The Court is preparing for Christmas and the arrival of Anna of Cleves, but I have other matters on my mind. If I wish to protect Katheryn, I must sign a contract with either The Devourer or the Protector. Which will be best? Who would help me become the best version of myself?

I flop down in my chair and groan. How am I supposed to decide on my own? Mummy looks up from the letter she's reading. "Everything all right?"
"That first contract happens in 1539. How am I supposed to decide who I want as my helper?"
Mummy puts the parchment down. "It's not fair that you have to go through this."
"That won't do anything to help." I need practical solutions. How am I supposed to face this decision on my own?

"You still have some time to figure it out." Mummy walks over and places a hand on my shoulder. "And it is up to you. I'm sure the Devourer and the Protector will understand if you choose the other."
"I somehow don't think the Protector is the sort of person to accept me choosing a different person."
Mummy sighs and shakes her head. "If you want my opinion, you can ask for it."

I give her a small smile. "What do you think I should do?"
"The Protector is a very friendly person. I think you'll get along great with her."
I cross my arms. "Then why do I sense a 'but' coming?"
Mummy laughs. "But the Devourer did help save Jane's soul."
"That shouldn't mean I'm indebted to her."
"No, of course not." Mummy pulls me into a hug, and I hug her back and let myself breathe in her scent. Thank goodness she's still here! "It's your choice." Mummy releases me. I reluctantly let go. Why couldn't we stay like that for a little longer? "Whatever happens, I will respect your decision."

I guess it's time for me to sign my first contract. There is no way I can delay it any further. First, I want to contact the Devourer and the Protector. I must know what to expect from both helpers before deciding who to work with for the next few years. I sit at my desk by the window and tap my quill against the desk. What will work best? What explanation will bring them here?

"The truth is a great place to start," Mummy says when she sees me still sitting at the desk hours later. The sun's setting and casting a warm glow into the room. I open the ink pot and begin writing my letter to the Protector. She's in Wales, so it'll take longer for the letter to reach her. I keep writing until I feel like I have adequately explained the situation. Then, I turn to the Devourer's letter. When both letters are finished, I seal them. I hope they will come soon.

I go about my usual duties with the Privy Council and prepare for Anna's arrival when both the Protector and the Devourer arrive. "You wanted to see us?" The Devourer asks, putting her hands in her pockets.
"Yes. I want to make a contract with one of you, but I want to know exactly what I'm getting into."
The Devourer blinks. "You should already know what you are getting into. You had three years to figure that out."
"It has been a hectic three years."

"Do not blame Emma," The Protector says, her voice softer than I remember. "She has been busy. Her duties on the Privy Council alone are enough to make one's head spin." At least someone understands. But how long will that understanding last? Had the Protector acted sweet when we first met so I would pick her? How am I supposed to trust either of them?

I close my eyes. How on Earth is anyone expecting me to decide? It is only days until Anna arrives on English shores, and I must be ready. And that means choosing a helper. This decision will affect my life for hundreds of years.

I open my eyes again and see Mummy looking over at us. Her brow furrows, and she mouths, "are you all right?". I nod and sigh. Everything is counting on this moment. I will save Katheryn from Culpeper. She will never know what sort of monster he will become. "Do either of you have experience with protecting loved ones from harm?"
"Are you referring to when I saved Jane?" The Devourer asks, crossing her arms. "Because you were there when I saved her soul!"
"I was not talking about saving someone's soul. What I mean is, do you have experience protecting people from physical harm?"

The Devourer looks at the ground and shakes her head. For all her bluster, she is more bark than bite. Would she do anything if I need to protect Katheryn? There might be plenty of times I must protect others. If she sits around and does nothing, I cannot choose her.

I look at the Protector. "Many people rely on me to keep them safe," she says, her green eyes flashing. "I will do whatever it takes."
"Even if it means stealing someone's soul?"
"Yes." She doesn't hesitate. Could she be the sort of person I want to bind myself to?

I cannot keep questioning this decision! I will keep going around in circles. The best thing I can do is decide and stick to it. The Protector is my best option if the Devourer will stand by and let someone get hurt.

