𝐓𝐎 𝐁𝐄 𝐀𝐋𝐎𝐍𝐄.
chapter forty-four; The Eyes Of A Mad King
" He sees you as a threat because you are a threat. "

  FINDING MARY WAS rather easy. The woman had run towards Sebastian the moment she saw him, stumbling over her words in urgency, explaining she'd been looking for him; her speech faltered when she spotted Elspeth framed by two guards.

  But Elspeth had been smart. Because as much as it pained her and lit up an anger in her stomach; Elspeth knew Mary had unresolved feelings for the king's bastard.

  And this was exactly how the truth came out. One reassuring expression from Sebastian, a few words in a gentle tone, and his genuine concern pulled every detail of the story out of Mary.

  "You hired a mercenary to kidnap Catherine?"

  Elspeth stood with a stony expression as Mary spoke with Sebastian, the former looking rather frazzled as she recounted the story.

  "I didn't mean for it to go that far. But yes," Mary said, "Now, to get out of it, I have to pin the crime on someone else."

  "What did you expect the man to do?" Elspeth questioned.

  "Steal the hidden stash of money," Mary supplied weakly.

  "And he would. . . what? Politely ask Catherine where she stored it?" Elspeth almost scoffed, "That is not the work mercenaries do, Mary. They're swords for hire. Any means necessary is the code they live by."

  Mary chewed the inside of her cheek.

  "And now, pinning the crime on someone else. . ?" Elspeth said, shaking her head.

  "You'd really do that?" Sebastian said, looking at Mary, "You'd send an innocent to their death?"

  "I don't know what I'm capable of anymore, to be frank," Mary argued, "But there is one possibility. For months I've been trying to figure out which of Catherine's men participated in the massacre of my countrymen at the brothel. Some time ago, I paid a servant to track down one of the prostitutes who escaped to find some descriptions of the men involved. According to the prostitute, one of the men had a scar on his left cheek from brow to chin."

  "Lots of men have scars."

  "He also badly burned his hands after the massacre."

  "This isn't justice," Sebastian said, "It's solving your problems with the blood of another. I know how this goes. . ."

  The man faltered for a moment.

  "That's why you were looking for me," He realized softly.

  Elspeth was reeling. She had little clue of how Mary knew what had conspired in the woods that night so long ago; and was attempting to settle the rise of jealousy when she assumed Sebastian had told her of it.

  "You killed someone in the woods when the pagans forced you to choose a sacrifice."

  "I did it for love. And for myself. I murdered a man who was about to kill another, and to this day I wonder. Did he have a family? Did he die for his own beliefs? Or was he simply acting on the orders of those above him? Was he really as guilty as I thought at the time?"

  "What's the answer?"

  "The answer is, you have to be sure. Because if there's any doubt in your mind, your conscious won't ever let you rest again."

  Sebastian's eyes found Elspeth's, and there were a thousand things unsaid. 

  "If Catherine is not safely home by midday tomorrow the entire castle will know of what you've done."

  Mary's eyes widened before they narrowed.

  "With what proof?"

  "The say of a noblewoman and her loyal guards," Elspeth said evenly, "Description of the man you hired, perhaps even a name. . . Priveaux, was it?"

  Mary's face paled all at once.

  "Elspeth. . ."

  "Loyalty is a river that flows both ways. The tide between Catherine and I is strong, while the one between us has weakened to nothing but a drip," Elspeth spoke, steeling her voice, "It saddens me, Mary. But I would be a fool to ignore it."

  Elspeth looked to Sebastian, her blank expression giving nothing away. But the man nodded, offered an arm, and let her lead them away from Mary.

  They were silent until out of earshot, Elspeth's posture relaxed instantly.

  "I had no idea things had become so dire between the two of you."

  "Her feelings toward you did not give it away?" Elspeth quipped.

  "Perhaps slightly," Sebastian joked, before his tone softened, "I'm sorry." 

  "For what?"

  "That your bond with her has broken."

  "I stood by her when no one else would," Elspeth said softly, "I loved her like a friend and a queen. . . but she's changing. And so am I. . . and I am trying to believe there is a greater plan than even I can see. That there are reasons behind every loss. . . Perhaps losing Mary meant gaining Catherine. Perhaps losing you meant gaining Demetre."

  Sebastian rested a hand atop her, squeezing it lightly.

  "You have not lost me, Elspeth Liens."

  And she smiled. Genuine and soft. Because how beautiful it was, to know that he was still there.

  "We never spoke about it. . . that night in the Blood Wood."

  His expression faltered for a moment, his hand falling away from her.

  "My mother told you what I was doing."

  "She did," Elspeth said softly, "She is a smart woman."

  He let out a short and harsh laugh, before sobering.

  "I want you to know the choices I made were my own. You should never carry the weight of them," He breathed out, "I had to keep you safe. I wish I had been able to do that more than once. . . but I will never regret protecting the woman I love."

  Elspeth only stared at him. This version of Sebastian, the love-sick protector, had been tucked away for some time. Perhaps it was because his foes had changed over time, from Pagans in the woods to his own father. Perhaps it was because he had been worn down in the same way she had, only by different factors.

  She was glad he had returned. Even if it was brief. Even if he was no longer love-sick protecting her. This was the man she had fallen in love with. Happy and wild and strong, and seeing that man return made her heart hum a song of happiness only few could pull out.

  "I have my own mission to accomplish tonight," Sebastian said abruptly, "Would you like to tag along?"

