Chapter 1

Age 17 - Andrea La Tremoille, April 1556

"Keep up, Francis! Or must I tell your mother that you were beaten by me once again?" Andrea laughed as she ran through the castle, her dress fisted tightly in her hands so that she wouldn't trip.

The blonde Dauphin rolled his eyes as he sped up his movements in an attempt to catch his friend ignoring the looks he got from servants. "It's always running with you, Drea! Don't you ever slow down?"

"I'll slow down when I am good and dead, Dauphin!" She said haughtily, rounding a corner quickly. "And from the looks of it, you're halfway there."

He glared at her playfully. "That is talks of treason, you know!"

"Well I won't tell if you won't." She stopped for a moment, her chest rising and falling with heavy breaths. Francis came to stand beside her, struggling for breath and looking at the girl with confusion.

"Are we there yet?" He questioned, glancing around the corridor.

She shook her head, her finger curls bouncing down her back as she did so. "Not yet. Are you tired, your Highness? Perhaps you should exercise more often."

"Must you tease the future King of France?" He shook his head at her. "I have to meet Olivia, she'll be expecting me soon."

"Well I would hate to leave Olivia waiting, wouldn't I?" Andrea said with a roll of her hazel eyes before she continued her path, this time walking. "Come on, it's this way."

Francis sighed, but followed his friend nonetheless. "Are you going to tell me what it is that we are looking for?"

Andrea grinned back at the dauphin, not once missing a step. "I found a secret passage!" She told him happily.

"What's so special about that? There are an abundance of secret passages in the castle."

Andrea slowed her steps and pressed a finger to her lips, signaling for Francis to grow quiet. She let her steps fall softly as to not make a sound. "I heard rumors from the servants that they've seen the ghost in this part of the castle and that it always disappears into a passage located in this hall."

Francis shook his head at her, but humored her and crept slowly behind her while he spoke in hushed tones. "You shouldn't believe everything that the servants say, Andrea. Most of it is gossip and tripe that they spread to keep themselves amused."

"And some of it keeps me rather amused." She said, looking back to him with a frown. "What happened to your sense of wonder and excitement, Francis?"

"It was interrupted by the promise of female companionship that you are very much keeping out of my grasp."

"Oh hush, Olivia will understand if you are a bit late for your meeting." She said before quickening her steps. "This way! It should be right around- oof!"

The man was quick to grab her as she collided with him, making sure not to let her fall. Andrea looked up at the dark haired boy and let a sly smirk form on her lips. "Sebastian!"

"Andrea." The blue eyed boy greeted with a small smile before nodding at Francis. "Brother. What are you two doing in this part of the castle?"

Francis stood behind Andrea and gave his brother a skeptical look. "Andrea believes that the castle ghost appears here, she saw fit to kidnap me on her search."

"I did no such thing." She said, glaring playfully at the blonde. "You came willingly. And what are you doing here, Bash? Chasing after that lovely servant girl that you've had your eye on?"

"Now, now, Andrea, teasing doesn't become you." Bash said with a smirk as he released her from his grip, leaving one hand on the small of her back. "I was searching for a missing dog. Apparently, one of the noblemen lost it and father has tasked me in finding the damned thing."

"How difficult your work is, Sebastian." Andrea said with a sarcastic huff. "We haven't seen a dog in this part of the castle if that helps at all. I've only seen Francis losing in another one of our races."

"Right." Francis said, rolling his eyes at the girl. "Honestly, the way you tease makes it seem as if I'm the older one."

"Cheer up." Andrea said, patting the boy's cheek. "You're only fifteen, you still have time to catch up to my caliber."

He gave her a playful grin before rolling his eyes once more and turned on his heel. "And with that, I'll be off to find Olivia. Hopefully she'll forgive me for being late, yet again."

"Just flash your princely grin and she'll be fine, Francis!" Andrea called after him, a thoughtful look on her face. "He's so enamored with her. I'll never understand why."

"Battling for Francis' attention then?"

Andrea turned to look at Bash, a smile pulling to her lips as she drew closer to him. "Why? Are you jealous, dear?"

"Do I have a reason to be?" He questioned, a joking smile on his face as he rested both hands on her hips.

Andrea smoothed down his shirt, running her fingers over the intricate designs of his vest. "Not at all." She said, reaching up to brush her lips against his, a grin forming on her face. The kiss was light, sweet and tempting for more. "I have my eyes on a blue eyed man who is often much too serious for his own good."

