Chapter #32: Dying passions born anew

"Just by passing she has taken my breath away"

~Ramses II "the Great" about Nefertari, his Chief Wife.

Philip sent various letters to the Cortes of Spain so they could know beforehand of the marriage. His people expected a lot of him and there was already talk of harsher punishment against the heretics. He discussed it (briefly) with Annie. It was clear she did not approve but she knew that as Consort she would be without power, without support. It was the price she had to pay for love. And she wondered -is it all worth it?Was this what she truly wanted?

She found herself asking this question over and over again after Parliament had voted unanimously on the alliance.

George was nowhere happy, he'd envisioned a future with his cousin and his loved one, Katherine, since they'd been children. To see her with another man, even if that man was unknown to them was unfathomable. Even if that man were a handsome man or a cripple, a monster twice worse than Carlos, the unwanted heir and Prince of Asturias of Philip II, he could not co-exist with such reality.

Katherine was his. George was hers. They were made for one another. It was destiny, it was written in the stars.

Kitty thought differently, she would miss the terrible and stupid boy she'd given her body to. She'd almost given her virginity to him, twice they were interrupted, twice they failed to cement both alliances between their families. Their marriage would be a grand celebration, it would end all the strife and unite both Tudor Houses. The Spanish German Tudor and the "pure" English Tudors who boasted of their superiority because of the purity of their English blood. Save for their patriarch there was not a drop of foreign blood in their veins. They were entirely English or so they claimed, but not completely royal.

Her line was twice, maybe thrice as royal as they. What did they have, what argument did they pose to the privy council members to counteract the lovers' wishes? Why would they not let them be? Was it because they could not envision a world where all of England was united, where all the people were rid of their xenophobia?

Just before the celebrations of their new betrothals began, news broke out that the English remnant forces across the channel stationed in Calais had been attacked and most of their forces had been scattered. Anne, her sister forgot of her engagement and her duty to Spain altogether and took command. Philip offered her no help, there was little resemblance to the black legend they all grew with that he beat his wife when she wanted to best him. Attempts to besmirch went as far as to claim that the bed sheets they found the Infanta Portuguesa had been tangled and next to her stood a pillow with teeth marks on. Accusations of regicide -he'd killed his father, and wife-killing that he'd been responsible for his mother's newborns deaths who the Black Prince had seen as competition to his throne that he went so far as to kill poor Dona Maria Manoela because of her childlike behavior and her attitudes that were so unlike the supplicant, passive, and docile wife he so desired.

The King before them was another person entirely around Annie, he stepped aside and let her rule one more time before she was introduced to a life of permanent domesticity.

Kitty laughed. Did this King really believe that this woman, this harlot sister of hers who'd stolen her man and her glory, would really be complacent with his wishes? Annie was like her namesake, the infamous woman she'd been named after -indomitable.

She was not to be tamed and no matter how harsh he kept her on a leash, she would never bow. Annie was a woman who men fell in love with, a woman of impeccable beauty but with a limitless ambition.

She should have been named Isabella after our grandmother -Katherine thought. Isabella had been equally ambitious and desperate to become a God in her people's eyes she placed herself above the holy gospels and elevated her Consort to that of God as her. The pope granted them the titles "Catholic Kings" because they were in essence the holiest of holiest. How many people would Annie step over to achieve her goals? How many people would her husband sacrifice to the flames to cleanse the country of his impurities? To what length Annie would go with her passion-perversion induced seduction to charm him, to bewitch him so he could become another lapdog?

I must have a son. The need to have a male her became more desperate. She lived with her uncles, she was no true sibling of hers, they shared only half a connection. She was all her family had and they were depending on her to restore her grandmother's brood to greatness. I must not fail.

They had all taken some big hits. But this surpassed any other.

George stood erect. His father remained stoic. He dismissed all the servants from the room with an imperious wave and watched his son carefully.

