MARY
We're renewing our wedding vows. We're getting married again. This is all I can think as Francis takes me in his arms and kisses me passionately. I wrap my arms around his neck and pull him close, molding our bodies together. He embraces me and buries his face in my shoulder.
"I love you," he whispers.
"I love you too," I reply. The ruby diamond on my engagement ring catches in the sunlight, and I smile. I pull away before gently kissing my husband. "I will love you for the rest of my life…and I will never let you go again." I touch his face, stroking his face with my thumbs. Hand in hand, we return to Versailles. The people stare at us, no doubt surprised at the rekindling of our marriage. Francis leads me to his chambers and upon closing the door, he presses my back against the solid wood and kisses me. I kiss him back, letting the flames of passion ignite between us. Our hands move into each other's hair and our bodies come together naturally. Time becomes nonexistent as we tear at each other's clothes, stripping each other in a mad passion before we fall into bed, losing ourselves in each other. Francis makes passionate love to me, murmuring love words in my ear and against my skin. I receive his kisses eagerly and give as I take.
I love him. I've always loved him. A sigh of pleasure slips past my lips as my husband trails gentle kisses down my neck. My toes curl into the mattress as I climax, and my hands move into his soft, golden curls. How I've missed him! How I've missed his touch and feeling his arms around me, flesh against flesh. We move together as one flesh, one heart, and one soul, making up for the time we've lost together. We lay together afterwards. I lay on my stomach, gazing fondly at my husband as he lays next to me, caressing my bare back.
"Mary," says Francis quietly.
"What is it?" I ask. "What's on your mind?"
"Why did you forgive me for what happened?" he whispers. "I love you, Mary, but how can you forgive me when I can't even forgive myself?'
"Darling, I forgive you because I love you," I tell him honestly, "and Aimi's death was not your fault, and I mean it. The Citadel took our son away from us. I love you, Francis. Hold onto that." I reach for him and stroke his cheek. Francis kisses my palm and I close my eyes briefly as his kiss sends electricity crackling through my body. "I want us to have a chance to love each other."
"I want that too," he tells me. "I want us to be a family again: you, me, Anne, James, and Catherine. I want us to be together again." I take our joined hands and kiss my husband's knuckles before holding his hand close to me, as though I can draw strength from him.
"And we will," I say. "We will, all of us…and our little one." I smile. Francis doesn't say anything for a moment, but soon enough, his eyes flicker with recognition.
"Our little one?" he echoes. "Mary, are you…?"
"I am!" I answer. "I've known for a couple of weeks now, but because things have been so difficult between us, I wasn't sure how to tell you. I'm with child. I'm pregnant again!" The words come tumbling out of my mouth as my ecstasy becomes too much to contain. Francis beams and we burst into ecstatic laughter. My husband kisses me passionately and I squeal as he pins me to the mattress. I kiss him back eagerly, moving my hands into his hair as he presses his full weight atop of me. I wrap my legs around his waist, drawing us closer together.
"I love you," Francis murmurs between kisses. I cup his face between my hands and kiss him in response. My husband pulls himself out to the tip before plunging back inside me. I gasp in pleasure, and he does this over and over again, forming a slow and sensual rhythm between our bodies. I meet his strong, languid thrusts with my own movements.
"Francis!" I cry. I wrap my arms around him as he buries his face in the curve of my neck, kissing me softly. I arch against him, digging the soles of my bare feet into his back. "Oh my god, Francis!" I catch his lips in another kiss and I push myself upright, wrapping my legs around his waist as leverage. I kiss him again and again. He breaks our kiss and pulls away; I whimper in disappointment. Francis pulls our bodies closer together and his lips fasten to a nipple. I arch and strain against him, cradling his head to my chest as I rock my hips against him. I lower my lips to his, shifting one hand into his hair and wrapping the other around his neck.
