A/N: Thank you for all the support! Stories as long as this simply do not get made without followers and reviewers like you keeping an author motivated.
I do not own Reign
"Aonghas!" Mary had yet to venture into the apothecary's expanded quarters before now. She was glad to see her orders had been followed and all manner of shelves, vials, canisters and herbs decorated the walls of the space. There were three rooms she had designated for him, one for his personal use, another main room where she now stood and a third for whatever use he deemed necessary. She knew he kept patients in need of private observation there.
"Your majesty." The white haired man bowed to her, emerging from the third room, his face holding a smug sense of amusement. "May I assist you?"
She took in his knowing smile as she held her hand to her head. "You are going to make me ask? Have you anything for this dreadful headache?"
The apothecary snickered and pulled a vial from his work table, already assembled. "I thought you might wish a potion after your take of wine last night." He poured the potion into a cup for her. "I would have come to you if I had not already known you to be on your way. I wish you a clear mind for the day approaching."
Mary eyed the cup presented as she took her seat offered. She did have an awful headache from imbibing the night before which was certainly leaving her mind clouded. It seemed the wine had just kept coming. She was paying for it now. "It smells awful." She grimaced in the most elegant manner possible. "Why must medication always taste so vile?"
"Your counsel already came in search of the same and took his potion." He teased her, knowing that she had been only too keen to take what was offered by the lad in his attempt to sway her attention from all her worries. "And he did not ask questions."
Mary sighed, feeling chastised as if talked to by the nuns and took the cup offered, downing the acrid liquid with one swallow. Admittedly, it did make her feel better that Bash had to come seeking intervention as well, it was thoroughly his fault she drank too much between their dances. He took her request to be left in the dark on his investigation far too serious but she was glad for his effort.
How she hoped she would not have to face that uncertainty any time soon. "What do I need such a clear head for this day?"
The apothecary tapped his temple. "There is much for you to learn and experience today. Some will be dreadful, some lovely. You should be at your best for both types of occasion."
Mary could understand that sentiment. "It seems every day is full, no matter what it is I wish to do."
The seer sat across from the young queen, taking a tisane in hand and offering her a cup of her own to take away the taste of her medication. "Am I correct in assuming what you wish is to spend more time with your lad?"
Mary glanced down into her cup, not sure if she wanted to answer that question. "Yes and no." She took a sip of the warm liquid to soothe her. "I always find him to be of the most enjoyable and caring company but I have learned of some news this morning which affects him greatly and cannot speak of it until my duty here is done."
The gray hair of the man came to bobble along with his head. "Your mother has instructed your discretion. It makes you uncomfortable to withhold anything from the man you love."
She almost denied the last word, almost asked him to repeal the accusation but knew it was no use. She is already nearly lying to Bash, she shouldn't do the same to herself or her apothecary who knew the truth in his own, distinct manner. "Will there ever be a moment when my duty will not interfere with my love, my heart?"
The seer felt sorry for her, a difficult position her current state of life did make. "You are a beautiful young woman, and all such women have so many issues of the heart. You are not alone in that. What you must remember is that you are being led into something you could not otherwise imagine or accomplish. Allow of yourself the freedom to accept what fate provides in way of opportunity."
She placed her cup upon the table. "You are the only person in my life that tells me such things, that not everything is of my control or my doing."
"Fate is a force stronger than duty, your majesty. Sometimes no matter what choice a person may make it will always lead them to the same choice of heart. Even for a queen."
"The power of man pales to that of God. This I know, but depressing it often proves." Mary rose with a sigh at that, knowing her time with the apothecary was running short. Footsteps in the hall were clearly headed for her. "That would be my man come to fetch me."
"Yes, it would." He stood, offering his bow to his queen as she retreated. "One last thing, your majesty. If I may."
She turned to him just before leaving the doorway. "Go on."
"Keep in mind my words of fate. They may help guard your heart today."
Mary nodded to him, her thank implied in the gesture before leaving the room. She had thought it would be her servant there so she was startled to see it be Bash.
"I thought you had already your time down here today." She did so hope he did not pick up on the guilt surging through her. She should be telling him of all she learned, but she couldn't. If she wanted to follow the prophesy she had to allow her mother to lead her path, even if it meant withholding something so important from the man before her.
