Chapter 3: Alterations
"Relinquished" the word repeatedly burned into her soul. The paper blurred as tears clogged her throat and scorched her eyes. Swiftly she blinked, the liquid locked within her dark obsidian orbs. "Voluntarily Relinquished" she shuddered. Presented as if she had free will, the choice made out of pure desire. Not the survival of her person and that of her daughter. A proposed exchange for the desolation of her soul and the subjugation of her freedom. Darkly she chortled her eyes alighting on the provided reason for her capitulation. Henry had ensured his dignity and proclaimed her barren. Heaven forbid any poor soul suspected Henry of being unable to father a wives into matrimony.
Quietly she read the documentation severing her marriage. Absorbing the implemented matrimonial enslavement and glancing over the dissolvement of her union and Queenship. Her mind focused more upon the aftermath of the separation and the information pertaining to her daughter. Elizabeth's future was paramount. As long as she could have her beloved child, she would endure. As long as Elizabeth's position as legitimate Princess of England was secure she would surrender. In self reflection Anne sighed "I would dance with the devil himself before I would relinquish you my own heart" she whispered.
Pressing her palms flat against the solid wood of the table, she leaned over and focused on the paper before her, silently reading the paragraph detailing "The Direct Care and Guardianship of The Princess Elizabeth " her eyes scanning the document with vigor. Exhaling, she smiled. Elizabeth would remain in her care until such time as she was able to form her own establishment and "The Duchess of Suffolk'' would have "Direct management of establishing said household and control of the aforementioned household".
Breathing deeply Anne raised her chin and stared directly into the turbulent eyes of her husband "You have my compliance with the terms dictated Henry" she said "But should you renege on any part of our agreement" she paused her eyes illuminating with passion "I promise you that it will take the severing of my neck to ensure my silence and subjugation". Her smirk, a teasing taunt. Henry starred in shock. Unsettled, a quivering tempest of indignation and awe. His mouth hung partially agape as his stomach churned in anger. "And I have but a little neck" she mused, tilting her head and smiling. "Therefore in the necessity of my own safety, Husband" she smiled "I propose we negotiate".
His eyes glinted dangerously, lust and rage intermingled beneath his chest "what do you possess that I simply can not aquire" he sneered "You possess nothing worth bargaining for" his blue eyes burning a trail of fire as his gaze leered at her lithe form. Slowly she walked around the table, her fingers trailing along the smooth wooden surface. Her figure swayed in gentle motion as she stared with open intensity at the man before her. "I don't know about that Henry" she whispered "I am sure we could amend something" her hand rested lightly on his chest. "After all" she murmured her hand drifting to his lower stomach as she leaned in to whisper in his ear "I possess some assets you desire"
"What would that be?" he breathed. His body quivering from her touch, her hand a scorching path of heat trailing closer to his manhood. Leaning back she smiled, her lips mear inches from his own "The Queen's Jewels and Regalia" she whispered. The silence deafening as his eyes locked with her own and widened in surprise. Swiftly she stepped back, her absence leaving him bereft of warmth. Her smile sweet and innocent as her eyes flickered with amusement "According to your current contract anything previously gifted to me before our marriage is mine" she paused letting the words sink in " and since you so kindly bestowed the Queens Crown Jewels upon me in 1532" she smirked " they currently stand as my possession".
Henry's mind whirled, speechless he stood in silence. "All I ask in exchange" she demurred, not willingly to provoke him into absolute anger "is a simple statement declaring this contact to be deemed null and void if either party breaches the aforementioned agreements". Slowly she turned and paced towards the table, once more leaning her palms against the smooth surface. Her eyes lingering on the contract "Do not think I do not trust your Majesty's person" she simpered. A small smile twitching at the corner of her mouth. The truth dancing silently between them
"Do you not trust the word of your King and Husband? " he cried hotly. The last word dripping with possession "Did I not say if either of us breached the contract" she sighed. " You are my lord and husband" she demurred " I trust you above all others" The words spilled easily from her lips. For she trusted no one, but she had trusted him with her heart, even if she could now not retrieve it . Bracing against the firm wooden surface she pushed suddenly from the table and walked back towards her King, silently returning her hand to its place upon his chest and staring down between them.
"Elizabeth is my only consolation in this life. I could not bear to lose her" she breathed. She had to convince him, his temper and his compliance with vindictive suggestions was untrustworthy. The contact would hold him bound. Shivering she waited, her head bent in supplication. Silently she prayed he would comply. "Agreed" he whispered. His hands shook as he raised her chin to stare into his striking blue eyes. His lips crashed forcefully against her own. In shock she opened her mouth to protest, his hands quickly snaking around her neck and pulling her mouth towards his as their tongues began to battle for supremacy. Silently he pushed her backwards, her knees bumping against the hard frame of the bed as his hands began to trail across her slender form.
"Henry" she moaned "we can't". His lips trailed a burning path to her neck as a soft moan escaped her lips. Groaning he smirked, his tongue tracing the delicate contours of her ear " The contract requires adjustment" he whispered " And as you have insisted I dare not delay trying to conceive my heir". His lips kissed the base of her neck and trailed down to taste the top of her breasts. "Henry," she breathed, trying desperately to regain her senses. " The delay" she panted her fingers tangling in his hair of their own accord. Pushing her back he smiled as she fell across the soft mattress "What delay?" He smirked
" If you conceive within this month. My heir is conceived" he whispered leaning over her prone form " Are you not my Wife and Queen?" He jeered, dragging her skirt up as he leaned forward to recapture her lips. "For now" Anne replied as he pressed her forehead against his "Then pray you conceive and fulfill your promise" he breathed "Because your mine" he moaned " Always mine". Sighing, Anne returned his kiss and surrendered to the insatiable hunger consuming her. Their connection had always been explosive be it love, lust or anger. It burned until reason diminished and emotion consumed.
Hours later passion exhausted Henry had slumbered, his arm draped across her abdomen pulling her into the shelter of his body. Anne stared into the darkness, her face shadowed in the night "I can not chance Elizabeth's future" she whispered to the man sleeping peacefully beside her "I love you, but I can not trust your love" she cried warm salty tears slipping from beneath her eyelids "I am yours, forever yours" she whispered stroking his hair. Inhaling a shuddering breath, she wiped the tears from her porcelain skin. "Until I sign that contract I can deny you nothing, my body is yours to do with as you please and my heart was surrendered long ago". How she loved him she sighed, her heart ached with the weight of her love. "But not beyond" she whispered. "I will keep my promise husband, for now you bear this privilege, to possess me utterly, but once you relinquish me you will bear it no longer" she paused " Passion or no".