She smiled knowingly.

I nodded quickly, staring down at my hands. Then I feigned a gasp. "Oh, I left my rosary behind."

Mary waved her hand in understanding, and I curtsied. "I will fetch it and return at once."

I hurried back to the chapel. The altar was being cleared. I retrieved the rosary where I had left it, then bent swiftly to where Francis had sat and pulled out the hidden note, tucking it into my sleeve.