The Queen

Chapter Twenty-Two

Two months had passed. Katherine hadn't seen the King in quite some time. Ever since Parliament went into session she had seen little of him.

He had been keeping such late hours that he had even been sleeping in another room so that he wouldn't wake her. She told him she wouldn't mind, but according to Ms. Hannah and Maxwell, the King wasn't sleeping very much as it was. He seemed to only have enough time to catch a quick nap and freshen up before he was off again.

Needless to say, she was feeling quite lonely. She missed her husband. Perhaps what was most frustrating was that she couldn't go to him without him sending for her...and he hadn't sent for her at all.

She sighed as she sat down in the garden alone. She shook her head as she pondered over the news of Mark being in such gloomy spirits by the front gate. Ms. Hannah said he looked as though he were in the mourning. She had sent him gifts but they were sent back. It was quite unlike her cousin to not accept her gifts.

She placed her hands firmly in her lap atop one another and drew in a long, steady breath. Surely he would speak with her. She had sent Maxwell to bring Mark to the garden today. Perhaps it would prove to be an enlightening conversation.

A voice called from behind her and she smiled. Mark.

As she turned to him, he bowed, "My Queen."

Her heart broke as she saw for herself the grief laced face of her older cousin. She patted seat on the bench beside her, "Mark, please come sit with me. I've missed our talks."

He nodded and took a seat beside her, "As have I. Maxwell told me you wished to speak with me.."

Her brow furrowed, "Are you in need of something? You know you need only ask and I'll do whatever is in my power."

He squeezed her hand, "It's not that simple, Katie."

Distress filled his eyes, causing her concern, "What's wrong, Mark?"

He shook his head, "I should never have told you to keep your belief a secret. It's as much your identity as any part of you."

She nodded, "Yes, but I have always trusted you. I knew you had a reason for it."

He locked his eyes onto hers, "Then you must trust me now. You must go to the King and tell him you are a Christian."

She withdrew her hand from his, brow furrowed, "What? Do you even realize what you're asking me, Mark? He hasn't sent for me in a month. If I go to the King without being summoned I will be put to death."

He nodded, "But if you don't go, we all will die. You, Maxwell, me — as well as every other Christian in Gardonia."

She shook her head, "What are you talking about?"

He handed her a copy of the decree that had been published and posted around Gardonia. Her lungs stalled as she read over the document and her eyes fell on the royal signet at the bottom of the page. It was Alexander's. She had never seen him without that ring on his finger. There was no doubt in her mind it was his.

Crumpling the page, she gritted her teeth, "There must be some kind of a mistake. I can't believe Alexander would do something like this without cause."

Mark gently brushed her arm, "The Prime Minister convinced him that the Christian leaders put a price on the King's head and were the instigators of the assignation attempt and that they would make an attempt on yours. So he signed it."

Katherine's eyes grew dark, "You mean he's taking the lives of millions for just one life?"

"Yes, because it's not just one life — it's yours. And you are the most precious thing in the world to him."