Chapter Eleven

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"C harles, what are you doing?" Isabella stared wide-eyed at the scene before her.

"He likes strawberries." Charles placed another in Philip's chubby, little hand. "Don't you, my little prince? You love them."

Little Philip sat on a blanket in the palace gardens and grasped the fruit, squeezing it between his fingers. "Bababa," he said. That was his favorite word at present and he applied it to anything and everything.

"The mess." Isabella couldn't help but smile, despite the fact that all surfaces were stained red. Philip's little, white outfit; the blanket; Charles's tunic; both of their faces.

She sat next to them, lowering herself carefully, as her belly was swollen once more. "Come here." She turned Charles to face her and swiped a sticky smear of strawberry from his chin. "Did I ever see such a messy emperor?"

He laughed. "I think you probably have, dear empress."

She giggled. "It is just as well only I see you in this state and it is not an image printed and distributed. You would lose your reputation as a serious and model Christian."

"Because I like strawberries?" He raised his eyebrows and passed another to Philip. "God created strawberries for us to enjoy, didn't he, Philip?"

Philip took the berry happily, waving it in the air and babbling at it.

"That is true." She made an attempt at wiping Philip's chin, but it was so smeared with juice, she gave up.

"Here, have one." Charles popped a berry into her mouth.

The sweet juice spread on her tongue like sunshine.

"My second son will also like strawberries." Charles smiled and swept a kiss over her lips. He then ducked and set one on her belly, not seeming to care that he might stain her gown.

But nothing could bother her on such a blissful day. "I think you are right." She sighed and held her face to the blue sky. "I like it here in Valladolid."

"Yes, it is a good base for us. You will have this child here."

"As long as I have Luisa and Dona with me, that is all I need."

"They will be. And the finest surgeon on standby."

"Birthing is women's business. The local midwife will give me the most experienced care."

"Then that is what you will have."

Philip waved his hand. "Bababa."

"Here you are, son." Charles offered him another strawberry.

He took it and squeezed it before licking the flesh from his fingers.

Isabella shook her head and smiled.

Charles stood and stretched his hands over his head. His tunic lifted, flashing the strip of hair between his navel and breeches.

A little flutter of interest caught in her belly. Despite being with child, the desire for her husband hadn't waned. He, however, was cautious about causing undue harm and had taken to sleeping in a different chamber.

Alvaro suddenly appeared on the lawn, his long legs striding from an archway in the courtyard.

"I get the feeling my sense of peace is about to be shattered." Charles dropped his hands to his sides.

Alvaro nodded at Charles, then dipped his head toward Isabella.

"What do you have?" Charles asked, holding out his hand for the scroll Alvaro held.

"News from Naples."

"Naples?" Charles snatched the scroll and quickly unfurled it. He read it, running his fingers into his hair and pulling at the strands as he did so.

"What is it?" Isabella asked, passing Philip his drink.

"That no-good, deceitful, lying king." He threw the scroll to one side and thumped one fist into the other. He then stalked to the wall and rested his palms against it, his head dropped to stare at the ground. Tension seemed to vibrate from him.

"Charles." Isabella went to stand. It wasn't easy with a large belly.

Alvaro was suddenly there, holding out his hand. "Your Majesty."

"Thank you." She allowed him to help her onto her feet. "Charles, what is in the scroll?" She looked at Alvaro.

He shook his head. He was none the wiser.

"Can you find Dona to watch Philip, please?" Isabella asked Alvaro.

"Yes, Your Majesty." Alvaro turned and disappeared once more.

"What is it, my love?" She set her hand between Charles's shoulder blades. "Please tell me and let me share the burden."

"You have enough burden with the babe in your belly. You do not need more to carry."

She ducked her head to look at his face. "I am your empress. God has made me strong enough to carry this load."

Snatching his hands away from the wall, he straightened. "King Francis, he has broken our treaty." He made a low, growling sound and kicked at a stone. It hit the wall with a thud. "Despite me still holding his sons."

Isabella was glad that Dona had appeared and scooped her sticky charge into her arms. Normally, Dona would comment on the mess, but today, she took the giggling child quickly from the courtyard.

"Does he not care what I will do to him for this?" Charles shouted. "What I will do to his family and his people?" He crashed his right fist into his left palm.

She rested her hand on his upper arm. The strain in him was palpable. "What does the message say?"

"He has invaded by land and by sea. An army and a fleet, surrounding Naples, blockading Naples…Naples…which is mine ." He jabbed at his chest. "It is within my empire, it is my right to rule, and it is my right to pass onto my son." He glanced at the empty blanket. "Where is he? Where is our son?"

"Dona took him."

His brain seemed to switch straight back to the matter at hand. "The fleet is being run by Filippino Doria. His uncle is Andrea Doria, ruler of Genoa." He shook his head. "We are back at the start of our game of bloody chess. Francis will have the ear of the pope, and my empire will diminish."

"You do not have an eye into the future." Isabella was determined to stay calm. "I agree a siege is not good and—"

" Not good ? It is a disaster! No food in or out of the city. A total cessation of the movement of trade and supplies."

"Which you yourself have endured before, have you not? In Pavia."

