Révolution du Cœur - Examination of Body and Mind
Melodie, while highly intelligent and resourceful, was currently the most aggravating person alive to Enjolras. She had barged into his room almost immediately after breakfast and had been shifting about nervously ever since.
"Would you please cease your fidgeting?" He snapped at her. She stopped her knee mid-bounce and glared at him. Her gold eyes were darker than usual and her mouth was a thin line.
"Forgive me that I am worried for our lives and am not allowed to pace! What do you suggest to quell my fears oh superior one?" She snipped.
Enjolras opened his mouth to retort but was cut short by an unfamiliar voice at the doorway.
"Perhaps take a deep breath and remember you're among family, dear sister-in-law." Enjolras and Melodie both swiveled their heads to the gentleman. Enjolras pushed down his surprise at the sight of the man.
Fabien de Charmant was a tall, lanky man in his mid-thirties. His face was what startled Enjolras. His expression was extremely gentle, with large warm brown eyes and a gently curving smile. The only indication of his rank in the Royal Police Force was the uniform jacket about his shoulders and the close cropped cut of his dark brown hair.
"May I?" Fabien asked as he nodded to the chair next to Melodie's. Enjolras felt Melodie's gaze on him. She seemed to be willing to follow his lead for now thankfully, so he simply nodded.
Fabien sat quietly and smiled at Melodie affectionately. He took a minute to look her over and nodded approvingly at what he saw.
"You're looking well my dear." Melodie nodded her thanks and smiled a little at the man. Enjolras looked at her as well and noted that Fabian was correct. Her color was much better and her hair, braided and falling over a shoulder, was clean and bright. Her eyes were still sharp and wary though.
As was her voice.
"Fabien, may I introduce Monsienor Alexandre Denis Enjolras. Enjolras, my brother-in-law Inspector Fabien de Charmant."
"Just Enjolras please." He said before the man could comment. Inspector Charmant raised an eyebrow and looked at them both curiously.
"He doesn't like being connected with the Macedonian general." Melodie quipped.
"A tyrant if there ever was one." Fabien murmured in response. Enjolras nodded and eyed the man carefully.
"Well I can tell that I should get straight to the point seeing as Melodie looks like she wants to jump down my throat." Fabien smiled. Melodie opened her mouth to speak, but Enjolras held up his hand for silence. Thankfully, she nodded and sat back, though her glare at the two men didn't lessen.
"As you both know, you have been labeled as traitors to France and the crown," Melodie snorted at the comment and Enjolras shushed her.
"Typically His Majesty would have … people such as yourselves sent to the execution block. However, Her Majesty remembers you dear sister-in-law and has asked for clemency on your behalves."
Fabien sat back with a small smile and watched their expressions. Enjolras didn't even look at the man. He had eyes only for Melodie who was looking resolutely away from him.
She knew the Queen? The wife of the most hated man of their revolution looked favorably upon her? What else could she be hiding?
He opened his mouth to ask that very question but Melodie held up a hand to stop him. Her eyes had suddenly become rooted on Fabian.
"What terms?" She asked. Enjolras felt a rush of annoyance, knowing he should have asked that very question. He sat up a bit straighter as Fabian began to fidget nervously.
"Well Inspector? What do our so very high and mighty overseers demand in return for this gracious act?" He didn't spare Fabien any of his ire.
The man's face darkened and he was suddenly on his feet. Enjolras came to the realization that he was truly at this man's mercy. As Fabien stalked toward the bed, Enjolras felt his control slip and he made to get out of the bed to face the man. He may have been injured but he was determined to actually win a fight, even if it got him killed.
"Stop!" Melodie suddenly shouted. She too was on her feet and had planted herself in between the two men. She shoved Fabien back with one hand and Enjolras with the other. The action put her off balance and she collapsed back in her chair, finally revealing the weakness she had been determined to hide.
Enjolras moved to steady her again but her glare made him freeze.
"Don't you dare get up and injure yourself again. I did not fight to keep you alive just to have you die over your wounded pride." Her words cut him deeply and he sat back abruptly.
"And you! You act like a coward to try and intimidate a man injured in bed. You both disgust me."
Fabien snapped his gaping mouth shut and sat back down.
"You remind me far too much of Arielle when you look like that …" He muttered. Melodie spared him a slightly menacing smile before becoming serious again. She turned to Enjolras.
