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ForevaXena's FanFic . . .
Uninvited
by Deb Kern
Disclaimer:
Copyright:
This is an alternative uber tale. No copyright infringement is intended.
This is not to be used for profit.
Subtext
and Sex: Yes and yes. If the idea of two women loving each other is not your cup
of tea; go get a glass of milk and skip this. If you are under the age of 18
years of age or this type of story is illegal in your state or country, please
do not read it.
Violence
and Language: There are scenes of fighting. The language is pretty mild.
Credits:
This story line is completely my own, but the poem that is found as a journal
entry in Section Three is by a very talented poet. I inquired if she would lend
her beautiful words to this story and she accepted. I cannot tell you how
honored and grateful I am. Thank you Renotta. Your poetry is always a source of
inspiration.
Dedication:
This is for my twin sister. She has been a constant source of inspiration and
encouragement and like me, is a huge romantic. You’re amazing.
Thank
You: Big
hugs to Cindy at ForevaXena, Stacia, and Tracey for beta reading and for your
words of encouragement. Kisses to The Bard’s Village for all the wonderful
feedback and for giving me a home in your talented community. A big thank you to
Mary D for the Xippy’s on "Written
in My Days" and "My
Cup of Tea". I’m a beginning writer and these awards have encouraged
my to write on.
Email: dikern@aol.com
| Cover
by Deb Kern (Click photo for larger image)
|
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| Artwork
by Maria
Mercado (Click photo for larger image) |
King Louis XIV watched
as his lieutenant returned from the villa. He hadn’t had a moment’s peace
since they’d left France. Within days of his wife and daughter’s departure,
a messenger had arrived with word of the insurrections occurring in many areas
of Spain. The information up until then had been that everything seemed to have
quieted down, and it saddened Louis to think that he had unknowingly sent the
people he loved into danger. Most disturbing was the report said that the
largest gang of dissidents was last spotted in the exact area that his family
was headed. The king pulled together the French army and made the decision to
follow them. Also, he sent a scout ahead to warn his Captain Luc, who was in
charge of the expedition carrying the queen and Danielle.
Now, almost a month
later, they’d finally made it to the Cordoba villa. They’d never heard back
from the scout and Louis was very worried. He’d pressed the army hard and
hoped that we was only a few days behind his wife and daughter’s arrival in
Spain. It was midday and the entourage was tired from their travels.
"What’s the
word?" The king asked impatiently, wiping the sweat from his brow.
"The scout never made
it, Your Majesty, but the royal carriage arrived three days ago. However, not
without some serious problems. They were attacked on their way here and two men
were killed, many more were injured. Luckily the queen and Danielle were
unharmed, but . . ." the lieutenant paused, unsure of how to tell the king the
next news.
"Damn, man, but
what?" Louis asked.
"But now, Danielle
has been kidnapped," the French officer said quietly, dropping his head.
"What? Where is the
queen? Is Luc inside?" The king dismounted his horse and walked past the
lieutenant, headed for the villa; he’d never moved so fast in his life. The
news of Danielle had him badly shaken.
"Your Majesty," the
lieutenant yelled. "They’re not here."
The king stopped dead
in mid-stride and turned around, staring at the young man whose face was a
bright color of red. "Where are they!"
"The cook said that
the lady of the house, her son, and Luc and the queen all left in a hurry late
last evening and haven’t returned. She said they went to the doctor’s villa
up the road, but she couldn’t tell me anything more. She said they left very
quickly. The doctor’s residence is the one we saw a couple of miles back."
On shaky legs the king
quickly walked back to his mount. "Captain, bring your men and follow me.
Lieutenant, you stay here and find out any other information you can from the
people inside."
"Yes, Your
Highness," The lieutenant said, coming to attention at his orders.
Catherine looked over
at Rosa and sighed heavily. They were worn out from lack of sleep and worry for
Maria. Now they sat, waiting for word from Danielle on what their next steps
would be. Fredrick stood to stretch his long frame and yawned deeply.
"Should I go up and
check on them?" he asked.
"Let’s give them a
couple of moments more," Catherine said. "We need to get moving soon,
though. We can’t let this day pass without getting a message out to France."
