2 Months later
Bash reigned in his gelding on the hillside overlooking the road to the castle. He knew Mary and Francis were returning in a few days and he hoped they could do something about Henry's growing madness. No one else in the castle seemed the wiser. Catherine had been able to keep it under control, but Bash knew it was getting worse. He'd been hiding out in a cabin used by local hunters. The night of Mary and Francis' wedding he'd been traveling to a ship bound for Spain, but someone had paid Francis' guards to kill him. He'd killed them first and then found the cabin. The only reason he knew about Henry was because he'd come upon Kenna while she was outside the castle walls hunting for the ball Charles had lost. He'd been keeping watch and she'd stumbled upon his hiding place. The past two months she had confided in Bash and they'd grown closer. She'd been targeted by Henry ever since she'd arrived to be his next mistress and Bash could see she was scared. He'd given her ideas on how to dissuade the King by falsifying letters to a so-called suitor. It was a small thing, with Henry's growing madness, but he seemed to be occupied by other things lately. His gelding snorted, and he brought himself back to the present. He urged his mount into a canter and headed back to the cabin. He put his tack away and after rubbing the gelding down he let him loose in the corral. He opened the door and he was met by a frantic Kenna. "What are you doing here? You could've been followed. Or worse." he said tossing his coat to the side. "I don't know how much longer I can avoid Henry." she said trembling. He noticed marks on her wrists and how disheveled her hair looked. "Nothing like that happened, but he was trying." she said when she saw the question in his eyes. He sighed and pulled her close. "We'll think of something. I just want to know. Why me? I'm not a lord or a noble. They could take you away from the King." She pulled back and looked up at him. "Because I saw how you put the people you love over everything else. And though most girls would feel flattered by the attention of the king I don't envision myself being known as a king's mistress." She made a move to wrap her arms around his neck. "I envision myself being a man's wife." Bash searched her eyes and saw she cared for him. He started to realize that he was beginning to care for someone else. Someone he could have. He leaned down and ever so softly placed his lips to hers.
Kenna had dreamed of what her first kiss would be like and this far exceeded them. Bash wrapped his arms around her pulling her close. She gripped his shoulders with her hands and deepened the kiss. Bash lifted his head and looked into her eyes. "Could you see yourself with me?" She brought a hand to his cheek. "I don't want you regretting anything." He whispered. She gave him a slow smile and brought his lips to hers. He deepened the kiss and her legs became like jelly. He held her up and continued to kiss her and she returned them. She pushed his coat off and he unclasped her cloak letting it fall to the floor. She let him take over and soon she found herself lying on his bed looking up into his eyes. She saw no lust or distant affection in them, but a hope of more and possibly the beginning of love. She closed her eyes as he knew her in more ways than she ever imagined.
Bash pushed the doubts to the back of his mind as he made Kenna his own in every way. He traced kisses from her lips to her shoulder and caressed her in ways that had her clinging to him asking for more. When he finally gave it to her she gave a small gasp and closed her eyes then sighed in pleasure. He rolled off and lay beside her both breathing hard, but happy. She gathered beside him and he wrapped his arms around her. Though it was still early they both fell asleep in each other's arms a new love born anew.
Mary placed a hand on her protruding stomach as the carriage hit a rut in the road. Francis glanced over at her and she gave him a smile. "I'm fine. Placing a hand on my stomach is something we pregnant women do often. Trust me." She took his hand. "You'll be the first to know if something's wrong." He smiled and placed a kiss on her forehead. "Are you warm enough?" he asked pulling the blanket up. She smiled. "Yes. I just wish we could go back. To two months ago and do it all over." She turned to look at him. "Me in my wedding gown, walking down the aisle to you at Notre Dame." He smiled and tilted his head back in and gave her a knowing look. "Now we're back to reality. That's what you're thinking." She sighed and looked straight ahead. "Politics, backstabbing, murder. Just another day at French court." He smiled at her. "I know. I promise we will get away again. You did marry a future king you know." She turned to him. "And with my mother no longer an obstacle, Nostradamus' prophecy no longer lingering, and Bash away in Spain." She gave a small smile. "I hope he's safe and he finds happiness." Francis didn't answer he just nodded and gave a strained smile. "There is one thing that everyone will want from us that we can agree on." She sat back and smiled. "A castle full of little royals?" They both chuckled and Francis kissed her telling her it was the one thing he looked forward too. That they both looked forward too. "We are already working on that one." She said as she placed his hand on her stomach.
Bash woke to find Kenna still in his arms. He glanced around and calculated that it was late afternoon. He sat up and Kenna stirred. "What is it?" She asked groggily. "You have to get back to the castle. Francis and Mary will be arriving, and they will be looking for you. Remember what I said. Get Francis and Mary here somehow. Tell them what's been happening." Kenna nodded as she hurried to get dressed. She grabbed her cloak and started for the door, but Bash took her hand and pulled her back to him giving her one last kiss before she left. "I love you." He said. "Now go." He pushed her to the door and she headed back for the castle.
