Chapter 1

"it was you! You've been here as a spy and a traitor all along!" screamed Catherine to the kneeling form of Prince Conde. He was bound, bruised, and surrounded by court guards.

Mary's expression was stricken. Could she have really been tricked by her most loyal friend? All of the times that he had helped her, schemed with her, protected her - were they all a ploy to gain the royal's trust while trying to murder the queen? Her head was spinning.

Francis cold eyes held a gleam of something else - enjoyment? "If this is true, this is the highest form of treason. We will swiftly investigate, and if you are guilty you will be hanged immediately. Guards, throw him in the dungeon"

Mary felt herself gasp audibly. She was so torn, confused.

Catherine looked smug. "My informants have heard that King Navarre sent him here to carry out the task. He was to take us out one by one. They gifted the bible to Henry a few months before his death. The poison slowly turned him mad and drove him to act in foolish ways that led to his demise. If Henry had not died in the jousting match, the poison would have killed him soon enough. He was to watch as the same happened to me. Then move along to you, Francis and Mary. We cannot let them get away with this!"

Mary pleaded, "But surely, we must find proof!"

Francis countered, "We will, but I will not drag this out. No one threatens our family and gets away with it. Every available man will be tasked to get to the bottom of this."

Mary was alone in her chambers, pacing, trying to make sense of everything. Suddenly she realized, she must find out the truth herself. She could not allow any false information to decide this case, and she could not sit still until she found out the truth for herself. But where to start?

She found herself walking down the cold stone steps into the damp dungeon. It was late, no one around but a couple of guards.

"My lady, you should not be down here, it's no place for a queen," admonished one of the guards.

Mary straightened her shoulders, "I will decide what is right for the queen!" she shot back. "I wish to see one of the prisoners. Take me to Prince Conde and leave us for 10 minutes."

"My lady…" started the other guard.

"No arguments! I will not be dissuaded!" Mary exclaimed.

Reluctantly, the first guard led her deeper into the dungeon. The dark cells were mostly empty, but some contained dirty men dressed in rags. She tried to shake off the eerie and desperate atmosphere and remind herself that she was brave.

They walked all the way to the last cell. A sliver of light came in from the only window at the top right side of cell. The light fell on Conde who was sprawled in the opposite corner. He had obviously been beaten and his clothes were torn. Mary's heart clenched.

At the sound of their footsteps, he looked up cautiously. At the sight of Mary, Conde gasped and scrambled to his feet.

"Mary!" he exclaimed

"Do not address me so informally," Mary admonished. "I am your queen and you have been accused of the gravest of crimes"

Conde's face twisted in pain. "I am so sorry, my queen. I swear on all that is Holy, I have not done this! I am innocent! I know not how to convince you, but I must."

Mary stepped forward warily. "I want to believe you," she whispered. "Please tell me where I can find proof."

Conde stepped to the bars and clenched them, desperately. "I've been thinking over and over about this. It is true that the bible was a gift from my family. Is it possible it wa poisoned after arriving here? Were there any in the castle who wanted King Henry dead?"

"Of course," Mary said. "He was the king, and he had enemies. I don't know how to figure out who could have done it. Perhaps I should follow the trail of the bible from it's arrival?"

"Yes, perhaps that's a good start," Conde said whistfully. "But Mar...my Queen, please do not attempt to do this on your own. It's too dangerous! If the murderer is still out there, they will not want to be found and will harm you, if you get too close." His eyes looked desperate now. "Please…"

"I'm not often swayed from doing what is right by danger," she stated firmly. "I have, after all, been referred to as a white knight."

Conde couldn't help but beam at her choice of words. It felt good to speak as friends again.

Mary turned to leave, but then slowly turned back. "Louis...If you have been pulling the wool over my eyes all of this time, I will watch you hang without a second thought…...However, I can't help but trust you. I always have. I will find out the truth. In the meantime," she unbuttoned the black cape around her shoulders, and held it out to the opening in the bars, "have faith" she finished breathily. He reached out to take the cape and his fingers brushed hers. Mary felt the familiar pull she has been trying to ignore. They both stayed still for a few more seconds, holding the connection, before Mary turned to leave.