Bash tightened his grip on the object of his affections, a hum rumbling from his chest. "Good. Because I would hate to be alone in an almost deserted part of the castle with a woman that is in love with my brother."

"The scandal of it." She joked along, biting her lip as his lips began to brush along her ear and down her neck. "I think this scandal is worse however. One of Queen Catherine's "special" ladies found mingling with the King's son? What rumors that would present."

"Mingling. Is that what we are doing now?" Bash smirked into her skin, running his hands up her sides. "We don't have long until a servant floats through here."

"I suppose we should make this time count then." She said with a soft groan when he found that spot on her neck that she loved. "How I wish our time wasn't spent in darkened hallways and shadowed corners."

"It will not be for long." Bash muttered, lifting his head to press his lips to hers. "Soon I'll go to father and tell him. I'm sure if he speaks to Catherine-"

"You believe the Queen will give up one of her ladies so easily?" She said, resting her forehead against his. He lightly played with a lock of her curly strawberry blonde hair, twirling it between his fingers. "For her husband's illegitimate son at that? I'm sorry, dear, but you do not know the Queen as I do."

Bash frowned. "I know her well enough. We'll find a way. One day I will be able to kiss you in front of everyone." He said, pressing a kiss to her lips. "And touch you." He dragged a finger along the bare skin of her neck, making her shiver. "And love you."

"You don't need to touch and kiss me in front of the world for returned affections, love." She said with a warm smile on her face. "I only need you to be with me. But if that is not enough for you-"

"I said no such thing-"

Andrea pressed a finger to his lips. "Let me finish." She grinned at him as he gave her a playful glare, but did not speak, as she requested. "If that is not enough for you, I will speak to the Queen."

Sebastian shook his head. "Andrea..."

"She might listen to me." Andrea shrugged. "They say I'm her favorite after all. And being favored by a Queen has its perks." She ran a lithe, soft finger along his jaw, watching as the muscle there twitched under her touch. "I want to be able to be yours fully and completely, in the eyes of the whole court. Proudly the lady of Sebastian de Poitiers."

Sebastian beamed at her and grabbed her face to kiss her deeply. Andrea laughed as they pulled apart, pressing a kiss to the hand still rested on her cheek. "Tonight. After she calls me for reports, I'll tell her. Then perhaps we might run away to one of the chateaus your father gave your mother in Paris?"

"I might like that." Bash said, pressing a kiss to her forehead once more before stepping away. Both of them already missed the warmth and comfort of the other. "We have to go. The others won't believe that you are chasing a ghost for this long."

"You and your brother, honestly. Is it so wrong to believe in ghosts and spirits lurking in these old walls?" Andrea said, shooting him a smile. "It makes life much more interesting, I think."

"With you, Andrea, life is almost too interesting."

~For Country and Blood~

"Andrea, darling, I must applaud your efforts in keeping my son away from that D'Amencourt girl." Catherine said as she mixed a bowl of herbs together. The contents of the bottle made Andrea's noise itch from the peppery smell, making her wonder if the Queen could stand being so close to it. It had to be important and as she watched the gentle and cautious way that her mistress handled the contents, she realized that it was poison. Probably for someone important. "She always was a tiny thorn in my side."

"It wasn't hard, your Grace." Andrea spoke, her hands folded neatly in front of her. "Francis and I are friends. Keeping him distracted from her didn't pose a challenge."

"And that is why I'm so impressed." Catherine said with a smile on her face as she bottled her poison gently. "If you can distract a man that easily, with only your words and friendship, imagine what you could do with your beauty and feminine wiles." Catherine sighed and set her work down before walking over to her desk. "Now there is something that I wish to discuss with you."

"Of course, your Grace." Andrea said with an affirmative nod. "If you do not mind, there is also something I must discuss with you as well. About my place within your service."

Catherine nodded and sat down to ruffle through a few pieces of parchment. "Good, then we have the same topic in mind." She pulled out one sheet of paper and held it out for Andrea to take. "You are almost a woman, yes? Seventeen, I believe. I can hardly believe it it's been seven years since you came here." Andrea offered the Queen a warm smile, which was returned. People often whispered about the relationship between Andrea and Catherine. Some rumored that Andrea was Catherine's illegitimate daughter. Other's claimed she was Henry's. But the truth of the matter was that Catherine actually cared for the girl in almost the same way she cared for her children, but she wasn't her blood.

