Madeleine landed on her back against the rumpled coverlet, stunned—then immediately reached for him again, refusing to let the moment end in rejection. Her arms hooked around him. "Then let us set it in stone, Your Highness," she said, breathless but determined. "I am yours."
Henry opened his mouth to ask God what offense had earned him this morning. He never got the chance.
The doors to the king's chamber flew open with such force that both of them jolted. Queen Mother Theodora stormed in.
Her dark robe swept behind her.
"Mother?!" Henry snapped upright in astonishment. "What—what is this? Are there no more announcements being made? Stephen!"
"Stay out there, Stephen!" Theodora thundered, not even turning her head.
The poor man obeyed instantly. Then she fixed her gaze on Madeleine.
"How dare you?" Theodora demanded, advancing a step. "How dare you belittle my authority?"
