She took a deep breath. Biting her lower lip, she undressed slowly. Anne gasped when she saw her naked. The woman had the most perfect body she had ever seen. Her smile changed to a look of wonder, as her lips parted. There and then she knew she wanted her.
This was not lost on Ruxandra. She held Anne’s eyes with her own and placed one foot into the tub. The water still felt warm. She pulled her other leg over and then sat down opposite the English girl.
There was not much room in the tub with the two of them inside it. Ruxandra had the much longer legs. For her it was even more awkward. To be able to relax properly she knew she would have to place her legs over Anne’s. She did this. The action brought the two women much closer together.
For a time the women looked into each other’s eyes. They did not speak. Both of them just sat and enjoyed the moment. A great excitement raced through them. Eventually Anne picked up a cloth from beneath her legs. She squeezed the warm soapy water over Ruxandra’s breasts. Ruxandra found the sensation electrifying. She closed her eyes and groaned. The warm water washed over her nipples, making them tender, but erect.
She trembled slightly. Her every instinct told her Anne was going to kiss her. But she wanted her to. She waited with expectation until Anne brushed against her lips with her own. When the moment came it touched every delicate nerve in her body. She responded hungrily, pulling Anne close in the most intimate embrace. Their lips melted into one longing kiss.
Their tongues touched. It triggered the same ache in both women. Without a word they left the tub and rolled onto the bed nearby.
Ruxandra knew at once that Anne had known love with a woman before. The way she touched her told her that much. She lay back with her eyes closed. It felt so good. She was totally submissive and receptive to every wonderful sensation Anne was giving her.
They kissed and touched for a long time. Ruxandra took her lead and responded in kind. When they had both reached a high state of arousal Anne climbed on top of her. She held Ruxandra’s hands down on the pillow behind her head.
She kissed her hungrily on the neck. Her mouth made a trail down along her chest to her breasts. She tenderly caressed each one with her tongue. Ruxandra stirred and writhed beneath her, groaning softly. Anne smiled though her own eyes remained closed. She sucked and nibbled on her nipples in a way no man ever had.
It was as much as Ruxandra could take. Anne was driving her crazy. She opened her legs wide and gripped Anne by the hips. Anne relaxed her body. Ruxandra pulled against her until Anne’s sex pressed against hers.
Anne gasped, as her labia felt the warmth of her lover. Her whole body trembled when she slid her back and forth by the hips. She felt her clitoris swell, sticky with her juices.
Both women groaned out loud. Anne buried her face into Ruxandra’s neck. She relaxed and allowed her lover to guide her closer and closer to orgasm. Ruxandra jerked her hips and ground herself against her.
Their movements gained momentum. Each of them ached for that magical crescendo. It came ever closer. Anne opened her eyes wide. They climaxed in the very same moment, exploding against each other and crying out with gay abandon. Anne collapsed against her. They lay there locked in each other’s arms.
“What was your reason for coming here?” Anne asked, breaking the blissful silence. “If you make me feel this good when you come here, why you can come every day.”
Ruxandra laughed and rolled Anne onto her back. She kissed her lightly on the lips before pulling away. “We have something very important to discuss.”
“And what might that be?”
“The King.”
“Oh?” she said, a hint of disappointment in her voice. “Did he send you here?”
“No,” Ruxandra laughed again. “He did not send me.”
“Then why are you here on his behalf?”
“I am not. I am here on your behalf.”
Anne offered her a puzzled glance. “You are confusing me,” she said, climbing under the blanket.
“The King is infatuated with you.”
“I know,” Anne moaned. “I am drowning in love letters.”
“So he has been writing to you?”
“Oh yes,” she sighed. “Several times a week. On times I get one every day. With each one he seems ever more desperate.”
“This is good.”
“It is?”
“Yes. Absolutely.”
“I am not so sure,” Anne argued. “I can still recall how shabbily he treated my sister. There was a time when he favoured her highly, as he does me in the present.”
“That is past.”
“Not for her. He discarded her in time, heartbroken and with a baby.”
“Then that is all the more reason to take advantage of the situation.”
“How would I do that? Why would I even entertain such a louse of a man?”
“Because you have all the power.”
Anne laughed. “Must everything be about that?”
“It means a lot. I would go as far as to say you are the most powerful woman in the country, as of today.”
Anne laughed even harder. “You are dreaming.”
“No I am not. More powerful even than Queen Catherine. There is nothing he would not do for you.”
“You think?”
“I know it. You have the power to become queen. Imagine what that would mean, for you and your family.”
This startled Anne at first. But then she grew excited at the prospect. All she had ever sought was a favourable marriage. Henry Percy was the only man she had loved. But the king had denied her a union with him. After that love with a man was of no consequence to her. She cared now only for an advantageous marriage. One that would secure her for the rest of her days. There could be no better way to achieve this than to marry the king himself.
“I see that you like the idea,” Ruxandra smiled.
