Lost in the pages

The Garrison is home

We waited in the throne room with the Queen and other members if the court. I paced the floor and Constance wrung her hands. The Queen sat on her throne as the sounds of horses on the gravel outside signaled the return of the King. Constance looked at me and gripped my hands.

"Oh, I want to be sick" I muttered to her as the butterflies in my stomach felt like they were having a party "I'm nervous"

"It's just Athos" she laughed 

"I know but he left, and I was still stuck in bed with bandages across my back and he couldn't touch me" I whispered "Now I'm all better and all I want to do is get him alone and have him to myself for a little while"

"And there is nothing wrong with that" Constance nodded

"And don't forget now there is also nothing in your way with D'artagnan anymore" her face suddenly went pale "nothing can stop you from becoming Madame D'artagnan" Constance's eyes grew wide "You didn't think about that did you?" I laughed

"No, I didn't" The doors opened, and the King strode in looking full of himself, he was followed by other smug looking lords and then my eyes fell on Athos as he walked in with the others; his hand resting on the hilt of his sword 

He turned his head to say something to Aramis and his eyes met mine and a smile spread across his face, and he nodded his head to me. I felt like a million butterflies had been set loose in my stomach, and I felt my skin flush and tingle just being in the same room as he was.

The King walked over to the Queen, I never heard anything that was being said; all I wanted was to be with Athos. I felt Constance nudge me as she dipped into a curtsy as the King and the Queen left the room together.

I took a deep breath as Athos and the others walked toward me and Constance. 

"Ladies, it is good to see you both" Captain Treville smiled 

"And it is nice to have you all back here" Constance broke out into a huge smile "It's been rather quite without you"

"If you will excuse us" Athos took my hand and before anyone else could say anything and led me from the room and out into the hallway. He moved me by the window and turned me to face him and drew me close and kissed me like no one was around. he pulled back and rested his forehead against mine. "I have been longing to do that since leaving here" his gloved hands held my neck and he moved back to look down at me. "Are you still in pain?"

"No, I've healed" I said smiling at him "I want to be alone with you"

"Are you still living here?"

"No, I've been at the Garrison making myself useful; The Queen wanted some letters delivering to a Spanish envoy, but she wouldn't allow me to take them while you were all gone"

"Well, I personally am glad of that" He took my hand as the others came from the throne room. 

"I take it that you are coming to the Garrison?" Porthos asked with a smile

"We are"" Athos nodded offering me his arm. 

Athos pulled me up in front of him on the back of Hades I put my head against his chest and relished the feeling of the weather worn warm leather and the firmness of his muscles shifting underneath as he rode through the streets the chatter amongst them was easy and was one of relief that they were back.

The Garrison was its usual hive of activity; grooms came forward and took the reins of the horses.

"Estelle" Porthos said offering to help me down. I put my hands on his shoulders and lifted me down "Now if you will excuse me, I am going to eat that stew that is smelling incredible and then I am falling into my bed" he bowed his head and walked away with Aramis and Captain Treville.

"D'artagnan" Constance looked nervous "We need to talk" he frowned and looked at her "It's important"

"Very well" he nodded, and she led him away

"You're smiling?" Athos said as he linked his fingers with mine

"I think D'artagnan is going to be a very happy man in a short while" Athos's tipped his head and raised an eyebrow 

"Well that is what I am wishing for myself  also" he bit on his bottom lip as we reached the top of the stairs. He stopped and bent and swept my feet from under me and carried me to his room he kicked open the door and stepped into the warmth of the room. "Well it looks a little different in here" he said putting me down 

"Yes, it's clean and tidy; More like home" I laughed as I reached my hand up and tugged the pistol from his waistband and put it on the table, He pulled the buckle open on his belt and put his sword down next to it

Athos pulled me against him and kissed me with all the need and passion in the world, our hands were making fast work on the buckles of his jacket and the strings of my corset. His mouth found the soft spot below my ear as everything on the table went flying as he lifted me from of my clothes and sat me on its edge and pushed himself into me raw emotion and power sending us both spiraling quickly to release.