The Walking Dead & Reign FanFiction

“I figured you’d tell me when you wanted me to know.” she answered, not looking up at him. “Besides, I’m afraid you'll tell me it was Merle that did this to you."

“What would you say if I told you it was Merle?” he asked.

“I’d say I’m glad that he got left on that rooftop.” she answered then looked up at him. “And I’d hate to mean that because, while I never cared for him, I know you loved him.”

Daryl just looked into her eyes for a second before he slipped his hand over her cheek and pressed a kiss to her lips. “It wasn’t him.” she raised her brows in a silent question. “It was my old man,” he admitted. “He was a mean some bitch, especially when he was drunk’.” Not knowing what to say, Cassie just wrapped her arm around him, hugging him, wishing she were better with words. “Aren’t you gonna say you're sorry? ’s what most people would say.”

“It sucks that you had to go through that, but I’m not going to say I’m sorry. Saying sorry implies that I pity you, which I don't.” she dropped her eyes to his chest. “No one likes to be pitied. It’s like a freaking boot to the back of the head when you’re already laying face first in the mud.”

He got the feeling she was speaking from experience. “Back at the quarry, when Andrea wouldn’t leave Amy’s side, you said, 'if you've never watched the life drain out of a loved one’s eyes then you don't know what she's going through'.” he pointed out. She’d forgotten she’d even mentioned it. “Who were you talking about?”

“My mom.” she answered as she sat up and moved around to face him, her eyes on her hands that fiddled with the hem of her shorts.

“How’d she die?” he asked.

“Cancer…when I was twelve.” she answered. “It started out as breast cancer then spread to her sternum, clavicle, spine, lungs. Nothing slowed it down or stopped it, eventually her body just…shut down and she slipped away.” She zoned out as her mind went back to when she was just a child, sitting by her mothers hospital bed, watching as the life left her mothers eyes. Even though the heart monitor didn't flatline, in that moment she knew deep down her mother was gone. Then the nurse explained that her mother was, in fact, gone and the only reason her heart continued to beat was because of the pacemaker. Not wanting to accept it Cassie cried and argued, insisting that her mother was still alive. “But hey, at least she’s not suffering anymore.” she said as she blinked out of the daze and shook her head.

Daryl watched her grab a brush out of her bag and start brushing her hair. “Guess we all have scars, some people’s are just easier to see than others.”

She stopped brushing her hair and just looked at him to see him give her a shrug while chewing on the inside of his lip. In a flash she put down the brush, leaned forward, braced herself with her hands on each side of his head and caught his lips in a kiss. He instantly cupped the back of her head and lifted his, deepening the kiss before it eventually slowed and broke. She closed her eyes and rested her forehead on his. At that moment she found herself wanting to say those three little words. You know, the ones that when said at the wrong time could topple the delicate tower of a new relationship and send it crashing to the ground, shattering it beyond repair. Instead she opened her eyes and gave him a smile as she nuzzled his nose with hers, getting a quiet chuckle out of him before she sat back up and returned to detangling her wavy locks. “How’s the side?”

“Hurts like a some bitch.” he answered with a look down at the bandage.

“Aren't there painkillers in Merle's stash?” she asked with a jerk of her head at his motorcycle outside.

“Yeah, but I don’t mess with 'em.” he answered so she left it at that and tucked her brush back into her bag, deciding to leave her hair down today since it was nice outside and she knew Daryl liked it. She laid down beside him on her stomach, propped up by her forearms. Daryl cupped her cheek in his hand, running his thumb over her lips. “These are all I need to dull the pain.” A touched smile pulled at her lips before she pecked a kiss to the pad of his thumb. "Come ‘ere, Angel Eyes.”

She couldn’t help but giggle as she scooted up and caught his lips in a slow, tender kiss. Daryl threaded his fingers into her loose waves, sending tingles through her when his nails lightly scratched her scalp.

“Hey, Cass, up and at ‘em.” Shane’s voice sounded out from outside the tent. “We got a lot to do today.”

Cassie sighed and pulled back, looking at Daryl’s disappointed face. “As much as I would love to stay and be your painkiller, I can't. We're having gun training then going searchin'.”

“Fine.” He pecked her one more time then dropped his head back to rest on a pillow. “Go.”

“Want me to bring you some breakfast?” she asked before she stood up.

“Na, I’m good for now.” he answered.

"Kay." She answered. He watched her double check that she had her knife. "Get some rest." She told him with a mock serious look and a point of her finger.

"Yes ma'am." He grumbled, and gave her a salute making her softly laugh as she ducked out of the tent.

TWDTWDTWD

Cassie, Rick, Jimmy and Shane stood around Carol's SUV talking about gun training and whether or not they should check a nearby housing addition for Sophia when Glenn came over with a bushel basket of beef jerky and peaches. They all took a peach and thought Glenn was going to hand out fruit to the rest of the camp, but he stopped. He looked at Rick like he wanted to say something, but remained silent as he looked at Lori then back to Rick. "My binoculars." Shane reminded him.

"Oh, yeah, yeah." Glenn awkwardly put down the basket then handed Shane the binoculars that had been hanging over his shoulder. "Okay. Bye." He picked the basket up and made a hasty getaway.

Rick, Shane and Cassie exchanged looks. "Okay then." Cassie drawled as they all got back to task.

TWDTWDTWD

Rick, Lori, Shane, Dale and Cassie stood around the camp. Shane had caught Carl with a gun in his possession. Lori looked up from the gun in her hand to Cassie. "How the hell did this happen?"

"How should I know?" Cassie asked with a frown at Lori.

"You're supposed to be helping me keep an eye on him." She answered.

Cassie opened her mouth to tell her off, but she noticed Carl sitting nearby. So instead she took in a calming deep breath and dropped her eyes to the ground, restraining herself.

"It was my fault." Dale spoke up. "I let him into the r.v. He said he wanted a walkie. Did you send him for one?" He asked Rick.

"So on top of everything else, he lied?" Lori asked. "What is he thinking?" Rick who just shrugged.

"He wants to learn how to shoot. He asked me to teach him." Shane spoke up. "Now, it's none of my business, but I'm happy to teach him. It's your call."

"Well, I'm not comfortable with it." Lori laughed with a shake of her head.

Cassie bit her lips closed in an attempt to keep her opinions to herself, Shane sighed and Rick placed his hands on his hips, giving Lori a tilted head look.

"Oh, don't make me out to be the unreasonable one here." Lori said, noticing the looks Cassie and Shane were giving her. "Rick?" She asked with a look at him.

"I have my concerns too, but-" Rick tried to answer.

"There's no but. He was just shot." Lori interrupted him, raising her voice. Cassie's nostrils flared as she took in a deep breath but she managed to keep her mouth shut. "He's just back on his feet and he wants a gun?"

"Better than him being afraid of them." Rick reasoned. "There are guns in camp for a reason he should learn to handle them safely."

"I don't want my kid walking around with a gun." Lori argued.

"But how can you defend that?" Rick asked. "You can't let him go around without protection."

"He's as safe as he'll ever be right here." Lori said with a look around camp.

"Yet he managed to steal a gun right here, under your nose." Cassie said, a comment accidentally slipping. Lori rolled her eyes as she looked at Cassie. Cassie bit her lips closed and gave her a look that said she wasn't sorry.

Lori just shook her head as she looked back at Rick. "Look, everything you're saying makes perfect sense. It feels wrong. I mean I didn't feel good about him following you out into the woods. And I wish I'd said something. I should have gone with my gut."

"He's growing up, thank God."  Rick pointed out. "We've got to start treating him more like an adult."

"Then he needs to act like one." Lori snapped. "He's not mature enough to handle a gun."

"I'm not gonna play with it mom." Carl spoke up as he walked over to stand beside Cassie. "It's not a toy. I'm sorry I disappointed you, but I want to look for Sophia and I want to defend our camp. I can't do that without a gun." Cassie placed her hand on Carl’s back out of instinct.

Rick turned to Lori. "Shane is a good instructor. I've seen him teach kids younger than Carl." He told her then looked at Shane.

Cassie noticed Rick's eyes slip to her and give her a look that asked her to back him up. "He really is, surprisingly.” Cassie spoke up. “He gave me a refresher course so I could get certified in this state."

Rick gave Cassie a super discreet nod of thanks before he and Lori stared each other down.

After a few seconds Lori walked over to Carl and grabbed his chin in her hand, looking him pointedly in the eyes. "You will take this seriously and you will behave responsibly. And if I hear from anyone in this camp that you are not living up to our expectations-"

"He won't let you down." Rick interrupted her.

Carl looked at Rick then back to his mom. "yeah." Lori just looked from Rick to Carl and gave the boy a nod before she walked away.

TWDTWDTWD

After the main lesson on how guns work, where the safety's at, etc. the instructors, i.e. Rick, Shane, Cassie and T-Dog observed the students from behind. "Thank you, for earlier." Rick said, from where he stood beside Cassie, his hands on his hips.

"No problem." Cassie replied. "You know I'll always have your back."

Rick gave her a smile. "Yeah I know, but that's not what I'm thanking you for." His words made her give him a curious frown across her shoulder. "You wanted to blow up on Lori, call her out on her crap. I know the only reason you didn't is because you didn't want Carl to hear it." Cassie just gave him a soft smile, not knowing what to say. “I don't know why Lori tried to blame you for Carl stealing that gun, but she was wrong. You’re not our nanny anymore.”

As she turned her eyes back to the students she noticed Shane paying special attention to Andrea. "Could he be any more disgusting?" She thought out loud.

"You know Shane…" Rick sighed.

"At least this one's not married." She commented without thinking, then realized what she'd said. "Hey, Beth-" she spoke up, getting the young girl's attention as she started over to help her with aiming. In all reality Beth was doing an okay job. Cassie just needed an excuse to get away from Rick before he could ask what she was talking about.

TWDTWDTWD

Later that evening after getting in from searching for Sophia, Cassie sat on the floor of the tent. Her guitar in her lap as she played a lazy tune. “Sing for me?” Daryl asked, his voice low and gravely. She just dropped her gaze to the floor of the tent. “Hey,” she looked at him, “I’ve already heard ya sing. Ain’t like you can curse me twice.”

She took in a deep breath and blew it out through her nose. “Anything in particular you wanna hear?” she asked, giving in. He just shook his head no. So she started strumming a tune on the guitar. “White lips, pale face, breathing in the snowflakes, burnt lungs, sour taste.” Daryl watched the way her fingers strummed the guitar, the way her loose waves fell around her shoulder and how her brow creased when she hit certain notes. “The worst things in life come free to us 'cause we're just under the upper hand. And go mad for a couple grams. She don't wanna go outside tonight. And in a pipe she flies to the motherland or sells love to another man. It's too cold outside for Angels to fly. For an-”

“Cassie.” Rick’s voice outside the tent cut her off. So she set the guitar aside and moved onto her hands and knees, sticking her head outside the door flap. “A word, please.” She could tell by his hands on his hips and the deep crease in his brow that something was seriously wrong.

“Of course.” she replied as she stood up and turned to Daryl. “Hold that note?” she asked, hating that Rick was interrupting, but understanding that he obviously needed to talk. Daryl gave her a nod so she left the tent. “What’s up?” she asked with a frown at his stiffened stature.

Rick just looked around at all the tents, and the people sitting around the campfire. “Take a walk with me?” he asked so she gave him a nod. They walked in silence until they came to a pond out in the middle of a field, she noticed several bushes of Cherokee roses growing nearby. It was only when they stopped, standing on the pier, that he asked, “Did you know?”

Cassie just squinted at him in the setting sun with a shake of her head. “Know what?”

“About Lori and Shane?” he could tell by the way her face fell that she did. “Why didn’t you tell me?” he asked, clearly pissed.

