"Monsieur Erik?" Her foot made creaking noises as she explored the room hesitantly, her voice quiet, "Monsieur?"

Every creak she made was audible. Every thump she felt in her chest made her all the more vulnerable. After fumbling into her clothing, slipping in the soft fabric and properly veiled, had she began her trek to find him. Now that she had done her duty, she had to leave. She simply had to! No one had ever told her what she had to do the next morning, especially when he was not there to dismiss her. Amira could imagine the sneering women who would find crude jokes to occupy their time and hers and she was angered more than anything. Yet realization had set in that she would forever be a servant only even to the concubines, and that she was no longer pure because of him. Her mind did not get angry at the thought of it, though, somehow she was frustrated at the task but felt none toward the man who took it from her and she shivered with thoughts of the previous night, of her unashamed tears this morning. Was it even a man who had done the deed, the fifteen year old odalisque had wondered, her thoughts muddled. She reached toward the door, frightened, and whispered a farewell and was ready to slip out. She was not ready to see his face again, to see that blank mask and remember what had happened between them. And so she quietly slipped out the door.

"Amira," His voice was caressing, soft, and she suddenly jolted, the door slamming behind her as she whirled around as if she had done something wrong.

"Monsieur! I'm so sorry," She started to blabber, her voice picking up in pace and rising to a squeak. There he was standing before her at the door, decidedly embarrassed, unwilling to look at her anywhere but intently into her green eyes.

"I should be the one to apologize for such boisterous conduct last night," He winced, and backed away from her, "Did you have a good night's sleep?" He added awkwardly, as an afterthought for a conversation they both were better without.

"Yes, Monsieur, very well" She had started to begin a compliment, something to boost his pride even more, as she began to bat her eyelashes. For an impulsive moment, she felt her stomach flutter when he leaned forward for the door. No, he would not ask for anymore, surely he would not! Amira's palms began to sweat as she fidgeted with them and he raised a bag, and began in a strained voice, "I went out to the markets and have bought some breakfast," He wavered, then continued, "For you."

"You did not need to," She bit her lip and stared intently before she revealed any insecure thoughts that conflicted with that image of confidence she attempted to portray.

"Please," He ushered toward the door and she found herself succumbing and again, she played the role and spoke in a breathless voice.

"Yes, as you wish, Monsieur," The word had rolled off her tongue in a way she thought impossible and she followed him into his room. He began to take off his coat, unnecessary in battles against the cold for it was sweltering to Amira. Every time his sad eyes met hers, as if genuinely and insatiably curious and thoughtful of the teenage girl, she found it hard to look away but she did nonetheless, as she did the very moment he stood there and stared with an expression that a child would give its mother for milk, eyes open. She rushed to his side and he had managed to treat her in such a European fashion yet they had not touched. Partially, she was annoyed at his lack of contact but as he took out the noon o paneer, lavash bread with cheese, and poured the sweet milk, she had forgotten just how hungry she was, it had been nearly two full days that she had not eaten. She eyed the sabzhi in its little containers and she noticed Erik's fingers, so delicate and abnormally long. Her eyes followed the ceremonious event of his serving of food and she felt like a serpent, ready to swallow the food in a single gulp. A few moments had past and she found herself savoring the hot bread and the feel of the fresh milk, its distinct flavor, refreshing her thirst, could feel its coolness slivering down her throat. Both were silent, Erik taking few nibbles here and there, uncomfortably fidgeting with his hands and watching her eat. Here and there, they would talk, but like two strangers passing time before going their separate ways rather than two who had spent a night with each other. Then suddenly, he took her hand, and with full intention, told her, "I do not know how to treat a woman, Amira. Last night. That was my first time as well,"
She stuffed the last of the bread into her mouth with discomfort. His purpose with telling her that sensitive piece of information confused her, for it was a degradation of his own pride and unnecessary in the course of this breakfast. Was he simply here to gloat?

"What I meant is that, I didn't mean for that to happen to you," Erik gritted through his teeth bitterly, "You are beautiful, did anyone ever tell you so much as that? You don't goddamn deserve this, you don't deserve me!" He growled out the last bit with much hatred of himself, frightening her with his tone.

"Master," Her voice was as sedated as possible, but he only looked at her as if he would hit her if she spoke another word.

"Quit your acts! If there's a God in a heaven, I'm no master of yours!" His voice quivered, controlling his anger, "I told them I would not accept but…" he started to mumble and Amira was more scared of his tactful remarks than his face. She had, after all, seen him in his most vulnerable moment, "Never in my life!" He started to laugh maniacally, "Had I ever received a gift as this! Never in twenty one years!"

Strangely enough, all she retrieved from his words was the fact he was only twenty one years old, so old beyond his years and yet, only a few years older than herself. Somehow, she understood there was something not beyond her imagination about him and so when he began his next line, had she gasped.

"You were a gift, to be mine forever, but if you want," He sighed as if he was admiring her and he did admire her. He admired her for what she had been willing to do and had fallen more in lust with the sight of a woman and his desires had grown immensely. His yellow eyes were dancing from side to side before he grudgingly barked "Go,"

He had expected her to run for the door and when she did not budge in the few seconds that had passed; he repeated his words with an emphasis on each word.

"Erik," she tried, instead of Monsieur, voice steady, "Why was I sent to you?"

Something had told her this would not be the last time she would see this masked man. She thought of what hid under that mask he wore, she thought what secrets had this man kept, what he was capable of! Almost in awe, she slowly took off her veil, and with her lips slightly parted from an instinctive pattern of breathing, and she did not even know that sense of delight that filled her when she dared to look at him so clearly for once and so calmly as well. So now she had discovered, she was never intended to return to the harem. All those times, she had thought those women who did not obey had died some gruesome death but she now realized that perhaps half of them suffered a fate worse than that, to be married to some abusive man they did not love. That was a simple reason she had never saw them again! That was the fact that she could not escape, a living reality, and she blinked rapidly in amazement of the impact of his words, all coming to her like a pound of a hammer in her chest. Still, she was entranced, she knew there was no going back and yet she was not eager to head back for she had her reasons, reasons that were idealistic rather than logical, like a balloon blown to its extremity but filled with nothing but air that would slowly escape. Her hope was simply air but she did not budge a muscle after his command.

Suddenly, he could not speak, did not know just how to react. He did not attempt to speak. And there he left her standing there alone, as he rushed out of the room once more.

A/N Thanks for all the reviews! You guys are amazing; you made my day :) motivated me to write faster! Kisses to you all! Erik still Erik here? Remember he's younger now!