A few days later, I receive a letter from Henry VIII. He wants to meet me at Labyrinth Castle soon. "Tell him we will meet on Friday," I tell the messenger, and he hurries to deliver my message. Labyrinth Castle is close enough to us that it will only be a day's ride to get there. Maybe King Henry will listen and talk to Jane about what happened. Maybe he will let me serve Lady Mary for a while.

Oh, who am I kidding? He won't let me serve Lady Mary. If anything, he'll make me serve Jane. But would he, after reading the things Jane wrote? I will only find out if I go to Labyrinth Castle.

"Do you want me to come with you?" Mummy asks the night before I'm due to leave.
"While I would like that, who would look after the hybrids?"
Mummy nods. "Let me know what happens?"
"Of course."

I set off at dawn and travel through all of Thursday. I get to Labyrinth Castle as night falls, and the servants are already waiting. "His Majesty and his group arrived earlier," a maid says. "Are you going to see him now?"
"I may as well. Thank you for letting me know... what's your name?"
"Agnes." Agnes bobs a curtsey.
"Thank you, Agnes." I head inside, letting my silent footsteps slowly take me through the halls decorated with brightly coloured tapestries and up to my room. A thin layer of dust covers the furniture, but I open a window and begin wiping the dust off with a cloth left for me.

I am unable to get much sleep that night. What will King Henry make me do? Will he give me a choice?

When dawn fills the window, I get dressed and go to chapel before breakfast. I need guidance, and maybe the Higher Authority can give me that. I close my eyes and kneel at the altar. Please, Higher Authority, I need help.

They don't say anything. How stupid am I? I must die to talk to them, and I'm not doing that yet. As noon draws closer, I walk towards the gardens. King Henry and some of his privy council are already waiting for me. "Thank you for agreeing to meet me," King Henry says.
"I am glad we can try and reach an amicable arrangement, Your Majesty." I curtsey, and he offers me his hand. I take it and let him help me rise to my feet. He lets go of my hand.
"I have a few options for you which I hope you will consider. Since you are a friend of mine—"
I open my mouth to interrupt but think better of it. King Henry is doing me a favour. It will be best if I go along with it. "—I hope you will continue working on my privy council."
"That depends on my options."

King Henry nods. "Of course, I understand."
I look among the group King Henry brought to find Thomas Boleyn with them. Hang on, I thought Thomas Boleyn was no longer part of the Privy Council. Why is he here? I look around the group to see Lady Mary is also here. Princess—Lady Elizabeth is not here.
"Your options are simple," King Henry says. "You can serve Queen Jane but lose all contact with your parents—" I open my mouth to argue, but King Henry holds his hand for quiet. "You can serve Lady Mary, but you and Sarah Jane lose all the properties you own, or you can marry Thomas Boleyn, and any properties you co-own will go to your parents."

It is a difficult decision to make. If I serve Lady Mary, the hybrids will have nowhere to go. I look at Lady Mary. "I am sorry, my lady, but because of the King's condition, I cannot serve you."
Lady Mary bows her head. "I understand," she says, "and I wish you a successful future."
I smile at her.

That leaves me with two options. I don't think I can serve Queen Jane after what she said to me.

My phone starts ringing. I look at the caller to see Luke's name flash across the screen. "Excuse me, Your Majesty, but I need to take this," I say.
"Of course, take all the time you need."

I head further into the gardens and answer the call. "Hey, Luke. Has something different happened?"
"What year are you in?"
"June 1536."
I can hear Luke talking with someone on the other end. "All right. Jane just said she was kidnapped in 1536. Do you know anything about that?"

Is Jane going to be kidnapped? If so, I need to be at Court. If that means I lose contact with Mummy, then so be it. Jane must come first, and I must keep history on track. "Thanks for letting me know." I hang up without saying goodbye. I walk back to the group. "I have made my decision. Your wife needs my protection."
"Protection?" King Henry asks, his forehead creasing. "What is going to happen?"
"She will get kidnapped at some point this year if it hasn't already happened. I must be there and protect her."
"Of course." King Henry nods. "Then your duties start immediately."
"I should go and pack, let Mummy know what I'm going—"
"NO!" King Henry bellows. His face turns red, then purple. "You will not contact your mothers. The Earl of Wiltshire will help you pack your belongings."

Thomas helps me pack the few belongings I have. "You should have chosen to marry me," he says after a moment.
I look at him. "But that goes against history. I cannot..." My voice trails off, and I close my eyes. "I thought you were married."
"I was." He sighs. "King Henry made me get a divorce so I can marry someone else."
"Did he specify who you had to marry?"
Thomas shakes his head. "But we know each other, and it will mean you can stay in contact with your mums. Emma, at least consider it. I will be a good husband for you."
"But if Jane needs my help..."
"Queen Jane should not concern you. She treated you horribly in her letter."

I fold my arms. "How do you know about the letter?"
"King Henry read it out before the Privy Council. He agrees that it does not sound like Jane and will closely monitor her."
If King Henry closely monitors Jane, should I concern myself with her?

Yes! Jane is my friend! The guards will not know what to look for. Does that mean I will know? No, but I have more experience. I look deeply into Thomas' blue eyes. He could offer me comfort and security for a little while. But can I afford that?

Thomas sees my hesitation and draws me closer to him. He tilts my head up and kisses me on the lips. I let my walls fall and kiss him back. I keep my arms at my sides as my brain goes haywire. What will Anne and George think about this? What about William? Thomas' lips are warm, and I find myself kissing back. I close my eyes and let my arms move. One of my hands gets tangled in his hair while my other hand rests on his back.

We part, and Tom has tears in his eyes. "Has that changed your mind?" His voice is quiet.
"I..." My voice trails off.
"Please, Emma. Give us a chance."
He is only around a decade older than me. He is in his late fifties, but he is easy on the eyes. And I know him well. Maybe changing my mind is a good thing.

"I want to check something first," I tell him. "Can I do that?"
Tom nods. I go on my phone and research Thomas Boleyn. When I previously researched him, he died in 1539 and was married to Elizabeth Howard until her death.

Things have changed since then. Tom is no longer married to Elizabeth, but another name has been added. And he no longer dies in 1539, but in March 1543. Can I delay his demise? No, I look at the second name beside the word spouse. If I delay Tom's death, it could change everything. I look at Tom and smile. "All right."