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Guest (1) [chapter 67]: I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter to make it the best, haha! I can never do you guys dirty when it comes to Kennash. I love all the tears, haha! I have more Frary moments coming up because I am OBSESSED with their marriage and teasing. My man hasn't had his wife in so long, he is thirsty and broody, haha! The Frary/children moments will come in the next chapter as this is a filler leading to that, Mary was right - they need time together. And yes! The girls will spend time with their new sister and if you go to chapter 60 or thereabouts, Anne was begging for another sister so, we'll have more Anne/Rose/Caterina moments.

Guest (2) [chapter 67]: I'm sorry for making you cry! I made my friends cry and they now hate me, haha! You're very welcome, I spent a long time on it as chapters 65 to now was all one chapter at first then I broke it up and made chapter 67 two separate chapters before joining them together again because I wanted it to flow and have a lot of plot/details in it. I got you all in the Kennash and Frary feels, hehe and Leith... we get to explore more Leith/Claude moments soon. Indeed, we will welcome Caterina and in fact, I have her details along with Sophia's and all the kids' below. The girls will be back in the next chapter! Francis does feel closer to the boys and Mary to the girls but that will be rectified in the next chapter.

elder441 [chapter 67]: Thank you! I'm glad it was!

John (Francis's eldest child and son) - (birthday, can't remember lol) 14

Anne (Francis and Mary's eldest child together and first daughter), 17th June - 13

Robin (Bash and Kenna's eldest child and first son), 8th August - 13

Rose (Francis and Mary's second child and second daughter), 25th Mary - 12

James (Francis and Mary's third child and first son together), 30th January - We are now in early January so he is 6 going 7.

Anastasia (Bash and Kenna's second child and first daughter), 13th February - currently 6 but will be 7 within the year.

Lawrence (Claude's only child), 27th February - currently 5 but will be 6 within the year.

Joseph (Francis and Mary's fourth child and second son together), 1st April - currently 5 but will be 6 within the year.

Peter (Francis and Mary's fifth child and third son together), 1st April - currently 5 but will be 6 within the year.

Alexander (Bash and Kenna's third child and second son), 21st July, currently 5 but will be 6 within the year.

Aileen Caterina (Francis's and Mary's sixth child and third daughter), 10th November - soon to be two months old.

Sophia Sebastienne Francine (Bash and Kenna's fourth child and second daughter), 24th December - about a week old.

Just got come couply moments and siblings moments and uncle/nephew moments and father/son moments in this chapter. We're feeling the all the Valois/de Poitiers/de Medici family feels in this chapter basically!


"Francis," Mary breathed out. "Slow down."

He stopped, fingers frozen on her laces. "What is it?"

Mary turned her head to look at him. "You're too quick. I want to cherish every second. I missed you and I don't want this moment to end so soon."

He laughed, hugging her from behind. "You do realise I've wanted to have my way with you for hours?"

"Yes..." She drawled out. "But I'm here. I'm not leaving your side anytime soon so we can make every single second last."

"I love you so much."

"I love you so much too," Mary replied, turning in his arms to face him. "My handsome king..."

Francis blushed. "Stop it."

"Now, he's so modest?" Mary teased him, kissing the tip of his nose. "How am I so lucky?"

"I ask myself that every day."

Mary beamed. "Now, you can start undoing my laces," she said, turning back around and shifting her hair to the side. "Slowly does it."

Francis playfully rolled his eyes, undoing lace by lace at a slow pace. "Is it to Her Majesty's liking?"

"Mhm," she hummed, biting her lip seductively. "Now pull my dress off. Slowly."

"Oh, God..."

By the time her corset, dress and everything else was removed from her body, Mary could tell Francis's patience was running thin. She turned and began to work on his clothes, the speed still controlled and slow.

Francis tried to steal a kiss but she pulled back and gave him a wink. "Minx."

"As I said, there's a time for everything. Just be patient," she replied. "I want to make sure this moment's real. That you're here and I'm touching you..." She looked up into his eyes. "I want to feel loved with every touch."

Francis brushed her hair from her eyes and smiled softly. "Alright. We will do this your way."

Mary tiptoed and placed a light kiss on his lips. "There's your reward for being patient so far..."

"We've got all the time in the world."

...

"Kenna-"

"Forget about the party," Kenna breathed out, cupping her husband's cheeks. "My hair's a mess, my dress is soaked and I'm freezing cold and in need of someone to warm me up."

Bash chuckled, kissing her. "I've got a guest in there and it would be rude to leave him all alone."