“I wanted to.” she answered, feeling ashamed of herself. “But how was I supposed to tell you?” she asked, her eyes watering. “You love her, in spite of all the horrible things I’ve heard her yell at you. I couldn’t make myself destroy that.”

Rick walked over to a stone bench that sat next to the peer and sat down, placing his head in his hands with his elbows on his knees. Cassie walked over and sat down beside him. “She’s pregnant.”

Cassie just stared at the back of his hands that cupped his face for a minute. “What?” the question came out as a whisper.

“I found Plan B boxes in our tent when I got back to camp today.” he told her as he sat up and looked at her across his shoulder. “She took ‘em, but changed her mind and threw ‘em up.”

Cassie felt like her brain was short circuiting. There was so much she wanted to say and ask, but none of it was helpful or appropriate. "I…I don't know what to say…" she admitted with a shake of her head. "I wish I could say I'm surprised,"

"But you're not." He finished for her, turning his eyes to the ground.

"Not really, no." She answered. "Circumstances being what they are, I kinda doubt either of you used protection when you were with her." She pointed out, earning a look from Rick. "What? You hear and see things you wish you didn't when you live in such close proximity to people."

Rick just sighed and rested his head in his hands again. "What am I gonna do?"

Cassie thought about it, trying her best to find the right words to ease his worry. "Does…does Lori know who the father is? Like…how long has she known she's pregnant?" She asked in an attempt to gather enough information to make suggestions.

"I don't know, she didn't say." He answered without picking up his head. "But even if it's his…it ain't his."

Cassie just frowned at him, torn between understanding and being pissed that Shane might be robbed of the chance to care for his child…again. "He's gonna think it's his when he finds out. He's cocky like that. And I've seen the way he still looks at her…like a man obsessed."

"I know…I've seen it too." He admitted as he sat up and turned to face her on the bench. "I just couldn't let myself believe it."

“Who all knows…about Lori’s…condition?” she asked, awkwardly.

“Just me, you and Glenn.” he answered.

“So Shane doesn’t know?” she asked with a frown.

“No and we’d like to keep it that way.” Rick answered. “Glenn only knows because he got her the pills.”

“I can’t believe she would take those pills without talking to someone first.” Cassie scoffed. “Not that they would have done anything even if she didn’t throw them up. That’s not how Plan B works.” Things fell quiet for a moment, both of them lost in thought. "At least we're somewhere safe and we have Hershel to deliver the baby when the time comes." She was trying to be hopeful for his sake. But his face fell at her words. "What?"

"Now that Carl's better, Hershel wants us to leave." Rick told her, reluctantly.

"Does he not understand what he'll be sending us out into?" She asked herself more than him.

"I really don't think he does…" Rick answered, seeing fear in her eyes at the thought of being back out on the road. "Hey," he cupped her cheek in his hand, making her look into his sky blue eyes, "you don't have to worry. I'll keep you safe. I won't let him kick us off this farm. I'll talk to him, tell him Lori's pregnant, maybe it will convince him to let us stay."

Cassie's eyes softened as she slipped her hand over his then took it off her cheek to hold it in both of hers. "There you go again…" she said with a tilt of her head.

"There I go again…what?" He asked with a confused shake of his head.

"You put the weight of the world on your shoulders." She said with a furrow or her brow as she gave his hand a squeeze. "You don't have to." He let out a shaky breath as he dropped his eyes to his hand in hers. "And you don't have to shoulder it alone. Let me come with you to talk to Hershel."

"I appreciate the offer, but I don't think that would go over well." He said with a small smirk as he looked up at her. "You haven't exactly made the best first impression."

"So I'll watch my mouth and keep a level head." He countered and he deadpanned. "Then bring Lori with you to talk to him. She’s gotta be terrified of the idea of having a baby on the road. Maybe, if he sees that, he’ll think twice about making us leave." He just narrowed his eyes in thought before dropping them back down to his hand that she still held in hers. “Whatever you need, however I can help…just tell me.”

“Okay.” he said with a nod. Almost absentmindedly, he placed his hand over hers, slipping his thumb over the back of one of them, sending sparks through the skin. Things fell quiet again as they sat there like that, watching the sun setting over the tree line. “Wait, how do you know how plan B works?” Rick asked, curiously.

“My mother was sixteen when she got pregnant.” she pointed out. “There’s a reason I know exactly how to put a condom on a guy, how to get birth control and how to get my hands on Plan B if the occasion ever called for it.” she explained. “Not that I ever did, or have, needed any of that.”

“Wait, so you’re still…” Rick started to ask, but couldn’t make himself say the word.

“A virgin?” she asked with raised brows and he nodded. “Yeah. Why do you look so surprised?

“You hear and see things you wish you didn't when you live in such close proximity to people.” Rick said using her words from before.

“Oh.” she said with a blush as she dropped her eyes. “We’re just fooling around…taking it slow for now.”

“I don’t need to know.” Rick replied with a shake of his head that told her he was uncomfortable. “It’s bad enough I know you asked Glenn to get you condoms.”

“Wha-How do you know that? I specifically asked Glenn to keep it to himself.” she asked loudly.

“Yeah, I know, I overheard you tell him that the last thing you needed was for me or Shane to find out.” he answered and she gave him a glare. “He was headed to a pharmacy. Given your history, that only Shane and I know about…I was concerned.” she just stared at him. “I know it was an invasion of privacy, but-.”

“It’s fine.” she interrupted him.

“You’re angry.” he assumed.

“I’m not angry.” she argued. “And as always I thank you for looking out for me, but I do my best to forget about that particularly horrendous part of my past.”

“And I just dredged it up,” he said with an understanding nod. “I’m sorry. Come here.” He motioned her toward him so she scooted over and wrapped her arms around his waist, resting her forehead on the side of his shoulder. He hugged her back, tucking his face into her neck while one hand rested on her lower back and the other embedded itself into her soft waves. His fingertips massaging her scalp, ever so slightly, sent more sparks throughout her, but she forced herself to ignore it. The hug lasted a full minute at least before he pulled back, keeping his hands on her waist as he looked into her deep depths, the setting sun making them appear more orange than brown.

For the first time she could see how scared Rick was. He was scared of losing Lori, of how Shane would react, what this would do to the group and what would happen if he couldn't convince Hershel to let them stay. "It will be okay. We'll figure something out."

Hearing those words from her, words of reassurance, which was something he hardly got from Lori, was like a breath of fresh air. And in that moment he wanted nothing more than to kiss her. But, as his eyes slipped down to her lips he was reminded that not only was he married, but Cassie had Daryl. The man who’d swooped in in his absence and taken charge of Cassie’s well being. Not that she couldn’t take care of herself. Over the past few weeks he’d learned just how capable she was, all on her own. She didn’t need anyone, but she’d chosen Daryl and he was waiting for her back at camp.

Cassie was all too aware of him staring at her lips. He stared long enough to make her realize exactly what he was thinking about. And a part of her wanted him too. So many times she’d thought about what his lips would feel like on hers. How it would feel for his hands to caress her skin. But now? Now it would be even more wrong than it would have been before…back when she would play out the classic husband sleeping with the babysitter porn scenario in her head at night. Because now she had Daryl and the thought of hurting him, of cheating on him, made her sick to her stomach and brought tears to her eyes. She blinked them back while Rick continued to stare at her lips. When they were gone, she spoke. “Rick?”

He dropped his eyes to the overgrown grass and cleared his throat. “You should get back to camp.” he told her with a jerk of his chin in the right direction. “Before Daryl comes looking for you.”

She stood up and took a few steps before she stopped and turned back to him. “You should come too. It’s getting late.”

“Na, I’ll be right behind you. I just…I need a few minutes.” he told her, not even glancing up.

TWDTWDTWD

"What was that about?" Daryl asked as he watched Cassie sit back down on the floor of their tent. 

“He just needed to vent.” she answered as she picked up the guitar.

“I’n’t that what his wife is for?” he asked, jealousy clear in his tone. “Or his best friend?”

“Usually, but it’s kind of hard to vent to those people when they’re the ones he needs to vent about.” she answered as she started absentmindedly strumming a tune. “He found out about Shane and Lori.”

“Oh.” he said, realizing now he had no reason to be jealous.

“Yeah.” she sighed. “But at least now I don’t have to deal with the guilt of keeping that secret from him.” Seeing that the sun had almost completely sunk behind the tree tops, Cassie set the guitar aside, reached into the bag behind her and pulled out a shirt, only to realize it wasn’t her bag, but Daryl’s. She held a worn, brown plaid, button up shirt with the sleeves cut off in her hand. Getting an idea she stood up on her knees and zipped up the windows of the tent.

He could make out her silhouette and a few details in the dim lighting as he watched her strip out of her tank top and jean shorts, replacing them with his shirt that she buttoned the middle 3 buttons on. He admired her body as she sat down and leaned to the side, striking a match that she used to light the oil lamp that sat on the small stool in the corner of the tent. As the tent brightened she turned to look at him. “Fuck if that ain’t the hottest shit I’ve ever seen.” she just dropped her eyes with a blush and brushed her loose waves behind her ear. “Come ‘ere, Angel Eyes.” he told her with a jerk of his head.

His fingers threaded into her hair at her temple as she leaned down and caught his lips in a lingering kiss, humming when he lifted his head and deepened it. As they kissed she straddled his hips, being careful not to hurt his side. Daryl's hands grabbed her hips, rocking her into him. A sigh left his lips as she kissed down his jawline to his ear  “God I want you.” She whispered.

"I want you too, bot like this." He whispered as she kissed his neck. She pulled back, looking into his eyes with disappointment in hers. "I ain't gonna have your first time be shit because I'm too crippled to do it right." her face turned pouty. “Don’t worry. I’ll make it worth the wait.”

“You better.” she told him with a playful glare that made him smile before he caught her lips with his.

Everyone was almost finished packing up to head to the Greene farm when Daryl met Cassie, who was sitting on the back of his bike. He was clearly hiding something behind his back. "Found ya somethin'." A smile appeared on her face as he pulled a guitar out from behind his back. "Do you know "Simple Man"?" He asked.

"Uh huh." She answered not surprised he was a Skynyrd fan.

"Let's have it." He told her with a come-at-me motion of his hand.

"Daryl I…" She sighed and shook her head, "I know I made you a promise, but I don't think now is the best time." She argued, doing her best to get out of it.

"Alright, later then." He told her with a nod then got on the bike as she threw the strap of the guitar over her putting it on her back.

TWDTWDTWD

As they rode to the farm Cassie prayed that Carl was okay, that Shane had come back in one piece. When they pulled up outside the house they were greeted with Lori, Rick, Shane and the people who lived on the farm. Daryl noticed a funny look on Cassie’s face as she got off the motorcycle. "What's wrong?"

"Otis, the guy who left with Dad to get supplies for Carl's surgery, isn't here and his people look down while ours look relieved." Cassie explained and Daryl did a onceover of their greeting crowd.

"How is he?" Dale asked them.

"He'll pull through." Lori answered with a relieved smile and a nod. "Thanks to Hershel and his people."

"And Shane." Rick added with a look over his shoulder at Lori. "We'd have lost Carl if not for him." Rick looked at Cassie who turned her eyes to her father who was wearing overalls that were several sizes too big and his hair had been buzzed off.

Everyone sighed in relief at hearing that Carl would be okay, but Cassie was now worried about Shane. Her concern for her father only grew when at the memorial for Otis, Shane made a speech that had her wondering how much of what he'd said about how Otis was lost was the truth.

TWDTWDTWD

Later, Cassie, Daryl, Shane, Andrea, Rick and Hershel stood around the hood of Carol's suv. "How long has this girl been lost?" Hershel asked.

"This will be day three." Rick answered.

Maggie walked over and rolled a map out on the hood of the suv. "County survey map. It shows terrain and elevations." They weighed the corners of the map down with rocks.

