Disclaimer: I neither own Reign, nor profit from this story.

"But Henry what if we are found out!"

The sound of running footsteps echoed down the hall as the Dauphin pulled his current conquest along with him. In his haste he nearly forgot about the clear disadvantage of her billowing skirts and shorter strides.

"So long as my wife does not care, I am not inclined to either, and thus far she has put up little protest. At any rate I am destined to be King and will do as I please."

"But your father's advisers…"

"Have been badgering him for months that I need to begin to 'bolster my appearance of strength as the future heir to France.' They consider me to be directionless and young, they have even offered to find a mistress to better hone my skills and bolster my presence and reputation. And my father simply humors them."

Stopping short to discern which direction he should take he eventually decided and pulled them both around the corner where he spotted a hidden alcove and moved toward it with purpose. He knew she would be reticent to the idea but had confidence in his negotiating skills.

He moved them into the small space with his back up against the wall, her body flush with his. With the intense change of energies they were both left panting, the confined space only adding to the feeling of danger and excitement. His arm was wrapped around her waist drawing her ever closer so he was reasonably sure that no one would have seen them if they were simply passing by.

After listening for a moment to be sure they were alone he released her momentarily so that she would not feel trapped and could indeed leave if it was truly her desire.

When she did not move away he walked forward and again into her space. When her back hit the wall a grin spread across his lips as they descended towards hers, missing them by bare millimeters. He dropped feather light kisses around her face and eventually along her jaw taking particular satisfaction from the sounds that she made in response. Pulling back he delicately manipulated a stray hair that had taken upon itself to frame her face he took in her flushed complexion and bight eyes, alive from their recent exertions and now their relative inactions.

"He smiles because he knows they are right but equally wrong. Because their own perception of me will carry on to the other Nobles and set the precedent for my rise to power. In the meantime," he stopped mid sentence to trail one finger down the curve of her face and then slowly along the protrusion of her collar bone, the sight of her newly flushed skin enlivening him all the more. "This little excursion should help to hold off their wagging tongues for a time, and for the I should thank you."

Barely able to hold in the sounds that begged to escape her throat, she managed to pull herself together to pose one further inquiry. "And what of your wife's opinion does change? You say she doesn't care, but I don't know of a woman who truly wouldn't, not in the deepest most hidden parts of her heart. As I understand it was Catherine de Medici herself that poisoned your brother. Are you not scared that her vengeful eye will turn to you next?"

Turning them around so that her back was pressed up against his chest and his was against the wall he wrapped both arms around her waist and nuzzled his face in her hair. "My wife had nothing to do with my brother's death other than she was a scapegoat for the simple minded and easily persuaded. I only allow such rumors as a measure of protection for her."

"Oh?" she turned her face to try and catch a glimpse of his, "and how will people thinking ill of her provide protection?"

He smiled at the question, this one had a good head on her shoulders. He liked that, liked a woman that would challenge him. "A ruler stays in his or her position by one of two means, fear or love. It is unlikely that she will ever truly gain the love of either the Nobles or the people, her heritage and her lack of royal blood have seen to that.

Repositioning them so that her head was tucked under his chin and she was further cradled into his chest he continued, "Now fear…fear can be much more easily instilled, and one thing that I have learned of my wife is that she is quite intelligent as well as perceptive, and more than capable of accomplishing anything she puts her mind to. Whether or not she is the villain they say she is, if the villain is what she needs to be in order to protect herself and eventually our children, than the villain she will be."

"It must be terrible to have that much confidence in someone who supposedly shares your bed."

"Yes well we have chosen to keep separate living quarters for the sake of our marriage. We were married quite young and are bound to get tired of one another soon enough, there is no sense in rushing the process. I visit her chambers though often enough to keep her and my father's advisors satisfied."

"Oh? And does she ever visit yours? Does she even dare?" Her voice was much less sure now, as if they very thought was dangerous, forbidden.

Linking his fingers through hers he turned her back to face him and brought her knuckles up to kiss them as he spoke. "Oh yes, indeed she does. In fact we have had some of our most adventurous escapades when she seeks me out. She does indeed have quite the vivid imagination."

As he said this he guided both of her hands to rest on his shoulder as he placed his at her waist. "Quite imaginative but sometimes reticent to carry out on her more intriguing ideas."

"So she is a repressed then?"

"No she was simply brought up very strictly by her family, or rather by their example. They virtually abandoned her to the whims of rebels in Florence, most unwieldily, especially for one such as herself."

Feeling quite vulnerable now she drew her arms and her gaze down and began tracing the embroidery on his chest "Oh, but I thought she was a commoner?"

"She is indeed, but only by birth. Her spirit is for more noble than any I have yet to meet in court. She is loyal and brilliant, beautiful from the inside out. And her eyes," he continued, using his thumbs to draw their own patterns on her back, "her eyes absolutely draw you in and captivate your whole attention with just a glance."

"You seem to know your wife well, some might even say you hold some affection for her."

"I am learning…slowly. She is not the easiest person to get to know as she has learned to protect herself quite jealously. There have been far too many who have treated her badly and so her walls seem nearly unscalable at times. But my affection does indeed grow day after day, in fact it was not long after we were married that I fell helplessly in love with her."

After a moment of silence Henry inquired, "Have I passed your examination my love?"

Catherine smiled as she rested her palms and upper arms on his chest and met his gaze. "You have Henry, for now. Now if you would like to execute your original plan you may, but do so quickly before I lose my nerve."

"Your plan my dear, this was your plan."

Leaning up to leave a quick peck on his lips she remained where she was and searched for his eyes before answering, "and if you tell anyone that I will deny it until the day I die."

Smiling at her answer he leaned down to kiss her, this time full on the lips, "I think I can live with that."