I do not own the WWE or any of the characters associated with it. I only own Rose and her family.

Chapter 10

The next morning was busy and Mary woke her mistress gently. "Lady Rose, you must get up. Lord Marcus is leaving with the troops soon." She pulled back the covers to find dried blood from the whipping her lady received the night before. "Please my lady. Let me help you."

"I'm fine." Rose answered as she sat up gingerly. "Lord Marcus has ensured I never disobey him again, I promise you that."

"I'll run a bath to clean your wounds and ask Lady Morgana for some healing salve." Mary was off like a shot.

"Thank you." She said to an empty room as she tried to stand. She walked to her basin and washed her face. She didn't look that bad, did she?

Mary returned and rubbed the salve on her back. "This should sooth you, my lady." She washed her mistress's back and helped her dress.

The red cote clung to her back, but she thought she wouldn't have to worry about it. She looked down at her wrist. Marcus hadn't been so cruel as to bond her to him. She was still bound to her son, which she let out a breath of relief.

She was arranging her hair when Marcus came in. Mary left immediately, not wishing to be involved in what Marcus would surely do to her. He grabbed her by the neck and hoisted her up as she gasped for breath.

"Now do you understand, Rose? You are mine. You swore you would obey me and you didn't. Your punishment was necessary." He put her down and she retreated to the window. "What no words? I would have thought you would defend those women. Do you not care for them?"

"I don't know them." She whispered.

"You better not misbehave while I'm gone. If you do, I'll bond you to me and Richard won't be able to have his mother any longer." Marcus seethed.

Rose began to cry. "

Yes, my lord."

"Stop crying. It doesn't suit you." He grabbed her white gown and helped her into it. "I know you fear me, Rose. Just behave and I won't hurt you anymore."

She wiped her eyes and looked at him to see if he was serious. "You need to be with your men. They need you more than I do right now."

"Of course, my lady. You're right." Marcus swept out and she let out a breath she didn't know she was holding.

She stayed in her room more often than not, having Mary bring her meals as Lady Elizabeth and Lady Maria played cards with her. Sometimes Lady Stephanie came as well. The women chalked it up to her missing Marcus and didn't think anything of it.

A few months went by and Richard was sleeping in the bed now, too big for his crib at one year old. He was snuggled up to his mother, worried about her. He understood her, she was trapped by his father and he didn't want that for her.

A scream pierced through the castle as Rose sat up, wondering why she had screamed so. Morgana was the first one in the room, followed by Lord Adam.

"Is something wrong my lady?" Lord Adam asked.

"I had a nightmare. It was similar to the one I had before Richard was born." She gasped as Morgana checked her over.

"My lady, you are with child again. It seems Lord Marcus has made a habit of bedding you rather forcefully, only to disappear into the night." Morgana sighed. "He won't be back before your ordeal is over, sadly. Richard will sooth you. He's a bright child."

Richard took his mother's hand. She smiled at him and he hugged her. Despite being one in age, he was more of a three year old in mind. He knew what his mother needed.

The months passed by and both her stomach and Richard grew. Rose went into the garden for exercise and fresh air, but it didn't really calm her. She was worried about the child inside. What if it was another boy? She couldn't bare two cold-blooded killers, let alone a third.

Finally, she got sick and took to being bed ridden. She didn't want to be and she begged that no one send word to Marcus. They complied, but they were worried they would be punished. Richard was kept from her for fear of the heir getting sick as well.

The night of the birth Morgana was in the lady's chambers soothing her as she gave birth. Screams echoed in the hall as Lord Adam and Lord Kane were once again outside the chamber. Kane wanted to see if the child was another half-breed or a human, but Adam wanted to help in some way. He felt powerless these last few months.

"Kane, I can't help her and it upsets me."
"What do you mean?" He asked incredulously.

"She's been hurting for Marcus and I can't make it better for her. Now she's having another child and she must be devastated he isn't here for her." Adam explained.

Kane nodded, it sounded reasonable to him. "She's lonely for Marcus. It's just something she doesn't wish to speak to anyone about. She probably discusses it with the ladies in great detail when they play cards."

"You're probably right. I'm overreacting." Adam answered, content for the time being.

Morgana opened the door. "Congratulations, Lord Kane. You have a new niece." She smiled and allowed them into the chamber; Richard tagging along behind them at almost two years old.

Rose was holding her child and didn't look as exhausted as when Richard was born. She looked happy more than anything, relieved even. She looked up and smiled.

Kane came over to her and inspected the child. It was healthy which was wonderful news, as was Rose, but this child was human, unlike her brother. It was unnerving, but wonderful. Marcus could use the child against Rose if he wished to though.

"My lady, what is the child's name?" Kane asked.

"Theresa." Rose answered. "My mother's name."

There was a knock at the door. "Enter." Morgana said.
"Pardon the intrusion but this is for the ears of the royal family." The messenger looked a little upset and frightened. "Lord Marcus has been injured in the night and we don't know where he is. Also, the High King is dead. As next of kin to Lord Marcus, Lord Kane, you must act in his stead as High King until we can locate King Marcus. As soon as the house is ready to travel, you must go to East Anglia and take up residence in the High King's castle."

Kane looked at Rose. "Thank you, now leave us." Once the messenger left, he turned to Morgana. "How long will it take to move Rose and the children?"

"I suppose if you wish to in a fortnight, it is possible. But you must not push her." Morgana answered matter-of-factly.

"Very well, I will take care of moving servants and getting things packed. Mary, you must pack King Marcus's things as well as Queen Rose's things. Then I want you to pack Richard's and Theresa's things to get ready to go to Anglia. Once a fortnight has passed, we will have Morgana do a check up on the three, and only if they are medically able will we make the journey to London. Is everyone clear on this?" The two women nodded and set about to pack the things they were told. Kane however stayed alone with Rose and the children.

"What is it, Kane?" Rose wondered.

"If we can't find Marcus, I will have to marry you and become High King in his place."

"How long?" She asked.

"Usually a year. Marcus can't be hiding, something must have happened to him." Kane answered. "I think he will be home soon, but just the same I am leaving a letter for him and some staff here to make sure someone doesn't think we just deserted the place. Are you ready to go to East Anglia?"

"Of course, I am. I suppose I have no choice now do I?" Rose asked, sourly.

"You always have a choice, Rose. Never forget that." Kane got up to go. "We'll leave in a fortnight if you are ready." With that, he swept out.

Rose held her newborn as Richard looked on, now at two years old. He looked at his baby sister and knew even though she wasn't like him, she would be a force to be reckoned with, just like their father.