Chapter 9: Letters from the King

The years had continued to roll on, but what remained was Henry's loving touch in his secret letters to Salome. He never stopped loving her, and she never gave up on hope that they would meet again.

Spring 1518

Words cannot express the true pain I feel when you are gone. I feel a missing piece of my heart that you have taken with you on your journey. Maybe you shouldn't have gone back and I would not be terribly missing you, Salome. You have no idea what you have done to me.

What have I done? I have done nothing. You accuse me of enchanting you when I was only a mere girl. I am nothing, when you are everything.

Fall 1529

May I call you my sweet, my love…my everything? Because you are everything to me. I cannot get you out of my mind. Write me again, so I can hear your sweet voice.

How can you hear me voice? I am far away cut off from the world of which you placed me in. Can you see me? Can you understand how I feel?

Summer 1520

Can letters with your handwriting fill my empty heart? Can I deny that I have no feelings for you? Do you want me to say those words? Salome, you must know that I care deeply for you and will always.

Write more to me and never stop. Why should you conceal all your thoughts about me? Write it down if you can. Let me know how you truly feel.

Winter 1521

My love you ask too much of me and I the beggar have not enough to suffice to your will. Can't I say I am depressed without you? Could that satisfy you?

No, because I need more from you. You know that will be sufficient enough. I miss you dearly and think about often. Words escape me, but never fail me. If what we feel is wrong, don't put it to shame. You must not forsaken me…I cannot endure that pain.

Winter 1522

Forsake you? Never could I do that to you. Oh, Salome! You make it seem so easy. I want you, the same way you want me.

His letters were in stacks like the temples of Giza. Every letter she had received and read with her own eyes. He wanted her, but she was not ready to give herself to him yet. She was far away, but she knew that he desired her. Reply after reply, his letters got longer and straight to the point. She missed him…terribly. Maybe as a child back then she could not understand his love. Now, she was fully aware of what he wanted and what he could do.

Could Salome have last long if she stayed? That was the question she asked herself all the time. No, she probably would have been at this age and found trouble. But what she would give, to share a moment…an hour in his arms. To feel his loving touch, his breathe on her neck. Can you imagine such bliss? Such happiness with them together? However, Sahir said that she needed to take control and to make this relationship last. If Salome wanted this work, she had to play it by her rules.