Disclaimer: I neither own Reign, nor profit from this story.

Staring straight ahead, Catherine began to recount memories long buried…

"You know that I was also held captive beginning when I was eight years old. I had already lived in a convent for three years after being orphaned by my parents and the few family members that actually cared. Most of the nuns there were kind or indifferent, a few were…they did not appreciate my family's influence, or at least the privileges I received through them. When the solders came their dispositions did not change much, but they became much more protective of me."

"Soon after my twelfth birthday one of the solders noticed that I no longer had the body of a child, and decided to taunt me. At one point he got very close, though nothing strictly improper…then his comrades wandered in. They were very loud, nearly drunk, and when they saw him towering over me decided he had a good idea and they each wanted their turn. At first they simply held me down and took what they wanted. I think they enjoyed watching me struggle as I was still constrained by my corset. They laughed at me…they laughed and they didn't care how much their…how much they…" She became absolutely still, eyes fixed on an unseen sight.

Finally taking a shuddering breath she continued, "They were destroying me from the inside out, without a second thought. They called it revenge for the many wrongs committed by my family…but to take that so callously from a child." Her voice quieted to almost a whisper as she spoke, "it's the sound of their cruel, sickening laughter is that haunts me still."

After a moment she returned to her narrative. "Eventually they began cutting my clothes off, leaving marks everywhere. Then nuns later found my curled up in a corner and crying. I never let the soldiers see me cry, but by the time they got bored and left I had nothing left in me to stop the tears from flowing."

"The nuns cared for me that night, all of them. They even excused me the next few days from my responsibilities saying that I was ill and unable to help. Once I did return to my normal duties and the stares and taunting returned. As far as I know they kept the secret of their new plaything amongst themselves as I was never approached by anyone else from the garrison."

Closing her eyes as feelings from more than two decades ago washed over her in waves. "We had been praying for almost four years for my Uncle to send his men and free us from the siege, but his soldiers were not there, and these were."

Pausing to take a breath and order her thoughts, she continued, "I chose to stop waiting for rescue and save myself with what precious I had left. They had taken my virtue and my freedom, but not my mind, and not my will. I decided to offer a more…willing experience in exchange for gentler handling and better treatment. It continued on until I was rescued by my uncles forces over six months later."

Shame nearly overwhelming her, she forced herself to continue, knowing that if she didn't finish now, she might never have the courage again.

"Not long after I had been rescued I was informed that I would travel here and be offered as your wife. I had known as soon as I was freed from the convent that I would never be able to tell another soul about what had taken place. I buried it deep enough that it only came out at night. Aside from you I have only told Nostradamus, his father, and thanks to Count Vincent and his men, Mary…though I did not so much tell her as decline to refute a very astute deduction on her part."

Speechless, Henry had watched her recount her story as plainly as if she was recounting a historical event, not a personal trauma. Not knowing what else to do he listened quietly throughout her tale.

Once she had finished he slowly moved closer to her, placed his hand on hers and said, "I love you. I love your strength and your courage. I hate what they did to you, but I love the woman that the actions of those terrible men helped to forge." Raising his hand to turn her chin ever so slightly, he made sure to catch her eye before continuing. "You are my Duchessina…my beautiful, feisty Italian bride, and my beloved wife. Nothing you could ever tell me will change that, especially when you tell me that you did what you needed to survive and eventually to become mine."

Tears began to stream down her face at his words. Both from relief and from the years of rage and pain that had been locked away so tightly. As she collapsed into herself, finally sobbing for the loss and the pain she endured, he gathered her to himself and held her close.

Eventually she fell asleep, still cradled in his arms. He motioned for her lady in waiting to arrange the bed so that he could continue to hold her, but recline enough to try and get some rest himself. He was sure they would both be a little stiff the next morning, but it was a state he could live with…especially if it meant holding his sweet wife close, and at least for the moment, safe.

His final instruction was to keep several tapers lit near her bed, and to put a few extra logs on the fire. He also ordered that her pills and a glass of water be put out and within easy reach in case her sleep was haunted again by the memories now so fresh in her mind. He would of course be there if she woke, but he wanted to have everything at the ready if they were to surface.

Taking a moment to kiss her forehead and stroke her cheek for his own peace of mind, he eventually settled into a restless waking sleep before finally giving up as the sun began to make its appearance. He watched it stream through her windows and thought about the night's events.

He certainly had a greater understanding of his wife now as she had revealed one more piece of her eternally complex puzzle. He almost wished that she had kept it from him…but no, it was long since time they shared this instead of her having to live with this alone.

He could not even imagine what it was like to hold onto a secret like this for so long, especially one which prompted such feelings of fear and disgrace over a situation over which she had no control.

Knowing that she would be waking soon, he relaxed into the silent stillness of the morning, giving her as much time as she would permit to just rest. If he was sure of one thing it was that especially after the confession of last night she would certainly make every effort to be "all guns blazing" today, even though she should really give herself time to recover.

He could order her to slow down, but that would likely only annoy her. No he would simply do his best to help protect her from herself and be ready to catch her if she fell.

In fact, he was surprised that she had not yet awoken.

Her ladies had already begun coming in to begin preparations for the day and while he had waved then in to complete their assigned tasks, he had no intention of waking her prematurely.

Unfortunately it was not long before she shifted in her sleep and her body became tense, freezing for just a moment while she found her bearings.

"Henry?"