Author's Note: Thanks to my beta Jessica (Percy at for putting up w/ me. ;) This story is post 'Invincible Sword' and what Jacqueline SHOULD'VE been feeling... AU sorta...feedback as always people. Enjoy. Meg
PROLOGUE
Jacqueline sat on the floor looking up as the scene unfolded before her. She was in the palace along with Louis, Queen Anne, and Mazarin, who are stood near Louis. In front of them were Siroc, d'Artagnan and herself. The Jacqueline that stood in front of her looked like her, but her mannerisms were all wrong. She was cold, hard, and unyielding. It was like looking at her evil twin. Perhaps that was what it was
"Your majesty. I'm here to allow you to personally ascertain guilt or innocence." The evil Jacqueline's voice was as hard and cold as she looked. Jacqueline watched in horror trying to close her eyes, trying to stop this before it went further, yet knowing she could not. She watched d'Artagnan's face as Mazarin unmasked her. His eyes showed first of all frustration, concern, and finally panic. Louis looked on confused and then spoke again.
"Yes. D'Artagnan take her into custody." D'Artagnan looked pained and he stood protectively beside her evil twin. Her evil twin drew her blade, causing Louis, the queen, and Mazarin to step back.
"He'll have to kill me." It was said with confidence and disgust. D'Artagnan now turned to her evil twin, his voice filled with concern and softness.
"Surrender, Jacqueline. We'll petition his majesty for clemency. We'll ask for exile." He raised his voice now turning to Louis. "Your majesty, you would consider exile would you not? I've served you faithfully." Jacqueline felt her eyes mist over as she continued to watch, unmoving. D'Artagnan was loyal to her and look what she was about to do. Her evil twin dismissed him immediately and the words were lost on her until Louis shouted.
"Witch! Witch! She's a witch. D'Artagnan disarm her!" Jacqueline wanted shout again at herself but her mouth was dry and would not move as she watched herself and d'Artagnan argue. Everything blurred and then tears fell as d'Artagnan's eyes lowered toward her evil twin, pleading with her.
"I would never do that! I promised you I would take your secret to the grave!" He shouted at her. Her evil twin did not believe him.
"Well, I can arrange that." Jacqueline shook her head, wanting to tell him, she believed him, but they were in a fierce duel now. D'Artagnan dodged, ducked, and rolled until her evil twin sliced him across his stomach. Jacqueline wanted to shout no at them. Her evil twin seemed to realize what she had done and dropping her sword rushed to d'Artagnan's side.
"What have I done?" She asked in almost a whisper. D'Artagnan looked at her, his breath was swallow and almost gone.
"Jacque, Jacqueline, I love you." Jacqueline wanted to tell him she loved him too, but he died, and all she could do was watch her evil twin realize her mistake.
"Hey!" She shook her. "Hey!" Desperation could be heard in her voice. "No!" Tears rolled down both their cheeks. "Oh, dear lord forgive me." Jacqueline bowed her head, at her evil twin's prayer, knowing it was useless. "No! No!" It was louder, had more desperation, more sorrow in it. Her evil twin closed her eyes and she waited to wake up. It did not happen. Her evil twin opened her eyes to a shocked and grieved Louis who regained his voice.
"Take her to the dungeon!" Siroc moved to obey pulling her evil twin to her feet. "How could you?" He asked her pain in his voice.
"You killed him, Jacqueline!" Angry directed at her evil twin, at her. Her evil twin was taken away, screaming for d'Artagnan now.
Jacqueline sat up breathing heavily. "No!" She shouted into the wee morning hours. Her hair was down around her shoulders, and noticed her clothes, her bed sheets, were all soaked with sweat. Her heart was pounding so loudly she feared if anyone was passing by her door would hear it. She went over the nightmare carefully in her head. It was the same one she had for a week, however, tonight it had been different, but tonight, it was slightly different. Her eyes had never reopened, and now the added scene scared her. Her room had grown cold and she shivered as Siroc's words echoed loudly in her ears…