Lost in the pages

That look

Time seemed to slow as Athos's expression changed as he was face to face with his wife. A darkness came over his face; the nerve in his cheek twitched. My hand gripped on to Constance's arm, suddenly the corset of my dress seemed to become overly restrictive.

"Ahhh Treville" The King said with a beaming smile "I wish to see you"

"Majesty" Captain Treville Bowed his head 

"My dear will you wait in my rooms" he said looking at Milady like he was a love sick puppy

"Anything you wish your Majesty" she tore her eyes away from Athos and batted her lashes. I felt an arm around my waist and looked at Aramis who was frowning at me and I realized I was leaning in to him.

Athos stepped forward his hand on the hilt of his sword his jaw set tight; Porthos came from the side and put his hand over to top of Athos's and just shook his head. Milady smiled at Athos before she turned her head to look at me. She turned her head and swept away from everyone toward the kings private rooms.

I lifted my head and looked to Athos as the King and Captain Treville walked away. He closed his eyes and turned on his heel and ran down the stairs. Constance looked at me with wide eyes, I moved away from Aramis and lifted my skirts and hurried after him. Constance looked at Aramis who just looked at her and shook his head.

I heard a shouted that seemed to reverberate from the stone and marble. I rounded the corner and out into the snowy courtyard Athos had his head tipped back as another guttural shout can from him.

"Athos" I put my hand on his arm he slowly brought his head forward and looked at me. There was rage and fire in his eyes

"It was her" he said through gritted teeth I stepped closer to him and put my hand on the side of his face

"Take me home" I murmured "You don't need to be here"

"I want to go to the Kings apartment and run her through with my sword" His eyes flicked to the windows where a figure was at the window.

"Not tonight" I shook my head "Athos, not tonight" I signaled to a groom who walked toward us "bring Hades quickly" he nodded and hurried away "Look at me" I shook him a little "Look at me" he tore his eyes away from the windows "Take me back to the Garrison"

Hades was brought over to us; Athos pulled himself up into the saddle and reached for me and pulled me in front of him. I shivered against the bitter cold as we rode away from the Louvre Palace, my cloak was still in the Queens rooms.

A groom stepped forward and lifted me down, I shook with how cold I was Athos dismounted and took a deep breath

"You're frozen to the bone" he frowned as he seemed to just realize I was just in my dress. I could hardly move with how stiff I was. Athos bent and picked me up; calling over his shoulder for hot water "I'm so sorry" he kicked open the door to his room taking me inside he sat me close to the fire and picked up logs and put them on the glowing embers in the hearth. 

Athos got up and poured two glasses of brandy and held one out to me but I couldn't take it I was shaking so much. he held the cup to my lips and I coughed at the burn as it ran down my throat. 

The groom came in with a bucket of steaming water. Athos told him to put it down and leave us. he knocked back his own brandy and crouched at me feet and pulled off my boots and lifted my feet and put them in to the steaming water.

"Athos" I put my hand on his shoulder he stopped and looked up at me "I can see the anger in your face" He got up and picked up a blanket and put it around my shoulders 

"I did not know what to expect when I saw her" Athos pulled up a chair and picked up the brandy bottle and filled his cup and handed me mine now the shivering was more under control.

"Do you still love her?" his head snapped up

"No... how can I love someone like her; that is a murderess and a manipulator, I was young and foolish" He sank his drink "I told you my heart was a stone but you came and you taught me how to love again, I feel nothing but hatred and anger toward her" he got up and paced I could see the nerve twitch in his cheek

"Thank God for Porthos" he looked at me "He stopped you from doing something stupid" he nodded and looked back at the fire "Would you really have taken out your sword?" he nodded again 

"I just saw her standing there and memories flooded back to me, I was back as the young man she tricked and seduced" His voice cracked a little "The broken man she created"

 I got up and shrugged off the blanket and stepped out of the hot water and moved to stand behind him. I put my hand on his shoulder and turned him to face me 

"You're not broken anymore; You're Athos the Musketeer, You're Athos' Count de la Fere, You're my Athos" I pushed up on my toes and kissed him "I want you" I murmured tugging on the ties of his jacket.

Athos didn't need to be asked twice; there was a need and a desperate urgency in both of us. Both of us seeking some sort of comfort and security from each other.