Chapter Thirty-Five

The residence at Fontainebleau came into view when we were still a good distance away. It was a magnificent splendor. I sat up and strained to see more of the beautiful palace. Luscious green grass, tall trees, and the most amazing flowers surrounded the front entrance.

"Wow. I can see why this is Francis's favorite home," I gushed. "I forgot how beautiful the countryside is."

"Yes, it is impressive," Cassius said, sitting back in his seat.

As we got closer a rush of people seemed to appear from nowhere. Butlers, guards, and maids lied the drive-in front of the king's home.

"Welcome, King Cassius. It is our pleasure to have you with us." A tall, handsome man bowed low after opening the door for us. "Ah, Lady Joselyn, the country seems a bit happier and the sun shines brighter now that you're back."

I hugged the man and smiled broadly. "It is good to be back, Richard. Is the queen here as well?"

"Oui. She awaits all of you in the great hall with the king."

He stood and motioned for us to follow. The hall leading to where the king and queen received visitors was lined with shining armor, large paintings of French kings and queens of the past, and beautiful tapestries.

"Your majesties, I present to you King Cassius of England."

Cassius breezed through the door in magnificent grandeur. The feather in his gold cap bounced with each step he took. Francis stood and extended his arms to Cassius. Embracing each other, the kissed lightly on each cheek.

"Welcome, mon frère!"

"Thank you for the kind welcome and use of your beautiful carriage."

"I trust you had no problems on your travels?"

"A slight bump in the road but nothing we could not manage."

"Presenting the Ladies Joselyn and Angeline!" the herald announced thumping his great staff on the ground.

Queen Claude stood and strode toward me. Completely out of the ordinary for royalty to do, she embraced me with warmth and love. I closed my eyes and breathed heavily. Tears welled in my eyes and threatened to spill over. I didn't think I would miss them as much as I did.

"I have missed you, dear girl."

"I have missed you as well, your majesty."

She held me out at arm's length and looked me up and down. "The English countryside hasn't done you terribly."

"It's nice being back, but it's not home. This will forever be home," I said, hugging her once again.

Whispers erupted from those around us. The queen was not known as an overly affectionate woman with others. She was kind and just but still a queen.

"And we will forever welcome you with open arms. This will always be your home should you choose it."

"Thank you."

"Lady Joselyn! Welcome back," Francis bellowed, a grin on his face.

I dipped into a low curtsy and smiled back. "Thank you so much, your majesty. I appreciate the warm welcome."

"There is someone here you may want to see," the queen whispered in my ear.

"Oh? Who?"

She motioned behind me. I turned to see Jonathan walk through the doorway. His stone face staring straight ahead, not even paying me much attention. My mouth hung open as I admired his beautiful face. It had been so long since I'd seen him. His hair was much shorter, his waist even smaller while his chest seemed to be larger.

What has he done to himself?

My heart dropped to the pit of my stomach, my heart leaped to my throat, and I could feel my cheeks begin to burn.

"Jonathan, welcome. It is good to see you."

"Thank you, King Francis. It is always good to be home."

I glanced back at Cassius, his jaw was clenched, and his hands were clenched in tight balls at his sides as his eyes darted from Jonathan to me. I quickly closed my mouth and kept my eyes diverted to my shoes.

My shoes definitely became more interesting.

"Jonathan, it is good to see you," Cassius said, forcing his best smile.

"Thank you." He turned his alluring eyes to me, I couldn't help but look up at him. "Joselyn, I do hope you can forgive me for leaving so suddenly and without mentioning it to you. I trust Angeline has been doing well in my stead?"

I nodded and looked at the woman standing next to me. Angeline reached out and held onto my arm.

Thank you. I closed my eyes, trying to steady my breathing. Thankful for her to be my strength at a confusing moment that was unfairly thrust upon me.

"If your majesties do not mind, I would like to take the Lady Joselyn for a stroll to converse," Jonathan said never taking his eyes off me.

I wanted to vomit.

"Of course, Jonathan. We have much to discuss with the king."

He extended his arm for me to grab hold of. I glanced back at Cassius, seeking his approval. He remained in the same spot like a statue. He didn't look at me. He didn't blink. He stood and glared at Jonathan.

He led me from the great hall and out the front doors. "I thought we could stroll through the gardens."

"Okay."

"How have you been?" he asked.

"I'm quite all right. Where have you been?" I queried, taking a side glance at him.

"I was recalled by the Guild to deal with another issue."

"I see. Is everything okay?" I questioned.

"It is now. The assassin guarding the emperor was getting a bit too close to him. We had to correct her behavior."

"Correct her behavior? I don't understand."

"Don't worry about it. She understands our stance on assassin king relationships now."

My mouth went dry, as though I were sucking on a piece of fabric. My heart sped up and my stomach churned.

"What did you do?" I whispered.

"Her beauty was taken away."

I shook my head and watched him in horror. "Her beauty?"

