With him and Wolsey gone, Cranmer and Cromwell would do whatever he wanted. They only needed a slight prompt in the right direction on any issue.
Those two men wanted an end to papal influence in England. They both believed in the doctrines of Martin Luther. With them at the helm Dracula knew that a complete break from Rome would follow in due course.
In the first week of the year the Pope issued a new brief. It ordered Henry to part company with Anne. The Pope also advised the king he was not free to marry her. He realised that Henry might do so anyway. To thwart the chance of this he added another clause to the brief. It stated clearly that he would not see any of their children as legitimate.
The brief angered Henry no end. He urged his aides to find a way around it. Parliament gave him a quick solution. It made strong demands of the members of the Church in his realm. They had to now recognise him as the Supreme Head of the Church in England. An Act followed right away to affirm this.
Henry began to visit his wife in the spring. He did miss her in truth, but more so he wanted the people to think they had separated against his will. She knew better though and did not fall for his ruse. It did not take long before he showed his true colours. He sent Gardiner to meet with her. It was his task to coax her into agreeing to an annulment of the marriage. She refused him point blank. In her anger she denied Henry as Supreme Head of the Church. She let him know she would only accept a decision made by the Pope.
Henry tried then to appease her. He arranged for Mary to join her when the court moved to Windsor. In the summer he moved the court on to Woodstock. He did so without telling her. It left her and Mary alone in their apartments. From hereon Henry and Anne lived openly together at Greenwich Palace.
Henry did not invite his wife to court that Christmas. He also returned all of her presents. With it he sent a very hurtful message. It stated that they should not exchange gifts, as they were no longer man and wife.
Mary hit back against this rebuke. She made a highly publicised visit to her mother in February. Henry did not like the idea at all. He agreed only to save face before the people. When they were together he feared they might plot against him with the Emperor. For that reason he kept them apart from that day forward.
Parliament passed another Act in March. The Act in Conditional Restraint of Annates was another slight against Rome. It limited the Holy See to only five percent of all revenues raised by the Church in England. Another followed in May. The Submission of Clergy demanded that all bishops in the realm sign it.
This Act stopped them passing any new laws without first asking the king. It added that a review of all existing canon law was to follow. Henry gave this task to a commission of the clergy he appointed himself. It also stipulated that the Convocation could not meet without Henry’s approval. Thomas More refused to agree to this. It was then that he resigned as Lord Chancellor.
Things began to look up even more for Dracula. He soon saw the first nails driven into the coffin of Catholicism in England. Cranmer replaced Warham as the Archbishop of Canterbury in September. This saw Cromwell promoted to the king’s chief advisor. He warmed to his new role. To stoke the fires even more he moved Catherine from place to place. She ended up at Enfield. Cromwell then forbade her best friend, Maria de Salinas, from seeing her.
This pleased Lucifer no end. He found Dracula one night not far from London.
“Master?” Dracula said with surprise. “What brings you here?”
They had not seen each other in almost thirty years. Lucifer emerged from the trees near to where Dracula had made his first kill of the night. Ilona looked up. She had just sucked the last of the blood from their victim.
“I thought it a good time to meet with you,” the Dark One said.
“Have I displeased you?”
Lucifer grinned. “No, Vlad. On the contrary I am very satisfied.”
“You like what I have done here?”
“Yes. Very much. Rome’s jugular is exposed and there for the taking.”
“Rome is no longer the force it once was.”
“Yes,” Lucifer smiled. His black eyes seemed to glow, even in the dark. “And that is all through your efforts.”
Ilona stood up and looked fearfully at Lucifer. Even though she had seen him at Radu’s grave she did not feel comfortable around him. He exuded an aura blacker than any other. His presence of power far exceeded that of her husband and it made her fear him. She stepped back into the trees to leave them to talk.
“Where are you going?” Lucifer asked her.
“I shall go and hunt,” she said, her heart racing. “It will leave you alone to talk.”
Lucifer nodded to her. He did not care to have her there anyway.
“I am glad that my efforts have pleased you,” Dracula said.
“Yes, quite. I could never have foreseen as a result such as this. It is a great thing you have achieved.”
“Yes, but Rome is far from falling.”
“That will come in time. With newer factions following the Christ, they will fight and go to war. There will never be peace and I will be there to reap many souls.”
“That is my hope.”
“So many people fear the teachings of Rome. They will do anything to see the back of it.”
“Yes. Luther’s word is spreading fast.”
“Those that follow Henry on the throne will fight to preserve that word. To do that they will kill all those who follow the doctrines of Rome.”
“I see chaos.”
“Oh yes,” Lucifer grinned. “The blood of the dead will only make me stronger.”
“And how the blood will flow.”
“You can move on soon. Repeat what you have done here elsewhere.”
Dracula nodded. “In France and Italy.”
“Spain too,” Lucifer reminded him. “And Ireland.”
Dracula looked at him. He had never considered Ireland before.
“Yes,” Lucifer said. “Ireland. The Irish have a spirit as strong as any I have seen. They will resist those that follow Henry.”
