Wolsey and Campeggio opened the Court at Blackfriars on the last day of May. They called the king and queen to appear eighteen days later. Two weeks prior to that Catherine lodged another formal protest with the Pope. But she did appear when summonsed. Again the crowds cheered her the moment she arrived. It gave her the strength she needed to continue.
The night before the Court convened the vampires returned to Greenwich Palace. Ilona found the queen lying on top of her bed unable to sleep. When she saw her friend she rose up excitedly. Tears of joy streamed down her face. She clutched both Ilona’s arms in an embrace. “Where have you been?” she asked.
“I have been with my husband. We have spent very little time together of late.”
“Then I am pleased for you.”
“How have you been?”
“In desperate need of your guidance. These last months have been so difficult.”
“You are stronger than you think, Catherine. I am sure you will be fine.”
“I worry. The Court opens again on the morrow.”
“Yes. That is why I am here.”
“Thank you,” she smiled. “You are such a good friend to me. I need you close. I am afraid.”
“Afraid? Why?”
“The vultures are circling around the corpse that is my marriage. I know they will attack me in any way they can.”
“Remain true to your principles,” Ilona urged. “You are still the Queen of England. They cannot so easily dismiss you.”
“I sometimes wonder if that is true any more. The King and his henchmen seem to be able to do as they please.”
“Did you write to the Pope?”
“Yes, I did. It has been two months.”
“Then relax. He will respond to you soon.”
At the same time Dracula went to Henry. He found him in bed with the wife of one of his lords. The man was asleep elsewhere in a drunken stupor. Henry had a strong guard outside his rooms. He did not want anyone to know of his liaison.
It was a warm night. Henry had the windows in his rooms left open. It was through one of these that Dracula made his way inside. The king would not normally tolerate any such an intrusion. However, when he saw Dracula there he withdrew from the woman at once.
“Leave me,” he told her.
She pulled the blankets up around her naked form. His order left her confused. Have I done something wrong? While she thought about it she did not move.
Henry pulled on a robe. He glared at the woman when he saw her still on the bed. “Did you not hear me?”
“Is something wrong, my Lord?”
“Get out I said! At once!”
The woman quickly climbed out of bed. She picked up her clothes and ran out of the room. Henry never gave her another thought. He turned to Dracula. “You are here at last. I did not think you were going to return.”
“I see the quality of your bed companions is improving all the time.”
“Improving?” he laughed. “I am not so sure about that. I have a better time with the wenches from the kitchens.”
“I imagine you would. They are more eager to please I am sure.”
“Well I have needs and my mistress continues to frustrate me.”
“Not for too much longer I should imagine.”
Henry grimaced. “This whole affair is dragging on forever. I have done what you told me to do and nothing has changed.”
“Do you not wonder why that is?”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, Highness. You have followed all the correct procedures. You have done everything right. Yet, as you say, nothing has changed. There has to be a reason for this. There is a reason for everything.”
“What are you trying to say?” Henry pursued him. He thought there was something underhanded going on that he was not aware of.
“Have you given thought to who is conducting your affairs in this matter?”
“You mean Wolsey?”
Dracula shrugged. It was exactly what he meant. “Who else?”
Henry shook his head. “No,” he argued, defending his most trusted aide. “Thomas is totally loyal to me.”
“Indeed he is,” Dracula nodded. “But he also has allegiance to Rome. Remember he has greater ambitions than you can know of.”
“What ambitions?”
“He wants to become Pope.”
Henry laughed. “What makes you think that?”
The smile on his face disappeared. He saw that Dracula meant it.
“Do you think he will dare do anything to jeopardise his standing with the other cardinals? By defying the Pope and pushing for your petition he is doing that.”
His words troubled the king. Henry paused and gave it due thought. “You think Thomas is stalling the whole process to curry favour with the Pope?”
“It is a thought. He might be. He might not. I cannot say for certain. But you must not rule it out.”
“I cannot see that Thomas would ever work against me,” Henry said, trying to convince himself more than his visitor.
“Yes, your Highness. You are most likely right. It is probably only speculation.”
“Speculation? You mean there are those that say such things?”
“There are always whispers in darkened corridors. I am your confidante. It is my role to advise you on what I see and hear using my vast experience in politics.”
Henry nodded. “Leave me. I need time to think. We will speak again soon.”
“Very well. Let us see what happens on the morrow.”
Ruxandra agonised over going to visit with Anne. She had not seen her in eight months. It felt like an eternity. Now that Anne was in the palace Ruxandra was not allowed any contact with her. But she could hear Anne’s thoughts. Her lover still pined for her. Even from a distance she could feel Anne’s pain.
She turned the handle on the door to Anne’s room. Her heart raced and her nerves tingled all over. Was it worth it? When she heard Anne sigh from inside it made her mind up for her.
Anne lay in her bed, but was not asleep. She was too nervous about the coming trial. Her heart was heavy too. She missed her lover so much.
Ruxandra stole inside. She used great stealth so as not to alarm her. Anne did not hear her undress or slide in behind her. A knee touched against the back of her thigh. She gasped with fright. The King has stolen into her bed?