Sebastian rose one brow. Something was off about her, as if she was caught in some naughty act. "Checking up on me, Mary? I did not know you to be a busy body."
She took his arm as was offered and began their walk to the Lord's room where she was to meet her advisors and lords for a report. "A busy body. I am a queen. We must be aware of all that happens around us." She truly did take comfort in their challenges to one another. "Truly, Aonghas told me of it when in search of a remedy of my own. You are in trouble, by the way. You gave me far too much wine to drink last night."
His voice rose in his amusement. "I gave you too much wine? Do you not remember all your requests for me to fetch a servant?"
"Perhaps." She grudgingly admitted. "But I still rather prefer my version of the night."
He preferred her version too. He wished he remain ignorant as she on what it was he learned the night before during his investigating. "Well, you are the queen between us. I suppose your version of history must be correct."
She smirked at that. "A gentleman you are."
He smirked in return. He was not so sure of that. But at the very least, the night of investigating had proved interesting in one aspect he felt he could share with her so he did not feel such the liar he did in withholding so much information, even if it be at her request.
"I saw your mother in the dungeon last night." He looked to the queen on his arm, wondering if she were aware or responsible for what he had come to witness and on what it might mean for him if she were. "She was claiming someone from their depths."
Mary's blush grew steadily and she had to take a moment in focusing on the floor before her to recover. She was glad for the distraction for she knew quite well what her mother had been doing. "I assume she must be quite refreshed this morning, then. She always is after such extensive exercise."
Bash almost could not believe he heard her right. "You mean you knew she would have some… time with Roxburgh last night?" He was not sure if that was more startling or the fact that Mary just made use of a metaphor in her mother's love life. She was far less innocent in mind than he had once believed, even if he was sure she was still innocent of body.
"Yes, I find I cannot deny my mother much of what she desires." In truth, Mary had felt sorry for her mother as the night before had gone on. Between dances with Bash, where she felt on top of the world in her feelings for the man, she caught glimpses of her mother's woe. She realized then just how similar their situations. Her mother loved Roxburgh. It was terribly unfair that she be denied the one love she ever really had for the man's wish to keep the crown Scottish. She would have to punish him, but perhaps she could find a way of doing so that did not punish her mother as well.
"I found it acceptable, while you went to fetch me wine from a servant, see it was all you, to direct the guards to allow her access." She ignored Bash's impressed and amused nodding. "I saw no direct threat from him and told them that the regent might entertain the man for the night so as to learn more of whatever his involvement in the plot might be, though I am sure there was very little speaking on that count."
Bash could not contain his laughter so hid his face as best he could from onlookers as they arrived outside the lord's room, the lords rushing in before their queen. He stood in front of her, his back to them, shielding their view from the still crimson cheeks of their queen. "You are a most enabling daughter." He whispered into her ear conspiratorially once they were alone in the hall. What a sign this seemed to him. "I, too, have heard that sometimes exercise can do the soul quite well."
Mary's heart began to speed ahead at the look in his eyes as he said such a thing, in so close proximity. It was as if there was some promise to those words. "Yes, I have heard as much."
They remained locked in gaze for another moment charged with tensions between them before he stood tall and regained a respectful distance. "Duty calls, your grace." He bowed and entered the room before her, holding the door as her entrance was announced.
Internally Mary sighed, trying to keep comfort in Aonghas's words at heart as she did her duty and took to her throne. She was not eager to see her subjects or her advisors after such an encounter with Bash, but, fate had other ideas at the moment. "My Lords, be seated. I believe my advisors Latharn and Dùghlas have some report on the state of hostilities?"
The two men came forward as the rest of the lords took to their seats as told, along with Mary's mother who did indeed look quite refreshed. Mary was glad to see it and made a small smile to the regent before turning back to business. "What news have you?"
The two men held gentle smiles as they looked onto their queen, particularly Latharn. He was relieved more than anyone. "Your grace, it appears all hostile activity has stopped in the villages. Your Englishmen are providing escort to groups of men bound for homeward destinations along the same roads. They are proving quite capable of policing the end of this disaster."
