The next morning she opened her eyes and the first thing she saw was Bash's icy blue eyes watching her. "Bash?" She murmured, her voice was raspy and her throat burned. The memories of the previous night flowed back and she slowly sat up, all she could remember was after Bash left Christophe had returned. He told her Bash had confronted him and seized her throat, this time with the intention to kill, but he hadn't succeeded. Why though? Had Christophe spared her or had she been rescued? Someone must've heard her scream, yes…now she could remember, it was Bash, she remembered the feel of his arms around her. He had held her, calmed her as she shook and cried, she could still his voice in her ear, telling her it was okay that she was okay. She believed him that it was all okay that she was finally okay, then she'd fallen asleep and he hadn't left her.
Oh no! If he had rescued her he'd know it was Christophe, which would mean he would ask questions, he would hate her! Well then again who didn't? It was only Bash anyway he didn't mean anything to her did he? No. Most certainly not. Still, he might tell Claude and Charles, great why couldn't she have just died!? That's what everyone wanted after all.
He watched her wake, how her eyes had fluttered open as she yawned and stretched. Then a look of thoughtfulness crossed her face then she looked concerned almost fearful. "What's wrong?" He asked her quietly snapping her out of her trance. Her hazel eyes focused on him and he thought he saw hope flash through them but it was gone quickly as it had come.
His voice penetrated her thoughts, his tone was concerned almost caring, but he wouldn't act like that if he knew the whole story. Lord she'd killed his mother, not that she regretted it but the thought of him finding out right now, especially at her weakened state was horrifying. Who knew what he'd do to her? Probably finish Christophe's job of suffocating her. That's why she must lie, that's what she did best after all, taking a shaky breath she answered him in what she hoped was a nonchalant tone. "Only wondering why you're sitting next to my bed, in my bed chambers, looking like you haven't slept a wink." It wasn't a complete lie but she was avoiding the question.
Her answer made sense except it didn't, surely she remembered what'd happened the previous night. Of course that didn't explain why he was still in her chambers, "Well I might as well start from when I heard you scream." He watched her reaction, she shifted a little uncomfortably before nodding. "Well I was on my way to my chambers when I heard you scream, instinctively I went to see what was going on. When I came, I have to say it was not what I expected at all yet I wasn't surprised either. Christophe was holding you against the wall, you were already unconscious so I naturally thought you were dead."
"Oh thanks." She interrupted, voice dripping with sarcasm, in reality she was trying hard not to squirm with nervousness.
He ignored her comment and continued, "Anyways, once he realized I was in the room he dropped you, you hit your head on the desk." At this she raised her hand to her forehead and then winced and quickly taking it away. "I took my sword out on him, but he had his over you so I couldn't strike him. He left and I dealt with your forehead but then you stopped breathing and for a moment just a moment I thought you were dead. Then some miracle occurred and your heart started up again, you were quite shaken so…er..well you kinda…well I mean I guess you could say we were hugging." He said sheepishly "You finally fell asleep." In my arms He added mentally "I was going to leave but I realized Christophe could come kill you in the night so I stayed, and…yep here I am." He finished. She simply nodded but seemed unnaturally skittish, "By the way why did you conceal the killer's identity when you knew all along!? While he killed innocents!" His tone was suddenly dangerous and he wasn't sure if he was imagining it but he thought he saw her cower on the bed.
She knew he was going to get there eventually and of course when he did he would turn off his kindness. She suddenly felt a spark of alarm and as a rabbit in the glare of a fox would cower down, trying to look smaller, less of a threat. When she answered she was dismayed to hear her voice shake "He was securing my regency."
He suddenly felt extremely enraged by her "You let innocent people die to secure your regency?! Your power?!" He had risen from his seat at this point and she instantly looked so small, huddled on the bed.
"I tried to make him stop killing, I let him do this to me." She gestured to her neck.
"Oh how very noble of you!" He sneered. "Now come to think of it there's something else I've been meaning to ask you about, I've sent my mother letters and she hasn't responded to a single one. Care to explain?!"
She was openly terrified now, he was towering over her and she was pressing herself against the opposite wall, she had nowhere to go, no escape. At the mention of Diane though, she threw caution to the wind "She's with her dear lover, my husband your father!" Her voice was filled with remorse and spite.
"Where is she, my mother deserves a proper burial!" Anger was engulfing his senses and it almost gave him pleasure to see she had no escape.
"Her body's in the sea." She spat.
