A/N: Babes! I've had the busiest week and I have an even busier one ahead, but I couldn't leave you without an update. I really don't have time to answer individually to your reviews, but I promise next chapter I will. I loved your response! I loved that you guys were as excited as I was, our babies kissed yaaaay! Once again, Thank you so so so so much for the support, you're the best readers this girl could wish for! I hope you enjoy this chapter!

Solitude of Love

"Tell him yes. Even if you are dying of fear, even if you are sorry later, because whatever you do, you will be sorry the rest of your life if you say no." Gabriel Garcí a Márquez

Chapter 5

They separated after a while, gasping for air, Anne tangled her fingers through his hair and caressed it softly, the other hand that was on his face now rested on his chest, while he had moved one of his hands up to cup her cheek. The world could've been ending outside their window and they wouldn't have noticed. Suddenly, she laughed and said "If I had known you kissed like that I would've done it much sooner"

Charles acted offended at her comment and said "My lady, are you saying that you only want me for my kisses?"

She pulled his face to her and kissed him again, then shrugged her shoulders and said "Perhaps, I guess you'll never now"

He had to laugh at her antics, but then he pretended to act serious and said "I guess I'll have to make you love me, because…" He kissed her forehead and said "I love you" then he kissed her nose and followed up with another "I love you, and…" he kissed her on the lips and finished up with "I love you" They shared a few tender kisses before she laid her head on the crook of his neck, his hands were resting on her hips again, hugging her as close to him as possible, while one of her arms was around his back and the other rested on his heart. They stayed like that for a while, hearing each other breath, enjoying the few moments they had before he had to leave.

Anne felt dizzy, his kisses were like nothing she had felt before. They were full of passion, but they were tender, sweet, filled with nothing but love. Her kisses with Henry were passionate too, but they were dangerous, rough, filled with love and hate. Kissing Henry had felt like going on a trip to a land far away. Kissing Charles felt like coming home. He was everything she wanted, whereas Henry had been everything she thought she needed and that destroyed her. Now she knew that she wanted Charles but she could live without him, she just didn't want to, and that was what scared her, she didn't want to spend another day without him, but if she could, it meant that he could too. She thought that maybe Margaret had been to him what Henry had been to her, the tumultuous love of his youth, the love that drove him crazy, the love that he regretted but would live all over again if given the chance. She feared that he too felt that he could live without her, she feared that they would miss those fiery loves of their past. Yes, she craved the stability that Charles had to offer, and she knew he felt that she was a breath of fresh air, of normalcy, in the midst of the chaos of court, but was that enough for two passionate souls as theirs? She honestly didn't know. She also realized how long it took them to get to this point, maybe, just maybe, if she and Henry never got married, they would've met and fell in love sooner. Not that she regretted Elizabeth or her marriage, she had loved Henry, and she cherished her happiest memories with him, but a part of her couldn't help but wonder about another life, another life in which things were different with Charles. Yet she was thankful that in this life she wasn't denied the chance of being with him, everything she wanted had always been right in front of her and she thanked God that she was given the opportunity to see it.

Charles had not felt this happy in years, not even when he was with Margaret, he had loved her, but he had been young and took her for granted, not that she had been a saint, God knew it, but he could've behaved better, that's why he married Catherine, he thought that maybe he could right his wrongs to Margaret with her, but life didn't work like that. Instead, he had the chance of getting to know Anne and she was everything he wanted. He didn't know if, given the chance, he would've fell in love with her before, not only because of her personality, but because of his. Now, they had grown, she was no longer the girl who wanted to marry a King, and he was no longer the boy who wanted to marry a King's sister. Maybe that's why they were perfect for each other, they had crossed paths at just the right time.

What they didn't know was that Henry had sent a servant to spy on them and he heard them, for Anne had forgotten to close the door completely once she went to Charles' rooms. When he saw them kissing he immediately went to the nursery to inform the King, once he got there Henry excused himself and went outside to talk with him. When the lad stood still without saying anything Henry told him "Well boy, what is it?" he was starting to lose his temper, if this boy had made him stand and leave the room for nothing he was going to be punished.