He gave a single clap "You need to adjust your hat and remember to tell your tailor to fix that coin" He made an effort to adjust the golden pendant in his hat but it fell and his father picked it up with great speed and put it back on. Staring hard at him, George closed his mouth. His father wanted him to remain quiet.
He adjusted his other clothing and his cane hit the back of his legs and back demanding to keep still and stand straight.
"I am doing my best to make you look a Prince and you insist on being an ape. Do you think this a game George?" He chided.

George suppressed his teas. He was not his sullen boy anymore who longed for his father's single embrace without looking longing at Anthony or Annie, often comparing them to George and smacking the back of his head teasingly, telling him how he could profit from learning from his older siblings' example.

"Yes papa" He had answered when he put him on his mother's lap and kissed his brow saying farewell, leaving to Court to watch over his eldest siblings. His uncle had become King of England and it was a bigger responsibility than chasing animals and hunting for small deer. Edward said in his letter he would miss being his teacher.

"Can I go?" He asked, his eyes shining, full of hope.

His mama kissed his fingers where he'd cut himself earlier in the meadows chasing after his cats. He did not like dogs, they shitted and barked and did not let him sleep. Cats were fun animals and he could chase them as much as he wanted. People could learn a lot from these animals, they were smart and cunning and knew how to hide and use their intellect in danger situations far better than dogs did.

"Not today George" she said but even as she said it came more as a reproach and a scolding than what she intended for the little boy. She wanted to console him, to tell him how proud she was of him. How he loved him above Anthony but albeit her superior love to his half sibling, she was and always would be her little boy. The pride of the Boleyn family. Since the baby girl born to James V of Scotland, shortly after his defeat in that same year where he died shortly after and his only (legitimate) heir was forced to bear the responsibilities of her unknown father, she and her father probed on the possibility of a marriage that would unite both houses of England and Scotland when his fears were aroused by her brother's illnesses through Anthony or Henry, either one of them. But as Edward got better he dropped the subject. They had been this close to become the ruling Tudors again, to inherit but alas fate favored the fly. Yet she never abandoned the possibility and as her boys grew she realized that throne or no throne she would not forsake George for her oldest son. And besides Annie was a warrior as strong as she, she would not let her children's inheritance be forsaken even by her loving brothers. Elizabeth thus remained fixated on her plans for her youngest son. Scotland was not England but one day his children would marry into Annie's ruling house and their children's children would unite both countries.

While his mother lay thinking. George had wondered why his parents were so distant from him. Why everything for Tony and not him?

"When?" He asked as his father left the room. Elizabeth smiled. "When you are big and strong like your brother and grandfather. You will grow to be a great scholar my little boy" Despite her caresses he did not want to be her little boy. He wanted to be the favorite! He wanted to crush Anne Elizabeth and Anthony Andrew Chapuys' skulls so his mama would love only him and his papa would be proud.

What his mother said next that day had pushed all evil thoughts from his mind of his siblings. "Your father loves you very much. Your siblings love you very much. Annie wanted to name you and your brother after the God of light and music you know why?"

He shook his head.

"Because she believes you and Tony will always be there by her side. She said after you two were born she would never leave your side and you were her true siblings and you George she predicted had a great future because you were every bit of Tudor as her"

George smiled to himself as he pulled himself from that memory.

Stand up straight George. The Queen of Scots expects a-"

"A Prince" he interrupted "I know father"

Eustace was surprised but pleased with his son's solemnity and his sudden change in his voice, it demonstrated a higher level of maturity. He patted his shoulder "You will do well. Smile but do not grin and it must be a short smile she must see and when Annie presents you to her, make sure you bow. Until you are married to Her Majesty of Scotland she is your better. Remember that"

"Yes father"

"Let me look at you" He turned George from the mirror he'd ordered George to stare at his reflection to examine himself, and patted now both shoulders roaring with laughter.

George blinked. Had he detected pride from his old man?

