Note: Happy Fourth Of July! This is the first of two interludes about…well, largely about Anton and Marie and the strange factors that made their relationship complicated. (The other will go up on July 20th, for the six anniversary) They’re also a lot about Olivia being just the best. Writing about Anton in particular is something I love doing, so much of Annalise comes from her father. He too has a big heart, and sometimes assumes that excuses some less than stellar interpersonal behavior.

Anton

How was she so beautiful? Marie Sanpierre was standing in the Dovetail courtyard. They’d arrived a few hours ago, it had been months and she was all he could think about. He walked over to her.

“Lady Marie,” he said. She smiled at him.

“Your Highness,” she said with a gentle curtsey.

“What are you doing?” He asked.

“Looking at the arches,” she said, “the book I was reading on the ride said Mariah formed them out of magic.” He smirked.

“If you believe every claim, Mariah built half the city out of magic,” he said. She giggled and he kissed her.

“Anton,” she whispered as he pressed her back against one the arches. “We shouldn’t. What if someone sees?” He laughed.

“They’ll see I’m enjoying myself with a pretty girl,” he said, “I doubt anyone will be shocked.” She frowned and slipped out of his arms. “Marie, I didn’t mean,” he sighed, “you aren’t just another girl.”

“So you say,” she said. He sighed and looked at her.

“Come here,” he mumbled and took her hand. She looked at him. “I was just teasing.” She smiled. “I only want you.”

“You were with Lady Olivia yesterday,” she said and he pulled her close again.

“Livvie is a friend,” he said, “that part is over between us.” She nodded.

“And Morgan Lawson?” She said.

“Is marrying Wyatt Allred,” he frowned, “and I haven’t seen her in weeks.” She nodded and smirked as he kissed her neck.

“Natalie Graves?” She asked.

“Marie,” he said, “I only see you, now.” She looked up at him.

“For now,” she said. He frowned. Suddenly the idea that he’d never been serious about anyone seemed awful, if it meant she didn’t believe him.

Marie

She hadn’t meant to turn down Anton exactly. She’d found she really did like kissing him. She didn’t even really object to the idea of going to bed with him, which he’d brought up a few times, though she was nervous about it.

She just hated the idea of being on in his endless cycle of girls. She wondered how many times he’d whispered that some girl was the only one, and then a few weeks later moved on to someone else. She frowned looking in the mirror.

“Aunt Lara would be appalled at your hair,” Les said walking in. She laughed. She’d let her dark curls grow wild, occasionally brushing them out, and usually dressing them with flowers of jewlry borrowed from Les’s Anne.

“Aunt Lara would be appalled at most of my behavior since we got here,” she said and sat down. “I put him off again.”

“Well, Aunt Lara wouldn’t be appalled at that,” he rolled his eyes, “she’d remind you that no man should ever touch you beyond dancing until Rana herself came down and blessed your marriage. Meanwhile Elana’s been in and out of that Pharras captain’s villa for a year.”

“Don’t spread gossip,” Marie chastised him. Their cousin had been rather indiscrete in her dealings with Kieran Franz. Though in her last letter she’d mentioned she’d been seeing more of Daniel. Good for Elana, it was what she’d always wanted. “It’s getting harder.”

“So stop,” Les shrugged. “We live here now, you don’t have to worry what they’d say at home, and literally no one here cares what Anton’s up to.” She looked down. “Oh that’s what this is. You don’t want to be just another one of his girls.”

“No, I don’t,” she said. “I think I’m in love with him.” Her brother looked at her.

“Well that’s troublesome,” he grinned. She tossed a pillow at him. “Marie, you have to tell him, if that’s the case.” She swallowed.

“I know,” she said. “I know that.” Her mandate. She was Chosen. Her child would be something fierce and terrible, some kind of weapon for the gods.

Anton

“What are you so gloomy about?” Olivia said a they milled around before dinner. He looked at her.

“I think I upset Marie.” He frowned. She rolled her eyes. “Tell me something,” he said, “did you feel disposable?” She looked at him and laughed. “It’s a serious question Livvie.”

“Oh,” she sat down and thought for a moment. “No, but you and I understood each other. Neither of us were in love.” He looked at her. “I think Victoria Caplan might have felt differently.” He groaned. “Anton, what did Marie say?”

“I was trying to tell her I think she’s special,” he said. She raised her eyebrows. “And I don’t think she believed me.”

“Were you groping her at the time?” She asked.

“We were in the courtyard,” he said defensively. “She seemed to be enjoying herself.”

“Anton, really,” she said. “Did you ever consider speaking to her when your hand wasn’t up her dress? Marie is a very serious person, and she’s come here to study and escape being objectified by a prince.”

“When you put it that way,” he sighed. Olivia laughed and kissed him on the cheek.

“Is this what John had to do all these years?” She asked. Anton shrugged. “It’s exhausting.”

Marie

She walked into the ballroom and saw Anton sitting with Olivia Bano. He looked up and saw her and quickly walked over.

“I need to talk to you,” she said, before he could kiss her and she lost her senses.

“Alright,” he said, “the terrace?” She nodded and followed him outside. “Marie, this afternoon.”

“I think I’m in love with you,” she said. He was staring at her. “I know I am, I just,” she exhaled. “I didn’t just leave home because I didn’t want Daniel.”

“No?” He said, but a smile had returned to his face.

“No,” she said. “Oh, you’re going to think I’m crazy everyone always does.” He cupped her face.

“Marie,” he whispered. “I’m in love with you too,” she smiled. “Please tell me, whatever it is.”

“I have a prophecy,” she whispered. “I’m supposed to give birth to The Sword Of The Goddess. Some foretold warrior who’ll free the gods.”

“I know who the sword is,” he whispered. She nodded. “Anselm had me read every story about the gods ever written down.” She laughed. “You love me?”

“Yes,” she said.

“Why me?” He asked. She smiled.

“I don’t know,” she said. “But I do.” He nodded.

“Can I kiss you now?” He asked. She smiled and nodded. He took her in his arms and kissed her.

Anton

Marie was asleep in his arms, in his bed. She loved him and he wanted to be worthy of that. She’d already placed so much in his care. She stirred awake.

“You should be sleeping,” she mumbled.

“I know,” he said gently. “I will, I just wanted to look at you.” She smiled.

“What does this mean now?” She asked. “Am I your mistress, like Olivia was?” Anton smiled. Olivia was his only public mistress, his other affairs were rumored, never acknowledged. If Marie wanted that, he could give that.

“If that’s what you want,” he said. She smiled. “I could also court you, officially, if you like.” She raised her eyebrows.

“That would mean marriage,” she mumbled.

“Eventually,” he nodded. “You don’t have to decide right now. You already chose me, that’s enough for me, for tonight.” She kissed him, gently. “Or we could just be this, just us, private. I want you forever, whatever that looks like.”