Chapter 3
Armand stood completely still, his hand on the doorknob. Had he heard correctly? Or had his imagination made him think Gabriel had spoken? Had the young man truly asked him to stay? He turned around slowly, his cloak making a slight rustling sound. "Sorry?" Oh, great, he was one of the mightiest men in all of France and all he could come up with was 'Sorry?' But, then again, what else should he have said?
Richelieu's train of thought was derailed by another hoarse, but beautiful whisper. "Stay... please." How could he resist? If this... angel... wanted him to stay by his side, he would. The cardinal walked back to the bed, sitting down on a chair beside it. But what was this? It was like Gabriel was trying to speak again, but simply wasn't able to gather enough strength. Instead, he just looked at him pleadingly with those mesmerizing sapphire eyes. Begging Armand to... to... could it be..?
"Do you wish for me to lay down beside you?" Richelieu inquired, unable to keep an edge of hope from his voice. Gabriel was so beautiful... his golden mane, his strong body, his eyes... oh yes, his eyes. They were probably the most beautiful of all. Those pools of blue that seemed to capture your heart and soul the moment you looked into them. Armand felt his heart skip a beat as the younger man managed a weak nod.
He could feel those eyes on him as he went to lock the door, just in case. He could simply sense them sweeping over his body as he disrobed. And he could actually see them settling on him as he laid down. His own brown eyes widening as Gabriel... snuggled up to him?