He let out a scream of anger and then he had clambered across the bed until he had a knee on either side of her thighs, trapping her against the wall. Their eyes met for a split second, both filled with pure agony and remorse for each other. She had killed his mother and always made him feel like an outsider, never equal. He had caused her so much pain by being the first born to her husband and Diane was always more loved by Henry. Without warning he grabbed her already sore and sensitive neck, tightening his hands around her smooth skin. How good it felt to have all the control, to feel her breaths instantly become a challenge.
She wasn't surprised and she didn't struggle, she probably deserved this but she didn't feel any regret towards what she'd done to Diane. She'd killed her babies, stole her husband, and outdid Catherine in everything in Henry's eyes. She raised her eyes to meet Bash's, a challenge and her hands went to his chest in attempt to push him off not breaking eye contact for a second. As hard as she pushed he was too strong for her and her air supply was running out quickly. As she felt the familiar fuzzy blackness pressing in she gripped the collar of his shirt "I avenged my babies murderer and now your avenging her, I guess we're all murders in the end." Unexpectedly he took his hands from her throat like she'd burned him. Air flowed into her lungs and without the support of his hands on her neck she slumped sideways curling up in a ball, shaking and panting.
He wasn't surprised that she fought back and was immensely pleased that she was failing, he grabbed a fistful of her hair wrapping it around his arms pulling it tight. She raised her gaze to meet his, her eyes matched his fury. A dark evil flame flickered in the depths of her challenging him, she could never forgive his mother for what she'd done. She'd taken Catherine's husband, killed her twins and always been Henry's favorite her loath for his mother was eternal. His fingers were ready to steal the life away from her, as she had done to his mother when she spoke. The truth of it all, was it really worth it? He would've done the same thing if his children had been killed. She was a mother avenging her murdered children, how could he blame her for that? He released her and she collapsed unexpectedly so vulnerable and she shook, rocking herself whilst holding her knees to her chest. Tears spilled down her cheeks and suddenly he felt a pang of guilt, all she'd done was protect her children and look what she'd been through. He reached to touch her but she pressed herself impossibly closer to the wall "No don't touch me!" She cried though her tears.
She could trust no one, not Henry, not her children, no one. Everyone shamed her for her ways but she wasn't born a cold hearted killer, they had done this to her. The soldiers in Florence, Henry, Diane, her own children yet she had stayed with them and why?! For the sole reason that she was their mother, wife, queen there was no escaping and now it was over for her. Bash would ruin it all tell them all of her sins she would lose it all again. Sobs escaped her lips and hot tears dripped down her cheeks off her chin and stung her neck. As she saw him reach towards her she shook even more uncontrollably trying to shield herself. "Go! Please just go! Ruin me tell them all have me locked up just don't touch me!" She begged.
"Catherine I'm sorry I…I mean you killed my mother but she killed your children your babies. They were defenseless and she did it out of jealously. I won't hurt you I'm sorry." It was true, no he would never forgive her for what she'd done but he didn't want her to fear him either. "I can't leave you like this.."
She couldn't stop her trembling and her voice quaked "You won't hurt me really?! REALLY?! You almost murdered me! This is what breaks me, lies all the false hope and traitors. Can't you see?! I'm so corrupt, fighting for all the wrong reasons. It's all because of you! It's your fault you and your damned mother and father! No one's ever held me in their arms not my mother not my husband no one. No one's ever loved me no one has ever thought me worthy of anything! Do you ever wonder why I'm such a villain? I wasn't born broken! Can no one understand?! YOU BROKE ME YOU ALL KILLED ME!" She screamed at him "I'm dead." Her voice was reduced to a whisper.
He gazed at her in utter shock, when she finally fell silent he lay down next to her and drew her into his arms. He was surprised when she didn't object just buried her head in the crook of his neck. "Just tell me what you need." He whispered, he came to the realization that she needed comfort, love, fixing.
As she felt his strong arms pull her to him she couldn't object all she wanted was to be held, if he killed her at her weakest fine. She could care less at this moment, so she settled her head next to his so she could feel his warm breath on her ear. When he asked her what she needed she said the first thing off the top of her head "Just hold me." She whispered.
Her simple request made his stomach twist in sadness for her, she was like a small child who'd been scared by a bad dream. She was terrified and deeply wounded and as he held her she began to calm, her quivering concluded until she was tranquil. True she was sweaty and disheveled but he didn't mind what she needed right now was comfort and that's what he would give her.