Chapter XXVI
Aramis rejoiced in the sight in front of him. His wife was straddling his hips, her hair so long it almost covered her naked breasts. She was playing with his necklaces, using them to trace patterns on his chest. He would shudder every few seconds, a reaction that Elise secretly enjoyed. She liked knowing the effect she could have on him. He closed his eyes, rubbing her bare arms then moving to her waist. She giggled when his fingers tickled her. Aramis' arms circled her waist, pulling her on top of him.
"This weakness is the reason why I will always win." His warm breath washed over her face. She pushed away the dark locks of hair stuck on his sweaty forehead.
"You call this a victory? Simply because you are stronger and I am ticklish? Please, what I did to you not even five minutes ago? That was a victory." She grinned, her lips hovering over his, never quite touching them. She pulled away every time he raised his head to kiss her mouth.
"Elise..."
"Say it. Say I win. Say it."
"You win." He grabbed her face to kiss her before turning them over so he was the one on top. He got a shooting pain in his ankle but ignored it. Elise was breathing heavily when he finally let go. Her cheeks were flushed and her eyes were shining. "You have learnt a few things since we've been married, haven't you?"
"I've had a very good instructor." She smiled, her arms twined around his neck and reaching up for his lips once again.
Suddenly, there was a loud banging on the front door downstairs. Aramis groaned, burying his head in the pillow.
"Is it your brother? So early? Since when does he arrive before lunch time?"
"He never said he would visit today. We are supposed to go to the market together tomorrow. Besides, I think you scared him off."
"He'll need more than a punch to be scared away, trust me."
"Have you seen his face? You broke his nose!"
"He deserved it. If you must know, he basically asked for it!"
Elise opened her mouth again, but the banging on the door resumed, followed by shouts beneath their window.
"Aramis? Are you here? Aramis? Wake up!" d'Artagnan.
"Give your wife a rest and come open this door!" Porthos.
"You sound like two fishwives. They may simply not be at home." Athos.
The Musketeer rolled over, throwing the blanket at the foot of the bed. He walked to the window, opened it wide and leaned outside. The sun blinded him. It may actually be almost close to lunch time. His three friends looked up at him.
"What are you trying to do? Start a riot?"
"He's alive! Get down here and open the door to the dear friends you missed so much." Aramis muttered back to wait five minutes and closed the window loudly. Elise was still lying in bed, stretching. He could see her curves under the sheet and the only thing he wished for was to ignore the three others and join her. Instead, he grabbed his clothes and started to dress. He tried to put on his right boot but gave up.
"I'll go see what they want. Take your time to dress." He went to give her one last long kiss then went downstairs. The banging had started again.
"You need to learn patience," he said, opening the door suddenly, Porthos almost losing his balance as he had been leaning against it.
"What took you so long?" Porthos complained, not waiting for an invitation to stride in the house.
"Who took you so long?" d'Artagnan joked.
"Please, have a seat," Aramis offered, his voice full of sarcasm. The others had not waited for him to say so and they had all gathered at the table, looking at their surroundings. "When did you come back?"
"Last night. They wanted to come see you at once, but I thought it best to wait until morning," Athos said.
"Well, aren't you merciful! Let me finish to get dressed and I will come with you to the Garrison."
"We are in no hurry. What kind of host are you? Not even a minute in your house that you already want to throw us out? Where's the wine?" Athos rolled his eyes at Porthos.
All things considered, a glass of wine could not hurt Aramis either, as long as he ate something with it. Alcohol was rather effective when it came to numb the pain he sometimes still felt in his leg. He half-walked, half-limped to the kitchen to gather glasses, a bottle of wine and some bread they had made the day before.
"Move," he ordered Porthos after everything was set on the table. His friend's legs were propped on a second chair, the one he intended to sit in.
"How is your ankle?"
"It's getting better. It still hurts when I try to put my boot on, but I expect this to come back to normal as well in a few days. I am growing tired of staying within these walls."
"Are you saying that the company leaves room for improvement?"
"The company can hear you and she would like it very much if you did not talk behind her back." Elise appeared at the bottom of the stairs, still doing her hair. Porthos stood up at once to give her a big hug. Her feet left the floor and she laughed.
"Please do not break me. Gentlemen," she greeted the two others, happy to see them again. She had not seen them since her wedding day and although Aramis was all the distraction she required, it was nice to see the Musketeers again. She often told her husband that she missed the busy life of the Garrison. She looked around to find a seat of her own, but there was none. Aramis caught her arm and sat her down on his lap. It triggered a new series of jests from the other soldiers.
They all made a joyous mess and it was the more lively the house had been since they had moved in. Elise enjoyed it very much. She could see that even if Aramis and his friends were constantly teasing each other, it was their way to show that they cared and they had missed one another in the past month.
It was another week before Aramis could walk properly without limping. He was glad to be finally able to resume his duty. It did not suit him to be idle for so long, even though Elise had been the best nurse he could ask for. It felt good to cross swords with d'Artagnan again how ever slowly they moved. Being back on his horse was even better. Whenever he would see Christophe in the barracks, their exchanges were always cordial. Captain Tréville did inquire about his nephew's nose, but he was merely told by both parties that it was a family matter between two brothers-in-law. The young boy seemed to show even more respect for the Musketeer after the small talk they had.
The Palace was busy in this month of September. Both the King and the Queen's birthdays were drawing near. They would both turn thirty and it was as good a pretext as anything to throw the biggest party the city had ever seen. There was more people on the grounds than usual, people who were strangers to the Louvres and keeping security tight was paramount. As always, his Majesty had asked for his Musketeers to always be close to him. They were spending so much time by his side that Aramis was positive he could explain to anyone the programme of the festivities down to the smallest detail.
He was keeping watch in the gardens while the King was examining the new statues delivered the previous day when there were footsteps behind him in the alley. He noticed the Queen and her ladies-in-waiting walking in his direction, and bowed respectfully.
"Monsieur Aramis! I see you are better. It is such a relief. You were deeply missed by the King in Versailles." Her eyes told him he was missed by the Queen as well.
"I thank you for your concern, your Majesty."
"I have a mission for you, Sir. You will make sure to deliver this letter to your wife." She motioned with her hand and one of the ladies handed him a sealed piece of paper. He put it in one his pockets. "I wish to congratulate her on your recent marriage."
"Her Majesty is too good." He bowed again as she resumed her walking, passing in front of him without another glance. He hated it when they had to behave like complete strangers and have short, impersonal conversations.
Later that night, he was smiling broadly when he handed the royal letter to Elise. He could not wait for her reaction. The last time she had been at the Palace, she was mourning, all dressed in black and very nervous. He remembered the way she had not let go of his hand and how she had been terrified to sit down with the Queen. A lot had changed since and Aramis doubted that she would be as nervous.
"What is it?"
"Read it." She unsealed it, looking at its content quickly. She gasped before looking at Aramis, wide-eyed. "Again? The Queen wants to see me again?" He laughed at her face, taking her in his arms.
"If I recall correctly, she said you had quite an interesting conversation. I believe she wants to know you more since you've become so important for me."
"But...what if I make a mistake? What if I say something that could betray you?"
"I've never told her that you know so you should not worry. It will go perfectly well. The only thing you should worry about is what dress you are going to wear. Isn't that what women worry the most about?"
Elise swatted his arm with the piece of paper then hugged him close.
"Thank you," she whispered in his ear. He was rubbing her back just the way she liked it.
"What for?"
"Being you. I love you." She kissed his cheek tenderly. They never ate supper that night.
Author's note: Louis XIII was born on September 27th, 1601. Anne d'Autriche was born on September 22nd, 1601.