“Even if it means death?”
“Oh yes. Even then.”
“Then that spirit will not be so easily broken.”
“No,” Lucifer sighed. “I envisage their resolve will grow stronger still. They could never accept Luther’s word.”
“They will accept it.”
“The gospel as they know it, is all they can ever believe in.”
“I will change that.”
Lucifer grinned at him. “That will be your greatest challenge.”
“I will succeed.”
“If you can do that then you will truly have realised my hopes for you.”
“Wait and see. Keep faith with me.”
“I do believe in you, Vlad. That is why I chose you over all others.”
Dracula breathed deep with pride. He liked to please his master. “I will make Ireland my main focus. If I cannot change them then I will kill them all.”
Lucifer nodded. “Good. For only if you change things in countries such as Ireland will I ever be able to return to Heaven.”
England. Greenwich Palace in London.
The week before Christmas, 1532.
Ruxandra wandered alone in the palace grounds. She had moved about and hunted alone now for close on a month. Whenever she sensed any of the others nearby she sloped away into the night.
Thoughts of Anne filled her mind always. She had tried so hard to erase her from it. But the memories flooded back each sunset when she opened her eyes. It pained her inside. Her heart felt empty and alone.
She blamed everyone for that. Her family, God, the Devil and all of mankind. They were all to blame for the desolation she felt. She took it out on the mortals she hunted each night. Sometimes she did not even feed on those she killed. She just wanted someone to pay the price.
Anne now lived openly with the king. She heard many talk of the relationship between the two. It only added to her misery. She did not
want to hear of it. Anne belonged to her. In all her time as a vampire she had done what Dracula expected of her. Now that was all going to end. Anne Boleyn loved her, not the king.
On this night she felt Dracula and Ilona close by. But her keen sense of smell advised her they had not been to the palace for some time. She felt an even stronger presence too. It made her want to flee the area. But this is where Anne was. And tonight, whatever it might cost her; she needed to see her beloved.
She stole inside the palace. For a time she looked and listened. It was best to know what was going on around her. She did not want to bring any danger to Anne. Henry was not with her. She eyed him in a quiet room off the banquet hall.
As usual she saw him with the wife of a noble. The woman’s husband lay asleep in the hall with his head against the table. Ruxandra sensed Henry’s people had drugged him. His lucid dreams suggested he had ingested a substance other than alcohol. Henry must have wanted the whole night with this woman.
Everyone else had left the hall. Only the three of them remained. One or two guards manned the exits. Otherwise she saw or heard no one around. Henry had obviously wanted time alone.
She listened to the two of them talk. Henry seemed desperate for a piece of her. The woman giggled at the things he whispered in her ear. Her dress hung down around her waist. Henry had also untied the lace bows of her corset. It was open and revealed her small, but ample breasts.
He sickened Ruxandra. She thought back to one of the first things Anne said to her about him. Anne had called him a louse of a man. She had not been wrong. He did not care about her. All that interested him was the gratification of his lust. Even if he destroyed his country to do it, he cared only for sex.
This made Ruxandra think. If all he was doing was just to bed Anne perhaps it was time Anne gave in to him. Once he had had his way he might discard her. If he did then it could allow her the chance to be with Anne at last. Dracula only wanted the split with Rome. That was happening now. What would he care if she and Anne had a proper loving relationship? He had what he wanted. Nothing could change that.
The woman groaned hard. Ruxandra looked up to see Henry push into her from behind. It was as much as she needed to see. She could stomach no more of it and moved away to seek out Anne. If she could convince her to do this, they might be together soon for always.
She knew Anne’s room. They had spent time together there before. She waited in the shadows behind a pillar in the corridor. There was no one about. She moved quickly to the door and let herself inside.
Anne was asleep. Ruxandra undressed and slid under the blankets beside her. She smiled when she saw Anne’s dreams were of her. Anne turned over and knocked her legs against hers. She opened her eyes, but before she could scream Ruxandra kissed her hard on the mouth. Anne tensed up at first. But she recognised the lips as soon as they pressed against hers. As her eyes adjusted to the dark she eased against her pillow again and kissed her lover back.
“Oh, my God, I do not believe it,” she said as their lips parted. “You are here.”
They threw their arms around each other. “Yes, my love. I am here.”
“I am so happy to see you.”
“And I you. I have missed you so much.”
“I have missed you too. Oh, how I have missed you.”
Ruxandra put a finger to her lips. “You must whisper. You never know who is listening.”
Anne did not care. “I am so excited to see you. I never thought I would again.”
“I know, my darling,” Ruxandra sighed. “I thought it too.”
“But here you are,” Anne smiled.
“I could not bear it any longer. I am sorry.”
Anne cupped her face in her hands. “Oh, do not say that. Do you think it is any different for me?”
“I imagine not.”
“I have to live every day with that insufferable man. When all I want is to be with you.”
“Yes I can see you are not happy here.”
“I told you I would not be.”
“I am sorry that you are going through this, my love.”
“It is harder every day to keep him at bay. He will not leave me alone.”