I look at them. "Can you both draw up examples of contracts? I want to know the sort of thing I will be signing before I decide."
"Of course." The Protector beams. "I will get onto it when I have a quill and parchment."
The Devourer frowns. "The only contract I will write up is an official one. Who knows what will happen to one that is not." She crosses her arms.
"What is your problem?" I step closer to the Devourer. "You have been nothing but negative since you got here."
The Devourer steps closer. "And I thought you were going to be different."
Different? What does she mean by that? "What?"
"You have spent your life trying to get through history and protecting your friends." She grins at me. Why is she doing this? I know my friends are gone. Tears prick my eyes. I try to blink them away, but my vision blurs. "Where are they now?" She throws her arms around. "Oh, yes, they are dead and buried!"
"Get out."

The Devourer's smile falls. "What?"
"I will not make a contract with you. Now leave."

The Devourer glares at me. "You dare order me around?"
"I will not share my body with you."
"You do not have a choice." The Devourer shoves me.

"Emma!" Mummy runs over. The Devourer grabs her and pulls Mummy towards her. The Devourer pulls out her sword and holds it to Mummy's neck.
"Stop it!" The Protector yells. "Fighting will not solve anything."
Tears spill down Mummy's cheek as the blade cuts into her skin. "Either sign a contract, or she dies. And I can kill her permanently. Your little immortality trick will not work this time."

My breath catches in my throat. I cannot let the Devourer take Mummy from me! But what can I do? The Protector catches my eye. I glance at her, and she shakes her head. What else can I do? If I sign a contract with the Devourer, Mummy's safe. I look back at the Devourer. "If I sign a contract with you, you cannot threaten Mummy again."
The Devourer grins at me. "You will sign whatever I write. Your mother's life is in my hands, and it always will be."
The Protector starts to slowly circle the Devourer, keeping her movements small and almost unnoticeable.
"And you think that threatening someone I love is a good way to get what you want?"
"You are a bleeding heart, Smith-White." The Devourer slowly lowers her dagger. "I cannot imagine why anyone would think you would be suitable as the King's wife, let alone the King himself. And how did you survive at Court for decades?"
"I try to figure that out myself." My gaze flicks to the Protector, who is standing directly behind the Devourer. What's she going to do? "But I had the help of my friends and mother back then. If you kill Mummy now, do you really think you will achieve your goals?"
The Devourer grows pale. "You will sign a contract with—" Her arm that holds the sword is pulled back. The Devourer yells and lets Mummy go. Mummy stumbles forward. I grab her and push her behind me. The Protector lets the Devourer go and punches her. The Devourer stumbles back as blood flows from her nose. "You will regret this!"
The Protector grins. "I won't." She knees the Devourer in the stomach. The Devourer doubles over and wraps her arms around her middle, wheezing for breath. "Get out."
The Protector turns and walks towards us. The Devourer straightens up and runs towards her. "Watch out!" I yell.
"Get Sarah Jane inside!" The Protector whirls around and grabs the Devourer's outstretched arms. The two of them struggle against each other. The Protector steps forward.
"Come on." Mummy pulls on my sleeve, and we flee inside.

"What is going on out there?" Cranmer peeks out the window.
"Two of the people that want to sign a contract with me are fighting."
"Why on earth would they want to sign a contract with you, Mistress Smith-White?"
I rub the back of my neck and look at the ground. I don't want to use that name anymore. Mum had abandoned us without a word. Why would I want to be associated with someone like that?
Cranmer deserves an answer, so I explain the situation as best as possible. He nods, but a confused expression crosses his face. "It sounds like a complicated situation to be in."
"It is," I agree, "but there is no way I will sign a contract with the Devourer now. Not after she tried to threaten Mummy."

We watch as the Protector pushes the Devourer back. She's gaining ground fast. The Devourer raises her sword and slashes it in the Protector's direction. She jumps back. "Someone must help her!" Mummy cries. "The Protector won't last long!"