“It has its appeal I suppose.”
“It could have much more than that.”
“Why do you want this for me?”
Ruxandra shrugged. “Why not?”
“But after what has happened between us?”
“I want what is best for you.”
“And what if that means being with you?”
“Marriage to the King would serve you much better. I promise you.”
Anne looked disappointed. “Then tell me what to do.”
“You do not have to do that much in truth. Be more receptive to him. Answer his letters. Give him hope.”
“What then?”
“When he realises there is a chance with you his love will grow.”
“I cannot imagine it could be any more than it is in the now.”
“Wait and see. He will give you anything your heart desires.”
“My heart desires you most of all.”
Ruxandra frowned at her.
“Very well then. Wolsey’s head would be a nice start.”
“I daresay you could even have that.”
“The King could take me at any time. You know it. We both do.”
“Did he not have that opportunity once before?”
“Yes. How do you know?”
“It does not matter. He loves you and will never take you against your will.”
“I know him better than you. He is capable of anything, especially where a woman is concerned.”
“You are wrong in this instance. All he wants is for you to love him in return. The same way he loves you.”
“How do you know so much? About the way he feels about me.”
“I know people who are close to him.”
“So, in truth, you are watching the interests of another?”
“I see the bigger picture. But I do care only for your part in it.”
“Let us say that I do what you tell me. What then?”
“In time let him know you will be his.”
“How do I do that and keep him at bay?”
“Say you are saving yourself for him.”
“If he will settle for that.”
“He will. But make sure he knows you will never consent to being his mistress.”
“Yes. I am better than that.”
“Tell him you will only sleep with him when you are his queen.”
“I will do it. I am not sure that he will accept it though.”
“Trust me. He will.”
Ruxandra sensed her father close by. She pulled on her dress quickly. This dismayed Anne. She hoped that her lover might stay for the night.
“Can you not stay?” she asked.
“No. I must go.”
“Will you come back and see me again?”
Ruxandra opened the door to leave. She checked for the guard. Her ears informed her he was around the back of the house. She glanced back over her shoulder at Anne and smiled. “Perhaps. We will see.”
England. Greenwich Palace in London.
July 1528.
The affair between Anne and Ruxandra did not please Dracula. He found out about it by chance. Two days after the girls had met he called to Anne’s cottage. He wanted to spend a little time near her to gauge her thoughts. This he felt he could do while she slept. All he saw was images of her and Ruxandra together.
It was as well for Ruxandra that he had other problems to contend with. Wolsey was aware by now of his influence over the king. The cardinal felt threatened by it. He had the notion that it put his own role of Henry’s chief advisor in jeopardy.
Wolsey had been Henry VII’s chaplain. After the death of the king in 1509 he continued to serve at court. He was a man of great ambition. Supported by the Archbishop of Canterbury, William Warham, he served the new king well. The young Henry rewarded his efforts. He made him the unofficial Royal Secretary. This gave Wolsey access to him on a daily basis.
In time Henry bestowed on him several titles. These included the post of Archbishop of York. Wolsey abused his power and used this to attain vast personal wealth. Henry appointed him as the Chancellor in 1514 and the Pope made him a cardinal less than a year later. This served as a prelude to him acquiring the position of “Legate a latere” three years later. That made him the Pope’s representative in England. He now had more power within the Church in England than Warham.
As Chancellor, Wolsey dominated the Royal Council. He used his power to suppress the aristocracy. They had lost much of their strength during the reign of Henry VII. Wolsey resisted all their attempts to regain their power. This only served to consolidate his own position. The more powerful it made him the more Henry relied on him to take care of his business in government.
Henry would decide policy. Wolsey shaped and enforced it. This included the reform of the legal system in England. He took away the legal powers of the Church and increased the power of the law courts.
Wolsey did a great job of governing the country, but he was a poor economist. He failed to grasp the changes in the economic climate early in the century. This showed in his failure to develop overseas trade. As well as this he did not raise enough revenues within the country to pay for the king’s extravagant lifestyle.
His problems began to mount when Knight failed to gain an annulment from the Pope. Henry turned to him to secure his divorce and this put him under great pressure. He had to deliver and he knew it. His many enemies began to circle him like vultures. He knew they would pounce on his political corpse should he fail.
England’s status as a major European power was weak and growing ever weaker. This owed to its poor economic performance. Wolsey knew the blame for this would rest at his feet. The power in Europe now lay in Castile with the emperor, Charles V. This and the failing economy proved thorns in his side as he strove to gain Henry a divorce.
He was aware too of Henry’s blossoming relationship with Anne Boleyn. The king now had designs to bring her to court. This would not be good for Wolsey. She loathed him with a passion. Her hatred of him dated back to the time when he blocked her proposed marriage to Henry Percy.