"You are my son. You are my son" He muttered repeating more to himself. He raised his eyes at George and his eyes met his. "Your family was a cunning and resourceful family" It was the kindest thing he'd ever say about her brood and for that Elizabeth who stood in the doorway, hidden from view by the shadows of the extinguished candles, had heard of Eustace and she was thankful for it. "You are all that is left of them, you are your mother's family heir" And mine -he wanted to say "God speed my son."

"Will she accept me?"

Elizabeth deciding that it was her time to leave did not stay long enough to watch George move to the candlelight where it made his bruises visible.

"She will. I will be with you, your mother too" Every step of the way, we shall not abandon you. His eyes gave George reassurance and his voice served to qualm the anxious beast within.

He longed to meet her just to see how far her ugliness went. What would her reactions be? Would she hate him? Spit at him? He was sure if looks could kill, hers would call upon the flames of hell to descend upon him.

Diana brooded over her stepfather-to-be new gift to her. It was called the "Pelegrina" in honor of the first Christian pilgrims he claimed came along with Saint James or Santiago de Compostela -Spain's most celebrated saint- to spread the word of Christ to the savage Romans and Visigoths. "Really? For me?" she asked feigning excitement but he knew her well by now to know she was teasing him.

He poked her nose. She giggled. He suspected he wanted nothing more than wear the pearl brooch. Diana confirmed his suspicions by nodding eagerly, taking it from his hands as he asked her if she was ready to wear it.

"Hold your horses Su Alteza" He held a hand up taking the necklace with his other.

"Why do you call me that?"

"Call you what? Alteza?" She nodded "You are to be my stepdaughter, I am going to adopt you" Her eyes went wide "Didn't your mother tell you?" Diana shook her head "Well I will and from now on you will be known as Infanta"

She opened her mouth but closed it immediately. Infanta of Spain. She hardly deserved it. And what about England. For the first time the realization she would never see England or her lady grandmother dawned on her.

Philip saw his stepdaughter to be concerns and asked her if she was alright with the renaming of her title "Are you ready to forsake your title? Diana are you sure this is what you want because your mother would chose you above any other"

She shook her head vigorously. No, her lady mother's happiness was first "I will not let you break the engagement" she said jumping from his leg pointing his finger at her. "You promised you would make my lady mother happy. You must honor that promise"

Her defiance brought a smile to his lips. She continued to remind him of Maria and his first child-like Maria Manoela whom he had much hopes for. After her death he'd withdrawn from public life to a monastery where he prayed day and night for his death and it was after his confession that he had a dream of what Spain would be like if he died. His son, a mad and prone to violence boy would reign in his stead and Spain's treasure and empire would be lost forever into the bottom of the ocean as well as their reputation. God chosen Maria for a reason as he chose Philip to be the King of Spain, to be his voice on Earth and spread the truth of his gospel. On his encounter with Annie the truth had been clear, violence only begets violence but it was necessary nevertheless to eradicate the heretic influence in his country. But there was another way to cleanse the impurities from a person's soul. Through love, understanding, a person's love could be cleansed of all its impurities. It was not Annie's fault or Diana's that they'd been heretics. Heresy was all they knew and Diana was young, she could change in time.

"I will" He promised. Regret washed all over him as he remembered his first visit with Maria Manoela to his grandmother's prison in Tordesillas. She had been so scared, her eyes pleaded with him "Can we go now?" when their grandmother, hers by her maternal his through his paternal, beckoned her to sit in her lap and petted her like she was some wounded animal calling her "Katherine" after Manuela's mother. The daughter, mad Juana claimed, had been stolen from her by his father. "My Philip" She would rant extending her hand to her dances whispering in Maria's ear that their grandfather was not dead but hid behind the curtains in the rooms and once the music ended she would set one dancer's hair on fire so her husband would not have to fuck her anymore.
Let us go -her eyes pleaded and Philip rose, waving his hand imperiously at the dancers to stop. They obeyed at once. The music ended and he and Maria made their way to the door.
"We must leave you now Grandmother," they told her but she cried "Nay, nay" Before long they returned to Valladolid where he never forgot the night that followed. Maria had a nightmare that Mad Juana was hiding behind a tapestry and before long he embraced her, joyous that he was comforting and forgot her fear of him and on that night their child was conceived.
He was invaded with happiness when Leonor, his old nanny, told him she bore him a son but sad the next when she'd been taken by the fever. For days he sat by her bed holding her hand, whispering in her ear how much he loved her and they were meant to be together. He begged the Lord to spare her.
The last words that followed from her lips had been "Bring me lemons" They thought it was a sign she would get well but she died the following morning.

