The Queen and her Lord.

The Secret

*Just a warning, there's some references to rape, assault, sexual assault in this chapter.*
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She looked at him and kissed his cheek "can I tell you something?" she asked. "You don't have to say anything or do anything. I want to tell you about my past". She said and sat up. Stephane carefully sat up and wrapped his arms around her. She always felt so safe in his arms. "I love you and I am here for you" he promised and kissed her very gently. She kissed him softly back and told him her story. She spoke about being held down, forced to do things she didn't want to do and how difficult she now finds it to trust others. He listened in horror to everything she had to say. He had nothing but pure love and respect for the woman now trembling in his arms.

"Will you spend the night with me?" Catherine asked with a shaky voice. "Of course, I will" he said softly. "Don't I always?" he asked softly and kissed offer forehead. Catherine shook her head and looked up into his big blue eyes, "I want to try intimacy, try it with you. I... I can't be with Henry, not a proper wife. I can't spend my wedding night with him, He can't know what I just told you either". She said and started to panic. "Not ever" she said and gripped the collar of his shirt. "Promise me Stephane" she demanded. "I promise Catherine" he replied and leaned in, gently rubbing his nose against her, his way of asking permission to kiss her. She rubbed her nose against his and kissed him. He returned the kiss and smiled against her lips.

"How about a swim?" Stephane suggested with a smile to change the subject. "You go on ahead" she replied and shook her head. She wasn't ready for him to see her in just a shift yet. "I want to read while I have the light" she said softly and watched him remove his jacket, boots and shirt. He put his shirt over her head to tease her but in truth she found his scent rather soothing. He slipped his trousers off while he thought she couldn't see and dove into the water. She casually eyed him up with a grin on her face. She had learned to appreciate the male from since her arrival to French Court. She hoped that she'd be able to enjoy all of his body someday, perhaps tonight she'd feel brave enough to see him without his trousers and underwear on. Stephane splashed about in the water for a while, unaware that Catherine was watching him.

A few minutes later he joined her back on the picnic blanket. "Go away you're all wet" she laughed softly and shook her head as she saw him approaching. "You mean you don't want a cuddle?" he laughed and wrapped his wet arms around her. "Stephane" she squealed and tried to get away from him. He of course let her go and he got dressed. They enjoyed their picnic together and headed home before it got dark. "You have a hot bath and I'll come see you later" he said softly and kissed her when they had arrived at the castle. "See you later" she responded after kissing him back. The pair went their seprate ways.