Chapter 10

I woke the next morning with a cold chill overwhelming my body. I reached my arm forward, attempting to grab onto Francis. But when I opened my eyes I found Francis sitting on the side of the bed putting on his shirt. I sleepily lifted my hand out and pulled at the thin shirt that now covered him. He turned when he felt me tug at his shirt. His face was almost gleaming with happiness. "Good morning," Francis said as he leaned toward me and kissed my forehead.

"Good morning." I beamed. Last night was spectacular and just thinking about it made my stomach flutter. I couldn't help but smile. "Where are you heading off to?" I asked.

Francis finished putting on the rest of his clothing and stood up. "Court beckons." He faced me and smiled warmly. I wouldn't mind waking up for the rest of my days to his beautiful face. Seeing him smile made me the happiest person. "I wish I could continue laying with you."

I lifted my body upward and leaned toward Francis. I held the covers above my chest and placed a kiss on his lips. "Maybe next time."

Francis grinned. "I look forward to that."

Francis had exited the room and left me alone in his chambers. I lifted the blankets a little higher to my nose and breathed in. I could still smell Francis on the blankets. I held them close to my chest and let my body fall back onto the bed. I was almost tempted to close my eyes and fall back to sleep, but I knew if I did I wouldn't wake up anytime soon. Besides, I myself needed to go to court as well.

I forced my body up and threw off the warm covers, exposing my body to the chilly air. I quickly dressed so I wouldn't have to feel the cold covering my body any longer. When I was completely dressed I was about to sneak out of Francis' chambers and go to my own, but there was a knock on the door. I stared at the large wooden door for a moment, unsure of what to do. It would ruin me if someone saw me leaving Francis' chambers. Everyone would begin to question my virtue. That definitely wouldn't be good for me, not if I wanted to be with Francis. Although he was the one who took it.

"Mary?" I heard outside the door. It was Aylee. "Mary, are you there?"

I opened the door to reveal Aylee standing in the doorway. She had a worried expression on her face. "Tomas requests your presence in his chambers."

My eyes widened. Aylee took a step toward me and grabbed my hand, tightly squeezing it in hers. "Mary, you shouldn't go. This man, he doesn't seem right-minded."

I nodded slightly. If only she knew. "He isn't." I agreed. "But I'll see what it is he wants."

"Are you sure?" Aylee pressed. "I'll accompany you. Just to be safe."

I smiled at Aylee, appreciating her concern. Aylee was always a kindhearted girl. She always made sure people were happy and she tried her best to take care of everyone she knew, despite their level.

First, we went to my chambers so I could change into new clothes. If I walked around with the clothing I had worn yesterday I would only be helping the gossip that went around the castle. After, we headed toward Tomas' chambers. I was dreading what he was going to say or what he could do. When we reached his chamber's the door was already opened. Tomas was sitting inside, his eyes staring directly at me. They almost felt like daggers stabbing me, but I've taken a real sword so I wasn't going to let his pathetic stare intimidate me. "Come in, Queen Mary," Tomas said coldly. I looked at Aylee and gave her a skeptical look, then back at Tomas. Aylee and I both walked inside but stayed close to the door.

But without warning, the door was closed by another man in the room. He didn't even look at me when he walked toward Tomas. "Mary," Tomas said, driving my attention back toward him. I could tell he wasn't happy. He no longer kept that fake smile on his face. Now, there was only a glare. "I didn't see you at all last night." Tomas stood from his chair but stayed where he was. "At first, I thought you were just tired and wanted to rest. But then I learned something much different." Tomas let out a chuckle. "You were in the Dauphin's chambers last night. What were you doing there?"

I stared at Tomas for a moment in disbelief. I didn't think anyone knew of that, but by looking at the other man's face I could tell he was spying on me. "Why are you having me followed, Tomas?"

Tomas raised his eyebrow, acting as if he was truly confused. "Why? Because you are my fiancé and I want to know where you are sneaking off to."

"I am not your fiancé."

Tomas took a step toward me as he tried to hide the anger in his expression. "You came to me. I didn't have to help you, but I was kind enough to accept your plea for help. Just for one simple thing."

"Simple thing?" I scoffed. "Marrying you would not be a simple thing to do."

Tomas' eyes widened and I could see the man next to him wince. Tomas quickly took a step toward me and grabbed my hand and squeezed. I refused to give me the pleasure of showing him my pain. I looked at him and glared. "So you're going to wait for the chance you may never have to marry Francis?" His grip tightened.

"I will do what is right for my country. And it is not marrying you." Tomas' eyes widened, then narrowed. He threw my hand away from him and took a step back. "You think you're a strong queen, don't you?" He almost laughed but he stopped and looked at the man next to him. "This is Miguel. He is referred to as a whipping boy." Suddenly Tomas slammed his fist into the man's cheek.

I stood there frozen as I watched Miguel fall to the floor, but he was brought back to his feet by Tomas. "Every time you act out against me I will hit Miguel."

I stared at Tomas with disbelief. "I am not yours, Tomas! I no longer need your assistance for Scotland!"

Tomas scrunched his eyebrows together, then threw his fist into Miguel's face again. My eyes widened. When Tomas pulled away from Miguel he wiped his knuckles. "The men Francis has sent for Scotland only just left. It'll be quite easy to ambush these men."

Wha-what? How could he threaten me like this? I was only trying to help my country and when they finally got the help they needed it was getting threatened. "And you'll stop this only if I marry you?"

Tomas smiled and nodded. He didn't say another word as he waited for my reply. One I did not have or want to give. "Will you give me time to decide?"

Tomas laughed then wrapped his arm around Miguel, who was still trying to recuperate from what just happened. "I'll give you until tonight. Then, I need an answer." He smiled. "Not that you have much a choice."

Aylee and I quickly left the room after that. After a couple minutes of walking and getting as far away from him as we could we paused. My body felt like it wanted to shut down on me right then and there. I leaned against one of the stone walls and took in a deep breath. "Mary," Aylee said silently. I looked over to her to find her crying. "I'm sorry he's doing this. I'm sorry I can't do anything to help you."

When my heart started to calm I grabbed onto Aylee's hand and smiled. I never wanted to show my ladies the true side of court. The side that involved death, backstabbing, and blackmail. "It'll be okay, Aylee. Francis and I will figure this out."

Aylee slowly nodded. "Don't let him push you around, Mary." She said as tough as she could. I almost wanted to laugh at Aylee's sudden braveness. "I won't," I promised her.

I had to find Francis and figure this out. People wouldn't believe me if I told them of what Tomas said. When I found Francis he was in court talking with the nobles. I didn't want to bother him, so I patiently waited for him to finish. But when he saw me he quickly excused himself and walked toward me. "Mary!" He said excitedly. I attempted to smile back but I just wasn't able to. I was still frightened by Tomas' threat. Francis noticed this and pulled me aside. "Mary, what is it?"

"Tomas. He threatened to ambush your men if I do not wed him. I have to give him an answer by tonight."

Francis' eyes lit up. "Why does he want you to marry him so much?"

I shrugged, but a terror went through my body at the thought of marrying Tomas. What if Francis couldn't do anything? I would be stuck with a cruel man for a husband.

Suddenly my thoughts were interrupted when Francis placed his hand on my cheek. "I will fix this, Mary." Francis paused as he looked around for any people who could be listening. "Can you tell him to meet you tonight in the forest?"

I raised my eyebrow. "What are you going to do?"

"Finish this."