-If absolutely must read the disclaimer, it is in chapter 1 & 2

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Chapter 9

"Tomorrow" Veronica murmured to herself as she walked downstairs to join Marguerite for breakfast. The letter that the messenger brought said that their trip was successful. The border towns were still standing and the people were safe.

"Good morning" Marguerite greeted her as breakfast was served.

"Morning" Veronica replied as George ran in, his face pale.

"There is an order for your deaths by pyre. The charge is witchcraft".

"Witchcraft!"

"She was right" Veronica murmured.

"Who signed the order?" Marguerite demanded.

"I believe it is your beloved" Rice walked in, his men pushing George out of the way.

"Impossible".

"Since both their highnesses will not be back till tomorrow and the people demand an execution, I must follow through with their orders. I am next line".

"How?" George demanded.

"I am surprised, Lord Chancellor that you do not know. Very well, I shall tell you. My mother was a chamber maid of their highnesses grandmother. She has a brief affair with the king and I was born. But my mother only a chamber maid and many objected to my position as royal heir. My father compromised, I was given a title, but not made heir. So, as you can see, while my nephews are gone, I am king".

"When John returns…".

"I do believe, wench, you should be referring to him as his highness and you both are charged with witchcraft".

"The council will not allow this".

"The council has. I suggest, my lord chancellor you go along, treachery is not a charge I would like to add to the list" Rice smugged.

"Their majesties will not stand for this" George watched as Marguerite and Veronica were led to the dungeon.

"I'm sorry" Veronica murmured as they stood in the cell.

"Your innocent, we both are. Someone wants us out of the way".

"Who?" Veronica asked.

"Alice" Marguerite growled. There was only one person who could have been behind this.

"Actually, it was I who gave Sir Rice the document" Danielle stepped into the light.

"Aunt" Veronica paled.

"I don't know what I've done to you, but I demand you retract the statement" Marguerite growled.

"It's not what you've done to me, what she has done. I warned you about those who would use your powers against you, but you didn't listen to me" Danielle pointed to Veronica.

"Please, I beg, for the children, do not let them burn us".

"For the children, that's an interesting statement. Perhaps if it was my child and not his, you would not be in this predicament" Locke stepped up to the bars, his men behind him.

"It's an interesting thing, love. You give everything for that one person and then they just decide that you're not good enough. Betrayal is a two way street, my dears. We'll be watching tomorrow, enjoy your last day". They disappeared as mysteriously as they appeared.

"We'll be fine, this is a ruse. John and Ned will be back tomorrow" Marguerite tried to convince herself that everything would be ok, but her instincts were telling her otherwise.

"John, wherever you are, come home quickly" as she covered her abdomen, she did what she hadn't done in years, she prayed.

I've hit a road block, so to speak with this story. Therefore it seems appropriate to end the chapter here. I know, it seems dramatic, but fairy tales do eventually reach their happy endings. You know the drill; I don't have to tell you how to review, please?