20

January 14th, 1805

I learned quickly that I was a terrible horseback rider.

We had been on the road for two days already, riding across the French countryside to a small town, whose name I did not know.

Frank rode beside me and Napoleon and his multitude of guards behind us.

Frank and I spoke quietly, just making small talk.

He had been to see Cosette days before but Henri had been out.

"And how is Cosette?" I asked, though I really did not care.

"She's fine," Frank said. "The house is quiet without you."

I didn't respond. I was tired. I was sore. I was annoyed with Napoleon and this deal. I was worried about Henri and Louis. And hearing about Cosette made me sick.

We continued on the road.

Napoleon announced that we were close.

I could see a small village just over the hill.

We rode in and tied up our horses at an inn.

Napoleon led us inside. He whispered something to the innkeeper. I looked around the common area. It was a shabby room but empty.

The innkeeper left quickly.

I was suddenly pulled backwards and a knife placed at my throat. I cried out.

I knew I was going to be bait but I had no idea what to expect.

He's looking for any excuse to kill you.

If Louis made one wrong move, Napoleon would surely kill me.

"Louis?" Napoleon sang. "Where are you?"

I closed my eyes. The blade was cold against my neck. My captor was pulling my hair back.

I heard steady footsteps coming down a staircase.

"Napoleon?" Louis called. I opened my eyes. He was standing in the middle of the room.

"I have your sister," Napoleon said.

"I can see that," Louis said. He sounded unimpressed. Would he give himself over to save me?

"I've promised her freedom in return for your capture," Napoleon said.

"I give myself over to you in exchange for a girl I barely know?" Louis asked.

"You're trapped now," Napoleon said.

"I see that," Louis said. "So let her go."

"You're in no position to make demands," Napoleon said. The knife cut slightly into my throat. It stung. Pain exploded through body. I cried out.

"Sophie," Louis warned. "Please remain calm. Everything will be all right."

"I'm sorry," I cried.

"You're fine," he said.

"You seemed very concerned about a girl you hardly know and this is all very touching," Napoleon said. "But I've got a schedule to keep."

"I'll go with you," Louis said.

"Good," Napoleon said. "Let Sophie go."

The knife came away from my neck and I felt the wound. I was bleeding.

I felt frozen in place.

"Sophie, go," Louis said.

I couldn't move. Napoleon turned around and looked at me. There was a evil smirk on his face.

"Sophie!"

"Louis-"

Napoleon turned around. He sighed.

"Oh well."

Time slowed down. Louis looked at me with sympathetic eyes. Frank pulled my arm, spinning me towards him. Napoleon drew a small sword. I screamed.

I only saw Louis crumple to the ground. Then my face was buried in Frank's uniform. I sobbed.

He hurried me out the door.

A horse was galloping towards us.

"Take her!" Frank yelled. He scooped me up and placed me on the back of the horse. My arms instinctively wrapped around the rider's waist.

"You're okay," the rider said. The wind distorted the voice. We galloped back the way I had came.

I continued crying.

Louis was dead.

We didn't ride very long before we came upon another town. He stopped outside a small cottage.

He jumped down then carried me into the house.

He lay me on the bed and curled into a ball.

"Sophie." I looked up. Henri. He pushed back a strand of hair from my face. I sat up and threw my arms around him. He hugged me back.

"Oh my dear," Henri said. "It's alright."

"Louis is dead," I sobbed.

"I know," he said. "I know."

"He's dead because of me."

"No," Henri said. His head shook against me. "You had nothing to do with it, Sophie."

"I'm so sorry."

I kept repeating the phrase. There was nothing else to do.

"Sophie," Henri whispered. "Sophie, stop."

I didn't realize I was rocking back and forth. Henri took my hands and placed his thumb under my chin.

"You are okay," he said. "You're fine. Everything will be alright."

The tears stopped coming.

"You're fine, dearest," Henri said. "It's over now."

He kissed me and my entire body relaxed.

"You're okay," he repeated. He smoothed down my hair. "You're okay."

Henri began humming a song I didn't know. It sounded dark.

He played with my hair.

I felt like a scared little child.

"I missed you," I whispered, once he had finished the tune.

"I missed you so much," he said. He kissed me again, this time it was more deperate and hungry. I kissed him back. We fell back onto the pillows.

I forgot about Louis and Napoleon and rebellion and nobility.

Henri's kisses were reckless. But we had been apart for what felt like forever.

"I love you," I gasped as Henri kissed my neckline.

"Don't ever leave again," he said, pausing. He looked me in the eyes. He was overwhelming and I couldn't get enough of him.

I ran my fingers through his hair and nodded.