Chapter 2

Olivia stormed into the Queen's chambers, completely wild with anger.

"Your Grace, I promise you that if your son banishes me to some lowly castle I will expose your secrets to the king himself" she said, in the moment casting aside the proper greetings for the queen of France.

Catherine looked at the girl blankly. She wryly thought that Mary, no matter her temper, would always have had better manners than this.

"Expose my secrets? My dear, I'd have you hanged before you could utter a breath to my disloyal husband." She waved for her guards to remove this girl from her presence. She had hoped that Olivia would spark an old flame in her son, perhaps becoming pregnant and removing Mary from the picture altogether. She was many things to many people, but Queen Catherine would not fail as a mother. She would not see war come for her sons, and would not have Nostradamus's prophecy come true. She stared in the mirror at her ageing face. So much had changed. She remembered being content knowing the little girl she raised would marry her son. She admired the girl and could ask of no one better. If only it hadn't been prophecies that this girl would bring the death of her son.

Mary folded her hands into her lap, feeling the silk of her dress. It reminded of her mother's gown that she would play with as a small child. Kenna was sitting next to her. She felt bad for how she had reacted to finding out she was sleeping with the King. Mary knew it was mostly because she hated the idea of kings having mistresses.

"Kenna, I want you to know we are still friends" Mary began.

Kenna looked at her with hurt eyes.

"I know you think I'm just being naive, and that the king doesn't really love me. But I swear he does." she said earnestly.

"I hope for your sake he does" Mary said worriedly.

"I cannot believe Francis has not banished Olivia yet" Kenna said, quickly changing the subject.

"Me neither. But it is the Queen's wish that Olivia make my life miserable. I am sure of it" Mary said, the anxiety creeping into her mind again. With everyone against her and Francis, would their love ever be accepted?

"The Queen? What ever do you mean?" Kenna said, a plan forming in her mind.

"The Queen wishes Francis would not marry me, for some reason. And I am sure she has figured that Olivia would be perfect to come between us" Mary explained.

"I have an idea" Kenna smiled. "I can speak to the king." Mary stared blankly, and then remembered that Kenna thought she had some kind of power over the king now that she was his main mistress.

"Be careful. I've heard the king has quite the temper" Mary cautioned. Kenna did not seem to heed her words, already rushing towards the door, her long brown hair flying behind her. Mary felt worse than ever.

Kenna smoothed her hair and pinched her cheeks as she approached the King's chamber. It was late, and she was sure he was waiting for her. She slipped inside, she had her own key now.

"Your Grace" she said, giving him a confident smile. He brushed her formalities aside and motioned for her to come into his bed.

"Kenna, I've been thinking about you all day" he admitted. Kenna's heart raced when she heard this. Surely their love was as great as all the fairytales she had read as a child.

"As have I." Kenna said honestly.

"I have something to ask of you" she said boldly. The king raised his eyebrows. He was intrigued, to say the very least.

"Mary is constantly worried at the presence of Olivia. We were told she would be leaving court, but the Queen makes sure she stays. I know you are more powerful than the Queen, and I was hoping you would help Mary." Kenna said. She felt uneasy. Even though she was confident asking favours of the king would not irritate him, she hoped he would not brush this off as a silly request.

"My love, tomorrow morning, Olivia will be on her way. That is a promise" Henry said, the hunger in his eyes growing as his lips crashed on to Kenna's. Kenna returned the kiss and giggled. She knew the king loved her.

Olivia strolled in the gardens until she found Bash. She decided that with the Queen annoyed at her and Mary trying everything to get rid of her, she would need some alliances. She spotted Bash sitting alone under a tree and walked over to him.

"Hello my lord" she said politely, smiling at him.

"Olivia, it is a pleasure. I'm surprised to see you here still" he said, his bright blue eyes showing no kindness towards her.

"Where else would I go?" Olivia smirked. She was tired of playing the victim.

She sat down next to Bash.

"The real question is why are you out here all alone?" she said, sitting closer to him than was appropriate.

Bash looked over at her darkly.

"Everyone in the castle is too preoccupied to worry about real problems" he said sighing.

"Or maybe you are avoiding them because you can't face Mary" she said, trying to provoke a response from him.

"What do you know of Mary?" he responded too quickly.

"I know that you wish she was yours instead of your brothers'" she said, brushing his arm.

"He's my half brother actually" Bash muttered.

"Believe me. I know what it is to feel outcast, like you will never belong" she said, allowing her blue eyes to fill with tears, a skill she had long mastered.

"Please, do not cry." Bash said tiredly. He reached over and brushed the tears from her eyes. She looked up at him, leaning closer, until her soft lips were on his. He let himself fall into the kiss. He needed to feel love. She pulled away.

"I'm sorry, I did not mean to do that" she said distraught, brushing her lips. Bash nodded. This was all too familiar. Why was it that these girls came to him after a fight with his brother? He would always be the second choice.

"Do not worry, I will not tell anyone" Bash assured her.

"Thank you. You are a friend" she responded, smiling shyly at him. He nodded again, his eyes stormy with thoughts.

Olivia turned and crossed the grounds back to the palace. Everything was falling to place.