When she had first arrived at the castle, Andrea had been quiet and meek. But with coaxing from Catherine, as well as Francis and Bash, she was pulled from within herself. Catherine became the mother that Andrea wished she had. And Andrea, to Catherine, became a daughter in a certain sense of the word. "Since you are almost a woman, I think it is time to complete your training in Venice."

Andrea stared at her for a moment, unable to find the words to spit out. "V-Venice, your Grace?"

Catherine stepped up to her with pride in her eyes. "You have served me well. And it is because of this that I want to fund the remainder of your education and provide you with the absolute best. There is a woman in Venice who I've hired to teach you and that's where you'll go." Catherine turned from her for a moment to grab something from her desk before holding it out to Andrea. "And this is a statement, clarifying the rise in payments to your family since your duties will grow. Your grandmother recently bought a home in Paris, did you know?"

"Your Grace…" Andrea said in barely a whisper as she looked over the document, uncertainty in her eyes.

"And your sister, Odette I believe, she is excelling in her music. Your grandmother was quite proud in her letters…."

"Your Grace, please…"

"Why the frown, my dear? You should be more than happy, this is everything you've been working for-"

"Beg your pardon, your Grace!" Andrea said louder, clutching her eyes shut. "I… I'm in love."

Catherine's expression turned stony then. She took Andrea's hands, not too tightly and not too soft, but firm. Andrea couldn't read her face, or tell what the Queen was thinking, and that thought scared her. "In love? With who?"

"...Sebastian" Andrea said quietly. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean for it to happen, your Grace."

"In love with the King's bastard." Catherine said, a bitter smirk growing on her face. "And you would choose him over the opportunities I am offering you."

"I...I didn't wish to anger you."

Catherine scoffed. "Anger? My dear, I had a hand in raising you,. How could I be angry that you have found love in your life?"

Her words felt off. There was something beneath them that Andrea couldn't pinpoint. After knowing the Queen for so long, she knew what to look for in her usual deceptions. She was her Queen, after all. She had to know her inside and out. She gave the woman a tight smile nonetheless. "So… you approve then?"

"I suppose. Though I wish you had chosen someone with a title other than my husband's bastard, the heart doesn't care about money, does it?"

Her words stung, but Andrea merely swallowed her feelings and shook her head. "No, your Grace, it does not."

Catherine smiled, placing her hands on her arms and giving them a light, affectionate squeeze. "I'm glad you agree. I will have my staff draw the proper documents to release you from your contract and stop the money that flows into your family's accounts."

Andrea's eyes widened. There it was. The underlying threat to Catherine's words. The deception. "Stop the money?"

Catherine raised an eyebrow at her. "Well of course. You will no longer be working for me, so it makes sense that I will no longer be paying you.

Andrea felt her chest constrict as if a heavy weight had been placed on it. Her grandmother and sister's faces flashed before her eyes and her responsibility to them was fresh in her mind. "I-Isn't there some other employment that you could assign me?"

"Yes, but I'm afraid the payment is much less that what you receive now. It won't be enough to support your family and the care that your grandmother receives." Catherine touched Andrea's cheek, looking at her as a sympathetic mother would. Conflicted feelings coursed through Andrea. Loyalty for Catherine and her family, and her love for Sebastian. This was the choice that she was being given by her queen. "You understand, don't you? A taken woman, a married woman, has no place among my flying squad."

Andrea took in a tight breath, her eyes drawing to the floor. "I…"

"You have a decision to make, dear." Catherine told her, moving around her desk to take a seat. Her eyes watched the young girl before her and the way she seemed close to tears. She was almost sorry to see the state that the girl was in, as she cared for her as her own. But she was doing what had to be done. She had to break the girl's heart. Catherine chanted in her head that it was necessary, that it was for her own good. "Love is a wonderful feeling. I know this. But it is a weakness women like us cannot afford to have. It requires us to place men before ourselves and the only men who should ever have that honor are our sons." Catherine folded her hands before her. "I know my word's must hurt, but I only say this for your own good. Do you understand?"

It took a moment, but Andrea raised her eyes to look at her Queen. The hazel doe like eyes that once shined with innocence and excitement were duller than they were before. "I understand, your Grace." She spoke in an obedient tone. "Did you not love the King?"

Catherine smiled in an almost bitter fashion. "Once… and look where it got me."

