#bash x oc

"Yes, which is why we're not going to back down." Henry answered, then looked at Catherine. "You're going to send an assassin to Mary's chambers tonight. It would be expected considering if she has it her way you'll lose your crown." Catherine made a face that suggested he wasn't wrong. "One of my guards will thorwart your assassin's efforts." Henry looked at Francis and Maisie. "You two are less predictable." He focused on Francis. "What would you do if Mary succeeded in giving your brother your crown?"

Francis thought about it for a moment. "I would leave court." He answered.

Henry looked at Maisie. "What of you? Would you stay and become Sebastian’s mistress?"

“Yes.” Maisie answered. “I’ve already threatened as much.”

“You have?” Bash asked with a look down at her.

“Mmhm.” she hummed.

"Then it's settled." Henry said with finality in his voice. "Tonight Catherine will try and fail to assassinate Mary after which Mary, Bash and I will confront her in the throne room." He then looked at Francis. “You will interrupt and announce your plan to leave court.” he then looked at Maisie, “You will stay out of sight and refuse to join Mary’s other ladies in walking her down the aisle. While Mary is busy getting ready to marry Bash you will be getting ready to take her place."

"Please don’t take this as me being unappreciative," Maisie spoke up and Henry gave her a curious look, "but why can’t Bash and I simply elope in the morning before Mary even wakes? Make things quick and easy?"

"Because she will expect that and we need witnesses, including Mary, so that she cannot question the validity of your marriage." He answered, shutting down her hopes for a simple wedding.

"Fair point.” she replied with a nod.

"If all goes according to plan Bash and Maisie will save a great many people from suffering." Francis said to his parents. “I suggest we show our appreciation with a gift of title and lands.”

Henry and Catherine shared a look. Maisie looked up at Bash with wide eyes while he looked down at her with a surprised look of his own.

"There is a chateau available just outside the castle grounds." Catherine suggested.

“I agree.” Henry said then looked at Bash. “Do you accept?”

“Of course.” he replied without a second thought.

“Very well then.” Henry said with a nod of finality. “Upon your union with Maisie you will become an Earl and as such you may move into your new home.” he told Bash then looked around the table. “Are we all agreed to this plan?” he asked and they all nodded. “Then let’s get to it, shall we?” he asked with a wave to the stairs.

Henry and Francis left first, exiting a couple at a time to stave off the suspicion that would be drawn if they all exited at once. After a few quiet moments Catherine looked at Bash and jerked her head to the stairway. He gave her a nod and left the two women alone. “May I ask…” Maisie started, making Catherine look at her with a hum that told her to continue, “why you agreed to gift Bash a title and lands when everyone knows you hate him?”

“I don’t hate him.” she defended, making Maisie lift their brows at her. “I hate that he exists.” she corrected. "My reasons for agreeing are selfish, I assure you. If you leave court, so does Sebastian. With him out of the castle there is less reason for Diane to be around.”

“Ah.” Maisie said with an understanding nod of her head.

“With the title and lands I’ve also given you an escape.” she continued and Maisie gave her a curious tilt of her head. “From Mary and her fury. As you and I both know she has a temper and she will not be pleased with you after tomorrow.”

“That is assuming she will allow me to leave court. I am still her lady.” Maisie pointed out.

“Yes, about that. Mary will do anything she can to push you from court and away from Bash for she already sees him as hers. She won’t want you around, stealing his time.” Catherine replied. “Prove to her you mean to keep him in your bed despite her plans and she will push. Of this I have no doubt.”

"Thank you for the advice." Maisie replied.

"Now, about the chateau you've been given." Catherine changed the subject. "There is a reason it is available at such short notice. It borders the blood wood." Catherine's words made Maisie's eyes widen. "There haven't been any incidents, but its close proximity scares off most nobles."

"We'll make it work." Maisie agreed, hoping that if they respected the people in the woods, they would be able to live peacefully. 

Catherine gave her a nod then jerked her head toward the stairs for her to leave.

RRRRRRRRRR

As soon as she walked into her rooms she spotted Bash sitting on the small bench in the corner of the entry room, a soft look in his eyes. “I’m sorry.” Maisie apologized softly as she walked over to stand at the small table in the center of the room. Her eyes stayed on her hands on the table. “I didn’t mean to make you feel roped in with this plan of Henry and Catherine’s. I know I should have spoken to you about it first, but there wasn’t time." Still not looking at him, she picked up a petal that had fallen from the flower arrangement in the center of the table. “I’ll understand if you can’t risk your brother’s life.” A sharp pain shot through her chest as the words left her mouth. “But you should know, if you choose Mary, I can't stay. I only said I’d become your mistress because that’s what I want Mary to think.” she answered. “In all actuality I wouldn’t be able to handle it…seeing you stand at her side…knowing that if she won’t release me from my duties to her I would have to be present as you consummate your marriage.” her hand slipped over her churning stomach. “Just the thought of it…”

Seeing a tear slip from her cheek he rushed to her and wrapped her in his arms. “Look at me.” she pulled her face out of his chest to look into his eyes. “I choose you.”

“What?” she asked, pulling her head back slightly.

"I won't marry her." He clarified. "I can't." His words brought a confused frown to her face.

"But…what about Francis…and the prophecy?" She asked.

"Just because I won't wed Mary doesn't mean he has to." He replied. "She can find another alliance elsewhere."

"So we're really getting married tomorrow?" She asked, in a bit of shock.

"Yes. By tomorrow night you will be my wife." He answered with a toothy smile.

A quiet laugh left her lips as she stood on her toes and caught his bottom lip between hers. A thought struck her, making her pull back to look him in the eyes. "You're sure you won't resent me if they do wed and something happens to Francis?"

“Of course not.” he replied. "A man should never have to choose between his brother and the woman he's loved since childhood. But I chose you and I always will." A tear slipped down her cheek and he wiped it away then caught her top lip between his for a short kiss.

Her eyes traveled to the open window of her room, noticing the sun had set. Bash followed her gaze. “I must go. The assassin is probably in Mary’s chambers as we speak.”

“Come back to me when it’s over?” Maisie asked with a look up at him through her lashes.

“Do you think that’s wise?” he asked, uncertain.

“I warned Mary I’d make her life a living hell.” Maisie replied, dropping her eyes to her hands on his chest as they slipped up to hold the sides of his neck. “You, in my bed, every night is one of the ways I intended on doing that.” she looked back up into his eyes. “So let her find out and leave the fall out to me.”

Bash gave her smirk. “Yes ma’am.” His words made her laugh before he caught her lips for a quick kiss. He then left her, both of them feeling lighter now.

RRRRRRRRR

She was dressed in a long sleeved, white satin nightgown, sitting at her writing desk, braiding ribbons of red, blue and brown in the candle light when her door quietly opened and closed. Bash walked over, curious as to what she was doing. “What is this?”

“Handfasting ribbons.” she replied. “I know it won’t be allowed at our wedding as it’s not a christian tradition, but it’s one that’s been in my family for generations.”

“My interest is piqued.” he said as he grabbed a chair and sat beside the desk, watching her fingers intertwine the ribbons. “Tell me more about this family tradition.”

“Well, usually the cords are braided during the ceremony while the bride and groom say their vows then they are tied around the wrists of the betrothed. After the ceremony the cords or ribbons stay on until midnight, assuming the marriage has been consummated by that point.” she answered.

“And is there a reason why you chose these colors?” he asked.

“Every color has several different meanings and the couple can choose their colors. But, seeing as we don't have much time, I took the liberty of choosing for us." She explained. "Red, for love, passion and courage. Light blue, for understanding and patience. And brown for healing, nurturing and home."

"Sounds like us to me." He agreed. "But if we can't use them in the ceremony what do you intend for us to do with them?"

"I don't know. It just felt wrong, not having them." She answered as she finished braiding then tied them off.

"How about…" as he spoke he took the finished ribbons out of her hand, set it on the desk then took her hands into his, "after the grand ceremony, we ride out to our tree and have a private little ceremony of our own?" He asked as he stood and she followed as he set her hands on his shoulders then wrapped his around her waist. "No scripted vows, no watching eyes. Just words and rituals of our choosing."

"That sounds lovely." She told him with a bright smile.

"Good." He replied before he caught her lips in a soft kiss that slowly deepened.

As they kissed her hands slipped up his chest then over his shoulders and down his arms, pushing off the jacket he wore over a thin, brown linen shirt. When it hit the floor he wrapped his arms around her waist and picked her up. A girlish squeak left her lips as her arms tightened around his neck and her legs clumsily wrapped around him.

He chuckled at her as he carried her over to the bed and laid her down, his lips traveling down to her neck. "How I missed you." she whispered.

"I missed you too." Bash replied before he went back to kissing her neck.

They spent half the night lost in each other before they finally slipped off to sleep.

RRRRRRRRRR

Bash woke to the feel of Maisie's light touch, her fingertips slipping back and forth over the patch of dark hair in the center of his chest. A contemplative look on her face, her head propped up with her hand and elbow. "What's on your mind?" Bash asked, alerting Maisie to the fact that he was awake.

She took in a sharp breath and blinked out of her thoughts before her eyes met his. "When I told my friends about our engagement Greer asked me something and I realized I didn’t know the answer." She answered.

“And what question did she ask?” he asked.

“If you want children.” Maisie answered. “It’s one of the few things we’ve never discussed.”

“Of course I do.” he replied. “Do you? I know some women fear childbirth.”

“I don’t fear it. I’ve always wanted children.” she answered then dropped her eyes down to his chest. “Though I’d like to try to wait a little while…enjoy being young and constantly in your arms first. If that’s okay.” she looked back up to his face to see him give her a smirk.

He pushed himself up onto his forearm and slipped his free hand over her cheek,  “I think I can handle that.” he caught her lips in a kiss.

As she laid back, resting her head on her pillow he followed, not breaking the kiss. After a moment a thought struck him and he pulled back with a hum. “I forgot to tell you, I met Keelan.”

“What, when?” she asked, a little upset she hadn’t been there.

"He cornered me in the halls on my way here last night." He answered. "He's a very…forward man, that friend of yours. From the way he looks out for you, you'd think he was your big brother."

"Yes…" Maisie sighed, "he can be a bit…overbearing. Did he give you an earful?"

"No." He answered. "However he did threaten to bury me alive if I wed Mary."

Maisie cringed. "Sorry…"

"No need. Like I said, he was just looking out for you. And I'm glad he was there for you when your brothers came. You're going to need him even more after tonight." He brushed a lock of hair out of her face and slipped his thumb over her cheek. "You'll need a friend you can trust. One who's not duty bound to Mary."

She gave him a sad smile. "How is it possible to be more excited than I have ever been and filled with dread at the same time?" she asked, thinking about what this would do to her friendship with Mary.

“I know you’re not looking forward to hurting Mary, but you must remember that she tried to take me from you.” he answered and Maisie raised her shoulders as she took a deep breath then dropped them and nodded as she let it out. “When you feel the dread seeping in, think of me…of this." He caught her lips in his and moved between her legs that wrapped around him. Him, grinding into her core, made her hum and press her fingertips into his shoulder blades.

"Bash…" she sighed. "Must you keep tempting me so close to our wedding night?"

"Yes." He answered, pulling back to look into her eyes. "I intend on spending the rest of my life tempting you, challenging you and being challenged by you." Maisie gave him a smile and caught his bottom lip between hers.

She pushed his shoulder and he rolled onto his back taking her with him. She set up, resting her hands on his stomach. "I wasn't just thinking about whether we wanted children or not. I've been awake for a while, thinking about the events of the near future. The ceremony…consummation…"

"Are you nervous?" He asked, slipping his thumbs over her satin covered sides where his hands held her.

"I wasn't until Lola warned me that the first time tends to hurt.” she admitted. Bash sighed and sat up, dropping his eyes. “Should I not have brought it up?” she asked with a frown as she dipped her head, attempting to catch his eye.

“No, it’s fine.” he answered, lifting his eyes to her. “It’s just…there’s something I wish to tell you, but I’m not sure if I should, especially now.”

"If you want to tell me, then tell me.” she told him as she unwrapped her arms from around his neck to softly hold the sides of it. "I can handle it."

“Even if it has to do with my past with other women?” he asked cautiously.

“Bash.” she said deadpanned. “You’re allowed to talk about your past and, believe it or not, I strangely like that you’re experienced. You’re not some clumsy boy who has no idea what he’s doing.”

Bash’s eyes dropped once again. “Actually, on this one occasion, I may be a bit inexperienced. I've…never bedded a virgin.” he watched, a bit worried, as her expression transitioned from one of confusion to one of realization.

“Was that…by design, or did it just happen to turn out that way?” she asked curiously.

“By design.” he answered. “I may be wrong, but I believe a woman’s first partner should be someone who truly cares for them.” his hands caressed her back as he explained. “I only ever wanted to be that man for one woman. You may not be my first sex partner, but tonight will be a night of firsts for me too. You’ll be the first woman to give me her virtue…” he pulled her close and pressed his forehead to hers, nuzzling her nose with his, “the first, and only, woman I’ll ever truly make love to. For I do believe there is a difference.”

A tear slipped down her cheek before her hands slipped up to hold the sides of his face as she caught his lips in a deep, passionate kiss. Eventually it slowed, then broke and she pressed her forehead to his, "I love you." she whispered, a bit breathless from the kiss. Bash smiled brightly as he fell back, taking her with him. He managed to place a few kisses to her neck before she set up and he let out a slightly agitated sigh. She just laughed before she said, “There is one more thing I thought about this morning that I’d like to discuss with you.”

“Good lord, how long have you been awake?” he asked.

“I rose sometime before the sun.” she answered. “Anyway, I know I said that I wanted to try to wait a while before having a child, but tonight…for this one night I don’t want to avoid it.” she fell forward, bracing herself on her hands beside his head. “I want our first time to be…natural, for a lack of better word."

"What do you mean by that?" He asked curiously.

"I've felt you reach completion between my lips and I've been aching to know what that will feel like when you're inside me.” A smile stretched her lips as his eyes darkened with lust. "What do you think?"

“I think I like the sound of that, but…are you sure?” he asked. “I don’t want you to end up looking back on our wedding night with regret.”

“I’m sure.” she answered with a nod. “If it’s meant to be then it’s meant to be. If not…” she caught his lips with hers in a short kiss, “then we’ll have fun practicing until we’re ready to try again.” she kissed his scruffy cheek.

“As long as you’re sure.” he agreed. She set up and smiled down at him. “Was there anything else bouncing around in that beautiful mind of yours, or am I free to ravish you for what little time we have left this morning?”

She pulled her lips to the side as she looked up at the ceiling in thought, “Actually, now that I think about it I-”

He sat up with an aggravated growl and she laughed as he grabbed her shoulders and rolled them over. They got lost in one another and only pulled apart because if he lingered any longer Mary would surely come looking for him.

After getting dressed Bash went to the door and Maisie followed. Before she could open the door he gave her one last kiss then cupped her face in his hands. “Don’t plan on sleeping this night, My love." He pecked her on the lips and left her behind with butterflies in her stomach and a blush on her cheeks.

RRRRRRRRRR

Maisie was sitting at her dressing table, still in her nightgown, brushing her long auburn locks, when a knock sounded from her door. When she pulled it open Mary stood on the other side. "What more could you possibly want from me?" Maisie asked.

"Bash stayed in your chambers last night, correct?" Mary asked, her tone cold as a stone in snow.

"Correct." Maisie answered just as coldly.

"Why?" Mary asked with a glare.

"Because a man can't change his heart simply because you bid it so." Maisie answered.

"You are released from your duties to me." Mary told her, a hint of sadness in her eyes. "I have arranged your passage to Scotland. You'll leave in the morning. Go home. Queer or not Keelan loves you. Marry him and grant yourself a happy life."

"Oh Mary…" Maisie sighed, "selfish, naive, foolish Mary. Scotland may be my country but it's not my home, Bash is. So I'm staying right where I am. After you and Bash are wed he will be the king of Scotland and eventually France. There will be nothing you can do to stop him from taking me as his mistress. He will never love you and because you have ruined the future we planned together he will never grant you permission to be with another. If he ever finds out you've bedded a man he can and will have your head thus freeing up the spot at his side for me. I will bear his children. You…will be nothing." She looked at her hand as she grabbed the door handle then looked back at Mary. "You're dead to me." She slammed the door in Mary's face.

Mary flinched and closed her eyes.

RRRRRRRRRR

Maisie was pulling a dress out of her wardrobe when a knock sounded from her door. “Come in.” she called as she folded the dress and tucked it into a trunk.

Greer, Lola and Kenna came in. “You’re packing?” Lola asked.

“Mary said you were staying, that you’re planning on becoming Bash’s mistress.” Kenna said, lifting her eyes from the truck to Maisie.

“I do intend on staying, but not in these chambers as they are intended for Mary’s ladies.” the weight of her words and the fact that they were true, this wasn’t a part of the role she was playing, pressed into her chest like a heavy blanket. After tonight she would never sleep in these chambers again, and her friendship with Mary would forever be changed. Her eyes watered at the thought. “And I am no longer one of you.”

“Oh, Maisie.” Greer sighed as the three girls closed on her and engulfed her in their arms. 

“I know things seem bleak, but you will still be here…we’ll still be your friends.” Lola offered.

“You say that, but Mary will forbid you from seeing me.” Maisie argued.

“You can’t truly believe she would keep us from you.” Kenna said, looking at her sadly.

“She has already tried to send me back to Scotland with Keelan.” Maisie countered. “By staying and clinging to the man I love my relationship with Mary will be reduced to one no better than that of Catherine and Diane.”

“Then I suppose I should give this to you while I still can.” Kenna said before she left then came back with a white dress in her hands. “I know the timing is…unfortunate,” she said as she held it out to Maisie. “But I took the liberty of bringing your mothers dress to the castle seamstress. Of course she couldn’t med it, but she did save a majority of the lace and added it to this dress.”

Maisie took the dress with fresh tears in her eyes as she took in the lace on the puffed sheer sleeves and the belt. “So all of these applique are-”

“From your mothers dress, yes.” Kenna finished for her.

“I thought the servants had thrown the dress out with the rubbish.” Maisie said in awe of the dress. “Kenna…I…I don’t know what to say.'' She looked up at Kenna with a smile before she realized that as far as Kenna knew she would never get to wear the dress considering a king and his mistress never had any kind of ceremony. Her smile fell.

“Perhaps if you and Bash have a daughter she can wear it on her wedding day.” Greer offered in an attempt to cheer her up.

Maisie laid the dress out on the bed then sank down to sit beside it. “Maybe I should return to Scotland…marry Keelan…”

“Is that truly what you want?” Lola asked as she took a few steps closer.

“I think the real question is could you truly be happy stuck in a loveless marriage?” Kenna spoke up.

Maisie sighed and ran her fingers through her loose hair. “I don’t know.”

“Whatever your decision, we will support you.” Greer assured her.

The girls shared one more group hug before they left to tend to Mary.

RRRRRRRRRR

The maids that Catherine had sent were helping Maisie dress for the occasion and had just finished putting the final touches on her hair when a knock sounded from the door. She walked over to it and the ladies grew quiet as she called out, "Who is it?"

"Francis." He called back. "May I have a word?" Maisie stepped back and pulled the door open allowing him into the room. After shutting the door she turned to see that the ladies had gone into the bedchamber, the last room of the three room chambers, to give them some privacy where they stood in the entryway. Francis was looking at her with an appraising gaze and a smile. "My brother is a lucky man." Maisie just blushed and dropped her eyes for a moment. "I know about Nostradamus's prophecy. Mary and Bash believe in his gift. Do you?"

"I do." She answered.

"Do you still think Mary and I should be together?" He asked and Maisie nodded. "I'm not sure how I should feel about that." He admitted with a narrow of his eyes.

"Well, I don't wish for you to die if that's what you're suspecting." She replied as she walked over to the padded bench in the far corner of the room. Francis grabbed a nearby chair and pulled it over to sit across from her. "I just can't help thinking that if it were me and Bash in your stead…if marrying Bash would cause his death I would still want to marry him."

"Why?" Francis asked as he leaned forward, putting his elbows on his thighs, listening to her reasoning intently.

"Because a short life lived happily is better than a full life of misery." Maisie answered. "I would rather have a handful of wonderful memories of Bash and I together than no memories at all. Besides, while I do believe in Nostradamus's gift, I also believe the future is fluid. One small pebble dropped will cause a million ripples. It is impossible for Nostradamus to see all of those ripples. He correctly predicted that Bash would be taken from me, but he didn't see that I'd take him back." She explained. "I also believe our fate is ours to choose. Bash, Mary and your mother love you and they don't want to lose you. I don't either but it is your life on the line and it is your right to choose how you live it, no one else's." Francis hummed and gave her a smile as he sat up, leaning back in his chair. "What, may I ask, is that look about?"

"You are the only person who hasn't outright told me what to do." He responded. "Mother and Bash have urged me not to wed Mary. Father is demanding I wed her and deliver England to him. Mary is outright refusing me…" he told her with a shake of his head. "Your point of view is refreshing." Maisie just smiled and dropped her eyes to her hands. A few quiet moments passed before Francis spoke again. "Can you keep a secret?"

"Of course." Maisie answered and a small smile passed over Francis's lips.

"I've always been jealous of Bash." He admitted and Maisie gave him a look that asked him to explain. "He's always been free. Free to do whatever he wished no matter how dangerous. Father doesn't worry about him dying so much he doesn't get to live."

"I'm sorry. It must be incredibly restricting, being next in line for the throne." She said with a frown.

"It is, but I've come to terms with it." He brushed it off.

"Then why bring it up?" She asked curiously.

"Because the secret is I have a new reason to envy him." He replied. "He has you." Maisie frowned. "The love that you and Bash share is something I've only read about. Your devotion to him is…remarkable. I wish Mary could be as devoted to me as you are to Bash. I wish she could see things as you do and allow me the freedom to choose my own path instead of taking matters into her own hands."

"I'm not sure she'll have much say in the matter after tonight." Maisie pointed out.

"And for that I am grateful, however I fear if my father and her mother force our marriage she'll resent me." He replied.

"If she resents anyone it will be me, your parents and her mother." Maisie assured him. "I just hope that in time you both will forgive Bash and me for taking away your choice in the matter."

"As far as I am concerned you're already forgiven." Francis replied and she gave him a thankful smile. He stood and Maisie followed as he walked to the door then turned to look her up and down. "I can't wait to see the look on Bash's face when he sees you tonight." Maisie smiled softly and opened the door for him and closed it when he walked out.

RRRRRRRRRR

People stood in the chapel forming an aisle. Bash stood at the end of it, dressed in black clothing embroidered with gold thread befitting a royal. Gold buckles on the front of his tunic accented the embroidery. The deep crease in his brow made it seem as if he didn't want to be there. However in truth he was eager, excited and even a little nervous. Behind him stood a priest, an open bible in his hands. Mary waited to the side of the arching entryway, just out of sight, dressed in white with a bouquet in hand and her ladies standing behind her all wearing shades of dusty blue.

When music started playing Mary started to take a step into the entryway, but Henry’s guards grabbed her arms, stopping her. “Unhand me.” Mary told them, but stopped fighting when Maisie walked out from around the corner with a bouquet in hand. “What’s the meaning of this?” she asked, both shocked and pissed.

Maisie ignored Mary and stepped into the center of the arching entryway. Keelan walked up the aisle and held out his arm to Maisie. She laid her hand softly on his forearm then looked back at her friends. “Would you like to join me?” she asked quietly. Kenna and Greer moved around Mary to stand behind Maisie who gave them an appreciative smile. When they noticed that Lola hadn't joined them Greer motioned her over. Lola shook her head no, refusing to support Maisie's decision. A sharp pain shot through Maisie's heart before she pushed the pain to the back and turned her eyes to Bash.

The frown was now gone from his face as his eyes drank in Maisie in her simple and elegant, white stain, a-line dress with a high scoop neckline and puffed sleeves of lace appliqued chiffon that were cuffed to her wrists with beaded lace. A belt of lace that matched that on the sleeves was tied around her waist. It could barely be seen behind the bouquet of gardenias, greenery and little white stephanotis flowers. A lavish, three stranded pearl necklace with a square aquamarine gemstone in the center accented the scooped neckline of the dress.

Maisie only had eyes for Bash, though he was a bit blurred by the blusher of the veil that was draped over her face, and she couldn't help smiling like a fool at the look on his face as she walked toward him. Once at the altar, Keelan took Maisie's hand and placed it in Bash's as he looked him in the eyes pointedly, "Treat her right or you will come to regret it." He warned then moved to stand with the rest of the people in the room. As Kenna and Greer moved to stand at her side, Francis and Henry walked out of the crowd and stood beside Bash, showing their support for him.