"My god, Mary," Francis groans. I raise myself upon my haunches and slowly sink back onto his cock, moaning at the sensations. "Mary…my beauty," he whispers, and hungrily presses his mouth to mine. Passion ignites passion and our tongues push against each other in a desperate longing. I hide my face in his shoulder as he begins to kiss my neck. I gasp in time to his punctuated thrusts, wrapping my arms around him.
"Francis! Francis! Francis!" I gasp. I pull away from him before sweeping my lips across his, holding his face. My husband wraps his arms around my waist, holding me close. I lift up again and grind back down. I do this again and again, pulling along and pushing down into him. Pull and push. Push and ball. Back and forth. Again and again and again. My tongue slips past his lips and Francis swallows my moan of pleasure as he buries himself within me, a knife in its sheath.
"Mary, you're shaking," Francis breathes into my ear.
"I'm fine, my love," I assure him. "Trust me." I kiss him again, moaning my pleasure into his mouth. Francis reaches beneath me and lifts me up from my knees. I extend my legs and wrap them around his back, resettling myself into his lap. I take his face between my palms and kiss him feverishly, taking his lower lip into my mouth and biting down gently. Keeping our lips fused together, Francis pushes me down onto my back. He caresses my face before running his fingers down my lips. I lean forward and catch his lips in a kiss. His fingers ghost up my inner thigh and I shiver at his touch. I surge forward and maneuver him so he lies on his back as I straddle his waist. I grab his face and cover his mouth in mine before trailing my lips down his chest, going lower and lower. I graze his skin with my teeth, playfully nipping at him and laughing as he groans in both pain and pleasure.
I finally reach his cock and, grinning devilishly at him, I wrap my hand around him before taking him between my lips. I bob my head up and down, moving my hand up and down around his cock. My husband groans my name. I pull myself away from his cock before taking my breasts and wrapping them around him, continuing my movements.
"Jesus Christ, Mary," Francis rasps. I gasp as his seed spurts out from his cock and adorns my neck and shoulders. My husband lets out a scream, arching his back as he grabs at the pillows, and I lower my head to lick off some of his seed from his member. I crawl back atop of him and take his hands, pulling him into a sitting position.
"I love you, Francis," I murmur.
"I love you too, my beauty." Francis presses his lips in my neck, licking away his seed. I shudder in pleasure as he licks, kisses, and sucks my pulse points. I squeal as the world suddenly changes on its axis and I'm lying on my back once again. Francis touches my face gently, his eyes filled with love and awe. I bring my hands to hold his face and lower his lips to mine. My husband brings his lips to my neck and we lose ourselves in each other.
FRANCIS
Mary sleeps in my arms as we lay entwined together. I gently stroke her bare back as I listen to her breathing. There are no other sounds in the room, save for our breathing and the crackling of the fireplace. My wife's wedding ring glints in the morning sunrise. It's strange how the small things linger in the memory over time, present in the mind but not forgotten. My wife rests her head on my shoulder, her hands upon my heart. I take her hand and kiss her wedding ring.
I love you, Mary. I don't realize I've said the words aloud when my wife stirs. She opens her eyes and gazes at me, tracing a pattern into my chest with her fingers. "Good morning, sleeping beauty," I murmur, and kiss her softly. She brings a hand to my face and smiles.
"Good morning, husband," she murmurs, and kisses me deeply. I roll so she's on her back with me atop of her, settled between her legs. I give my wife a knowing smile and trail gentle kisses down her neck. She arches her back, shifting her hands into my hair. Her small frame fits perfectly against my body. I make my way down her body, going lower and lower, all while never taking my eyes off her. Mary's eyes are closed, her mouth falling open in a small moan of pleasure. I grab her leg and kiss her inner thigh before burying my head between her legs. I circle her clit with my lips and suck rhythmically, kneading her hypersensitive bundle of nerves with my tongue.
"Francis! Fuck!" Mary bucks her hips against my mouth and her legs close as her body spasms with orgasm. I insistently push her legs apart and she laughs and squeals. "Fuck!" I lap my tongue against her pussy before delving my tongue inside her. Her fingers entangle themselves in the damp roots of my hair. I finally raise my head up from between her legs and kiss a trail back up her body until I reach her lips. Mary rolls atop of me, cupping my face in her hands as she kisses me madly. I run a hand through her dark, damp tresses while I splay my other hand against her bare back, kneading my fingertips into her flesh. My wife rides me fiercely, and it isn't long before we both scream our release as we climax as one.