She had not forgotten his part in that. And now, the more her favour grew with the king the more delicate his position became. He also had the problem of Dracula to contend with. Where has he come from? What are his credentials? How did he manage to gain such favour with the King? This all niggled away at him. He wanted answers and he wanted Dracula gone.
But securing Henry’s divorce was the most pressing issue. He knew that success there would prove his saving grace. If he got Henry his divorce then his enemies could not touch him.
Dracula began to worry about Wolsey’s preoccupation with him. Ilona awoke to find him gone. She ventured out into the warm summer night to find him in his usual spot on the roof of the palace.
“You rose before me?” she asked, wondering why he had.
He held his hand out for her. She took it and sat beside him. “Yes. I have much on my mind.”
“You are thinking of Wolsey again?”
“Need you even ask?”
“I do not know why he worries you so.”
“He has a lot of power. His standing with the King is still strong.”
“Then get rid of him.”
“I would like to,” he sighed. “But I cannot.”
“Why not?” she asked, surprised. “He is still only a mortal.”
“He is too important. The King and he are very close.”
“Yes. They are as thick as thieves.”
“I cannot get rid of him. It will raise too many questions. Too many suspicions.”
“You fear those might fall on you?”
“It is possible. I cannot risk it. There is too much at stake.”
“But he stands in your way.”
“Only in that he has a strong interest in me. He will never get the divorce.”
“It is impossible I know. But at least he can shoulder the blame, not you.”
“Well it is hardly my responsibility. I only advise.”
“But you still want him gone?”
“Yes I do.”
“Then find another way.”
“Do you have any ideas?”
“Use Anne Boleyn. She is the key to everything.”
“Yes you are right. She is that.”
“Push Henry to bring her to court. It will unsettle the Queen and worry Wolsey.”
“Yes. It would surely take his mind off me if Anne were here.”
“Well he knows she hates him. And she certainly does that.”
“It is the best approach. How do you think I should push it?”
“You do not need my counsel for that.”
“I want it still.”
Ilona smiled. It was not often that he sought her advice. “Tell him it will force the Queen into agreeing to his terms. She will not enjoy having Anne around.”
He nodded that he agreed. “All that is left to worry about is the relationship between Anne and my granddaughter.”
“That must end tonight.”
“It will end. I cannot have her complicating issues at this delicate stage.”
“That is if it is already not too late.”
“She is close by. I will speak to her.”
“I am going with you.”
They flew off the roof of the palace. Ruxandra sat alone in the palace gardens. She could think of nothing but Anne. Their sudden affair was sure to bring trouble. She knew this, but could not erase the girl from her mind.
The two of them had enjoyed a magical few hours together. Although she had acted foolishly she had strong feelings for the girl. They would not just go away. Not now. She knew Anne felt the same way. It made for a very awkward situation.
She sensed Dracula and Ilona close by. Her heart raced in her chest. They were coming to see her. It was surely about her recent fling. She put Anne out of her mind and composed herself as best she could.
“We want to speak with you,” Ilona said, when they touched down before her.
Ruxandra looked down at her feet. “I know.”
“Look at me!” Ilona growled
.
Ruxandra looked up. She met Ilona’s fiery gaze with the same. Just like the others she had never gotten along too well with Dracula’s wife.
“What foolishness have you entered into with the Boleyn girl?”
She shrugged. “It has happened. I do not know how or why.”
“Then it is over,” Ilona warned, glaring at her hard.
“Very well,” she nodded. “If that is what you want.”
“It is,” Dracula said. “I do not want a repeat of it, not ever. Do you understand?”
She nodded again. “Yes.”
“If it does happen again,” Ilona said, “I would not like to be you.”
Ruxandra glared at her. “It does not matter what any of us do. You will always find fault with it.”
Ilona raised her hand to strike her. Ruxandra remained defiant.
“No,” Dracula said, grabbing her wrist gently. “That is not needed. She will not do it again. Will you?” he asked, looking at her.
“No, grandfather. I am sorry.”
“Then perhaps we can use this to our advantage,” Ilona said.
Ruxandra did not like the sound of that. “What do you mean?”
“Anne is going to want your relationship to continue. When you spurn her advances it will break her heart. You can use that to bring her closer to Henry.”
“You are so cold,” Ruxandra said, hate showing in her eyes.
“It is what we are.”
“It is what you are. I am nothing like you.”
“You are everything like me. And you will do this.”
“And what about Anne?”
“What about her?”
“Do her feelings not count?”
“No. Why would they? She is only a mortal.”
“She is a person.”
Dracula cut into the conversation. “She is a mere mortal. Cut your ties with her. I want her to come to court.”
The following night Henry took a walk in the gardens. Dracula waited there for him. He did not have a chance to speak to him the night before. It was time now to push on. He expected to have little trouble in swaying Henry to the idea of bringing Anne into the fold at the palace.
“Ah, Vlad,” Henry smiled. “There you are.”
“Good night, Majesty.”
The Dracula Chronicles: Bound By Blood - Volume 2 Page 20