FIC - Purity of Intention (Epilogue)

[oceansecrets2.livejournal.com]

Title: Purity of Intention (Epilogue)
Author: namarie120and arieltachna
Type: RPS / FPS crossover
Pairing: Diego / Orlando
Rating: NC-17
Warning: none
Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction, created for entertainment and enjoyment only. With all due respect, we do not own these characters, either the actors or those created by Arturo Pérez-Reverte. We just think it’s a fascinating world.
Feedback: would be wonderful
Beta: tularia
Summary: A cynical swordsman is hired to return a runaway – or so it appears
A/N: Thanks to tularia for the beautiful banner

Previous chapters




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The court of Louis XIII, King of France, glittered like few others, and the courtiers had put on their flashiest feathers, the better to impress their wealth and prestige on the new English ambassador. Orlando understood this well, for he, too, had dressed to impress, but that knowledge did not lessen the impact as he strode confidently down the long hall in Fontainebleau to make his bow to the king and queen. Reaching the foot of the dais, he bowed low before presenting his letter of introduction to the French monarch.

"Ah, monsieur Bloom," Louis intoned, glancing over the letter before setting it aside, "we have been expecting you. Our royal brother in Spain spoke highly of you."

"Your Majesty is too kind," Orlando demurred. "I merely delivered the message."

"You have our gratitude nonetheless," Anne d'Autriche, Phillip's sister, insisted. "Be welcome here for as long as you choose to stay."

"Madame." Orlando's bow was deep, not merely an ambassador greeting a king, but a man before a queen. He had no interest in women personally, but his father had drilled a deep respect for them into his son. "I serve at the will of my liege and yours."

Louis watched the exchange between his wife and the Englishman carefully. He knew all too well the attraction she held for the men of the court. He chose to believe she was faithful to him, but that did not mean men did not try to dissuade her from that course. This one, however, showed none of the usual signs, making the king wonder where his interest lay. Looking beyond the new ambassador, his eyes raked the man’s entourage. A secretary, a page, a bodyguard ... all necessary, but nothing near the number of hangers-on he often saw behind other countries' representatives to his court. He wondered what that meant as well, even as his eyes lingered on the bodyguard. Alatriste, Phillip had said the man was called. An able swordsman and independent man. So what had led this independent man to his current position? Louis's gaze returned to the ambassador, still exchanging courtesies with the queen. Could that be the attraction? Certainly it might have been for Louis if his and Alatriste's roles were reversed. Bloom was a fine figure of a man, young still, but not so much as to be mistaken for a boy. He stood with the grace of his upbringing and the confidence of one who knows his own worth, something Louis wished most of his courtiers would learn. Whether they thought too much or too little of themselves made no difference to him. This one, though, was neither fawning nor arrogant, and Louis found that terribly attractive. Now if only the Englishman would return his regard...

Running his fingers beneath the collar of his elegant doublet, Diego fought back the surge of jealousy that gnawed him at Louis's admiring gaze. The Spaniard would be the first to admit that Orlando was a fine figure of a man, the deep russet of his tunic favouring the olive cast of his skin, the breeches clinging lovingly to his long legs, the same legs that had wrapped around Diego so strongly in their bed last night. Only that memory allowed him to hold back the insistent urge to wrench Orlando away from the monarch's lascivious stare. He trusted his lover completely, but Diego did not take well to anyone but he eying his partner in that way, be he King of all France or a lowly stablehand.

At his elbow, a musketeer jostled him slightly, drawing his gaze. "Clear the scowl from your face," Aramis murmured. "His Majesty considers himself a lover of some skill and so prides himself on seducing rather than ordering his lovers to his bed. He may admire your ambassador, but he will not force him."

"King or no, he would need to kill me first to do so," Diego answered just as softly. His introduction to the more exalted ranks of society had taught him that men were no different for having riches and titles – if anything, they were more open about their appetites. Something about the looks of the dark-haired man in the blue surcoat of the Musketeers told him it was safe to speak freely, though, even if it was an oblique threat to the monarch this man served. Still, he tried to clear his expression, transferring his gaze from the King to his lover, a sight that never failed to calm his heart even as it warmed his loins.

