So this is my first Reign fic about my fav couple, this is not a story of how Kenna fights for Bashs love rather the other way around but I am setting the seen in this chapter.
Enjoy
"Say the words"
Kenna starred up at the man screaming at her, he was hardly recognisable. He was not the man that had first kissed her, swept her off her feet and stolen her heart. No the man that stood before her now was cold, the glint of manic in his eyes that had always been there had taken over his sanity. Kenna felt her hands being pulled as she moved to face Sebastian. He was not looking at her, maybe he didn't want to. Instead his gaze was fixed on a spot over her shoulder and she knew without looking who he was staring at.
He repeated the words his father commanded in a hurry hoping to get it over with as fast as possible. He could not bring himself to look at his bride; instead he looked at the woman that was supposed to be his bride. Mary stood next to Francis a look of pity and shock in her eyes. As Kenna examined his gaze she wondered if anyone would ever look at her the way he was looking at Mary.
The next few weeks were very hard for the newlyweds, neither understood how to behaviour around the other. The first night was the worst, the awkward confusion about wear she should sleep, both silent but aware the other was not asleep. Bash knew he should comfort Kenna, this was not her fault, the King was angry at him not her, but he could not bring himself to. Both their dreams dashed in one day, what comfort could there be.
But slowly over time a strange relationship built between the couple some would go as far as to call in friendship. Kenna tried for Bash and in return Bash tried for Kenna. He gave her is grandmothers ring as sign that their marriage was on some level real. And she was truly upset when she was forced to give it away. Kenna, despite herself, found that she was enjoying Bash's company, she looked forward to the evenings in the knowledge that they would be alone and uninterrupted by the gossip of court. They shared a bed now, though they were careful to keep a certain distance between them, Kenna found herself aching to reach over an touch him, to push past the empty space in-between them. Bash however found it harder to let go of the past, another still had a grip on his heart. Kenna was young beautiful and free, there was a hard honesty to her that he found refreshing, almost beautiful, but he could not shake the feelings he once had for Mary.
Greer danced around Kenna's room almost giddy with excitement, "What are you going to wear."
Kenna laughed at her excitable friend "I don't know, I hadn't thought yet."
"But it's a ball, how can you not think, Oh this one would be lovely" Greer squeaked pulling a long dark blue dress from the back of Kenna's wardrobe.
Kenna laughed again coming over to admire the dress, in truth she had forgotten she owned in, "Hmm, but don't you think it's a little revealing?" she asked running her finger over the rather low neck line.
"So much the better, a beautiful women can never show too much"
"Greer what has got into you," Kenna smiled.
"I don't know I am just happy, Leith is alive my family is secure, there is much to be grateful for." Greer placed the dress against her friend nodding approval, "In a dress like this there will not be a man in all of French court who will not be in love with you by the end of the night."
Kenna took the dress from Greer, "You think" she said looking at herself in the mirror "would Bash noticed" she asked trying not to sound pathetic.
"Of course, why would he not notice" Greer said in a concerned voice.
Kenna smiled bitterly "He only ever notices me when Mary isn't in the room".
"Oh Kenna" Greer embraced her friend, holding her tightly, "He will move on I am sure of it.
Kenna whipped tears from her eyes as she held to Greer, "I hope so."
"Well" Greer said pulling away to look at Kenna "In this dress you will definitely catch his eye."
Kenna entered the ball room with the other lady's in waiting, they had all changed and dressed together like old times. She looked breathe taking in the deep blue dress that hugged her curves perfectly and as she walked across the room many eyes followed her. She felt a nudge, as she turned round Greer winked at her. The girls collected drinks and stood to the side by far the most stunning women in all the room
"Where is Mary?" Lola asked.
"Over there," Kenna pointed "Dancing with Francis"
Mary had state business to attend to so entered the ball early, before her lady's in order to address the right people. Now however she and Francis were gliding across the room looking obvious to anyone else, they only had eyes for each other.
"Well the dress is definitely working Kenna; you are the most beautiful girl tonight." Greer smiled
"You certainly have a lot of admirers" said Lola as she took in the other guests.
Kenna smiled at them both but said nothing in truth she was searching for the only man that matter to her.