"Sebastian, Maisie,” as the priest spoke, the couple turned to face him, “have you come here to enter into marriage without coercion, willingly and wholeheartedly?" The priest asked.

"I have." Bash and Maisie answered together.

"Are you prepared, as you follow the path of marriage, to love and honor one another for as long as you both shall live?" He asked.

"I am." Maisie and Bash answered again.

“Since it is your intention to enter the covenant of Holy Matrimony, you must declare your consent before God.” the priest told them. Maisie handed her bouquet off to Kenna then turned toward Bash and grabbed both of his hands.

“I, Sebastian, take you, Maisie, to be my wife. I promise to be faithful to you, in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, to love you and to honor you until death do we part.”

“I, Maisie, take you, Sebastian, to be my husband. I promise to be faithful to you, in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, to love you and to honor you until death do we part.”

“May the Lord in his kindness strengthen the consent you have declared. What God has joined, let no one put asunder." The priest turned to Henry who handed him two simple golden bands. The priest blessed them with a prayer and holy water then handed one to Bash and the other to Maisie.

Bash took her left hand into his. “Receive this ring as a sign of my love and fidelity. In the name of the father, and the son, and the holy spirit.” he slipped the thin gold band onto her finger alongside the rose ring.

Maisie took his left hand in hers. “Receive this ring as a sign of my love and fidelity. In the name of the father, and the son, and the holy spirit.” She slipped the ring on his finger and they grabbed each other's hand then looked at the priest.

“In the sight of God and these witnesses, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Sebastian, you may now kiss your bride.” Bash lifted the veil from her face, cupped her cheek in one hand and pressed a light, lingering kiss to her lips. “Go in peace to glorify the Lord with your life.” The priest closed things out and motioned for the newlyweds to leave. The people in the room applauded as they walked down the aisle hand in hand.

Mary, who had been forced to watch from the back, chased after them. "What have you done?" She practically yelled at Maisie's back.

"I took back my fate." Maisie answered as she stopped and faced Mary.

"And damned Francis in the process." Mary said with tears pooling in her eyes.

"A fate that is his to choose to live with or change. His, not yours or Catherine's." Maisie argued. "You once forced my hand to keep me with the man I love. Consider this me returning the favor."

Mary looked at Bash with glaring eyes. "You were in on this. Henry didn't want us to wed quickly to force the Vatican to legitimize you."

"I told you I never wanted to be king. You didn't listen." Bash answered.

"I never wanted to hurt you.” Maisie told her honestly. “You were my friend. But you stabbed me in the back and shattered my trust and my loyalty for you. Now, if you'll excuse me." Maisie and Bash turned their backs and took a step.

"You are not excused!" Mary yelled.

Maisie rolled her eyes as she turned and looked at Mary. "My wording was an attempt to remain civil. I'll rephrase. I am now a French subject. I answer to you no longer."

Henry walked over to stand on the other side of Maisie, looking flatly at Mary. "I suggest you stop harassing Lady Maisie."

"Lady?" Mary asked, surprised.

"Countess, to be more specific." Maisie answered, making Mary's jaw drop.

Francis walked over to stand beside Mary. "Bash, Maisie, congratulations." He told them with a pleasant, closed lipped smile on his face.

"Did you have prior knowledge of this?" Mary asked, glaring at him as well.

"Yes." Francis answered with a smirk at Mary.

Maisie looked up at Bash. "We're going to be late for our reception if we linger any longer."

"Yes, go." Henry spoke up then looked at Maisie and Bash. "Celebrate your future and a job well done." He looked at Mary. "How things proceed from here will be up to Queen Mary."

"Father-in law," Maisie said with a bow then turned to Francis and gave him a bow as well, "Brother-in-law." She gave them a smile and ignored Mary all together as she took Bash's offered arm and they walked away.

RRRRRRRRRR

Neither Bash or Maisie wanted a reception, but it was customary. Before they could have their first dance, Kenna and Greer rushed over to Maisie with smiles on their faces. Lola lagged behind. “You all told me this morning that no matter my decision, you’d support me. I know you were all unaware that this was an option, but-”

“We’re happy for you.” Kenna cut her off.

“You’re not angry with me, for pulling the rug from under Mary’s feet?” Maisie asked sheepishly.

“Of course not.” Greer answered.

Maisie noticed that Lola hadn’t said anything and was keeping her eyes downcast. “You don’t agree with them.” she said as she dipped her head into Lola’s line of vision.

“If Mary wed’s Francis and he does lose his life, Mary will grow to resent you.” Lola answered. “You are her friend, her lady. How could you have acted so selfishly?”

“Lola.” Greer chidded her.

“It’s alright.” Maisie told Greer. “She is entitled to her opinion." She turned her eyes back to Lola. "You see my actions as selfish because I'm one of Mary's ladies, and as such every move I make must be in her best interests, in Scotland's best interests. While this move was selfish on my part, I assure you it is in Scotland's best interest and therefore in Mary's."

"Is that what king Henry told you?" Lola asked.

"No it's what common sense tells me." Maisie answered. "What good is a marriage to the next king of France if France is in shambles itself?"

"What do you mean?" Kenna asked.

"If Mary were to wed Bash it wouldn't only put Bash in a position he is unprepared for. It would force Henry to annul his marriage to Catherine and put Diane on the throne. Diane's return to court would hurt Kenna as well as Catherine." Maisie explained.

"Sense when do we care about Catherine? Lola asked.

"She may be cold sometimes but there is a heart in her chest and she loves her children with all of it." Maisie responded. "If Bash were legitimized, Catherine and her children, Francis and his little brothers, would be in danger, forced to live in hiding for fear of Bash's supporters. They would try to kill little Henry and Charles to keep them from staking claim to the throne."

"That's horrible, but I don't see how it would put France in shambles." Lola argued.

"The Nobles would do that. The ones in charge of putting food in our mouths, the ones the king and Queen have to smile and placate, they would riot if the line of succession were tempered with. There would be uprisings and uprisings bring a needless death count of both citizens and soldiers. The same soldiers the king commands, that Mary needs at her disposal." Maisie finished explaining then gave Lola a chance to speak, instead she hugged herself and looked down. "Either way what's done is done and I'm leaving court."

"What?" Greer asked sadly.

"Bash and I were given title and lands for helping Henry and Catherine." Maisie answered. "We have a chateau, just outside the castle grounds. You're welcome to come visit if Mary allows."

Bash walked over and rested his hand on her lower back then whispered something in her ear, took a step back and held his hand out to her. When she took it the musicians started playing and Bash led her out onto the dance floor. "Have I told you how beautiful you look tonight?" Bash asked as they started dancing. Maisie just hummed and shook her head. "Well you do and you are." He assured her, making her give him a soft smile. "Seems Catherine knows your tastes."

"The dress wasn't Catherine's doing." Maisie replied. "It was Kenna's." 

He gave her a confused look considering Kenna didn't know they were getting married.

"I thought the maids had taken my mother's wedding dress, thinking it was rubbish. Turns out Kenna took it. She brought it to a seamstress for mending, but as I already knew it couldn't be fixed. So the seamstress saved what she could of the lace and added it to a new dress of similar style."

"We'll, that was kind of her." He said with a surprised look.

"I know she is reckless and careless in love, but there are two things she truly does care about. Her friends and her country." She defended.

He gave her a soft smile. "We'll, I suppose anyone who cares for you can't be so terrible."

She noticed his eyes drop to the expensive necklace. "It was a gift." She answered and he looked into her eyes as he grabbed her hips, picked her up and spun her around.

"Who from?" He asked as he set her back down. "Wait, let me guess, Keelan?"

Maisie smiled, "No, Aylee gifted me the necklace the morning of her passing." She answered, feeling a pang in her chest at the thought of her fallen friend. "She gave all of us necklaces to wear at Mary's wedding. She thought I'd like this one. The gemstone reminded her of your eyes."

His eyes softened. "You must miss her."

"I do." She said, tears welling in her eyes. "I thought wearing it might make it feel as if she were here with me." She took a deep breath and blinked back the tears. "Besides, I highly doubt Mary will want me in her wedding after tonight. So it's not like I'll get to wear it for its intended purpose anyway."

"You're letting the dread seep in." He pointed out as he grabbed her hand and held it over her head as she twirled.

"I know…I apologize." Maisie sighed as she stopped and Bash grabbed her hips then lifted her as he spun.

"Don't apologize." He told her as he set her down, her breath quickening from the feel of her body in the satin dress sliding down his before she landed on her feet. "Simply do as I suggested this morning and think only of me." They stopped dancing as he tucked an auburn curl behind her ear then rested the heel of his hand on her cheek as he pressed a lingering kiss to her lips. When it broke she let a small smile grace her lips. "I don't know about you, but I've had enough of this party." He rested his forehead on hers. "Father's gotten what he wanted. It's time I get what I want."

"And what do you want, dear husband?" She asked sweetly.

"You...all to myself." He answered.

Her smile brightened. "I think I can handle that."

RRRRRRRRRR

 "So, I noticed something in our vows that I don't entirely agree with." Maisie said from where she sat in front of Bash in the saddle on his horse, no longer in her wedding dress, but a simple long sleeve, cream colored eyelet lace top and skirts held in place with a white corset.

"Really, what?" He asked as they ducked under a low hanging limb.

"We vowed to love one another until death parts us." She pointed out. "But I argue that I will never stop loving you. Even after death I will remain yours." 

"I like the sound of that." he agreed as he steered the horse. "I've been thinking about what our private ceremony should consist of. I think, since our last oath has been fulfilled, we make a new one. A new vow to fix the flaw in our public vows. Unless you had something else in mind."

"I don't." she answered as she leaned to the side and looked at him over her shoulder. “And I’d love to.” A smile brightened his eyes before he caught her bottom lip between his. After riding in silence for a few moments the grand French oak tree, its base was surrounded by lanterns while others were scattered around the ground lighting the night, came into sight. A blanket that was spread out on the ground nearby. "Bash, this is beautiful…" she said in awe.

Bash pulled the horse to a stop and dismounted before helping Maisie down. They walked hand in hand to stand in front of the tree then worked together to secure the handfasting ribbons around their wrists. "If I die first I will wait for you at heaven's gates, unable to pass through, for my heart and soul will remain on earth with you.” he took a dagger out of a sheath on his hip. “If you go first I will remain yours, incomplete until I'm at your side again." He said as he cut over the scar on his hand.

She brushed the backs of her fingers over his scruffy cheek as she repeated his words then took the dagger from him and traced the scar on her right hand with the sharp tip of the blade. "Never shall we ever truly part."

He smiled and took the dagger from her then put it back in its sheath. "Never shall we ever truly part." He too promised as they clasped their hands together. They shared a smile before he caught her lips in a deep kiss that pulled a hum from her. He echoed the sound back as he pulled her into him. Deciding she needed more than kisses she pulled back, looked down at their bound hands and slipped her hand from the loop. "I thought it was supposed to stay on until midnight."

She took the loop from his hand and pulled the ends, forming a knot in the center of the braided ribbons. "I don't want them to get in the way."

"Of?" He asked as she reached over and draped the ribbons over a low hanging branch to keep them from getting dirty on the ground.

She simply looked up at him through her lashes with a smirk as she grabbed his hand and led him over to the blanket. His eyes darkened as she turned to him and he watched her start working on the gold buckles of the leather vest he wore over a dark long sleeved shirt. As she worked on the buckles, he started untying the laces at the back of her corset.

A heavy sigh left her lips when he cupped her face in his hand, his blood smearing over her cheek as he kissed down her jawline to her neck and she tilted her head. He tossed her corset to the side and shrugged off his tunic, breaking the kiss to grab the v-shaped collar of his black cotton shirt and pull it over his head, tossing it in the same direction as her corset. While he removed his shirt she removed hers then, with lust in her eyes, reached back, untying her skirts and they pooled at their feet. Bash captured her lips in a kiss that didn’t last long before he moved to her neck and chest, dropping to his knees as he kissed down her torso and pulled her knickers down her long smooth legs. With them gone he looked up at her, taking a moment to bask in the sight of her standing before him completely naked for the first time.

Maisie kicked the clothes around her feet aside and kneeled down, hooking her hand around the back of his neck as she caught his bottom lip between hers. He laid her back, hovering over her from the side.

After a while of passionate kissing, their hands exploring what flesh was bare, Maisie gave his shoulder a push and he rolled over. He watched with lustful eyes as she straddled his legs and started unbuckling his belt then the buttons of his trousers.

As soon as she was done he set up. His hands slid up her flawless bare back to press into her shoulder blades as he kissed her neck then trailed noisy kisses over her chest and between the valley of her breasts before catching the peek of her right one between his thin lips. A gasp left her lips at the new sensation. Both of them enjoyed him exploring her chest for a moment before he caught her lips with his once again and didn't break the kiss as he laid back then rolled over. 

After a moment he stood and removed his trousers then kicked them aside and returned to her. His weight rested on his right forearm on the blanket beside her head. His left hand grabbed hers, threading their fingers together, the fresh cuts aligned. Assuming he wanted them to be connected in every conceivable way she gripped his hand and tightened her legs around his waist. A shaky sigh left both of their lips when the tip of him pressed into her, teasing her in the best possible way.

Her free arm hooked under his to hold his shoulder. An almost pained sounding hum left her parted lips when, instead of entering her, like she so desperately wanted, he slipped his length between her slick lips, rubbing against her clit. The action didn't only pleasure both of them but also coated him in her arousal to make him entering her a little easier. His own heavy breaths filled her ear as he kissed her neck, teasing her with slow drawn out movements of his hips. "Make love to me, Bash." She sighed, then resumed kissing his shoulder.

"Are you sure you're ready?" He whispered teasingly in her ear then kept kissing her neck.

Her response was a sound of aggravation as she lightly bit his shoulder, dug her heels into his rear, her fingertips pressed into his back and her right hand squeezed his, their fingers still intertwined.

He chuckled as he pulled back and looked into her eyes that gave him a playful glare. His face turned soft but serious as he brushed his thumb over her cheek. "Let me know if you need me to slow down or stop."

She gave him a nod, so he didn't take his eyes off hers as he reached down, lined himself up and pressed in. Slowly he entered her, watching closely for signs of discomfort, but he saw none. Only an expression of pleasure as her cinnamon brown eyes, clouded with lust, gazed into his with an almost overwhelming amount of love. The combination was one he'd never seen before and it only added heat to the fire already burning within him. After sinking into her completely he let his head fall to rest on her shoulder. A shaky breath left his lips.

Maisie moved her hand from where it had been gripping his shoulder to slip it up his chest to hold the side of his neck, "Is something wrong?"

He lifted his head and she slipped her hand over his cheek. "No." He answered. "You feel better than I ever could have imagined." He elaborated and her worried eyes softened as a fleeting smile pulled at one side of her lips. "Are you alright?"

"Perfectly." She answered then placed a few kisses to his shoulder as she slipped her hand down his neck and chest then around to rest on his lower back. She kissed up to his ear then rolled her hips into his as she whispered, "Please, continue, whenever you're ready."  

Her action pulled a labored breath from him before he captured her lips in a hungry kiss. Despite the temptation to go fast and hard, he kept the strokes of his hips agonizingly slow and gentle.

After a moment his movements, which had felt a little odd to her at first, started to feel better and better. His breaths in her ear, the caress of his lips on her neck, his free hand holding the side of her head, fingers embedded in her hair while his left hand still held her right, a slight sting in her palm from the pressure on her open cut…it all fed the feeling building within her.

Bash reveled in her. The feel of her ample chest pressed against his, the way her fingertips pressed into his back, her thighs gripping him, her hips moving perfectly in time with his as if this were the hundredth time they'd made love, her quiet panting and the occasional high pitched moan that would slip, despite her trying to hold them back. He'd been on edge since entering her and wasn't sure how much longer he could hold back, but he could tell she was getting close. "Bash, I-" she panted.

"I know." He sighed, nuzzling his face into her neck, "Let go and I will surely fall with you." The words of encouragement and the light squeeze he gave her hand pushed her over the edge and a muffed moan filled his ear as she pressed her face into his neck.

Just when she thought he couldn't possibly make her feel better than she did in that moment, his choked, deep moan filled the space around them and he began pulsing inside her, filling her with an intense warmth. The sensation pulled a short, high pitched moan from her as her thighs tightened around him and her fingertips once again dug into his smooth back. They rode the waves of ecstasy together, him peppering her neck and chest with kisses while her free hand caressed his side and back until the waves subsided.

After a long, comfortably quiet moment he caressed her nose with his then pulled back and put most of his weight on his right forearm. When his eyes moved to their hands still clasped together hers followed and watched as they let go, both flexing their fingers after holding the position for so long. Only a small amount of blood was on their palms since the pressure had stopped the wounds from bleeding.

Bash cupped her cheek in his left hand brushing his thumb over her cheekbone as he gazed at her content face. "Tell me what you're thinking."

"I'm thinking that I understand why you told me not to plan on sleeping tonight." She answered. "Because I want to do that again," she pecked him on the tip of his nose, "and again," then his cheek, "and again," then whispered in his ear, "until the sun rises."

He chuckled as he rolled into his back, taking her with him. "Then may I suggest we retire to a location better suited for such activities?" He asked as she set up and his hands grabbed her hips. Both of them then noticed the blood that had been smeared everywhere their cut hands had explored. "And perhaps a bath."

"You read my mind." She answered as she leaned down and caught his lips in a playful kiss.

Seeing that one lady had left the group, Bash walked over. “Come to steal Maisie away?” Mary asked with a knowing smile.

“If it’s alright with you.” Bash answered. Over the past month Bash's side had healed and he'd taken up as much of Maisie’s time as he could.

“Of course, enjoy the festival.” Mary said with a motion to Maisie.

Bash and Maisie were standing at a vendor table looking at some boats when Maisie noticed Francis hugging a blond headed woman. “Who is that?” she asked Bash with a discrete nod at Francis and the woman.

Maisie and Bash moved to stand against the wall to make room for others to shop. “Olivia D'amencourt.” Bash answered. “Her family lived at court for a time.”

“And her link to Francis is?” Maisie asked.

"I probably shouldn't say." He said in a sigh.

She looked at him and raised a brow. "I'll get it out of you one way or another."

"They were an item for a time." He answered reluctantly.

"When did their relationship end?" She asked as they watched Francis and Olivia leave the barn together.

"About a month before you all arrived." He answered and Maisie hummed. "Don't tell Mary. It will only cause trouble if you do."

"I have no intention of meddling in their relationship." Maisie replied. "What Francis tells her is on him."

"Then why did you bother asking?" He asked.

"Because I'm nosey." She shrugged. "And I will always keep an eye out for my friends.”

“Then…I should probably tell you that Kenna has been seeing my father for some time now.” he replied.

“What?” Maisie asked with a look up at him across her shoulder. “You’re joking.”

“I’m afraid not.” he sighed. “I’ve learned the signs over the years.”

Maisie frowned and looked across the room at Kenna as she let the news sink in. Then a thought struck her. “So that’s why she got mad at me the other day.” she said in realization. Bash gave her a curious look. “At the picnic for Charles and Madeline, when your father gave me that rose. Kenna thought he was flirting with me.”

“Yes, about that.” Bash started sounding agitated, “I believe that little show was more about making her jealous than welcoming you into the family prematurely. Getting women is nothing more than a game he likes to play. And when it comes to Kenna, he’s gotten what he wanted.”

“You mean they’ve-?” she asked with a raise of her brows and he nodded. “Oh Kenna…what have you gotten yourself into?” she sighed to herself. Bash wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her close. “So all the nice things Henry said, it was all just a show to poke at Kenna?” she asked and he hummed. “Well that’s disappointing.” Maisie sighed.

“Why?” he asked with a frown.

“Because I liked the idea of having your parents' approval.” she answered. “I haven't seen your mother since I arrived. I’d hoped we could have tea and get to know one another.” she looked up at him as he took a drink from the silver cup in his hand.

“She approves.” he told her then gave her a closed lipped smile.

“How do you know?” Maisie asked.

“I just do.” he answered with a secretive looking smirk. She narrowed her eyes at him suspiciously and he laughed. “Trust me.”

She let it go with a shake of her head then looked around. “Is it just me or is this festival a bit boring?” she asked and he laughed. “What?” she asked and looked up to see him looking at her, that admiring look in his baby blue eyes.

“Just wondering how I got so lucky as to find the one woman God created for me.” he answered, putting a bright smile on her face as she looked up at him. “Would you like to get out of here?”

“Yes please.” she answered as she took his hand and they headed to the door. “But we can’t stay gone too long. I’m supposed to meet Mary and the girls this afternoon to read Virgil.” Bash made a disgusted sound. “Tell me about it. I think Aylee aims to put us to sleep.”

RRRRRRRRRR

They were returning from a ride when Francis found them. Maisie noticed the frown on the prince's face. “Is something wrong?” she asked before Bash could.

“Yes, I need to speak to my brother in private for once.” Francis answered shortly.

“Anything you have to say you can say in front of Maisie.” Bash said, not liking the tone his brother took with her. He dismounted his horse to be eye level with Francis.

Francis looked at Maisie then back at Bash. “Mary found out about my past with Olivia. She wouldn’t say who told her, but I have my suspicions.” his eyes looked at Maisie.

Maisie frowned and opened her mouth to argue, but Bash beat her to it. “It wasn’t Maisie. Anyone could have told Mary about you and Olivia. It wasn't exactly the castle's best kept secret.” Bash started walking and Maisie followed on her horse. “Now if you’re done making false accusations-”

“I also have reason to believe Olivia’s carriage was attacked by pagans.” Francis interrupted. Bash stopped, giving Francis his full attention. “I recognize the words she heard from when you said them.”

“What were they even doing driving through the blood wood?” Bash asked.

“Olivia’s driver was told that the kingsroad was flooded. Which it isn’t.” Bash and Maisie just stared at him. “Bash, they’re luring people in.”

“I’ll gather some men and find her carriage.” Bash told him so Francis nodded and walked away.

Bash looked at Maisie so she dismounted. “Be safe.”

RRRRRRRRRR

Mary and her ladies sat around on three sofas arranged in a u shape in a common room while Aylee read Virgil. Queen Catherine and a few of her ladies sat at a table a few feet away talking and drinking wine. “It’s a talent, really. No matter the topic he can wind it back to pepper.” Greer interrupted Aylee to talk about Lord Castleroy. Lola, Mary, Kenna and Maisie laughed earning a dirty look from Aylee. “Sorry, sorry, go on.” Greer told her.

“Et vacant annalis-” Aylee started.

“I bring up politics…Pepper transactions are a political minefield. History? The peppercorn has a storied past.” Greer interrupted her.

“I doubt he’d wind Virgil back to pepper.” Aylee complained as she closed the book around her thumb.

“Oh, stop.” Greer argued. “We know what happens. He wanders around Troy for another 100 stanzas.”

As Maisie rolled her eyes at Aylee they landed on Olivia as she walked into the room timidly. “Shush, It’s Olivia.” Kenna said.

“She looks Mortified.” Lola added.

Queen Catherine walked over and looked down at Mary. “You and I find ourselves strangely aligned for once.” As the queen walked away others stood and left the room.

“Are people leaving?” Kenna asked.

“She dislikes Olivia more than you?” Aylee asked Mary quietly as she leaned into the group.

“Apparently.” Mary answered as she turned her eyes to Olivia who was still standing awkwardly in the middle of the room.

“Why would Olivia return here?” Lola asked.

“With the prince’s favor she could find a match.” Kenna answered. “If need be, Francis could force the issue.”

“Who would willingly take used property? Even a royal’s.” Greer asked with a frown.

“Property?” Maisie asked with a frown of her own.

“You know I didn’t mean it like that.” Greer brushed it off.

“It sounds like there were real feelings there.” Kenna pointed out. “Should she be punished forever?”

Her stations fallen. She doesn’t belong at court.” Greer argued.

“Some could say the same of you.” Kenna snapped back.

“Because I don’t have a title. How dare you.” Greer said with a sneer.

Kenna leaned forward to say something back but Mary spoke up. “Stop, please. There’s enough ill will at court today.” Mary stood up and walked over to Olivia. “Hello, Olivia. I’m Mary.”

Olivia curtsied. “I’m honored.”