He was quiet for a moment then nodded. "Yes."

"So stay calm, for you always do."

"In public, yes." He banged his chest. "But the passion in here burns. I will not be defeated."

"I know you won't be." She took his hand, brought it to her lips, and kissed the ring that sat on his finger. "But exert some of your famed patience. Fate will throw moves your way, which you'll be able to play to your advantage." She paused. "Perhaps you'll be able to make a deal with Doria and persuade him to switch sides. Maybe fire, or flood, or plague will strike the army."

He pulled in a deep breath and closed his eyes.

"Francis is playing boldly, as you said, foolishly too. He doesn't have the stomach for a long campaign, I am sure of it. He has no idea what we could do to his sons in that time."

His face twisted and he cupped her cheeks. "My love, you are wise council and I will pray you are right."

"I will pray also. But other than that, there is little you can do today. We must be thankful that you are not in Naples, for that would make it an even bigger prize for Francis."

"That is true. I am glad to be here, at home, with my family."

"And we are glad to have you." She kissed him and pressed up close. "Shall we go for a siesta?"

"A siesta?"

"A naked siesta?" She slid her hand to his behind and squeezed. She loved how like a peach it was even through his breeches.

"You know how I worry." His eyebrows drew close. "About hurting you."

"You won't."

"But that doesn't stop me from worrying." He pulled back and ran his hand over her belly. "Our child is too precious, even if it is a girl."

"You know…" she said, also running her hand over her stomach. "I think I would like this one to be a girl."

He said nothing.

"My parents loved me, even though I didn't have a…you know…down there. And they had John already, so daughters were a blessing."

"You are a blessing to the entire world." He stroked her cheek. "And yes, you are right. I wish for nothing more than my wife to birth safely and my child to be healthy. Lord above, that is my heart's desire."

"And to win back Naples."

"Yes, and that." He managed a smile. "I must organize for the Cortes and council to meet. My advisors must join us and I need to send word to your brother, King John. There is much to attend to."

"And can you have any council meetings today?" She tipped her head questioningly.

"No…I…" He looked around. "Alvaro!"

"Yes, Your Majesty?" Alvaro appeared the way he always did when Charles called for him.

"Naples is under siege, from the French. I need my noblemen and council to meet…tomorrow…and I need to have that scroll"—he pointed to the crumpled wad on the floor—"copied and sent to King John of Portugal."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Alvaro snatched up the scroll. "Anything else?"

"Yes." Charles frowned. "When you have done that I want you to sit and think also about the situation. Work out how long the city can survive. For I need your council too. You are a most trusted friend, Alvaro."

"My loyalty is to the empire." Alvaro bowed low. "And to you, Your Majesty. Your desire is my instruction." He straightened and checked that his hat was secure. "Now if you will excuse me, I will get to my tasks."

Charles nodded.

For a moment, the tranquility of the courtyard made itself known again. A family of sparrows flitted from an olive tree to a rooftop. A butterfly fluttered around a pot of pink roses and the sound of the fountain seemed to spread a sense of peace over everything.

"Come, walk with me," Isabella said softly. "You have energy in your legs that must be used up."

"I was very relaxed and calm." He held out his arm. "Until that delivery rudely interrupted our day."

Isabella took his arm. "As was I, but we can be at peace again. There is nothing to be done until tomorrow."

"That is true."

"So let the situation incubate." She touched her belly. "Let your thoughts be pregnant and then the solution will come with time."

"I have no right to claim you as mine—you are so wise and sensible." He kissed her temple as they walked.

"You are the only man by whom I could or would ever be claimed, my love."

He released a low sigh and they walked slowly in the shade.

Having been together for so long now, she could sense him settling into quiet contemplation. The cogs of his mind turning, connecting, working out the various end results and how to get the one he wanted.

The corridors of the palace were empty, everyone either in siesta or getting on with quiet tasks.

Eventually, they came to a grand room with golden gilded walls that held huge paintings of landscapes and portraits. A long table in the center was used for meetings, the soft, high-backed chairs surrounding it blue velvet and studded with silver nails.

At the head of the room was a raised section containing two more blue, velvet, throne-like chairs. These were substantially bigger, grander too with ornate woodwork and embroidered cushions with gold and silver threads depicting the Habsburg crest.

They stepped in to the quiet stillness and Isabella shut the door behind them.

"I think well in this big room," Charles said, running his finger over the backs of the chairs as he walked parallel to the table.

"As do I." She looked at a landscape painting of a river running through a valley surrounded by mountains and olive groves. "It feels as though the knowledge and wisdom of our ancestors remains in the walls."

"Yes." He smiled. "I know what you mean."

She took a grape from a bowl on the table and popped it into her mouth.

"I am sure," he said, stepping onto the plinth and removing the red, silk scarf that had been loosely tied around his neck, "that sitting here will give me some clarity."

He sat and curled his hands over the arms of the chair, resting his head back and closing his eyes. The scarf sat curled on his lap.

Isabella walked toward him, her footsteps soft. She sent thanks for her good fortune in life. Her husband was so handsome, so astute, and so calm in the face of invasion. Yes, it had angered him initially, but now he was approaching the situation with his usual grace and dignity.

