Chapter 3 yey, sorry it took longer than expected been busy than I thought. Enjoy.

The pain was excruciating, as Bash opened his eyes the feeling threated to overwhelm him, he was only vaguely aware of someone bathing his forehead. He blinked once more and the images came into clearer focus. He recognised Kenna concerned face looking closely at him as she rang out the cloth she had clearly been using to cool his forehead.

"Oh thank god" Kenna whispered noticing his open eyes, she cupped his face gently "I was worried I had lost you," Bash grunted not sure he was ready to speak. "Nostradamus said he removed the broken blade and stitched the wound. What happened Bash, were you attacked?" Bash nodded at her words glad she was providing excuses for him. Her face was white, he could tell Kenna had not slept, he cursed himself for putting her through this. Wincing Bash sat up slightly ignoring Kenna noise of protest. Propping himself up he place a finger under Kenna's chin

"I am sorry to have made you worry, but Ill be alright, I have been through worse scraps than this." Bash smiled as Kenna rolled her eyes.

"You know that is not something to be proud of" she scolded. "But as you are alive ill let it slide this time" her tone told bash she was not joking. He smiled to himself, he never imagined that one day he would be told what to do by a woman. Kenna leaned closer to him brushing the blood tangled hair from him face. Bash wasn't entirely sure what made him do it, maybe it was that she smelt so good, maybe it was the way she was caring for him so gently, but as she leaned closer so did he capturing her lips with his. For a moment Kenna a froze not sure how to react this was not how she had planned their first kiss, but then she parted her lips letting their kiss grow deeper as she placed her hand around his neck.

Hours later Kenna lay sleeping her head resting lightly on Bash's shoulder, he could not help but smile when he looked at her, the memory of their kiss still made his lips tingle. It had not felt like the kisses he shared with Mary on the contrary it fact felt remarkable different. With Mary every time they touched it was pure desperate passion, Kenna offered a far more gentle kiss, one of innocence. It felt so simple but yet so right.. Bash continued to contemplate how far his wife had managed to creep into his heart without him even noticing as his softly circled her hand which was laced in his own.

They both awoke when the door was quickly pushed open and Mary hurried in, Kenna startled stood up leaving the spot on Bash's chest cold exposed to air.

"Mary, what is wrong" Kenna asked looking at Mary stricken face. "Whats happened has anyone been harmed?" Kenna's mind raced to Lola and her unborn child to Greer.

"No everyone is fine, Kenna I need to speak to Bash" Mary said trying to less urgent. She saw the look of pain in Kenna's eyes at the request.

"Mary, can't this wait till morning" Bash asked not wanting Kenna to feel cast aside, on the contrary he wanted her right back where she had been lying.

Mary's answer was sharp and hurtful, "Alone". And with that Kenna curtsied hurriedly not wanting either to see her tears as she rushed from the room.

"Kenna, wait" Bash called as he tried to sit up but found the pain in his side too much. "Mary was there any need to be so blunt you could have waited."

Mary frowned " Bash this is no time to be polite, what happened? Is it over?" and then before she could stop herself "Did you kill the man?" Bash looked out the window unsure of how to answer. Mary looked frantic "Well Bash".

"No" he finally whispered "No I didn't"

"I don't understand, what happened to you then where you attacked on the way?" Mary asked concerned

"No, I got there unharmed," He turned to face Mary, "I waited at the meeting place and a man turned up, he was not a threat Mary, he was not tall, he didn't even seem armed, he said he was going to use the money to get out of France" Bash spoke reliving the memories, "I was still going to do as you asked, so when he took the gold I raised my sword, but before I could bring it down I heard a boys voice call out. He had a family Mary," he said imploring her to understand why he could not go through with it. "I promised myself I would never take someone's father from them again."

Mary took a step back coldness in her eyes "You think I want to rip family's apart."

"He had his chance to kill me Mary, his son's call distracted me and that's when the man struck," Bash said gesturing at his wounded side "But he did not, he let me live, should I not offer him the same grace."

Mary was backing away from him now "Thank you for trying Sebastian, I will know not to trouble you again"

How could she be so cold, this was not the Mary he had fallen in love with, this was a stony Queen, "Mary" he called wanting her to understand, wanting her to know that death was not to the answer, she could get through this another way. But she had already closed the door behind her. Bash was left alone with only his thoughts for company. When had Mary become the ruler she had always feared, when had his own heart hardened to her. He fell asleep that night with these thoughts swimming in his head.