She looked about to the lords in the room. "This is excellent news. I am happy to hear my offer has been taken seriously by the lot of those here." Turning her attention back to Latharn she continued their conversation. "Have you anything else to report upon?"
Latharn stepped forward, only slightly as to distance himself from Dùghlas who chose to remain silent during this time. They had a long disagreement on what to share with their queen but the elder advisor knew he could not withhold this from her. "Your French counsel, on your order, sent back men into Linlithgow after our arrival yesterday, to make identification on survivors and begin the burial process."
Mary glanced at Bash, aware he had told her as much last night. It had been his idea and enacted before consulting her when still at the outpost but she was thankful he had retained his wits when she had not. "And have we identified all those missing and killed?"
"Indeed we have your majesty. Additionally, and this I am sorry to report, we have found those who chose to flee from the city. It appears only your apothecary was able to escape with his life. We can confirm that none" here he looked to her pointedly, willing her to take the gravity of this into her conscience "including the noble family of the village have survived."
Bash was nearly overcome with the desire to tackle Latharn to the floor for having informed Mary of something so devastating in front of all the lords there. But he knew the other man knew not of the importance of that family as he had come to learn. Lola's kin were now all deceased, including her infant niece. It was all he could do to rein in his feelings on the matter and stand strong for Mary. It was a good thing he did, for she was looking to him for moral support.
Mary had to divert her attention to Bash for the momentary glance, glad to see that he understood what she gathered from Latharn's speech. She was even more thankful that he had no reaction to it for she was unsure if she could retain her composure on the matter. Even with Aonghas's warning that she not take guilt on this, that she remember that fate played its role, she could not help but know that it was because of the search on her head that those people died.
"I thank you for the information, as tragic as it may be. Please see to it that all families are notified and please request additional clergy for the funerals."
"As you wish, your grace." Latharn bowed and retreated, taking his seat in front of the lords, Dùghlas besides him.
Mary took a moment to inhale deeply so as to retain her composure, something that seemed to not be helping. "My lords. What occurred in Linlithgow village was unacceptable." She wished she knew what it was she was about to say. It was as if her tongue had become its own entity. "You may sit there and find no sin of your own in this, perhaps you did not contribute to the uprising. Perhaps you did give troops but it was not yours that killed so many innocents. I care not."
She stood, her anger rising over all else within. "We have a responsibility to our countrymen. We have a duty to the bread bakers and apprentices, mothers and young, unborn children of that village and every other. We may not be able to change what has happened but I will tell you this. We are all going to behave differently from this day forth. Any one of you whoever shows a potential to create such an uprising again will need not face trial, or stand peer judgment for action to be taken against him. If even suspect, your men will be taken from you. That is my prerogative and I will exercise it whenever possible if it is in the name of saving even one innocent life. Is this clear?"
All there nodded, silence overtaking them. Even with all that had seen of their queen the day before, all the strength she had exhibited they had not expected to see such a strict and commanding nature of her. Taking away a lord's men was a serious punishment, something which had not been done by even the good regent. They understood now that there was no going back to the potential for hostilities. This queen stood strong and took a hard stance on this. There would be no double crossing her as the Protestants had already begun to plan.
She looked about them, seeing recognition light onto their faces. She was not to be trifled with. "Additionally, while I am not to take the throne for a year I will have you know this. My command of the English armies stationed within our boarders remains. Do not get ideas into your heads that in my absence you may try and take advantage. I will find you. I will eradicate you. I will not allow any threat to my crown or to civil peace take any purchase. I have been generous in my acceptance of your individual practices. Do not make me regret this and retract the liberty."
She took her seat when it appeared that all their understood her sincerity and allowed her lords to approach with minor concerns for the next half hour until she dismissed them. She had somewhere else to be, someone else she needed to be with.
"Tell me you are going to find the man who did this." She tearily commanded of Bash before saying even another word to him, thankful for his arms crashing down around her as her body shook.
He gently knocked the door closed with his foot before leading her over to a bench set in the small study by the fire. He wished to not think of her reaction when she finds out who her traitor be. He would keep his promise and not tell her until he was sure. Tomorrow his witness would arrive and he would put the man on trial then, under the regent's authority. But for now, he could say only this. "I have him in my sights. Mary, feel no guilt over this. Only feel sorrow as is expected."
