Chapter 203: I Gave Her That Authority
He was right. Damn him, he was right. Slowly, she rose to her feet, gathering what remained of her dignity around her.
"I am not leaving this place without Tabitha."
"And what gives you the impression I want you to?" Henry asked.
"I told you," she said. "The Queen Dowager—"
Henry rose. One moment he was seated; the next he was all height and authority. He crossed the space between them until they stood toe to toe, so close that Livia had to tilt her chin to keep his gaze. "My mother has always arranged who entered and left my bed...Until you."
"But she—"
"I gave her that authority. Do not misunderstand me, Livia. My mother rules what I permit her to rule. She interferes where I have allowed interference. She chooses women where I have never cared enough to choose for myself." Henry’s eyes remained fixed on hers. "But you...You were different from the beginning. I chose to damn the consequences and have you, no matter what it cost."
"You are all I have ever wanted. All I want still. You are angry with me. I understand that. You hate me. I understand that too. But I will not apologise for loving you selfishly, Livia. I will not." He stood before her, beautiful and ruined by his own wanting, and admitted plainly that his love had teeth.
"It is all about you," she whispered. "What you want. How you want it. When you want it. You do not care what happens to me, do you?"
"That is not true."
"You do not care what your mother would do to me. You do not care how I would feel watching you be with the Queen. You do not even care what she would do to me." Her eyes burned, but she refused to let the tears fall. "It is all about what you want. Tabitha is my only protection in a palace that will bury me."
"You did not let me finish," Henry said.
Livia stopped, breath catching in her throat.
"Last night, I gave orders that the Queen Dowager is to have no authority over you. None. She is not to arrange your household, choose your attendants or so much as change the ribbon on your gown without my express permission. I did that because I thought there was still a chance," he continued. "I thought that no matter how much you despised me, no matter how fiercely you fought this, you might grant me a little respect. A little faith."
"But instead, I find you with Richard. Opening your legs at the slightest opportunity."
"I love him."
"Do you?" Henry asked. "Do you?" he demanded again. "Or are you clinging to the thought because it wounds me? Because loving Richard is the way to make me the villain in every corner of your heart?"
"That is not true."
"Is it not? If you love him so completely, why do I see something different in your eyes every time you fight me?" Henry asked. "Why does your voice shake when you say you hate me? Why does your body lean toward mine even when your hands shove me away?"
Livia’s pulse betrayed her, leaping beneath her skin. "That is a lie."
"Tell yourself whatever you want. I see what you are terrified to admit. You are free to deny it all the way back to Whitehall. You are coming with me now!"
"Tabitha does not have to answer to the Queen Dowager?" Livia asked.
"She does not. Whatever you want, whatever you need, whatever concern you have about your household," he continued, "comes through me and me alone. My mother has no authority over you unless I grant it."
The relief that passed over Livia’s face was small, but he saw it.
She dipped into a curtsy. "Thank you, Your Majesty."
"Now, Livia."
Livia gathered herself. She smoothed her skirts, lifted her chin, and followed him. Outside the drawing room, Tabitha stood waiting.
Henry stopped before her. "Is Lionel here?"
"No, my lord."
A muscle ticked in Henry’s jaw. He had expected Lionel by now.
"Livia leaves with me tonight," he said.
Tabitha’s gaze flicked to Livia before she bowed her head.
"In the morning," Henry continued, "I will send Stephen to come by and help you pack. You will bring what she requires. Whatever belongings she wishes kept near her. You will come to Whitehall after sunrise. You will report to Stephen first. No one else."
Tabitha understood at once. It was, all things considered, the safest arrangement one could hope for. "Your will be done, Your Majesty."
Henry glanced back at Livia once, as if to make certain she was still following and had not decided to stage one last rebellion in the hallway.
She came behind him in silence.
Outside, Henry’s horse waited near the front of the house. Henry took the reins, soothed the animal with a low word, then turned to Livia.
She hesitated only a moment before allowing him to lift her onto the saddle. His hands closed around her waist.
The touch was brief even proper. Yet he felt it. Livia looked away first, gathering her skirts as he adjusted her seat and made certain she was steady.
"There," he said quietly and stepped back, one hand still on the horse’s neck. He moved to mount behind her.
Then pain exploded through his back. A sharp grunt tore from him. For a second, he did not understand it. His body lurched forward. He looked up at Livia, and the confusion on her face mirrored the first, stunned blankness in his own.
Then her gaze dropped past his shoulder. Her eyes widened.
"Your Majesty!"
Henry staggered away from the horse, one hand reaching behind him. His fingers brushed the shaft protruding from his back. An arrow.
Livia slid from the horse with reckless speed, and rushed to him. "Henry—"
He clenched his teeth against the sound that wanted to leave him. She had her arms around him, trying to hold him upright though he was far too heavy for her. Her hands trembled against his coat, her face drained of all colour.
(Brought to you by Janelle fox 2/2)
