Over the following months, Mummy watches over Mum. Both King Henry and Catalina send me on various extra-terrestrial errands that take me away from Court, so I cannot watch over Mum as much as I like. The errand I'm currently on concerns a lost teenager.
Well, the Tudors consider her an adult, but she's only fourteen. And remember how I said she's a lost teenager? She's a Human–Qetesh hybrid that wants to eat her human father. I had to make her lost; otherwise, history could change. I cannot risk that. "Why did you bring me here?" She demands, her red hair blowing behind her. The wind is blowing my scent straight at her, which is probably why she's currently in fight or flight mode. "I almost had him! The ungrateful bastard deserves a long and painful death."
"I am not saying he does not deserve it, but if you kill your father, are you any better for it?" The girl falters, and her posture slumps a little. "I brought you out here to talk. If you still want to kill him, then I will take you back, so help me, God. But if you change your mind, we can go through some options."
The girl crouches, and one of her hands touches the earth. My blood pounds in my ears. Have I made the situation worse? "Who are you?" She finally asks.
"I'm Emma Smith-White, a maid-of-honour at Court."
The girl rises from her crouch. "I beg your pardon, my lady, I had no—"
"Can I stop you there? Time is of the essence. What's your name?"
"Alice Brooke"
"Well, Mistress Brooke, can you please accompany me back to Court?"
"Me?" Alice stares at me. "Of all people, why me?"
"Have you ever felt that something about you is different? Do you live in fear of others discovering that you're not fully human?"
"How do you know about that?" Alice's voice grows cold.
"I am like you." I place a hand on my stomach and then push it through. I still grimace no matter how many times I do it. My hand grabs my stomach, and I pull it out. Alice does the same, and we stare at each other. "There are a growing number of Human-Qetesh hybrids in England, and King Henry wants to ensure everyone can handle their powers."
"How?" Alice puts her stomach back.
"We are gathering everyone we can together so we can teach you. But I will not force you to come with me; it's your choice to make. However, I must begin my journey now to be back by nightfall."
I look around, but everything is unfamiliar. The sun beats down through the trees, and sweat begins to bead on my forehead. Thank goodness I'm wearing a dress with pockets. I grab my handkerchief and wipe my forehead with it. "What was that?" Alice asks as I put my handkerchief away.
"I put it in my pocket." Alice gives me a confused look, and I remember that women don't have pockets yet. Well done on that one, Emma! I look around again, but nothing familiar jumps out at me.
"Are you lost?" I nod. "Come, I will take you back to the village."
"Thank you." I fall into step with Alice, and we silently walk back to the village.
When we reach the outskirts, Alice looks between me and the village. "It's your choice," I remind her, "but whatever you choose will have repercussions on the rest of your life."
Alice looks thoughtful as she considers her options. I will let her think for a while, but I need to start moving soon. "I want to go to Court with you. There is nothing left for me here." I offer her a warm smile, and we start the long journey back to Court.
As I thought, it is nightfall when I return. Maria, Mum, and Mummy are waiting for me when we arrive in the courtyard. "Emma, I'm so glad to see you!" Mummy pulls me into a hug, and I hug her back. "Who is this?"
"This is Alice Brooke; she will join the other hybrids." Alice bows her head to my parents and Maria.
"I will inform their Majesties that your mission was a success," Maria says.
"Thank you, Maria." Maria squeezes my hand before she walks inside.
"Alice," Mum says, "come with me. There are a lot of hybrids here, and we wish to make you feel welcome."
"Are you a full Qetesh?" Alice asks as the two walk inside.
Mummy waits until their voices fade away before she talks to me. "How was it?"
"She was about to kill her dad, but I was able to persuade her to come with me."
"At least that is one life spared."
"Yes, but I don't think I can keep going for much longer. I need to be here."
"Especially right now," Mummy agrees, and we start walking back to our room. "The Queen is pregnant again."
"Henry Duke of Richmond," I agree. I remember learning about him when I was researching Catalina of Aragon. I don't think she will ever recover from his death. Henry was probably the only child that would have saved her from exile and loneliness. But there is no use thinking about it now; it will not help anyone. The best I can do is be at Court and comfort Catalina when the time comes.
A couple of days later, Catalina calls Mum, Mummy, Maria and I to her, and we go to visit the other Human-Qetesh hybrids. King Henry will not let them live at Court, so they live in a separate building nearby. I can understand why Qetesh hybrids cannot always be trusted. Even I cannot trust myself sometimes, but I'm thankful King Henry is giving me a chance. Alice is one of the first ones to greet us. "Mistress Emma!" She cries as she runs over, only stopping herself when she realises the queen is with us. She curtsies. "Your Majesty."
"Mistress Brooke, I hope you are settling in well."
"I am, Your Majesty. Everyone is so kind, and I cannot wait to get to know them better. Congratulations on your pregnancy."
Catalina grows pale. "How do you know about that? Is it obvious?"
"No, but I am half soul stealer, so I will know if you are pregnant or not."
"Right," Catalina nods and looks over at Mum and me. "I should have remembered that."
"You hung out with me since 1509, so I would've thought you would remember that."
"Hung out?"
"It's a term we use in the twenty-first century when we are with friends; we say we are "hanging out" with them."
"It sounds a bit odd, but it somehow makes sense."
We visit each hybrid, and they are all getting on well. "What will help is if humans will also help us," one of the hybrids, Richard, says. He pushes his curly brown hair out of his eyes as he looks at us. "Just the other day, we were chased from the town with torches and pitchforks."
"That is horrible," Catalina says. "I will take up your cause with my husband as soon as possible."
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Richard bows. "If you do not mind, I need to return to my work."
"Please do." Richard returns to the other hybrids as they continue working on developing their powers, and we watch on.
"I wish something like this was around when I was little," I say. "Why is it not around in the twenty-first century?"
"Your guess is as good as ours," Catalina replies. "Would K-9 know anything about it?"
"He might do."
When we return to the hustle and bustle of Court, I do not have a chance to talk to K-9. Everyone is preparing for the prince's birth, so my focus must be on that. However, I try to stop thinking about his death. Why does no one know what he dies of? Then I remember it's Tudor England, and people are extremely suspicious. Also, medical healthcare is poor, which could have led to his death. By the time Mum, Mummy, and I return to our rooms, we only have the energy to collapse on our beds and fall asleep.