The Heir (TV Series 'Reign') #2

Blood for Blood

Francis' POV

"I won't ask you how much money you lost dicing with Bash last night, because then you'd have to lie." Mary asked.

"I forgot what a terrible liar my brother is. So you already know we weren't playing dice."

"What I don't know is what you were doing." She says.

"Well, the truth is I was...visiting my son in the nursery. See, this is why I didn't tell you. It's a sensitive subject, only days since..."

"I'm not a porcelain doll, Francis. It's true I lost our baby. And, yes, it hurts. But we got pregnant once. We can do it again."

"I'm glad to hear you say it. Perhaps you wouldn't be so surprised if you stopped avoiding the subject." I say.

"The way you tiptoe around it makes me think you've given up hope."

"I have not given up hope. I love you. And I believe in you."

"Believe in us." She whispers.

Soft knocking comes from our chambers.

"Enter." I say.

"What's wrong?" Mary asked.

"Another attack on a Protestant service. This time in our own backyard. A village barn used as a makeshift church."

"Were there any casualties?" I asked.

"That's still unclear. But they did set fire to the barn." Leith said.

"Go and help whoever you can. Find out what happened and capture whoever led this attack. I will not tolerate this kind of violence, no matter what prompts it." I say.

Mary had been asked to attend brunch with her ladies while I walked over to the throne room.

Bash and a few of Narcisse's men stood around him.

"Are you ready?" I asked.

"Yes. We're just waiting for your departure."

"Well, go now, before anyone notices you're missing. I will try to keep the Prince's arrival quite until he arrives."

Guiding them to the stables, Narcisses was already there with the rest of his men.

~

Eliana's POV

Kenna, Greer, and I walked into a room where Greer's wedding will take place.

"When I was a girl, I dreamed of a wedding like this."

"It's spectacular. Befitting its spectacular bride." I said.

"Truthfully, I would've preferred something simpler."

"For your sake or for Leith's?" Kenna asked.

"Marrying Aloysius is enough, without flaunting all of this in his face."

"Is that what Castleroy's doing?" I asked.

"Goodness, no. It's my mother."

"Oh, no." Kenna whispered.

"It's all right. This is Gemma, Aloysius' youngest. His children are here for the wedding."

"And now they're your children." I said.

"Yes. I'll fix this for you. Oh, what pretty locks you have." I said to Gemma.

"Thank you. Mmm." Without saying another word Gemma walks away quite awkwardly.

"Well, they seem to be very taken with you."

"Enough about me. What about you? How are you feeling?" Kenna asked me.