Flamme Éternelle: A Reign Fanfiction

Le Défi

A scream echoed throughout the woods and Bash knew instantly whose it was. "Mary," he said, his voice rough. He turned and raced back into the clearing. He spotted her in the arms of the stranger, Tomas. Bash paced over to them, suddenly furious. "Put her down," he snapped at the Portuguese Prince. Tomas complied, but gave Bash the evil eye. "Mary, are you alright?" Bash placed his hands on her shoulders.

She smiled, "I'm quite fine, thank you."
"No thanks to you," Tomas spat, "If I had not been there, she would have smashed her pretty head on the hard ground."
"And how is it you came to catch her? were you lurking under the tree and peering up her skirts? You disgust me," Bash snarled.

"Well it's a good thing that I was here to save her since your mannerless, bastard self left her alone," Tomas shot back.

Bash opened his mouth to retort, but Mary cut him off, "Boys! Could you be bothered to act like the gentlemen you claim to be and quit arguing?" They looked down in shame, "Thank you. And, Tomas, thank you for catching me. Good day," and with a swirl of skirts, Mary left them standing beneath the tree glaring at each other.
Back in the castle with all her ladies, Mary recounted the heated argument between Bash and Tomas.

"Did they really start insulting each other like that?" Kenna asked, "I thought men of high birth were more chivalrous."

"Even Leith had better manners than to yell at someone so rudely!" Greer exclaimed. The girls stared at her and a faint blush crept over her cheeks.

"Who's Leith?" Aylee voiced their question finally.

"Someone I've met," Greer shrugged noncommittally. Mary raised a querying eyebrow. "He's no one, he doesn't matter," Greer looked down.
"No, Greer, tell us," Mary urged, her gaze softening.

"Just forget I said anything," Greer shook her head. Mary cast her a skeptical glance.

"Finish your story, Mary! I refuse to believe that you let them argue without saying anything," Kenna said, changing the subject.

"I chastised them like children," Mary smiled proudly and the girls laughed.
Later that day, there was a banquet in honor of Tomas's arrival. Mary and her ladies arrived together, all wearing elaborate ball gowns. Mary's was gold and black.

All throughout the meal, Mary felt eyes on her. It made her curious, who would be so daring to stare at her continuously? She glanced up and her gaze flicked around the hall, she locked eyes with Francis, and he smiled. She returned the smile and looked away. She continued looking at the room and met Sebastian's steady gaze. He raised his glass in her direction and she nodded graciously, then averted her eyes. She still felt like she was being watched. Both of the Frenchmen had looked away when she had, so why did she still feel the weight of someone's gaze. She looked around the room once more and found the source of her confusion. Tomas was lounging comfortably across the hall with a goblet of mead, a smirk playing on his lips. He winked, and Mary dropped her gaze immediately, embarrassed by his forwardness.

Francis had watched the Portuguese Prince and was infuriated by his interest in Mary. He rose, and approached Mary, "Would you care to dance?"

"I would love to," she took his offered hand and followed him to the center of the room where a few couples twirled fluidly. They began to dance, weaving gracefully amongst the other couples. Francis wore a smug smile and Mary was about to ask why when it disappeared.

"May I cut in?" a deep, accented voice interrupted their dance. It was Tomas.
Francis, being the future king of France felt obligated to remain civil and he nodded, "You may."

Mary shot him a dark look, this had better not be another political move.
"You dance very well," Tomas said.

"Thank you," Mary replied, frowning.

"I would like to show you how we dance in Portugal," he didn't wait for a reply. Grabbing her waist he spun her quickly and pulled her after him and they moved about the room. He dipped her and lifted her and flat out took her breath away, but not in a good way.
Francis, Bash and King Henry watched from separate sides of the room. Francis and Bash were frowning at his boldness and nerve to dance with Mary in such a way. King Henry was intrigued, leaning forward in his seat with a predatory smirk and his face. The song came to an end and Tomas stopped, bowing before Mary, then kissing her cheek. His breath reeked of alcohol. "I hope we can dance again," and he left.

Author's Note
Hi everyone! I hope you all had lovely holidays and a happy new year!! I'm sorry this update took so long. I hope you enjoyed it :) Please vote and comment, I appreciate it so much when you do! xox