𝐓𝐎 𝐁𝐄 𝐀𝐋𝐎𝐍𝐄.
chapter twenty-six; The Freedom to Choose
" It took me too long to see my own suffering in the arrangement crafted by you and Henry. It took me even longer to see his. "

  "THE PROPHECY HAS changed, according to my mother."

  Elspeth raised her brows as she mounted a horse alongside Francis and Demetre.

  "You will live?" She said hopefully.

  "Live or die, Elle, I put no weight in prophecies."

  Elspeth twisted her lips as Francis took off, she and Demetre not far behind.

  She had no idea what had caused the prophecy to change. But knowing that it had, knowing that Mary could have the life she wanted with Francis without his early demise; it made her push her horse quicker than she ever had.

  "Sebastian!"

  Elspeth was breathless as they approached a small church, and Sebastian De Poitiers stood out back, on his own.

  He turned quickly, his eyebrows furrowing as she climbed from her horse, both Demetre and Francis following suit.

  "Ellie--?"

  "It's changed, the prophecy changed," She said breathlessly, "Mary and Francis can be wed-- it's all changed."

  Sebastian's lips parted and Elspeth could swear his eyes brimmed with tears.

  "I-- I don't need to. . ?"

  "You don't have to do a thing you don't wish for," Elspeth urged, "You do not need to take the throne or Mary as your wife--"

  Elspeth was cut off by Sebastian's lips crashing into her own. She melted into the familiarity instantly, lifting her hands to cup his face as he grabbed her waist, pulling her impossibly closer. He was kissing her like it was the first time he ever had and the last time he ever would. Like this was his only chance to.

  And when they finally broke apart, entirely breathless, Elspeth pulled his forehead down to rest upon her own.

  "I thought I had lost you."

  "I will never let you be taken away from me, ever again," Elspeth said quietly, "Not by royals or countries or politics-- not by anything."

  "And I, you, Elspeth Liens," He breathed, "I am so sorry--"

  "You did nothing," Elspeth shook her head, "We both held onto each other in the only way we thought possible when forced into a situation we neither wished for. I know you would not have been happy either." 

  Sebastian smiled behind glassy eyes.

  He'd been free to make his own choices his entire life. Good and bad. And the first one he made that he was sure of, the choice to marry Elspeth, was also the first one taken away from him.

  Part of him knew he could never forgive either Mary or Henry for putting him into that place. 

  The other part of him only cared that he had not lost Elspeth for good.

  The sound of a horse approaching brought Elspeth back to Earth. She turned toward the sound, still held in Sebastian's arms, his warmth keeping out the biting cold as they watched Mary's approach.

  "Elspeth," Mary greeted, stepping down from her horse, "Francis, Demetre. . ."

  "The prophecy has changed," Francis said carefully, "You do not need to marry him."

  "What do you mean the prophecy has changed?"

  "My mother, Nostradamus; they say we can be wed," Francis continued, "The fate of who you will marry is your own."

  Elspeth smiled, holding onto Sebastian's arms encasing her tighter.

  Her smile faltered as Mary looked between the brothers.

  "Mary?" Elspeth said, "Aren't you glad? You and Francis can be wed, Sebastian and I can, too; we can all be happy now."

  "I must speak with Catherine--"

  "You do not believe this?"

  "I-- I'm not sure."

  "She would not lie about her son's fate," Elspeth said seriously, "Speak with her if you must, but--"

  "This is all happening too quickly--"

  "That is how I felt when my fiance was ripped away from me."

  Everyone stood still at the sharp lash that came from Elspeth.

  "You were set to marry Francis when you were children; knowing he is safe in your marriage should be all the assurance you need."

  Mary hesitated.

  "Unless a part of you wanted to marry Sebastian. . ."

  "Darling, we never--"

  "You didn't have to," Elspeth said, looking at Mary with different eyes, "You were at her side. Protective and kind. Francis was gone, she thought it was to be her life. And she fell into the feelings that gave her comfort."

  Mary tucked her lip between her teeth, staring at the three people before her.

  She loved Francis. Mary knew she loved Francis. And she had never wanted to hurt Elspeth; as a friend or a queen. 

  But a part of her had grown to love Sebastian De Poitiers.

  Even though he always kept a respectful distance and never lingered once it was just the two of them. Even though their conversations circled only around politics and Elspeth, even though it was clear as day Sebastian had no feelings beyond those of respect and friendship.

  Mary couldn't help it. At least that was what she kept telling herself. She couldn't help the feelings that festered against her will; the ones she had never acted upon, until suggesting the elopement.

  But she couldn't hide them either. Before, she had cloaked them so well from Sebastian, the object of her growing affection, a man who hardly knew her.

  But now, standing in front of a girl who had known her since childhood, one who had devoted her life to Mary, one who had stood unfalteringly at her side, Mary Stuart, Queen of Scotland, soon-to-be Queen of France, was nothing but a glass shell.

  Because Elspeth knew her. No matter how much Mary or Elspeth wished that fact was different right now, their desire to not know or be known was irrelevant.

  Mary could not hide it. Elspeth could not help but see it.

  "Speak with Catherine, take time to decide," Elspeth continued, "But Sebastian is a person in his own right. Neither you nor I can force his hand. . . It took me too long to see my own suffering in the arrangement crafted by you and Henry. It took me even longer to see his. If you care for him, give him the freedom to choose."

  Elspeth stared at Mary for another moment, trying to discern if it was anger or jealousy rising in her stomach.

  Perhaps it was simply betrayal.

  "I must return to tell Hans of the news," Elspeth said, turning to Sebastian, "I'd like you to join me."

  "I want nothing more."

  Elspeth smiled small, squeezing his hand and allowing him to lead her to her horse. He mounted his own, joining Elspeth's side.

  She looked to Demetre, who had mirrored their movements and mounted his horse as well. 

  He gave her the gentlest look that held more than he would ever say to her. Demetre Langlois gave her a small nod, one that sent Elspeth into motion, riding back to the castle with Sebastian on one side and Demetre on the other.

  Demetre was happy for her. Because she had spoken what she felt, and she had done it strongly. Because she was getting what she wanted, even if he believed she deserved more. He was happy for her because she was happy.

  And Mary watched from Francis's side wondering how truly terribly she had messed up.

( AUTHOR'S NOTE. )
everybody, please stare at the new cover
by -swrites because it's 
SO pretty I am obsessed