"Alight, now try that again while keeping in mind that we are the smarter party." She smiled politely but her eyes were snapping fire. He took a calming breath and rearranged his features to be a bit more pleasant. He was glad to note Fabien had done the same.
"So what comes next?" He asked quietly. Fabian cleared his throat and seemed to settle into a professional attitude.
"Their Majesties have placed you both under house arrest here at my home for the next month. Then –"
"Why just one month?" Melodie interrupted. Enjolras nodded his agreement to the question.
"Because the doctor told them that's how long it would take for you both to be well again." He said gently. Enjolras's hand fisted the bed sheets. A month bed ridden … a month being able to do nothing but sit here and be sorry for himself.
Melodie rested her hand on his forearm. Although she didn't look at him, the strength radiating from her grasp was calming. Breathing deeply, he tried to continue.
"What happens after a month has passed?" Fabien suddenly looked uncomfortable again, but his gaze was on Melodie.
"Now don't get too angry with me, but you'll have to meet with the King and Queen." Enjolras had been expecting as much, but so should have Melodie. However, her lips were becoming a thin line, a clear sign that she knew what would be coming next.
"Where?" Was all she asked. Fabien swallowed audibly.
"Their Majesties are still deciding on whether to meet with you either in private or in a more public setting."
Enjolras held his breath for Melodie's reaction. Her eyes were flashing between calculating, fearful, and angry. At last she heaved a put upon sigh and nodded. She finally turned to look at him.
"Enjolras, are you in agreement with this?" She asked quietly.
He stared at her for a long time, trying to understand this strange girl who had so unexpectedly taken over his life. One minute she was ruling over him and then in the next she was seeking his approval. She had secrets that were beginning to seem downright dangerous. She took his usual, careful, calm emotions and seemed to light a fire beneath him.
The same fire he was beginning to realize was always in her eyes when she looked at him, and like a moth to the flame, he knew that he'd make whatever decision he must to stay by her. She was all he had left.
"We'll both be safe until then?" He demanded of Fabien who nodded vigorously in return.
"Very well. I agree till then. Melodie?" He glanced at her.
"Agreed." She murmured. Her eyes were starting to cloud with other thoughts. Fabian certainly took notice and decided to leave.
"Thank you. Both of you. There is more we must discuss, but for now, I can hear the doctor coming and should leave you both to your checkups and rest." He bowed to them and left as the médecin entered the room. Enjolras stifled a groan at the sight of the man. He had been wanting to speak with Melodie alone, but from the look on her face and the critical eye of the physician, he wasn't going to get the chance for a very long time.
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Melodie glared at the médecin as he bustled into the room. He was a pompous old man with no bedside manner to speak of whatsoever.
Worst of all he made her ache for Joly to be alive and able to attend them.
The sudden wave of loss had her choking for breath and her vision narrowed slightly.
"Melodie! Melodie look at me damn it!" Enjolras's voice was muffled but she still followed its orders, just as she had promised. Her eyes sought his desperately. When she was finally able to focus on him, she felt terrible.
He had never looked at her with that level of concern before. It made her guilt rise up and she prayed silently to never worry him like that again.
She was stronger than this.
Right?
"Just focus on the here and now Melodie. Focus on you and I. We'll think about the rest later." His whisper put a bit of steel back in her spine. She nodded and turned her attention back to the doctor.
"Well young lady, based on your sister's notes and the assessments she has made, I would say you are out of the woods. Just do remember you are female and thus being the weaker sex, you must be very careful."
Melodie bit her tongue to keep from retorting at the man.
"Oui Monsieur." Enjolras shifted his arm to squeeze her hand. She couldn't help but squeeze his back a bit harder and roll her eyes slightly as the doctor retrieved his tools. Enjolras swallowed a reluctant chuckle, causing her heart to flutter.
"Other than that, you are now cleared to dress properly and move about as you please. I suggest you leave now so I can examine my other patient." He glanced over her dismissively.
Melodie's face took on a haughty look.
"Not on your life." She said flatly. "I'll be staying here. I'd rather hear everything up front rather than deduce the truth from either of you two fools."
While the doctor sputtered about proper etiquette and decency, Melodie turned the full force of her gaze on her companion. Enjolras seemed to be fighting between amusement and incredulity.
"You're stuck with me." She told him. He nodded and got the physician's attention.