Upstairs, Danielle was
lost in the feelings she was having for the older woman whose lips were eagerly
devouring her own. She knew Maria was still weak from her injuries and tried to
end the kissing. She could barely breathe herself from the intensity of the
passion, and she was certain that Maria’s damaged lung couldn’t possibly be
healed enough for this kind of activity.
"Hmm, Maria,"
Danielle whispered into the soft ear next to her lips, "you have no idea what
happens to me when you kiss me like that."
"I think I might,"
Maria sighed and grinned. "Let’s just say I’m glad I’m lying down
because I’m sure I’d be unable to stand right now, and that would have
nothing to do with my current injury."
Danielle pulled back a
little, smiling, and looked at the warm eyes she loved. Slowly she kissed the
inside of Maria’s palm, and then seductively made her way up the older
women’s arm kissing, and lightly nipping the skin past her elbow to her
collarbone and then along her smooth neck, coming to rest finally at her soft
earlobe, gently sucking it. "I
want to taste every inch of you, and when you’re all healed, I promise to make
you unsteady on your feet every day for the rest of our lives."
Maria couldn’t stifle
the soft growl that escaped her lips. She was surprised and aroused by
Danielle’s assertiveness. Just thinking of the young woman’s lips on her
skin caused a dropping sensation in her stomach and a flood of wetness between
her legs. She could hardly contain her passion and longed for the day they took
their relationship to the next intimate step. It was obvious that Danielle
thought of that day also.
"I can’t wait to
hold you in my arms," Maria said. "I want you so badly."
"And I, you,"
Danielle whispered. "I’m going downstairs to tell your mother and mine that
we agree to this deception. You’re sure you want this?"
"I’m sure I want
you and if it means this, then how can I not agree?"
"I knew you’d see
it my way," Danielle teased. "My mother always said I was very
persuasive."
"That you are,"
Maria winked.
The French army stopped
outside of the doctor’s villa and two regents escorted the king to the door.
Knocking loudly, the regents waited but a moment and then forced the door open.
Danielle was on the bottom step when she heard the noise and jumped as the door
swung in and two men bolted through. To her surprise and horror she recognized
their uniforms, and as she looked past them she watched as her father made his
entrance. Their eyes met immediately.
"Danielle! I was so
worried. We were told that you’d been kidnapped," Louis crossed the floor
and threw his arms around his daughter. To his amazement the young woman’s
legs gave out and she passed out in his grasp.
"Danielle! What’s
wrong, child?" Louis sat down, cradling his daughter, and lightly patted her
face with his palm in an effort to revive her.
Catherine was on her
feet as soon as she heard her husband’s voice. She came into the room as
Danielle lost consciousness and couldn’t believe what she was seeing. Louis
was in Spain.
Louis looked up and
caught his wife’s eyes. "Catherine, what’s wrong with her? Was she
kidnapped? Did someone hurt her?"
"Oh, Louis,"
Catherine said moving to the stairs to kneel in front of her husband and
daughter. "So much has happened. Yes, she was kidnapped, but she was rescued
and she was unharmed. I think she’s just in shock at seeing you here. It’s a
big surprise . . . for all of us."
"Are you sure she’s
okay? Where’s the doctor?" Louis asked loudly, searching the room for help.
Luc ran to the
queen’s side and stood behind her, whispering, "Should I get the doctor,
Your Majesty?"
"Have him bring the
smelling salts," Catherine said. "She’s just had a huge scare . . . I mean
surprise and I’m sure she’ll be just fine."
Louis scrunched his
brows together and looked down at his daughter. "This isn’t like her at all,
Catherine. She’s never reacted like this before. Our daughter is one of the
hardiest young women I know. She’s never been a frail flower. Doesn’t this
concern you?"
"Much has changed
about Danielle since we’ve been here," Catherine said, swallowing hard.
"You’ve only been
gone a short time," Louis said, looking back at the queen. "What could have
possibly happened to be causing this?"
"More than you could
ever guess." Catherine sighed. "Let’s get her to the sofa; we really must
talk."
The king carried his
daughter to the sitting room and laid her on the sofa. The doctor came in with
the salts and Danielle responded by opening her eyes. As soon as she saw her
father, tears began to form. She tried to speak but was still too badly shaken.
