"You are mistaken, Sir. I am your Queen and you are simply a soldier" Anne's chin tilted in defiance of the man opposite her.

Aramis had been providing close protection for his Queen for several weeks now and the attraction between them had become unbearable. Even though he knew it was the stupidest thing he had ever done, he had to act on his feelings.

They stood alone at dusk in the palace gardens, walking in the warmth of a summer's eve, as they had done all week. Both secretly understanding it was an excuse to be alone and away from the crazy court. Anne longed for the silence of the garden, but not as much as she longed for the man in front of her.

Aramis slowly closed the space between them, his head slightly tilted, his eyes dark and intense

"I apologies madam if you feel nothing for me" breathed his voice soft in the growing darkness "but I don't believe you!"

Anne's stomach flipped and a hot sensation ran through her body, trembling with surprise at a feeling she had never experienced before, she raised her hand and slapped him hard across his cheek.

"How dare you! I could have you arrested for calling me a liar" she prayed he couldn't hear the tremor in her voice.

He slowly rubbed his cheek and smiled, "Prove me a liar" the cold statement hung in the silence.

"no, how?" she stammered

Aramis stepped so close she could feel his heat, slowly raised his hand and slide his fingers beneath her hair, exposing her neck and her frantic pulse. His eyes never left hers as he gently bent his head a breathed on her skin.

Anne heard a small noise, a gasp and didn't even register it came from her own lips, as his mouth made the lightest contact with her pulse, the tip of his tongue tracing the tell-tale pounding of her blood.

She couldn't stop her body melting against his strength or the whimper that escaped her as his teeth lightly teased her sensitive skin. Her head dropped back to allow him full access to her vulnerable throat.

A smile passed over Aramis's mouth as he felt her bodies reaction, the Queen would be his, but not tonight.

He eased her away, taking care to hold her steady, his eyes boring in to hers.

"Your majesty," and presented a courtly bow "I am as ever at your service!"