"Mary!" I take her in my arms and swiftly roll her beneath me, thrusting into her vigorously. My wife arches her back and screams my name. Her fingernails rake down my back and I cry out in both pleasure and pain as I come inside her. I swallow her cries in a passionate kiss. My wife moves her hands into my hair and pulls me closer to her, if possible. Her breasts are crushed against my chest, leaving no space between us, and her legs wrap around my waist.
"You belong to me," I rasp between kisses.
"You," Mary murmurs. "Only you." She breaks our feverish kisses and meets my eyes, breathless. I cradle her face in my palm and brush my thumb across the corner of her lip. Gently, she touches my face and lowers my lips to hers in a possessive kiss. She wraps her arms around me and grinds against me. "I love you," she says between heated kisses. My wife pushes herself forward and I wrap my arms around her waist to pull her close. Her legs come around my waist as I shift her onto my lap. I bury myself in her completely, sheathing myself inside her like a dagger to the hilt.
I wrap my fist around her hair and gently tug, baring her throat to me. I kiss and suck gently at her pulse points, relishing in the way she mewls against me. I disentangle my hand from her hair to circle my arms around her waist. My wife kisses me deeply; her hands cup my face gently before she loops her arms around my neck. There is no telling where I end and she begins; even after five years of marriage, it still amazes me how our bodies fit together like puzzle pieces made for each other. Mary was made for me and I for her. Our souls are entwined forever. Mary breaks our kiss breathlessly, running a knuckle gently down my cheek. I pound furiously into her hot core and she gasps in time to my punctuated movements. I cover her mouth in mine and push her onto her back, pressing my lips in her neck.
I love her—and I never stop loving her.
MARY
The following morning, we announce our upcoming vow renewal. The media storms the castle and we are caught in a storm of camera flashes. Hand-in-hand, my husband and I make our way to the gardens of Versailles. We sit down on the nearest bench and our interviewer follows suit. The cameras are trained on us, locking themselves in on what is most likely one of the biggest stories of the year.
"None of us were expecting to hear the news of yet another royal wedding heading our way," the representative begins, "let alone the fact that it would be the two of you again."
"I wasn't expecting it either," I admit. I hold out my hand and admire my wedding ring. My engagement ring catches the sunlight and the ruby glints beautifully. "But I'm happy. I couldn't imagine living my life without him." I take my husband's hand in mine and meet his eyes. "We've been through some tough times, but I love him nonetheless."
"We wanted to share our happiness with the world," he says.
"That is so sweet and romantic! Tell us, though, Queen Mary: before your reconciliation, there was always the possibility of King Francis getting a mistress. How did that make you feel and how do you feel now that you are set to renew our wedding vows?" I still. My mind freezes. Did she seriously just ask me that question? Francis and I exchange a glance. I open my mouth to form a reply, but my husband beats me to it.
"It was actually during that time we reconciled, believe it or not," he interjects quickly. He squeezes my hand. Trust me on this. "Things were so difficult between us after the death of our son. We grew apart, but we soon realized we loved each other too much to continue being apart from one another."
"You really love each other, don't you?"
"Yes, we do," I say quietly. Francis lifts my hand to his lips and kisses my wedding ring. "I don't think I've ever been happier." His eyes meet mine as he kisses my knuckles. "I love you, Francis." And in that moment, the rest of the world falls away and it is just the two of us. My husband rises from the bench and I follow suit. He takes me inside the palace and into our chambers, where he makes love to me once more.
FRANCIS
"A masquerade ball for our engagement party," my wife muses as she dons her diamond earrings. "What a wonderful surprise you've kept from me." She turns away from the mirror to face me. It takes my breath away how beautiful she is. Her dark tresses are pinned up loosely and a few curls hang to frame her face; her strapless gown is a magnificent ruby that is accentuated with black and the skirt is soft and filled with ruffles that remind me of petals on a rose. She is so beautiful it hurts.
