A beating heart

Chapter 2

notes: two things that happened in the show that have not happened in my story, for plot purposes:

Diane de Portiers died years ago in childbirth before Henry and Cathrine's marriage

Kenna has never engaged in an affair with the king

disclaimer: I don't own anything

2.

The warm water felt southing on her skin and she let out a breath she didn't know she was holding in, letting herself relax for the first time in hours, for days if she was being completely honest. And suddenly she couldn't hold it back any longer and the tears started falling from her eyes in a steady stream, mixing with the scented bath water and all the memories came rushing back in, crushing her underneath their weight. Her whole body was shaking with uncontrollable and silent sobs, her lungs desperately grasping for air.

Her mind was spinning, trying to make sense of it all. She felt so utterly helpless, like a wounded animal left on the side of the road, alone and deprived off all it's strength.

The king's fury had been beyond even her wildest imaginations, his enraged screams had filled the whole castle, chilling her to down to her bones. She had simply stood there in silence, averting her gaze and feeling the stares of the other courtiers, in particular Cathrine, upon her. The queen's expression had been stoic as usual, with only the slightest glimpse of satisfaction hiding in her cold eyes.

Henry had hurled all kinds of insults at her, calling her a stupid child, laughing at the folly of her actions. Even thought there were several meters between them she could detect the distinct smell of strong liquor radiating from his person.

Bash was to be charged with treason and to be executed in a fortnight if she didn't agree to marry Francis. The kings favorite son had fallen out of favor, the tables had turned on him in the blink of an eye. Mary had simply stood there in silence and nodded her head, not able to think of any arguments in Bash's defense. Bash's intentions had been sincere, he had simply wanted to help protect her from the dangerous lurking in the woods, not knowing that in helping her escape, he was costing Henry England, thereby committing treason against king and country.

A week ago, Mary would have been certain that Henry would never even think of hurting his favorite son, his own flesh and blood. After today she wasn't so sure anymore. The anger and hatred in the king's expressions as he had issued his sentence, had left no room for any feelings of compassion towards his eldest son. Most likely Cathrin had fueled that anger on her behalf as well. She had never taken a liking to the king's bastard, the living and breathing reminder of his indiscretions.

She was at a loss, what was she supposed to do? The king was making her choose, forcing her to choose one of his sons, killing the other in return. Marrying Francis would result in his certain death, she was sure of it, and not marrying him would cause Bash to loose his head. How was anyone supposed to make that choice?

Yes, Francis was the love of her live, her best friend, her save harbor, the one person in the world she could entrust with anything. Except for this one thing, she would have to carry the burden of the prophecy on her own. She dared not even play with the idea of telling him of his predicted fait. No matter how hard it would be to keep this one thing from him, it had to be done.

But Bash was one of her closest friends, the person that would take her riding while Francis spent hours talking politics with his father and strategizing with their advisers. Bash would make her laugh, telling her and her ladies stories of his adventures in the woods. He was the charming big brother she never had. She cared for him deeply and bearing the guilt of his death was unthinkable to her.