The Female Musketeer

Chapter 50 | Tuer Ou Ne Pas Tuer

I stare at the mad woman before me, who holds my brothers life in her hands.

"No."

She raises and eyebrow and takes the knife from his throat, instead she place the tip of the blade to his chest. Right above his heart.

"Please, I can't do that. Just let him go, take me instead."

She thinks for a moment and pushes Charles away, he runs towards me.

"Go." I tell him.

"I'm not leaving you."

"Trust me. Go." I beg him. He knits his eyebrows together but ultimately runs off. When he was far enough away, I turn back to her.

"Thank you."

"Don't thank me. I realize with you, killing him wouldn't do me much good. You Musketeers are the vengeful type."

"So?"

"So...that's my plan. Kill Athos, and I will protect you. You know my benefactor, and you seem to be of use to him."

she steps closer to me, then circles me.

"I can see it, in your eyes."

My shoulders tense.

"See what?" I ask as she continues to walk around me.

She stops in front of me with a smirk.

"You're in love with Athos."

"No, I am not."

"Please, I'm not an idiot. You forget I loved him too, once. Didn't end well for me."

"Clearly." I mutter.

She backs up alittle.

"Don't let a stupid thing like love, cloud your judgement. I'm giving you an easy way out."

"Murdering my friend is an easy way out?"

"Yes."

"And if I say no."

"You could. But then you'd be risking the lives of everyone you care about. See I've been watching you for quite some time. You seemed to have made quite a tight knit group of friends. If you refuse me, I'll start picking them off. One by one."

Something occurs to me. She said she failed to kill Athos, but she had plenty of time and occasion to do so. Athos said she hesitated, and even when she shot at him, it was his leg she hit. I keep the realization to myself and stand up straighter.

"Fine."

"So you agree?"

"If you can insure I won't go to prison, and that my brother and the rest of my friends will remain unharmed. I will do it."

"You have 3 days."

"3 days." I whisper to myself.

Milady walks off, disappearing quietly into the night.

I close my eyes and take a deep breath. Then take my time walking back to Mr Bonacieux's house.

When I arrive, I'm met with a pacing Athos. He is walking back in forth in front of the front door. He looks relived to see me, and hobbles over to me.

"Are you alright?" He runs his hands down my arm and checks me over for injury.

I brush off his touch "I am fine, where is Charles?"

"He came back awhile ago. Constance has him laying down. He's been worried sick. We all have."

"Well I am fine, no need to worry." I keep my tone cool.

"Are you sure you're alright?"

I raise my voice at him and push him away from me.

"Yes, Athos! I am a grown woman, I don't need you hovering around me!"

He puts his hands up defensively "I'm sorry."

I storm past him inside. He trails after me.

"Daria, wait!"

But I keep going, past the kitchen and up the stairs. Athos still hot on my heels, just like I hoped.

Before we go into Charles room, I pull him into Mr Bonacieux's study. The only room in the house with no windows.

"What are you doing?"

I step closer to him, grabbing his hands in mine.

"I'm sorry I was so cruel. I swear it was only an act."

"What's going on Daria? What did she want?"

I pull him towards me, and lean up to whisper in his ear. After I explain, he continues to hold me close to him.

"I assume by that look on your face you have a plan."

"Not so much a plan, as a hope."

He pulls me into a hug. We just hold eachother for a few minutes. He rockys me gently.

"So I guess leaving is off the table for now."

I laugh a hollow laugh.

"I suppose it is."

He pulls his head back, and brings it close to my face.

His voice is a mere whisper when he says "I care deeply for you, Daria. More than a Musketeer, More than a friend."

"This is all so complicated now Athos. I haven't even spoke to Pierre."

"Do you really care for that priss? I know him Daria, he is a rake. He likes his freedom."

I smack him in the arm.

"Be nice. I do care about him...as a friend."

"So, you've never kissed him?"

"Well, yes."

"So you go around kissing all your friends?"

"Only the ones I really like." I joke.

He leans his closer, his lips brushing over mine as he whispers "It's a good thing we're friends then."

"The best of friends" I agree.

He brings his lips to mine.