"Robert's dealing with him," Kenna said dismissively, nipping at his ear. "He can join us for breakfast tomorrow morning."

"What about the children?" Bash asked breathlessly as she began to kiss his neck.

"I told Robin that I needed to rest. He is enjoying the party with his cousins," Kenna replied. "As for Ana and Xander, their Aunt Claude has taken a shine to them. You will see them tomorrow morning, bright and early after I have my way with you."

"What about my sis-"

"Sebastian," Kenna said firmly, making him grin and bow his head. "You're mine for this night. I beg you. I just crave your touch - I need you to pleasure me right now."

Bash nodded and looked around before gently shoving her against the wall and attacking her neck. "Have you ever..." Kiss. "Thought about doing this..." Another kiss. "Public?"

Kenna gasped. "Bash!" She cried out, giggling. "Well, I did pleasure myself before your..." She stopped, blushing bright red when her husband pulled away to raise an eyebrow. "Right, sorry. No speaking of the past, lovers and everything else."

"You've ruined the moment," Bash said.

"I haven't!" She said, pulling his head down so she could kiss him deeply. "Come on. Let's just..." She hooked a leg around his waist and lifted her skirts before her hands went to the front of his trousers. "Do it."

"Kenna, you've ruined the moment," Bash said with a grin, kissing her cheek. "Boring bedchamber it is."

Kenna pouted. "I'm sorry," she replied, running her fingernails down his chest as her leg unhooked from his waist. "Actually, I'm not feeling sex right now if I'm honest." She pulled a face, making him frown.

"Why not?"

"Sophia's birth was... hard," she whispered, taking a sharp intake of breath. "In fact, we need to talk about that."

The way her tone switched made something sink in Bash's stomach. "What is it? Kenna, tell me."

"Not here," she said softly, meeting his eyes. "Let's go to our rooms."

When they arrived, Kenna went over to the table, pouring them both full cups of wine. She all but downed hers desperately, using the side of her finger to wipe her lips as Bash eyed her curiously.

"I died," she said finally. "I believed I did. I saw white and I saw you and... then I saw Robin."

Bash subconsciously placed a hand on his heart, the area where he was wounded. He always felt tingly there. "Are you saying...?"

"Our son can not only see the past or whatever he can, but he has the power to bring dead people or animals back to life," Kenna confessed. "I told him to never do it again, to keep it to himself until we could find a way to suppress his powers. Nostradamus is studying for me, for him and-"

"Kenna, I'm so sorry," Bash breathed out, covering his face.

She stopped, looking at him in confusion. "Whatever for?"

"If I'd never met Delphine, our son would be-"

"Normal? Powerless?" Kenna suggested. "It's not only Delphine, but it's also you. It's your maternal side, Bash!"

"Keep your-"

"I know," she hissed, her voice lowering. "Our son is Pagan, there is no denying that. He is his father's son. He also has powers - he's a-"

"Druid."

"Perhaps you are too," Kenna mumbled. "You've survived the most horrific of injuries and... you are no ordinary man, that is for sure."

Bash sighed heavily. "Druids are Celtic. Scottish links."

"Then somewhere in your ancestors, you have a Scottish relative," Kenna told him. "Because I, for sure, do not have powers. Neither do my living siblings nor my parents before they died or anyone above them. And you always attract them, people with magic or whatever! The Bloodwood, th-the Darkness..."

"Maybe," Bash said, scratching the back of his neck. "I will talk to him."

"And say what?"

"That although it's dangerous to be what he is, it doesn't mean we love him any less," Bash told her. "He can receive lessons from Nostradamus, learn how to control what he can do and not to use them at all. Or better yet, we can find out how to suppress them for good."

Kenna nodded. "My sister died in my place."

"That's what happens when you do such a ritual," Bash replied. "I'm sorry for your loss."

"Thank you," she replied, smiling sadly. "I've ruined the moment completely now, haven't I?"

Bash chuckled wryly. "It's fine. Perhaps seeing the children now would be nice. Wouldn't want to scare them after believing I was dead for so long."

Kenna smiled brightly. "I'll let our page fetch them as you and I," she began, taking his hand and pulling him to the next chamber which was a nursery. "Say 'hello' to our little girl."

Bash knelt by the cot and retrieved the baby from it, apologising for disturbing her sleep. "She's so beautiful."

"Of course, you'd say that. She looks like you," Kenna said, kissing the top of his head. "Sophia Sebastienne Francine."

Bash reached behind him and took her hand, his arm supporting the baby. "It's perfect. Perfect for the most perfect baby of them all."

