"God and the devil are one and the same. They manipulate people as they please, why? Because they can and it doesn't matter what lord you serve, they will both give you the same treatment. They both will promise you jewels and riches, an eternity of happiness but when you come to collect they will repay you with blood." ~Anonymous

"You said there would come a time when you think you are safe and happy and you will see your joy turn to ashes in your mouth." Kathryn told the Duke of Norfolk. He had come pleading for his son's life, hoping to find pity in the new queen, his niece. But what he found shocked him to the core.

She smiled cruelly when he took five steps back. "I have you by the balls now. Just as you had me by my cunt when you and Brandon came to me and told me that if I didn't surrender my jewels to your bastard niece, you would murder me and my daughter in my sleep."

"Your Majesty, I did as I was told-"

"You can't slither yourself out of this one Norfolk, as your niece you can't turn your back against me. If you then it won't just be me who gets accuses as a demon whore but you as a warlock."

"What really happened to my niece?"

Kathryn chuckled. "She died, the plague got her just as it took her mother, the rest was very easy. Put my body in her bed and take over her life and pretend as if nothing happened."

"Somebody must have noticed, my brother surely would have-"

"Your brother was a drunk and a fool. I told Henry it was a bad idea giving him that post but as usual he didn't listen, now it's different." She sat and poured herself wine in her golden cup and took a large sip. "I have a lot to thank you uncle, without you and your whorish nieces none of this could have been possible. You three made me see the light, now Henry's heart is mine and his whole kingdom will be mine soon."

"The king might be old but he's grown crueler, if he killed my nieces what makes you think he won't kill you too once he knows the truth?"

"He already does." Kathryn said. She took her French coronet from her hair, letting her golden hair freely and wildly, it came cascading down to her back. Thomas Howard was suddenly transported during his younger years as a young Earl of Surrey, married to his second spouse, seated at the third row of the Abbey, waiting in anticipation to see their new king and queen-to-be. The minute he saw the queen arrive with her spouse, he saw why the king had fallen so fast for her. She was gorgeous and it wasn't just her curves or the fine features of her face which struck him but the deep blue in her eyes, they were like two pools, two oceans that any man could easily get drowned in.
It took Norfolk a long while for him to react and avert his gaze. Such a woman could be dangerous, beauty was in the eye of the beholder his father said, but if that beholder was the king, they would all be in trouble.

Now standing before her, with her hair flowing more freely and she (moving more freely as well) smiling directly at him as she rose from her oak chair and advanced on him; he had more reason to fear her.

It wasn't Anne who would cause the destruction of England -he realized- or his other niece -Katherine Howard-; it was this woman.

"If you know what is good for you and your family, you will beg right here and now and admit your wrongs, confess to me as you would confess to your priest and beg for my forgiveness."

When he didn't move, she said more forcefully. "Do it."

Two simple words but they were spoken with such hatred, that Norfolk bend his knees and for the sake of his son, his only son and the only jewel he had left on this world along with his daughter Mary, he begged.

Mary couldn't believe it at first. She asked her father if this was true but he confirmed it for her. "Mother?" The new queen nodded her head.

Mary's first instinct was to run into her mother's arms but then she remembered the last queen's cries and how she had come to Mary, begging her forgiveness and her help against her father.

"What's wrong daughter? Aren't you happy to see me? The good lord heard your prayers."

"I am happy to see you mother, but I just don't understand why this long?"

Kathryn smiled sweetly at her daughter. The more she looked at Mary, the more she realized she was her father's daughter. She pushed a lock of red hair behind her air and said "I could have come sooner but He had other plans. But I am here now and I promise you, many things will change."

Mary couldn't argue with that. She embrace her mother and shed tears of happiness.

"You shouldn't be drinking this much." The bar-tender told Arthur. Arthur moved his shoulders up as if to say 'what do you care'. The bar-tender shook his head and threw his arms in a gesture that said he gave up.

That was all Arthur was met with now. Surrender, surrender and more surrender.

He put on his hood. He was wearing a black cloak, he didn't want anyone of his group spotting him here. Unfortunately his brother arrived, and unbeknownst to him he sat next to his sire's former dead brother.

Thomas Seymour saw through the man's sadness. He had seen him before roaming around in court. So many women had caught his attention lately but they all flocked to master Owen Meredith but master Owen never seemed to take any interest. At first he thought he was a sexual deviant, but then he realized it was more than that.

"Broken heart huh?"

"Excuse me?" Arthur asked lowering his hood.

Thomas took one of the empty seats next to him. "Johnny bring us two beers!" He called then turned back to Owen. "It's okay, I have experienced that even my brothers believe it or not."

"I am not sure what you are talking about Sir Thomas. My mind is on serving my master just as yours." He said.

Thomas grinned. "You are not a very good liar master Owen. The name is Thomas."

"I know."

"No, what I mean is you can call me Thomas. I figure with that look I will be seeing you coming here more often. Ah! Here there are and who is that fine looking wench over there Johnny?"

The bar-tender gave a sleazy smile. "That's my bastard daughter, Katrina, ain't she a beauty?"

"Verily but she's too young and vain, not my type but ..." He slapped the back of his new friend. "... Owen here will be a good candidate. What do you say Owen?"

"I have to return to the palace." Owen said but Thomas didn't let him go. He pushed him to the approaching sixteen year old red head.

He had to admit she looked a lot like Catalina except for her hair, it was auburn whereas Catalina's was very light auburn that it was more auburn than red.

She smiled at him seductively. That was all the encouragement Arthur needed. Thomas paid for two days and room and board.

Arthur screamed Catalina's name. The girl on top of him didn't care, as long as he paid she turned a blind eye to anything he said.

On their way to the palace, they returned to their respective chambers. As Arthur made his way to his, he couldn't help but feel a strong surge of energy as he passed Thomas' older brother.

When their gazes met, Arthur realized the reckoning was here.