  "Hm. . . I suppose it depends on the mission."

  "Kenna is skeptical of Lola's husband, Julien. She's asked me to do some. . . research."

  "Oh, Sebastian, I adore snooping."

  "I thought you might."

  And they laughed, like real friends would, taking off deeper into the castle to dig up anything unusual or peculiar they could about Julien.

↬

  Julien had presumably planned to leave Lola. Elspeth felt for her friend but refused to intervene. Sebastian carried the news to Kenna, who would inform Lola, and the woman herself would choose how to move forward.

  Elspeth spent the night in Demetre's chambers. She felt foolish and perhaps even strange, sleeping in the man's bed without his knowledge, but this did little to deter her.

  Catherine returned the next day. Elspeth waited before meeting her, knowing well enough that she'd be on a rampage at first.

  Luckily, her timing was perfect, as by the time Elspeth made her way to Catherine's chambers, the woman was lounging eating grapes.

  She hugged Elspeth instantly, inviting the girl in. They lounged and doted, and Catherine revealed her cousin Hortensa had been the one behind it all.

  Elspeth said nothing. Guilt gnawed at her stomach, but she chose to stick to her word. The queen had returned in her timeline, so she would keep Mary's secret.

  But Elspeth vowed this would be the last favor she would do for Mary Stuart.

  So she remained there with Catherine, as the queen grew more and more at ease. They ate and spoke and stayed up until the fire they warmed themselves by began to die down.

  "I see your. . . sponsor has left you with a couple of gifts."

  Elspeth craned her neck, smiling softly at Hugo and Alex who stood inside the door.

  "It's quite strange," She admitted, turning back to Catherine, "He's left me in charge of the House. I suppose it makes sense, as I'm the only member residing at court. . ."

  Catherine only smiled knowingly.

  "What will you do in his absence?" Catherine asked.

  "I suppose I don't have a real idea of that," Elspeth admitted, laughing lightly, "Painting. Caring for the House. . . Perhaps I'll go out hunting."

  "Hunting?"

  "I learned a thing or two while I was out for those two months," Elspeth admitted, "I don't think I'd mind as much if I had real supplies this time."

  "I can't say I support the idea, but I have a feeling this will do little to deter you."

  Elspeth grinned.

  "Visit me weekly, I'd like to keep a closer eye knowing Demetre is outside of the castle."

  "Of course," Elspeth said softly, "He told me why he went, you know."

  Catherine raised a brow.

  "I didn't know Henry still wished me harm."

  "His mind is gone," Catherine said after a moment, "He sees threats everywhere. I know you would never do anything to roughen already choppy waters. You have no interest in seeing France fall. . . Even with Demetre, Francis, and Sebastian knowing of Henry's intentions to harm you. Even with your brother knowing."

  Elspeth rolled her lips into her mouth. She had let it slip to Douglas but hadn't known that Catherine heard this small detail.

  "You're a smart girl, Elspeth. Your family is smart as well," Catherine said, her tone softening, "I've corresponded with your mother, following your return to the castle. She knows you are being well cared for and guarded. She also knows that spreading any information or your abrupt leaving of France would worsen Henry's mind. . . He sees you as a threat because you are a threat. I would be a fool to pretend otherwise. You are strong, Elspeth. Because you have a mind of your own and have no fear using your voice. . . You have made one powerful enemy, by existing in the wrong place and falling in love with the wrong man at the wrong time. You've assured your spot by defying him the night he wed Kenna to Bash."

  Elspeth twisted her fingers, unsure of what to say. 

  "But you have made many powerful friends, dear one. I do not blame you for telling your brother, nor would I ever ask you to hide it from your family. . . All I ask is that none other hear of it until the situation with Henry is handled one way or another. And for you to trust that until then, Demetre and I will keep you safe."

  Catherine wrapped her hand around Elspeth's, squeezing it lightly. And Elspeth wasn't sure what to say, so she only nodded.

  If there was anyone she knew to trust, anyone at all, it was Catherine De Medici and Demetre Langlois.

  "You've written my mother?"

  "I have."

  ". . . Is she angry?"

  "Your mother loves you. More than most people have the privilege of, dear. That is what I have come to understand. . . She is not angry. She is worried, but less so when I told her you have gained another family here."

  Elspeth felt her heart swell. So often she looked at Catherine and was reminded of her mother; strong and fierce, loving and loyal. 

  "Thank you."

  "You do not need--"

  "I do. Thank you. I am grateful every day for our relationship. No matter the way it began, you are my family, Catherine. And I am grateful for that."

  And the queen didn't have much to say to that. She had been a ruthless mother for a very long time, but Elspeth's detachment from the arguments of crowns and politics allowed a softer side of Catherine to appear. The nature of their relationship allowed Catherine De Medici to be soft and kind and thoughtful; and very rarely had anyone seen that, let alone thanked her for it.

  Not what she could do for Elspeth. Not who she could hurt or protect. Not the money or men she could provide.

  The simple chats. The braiding of Elspeth's hair. The praise of her artwork. Book recommendations. Strolls around the castle. 

  So all Catherine did was wrap her arms around Elspeth and hold her securely. And Elspeth held her back. 

( AUTHOR'S NOTE. )
Elspeth and Catherine
remain my favorite dynamic.
It was honestly unplanned
for them to form like a 
mother/daughter relationship
but I couldn't be happier 
about it <3