She let her tears subside in his gentle tones and lifted her face to his, seeing the same unshed from him. How guilty she felt, not so much on Linlithgow, but in that she sit here demanding information of him from something she asked to remain ignorant of and she cry over it when she withheld such important knowledge from him. "I apologize. I always seem to be crying on your chest."
Bash chuckled a bit at her, lifting her chin to look at him. He wished she would not feel so dreadful for something of not her own fault. "Mary. It is a sad thing to be sure, to learn that an infant has passed. No one is immune to such tragedy."
She nodded her understanding, thankful that he could show her that she was not alone in those feelings. "I will be alright now. I had already come to mourn them in the outpost." The word mourn made her cringe inside, remembering what it is that she is withholding from the man she cares so deeply for. "We are resilient, though. Are we not?"
"We can withstand this, together." He smoothed her tresses with his fingers, delighting in their texture and shine. "My father always taught me that no matter a person's position in life, so long as he has loved ones and a friend he is whole and can withstand the tests fate places before him."
Mary's heart constricted in pain at that, but time to examine why was cut short by the opening of the door revealing Mary's mother.
"Sebastian." The elder Mary addressed the man sitting far too close to her daughter for propriety sake. She did not care about this, only that it could have been some other person to have discovered them. She would not mention any discontent, however. In her heart, she wished to only encourage them for she knew too keenly the pain of sacrificing love for service. "Perhaps you could continue your investigation. I have some matters I might discuss with my daughter."
Bash stood, offering his bow to both the regent and the queen, the latter of which he was reluctant to leave. However he knew of some way to use the time wisely in service to her and so left with a determined smile upon his face.
Once they found themselves alone, Mary's mother claimed the seat vacated by the Frenchman. "I see he has helped some of your recovery from the news." She had been thankful that the lad informed her of Mary's worries on Lola's family. It helped her understand her daughter's emotional upset and determination all the better.
Mary nodded, not up to the challenge of denial when it came to Bash's effect upon her. "He handles these things so much braver than I. I can cope, but hurt is still within my heart on thinking of the babe's demise."
Mary of Guise took her daughter's hand in consolation. "We learn of atrocities such as these far too often I am afraid. It is the largest burden upon a monarch's shoulders. Though, I do believe you may have made some impact in preventing such from our soil for some time."
The queen knew the regent was opening up their conversation to what she had said in the Lord's room, on her proclamation that she will be keeping English troops in Scotland. "I appreciate the effort and authority by which you command, mother. However, you must see that our country needs a transition. I am to reign within a year and soon after this our kingdom will be united with England. I do not intend to rule the two separately, but as two entities minor to their one crown."
"That is ambitious to be sure, however I do not doubt you my daughter. There was a time, I will admit to this, when I did. But that is no more. All of your lords agree. Such was being discussed in the room below us where a small party has gathered."
Mary was glad for her mother's pride and confidence in her, and more so that the lords of her homeland seemed to be accepting of her ability to lead as well. "Perhaps there will be no more attempts at overthrowing the crown then." She stood and turned back to her mother. "I think it might be wise, in that spirit, to join their company then. Do you think they all still be downstairs?"
Mary of Guise stood and took her daughter's arm. "I do. This is the reason I sought your company. You must mingle with your court. As well as fear may work-"
Mary cut her mother off as they left to the hall. "It works best if they love me too."
They retreated down the hall and descended the stairs in quiet conversation on her mother's thanks to her daughter for providing the loveliness of the night before with Roxburgh. No names were mentioned, due to the public nature of the chat, but the regent was truly grateful to have any moment with the man that she could. She told Mary to be sure that she too cherish whatever opportunity life afforded with Bash.
On that last sentiment Mary had found herself quite distracted but there was no time for contemplation. For now, she had lords to entertain.
She mingled among them for some time, speaking shortly with her Protestant cousins George and Henry, both of whom she desperately hoped were not her traitor. She met several wives of the lords there at the informal gathering, asking one in particular if her daughter would enter service in two years' time when she was of age.
It was a relief to see she was being accepted by those there for she knew that soon many challenges would face her Scottish court, her English court and her family in all the change and trials ahead.