“Oh, it’s all right.” Mary held her hands out stopping her then looped her arm though hers. “Come, sit with me and my friends. I’m afraid there’s not going to be much Virgil.” The ladies scooted around on the couches making room for Olivia as she and Mary walked over. “Everybody’s too excited about the harvest festival and the beginning of the blood month. They’ve been slaughtering in the kitchens all week. Out with the old, in with the new.” Mary motioned for Olivia to take a seat so she sat next to Greer and Mary sat down next to her. “I heard that your things are still missing. Perhaps I could lend you a dress for the festival if you’d like.”

“Thank you. I appreciate it.”

RRRRRRRRRR

Bash and Maisie stood in the infirmary, watching as Nostradamus worked on attempting to save the driver of Olivia’s carriage who Bash had found near the wreckage, strung up by his feet to be bled into a bowl. Olivia’s ladies maid hadn’t survived. “Could you hear them? Were they close?” Nostradamus asked.

“I had no sense of them.” Bash answered with a shake of his head, his arms crossed over his chest.

“Some would say you had no sense. That you defiled their faith.” Nostradamus argued.

“A faith riddled with human sacrifice. When did that start?” Bash asked.

“They’ve made blood sacrifices for centuries.” Nostradamus answered, placing a new bandage over the driver’s cut neck.

“I thought they only sacrificed animals.” Maisie spoke up.

“Not always.” Nostradamus replied. “The human sacrifice was simply more hidden, less bold.”

“I thought these murders, these bodies hanging, their true purpose was to scare people away. Civilized people from land they believed was theirs…or had claimed for hunting.” Bash said as he started pacing.

“And instead they’re hunting civilized people.” Nostradamus replied. “Travelers. Luring them in.”

“Why? What’s changed?” Bash asked.

“I don’t know.” Nostradamus replied as he stood from where he’d been kneeling beside the driver. “But I do know this. You have interrupted a sacrifice, which they will not take kindly to. Stay close to the castle in the coming days. You could be in grave danger.”

Scared, Maisie grabbed Bash’s hand and he pulled her close.

RRRRRRRRRR

The next morning Maisie and Bash were at the festival, leaning against a post in the barn while chatting and people watching when Nostradamus found them. “A word?” He asked and Bash left Maisie gave him a nod.

While Bash and Nostradamus spoke, Maisie went to Mary who had been drinking wine all morning. “Mary, are you okay?”

“Yes, perfectly. Why do you ask?” she replied, but Maisie could tell something was wrong.

“You looked stressed when talking to Kenna earlier.” Maisie started. “Then the queen spoke to you, which I know is alway a nerve wracking experience, you’ve also been putting more wine in your stomach than food.” Mary sighed and looked down at the silver goblet in her hand. “May I suggest that you lay your woes on my shoulders instead of attempting to drink them away?”

Mary gave her a soft smile. “I appreciate the offer, but I’m okay.”

“It still stands if you change your mind.” Maisie told her then turned to see Bash waiting for her where they had been standing before. “We’ll be down by the water’s edge if you need me.” she told Mary then went to Bash and took his hand when he offered it. “What did Nostradamus have to say?” she asked as they walked out of the barn.

“The driver has died.” Bash informed her. “Before he passed he told Nostradamus that he heard the pagans talking about a bargain they struck with a creature that resides in the woods, in a dark cave somewhere that only a chosen few know of. They give it blood or it drains them of life.”

“So that’s why they're luring people in?” she asked with a worried look up at him as they neared to the water's edge.

“Seems so.” he answered as they sat down on a stone bench, facing the water. “I know you’ve promised before,” he started as he moved around to straddle the bench and face her as he grabbed her hands in his, “but it’s important, now more than ever, that you stay away from those woods.”

“I promise, I won’t go near them.” she replied then scooted forward and rested her forehead on his shoulder.

They were lost in eachother, when Mary walked over and plopped down on the bench behind Maisie. “Sorry to interrupt.” Mary said, sounding like she really didn’t mean it.

Bash and Maisie pulled back and looked at one another, Maisie giving him an apologetic look before he leaned to one side, looking at Mary over Maisie’s shoulder before he looked back at Maisie. “I think your queen is a bit…inebriated.” Bash whispered.

“Her queen can hear you and yes, I am.” Mary replied, making Maisie bite her smiling lips closed.

“I’ll give you two some space.” Bash told Maisie then pecked her on the lips, stood and walked away.

“Is he ever going to pop the question?” Mary asked, a bit of a slur to her words.

“I’m sure he will when the time is right, but neither of us want to rush into anything.” Maisie answered and she turned to sit on the bench the right way instead of straddling it. “You didn’t come out here to ask about me and Bash. Come on,” Maisie gave her a come-at-me motion with her hands. “Get it off your chest. What’s wrong?”

“Did you know Kenna is having an affair with the king?” Mary asked.

“Before I answer that, let me take this off your hands.” Maisie answered as she gently took the silver goblet out of Mary’s hand then drank what little was left and sat the empty cup on the bench between them. “I do know, but I only found out yesterday when Bash told me. Kenna doesn’t know that I know.”

“How could she be so foolish?” Mary asked.

“I’m a firm believer that we don’t have full control of our hearts. Besides, some might call me foolish for having feelings for the king's bastard." She rolled her eyes. "God I hate that word.” she added under her breath.

“Yes, why do you hate that word?” Mary asked.

“I’ll explain when you’re in your right mind. Until then why don’t we talk about you?” she asked. “Kenna’s affair can’t be what drove you to over indulge in drink.”

“It’s Francis…" she sighed. "I asked him to send Olivia away and he assured me he would, but then I found out that her belongings have been recovered and she’s moving into the east wing. Not only that, but something happened between them." She grabbed the cup and looked in it, only to remember that Maisie drank it, then clumsily put it down. "We had an argument and he threatened to take Olivia as his mistress.”

“Mary, I’m so sorry.” Maisie comforted as she placed her hand on Mary’s arm.

“It…was so foolish of me to think that we could ever be just a boy and just a girl.” Mary started rambling. “I mean, that implies that one is free to leave if one is unhappy and while I am stuck here with no recourse he’s free to do whatever he wants with whoever he wants. What do you think, am I overreacting?”

“I think I can only see your side of the story. And while I empathize with you I also know that you can be hot headed and impulsive, which was probably magnified by the wine you've been drinking all morning. Also, what was the queen talking to you about? Could she have said anything to you that put you in a bad mindset? You know she's manipulative and doesn't want you to be with Francis."

"I don't know." She sighed, letting her shoulders fall as she grabbed the cup and started fiddling with it. "What would you do if you were me? As far as I can tell you and Bash never fight like this."

"Well, Bash and I aren't royals." Maisie pointed out. "But, if I were you I’d go get something in my stomach, sober up and try the conversation again. It’s easy for words we don’t mean to slip out of our mouths in heated moments.” Maisie saw a movement out of the corner of her eye and looked to see Francis walking over. “Excuse me for a moment.”

"A word?" she asked, getting his attention. He stopped and motioned for her to speak. "I don't know why you would think that I'd tell Mary about your past with Olivia, but I want you to know that I'll never try to jeopardize your relationship with her." She started, squinting at him in the sunlight.

"No, I know you wouldn't." Francis replied. "I was upset and for some reason I took it out on you even though I know how much you care about Mary's happiness. I apologize for my behavior."

"I care about your happiness as well." She added. "Which is why I'm going to warn you that she is two sheets to the wind right now." He sighed and dropped his eyes to the ground. "She asked for my advice and I told her it would be best to talk to you when she has a clear head. But obviously what happens next is up to you."

He thought about it for a moment, staring at Mary's back. "Would you take her inside and send word when she's feeling better?"

"Of course." She answered with a nod. "Would you mind telling Bash where I'm going?"

"Not at all." He answered with a nod.

Maisie brought Mary inside, and watched over her. When she sobered up she sent word to Francis then left them to work things out.

That evening Mary found her and thanked her for her care and advice. She and Francis worked things out. Olivia would be staying at court while Francis tried to find a suitable match for her. Maisie understood Francis's need to ensure Olivia's happiness, but she feared that Olivia wouldn't make it easy and would still put unneeded stress on Francis and Mary's relationship.

RRRRRRRRRR

A few mornings later Maisie woke to find a necklace placed on a pillow on the empty side of her bed. Curious, she picked it up by the leather string. The one inch wide pendant looked like a twig in the shape of a stag's head. There was only one person she could think of that would have put it there and that was Bash, but he knew her taste in jewelry. And while her tastes were simple, a wooden pendant on a leather string was a little too simple. Something about it just didn’t feel right.

So after getting dressed in a flowy light green dress and putting on a darker green winter cloak trimmed with fur to shield her from the cool, mid september morning air, she grabbed the necklace off her bed. Looking at it again she decided against wearing it around her neck and instead looped the sting around her wrist several times then pulled the strings tightening it so that the pendant rested on the back of her hand.

She and her friends walked beside the road, lined with trees that lead to where the king would be arriving, Mary walked ahead of them. “You look especially lovely, Kenna.” Greer said with a look across her shoulder at Kenna. “Who are you dressed to impress?”

“No one, I just…” Kenna attempted to answer.

“Can’t Kenna look lovely simply because she is lovely?” Mary asked as she turned and held out her hand for Kenna. “And you are lovely.” she assured her as Kenna took her hand and walked beside her. 

When they came to where everyone was lining up, Maisie spotted Bash and walked over to him. “Good morning.” he greeted with a closed lipped smile.

“Morning.” she greeted as she touched his arm stopping him from joining the others just yet.

“What’s wrong?” he asked, seeing her frown.

“I’ve had a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach all morning.” she started. “Mainly because I found this on my pillow when I woke and something tells me it’s not from you.” she held her hand out, showing him the pendant. When she lifted her eyes to his face, gauging his reaction, she noticed how tense he was. “I was right, it’s not from you. Is it?”

“No, but I have seen it before.” he answered and she gave him a look that told him to tell her more. “I didn't tell you because I didn't want to frighten you. But, the butcher boy that committed suicied a few days back, he threw himself from my balcony after warning me that because I interrupted too many of their sacrifices, I must choose someone to sacrifice or they would choose for me. This necklace, or one just like it, was around his neck.”

Maisies eyes grew wide with worry. “So a pagan snuck into my room last night?” she asked and he nodded. "Does this necklace mean they've chosen me as your sacrifice?"

Bash cupped her cheek in his hand. “I believe so, yes, but I won’t let them hurt you.” he dropped his hand as she nodded, then grabbed hers and headed over to Francis, but before they could get his attention the king’s arrival cut them off.

Maisie watched as King Henry exited the carriage and Kenna took a few steps toward him, only to stop when she saw Diane exit after him. Mary grabbed her hand and pulled her back to stand with them.

When the crowd started to disperse Bash grabbed Francis’s arm then jerked his head for him to follow him over to Mary. “Mary, Francis, we need to talk.” Francis and Mary gave him curious looks. “In private. It’s important.”

RRRRRRRRRR

The four of them stood in a private area of the castle. “The people of this…faith. They claim that I owe them a debt. More than once in their minds I’ve interrupted their blood sacrifice. The butcher boy said that if I didn’t choose someone else to sacrifice they’d choose for me.”

“So that’s what’s been going on in the woods, Pagan sacrifice?” Mary asked.

“Among other dangers, yes.” Bash answered.

“And now they’ve chosen Maisie.” Mary said with a worried look at Maisie then at Bash.

“Because they know that threatening her is a good way to get to Bash.” Francis told Mary then looked at Bash. “Anyone with eyes can see how much she means to you.”

“We need to find out who left this marker in her chambers.” Bash said as Maisie held out her hand, showing them the necklace.

“Maybe the servants saw how the necklace got into her room. If you give me the necklace, I’ll question them.” Mary said so Maisie took the necklace off her wrist and handed it to Mary. she took it and headed off to do as she said.

Bash looked at Francis. “I worry about her safety.”

Francis looked at Maisie. “I’ll make sure there’s a guard outside your room at all times.” she gave him an appreciative nod. “Meanwhile you need to find out the severity of the threat.” he told Bash. “Ask the hunters that you know in the woods. Talk to the guards, Nostradamus, anyone.” Bash gave him a nod and he walked away.

Bash walked Maisie to her room, stopping before she went inside. “I am so sorry. If I knew cutting the bodies down would put you in danger I never would have done it.”

“You did nothing wrong.” Maisie assured him as she reached up and rested her hand on the side of his neck. “I don’t blame you. I’m worried about you.”

“I’ll be fine as long as you stay here, under guard. Don’t open the door for anyone but Mary, Francis or me.” he told her as he cupped her cheek in his hand and she nodded. “Promise me.”

“I promise.” she answered then took his hand off her face and kissed his palm. “As long as you promise to stay safe.”

“I will.” he responded as he saw a guard walking over to them. He opened her door and motioned for her to go inside. As he closed it, the guard stepped in front of it, blocking anyone who’d try to enter.

RRRRRRRRRR

Night had fallen by the time her door opened and her guard told her Bash was waiting for her out in the hall. She peeked around the door to see that Bash really was waiting for her so she stepped out. Bash motioned for the guard to give them space before he took her hands into his. “I haven’t found any new information. It’s all straightforward really. I must choose someone and sacrifice them in the bloodwood in order to pay the debt.”

“You have to sacrifice them?” Maisie asked with wide eyes. “You can’t just take a horrible person who doesn’t deserve to live from the jails and dump them in the woods for the bloodthirsty pagen’s to kill themselves?” Bash gave her a questioning look. “I’ve had all day to think.” she shrugged.

“The prisoners are a good idea, but no, I have to perform the sacrifice myself.” he answered.

“Bash…I know you. This is different from fighting on the battlefield. You can’t murder someone in cold blood.” she told him in hushed tones.

“I can,” he argued, “to save you.”

“And in saving me you will kill a part of yourself…a part of your humanity. I can’t ask you to do that.” she argued back.

“You’re not asking me to. They are.” he rebutted. Maisie took in a deep breath and gave him a pointed look as she let it out. “I’m having dinner brought up for you and your guard, let them in then no one else.” she simply gave him a nod. He pulled her close, wrapping his arms around her waist as she tucked her face into his chest and he rested his cheek on her head. After a moment he placed a kiss to her hair and pulled back. “Try to get some sleep.” she gave him a weak smile and a nod then went back into her room. Bash didn’t leave until the guard was back in place.

RRRRRRRRRR

The next morning the feel of something cold and wet dripping on Maisie’s stomach, covered only by her white silk nightgown, pulled her from a deep sleep. Feeling heavy headed she touched her stomach then looked at her fingers to see red, slightly sticky liquid. As her eyes focused they landed on the head of a stag, blood dripped from its open mouth, landing on her stomach. It took a moment for it to register, but when it did the scream that left her mouth was loud enough for the whole castle to hear.

When she regained control of her body she rolled out of bed, landing hard on her rear then scrambled away from the sight until her back hit the wall. The light shining in through the window above her head illuminated the horrid sight.

Greer, Aylee and Lola rushed into her room. “Maisie, what-” Lola started to ask but was cut off at the sight of the massive head hanging from the frame of the canopy bed in the room.

“Good Lord.” Greer gasped then looked at Aylee, “Go get Mary.”

Lola went to Maisie and kneeled down beside her. “Are you alright?” All Maisie could do was shake her head no. Lola looked up at Greer. “I think she’s in shock.”

“Bash.” Maisie whispered, Lola and Greer looked at her and she looked at Lola. “I need Bash.” Lola looked up at Greer who nodded and left the room.

“Can you stand?” Lola asked and Maisie nodded so Lola helped her then grabbed a long silk robe and helped her put it on. “What is the meaning of this?” Lola asked with a motion to the bed. Maisie didn't answer so Lola didn’t press further.

Eventually Greer returned with Bash who upon seeing Maisie, her hair a mess and blood on her robe that had soaked through from her nightgown, rushed over. "Are you alright?" He asked as he looked at her stomach.

“It’s not my blood.” she answered flatly. “It’s the stags.”

Bash wrapped her in his arms. Tears she’d been holding back now soaked into his shirt where her face was pressed into his chest. He looked around, noticing the head hanging over the bed for the first time. “How could you have slept through this?” Bash asked as he grabbed her face and dipped down to look at her eyes. “Your pupils are dilated. How do you feel?”

“Like I could easily go back to sleep.” she answered, and Bash noticed her fighting to keep her eyes open. “You’ve been drugged.”

Maisie let her eyelids win for a moment as she pressed her palm to her head. “I need to sit down.”

Bash helped her sit on a padded bench seat in her room then kneeled down infront of her and grabbed her hand from her head, looking at the back of it. “The pendent, it burned you.” he said. She looked down and noticed a raised, red stag's head burned into the skin on the back of her hand.

Mary and Francis walked in, seeing servants removing the head from over her bed. Mary rushed to Maisie as Bash went to his brother. “How did this happen, where was your guard?” Mary asked as she sat down beside her on the bench and grabbed her hand.

“I don’t know, Bash thinks I was drugged.” Maisie answered, swiping her hair out of her face.

“Good Lord! What is that?” they heard Catherine out in the hallway headed their way, probably seeing servants carrying the head away. The servants who’d just finished stripping the soiled sheets from Maisie’s bed curtsied to Catherine before they left the room. Catherine looked at the bed then at Maisie and Mary. “How could this have happened?”

Maisie flinched from Catherine’s tone, Mary grabbed her hand and looked at Catherine. “You’ve had someone sneak into my room before. Why don’t you tell us how it’s done?”

“Are you accusing me of this?” Catherine demanded as she squared her shoulders at Mary.

“We’re not accusing you of any involvement, Mother.” Francis said as he came into the room, Bash remained out in the hall, knowing Catherine wouldn’t approve of his presence.

“Does that mean you know who’s done this?” Catherine asked.

“Right now we’re less concerned about who than how.” Francis answered.

“They’d have to have drugged her.” Catherine said as she walked over and grabbed the goblet of wine off the dining table in the room. She sniffed it then made a face. “This is poppy.” she told them then sat the cup down. “I suspect her guard was given the same thing. Where is he?”

“The infirmary.” Francis answered. “Severe stomach pain.”

“That means he drank too much of it.” Catherine replied then looked at the bed before turning her eyes to Maisie, “A stag's head? What message is that meant to convey?” she asked with a motion at the bed.

Mary and Francis looked at each other before Mary spoke up. “It’s a symbol. Of the pagans.”

“What do any of you know about pagans?” Catherine asked.

“Only what everyone knows. That they’re becoming bolder, more ruthless and thirsty for blood.” Francis answered. “Seems the more fear they spread, the more power they gain.”

“These devils have come inside our walls. Inside my home.” Catherine said as she turned her eyes to Maisie’s bed.

“These heretics worked together to threaten us. Now we must work together to stop them.” Mary told her. Catherine just looked at all of them then left.

“Is she going to blame me…or Bash?” Maisie asked Francis.

“I don’t know, but I won’t let her harm you, or my brother.” Francis answered as Bash came into the room.

“We need to get you to the infirmary.” Bash said as he placed his hand on her shoulder.

“What I need is a bath and sleep.” Maisie argued.

“I’ll get the servants to draw you a bath.” Mary told her so Maisie nodded. She and Francis left, giving her and Bash a moment.

Bash looked at her, regret clear in his blue eyes. “Don’t say it.” she told him and he blinked at her. “I’m okay.”

“No, you're not, but you will be.” he replied and Maise saw something in his eyes change.

“What are you going to do?” she asked, scared.

“I’m going to the jails. I can’t let them continue to torture you because of my mistakes.” he answered, dertimination clear in his tone as he stood. She grabbed his hand, stopping him. “You can’t talk me out of it.”

“I was just going to remind you that I love you, no matter what.” Bash gave her a bitter sweet smile with a blink before he left.

After her bath, Maisie laid in bed, fighting sleep while Nostradamus examined her per Bash’s insistence. “Once you get some sleep you will be just fine. Poppy has no lasting effects.” he wasn’t telling her anything she didn’t already know.

“Can I ask you something that’s not about my health?” she asked and Nostradamus gave her an unsure nod. “You said I would lose my love. You did mean Bash, right?”

“Do you have another love?” Nostradamus asked, a little amused.

“No, but I don't know how far in the future your vision took place. People fall out of love all the time." She explained. "I need to know exactly what you saw, not knowing is driving me mad.”

“My vision was the near future, as you don’t look any older than you do now. However, that is only an estimate. Some women age gracefully.” Nostradamus answered and Maisie sat up straighter in the bed, happy he was finally answering her questions. “I see you, tears of anger on your face. You strike someone, I can’t see who. You say that Bash was yours, that this person has taken him from you. You don’t say how.” Maisie frowned down at her hands, thinking about what he’d said. “Is that enough to keep you sane?”

“Not nearly, but if it’s all you can offer then it will have to do.” she replied then looked up at him. “Thank you for sharing your vision with me.” he gave her a nod then left her, letting her drift off to sleep.

RRRRRRRRRR

While Maisie slept off the effects of the poppy, Mary and Catherine called all the servants into the throne room and asked them to come forward with information. Catherine threatened to burn their family’s houses to the ground if no one came forward by midnight. Bash went to the jails, took a thief and brought him out to the blood wood.

By the time Maisie had woken, night had fallen. She dressed then followed the voices of her friends and the sound of fireworks out onto the balcony their rooms shared. “You’re awake.” Greer greeted as Maisie joined her, looking out of an open window.

“Where’s Mary?” Maisie asked.

“I don’t know. Last I saw her she was questioning the staff with the queen.” Lola answered. “I’m sure she’ll be here soon. Who’d want to miss this?”

“I suppose the king wants our mind off our troubles.” Aylee said as she crossed her arms over the half wall.

“I wish I could get my mind off him.” Kenna said, making the ladies look at her where she sat on a bench seat against the castel wall.

“Kenna’s the king's official mistress.” Greer informed Maisie.

“I knew they were…involved, but,” Maisie looked at Kenna, “when did you become his mistress?”

“Today.” Kenna answered. “You knew about us?”

“Bash told me.” Maisie answered.

“And you didn’t tell us?” Aylee asked.

“It wasn’t my secret to tell.” Maisie shrugged.

“Where’s the king now?” Lola asked.

“He said I mustn't miss the fireworks.” Kenna answered. “Of course he wouldn't say why he couldn’t join me. Is he trying to get rid of me so he can have a moment alone with Diane? Is there another mistress he’s courting? God knows I've been trying his patience lately.”

“Kenna shut up!” Lola snapped.

“I’m sorry. God, no wonder you can’t stand me anymore.” Kenna said.

“No, shut up and look.” Lola said with a point out of the window.

Kenna went to the window and they all turned their eyes outside to see Kenna’s name written out in candle light. With a giddy smile on her face she ran off, headed to the kings, now her chambers.

“If Kenna is the king's official mistress, what is to happen to Diane?” Maisie asked the other girls.

“Kenna said she is staying in the castle until her cottage on the grounds is renovated.” Greer answered.

“Why do you ask?” Aylee asked.

“She’s Bash’s mother. It can’t be easy on him to see her displaced.” Maisie answered.

“It’s probably not the first time.” Aylee replied.

“But hopefully it’s the last.” Lola said with a pointed look at Aylee.

RRRRRRRRRR

“Maisie and Mary were in Mary’s chambers waiting to hear from Bash. Mary sat on a bench in front of the fire as Maisie stoked the flames out of need to stay busy. “Has Sebastian returned?” Mary asked her ladies maid, Sarah, who stood beside Maisie's maid, Genevieve.

“Not yet.” Sarah answered.

“And you told his servant to bring word immediately?” Mary asked.

“I did.” Sarah answered. “Milady, you need to rest, both of you.” she said.

Maisie looked down at the burn on her hand. “I’m not sleepy and I won’t sleep until I hear that Bash is back and safe.” she told Mary. “But I can leave if you’d like to sleep.”

“No, I’m not leaving you alone. Not after learning that Catherine’s guard was responsible for the stag’s head in your room.” Mary argued. “I won’t let you out of my sight until Bash returns.”

Maisie gave her a nod and sat down beside her on the bench. Genevieve walked over and held her hand out for the fire poker. “May I return that for you?” Maisie saw a burned spot on the side of her palm that very closely matched hers.

“Mary.” Maisie said as she grabbed Genevieve’s wrist and showed her hand to Mary.

“It’s burned.” Mary gasped as she stood and pulled Maisie close. “You said you’d never seen the necklace, but you’re the one that put it on her pillow aren’t you?” Mary spoke fast out of fear.

Maisie pushed Mary to stand behind her and pointed the fire poker at Genevieve. “Guards!” Maisie yelled.

“Don’t bother.” Sara spoke up as she walked over. “If the king’s bastard fails again to pay his debt he’ll need to learn.”

“How many of you are there?” Mary asked from behind Maisie.

“Enough.” Genevieve answered.