The servant, named Thomas, didn't know how to say to the King what he had heard and seen, he really didn't want to be on the receiving end of the famous Tudor tantrum. But he knew that he had to tell him, he mustered as much courage as he could and said "Your Majesty, I… I heard His Grace, The Duke of Suffolk telling The Marquess of Pembroke that he loved her. The Lady said it back and they kissed, Your Majesty"

Henry went speechless and his face paled. Charles loved her, which really didn't surprise him, Anne could make anyone fall in love with her. But, she loved him? Charles Brandon? She was supposed to love only him, her former husband. He still loved her, but he had to divorce her, she couldn't give him a son! If she had fulfilled her promise they'd still be married. He needed to find a way to win her back, she belonged to him. Charles didn't deserve her. Just as he was deciding what to do, the couple that was causing all this trouble appeared in the hallway, Charles was the one to speak "Your Majesty, I'm leaving now. I'm going to bid my goodbyes to their Highnesses and to Her Majesty, The Queen"

Henry had to control himself not wipe the smile of that son of a bitch's face with a punch. All the anger that he showed when he was dismissed was no longer there, his face was that of a kid who had eaten the last piece of cake, it showed utter happiness, but there was also a hint of victory in his expression. He just nodded and signaled to the door. As Charles went inside, he turned to look at Anne, she was glowing, she was trying to remain neutral, but he knew her, she was about to burst from joy, the light in her eyes and the smile at the corners of her lips betrayed her, and Charles had done that. He wanted to send them both to the block. But no, he intended to win Anne back and show Charles that he was who she truly loved. Besides, he preferred to think that Anne wanted him but since she couldn't have him she settled for second best, his best friend. He put on his most charming smile and said "My lady, I forgot to tell you before, but you look absolutely beautiful. When I saw you I was reminded of the day we met" He knew that that was going to get her, for no matter what she said, Anne was a sentimental at heart, he knew she had memories that were sacred to her, and that of the day they met was one of them.

But she knew what he was playing at, she had known the man for 10 years and he hadn't changed a bit. Now that she knew what he had told Charles and how she had seen the way he looked at her when she left the nursery, she knew not to fall for the trap, but saying that to his face wouldn't work, he would just want her more, so she decided to act indifferent, kind, clueless. After all, he didn't know her anymore, it had been 3 years, for all he knew she was no longer the ambitious player she had been when they met. He wanted the feisty Anne of their courtship? She was going to give him an attitude that instead resembled that of Jane Seymour's and since he seemed at odds with his wife he would dislike her too. Henry had always wanted what was different, now that he was tiring of his Queen he wanted his former one, but she wouldn't give it to him. She smiled sweetly and said "You are far too kind, Majesty. But I'm afraid I'm no longer as young and beautiful as I once was"

Henry caressed her cheek, laughed and said "Anne, you could be a hundred years old and you'd still be the most beautiful woman in the room"

If he had told her those words 3 years ago she would've felt like the luckiest woman alive, but now she understood that she wanted him to treat her like that because it meant her safety, it was sad really, how desperately she needed him to acknowledge her, to even say a word to her, because she feared for her life if he didn't. At the time, she didn't know if he had changed since she met him or if he had always been like that, but now she knew that he was like that, when he wanted you he was capable of going to the last corner of the earth for your happiness, but when he wanted to get rid of you he wouldn't stop at anything to make it happen. He had done it to Catherine, God knows what he could've done to her if she hadn't asked for the divorce, and Jane was safe only because she had given him a son, but her time was running out, Henry always wanted more. But it was enough, she wasn't going to let him play more games, she grabbed his hand that was on her cheek, removed it, but kept it in hers and, as innocently as she could, replied "I think a compliment like that should be for a Queen's ears only" the hidden meaning of her answer didn't escape him, but as he was going to respond, Charles appeared in the hallway again. As soon as he stood in front of the former spouses, he felt the tension that filled the air, he wanted to get Anne out of there and take care of Henry himself, but he knew his attempts were going to be fruitless, as much as Anne had changed during these last years, she still did whatever she wanted, when she wanted, and if she wanted to fight Henry herself, nothing was going to change her mind. Besides, if he feared for anyone's safety it was Henry's, Anne could be the cruelest person in the world if she wanted to.

He nodded at Henry and said "Your Majesty, I'll see you at court tomorrow"

Henry wanted him out of his sight, he noticed the way Anne let go of his hand and relaxed when he came out the door and it repulsed him. He harshly pointed his arm towards the end of the hall without saying a word. Anne rolled her eyes, he was so childish sometimes, she turned to Charles and sweetly said "Your Grace, let me accompany you to your carriage" She needed to say goodbye to him alone. Besides, if they acted coldly towards each other Henry was going to know that it was an act, he had already made it clear that he at least knew that they were closer than they had ever been. Charles caught the drift and instead of refusing politely, as any other gentlemen would've done, or instead of treating her coldly, as he would've done years before, he did what a simple friend would've, he said "My Lady" and held his arm out for her to link hers through it.

