Chapter 10

Marie looked at herself in the small mirror in front of her. She sighed deeply, running her hands down the dress that fell perfectly over her body. Aramis had been right: it was made from the best material in France. Despite it being a gift from the queen, she couldn't like it. Marie had never liked the tight corsets or the heavy skirts, and she had hoped she would never have to wear them again. She sighed again; she didn't even recognize herself.

"You will be the most beautiful lady at court." Aramis's voice made her jump. She turned to see him leaning on the door, smiling fondly at her.

"You have to say that. I'm your wife," she said, laughing.

"I only ever speak the truth," he smirked, walking up to her.

"You do look beautiful. You look as perfect as you did on our wedding day. Fine clothing flatters you, my darling," he complimented her sincerely. Marie smiled slightly.

"I have something for you," he said, taking off his cross that always hung round his neck.

"I want you to wear this. If I can't watch over you at all times, at least my God can," he told her.

"Aramis, I can't take this," Marie tried to protest.

"You can and you will. It will keep you safe," he said firmly. Marie sighed in defeat, allowing him to gently move her hair to one side as he moved behind her and placed the chain around her neck. Fastening the clasp, he leaned in and kissed her tenderly on the neck.

"Know that I love you more than anything," he whispered. Marie's breath caught in her throat at the tenderness and sadness held in that one sentence. She turned in his arms and looked up into soft brown eyes that held so much love. She wondered what she had done to deserve this man standing in front of her.

"I love you too," she replied, leaning up and sharing a long kiss with him.

"Please be careful and stay safe, Marie. I don't know what I would do if I lost you," Aramis said. She didn't say anything but replied by sharing another kiss with him, ignoring the need to take him back to bed. She wasn't ready to let him go yet, and she could tell Aramis was fighting that same urge.

Reluctantly she forced herself to pull away from him and remove his hands from where they had worked their way down her body before it got too heated. She smiled sheepishly at him, and he returned it.

"I am sorry. I just find it very difficult to keep my hands off you," he apologized, flashing a cheeky smile.

"You weren't completely to blame," Marie admitted.

"Sorry to interrupt. Marie, it's time for you to leave, there is a carriage outside for you." Constance's voice interrupted the couple, causing them to pull away completely.

"Thank you, Constance." Constance nodded, leaving them alone again.

"I shall see you at court, Madame," Aramis said, inclining his head to her as she walked past him. He grabbed her arm just as she went to leave, pulling her close to him and kissing her hard. Marie returned it.

"Goodbye, my darling. Stay safe," he murmured. Marie just nodded, not daring to say anything for fear the tears that had been threatening would fall. She kissed him one last time before turning and leaving him standing quietly in their room.

She found her friend by the door and the pair hugged tightly.

"Look after him for me Constance, please. I am worried how he will cope," Marie begged her.

"Course I will. You have my word," Constance promised, hugging her again. She watched as Marie stepped into the carriage and then she was gone. Sighing, she closed the door and turned back to Aramis.

Aramis heard the door shut and the carriage pull away. Sinking down on the bed, he dropped his head in his hands, breathing deeply. He could feel worry rushing through him already.

"Aramis?" Constance called to him gently. Aramis didn't reply. His mind was already going into overdrive. He felt the bed dip, before feeling a warm arm wrap around his shoulders.

"Marie will be okay, Aramis. Don't do this to yourself. Have faith, she will be home soon," Constance soothed him, worried he was already shutting down.

"I just need a bit of time alone, please," Aramis said quietly, lifting his head up and looking over at her. Constance held his gaze for a few moments before nodding reluctantly and getting up.

"I'll be here if you need to talk," she told him. Aramis just nodded in reply. Sighing, Constance left him alone. She couldn't even go and find one of the other three friends as they were all on duty.

She knew that Treville had given Aramis some leave knowing Marie was going to court that day, and knowing full well Aramis wouldn't be any use at work for the first few days of her absence. Porthos, Athos, and D'Artagnan hadn't been so lucky. Constance knew they would be around later to see their friend, and she couldn't wait until then.

Walking into the living area, she picked up the shirt Marie had been mending the day before. Curling up on a chair she continued with it. She would be there should Aramis decide to venture out of his room: she had promised Marie she would look after him. He was stuck with her whether he liked it or not.

A/N bit of a short chapter, next one is longer, please review :) struggling a bit with the middle of this story so support is grateful