A/N: Sorry it took so long to update but here's the new chapter. I hope you guys enjoy! Oh, and there is a bit of sexual content although I don't go into real detail. That way the rating can remain T.

"Where is that bloody woman?"

The sun was beginning to break over the horizon as Charles and Henry sat mounted on their horses waiting for Annabelle. The King's blue eyes swept over the stables expectantly. There were a few boys already beginning their day. Henry motioned for one to come to him.

The boy bowed. "Yes my lord?"

"Has a lady been here?"

"There was one earl-"

"How much earlier?" Henry's voice rang with unfiltered authority. "What did she say?"

Charles sighed. Henry was being a bully again. But what could be done? He was King. Charles was not. Henry was capable of doing whatever he wanted and extremely inclined to do so. Charles could only sit back and wait. The King gets what he wants when he wants it. There was no mystery involved in it. Just a simple fact.

The boy stammered through an explanation. Lady Johnston was sick with fever and couldn't accompany the King and Mr. Brandon. She sent her deepest regrets along with an offer to go on a picnic at The Lake when she regained health. Charles watched the storm on Henry's face recede into the depths of his eyes. Of course any mention of The Lake would calm him. It calmed both of them. The Lake was their spot. It was the place where all key points in Harry, Charlie, and Annie's joined childhood happened.

Henry nodded. "Back to work boy." He turned to Charles. "Just us today."

"Is that disappointment I hear?" Charles's words came out playfully but mentally the man was fuming. Did Henry have feelings for Anna?

Henry laughed. A mask of good mirth covered his true emotion. Devastation. "Of course not Charles. We should be on our way."

Anna watched from a window as Harry and Charlie rode off. Hopefully the stable hand had sold the lie. She wasn't physically ill although stomach pains were settling in. She hated lying. Especially to her boys. But after her dream she found it to be necessary. Anna sighed and plopped down in a plush chair across from an empty fireplace. Soon she was dozing lightly.

It was the same dream from last night. Anna was in the Throne Room standing beside Charlie. His arms were wrapped around her, keeping her body close. Blood seeped from a stab wound in his back. Anna was holding the knife. Clapping started from the direction of the throne and got closer as Harry approached her. Harry took Charlie's place grinning maliciously.

"Well done love."

Anna woke with a start. The dream was even worse the second time around. She wanted to break down and cry. What had the dream meant? Her father was a very superstitious man. He often looked for meaning in the mundane. It was a trait he had given to each of his children. Every family has their proverbial skeletons in the closet and Anna's family was no different. Each of her siblings in turn had become consumed with the superstitions and as a result soon found solace in death. Not many knew lunacy was behind the downfall of the Johnston children. It had just been reveled to Anna herself.

She sighed and walked over to a mirror. "Why is life so difficult?" She asked her reflection. No answer came. Why would there be one? What Anna saw in front of her was merely a trick of the flickering candles. But still, she wanted some type of answer. Another human voice to ring out in the heavy silence.

There was a knock at her door and Charles walked in. That had been a very short ride. Or not, Anna realized when her eyes went to a window. The sky was a deep purple blue as the sun was almost below the horizon. A thin sliver was still visible. She hadn't realized she had slept that long. Charles waited for Anna to speak. Anna waited for Charles to say anything to break the silence in her chambers.

"Did you and Harry have fun?" She finally managed.

Charles nodded. "The company of the King is quite amusing." He said the words Henry had said to deliver. Had you accompanied us I'm sure it would have been much more entertaining. However, you know the King. His plans stop for nothing."

"So I'm nothing?" Anna smiled when his mouth gaped open. "Charlie, love, I am simply making a joke. I know you and Harry love me."

"Yes." Charles said nothing else. Instead he sat down in a comfortable looking chair and propped up his feet.

This annoyed Anna. She didn't like the way he just barged in and did whatever he wished as if he were the King instead of Henry. Then again Charles had always been that way. Nothing would change that except marriage. Perhaps not even that. Anna had a hard time seeing Charlie as any woman's husband… whoever the poor soul would be. Charles looked up, meeting her gaze calmly yet smugly. It only infuriated her more.

"Would His Majesty care for wine?" She asked in annoyance.

Charles smirked. "Yes he would." He waved his hand as if dismissing a servant. "Go fetch some for me."

It was Anna's turn to have her mouth fall open. "I am no servant Charles Brandon! If you would like wine feel free to get it yourself."

"I don't want wine." He shook his head, eyes boring into hers. She could feel her heart pounding in her chest as he moved from the chair back to her.

"What do you want then?" Anna couldn't look away from her best friend's lips. They looked soft as rose petals and probably tasted just as sweet. She wondered absentmindedly if she would ever get the chance to test her theories. Both of them were breathing labouredly. Before Charles moved any closer.