Bash noticed his wife the moment she walked in, she looked breath taking as she floated across the dance floor seemingly unaware of all the attention she was getting. Bash could not help but notice the way her hips moved in the tight fitting dress, the way the neckline exposed her smooth shoulders and he wondered not for the first time what it would feel like to kiss their delicate skin. In what seemed like seconds a man had approached Kenna with his hand outstretched clearing asking for a dance. Bash felt himself growl in uncontrollable jealousy and before he had a moment to think he had taken several large strides to stand next to his wife.
Utterly ignoring the man who was attempting to engage Kenna in conversation, he took her hand gently in his own. "My Lady, I believe it only proper that your husband claim your first dance of the evening." Kenna tried not to let her smile grow too pronounced as she let Bash lead her away on to the dance floor, neither of them noticing the unnamed man slip back into the crowd a sour look upon his face.
Bash spun Kenna into his body as she placed her free hand onto his shoulder. Kenna felt her heart almost sing as he held her so close she could feel his heart beat against her. They moved in time to the music, it could not be said Bash was very graceful but he kept up with Kenna the best he could, and she simply found his two left feet amusing and endearing. The song was coming to a close though she did not want it, she wanted to enjoy this moment of closeness for as long as possible.
Bash enjoyed the sensation of having her close to him, enjoyed feeling her body, enjoying listening to her laugh, carefree as a child. He enjoyed it that is until, his eye lifted from Kenna smiling face over her head and across the dance floor. He knew he should not care but seeing Mary and Francis embrace made his heart clench, he had not forgotten the effect she had on him. Kenna felt the difference in Bash, sensed his body stiffen and his expression grow cold. She followed his gaze, Mary, of course it always leads back to Mary, she thought. She felt tears come to the corners of her eyes and not wanting Bash to see them quickly excused herself from the next song that was starting. As she made her way out of the ballroom she threw one last glance over her shoulder, but Bash's eyes were still fixed on Mary, and Kenna felt her heart break a little more.
Kenna looked up at the stars lost in thought her heart was contemplated such confused emotions she barely noticed as Greer walked close to her, "Hello, didn't you hear me"
Kenna whipped round "Oh, sorry no"
"There's no need to look so disappointed" Greer smiled.
"What" Kenna knew she could not lie "Its only I thought you might be... "
"Bash" Greer finished the sentence for her "Yes I see that, What happened?"
Kenna laughed bitterly and turned back to the stars, "Turns out a dress was not enough to keep his eyes on me."
Greer sighed sadly pitying her friend. Placing arm around Kenna she said "It will get better you know, but you have to give it time."
Kenna whipped a tear from her face, "You know when I came to court I had such dreams of how it would be, I would fall in love with a rich charming noble and he would whisk me away to a paradise of our own. Then I met henry" she laughed dryly "He was charming you know, at first anyway, powerful and impulsive. I fell in love with the idea of everything he could give me," Greer looked at her friend she had never spoken like this before, especially not of Henry, "From Henry I learnt to be afraid, scared of what he could go, his power that had once to interested me turned to a curse." Kenna had not meant to reveal so much but now she started she could not stop. "The only thing he ever gave me was Bash, Ha, what a gift that turned out to be. And when I fell for henry spontaneity I fell for steadiness from Bash, he could not offer me wealth merely protection and comfort."
"Give it time Kenna," Greer said, trying to sooth her friend, "Mary will not always have such a hold on him"
Kenna smiled turning back to her friend "But don't you see, that's exactly why I care for him, his steadfast nature, he is steadfast in his desire to protect and care for me, but he is all the more so in his love for her"
"Kenna" Greer took on of Kenna hands, "You know when I first came to French court I did not expect to fall in love with a servant, and I certainly didn't expect to be marrying a man who understands that, who has secured all my family prospects out of love for me. Peppercorn.."and she said the name out of affection "is not who I would have chosen, but he loves me and he makes me happy"
"What are you trying to tell me " Kenna asked quizzically.
Greer squeezed Kenna's hand "Im telling you not to give up hope."
So end of first chapter, what do you think, I hope you like it, I do love kenna and bash
