Part 9


French justice could either run slowly or swiftly. In France, you were guilty until proven innocent. In Justin’s case, it ran faster than anyone had ever seen a trial be conducted. And also in Justin’s case, the guilty part proved too hard an obstacle to overcome.

Every day, the courtroom was packed with members of society, each one wondering just how Justin killed the little countess, and who he was jealous of…her or Joshua? They laughed at Justin he was brought to trial, each day dirtier and more despondent than ever.

Joshua sat at the trial everyday as well. He had not been allowed to see or speak with Justin since he was taken from his house. Joshua had arranged someone to take his case, but the court decreed no other contact could be made with such a “desperate criminal.”

Nor had Joshua been allowed to testify as to Justin’s whereabouts the night of the murder. The judges had ruled that it either was a lie, and therefore inadmissible, or if it weren’t a lie, it was ruled as privileged, as if they were husband and wife. Again, the spectators twittered with laughter, wondering which of the two men was the wife and which was the husband.

The testimony that was allowed was damaging against Justin. Christophe took the stand and wept, proclaiming to the court how much he loved Britney, and how much they had looked forward to their life together.

“And then he,” Christophe said dramatically, pointing an accusing finger at Justin. “He ruined it all by killing my beloved Britney!” Christophe collapsed on the stand, the spectators cheering his heart wrenching performance. Christophe was escorted off the stand, throwing Justin a look of triumph as he past the younger man.

After that, witness after witness took the stand, each one corroborating Christophe’s story, each one describing Justin’s jealous rages at Britney’s upcoming marriage. One even went so far as to testify the saw Justin outside Britney’s house the night of her death.

After only three days of testimony, the judges were ready to announce their verdict. Justin had listened to the testimony and had come to realize there was no chance for him. He turned slightly as he stood in the dock, searching the crowd for that one special pair of eyes, that one person who knew him and supported him and… No, Justin thought. Don’t even imagine that he loves you, don’t don’t don’t… He saw Joshua smile slightly, then turned toward the bench as the judges entered the courtroom.

“Justin du Lac,” the bailiff cried, reading from a parchment in his hand. “You have been found guilty of the unlawful and grievous murder of Britney, Countess de Chanté.”

The crowd erupted in cheers at the verdict. Justin gripped the rail of the dock as he looked for Joshua again in the crowd. Their eyes locked as the bailiff continued.

“It is by order of this court that you pay for your crime with your life. Therefore, you will be removed from you cell tomorrow at nine o’clock in the morning, brought to the square before this courthouse, and hung from the neck until you are dead.” The bailiff rolled the parchment and faced Justin. “And may God have mercy on our soul.”

Justin’s eyes never left Joshua’s. He was vaguely aware of being roughly pulled out of the dock, his hands being shackled behind him. Their gazes held as Justin was pulled across the room.

“Don’t worry,” Justin saw Joshua mouth. “I love you.”

Justin cried out as he was pulled through the door leading to the cells.


Sleep was impossible. Justin laid on the cell cot, watching first the stars then the lightening sky through the small window at the top of the wall. His only thoughts were on Joshua, and what he imagined the older man had said when Justin was leaving. For it had to have been his imagination. Joshua wouldn’t have said that to him, not like that, not now, not when his life was over.

The sky was brighter, and Justin heard voices outside his cell. He realized it must be close to nine. Close to the time he was scheduled to die. Keys sounded outside, the lock turned, and the door opened.

“Here ya go,” the jailer said. “Seems some fancy nobleman arranged for you to have clean clothes and hot water to prepare for your trip to the gallows,” he said, tossing a bundle at Justin and plopping a bucket of steaming water onto the small table in the cell. “Seems pretty silly to me, getting all gussied up just to meet the hangman, but you noble types are a strange breed.”

“I’m not a noble,” Justin corrected automatically.

The jailer shrugged. “Makes me no difference,” he said. “It’s eight-thirty now, so you’ve got a half-hour left.” He left the cell, locking the door behind him.

Justin rose from the cot, approaching the water like a thirsty man. He plunged his hands into the bucket, reveling in the heat of the water, cupping his hand and splashing it on his face. He shook his head, the beads of water flying from his curls. Such a little thing, but one he would be forever grateful for. Joshua knew this, too. Justin untied the bundle on the cot, noting the fresh clothes and bar of soap. He lifted the soap, sniffing the scent and recognized it as Joshua’s own. Tears filled his eyes as the smell triggered memories of Joshua. He blinked quickly, refusing to allow his jailers to see him like this, and unwrapped the soap, dropping the wrapper on the bed. He moved over to the table when something about the wrapper caught his eye. He picked it up, noticing the writing inside the wrapper for the first time.

“Be ready.”


Justin heard the keys and knew it was time. The cell door opened again and the jailer entered. This time two other men accompanied him. “Let’s go, du Lac,” he ordered, shaking the shackles he held for Justin go hold out his wrists.