He never forgot about Manoela, he'd thought that they'd grow old together. Annie reminded him of Manoela but in a different way. She had her childlike lips and a mouth that pouted like her daughter's when she protested, but she was not Manoela and he would not want her to be. He loved Annie for who she was, and he did not, except for her religion, want to change her.

Poor little Maria Manoela -so young to die. She was just seventeen. She was just beginning life. Went the murmurs of the court. It was a tragedy and he had lost all his calmness and self-control. He would see no one. He shut himself into his apartment. There was anxiety from his father for his health. He sent copies of his old letters to Philip who was at the time the Regent of Spain in his father's absence, telling him how sexual encounters were necessary for procreation but should not be repeated for there were damaging for his health, and his health his father had added, was of the utmost concern of the nation. He'd done his duty begetting a son from his first bride. Sons -he said were hard to get- brides on the other hand were an easy target. He kept all of his father's letters safely in his drawer and made copies of them and took them wherever he went.

Annie was going to be no different, yet she was in his eyes. Loving her was not duty, it was not an art, it was a life, it was a passion he'd not felt since Maria or Isabel. He wanted to tell her how much she meant for him. He did not want to repeat his mistake with Manoela, but he could not for he was a King and ruled the greatest empire. His people wanted him to be a true Spaniard. Annie knew and she did not fought with him as Maria or Isabel did. They both understood of duty.

Rearranging his thoughts he returned to the present and added to his sentence "I will never betray my promise to protect or love you both" He did not know what prompted him to say it but he said it and there was no going back. He made the sacred vow.

Her lips spread into an open smile "With that said. Will Your Majesty put the brooch on me?" She asked.

He did just that. The teardrop pearl with three diamonds falling at the base twinkled as they went out into the sun to find her mother. "Mama" Diana said taking advantage of their privacy. Everyone in court was busy with the preparations for the Queen of Scotland's arrival to meet her betrothed, her uncle George.

"Diana I told you not to run too fast you could ruin your dress. It's brand new" She lightly scolded.

"But mama" she intervened slowing her pace and lifting her skirts slightly above her ankle so they would not be stained by the mud puddle she'd stepped on. Philip chuckled behind her, Annie shot him a look. This was not funny at all. Diana could not be permitted to run wild anymore. "I wanted to show you this" She pointed to her chest where on top of her green with silver and gold ornamentation square neck gown, hung the brooch Philip had given her.

It looked simple at first sight. But examining it closely in her hand she felt the heavy weight of the "Pelegrina" and the diamons hanging below.

"You look beautiful little huntress" Annie said approvingly.

Philip lifted her and swung her as Annie attempted to do so. He could see how it pained her that she could not carry Diana like before or enjoy her quiet walks with her daughter and chasing after her because of her leg injury.

His aunt would pay. God would bring her retribution one way or another. He vowed he would make Annie remember.

It was a strange feeling to be swung by this man, he was of broad shoulders and of shorter stature yet well built unlike her father. She enjoyed it nonetheless, occasionally replacing his face for that of her father's. Was her father watching them? Did he approve? She liked to think he did.

He put her down after Annie's eyes pleaded with his. "That was exhilarating Your Majesty. Will you do it again?"

Before he could answer Annie gently pulled her daughter to her side "It is enough excitement for today you do not want to exhaust your stepfather do you sweet pea?"

"Mama you said you would not use that name when we were with other guests" Her mother was not supposed to be calling her that, it was the secret name she'd given her. Nobody knew about it, not even her lord father.