"This is perfect." Rick started as they all looked at the map. "We can finally get this thing organized. We'll grid the whole area, start searching in teams."

"Not you, not today." Hershel spoke up. "You gave three units of blood. You wouldn't be hiking five minutes without passing out." Herself then looked at Shane. "And your ankle, push it now you'll be laid up for a month. No use to anybody."

"Guess it's just me." Daryl spoke up. "I'm gonna head back to the creek, work my way back from there."

"I can still be useful." Shane spoke up. "I'll drive up to the interstate, just in case Sophia wandered back."

"Alright, tomorrow then, we'll start doing this right." Rick replied.

"That means we can't have our people out there with just knives." Shane spoke up. "We need that gun training we've been promising."

"I'd prefer you not carry guns on my property." Hershel spoke up. "We've managed so far without turning this into an armed camp."

Cassie cut her eyes over at Rick then looked at Hershel. "With all due respect, I would personally be more comfortable if at the very least Rick and Shane were allowed to carry, seeing as they're law enforcement."

Hershel looked at Rick with a squint. "Cassie, it's fine." Rick told her as he took his pistol off his hip. "This is his property and we will respect that." Following his lead everyone including Cassie and Daryl surrendered their guns.

"Look, I hate to be the one to ask, but what happens if we find her and she's bit?" Shane asked. "I think we should all be clear on how to handle that."

Rick's face fell. "We do what we have to."

"And her mother, what do you tell her?" Maggie asked, looking like she disagreed.

"The truth." Cassie and Andrea answered at the same time. 

"I'll gather and secure all the weapons and make sure no one's carrying until we're at a practice range off site." Shane spoke up. "I do request one rifleman on lookout. Dale's got experience."

When Hershel didn't reply Rick turned toward him, "Our people would feel safer, less inclined to carry a gun." He reasoned with Hershel who finally gave them a nod. "Thank you."

"You comin'?" Daryl asked Cassie as he nudged her arm with his elbow.

"Yeah." She answered. "I'll catch up in a minute." Seeing that Shane was talking to Lori in front of where the RV had been parked Cassie waited by the car, overhearing that Glenn and Maggie would be doing a pharmacy run. When Shane and Lori were done talking she caught his attention. "You have a minute?"

"Yeah, what you got?" Shane answered, following her away from the group a bit.

"I uh…" she sighed, puffing out her cheeks before she let it go and ran her fingers through her loose waves. Shane squinted at her, a bit amused at her behavior. "This is awkward." Shane smirked and tilted his head. "I wanted to thank you for telling me all that stuff back at the church. All this time I've been holding a grudge against you for something that wasn't entirely your fault. The more I think about it the more I realize Mom really did keep you from me."

"I wasn't trying to turn your mom into the bad guy." Shane defended. "Or play the victim."

"No, I know." She replied. "But I realize now that I've been putting her on a pedestal and that's not fair of me." Shane made a face as if to say he agreed. "After you told me she wouldn't let you see me, it jogged my memory of some phone conversations I overheard. She told me she was arguing with her boss, but now I know that it was you on the other end of the phone." Shane frowned a little. "I just…" she shrugged, not knowing exactly how to say what she wanted to say. "You're the only parent I have left. So, maybe, I can learn how to not hate you."

Shane huffed out a breath with a smile. "I'd like that."

"I wanna start doing that by saying I am so, so, sorry for how I've treated you."

"Cassie, you don't have to apologize. Truth be told I've been taking my pent up aggravation at your mother out on you." Shane told her with a shake if his head.

"Yeah, well, truth be told I was such a brat I made it easy for you." She countered. "I never even thanked you for finding me that night at Shortie's party." Shane's face fell. "I always told myself you didn't care about me. But if you didn't care you would've let me lay there and die." Shane just pulled her into a hug. "I love you, dad."

"I love you too." He replied as she pulled back out of the hug.

"So, are you okay?" She asked.

"Yeah we're good." He answered thinking she was still talking about them.

"No, are you okay?" She asked with a glance up at his buzzed head and his face fell a little at her question. "You seem…off, for a lack of better word."

"I'm okay." He answered quietly.

She didn't believe him, but she let it go all the same. "If you say so."

She started to walk off but he stopped her, "You goin with Daryl?" He asked and she nodded. "Be careful, watch your back out there." He told her seriously.

She just gave him a two fingered salute and a nod before she turned and walked away.

Rick, in his and Lori's tent getting ready to head out, saw Cassie walk over to Glenn as Maggie left to go get their horses.

"Hey, you're going on a pharmacy run with Maggie, right?" She asked Glenn.

"Yeah, why?" He asked, squinting at her in the hot sun.

"There's something I need you to get for me while you're there." She explained.

"If you need feminine stuff Maggie would probably be the one to ask." He replied with a point over his shoulder.

"No it's not that." She told him with a shake of her head. "I need…" she looked around, seeing that T was a little too close to earshot for comfort, then stood on her tip toes and whispered in his ear.

"Oh." Glen said flatly before his brain caught up to her request and his eyebrows shot up, "Oh…You-."

"Can you keep this on the D.L.? If Shane or Rick catch wind of this my life will be ten times harder than it already is."

"Yeah, yeah, of course. Your secret's safe with me." He told her with an awkward nod.

"Thanks Glenn." She told him with an awkward nod of thanks then headed off to find Daryl.

Before he could leave the camp sight Rick ducked out of his tent. "Glenn."

"Yeah." Glenn said turning from where he'd been watching Maggie head over to them, two saddled horses at her sides.

"You're goin' in a run, right?" Rick asked and Glenn hummed. "You got a list?"

"Not yet, I think Lori's making one." Glenn answered.

"So Cassie didn't just give you one?" Rick asked.

"No, she just asked me to look for something." Glenn answered, accidentally saying too much.

"Which was?" Rick asked.

"Private." Glenn answered with an awkward upward inflection that made it sound more like a question. Rick deadpanned. "Look, I really don't want to break her trust."

Rick sighed and placed his hands on his hips. "Was it something that could get her hurt?"

"No. If anything it'll protect her." Glenn answered feeling as if he were digging himself I to a hole.

"I don't know what that means." Rick said with a squint at Glenn in the sun.

"It was condoms, okay?" Glenn finally answered just wanting the conversation to be over. Rick sighed and looked off into the distance. "And I'm going to get them for her no matter what you or Shane have to say about it."

Rick's eyes snapped back to Glenn. "Shane knows?"

"No, but she seemed freaked at the idea of either of you finding out she wanted them." Glenn answered. "She's a grown woman and smart and I'd hate to see her get knocked up or an std just because you and Shane are too protective."

"You think I'm too protective of her?" Rick asked with an amused smirk at how Glenn was defending Cassie.

"If you try to stop me, yeah." Glenn answered.

"I'm not gonna try to stop you." Rick told him. "Get her what she asked for." He clapped his hand down on Glenn's shoulder as he walked past him.

TWDTWDTWD

Cassie and Daryl gathered their gear and were walking past the front porch of the farm house, headed out to look for Sophia when Rick’s voice pulled them to a stop. “Cassie!” she stopped and turned back to see him walking over.

“What’s up?” she asked as she and Daryl met him halfway.

Rick just looked at Daryl. “Can I have a minute with her?” he asked. Daryl rolled his eyes with a scoff, but walked off.

“Is Carl okay?” Cassie asked with a squint in the bright sun.

“Yeah, he’s fine.” Rick answered. “It’s you I’m worried about.” Cassie gave him a confused shake of her head. “I know you want to help find Sophia, but I’m not sure you and Daryl goin’ out there, just the two of you, is a good idea.”

“Really?” Cassie asked with an agitated tilt of her head. “How many times do I have to prove that I can handle myself out there?”

“I know you can.” Rick pointed out. “Going hunting in the mountains and shooting a few walkers in a convenience store is one thing. Searching in the same woods that Sophia was lost in, woods that a herd of walkers recently passed, is another.”

“I’m not a twelve year old. I’ll be fine.” She assured him with raised brows.

“We’ve got a base. We can get this search properly organized now.” Rick argued.

“Right, and until then Daryl and I are going to spend what time we can doing what we can to find her.” Cassie argued. “You, of all people, know time is of the essence.” she told him with a stern face. “We’re goin’.” she turned and took a few steps before he grabbed her hand softly and she turned to look back at him, not taking her hand from his.

“Just…make sure looking for Sophia is all you two do out there. I'm not judging you or him.” he told her a bit stiffly. "I was young once, I remember how easy it is to get caught up in a moment."

All agitation melted away when she looked into his eyes and hhe had to bite her lips closed at his comment. Oddly enough, she appreciated his concern and when she let her lips slip from between her teeth, a quiet laugh left them. "Do you trust me?"

"Of course." He answered.

Knowing he’d seen Bambi and that he’d get the reference she simply replied, “Then believe me when I say I'm not going to lose my head just because I’m twitterpated.”

“Funny.” he replied flatly, not amused.

“I thought so." She said with a smirk and a tilt of her he'd then grabbed his face in her hands and looked him in the eyes seriously. "Stop worrying about me. I’ll be fine." She stood on her toes and pecked him on the nose then turned and started walking toward Daryl who was waiting for her off in the distance.

“What was that about?” Daryl asked as they fell into stride beside one another.

“Just Rick being Rick.” she answered dismissively.

“You mean he was being over protective.” Daryl corrected.

“I didn’t say that.” she countered. “Rick is just lookin’ out for me. He always has. I’m sure after doing it for so long it’s a hard habit to break.”

From then on Cassie and Daryl searched the woods in comfortable silence other than calling out for Sophia every once in a while. Eventually they came upon an abandoned house and after searching inside to no avail Daryl spotted some wild flowers. "What are they?" Cassie asked Daryl where he kneeled down looking at the white flowers.

"They're Cherokee roses." He answered then proceeded to tell her the story behind them and how they now represent the tears of a grieving mother. "Would it offend you if I brought one to Carol?"

"No. Of course not." Cassie answered. "I think it might just be what she needs to lift her spirits a bit." With that being said Daryl picked one. 

TWDTWDTWD

When they got back to the farm Daryl went to give Carol the rose and Cassie went to find Glenn. "Hey, how'd the pharmacy run go?" She asked as she walked over to him.

"Good, we cleared it of the last of the antibiotics." He answered then pulled a white paper bag out of his back pocket. "And I got what you asked for."

"Awesome." Cassie said as she took it from him and tucked it into her back pocket, pulling her shirt tail over it. "Thanks again."

After tucking the pharmacy sack away in her bag she headed into the house to pop in on Carl. Rick was in the room with him, sitting in a chair beside the bed, staring off into space with a tired look on his face. She knocked softly on the doorframe to get his attention. "Hey." He greeted her sleepily. "Any luck?"

"We found an abandoned house and it looked like someone had been there recently, but there's really no way to know if it was her or not." Cassie answered quietly as she walked into the room. "How is he?" She asked with a look down at Carl where he laid asleep in the bed.

"He's in and out." Rick answered and things fell quiet for a few moments as Cassie carefully sat down on the foot of the bed.

"Cassie?" Carl's groggy voice asked.

"Hey, Buddy." She said with a smile as she walked in and gently sat down on the bed beside him. "How you feelin'?"

"I'll be okay." He answered, playing the part of a strong man. She just smiled and brushed his sweaty hair out of his face. "Did you find Sophia?" He asked. "Dad said you went looking for her."

"No…" she answered quietly. "But we're not gonna stop until we find her okay? You just get some rest."

"Kay." Carl answered with a nod then closed his eyes.

Cassie smiled to herself, relieved to see that he was getting better.