"Don't let our other children hear that," Kenna said lightly. "I'll be right back. This dress really is soaked and I do need to fetch the children."

Bash didn't even bother replying as he made himself comfortable on the ground, continuing to stare down at the sleeping life he and his wife had made. "So perfect..."

...

Mary blushed when she woke up, feeling a certain something on her back. The sun broke into the room, landing on her husband's face as she turned to stare at his sleeping form. Gently, she ran her fingers through his hair and he smiled, his eyes remaining closed.

"Morning," he mumbled.

"Good morning, husband," Mary replied happily.

"Good morning, wife," Francis replied, pulling her to his chest and inhaling her scent.

Mary grinned. "I can see you're ready to..."

"Do you want to?" He asked, eyes opening.

She nodded, kissing him deeply and rolling on top of him. "I will always want to with you," she breathed out, readying herself.

"Your Majesty-"

Mary yelped and fell onto the ground and bumping her head in the process, Francis bursting into laughter as Leith cried out and turned around quickly.

"A-Apologies. I didn't realise the Queen was-"

"Leith, it's fine," Francis gasped out. "I needed that. Oh, God. I'll tell everyone-"

"Don't you dare!" Mary screamed at him, covering herself up by stealing the sheets off his body. "Leith, what is it?"

Leith swallowed hard, not daring to turn around. "The family are almost breaking their fast. A certain someone was very clear that everyone should be in attendance."

"Oh, you know that-"

"Bash is alive and well?" Leith finished. "Had the scare of my life last night when he and Robin went for a ride. The son was obviously elated to be reunited with his father, he insisted on a midnight ride."

"I'm glad," Mary breathed out. "We will be there in twenty."

"Take your time," Leith quickly said, leaving.

Francis laughed, throwing a pillow at his wife's head, making her hair fly everywhere from the wind it built. "Imagine it was one of the girls..."

"Oh, shut up!"

...

"Papa, did you know?!" Anne cried out, pulling her parents' hands towards the dining room. "Uncle Bash is-"

"We knew," Mary said, chuckling.

Anne squealed out in joy. "He brought us gifts!"

"Seriously?" Francis asked. "Where's mine?" He chuckled, sharing a look with his wife.

Of course, the children had gifts.

Mary laughed and let go once they reached the dining room where her youngest sons were too busy trying to get Bash to give them attention more than the other brothers. "He most certainly is the favourite uncle."

"Boys, be careful!" Francis told them, coming to lift Peter away from Bash. "Uncle Bash can't carry you all, he's still hurt."

"It's fine," Bash said, lifting the other two anyway. "Who likes ponies?"

"Bash, they have two already!"

"Never hurts to have a third," Bash replied, winking at his brother. "I want you to meet someone."

Just then, Robert entered with a flustered Muriel who bowed. "Your Majesties, this is Muriel-"

"di Acosta, I-"

"Brought my brother home," Francis finished. "I am forever grateful and please, whatever you need, do not hesitate to ask."

Muriel blushed, bowing once again. "A king in debt to me? Oh, God... I-I never prepared for this. What do I do?"

"Accept, you old fool," Bash said lightly.

"I thank you, wholeheartedly," Muriel said to Francis, his eyes then going over to Mary. "Oh, she's more beautiful in person."

Mary shared an amused glance with her husband before reaching her hand forward for Muriel to bow and kiss. "It's lovely to meet you, Lord di Acosta."

"I'm no lord, Your Majesty," Muriel said, feeling flushed. "Mere peasant. No one of importance."

"He's a former soldier," Bash told the King and Queen. "Pulled me from the beach with his ageing arms."

"It wasn't all me. My son helped! He had to stay in the Azores, his wife was in labour. By the time I return, I will be a grandfather again," Muriel replied.

Mary smiled. "Then you mustn't return empty-handed. Accept a lovely bespoke rocking cot for your grandchild and some clothes with a stipend."

"A-A stipend?" Muriel asked. "For what?"

"Saving my life," Bash told him. "My wife and I came to an agreement. You will receive one-thousand crowns per anon."

"I didn't save your life to get money!" Muriel cried out in shock. "I just wanted to meet the Queen!"

Mary giggled, giving Bash a look to which he rolled his eyes in reply. "Well, why don't you join me for tea this evening?"

"Are you sure about that?" Francis asked quietly so she could hear, a chuckle in his words. "He might fall even more in love with you and then, I'll have to cede you away in respect for the man old enough to be my grandfather."

Mary snorted and cleared her throat. "What do you say, Master di Acosta?"