Philip ruffled her hair carefully so her pearl and diamonds diadems wouldn't fall. "I am not any guest I am going to be your stepfather"

"But it is not a great name"

"I think it suits you. You are sweet but you are strong and bitter and can stand the heat of your enemies like the pea. It grows in the hottest climates and it adapts just like you"

She looked up to her mother "Do I mama?"

"Yes you do sweet pea" And wait until all the guests see you at your uncle George's celebration. The Queen of Scotland will have proof what a healthy stock we are, we Tudors.

"Shall we go inside Your Majesty?" He asked offering his arm. Annie gladly took it and he led them inside to their chamber. They ignored all the gossip and the chatter from her courtiers, soon to be her son's. When the King came to her chambers he was no longer the King, the statesman visiting a business partner. No. He was a husband returning to his wife and his daughter.

He smiled as he led Diana to her chambers. He did not look at her ladies. He did not have to. They looked at him with indifference and more so now their mistress whom they viewed as spoiled and inconsequential. Philip promised she and Annie would have all their hearts desired. Nothing would be too good for him. And as Infanta Diana would be his unofficial daughter, his unofficial heiress if Carlos and Katherine failed to deliver him a son or Annie did.
He'd seen in Diana the piety and he'd seen in Annie a physical frailty. He remembered his father's advice. Intimacy had to be handled properly, sexual strain -he replayed his words in his head- could cause immediate death.
He would not want to risk her health but he needed an heir.

Philip asked Annie once he came to her chambers how far Diana was in her studies. "She is currently learning Greek however ..."

"However?" He pressed raising an eyebrow.

"She is falling behind on her Arithmetic studies" She confessed "But"she soon added "she has not had much chance to practice with all these excitement"

"I agree" he said taking her hand and kissing it. He then raised his head and his lips met hers. "I am relieved that Parliament has ruled in our favor. I wonder what your father said to them to scare them into submission"

"Nothing, my father does not have to say much but when he does, well he tends to exaggerate"

"My father warned me so."

"Philip I need to ask you something and I need you to be honest with me"

"What is it?"

"What was your father's honest opinion of me. I bet it was nothing flattering. My husband ... Edward ... told me what Sepperus' men thought of me."

Philip was silent for a moment. What to say? He decided to tell her the truth "He wondered how a beautiful maiden albeit suspected of being the illegitimate daughter of his former Ambassador, could have been raised so high? And then I reminded him on Elizabeth Woodville your great-great grandmother who was the first commoner to marry into the Royal family. My father only used it to slight your image through Germany and your supposed father did not help. My father's slander of you only stopped when he grew tired with the Duke of Bavaria and his adherence to Holy Roman Empire hands, refusing to pay homage, he stopped. I think it had to do with your late husband entertaining thoughts of a French alliance to stop the burden on his people of Calais against French troops"

"Which he successfully fended off. I wanted a French alliance as well but I knew the King was nothing but his mistress' pimp. Diana de la Poiters, the great Senechaux" she said with a high snort "the first opportunity she got and she and her conservative allies would convince that lovesick King to invade England or worse take our French territory"

"Impressive. I suspect Her Majesty had a hand in dissuading His Majesty"

A wicked smile adorned her lips. "I have my ways and I would not want making business with another woman."

"You would be doing business with the King of France, not even that libertine's son is that unmanned"

She raised an eyebrow "Are you so sure?" She asked slipping her hand underneath the covers, her fingers trailing his chest. She aroused him a stronger passion as she said in a seductive voice "I am not against ambitious women but when they do try to interfere with my ambitions then they become my enemies. This" she said huskier sliding her hand down his member "is a one woman's show"

Philip took her soft hand before she touched on his male organ that throbbed at the soft touch of her fingers -he decided he would put these fingers to better use- and put himself on top of her. Her hips arched feeling his entrance "Are you ready sweetheart?"

"Yes, yes" she repeated frantically as she felt the hairs in his member on her mid section.