On the topic of family, there was one man she was missing among all those there that she was just about to ask on until he emerged.
James sauntered into the room with a woman on his arm and went straight to his sister's side as it vacated upon his entrance. "You my sister are proving a most commanding young queen." He kissed her cheek and then gestured to his companion. "Mary, this is Viola."
The queen looked to the woman not more than a few years older than herself and smiled politely. She was certainly beautiful and she was sure that this be her brother's current conquest. "It is a pleasure. Are you here in service at court? Have you known my brother long?"
The blonde could feel every nerve light on fire in the presence of her queen. She was intimidated both by her power but also in that she was the most important member of James' family. "I have not been called to service your grace. Nor do I suspect I will with my husband's situation, as it is."
Mary's eyebrows furrowed in the elegant manner only she could manage. "What is your husband's situation?" She noticed her brother's gumming of his bottom lip. "James." She demanded.
"I have improperly introduced my love to you, sister. This is Lady Viola Roxburgh, Lord Roxburgh's wife."
And that was the moment Mary's breath seemed to leave her. If it were not for the fact that she had been trained all her life to learn to respond to news such as this without shock she was unsure if she would have been able to manage. "I apologize. I did not know that Roxburgh married again." Her mother must have been heart broken when it occurred.
"Yes, well." Viola nodded politely, stroking the inside of her arm in clear discomfort. "Our marriage is not one of love. I suppose now that it will likely end, with his admission to all. I do apologize, your grace, for his wrongdoings to yourself and all those people."
Mary maintained her composure, not for a second letting anyone, even her brother, think that she thought Roxburgh not guilty of anything other than keeping the French company of men. "I do appreciate your situation." Her situation being that her husband, in her eyes, was likely to die and she be freed from her marriage. "How long have you been married?"
James and Viola shared a look which spoke a long meaning. "We wed four years ago. Five months later, our son Edward was born."
Mary looked between the two, the young and beautiful, clearly wealthy, noblewoman and her bastard born brother. Someone had been busy years ago, years ago being a time that she now recalled Roxburgh having faced near financial ruin. Well, that explained it all then. Viola got a rescue to her reputation and saved her son from being bastard born of a bastard father and the old man so in love with Mary's mother got the return of his fortune. "I understand your meaning clearly. Let us dispense with the covert manner of our conversation. You might entrust your secrets in me."
James' smile grew wide as he looked to his love and his sister. "I knew you would not judge, especially considering your own situation."
Mary chose to disregard the comment of her own situation. She hoped that she would never have to face marrying a man for the sake of something that she and Bash might… she simply chose to ignore the implication. "A son. Might I meet him?"
Viola allowed of herself some relief. "Yes, of course. He is with my mother in the country as of now, however you might meet our newest arrival."
Mary's eyes grew wide as Viola called to a servant and moments later a small babe was being brought into the room, placed within her arms. "What is her name?"
Viola smoothed back the wild hair of her daughter being held in the queen's arms. "Mary Catherine. After yourself and my mother."
"I do believe this is my first namesake." Mary smiled lovingly at the infant.
She was stunned and overjoyed at the level of love she already had for the young one. The small gasps she took as she cooed. How she sucked on Mary's finger with vigor when allowed. It brought such joy to her heart.
James was relieved to see that his sister was not only understanding of their situation, she was falling just as in love with his daughter, whom he could not claim, as he. "It is so terribly easy to love her is it not?" He reveled in his sister's silent nod as she continued to cuddle the infant.
From across the room her half-brother noticed someone else just as interested in Mary's reaction to the young lass. "I believe you are being closely watched."
Mary turned to see Bash, arms behind his back with that gentle smile he only ever held when he was pleased with her, approaching their small group. "I was wondering if you were going to return at some point today."
"I would not leave you for long." Bash sidled up to Mary's side, enjoying the view of her so engrossed in such a motherly, affectionate act as she held the child. "Who is this now?"
"Mary. My namesake. My niece." She proclaimed, immediately returning her view to the infant not two months old. "I have a niece."
