Chapter 19

I had spent the whole night in the tower, alone. The guards had even left at one point to get some sleep, leaving me alone in that heat infested room. I felt so disgusting being in that room for that long. I wasn't able to get any sleep. I'm not sure how it would even be possible in this heat and on the stone floor.

I heard footsteps in the hall but didn't bother getting up to see who it was. I continued to sit on the stone floor with my knees against my chest. The door slowly opened and hit the wall beside it. Francis took a step inside, first looking at the other wall then at the other one I was against. I could tell he was wracked with guilt. His eyes were red and he had bags under his eyes.

I almost felt guilty as well. Almost.

"Mary," Francis began. "I'm sorry I had to do this."

Francis stopped talking when I started to stand up. He rushed over to me as if I needed help getting up but I didn't. When I stood in front of him I stared at him for a moment. All those emotions and thoughts from before swarmed my body. Engulfing me in rage. I glared at Francis and lifted my hand. Then, I quickly brought it down to Francis' face, slapping him across his face. A small stinging feeling filled my palm, making it feel warm.

Francis' eyes widened. He slowly reached his hand up and placed it on his cheek, dumbfounded by what just happened. When his eyes landed back on mine I glared at him.

"You locked me in a tower," I said coldly. "Instead of sitting me down and discussing the alternatives with me. You locked me in a tower!" I shouted.

My body was so tired. It wanted to collapse right then and there, but I wasn't done. I wanted Francis to know exactly how I felt. "I am your wife! But yet you didn't even give me a chance!"

Francis only stared at me. If he wanted to say something I didn't let him. I pushed past Francis, hitting his shoulder then I walked out of the cell and began heading to my chambers.

I avoided Francis for a couple of days so that I could cool down and not make the situation any worse than it already was. I would sometimes see him watching me from afar. I knew he regretted what he did. I'm almost regretted slapping him, but he had confined me to a cell with only my thoughts. They had built it up so much to the point where I could no longer show my anger with mere words.

When the next day arrived I found myself in another empty bed. But this time it was my choice. I had decided to sleep in a separate room from Francis for a few nights. I knew if we slept in the same room things would have only gotten worse. Maybe it would have been sorted out already, but for right now I just needed some time away from him.

The thin pieces of grass tickled my bare feet as I walked on the large, empty plot of land. I just wanted to spend some time alone and enjoy the warm day. My head was feeling much better after a couple of good night's sleep and eating well. I guessed that was all I needed to make myself feel better.

I lifted my dress then kneeled on the soft grass. I ran my fingers on top of the pieces of grass and closed my eyes, soaking in the warmth of the sun.

"I enjoy coming out here too. To clear my head." I heard behind me. I turned to find King Henry towering over me. I bowed my head and turned back toward the water. I was hoping to get some alone time, but I suppose that was unrealistic. I definitely didn't want to spend any more time than I had to with Henry either.

Henry kneeled down next to me and sat down. "Lately, I've been wondering why you and I aren't much closer."

I turned toward him and smiled slightly. "Yes, it is a shame."

Henry nodded in agreement, then placed his hand on my back. I jumped at the sudden touch.

"My son. He isn't as strong as me." Henry paused and started to rub his hand up and down my back. "Not as big as me either."

I shivered and stared away from him, so I didn't have to keep eye contact with him. I didn't understand where any of this was coming from. It was beginning to frighten me.

"Will you escort me to dinner?" Henry asked. He leaned in closer to me. I could feel his warm breath slither down my neck. I tried to lean back a little to get away from him. I couldn't say no, definitely not to the King of France. So I attempted the warmest smile I could muster. "I'd love to."

Henry's face lit up and he shot up to his feet. Then he reached his arms out to grab me. I hesitantly reached my hands out and let him pull me up. It seemed like he didn't even try to be gentle as I jumped to my feet. I almost fell face forward from the amount of force he used.

We walked into the castle together, his hand on my lower back and his other hand holding my hand the whole way. This sent waves of whispers through the people we passed and when we made it to the dining hall everyone stared at us. I wanted to get away from Henry but there was no way I could just walk away from him now.

Everyone sat in their usual spots, including Francis. That meant my seat was right next to him. I took a step forward to head toward my seat, but Henry held my hand tightly so I wasn't able to get away. Henry waved to a servant and pointed at his throne. "Bring Mary's chair next to mine. She'll be eating next to me."

The servant nodded and ran over to my chair, then pushed it in next to Henry's chair. I looked at Henry, unsure of what he was doing. Instead of finding an answer I found him staring at me. He was waiting for me to take my seat next to him, but I didn't want to. He was changing these past weeks and not for the better. He was much more violent and sometimes you would catch him talking to himself. He was terrifying the servants, along with his own children.

We both sat down, leaving everyone who was attending dinner speechless. I, myself, had no words as well. I didn't know what Henry wanted with me, but I knew it wasn't going to be good. Francis was sitting on the other side of Henry, glaring at me, or was he glaring at Henry?

As the food was being served I felt something grab onto my thigh. When I looked down I found Henry's hand pulling up my dress skirt. My eyes widened and my heart began to pick up speed. My body swarmed with goosebumps. I wanted to grab his hand and throw it back at him, but I was scared of what he would do to me if I did.

His hand began to touch my bare skin, wandering deeper and deeper in between my legs. I was panicking and I didn't know what to do. I couldn't defy him. I couldn't scream. I could only let him continue on with his little game.

Henry ate like nothing was happening, but I was frozen stiff as he continued. I was too scared to move and eat the food that covered my plate, even if I was starving. Suddenly, Henry's fingers reached even further between my legs. I jolted back into my chair and yelped at the touch. Only a few people must have heard it since they looked up at me, but they must not have cared because they went back to their conversations. When I turned to look at Henry I found Francis staring at us. He could see what Henry was doing to me. His eyes were wide and were full of anger. I saw his fists shaking against the wooden table. I opened my mouth to say something, but then Henry leaned in, blocking my view from Francis. Henry placed his elbow on the table and stared into my eyes. "I can pleasure you more than Francis ever could." He licked his lips as he looked my body up and down with his piercing brown eyes. "I can easily give you an heir for Scotland."

I stared at him for a moment, wondering if he actually just said that to me. Wondering if all of this was actually happening. When I tried to talk nothing came out. I was scared and weak against Henry and my body didn't want to do anything to upset him, but what he was doing now was insane!

"Francis is my husband." I tried.

Henry raised his brow and grinned. "Francis could never please you like how I could." Henry pressed.

I slowly shook my head and tried to smile. "I am loyal to my husband."

Henry was starting to get aggravated by my answers. His whole expression began to change as he glared at me. "I am the King of France. And you will do as you're told."

My heart was racing at this point and my hands were shaking in my lap. I could feel my breathing begin to quicken as well.

I couldn't fight and I couldn't deny him. I was trapped.