“Sarah, you’ll burn for this, both of you.” Mary said right before the guards burst in and captured the two girls. As soon as they were out of the room and the door closed, Maisie and Mary sank down on the padded bench seat, both of them letting out a sigh of relief.

Sometime during the night Mary fell asleep, waiting for Bash to return, but Maisie couldn't, and wouldn't, sleep.

RRRRRRRRRR

The next morning Mary and Maisie were assigned new guards and ladies maids who they were assured were not pagans. After more hours of waiting for word Maisie was finally told by her new maid that Bash had arrived and asked her to meet him down by the water's edge where she'd once picnicked with Mary and her friends.

As she left the castle she quickly spotted him down by the lake, staring out over the water. "Bash." She said getting his attention as she walked up behind him and touched his shoulder, making him turn toward her. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine." He answered as he caught her hand that she was about to use to touch his cheek. She frowned at the action. "Physically."

She looked down at their hands. "You went through with it, didn't you?"

"You were right. Killing a man in cold blood is different from killing a man in battle." He answered quietly. "And I've killed two." Maisie looked up from their hands, worry clear in her eyes. "One a zealot of the faith, the other an innocent."

"I don't understand." She said with a shake of her head.

"I took a man from the jails as you suggested, but I had no intention of killing him." Bash started explaining as he jerked his head for her to walk with him. "I only meant to use the prisoner to draw out a pagan. It worked and when I asked if any human life would pay my debt, the man said yes. So I sacrificed the pagan."

"So why did you kill the prisoner?" Maisie asked, her stomach aching with dread.

"He overheard the pagan talking about my mother's faith. What they believe should be my true faith." He answered. "The prisoner knew who my mother and I were."

"So you killed him to keep your secret safe." Maisie sighed.

"My past, my mother's original faith, has and will always put you in danger." He said as they stopped. "I'll understand if you no longer feel safe with me. Or if loving me is too dangerous."

"Bash." She sighed as she moved to stand in front of him, taking both of his hands into hers. "I see the fact that you killed to keep me safe as…a double edged sword. Just as comforting as it is frightening." She let go of his hands and placed hers on each side of his neck. "And I won't let fear keep me from loving you. Especially since I find the fact that I would fight and kill in order to do the same for you just as frightening. I can't fight and would probably lose my life in trying, but I'd try nonetheless."

"You're saying you'd die to protect me?" He asked, a little amused.

"It's a bit…dynamically reversed, for lack of a better term, but yes. I would." She answered and he grabbed her hand as they started walking again.

"Then perhaps I should teach you to fight." He offered.

"Really fight? As in hand to hand combat?" She asked, a little surprised, though she shouldn't have been.

"Yes. As much as I'd like to be, I won't always be around to protect you and you need to know more than a simple punch." He replied, completely serious. "Basic self defense maneuvers paired with strategic punches can do more than you might imagine. Especially considering no one will expect it from a woman, much less a titled lady."

"Okay. Teach me to fight." She agreed.

"Well, I can't teach you out in the open where anyone can see." He said with a nod to the people walking around closer to the castle. "We'll go for a ride in the morning and stop where we had our first kiss. I'll teach you there. What I can teach you right now is that the easiest way to take down a man, should your skirts allow, is to knee him between the legs."

"That sounds far easier than a punch. Why didn't you teach me that one when we were kids?" Maisie asked as they headed to the castle.

"Honestly I was afraid I'd make you mad and you'd use it against me. I'd rather take the punch." She rolled her eyes and gave him a pointed look. "Do you not remember how I'd agitated you at times just to see the cute face you'd make."

Maisie laughed. "I remember. You'd tug on my braid or untie my sash. Or the more annoying one, stealing something from me and running with it."

Bash chuckled. "Perhaps that one was a little unfair considering my legs were always longer than yours."

"It got a little less annoying after Kenna told me you were flirting with me." She replied. "A little being the key words in that sentence. Don't get any ideas."

"What, scared you can't keep up?" Bash asked challengingly.

"Not in these shoes I can't." She answered.

"Excuses, excuses." He sighed jokingly.

She looked across her shoulder at him with narrowed eyes. "Do you want me to punch you? Because I will." Bash just laughed.

RRRRRRRRRR

Their mood was once again lowered as they watched Catherine's guard, and the two ladies maids be placed on and bound to pyres. "You shouldn't watch this." Bash told her where he stood beside her on a balcony that overlooked the public burning.

"These people marked me for death and tortured us." She argued with a look at him across her shoulder. "I need to watch them burn and pay for what they have done." Bash placed his hand on the small of her back comfortingly. "Then, when the screams stop, I'll need you to push it all to the furthest reaches of my mind."

"And how do you expect me to do that?" He asked with a knowing look. She just blushed and glanced down at his lips, making him smile. When the fires were lit their smiles fell and soon the screams of three people filled the air. After a moment one of the screams was silenced by an arrow. Not long after the other two faded and only the sound of the flames remained. "Satisfied?" Bash asked as he closed the windows of the balcony then turned toward her.

"Not as much as I thought I'd be. But the screams have stopped and I still need your help." She answered as she grabbed the strings at the neck of his thin brown shirt and pulled them. He smirked when she hooked her finger into the open v and tugged. He closed the space between them, wrapping his arms around her waist as he caught her top lip between his. They both instantly relaxed from the sensation as a sigh left her lips and she wrapped her arms around his shoulders.

He had worked his way to her neck, placing noisy wet kisses over the sensitive skin while cupping her cheek in his perfect hand when, "Don't stop on my behalf." jerked them back down to reality.

"Mother." Bash greeted as he turned from Maisie who kept her eyes downcast while her face burned bright red.

"No greeting from my future daughter-in-law?" Diane asked and Maisie could only manage to look up. "Oh you needn't be embarrassed. I take your attraction to my son as a good thing. It assures me that I'll have grandchildren someday soon."

"Mother." Bash scolded.

"After the wedding obviously." She defended then looked at Maisie. "Take a walk with me?"

Maisie looked up at Bash who gave her a smirk then back at Diane. "Sure."

Diane waited until they were out of earshot of Bash. "I wanted to thank you." She said.

"Thank me, whatever for?" Maisie asked.

"For giving Bash a chance. I know his reputation at court isn't the best. My biggest fear was that when you returned you'd hear of his reputation and decide you couldn't risk it. That, or you would return to court already wed. Both scenarios would have crushed him." She explained as they turned a corner in the castle halls.

"Well, his past was a concern, but he was open about it from day one. So I took his honesty as a good sign." Maisie explained. "And I never once considered marrying another."

"I'm so pleased you remain devoted to my son." Diane said and she was opening her mouth to say more when Kenna rounded the corner a few feet ahead of them.

"Maisie." Kenna said as she stopped at the sight of her friend walking alongside the woman she'd recently displaced. "What are you doing?"

"Having a chat with the woman I hope to one day call family." Maisie answered with a pointed look. Kenna frowned and opened her mouth to speak, but Maisie cut her off, "we'll discuss this later?"

"Yes, of course." Kenna replied then carried on her way.

"I am so sorry about Kenna." Maisie apologized.

"Oh don't fret it. I can only imagine the awkward position this puts you in." Diane responded. "Just know I don't blame you for the actions of your friends." Maisie gave her a soft thankful smile. "That's something else I want to thank you for. The day you arrived your friends judged me, gave me dirty looks, but you smiled warmly. I stopped letting dirty looks bother me a long time ago, but kindness, like the smile you gave me, matters more than you know."

"I didn't know if you noticed that." Maisie said out loud.

"I did, Henry did as well." She assured her. "He has a soft spot for you."

Maisie's eyes went wide. "Why?"

"Because you're in love with his favorite son and you're kind." Diane answered. "Bash was okay while you were gone, but Henry and I have both noticed a change in him since your return. There's a new energy about him, he's truly happy with you at his side." Maisie just smiled. "So, don't let him wait forever to ask for your hand. He's waited a long time to do so and he may need a push to get him past the nerves of anticipation."

Maisie laughed nervously, "I'll bear that in mind." 

The two women had tea in the common room then both turned in for the night.

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Mary sat on her bed in her gown. She and Lola both had tear stained faces while Kenna and Aylee looked like they didn't know what to do. "Mary, Lola, are you alright?" Maisie asked as she sat down on the bed and grabbed Mary's hand as she looked at Lola.

"Yes, just…rattled." Mary answered.

"What happened?" Greer asked behind Maisie.

Kenna touched Maisie's shoulder and when she looked at her she motioned for her to follow her. She pulled Greer and Maisie aside then spoke in hushed tones. "Colin snuck into her room." Maisie's eyes went wide as they slipped over to Lola. "She said she was woken by the blankets getting jerked off of her. Collin was straddling her legs with his belt undone."

"Dear Lord." Greer gasped.

Maisie couldn't speak and simply placed her fingertips over her lips, unable to take her eyes off of Lola. Greer and Kenna went back to Mary. This was bad. Maisie had never met Colin. She didn't know what kind of person he was, but surely Lola wouldn't fall for the kind of boy, soon to be man, that would treat a woman like he had treated Mary. There had to be an explanation. Not knowing what else to do she went to her two distraught friends and grabbed Lola's hand as she set her hand on Mary's shoulder.

Soon, servants were sent to get Mary dressed and ready to speak to The King and Queen. With her gone, in a meeting her ladies weren't allowed to attend, they went back to their rooms to get dressed for the day. Once Maisie had dressed in a dark blue strapless dress, a matching lace shrug and had tamed her waves, weighing them down with a silver head chain, she met the others in Mary's room.

"How did this happen?" Maisie asked, racking her brain for a reasonable answer as to why Lola's love would betray her so deeply while also endangering himself.

"Where were her guards? Why didn't they stop him?" Aylee asked Maisie's unspoken question.

"I hope Mary did if they didn't." Greer added. They were just thinking out loud, but Maisie knew how it all must have sounded to Lola. "They'll question her virtue. If she's not a virgin then she'll never be the queen of France and our chances at court will be over."

"You don't know what happened. Any of you." Lola spoke up.

"Then tell me." Mary said as she stepped into the doorway.

"I've spoken to him. He's being held. I bribed a guard." Lola answered before she looked up at Mary with tears in her eyes. "Colin's a good man…a boy still."

"And what did he say?" Mary interrupted. "What possible defense could he have given you?"

"He said he was forced." Lola answered, clutching her shawl in her fist. "He wouldn't say by whom. He couldn't, he was so afraid. But he said there are people, powerful people, behind this and that he had no choice."

"What people?" Kenna asked, looking from Mary to Lola.

"Here, in the castle. He wouldn't risk saying more." Lola answered.

They were all quiet for a moment before Aylee asked, "Do you believe her, Mary?"

Mary thought about it as she took a step closer. "He looked so surprised that I would fight back…that I would even wake." Mary thought out loud.

"That you would wake? He attacked you." Kenna asked.

Mary looked to be in deep contemplation before her expression changed. "The wine." They all just looked at her, not understanding. "I was told not to drink the wine, I was warned."

"Warned by who?" Lola asked.

"It doesn't matter now." Mary said with a shake of her head. "I believe you. I believe Colin."

"Please help him." Lola pleaded, fresh tears brimming her eyes.

"I'll do what I can." Mary replied.

RRRRRRRRRR

The ladies stayed with Lola in Mary's chambers until she returned and told them that Colin had been beheaded. "There was nothing I could do. I was too late." Mary said with unshed tears in her eyes.

"He wasn't a traitor. He wasn't a rapist." Lola said, now with tears pouring from her eyes.

"They said he was involved in an English plot. I don't know who to believe or to trust I…" Mary's voice broke as she shook her head. "I'm so sorry Lola."

"You're the reason he's dead!" Lola snapped as she stood up. "Anyone who's close to you lives in constant danger. We're disposable, all of us." She practically shouted as she looked around.

Mary shook her head. "No, you're not. I need you, you're my friends."

"Kenna's my friend." Lola replied. "Maisie, Greer and Aylee are my friends. You are my queen and we are your subjects. We're here in service to you. Whatever that means. Whatever it costs us."

"I will protect you." Mary tried.

"You can't even protect yourself!" Lola snapped.

"I'll do better." Mary's voice broke. "I promise."

Lola just sat down on the bench beside Aylee and Greer. As soon as she took her eyes off Mary her anger faded and she fell into Aylee's arms. Maisie's heart broke for both of her friends. If broke for Mary for not only almost getting raped, but because of the aftermath of the attack on her that she had no control over. And it broke for Lola because the target that's always going to be on Mary's back caused her to lose the man she loved. She wanted to go with Mary and assure her that she doesn't blame her like Lola does, but she couldn't help kneeling next to Lola and embracing her with the rest of her close friends.

When Maisie picked her head up from where it rested on Lola's shoulder she saw Bash standing outside the door with Mary. Her dog Sterling on a leash in Bash's hand that he held out to Mary. She took it before he bowed his head to Mary then turned, looking into the room just long enough to meet Maisie's eyes and give her a small, almost unnoticeable nod as well. Maisie managed to pull one side of her lips up into a pitiful excuse of a smile before Bash turned and walked away. After Mary had taken a moment to gather herself, aided by Sterling's relaxing presence, she returned and asked her ladies to give her a moment alone with Lola.

The others returned to their rooms, but Maisie wanted fresh air. So she decided to go for a walk in the gardens. They were very maze-like with tall flower bushes and offered both fresh air and privacy. She was about to walk through the arching entrance when Bash's voice called out. "Lady Maisie." She looked around and found him walking up the sidewalk a few feet away from her, coming from the opposite direction. "May I join you?"

She thought about it for a moment. "Sure." With that bright smile of his he offered his hand. So she placed her hand in his, but kept space between them as they started walking the garden pathway.

After a minute of walking in comfortable silence he broke it. "I heard about what happened. I'm sorry your friend had to go through that."

"I have two friends who've endured horrible things. To which are you referring?" She asked as she stopped to touch one of the beautiful white gardenia's.

"Mary." He answered. "Frances said a boy snuck into her bed and…attacked her. He was peeved that she had the audacity to want to talk to her assailant."

Maisie turned from the flowers to look at him with a deep crease between her auburn brows and he took a step back. "The audacity? Her assailant was an innocent boy whose hand was forced by others more powerful than him. He shouldn't have lost his head for it. I did not know him myself but I do know Lola and I know she would not place her heart in the hands of someone unworthy of it."

"I apologize." Bash said, holding his hands out defensively. "I didn't mean to offend. I only knew what my brother told me."

Her shoulders fell as she heaved out a breath. "No, I apologize. I shouldn't have lashed out at you like that." Aggravated, she plucked a waxy leaf off the bush just to have something to do with her hands.

"So Mary was attacked and Lola lost her love to a beheading." He summed up as they started walking again. "You said his hand was forced by others more powerful than him?"

"Mary was told by the king and queen that Colin was part of an English plot. However Colin said he was forced by someone here, highly placed. He was too scared to say who." Maisie explained.

"The two explanations could be one and the same. The English are always present and hold high positions." Bash explained.

"I just…I don't understand why he was beheaded so quickly. Wouldn't they have wanted to question him, find out more about this supposed English plot?" Maisie asked. "It almost makes me think someone with the authority to make such calls wanted to silence him."

"The only people with authority like that are the king and queen." Bash replied. "I can't see why either of them would want him silenced."

When they came to a stone bench in the center of the garden Maisie walked over and sat down. When Bash sat down next to her she pulled her knee up onto the bench and faced him. "Pieces of this puzzle aren't fitting together."

"Then perhaps you should take a step back for a moment." Bash suggested. "Think about something else."

"Like what?" Maisie asked, putting her hands in her lap.

"Well, we could get to know one another again." He answered. "Do you still like horses?"

"I do. I actually tried to convince my uncle to let me bring my horse here with me, but he said once I was here I wouldn't have time for her." She answered with sadness in her eyes.

"Do you have any plans for the rest of your day?" Bash asked and she shook her head no. So he stood and held his hand out to her. "Come with me."

She took his hand and stood up. "Where are we going?" She asked as they made their way out of the garden.

"You'll see." He answered with a smirk and a sparkle in his eyes.

After walking in comfortable silence for a moment the stables came into view. "I should have guessed." She said with a smile on her face as he led her to a stall containing a buckskin Morgan horse.

Maisie watched as Bash opened the stall, clasped a lead rope on its bridle and led it out. "Oh she's beautiful." Maisie complimented as she held her hand out for the horse to smell.

Bash watched with a smile on his face as Maisie started petting the horse's neck. "Would you like to ride her?"

"That depends." Maisie answered then moved to stand in front of the horse and looked it in the eye. "What do you think, Pretty Girl, wanna go for a ride, stretch your legs a bit?" The horse whinnied and twitched its ears. Maisie looked at Bash with a smile. "I think we'd both love to."

RRRRRRRRRR

After riding for a while they stopped at a lake to let their horses rest and drink. While the horses grazed Maisie and Bash sat under a tree on an extra saddle blanket he had thought to bring with them, drinking their own water from a canteen. "So, what’s her name?" Maisie asked as she watched the golden horse that roamed alongside Bash's dapple gray stallion.

"She doesn't have one." Bash answered, getting a curious frown from Maisie. "I believe a horse should be named by their owner."

"Are you not her owner?" Maisie asked with a confused shake of her head.

"I think you should name her." He replied not directly answering her question.

"But you just said that-" she cut herself off when he gave her a bright smile and she realized what he was telling her. "She's mine?" She asked with a lift of her brows.

"I bought her the day I learned you were returning." Bash answered. "So, what will you name her?"

Maisie stood and called the horse over with a few clicks of her tongue. She watched the bright, almost glittering gold horse, with its black mane, tail and legs, trot over to her. Thinking, Maisie petted the sweaty horse, Bash walked over to them. "Hemera." Maisie finally answered.

"The Greek goddess of the day." Bash said with an approving nod. "An appropriate choice."

Maisie turned from Hemera to Bash who was standing behind her. "Bash… She's perfect, but…what if I hadn't kept my promise? What if I came here as a married woman? Or if I no longer liked horses?"

“Then she would have been a late wedding present from your childhood friend." Bash answered. "And I watched you as a child, tending to the horses, how just being around them relaxed you. An affinity like that doesn't disappear with time."

Maisie blinked back tears as a smile formed on her lips and she grabbed his hand. "Thank you, Bash, truly."

"You're most welcome." He replied as he brushed a lock of hair out of her face then brushed the back of his fingers down her cheek. Her eyes slipped closed at the intimate touch. As soon as they opened and met his, he leaned down and caught her top lip between his. The action sent tingles coursing through every inch of her, stealing her breath. Her hands took on a mind of their own and moved to hold the sides of his warm, soft neck.

Bash had her chasing him when he pulled back, retreating when he pressed in. She was completely lost to the world and anything that wasn’t him…his lips…his hands…his warmth. Eventually he moved one hand back to her cheek as the kiss slowed then broke. They pressed their foreheads together as their eyes opened and met.

"I've wanted to do that since the moment I saw you yesterday." Maisie admitted.

"Me too." Bash replied and Maisie smiled as she lifted her head.

"What are the chances of us being seen out here?" She asked, knowing it wouldn't be good if they were caught.

"Unlikely." He answered so Maisie took his hand and led him back over to the blanket. "What would you say if I asked to officially court you?" He asked as they both sat down, their shoulders touching.

"Isn't that what you're doing now?" She asked as she picked up the canteen then took a drink.

He chuckled. "Yes, but I meant publicly. So everyone knows."

"Is there a reason I wouldn't want people to know?" She asked with a confused shake of her head.

"I can think of two." He answered. "You've only been at court for two days, it's a bit soon. The more glaringly obvious reason is you're titled. You should be counting men who-"

He was cut off by her hand over his mouth. "I don't care about titles or wealth. I never have." She uncovered his mouth and he gave her a sad blink.

"I'm a bastard, I-"

"So am I." She interrupted. "Not that anyone knows, not for sure anyway. If they did I'd lose everything. My dowry, my title." She dropped her eyes to her hands. "Not even my friends know."

"You're brothers always called you their bastard sister." Bash recalled. "Because you didn't look like them."

"I look like my uncle." She replied. "The one who raised my siblings and I. Everyone thinks that since he's my father's brother, red hair and brown eyes run in the family. That's not entirely true." She kept her eyes on her hands, not able to make herself look up. "Turns out there's a hidden history of bastards in my family. My uncle got his red hair from his father who was not my father's father."

"Your uncle is your biological father." Bash finished and she nodded. "How do you know for sure?"

"When I was thirteen my uncle found me hiding in the barn, crying after yet another bout of my brothers taunting me. He told me the truth.” she looked up at Bash to see him listening intently. “He and my mother, in a moment of weakness, gave in to the feelings they’d tried for years to ignore. He said my father knew that I wasn't his child but claimed me as his own to shield me from the life I'd have if people knew.”

“And what of your brothers? Did they ever learn the truth?” Bash asked with a frown, knowing how mean they were to her before.

“No, but I’m sure when my uncle had them flogged for pushing me to the point of tears it only furthered their suspicion. That along with the fact that, even though he tried not to, my uncle favored me. After the flogging they never called me a bastard again so it was probably a mixed blessing." She answered, then looked down, fiddling with the hem of her skirt.

"Can't say they didn't deserve it." Bash replied and when she didn't look up he hooked his pointer finger under her chin and lifted it. "This doesn't change anything. You’re still a titled woman."

"But it does." She argued as she grabbed his hand in both of hers. "Growing up, knowing everything could be taken from me at any moment changed how I view things…my needs when it comes to the man I chose to spend the rest of my life with.”

“How so?” Bash asked with a curious cock of his head.

“I don’t need a rich man who will plow me with gifts and shiny things for me to wave in the faces of other women and make them green with envy. That seems to be how other women find happiness, but I find it hollow and pointless.” she explained with a shake of her head. “I don’t need someone who’s going to sit down and haggle with my uncle over what prizes my hand in marriage will win him. I just need someone who will love me. Not my dowry, not my title…but me. I need someone I know will stay by my side, no matter my station. And my uncle, because he favors me, has granted me permission to marry for love.”

"Then it's a good thing I don't want you for your dowry." He replied, making a sad smile grace her face.

"So to answer your original question, I would say I'd love for you to publicly court me." She said as she looked down at his hand in hers. “To hell with what people think.”

"Good." He answered and she looked up at him with a small smile. "You're dancing last night caught the attention of more than a few men. Understandably so. You're an exquisite beauty with a smile that would light up the darkest of rooms." His compliment made her cheeks warm with a blush. "I doubt me courting you will dissuade them, but it's worth a try."

“Eh, if they try anything I’ll punch ‘em.” she said with a wrinkle of her nose as she held up her fist making Bash laugh as he grabbed her hand. "I only hope I'm enough of an exquisite beauty," she mimicked his compliment sarcastically, "to dissuade all the ladies at court who eye you like a tasty treat. Not that I blame them, you are mouth wateringly gorgeous." Bash laughed at her not so elegantly worded compliment with a slight blush of his own. She leaned into him, glancing down at his thin yet perfect lips before looking into his eyes. He took the hint and caught her top lip between his.

Just like before they got lost in one another. When she felt his tongue brush over her lip she instinctively let him in. The new sensation, his tongue slipping over hers pulled a sound she'd never made before, a higher pitched moan, from the back of her throat. Bash's lower pitched moan echoed hers, only intensifying the feeling pulsing within her.

The whinny of a horse sounded out right beside their heads. Maisie yelped and jumped away, breaking the kiss they'd been lost in.

Bash burst out laughing at the sight of Maisie holding her chest, shooting her horse a dirty look. His horse strode over and blew at them. "I think they're trying to tell us something."

"That we should slow down or that they're ready to head home?" She asked as she dropped her hand from her chest.

"Both probably." Bash answered as Hemera backed up.

Maisie reached up and rested her hand on Bash's thin brown shirt covered chest. "You know that no matter how easy it is to get lost in you that I can't go too far, right?"

"I know." Bash answered as he placed his hand over hers. "One of these days, if all goes accordingly, you will be my wife. Until then I will be perfectly satisfied with kisses that lead nowhere."

"You're too good to me." She said with a smile.

"I want to be good because of you." He pointed out as he stood then held his hand out to her. She took it and let him help her to her feet. She picked up the canteen then stepped off of the blanket so Bash could roll it back up.

By the time he'd strapped the blanket back onto his horse Maisie had already mounted hers. She took a drink from the canteen then capped it and handed it to him. He tucked it into his saddle bag then mounted his horse. As they rode back to the castle he observed her, the way her auburn hair flew behind her, the content look on her face, how she moved perfectly in time with Hemera as if she'd been riding her all her life. When the castle came into sight they slowed their horses to a walk. Maisie patted Hemera on the neck. "Bash, I can't thank you enough for this."