Muriel nodded happily. "A pleasure, Your Majesty. Would the King join us?"

"Does he even want me there?" Francis whispered to his brother, making Bash snort and chuckle.

"Yes," Mary replied. She didn't want to be alone with this admirer, she thought lightly. "He would be. Excuse us but I don't think either of us wants to be apart after these long months apart from each other."

"I'll wear my best robes," Muriel promised them.

Bash coughed and turned to face the couple, putting the two princes down. "I'm going to see what has delayed my wife and children. Muriel, why don't you tell them about your lovely soup recipe before the Duke takes you to breakfast with the nobles?"

He walked around the now talking old man, pulling a face at Mary, Francis and Robert from behind him, making them laugh. Muriel stopped in confusion and Mary quickly excused them before he started again, Bash leaving with a smirk on his face.

...

"There you are!"

"Urgh," Kenna groaned out, tutting at her husband. "Do you know how many dresses our daughter has tried on?"

Bash grinned. "She is her mother's daughter."

"Shut up," Kenna replied, smirking. "Leith came by. Wanted to grab a drink with you this evening."

"I'll find him and accept," Bash replied, heading into the nursery to see Robin holding his youngest sister in his arms. "Oh, wife, look. Our governess has changed into a boy."

"I'll have you know, as your wife was chasing down your daughter, your other daughter was crying her lungs out," Robin told his father, rocking the baby. "No more, I beg you."

Bash ruffled his hair. "I wasn't able to bring this up during our ride."

"What is it, Papa?"

"Your mother told me," Bash said quietly. "Robin, I know you would do anything to be close to me, to have me accept and love you but regardless of how strong your Pagan ties are, you will always be my son. And the next thing I'm going to say is hard for me as well."

Robin cast his eyes down. "Yes?"

"What you are is scary for the world to cope with," Bash began gently. "I've seen at first hand what powers like yours can do. It's dark, it's evil, it's terrifying. And your mother and I don't want to lose you so... I've thought long and hard about this - maybe we should see about a way to get rid of them."

"But-"

"I am Catholic, you are Catholic. Catholics don't harvest such power," Bash said firmly. "Robin, you've seen it yourself through your visions. What I've done, what I've borne witness to. I can't and won't let you be taken into that darkness as I had been. Without your mother, I'd probably be dead by now. Please, Robert?"

Robin's face fell and he nodded. "Yes, Father."

"You're still going to be special and a hero and someone I am always proud of," Bash continued. "Just more-"

"Normal."

"Yes."

I don't want to be normal, Robin thought. "Alright." He looked down at his youngest sibling who was fast asleep in his arms. She was normal. So were Anastasia and Alexander. Perhaps, it won't be that bad at all and the visions are frightening and dark. "I can finally sleep easily then."

Bash chuckled, kissing Robin's head hard. "My precious son."

Robin smiled.

...

Leeza turned her head to the side, giving her intruder of thoughts a smile. "Sebastian."

"Catherine said you were indisposed."

"I did want to see you but..."

"Don't blame yourself."

"No," Leeza breathed out. "Philip asked for yours and Francis's heads. He was willing to pay 100,000 crowns each, Bash. I found out from my former handmaiden in Spain. When you didn't come back... I knew he'd succeeded."

Bash glanced down. "His admiral had directed all his forces to my ship. The best he could do was shoot me and miss my heart. I still breathe, Leeza. Don't beat yourself up about that."

Leeza swallowed hard. "First my daughter marrying your son and then you being lost..."

"Now, the marriage is annulled and I made a new friend in the man who saved my life," Bash replied. "Don't dwell on the past. Join us for breakfast. I want everyone there, I want smiles and joy and happiness. I also want to publically retire, my wife is sick of me running off to battles... I mean, if I'm inviting Catherine of all people, the best you can do is come to act as a buffer as well."

Leeza laughed, nudging his shoulder. "You forgive me?"

"If I can forgive Claude for accidentally exposing my son and our niece leading to their kidnapping, I can forgive you for your husband being a madman," Bash told her. "You are both my half-sisters, and family is important."

"I need a favour."

"What?"

She slid him a piece of paper. "I know you have contacts. I need you to do this for me."

Bash glanced down at the contents of the paper. "A name."

"Bash-"

"No." Never again. Not for Francis, or Claude, or Leeza.

"You killed a man who abused our nephew," Leeza began. "You killed Antoine Bourbon who raped our sister and abused your wife. Why won't you do this for me?"

Bash sighed. "You want me to kill Philip's mistress? What pleasure would that bring? You're here, she's there."

