This was turning out to be the most boring trip of his whole life and that was more then he could have hoped for. Two hours ago his precious cargo passed him by without a word and gracefully settled herself into the carriage and not a sound was heard from her since. The heavy carriage moved through the forest at a glacial pace and Athos had to throttle along. He galloped ahead to check the road a couple of times, but it really was just a quiet day so he settled for riding next to her carriage, looking out for potential trouble. This was supposed to be the time to enjoy - the day was sunny, the forest was beautiful and the spiteful creature inside the luxury transport was not showing any signs of life. Except it was the last one that began to nag at Athos: he expected gloating to be his companion on this trip, not the blissful silence. Urging Roger to move closer to the carriage Athos peaked inside: nothing. The curtains were shut and he couldn't see anything but darkness. And something was supposed to be lurking in it. Carefully he moved on of the curtains aside, letting the light fall onto his wife's peacefully sleeping frame. Athos stared almost in spite of himself: the last time he'd seen her asleep was years ago, but her features hadn't changed. Without the seductive or stern or deadly expression her face was just as he remembered it: pure beauty. Too bad this beauty was marred by what lay beneath. The light seemed to disturb her as she shifted in her sleep and he knew immediately she would hate for him to see her like this: vulnerable and curled up amongst royal cushions in a very unladylike fashion.

"We should stop for dinner before the dark, Milady" he opened the curtains wider, making her moan in annoyance. "We're approaching Sevres and…"

"We'll stop at Ville D'Avray. Now let me rest in peace."

"I tried once. It didn't work.

Green eyes shot open, lips curling in menace.

"I'm glad you find your attempt at murdering me amusing."

"With all due respect Milady, I don't find the fact that it only summed up to an attempt amusing. Not one bit."

"Why wouldn't you, attempt is all you've been good for lately. Well that and empty threats. I once believed you to be a man of your word, but things change."

"I once believed you were my wife, but things change."

"Well, technically…"

"Don't. My wife is dead. She was the fantom made up from of your lies and my infatuation, dead as soon as the truth came to light."

There was a momentary silence, before he heard her voice again, low and somewhat hollow this time.

"She is dead, no doubt. It wasn't a quick and merciful death, but you did manage to finish her off. It couldn't have been difficult, given that she was defenceless against you. I hope you've honed your murdering skills since then?"

"You were never defenceless."

"I thought I was never your wife."

"Not in a way that would hold meaning."

"And which way would that be? As long as I remember we did it every possible way."

The sultry taunting smile was back on her lips and her eyes sparkles with something dark, wanton, rebellious. Athos felt his anger get the best of him as he shut the curtains closed. If only shutting her out was as easy.

"Ville D'Avray is out of our way - it will add about four hours to the journey time and travelling in the dark is not safe. I would strongly recommend stopping in Sevres."

"And I would strongly desire to stop at Ville D'Avray. You wouldn't deny my wish, would you?"

He gripped Roger's reigns tighter and prayed to survive the four days ahead of him.

"No, Milady."