"It's nothing, truly. I bought her from a friend, he made me a good deal." He brushed it off.

"I wasn't just talking about Hemera." She told him. "You got me away, cleared my head."

"You can thank me by saving a dance for me at the party that's going to be thrown for Prince Charles and his future bride tomorrow night." He told her as they rode into the stables.

RRRRRRRRRR

"Where did you disappear to?" Kenna, who was leaving her chambers as Maisie walked past on the way to hers, asked. "And why do you stink?" She asked as she covered her nose with the backs of her fingers.

"I went for a ride." Maisie answered nonchalantly. Kenna narrowed her eyes at her suspiciously. "With Sebastian."

"What?" Kenna's eyes went wide as she smiled. "The king's bastard Sebastian?"

"Yes and can't you just call him the king's son?" Maisie asked with a frown.

"Sorry, I forget you despise the word." Kenna apologized. "But why were you with Bash? What happened to finding the boy you promised your heart to?" Maisie just smiled then bit her bottom lip. After a second Maisie saw the bell go off in Kenna's head as her eyes grew big. "That boy was Bash?"

"Yes." Maisie answered.

"Why didn't you ever tell me?" Kenna asked in a scolding tone.

"I didn't think it mattered." Maisie shrugged.

"Well it does. Does he still have feelings for you?" Kenna asked excitedly.

"He bought me a horse, so I'd say so." Maisie answered with a blush.

"A horse?" Kenna asked, unamused. "Oh, yes, I forget you strangely like the smelly creatures." Maisie just smiled. "Seriously, get the servants to draw you a bath you reek." Kenna told her pointedly as she walked away.

RRRRRRRRRR

"Lady Aylee, Lady Maisie, Lady Kenna and Greer of Kinross, Your Grace." Mary's servant announced the ladies with a bow as they walked into her chambers.

"Thank you, Sara." Mary replied then looked at them.

"You slept there while Lola slept in your bed?" Kenna asked.

"We were talking about what happened with Colin. She fell asleep crying." Mary answered. "I feel for her and for Colin." Mary looked over her shoulder at Lola sleeping soundly. "Let's let her sleep." The ladies followed Mary out onto the private balcony where several tables held food. Maisie grabbed an apple and a piece of cheese. “The French king and queen said that Colin’s attack on me was an English plot, but Colin told Lola it was someone here, highly placed at French court. All I know is it had to be someone opposed to Scotland’s alliance with France or my engagement to Francis…” Mary stared out of the open windows of the balcony in thought for a moment. “England wants my country and my crown. I need the alliance with France to protect Scotland from the English and I need time. Before there is any chance of Francis marrying me.” They all just looked at her in thought. “I won’t have time if I don’t figure out who’s against me.”

Lola walked in, joining them for breakfast. “Someone please tell me what’s on the agenda for today. I need a distraction.” she said as she took fresh fruit from the table.

“Today we are to accompany Mary to the throne room. Little Charles will be meeting his future bride. Much like Mary and Francis when they were children.” Maisie answered.

“Isn’t there supposed to be a party for them tonight?” Kenna asked.

“Yes and it sounds like a good distraction to me.” Maisie told Lola. “Maybe some spirits will lift your spirits.”

“That was cheesy.” Lola told her with a little smirk and roll of her eyes while the others laughed at them.

“Yes, but it made you smile all the same.” Maisie argued.

After they finished their breakfast they all got dressed and headed down to the throne room where the king and queen, little Charles, Francis, Bash and a few other advisers and such stood. “Let’s agree it’s a brilliant match. Madiline’s french so there’s no question of her family's loyalty and they’re very wealthy.”

“But not royal. So they’re hungry for power.” The king argued.

“They’ll pay for it.” The queen argued back and Maisie noticed Mary and Francis exchanging a look, making her smirk to herself.

“It's only right to accept the support of one’s loyal subjects.” the king agreed.

Catherine gasped as she looked down at her son. “And she has a giraffe! Madeline is widely traveled. She’s come from far away, by ship.”

“Do I get a giraffe too?” Charles asked in his polite little voice.

“The moment she becomes your bride.” Catherine answered.

“Francis.” the king started, “To show our respect, I want you to accompany your little brother to the landing.”

Charles turned and looked at his father. “Can Bash come as well?”

Maisie noticed that Bash gave his little half brother a small smile. “Charly!” Catherine snapped, making him look at her. “You know that Bash isn’t really your brother. He’s just your fathers son. His presence is disrespectful.” Bash gave Francis a ‘wow, really?’ look while Maisie shot Catherine a dirty look then remembered her place and turned her eyes to the floor.

“The girl's parents were enjoying Morocco so they sent her on alone.” The king added, shutting Catherine up.

“Apparently she was more afraid of meeting her future husband than of pirates.” Catherine laughed as she pulled Charles in for a hug. “Well, that’s to be expected at age seven. She’ll get in line.” She turned her eyes to Mary. “We all do.”

“Perhaps I can go with Francis.” Mary spoke up. “I came here too when I was a child. Perhaps I can reassure her.”

“It’s several hours journey.” the king warned.

“Well, we’ll take food and treats. I don’t mind, really.” Mary said with a shrug.

“On second thought, why don’t we greet the girl here?” Catherine spoke up, making Maisie frown a little. “We don’t know, the journey might not be safe.” Why didn’t she want Mary to go?

“They’ll stay on the king's road. A dozen well armed guards will keep any bandits away.” The king argued then took a deep breath. “Prepare a carriage for Mary, the queen of Scotland.” he told one of his people as he turned and walked away, officially dismissing everyone. As Bash walked out with Francis he glanced at Maisie with a small smile.

RRRRRRRR

“What happened?” Maisie asked Mary as she walked over to her ladies who stood outside to greet them when they returned from the landing. Along with Madeline and her attendants came many Englishman.

“Madeline’s ship was in distress, the English saw and helped, so they will be staying here for a time, to recover before they head back out.” she answered, sounding strong, but fear could be seen in her eyes.

Later that night Maisie noticed that many of the men at the party were English and it made Mary and her ladies feel very intimidated, though Mary did a good job of hiding it.

“You look rather pretty this evening.” Kenna said, looking Maisie up and down from where she stood next to her along with Aylee, Lola and Greer. “Are you trying to impress someone special?”

“Possibly.” Maisie answered.

“Who?" Aylee asked curiously.

"Sebastian." Kenna sing songed.

"The king's bastard?" Lola asked, making Maisie cringe.

"He has a terrible reputation with women." Aylee added. "They say he knows no bounds. You can't possibly think he wants anything more than to ruin you."

Maisie glared at Aylee. Greer knew by the flare of her nostrils that when Maisie opened her mouth something she might possibly regret was about to come out. So she interrupted, "I think what Aylee means to say is you need to tread lightly."

"We don't want you to get hurt." Lola added.

A server walked by with a tray of wine and offered them all one. Maisie took one while the others waved him off.

“Who is Mary talking to?” Greer asked, making them all look at Mary talking to a tall dark haired man in a black collared jacket with fancy embroidery around the collar and down the front.

“That’s the English envoy, Simon.” Lola answered.

They could tell something was off by the way Mary’s body stiffened, but before one of them could intervene, Francis did. After a short conversation Francis stepped back and held his hand out to Mary. The musicians, seeing them walking out on the floor, started playing music. Not long after, Bash walked over and held his hand out to Maisie. “May I have this dance?”

Deciding to play with him Maisie looked down at his hand, pretending to really think about it, biting her lips closed with a squint of her eyes before she looked up at his face that was starting to look like he thought she was going to say no. But she placed her hand in his, “You may.”

“Was it really such a hard decision to make?” he asked, looking a little concerned as they danced.

She let a smile pull at her lips. “No.” he looked relieved by her answer.

"I-" he twirled her, causing her to crash into his chest, "am going to make you pay for that." He said with a playful look in his eyes.

"Really? When?" She asked with a look up at him through her lashes.

"How about tonight?" He asked. "Since the guests of honor are children the party will end soon. After Mary retires, meet me in the center of the garden."

"I'll be there." They shared a smile as the song came to an end. She and Bash bowed to one another then he walked away and she headed back to her friends.

Eventually the two children went to bed and not much later Mary and Aylee followed telling them to stay and enjoy the rest of the party. While her friends scattered and started mingling Maisie hung back, pretending to people watch when really she was keeping a discreet eye on Bash. When she saw him leave she waited a while, made sure no one was paying her any attention then left the party herself.

When she found Bash he was sitting on a blanket he'd spread out on the ground right next to some gardenia bushes. The nice jacket he'd worn at the party along with his sword laid on the bench. A lantern sat on the corner of the blanket along with a bottle of wine and two cups. Neither of them said a word as she walked over and sat down beside him. He poured a cup and handed it to her then poured himself one. After a moment she unsnapped the broach holding her moss green lace wrap in place and took it off. It got set aside as she took a drink, set the cup aside, leaned her head back and took in a deep breath.

"You still like gardenias I see." He said with a smile in his voice.

"And I still hate lavender. The blue of your eyes is still my favorite color. Light moss green was yours. Is it still?" She asked as she dropped her head to look at him.

"It is." He answered, taking in the strapless, moss green bodice of her dress. After a few moments of comfortable silence, Bash spoke. "You looked upset earlier. Is everything okay?"

"Aylee was just being her usual judgmental self." Maisie shrugged.

"How so?" Bash asked.

"She said you couldn't possibly want anything more than to ruin me." Maisie answered. "They don't know you like I do…or, did. I have to keep reminding myself that even though it somehow doesn't feel like it, we have spent nine years apart."

"Which is why I don't mind taking our time, getting to know one another again." He replied as he slipped his hand over hers.

"That seems so hard to do when all I can think about is kissing you again." She admitted with a blush.

"Then perhaps you should kiss me." He told her with a smile in his eyes. "That is, after all, one form of getting to know one another."

"Honestly I'm afraid I won't be able to stop." She replied with a look down at the cup in her hand. "It's so easy to get caught up you."

"I won't let you go too far." He argued.

Maisie looked up at him with a slight frown, "Are you not as easily caught up in me?"

"That's not what I meant." He answered with a small smile as he flipped her hand over and started lightly running his fingertips over her palm. The light touches sent tingles up her arm that clouded her mind. "Of course I get caught up in you. Your kiss, your touch…"

"You have got to stop that." Maisie said with a blink at him.

"Stop what?" He asked.

Her hand shot out and grabbed his wrist, stopping his fingers from brushing her palm. "That. It's…titillating." She answered then let go of his wrist. His eyes grew dark as he placed his fingertips on the side of her wrist and slid them up her arm, over her shoulder. A sigh left her parted lips as her eyes slipped closed. "Must you tempt me so?" She asked quietly.

"I told you I'd make you pay." Bash replied, making her open her eyes and meet his.

"I see the currency has changed since we were children." She said with a smile and a look at him through her lashes as he threaded his fingers into her hair behind her ear.

"If you'd prefer I tickle you-" he was cut off when she caught his bottom lip between hers. He chuckled into the kiss before her hands slipped up his chest to hold the sides of his neck, pulling a sigh from him. After a long while he laid her back on the blanket hovering over her from the side as his hand slipped from her hair, over her chest and side to hold her hip.

A shaky breath left her lips as he trailed kisses down her neck to the cleavage exposed by the deep sweetheart neckline of her corseted bodice. Her hands held his sides over the gold tunic he wore. He kissed his way back to her lips before the kisses slowed and he pulled back to look into her eyes.

She took one of her hands from his side to fruitlessly brush his hair back before resting her hand on his cheek. His eyes grew dark right before he wiggled his thumb over her hip bone pulling a yelp, followed by a giggle from her. "Bash." She laughed as he kept up his attack on her most ticklish spot.

She grabbed his sides and tried to tickle him back, but two layers of clothing protected him. He chuckled at her attempt. "Nice try." He stopped tickling her and moved to lay on his side beside her.

She took his hand in hers and pressed their palms together. "I could easily stay out here with you until sunrise."

"But you must turn in for the night." Bash said, sounding disappointed.

"Unfortunately." She answered in a sigh.

"Then I guess," Bash sat up then stood and held his hand out to her. She took it and let him pull her to her feet, "I must bid you goodnight."

She picked up her shawl and put it back around her shoulders then moved the lantern off the blanket and picked it up. She started to fold it but he took it from her.

"I'll tend to this." He tossed the blanket back on the ground then wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her close. Her hands rested on each side of his neck as he dipped his head and captured her lips with his. She pulled a quiet hum from him when she grazed his bottom lip with her tongue. He broke the kiss before it got too heated. "Now who's tempting whom?" She just bit her smiling lips closed as she gazed up at him. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight, Bash." She replied then tried to step back, but his arm was locked around her waist. She laughed, "You know you actually have to let go, for me to leave, right?"

He heaved out a heavy sigh. "If I must." She just smiled and shook her head as he dropped his arm and she took a few steps back before she turned and walked away.

RRRRRRRRRR

“Colin’s alive?” Mary asked where she stood in her chambers, talking to the king and queen while her ladies sat on a padded bench seat behind her. Maisie saw the hopeful look in Lola’s eyes, but even though he was alive she had no hope that the two of them would ever be able to be together. Colin was guilty of trying to destroy Mary’s virtue. If he didn’t lose his head he’d probably end up somewhere that made him wish he had. 

“Alive and escaped, I'm afraid.” King Henry answered Mary.

“He had help.” Queen Catherine added.

“Who?” Mary asked.

“Perhaps the English.” King Henry replied.

“But the attack, the execution, it all happened before they arrived.” Mary pointed out.

“They’re always here, my dear.” Catherine replied. “Spies and treachery are constant in our world, but you have our protection. The guards are out looking for Colin and he will be found.” That offered the young women little reassurance, Mary was supposed to be under their protection when Colin somehow managed to sneak into her room. “There’s a picnic this afternoon, for Madeline and Charles. But the perimeter will be guarded.” Catherine told them in an upbeat voice as if everything was supposed to be okay since there was a special event happening.

“Perhaps this is a mixed blessing. I’ll have a chance to speak with Colin, once he’s found, to learn how deep the plot against my person runs. You said it yourself, Colin was a mere pawn.” Mary said ignoring Queen Catherine’s mention of the picnic.

“The informants who pointed at the English fled fearing retribution.” Queen Catherine rebutted.

“Have they?” King Henry asked as if this was news to him. He was the king, shouldn’t he be the first to know these things?

“All I ask of you is that you bring him back alive. I need answers and you did regret that he was executed so quickly not knowing my request.” Mary said. The whole time Mary was talking to the king and queen it felt as if Mary was begging, King Henry was being sympathetic and Queen Catherine was just pointing out cold facts.

“Colin is a dangerous fugitive. I cannot, we cannot possibly guarantee that he won’t attack the guards and be harmed or killed” Catherine said, once again stating a fact that offered little reassurance.

“We can promise to try.” King Henry told Mary before they dismissed themselves.

"Mary, may I have a moment?" Maisie asked. Mary gave her a nod so the other ladies left. "Have you ever thought that maybe Catherine was behind Colin's attack on you?"

"Why do you suspect Catherine?" Mary asked with a frown.

"I can't pinpoint why I suspect her. It's more of a feeling than anything." Maisie answered and Mary's shoulders dropped. "Colin was supposedly beheaded before you even had a chance to question him. That gives me the feeling he had information she didn't want you to hear. And Bash said the king and queen are the only people who can make that call. Not only that but you said someone who didn't approve of your engagement to Francis could be behind it. Catherine didn't want you spending time alone with Francis yesterday when you offered to go with them to the landing. Then, just now, we saw her speaking as if she and King Henry were on completely different pages when it comes to Colin. She said the informants fled, and king Henry acted as if he had no knowledge. He offered to do their best to bring Colin back alive and she stresses the fact that she can't promise he'll make it back alive. The pieces of this puzzle don't fit until you take into consideration that Catherine could be the highly placed person that had Colin so scared."

Mary sighed. "I have considered Catherine. Though like you I have no proof. Only a feeling."

"If there is anything I can do, anything at all, please don't hesitate to ask. It's what I'm here for." Maisie told her as she reached out and grabbed Mary's hand.

Mary placed her other hand over Maisie's. "Thank you. Your loyalty means more than you know."

RRRRRRRRRR

At the picnic Mary and Francis stood off to themselves watching Charles try to find Madeline. The little boy was blindfolded and standing in the middle of a circle of little girls all calling his name. Aylee, Greer, Lola, Kenna and Maisie stood together watching the amusing sight. “How is Charles supposed to recognize the voice of his true love when she’s so quiet?”

"Well, that's the lesson." Maisie spoke up. "It teaches the girl that if you want to be heard you have to make them listen. And the boy, that if he wants to make and keep her happy he'll have to ignore all other tempting voices."

"Is that so?" Bash's voice came from behind her and she looked over her shoulder at him, watching him walk around to stand in front of her.

"Mhmm." She hummed, her cheeks burning red, Kenna and Lola giggled.

"Good afternoon Ladies." Bash greeted all of Mary's ladies then picked Greer to focus on. "Would you all mind if I stole Lady Maisie for a while?"

"Yes." "No." "Of course not." "Be our guest." Aylee, Lola, Greer and Kenna answered all at once.

Bash looked at Aylee. "You don't much like me do you?"

"Not particularly." Aylee answered.

"You don't even know me." He argued.

"I know of you." Aylee rebutted. "And I think you should move on. My friend can do better than a man of your stature."

"Ah, well,” he started, his tone cheerful and unphased, “fortunately Lady Maisie has a mind of her own and a strong willed one at that. If you were truly her friend you'd know that about her." Bash looked at Maisie and held out his hand. "Shall we?"

Maisie took his hand and started walking with him, not bothering to look back to see her friend's faces. "I'm sorry about Aylee."

"I know she's your friend, but I won't stand for anyone judging you or me for that matter." He told her and she looked up at him with a closed lipped smile of thanks. "So," Bash started as they walked over to a table of food, "did you mean what you said about that little game?"

Maisie grabbed a crescent off the table. "Yes." She answered, keeping her eyes on the bread in her hand as she plucked off a piece.

"You think you have to make me listen and ignore the voices of other women?" He asked as they started walking.

"No, you've always been an amazing listener." She rebutted then popped the piece of bread into her mouth.

"So it's the voices of other women you worry about?" He asked as they came to a stop beside the wall of the walkway above them.

"Not the voices, but the glances. You seem to be doing a good job of ignoring them, but I'm finding it difficult to ignore her." Maisie explained with a subtle nod to a woman and when Bash followed her nod he saw a pretty brunette. She gave him a smile, looked down as she brushed her hair behind her ear then looked back up at him through her lashes. He just looked back at Maisie. "And her and her and-"

"Where? I don't see them." Bash said cutting her off and she just looked up at him and bit her lips closed. "Have you noticed the men looking at you?" She shook her head no. "My point exactly." She let a small smile pull at one side of her lips. "My eyes and ears see and hear only you."

She couldn't help reaching up and resting her hand over his heart. "How did I get so lucky?"

"I find myself asking the same question." He admitted.

They were still standing by the wall chatting when Mary walked over to them. "Maisie, may I have a moment with Bash?"

Under the impression that it wasn't really a question, Maisey gave her a nod. She was on her way over to her friends when King Henry intercepted. “Your Majesty.'' She greeted with a curtsy.

“I see you and Bash are still fast friends.” he observed with a smile and a light hearted look in his eyes. Her blush betrayed her. “Or perhaps, now that you’re older, you’re more than friends.”

“Yes, your grace, we’re courting.” she answered shyly.

“You don’t have to be so polite just because I’m king.” He held his hand out to her and she took it. “If bash has it his way you’ll be my daughter-in-law.” She couldn’t help the nervous sounding laugh that escaped her as he walked her around one of the tents where flowers and flower crowns were being sold. “Did you think I didn't know?”

“Honestly I've been so focused on getting to know him again and all this madness with Mary that I hadn’t thought about it.” Maisie answered. “I knew Diane knew that we were close when we were children.”

“I knew as well.” He replied, happy that she was talking openly with him. “Believe it or not, I care about more than politics. I pay attention to and love all of my children.” he told her as he started looking at the flowers in vases of water. “I wish them all the happiness in the world and now that you’re back, Bash is undeniably so.”

“Does this mean you approve of our courtship?” Maisie asked as she watched the king pluck a pink rose from a vase.

“It means I look forward to the day you become family.” he told her as he held the rose out to her with a good natured smile.

“As do I.” Maisie replied as she took the rose from him with a nod of thanks. He gave her a nod back before he walked away. Seeing that Mary was done talking to Bash she headed back over to him. “What was that about?” she asked curiously.

“Where’d the rose come from?” Bash countered with a look down at the long stemmed rose in her hand.

“You’re father.” she answered nonchalantly.

“Right, well, we’ll talk about that later.” he said looking off put by the idea of his father giving his love a rose. “Mary has asked me to help find Colin.” Maisie gave him a small frown. “Because I know how much you care for your friends and their loved ones, I agreed, but...I fear he's gone into the blood wood."

"Are they as dangerous as they were when we were children?" Maisie asked, concerned for both Colin and Bash.

"Even more so." Bash answered.

"And are you comfortable with going into them?" She asked and he nodded. "Then time is of the essence." She told him then placed her hand on his chest. "Be careful."

"For you, always." He pecked a kiss to the top of her head before he rushed off.

“Somebody’s in love.” Lola sing songed at Maisie light heartedly making Maisie smile.

"Bash is so rude. Why do you continue to accept his flirtations?" Aylee asked.

Maisie glared at her judgmental friend. "I accept his flirtations because he is still as kind and selfless as I remember him being. And I want to know if more pieces of the boy I loved still remain in the man he has grown into." Maisie's eyes softened as she looked at Lola. "Bash is a very skilled tracker. Mary has asked him to help look for Colin and he's agreed. I'm just sorry I didn't think to ask him myself." Lola reached out and rested her hand on Maisie's.

“Bash is the boy you said you’d promised your heart to.” Greer said in realization and Maisie nodded.

After a while the girls split up, mingling with the other ladies at the picnic. Kenna walked over to her, a hard look on her face. “Why were you talking to the king?”

“Because he’s Bash’s father and I’m the woman interested in his son.” Maisie answered skeptically, wondering why Kenna was concerned with who the king chose to talk to.

“Then why did he give you a rose?” she asked, still angry.

“He was just being nice. He told me he looks forward to the day I become his family.” she explained. “Besides, why does it matter? Why are you so angry with me?”

“It’s nothing.” Kenna said looking deflated. “I just thought…well, it doesn’t matter what I thought.”

“Did you think he was flirting with me?” Maisie asked.

“You blushed and he gave you that rose…it just didn’t look good is all.” Kenna said with a shrug.

“He’s handsome, but he’s also the king and the father of the man who’s courting me. I have no interest in him, truly.” Maisie told her with a laugh.

The ladies all met back up and were trying to enjoy the picnic when Mary found them, looking scared. “What’s wrong?” Lola asked.

“There’s been an incident. I returned to my chambers earlier and found a servant, a woman trying on my dress. Before I could even react she started crying, saying that her skin was burning and that the dress had been poisoned. I ran for the guards but by the time we got back the girl and the dress were gone.” Mary replied, her brow creased in worry.

“We’ll see what we can find out.” Kenna offered. Mary grabbed her arm with a thankful look and gave her a nod.

By the time the ladies had finished questioning everyone they could, the sun was close to setting. They found Mary in the main hall talking to Francis and waited for her to get done talking to him. Eventually Mary joined her ladies. “We’ve talked to the last of the servants and the guards.” Aylee started.

“No one posted outside any of our doors or in that corridor saw someone leave your room with a body or a dying girl.” Lola finished.

“And they would have.” Kenna added.

“They must have used the passageway.” Mary thought out loud.

“On an even more troubling note, where were your guards?” Maisie asked with a worried look. “This is the second time they have failed to give you the protection the king and queen promised.”

“I don’t know.” Mary answered with a shake of her head. “Thank you for your help.” she told them then headed to her chambers with Aylee at her side.

“I’m going to turn in for the night.” Greer told her friends.

“Me too.” Lola added, following Greer up the stairs.

“I’m going to let some noblemen best me at chess.” Kenna told Maisie. “Would you like to join me?”

"No, thank you. I think I'll wait for Bash." Maisie replied so she and Kenna went their separate ways.

After grabbing a book to read Maisie took a seat in the main hall and awaited Bash's return. It was getting late and she was about to turn in for the night when Bash came into the main hallway along with two guards who carried a sheet covered body on a plank of wood. As Maisie walked over she noticed the sheet was soaked with blood where his neck would be under the thin cloth. "Oh no…" she gasped and placed her hand on her chest as she tore her eyes off Colin to look up at Bash.