The words spoke volumes to him. No one else was sure to pick up on it, but behind the joy in her tone was also a twinge of guilt. Of course Mary would feel so at this moment. Only hours ago did she discover the fate of Lola's niece and here she finds one of her own. He wished to free her of such sadness among joy.
"She is lovely, much like her aunt." His response was quick for while he did not want to end this sweet moment, he did have something that needed to be done, especially with this newest development causing even greater bonding with her brother. "I apologize but I need your grace for an urgent matter."
Mary's gaze joined his reassuring but pleading one and she calmly returned the child to her mother. She made a quick excuse as Bash quickly stole possession of her arm and together they made haste in their exit of the room.
"What has happened?" Mary was filled with dread. There was only one thing that she could think of that would make him act so. He must know who it is that has been after her, who wants her dead and wished her to not be near him.
He was leading her from inside the castle to the out of doors, to the grove behind a stand of trees. He was not telling her anything no matter how many times she pleaded. There must be some danger in the castle, some reason for this panic.
"Please Bash!" She whispered frantically as they made their way through the small path leading to the clearing ahead. "Tell me. No one can hear. You know who it is. Tell me."
Bash sighed, wishing he could. "Mary. I do know for sure. But I wish to spare you the pain until a witness I have found may come forward tomorrow. I have already arranged for the trial to take place under your mother's authority."
"Then it was someone in that room?" She gasped, feeling needles and pins on her skin at being in such close proximity to her conspirator. "That is why you brought me here?"
He felt guilty for allowing her such worry but encouraged that she had not figured it out on her own. It would only be injuring to have suspicion without confirmation of his witness. "Mary, just a moment and you will see why I have asked your company." He kept his tone neutral until they came upon it; he pulled back the last bough separating the path from the clearing.
She was confused, she saw nothing in the clearing of interest until she looked to the man with her and saw his guilty and hopeful smile. "You brought me out here for mud?" Her relief was palpable, her amusement building.
He chuckled in seeing her gain some calm and reached behind an evergreen, extracting a pig's bladder. "No. I brought you out here because I wanted you to claim distance from your traitor, gain some perspective on the joys you should allow yourself to have and give you some relief before tomorrow, as I am afraid it will be particularly awful for you." He distracted himself from her reaction with tossing the pig bladder ball in the air in front of him. "And I decided to do so by playing futeball with you, in the mud."
Mary took in all the information there, the confirmation that her traitor was close, that it would injure her heart in finding him. But she also knew Bash had understood her mixed feelings on learning of a niece and truly, she could use some fun, fun as only her roguish friend could provide. He was rescuing her yet again, but this time it was from herself. "I did promise you I would return to my mud running days."
"That you did." He was glad to see she was pleased in the prospect and joined her in stripping off their shoes.
She ran ahead while he was still unfastening his laces and launched a mud pile at him for having worried her so and the response he gave had her in full joy. Her hoot of laughter bounced around the clearing in the genuine fun she found with mud underfoot, kicking the ball past Bash which sent him chasing for it. "I thought you would be better at this." She taunted him as he lined up his shot. "You always seemed a sportsman to me."
Bash reveled in her humor, her ability to let go of all the trepidation and guilt she must feel and just be her at the moment. It was just them here, Bash and Mary. She was not a queen and he was not a bastard. "Unlike you, Mary, I did not have the advantage of nuns' instruction." He kicked the ball back to her, scoring it past. "And yet I still prove up to the task."
They both snickered, turning their attention to the playful and competitive nature of the game for some time, intermixed with taunting and the occasional slip in the mud. Their clothes were thoroughly ruined and they couldn't have cared less.
Mary was nearly out of breath from all the running, yelling and laughing. "I cannot believe you found this here. I have yet to see mud anywhere since we came. Scotland hasn't seen rain in weeks."
Bash tried to hide his expression in his next admission. "I will admit to working quite hard in hauling the water to make this for you." He kicked the ball to her yet again, mud coming to stain her dress where it hit her leg, the only place that had not yet seen dirt. "I simply could not resist seeing you happy and getting the chance to set you free."
"I barely ever get that Bash. Not without you." The statement was punctuated by her grateful expression and the sudden change in the atmosphere around them. "Look!" She cried as the rain that had so long missing poured down with sudden vigor. She spun around in the drops, making her way towards Bash in her effort.
