Mummy, Katheryn, and I haven't returned to Court since the deaths of Catalina and Anne. How can I return after the deaths of two of my friends? There is no way I will ever look at Henry VIII the same way again.

Hybrid Palace is quieter than it was before. The young hybrids still run around and test their powers, but the wood-panelled hallways are quiet. When we eat in the Great Hall, everyone whispers or eats in silence. Nothing has been the same since Catalina and Anne died. Even Katheryn is quiet, and she barely even knew her cousin. "Are you okay?" Godfrey asks her when we are in our lessons. Katheryn nods and pays attention to the teacher.

"She's coming along in leaps and bounds," Mummy says. "We were right to take Katheryn in."
"Indeed," I agree. We are sitting in our bedroom by the fire. "Let us hope that we can keep her away from Henry Mannox and Francis Dereham."
Mummy nods. "Have you heard from Jane?"

I glare at her. "What makes you think I want to hear from her? She effectively killed Anne."
"It's not her fault, and you know it!" Mummy stands up. "Jane did not sign Anne's death warrant. She was not holding the sword."
I groan and stare at the fire. "I don't want anything to do with Henrat ever again." I make sure to emphasise Henrat.
Mummy bursts out laughing. "Oh, Emma, you still act like a teenager sometimes."
"And to think I'm supposed to be in my forties."
"You're forty-three and a half."

Forty-three and a half? But that means...

"I'm two years younger than Henrat!" I scream. "No, I refuse to believe I am the same age as him!"
Mummy starts laughing. "At least you cannot say that after 1547."
I stare at her. "You do know he will come back, right?"
Mummy nods. "But you'll be much older."
At least that is a small comfort.

The next morning, a letter arrives for me. The only people who write to me now are in our group. I turn it over to see the royal seal. Oh, God, please, no! I break the seal and open the letter.

Dear Emma,

I command you to come to Court and become my secret mistress. I only have space for you, so Sarah Jane and Esther will have to remain behind. You are a useless, good-for-nothing hybrid without me. You need me.

Come at once.

Jane the Queen

Oh, great. No "please may you come and be my secret mistress"? Jane's power is already getting to her head. As if I will return to Court!

I take the letter to Mummy. "What do you think?" I ask.
Mummy looks through the letter. "You cannot accept Jane. She is insulting you!"
"I'm going to send the letter to the King. He must know why I am not returning."
"Of course." She hands the letter back. "What are you going to do about you and Jane?"
"I'm not becoming her mistress if that's what you mean. No, my place is with you and the other hybrids."

Before I have a chance to write to the King, I receive a letter from Lady Mary.

Mistress Emma Smith-White,

I am glad that Father is letting me write to you. I miss Mother and Anne terribly, and I would love to be in the company of people who knew them. You are more than welcome to bring Sarah Jane with you if you wish.

Please reply soon. It would bring me great joy if you both entered my service.

Yours faithfully,
Lady Mary

I look at Mummy and smile. "Living with Mary won't be so bad. It could help us."
Mummy sighs. "While it sounds like a good idea, I need to stay here."
I nod. With Esther still missing, we cannot leave the hybrids undefended. Whatever happens, I will do this alone.

"I will send both letters to the King," I say, "it will help him understand why I'm not returning."
"But you also have a place on the Privy Council." Mummy stands up and crosses to the window. "If you don't return to Court, you could lose that."

I didn't think of that. "Well, I'm still not serving Jane. Not after this."

That evening, I write my letter by candlelight.

Your Majesty,

I am sure it has come to your attention that I have not yet returned. While I am still in mourning, I received a letter from your wife. I am enclosing it so you can read the vile things she wrote. I have no desire to become her mistress or serve her in any capacity.

I have also received a letter from Lady Mary, asking me to join her. While I feel inclined to do so, I know my place is on the Privy Council. I fear that accepting either of these letters will prove detrimental to the advice I can give you. Can you please advise me on the best course of action?

Yours faithfully,

Emma Smith-White

I read over the letter once more, ensuring I'm happy with the wording. I hope King Henry can help, but that is unlikely. What if he disregards what I say, or worse, makes me serve Jane? I try to push the thought out of my mind. Thinking like that will get me nowhere. I include the letters that Jane and Mary sent me, and I seal my letter with wax.

When morning comes, I ask one of the servants to send the letter to the King. I hope I'm making the right decision.