We hear a roar and look towards the other end of the courtyard. "My word!" Cranmer yells. "Did that beast escape from the Tower?"
"I don't think so."
Standing in the courtyard entrance is a majestic lion. His eyes focus directly on the fight before him. The Protector and the Devourer stop fighting and look at him.
"What's going on?" Mummy asks.
"I don't know," I say. How on earth did that lion get there? Surely it should be running rampant around London rather than being here at Greenwich! What is it doing here?
"I am disappointed in you both," the lion says.
"It's speaking!" Cranmer cries. "Is the lion bringing the end of the world?"
I quickly grab Cranmer before he can run. "We don't know that, and causing a panic won't help." We turn back to the scene outside.
"Devourer, you should have known better than to threaten someone close to Emma."
"Emma started it! She refused—"
"I know exactly what happened, and she was well within her right to refuse to sign a contract with you. You are to end this useless battle immediately and to leave Court." He looks at the Protector. "Protector, you have done well to defend Sarah Jane. Should you still wish to do so, you may sign a contract with Emma."
The Devourer screams and runs towards the lion. The lion roars and bites down on one of the Devourer's outstretched arms. The Devourer's screams turn from anger to pain as we turn and run away.

We only stop when we reach the Queen's Privy Chamber. "I feel awful," Mummy says.
"Mummy, she threatened you!"
"But she didn't deserve to die."
"A talking lion," Cranmer breathes. "Whatever next?"

I look at Mummy. Why is she so concerned about the Devourer when the thing tried to kill her? "We cannot do anything for the Devourer. If the Protector is still alive, I will sign a contract with her before we go to Deal."

The Protector eventually walks in. "Ah, I hoped I would find you here." She smiles at us. "I hope you are not traumatised by the lion."
"You sound like you knew it was coming," Mummy says.
The Protector shakes her head. "The Devourer cannot enter the country again. He made sure of that."
Is she talking about the lion? How can we be sure that is what the lion did?
"So, are you ready to draw up our first contract?"

We sit at one of the tables, and Mummy fetches a quill, ink, and parchment. The Protector and I begin talking about different ideas and what we want from our arrangement. "I resurrected people before," I tell her, "and I plan to do it again."
"Which is a noble thing to do when you want to save others." The Protector smiles at me. "But what about saving more people you love?"
"What do you mean?"
The protector dips her quill in the inkpot. "I know you will live through the Titanic."
"How?" My voice hardens as I realise what she said. "How do you know about the Titanic?"
"I saw it in your timeline. You can save some of them. Henry. William. Your father." I stand up. "You can save many lives that night."
"I can't." I turn away from her and walk towards the window. Night is falling over England. I can only see vague shapes from the garden beyond. "The Titanic is a fixed point in time. If I change it, everything will be different. I might not be born."
"You do not know that."
"You can't know it either." I feel tears trickle down my cheeks and dry my eyes with my hand. Why does history have to be so cruel? I don't want this!
"You can write another contract nearer the time. You can use your abilities to save them."
I shake my head. It's too risky. "Let's stick to Tudor England."
"Very well."

I return to the table, and we finally create a contract we're happy with. The Protector will become part of me when we sign it. However, I still want to give her a lot of freedom. "Five days a week of freedom?" The Protector asks as she looks over the contract. "Emma, are you sure?"
"While you are going to be part of me, I still want you to be your own person." Tying another being to myself feels wrong. I don't want to take advantage of the Protector. "Is it not enough? I can extend it to six days if you like."
"No one allowed me even one day of freedom before."
My heart sinks. How can anyone restrict the rights of such a lovely, kind young woman? "I will give you as much time as you please," I say, "and if you think of anything else you want to add to the contract, now is the time to do so." I want this agreement to be beneficial for both of us.
The Protector hums and looks over the contract. "I like having five days off, but can I make a suggestion?" I nod, and she points to the part where I mention her time off. "You should add a clause here where I immediately return to you when you or a loved one is endangered. It will mean you can protect yourself and others."
"That's actually not a bad idea." I dip my quill in the ink and add the clause. "But how are we going to do that? There might be times when you are far from me."
The Protector nods. "I will think on it for a time. But if you include that in the contract now, I will ensure to investigate it immediately." I add it to the clause. The Protector looks up at me. "Is there anything else we should add?"
I shake my head. "But we will make another contract in ten years, right?"
"If you still want to work with me, then yes."
I sign my name at the bottom of the contract. The Protector takes the quill from me and signs her name with a flourish.

The Protector begins glowing. "Thank you, Emma," she says when the glow disappears. "I owe you much."
I smile and shake my head. I never thought that making a contract with the Protector would be easy, and this session was anything but. At least that's over for another decade.