TWDTWDTWD

Both freshly showered, Cassie sat on her side of the pallet Daryl had made in the middle of their tent. The guitar he'd found sat in her lap while Daryl laid beside her watching her tune it. When it was tuned she started playing "simple man" but when Daryl realized she had played the same part several times without singing he touched her knee, stopping her. She kept her eyes on the blanket she sat on. "Hey," his soft tone made her look at him, "I ain't gonna die, just 'cause you sing for me."

"Okay." She closed her eyes, took in a deep breath, blew it out through pursed lips then opened her eyes and looked at the guitar in her lap. This time after strumming the first few notes she started singing. Daryl sat quietly, listening to her sweet, but powerful voice intently. After a minute she stopped, "I'm sorry, that's all I can remember right now."

Speechless, Daryl sat up and hooked his hand around the back of her neck, pulling her down for a kiss. As the kiss deepened Cassie blindly set the guitar aside and moved to straddle him. His hand stayed on her neck as he laid back and used his other hand to hold her waist.

She placed one hand on the pallet to brace herself as the other traveled the contours of his chest and stomach. Eventually she grabbed his chin and turned his head to the side, allowing her to trail kisses across his cheek, down his neck to a spot just above his collarbone where she swirled her tongue then grazed her teeth over the sensitive skin earning a pleasured hum from him. She moved back to his lips before she sat up and looked down at him with a lust that was mirrored back in his as she pulled her shirt over her head.

His hands went to her sides, expecting her to lean back down. Instead he watched her bite her bottom lip as she reached back with both hands and unhooked the clasps of her bra. The straps fell off her shoulders before she finished taking it off and dropped it to the side. With a heart that was beating a mile a minute she grabbed his right wrist and slid it up, silently telling him she wanted him to touch her.

A gasp left her lips as he sat up, wrapping one arm around her waist while the other hand cupped her breast before his lips caught hers in a needy kiss. The moan that his touch pulled from her lips was thankfully muffled by him. When he kissed his way to her chest and swirled his tongue around the peak of her breast her head fell back as a sigh escaped her lips. His actions sent a shockwave straight to her core. Her hands held the back of his head, her fingers embedded in his soft clean hair.

Meanwhile, in the house upstairs, Rick stood at the window of Carl's room, staring out into the night in contemplation. After watching Lori disappear into their tent his eyes wandered their camp, a movement caught his eye. As he looked closer he could easily make out Cassie's silhouette in her tent. But as the silhouette moved he realized it wasn't just Cassie, but Cassie and Daryl. Her head was leaned back while Daryl's head moved at her chest. As he watched a pit of anger grew inside him and his eyes turned glaring.

Back in their tent Cassie picked her head up and Daryl caught her lips with his as he laid back on the pallet, taking her down with him. As they made out, his hands fondled her chest, pulling sighs from her lips. "God, Daryl." She whispered, breaking their kiss before she started peppering kisses over his neck to the sweet spot just above his left collarbone. She sucked there lightly, pulling a groan from him before she kissed down his chest, repositioning herself to sit on her knees between his legs. He just watched as she kissed down his stomach then sat up and grabbed the button of his jeans but didn't undo it. "Is it okay if I…?" He gave her a nod before she finished the question.

So she unbuttoned his jeans, carefully pulled the zipper down then hooked her fingertips under the band of his boxers and pulled them down until he finally sprang free from the confinement of his jeans. He smirked, ever so slightly, when her eyes grew wide at the sight of him. Nervous but aching to please him she reached out and gently picked it up from where it rested on his lower stomach. Just that action alone pulled a shaky breath from him.

She'd thought about simply giving him a handjob, but now that she'd seen him her mouth was watering. So, desperate to taste him, she leaned down and licked him from base to tip. The action pulled a deep grunt from him that only fueled her fire and gave her the confidence she needed to continue. "Fuck, Cassie." He gasped after she sucked him into her mouth, using her tongue to flick along the underside as she bobbed her head. After a few minutes he managed to say, "I'm close."

She stopped long enough to give him a challenging smirk then swirled her tongue around the tip before sucking him back into her mouth. A few bobs of her head later a strained groan bubbled up from deep in his throat as he exploded in her mouth gagging her when it hit the back of her throat. She quickly recovered and waited until she was sure he was done then pulled back, swallowed and laid down beside him. He zipped and buttoned his pants back then looked across his shoulder at her.

The slightly reddened tint of her lips made him turn onto his side and cup her cheek in his hand, running his thumb over her bottom lip. She gave him a soft smile before he caught her bottom lip between his and grabbed her side, pulling her closer. After a minute of making out he gave her hip a soft push, putting just enough space between them for his hand to slip over the slick material of her athletic shorts. The feel of his hand where no one had ever touched her before pulled a hum from her lips. Daryl pulled back, silently asking if he'd gone too far.

"Keep going." She whispered.

He brought his hand back up to cup her cheek. "Tell me to stop and I'll stop."

"Okay." She nodded before he captured her lips between his. As they kissed her hand held the back of his neck and his slid from her face to her chest, paying each breast a bit of attention before moving further down into her shorts. Her breath hitched as his middle finger slipped between her slick folds. When he started slowly circling his finger around she broke the kiss and rested her forehead on his. After a few minutes he stopped, earning a sound of disappointment from her.

He just smirked down at her as he stood on his knees, removed her shorts and boyshorts panties, then moved between her legs, hovered over her and pecked her lips before moving to her neck. Kisses were slowly trailed down her body, sending tingles through her until he got to her core. The feel of his warm wet tongue caused a sharp gasp from her to fill their tent as her hands fisted the blankets at her sides.

When she'd grown used to that new sensation and little sighs and quiet moans came from her he stopped, making her look down at him as slipped a finger inside her, up to his first knuckle before he stopped, silently asking for permission. As soon as she gave him a nod he went back to pleasuring her. With just a few curls of the digit, buried deep inside her and flicks of his tongue she slapped a hand over her mouth in an attempt at keeping her orgasm from being heard by the entire camp. He sat up and watched her come down off her high, loving the sight of it, then moved to his bag, grabbed a clean red rag, wet it and wiped his mouth then handed it to her.

She took it, cleaned up, put her panties and shorts back on then laid down beside him where he laid with his hands tucked behind his head. He wrapped an arm around her shoulders as she rested her hand on his chest. "What happened to taking it slow?"

"You complainin'?" She asked with a smirk and a look up at him.

"Hell no." He answered with a shake of his head, his voice a little gravely. "Are you?"

Cassie gave him a closed lipped smile as she sat up and straddled him. His eyes slipped down to her naked torso for a few seconds as his hands found her sides. "Im'ma steal your words and say hell no." She answered as her hands roamed his bare chest. "To answer your first question, I still wanna take it slow, but," she fell forward and kissed the demon tattoo on the inner bicep of his right arm, "I don't think you know what looking at your arms all day does to me." then up over his shoulder. "Its torture."

Daryl rolled them over so he was on top. "You wanna talk about torture?" He asked and her eyes darkened as she smiled and bit her bottom lip. "Torture is every time you look at me with those sexy little angel eyes." He moved around so that his forearm was resting next to her head, his fingers slipping through her hair. She wrinkled her nose when he kissed it then hummed when he grabbed her thigh and pulled her leg up close to his hip. Her hands slipped around to press into his back as he ground his hips into her. The feel of him against her core combined with his lips on her neck pulled a quiet moan from her. "Don't take this as me pushin' you, but are you takin' birth control or anything?"

"No, I can't take birth control. So," she answered as she reached over into her bag nearby and fished around until she found the white paper bag covered box, "don't take this as me saying I'm ready, but I asked Glenn to grab these today." She pulled the blue and purple Durex box out of the bag, showing it to him. Daryl quietly laughed and shook his head. "What?"

"I made a request too." He sat up on his knees, reached into his back pocket and pulled out a condom. "I thought it was weird he only gave me one." He tossed the foil packet to the side. "Now I know it was because you were one step ahead of me. Should've known you know how to take care of yourself." 

Cassie smiled as he fell down, catching himself on his hands beside her shoulders. "And I should have known you're not one of those idiots that rely on the pull out method."

"Na, I want us to have fun, not ruin your life." Getting tired, and seeing sleep in her eyes he moved to lay on his back, holding his arm out for Cassie. She smiled at how clingy he was at night and tucked herself into his side, draping her leg over his as he wrapped his arm around her.

TWDTWDTWD

“Alright.” Rick started as the map was rolled out on the hood of Carol’s suv. “Everyone’s getting new search grids today. If she made it as far as the farmhouse Daryl and Cassie found she might have gone further east than we’ve been so far.”

“I’d like to help.” Jimmy, one of Hershel’s group, said as he joined them. “I know the area pretty well and stuff.”

“Hershel’s okay with this?” Rick asked.

“Yeah, yeah. He said I should ask you.” Jimmy answered.

“Alright then. Thanks.” Rick said then turned back to the map.

“Nothing about what Daryl and Cassie found screams Sophia to me.” Shane spoke up. “Anyone could have been hold up in that farmhouse.”

“Anybody includes her, right?” Andrea asked.

“Whoever slept in that cupboard was no bigger than yay-high.” Daryl added.

“It’s a good lead.” Andrea told Daryl and Cassie.

“Maybe we'll pick up her trail again.” Rick told them with a reassuring nod.

“No maybe about it.” Daryl said as he leaned over to look at the map. “I’m gonna borrow a horse, head up to this ridge right here, take a bird’s eye view of the whole grid. If she’s up there we’ll spot her.”

“Good idea.” T-Dog said. “Maybe you’ll see your chupacabra up there too.”

“Chupacabra?” Rick asked with an amused raise of his brows and Cassie smirked.

“You never heard this?” Dale asked and Rick shook his head no. “Our first night at camp, Daryl tells us that the whole thing reminds him of the time he went squirrel hunting and he saw a chupacabra.”

Jimmy laughed.

“What are you braying at, Jackass?” Daryl asked him.

“So you believe in a blood sucking dog?” Rick asked.

“You believe in dead people walking around?” Daryl countered.

Jimmy reached for the rifle sitting on the hood of the suv. “Hey, hey. You ever fire one before?” RIck asked as he took it out of his hand.

“Well, if I'm going out I want one.” Jimmy answered.

“Yeah, and people in hell want slurpees.” Daryl said as he tossed his crossbow over his back. He looked at Cassie. “You comin’?”

“You said you were taking a horse?” she asked and he nodded. “I think I’ll hang out here today. Lori slept in, the laundry’s stacking up, and Carol wants to cook dinner for Hershel’s family.”

“She’s scared of horses.” Rick said with a look at Daryl over his shoulder.

“I’m not scared of them. I just don’t particularly like them.” she defended as she crossed her arms over her chest.

“Because you’re scared of them.” Shane argued from where he still sat sideways in the passenger seat of the suv with the door open.

“Okay fine, I’m scared of them, but only because they’re big and dirty and they have a tendency to bite and kick.” she admitted making them all smirk at how ridiculous she was being.

“How’s that any different than him?” T-Dog asked with a point to Daryl.

Cassie just deadpanned at him while Shane and Rick chuckled. Daryl walked over and took her hand pulling her a little ways away from the group. “Horses ain’t nothin’ to be scared of.” he reasoned. "Besides you rode one the other day with Maggie."

“I got kicked by one when I was a kid. I don’t mess with horses.” she told him sternly with a shake of her head. "And that was an emergency situation."

“Okay.” he told her with a nod not wanting to pressure her. “See you when I get back.” he placed his hand, that wasn’t holding the strap of his bow, on her waist then bent down and pressed a kiss to her forehead.

“Be safe out there.” she told him with a look up at him.

“Promise.” he told her before he headed to the stables and she headed to join the other women in hanging up the laundry.

TWDTWDTWD

Worry started to build in the pit of Cassie's stomach when lunch time came and went and Daryl still hadn't returned. Rick found her taking her and Daryl's clothes off the line. "Can I talk to you for a minute?" He asked.

