Chapter 15: Deception

I do not believe my ears or what I am hearing. Kenna stands before me and Bash, telling us both about a secret document. "We must get that document back," Bash says. I look at Kenna, who seems terrified. I take her arm, staying close to her. "Kenna, I hate to ask this. It is not fair but you are his fiance. You are the only one who can recover the document." I say. Kenna steps back, shaking her head. "If Henry sees me he will kill me where I stand. Then he will come for both your heads and restore Francis to the succession. Not to mention Lola-" Kenna covers her mouth before saying anything else. "Lola? What does Lola have to do with any of this?" Bash asks. He has always had a soft spot for Lola, she was always very kind to him and both remained good friends over this last year. And I am grateful for that.

"It is Francis's baby..." I say. Bash looks to Kenna, completely shocked. "And he wanted Mary back? He intended on taking her from me and he already had a mistress." Bash says. The anger is written all over his face. He walks off, quickly and in a rage. "Kenna I will discuss all this with you late-"

"I'll do it," Kenna says. "Go! Go after him. I care for Scotland and I won't let Henry take it. Get Bash and I will get the document." she says. I give her one more hug and we both split up.

I chase Bash wildly down the halls, trying to get him to stop. "Bash if you listen to me for one moment I can explain!" I yell. We run past guards who just stare at us. "He wanted to marry you, yet he sleeps with another? He never cared Mary! And he just abandoned Lola? And made her his mistress! I am going to give him a piece of my mind!" He says. I manage to catch up to him, I was always fast for a girl. I grab his arm and stop him. "Lola does not want him to know. She does love him it was a one-time thing. Francis does not know." I say.

"Does he know of the child?" Bash asks.

"No! He doesn't! Please Bash he doesn't know! If he knew he would not have left, I know him. You know him - he is your brother." I say. he scoffs, shaking his head. "My brother who almost married the woman I loved. He never believed in the curse even when you were scared about it he didn't listen," he says. I know this will be hard for him to hear but I must say it. "Bash I was his first. We planned to wed since we were children. Of course, he tried to win me back, because it's all we know. He was my first love. And I was-"

"His some sort of epic love," he says. I smile, taking Bash into my arms. "And you are my true love. It sounds stupid and childish but-" he stops me as his hand comes to my cheek, the look of adornment in his eyes. "It is not stupid or childish. It is a breath of fresh air, being yourself. Your true and wild self. That is why I love you, it's for who you are." he says.

"I know a lake nearby, on the same stream from the one you and I jumped off of. I say let's take a trip there today," he says. I badly want to. But Kenna needs me. "Tonight." U say instead. "Under the stars. We can make a whole night of it." I say.

Meanwhile

Kenna enters the King's chambers without being stopped. She goes to where Henry keeps his keys, right beside his bed in the dresser, right underneath his Bible. She takes it and goes to the chest and opens it. She searches around until she sees the document with Bash and Mary's signature on it. She reads it to herself and is shocked. "He really did trick us..." she whispers to herself. She hears the king's voice down the hall and springs up. She folds the document carefully and puts it in her corset. She closes the chest and throws the keys back into the drawer. Henry walks in right as the drawer is shut. "Kenna, my dear. I know why you are here," he says. Kenna thinks quickly. "Yes, my love. I am here to ask you a few questions about our wedding," she says. She thinks about what she has planned, and now would be a perfect time. "After our wedding, for our reception, I was thinking we should hold a banquet at the river and even a joust. I know how much you love them," she says. Henry is delighted by this surprise and his her. "Nothing would make me happier. Are you sure you want blood spilled on our wedding day?" he asks. Kenna's face drops. She knows he has gone mad, but he now plans on killing someone with every action. "Y-yes. I am content with that," she says shakily.

Henry is being delighted and begins to kiss her. "Henry, our wedding is two days away. We must wait. I may have been your mistress, but I am still a Catholic. I have my beliefs." She says. Henry groans like a child, getting increasingly angry. "You only let me touch you nowadays. I would hate to have to do to you what I did to that whore you slept with. Remember?" he says. Kenna takes a deep breath in, trying to remain calm. "Yes, I would hate for that to happen. But, Henry, God. He would want us to wait. we both wish to see Him together one day, yes? We should follow His rules for once, I am sure He would appreciate that." she says. Henry knows she is right, his religion is so valuable to him. "Fine," he says. "But after the wedding, I want you alone for an hour. Before the banquet. We can make an heir." he says. Kenna cannot express how terrified she is right now. The plan is working, but her life is not in jeopardy. This was not part of the plan. But she loves Mary and wants to protect her. "Sounds perfect," she answers, kissing Henry on the cheek. Before he can say anything else, Kenna leaves to bring the document to her Queen.