A few hours later and the carriage slowed to a stop. Mary woke when Francis nudged her shoulder. She pulled her cloak tighter to keep the chill out and hide her stomach. She wasn't ready to explain anything until they were settled back in. Francis helped her out of the carriage and they made their way into the castle. The fanfare sounded as they entered the hall, and everyone applauded. Mary saw Lola, Greer and a somewhat flushed Kenna and made her way over to them. "I missed you all!" she said. They all met her and embraced with smiling faces. "You both look happy." Greer said. Mary gave a smile to Francis. "We were. We are." He placed a hand on her neck and kissed her forehead. "I'm sure we'll be just as happy as we were in Paris, and Anet, and every castle from her to the Loire Valley." They smiled. "We met plenty of possible suitors and they are very keen to meet you all." Lola and Greer seemed eager, but Kenna seemed distracted. Before Mary could ask what was bothering Kenna, Catherine called her name and approached. Mary realized she hadn't eaten anything since the start of their journey and was feeling faint. She gripped Francis' hand a little firmer and pasted a smile on her face as Catherine kissed both cheeks. "Oh, how I've missed you." She turned to Francis and did the same whispering in his ear. She slipped passed them and Mary gave Francis a look. "And so, the politics and backstabbing begin." He gave her a grim smile and started to leave, but Mary held his hand tighter. "Help me get to our chambers." She whispered. He kept the worry off his face and just walked with her ordering one of the servants to fetch some food. He left her with her ladies' maids and told her he would be back.
Francis found his mother waiting for him in the library. "It's good to see you've kept the kingdom from falling apart." He said dryly, a hint of a smile on his face. Catherine wore a pinched look but smiled anyway. "It hasn't been easy. I'm glad you're back, but Bash didn't make it to his ship. We found the guards dead in the middle of the forest. No sign of Bash." She stated. Francis frowned and crossed his arms. "We've had search parties out looking for him. He will be found." Catherine added. "Why waist resources? As long as he keeps his distance and stays quiet everything will be fine." Francis said pacing. Catherine huffed and shook her head. "What if…" Francis stopped her by raising a hand and shaking his head. "No. I will look further into it myself. We have other things to worry about. Bash is the least of our concern." Catherine sighed. "Yes, I suppose you are right. I hope one of those things is having an heir right away." Francis pretended to cough so he could conceal his smirk. He respected Mary's wishes, so he kept quiet. "Mother's know best." He said. "Now if you'll excuse me I'm going to check on my wife before I'm called back to court." He said turning on his heel and leaving.
Mary was glad when the food arrived, and she insisted Kenna and the others to try on the dresses she brought them. She had gotten rid of her cloak and so far, none of them had noticed anything different. Mary hoped they just figured it was all the eating from the honeymoon. Kenna seemed distracted the whole time they talked, and Mary made a mental note to talk to her later. "These dresses are lovely." Lola said. "I'm sure we'll impress any potential suitors with them." Mary smiled and took a sip from her glass. "Now Mary, are you pregnant yet?" Greer asked. Mary almost choked on her drink but managed to swallow. "Greer." Kenna said. "It's fine Kenna, I was expecting that question to come up." Just then the door opened, and Francis walked in. "Ah there you are. I'm sorry to interrupt, but I'd like to speak to my wife before we are called back to court." He said. Lola, Kenna and Greer smiled and gathered their things before leaving.
Francis smiled when he saw Mary visible relax. "Perfect timing. They were questioning me, and I was about to reveal our little secret." She said whispering the last part. Francis chuckled and walked over to the bed where she was sitting and took her hands in his. "Eventually the truth will come out. I'm surprised my mother doesn't know already." Mary nodded. "Perhaps we can mention something tomorrow or just let them figure it. Your mother wasn't looking for it before we were married. Now, on the other hand, she may not be fooled for long." Francis touched her cheek and traced her jawline, placing his other hand on her stomach. "Have I told you how happy I am?" Mary smiled and placed her hand on top of his at her stomach. "Multiple times." Francis leaned in for a kiss and pulled her close. She pulled away slightly to look into his eyes. "Did you notice Kenna acting strange at all?" Francis shook his head. "She seemed a little preoccupied. Why?" he said kissing each of her knuckles. Mary was trying to stay focused, but his kisses weren't helping. "She didn't seem her usual self." Francis moved to kissing her neck. "Maybe you can talk to her later." Mary put her hands on each of his shoulders as his kisses began to move lower. "What if somethings wrong?" Mary said breathlessly. Francis moved back up to kiss her jawline. "It can wait." He said claiming her lips in his. Mary cupped his face in her hands as he kissed her senseless.
Mary sighed blissfully as Francis placed kisses all over her face and caressed her with his hands. She leaned back till she was laying on the bed with Francis over her. She let him free her of her travel dress and responded in kind to his touch. She was still amazed at how right and wonderful it felt to know each other as man and wife. She was glad they still had something to remind them of their honeymoon. Francis lay beside her moments after their lovemaking caressing her stomach. "It's amazing how you were made to carry our baby." Mary placed a hand on his holding it still. "There are a lot of things I've learned since we've been married that are amazing." He kissed her hair and they just held each other.