It did not take long for her to realise her visitor was a woman. She turned excitedly to see her lover lying beside her. A gasp escaped her lips. Just the image of Ruxandra was enough to melt her. “Oh, you are here.”
Ruxandra wrapped her arms around Anne and pulled her closer. Anne closed her eyes. “Oh, I have missed you so much.”
Their lips met. They kissed and touched for quite a time before either of them spoke again.
“I missed you too.”
“Why are you here?” Anne asked as Ruxandra stroked her hair. “I mean, I am so happy. But I never expected to see you again.”
Ruxandra ignored the question. She kissed Anne again hard on the mouth. Anne gasped a second time, as she felt her lover’s hand work its way down her body. She opened her legs to allow Ruxandra to run the tips of her fingers over her sex.
“You needed to see me,” came the answer. “So I am here.”
Anne ground herself against Ruxandra’s hand. “I always need to see you. Make love to me.”
Ruxandra slid two fingers inside her. Anne groaned hard. Ruxandra smiled and withdrew them before sliding them in again. Anne’s juices coated her fingers and part of her hand. She loved the sounds she induced from her lover.
Anne helped her to remove her nightgown. Ruxandra threw it onto the floor and knelt between Anne’s legs. She continued to work her with her fingers while running her tongue along her navel.
Anne’s breathing grew louder and faster. When she felt Ruxandra’s thumb against her clitoris she trembled all over. Ruxandra moved her lips up Anne’s body. When she saw Anne’s nipples harden she took one of them in her
mouth. She sucked on it gently while increasing the speed of her hand thrusts.
It did not take Anne long to reach orgasm. She grabbed at the iron rails above her head and squeezed her thighs together. Ruxandra kissed her to drown out her cries. Finally they relaxed together in each other’s arms.
“Why tonight?” Anne asked her.
“What?”
“Why did you come here tonight over all other nights?”
“The morrow sees the beginning of the trial.”
“Yes I know. Why do you think I cannot sleep?”
“I know, my sweet baby. It is why I am here. I knew you needed me tonight more than ever.”
“I would be happiest if you could take me a thousand miles from here. Then I would need worry about nothing again.”
“I know, my love. I want to do that more than anything.”
“Then do it. Please.”
Ruxandra had to turn her head to avoid Anne’s eyes.
“But you will not,” Anne sighed.
“I cannot. Your destiny is here.”
“My destiny? Or the one chosen for me?”
“This is where you belong. Not every woman has the chance to become queen.”
“Queen? It seems as though that will never happen.”
“Oh it will happen, Anne. Have faith.”
“This whole affair is dragging on and on.”
“I know. I wish I could offer a solution.”
“It gets harder each day to keep the King at bay. I fear that soon he will decide to have his way with me. Then that will be it. He will dispense with me.”
“No, no, no!” Ruxandra said, raising her voice. She propped herself up on her left elbow. “That will never happen. The King is infatuated with you.”
“You say that as though it is a good thing.”
“Is it not then?”
Anne sighed. “Oh, I do not know. Perhaps it is.”
“It is the path destined for you. It is up to you what happens after that.”
“How is it? I have no control over my life.”
“This trial will give you many opportunities.”
“I cannot think of any.”
“It gives you a chance to take a firm hold on your future. And a chance to remove those you hate from power. You can seize the firmest possible grip on the King’s favour.”
“But how?”
“There is no way the Pope will grant the King a divorce. That I can promise you. It will not happen. The Emperor will not allow it.”
“You know this for sure?”
“Yes. I am sure of it. You can then lay the blame for it with Wolsey.”
Anne’s eyes lit up at once. Already Ruxandra could see a scheme running through her mind. She smiled and affirmed her thoughts. “You will be able to accuse him of all sorts of treachery. Then you can mention what you know about Wolsey and his concerns away from the King.”
“I have waited a long time for such an occasion.”
“Yes and this will be your moment.”
“I cannot wait.”
“But exercise care. Wait for the petition to fail. When it does the King will be receptive to any slander against the name of Wolsey. Then and only then will you be able to deal him a decisive blow.”
“Very well. I shall wait. I have waited a long time.”
“I know,” Ruxandra agreed. “But not for too much longer.”
She stroked Anne’s hair still. Anne turned into her and draped a leg over hers. “I love you,” she whispered.
“I love you too.”
“So, what about the now? What about tonight?”
“Am I not here?”
“Yes,” she smiled. “That you are.”
“For tonight I am here and I am yours.”
England. The Legatine Court at Blackfriars in London.
June 18, 1529.
Catherine arrived in her carriage. Many hundreds waited outside. The moment she emerged they cheered her. She stopped and waved to all sides. You may not love me any more, Henry she thought but they do.
The guards ushered her inside. Just as before she saw Anne Boleyn hiding in the shadows. She stepped up closer. The guards stood off when they realised she was not yet ready to go in. Only then did she notice Anne talking to her husband.