Aramis inclined his head with a small smile. Strength recognized strength. "Then it is fortunate that it will not come to that. While my friends and I would gladly spar with you, we would rather not have to challenge you in earnest. It would not be good for diplomatic relations."

Respecting the easy confidence of a fighter who had no need to boast, Diego nodded. "I would be pleased to try my sword against yours, or any of your companions," he replied with an answering smile. "I find diplomatic relations provide little chance for me to keep my arm keen."

"This evening perhaps?" Aramis suggested. "At the palais of M. de Treville?"

"I serve at the will of my Ambassador," Diego answered, sure that Orlando's plans for the evening matched his own – and that the sparring they intended would not require their swords. "I do not believe I will be free this evening, but perhaps another day?"

"I look forward to it."

"As do I."

Orlando stifled a sigh as he felt the king's gaze undressing him. He supposed he should be used to it by now. In every court they had served in, someone, often more than one man, had followed him with his eyes. So far, none had been brazen enough to approach him. He only hoped the king would be equally tactful. Rebuffing him would not be politic, but his heart and his body belonged to one man alone, and that was not the King of France. He tried to resist glancing back to assure himself that Diego was at his back as always. There would be time for them later. It would be hours still before they could slip away, but Orlando couldn't stop himself from glancing at his lover, eyes dark with promise.

Diego bit back a groan at the heated look his lover shot him, hoping no one else had recognized its intent. Seeing Orlando assume the trappings of power his position demanded always left Diego aching to feel his lover prove some of that power in their bed as well. Widening his stance, he grasped the ornately woven hilt of his sword and hoped the political maneuvering would not go on much longer.

Standing beside Javier, Íñigo caught the look passing between Orlando and the Capitán and tried not to roll his eyes. He leaned toward the secretary instead, whose face bore an indulgent smile that told the page the meaning of that look was not lost on the older man either. "It's a good thing our quarters are far from the Ambassador's," he said under his breath. "It's going to be one of those nights."


~*end*~

Comments

[mistress-pol.livejournal.com]

"It's a good thing our quarters are far from the Ambassador's," he said under his breath. "It's going to be one of those nights."

Bwah!

And also, ARAMIS SQUEE!! XD

I don't think I commented on your final chapter, but I loved the whole story, and this epilogue tops it off nicely. Very well done, there wasn't a single chapter that dragged throughout the whole thing (not an easy thing to accomplish in a long fic like this). :)

[lulabel.livejournal.com]

I've enjoyed this series a great deal. (sorry if I haven't been commenting along the way) It's been an intriguing blend of historical romance, political intrigue and damned hot mansex. I especially enjoyed all of the various interactions betweens friends, guardians and wards, comrades-in-arms, bodyguards, etc. Difference aspects of protection, loving, and caring for others who are not related by blood was really interwoven throughout the whole story.

It was also just a lot of fun!

[lost4aname.livejournal.com]

I enjoyed reading this story a lot!! Thanks! It was great.

[oceansecrets2.livejournal.com]

Our problem was trying to keep from adding even more plot elements that would have made it even longer (it was only meant to be six or seven chapters in the original outline!) But maybe we'll save them for another story :-D

[oceansecrets2.livejournal.com]

Part of the reason it grew the way it did was because the characters (beyond the main pairing) were so interesting they kept demanding more time in the story. Íñigo, Roux, Eric - even Javier was only supposed to be a minor plot device to give Diego someone to talk to in the Inquisition dungeons, and we couldn't just leave him there! And we had a lot of fun writing it, so that must show.

[oceansecrets2.livejournal.com]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[lolabelleb.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure if I've commented along the way. I've enjoyed the story from beginning to end. Thanks!

[oceansecrets2.livejournal.com]

Great to know you enjoyed it, thanks!

[bluedahlia.livejournal.com]

I've submerged myself in this au for the last couple of days and I've loved every special moment of it.

Thank you both so much for sharing ♥

[oceansecrets2.livejournal.com]

Thank you for commenting! I love that feeling of just being able to sink into a really engaging story so I'm glad we could give you that pleasure too.