"I want dinner. His Majesty sent me to invite you to dine with us. If you were in good health of course." His lips brushed against hers with each word.

Anna shivered when Charlie's hand wrapped around her waist. "Charlie, why are you so close to me?"

"Do you not like it?"

"Yes… no… stop being yourself! I don't like mind games!"

"I'm not playing mind games, my lady. Actually quite the contrary."

"Then kiss me already damn it!"

Charles laughed and pulled back. "Not right now. Later perhaps."

Anna smirked. "Prefer dessert after the main course I see." She laughed when Charlie turned red. "I can still make you blush!"

"I'm not blushing! It is simply… hot in your room. Now come. Henry is waiting on us."

Anna allowed Charles to lead her out of the room by her elbow. He was still red in the face which amused her. It had always been easy to embarrass Harry and Charlie. Even the slightest hint at doing anything questionable and they turned into little children.

"Charlie!" She stage whispered. "You're still blushing! It's adorable." The grip on her elbow tightened.

"I'm not blushing Annie."

They walked into the King's chambers bickering like siblings. Henry was already seated at a table jut big enough for three. Anna aw him and curtsied. Henry rolled his eyes.

"Lady Johnston, not in private. Here, you are Annie, I am Harry, and Charles will be Charlie. Just as it has been." He brought her up into a hug. "When it is just us we should try to behave as though we are all children again. Carefree and simply good friends."

Anna smiled. "Yes Your Highness." Her words were light and teasing.

"Good. Please, sit. Both of you."

Henry, Annabelle, and Charles all sat down together to begin their meal. It was comfortably quiet until Charles laughed loudly. Anna gave him a questioning look. He simply shrugged and took a sip of the rich wine.

"Do you know what I am reminded of as we sit here?" When no one answer Charles continued. "All those summers we would spend at The Lake swimming. We would stay until Arthur made us leave, then come here and have dinner with Henry's family."

Anna's eyes lit up. "I remember that! My father would be so angry with me. He thought our friendship improper. He believed you were corrupting me."

Henry laughed. "Us corrupt you? I remember it as the other way around."

The three of them continued talking of old times. A smile never left any of their faces. It was a comfortable walk down memory lane that ended well after midnight. Bluntly put, by that time Henry, Charles and Annabelle were all drunk. Far more than an appropriate amount of wine had been downed and all three people were beginning to feel the strong effects of alcohol. A pleasant fog was settling over Anna's mind.

Charles leaned over to her. "What about that kiss?"

Anna smiled seductively. "What about it?"

"You are going to make me ask." It wasn't a question. Charles was stating a fact. Anna was going to make him ask.

"It is only proper."

Henry laughed boisterously. "When have any of us been proper Annie?" He stood, bringing her up with him. "When have we ever cared to be so?"

"Never."

Exactly." Henry bent his lips to hers. At first Anna was shocked. Slowly, though, she began moving in perfect sync with Henry allowing him to enter her mouth. It felt… right. Normal. But anything other than safe. In the kiss Henry had Anna feeling dangerous. Maybe that was why she pressed herself closer to him.

Arms wrapped around her waist. She could feel Charlie's lips on her neck, massaging and nipping the skin there. Anna let out a low moan. Henry and Charles both broke away at the same time and shared a look. The King led Anna by the hand to his bedroom. Charles followed closely behind. The door shut behind them and Henry was once more kissing Anna. He undid the laces holding her dress together expertly. It fell, pooling around Anna's ankles in a scarlet mass.

The loud moans of Charles, Annabelle, and Henry could be heard resonating throughout the castle. None of the three friends cared, they were too drunk and lost in the moments of pure ecstasy. Chances were they wouldn't remember the night anyway. How wrong they were. Each would remember the night with startling clarity. But they all had different versions.

Henry would remember it as the night of his life.

Charles would remember it was the night Henry got what he wanted.

Only Anna saw what it really was. That night was the night of no return. Nothing would be the same with the rising sun.

When Anna was asleep Henry turned to Charles. She lay between them like a barrier. Charles on her left Henry on her right. The King looked down and began toying with a lock of her hair.

"Charles, you are my oldest and dearest friend. I've learned over the years to read your emotions. You love Anna."

"Yes, I do."

"So do I."

"You lust after her."

Henry's eyes flashed dangerously. "Love. Lust. There is really no difference."

Charles didn't have the energy to argue. Anna had worn him out. Besides, Charles didn't want to argue. Henry could kick him out and he wanted to stay next to Anna for as long as possible. Sharing had never really been Charles's or Henry's forte. They had never been the best at it as children and that was evident as adults.