His eyes gave an air of relaxation. Relax, they said but she knew very well what they were trying to say and gave a wicked smile "I've never been readier" She said and then added as his member descended to her growing entrance. She gripped his back feeling their souls were about to merge

"You will not hurt me, I trust you ...I-I ... trust you ... Philip ... Philip"

She moaned, the image of his eyes, his groin, consuming her thoughts.

Oh God. How was it this man had this effect on her?

"It's true what they say about you" she said through her moans as he broke through the barrier of her former chastity and drover deeper and deeper inside of her filling her with his passion, burning her body with pleasures and desires whispered in her ear she did not thought possible.

The man gripped her shoulders harder although less than her hold on his back. He felt their souls becoming one and a piece of him wanted to leave him to plant the seeds of their future marriage.

"Anne"He whispered her name, a soft, yet mature whisper that had Annie and Philip close their eyes as they let themselves get lost in their passions.

Hearing her rapid breathing, fast heart beating, he opened his eyes and slowing his movement he asked about her prior statement. "What do they say about me Your Majesty?"

"That you were cold, emotionless to your enemies but kind to your mistresses" She said in between her moans that turned to screams as her legs were wrapped around his waist, holding on tightly, he drove faster into her and pumped his seed into her awaiting womb. Her release came soon after. And their souls merged.

After they finished their love making he wrapped his arms around her and bringing his lips to her mouth he answered her "I am not kind to my mistresses but I am to my wife"

"I can't leave until I solve the problem in Calais"

"Your father will solve it as Lord Protector and England could always use some naval aid"

She grinned, her eyes twinkling with mischief, blinking away thoughts of their lovemaking. Her legs were weak as they were, she did not need another reason to part from his arms to call her maids for a cold shower. And there was his seed in her, that was enough for her. She felt like a mare in heat but the thought that a new life could be forming inside her filled her with inexplicable joy.

"You'd do that for us?"

"Not for England"

She did not need to ask what his eyes revealed as she stared down at her chest. There were faint marks on it. She'd had the pleasure of knowing it through her teeth, through her mouth, her lips blessing every part of it from his nipples to his waist that was surprisingly muscular.

"England will be safe under your father and Henri of France will rue the day he threatened Calais"

It brought a wider grin on her face.

Calais -she thought in annoyance. Calais, an insignificant town but it a powerful and potential starting point for invasion. And the last of their French territories. All that remained of their glorious past. They could not lose it.

A/N: About this chapter I took some influence after re-reading the biography of Philip II by Geoffrey Parker, the old edition of 2002, I know he published a new one, the "definite" biography last year which is more than 1500 pages because he includes everything there and new information. However Geoffrey Parker's Philip II biography 2002 edition and "the Grand Strategy" are great books to have and if one is writing about such character. In real life this may seem weird but Charles DID write those letters giving Philip sexual advice and telling him to enjoy sex with women but not with your wife as it was only a matter of state, marriage was an act of duty. And that explained why Parker says after his first wife's death he became reclusive in terms of his wives and was more sexually active with other women, yes that included his famous mistress Isabel Osorio. Of her there is not much known as I would like to, Parker's book is more about Philip II statecraft and his letters and little about his character. There is one great book to get into the psyche of Philip though it is in Spanish and I am not sure if there is a translation. It is called "Cartas de Felipe II a sus hijas" by Fernando Bouza that is about all the letters he wrote to his favorite daughters by his third wife, Isabel Clara Eugenia and Catalina Michaela (who loved climbing by the way,yep) little before his departure to Portugal, during his stay there and after to the end of his life. Many documents however Philip had them burned and as Parker says some people of the time say the King would literally say burn them as he grew into a more reclusive life and he began to lose his eyesight and death was near him.
Another book that influenced this chapter was For A Queen's Love by Jean Plaidy. It is about Philip II and his first three wives. Very engaging book albeit short and sadly skipping time periods. The scene where he and Maria go visit Juana is partly based on the book.

That being thanks those who've review and read and enjoyed this fic and I'll be happy to hear your comments.