He placed his hand on the small of her back in an attempt to comfort her. "I'm sorry I didn't get to him in time."

Maisie gave him a look that told him she appreciated what he's done all the same. "I think it was a given that he would have died either way. Maybe this was a mixed blessing." Maisie sighed, making Bash give her a curious look. "Lola's been hurt and is going to be hurt again. Now she won't have to sit and wait another moment wondering what his fate will be. At least this way it's done quickly with a sharp blade."

"Perhaps you're right." Bash agreed, understanding what she meant. "You might want to alert Lola and Mary to the news now to make sure Lola has time to say her goodbyes before morning comes and Colin is sent back to Scotland."

Maisie gave him a nod then went to her friends as Bash suggested.

RRRRRRRRRR

Able to see Colin's body, Lola found the closure she was missing the first time she was told he was dead. But while Colin's quick death saved Lola some pain, it cost Mary useful information that would fill in some blanks as to who was truly behind his attack on her.

"I never told you how I knew that my mother approved of you." Bash started and Maisie dropped her hand and turned onto her stomach, looking at him with her chin propped up with her elbow and hand. "When I turned sixteen Mother asked me if I'd met a new woman I'd consider proposing to. I told her no, that I would wait for you and if Mary hadn't returned to wed Francis by your nineteenth birthday, I would go to Scotland and find you." he explained. "So she gave me that ring and told me to give it to you when the time was right. I carved that box," he said with a nod to the little box sitting on the small table nearby, "shined the ring and placed it inside to keep it safe until we met again. I asked my mother why she gave me such a small ring to give to you, instead of one of the many bigger ones that graced her fingers. She said that it was a family heirloom and if you couldn't appreciate it for what it was then you weren't the right girl for me."

Maisie smiled and cupped his cheek in her hand as she scooted up and caught his bottom lip between hers. Bash rolled over, and moved between her legs that instantly wrapped around his hips. The sound of noisy kisses and heavy breaths filled the room as they got lost in one other. After a long moment Maisie managed to put her train of thought back on the tracks. "I could happily stay in this room with you forever." she sighed.

"But you have somewhere you need to be." he guessed as he pulled back and looked into her eyes. She nodded. "Will I be welcomed into your bed again tonight?"

She pretended to think about it before she smiled, "Of course. Yesterday's invitation was an indefinite one."

"Good." he said with a smirk before he pecked a kiss to her lips and slipped from the bed, the sheet getting left behind as he did. A hum left her lips at the sight. "What?" he asked, sounding amused as he picked his trousers out of the pile of discarded clothes.

"I am one lucky woman." she replied as she moved to sit on the foot of the bed. He just smiled at her comment as she watched him get dressed.

When he finished she stood and wrapped her arms around his shoulders while his settled around her waist. "What, may I ask, is taking you away from me so early this morning?"

"The girls and I are going to surprise Kenna with treats for breakfast. She's still recovering and I've heard rumors that your mother's been in your fathers chambers. If I've heard them, so has Kenna." Bash let out a heavy breath. "I pass no judgment on your mother, I assure you."

"So it's only your friend that you judge." he said as he tightened his arms around her.

"I try to always look at things with open minded understanding, but for Kenna to think that after so many years together your father could simply drop your mother and never look back?" She said with a shake of her head and a shrug of her shoulders.

"You think she's acting foolishly?" He asked.

"I think she is acting solely on the whims of her heart and completely forgetting to use the common sense that I know her brain contains." Maisie answered. "And I fear this method of approaching love has led her down a rocky road to heartbreak."

"Well, I can't say I disagree with you." He said, his tone giving Maisie the impression that he didn't exactly think highly of Kenna. "But I do hope the breakfast treats lift your spirits. I'm sure you could all use some fun given the darkness that seems to constantly hang overhead here of late."

"Do you think that I could tell my friends about us?" she asked with a look down at her finger.

"If you can trust them to keep quiet about it, yes." he answered. "I know you're probably itching to share the news with them."

"I am." she replied. "And I'm sure I can trust them to not spread it like wildfire throughout the castle. It won't get to Henry before you can ask for his blessing."

"Okay." he agreed. "I will leave you to it then."

The servant carrying a tray of caramel apple strudel and cups of hot chocolate was let into the infirmary where Kenna still rested. "What's all this?" Kenna asked as she pushed herself up in bed, surprised to see the treats since she had just been served a normal breakfast from another servant.

"A gift from us." Maisie answered as the three other girls walked into the room.

"How are you feeling?" Lola asked as the tray was put on a table near Kenna and the three girls sat down around her, Maisie on the bed beside her and Greer, on the other side of the bed across from her. Lola and Aylee sat in chairs near Kenna's head.

"A bit better, still a little sore." she answered then looked at Aylee who sat near the tray that the first servant had brought to the room. "Would you pass me that cup, please?"

Aylee picked it up and smelled of it. "Mmm, smells nice. What is it?" she asked as she handed it to Kenna.

"Its a brew of lemon and honey." she answered, giving it a smell.

"And a herb." Aylee added.

"Smells floral to me." Kenna agreed. "It's supposed to soothe and heal." Kenna didn't miss the way her friend looked at the drink so curiously. "You can have it if you'd like. It's quite good." Kenna held the cup out to Aylee who took it.

She looked at Greer, "Would you hold this a moment?" she asked so Greer took the cup. Aylee opened a bag that had been over her shoulder and started taking out necklaces. "My family sent me these, as gifts to be worn on the day Mary will be wed." She handed Kenna a necklace of several strings of pearls with a pendant of emeralds.

"You're so modest, sometimes I forget your family owns half of Scotland." Lola said as Aylee handed her a necklace made of gold chains and amethyst.

"Only the lower half." Aylee replied. "They're yours to keep." she told them as she handed Greer a necklace of gold and diamonds.

"Aylee, thank you." Greer told her as she accepted the necklace.

"I thought you might like this one. The blue reminds me of Sebastian's eyes." She handed Maisie a three stranded necklace of pearls with a square aquamarine gemstone in the center.

"You're too kind." Maisie said with a small smile. The necklace was more lavish than her usual tastes, but Aylee was right, the aquamarine stone was very similar to the color of Bash's eyes in the sunlight. And, seeing as the necklace would be worn to a royal wedding her usual jewelry preferences probably wouldn't be sufficient enough for the occasion.

"Do you think the wedding will still happen though?" Greer asked, bringing down Maisie's mood sufficiently.

"Seems to me she's still on the fence about the whole thing. Nostradamus's prediction about Tomás's death has been the only one to come true." Maisie answered.

"I think that's open to interpretation." Greer replied then flinched a little. "Ugh, my head is pounding with stress."

"Of whether there'll be a wedding or what you'll wear?" Lola asked with a smile.

"The only magic I believe in is love." Greer replied with a smile and an eye roll. "She should marry him." She stood and handed Aylee the cup of lemon and honey tea then went to the tray and handed the other girls cups of hot chocolate. She lifted her glass and the girls followed. "To the power of love."

"To the power of love." they all toasted then took sips from their cups.

"Speaking of love." Maisie started, "I have something to share with you all."

"What is it?" Greer asked with a smile on her face.

"Bash asked me to marry him. Yesterday morning, that's why I was late to the meeting in the throne room." she answered.

"Finally." Lola said with a happy smile on her face. "I was starting to worry he had commitment issues or something."

"Why didn't you tell us yesterday?" Greer asked.

"We had decided to keep it a secret until after Mary and Francis were wed. We didn't want the king to find out and think we were trying to take the attention off of Mary and Francis' upcoming wedding." Maisie answered. "And we still don't want Mary or Francis to know, but I had to tell someone, I felt as if I'd burst if I didn't." she admitted with a smile then held out her left hand, showing them the gold rose ring on her finger. "It belonged to Bash's grandmother."

Kenna grabbed her hand and examined the ring. "I thought Diane De Poitier came from money." she said with an overly appraising look.

"Kenna." Greer scolded her.

"I meant no offense." Kenna said with an apologetic look at Maisie.

"We're happy for you," Aylee said as she reached across Kenna and placed her hand on her arm, "Truly." Maisie gave her a small smile and a thank you.

"So when do you plan on getting married?" Lola asked.

"Do you already have a dress?" Greer asked.

"Do you know where it's going to take place?" Kenna asked. "For some reason I can't picture you getting married in a church. You and Bash are too outdoorsy."

Maisie laughed at their excited questions, knowing this is what she'd been missing. "I don't know when we'll marry other than some time after Mary and Francis. I do have a dress, I brought my mother's with me for the inevitable occasion. And I'd always envisioned getting married in a church, but an outdoor wedding does sound lovely." she answered.

After a few minutes of gushing about wedding plans Aylee stood up. "I hate to leave so soon, but I've been meaning to write home and I need to get the letters out before the messenger leaves for the day." she told them and they said they would see her later. Maisie noticed that Aylee coughed a few times as she left the room, but she assumed that the lemon in the tea might have irritated her throat and thought nothing of it.

"Are you nervous about your wedding night?" Kenna asked with a knowing smile.

"Assuming there's still something to be nervous about." Lola spoke up. "I hear he was in your rooms again last night."

"There is still something to be nervous about." Maisie answered. "Though I'm more excited than nervous." she admitted with a smile.

"Does he want children?" Greer asked.

"I-" Maisie started to answer, but she was cut off when a servant rushed into the room.

"Come quick!" she urged. The four girls followed her out of the infirmary and down a couple flights of stairs. "Have you seen Queen Mary this morning?"

Lola answered that she was with Francis in his chambers. When they neared the last flight they all paused at the top at the sight of Aylee laying at the bottom of them, a pool of blood on the floor at her head. One of them, Maisie wasn't sure which, let out a scream before they all rushed to the bottom, joining the few maids and servants that kneeled around her. "We've already sent someone to fetch Nostradamus." Maisie heard one of the maids say, but she didn't look at her, she couldn't take her eyes off of Aylee and the dangerously large pool of blood that only continued to get bigger.

"Aylee, hold on." Maisie said through her tears as she grabbed Aylee's hand. "Hold on, help is coming, okay? Just stay with us." Aylee managed a weak nod.

Mary rushed over to them, Francis paused behind her. "We found her like this." Lola started explaining to Mary. "They came to us looking for you."

"Aylee." Mary sighed as she cupped Aylee's cheeks in her hands.

"He…he said I'd never go home again." Aylee said.

"Aylee…no." Mary whispered.

"Too much blood…shed for you…" Aylee said as she weakly reached up and grabbed Mary's arm. Maisie sobbed as she covered her mouth with her hand that wasn't still holding Aylee's. "You…we-we must…" Aylee choked on a breath and her eyes became distant, "Go home now." the light faded from her eyes before they slipped closed and her whole body went limp. Maisie reached out and grabbed Greer's hand causing her friend to pull her in for a tight hug while they cried on one another's shoulder.

"You were sent from hell." Mary's words pulled Maisie and Greer from their hug and they looked to see that she was talking to Nostradamus. "You're the devil!" Francis tried to grab Mary and comfort her but she pulled her arm from his grasp, looking at him with tears on her face. "No," she sobbed, Aylee's blood that she'd gotten on her hands when she touched her was smeared on her dress, "please no."

After Aylee was taken away by Nostradamus, Mary and her ladies retired to the queen's chambers. By the time they had cleaned Mary's hands and changed her dress they had all stopped crying. Mary started packing a bag. "What are you doing?" Maisie asked, watching her queen rush about gathering this and that.

"I'm leaving." Mary answered.

"What about your duty to Scotland?" Greer asked from where she stood beside the table Mary's bag was on. Kenna sat on the padded bench beside Maisie and Lola stood beside her. "What about the alliance?"

"I'll find a new one. This one has cost us too much already." Mary answered flatly.

"You have to tell Francis why." Greer argued emotionally.

"I can't. The queen is right. He'll just…talk me out of it." Mary argued back, her voice still numb and flat.

"But maybe there's some explanation." Greer, the non believer replied.

"For Nostradamus' gift?" Mary asked, now showing some hint of emotion as she stopped packing and looked at Greer. "For Aylee's death? Maybe…whatever it is, she is still dead. I can't risk it." she turned back to her bag and went back to packing. "I can't risk losing anyone else I love." she fastened the buckle of the bag and looked at her friends. "Come with me."

"We can't." Lola spoke up making the others look at her with frowns. "She stands a better chance of getting away on her own." she told them then looked at Mary. "And you're right. If Francis knows, he will stop you."

A quiet moment passed before Mary put the bag over her shoulder and sniffled. "I'll send for you when I can. We'll go home…to Scotland." She told them then walked out of the room.

Maisie took a deep breath then let it out. "I need to speak with Bash." her friends just gave her understanding nods before she too left the room.

She ran into him on the way to his chambers. He could instantly tell by the look on her face that something was wrong. Just as she saw the same look on his face. "What's happened?" he asked, cupping her cheek in his hand as he pulled her to the side of the hallway where they wouldn't be overheard.

"Aylee's dead." she whispered as tears filled her eyes.

"I'm so sorry. I hadn't heard." Bash sighed as he pulled her close. She let herself cry into his chest before it registered that he too looked upset, but hadn't heard about Aylee.

"Wait, if you didn't know about Aylee, why are you upset?" she asked as she pulled back and looked up at him.

He looked around to make sure they wouldn't be overheard before answering. "Catherine has found out about my mothers attempts to have me legitimized behind fathers back."

"What? How?" Maisie asked with a worried frown.

"I don't know, but she made my mother a deal. She'd keep our secret in trade. What for, I don't know. Mother wouldn't elaborate." Bash answered. "With this knowledge in her hands it is too dangerous for me to stay here. Mother has already left."

"What are you saying? That you're leaving?" Maisie asked, her stomach twisting at the thought. He nodded. "And am I invited to flee with you?"

"No. It is too dangerous." he answered, causing a sharp pain to shoot through her. "It is safer if you stay here. At least until Mary and Francis are wed and father has his hands on England. By then the threat of my legitimization won't matter."

"Bash…" she sighed, tears slipping down her cheeks. "Mary's not going to wed Francis. She won't risk his life by marrying him and she's refusing to tell him why. She's leaving, today for fear of Francis talking her into staying." she explained. "She's probably announcing her refusal to Henry and Catherine as we speak."

Bash slipped his hands over his face as an aggravated sigh left his lips. "What a mess this has all turned out to be." he said as he dropped his hands and looked at her. "What are we going to do?"

Maisie thought about it for a minute. "Mary is fleeing on her own with no knowledge of the landscape. I thought about leaving with her to offer my protection, but I didn't want to leave you. Now that you're leaving too-"

"If you leave with me you'll be in danger." Bash insisted, interrupting her.

She grabbed his face in her hands. "I know." she told him with a pointed look. "I was just going to suggest that you escort Mary to Scotland then wait for me there. If I come with you I will just slow you down."

Bash thought about it for a short moment. "Okay." He answered. "I'll escort Mary to Scotland."

"Your Grace, may I be of service?" one of the stable hands asked Mary as she walked into the stables.

"I'm just going riding, I'm fine." Mary answered.

"I'll alert the guards." The stable hand replied.

"That won't be necessary." Maisie spoke up, alerting Mary to her and Bash's presence as they walked over. "Bash will be with us. We'll be safe, thank you." she told the stable hand so he gave them a nod and walked away.

"Maisie, what's going on?" Mary asked her quietly. "I thought you said you couldn't come with me."

"I can't, but Bash can." Maisie answered.

"Maisie, I can't-" Mary started.

"He has to leave, it's not a choice." Maisie interrupted then looked up at Bash, "His reasons for doing so are his and his alone to share if he so chooses." she looked back at Mary. "I just thought that, since you both have to leave, you could combine efforts, so to speak."

Mary looked from Maisie to Bash. "You're not going to try and stop me?"

"No, I understand your reasons for leaving." he answered.

Mary looked back and forth between the two of them with a hard face. "Very well then."

After getting their horses saddled the three of them walked out to the nearest road leaving the castle. While Mary mounted her horse, Bash turned to Maisie, taking both of her hands in his. "We'll send word, as soon as we're in Scotland and Mary is safe." he told her and she gave him a nod, silent tears slipping down her cheeks. He lifted his hand and rested his fingers on the sides of her neck, his thumbs on her jaw pushing her face up to look at him. "I love you, and I will think of you every moment we are apart." He caught her top lip between his in a sad, lingering kiss. When it broke they pressed their foreheads together.

"I love you too." her voice broke before she nuzzled his nose with hers then pulled back and jerked her chin to his horse. "Go, the sooner you leave the sooner we can be together once more." she told him as she gave his chest a gentle push.

As Bash was mounting his horse she heard Francis yell behind her and she turned to see him running over, "Mary, Stop!" Maisie turned back to see Bash give her one last look before his horse burst into a gallop. "Mary, please, wait! Mary!" When Francis got even with Maisie he stopped running and fell to his knees.

After they had watched Bash and Mary disappear Maisie walked over to Francis and held her hand out to help him stand. Instead of taking it he stood and turned his angry blue eyes to the man standing off to the side that had followed him out. "Detain her, hold her for questioning."

"What?" Maisie asked right before the man grabbed her hands and held them behind her back. "Francis, you can't be serious." she argued seeing the numb look in his eyes.

"It's your grace." he replied coldly as he walked away and the man started guiding her to the castle by her hands.

She was sitting at a table in a dungeon room, unrestrained, but under guard, when King Henry walked in. "Why did Mary call off the engagement?" he asked as he took a seat at the opposite side of the table.

"I don't know." Maisie answered.

"Why did Bash leave with her?" Henry asked.

"She was insisting on leaving today. I was worried about her safety so I asked Bash to escort her back to Scotland." Maisie answered.

"Why didn't you stop her?" Henry asked.

"Have you not met her?" Maisie asked. "Once she has made up her mind there is no stopping her."

"You are aware that your queen has committed treason, correct?" Henry asked. She gave him a nod. "And by helping her escape to Scotland Bash too is guilty of treason."

Maisie sighed and rubbed at her temples, holding back tears. "I didn't stop to think about that. I only thought about the well being of my friend and queen." she answered honestly.

"He could die, for the safety of your friend, your queen." he pointed out, making Maisie flinch and a tear fall. "But I will insure his safety if you tell the truth. Why did Mary leave?"

"All I know is that you were pressuring her to claim a throne she doesn't want, Francis promised her that he wouldn't pressure her to claim England, but anyone who knows Francis knows that when push comes to shove he will do what he believes is best for France. She couldn't risk the wellbeing of Scotland on the whims of her heart." she answered, hoping that it would be enough to satisfy him.

Henry was quiet for a moment, staring at her in thought. "You remained behind. Am I to assume that Bash is coming back for you?"

She knew that if she told him the truth, that the plan was for them to meet in Scotland, that he would keep her in France to insure that Bash would come back for her. "You are free to assume whatever you wish." she answered.

He gave her a smirk then stood and jerked his head for her to leave the room. As she walked past him he grabbed her arm, stopping her. She looked at him, fear in her eyes, as he grabbed her left hand and examined the ring. "When did this new development occur?"

"Two mornings ago." she answered. "Before you announced that Francis and Mary would be wed. We were waiting for a better time to ask for your blessing." she answered.

"Interesting." Henry replied as he dropped her hand. "Too bad, had he asked sooner he would have gotten it." her eyes watered at his words as a pain shot through her chest.

That night, after the sun had sunk behind the horizon, the crickets chirped and the fireflies danced merrily outside her window, Maisie laid awake staring at the empty pillow on the other side of her bed, thinking over the events of the past few days. Just three nights ago she was perfectly fine sleeping alone, just as she had been doing all her life. Now she felt Bash's absence like a heavy weight on her chest, a chill on her body where it was once snuggled into his.

While she claimed to be Catholic for all intents and purposes, she had an open mind and didn't usually say a night time prayer. Tonight, however, she did. With eyes squeezed tight she prayed that Bash and Mary would make it back to Scotland safely and that when the time came Henry would let her leave the French court.

A few days later Maisie was sitting alone in her chambers, writing a letter to Keelan when a knock sounded at her door. Bernadette, her ladies maid, stood on the other side. "There's a visitor waiting for you in the main hall."

"Who?" Maisie asked as she grabbed a long sleeved wrap and shrugged it on, securing it with a diamond brooch.

"They didn't give a name." Bernadette answered. "I got the feeling they wanted to surprise you." Curious as to who would be visiting her she followed Bernadette down to the main entrance. "That's him." she said with a point to a man who's back was turned to them.

However, it was a very familiar back and when he turned she couldn't believe her eyes. "Keelan!" She rushed to him and threw her arms around his shoulders. He picked her up and spun her around, both of them laughing. When he set her down she pulled back and grabbed his face in her hands, looking into his shamrock green eyes. His dirty blond hair was shorter than the last time she'd seen him and he'd let his stubble grow out into a short beard. Freckles lightly peppered his thin nose and high cheekbones. "I was starting to forget what you looked like." She said, taking her hands off his face.

"Same." He answered as he grabbed her chin in his hand and looked at the healing scratches on cheek. "What happened here? Do I need to have a word with this Sebastian fellow?"

"It's a long story and no. Bash would never harm me." She answered. "You could have written and warned me you'd be visiting, you know I'm not one for surprises."

His face fell. "I apologize, there wasn't time." he answered, making her give him a curious frown. "I bring news and I'm afraid it's not good." His words caused her heart to sink into the pit of her stomach. "Is there somewhere a little more private we can speak?"

She nodded and grabbed his hand leading him out to the gardens. They sat on the bench in the center of them. "What is it?"

"May, your uncle was in an accident." He informed her, making her eyes grow wide with worry. "His horse threw him, when he landed he hit his head on a rock." Her hand flew to her lips as her stomach began to ache. "He didn't make it." Her face twisted as tears slipped down her cheeks. He scooted over and pulled her into his side and she wrapped her arms around his thin waist. He waited until her sobbs died down before he continued. "It gets worse."

"How could it possibly get worse?" She asked as she let him go and wiped her cheeks with her hands.

Keelan pulled a hanky out of the inner pocket of his coat and handed it to her. "Your brothers are probably arriving as we speak. They've found proof that your uncle was your true father. And your aunt has confirmed it."

Her eyes slipped closed as more tears fell. "Oh no…"

"Did you know? Is it true?" Keelan asked.

She opened her eyes and looked into his, framed by slightly bushy brows. "Yes."

"Why didn't you ever tell me?" He asked.

"The fewer people who know a secret the more likely it is to stay a secret." She answered.

"Maisie," Greer said as she rushed over to her, "come, quickly."

"What is it?" Maisie asked as she wiped her face.

"Your brothers are in your Chambers." She answered, panting from running.

Maisie pushed herself from the bench and ran. As they neared her chambers she heard their deep voices flowing from the room. When she walked in she saw Jack, her younger brother, taking her jewelry off her dressing table, packing it into a trunk. "What do you think you're doing?" She asked.

"Taking back everything you've purchased with our money." Liam, the older brother, answered as he took a dress out of her wardrobe.

"You've been stripped of your title and everything that comes with it." Jack added as he continued packing her jewelry.

"Hopefully these…awful, French working girl worthy dresses will fetch a fair enough price to at least get half our coin back." Liam said with a disgusted look at the strapless gown in his hand. "No doubt your aim with such revealing clothing was to rope in a rich titled suitor, seeing as you knew you would eventually lose the one you've unrightfully held since birth."

Keelan walked in and placed his hand on her lower back. "No." Maisie said when Liam pulled a white lace dress out of the wardrobe. "Please don't take Mother's wedding dress."

"'Tis the dress of a whore." He scoffed as he turned to the fireplace and threw it into the flames.

"No!" She cried and tried to run to pull it from the flames, but Jack grabbed her from behind with his arms around her, her arms pinned to her sides, forcing her to watch as the beautiful beaded lace ignited and burned.

"Take your hands off her!" Keelan grabbed Jack's arms, pulled them off of Maisie freeing her from him, punching him as soon as Maisie was out of the vicinity. She scrambled to the fireplace and pulled what was left of the dress from the flames. Using a blanket to snuff it out. Seeing that it was beyond saving, a furious fire sparked to life in her and she stood. She turned to Liam, a scream of pure rage ripping through her like a bolt of lightning as she closed in on him, lifted her fist and slammed it into his temple, knocking him out cold.

"Holy…" Keelan said with wide eyes.

"My tolerance for bullies has dropped immensely since leaving Scotland." Maisie said with a look at Jack, breathing hard from the adrenaline coursing through her veins. Jack was pinching his bleeding nose closed. "Touch me again and see what happens."