The doctor assured the king that she would be just fine and after a great deal
of persuasion from his wife, Louis agreed to leave Danielle and follow the queen
to a separate room.
As the door closed, all
remaining eyes fell back to Danielle.
"What will she tell
him?" Fredrick asked.
"I . . . I’m . . .
not . . . sure," Danielle said
raggedly. She felt like she had forgotten how to breathe. "Our plans
. . . it’s all . . . it’s all ruined."
"Maybe not,"
Fredrick said, taking the princess’s hand to soothe her. "We could still get
married and even though it’s not the best option, it still gives you and Maria
a chance."
"Oh, Fredrick,"
Danielle said, finally regaining her composure. "We both know that wouldn’t
really work."
Rosa paced back and
forth, unable to think of what they could possibly do now.
"Give the queen a
chance," Luc insisted. "She’s been the one who’s gotten us to this point
so far. Maybe she still has one more miracle in her bag of magic."
Danielle slowly sat
upright and looked at her friend. "And what if she doesn’t, Luc? What if he
forces me to go back to France? Or what if he insists on this marriage? What
should I do then?"
"We’ll cross that
bridge when we come to it," Luc said. "I have faith in your mother; she’ll
think of something."
Danielle gave everyone
her best fake smile. Standing, she made the decision to go tell Maria what had
happened. If her father came out of that room angry, she knew she might not get
the chance to see Maria again, and that was all she could think about.
"I’m going to
Maria," Danielle said. "Luc, come and get me when they come out of there."
"Yes, of course,"
Luc said.
Maria heard the ruckus
and tried to get out of bed. She was sure she’d heard a man shouting
Danielle’s name. She needed to get to her. The pain in her side was easing,
but it still throbbed whenever she moved too fast. Slowly she eased her feet
around and placed them on the floor. Leaning on the headboard, she began to
stand but fell back as the shooting pain and shortness of breath stopped her
movement.
"Damn it! What’s
going on down there?" She coughed out.
Cora looked at her and
moved closer for support. Although the dog could stand on all fours now, jumping
down was still not something she’d attempted yet.
"We’re quite the
pair, you and I," Maria said, looking over at her pet.
Danielle walked in and
saw Maria sitting on the edge of the bed, holding her side. The sheet had fallen
around her waist and she sat with her breasts exposed, wearing only a bloody
bandage. Her face was very pale and beads of sweat were forming on her forehead.
"What do you think
you’re doing?"
Maria looked up.
"Trying to get to you. Are you okay? What did I just hear?"
"Have you lost your
mind? You could have opened that wound. You lie back down this instant."
Danielle said, ignoring Maria’s questions and trying not to stare at the
beautiful half-naked women as she gently lifted Maria’s feet and tucked them
back under the sheet, then helped her lean back onto the bed.
"What’s going
on?" Maria asked through her pain as she pulled the sheet back over her bosom.
Danielle sat down and
looked at Maria. She was trying to be strong, but it was all she could do not to
just fall into the Spanish women’s arms and weep.
"You’re scaring me,
Danielle," Maria said. "Are you okay?"
"My father,"
Danielle said very slowly. "He’s here. He came through the door as I walked
down the steps."
"He’s in Spain? He
saw you?" Maria asked, her eyes wide in disbelief.
"Yes," Danielle
began to cry. "I was caught off guard and when the realization of what it
meant hit me, I fainted into his arms."
"Where is he now?"
Maria asked quickly.
"My mother is talking
to him," Danielle sobbed. "Oh, Maria, this could all be over, you and I, our
chance to be together, it could be over."
"Come here,
Danielle," Maria said, holding her arms out to the woman she loved. Gingerly
she scooted over to make room for Danielle on the bed. She knew that she needed
to be strong for the princess. This turn of events could spell the end of their
hopes and dreams and Maria knew the effect it was having on the both of them.
Danielle carefully
climbed up on the bed and then lay down next to Maria, placing her head on the
strong woman’s shoulder. Maria wrapped her arm around the younger woman and
held her while she cried. She whispered words of love and devotion as she ran
her fingers through the blonde’s hair, trying to calm her sobs. Maria silently
prayed that they could both make it through this. They had come so close to
happiness together.