"The renewal of our vows is a huge occasion, my beauty," I tell her, "and I wanted the celebration to be just as huge. I invited everyone within a few miles of Versailles." My wife chuckles and draws closer to me. Her rings on her left hand catch the light of the sunset and shine brightly.
"The wedding is going to be even bigger, isn't it?" she says, beaming up at me. She wraps her arms around my neck and kisses me softly. "You're really pulling out all the stops for me, love."
"I want to give you everything," I say sincerely. My wife moves a hand to my face and strokes my cheek with her thumb. I catch her hand and kiss her knuckles, and then my rings on her left hand. "You are everything to me." Mary kisses me softly and slowly. Her hands move into my hair and she pulls gently yet insistently at my roots. I chuckle as I take her lower lip between my teeth and pull.
"Ew, gross!" James' voice floats into the room and small feet pad on the marble floors. We pull away from one another to see the children bursting inside, happy and joyful. "Mama and Papa are kissing!" James, Catherine, and Anne practically run towards us and I smile. "What's taking you so long?" he complains.
"We were just about to join the party, James," I tell my son. "Don't you worry. I trust you and your sisters have been on your best behavior?" They all not eagerly. Anne stands up on her toes and twirls gracefully.
"I love dancing, Mommy!" she exclaims. "Are you and Daddy going to have another wedding?"
"It seems that talk gets around quickly, my love," my husband remarks, offering me a smile. "And yes, Anne, your mother and I are having another wedding. All of France is invited and the whole world will be watching." He ruffles our daughter's hair. Catherine and James chase each other around the room; I call to them quickly, "Be careful and please don't touch anything!"
"Aren't we going to make a formal announcement during the ball?" I ask my husband.
"We are," Francis says. "Masks on."
MARY
Upon arrival, my husband and I are greeted by applause. We make our way to the center of the room and Francis spins me outward. I let go of his hand before returning to his side.
"My wife and I have some news we would like to share," he announces. "I'm sure you may already know or you may have heard rumors of another royal wedding." At this, the crowd bursts into hushed whispers of excitement. "Which brings me to the reason why we are all gathered here tonight. Mary and I have decided to renew our wedding vows." I take his outstretched hand and he kisses my knuckles. I smile as he draws me into him; our lips collide passionately and I wrap my arms around him. Our kisses grow hungrier and hungrier. It isn't until I force myself to break away from him, breathless, that I realize the acute throbbing between my legs. Our bodies are pressed together and I can feel my husband's arousal.
"I have to have you, Mary," murmurs Francis. "God, you are so fucking beautiful." He runs a knuckle down my cheek. His touch alone makes me shiver. Wordlessly, I take him by the hand and lead him to our chambers. As soon as the door closes behind us, Francis's mouth is on mine in an instant. He breaks away, but only for an instant, and removes both his mask and mine.
"Francis," I breathe. I kick off my heels and my husband moves a hand into my hair, tugging at the hairpins keeping my hair up. My tresses fall loose down my shoulders and I shake my hair out, relishing the feeling of it kissing my shoulders and back. I'm dimly aware of my husband's fingers grasping handfuls of my dress as he pulls me closer to him. His tongue penetrates my lips and our tongues clash together in a battle for dominance. I grab his tie at the same time before making quick work of his jacket. Francis kicks off his dress shoes and pulls off his socks before kissing me again. My fingers fumble with his tie in my eagerness.
"Someone's impatient," he taunts me. He unties it for me and I grab it, tossing it halfway across the room. I pounce on him, throwing my arms around him and slanting my mouth against his.