~For Country and Blood~

Andrea slowly walked to her room, thinking over the lengthy conversation she had just had with Catherine. There were weights on her shoulders that she couldn't bear. One of them were her family's wellbeing, the other her loyalty to Catherine. And the heaviest of all, it seemed, was Sebastian's heart. The blue eyed man who had made her fall for him in the most devastating and beautiful way. The man who made her laugh and forget about her worries and problems, at least for a while.

The man who could break her in the same way she could break him.

"Andrea?"

She turned around, her heart sinking as she saw Sebastian approaching her down the hall with a smile on his face. She forced a smile on to her face, quickly wiping her tears away. "Bash…"

He reached her and immediately took her hands in his. Andrea relished the small bit of comfort, wanting to draw him in her arms. But she knew she couldn't. "Did you speak with Catherine?"

Andrea nodded, avoiding his eyes. "Yes… Yes, I did."

Bash frowned at her tone and the look on his face. "What happened? Did she refuse? I can go to my father. He will speak with her-"

Andrea shook her head, a teary smile on her face. He really did love her. "There isn't a need, Bash. She didn't refuse. She said yes, actually."

"And yet you're crying." He lifted his hand to wipe a tear from her cheek, the roughness of his thumb a sharp contrast to the softness of her skin. "It breaks my heart when you do that."

She turned her head slightly and kissed the hand that rested on her cheek, taking in the feel of his skin before she would no longer be able to enjoy it. "I know."

"Then tell me what's wrong." he implored, looking her dead in the eye no matter how much she wanted to break the gaze.

She pulled her eyes from his and instead stared at his large, work worn hands that were adamant in feeling her skin, unable to hold his gaze what she had to do. "When my father took my brother and fled when I was only 9 years old, it became my responsibility to provide for my grandmother and sister. I stole, I begged, I did whatever I could to make sure that they had enough to eat, even when my own belly was empty."

Bash frowned deeply, watching his love lament her past troubles to him as if he had never heard it before. "And then Catherine's carriage arrived in your village and she offered you a place in her household as a servant in exchange for money and food, I know this. You told me when we were twelve. What does that have to...

She shook her head, feeling her heart cracking in two as she did so. "...The queen approved of our love. But she can't have a lady in her Flying Squad that is promised to another."

Bash frowned. "And you want to be one of her ladies? Andrea, they sleep with men for money and Catherine's praise."

"I know and what I want is to be with you." Andrea said in a longing tone. "But… I need the money for my family, Sebastian. You know this."

"...So you agreed to stay in her service." Bash said, dropping his hands to his side. "And to do that… you and I can no longer be together."

"Bash…"

"Tell me you didn't tell Catherine that you would stay a part of her Flying Squad."

Andrea looked down at her hands, feeling a bout of shame flow over her. "I… I had to choose between you and my family… and I chose my family."

Bash gave her a withering look and stepped back from her. The heartbreak was clear on his face. "An honorable choice, I'm sure."

Andrea couldn't stop the tears from rolling down her face, as much as she wanted to. "Please believe me, if I had any other choice, I would take it."

In his heartbreak, he felt anger. And it was the anger that brought forth his next words. "There were other jobs to take. Other opportunities. I could help you and we could find a way."

"But it wouldn't be enough." Andrea said in a broken voice. He was angry and she couldn't blame him. But she wanted nothing more than to collapse into his arms. "My sister, Odette, is going to need a dowry soon and she needs an education. My grandmother needs constant care and the house, it needs upkeep and servants. We would be buried under the finances and I don't want you to struggle."

Bash looked at her with a hardened expression. "I would struggle for you."

Andrea nodded, a sigh escaping her lips. "I know and I… I adore you for it. But I've already agreed. I leave for Vienna to complete my training on the first ship tomorrow." She cast her gaze down, unable to look in the eyes. "I'm sorry."

Bash stared at her for a moment before he turned and began walking away from her. Andrea stared after him, unable to hold in her tears. "Sebastian, please…"

"It's too late." he said, not turning around. "Your decision is made. And now I'm making mine."

Andrea stared after him, watching the love of her life walk away from her. He wouldn't turn back, he was much too stubborn. And being who she was, remembering where she came from, she wouldn't' follow him. She could only let out a silent cry as she was left alone in the darkened hall and both of their hearts were shattered beyond repair.

AN

Hello! So I have been working on this story for a VERY long time. I'll post weekly updates and whatnot. If you're reading this and are wondering why I haven't updated Hell Lost An Angel or Built By Moonlight, I'll post updates on my profile.