The Glow

It's been about one month and a half since Catherine and Anne have officially become lovers. One and a half months of sneaking around, trying to get some privacy. It's become a weekly thing to spend time on the roof. Usually just the two of them, sometimes either Mary or Jane would join them.

To be frank, no one really payed attention to Henry. There was still some interaction with the man, meals, "bedroom visits", etc. The two despise every second of it. Both of them regret the day Henry receives his Glow with one of them.

Each woman wishes that they aren't his soulmate. Wishes that the other isn't his soulmate. That he never meets his soulmate to spare any other women who might fall subject to his actions.

Today is one of those off days where the redhead is actually awake before lunch for once. Actually, he's awake before breakfast, which is very out of character for the man. Jane had so carefully woken the cuddling couple from their slumber to deliver the king's message.

"Terribly sorry you two. But the king requests both of you right away." At this the women sit up, leaning against the headboard as they rub their eyes open. "I wouldn't waste any time, it seems urgent." Jane final word is what gives Catherine a jolt of energy.

"Of course. Thank you Jane." The blonde nods and makes her exit, the queen getting out of bed to say her morning prayer as she does. This prayer is faster than usual, the lady in waiting notes as she tiredly stretches in place. "Anne, love, let's go."

"Gimme a second queenie, I'm tired." Rolling her eyes, Catherine quickly rounds the bed and gives Anne a short kiss. Too short for the younger's liking as she tries to reconnect their lips.

"As much as I want to stay with you, Henry wants us for something important, so we have to go now." A whine escapes the green woman's mouth at this. "Come on, let's go." Anne is pulled out of bed; as she stands up, she makes sure she gets a proper kiss from her lover before turning to her clothes.

The two quickly prepare themselves for the day and start briskly walking down the halls to the throne room. It's mostly silent, if not for the quick footsteps of the women. Anne has some trouble keeping up with Catherine's pace.

Knowing what Catherine had went through, and the number of years she's been married to the king, and the amount of time she's been mistreated by said king, Anne doesn't question her worry. 

When Catherine enters Henry's face is somewhat neutral. When Anne enters his eyes light up a lot bit too much for the lady in waiting's liking. The secret couple move in front of Henry, bowing respectively.

"Perfect. I have an announcement for the two of you." The Spaniard nods, quickly followed by the French. "It took me a very long time, but with the creation of the Church of England, I am finally able to divorce Catherine." Though the king doesn't pay attention, Catherine flinches a bit at this announcement. "It is...very much impossible to have children with her, and it's clear to me that we will simply not share a Glow." The queen(?) is about to argue back, to say anything, when the other steps forward.

"Your Highness, if you don't mind me asking, if you are to divorce Catherine, who will be queen?" Anne is careful to watch her tone, not sounding excited, but rather inquisitive, a hint of sadness if payed attention to.

"Why, you will, my lovely Anne." Two pairs of eyes widen at this proclamation. "You and I are to be officially married once the divorce is in place. As for you, Catherine." At the sound of her name, she turns to her husband(?). "I will give you until the end of the day before you are sent to the abbey--"

"This is absurd!" Anne winces at the volume of her lover's voice. "I am your wife! I have done nothing to cause you trouble and you think you can just throw me away like this?! And what about Mary?! Our daughter! Surely you cannot take me away from her! I refuse to believe this!"

"SILENCE! Enough is enough! You are no longer my wife, and you will leave this palace by the end of the day! Now get out of my sight!" Catherine exits with a huff; Anne politely bows and gives thanks to the king before quickly following the gold woman.

When she loses sight of her lover, Anne proceeds to their chambers, a series of thoughts circling her mind. 

I'm going to be queen. This is what I wanted, wasn't it? No. That's what father wanted. What I wanted? I wanted to find someone who cared about me. Genuinely. I thought that would be Henry but I was wrong. I have Mary, and Jane, I hope, and Catherine. My love. Sweet Catherine. What's going to happen to her? The last thing I want is for her to be hurt. And the yelling. I didn't like the yelling. And Mary. I'm so glad Mary likes me if he's going to follow through. I really don't want him to. I just want everything to stay as is. Me. And Catalina.

Together. 

Anne opens the door to find Catherine putting her things away in bags, her arms shaking.

"Lina?"

