The Seventh Queen (On Hold: Revising)

Chapter Seven

Anine woke, startled by the acute shaking she was enduring, to find Queen Anne in her chambers. She stood at the foot of Anine's bed, smile shining across her face, black eyes bright with a strange eagerness.

"Anne?" Anine asked still groggy.

"I am to be named Marques of Pembroke tonight," Anne announced, her smile growing wickedly.

She placed herself at the bottom of the bed.

:Does this mean you are one step closer to be Henry's queen?" The question raised and ugly beast in her chest that growled at the news of their upcoming betrothal.

"Yes," she said a cheer in her voice that only mad the beast growl louder. "He will do anything to have me as his wife. Even sever his ties to the Pope." She turned to Anine, a strange gleam in her black eyes, "Can you believe it?"

"Of course Anne, The king loves and adores only you," Anine said, poising herself in an upright position and calming the beast in her chest.

Everything was falling into place for Anne Boleyn. She was winning the six year battle with both Katherine of Aragon and the Pope. She had been called names and told to leave the King or be killed for her whoredom. But she had refused and she had persevered.

"You poor thing," Anne said standing from the bed, "I've woken you to tell you of my unimportant news." She glanced out the window before glancing back at Anine. "Do forgive me."

"I honestly don't mind," Anine said, forging Anne's intrusion. "I haven't found this much trust in this court since I arrived six years ago."

"Good, yet I suppose I should.."

"No worries, Anne," She felt the beast rise again and hope that Anne would die before becoming a Marques.

With a grin as wide as her small face Anne said, "Come Nin, get dressed." She patted the end of the bed. "I wish to have your company with me today."

"Of course," she bowed her head slightly.

Anne bowed slightly and with a swirl of both silks and perfume she exited the apartment room. 

"You have crossed into rocky waters, milady," Anna spoke only after the bedchamber doors were closed and Anne was out of sight. She crossed the sun lit room and came to the edge of Anine's bed.

Anine sighed, "Is it that apparent Anna?"

"No, not really. I just know you." she was losing patience with the mission, but remembered where her loyalties lied and held her tongue.

"I may need my riding attire, please Anna," she pulled herself from the bed.

"talk with me for a little, Anine" the request was more of  a demand.

"About what?"

"Your feelings. Why you treat Anne more like a friend then your enemy."

"I do not have feelings to share." She sat at the table in her room. "And Anne is not my enemy. She caught the King's attention before I even ventured into his court." Yet she knew Anna knew the truth.

"And if she bares him a son?"

The beast reared again catching her chest in a heated battle between her heart and how her mind tried to rationalize things.

"Then I will wait another century before trying again."

"You cherish her that much?" Anna asked as she came back with Anine's finest riding clothes.

Anine thought for a moment. "She is just like me and you. She is strong and opinionated and she is frightening smart for someone in her position.

"That will get her killed, just like it almost killed you two hundred years ago." Anne said.

"Killed?" Anine shot Anna a glance. "What do you know that I do not? Have you seen her future? If you have a demand you tell me!" She gripped Anna's shoulders and shook her with anger, but the beast was overjoyed at the word of death.

"If I refuse to say?" She stared Anine down, her glare demanding the princess make the nest move. "Will you kill me if I refuse to answer?"

"Anna!" the shock of her words set Anine back into her chair, she was deflated. "I would never hurt you, nor would I resort to Maraush's tactics.

Anna smiled briefly, stooped, grabbing Anine by the shoulders and helped her to her feet and began dressing her.

"She will not be able to give the King a son as long as your mother abides in these halls,"

"I see," Anine said leaning close to Anna making sure that no one could hear them. "Then I will try and convince the King to send my mother away from this court."

"And if he says no?" she sinched the strings to Anine's corset tighter causing a catch in her breath.

"Then I will find a way to convince my mother to leave."

"And how will you do that?"

"I will show her that I have this mission under my control. I will show her that Anne is my enemy-Anine hesitated- "And that I will curse their child to be a girl." she contemplated asking Anna about her other visions, but then thought better of it.

"I do not think that will work." She tapped Anine's left leg and then her right as she pulled on the red cotton skirt. "She will doubt your intentions."

"I will prove that I am for this mission."

They remained silent, humbled by their revelations. Then, with a tying knot and another synch of her corset Anna added: "Be careful of what may come due to your actions. Maraush is a crafty bitch."

"Look at you, Anna, you are worried again."

"I always worry," Anna said grabbing Anine's riding jacket, handing it to the princess.

"Perfect."

(C) Kelcey winn.