The rest of the year passes slowly, and King Henry celebrates the beginning of the new year with a massive party. Catalina and I dance together, and the King has his pick of the other women in attendance. Evergreen branches hang from the candleholders and tables, making the entire place feel Christmassy. "Let's hope this new year will bring happiness," Catalina says, "and I hope Anne will come to her senses and return."
"I'm sure she will," I say, "especially as she is the only one still in on the plan."

George walks over. "Do you mind if I...?" He asks Catalina, gesturing to me. Catalina moves away, and George dances with me. He is an excellent dancer, and I easily keep up with him. "I never realised you were a great dancer."
"What can I say? I'm a woman of many talents."
George laughs. "Indeed you are."

When the song ends, I go to find Mummy. Unlike the rest of us, she's not dancing. She remains in a dark corner with a goblet of mead. "Are you okay?" I ask.
Mummy nods and takes a sip of her drink. "Sometimes I wish I never travelled to this time."
I place a hand on her shoulder. "Everything is so different."
"I don't know how I will cope without Ruby."
I pull her into a hug. "It will be difficult, but we'll get there, I promise."

Mary walks over and smiles. "Mistress Smith-White, may I please have this dance?"
"I would, my lady, but I am too tired." I take care to use her new title. I smile as I finish speaking. "But I'm sure Mummy would love to dance."
"Oh, I don't know this one," Mummy says.
"I can teach you," Mary offers and pulls her onto the dance floor. I smile as I watch the two of them dance, and Mummy starts smiling again.

Jane walks over. "What do you think Queen Anne is doing?"
"No clue." I sigh and look at her. "Part of me feels bad for abandoning you all, but this is better than what could've been if we failed."
"We did fail."
I close my eyes and shake my head. "At least the King pardoned us. He won't be forgiving if we try it again."

Soon after the New Year, King Henry calls the Privy Council together and asks Mummy to join us. "I have received news that Ruby White has fled the kingdom," King Henry says. "She can be someone else's problem now."
The men in the Privy Council nod. "I know she was your mother, Mistress Smith-White," Cranmer says, "but she was becoming too..."
"Unpredictable?" I ask.
Cranmer nods. "I am afraid so."
"I don't blame you for thinking that."

Mummy shifts in her seat. "Why am I here, Your Majesty?" She turns to King Henry. "If Ruby has left, I cannot be of use here."
King Henry shakes his head. "That is not true. You have raised a human-Qetesh hybrid. We are getting reports that there are thousands abandoned every year, and we want to change that."
"But how... how can I help?"
"These hybrids will need a mother figure, someone who can guide them. You proved to be a great mother to Emma. You have the chance to help so many more."

Mummy smiles, then looks at me. "But I cannot leave, Your Majesty, Emma—"
"Is a grown-up woman and can make decisions for herself. "You are to go to Hybrid Palace and set up there."
"But Hybrid Palace—"
"Is no longer your home. You and Emma will only require Labyrinth Castle."

Mummy sighs. "Very well, I will set off next week."
"Tomorrow, and not a day later."

Tomorrow? Mummy's leaving tomorrow?

After the council meeting, I pull Mummy into a massive hug. "Please, don't leave me here," I beg. "I cannot do this without you."
"I don't want to go either, but who am I to defy the King? He will be angry if we try it again."
I let her go. "But I need you here. Please, Mummy."
"I'm sorry."

The hours pass quickly, and Mummy leaves at dawn. I help her dress and hug her goodbye. "I'll miss you," I say.
"I'll miss you too." Mummy climbs on her horse and gently shakes the reins. She doesn't look back as she rides away.

I don't know how long I stand there, but Catalina walks out to join me. "I'm sorry, Emma. I tried to talk the King out of it, but—"
"Thanks anyway."
"I also talked to the King about a few other things. You seem stressed."
I turn to her. "I don't know what you're talking about."
"Really?"

I sigh. "I kind of wish we went against history."
"We still have that option. We are in the prime position to target him."
"I never thought of it that way before." I grin at Catalina. "Let's do this."

We gather those who are part of our group. "I still do not agree with our decision," Cromwell says, "but I wanted to preserve my life."
"I understand," I say. "But we're closer to the king now. We have a chance, and we must do it this year." I will not tell them about Katheryn Howard yet, but we must rescue her. I don't want her to be assaulted, not when there's something I can do about it.
"Okay," Maria says. "What's the plan?"
"I can steal his soul. He'd never know."

During the next council meeting, I look at everyone in our group. We know what we are risking, but it's worth it. None of us wants to be executed. Cromwell is fiddling with one of the chains around his neck while Boleyn meets my eyes and nods. I turn to King Henry. "Your Majesty," I say, standing up.
"Oh, what is it, Mistress Smith-White?" King Henry asks. "We have important issues to discuss."
"I know, but this will not take long."

I begin focusing on his soul.

It's dark, almost black, and seeps of poison and decay.

No, no, I'm not doing it. I'm not risking my life and sanity to kill him.

After the council meeting, King Henry pulls me aside. "You tried to kill me again?"
"Excuse me, Your Majesty?"
"You had that look in your eyes. I recognised it from last time." He gestures for me to follow him, and I follow him to his presence chamber. Only a few other guards are there. "Are you and the others still involved in this plot, Mistress Smith-White? Have you deceived me?"
"No, Your Majesty, but some of us fear that we will be executed within the year."
"I pardoned you all, so you have nothing to fear."
"That may be true, but some of the others will be executed for other crimes. Thomas More, for instance, gets executed this year for—"
"I don't want to hear it!" King Henry bellows and jumps from his throne. He places a hand over my throat. "If I am to execute my friends, I don't want to hear of it before! Is that understood?"
I nod. "Yes, Your Majesty."

He lets me go. "I do not wish to be harsh on you, Mistress Smith-White, but time is cruel. Should anything happen to your friends, or God forbid, your mother, you would need to stand independently."
"Nothing will happen to my mother, she's immortal like I am."
"But your friends will grow old and die or abandon you as Queen Anne has done." He picks up a goblet and gestures for me to take one. I walk over to the table and pick up a goblet. "I know I am more than harsh, but only because I want to see you flourish as a young woman, independent of any man."
"That is a funny thing to say in a world where women and men are not equal."
He smirks. "I know." He starts laughing. "But I will make hybrids equal to humans, you can count me on that."
"Can I?"
"Indeed. I will make it legal within the year."