"Why are you doing this?" Keelan asked Jack. "She's your sister."

"She's nothing but a spoiled bastard finally getting her due." Jack replied.

"What is the meaning of this?" Henry said as he stepped into the room. Jack, seeing the crown on Henry's head, scrambled to his feet and squared his shoulders. "Who are you and what are you doing in Lady Maisie's chambers?" he demanded.

"They are her brothers, Your Grace." Keelan answered before Maisie could.

"And what of you?" Henry asked as he walked over to square up with Keelan where he still stood at Maisie's side.

"He's my friend." she whispered, her eyes on her passed out brother before she made herself look at Henry. "They've come to strip me of my title and possessions, as they have recently learned we do not share the same father." Maisie answered, fighting hard to remain strong and hold her chin up.

"'Twasn't a recent discovery." Jack spoke up. "We've known all along. Now that Uncle Finn has passed on, we finally have full control of what rightfully belongs to us. So we're taking it back and dropping you on your bastard ass."

"Guards." Henry said and two castle guards came into the room, waiting for the king's command. "Take these two intruders to the dungeons. Hold them until further notice." One guard went to Jack and cuffed his hands behind his back while the other one picked up Liam and tossed him over his shoulder. As soon as the guards left with her brothers, Maisie placed one hand on her stomach and the other on the small table in the center of the room, bracing herself as she deflated and tried to catch her breath. Keelan rubbed her back comfortingly. Henry walked over and she made herself stand up straight. "Are you truly a bastard?" he asked quietly and she nodded. He sighed as his eyes dropped in thought. "I can't do anything about your title as you are not a French subject, but I can at least save your belongings. I'll purchase them from your brothers before I ban them from court and have them escorted back to Scotland." he told her, making her give him a confused frown.

"Why would you do that?" she asked.

"Because you're my son's fiancée and the only one allowed to bully my family…is me." He replied before he walked away.

"You're engaged?" Keelan asked as Greer, Lola and Kenna walked into the room, feeling free to do so now that Henry was gone.

"Yes, I was writing to tell you when I was told I had a visitor." Maisie answered.

"So it's true?" Lola asked as they joined her and Keelan at the small round table in the first room of her chambers. "You're a bastard?"

Maisie just squeezed her eyes closed and nodded. "That's why you've always hated the word." Kenna said in realization.

"Why didn't you ever tell us?" Greer asked, sounding sad.

"How was I supposed to tell you all that I didn't deserve the title I held? That the man I called uncle was in truth my biological father?" she asked with tears on her cheeks. "How many times did Aylee unintentionally poke at you for not being titled?" she asked Greer whose eyes turned understanding. "It was easier to just let everyone believe the lie." she said as her eyes fell.

"Does Bash know?" Kenna asked.

"Yes." Maisie answered as her eyes drifted over to the burned dress on the floor. "He's the only person I've ever told." she walked over and picked the white dress up from the floor, charred pieces of lace falling from it.

"Is that your mothers dress?" Lola asked as Maisie laid it on the table.

"She gave it to me to wear when I married Bash." Maisie answered.

"Perhaps we can have it mended." Keelan spoke up.

"I doubt it." Maisie replied, tears falling onto the white satin of the skirt. "Unless there's a seamstress that walks on water."

"Where is Sebastian?" Keelan answered looking toward the door. "Shouldn't he be here, defending you? And why was it that King Henry came to your defense before Queen Mary?"

Maisie, feeling like she was about to pass out, started for the door. "I need air." Keelan started to follow her but she turned back. "No, stay, let them fill you in." she told him with her hands held out at him. "I just…I need a moment."

An hour later Keelan found her in front of the stables, brushing Hemera. "Thought I might find you here." he said as he walked over. "Is this the infamous Hemera?" she just hummed at him. "She is a flawless beauty." He said as he petted the horse's golden neck. "Much like her owner." He added with a small smile at Maisie in an attempt to lift her spirits.

She just scoffed. "I am far from flawless."

Keelan sighed. "Look, I know things seem bleak right now, but I'm sure once Mary and Sebastian send word that they have made it home that you'll start feeling better. And," he started cheerily, "since the two of you will be living in Scotland I've decided what I'm going to give you as a wedding present." When she didn't say anything back and just kept brushing Hemera he continued. "Lands."

"What?" Maisie asked in a sigh as she stopped brushing the horse.

"Right now my family's lands are divided between my father and his two brothers. As you know I have no cousins so when my uncles pass away their lands will become mine. I'll have more than I care to handle." he explained. "You'll be doing me a favor by taking some of it off of my hands. Besides Mary, the queen, is your best friend and Bastard or not you're still her lady. I'm sure she could reinstate your title if she so wished."

"You're insane." she told him flatly as she rolled her eyes.

"I prefer to be called optimistic, thank you very much." Keelan argued.

"Your optimism aims too far into the future." she argued.

"Says the woman who spent nine years of her life thinking about the future…the life of her dreams with the man of her dreams." he pointed out. "Don't give up now."

Maisie heaved out a sigh as she tossed the brush onto the wooden barrel that sat beside the hitching post, walked around it and looked up at Keelan with tears in her eyes. "I've missed you…"

"I've missed you too, May." he replied then opened his arms. "Come here." she stepped into them and wrapped hers around his thin waist as he wrapped his around her shoulders, rocking her back and forth like a small child.

-A week and a half later-

When a knock sounded from the door of her chambers, Maisie slipped out of her bed and pulled on a robe as she went to the door.

Keelan was on the other side. "There's news." he said in a rush and Maisie perked up. "Queen Mary and Sebastian were caught by the king's guards. Mary is speaking to the king and queen. Sebastian has been locked up in the dungeons."

Her face fell at the news. "That's not what I was hoping to hear."

"I know." Keelan answered. "Get dressed." he told her as he grabbed her hand and placed some coins in it. "Bribe your way in to see your love."

Maisie let out a sigh as she closed her fist around the coins and pressed them to her chest. "Thank you."

"What happened? Are you alright?" Maisie asked through the barred window of his cell.

"I'm unharmed." Bash replied.

"Why didn't you make it to Scotland?" Maisie asked.

"The castle guards kept cutting us off, diverting us this way and that." Bash answered. "Last night they captured us." Bash sighed. "Are you alright?" Her eyes fell. "What happened?" he asked, worried.

"Keelan's here. He brought bad news with him." Bash frowned and shook his head. "My unc-...my father passed away." she answered. "My brothers found proof of my true parentage and came here to personally strip me of my title." tears welled in her eyes, but she pushed them back. "You're engaged to a penniless bastard."

"That changes nothing. You know that." he replied.

"It changes more than you think." she sighed as she dropped her eyes to her hands, fiddling with a coin she'd managed to save. "I was only able to buy my way in here to see you because Keelan gave me the coin to do so. And I only have clothes on my back because your father purchased my possessions from my brothers before shipping them back to Scotland."

"Excuse me, miss." a guard said, getting her attention. "Greer of Kinross is asking for you, she said it's urgent."

Maisie sighed and looked back at Bash. "I'll be back as soon as I can." she told him before the guard motioned for her to leave and she had no choice but to do so. When she got to the top of the stairs that led down to the holding cells she was met by Greer. "What's so urgent?" she asked and Greer gave her a sad look.

"Henry threatened to kill Bash if Mary didn't wed Francis." Greer informed her.

"What?" Maisie asked, getting sick to her stomach.

"Mary's mother wants her to claim the throne of England just as much as Henry does. She has to wed the next king of France and that king can't be Francis." Greer was explaining slowly and cautiously.

"Greer, get to the point I beg of you." Maisie asked, knowing there was something she was tip toeing around.

"Mary wants Henry to legitimize Bash and make him the next king of France so she can marry him instead of Francis." Greer finished explaining. "It was the only way she could save Francis and Bash and do as was bid by her mother."

"She what?" she asked, feeling as if her heart had jumped up into her throat. Greer just blinked at her with tears in her eyes. "I…" she placed her hand on her stomach, not knowing how to process this. "I need to speak to Bash." Greer gave her a nod and left as Maisie headed back to the dungeons only to be stopped by the guard who held out his hand. She placed her last coin in his hand and he just looked at her. "That's all I have left on me, but if you let me in there I swear I will make it worth the trouble. Please, let me back in to speak to him." the guard stepped aside and let her in.

As soon as Bash saw her through the barred window of the cell he knew something was wrong. "What is it? What's wrong?"

"Did you tell Mary of your mothers plans to have you legitimized?" she asked, keeping her eyes downcast.

"Yes, why?" Bash answered.

"Because your father threatened to kill you if Mary didn't wed Francis." she started, making Bash's face grow hard. "So to save both of you and give both Henry and her mother England, she's proposed that your father have you legitimized. She wants to marry you." she told him, with tears in her eyes.

Bash sighed and placed his forearm on the door, resting his head on it. "I should have never told her of Mother's plans."

Maisie let a few moments of thought pass before she asked, "Did you…give her any reason to think you would go along with this?"

"No." Bash answered without a second thought. "My heart lies with you and if you think tha-"

"That's not what I meant. I know you're devoted to me." She cut him off. "But would you marry her…to intercept the fate Nostradamus has predicted…to save Francis?"

"I…" he said with a flutter of his saddened blue eyes. Maisie felt his hesitation, the fact that he was considering it, like a sharp knife in her heart that stole her breath and made tears sting the backs of her eyes. "I love you, I do, but-"

"But Francis is your brother and you love him as well." She cut him off and took a step back.

"I need time to think." He told her quietly.

"I understand." She whispered for fear of her voice cracking then turned and walked away. The more space she put between her and Bash, the more her pain turned to anger. By the time she made it out of the dungeons a piping hot hatred boiled within her. She saw red and only had a vague inkling of what she was doing as she made her way to Mary's chambers. A guard stepped in her way and she swiftly thrust her hand up catching the guard under the nose with the heel of her palm. The man paused and clutched his bloody nose in his hand.

The doors to Queen Mary's chambers were thrown open as Maisie stepped in and looked around. She spotted Mary who turned from the widow, a look of sorrow in the young queen's eyes. "Is it true? You plan to wed Bash?" Maisie demanded.

"Yes." Mary answered sadly. Her answer, the sad but determined look in Mary's eyes, caused Maisie's blood to boil as she stalked across the room and backhanded her queen across the cheek so hard Mary fell to the floor. Mary's guard came in and grabbed Maisie by the arm, but Mary held her hand out, stopping him from dragging her away. "Leave us." Mary told him so he gave her a nod and left. "It was the only way I could save Francis." Mary said as she blinked back tears of pain then moved her bottom jaw around and rubbed her cheek.

"Bash is mine!" Maisie yelled. "You have a love of your own. You have Francis who wants to be with you. All you have to do is let yourself have him. All you have to do is say the word and he, unlike me, will forgive you. If you proceed with this plan of yours, if you marry my fiancé, I will never forgive you."

"I can't marry Francis." Mary said with a shake of her head.

"So you still aim to marry my love?" Maisie asked.

"It is the only way." Mary answered, her voice cracked as tears streaked her face.

"I guess you don't care if he has no desire to marry you. Between you and Henry the pressure will be inescapable. He will be forced to wed a woman he doesn't love while his true love is forced to stand by and watch." Maisie said numbly.

"I'm sorry." Mary's voice cracked.

"No you're not. If you truly were you would stop this foolishness here and now. Bash was mine, Mary. My love, my fiance, my future husband. He was mine, and you've taken him from me." As soon as the words left her lips Nostradamus's words echoed through her head. "Nostradamus was right." She whispered in realization as she looked up at Mary. "He warned me that Bash would be taken from me. That I would strike the person who took him from me. I assumed he meant the person who caused Bash's death. But it was you…you're the thief." Once again tears streaked her eyes as she looked at the woman she once considered a friend.

"For the record, I didn't know you were engaged." Mary said quietly.

"As if it would have mattered." Maisie scoffed. "You know I love him and still you did what you had to to get what you want. You're a queen, it is your duty to do what's best for Scotland, for your people…your subjects, not what's good for Mary."

"I am doing what's best for my country." Mary argued.

"Yeah…keep telling yourself that." Maisie replied with a cold glare of her own. "While you do I'll be nearby making your life a living hell."

"Is that a threat?" Mary asked, her eyes turning cold.

"No, it's a promise." Maisie answered, then turned and walked away.

She was on her way back to her chambers when she ran into Catherine. "I've been looking for you."

"Well, you found me." Maisie said, not stopping until Catherine touched her arm and she stopped.

Catherine saw then how red her eyes were, how tearstained her cheeks looked. "Oh, my dear, you don't honestly think Mary is going to get away with this, do you?"

Maisie dropped her eyes. "I'm praying, with every fiber of my being, that she does not."

"Good." Catherine replied. "Then we're on the same team." Maisie lifted her eyes to meet Catherine's. "You're a smart girl, I'm sure I don't have to tell you what will become of me and my children should Henry annul our marriage and put Diane on the throne."

"There'll be a target on your son's backs and the one on yours will grow larger." Maisie replied.

"Nothing good will come of this…for anyone." Catherine told her with a pointed look.

"I can't say I disagree with you." Maisie said with a nod. "So what is your solution?"

"You and Sebastian are already engaged, correct?" Catherine asked and Maisie nodded. "Then I say it's about time you and Bash are wed."

"Strange." Henry's voice came from around the corner they were standing near causing Maisie to look at him over Catherine's shoulder while Catherine to turn toward him. "I was just thinking the same thing." He told them with a smirk as he placed his hands on his hips. "What say you?"

"I say you might want to take my groom's head off the chopping block and let him out of the dungeons." Maisie answered, making Henry chuckle.

"Let's move this chat somewhere more private, shall we?" Henry asked as he put an arm around the women's shoulders.

Maisie frowned and looked at her friends. She had always just assumed that Elizabeth would take the throne of England. The king walked over to Mary and took her hand. “The second England’s queen dies, you will make your claim. Your marriage to my son will strengthen that claim, as it will show the world that you have the might of France at your side. France fulfills its promise to Scotland and to you.” He let go of Mary’s hand and looked at Francis. “It’s time you and Francis are wed.” Henry turned and walked back up to stand next to Catherine. He raised his cup, “We must Celebrate. It’s God's will.”

People started clapping before servants started walking around with platters of treats and wine. Maisie looked at Greer, Lola and Aylee. “Staking a claim on England could cost Mary her head.” she told them and they all looked at her with wide, worried eyes.

“Mary will be at war with Elizabeth.” Lola added.

“Catholics versus protestants.” Greer agreed.

“This isn’t good.” Aylee added.

While Mary and Francis went with Henry and Catherine to talk about the news, Maisie and her friends stayed at the celebration taking place in the throne room. After a while Bash came over, “Take a walk with me?” he asked as he held out his hand.

“Of course.” she replied as she took it. “Is everything alright?” she asked as they walked out of the throne room and took a left, headed for the exit.

“Yes.” he answered. “I’ve spoken to my mother. Seeing as the Vatican is squashing a bastard's claim in England there’s no way they can support a bastard's claim in France. She has no choice but to cease all attempts of getting me legitimized.”

“Ah, well, at least their arrival at court brings some kind of good news.” she sighed as they walked outside and started along a path that would overlook the sea wall. “That is good news right? You haven’t changed your mind about taking Francis’s crown?”

“Yes, it is good news.” he answered before a comfortable silence fell over them as they followed the path. “In all honesty I don’t think I’d make a good king. Do you?”

“Are you sure you want me to answer that question?” she asked, knowing her answer might hurt him. They stopped walking and Maisie leaned on the stone wall, to look out over the sea.

“Yes. I’ll never ask you anything I don't want an honest answer to.” he insisted as he moved to stand across from her.

“No. I don’t think you’d be a good king.” she answered. “Kings have to lie to people and smile as they placate nobles they’d much rather just punch in the face. They have to sit on a throne and hear their people's very boring and stupid so called grievances. You, my love, are too honest, too kind and too caring. Not to mention the fact that you have no measurable tolerance for stupidity.” he chuckled at her. “Kings have to harden their hearts and put their country first, I never wish to see you like that.” she placed her hand over his heart and he looked down at it then back at her. “Your soft heart is one of the many things I love about you.”

"Speaking of matters of the heart." Bash sighed. "I had no idea when I proposed to you this morning that Mary and Francis would be walking down the aisle so soon. No one will like us announcing our engagement right after Father's announcement."

"So you want to keep it just between us?" Maisie asked. Bash made a face that suggested he didn't like it, but nodded. "Okay." She took her engagement ring off her left finger and put it in her right hand.

"I hope you can understand where I'm coming from." He said feeling bad for asking.

"I do. It's okay I promise " Maisie told him then stood on her toes and caught his bottom lip between hers.

RRRRRRRRRR

After telling them that she had decided to go ahead with the wedding, Mary and her ladies lounged on the young queen’s bed. “We’re so happy for you.” Greer told her.

Mary giggled happily. “Lola, what about you?” Mary asked Lola where she sat next to Aylee at the head of the bed.

“I’m pleased I…I just…I want you to be safe. I want you to be sure. England’s an enormous risk.” she answered and Mary moved to lay propped up by her forearm on the bed. “Are you taking that risk for us, your people, or for the man you love?”

“My duty is to Scotland and soon to France. I will make the decision that my conscience dictates. Francis knows that.” Mary answered.

“But the king’s orders.” Aylee argued.

“What the king doesn’t know won’t hurt him.” Mary replied.

“He’d defy his father for you?” Greer asked.

Mary looked at her over her shoulder then back at Aylee. “For us, for his people.” she argued. “He’s a good man and I’m going to marry him tomorrow night.”

“Tomorrow?” Greer asked, “But wha- what will you wear?”

The girls giggled. "What about your mother? She won’t be here.” Aylee asked.

“Well, I have all of you.” Mary answered as she sat up and grabbed Aylee’s hand. “You’re my real family.”

Greer left the bed and came back with a brush in her hand. “Mary come, let’s try different things with your hair.”

Mary laughed and scooted to the edge of the bed. “Up or down, what do you think?” Aylee asked.

“Depends on the veil.” Lola answered with a smile at Mary.

“Maisie.” Mary said, getting her attention where she sat beside her at the foot of the bed leaning back against the pole of the footboard. “Are you alright? You’ve been quiet.”

“Yes, I’m fine.” Maisie answered, blinking out of her thoughts. “I’m just worried is all. About what Henry might do if you marry Francis then refuse to lay claim to England.”

“Let me worry about that.” Mary told her as she reached out and touched her hand.

“How are things with you and Bash?” Lola asked.

“Good, as usual.” Maisie answered.

“I hear he stayed in your rooms last night.” Aylee said.

"How did you hear that?" Maisie asked.

"My maid saw him leave your chambers this morning." Aylee answered.

“Maisie, you didn’t.” Greer said with a look that danced somewhere between worried and judgmental as she brushed Mary’s hair.

“No, we didn’t. I just couldn’t be alone after what happened. So he stayed.” Maisie answered.

“Is he ever going to ask you to marry him?” Lola asked. “You’ve been courting for months now.”

“As I’ve said before, we’re not rushing it.” Maisie brushed it off even though she was aching to tell them that he had asked her to marry him.

“I never understand why you’re wasting your time on a bastard like him.” Aylee’s words made Maisie’s nostril’s flare. “It’s not like he can provide for you without lands or a title. You’re dowry, while substantial enough to rival my own, won’t last forever. What kind of life would you have if you were to wed him? God forbid you have children without a way to put food in their mouths. There's a reason women never marry below their station.”

Greer and Lola both knew from the look in Maisie’s eyes and the flair of her nostrils that Aylee was about to get a serious tongue lashing. And this time, no one had any intention of stopping it. “You’re a shallow bitch, you know that?”

“Maisie.” Mary scolded.

“No, it needs to be said.” Maisie argued. “You think you’re so much better than everyone else just because your family is one of the richest in Scotland. But titles and lands do not make a man, what lies in his heart does, and Bash's heart is selfless and pure. It beats just like everyone else's. We are all human and we all have feelings and every time you demean the man I love you may as well be stomping me into the ground right along with him. Why can’t you just be my friend…be happy that I’m happy?” Aylee’s green eyes pooled with tears. Maisie paused, giving her time to speak, but she didn't. Maisie scoffed at her then turned her eyes to Mary. "If you will excuse me there's somewhere I need to be."

Mary gave her a nod and waved her to the door. So she left, making a b line to the stables where she grabbed a brush and went to Hemera.

She had calmed down and was leading Hemera back into her stall when Bash walked into the stable's. He walked over and leaned on the support beam of Hemera’s stall. “What’s wrong?”

“Does something have to be wrong for me to want to spend time with my horse?” she asked back.

“No, but it is odd that you’d choose to spend time with Hemera instead of helping Mary make decisions regarding her wedding tomorrow night.” he answered.

Maisie sighed and looked down at Hemera’s lead rope in her hands. “Aylee started talking bad about you again. She just kept going on and on and I snapped. I called her a shallow bitch.” She unhooked the lead rope from Hemera’s bridal, then shut the door of the stall and hung the rope over the door. “After that I told Mary there was somewhere I needed to be even though there wasn’t. I just couldn’t stay in the same room with Aylee anymore.”

“You know, once we’re married you’re going to have to get used to backhanded comments from judgmental women.” he pointed out as she placed her hands on his chest and slid them up over his shoulders to the back of his neck.

“I can take the comments from other women who don’t know you or me.” she replied, loving the feel of his hands on her sides. “But Aylee is supposed to be my friend, she’s supposed to support me, not shove my face in the dirt.” Maisie sighed and rested her head on his chest. “I take all her comments personally not just because she’s taking stabs at you, but because I can only imagine what she’d have to say if she knew about my true parentage.”

“Have you thought about telling them?” he asked as he pulled her a little closer.

She lifted her head to look at him. “Once, and then I remembered how impulsive all of my friends can be and I can’t risk putting this secret in the wrong hands.” Maisie answered. “Though I probably should tell Mary at some point.” she said then sighed and rested her forehead on his chest.

Things were quiet for a moment before he said, “You, my lovely fiancée, need to relax.” as he gave her waist a gentle push turning her around before he pulled her back against him.

“What are you doing?” she asked as he gathered her hair that was draped over her shoulders and pulled it away from her face to fall down her back. A sigh filled the air when he pressed a kiss to the curve of her neck. “Bash, anyone could walk in-”

He shushed her before he placed his hands on her shoulders, covered by the sheer, loose, button down shirt she wore that was held in place by a beaded belt. When his thumbs dug into the tight muscles of her shoulders a quiet hum left her lips making him chuckle. “I like that sound.”

He couldn’t see the blush that colored her cheeks at the comment. She let him continue for a while, involuntary hums leaving her lips when he hit a particularly tight spot. “Bash, if you keep doing that I’m going to fall asleep.”

She felt him place a kiss to the back of her head as he grabbed her waist and pulled her back against him. His breath in her ear sent a shiver through her, “Then maybe we should sneak back to my chambers.”

"That is very tempting." She replied as her eyes slipped closed, feeling his length pressed against her backside. She placed her hands over his that slipped around to her stomach, holding her close as he started kissing her neck. A sigh slipped from her lips. "But...I don’t want to be together in your chambers until after the wedding."

“Why not?” he whispered in her ear, still kissing her neck.

"This may sound silly, but when we are wed, your chambers will become ours. Being in your chambers before they are officially ours feels like bad luck or something." She said with a wrinkle of her nose and a shake of her head.

“It’s not silly.” Bash said between kisses. “It actually makes sense.”

“Instead, why don’t you come to my chambers tonight?” she asked as she turned in his arms to look at him. “Now that I know what it’s like to fall asleep in your arms, I’m not sure I can go back to sleeping alone.” she admitted as she moved her arms to rest on his shoulders, her wrists crossed behind his head. Bash smiled before pulling her closer and catching her lips with his.

They were lost in one another when Mary’s voice pulled them back down to earth. “Maisie, are you in here?”

Bash took a few steps back and Maisie was wiping her lips when Mary came into sight. “Over here.” Maisie said, making Mary turn to see her and Bash.

“Ah, you’re both here. Good.” Mary said as she walked over to them. “Bash, may I have a moment of your time?” she asked with a look at Bash who gave her a nod so Mary looked at Maisie. “Would you be willing to speak with Aylee? I think you both owe one another an apology.”

“Of course.” Maisie answered. If Aylee was willing to talk, then Maisie would attempt to meet her half way.

“She’s in my quarters with the rest of our friends.” Mary told her.