Cassie noticed the deep crease in his brow. "Of course." She answered as she finished folding her shirt then tossed it into a basket. Rick grabbed her hand and led her over to the nearby picnic table. "What's wrong?" She asked as they sat down on the bench facing one another.

"Do you think Sophia's a cat in a tree?" He asked.

Cassie frowned and shook her head. "I don't understand what you're asking."

"Are we wasting time and resources…putting our people in danger for a lost cause?" He asked.

Cassie tilted her head at him and bit her lips closed in thought. "Is that what you think?"

"No…" he sighed and rubbed at his temples. "It's what Shane thinks. He said I need to start making the hard decisions, thinkin' about the math. Alive or dead, Sophia only matters to the degree in which she doesn't drag the rest of us down."

"Yeah…that sounds like him." She sighed as she ran her hand through her hair pushing her loose waves out of her face.

"I just…I can't abandon her." Rick told her quietly. "If it was Carl out there…I'd need to find him…I'd need to know if he was alive or not."

Cassie put her elbow on the table and made a fist, pressing her lips to the back of her fingers in thought. After a minute she dropped her hand and looked at him. "I know Shane's a dick-"

"Don't tell me you agree with him." Rick interrupted her.

"I don't." She told him with a pointed look. "I understand why we're fighting so hard to find her. A parent should have closure in situations like this, but sometimes it just doesn't happen and there's nothing anyone can do about it." She pointed out.

He sighed and put his elbow on the picnic table, covering his eyes with his hand. She knew it wasn't what he wanted to hear, he was being Rick, fighting to keep hope alive. "I'm not saying we stop looking for her today or tomorrow or even the day after that." She gently took his hand from his face and held it in hers as she looked him in the eyes. "I'm just saying that nothing is ever completely black or completely white. Shane's not entirely right and you're not entirely wrong." Rick gave her hand a squeeze as he looked her in the eyes. "Sometimes the gray area is the right place to be."

"Yeah…maybe." He sighed as he dropped his eyes from hers to look down at their hands. Her eyes looked at them too and as his thumb caressed the back of her hand, making her heart skip a beat and her stomach flutter.

"Walker!" Andrea yelled from where she sat on top of the rv on watch, pulling them out of the moment.

They both ran toward the RV. "Is it just the one?" Rick asked.

Andrea grabbed the binoculars and looked then dropped them and grabbed a shot gut. "I bet I can nail it from here."

"No. Andrea put the gun down." Rick told her as Glenn, Shane and T-Dog came over.

"You best let us handle this." Shane told her walking over with a pickaxe in his hand.

"Shane, hold up." Rick told him. "Hershel wants to deal with walkers."

"What for, man? We got it covered." Shane replied, still heading toward the pasture.

"Damn it." Rick scoffed and grabbed his gun out of the camper then followed Shane, Glenn, Cassie and T-Dog, as they all started running out to the field.

When they got close they realized it was Daryl. He looked like he had been through hell. They all stopped, Rick with his gun still raised. "That's the third time you've pointed that thing at my head. You gonna pull the trigger or what?" Daryl asked, out of breath and pissed. Rick dropped his gun, realizing Daryl wasn't a walker. But a shot was fired, knocking Daryl backwards.

“No!” Cassie cried, frozen in shock for a few seconds while Shane and Rick jumped into action.

They both took an arm picking him up. "I was kidding." Daryl grumbled before he passed out.

Dale and Andrea met up with them as Shane and Rick dragged Daryl who'd passed out. “Oh my god. Is he dead?” Andrea asked.

“Unconscious.” Rick answered. “You just grazed him.”

“But look at him. What the hell happened?” Glenn asked. “He’s wearing ears.”

Rick looked at the shoe string of ears and pulled them off of Daryl’s neck, tucking them into his shirt pocket. “Let’s keep that to ourselves.”

Cassie just walked along with them, too shocked to speak. “Guys.” T-Dog said, making them stop to look at him to see him holding up a doll. “Isn’t this Sophia’s?”

“Dad.” Cassie said, getting Shane’s attention, her eyes trained on the makeshift bandage wrapped around his waist. The material at his side was soaked through with fresh blood. “His side…”

“Let’s get him to Hershel.” Shane said as he and Rick resumed carrying Daryl to the farmhouse. Once they got close Hershel ushered Rick and Shane into a bedroom, shutting the door before she could go in.

“They’ll take care of him.” Lori told her from behind her and she turned to see that Andrea and Glenn were in the hallways as well.

“Who the fuck gave your dumb ass a gun?” Cassie snapped at Andrea.

“Don’t be like that.” Lori told her. “She didn't mean to shoot him.”

“And that is precisely why she shouldn’t have a gun.” Cassie told Lori with a point at Andrea. “She doesn’t know how to handle it.”

“I can shoot just fine.” Andrea defended herself. “The sun was in my eyes.”

“I said nothing about your ability to shoot. Although that’s questionable too, thank God.” Cassie argued loudly. “I said you couldn't handle it, as in the responsibility. There is more to using a gun than aiming and pulling the trigger. You have to know exactly what you’re aiming at and be damn sure that pulling that trigger is the right choice.”

“Cassie, you need to stop.” Lori tried to calm her down.

“No.” Cassie told Lori then looked back at Andrea. “You need to understand that using a gun isn’t about feeling empowered or being a badass or trying to prove to everyone that you can handle yourself.” Cassie said as she took a step closer to Andrea who took a step back. “It’s about protection…survival. Killing animals or walkers.” The shot ringing out, Daryl falling, replayed in her head, sparking a burning fury inside her. “Not only was Daryl not a walker but he was surrounded by people who were without a doubt living humans, your group members! The sun was in your fucking eyes you could have killed one of them!”

“Cass.” Shane’s voice behind her made her turn to see him standing in the open door of the room. He jerked his head for her to join them. She walked into the room to see Daryl shirtless, the makeshift bandage gone.

He was still out, laying on his side while Hershel stiched up a hole in his back. “No major organs or arteries were punctured. He’s going to be fine.” Hershel told her and she heaved out a sigh of relief. “And I’d appreciate it if you’d watch your mouth while under my roof.”

“Sorry, Mr. Greene.” She apologized, looking up at Shane and they shared a smirk, both of them knowing where she got the foul language from.

Needing to be close to him Cassie moved to sit at Daryls head on the side he was facing. Rick left and came back with a map eager to find out what information Daryl had about Sophia. 

"I didn't want you in here, but since you are here." Hershel handed her a folded pad of white linen. "Hold this on his head to slow the bleeding." She took it and gently moved Daryl's head to rest on the side of her knee as she pressed the pad over the mark Andrea's bullet made.

He came too with a jerk and a wild look in his eye.

"Hey, you're okay. I'm right here." She instinctively soothed him and when he realized he was safe he let his head fall back down on her knee. She gently brushed his hair back off his forehead and away from the sore before she put the pad back on it.

"Who the hell shot me?" Daryl asked with a glare off into the distance then flinched and glared down at Hershel who continued stitching him up.

"Andrea." Shane answered.

"I suggest we steer clear of that subject for now." Rick said as he walked into the room and rolled the map out on the bed. Daryl picked his head up and propped it up with his hand and elbow. "How bout you tell us about this?" He tossed the doll onto the bed.

“I found that doll washed up on the creek bed right there.” Daryl told Rick with a point at the map. "She must have dropped it crossing there somewhere.” Hershel continued stitching up the other hole on Daryl’s side.

“That cuts the grid almost in half.” Rick said with a look over his shoulder at Shane who sat behind him in a chair against the wall.

“Yeah, you’re welcome.” Daryl said with a look up at Cassie before he turned to look at his side.

“How’s he lookin’?” Rick asked with a look at Hershel.

“I had no idea we’d be going through the antibiotics so quickly.” Hershel answered as he cut the string, finishing with Daryl’s stitches before moving to the wash basin to wash his hands. “Any idea what happened to my horse?”

“You mean the one that tried to kill me?” Daryl asked. “If it’s smart it left the country.”

Cassie couldn’t help but smirk as she watched Rick start rolling up the map. “We call that one Nelly.” Hershel told him as Daryl closed his eyes and laid his head back down on Cassie’s lap. “As in Nervous Nelly. I could have told you she’d throw you if you’d bothered to ask. It’s a wonder you people have survived this long.”

Rick and Shane left while Hershel stayed and finished bandaging Daryl’s stitches and head. “Don’t get those wet.” Hershel told him.

Daryl just hummed and laid back down, putting his hand back in Cassie’s lap as Hershel left. Content to just let him rest Cassie started playing with his hair soothingly. Daryl sighed at the relaxing sensation and she smiled to herself. After a few minutes his breathing changed and not long after his quiet snores filled the room. So she slipped from the bed, laying his head on a pillow. She brushed his hair off of his forehead before placing a soft kiss to the dirty skin and going back down stairs.

TWDTWDTWD

Aside from the scraping of forks on plates, the dining room was dead silent. People just looked around awkwardly or stared off in thought. “Uh, Cassie,” Glenn said, getting her attention and she looked up from where she was eating on the floor next to the kiddy table where he, Maggie, Jimmy and Beth sat. “was that you I heard playing the guitar and singin’ the other night?”

“Yeah, why?” she asked around a bite of ham.

“It just…really quiet.” he replied. “Thought some music might help.”

“I’ll play, if people want, but I’m not singing.” she answered.

“I’ll sing.” Beth spoke up.

“That won’t be necessary.” Hershel spoke up, shutting the whole thing down.

“Heavy awkward silence it is then.” Glenn sighed as he turned back to his plate.

“You tried.” Cassie told him with a half smile and a shrug.

As soon as she was done eating Cassie brought her plate and fork to the kitchen. Carol came in after her and started fixing another plate with the extras that were in the kitchen. “Do you care if I bring Daryl up some dinner?” Carol asked meekly.

Cassie gave her a confused look. “Why are you asking me?”

“I know you two have a…thing, goin’ on.” Carol told her. “I just don’t want to step on your toes or anything.”

Cassie laughed. “You’re not stepping on my toes.”

“Alright, just didn’t know after the way you reacted earlier…yelling at Andrea and all that.” Carol told her as she put a glass of juice on a tray.

“I’m protective, not possessive.” Cassie told her with a smirk. “You’re a grown woman, he's a grown man. You don’t need my permission to talk to him.” she said with a wave toward the stairs. 

"Ok." Carol told her then picked up the tray and walked away.

Cassie chuckled quietly to herself with a shake of her head as she grabbed Carol's dishes and started washing them. She was almost done when Rick came in with his and Lori's and started washing them. "I can get that." She told him as she reached for the dishes.

"The cook shouldn't clean." He argued as he pulled them back.

"Fine, I'll rinse." She sighed and he shook his head.

"So, you sang the other night?" Rick asked and she just hummed a positive answer. "What happened to the whole 'my voice is a curse' line you fed me?" He asked.

"I still believe it." She replied, taking a dish he handed her.

"But you'll sing for Daryl?" He asked.

"He asked me to and I told him the same thing I told you, but he kept insisting. So, I told him if he found me a guitar I'd sing." She explained.

"And he found a guitar." He guessed.

"And I don't break my promises." She finished.

"If I find you a pick for that guitar, will you sing for me?" He asked.

"Nope." She answered, popping the p at the end of the word.

"Aw come on, why not?" He asked, his voice jumping it pitch the way it always did when he picked with her, making her smile.

"Because, I know you keep a pick, autographed by Hank Williams jr, in your wallet for luck. And Lori kept your wallet." She answered as she rinsed the dish and set it in the drainer. "I'm flattered though."

Carol and a few other ladies came into the kitchen making it a little crowded. So Rick left and the women started cleaning up. When they were done Cassie headed up to check on Daryl. She found him lying on his good side, his back to the door that she closed behind her. He looked over his shoulder at the sound. "You haven't touched your dinner."