"She tried to kill me and my daughters!"

"Why can't you ask Catherine?"

Leeza scoffed. "You mean my mother who failed to have yours leave our beloved father's side?"

Bash rolled his eyes. "Never ask me to do such a thing again."

"You will do it?"

Bash grimaced. "I'll see what I can do."

"That is all I ask," Leeza replied, smiling. "Revenge for me and for you. Her death will hurt Philip."

"And what will happen after? You'll be his mistress?"

"Don't think so low of me," she snapped. "Of course not! I'll remind him who was always the mastermind behind the throne and that no one messes with the Valois family."

"You are asking a lot from me," Bash told her. "My wife... if she finds out, she will leave me. And I promised her that I was done with everything, with battles, wars, fights that aren't mine. This also affects my children."

"I know, I know. I promise you, it will be between us and she'll be none the wiser. Your marriage protected," Leeza promised him.

Bash turned away from her. "It's best that you don't know anything from this point on. They'll obviously look your way, the jilted wife, sister of the most powerful king in the world."

"Oh, brother, French Court prepared me for far more worst situations than this," Leeza replied. "So, breakfast?"

...

Francis beamed at his daughters, lifting his cup to them as they giggled. "What are you two whispering about?"

"Nothing," they sang.

"Mary, our daughters are strange," Francis said, his wife chuckling from across the table where the princes were messily eating their meals.

"Girls, tell your uncle about your Latin lessons," Mary told them, buttering up some bread for Peter. "Peter, you ought to learn how to butter your bread yourself."

"Hmm, no thank you!" The boy replied, making everyone laugh.

Anne playfully rolled her eyes. "Our tutor is teaching us the Bible in Latin, Uncle Bash. By Easter, we should be able to perform a short reading in Church."

"That's wonderful," Bash said, turning to Robin. "Why don't you learn, Robert? Reaffirm our faith?"

Kenna turned to him in incredulity. "He's barely been back home. We should wait a couple of weeks before his tutoring starts. Grammar schooling really does take a lot out of a child and if he's thrust into that so soon, he won't cope with his studying."

"The sooner the better," Bash told her. "He can join the girls at Easter Mass with the reading."

"What if I don't want to do it?" Robin asked quietly.

Francis chuckled. "Of course, you do. Are you scared of standing in front of many people?"

"Fear of public speaking can be easily fixed," Catherine told the boy. "It makes great men."

"And you will gain our family favour with the Pope," Mary added. "If we are teaching our children to be good, devout Catholics and learn how to expertly read the Bible, should we ever need help from the Vatican."

"And if I do not want to be Catholic?" Robin asked.

Everyone dropped their cutlery and turned to Robin.

"A-Are you speaking hypothetically?" Claude asked him with a soft chuckle.

"I'm serious," Robin said. "Who here is a good Catholic? Who here hasn't taken a life? Or blackmailed another? Or framed another? Or had extramarital affairs? Or slept with traitors? Or had children outside of their marriage? Or-"*

"You should stop there," Kenna snapped.

Catherine raised an eyebrow. "Keep your son in order, Sebastian."

"Robert Francis, out. Now," Bash ordered, getting up from his seat with Robin following.

"So, there's a play for the children to enjoy!" Leeza said, smiling at the remaining children. "And it's all about our King's victory over Spain! Who wants to watch it?"

"I do!" The little ones called out as Anne, Rose and John shared wary glances.

"Uh oh, Robin's in trouble..." Anne said under her breath, making them nod.

...

"I want to be Pagan and you can't stop me," Robin said. "I have thought long and hard about it myself and I don't think suppressing my powers would be good for me."

"You don't know what's good for you, Robert Francis!" Bash snapped. "Your mother and I-"

"Don't rule my life anymore! I turned thirteen without you, I have killed men on the battlefield, Father!" Robin cried out. "I should have a say in my life. Especially after you married me off to my own cousin as a damned warning!"

Bash scoffed. "You really don't understand. And that is exactly why your mother and I still control your life. Human sacrifices, blood rituals! Do you remember what I told you about what happened in the woods all of those years ago? About how I'd leave your mother for weeks and months on end, trying to put an end to the Darkness? How we took in a boy, not that much younger than you are right now and how he was the next Darkness and we saved him. Everything I do, I do it protect all of you and if you even as much as mutter a Pagan word, almost two decades of my hard work goes to waste."

