Kismet: Love and Regency

Disclaimer: I do not own any of Reign's characters

Chapter 1

Francis opened his eyes and saw his son sleeping peacefully beside him with Lola on the other side. Her lips were a light pink and her breath was tickling the tops of John's head. Her hand was snug around the baby and he realized now his own hand was draped across the baby ending on her waist. He didn't want to wake up John or Lola. After the tumult of the past weeks, it felt good to be holding love, to feel security. Lola's words echoed in his mind, "I don't feel comfortable leaving him with someone else… Not since the attack on the castle." The fear in her voice. His failure to protect those that he loved resounded in his mind. And, when he had come again the next day, she had looked so exhausted when he came in yesterday. He moved his arm up slightly thumbing one of her curls. It was a comfort of silk beneath his fingers. She was so calm and wise always. She was selfless. She had borne his child and married a man whom she didn't love to do what was best for her Queen and—him. Lola had cared about him… she did care about him. John started to stir.

"Shhhh," he murmured, singing softly in French,

Bonne nuit cher enfant
Dans tes langes blancs
Repose joyeux
En revant des cieux

Quand le jour reviendra
Tu te reveilleras
Quand le jour reviendra
Tu te reveilleras

Lola's eyes flitted open and she look at Francis. His eyes were fixated on their baby. She felt the weight of his hand on her waist, and the heat of it was stirring something within her. She tried to focus on the song instead. It was so soothing. Her mind flashed to his words, "All he needed was his father's arms." It had been true. She could go back to sleep despite the bright sun outside. It had been such a long night. She closed her eyes drifting off to sleep again.

Mary walked into her chambers. "Please prepare me a bath," she told her maid. She stood on the balcony and felt the wind caress her cheek. The image of Francis asleep with his son next to him, and Lola on the opposite side. She placed her hand below her stomach covering her womb, the emptiness was still there. She wasn't sure if she would ever conceive. She tilted her chin up, and felt her ring on her finger. She was Queen, a powerful ruler. She had told Francis that she wanted to be married in name only. She had told him that they would rule side-by-side. They made an excellent team. France would find its path under their rule. Her heart had wanted him for a minute but as she felt the bruises on her neck. She remembered his absence. His lies. He had done it to protect her, but he hadn't trusted her enough to tell her. They were best as friends. Love jeopardized their country and jeopardized everything. She couldn't be a weapon to hurt him and hurt France. There were too many lies, too much blood. Metal crashed and she jumped. Suddenly, her mind raced back to the night of the attack and the sun hit her eyes like the fire in the cottage. Her body quaked. Leaning on the stone banister, she looked out at the gardens. Conde was below. She turned and rushed out the doors forgetting about the bath.

"Louis," she said. He turned his eyes dark startled at the sight of her.

"Mary," he said shocked.

"I need to get away. Take me away, please." She grabbed his hand. "I want to feel nothing. I want to hear nothing. But, I must do something. Do you understand?"

He looked at the wild hope in her eyes. "Mary."

She shook her head. "I'm sorry. I need to go riding."

"I'll go with you."

"Louis," called Laith. "We must speak with you."

"Just give me one minute, Mary, and I'll accompany you."

"Louis," repeated Laith more urgently.

Mary shook her head and broke her hand free from his, rushing toward the stables.

Louis looked at Mary's diminishing form and then at Laith who stood with the king's guard. He could only think, What now? Bash was coming toward the group as well.

"Give me a horse now!" commanded Mary to the stable boy, who quickly scurried to get one tacked. Without waiting for her guards or saying anymore, she galloped off. The boy stood stunned as Louis rushed into the stable.

"Where's the Queen?" he asked. The boy pointed to the West.

Laith and Bash had wanted him to go into the town and speak with Protestants, to calm them. They were still uneasy. He had wanted to take Mary with him, but now she had charged off into God knows where.

"Get me a horse!" he barked vaulting onto the horse and chasing after Mary. The clouds were following him as if Heaven were watching. He hoped God would keep Mary safe. The Protestant rebels could still try something. Why couldn't she have waited? He spurred his horse faster. He had a feeling she would head for the lake. "Mary," he screamed. He could hear hooves ahead, and he hoped that they were hers. He moved his body lower on the horse's neck, urging him to go faster. "Come on, come on." He saw a black dress and the browned honey of her hair. Damn she was beautiful. He rode up next to her. "Mary, stop for Gods sake. You need to slow down." She looked at him quickly and kept riding. There was a fallen tree in front of them, and he grabbed her reins. "Mary, stop. Look!" She pulled on the reigns as he did. Both of them realizing that they had fallen into a trap. "Through the woods," he yelled. The arrows started and he grabbed her, pulling her onto his horse. Her horse's reins still in his hands as he wove in and out of the trees, having to let go of the reins and hoping the horse followed. They were being chased by three men, and he drew his sword. "Take the reins!" She did just as a sword headed toward them and he matched it quickly with his.

Mary zig zagged through the trees, hoping to lose their attackers. She heard a slice and one man fell backward.

"You Papist bastard," another screamed, charging at them and Louis turned backward on the horse knocking their assailant's sword from his hand, and driving his own sword into the man's throat. The blood splattered on her cheek and she cringed.

Then, they hit the lake, and she had to stop short. "Louis."

He grabbed her as they got off the horse. The final assailant sneered at them.

"I will kill you and then take her. You've killed my brothers, and I will not let you live."

Louis sneered back, but said nothing. He kept Mary behind him as he sparred with this man, catching a sword across his arm.

Mary gasped. She grabbed her own dagger and charged the man stabbing his leg. The blood soaked her hands and she froze. The man turned on her trying to grab her. Louis recovered jumped on the man's back and slit his throat. Before Mary could even think, Louis had her in his arms. Adrenaline pumping through them. He kissed her and the taste of sweat mingled with lust, and she kissed him fiercely back. He picked her up carrying her toward the safety of the shore away from the fray. Her legs were wrapped tightly around him and he pulled away for a second, "Mary."

"Don't stop!" She needed to feel alive. She was tired of being cold. Her body was shivering even now with the heat of her flesh melding with his. "I need you."

He moaned as she kissed him and grabbed his hair. He fell backward with her on top. She undid his buckle and he slid up her skirts. In that moment, he was hers, and he felt her body connect with his. He gasped as their body's moved in sync, and he let her kiss his neck, while he massaged her hips. They could not disconnect, tethered by passion and need.

"My turn," he whispered, gently flipping her over onto the ground. Propping himself up, he kissed the tops of her breasts and behind her ear, whispering and stroking. Mary groaned and dug her nails into his shirt. He smiled kissing her and undoing her corset. He kissed her chin and rubbed his cheek against hers, finishing. She pushed him back to be on top once again. She kissed him and then they both shuddered. She pinned his hands behind him, and then she moved down, until her head rest on his chest.

"Don't let go, please." She didn't release his hands, but then he held her and she let out a deep, sobbing sigh. "Just hold me. Don't let go."

"I won't, I promise," he crooned, holding her and feeling her tears on his chest. "I won't. I have you."

She breathed heavily and cried until his words lulled her to sleep. For the moment, everything was right. The bloodshed and violence was silenced in the aftermath of passionate love.

A/N: Please review. Next chapter will have more Lola and Francis.