Mary spent the next morning speaking to every guard, maid, and servant of Henry's. She was getting nowhere. Everyone knew the Bible had come from King Navarre, yet no one had seen it in anyone else's hands.

She sighed in frustration. What was she missing?

Who would have access to it? Perhaps the servants, though it seemed very unlikely they would have access to such expensive and strong poison. His mistresses? They would spend long lengths of time in his chambers. Surely he would fall asleep, or even leave them alone from time to time? Diane? Penelope? ….Kenna?

Mary drew in a sharp breath.

Mary retraced her steps to the dungeon. The two guards from last night were replaced by one very tired, snoring guard at the entrance. Her slippers were silent and she held her breath as she slipped in unnoticed. As she arrived to Louis' cell in the back, she found him already staring in her direction. He jumped up and opened her mouth, but Mary quickly silenced him with a finger to her lips. They moved to the far side of his cell, just out of view from the sleeping guard.

"Louis," Mary whispered, "I have found out something." She paused, unable to find where to begin. "I found the person responsible….but it's complicated."

Louis looked at her questioningly. "What is it Mary? You can tell me."

She lifted her eyes to his. "It's...it's just that….the traitor is Kenna," she finished quickly. "You see, she saw that Henry was unfair and cruel, not only to his people, but also to his family and to me. She swears she only wanted to get him to step back from power, or have others take the power from him when they saw him weakened. Somehow it spiralled out of control, the madness made Henry become even more cruel and dangerous, and she didn't feel she couldn't turn back." Mary took a shaky breath. "The problem is, she will be humiliated and hanged if she is found out. I don't know what to do!" Mary exclaimed desperately.

Conde reached out to touch her hands that she was wringing together. "I understand...this is very difficult." He paused to think and unconsciously brushed his thumb over her soft skin. Mary's heart sped up. Their eyes met and thoughts seemed to pass between them.

Mary removed her hand and stepped back to think. "I can't think of a way out for either of you. This crime is too grave to hope for mercy for Kenna, even from Francis. She is so young...and she is pregnant with Bash's child. But how can I let you hang for this crime? There is no fair solution!" Mary's voice became frantic and the guard stirred down the hall.

She held her breath and peered around the corner to make sure he was still asleep. When she was satisfied they were safe, she turned back.

"Mary, it seems I must protect Kenna in this. I see no other way," Conde spoke plainly. He looked down, "No one said the world was a fair place, but I can at least live and die knowing I acted rightly. I can not let a woman with child be killed."

Mary approached again and layed her hands on each of his wrapped around the bars. He looked up and their eyes locked once more. Mary felt her breath leave her and her heart pound against her ribs. Conde slowly bent his head and brushed his lips against the back of her hand, then moved to her first knuckle, and her second…

Mary moaned softly and then gasped, embarrassed.

Conde lifted his head. "Mary, I have told you once in a letter, but I must tell you again before it is too late. I say this with no ulterior motives, only to make sure you know how wonderful you are." He paused and took a breath, "You are the most magnificient woman I have ever met. Incredibly strong, brave, kind, intelligent, and beautiful beyond words. Please do not ever doubt your ability to make a difference in this world. You've made all the difference in mine," he finished softly.

Mary couldn't breathe. She didn't know which way was up, down, right or wrong. She slowly stepped forward until she was flush with the bars. She could feel Louis breath on her face. Her eyes searched his, and found the understanding that always passed between them, and something more. Something much deeper, heavier - a tension hissed. She leaned forward and waited to feel his lips, to know what this long awaited dream would feel like….

A chair clattered over, and Mary jumped. She heard swearing and mumbling from the door. As she peered around the corner, she saw that the guard had woken and fallen out of the chair.

She looked back at Conde. "The guard is awake! I don't know how I'll be able to slip back out…" she whispered.

"Worry not, my queen," Conde said softly. With one last long look, he started shouting, "Hey! Hey! Guard! Bring me some stew! It's cold back here! I need stew at once!" He paused and looked back at Mary to whisper "follow this hallway to right, It will circle back to to entrance and you can escape when they come back to check on me. Hurry!"

Mary mouthed "thank you" and silently followed Louis instructions for escape.