Henry almost told her to stay, but he remembered that the view from his rooms' windows allowed him to see them as they said their goodbyes, so he stormed off in the direction of his chambers. Once he was out of earshot, Charles and Anne started walking and he asked "What is it with him?"

Anne frowned and sighed deeply, but said "It doesn't matter, he'll get over it" She hoped she would get over it, too.

Charles preferred not to push her when it came to Henry, he didn't want to risk either of them losing their temper. Besides, he didn't want to waste their last minutes together on that subject. After a while of walking in silence, Anne let go of his arm and wrapped hers around his back, he put his around her shoulders in return. When they reached his carriage, he noticed that she stiffened a little, so he turned and wrapped his hands around her hips, she smiled sadly at him before putting her arms around his neck, burying her face there and hugging him, he held her so tight that he ended up lifting her feet of the air. Once he set her down on the ground again, she grabbed his cheeks and kissed him as if her life depended on it, after that she let go of him and a little out of breath said "I love you", he kissed her again and said "I love you" she kissed him one last time and pushed him towards the carriage saying "Go, go, go!" But he just laughed and kissed her again, she too started laughing and said "I'm serious! You have to leave" still pushing his chest, he went to turn around and get inside the carriage but said "one more!" and kissed her again, at this point they were smiling widely. Finally, he turned around and got inside, but she couldn't contain herself and went to his window to kiss him one last time, he grabbed her neck and whispered in her ear "I love you" she took a few steps back and signaled for the rider of the carriage to leave, he was the one that always took them from Pembroke to Hatfield, he had been serving Charles since he was given the Dukedom of Suffolk and they trusted him. Also, truth to be told, the boy was happy for them, it was about time they told each other how they really felt, everyone in Pembroke saw the love they had for each other, it was great that they were no longer blind to it. The young man smiled at her and as they were about to leave she mouthed to Charles "I love you" she put her hand over her heart and watched as they left.

Yes, she felt happy about this thing with Charles, but she couldn't help but think about the way she felt when Henry touched her cheek, for against her own will, something ignited inside of her when he did.


2 weeks after her visit to Hatfield, Anne was in her chambers about to reply to a letter Charles had sent her, when her sister Mary entered with George trailing behind her. After the divorce, Anne sent a few letters to Mary asking for forgiveness, her sister was quick to assure her that there were no ill feelings between them, she understood the position Anne was in, being the wife of the King and having the father they had, there was not much Anne could do to help her, in fact, Mary's marriage only made her position worse. But Mary's husband had died a year earlier, leaving her with very little money, and when Anne found out about it, she asked her to move in with her. Ever since, their relationship was better than ever, Mary's children adored their aunt, and she loved having them around, they filled the castle with joy. She and Mary were finally as happy as they had been when they were in France. George and their father had kept their peerages after the divorce, but Thomas Boleyn was no longer a member of the Privy Council and had been banished from court, as a request from Anne to Henry. When he found out that Anne had done that he stopped talking to her, he felt she had betrayed him, he even tried to turn George against her, but his son told him that he was done playing those games, George knew they had been lucky to escape with their lives, being able to maintain their tittles was a miracle, and they had Anne to thank for that. If she hadn't listened to her heart and decided that the best course of action was to let Henry free, God knows what he would've been capable of doing to get rid of her. She had proved once again that she was smarter than all of them together, and he was forever grateful to her for that, since she had given Henry the easy way out, he treated her and her family just like he always had, he kept George a member of the Privy Council and granted him a divorce from Jane, who had been married off to some knight and now lived in the countryside. He thanked God every day for this new opportunity, he thrived at court, his relationship with his sisters was better than ever, he visited them as often as he could, and he no longer was a pawn in his father's games. For the last 3 years life had finally been peaceful, until now. He approached Anne and with a worried expression on his face, said "Sister, the King requests your presence at court"

A/N: Aren't Charles and Anne the cutest? Also, what is it with Anne feeling something when Henry touched her? Let me know what you think it was, things are definitely going to get interesting pretty soon. Oh, and don't take any word for granted, it could mean something later on.