Luc looked over at Rosa
and then back to the door that separated the king and queen from the rest of the
villa, at least for the moment. His mind raced, and for a man who was known to
keep his calm during the fiercest fighting, he felt almost shaky with
anticipation. The king’s reaction to the news of the events of the last few
days had the potential to change many people’s lives.
The decisions that Luc
had made while in Spain regarding the safety of the king’s daughter were sure
to be discussed, and he knew his fate was hanging in the balance - but that
was not his first concern. Luc had known Louis to be incredibly cruel and then
the next day to be wholeheartedly compassionate toward someone or something. Luc
hoped that the king’s humanity would reign supreme this day; if not in his
favor then - he prayed - in Danielle’s.
Louis loved Danielle
and although he rarely found time to spend with his youngest daughter, the
captain had been privy to conversations with the king in which he couldn’t
hide his admiration for her. Luc remembered one time in particular when the king
had been angry at her for once again hiding herself within the castle walls.
She was probably no
more than five when she’d started that game. She took pride in being able to
find new and creative places to conceal herself. Her goal was always the same
- outwit everyone long enough to have her father send for Luc. The princess
and Luc shared a friendship that they both enjoyed. He loved her good nature and
silliness, and she loved him for taking the time to play with her and for never
forgetting to tell her that she was his favorite girl in the whole world.
Luc got good at
guessing her next hiding spot and always found her. He smiled as he remembered
her reaction to being found by the captain. Danielle would raise her little
hands in victory and march to the beat of a song she made up in her head,
singing "I’m smarter than they are, I’m brighter by far, I’m the best
solider around and the next time I won’t be found." Luc laughed aloud at his
memory of her little voice singing in triumph.
"What on earth could
you possibly be laughing about?" Rosa asked, looking over at the captain, who
couldn’t hide the smile on his face.
"Oh, forgive me, Madame," Luc said. "I was remembering a time when Danielle was very
young."
"She’s a very
special girl, isn’t she, Luc?"
"Yes, she certainly
is." Luc smiled at the Spanish woman whom he held in high esteem. "The same
can be said of Maria as well. You’ve done a wonderful job of raising your
children."
"Thank you, Luc,"
Rosa smiled and blushed a little. "I love my children very much. I have no
doubt that the king feels the same for Danielle."
"Yes," Luc said,
"I know that the king loves his daughter, I just worry that he’ll be
thinking of much more than what Danielle wants. As the ruler of France, he
obviously has other interests that affect many people."
"I’ll pray he comes
to his decision based on what his heart tells him in this situation," Rosa
said.
"I was just hoping
the exact same thing."
Luc turned toward the
window, lost in his memories again. It was soon after Danielle’s tenth
birthday. Morning came and Danielle
did not appear for breakfast. The king sent four men to search for her and after
much of the morning had passed with no luck in turning up the small child, the
king called for Luc. He started out by telling the captain how maddening it was
to constantly have to look for his daughter and ended up by praising her for how
smart she had gotten at this game. As Luc remembered, the king had actually said
that if even a third of his army had the abilities that his ten-year-old
daughter had, he’d be the ruler of more than just France. The memory made the
captain’s smile return.
Danielle was everything
a father could be proud of: smart, witty, loyal, amiable, and beautiful. Luc
couldn’t be more proud of her if she was his own daughter and since his life
had been given to his country and king, she was to him just that - the
daughter he’d never had. He loved
the princess and wished that she’d had her chance to be with Maria. As time
went by, Luc began to feel that possibility slipping away.
"Louis," Catherine
sighed. "I know it’s hard to believe, but everything I’ve told you is the
truth."
Catherine leaned back,
out of breath from explaining to her husband all the events that had led to the
present moment. She had decided that at that point anything less than the truth
was too risky. She didn’t miss a single detail and even though Louis’s
expression was one of disbelief, he hadn’t, to her surprise, raised his voice
or stormed out of the room in anger. Actually, he seemed moved by the loyalty
that had been shown toward his daughter.
"You’re telling me
that even Luc agreed to go through with this deceit?" The king stood, placing
his hands on his hips.