She went up onto the raised section and stood before him, sweeping her eyes over his body. She wanted him the way she always did and him withholding due to his concerns for the baby was getting beyond frustrating.

And if it was frustrating for her , she knew it would have been driving him crazy.

His tunic was undone at several buttons and the base was rucked up, once again showing a patch of his body hair. Her attention dipped lower, to his soft scarf covering the folds of material at his groin.

A flutter of desire caught in her belly. The need for intimacy squeezed at her heart.

Stepping up to him, she folded to her knees and set her hands on his thighs.

He opened his eyes and looked at her.

"If you won't come to my bed, at least let me show you how much I love you."

"I know that you love me."

She ran her hands up his legs to his groin then took hold of the scarf and held it up. She dropped it to the floor, where it settled silently.

His eyes grew heavy.

She brushed her fingertips over the bulge of flesh behind the material.

He blew out a breath. "Isabella?"

"Let everything go from your mind, just for a few minutes, Emperor," she whispered, pulling at his breeches. "This won't hurt the baby. So relax and let me love you this way."

"Here? Now?"

"Yes, here and now. We will not be disturbed."

"Let us hope not." His fingers gripped the arms of his throne tighter.

Keeping his eye contact, she pulled out his cock. It wasn't solid, but as she held it, the flesh grew thicker.

His chest rose as he filled his chest.

"You like me touching you?"

"You know I do." His voice was a little deeper now, huskier too.

"Like this?" She ran her hand up to the tip of his erection and slipped her thumb over his slit.

"Mmm, like that."

She smiled then tipped forward and used her tongue to trace where her thumb had just been.

He bit on his bottom lip and his cock twitched within her grip.

"I love the taste of you," she murmured.

"As I do you."

Concentrating, she worked his cock from tip to root and back up again. Slowly, so slowly, feeling every thick tendon and vein.

His thighs flopped open a little, as though relaxing into her touch.

A feeling of triumph went through her. No longer was he thinking of the invasion or the siege. She had his complete and utter attention.

"Do you want my mouth?" she asked with a little smile.

He nodded. "Yes."

"So ask for it."

His eyelids fluttered closed as she twisted her grip at the top of his cock, just the way he liked.

"Ask nicely," she said, flying high on her moment of power over him.

"Empress, my love…" He gasped. "Please, take me into your sweet mouth."

She licked her lips. Her heart was beating fast, and she leaned up to hover her mouth over his tip.

She stroked her tongue around the flare of his glans.

"Ah, Isabella." He groaned, sliding one hand to her head and knocking her headdress to the floor. "Yes, like that…no…give me more." His fingers dug into the strands of her hair.

"Emperor, allow yourself to be at your wife's mercy, just for a little while."

He was breathing hard as he nodded. "You make me loco with need for your touch."

Which was exactly her intention. "You mean this touch?" She ran her fist to his root and squeezed gently.

"Oh, in heaven's name…please…more…"

The desperation in his voice was music to her ears. "You mean this?" She tipped forward and opened her mouth around his cock tip, taking him between her lips.

Her hair roots pulled as his grip tightened. He let out a long, low groan.

Cupping her tongue, she dropped lower onto him, taking his length into her mouth and hugging it into her warmth.

His thighs pressed against her and he moaned softly. "So good."

Isabella knew what he needed next and she pulled up again, only to drop back down, taking him as deep as she could, to the back of her throat.

He tensed and shifted his hips. The wooden throne creaked.

She pulled up, dipped down, repeated it over and over.

His moans grew more guttural, echoing around the grand room, and his hands followed the movements of her head.

"Oh…I'm…getting close…" He gasped.

She knew he was. His cock was as hard as it ever got and a slick of salty moisture coated her tongue. If she weren't already with child, he'd have entered her cunny at this stage, but today, that wasn't of concern.

"Isabella…I…oh…" He canted his hips to meet her mouth, an urgency taking over him.

She closed her eyes, a tear slipping from one of them. He was going so deep, so fast. But far from being unpleasant, it was thrilling and she tightened her lips around his solid shaft.

With a cry, he found his release, flooding her mouth.

She swallowed what he gave her, though some leaked out and she used it as lube on his shaft.

Again, his cock pulsed. His cry turned into a bliss-soaked groan and he released the tension on her hair.

She breathed deeply, pulling up and then sliding down again.

"My love." He gasped, gripping her underarms. "Oh, that was so…good."

She lifted and let his cock fall into her palm, holding it tenderly. "It was my intention to please you."

"Then you succeeded." He grinned. A sheen of sweat sat on his brow and he was breathing fast. "Please, come here."

Lifting up, she quickly found herself sitting on his lap.

"Do you think you are the first to be pleasured upon this throne?" she asked, looping her arms around his neck.

"I am not sure our ancestors were so devilish."

"You think that was devilish?" She raised her eyebrows at him.

"Devilishly good." He chuckled. "But not something I will be confessing because as I told you once before, what happens between a man and his wife is for their knowledge only."

He kissed her, a lovely, deep, warm kiss that told her how much he loved her and needed her.