a/n: (ty to all of you who have reviewed! xoxo)
in a more perfect world, the way things might have gone after their first escape from court (with a little humor splashed in)
"It's stuck."
"What do you mean it's stuck?"
"I mean it's stuck."
Mary winced. Well this was awkward. And terrifying. She had about three seconds before the guards burst through the inn's door or charged around to the back window- where she and Bash were attempting their escape. But her dress had snagged in the window frame. They were as good as captured.
But, without hesitation, or warning, Bash grabbed her by the waist and yanked her through the tiny portal. Ripping clean through the dress and under-layers, exposing her slender legs under black tatters of silk, and taking off her left shoe. She stifled a yelp as he heaved her over his shoulder. Did this look ridiculous? Yes. Yes it did. Would they go faster? Yes. Yes they would.
Well this was just bloody brilliant. Mary scowled. She could run a country, elude Catherine De Medici, and squirm her way out of innumerable assassination attempts- only to be foiled by too much fabric. A queen being carried like a sack of potatoes. The English would love this.
"Is this really necessary?" She hissed.
"Oh, shut up." He meant it in the best way, really. The guards would be holding up the stable, and they didn't exactly have time to saddle up anyway.
It was dark out, which worked in their favor. The guards had a target- a target they need to see. He and Mary just needed to get away- it didn't really matter where. So he dodged into the only path he could go that the guards would not: straight to the forest.
"The Blood Wood?" She said when he finally set her down behind a large tree. "Bash, is this safe?"
"Well, to be honest we haven't really decided who is more blood thirsty, the court or the pagans." He looked her over quickly, eyes adjusting to the lack of light. "One just happens to be less present at the moment."
"I'm glad you find this-"
A branch lurched. She tensed- drawing closer to him. "Amusing." She quieted. He wrapped an arm around her.
He kept them on the fringes of the forest, just enough for cover. They would only be a few hours. As the guards torches passed down the road, chasing phantoms who had not actually gone that way, he glanced down to her recently exposed legs. She was shaking from more than fright.
"I'll start a fire."
The fire glowed so small, she thought she would have to sit in it to avoid exposure.
But if it got any bigger, they would undoubtedly be caught. And who knew what then...
As tremors ran through her, he sat closer to her, putting an arm around her. She considered feeling embarrassed. But the warmth won out and she sunk into his grasp. Realizing how exposed she was, she blushed. But then she realized he wasn't very concerned. And she relaxed.
"They could kill us," she said, her voice calm and quiet.
He tilted her jaw toward him."I won't let that happen." Firelight glowing on her skin, her brown eyes open and clear, he looked down at her, with a sincerity that warmed her. "Mary, I promise: I will keep you safe."
On the run, fleeing from the life she had prepared so long for- and she felt less alone now than she had in such a long time...
She remembered their first kiss.
"Bash," she said, softly.
As he turned his face toward her, she pressed a kiss to his lips. And his arms tightened around her.
And she was ready for this- to run with him.
a/n: there will probably be more installments to this one-shot :) please review!
Major thanks to Bashful Masher, Skyfull360, MyGhela, and kqshipalot