"Don’t blame him. I
told you, I’m the one that came up with this," Catherine said.
"You’re her mother,
of course you’d do anything to see her happy. But the captain, what’s his
reason?" Louis asked.
"I should think that
was obvious," Catherine said. "He loves her, Louis. He thinks of her as his
own child."
Louis walked across the
floor and stopped, thinking. Not only had the captain shown his loyalty to the
princess, but she’d also won over the entire Cordoba family. He couldn’t
believe that Fredrick had offered to marry Danielle and that Maria had risked
her life not once but twice to ensure his daughter’s safety. Even the head of
the Cordoba household had risked her family’s reputation so that Danielle
could find happiness. Sure, she was also thinking of her own daughter, but from
what Catherine had told him, this whole family cared for the princess -
deeply. Why did Danielle have the ability to gain the respect and loyalty of
people she’d just met?
The king dropped his
head as a tear found its way to his eye. He rarely let his emotions out, but the
realization of how special his youngest daughter was caused an unfamiliar
reaction in him. Everything told him that he should be angry, even appalled, by
the attraction that Danielle felt for the Spanish woman. Yet all he could see
was that the purity of Danielle’s nature was what people were drawn to and
captured by. Although he’d never told her, Louis loved her dearly.
"Louis," Catherine
asked. "What are you thinking?"
"I’m still trying
to come to terms with all of this," Louis said, turning to once again face his
wife. "I wanted Danielle to marry into this family because I knew it would be
good for our interests in Spain, but now I’m wondering if it would really take
a marriage to ensure that. Hasn’t this family already proven their commitment
to the alliance between our countries by fighting to stop the resistance in
Spain and by protecting our family without regard to their own safety?"
Catherine nodded her
head yes, and let out a long breath.
Louis walked over and
sat next to his wife, placing his arm around her. "It seems my daughter has
taught me yet another lesson. All these years I thought that it was a strong
hand that commanded respect and here this young woman, our daughter, has taught
me that loyalty and respect can come from something as simple as a pure soul and
honest heart."
"What are you saying,
my love?"
"I’m not sure,
Cherie." Louis said, kissing the warm cheek of his wife. "I can’t very
well let my daughter stay here unmarried. That is unthinkable."
"So then you’ll
have her return with us to France?" Catherine asked, sadly.
"From all that
you’ve told me," Louis said, "that might be the one thing that would
forever break her spirit and her heart. If Danielle has found the single source
of eternal love, I can’t make her give that up. I love her, Catherine. I must
be getting soft in my old age, but I can’t be responsible for causing her
light to be extinguished."
Catherine turned and
kissed Louis, wrapping her arms around the back of his neck. "You have
reminded me of why I fell in love with you. Even though you rarely show this
side of you anymore, I always know you’re capable of great compassion and
love."
"Hmm, yes, well . .
." Louis stammered. "Don’t you dare tell anyone else."
"Your secret is safe
with me, my love." Catherine kissed him again, but this time more
deliberately, making sure that Louis felt the passion she still had for him.
After a while, Louis
slowly pulled away from the embrace. He looked at his wife and smiled. "It
seems you’ve become quite good with secrets."
Catherine blushed and
smiled back. "Only when I need to protect the people I love."
"Well, my Queen,
since you’ve become so good at this, please tell me what on earth we can do
about this situation?" Louis stood.
Catherine sat still,
placing her hands to her mouth and closed her eyes. She was so happy that Louis
was at least willing to entertain the idea of letting Danielle remain with
Maria. Now all she had to do was think up a new plan and do it fast.
Maria watched as
Danielle’s sobs finally stopped. The young woman had fallen asleep in her
arms, safe from the rest of the world around them. Unsure of what to do at this
point, Maria did something she rarely did - she prayed.
"I have never asked
for a thing for myself, Lord. I haven’t always followed your path, but if you
allow this woman that I now hold to stay in my life, I promise to try. She’s
the one thing that I’m not sure I could live without. All I can say is that
she inspires me to be a better person. I need her and she needs me. I pray,
Lord, let us be together."
Maria held Danielle closer and kissed her forehead, tenderly.
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