"She can stay, just get on with it se il vous plait." He told the agitated man.
Melodie smiled triumphantly. Enjolras looked back at her and she was once again caught off guard by the openness of his expression. His eyes were flickering with a secret warmth and she was going to ask him what he was thinking when his expression closed off.
"Do me a favor though and turn around. Spare me from your typical thorough observations. I know how critical you can be at times." Melodie flashed him a wicked smile and decided to turn the situation to her advantage.
She stood up slowly, clutching the hem of her nightgown in one hand. As she straightened she let the garment fall, knowing he had caught the briefest sight of her bare leg. Once she caught his gaze again, she smiled gently and brushed a lock of his hair away from those stormier than usual eyes. It was a bold move and she hid a saucy grin as he sucked in a breath.
It was nice to know she could affect him like this although she was careful not to push it too far just yet.
"You've nothing to be ashamed of when it comes to this Capitaine." She gave his partially covered body a sweeping glance. "That much I can assure you of."
She turned around promptly as his face turned red. He didn't get a chance to say anything as the doctor began working.
Melodie kept her ears open, though her mind began to wander.
She wished Fabien hadn't had to mention her relationship to the current monarchs. Enjolras would probably begin questioning her the moment the doctor left …
She wasn't ready for that yet. The memories were all too deeply rooted in pain. Her vision clouded again remembering the blood and the stench of death …
"Gahh! Watch were you prod with that thing man!"
Enjolras's cry of pain broke her out of her haze and she whipped around to yell at the doctor. The doctor and Enjolras were glaring at each other. The physician held a metal probe in his hands. Melodie recognized it from when he had been examining her own stitches yesterday. She frowned at the thing. It had been cold and not very gentle around the wound.
Or perhaps that was just the doctor himself …
She turned her gaze to Enjolras's abdomen. The wounds didn't appear to have reopened which was good. The shoulder bandage was still loose and she could just see the puckering of healing skin there. It did nothing to detract from Enjolras's physique. Even bandaged from here to Calais, it was obvious that Enjolras was well made.
It was also obvious that he was not wearing anything at all beneath the sheet riding low on his hips. Melodie felt herself flush slightly but couldn't look away.
"Mademoiselle!" The physician had finally notice her stare and was piqued by her apparent lack of decorum. First standing in a room with a naked man who was not her husband and now staring openly at him?
What was this world coming to?
Melodie ignored the man and caught Enjolras's gaze. Whatever she had thought previously, she was not prepared for Enjolras's reaction.
He didn't say anything. He merely held her gaze. Her eyes must have betrayed her train of thought, because he gripped the bed sheet and his own gaze darkened. Usually this would have warned her to his anger, but this was a different darkness. His pupils dilated slightly and his gaze was partially hooded.
Melodie felt her body catch fire, heat spreading out from her loins and into her fingertips. She grasped her hands together and turned away sharply, unable to take anymore.
Her voice came out breathlessly ragged when she finally spoke.
"Hurry up you old fool. He'll get no better with you simply hovering over him!"
Melodie heard the man set back to work. For another quarter of an hour they all were quiet. Every once in a while the physician would mutter under his breath and scribble a note, but for the most part no one spoke.
That did not mean Melodie couldn't feel Enjolras's eyes boring into her back.
Finally the doctor announced his examination complete and told them his progressive diagnosis.
"You are out of the woods for now as well. Bed rest I think for another week. Keep that shoulder hung and try not to move around too much. When the week is up, you can try to start walking again but use a cane until you regain your strength completely. Hot cloths to the abdomen as well to try and relieve the soreness of those muscles. I'll check on you in two weeks. Until then …"
The man packed up quickly and quit the room. He didn't close the door and Melodie heard the rustle of cloth as Enjolras maneuvered his shirt back on. She decided it was best to pretend she didn't exist and to hope he would ignore her.
Alas, to no avail.
"Melodie?" Unable to ignore the call of his voice she reluctantly turned around.
Enjolras dragged his hand wearily across his face before looking at her seriously.
"We really need to talk. I need to understand –"
Panic blossomed in her and she cut him off, too afraid of what he would ask her.
"I'm sorry but maybe another time. I – I really should inform my sister of – of our recovery. Yes, I – I must go."
And then she fled, cursing her own cowardliness and the hand fate had dealt her all those years ago.