He laughed as he watched her make her way closer in the most enjoyable manner possible. Once she was within arm's reach he stared up at the rain beating down upon them with humor clear in his tone. "And here I had done all this work. I have such poor timing."
Mary burst into hilarity at his mock defeat and had to clutch onto Bash's shirt for balance as the mud became increasingly unstable. That proved a futile effort however as he too was so thoroughly overcome with laughter that her clutching onto him threw them both off balance and into the mud they fell, his body on top of hers.
Laughter ceased, replaced by sheer intensity in the surges of emotions passing between them in their eye locked state. Their position was intimate, breaths mingling, legs intertwined. All their energy seemed to be recharging between them, pent up frustrations on information kept from the other were abandoned in favor of other emotions once so repressed under the surface they could now not be stopped from spilling out to be plainly witnessed.
"Mary." Bash breathed her in, his eyes darting over every surface of her face in the attempt to commit everything to memory, the expression of her eyes, the pout of her lips, the mess of her hair entangled in the mud. He was consumed by her, the charge between them and nothing more. Finally it seemed as though he had all he wanted, her in his sights and without interference from anything or anyone else.
"Bash." Mary gasped his name, her attention entirely focused between his roaming eyes and his perfect lips. She had longed for him for so long, ever since their first kiss. This is how it should have been all along. And here they lay, so intimately entangled into one another that no amount of self-control would ever be enough to resist this, resist him. She wouldn't want to anyway. He was so utterly the man she craved, needed, loved. She felt as though his chest pressed against hers was the only thing keeping her heart inside herself. He held her together but she knew there was some way, one way she could let go.
Her face rose slightly, tentatively and gently grazing her lips along his in one pass as if to offer permission and it was what he took. His head followed hers as it lowered to the ground and together they crashed into a kiss that started with sweet passion in a single moment of contact and then regained for many minutes longer that only rose in steam from there.
It seemed that every emotion that they had for one another was poured into this, every ounce of love, every bit of passion together pulling a blanket around them that prevented the cold or the rain or the mud from taking away anything between what they shared.
His hand wound into her hair as both of hers did much the same in his. Lips massaged lips, air was gasped for between playful nibbles and licking of the mouth's crease until soon, tongue upon tongue teased one another amping the electrical charge between them to such heights they together lost track of everything around them save the other.
For several minutes they stayed in that embrace, continuing the pleasure of one another until it became necessary to stop or face a slippery slope of heated passion that should remain unquenched. It took everything Bash had to realize this and halt their activities but he cared so greatly for Mary he would let nothing sully any experience so wonderful with fears and moving too swiftly.
With that, he pulled away from her lips and simply stared into her eyes as he rest his forehead onto hers for some time. They both took in all that had just passed between them, all the emotions that seemed to have been stated without words. He knew they would not be spoken today but he could live with that, knowing that somewhere within Mary there existed a girl who was just as much his as he was hers.
She felt just the same. Even with all she knew of him, all they had shared before there was nothing so utterly wonderful as physically feeling his love surround her. It was unlike anything she had ever known before. It was utter and real. And she knew she would not have stopped, so Bash having stalled their movements proved only the more endearing, knowing what difficulty it took to do right by her.
He took his time in watching emotions reflect back in her eyes but the cold of the rain was becoming troublesome for Mary and so he knew this must end. Reluctantly he sighed as he placed one last chaste kiss to her soft lips and lifted his body off of hers. He helped her stand, pulling her close to him but still far enough where he could see her face fully. He did not want to spoil this but he had something that needed to be expressed. "Please, do not call this a mistake as well."
Even through all the daze of passion still strumming through her overtaxed senses, Mary heard something in his voice that she never noticed of him before, utter vulnerability, fear of her rejection. She did not think it possible. She knew not what to say to him. There was so much she wished she could proclaim. If it were up to her she would tell him but she kept the warnings of Mary Tudor in her heart and decided to silence his fears with simple action instead.
So, she held him to her, standing their ground despite the cold and rain as they continued to stare into one another's eyes. Up on her toes she raised in answer to his question, reclaiming his lips in yet another seemingly endless kiss.