When Henry saw her there he turned away. He left Anne and walked up the corridor. Using another entrance he took his place inside the Court. Anne felt more anxious than ever after what Ruxandra had said to her on her last visit. She was keen now to witness the trial. When the king turned away she called after him. She did not see the queen step up behind her.
Her heart sank when she saw her there. She tried to move away. The queen stepped across her to block her path. Anne kept her head down. She did not want to make eye contact.
Catherine gritted her teeth. Her heart was bitter. She felt all her anger rise to the surface. Here before her stood the cause of her fall from grace. “What did I ever do?” she spat, pointing an accusing finger. “That a maid of mine would steal my husband. And then turn him against me.”
Anne still refused to look at her. Catherine seized a hold of her arm. She yanked it to force Anne into an answer.
“I did not steal him from you. He pursued me,” she spat back.
“Even so, here you are. So why do you hurt me?”
“I have done nothing. It is you who failed to give the King an heir!”
The remark stung the queen. The girl’s arrogance defied belief. She tried to control her anger. With so many people about she wanted to maintain her dignity. “And this has offended you?”
“The King loves me,” Anne reminded her, trying to drive the nail home. “What might ail him, ails me also. It is only right that I feel in such a way.”
Catherine trembled a little. She fought to hold back the tears. Nothing could be worse than to let this woman see her pain. “Then enjoy it while it lasts,” she rasped. “There was a time when he loved me with an even greater passion. You will lose favour soon enough.”
“I hardly think so,” Anne retorted. She was shaking now too.
Catherine neared Anne’s face with hers. She drew on all her strength to deliver one last scathing message. It was the moment she had waited for, for so long. “Then you will be tossed aside too. Pray you can give him a son. If not then I would not like to be in your shoes.” She ran a finger across her throat to stress her point. The thought of that made Anne tremble even more.
The two women glared at each other for a few moments. The queen then turned on her heel. Anne stood there, struggling for breath. The last comment had struck a chord. For now the king was infatuated with her. But what if that changed? What if she could not provide him an heir either? Would they cut off her head as the Queen had implied?
Catherine entered the Court. Those who looked on her could see she was visibly upset. Still, she held her head high as the nobles rose to greet her. Henry fixed his eyes firmly on his wife. He wondered what she had said to Anne. From the look of it, it was nothing good. She walked straight towards him. Their eyes locked into a steely gaze. Any love that had still existed between them seemed well lost now.
He sat above the steps at the far end of the room. His throne dominated the Court. Even though he was not likely to say much, his mere presence was enough to upstage everyone else. Just as before, Wolsey stood on his right. Campeggio took up a spot to the left.
It made her feel uneasy when she saw them all looking at her. Indeed all eyes in the room focused on her now. She knelt at the bottom of the steps. Her eyes remained on Henry. He offered a gentle nod of his head.
“Why must I endure this?” she asked him. “What did I ever do for you to hurt me this way?”
Henry shifted in his seat. He had not expected this from her. Right away, all eyes turned on him. He kept his fixed on his wife. It pained him to see her hurting, but there was no other way. He had to have a divorce.
“I have been a loving wife,” she continued. Tears streamed dow
n her face at his lack of emotion. “For more than twenty years I have devoted myself to you. Anyone that you loved, I also gave them my love. I looked for nothing in return. Only that you loved me as your wife.”
He did not speak. All that she said was true. He nodded to show he did not deny it, but it was becoming a very awkward spectacle for him. All eyes were upon him. What must they all be thinking? For the first time he wished Wolsey would say something. At least it would draw some of the attention away from him. He gripped the arms of the throne hard with both hands. There was no escaping her.
“You know me well, husband. You are the only man that does.”
“Majesty,” Wolsey cut in. “Why must you embarrass yourself in this way?”
She shot him a fiery glance. Even though Henry had wanted him to intervene, it had incensed him too. He stood up and pointed a finger at him. “Be silent!” he warned. “Do not dare speak out of turn to the Queen again!”
A lump built in Wolsey’s throat. The king’s outburst took him aback and his face turned a deep red. With the king beaming at him he sat down and said nothing more. When he did so Henry sat down again also.
It warmed her a touch that Henry had taken her part. But Wolsey was right. She was making a fool of herself. Even so, she did not care. As it was she had very little dignity left in light of this whole sordid affair.
She turned to Henry again. “So, my Lord, why will you not spare me this? You know well I was a maid when you first took me as your own.”
Again Henry did not respond to her. He did not know how to or what he could say. Catherine was winning over the sympathy of those watching in the gallery. Their silence said as much. He knew she wanted him to admit it in front of them all. That was the purpose of her exercise. But he would not.
“So you intend to press on with this charade?”
“Yes, my Lady,” he said finally. “I do.”
“Very well then,” she said, rising to her feet. She turned to the gallery and stood with her back to Wolsey and Campeggio. “I wish to state that I do not recognise the authority of this Court.”
Whispers broke out from the gallery at once.
“I refer my case to the only court I recognise!” she cried. “That of Rome. I have already petitioned his Holiness, the Pope. I expect to hear back from him any day.”
The Dracula Chronicles: Bound By Blood - Volume 2 Page 23