Robin glared at him. "For a long time, I had no purpose. I was too busy trying to live up to your expectations of me! Everyone would speak about what a hero you were and how you did this and that and I wanted that. I wanted the glory but then... the war happened and I truly... I truly thought about it and I don't want to be you. I don't want to abandon a part of me that could be the beginning of something new and exciting and wonderful! I'm keeping Grandmother alive, I can feel her."

Bash hadn't heard from his mother in so long. She disappeared and never returned. Not that he cared. She killed his half-sisters out of spite and jealousy. He would never forgive her.

"She's dead, but I feel her."

Bash frowned. "When did she die?"

"Before I was born," Robin told him. "I can feel spirits. I can talk to them now. She tells me stories about you when you were my age and younger. She's proud of you."

"How did she die?"

Robin winced. "Someone strangled her."

"Who?"

"She won't say."

Bash didn't care anyway. "Fine, you can feel the spirits, well done," he said sarcastically. "I still have a say in your life and I say that all of this Pagan talk is over. You are Catholic and that is the end of it."

"Father-"

"Mind if I cut in?" Francis asked softly, eyeing Robin.

"Talk some sense into your nephew," Bash snapped before leaving, slamming the door shut.

"He's just scared, Robin," Francis told his nephew.

Robin groaned. "I'm not doing this to hurt them. They can send me to a school and I can learn about everything I can do and then I can be of use to France. To everyone."

"The world is an unforgiving, judgemental place," Francis said. "Everyone fears what they do not understand. They will believe you to be a witch and trust me, you don't want that to happen. They'll burn you alive, draw and quarter you before that, doing so as you still breathe. They won't stop there. They'll find your mother, father, sisters, brother... They'll do the same to them. In fact, make you watch. Perhaps you'll be lucky and bleed out after they rip your guts out. Then you won't hear their screams."

Robin swallowed hard. "Do I have to do the reading?"

"No."

"Then I'll..." Tears sprung to his eyes and he took a deep breath in before releasing it. "I'll remain Catholic."

Francis nodded, giving him a small smile. "As long as you don't make it a habit to use your powers, I could convince your parents to stop looking for a cure or a way to suppress them. Doing that may cause certain consequences and I am sure they'd rather you alive than a dead son. Keep your powers, but learn from Nostradamus for four hours a day. You will be relieved from your choir and Greek lessons."

"I hated them anyway," Robin said, beaming.

"See? Compromise. Good boy."

"I'm sorry, Your Majesty."

"You do need to apologise. Explain that you were troubled by the events at war. That it was Protestantism you were considering," Francis told him. "Don't tell anyone about your Pagan ties."

Robin nodded. "I won't. Thank you, Uncle Francis."

"You're welcome," Francis said. "Now, let's finish breakfast and I'll take you, John and the girls out for a ride."

"That would be great," Robin said happily.

...

"Protestantism?" Catherine asked dubiously. "It could have been worse. I mean, there was confirmed suspicion that your father's mother was Pagan."

Bash coughed a little. "I always believed my mother to be Catholic."

Catherine scoffed. "Of course, you did."

He eyed her suspiciously, wondering if she had strangled his mother to death but he didn't bring it up, turning to Francis with a grateful smile. He didn't know how the King did it but the boy had been spooked out of Paganism and right into Catholicism once again, on the promise of no Easter Mass readings.

"It would be a risky thing if the family were split on religion," Claude told her nephew gently. "We do not want to end up like the Tudors..."

Mary nodded. "Elizabeth is now set against Lutheran ways, maintaining England as a Catholic country."

"Indeed," the French Elisabeth said approvingly. "Honestly, it makes it harder for people to revolt if their king shares the same beliefs as them. The only reason Heugenots are on our side is that Francis is tolerant of them and does not punish them for believing what they wish to believe. And members on his council are Protestant, he respects everyone."

"Even if you were Protestant, I'm sure we would all support you," Claude said happily. "But remain Catholic, for all of our souls even if we do kill, blackmail, commit adultery, sleep with traitors-"

"I think we get it, Claude," Francis said, chuckling and sharing a knowing look with Robin who blushed and bowed his head.

Kenna cleared her throat. "I should get going. I need to plan the christenings."

"Do you need help?" Leeza asked her.

Kenna's eyes met with Bash's and he nodded. "If you do not mind, I could pick your brain on a few things. You planned a lot in Spain, didn't you?"

Leeza got up with her. "I did. Ladies, gentlemen, Your Majesties and Highnesses, excuse us."

The women left, arm in arm and Bash smiled to himself, glad his wife got along with his sisters. Years ago, it would have been a different case, the awkwardness of her relationship with their father no longer present as Kenna was firmly Bash's and she was his for life.