"I ain't hungry." He answered then looked back at the wall across the room.

"You gonna make me play nurse?" She asked as she sat down on the bed behind him. When he didn't say anything she worried she'd done something wrong, but he'd been through hell so she didn't press the matter. "Okay, I'll let you get some rest then."

When he felt the bed shift he turned to see her headed for the door. "Why you leavin'?"

She stopped and turned back to him. She hummed an I don't know. "Got the feelin' you wanted space."

"Come 'ere." He waved her over and patted the bed in front of him. So she walked around and laid down across from him. Daryl pulled her close. "I don't want space, not from you."

"Just everyone else?" She asked.

"I ain't used to people takin' care of me." He answered. "Under any other circumstances I'd still be out there, fightin' for my life on my own."

A few quiet moments passed. "You know why you're not on your own anymore, right?" She asked and he didn't answer. "Because you're worth caring for and people can see that now." Daryl's eyes softened. "So let them." He simply pulled her closer and nuzzled his face into her neck.

After a few minutes a knock came from the door before it opened and both of them looked toward it to see Beth, standing meekly in the doorway. "Cassie, my dad said you can't stay in here tonight."

"Why not?" Cassie asked with a frown.

"Unwed couples don't share rooms." She answered.

"Are you kidding me?" Cassie asked and Beth shook her head. "I swear…I'm living in Amish country." She complained as she rolled out of the bed onto her feet then stood. She was headed for the door when she heard Daryl grunt. "What are you doin'?" She asked when she saw him pushing himself up.

"Comin' with you." He grunted, as he swung his legs to hang over the side of the bed.

"No. You need to stay in bed and rest. Sleeping on the floor in a tent won't do your side any favors." She argued as she moved to kneel in front of him, resting her hand on his knees. Beth walked away, giving them some space. He glared at her, determination in his eyes. "Fine. Come on." She stood and hooked her arm around his back and he threw his arm over her shoulders.

She helped him to his tent where they bedded down and he fell asleep with her tucked into his chest.

"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.

"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.

RRRRRRRRRR

“Maisie, there you are. We were worried about you.” Mary said as she took Maisie’s hand and pulled her into her chambers and away from the man escorting her.

“Where have you been?” Kenna asked.

“I was in the stables, Bash and I were supposed to go riding.” Maisie answered, then looked at Mary. “What is going on, who is Count Vincent and how did he gain control of the castle?”

“Not even a year ago King Henry was at war with the Italians. He held Count Vincent's son, Roberto, for ransom. After the count paid for Roberto he died before he made it home. Count Vincent has returned for restitution. And he wants all of us to join him for a feast this evening.” Mary filled her in. “Have you seen Greer?”

“No.” Maisie answered. “Have you seen Bash? He never arrived at the stables.”

Mary shook her head no.

After waiting for hours to hear something a knock came from the door and one of the counts men let Greer inside. She was dressed in common clothes with her hair braided back out of her face. A tray of food was in her hands. She bowed before the door was shut and she set down the tray on the table by the door. “Greer, are you alright?” Lola asked.

“I can’t stay long. I’ve been in the kitchen.” Greer explained as Kenna and Maisie hugged her, relieved that she was okay.

“Why are you dressed like a servant?” Kenna asked.

“Servants are invisible. I thought I’d be safer as one of them so I borrowed some clothes.” Greer explained as Kenna and Maisie let her go.

“So you’re actually working in the kitchen?” Kenna asked.

“Trying to work. I’m making rather a mess of it.” Greer answered. “What’s going on up here? Are you alright?”

“For the moment.” Lola answered. “All we can do is wait to find out if the queen and Francis will strike a bargain with the count.”

“But I have never been good at waiting.” Mary stepped in.

“Tell us something we don’t know.” Maisie mumbled, getting a smirk from Greer and Kenna.

“Stay here.” Mary told her ladies then headed to her bed chamber.

“Where are you going?” Maisie asked as she followed after her.

“I know a safe way out of the castle through these tunnels.” She explained. “I’m going to mark it with chalk and then I'm going to meet with Catherine and figure out how to get all of us out of here.” she opened a secret door behind her dressing screen then disappeared inside.

RRRRRRRRRR

After visiting Catherine, Mary returned and filled her ladies in. Catherine had offered the count Mary's hand so that he could have new, royal Ares, but Francis offered himself. It was clear after that, that Count Vincent aimed to end the Valois line. So the two queens devised a plan. 

During the count’s feast, after all the maids, servants, women and children had made it out through the passageways, Mary would make an excuse to get them all out of the dining room so they too could escape. 

Maisie placed her hand over her stomach at the news of Count Vincent's intentions. Mary noticed. "Maisie, I know this is going to be difficult and that you're scared, but I assure you, we will all make it out safely."

"It's not myself I'm frightened for." Maisie argued. "If the count intends on ending the Valois line that includes Bash. What if they know his connection to the king, what if they've already-?" She couldn't make herself finish the sentence.

"I'm sure he's fine." Mary tried to comfort her friend. "He's probably hiding away somewhere."

A knock came from the door, it opened and one of the counts men stepped in. “I’m looking for Lady Maisie. I was told she would be with Queen Mary.” Kenna, Lola, Maisie and Aylee grouped together, holding onto one another.

“Who sent you for her?” Mary asked.

“Is she here, or not?” the man snapped.

“That depends on what you want from her.” Mary snapped back.

The man placed his hand on his sword and took a step forward. “Mary, it’s fine, I’ll go.” Maisie said as she stepped out of her friends hold on her. The man motioned her out of the door so she did as asked. “May I please know what you want with me?” Maisie asked timidly as she followed the man.

He didn’t answer until they entered the dungeons. “I was originally paid to imprison you with the king’s bastard and insure that both of you stay safe, but seeing as you have been invited to the counts feast I can’t keep you without alerting the count to my betrayal.” the man explained.

“Paid? By who?” Maisie asked with a frown.

“Diane de Poitiers.” He answered. “When I informed her that I could not fulfill that part of our bargain she paid me extra to show you that your love is and will be safe.” he unlocked a door and opened it, revealing Bash, chained to the wall by a shackle around his neck.

“Maisie.” Bash tried to rush to her, but got pulled back by the shackle. She rushed to him and wrapped her arms around his waist. “Are you alright?” he asked as he grabbed her face and looked it over.

Maisie looked back at the man guarding them. “Would you give us a minute alone?” the man nodded and closed the door, putting them in darkness. The only light came from the small barred window of the door. Maisie looked out the window to see that the man had given them enough space to talk without being overheard. “I’m fine.” she whispered. “Count Vincent, an Italian with revenge on his mind, has taken over the castle. Henry ended his family line so he wants to erase his…I feared the count knew about you and had already chopped off Diane's branch of Henry's tree."

Bash sighed and covered his face with his hands. "We can't let him hurt them. You've got to get me out of here."

"We're not going to let the count hurt them. Mary and Queen Catherine made a plan and if it goes accordingly we will all be fine.”

“What plan?” Bash asked quietly.

“While Catherine, Mary and us ladies are at the feast the count is throwing tonight, Francis is going to escape and get everyone out of the castle. When the time is right Mary is going to come up with an excuse to get us out of the room so we can escape through the tunnels as well. Catherine is going to stay behind and keep the count distracted.” Maisie explained.

“Catherine…the noble martyr? I can't believe it.” Bash argued.

“I couldn’t believe it either at first. But considering that not just Francis’s life, but the life of all her sons, are on the line I can. She would throw herself into the flames before she’d let something happen to one of her children.” Maisie pointed out. “Besides, the woman’s a master of poisons, she may very well have a card up her sleeve for herself.”

Bash grabbed her face in his hands. "You have to get me out of here."

"And how do you suggest I do that?" She asked.

"Did you pass many soldiers on your way here?" He asked.

"A few in the hallways, this man is the only one down here. I think a majority of them are getting ready for the feast." She answered, taking his hands in hers.

"Do you think you can knock this man out and get the keys?" He asked and she looked uncertain. "You've done well in training."

"I've been cooperative so far. I don't think he'll expect an attack from me, but what if I fail?" She asked, looking scared.

"You won't." He assured her with a pointed look into her eyes. "You can do it, I know you can."

A knock sounded at the door before it was unlocked and the man opened the door. “Times up.”

Maisie stood on her toes and caught Bash's lips in a kiss, trying to gain the courage to do what needed to be done. When the kiss broke she turned and walked out of the cell. The man shut the door then looked at her so she motioned for him to lead the way. Thankfully he did and as soon as she was behind him she lifted her skirts a little and kicked him in the back of his leg. As soon as he fell to his knees she kicked between his shoulder blades as hard as she could and he fell face first into the stone floor. Straddling his back she grabbed his head and slammed his temple into the floor, knocking the man out cold.

With a shaking hand she unhooked the ring of keys from his belt and unlocked the door. As soon as she was close enough, Bash grabbed her face and gave her a celebratory kiss. "I knew you could do it." He laughed when the kiss broke.

"Don't celebrate yet. We still need to get you out of this before someone else shows up." She scolded as she started trying keys on the shackle around his neck. "When I do get you free, what will you do?" She asked.

"I'll go find Francis. Help him get everyone out then I'll come for you." Bash answered.

"No, Bash, you can't come back." She argued as she put a key into the hole. "The plan will only work if the count remains unaware that something is going on." She turned the key and the shackle popped open. "If you come back you will be outnumbered and I can't lose you."

Bash cupped her cheek in his hand. "I won't leave without you. If you don't make it to the tunnels I will come back for you. I can't lose you either." He left the cell and went to the still passed out man. He rolled him over, took his sword then grabbed him by his feet, dragged him into the cell then locked him in. "Go back to Mary and your friends, stay safe and remember what you're capable of. Don't let fear paralyze you."

"I won't, as long as you promise to be careful." She replied.

"For you, always." Bash said as he put the strap of the sheathed sword over him then pecked her on the lips. "Go, the sooner you're back with Mary and your friends, the better."

She nodded and left.

RRRRRRRRRR

“What was that about?” Kenna asked when Maisie came back into Mary’s chambers.

“That man brought me to Bash. He was locked up in the dungeons.” Maisie answered. “Diane paid him to insure his safety. But I freed him. He's going to find Francis and help him get everyone out.”

"You freed him?" Lola asked disbelievingly.

"Bash has been teaching me to defend myself." Maisie shrugged. "And that man was the only one down there."

"That's what you two have been doing when you disappear together, fighting?" Aylee asked with raised brows.

"After the pagans marked me for sacrifice we both thought it a good idea." Maisie answered.

“We must start getting ready.” Mary told them.

They were about to head to their chambers when Catherine was let into the room. They all just looked at her. She took a deep breath then let it out. “I know what you’re thinking. It’s what any woman would think. But I’ve come to tell you not to be afraid. I’ll be there when you enter the room and I’ll be there when you leave. Get through this night and these men will be gone from your lives.”

“And suddenly you care about us?” Lola asked, stepping forward. 

“Lola, she wants to help, to shield us from these evil men.” Aylee defended.

“Please, when has the French court not been full of evil men…and women?” Lola said with glare at Catherine, who sighed and looked down at the floor. “Since we’ve gotten here we’ve been lied to by people who smile and say pretty things as they stab us in the back. At least these men don’t pretend to be our friends.”

“I agree with Lola.” Kenna spoke up. “You come in here mouthing platitudes, but you have no idea what it’s like, to have a target on your back.”

“Seriously?” Maisie spoke up with a look at Kenna that suggested she was being foolish. “She’s a queen. The target on her back is big enough for the world to see.” Catherine gave her a look that said she was surprised she was defending her. "Am I wrong?" Maisie defended.