"You got what you wanted didn't you?" The brunette's voice is thick, and doesn't stop what she's doing as she replies. "You wanted Henry, and now you've got him. Did you ever think of what would happen to the rest of us when you thought of it?! Did you? And now. I'm just like I was before. Unwanted."

"Lina that's not true!!" As far as Anne can remember, she hasn't raised her voice that loud before, shocking herself just as much as Catherine. "I'm sorry for yelling. But...what I really wanted was someone who truly cared about me. Before, I thought that would come through Henry, but now it comes through you. And I want you." As the younger of the two sits on the edge of the bed, she holds her arms out; the older practically collapses into the hug.

"I'm sorry. I-I....." The green woman stokes the golden's hair. "I just don't want to lose everyone. To lose you." They sit in silence for a bit before it's broken by the more extroverted woman.

"Lina, do you remember that one vision I told you about?"

"Yes."

"I wish it meant you. I wish it meant you were my soulmate." Catherine wipes away her tears as she kisses the one she loves so dearly.

"Me too, love." A warm sensation fills both of their chests. That's strange. What is that? They think to themselves before being blinded by a bright light.

When each one opens their eyes, their entire surroundings are white. They're standing face to face with the woman they've grown to love very much, though from a much larger distance then they remember being. A sort of colored light slowly forms around each woman in their respective colors. Slowly the light starts trailing toward the center, almost like a snake. When the two colors meet, there's another flash.

When their eyes focus again, the two colors can be seen twisting around each other, then separating; as if to mimic two playful souls dancing around each other. Green and gold. Gold and green. The sight is significantly marvelous. Unlike any other thing they've seen. Unlike any other Glow they've seen.

That's what's happening isn't it? This is what a Glow looks like from the inside. And that means....

The colors start to spin around each other faster and faster before finally dispersing in a final flash.

Once they come back to their senses, they're back in their original positions. Sitting across their lover on the edge of the bed, hands connected. Both of them are breathing heavily as they stare into the other's eyes.

"Forget the divorce." The sudden voice of a man surprises the soulmates as they turn to make eye contact. The man's eyes are filled with confusion and spite, but mostly rage. A lot of rage. "GUARDS!" Four other men storm into the room, two holding each woman and dragging them away from each other. Shaking his head in disbelief, the man continues his orders. "THESE TWO ARE SINNERS! MONSTERS! HAVE THEM BEHEADED! I WANT THEM BEHEADED TODAY!" At the command the guards start to lug the women out of the bedroom, Catherine and Anne trying their best to break free. "LET EVERYONE KNOW WHAT THEY'VE DONE! WHAT THEY ARE! Filthy beasts." The final insult is muttered to himself, but clearly made loud enough so his new prisoners would hear.

Mary just happens to be walking in the very hallway that held her mother's chambers. She just happens to see all the guards gathered outside the door. She sees Anne and Catherine being taken away.

"NO STOP WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!" At the sound of her child's voice, Catherine tries harder to break free, to see her only daughter. To see her one last time. "STOP IT! LET THEM GO! THEY HAVEN'T DONE ANYTHING WRONG!" Mary tries to run towards them, only to be held back by the other guards in the hallway. The man makes eyes contact with the child.

"And make sure this one doesn't leave her room until they're dead." Mary fights back as hard as she can as she's towed and thrown into her room, the door being locked from the outside. Never, has the princess felt so helpless. So useless. So worried. The only thing she knows she can do is pray. So that's what she does.

Father God, I know there isn't much I can do to save them. I only ask that you let them into your kingdom. If you are truly a God of love, then surely you will not punish them for their love for each other. For their Glow. 

~     ~     ~

The hours they spend in separate cells feel like days. Neither of them speak. Their minds are all too focused on what happens next.

When the guards come for them, neither fight back. They know there's nothing they can do about it. They live in a world where queerness is looked down upon. Where it's punished. Where love is punished. It's all very depressing.

As they walk down the halls for the last time, they can't help but sneak glances at each other. They had officially become soulmates for less than a day. And they're about to die.

When their heads are placed on the blocks, they can no longer hear the cheering of the crowd. They keep their heads down.

"I love you." Anne Boleyn whispers.

"I love you too." Catherine of Aragon whispers back.

God Almighty, I have held on to what Mary told me earlier this year. If you are a God of love, and you know who everyone belongs with, then I ask you let us into your kingdom. And if our love really is a sin,

Anne keeps her eyes open. Catherine shuts them.

The axes come swinging down.

then give us a second chance.