“So you still have not given in to him?”
“No,” Anne said. “No one has touched me since you.”
Ruxandra smiled at her. “That is good to know.”
“I wish you would touch me. I long so much for that.”
“Oh, baby, you know I will.”
“Then do it. Before I lose my mind.”
Ruxandra moved her hand down between Anne’s legs. Anne gasped at her touch and opened them wider. She closed her eyes and delighted in the sensation of Ruxandra’s fingers. The juices flowed from her. In no time she had soaked her lover’s hand.
“Oh, God,” she groaned. “That feels so good.”
Ruxandra slid two fingers inside her. She pushed them in all the way to her knuckle. Anne bit into her own hand and ground herself against that of her lover.
It took very little time for her orgasm to build. She had not had one in so long. When Ruxandra sensed this she speeded up her thrusts. Anne’s labia made a sweet squelching sound, as Ruxandra moved her fingers in and out. She pressed her thumb against Anne’s clitoris. It applied gentle pressure against the hardening bud, as her fingers explored her lover inside.
An incredible wave passed over Anne. She opened her mouth and gasped. The sound caught in her throat for a moment. Then she cried out before exploding against Ruxandra’s hand. Ruxandra still moved her fingers in and out, though with great care. Anne squeezed her thighs together. She could no longer cope with the sensitivity she felt down below. When it was over Anne snuggled in beside her. They kissed for a time, their hands exploring every part of the other.
“Why are these moments so few?” Anne asked.
“It is beyond my control. If I could I would spend every moment with you.”
“Could it ever happen?”
“It could,” Ruxandra smiled, hinting at what was on her mind.
Anne got up onto her right elbow. “You mean there really is a way?”
“I can think of only two.”
Anne could barely contain her excitement. “Then tell me what they are. If I can be with you then we must do it.”
“The first involves killing the King.”
Anne screwed her face. “And I thought you were serious for a moment.”
“I am serious.”
“You want to kill him?”
Ruxandra laughed. “No, of course not. I was thinking of the other option.”
“What is it?”
“Give yourself to him.”
“What? I thought you wanted me to resist him?”
“I did. I cannot bear the thought of him touching you.”
“Then why this idea?”
“His every action is driven by his need to bed you. It is all he cares about.”
“I know,” Anne moaned. “You do not have to tell me.”
“So give him what he wants.”
“Then he will discard me?”
“Yes,” Ruxandra said, sitting up. “That is exactly what he will do. Once he has had you he will care nothing for you any more.”
“Then I would feel used and dirty.”
“I know, baby. But it is the only way. If he gives you up it means we can be together. And I am sure he will.”
“How can you be so sure? He might want me even more.”
“He is driven by the urges in his groin. It will not last. The thrill for him is in the chase and then the enjoyment of what he so desires. Once he has it his interest will wane.”
“You sound very sure of that.”
“Because I know it is so. Anne, where do you think he is at this time? Where do you think he is every night?”
“He is entertaining his friends. Or those who pretend to be.”
“They are all gone. He is with the wife of one of them as we speak. She is bent over a chair with hi
m inside her. It is what he does every night.”
Anne did not seem that surprised. “I cannot bear the thought of him anywhere near me in that way.”
“Do it, Anne. Once. Maybe twice. Then our wait will be no more. You will be free to spend as much time with me as you want.”
Anne sighed. She snuggled back into Ruxandra’s arms. “Very well. I will give him what he wants. But only because I want you.”
Ruxandra froze with fear. She heard a faint sound across the room. Anne sensed something was wrong. “What is it?” she asked.
“I have to go, baby,” she said softly.
“No! Please, Ruxandra. Do not leave me. Not yet.”
Ruxandra looked beyond her. Ilona stood there in the shadows. She had not heard her enter. Another faint sound came from behind. She knew it could only be Dracula. They had seen her with Anne.
“I must go,” she said, climbing from the bed.
Anne sat up. The others stood back in the shadows so she could not see them. Ruxandra picked up her skimpy dress. She gave Anne one last look. “I love you,” she said. She then ran at the window. The shutters smashed as she dived through them. Ilona would have followed her, but Anne had the window in her sights.
Anne cried out in horror. She got up and ran over to it. When she looked down she saw nothing. She put a hand to her mouth in shock. There was no sign of Ruxandra in the gardens below. She had vanished without a trace.
“Why did you leave me?” she whispered. “You always leave me.”
Dracula made a noise from behind her. She gasped with fright and turned around. Ilona used the diversion to fly out through the window unnoticed. Anne walked across the room, but could see no one. When she had her back to him, Dracula followed his wife outside. Anne caught sight of a blur, but thought she had imagined it. With her eyes misting up she climbed back into bed and sobbed.
Ruxandra headed straight for the web of city streets. She knew she had little chance of getting away. Wherever she went they would find her. Ilona picked up her trail in no time. She eased off a little in her pursuit. When her husband caught up they pressed on at speed.
The Dracula Chronicles: Bound By Blood - Volume 2 Page 27