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.