The sun was shining in the garden as the ladies huddled together under their parasols. Shade seemed hard to come by, even with the nearby trees. To their side, the queen sat close to her king as they watched the dog handler show off the latest star from a batch of puppies who had just finished their training.

The trainer whistled and the young dog at his command raced into the woods, responding each time his handler made a sound. The ladies clapped with pleasure when the dog returned, wiggling with delight at the dead fox in his mouth. With a mouth full of slobbering excitement, he dropped the body at the trainer's feet and sat, waiting patiently for his reward. With a glance in the king's direction, the trainer gave the pup some jerky as payment for the fox. He couldn't hide the look of pride on his face. It had taken months to get the dog to listen so well.

The king clapped with appreciation as he stood to inspect the dog. It was a beautiful greyhound, almost full grown. With a quick lick, the dog sniffed his hand happily, thumping his tail on the ground. King Henry bent to inspect the musculature and stance. He felt the dog's abdomen and looked in his ears. None too gently, he held the dog under the jaw and pried it open to inspect his teeth. "He is a specimen, indeed," the king observed as the dog's mouth closed. "How long have you been training him to hunt like that?" 

"He has six months of training, my king, and he is 11 months old."

"Excellent work, Stan. I would like to try him out next week when we go foxing."

"Of course. I will have him properly attired with a crested collar." With a deep bow, the trainer took the dog and departed.

Henry turned to look at his wife. "What a magnificent animal."

"Beautiful," the queen agreed nodding her head. "Will you not hunt before next week?"

"Probably, but today I want to spend some time with you...and I believe one of your ladies challenged me to a game of chess. Perhaps I could take some time now to accept."

"Is that so? And which lady would be so bold as to challenge her king?" Her eyes flashed as she searched the faces around her. The flare of jealously that touched herexpression could not be missed by anyone.

Henry caught the edge in her voice as he took in her demeanour. His shoulders slumped slightly as he realized he would not be enjoying a game of chess today. At least not with Anne Boleyn. Still, he took the time to search the faces before him. Every set of eyes was downcast; a silent plea to not be singled out.

"I can't seem to recall the name, my love," Henry said as he turned back to his wife. He could only blame himself for her insecurities. "How about you, then? Are you in the mood to be badly beaten by your husband?"

A smile came to Catherine's eyes as she gestured for one of the ladies to prepare the board. "I would enjoy few things more, my love."

Along with the other ladies, Anne joined the circle around the king and queen. She watched as Catherine purposefully lost to the king. Anne happened to know that the queen was quite a good chess player...too good to make the moves she was making, which could only lead to a loss. The king's expression told Anne that he knew it as well. She insults her husband in her effort to be demure, Anne thought. And at that moment, she decided that when she played the king, she would play to win.

After winning his first game against his wife, and a second game against another lady, Henry searched the faces around him. "Who else feels like losing today?" He beamed in his own good-natured way. "You." Here, he pointed at Anne. The one he had wanted to play all day long. "Are you any good?"

Anne blushed as all eyes turned her way. With some effort, she squared her shoulders. "I've won my fair share, my king."

King Henry smiled at her boldness. This was what he remembered from their collision the other day. "Come sit across from me, then. Let's see how good you are."

Anne gathered her wits as she took her seat. She looked at him without a shred of humour, taking the game seriously, forgetting to be coy. The king bellowed a laugh. "So serious? I had better watch my moves then. I do believe you plan to kill my king!"

The ladies around them giggled, hands delicately over their mouths. The queen took it all in and her shoulders relaxed. There was no flirting to be seen.

With each move, the game was even. Anne was very good, but so was the king. As the game moved on slowly, minutes passing between each move, the gathered ladies slowly dispersed. The game might be interesting for Anne and the king, but it was boring to watch for everyone else. Even the queen walked away after time had ticked by and only a few pieces were removed from the board.

The king studied Anne and she studied him, each trying to read the mind of the other. Both were unsuccessful.

Finally, "Check and mate."

Anne let out a sigh as her eyes met his. "I want a rematch," she said as she flicked her king down with one raised eyebrow.

"I'm sure you do," the king laughed. He stood up. "Not today, though, young lady. Another time." He smiled at her and she stood to curtsy. He took her hand and kissed the back. "Maybe you will beat me next time."

Anne smiled and narrowed her eyes at him. "Be on your guard, my king, I'll be waiting to avenge this loss."

He pulled her close and whispered in her ear, "Since you are already feeling some loss today, I feel that I should tell you. I plan to annul your engagement to James Butler."

Anne felt numb. She shook her head ever so slightly in her confusion.

The king pulled back to read her expression. "If I went through with this decision, would you be heartbroken?"

Anne shook her head once again.

"Very good then. Very good. I would hate for your vengeance to be any more deadly." Henry chuckled as he turned to go about his daily business.

Anne calmed her racing heart as she watched him walk away. Then she turned to see the dancing eyes of the queen.

"You tried hard to beat him, but he is very good at chess."

"And you didn't try at all, my queen," Anne responded.

"I know him well. He likes to win," the queen said with a smile.

Anne smiled back with some mischief in her eyes. "So do I."

Catherine laughed. "The ladies are going for a walk, let us join them."

~~

As one might guess, Millie had seen much of this interaction, noting especially the dog which had caught the king's attention. When the trainer took his leave with the dog, she had followed in her grey cloak to see where the king's dogs were held until such a time as he wanted them in his presence.

The trainer petted the dog lovingly as he put him in the pen. There was water and kitchen scraps within and the dog settled to eat his meal.

Once she was alone in the kennel she moved to the greyhound as he ate. "What a nice dog," she murmured softly. She reached her hand through the bars and stroked the dog'sback. It turned its head and licked her hand. It certainly is a friendly creature, Millie thought with some regret. 

Without another thought, lest her conscience change her mind, she took out her potion which was made with the king's own hair and some sweat from one of his beloved shirts. She poured the liquid onto what remained of the dog's meal.

The dog bent his head to finish his food. Millie watched as he licked his lips and she smiled sadly at what she had done. It was a shame to sacrifice this lovely animal, but sometimes prices such as these needed to be paid.

She met his eyes briefly and watched the soulful look change ever so slightly. The dog growled at her, as if recognizing her for what she truly was.

"Now, now, my friend," Millie whispered. "Save it for the king."

The dog continued to growl at her, so she pulled her cloak over her face and left the kennel as swiftly as she had entered. She would have to watch this dog carefully for the next week so as not to miss the hunt. She would need to collect the king's blood from his fur once the attack happened.

Millie thought about the king playing chess with Anne. He seemed to be fond enough of Anne. But fondness would not be enough. Within the week, she would have the dusting to put on Circe. A visit paid by her loving cat to deliver the dose of love he would need. She hoped that Anne would return it...

Will Anne return it? She wondered. A niggling feeling planted the smallest seed of dread deep in her heart. Perhaps I should give some to Anne as well. She had never given a potion to Anne before. Anne had always played along with Millie's schemes. But now there is Henry Percy...Henry Percy. Maybe if she forgets about Henry Percy... No, Millie would wait a little longer before she took action against Henry Percy.

~~

A/N You're still reading!! Yayyyyy!!!!! Thank you so much for supporting this book. I'm glad you're enjoying it enough to get this far. Please comment and vote so that I know what you think. xxoo