Maisie turned to Bash, “I’ll see you later?” she asked since he hadn’t exactly agreed to come to her chambers tonight. He hummed a positive answer so Maisie stood on her toes and pecked him on the cheek.

RRRRRRRRR

Maisie found Aylee, Greer and Lola in Mary’s chambers. Seeing her, Lola and Greer left them to work things out. Aylee stood from where she had been sitting in the window nook. “I’m sorry.” both of them said at the same time.

“You can go first.” Maisie said with a motion to her as she walked over to the window and sat down on the padded, built-in seat, leaning her back against the wall with her feet tucked to the side.

“I know I come off as judgmental and shallow. For that I am sorry. But I didn’t know until Greer told me, just moments ago, that your uncle has granted you permission to marry for love.” Aylee said as she joined her, mirroring her sitting position at the opposite end of the bench. “And I know you love Bash, I just worry that if you wed him, you’ll realize that marrying for love isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Marrying below your station will be hard, financially and socially. I fear that the woes that come with marrying Bash will overshadow how happy his love makes you. I worry because I am your friend, just like you worry about Mary and she worries about all of us.”

“There’s something else you don’t know about me. A secret that I can’t tell anyone. I haven’t even told Mary, though I do plan to. This secret changed me and how I see the role that wealth will play in my life.” Maisie started.

“Is this secret dangerous?” Aylee asked with a concerned frown.

“Only for me and not in a life or death kind of way. It could just make me fall in station sooner than desired. I promise I’ll tell you and the others after I’m married, but until then I can’t say more than I already have.” Maisie answered and Aylee nodded, but still looked concerned. “Anyway, this secret made me see that there is more to happiness than money, that I truly don’t need it to be happy. Yes, I love Bash, truly and deeply, but that’s not the only reason I’ll marry him. We’re perfect for one another in so many different ways. There is no doubt in my mind that he is the one man God created specifically for me and I am damn lucky to have found him. I won’t throw that away for material reasons. I appreciate your friendship and that you worry about my happiness, I do, but I will marry him one day, regardless of anyone’s opinions on the matter. So do you think you can accept that and simply be happy for me?”

Aylee gave her a nod and a small smile. “I think I can do that. And I won’t tell the others you’re keeping a secret from us.”

Maisie gave her a small smile in return. “Thank you.” Hearing a creak outside the door to Mary’s chambers Maisie raised her voice, “You can come in now. We’re done talking.”

Lola and Greer came back inside and joined them in the window nook. “Is everything okay now?” Lola asked as she sat down. Maisie and Aylee nodded.

“No more hard feelings?” Greer added.

“None.” Maisie answered while Aylee just shook her head no. A few silent moments passed before Maisie asked, “Do any of you know what Mary wanted to speak with Bash about?”

“Catherine and Nostradamus have Mary convinced that if she marries Francis it will cost him his life. Mary thinks that everything Catherine has done to her, forcing Colin to try and take her virtue, letting that English envoy torture her with a fake poisoned dress, and I’m sure Olivia’s arrival at court was her doing as well…All if it was to save Francis from this prophecy.” Greer explained, causing Maisie to frown at her as her stomach sickened.

“And, as if that wasn’t enough, Nostradamus has predicted that one among us, a girl, would be dead in a day’s time. He said he saw Mary’s ladies circled around, he didn’t know who, but one among us would die before the next frost melts.” Lola added.

Maisie took in a deep breath then let it out with a frown. “So Mary wanted to talk to Bash about this prophecy?” Maisie asked.

“No, she’s asking him about the whole, ‘the lion will fight the dragon on a field of poppies’ prophecy.” Greer answered.

“The lion being the English and the dragon being the ships Tomás sent to protect Scotland.” Aylee added.

“The lion was Bash.” Maisie spoke up. “As a bastard he belongs to no one and can choose his own symbol. Just like Tomas chose an obnoxious dragon. Nostradamus’s prophecy was talking about the fight Tomas lost against Bash and Francis in the woods. Bash mentioned that there were Poppies everywhere.”

“That’s an odd thing to mention.” Lola said.

“Not really. He mentioned it during one of our training sessions. He was trying to help me understand how the mind works when involved in a dangerous fight.” Maisie replied. “He said the mind focuses on small things when faced with the larger horror of taking a life. And he’s right.” Her friends noticed the distant look in her eyes before she blinked out of it and shook her head. “Nostradamus also predicted that my love would be taken from me, but that hasn’t happened.” Maisie pointed out. “Perhaps he is losing his touch when it comes to interpreting his visions.”

“So you believe that someone can predict the future?” Greer asked.

“I believe that there are things in this world that can’t be explained with logic.” Maisie shrugged. “But I hope and pray that Nostradamus is wrong and we will all be standing after the frost melts.”

The girls got lost in their thoughts for a while.

Eventually Greer blinked out of her thoughts and looked at Maisie. “So, Maisie, tell us the latest with you and Bash.” she said, trying to start up a lighter conversation.

“There’s not much to tell.” she brushed it off, wishing more than anything that she could tell the that Bash proposed this morning.

“You never tell us much about you and Bash.” Aylee pointed out.

“I don’t remember him from before. I never even knew the two of you played together.” Greer added. “I guess my parents didn’t want me to pay with the king’s bastard.” she thought out loud. “Come on, share your history with us.” she said, giving Maisie’s knee a nudge from where she sat on the padded floor beside her.

“Do you remember the first time you met him?” Lola asked curiously from where she sat across from Greer.

“I do.” Maisie answered. “My parents had sent my brothers and I to Diane’s quarters to ask if Bash could come out and play. So she called him to the door and asked him if he wanted to. He didn’t look interested at first. Looking back on it now he probably knew our parents were forcing us to play with him and that we would probably just leave him behind or be mean to him once we were away from adults. But when he saw me, something in his eyes changed and he agreed.” she answered and the other girls in the room smiled. “Once we were outside my brothers, naturally, ignored us, playing their own game while Bash and I just stood there. I couldn’t help staring at him and when he asked me why I kept staring I admitted that I thought his eyes were pretty.”

“Well, he does have pretty eyes.” Lola agreed with a small laugh.

Maisie laughed. “That seemed to break the ice and I ended up asking him if he would teach me how to climb a tree like my brothers did. I thought he was going to tell me that girls shouldn’t do such things, but he agreed. From then on out when I wasn’t playing with all of you I was out with Bash on another adventure.”

“Why haven't you ever told us any of this before?” Aylee asked curiously.

“I don’t know. I’ve never really stopped to think about it.” Maisie answered.

“I’ve wondered the same.” Lola said. “In all those nine years we were home, you never even mentioned him.”

“I think I kept it to myself at first because I knew there was a reason none of you ever played with us.” she answered, a contemplative look on her face. “Then as I grew older I feared you all would talk me out of waiting for him. That you’d think giving my heart to someone I may never see again was silly.”

“Did you ever think about giving up and giving in to someone else?” Greer asked.

“Once. When I was fourteen.” Maisie answered. “Though, when I first arrived I told Bash that there had never been anyone else because I didn’t want to hurt him. Of course that was before he told me that he had been with other women.” she said with a roll of her eyes.

“Who was it?” Aylee asked. “That made you consider giving up on Bash.”

“Keelan.” Maisie answered and the girls made faces that suggested they should have known. “I told Bash that I had a friend back home that some people believed I was more than friends with and that we let them believe it to protect him from how ugly things could get if people knew he preferred men.” She explained. “I left out how we figured out his preferences.”

“Do you plan on telling him?” Lola asked.

“Do you think he’ll get mad if you do?” Aylee added.

“I don’t think he’ll get mad and I do plan on telling him, I just haven’t found the right time.” Maisie answered.

Things were quiet for a short moment before Lola curiously said, “So,” Maisie looked at her, knowing from the smile on her face that she was going to ask something personal, “is he a good kisser?”

Maisie laughed. “Yes.”

“Have you gone further?” Aylee asked.

“No.” Maisie answered with a shake of her head.

“Even when he spent the night with you last night?” Lola asked.

“No. We might’ve done more this morning, but my maid interrupted telling me about the meeting at noon.” Maisie replied, letting her aggravation show on her face.

“So if you weren’t late because you were fooling around in your chambers with Bash, why were you late?” Greer asked. “You said you tell me later, but you never did.”

“Oh, we just went riding and lost track of time.” she lied even though she desperately wanted to tell them that Bash had proposed.

“Oh.” Greer said looking a little disappointed, but she believed her.

“Has anyone checked in on Kenna?” Maisie asked to change the subject.

“No, Mary said she needs rest.” Lola answered.

“We should go to her in the morning, surprise her with some treats for breakfast.” Maisie suggested and they all agreed.

RRRRRRRRRR

That night Bash and Maisie sat on her bed, sharing a bottle of wine. “Did Mary talk to you about Nostradamus’s prophecy concerning Francis’s life?” Maisie asked.

Bash shook his head no as he swallowed his wine. “No, she just asked me about the lion fighting the dragon in the field of poppies. I confirmed that Nostradamus was right. I, the lion, fought Tomas, the dragon, in a field of Poppies.” he answered with a frown. “Who's threatening Francis’s life?”

“Mary, apparently.” Maisie answered as she took the bottle from him. “Nostradamus says that if Mary weds Francis it will cause his death.” She took a drink then rested the bottle on her bent knee. “A part of me believes he can see the future, but at the same time, the prediction about you and Tomas fighting is the only prophecy I’ve seen come true.”

“Don’t discredit him. I’ve seen it take years before what he’s seen comes to pass.” Bash cautioned her.

“So you truly believe that you’ll be taken from me?” she asked as he held his hand out for the bottle and she handed it to him. “That Aylee will never go home again, Greer will fall in love with a man with a white mark on his face and, worst and most recent, that one of Mary’s ladies will die before the next frost melts?”

Bash frowned as he swallowed a swig of wine. “Wait, what?”

“According to what the girls have told me, Nostradamus predicted that one among us, a girl, would be dead in a day’s time. He said he saw Mary’s ladies circled around someone, but didn’t know who”. Maisie explained. Bash sighed and rested the bottom of the bottle on the bed as his shoulders fell. “You believe him, don’t you?”

“Unfortunately, I do.” he answered, his eyes on the crumpled up blanket they sat on.

“Even though I don’t want to, I do too.” She said and Bash tried to hand her the bottle, but she shook her head no. “I know myself and how I react to too much wine. My stomach is already upset from thinking about these bloody prophecies and with my mind in this dark of a place if I don’t stop drinking now I’ll be in tears before the night is over.”

Bash sighed and leaned back, setting the bottle on the floor before he set up and moved to sit beside her, leaning back on her headboard as he pulled her into his side. “You’re not going to die.” he assured her.

“No, but one of my friends will.” she replied with a look up at him seeing a curious look on his face. “It can’t be me. If I die you can’t be taken from me as he predicted.” she explained. “Seems as if I worry for everyone but myself. You could be taken from me, one of my friends will die and if Mary weds your brother he too could die. Does Nostradamus ever predict anything good? Like babies being born or rain to end a long drought? Or is the poor man plagued with darkness?”

“There have been bright predictions, but it does seem his specialty is darkness.” Bash answered flatly.

They held each other in silence for a moment before Maisie took in a deep breath and sat up. “This isn’t what I had in mind when I invited you to my chambers.” she sighed then moved around to look at Bash. “I don’t know about you, but I refuse to let all of this darkness shroud our happiness.” she threw her leg over him, straddling his lap as she placed her hands on his shoulders. “We’re engaged and I can’t be excited about it around others, but I can be while I’m with you.” she grabbed his face and looked pointedly into his eyes. “And I am excited and eager to fully become yours in every conceivable way.”

He laughed as he took her hands from his face and kissed them. “And until then, where do we draw the line?” he asked. “I know you said you can’t go too far, but we never established precisely how far that is.”

“Well,” she started, “I've learned a few things from the books I've read in secret over the years, but I'd still categorize myself as extremely inexperienced. So if I draw the line right above actual sex, I don’t know exactly what all that leaves.'' She reached behind her back and pulled the tie of the beaded belt she wore to hide the meeting point of her navy blue skirts and the light blue sheer, button down shirt she wore over a navy blue strapless bustier. After she tossed the belt to the side she started to work on the buttons, but Bash grabbed her hands stopping her. She frowned before he smiled and started undoing the buttons himself. “I trust you, and I want more than simple kisses as I’m sure you do too.” She grabbed the hem of the white shirt he’d been wearing under his black leather tunic, and pulled it over his head. As she tossed it to the side with her belt he resumed his work on the last few buttons of her top. “So, why don’t I draw the line at sex and let you take the lead. If I feel uncomfortable with something I’ll simply say so. And if I do something wrong, correct me.”

She watched his face as he pushed the shirt down her arms. She smiled at the lust in his eyes as they moved up to meet hers. “Sounds good to me.” he leaned in to kiss her, but she pulled back.

“Hold on.” she said and he sighed in aggravation, making her smile as she slipped from the bed. "Was that a complaint I just heard?" She asked as she pulled the ties of her skirts and let them fall to the floor in a pile of satin and tulle. The sight of her in nothing but short, scalloped edged knicker shorts and the short waisted bustier that left half of her flat stomach uncovered stole his breath. She crawled onto the bed and over to straddle his lap.

“You’re hearing things.” he finally replied as he wrapped his arms around her, caught her lips with his, stood on his knees and laid her back. He supported his weight on one forearm while his other hand slid down her leg, pulling it to wrap around his waist and her other leg followed. Her breathing quickened and her heart pounded as his hand moved from her leg to hold her bare waist. Her hands explored his bare back before they slipped down over his trousers to grab his butt, pulling a hum from him.

One hand slid up, grabbing onto his belt while the other continued up his back to hook under his arm and hold his shoulder. When he adjusted his hips, pressing into her, only the layers of her knickers and the leather of his trousers between them she broke their passionate, lip bruising kiss to suck in a sharp breath and arch her back, pressing her head back into the bed with her eyes closed as her grip on his belt and shoulder tightened.

Realizing her nails were digging into his shoulder she loosened her grip and opened her eyes. “Sorry.”

“It’s fine.” he replied through his own heavy breaths. “Truly, I don’t mind.” she gave him a nod then bit her lip as she tightened her legs around him, silently telling him what she wanted. He laughed breathily and caught her lips with his again before pressing into her again, once again pulling a hum from her that was followed by a sigh.

He kissed down her neck and over her chest as he rocked into her, pushing her closer and closer to the edge and just when he thought she was going to give in to ecstasy she gave his shoulder a push. So he rolled over taking her with him. She sat up, slipping her hands over his torso as she did, admiring the view before she leaned down and caught his bottom lip between hers. The kiss didn’t last long before she worked her way to his earlobe, down his neck and over his shoulder. Her fingers played with the bit of hair in the center of his chest as she kissed down, taking a moment to swirl her tongue around his left nipple. She knew he liked it when his hum of pleasure filled the air around them. As she slowly kissed down his stomach, she scooted down his legs then sat up, sitting on his thighs. Her eyes found his as she hooked her finger under the loop of his belt that was tucked through the buckle. “May I?”

He gave her a nod so she kept her eyes on his as she worked on his belt then the buttons of his trousers. The lust in them brought a blush to her cheeks as she scooted back and stood on her knees, looking down. As he pushed his trousers down his hips he watched her face, wanting to see her reaction. He smiled when her eyes grew wide, her brows furrowed and she bit her lips closed. "What is that face about?"

"You're…bigger, than I'd imagined." She answered.

"I appreciate the compliment." He laughed as he sat up, grabbed the back of her head and kissed her. She reveled in it for a moment before she gave his shoulder a gentle push and he laid back, keeping his eyes on her. She moved to sit on her knees between his legs then leaned down. A timid kiss was placed to his hip bone as she cautiously hooked her fingers around him. She looked up into his eyes as she licked up his length.

A heavy sigh left his parted lips, his eyes slipped closed and his head tilted back. His reaction gave her the confidence to take him into her mouth. This pulled a moan from him that sent the butterflies in the pit of her stomach into a frenzy and spurred her enthusiasm as she slowly bobbed her head. After a few long moments and swirls of her tongue he whispered, "Maisie…" and cupped her cheek in his hand, "My Love, stop, look at me.” Wondering if she’d done something wrong, both flattered and worried by his use of a pet name, she did as asked and sat up, taking his hand from her cheek to hold it in hers. “I’m close. Do you know what I mean by that?”

“I know what happens when a man reaches the peak of passion.” she answered. “If it’s alright with you I’d like to taste it.”

“Really?” he asked, clearly pleasantly surprised as he sat up. “You want me to finish in your mouth?”

She hummed a positive answer. “Is that an odd request?” she asked, getting worried again.

“Odd no, surprising yes.” he answered. “Most women are grossed out by the thought.” seeing that she looked discouraged he took his hand from hers, caressed her cheek then lifted her chin. “I find the fact that you want to taste me extremely arousing.”

Her eyes finally found his again. “Really?” she asked quietly. “You’re not just saying that to make me feel better?” He lifted his brows with a smirk and looked down. She followed his gaze to see that he was, in fact, still turned on. She bit her smiling lips closed as she lifted her eyes back to his.

He moved his hand to rest on her neck, his thumb caressing her cheek. "I suggest you close off your throat, so your gag reflex isn't triggered."  She gave him a nod before he caught her lips with his. After his kisses had pulled her back into the right headspace, she gave his chest a little push and he laid back, letting her lean back down and take him back into her mouth. The swirl of her tongue around his tip pulled a heavy sigh from him before she took him further into her mouth. A few moments later he touched her cheek and sighed, “Prepare yourself.” She closed off her throat and grabbed his hand from her cheek. He threaded their fingers together. Her other hand slipped up from his thigh to his side and a choked sigh filled the air right before he started pulsing between her lips, filling her mouth. When she was sure he was done she swallowed and sat up. Bash took a moment to catch his breath, smiling when he saw her wipe a spot of white from the corner of her lips, look at it, then suck it off her thumb. Had he not just reached completion the sight would have gotten him rock hard. Not knowing how long they were going to carry on as they were, and not feeling like being cooped up in clothes he took his legs out from under her and slipped from the bed. Maisie watched as he removed his pants then noticed her watching closely. “Tell me what’s going through that beautiful mind of yours.”

“I’m wondering if it’s humanly possible for a man to be more perfect than you.” she answered.

He simply smiled as he got back into bed, stood on his knees across from her and loosely wrapped his arms around her waist, his hands resting on her rear. “So, you’ve imagined it have you?” he asked with a glance down before he looked at her with a smirk. She just hummed a positive answer with a small smile of her own. “And what, pray tell, were you doing while imagining it?”

“Finish undressing me and I’ll show you.” she replied, once again surprising him.

She reached back to untie her bustier, but he grabbed her forearms, stopping her. “The corset stays.” she gave him a curious frown. “If we’re both completely naked it will be too tempting to go too far.” Understanding, she gave him a nod. He leaned down and kissed her as his hands slipped down her sides and over her hips, pushing the dark blue knickers down to her knees. As she laid back he followed, not breaking the kiss until he had to sit up in order to pull the damp fabric from around her ankles. It was tossed in to the pile of clothes on the floor beside the bed.

She kept her eyes on him as she slipped one hand up over her breast and the other further down, slipping a finger between her slick lips. Bash watched as her finger circled her clit a few times, then dipped down into her core. He couldn’t resist reaching down and stroking himself. The sight pulled a hum that verged on a whimper from her lips. Bash treated her to the sight as long as he could, but eventually he caved and moved to hover over her from the side, capturing her lips in a hard, hungry kiss.

Soon his lips left hers trailing wet noisy kisses over her chest and down her stomach as he moved to lay between her legs. Pulling hums and shaky sighs from her as he teased her with kisses to her inner thighs. “Bash, please, I need you.” she begged and he chuckled right before his tongue slipped between her lips, pulling a gasp from her as her hands fisted the blanket at her sides. His tongue, circling her clit with just the right amount of pressure, had her trembling. When he slipped a finger inside her, curling it instead of moving it in and out like she'd always done, she managed to say," Bash...I'm…"

"Let go, My Love." His breath on her as he spoke combined with his use of his new name for her pushed her over the edge and a whimper left her lips as she started pulsing around his finger. He didn't stop until she reached down and grabbed his wrist. Knowing she'd had all she could take he moved to the side and kissed his way up to her lips. 

Without thinking she turned onto her side and he pulled her leg up over her hip. They both froze when he slipped between her folds, so very close to entering her. It took every ounce of will power they had to pull away from one another. While she slipped from the bed Bash covered his hips with the sheet then watched as she gathered some clothes and disappeared behind the dressing screen.

When she came back out she was dressed in a short, white, cotton nightgown with spaghetti straps and matching knickers. Content to just be together she laid on her side beside him where he laid on his back and snuggled into his side with her arm resting on his stomach. Her hand absentmindedly fiddled with the hair in the center of his chest while his played with her hair.

After a while her hand stilled. "Are you asleep?" He asked quietly.

"No." She answered, sounding distant.

"Are you alright?" He asked.

"Yes, just thinking." She answered.

"About?" He prompted.

"Earlier today, Greer asked if there was ever a time in my nine years away from you that I considered opening my heart to another." She started and she felt him shift to look down at her.

"Was there?" He asked, worried.

She didn't look up at him, but instead, at her hand that now rested on his stomach. "I know I told you when I first arrived that there had never been another, but I lied because I didn't want to hurt you or make you think I'd given up on you."

"Maisie, look at me." She could tell by his tone that he was upset. So she moved around to lay on her stomach so she could look at him comfortably. "Are you telling me you still have feelings for another?"

"No, I love you and only you. But I don't want to go into our marriage with secrets, even if they are small. Because secrets no matter the size have a way of circling back around to bite you like a rabid dog." She explained. "Telling you that there had never been another man was a lie and one that has been slowly eating away at me considering that Francis told me you'd never let any of the girls you bedded into your heart."

Bash got silent for a moment before he sighed and seemed to simmer down a bit. "So, who was my competition?"

"Keelan." She answered.

"Your best friend who prefers men?" He asked with a frown.

"Yes." She answered. "When we were fourteen we realized we loved one another. Courting was the normal and sensible next step. But when we kissed it was just a kiss. A touch was just a touch. There was no…excitement.” she explained as she saw his worry lift a little. “After a month or so we realized love doesn’t necessarily have to be romantic. He was so afraid his rejection would hurt me and that we wouldn’t be able to return to simply being friends, but we’d always been open and trusting with one another. So when he confessed that he wasn’t attracted to me the same way he was attracted to boys and I confessed that I couldn’t stop thinking about you, we didn't get mad at one another or hurt that it didn't work out for us.”

Bash was quiet for a moment before he asked, “Do you still love him?”

“Yes.” Maisie answered. “Just as I love all of my friends. But even though it’s platonic, he and I made a promise to one another.”

“I don’t like the sound of that.” he sighed with a pointed look.

“I know, but I have to tell you.” she replied. “We promised that if I still hadn’t returned to France and if you didn’t come to find me by the time we both turned thirty, that we would wed. He would have to eventually marry to quiet the rumors, and he knew I could never truly love anyone but you…But he didn’t want me to be a sad, lonely old maid. He promised that, while it would be more out of love and duty than passion, he could give me a family.”

“He was your backup plan.” Bash summarized and she nodded.

“One I prayed I’d never have to resort to.” She placed a kiss on his shoulder. “Thank God for answering my prayers. I can’t imagine my life without you.”

“Nor I you.” he replied as he cupped her cheek in his hand and leaned up, pressing a soft slow kiss to her lips. When the kiss broke she turned to her side, her head resting on his shoulder as her hand absentmindedly drew invisible swirls over his chest and stomach. After a few moments Bash broke the silence. “I’m glad you had him.” surprised by his words she looked up at him. “Sounds like he looked out for you when I couldn't.”

“He did.” she said quietly.

“Do you think I’ll ever get to meet him?” he asked.

“He has mentioned in his letters that he’s thinking about visiting me.” she answered. “He wants to escape his family and the pressure they’ve been putting on him to find a wife and continue the family line.”

“He writes you?” he asked, not jealous, just interested.

“He’s the only person in Scotland that does.” she answered. “I write him too, keeping him updated on my…eventful, life at French court.”

“Do you ever miss your home?” he asked, absentmindedly playing with her hair.

“I miss how tranquil it was, and the parties. Those were fun…lively, much like my first night here.” she answered then looked up at him. “Scotland will always be my country, but you are my home now.”

Bash gave her a soft smile. “You're mine as well. Wherever your duties to Mary take you, I will follow, for the moon cannot shine without the sun.” His words brought a bright smile to her face.

“I love you too.” she replied before they met each other halfway for a light kiss.