"How could you keep something like this from me?" Francis questioned. "How could you."

"Francis I..." Mary began.

"And you." Francis pushed past Mary, getting right in his brother's face. "This is all your fault."

"Don't you think I know that Brother?" Sebastian retorted.

"What happened?"

"I went to investigate Olivia's accident and there was a man hung for pagan sacrifice still gripping to life." Sebastian purposefully left Elly and Emilia out of the story. No need to get them into trouble. "I cut him down and they chose a new sacrifice."

"And it was just coincidence that they've chosen Mary?"

"Francis," Emilia said, catching the attention of the prince. "It wasn't just Bash's fault."

"Excuse me?"

"Ellyana and I were there too." She admitted. "It's not completely Sebastian's fault."

"So you two assisted Sebastian in interfering with pagan rituals?"

"We did. They chose Mary because of us."

"Then you need to put a stop to this." Francis ordered.

"You think we haven't tried? We've been on constant guard to protect Mary. Assuring she remains safe. So don't for one moment assume that I have not been trying to put a stop to this." The Dauphin stood there stunned. "I'm sorry, your Highness. That was out of line. I should go."

"No, stay. We'll need your help." Sebastian pleaded. "I have a plan."

"I'm listening." Francis said.

That night, Mary stayed with Emilia in her room.

"Don't worry Mary." Emilia said, sitting next to Her queen. "This will be taken care of, I assure you."

"When did you become so brave?" Mary asked.

"Frequent travels to French court with Ellyana can do that to you."

"Let's talk about something else." Mary said suddenly. "It will only worry us more if we continue on this topic."

"Of course."

"Have you talked to Marque?" The queen asked. Emilia resisted the urge to roll her eyes. She knew Mary loved gossip.

"We spoke at dinner." She replied. "He said his parents are discussing whether I will make a suitable bride for him."

"Nonsense. Of course you would."

"Monique still thinks otherwise."

"To hell with Monique. She has no say in the matter." The queen looked horrified. "I've seen the way Marque looks at you. It's the same way Francis looks at me. He truly loves you, that should be enough."

"He said he's trying to convince his father to remove his mother from the matter." Emilia explained. "He trusts her judgement too much."

"There must be some way to convince them."

"Monique will have my head if I go near her. The woman hates me."

"It will be better in time. Trust me." A knock at the door quieted the two Scots.

"Come in." Emilia called. A servant girl stepped into the room and Emilia smelled it. She wasn't as good as Ellyana at detecting it, but the scent of the blood wood was potent on her.

"I've come to tend to the queen." Emilia saw the faint glimmer of a dagger in the girls apron.

"Not a chance you filthy heretic."

"Damn." The girl's eyes darkened and she pulled the dagger. Emilia pulled one of her own daggers. The girl launched herself at her, but Emilia was faster. She pinned her to the ground, holding the dagger to her neck.

"Mary, run. Get the guards." Emilia instructed. She heard the queen running to the door, yelling for guards.

"Wasn't expecting you." The girl spat.

"I guess you didn't expect this either." She plunged the dagger into the girls chest, watching as the life left her eyes. A guard pulled her off the girls body as they took it away.

"Are you alright Mary." She asked her queen.

"I'm fine." She assured. "You're bleeding." Emilia looked at her arm and, sure enough, there was blood seeping through the white of her night gown. "You should see Nostradamus about that."

"I suppose your right." She never even felt the cut. "Come with me. I don't want you being alone."