"Love and War" Chapter 10
Summary: The second showdown. It's Henry's turn to throw down the gauntlet.
AN: Glad to see our Queen back in action! Thank you all to my faithful readers for sticking with me through this story! You are all the greatest.
To Lina: As always, thank you for always inspiring me.
She was seething. In her mind, everything was settled. He made promises of his love for her as usual and he would break them and return to Diane. Her mind was racing as she began to round the corner of the hallway that led to the steps of the main stairway.
Where had this gone wrong?
What could have caused him to send Diane away?
This could become a nightmare very quickly.
She tried to rein in her temper, something she had never done very well with. She paused at the top of the stairway to see her husband approaching the main entrance to the castle after his encounter with Diane. Hastening her steps, she descended the grand staircase calling to him as she saw his eyes cut towards her.
"Henry—"
He was upset. She could sense that much, however if looks could kill she'd be a dead woman. She saw so much frustration in his eyes. The frustration wasn't with Diane. It was with her.
Never having been one to shy away from a good fight, she continued her line of questioning without a second thought, "Have you lost what little sense you have left? What have you done? In what way did you interpret my words to mean that I wanted you to send Diane away?"
Catherine's emotions were boiling to the surface of her usually calm façade. Her voice was beginning to take on that dangerous tone. She knew how to handle Henry. However, this was anything but typical behavior for him. She felt as though she knew less and less of the man standing before her. He didn't say a word. He continued to stare a burning hole through her. The muscle in his jaw was working at a rapid pace with the clenching of his teeth. She pushed him further.
"What are you staring at? Are you going to answer me?! I deserve an explanation at the very least, and you are simply going-"
Through her tirade Catherine hadn't even noticed the servants, guards, and various nobles who'd stopped to watch the show between their King and Queen. However, what Henry did next not only cut Catherine's words short but caused gasps to be heard from onlookers.
With lighting speed Henry grabbed Catherine's tiny wrist in his very large hand and began to drag her forcefully down the hallway towards his chambers. She was struggling to free herself. She would not allow him to handle her.
"Henry, STOP—this is foolish—honestly people are watching-"
He didn't falter. He continued to pull her along behind him causing her to stumble periodically. She felt panic beginning to rise as his hold on her wrist only tightened. The endless parade of people in the great hall moved against the walls as they watched the spectacle before them.
"Henry, you are causing a scene-"
When her words seemed to not even scratch the surface of his purposeful demeanor she became exasperated with him. Alright, if you want to cause a scene. She dug her heels into the ground and ripped her arm away from him effectively freeing herself.
"Henry, let go of me! You are acting ridiculous!"
He cursed loudly before turning back towards his hot-blooded Italia wife.
"Dammit woman! Can you NOT ask questions and simply trust me for five whole seconds!?"
Catherine's eyes narrowed at him. She was not in the mood for games. She crossed her arms defiantly across her chest, lifting her chin for good measure.
Henry saw that she would not come with him willingly. He gave a frustrated groan, rolling his eyes to the heavens and finally placing his hands on his hips. Nobles stopped their various card games and gossip to watch their King and Queen staring each other down, daring the other to make the first move. Henry dropped his hands and moved towards her with long, purposeful, strides.
"Fine, have it your way, wife!"
Catherine's eyes widened in shock and horror as her husband scooped her off of the ground in one fluid motion. Throwing her over his shoulder she began to scream in protest.
"Henry! Put me DOWN! You are such an ass! Stop this at ONCE!"
Henry's face held a wicked smile. He passed through the doors of the great hall to travel down the corridor that lead to his room giving two guards a slight wink.
"What are you saying, my sweet? I can't hear you!"
She kicked hard, "Put me down! You are going to drop me!"
He chuckled, "I would never do such a thing, darling. Now quiet!"
He smacked her on the bottom, eliciting a small yelp from his angry wife. Oh, there would be hell to pay for this, he knew that much. However, right now he only cared about one thing. Getting his stubborn Medici wife to listen to him.
The guards who stood at his chambers awkwardly bowed to him, their faces registering the shock of seeing the Queen tossed haphazardly over the King's shoulder. Pushing through his chamber doors, trying desperately not to drop his irate queen, he made it to his bed. She landed with a soft thud as he tossed her down.
Knowing his wife all too well, he awaited her next move. She frantically moved to stand, to try match him step for step. He was ready.
"Henry, honestly!"
He shoved her shoulders ever so lightly, causing her to flop back onto her bottom.
"What the hell are you do—"
He held out a hand to stop her movements and to let her know he didn't want her to stand.
"You, my queen, are going to sit right there on that bed and not say a word. You are not going to yell, or scream, or toss out anymore ultimatums. You are going to do one thing only—listen. "
She opened her mouth to protest, but again he cut her words short.
"I KNOW—that's a rather large expectation on my part. Do try, my love. I'd hate to have to spank you again."
Her gaze pierced him. Narrowed hazel eyes threw knives at his heart from where she was forced to sit. Henry began to pace nonchalantly.
"Catherine, you spoke quite eloquently before. I loved your bit about me choosing Diane over you, and some other rubbish about my indulgences. It was almost as if you expected me to betray you. Now, I realize that I am much to blame for that. " He stopped his pacing and turned to square his shoulders to where his wife sat. She looked stunned. He smiled slightly, moving towards her and dropping to his knees in front of her. He gathered her hands and gave them a small kiss. "However, none of that interests me because it doesn't give me you. I'm not expecting you to open your heart to me right away. I realize after everything I've put you through that might be one flower that will never blossom for me. I also know that I might fail miserably and continue to be the foolish man I've always been. I also realize that if I don't at least try to earn your trust-I'll never forgive myself. You can push me away all you want. Go ahead and build your walls miles high. I won't give up. I will earn your trust and love with time, Catherine, I swear."
Catherine's eyes were wide with fear. She could barely process this situation. She was terrified, for so many reasons. Her heart was a deep ocean of secrets. Storms wrought with painful tears had filled it to the brim and buried certain horrors of her past deep within her. No one had ever bothered to venture that deep into the heart of Catherine de Medici. The last person she wanted to make herself that vulnerable to was Henry… and yet he was the only person as well. She wanted to speak, to make him see reason, but it was clear he wouldn't allow her that satisfaction. He rose to his feet, allowing the back of his hand to run along her cheek softly.
"I love you, Catherine. Just you. I'll do anything to show you that."
He turned and walked out of his room, the door giving a resounding click that broke her thoughts. This could be disastrous.
AN: More to come kiddos! Thanks for your loyalty.
To FaerieBreath: Love that you caught the comedy from the last chapter. Hope you enjoy this one!
To demedicigirl: Ask, my dear, and you shall receive! Sexy Cathry times coming at you soon!
To FilipaGautheir: Thank you for your "Cathry" congrats.
To Katie: Thought you'd like that, hon!