Several days after his accident Nostradamus finally allowed Bash to return to his own chambers. Upon entering them however he noticed that they were altered, more flowers than he would ever have had were placed in vases around the room and there was something different about them smell. It was no longer the woody outdoors aroma but something much sweeter more delicate. It was then he heard a splash and some one call out, "is that you Sarah?, Hand me my robe please I am getting out"

Bash walked slowly over to the screen that had been hiding part of his room looking behind it he gasped quietly Kenna was standing upright her back to him water dripping of her body. He knew he should look away, tell her that he was there, but for that moment he could not take his eyes of her. He explored every curve of her body feeling himself grow hot as he did. He bit his lip as a feeling of lust and something he could not name grow within him. He noticed Kenna start to move obviously wondering what had happened to the maid and he quickly made to hide behind the screen but got his foot caught and fell to the floor impacting on his injured side. He let out an involuntary shout of pain as his side hissed. Kenna scrambled out of the bath as quickly as she could finding a robe and rushing to Bash's side "Are you alright?" she asked concerned, kneeling down to check he had not hurt himself further

"No I am fine" Bash said trying to keep any dignity he had left.

"What on earth where you doing?" she asked though she thought she knew the answer and it made her cheeks burn.

"I have just been freed from Nostradamus" Bash said trying to change the subject and hide his guilt.

"Oh Bash, finally" she breathed helping him up and across to the bed, "I have been rather lonely sleeping here alone" Bash felt his stomach twitch at her words and he could not help but smile and that smile only grew when Kenna got in bed next to him ready rest for the night.

Kenna and Greer were in the throne room laughing together, Kenna was telling stories of Bash snoring habits while he was ill, and Greer was happy to see her friend smile. Bash stood across the room watching them both, but focusing most of his attention on Kenna, the way she wrinkled her nose when she laughed, how her big brown eyes lit up, she truly was so very beautiful he wondered why it had taken him this long to appreciate it.

"I wonder if peppercorn snores" Greer mused thoughtfully.

"Well" Kenna laughed "Not long till you find out the wedding is in less than a week."

"Don't remind, " Greer moaned "there is so much left to plan."

"Kenna" a booming voice interrupted their gaiety "Kenna, where have you been" The King was marching across the room towards her. "I was desired your presence often," he said as he reached them forcefully taking her hands in his. Bash surged forward in hot anger but he was slowed by his injury and before he could reach them another man had stepped in.

A stranger to Bash the man introduced himself to King Henry "Your Majesty, forgive me for the intrusion but my name is Pierre Bonnard, the artist" Henry face changed from one of indifference to one of interest, clearly having recognised the name.

"Bonnard, yes I have heard the name, you are well celebrated"

"I am humbled by your praise my Lord. It would give me great honour if the King would allow me to paint his portrait, such a striking figure must be captured." Kenna hide her smile behind her hand hearing the not so very subtle sarcasm in Pierre words.

Henry smile at Pierre moving from Kenna he clapped an arm around the artist say "Yes, yes of course me, my portrait, that's what we need, ill make arrangements directly," Henry said loudly and began striding off muttering to himself about the stance he should take maybe he should be standing over the body of a lion he had just slain.

Bash was about to step forward and thank the man who had gone to the aid of his wife when he noticed Pierre turn to Kenna and whisper something subtly in her ear "You must sit for me now, if I have to paint that lunatic I should at least be rewarded with your perfect features." Bash could not hear Pierre's words but he could she Kenna's smile at them and he felt himself growl in jealousy

"I suppose you have earned it" Kenna said quietly Pierre smiled as he bent down taking and kissing Kenna hand goodbye.

"I look forward to it." And with one last naughty grin he left. Leaving a sheepishly smiling Kenna and a furious Bash behind. Kenna and Greer resumed their previous conversation seeming not to notice Bash standing awkwardly in the middle of the room. His mind was racing who was that stupid man and how did he know Kenna? Why was his face so close to hers? And most importantly the questions that thundered around his head, why was she smiling? Though he wouldn't have admitted it watching Kenna at another man hurt Bash, deep inside something stirred as if it had been there all this time but sleeping. Had he really been so blind. He watched Kenna continue to laugh with Greer as Lola joined them, he shook his head trying to rid it of thoughts of Kenna images of her smiling at someone other than him. He needed to get out, he needed to breathe.

…

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