"Why doesn't your new husband join us?" Catherine asked Claude.

"He's not my-"

"He will be soon. The Pope has agreed to marry you both," Catherine told her. "Isn't that right, Francis?"

Francis looked up from his meal and nodded. "Right."

"You seem distracted," Catherine stated, making Mary turn to him in concern.

Francis smiled it off. "I'm just thinking."

"About what?" Mary asked him.

"I wouldn't be here. I would have been coming home, months from now but-"

"With God's good grace, he gave you all the strength to come home earlier than planned," Catherine cut him off. "Oh, my sweet son. Back at your rightful place with your family."

Francis smiled, kissing the back of Mary's hand. "If we're done here, I promised four patient boys and girls a ride."

"Oh, finally!" Anne cried out. "I was beginning to think we'd never end this long affair of a breakfast."

"Anne!" Rose cried out, giggling.

"It's true," Robin said, shrugging.

John blushed. "We're just going to slip out of here..." He stood up, pulling his half-sisters and half-cousin up before they disappeared to the stables.

Francis chuckled, standing too and pressing a kiss on top of Mary's head. "I will see you and Caterina later," he whispered, knowing she'd spend time with their youngest - her breasts were ever so full and he wasn't about to miss a chance to spot a view of them much to her amusement.

"The cheek!" Mary whispered knowingly, shooing him off and turning to Bash. "So, tell me about Muriel."

"Muriel?" Catherine asked, frowning. "Who is that?"

"That," Bash began, sipping his wine. "Is the man who doesn't know when to shut the hell up. Anyway, he dragged me from the shore of the beach after the battle..."

...

Francis peppered kisses all over Mary's back, making her giggle as her eyes opened. "There we go. How are you so tired?"

"Francis, we've made love twice, I've fed Caterina and been on my feet all day with the boys," Mary said, yawning. "Then that tea with Muriel, Robert, Kenna and Bash. It seems that Robert was very grateful for his sister's husband's return, he is setting Muriel up with a business in Scotland so he can provide for his grandchildren and children."

"We're all grateful," Francis mumbled, smiling lazily. "I don't know what I'd do without Bash. Even when we hate each other, he's always there, ready to protect me."

"That's what family do," Mary replied. "Speaking of family... I invited my half-brother to stay with us for a while."

"Oh."

Mary frowned. "You don't think that is wise?"

"Mary, you can draw your own conclusions from this but be wary," Francis replied gently. "Once, they were willing to put him on your throne."

Mary raised an eyebrow, sitting up to look down at him. "The same could be said for Bash on yours."

"But Bash was never acting against me but for me. He did that to save my life. If Kenna or their children did not exist, I would be high on his priority regardless of any hostility or love between us," Francis told her softly. "You both said it as much, the prophecy and-"

"I understand," Mary whispered. "If not for the threat on your life, Bash would never have agreed to being legitimised because he never wanted the duties or responsibility of a crown. James has no reason to take my throne other than the fact that I am rarely in Scotland. But here's the thing, you now rule Scotland, remember?"

Francis nodded. "By proxy, I believe. I did what Antoine Bourbon did to his wife but-"

"Kinder?"

"More willingly, I'd say," he said softly. "James could dispute a French king ruling Scotland but either way, having him in your life could do more damage than harm."

Mary sighed heavily. "I will think more about it. If anything, Robert is there to keep him at bay. The Beatons are powerful in Scotland, dare I say they respect them as much as they do me. They gain favour, he loses it and we're all part of the same family."

Francis reached up and cupped her cheek. "You won't have me locking you in any towers should you come to a decision," he said lightly but with severity in his words. "I want you to feel complete and if that means all of your family in your life, then so be it."

Mary beamed and leaned down to cradle his head and kiss his lips. The kiss became fervent and desperate and she let giggles escape her lips as he flipped her over onto her back, trailing kisses down and her bare chest.

"Francis!" She squealed when he sucked at her neck. "You'll leave a bruise!"

"And so? The whole world needs to know..." Another suck. "How much I missed my wife."

"And are our children included in that?"

Francis snorted and laughed. "Well, the girls are old enough and we could tell the boys that you had an allergic reaction."

"You and I both know that will end up with your mother shoving tonic after tonic to dispel such 'allergies'," Mary replied.

"It's worth it to not scar our children for life," was her husband's reply before he continued his journey down lower.

...

Kenna froze by the open door, watching her husband trace his newish scar with his fingers in front of their standing mirror. She had put Ana and Xander to bed, leaving Sophia with the governess and making Robin promise he would sleep soon after playing cards with Leith and John.