"I need you, Francis," I rasp. I take his lower lip between my teeth and tug aggressively, reaching for his belt. I pull his belt through the loops and whip it across the room before ripping his dress shirt open. Buttons fly everywhere and scatter all over the floor. I can't help myself as I laugh. Francis smiles, swallowing my laughter as he kisses me again. He pushes his dress shirt off his shoulders, gifting me with his broad and sculpted chest. I run my hands down his torso before moving my fingers into his golden locks, tugging against his scalp in my passion.
"I know, love," my husband says. "I've missed you so much, Mary. Christ!" At a loss for words, he seals his mouth over mine. I work the buttons on his black slacks before eagerly pushing them down. Francis takes my hands and raises me back up so we're level with each other before he steps out of them, kicking them aside. My eyes lower to his cock standing erect and all I can think is, Thank god he isn't wearing any boxers. I don't have time to stare for much longer, for my husband takes me in his arms and turns me around so my ass is pressed against his erection.
"Francis…please." My voice is barely above a whisper. "Please." I reach a hand behind me and him, cupping the back of his neck. I crane my neck around so our eyes meet. "I want…"
"I know what you want, my love," says Francis. "I know." He unzips my dress and peels it off my body. I am bare underneath, save for the black, lacy panties I'm still wearing. His lips brush against my bare back and I close my eyes, losing myself in my husband's touch. My dress falls to the floor with a whisper, pooling at my feet. Francis's lips move upwards, kissing my shoulders and the back of my neck. I slowly turn around to face him and I grab his face between my hands, kissing him passionately. My breasts are crushed against his chest, leaving no space between us. Francis lifts me up into his arms and I wrap my legs around his waist as he carries me to the bed. He gently spreads me across the silken sheets, but he doesn't kiss me again. Instead, he hovers above me, hooking his fingers through my panties.
"These are going to have to come off," my husband remarks casually as his fingers play with the fabric.
"Take them off then." And he does. Slowly, he takes the fabric between his teeth and drags them down my legs. His azure eyes remain trained on mine as he does this.
"Fuck me," I breathe. "Please, Francis." I watch as he pulls my panties down my legs until I am completely bared to him. My husband lifts the wet piece of lace to his nose and inhales the smell of my own desire. Holy hell. He tosses them aside and covers my mouth in his, thrusting inside me. His movements are slow and languid, but powerful, but I want more. I need more. I gasp when he hits my sweet spot inside me and bury my face in his shoulder. I wrap my legs around his back and dig my heels into his ass, moaning as we move together.
"Mary!" rasps my husband.
"Faster, Francis," I plead. I bite down on his lower lip and tug urgently before kissing him again. Our lips devour each other in our heated passion with each kiss more desperate than the last. "Harder." I whimper when Francis breaks our kiss. He buries his face in my neck, kissing my neck and my shoulders. Softly at first, but his kisses grow hungrier and hungrier. I arch my back as a wordless sigh slips past my lips. I gasp when he takes my flesh between his teeth and tugs. That's going to leave a mark, I think…but I don't mind being marked by my husband. He does this again and again. Kissing and sucking and biting my flesh, he slithers down my body. He kisses my belly where our unborn child thrives and rubs his nose tauntingly against my flesh, making his way lower and lower. I arch my back as my orgasm rolls over me in waves, each one more powerful than the last. My husband's mouth finds my clit and he tongues me until I climax over and over again. I entangle my fingers in his hair and tug at his roots.
"That's it," he rasps. "Come for me, baby." I come undone on his tongue once again. Francis makes his way back up to me and kisses me, silencing my cries.
"Don't stop," I murmur. "Please don't stop." Francis obliges and I hold his face between my palms, keeping our lips fused together as I push myself forward. My husband helps me into my seated position in his lap, straddling his thighs, and I sink down on my haunches, slowly letting him fill me. I throw my head back, moaning. His lips latch themselves onto a nipple while he strokes my other breast with his thumb, stroking and fondling until it aches.
"Oh my god…oh, Francis!" I cry. I crush my mouth against his and his arms circle around my waist, drawing us closer together. I trace my tongue along his lips and tilt my head further to the side, seeking out his warmth. His tongue meets mine in a sensual and erotic tango. I loop my arms around his neck and deepen our kiss, moaning into his mouth. I roll my hips, pushing down on him as I fan the flames between us.