Justin automatically held out his arms, but was surprised when the jailer fell into them. “What?” Justin asked, catching the man quickly but looking at his two companions.

“Drop him, please,” one of them said. “We have to get out of here now.”

Justin let the jailer fall to the ground. He watched as one of the men reached for the shackles, putting them on Justin’s wrists but not locking them. “For appearances,” the said. “Let’s go,” he ordered. “And make it look like you’re still a prisoner.”

Justin obeyed the man, mainly because he had no idea what was going on. He kept his pseudo-shackled hands close to his body as they walked down the hall, Justin between the two men. Calls and screams came from the other cells as the inmates cheered Justin on his way to the gallows. The three men walked unimpeded past all the guards and out the front of the jail. Justin squinted at the bright sunlight, almost hitting the carriage parked directly outside the jail entrance. One of the jailers opened the carriage door and with little effort, tossed Justin inside. They were moving before Justin could pick himself off the carriage floor.

“That was quite an entrance,” a voice said.

Justin’s head whipped around. Joshua lounged in the seat behind him, a soft smile on his lips. “Joshua!” He scrambled up off the floor to sit next to Joshua on the seat. “What are you doing here? What have you done? What…”

Justin’s words were cut off as Joshua’s mouth closed over Justin’s. They melted against each other as the kiss deepened. Tongues dueled, teeth scraped, breath mated.

Joshua pulled Justin close, running his hands over him, holding tightly this shimmering boy he’d almost lost. “Shh,” he said, lips whispering in Justin’s ear. “No questions right now. We have a little time, just let me hold you, let me…” Joshua punctuate his words by running his hands down Justin’s body, quickly unbuttoning Justin’s pants and reaching inside to find his heated flesh.

Justin sighed at the sensation. He pushed himself against Joshua’s hand, reveling in the feel of his lover’s touch once again. Justin’s hands were busy as well, grasping Joshua’s clothes and opening his flesh to Justin’s touch. The younger man’s mouth moved across Joshua’s strong jaw to his neck, continuing down. Justin kissed Joshua’s chest through his fine linen shirt, finally reaching his goal and engulfing Joshua’s erection with his mouth.

Joshua was on fire, the sensations running through his veins like liquid flames. He held Justin’s head tight as his hips pumped uncontrollably in rhythm to Justin’s sucking. He felt his climax building faster than he’d ever had before, and couldn’t control his explosion. Joshua’s grip on his cock was still tight and hard so Justin followed soon after

They lay there for a moment, breathing hard. “I’ve missed you,” Joshua said, running a hand over Justin’s curls as his head lay on Joshua’s chest.

“I’ve missed you, too.” He looked up at Joshua. “Thank you.”

“For what?”

“For this last time together. For giving me one more taste of happiness before I hang.”

Joshua laughed softly. “I have no intention of allowing you to hang, Justin,” he said simply.

Justin rose from Joshua’s chest. “What? I don’t understand.”

“I’m beginning to wonder if you’re really as bright as I always thought,” Joshua said. “Look out the window, Justin,” he ordered. “Did you think we were only driving around Paris so we could make love?”

Justin peered out the carriage window. They had indeed left Paris, and were traveling down a country road. “Joshua, what have you done?”

“I’ve saved your life, Justin,” he said simply as the carriage stilled.

He opened the carriage door and exited, indicating for Justin to do the same. Justin saw the two men who had broken him out of jail standing near the carriage. In front another carriage stood in the road.

“Everything is prepared, your grace,” one of the men said.

Joshua smiled. “Thank you, Joseph. He’ll be with you in a moment.”

The men tipped their caps and walked to the other carriage. Justin looked at Joshua with puzzlement. “I don’t understand, Joshua,” he said.

“It’s very simple,” Joshua said. “You’re getting in that carriage. It’s going to take to you to Calais. In Calais, you’ll board one of your own ships and sail to America.”

Justin shook his head. “But they’ll know you did it,” he said. “Everyone will know you helped me escape.”

“Right now, I’m playing cards at my club with four of my closest friends,” Joshua explained simply. “Christophe isn’t the only one who can get false testimony, you know.”

“So we’re leaving tonight?” Justin asked.

“Not we,” Joshua said. “You.” He smiled a bit sadly. “I’m staying here,”

Justin’s eyes widened as he shook his head. “No!” he exclaimed. “No, I won’t go without you. Why can’t you come with me?”

“I have too much to leave, Justin.” Joshua signaled to Joseph and the other man came up to them. “He’s ready, Joseph.”

Justin felt his arms being pinned to his body has Joseph grabbed him from behind. Justin struggled against the arms holding him to no avail. “No!’ he screamed. “No, Joshua, come with me!”

“I can’t, Justin.” Joshua said, watching as Justin was placed inside the carriage roughly. Joseph locked the door of the carriage, but Justin opened the window. “I need to stay. I love you.”

“JOSHUA!” he cried.

Joshua watched as the carriage disappeared into the night.



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