France, October 1799 - Piece of Eden

----------- Southcoast of France, Saint-Raphaël, 9. October 1799 ------

  

The white sails of the three-master were slowly hauled while the ship was moored to the dock. And, of course, the first who stepped over the pier to the shore was Napoléon Bonaparte. His unmistakable attitude had not changed over the years, let alone his outward appearance. And he did not seem in the least astonished by the waiting crowd of people, who joyfully welcomed his arrival.

 

France, September 1799 - Journey

---------- France, on the road to the south coast, September 1799 -----

A deep inhale while Arno listened to the soft, sweet, sighing noises. He enjoyed the way Adeláire reacted to him, the kisses of his lips on her warm skin. He followed the lurching movements of the delicious body beneath him. Could she feel his thieving smile on her belly button? He followed an impulse that he wanted to live out for half an eternity.

Malmaison, August 1799 - Break apart

----------------------- outside Paris, Malmaison, August 1799 -------

Arno had spotted the delegation for a long time before it even came close to the gate. With a faint whistle he caught LaHache's attention and hinted that they were visited. Jean merely nodded briefly and pulled his hood over his forehead. He grabbed his always present ax, but did not stow it in the back holder. He turned resolutely toward the road, while Arno remained in his position in the tree. The training of his senses had not really taken him one step further, but from up here he definitely had a better overview.

Malmaison, August 1799 - Pain

----------------------- outside Paris, Malmaison, August 1799 -------

Arno dragged his friend up the steps while groaning and sucking cool night air deep into his lungs, before finally reaching the end of the stairs. Verne stumbled and groaned as well softly.

"Hang in there. No one here is going to die today." Arno was not sure if he wanted to convince himself more, let alone his friend.

Malmaison, August 1799 - Trapped

----------------------- outside Paris, Malmaison, August 1799 -------

Her head was throbbing and hurting; she immediately sensed that she was in a rather unusual, and above all rather uncomfortable, stance. Groaning softly, she tried to move and immediately heard the clink of chains. Great, they were prisoners. Even before the shameful realization could penetrate deeper, the unconsciousness dragged Adeláire back under.

Malmaison, August 1799 - Passion & Betrayal

----------------------- outside Paris, Malmaison, August 1799 -------

Adeláire was bored to death. Joséphine had not engaged with her since the soiree, leaving it to her "girls" to take care of the newcomer. There was a great coming and going of messengers, sometimes with gifts, sometimes only with letters. But it was impossible to catch even a small shred of it before it got right into Joséphine's hands. Slowly Adeláire wondered if her plan would ever be crowned with success. Two weeks had passed and so far she, Arno and Verne had not dared to exchange ideas with each other. So she did not even begin to suspect if her brothers might be more successful in their mission.

Paris, August 1799 - Joséphine

----------------------- outside Paris, Malmaison, August 1799 -------

Adeláire sat alone in the carriage that the Marquis had lent her for her journey to Joséphine’s country estate, and already she was very uncomfortable. As usual, when she became nervous, she wrapped her arms around her upper body and tried to breathe with closed eyes. This, however, meant that the night before danced with vivid images before her eyes. Pictures of a togetherness almost filled with greedy despair. As if it could be the last time she would share that with Arno, to explore each other.