“She's right. I know exactly what this is like.” Catherine walked closer to them and Lola took a step back. “When I was eight years old, rebels stormed the Florentine palace. Both my parents were already dead, but my name and my family’s fortunes made me a target.”

“At eight years old?” Kenna asked.

“War doesn’t spare children.” Catherine answered with a scoff. “I was held hostage for years. Until finally they had to decide what to do with this Medici girl. Many of the soldiers, men just like these, demanded that I be turned over to them so that they would-” she cut herself off and sighed before she finished, “so that I would be shared.” Maisie dropped her eyes and placed her hand over her stomach, upset by the thought. “And I can still hear their laughter outside the convent. That sickening laughter.”

“What happened?” Aylee asked, none of them really wanted to know, but they needed to.

“The nuns and I prayed. We prayed for God to send the pope and his armies to retake the city and rescue me in time. And then one day the laughter stopped. It grew quiet and I stepped out into the sunlight over their bodies and Pope Clement welcomed me into his arms.” Maisie looked up at Catherine. “I emerged intact and so will you if you have faith.”

RRRRRRRRRR

At the feast Count Vincent sat at the center of one side of the table and had a queen on each side of him. Catherine on his left and Mary on his right. Kenna and Aylee sat beside Mary. Maisie and Lola sat beside Catherine. Before Catherine took her seat, she put a chest on one end of the table and opened it revealing that it was packed with gold coins. “Gentlemen, please, my gift to you.” she said as she motioned to the chest and set down.

The count gave his nine men that sat on the opposite side of the table a wave and they eagerly stood and dug into the chest of gold.

Maisie noticed that as Catherine sat down she turned over an hourglass that sat at her place setting. She thought about that hourglass as food was passed around and wine was poured. Wine that Count Vincent had provided himself to insure it was untouched by Catherine's hands that were so skilled with poisons.

Maisie tried her best not to pay too much attention to Greer as she sat a tray of rolls down in the middle of the table near her. A fourth of the hour glass had run down when Mary leaned over to the count and complained about her corset being too tight. The uncomfortable count gave her permission to go fix it. "It's so difficult without servants. My ladies will tend to me." Mary said as she and her four ladies stood.

"Four ladies for one corset? Seems a bit overkill to me." The man that had been sitting across from Maisie spoke up, stopping the ladies. "Why doesn't the red head stay here and keep us company?" He asked the count.

"He has a point." The count told Mary then looked at Maisie. "You," he turned his eyes to Kenna, "and you, stay." He waved for Mary, Aylee and Lola to leave and they had no choice but to leave Maisie and Kenna behind.

Maisie's eyes returned to the hourglass as she ate, watching as the granules of sand slipped through the tiny opening, counting down to something. Nervous that Bash would come for her and be overthrown by the ten men in the room, her leg started bouncing under the table.

She jumped when Catherine's hand slipped over her knee, stopping the action. The count didn't notice, lost in thought while his men gambled for the coins they'd gathered from the chest. Maisie looked at the queen who discreetly looked at the hour glass, then the still open chest.

Just as she put two and two together the man across the table threw his dice too hard and they stopped next to her plate where he couldn’t reach them. All she could do was watch as he stood and walked around the table leaning over her left shoulder as he picked up the dice. “Come sit with me, be my good luck charm.” His lips, too close to her ear, made her cringe. Not knowing what to do she looked across her shoulder at Catherine who gave her a nod. With a sickening stomach she stood and the man grabbed her upper arm as they walked around the table. He sat down then pulled her to sit in his lap. “A blow of the dice from lady luck?” he asked as he held his hand in front of her face with the dice in his palm.

Afraid of what would happen if she disobeyed she blew on the dice. The man hummed at the sight of her pursed lips then after rolling the dice, told the man he was playing against that he was done and turned all of his attention to Maisie. His hand found her calf and started slipping up her leg. Tears stung the backs of her eyes as his nose brushed her neck. Her heart was pounding as she looked at the hourglass then Count Vincent who stared off into the distance. From there she found Kenna, walking around the table to be pulled down into the lap of a man who instantly went for her neck, being just as aggressive as the man whose lips pressed to Maisie's neck, just below her ear, and started kissing down over her shoulder. Her chest was thankfully covered by the high halter top of her dress.

His hand was slipping up her inner thigh under her skirts, silent tears slipping down her cheeks, when Mary, Lola and Aylee walked back into the room. Catherine stood up and moved to stand behind the chest of coins. "Count Vincent, isn't this enough?" She asked, pulling the count out of his thoughts and the man’s hand stilled. When the count didn't reply Catherine slammed the chest lid closed. "You know the king will go to war for his heirs."

"What of it? Can Henry give me the life I had a year ago?" The Count asked. Catherine sighed in response. "Then let the heavens fall. Enough." The count stood and thankfully his men did as well, but the man kept his arm around Maisie's waist. "Thank you for this generous feast. Now we will be on our way."

"Please." Catherine pleaded as she grabbed the counts arm. "Please do not take my children. What else can I give you?" The count just looked at her flatly then looked away. Catherine looked at Mary and her ladies then back at the count. "Do you want women? Take them, take their virtue."

"Catherine no." Mary said taken a step toward Catherine.

"You liar!" Lola yelled. While Maisie was sure that the gold had been poisoned and the hourglass counted down to the moment it would hopefully kick in, she didn't know exactly how long it would take the sand to run out or what could happen in the moments before it did.

"They won't dare say a word about it. They'd be ruined, you can have them. You can have anything you-"

"Give me your heart then." The count cut her off as he drew a dagger from a sheath on his hip. "Carve it out and hand it to me so we might understand one another. That!" He slammed the dagger into the table, "is diplomacy. To understand my loss. To carry the weight of your dead heart with you every night a day until you find your grave." He paused for a moment. "Roberto. Give me Roberto and I will let your children live." When Catherine didn't say anything because there was nothing she could say, the count walked around her to stand by Mary. "Forgive me Mary, for I am not a gentle man." Count Vincent jerked Mary out of Aylee’s arms.

The man holding Maisie shoved her back against the wall holding her there with his hand on her neck and his hips pressed against hers. Other men grabbed Lola and Aylee. Kenna was thrown to the floor, her screams filled the air as three men started beating and kicking her. 

The man holding Maisie to the wall kept his hand on her neck while his other hand grabbed her leg and pulled it up around him. In that moment Bash’s words filled her mind: Don’t let fear paralize you.

The terror in her eyes morphed into pure rage. The man saw the change in her, but he didn't have time to react before Maisie grabbed his face and dug her thumbs into his eyes. He screamed and stumbled back. Spotting the dagger on his side she grabbed it and stabbed him in the neck, making him fall to the floor. 

She made a run for Kenna, but another man saw that she was free and charged at her. His clumsy wide steps left him open so she kicked, landing her shin, only covered with three loose layers of chiffon, right between his legs. He made a sound that suggested the air had been stolen from his lungs and grabbed his groin. The dagger in her hand was stabbed into the side of his neck before a man grabbed her from behind and shoved her face first into the stone wall, using his body to pin her there. The pressure of his hand on the back of her head caused the rough stone to dig into her cheek, drawing blood. She tried to blindly stab him with the dagger, but he grabbed her hand and slammed it into the wall, making her drop it.

Catherine threw the rundown hourglass, shattering it over the floor as she yelled, "Count Vincent!" All movement in the room ceased including that of the count who had Mary pinned beneath him on the dining table. "Do you know why your son is dead? Because of you! Because unlike me you aren't willing to pay the necessary price. So I'll make you a new offer. Take your hands off of Mary and I'll let you leave this castle with your life."

"Milord." One of the men said, getting the count’s attention and Maisie could see blood running feely from the nose of one of the men before they all started dropping like flies.

When the man holding her in place fell, Maisie scrambled to Kenna. Lola grabbed Aylee and pulled her close. Kenna squeezed her eyes closed, not looking at Maisie who kneeled down and brushed her hair out of her bruised face.

"No…we…we ate the same food, we drank my wine." The count said, looking around.

"Poison is an art." Catherine replied. "And the essence of art is surprise."

"The gold." Mary whispered as Maisie helped Kenna stand.

The count looked at the gold spilled across the floor then back at Catherine. "I never touched your gold," he grabbed his dagger from the table, "Medici bitch." He took a step toward Catherine, but Mary grabbed one of the two pronged forks from the table and stabbed Count Vincent in the neck. As he collapsed she pushed him off of her and backed away from the table, watching as he laid on it, fruitlessly attempting to pull the fork out of his artery with one hand while the other still grasped his dagger.

Francis rushed in and sliced off his hand before he could hurt anyone with the dagger. "Your son awaits you." Francis told the dying man with a sneer.

Bash, stepping over dead bodies, rushed to Maisie, and grabbed her face, looking at the bleeding scrapes on her cheekbone. “Are you alright?” she just nodded as he grabbed her hands, seeing the blood on her knuckles that had been busted when the man slammed her hand into the wall to get her to drop the knife. Though she knew it should hurt she couldn't feel it. She couldn't feel anything really. “You fought.”

“She did.” Lola spoke up as she and Aylee walked over to Kenna. "The rest of us were too frightened."

Bash looked back at Maisie. “I didn’t let it paralyze me.” she told him, looking on the verge of tears.

Bash grabbed her face and pressed his forehead to hers. “I am so…proud of you.”

She gave him a weak smile before she turned to face Lola, Aylee and Kenna. "Why didn't you go to the tunnels?" Maisie asked with a look at Lola.

"We knocked, but no one opened the door." Aylee answered.

"I assume Olivia abandoned us." Lola added.

While Francis rushed to Mary, Catherine went to the four ladies who were now huddled together around Kenna. "Why didn't you tell us about the gold?" Aylee asked as Catherine reached out and touched poor Kenna's face, the most compassionate thing she’d ever seen Catherine do.

"I learned long ago that only a secret known by one person remains a secret." Catherine answered. "And…of course I…I wasn't sure it would work. Though I did try to tell Maisie after the count insisted the two of you stay." She looked at Maisie. "You're a very observant girl. You were trying to figure out the purpose of the hourglass and I didn't want your face to give it away when you did."

Mary rushed over and hugged Kenna. "Kenna, I'm so sorry."

"I'll be alright." Kenna sobbed.

"I'll take her to the infirmary." Francis said as he came over to them. "Here, come with me. Take my arm." He told Kenna as he wrapped her arm around his shoulders and his around her waist.

“You should go too and let Nostradamus look at you.” Bash tried, but she shook her head.

“It’s just scraps. I’ll be fine.” Maisie insisted. Bash put his hand on her lower back as they walked out of the dining room.

The walk to her chaimbers was quiet. Bash opened the door for her and she walked inside. But when the quietness and emptiness of her room stared back at her she turned to Bash and grabbed the door before he could shut it. “Stay with me tonight?” tears stung the back of her eyes. “I don’t care if the servants talk in the morning. I’ll deal with it, but I'm not sure I can handle being alone right now.”

Bash walked in and shut the door behind him. “Of course I’ll stay. If I had it my way I’d never leave your side again.” he cupped her cheek in his hand.

The intimate touch reminded her that she truly was safe now and the reality of the day's events came crashing down on her. It suddenly felt as if a boulder rested on her chest. “I ca…I can’t breathe.” She gasped, pulling at the neck of the halter corseted dress she wore. "Help me..out of this…please." Bash quickly untitled the laces at the back and unhooked the clasp at the neck.

While she tugged it off he grabbed her nightgown from the nearby wardrobe and slipped it over her head, keeping her covered as her dress pooled at her feet. "Look at me."

She looked up at his face. "I don't…understand what's…happening. I…I was fine."