"So good, Mary," my husband pants. "You feel so good…you're so wet for me." He pushes his hands through my damp tresses. His eyes meet mine, filled with love and awe in equal proportions. "I want you in my arms every night, coming with my name on your lips. Me and only me." I kiss him in response, pushing my tongue into his mouth.
"It's always been you," I rasp. "It's you and me, Francis. Always." Keeping my arms around him and our lips joined together in a kiss, I recline so I'm lying on my back and pull my husband down with me. Francis presses his full weight atop of me and cradles the back of my head in one hand while he strokes my cheek with the other.
"I love you," he whispers.
"I love you too." After making love, we lay sprawled together in a messy tangle of sheets. I raise myself on my elbow so I lean above my husband. His fingers dance across the plane of my bare back.
"I think we're missing the party, my love," I joke. Francis chuckles.
"I could spend the rest of the night here in bed with you," my husband tells me. "Holding you in my arms, making love to you." He takes a strand of my hair and twists it around his finger. "Mary, I meant what I said earlier. I want to give you everything. After we lost our son, I feel as though I've failed you as your husband and as your king."
"Francis, I love you." I touch his face with my palm and he covers my hand in his, turning his face to the side and pressing his lips to the inside of my hand. "I love you. There was no way you could have known what the Citadel was going to do after you gave Serena the money."
"They still pose a threat to us and to our family."
"We're going to be fine. I promise," I assure him. I kiss him gently. "You are Francis II, the King of France and I am Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots. We are king and queen. What more could they possibly do to us?" Francis remains silent for several moments before he kisses me softly. We make love again before finally getting dressed and returning to the ball.
My husband wraps an arm possessively around my waist as we make our way back to our guests. My body tingles with the memory of our lovemaking, and I can't help but smile. Francis brushes his lips against my temple before he claps his hands loudly, silencing the room.
"I would like to propose a toast to my beautiful wife," he announces as the cooks make the rounds, giving everyone a glass of red wine. "I love you, Mary. You are the best thing that's ever happened to me." He raises his glass and we all drink from our goblets. The wine explodes in my mouth in a burst of spice and fruits.
In that moment, everything is wrong. Something about the wine isn't right. My throat constricts and I can't breathe. My heart is pounding in my chest and all I can think is, Not our baby. Not our baby, please no. Stabs of pain wrack through my body and the blood is a hot rush as it spills down my thighs. My mouth opens in a wordless scream and my legs give out from under me. Francis runs over to me and I fall into his arms as tears stream down my face. My husband is the last thing I see before I am consumed in darkness.
FRANCIS
The next few hours pass by as though in a dream. I remember seeing Mary collapse, her thighs slick with blood, her glass of wine slipping out of her hand and shattering into pieces on the marble floor. Everything afterwards is a blur. It's surreal, as though I am watching these events unfold through someone else's eyes. Not my own. I remember screaming for help and Nostradamus shoving his way through the crowd. I never once left my wife's side, for all I could think of was her safety and that of our unborn child. He takes Mary from me and carries her unconscious form to his hospital ward.
"The wine was poisoned, Your Majesty," he tells me. "This had to have been an assassination attempt." He searches through his various concoctions as he speaks. "It's only fortunate that I am familiar with the poison that was used. I have the antidote for it. Queen Mary will live."
"And our baby?" I am terrified for our child's life…but a part of me already knows the answer. Blood trickles down my wife's thighs and her skin is deathly pale. "Is our baby going to be okay?"
"Your child is lost. I'm sorry." He takes a vial and pours its contents into Mary's mouth. "If God is merciful, your queen will survive the night." Without another word, he leaves me alone with my wife. I sit by her side and take her hand in mine. Her hand is cold as ice. Oh god, please. Don't take her away from me. Please. I've lost so much…too much. I can't lose her. I kiss her rings, tears burning in my eyes and spilling down my cheeks. I hang my head and I weep.