As Aramis carried Anne across the room to her large bed, she stroked his chest and placed small, wet kisses along his jaw. "Aramis?" Anne started.

"Mmmm?"

"Stay with me tonight. Like we did in the convent."

"You are sure?"

Anne looked at him, this extraordinary man and nodded, biting her lip.

"What is it?" Aramis asked her. Anne looked at him. "Tell me!" he growled as he laid her reverently on her bed. "Tell me." he softened. Anne looked at him as he knelt at her feet.

"Aramis, the last time we were together I was...different. I've changed since then."

"Changed? How?" He could see no difference in the woman he loved.

"I've had our son. My body is not the same."

Aramis smiled at her "Anne, my love, you carried and nurtured our son within your body. Whatever you think, you are the most beautiful woman now, as you were then, to me. I'm pleased that.." he leaned up and started to undo the fine ribbons on her sleeping robe "your body has changed because of our son and I only see that as a blessing."

Anne let out a gentle sigh as Aramis' cool fingers brushed across her warm skin. His lips found hers, making no demands of her. As his lips trailed down her throat, his beard tickling her skin. Anne murmured "I pray that you give me a second son tonight."

Aramis stilled and looked at her. "Is that what you truly wish for?" She nodded slightly as her hands touched his face. "Then I hope it is a girl...one that is exactly like her mother." Aramis turned his attention back to her body, opening her gown to feast his eyes upon her. "You are beautiful!"

His lips caressed the flesh of her stomach. As he rolled on top of her, she cradled his body with her own. He nudged her legs open until he was nestled between them. He continued to assault her with his mouth and tongue. Aramis never thought that he would be in bed with the woman that he loves ever again. "God, she is so warm and soft," he thought "so innocently loving and endearingly inexperienced. So different to the other women I've bedded except for Isabelle."

Aramis turned his thoughts back to the woman in his arms. He needed to take things slowly, he didn't want to hurt her. He wanted to make sure Anne was completely ready for him, he wanted her hot and wet for him. He concentrated on building her desire, licking and sucking at her delicious skin, his fingers sliding into her core.

Anne arched against him, returning his kisses with the ardour of someone denied love and affection for most of their life. In fact, the only times she ever felt truly loved and cherished was when Aramis was near her. Even when he couldn't touch her, the way he looked at her made her feel like she was someone special, more than just the title she held or role she played.

As she moaned once more Aramis removed his fingers and replaced them slowly with his cock. He eased himself very slowly into her, giving her time to adjust to his invasion. She was still as tight as the first time they made love. Aramis felt like he was coming home as he felt her liquid heat surround him.

Aramis fought to keep control of himself so he could completely pleasure her. He had every intention of seeing that Anne was well loved that night. As he continued to slowly bury himself within her, he whispered "Keep still Anne. Just wait for..." and at that moment she sighed and moved just a fraction. With that movement, he lost all control and plunged himself completely into her, burying himself in her heat. Aramis withdrew until only the tip of himself remained within her, only to ram back into her hard.

"Aramis.." Anne panted as she pulled at his tousled brown locks "again...please." He needed no further encouragement. He set about finding a steady rhythm to stoke the fires of passion within Anne. His lips crushed hers and his tongue forced its way into her mouth. She pulled at him, forgetting his injuries to his back from earlier in the day. He felt nothing but the woman in his arms.

Anne could feel the pressure building between her legs, a feeling she had only experienced with him. She had no idea how he made her feel like this or did this to her but, oh how she loved the feeling. She wanted him in her harder and deeper so she instinctively opened her legs wider and raised her hips slightly.

It wasn't until Aramis could feel her muscles clenching along her shaft that he let himself go and emptied his seed into her completely, praying that they would once more have a child, even if he could not, for the safety of all of them, acknowledge the child or the child they already had. Anne held him deep within herself, a fervent prayer upon her lips that she conceive again with this honourable, brave and loving man.

When at last they had recovered Aramis rolled Anne onto her side and pulled her back against him. Her petite derrière was pressed intimately against him, making him wish that he could be inside her once more. His arms wrapped around her and as he cupped one of her breasts he whispered in her ear, his breath tickling her neck "Sleep, my queen. I will keep you safe."

Anne wriggled back seeking his warmth "No, I want to talk to you. I want to tell you about your son and the things you miss." But her eyelids betrayed her as they softly closed over her brilliant blue eyes.

"In the morning my love, we'll talk. Sleep now." He stroked her hair, letting the silky feel of it soothe him further. Aramis had every intention of staying awake to watch over her. He wanted to commit to his memory every curve of her body, every breath, every heartbeat while she was in his arms. But sleep soon claimed him too.