"A few scares and no tongue don't make for an attractive woman for the emperor to love."

"Oh, dear lord! Jonathan, how could you?" I gasped.

"It is my duty." He stopped walking and grabbed my arm, twisting it slightly just enough for it to hurt. "I trust the rumors I've heard about you and King Cassius are not true."

"Rumors?" I choked out.

"That the two of you are more than an assassin and her king."

"Oh. Of course, the rumors aren't true."

"Good." He released my arm, grabbed me by the waist, and pulled me in close.

His lips brushed my forehead as I felt his member press into me. My breathing became staggered as I felt the bile rise in my throat. He was not the same man I remembered. He seemed colder and crueler. Or could that have been how he always acted, and I was too enamored with him to notice. My heart slammed against my chest, and I couldn't get a decent breath. My lips tingled, and my vision swam as the world around me blurred.

"I can't breathe," I sputtered, grabbing at my stomach.

"What?"

"The bodice. Untie the bodice!" I needed to calm down.

He quickly loosened the ribbon at the back and I sucked in a large gulp of cool air. It invaded my arms like a welcomed lover. I closed my eyes and leaned against a tree, Jonathan holding onto me. He placed his head on my shoulder, lightly kissing my neck. I grimaced trying not to vomit. He couldn't know. I couldn't tell him. The Guild couldn't know until I was ready. They would not disfigure me.

"Stop. Just leave me be," I said.

He punched the tree next to my head. "You are a ridiculous woman. You need to stop."

"Joselyn!" Cassius's voice echoed through the trees.

"I have to go," I said, pushing away from Jonathan. "Please tie me back up."

His fingers nimbly worked with the ribbon. Pulling tight as he fixed me up.

"I'll visit you tonight," he told me as I ran toward the palace.

"No."

I didn't look back at him.

"Where have you been?" Cassius asked.

I grabbed his hand and led him inside. "Where are our chambers?"

"Upstairs."

"Please take me there. Now. We're not safe to speak amongst others."

"What's wrong?" Cassius asked.

I shook my head. "Not here."

He led me through a slight maze of hallways and rooms until we reached a large bed-chamber. "Now?"

"Now. Jonathan is a cruel man. He destroyed the emperor's assassin."

"Destroyed?"

"Disfigured her horribly! He cut out her tongue!"

"Jonathan?"

"Yes."

"I don't understand why," Cassius said, sitting on his bed.

"Because she was in love with the emperor and he loved her back."

"We..."

"I will not stop loving you. I will not stop until I've dealt with the guild, but for now, until I'm prepared, Jonathan can't know."

"I didn't like how he looked at you." Cassius stood and crossed the room to me, wrapping me in his arms.

"The window! Not in front of the window." I broke from his grasp and backed up a few feet.

"Are you worried?" he asked.

"Not for me. For you."

"If they are killing and disfiguring assassin's I will be fine." He pulled me in close to him yet again.

I gave in. I let my head fall back as he nuzzled my neck, kissing in the same spot Jonathan had. This time though, I wasn't nauseated by the man who held me in his arms. This man did not go about ruining people simply because of who they loved. Cassius pulled the sleeves of my dress over my shoulders, trailing his fingers along my collarbone.

"I'm going to have to speak to him again." I sighed.

Cassius stopped with his sensual touches and looked at me. "I don't think so. I do not want you to be alone with him."

"He's still my watcher. Angeline is below him. I won't have a choice," I replied softly.

"Then keep Angeline with you when you are not with me. He makes me uncomfortable now."

"What happened to him being your dear friend?"

"That was before I knew what a monster he could be."

I took a deep breath and closed my eyes. "He's in love with me."

"What?" Cassius released his hold on me and stared into my eyes with bewilderment.

"Before I returned he had confessed his love for me. I-I was enamored with him. I never thought you and I..." my voice trailed off and I looked down at my feet.

Cassius stood there with his brows furrowed for what seemed an eternity. "How do you feel about him now? Since we've been together?"

"I have no feelings for Jonathan and after finding out what he does to other assassins I can't stand his touch or being in the same room."

He nodded and pulled me close, kissing me passionately. "Then there is nothing to worry about. I cannot be angry with you for your past. Neither of us could have foretold that we would fall in love."

I nodded my head and moved out of his grasp just as the doors to his bed-chamber flew open.

"What is the meaning of this?" Cassius shouted as Jonathan entered.

"Forgive me, your majesty. I need Joselyn for just a few moments." Jonathan grabbed my arm and began to lead me from the room.

Terror and panic rose in my body.

"Can I ask what about? I prefer having my assassin close at hand, especially when I'm in a foreign land."

"You are safe here, King Cassius. I need to go over training with her."

Cassius nodded as I lost sight of him.

"What training?" I asked.

"None. I just want you alone and to myself."

My heart dropped, and I wracked my brain for some excuse to not be alone with him.

Nothing came to my mind. There was no way out of it. What would happen?