He grabbed her hand and placed it on his chest. "Breathe with me. Match my pace and focus on my voice." She nodded and did as he said. "You've been holding everything at bay all day. Fighting," he threaded his fingers through her hair rubbing her forehead with his thumb, "up here, before you even raised a fist." Her eyes slipped closed when her breathing evened out. "Now that the fighting is done it's catching up to you. That's all."

She took a deep breath, let it out and opened her eyes “I’m sorry.” she told him quietly, as she placed both her shaking hands on his chest and looked up at him.

“Whatever for?” he asked.

“I don’t know. Letting that man get his hands on me…not fighting sooner. I feel like I should have…somehow.” she squeezed her eyes shut. “And poor Kenna, I tried to get to her but I was grabbed from behind and I didn’t know what to do, I couldn’t get away. I couldn’t-”

He cupped her cheeks in his hand and shushed her. “Look at me.” She opened her eyes and looked into his. “You fought. You fought…the best you could and that’s what matters. Do you hear me?” she nodded. “We will keep training and you'll get better.” She nodded then grabbed his hand and led him to her bed. She laid down and Bash took off the leather vest he was wearing then followed. They laid on their sides facing one another, Bash holding her close. "I'm sorry I didn't meet you at the stables this morning. I was delayed by my mother. I told her I had plans, but she insisted that she had important news."

"Is she alright?" She asked, worrying that Diane might be ill.

"Yes, but if anyone finds out the treasonous things she's planning, both she and I could be in grave danger." He answered. "It could take me away from you."

"Bash, you're scaring me." She replied instantly thinking of Nostradamus's prediction. "What is your mother planning?"

"She's been corresponding with a cardinal. She wants to have me legitimized. To change the line of succession and make me the next king and you the queen." He explained.

Maisie's eyes grew wide as her brows rose. "Do you want to be king?"

"No, I've never wanted Francis's job." He answered with a shake of his head. "All I've ever wanted is to marry you, buy a small house somewhere and have a quiet life."

"That sounds lovely." She replied with a small smile.

"Would you want to be queen?" He asked.

"Lord no. I've seen what that has done to Mary and her relationship with Francis." She answered. "Did you tell your mother that you don't want your brother's throne?"

"Yes and I thought she heard me, but…" he sighed and shook his head. "The count's men who stormed into my room and took my mother and I prisoner were oddly gentle with us, before my mother even had the chance to bribe them."

"What are you saying?" She asked with a frown.

"I believe my mother told Count Vincent when my father and his men would be out of the castle." Bash answered. "That she wanted him to take Francis and my little brothers, leaving me to be next in line for the throne."

"Do you truly think your mother would do that?" She asked.

"Yes. You haven't seen the temper tantrums she's thrown when it comes to my father. I have. And she was recently displaced, yet again. Having me be next in line for the throne would give Father reason enough to annul his marriage to Catherine and make Mother queen. She'd have a permanent place at Father's side."

"Permanent until someone assassinates her or you." Maisie added. "Your mother's thirst for power will cause a title wave. Nobles will revolt."

"Her plans with the count were all for not. And I will never take my brother's job." He assured her. She closed her eyes and pressed her forehead to his chest. "You should try to get some sleep."

She nodded and cuddled into him, but sleep didn't come, instead images she didn’t want to see filled her mind's eye and she opened them, seeing that Bash was still watching her closely. “I can't sleep. All I can see is the look on those men's faces before I stabbed them."

"You stabbed them?" He asked.

Maisie nodded and dropped her eyes to his chest. "When I remembered what you told me, not to let fear paralyze me, it was like…my brain stopped working, save two thoughts…survive and save my friends at all costs. So I did. It was just like the time I punched that guy for grabbing my rear. I had no control over myself, no idea what I was doing until I had already done it." She lifted her eyes to look into his. "I killed two men tonight."

"I know taking a life isn't easy, but better them than you." he told her quietly. "I truly am proud of you. Most women in that situation aren't as brave." He took his hand from where it had been resting on her hip to slip the backs of his fingers over her cheek.

She took it and kissed his busted knuckles. "I'm only brave because you give me the strength to be."

A soft fleeting smile graced his lips. "You give me too much credit. You've always been a fighter. I've known it since we were children."

"What simpler times those were." She sighed as she slipped her pointer finger over the scar on his palm. "When I was…eleven, maybe, I noticed mine had started to fade." He flipped her hand around to look at it, still clear as day, just like his. "I feared that if it faded, so would my memories of you."

"So you cut it again." He said, making her look up at him to give him a nod. "Mine started fading as well. I knew I could never forget you, but I reopened the wound regardless."

She gave him a soft smile. "I love you."

He smiled and cupped her face in his hand, slipping his thumb over her scratched cheek and her eyes slipped closed. "I love you too." He noticed when she opened her eyes that she was fighting to keep them that way. So he grabbed the blanket from the foot of the bed and pulled it over them. "Sleep. I'm not going anywhere." He kissed her forehead as she scooted closer, tucking her hand under her chin as he wrapped his arm around her waist. 

RRRRRRRRRR

Morning light shone through the window beside Maisie's bed, illuminating the couple sleeping in the same position they'd fallen asleep in. Maisie woke up first, feeling Bash's arm still around her waist and her arms still tucked between them. She opened her eyes to see his still closed, his lips parted as soft, barely audible snores filled the air. She couldn't help smiling at the sight.

It brought her back to a moment from their childhood. They had snuck out late one night to stargaze. Bash ended up falling asleep. To wake him, thinking it would tickle, she placed her pointer finger between his brows and lightly slipped it down the bridge of his nose. When he woke up, he crossed his eyes looking at her finger on his face and she giggled. From then on he used the face to make her laugh every time he had an excuse to.

Looking at him now and not feeling like waiting patiently for him to wake up, she bit her smiling lips closed, raised her hand and slipped her finger down his nose with a feather light touch. After a few passes he took in a deep breath, but didn't open his eyes. She knew he was awake when she slipped her finger down his nose again and a closed lipped smile appeared on his face. "Are you going to open your eyes?" She asked. He hummed a negative answer. "Why not?" She asked, sounding a little pouty as she dropped her hand to rest on his chest.

"Because I'm not sure I can still do what I think you're wanting me to do." He answered.

"You remember?" She asked, sounding surprised.

He finally opened his eyes, gracing her with their pastel blue presence. "Of course I remember. It was my favorite way to make you laugh." She smiled. "I haven't done it since you left." She gave him a look, silently begging him to try. He heaved out a sigh. "Alright, but you have to promise not to be disappointed if I can't do it."

"I promise." She answered then watched as he put on a mock serious face, glared at her then crossed his eyes and stuck out his tongue biting it between his lips. She burst out laughing and he stopped making the funny face to laugh with her. "I didn't realize how much I've missed that." She slipped her hand over his cheek. "The face and the laugh. Things have been so tense lately."

He let things fall quiet for a moment as he moved his hand from where it had been resting on her waist to slide up and down her upper arm. "I'm just glad you woke up in a good mood, I feared you'd have a restless sleep."

"I fell asleep and woke up in your arms. It's a good morning." She replied as she slipped her fingertips into the untied v of his shirt. "I can think of something to make it even better." She replied and gave his shoulder a gentle push.

So he turned on to his back then watched as she threw her leg over him, straddling his hips. Lust veiled his eyes as she leaned down and caught his bottom lip between hers. As they kissed his arms wrapped around her waist, his hand sliding up her silk covered back to press between her shoulder blades. A sigh left his lips as she worked her way to his neck, kissing the soft skin just below his ear before working her way down to kiss his chest that his shirt revealed.

Wanting to feel her kiss elsewhere Bash sat up, taking her with him, then took his shirt off and fell backwards. She was taking in the view when a knock came from her door pulling them back down to reality. "Hide." She whispered to Bash then yelled, "one moment!" At the door as she scrambled from bed and pulled on a robe. After making sure Bash couldn't be seen she opened the door to see her ladies maid. "Good morning, Bernadette."

"Good morning, Milady. Sorry to interrupt-" Maisie held her hand up, cutting her off.

She went to the writing desk in her room, grabbed a few gold coins then returned to Bernadette. She showed them to the blond girl who couldn't have been older than herself then closed her hand. "Would you like to try that sentence again?"

"Good morning, Milady. Sorry to wake you," she paused and Maisie gave her an approving nod "but your presence is requested in the throne room at noon."

"Okay. Thank you, and please keep in mind that discretion is of the utmost importance to me." Maisie replied as she opened her hand.

"My lips are sealed." Bernadette replied as she took the coins, curtsied then walked away.

Maisie closed the door and when she turned around Bash stepped out from behind the dressing screen. "Paying for silence. You've been at court for too long." He said as he walked over and wrapped his arms around her waist as she rested hers on his shoulders.

"If I have to divvy out some coins to keep them silent so we can do this again then I will." She replied and he smiled.

"We still have quite a bit of time before you have to be in the throne room.” Bash pointed out. “Are you feeling up for a ride?”

“Why go for a ride when we can continue what Bernadette interrupted?” she asked with a lustful look.

“There’s somewhere I’d like to take you…to remind you of simpler times.” he answered.

“Okay.” she answered with a little smile. “I’ll meet you at the stables?”

He nodded and pecked her on the lips then snuck out of the room.

RRRRRRRRRR

“Where are you taking me?” Maisie asked as they rode through the woods, not on any trail, ducking under branches on occasion.

“You’ll just have to wait and see.” he answered from where he rode ahead of her, leading the way.

“Can’t you just tell me?” she asked, ducking under another branch.

“Maisie.” he sighed, getting aggravated with her.

“Sorry.” she answered with a smile.

After a few more minutes of riding they finally came to a stop, facing a large French oak tree. Its branches grew almost horizontally. Staring at it, Maisie rode closer, then dismounted. Bash did the same then followed her to the tree, watching as she touched it then walked around the fat trunk trailing her fingers over it until she found what she was looking for. A staggered trail of notches in the tree, makeshift stairs that Bash had carved for her feet to fit into so that she could climb the tree. “You remember.” He observed with a smile.

“I don’t know why, but I didn’t think this tree would still be standing.” she replied as she turned toward him. “I guess I thought it may have gotten cut down for timber or destroyed in a storm.”

“Would you like to climb it?” he asked with a soft smile.

“I don’t think we have enough time for you to carve new steps.” she told him with a smirk.

Bash just walked over to his horse and took a rope ladder out of his saddle bag. After he’d secured it to the tree he helped her climb up. They sat on the thick limb, straddling it facing each other. “Feels like just yesterday we sat here like this, two kids…kindred spirits making a blood oath to one day wed despite all the things that could have pulled us apart.”

"It's still just as beautiful as ever." She replied with a soft smile. While she was looking off in the distance he reached into his pocket and pulled out a box carved of oak. Seeing the movement out of the corner of her eye she looked at him. “The little carved box.” she whispered.

“Our love, like this tree, has stood strong through the time we spent apart and through every storm life has thrown its way since your return." He paused and Maisie smiled, waiting for him to continue. "The moments we've shared have been the happiest of my life and I know now that in spite of my station, I can make you happy as well." Her stomach filled with nervous butterflies and something else shot through her chest as he opened the box and took out a ring. "Will you grant the wish I made when we were children and stay true to our oath by becoming my wife?"

The look in his pastel blue eyes suggested that if she said no, he would shatter. A tear slipped down her cheek as a little laugh left her smiling face. "Yes."

"Yes?" He asked with a smile brighter than the sun and a raise of his brows.

She laughed, "Yes, of course I will marry you." She sniffled.

He leaned forward, catching her lips in a joyful kiss before he pulled back and grabbed her left hand. "This ring belonged to my grandmother." he slipped it on her finger and she held her hand up looking at the gold rose with a little rounded ruby sitting in the center of it. "Its modest, I know, but-"

"I love it." She cut him off. "More than I could ever love something new."

He gave her a soft smile. "Good."