Her own hand went to her heart and she felt it flutter when she saw Bash push down against and let out a slight wince. He cursed and slipped his nightshirt on, turning around and jumping when he saw her.

"Dear God, are you trying to actually kill me, woman?" He asked lightly, taking a seat and pulling his boots off.

Kenna swallowed hard. "Bash, we're linked."

He froze on his second boot. "What?"

"Yeah, I forgot to say," she said softly, walking over after closing the door firmly shut and locking it. "I think when you were hurt, I felt that pain in my heart. It was so severe and I could feel myself drowning even though there was nothing physically wrong with me. That's when I knew and Nostradamus confirmed it as much. I guess I have something to thank that woman in the woods for."

Bash sighed heavily and rubbed his chin. "I'm sorry."

"Why are you sorry?" Kenna asked, crossing her arms.

"If I feel pain, you feel pain. If I die, you die," Bash told her. "I know how this works. I've been through it before but managed to break the bond. I never meant to put you in such a position."

"Why don't you stop apologising and ask me how I feel about that?"

"How do you feel about that?"

Kenna gave him a soft smile. "I feel safe."

"Not scared?"

"Why would I be scared?"

"For the reasons I've stated - I die, you die and vice versa. What I feel, you feel to an extent and-"

"I'd rather keep that link, know that whenever we may be apart, you are safe and alive," Kenna told him. "And if you are in pain or dying, I'd be there with you somehow even if we weren't physically together. We are in this marriage and I don't know about you but if death does us part, then I'll be right by your side whenever that time comes. I know our children will be safe-"

"And with their own families by then," Bash said.

She smiled. "Exactly. We'd be old and grey and your heart would give out and mine would stop not that soon after," Kenna mumbled, blushing at the cheesiness. "I'd die of a broken heart and that's sweet."

Her husband laughed, gesturing for her to come over. She did and he brought her hand to his scar, pressing her palm against it. "This is yours. If it gives up, the only woman I want to see when that happens is you."

"Did we just make a pact to die together?"

"You did. I intend to live forever," Bash said lightly.

She scoffed. "Yes, of course. You'd be that old bastard who just won't give up and die. Living to a thousand years old and I'd be begging for us to be done with the world. You'd seriously let me go on for that long, hmm?"

"Kenna, you come up with the most peculiar of scenarios," her husband replied, laughing even more.

Kenna smiled and studied him, bringing her fingers to his chin. His green eyes stared up at her and she didn't say anything more. She just needed to drink the moment into her mind, memorise everything.

"You don't know how happy I am to see you wearing something other than blue or black," Bash whispered, lifting the lilac sash of her expensive dress in his fingers.

"I guess the possibility of losing you was unbearable," Kenna mumbled. "If not for the children, for Robin, I'd given up. I'm sorry that I'd leave our children like that but I couldn't... Not without you, I'd never... And I know we joke about things like this, me being too spirited to be a widow but I felt like I'd lost my heart." Her voice broke and she sniffled. "It scares me."

"What does?"

She swallowed hard, shrugging slightly. "I've never felt like this for anyone. Not even Henry - I'd never die for him but for you, if it meant seeing you again, I'd die."

"Our marriage-"

"Began with vows at sword point, but I didn't just become comfortable. Bash, I feel safe, in love, complete wholeness... My whole life is centred around you," Kenna breathed out, kneeling before him. "You're the best thing to ever happen to me and I am eternally grateful for you. I have to thank Henry for that but I don't care, as long as you are mine and I am yours. Bash, you are my knight in shining armour."

Bash pressed his lips against hers, deepening the kiss before pulling her up and onto his lap. He cupped her cheeks and pulled away to stare into her brown orbs. "I love you."

"I think you know my answer already," she whispered cheekily before she felt his fingers begin to work on her laces and his lips on hers desperately, her own hands going to his trousers.

After leaving his wife sated and asleep, Bash sent a note to Leeza through her guard.

The former queen's eyes fell and she realised why he didn't come face to face with her to confess that he couldn't go through with their plan any longer. The look of disappointment would be too much for him from her. The look that he failed a sibling despite fighting for the ones he loved - his wife and children.

She replied with a simple: 'Thank you, I understand. Leeza.'

And went to bed, night terrors filled with almost dying, and her daughters dead in her arms.


*I don't know, but when Robin was saying this, I had an image of Kris Jenner shutting a laptop after 'exposing' everyone, haha. Robin's savage!