Disclaimer: The Phantom of the Opera does not belong to me (though I think if it were up to him, he wouldn't belong to anyone), only my own characters do.

Author's Note:

To flipfloppingotaku: I'm glad you like the stories, I should be updating more often. I had some plot bunnies that chewed holes in the story, but they have since been taken care of.

To foxgodess07: I don't know about an eye-opener on the Fae, but some Fae do get to see more than they want sometimes.

To LittleMargarita: Oh yes, we have bonding with the little sister in this chapter. How much did she hear? Read on and find out.

Thanks to flipfloppingotaku, luzsolar, dream raven13, Callie Rawn and MonstarzGirl for subscribing or adding this as a favorite story. Silent support means as much to an author as verbal. Don't be afraid to drop in with a review the next time you read a chapter.

Thanks to all who have read and reviewed; the more you review, the faster I write the next chapter. Now, on with the story.

PotG: Family Ties

Chapter 3

Routines

No wonder they're not awake yet, Margarita thought as she looked at the drawn bed curtains. She bent down and picked up Ayesha as the feline twined herself around the Alve's ankles. "How would you like to wake up Erik hmm?" she whispered to the cat.

Ayesha purred in response as she was carried to the bed.

"Here you go kitty," she grinned as she pulled aside the curtain and deposited the cat on the bed. "Go get him."

She waited; no sound except for what she assumed was Erik's soft snoring came from the bed. After several more minutes she peeked inside to find the cat curled up by Erik's feet and half-asleep. "Some help you are," she softly said glaring at the drowsy cat.

Margarita cast her eyes upward to the head of the bed, hoping that Erik slept with the covers above his waist unlike Tereste. She breathed a sigh of relief; Erik had the covers pulled up almost to his shoulders. She smiled when she saw her sister wrapped protectively in his arms.

She went to the windows and opened the curtains, letting the morning sun into the room. Then she went back to the curtained bed and fastened the curtains at the foot of the bed before fastening the curtains on S'ray's side and then Erik's. As soon as the sunlight hit the bed she saw Erik grab the covers and pull them up over his head. This is going to be harder than I assumed, she thought putting her hands on her hips.

After pondering the situation for a few moments, a mischievous smile lit up the younger Alve's face. She went over to Erik's side of the bed and pulled the blanket from over his head. Then she bent down and whispered seductively in his ear, "How about another go this morning lover?"

"Later, Erik's still tired," he mumbled rolling to his left side and pulling S'ray closer.

Not surprising after what I heard last night, Margarita thought and smirked. "Please Erik," she continued, "I need you."

"Erik needs sleep, need Erik later," Erik replied still asleep.

"But Erik," she whined.

She heard Erik mumble something about Elven women being the death of him as his right hand slid up her sister's body. Margarita rolled her eyes when S'ray sighed and arched into his touch. "Erik," S'ray breathed covering his hand with her own.

"Love you," he murmured kissing her shoulder.

"Mmm, someone's frisky this morning," she smiled as his hands slid down to the juncture of her thighs.

"I know," he replied caressing her intimately.

"Mmm, you usually wait for me to wake up," she sighed.

"Except you woke me love."

"I didn't wake you, you woke me."

"No, you woke me."

"I was sleeping till you started touching me."

"No I was sleeping till you started talking to me and saying you needed me."

"I needed you?"

"Yes and as wet as you are, you certainly do need me."

"Actually Erik, I need you," Margarita smirked as she stood over them, arms crossed over her chest.

Erik and S'ray immediately froze and then as one turned to look at the other Alve standing over them.

"Good morning love birds," she giggled. "Though this isn't what I had in mind when I came in here to get you up."

Erik colored at the insinuation before suddenly realizing he was not wearing a mask in front of her. His hand flew up and covered the right side of his face. "Margarita please, I'm not decent," Erik protested.

"From what I heard last night, you're pretty damn decent," Margarita smirked and sat on the bed next to him.

"Margarita," S'ray chastised.

"What?" she asked. "It's not like you two are really quite, in fact you're both pretty vocal."

"And you said we were being quiet," S'ray hissed and punched Erik in the shoulder.

"Ow!" he complained grabbing his shoulder with his other hand. "I didn't hear you complaining or telling me to stop."

"I never had a chance since you kept my mouth occupied," S'ray replied blushing.

"Sounds like someone enjoys a good tongue lashing," Margarita joined in with a stifled giggle.

"Besides, you started it by giving me a back rub," Erik retorted with a blush.

"It's not my fault that you have no self-control," S'ray shot back.

"Self-control has nothing to do with it when I'm naked on my back and you're straddling me," he replied.

Margarita grinned, watching them go back and forth.

"Would you rather that someone else was straddling you?" S'ray demanded. "Perhaps someone with curly brown hair?"

"Don't even start that, I sent her back where she belongs and want nothing more to do with her if I can help it," he frowned.

"Are you sure?" she asked raising an eyebrow.

"I love you S'ray, you're the only woman I will ever want in my bed," he smiled lowering the hand that covered his face.

"Oh Erik," she sighed as he pulled her close.

"Kiss and make out, kiss and make out . . . err . . . up, kiss and make up," Margarita chanted as she bounced up and down where she sat on the bed.

"You sound like the pixie," Erik groaned.

"I could bring her in," Margarita grinned.

"Don't you dare," Erik almost snarled at the thought of one of the little people invading one of the few places he had any privacy from them.

"Fine, I'll expect you two downstairs for breakfast shortly so no fooling around," she said standing and shaking a finger at them. Then she turned and skipped out of the room.

"Are you alright?" S'ray asked after they heard Margarita go back downstairs.

"Compared to this, yesterday wasn't quite as embarrassing," he grumbled.

"I'm sorry love," she sighed sitting up next to him. "But I have told you several times that we don't have the same attitudes towards nudity and sex as humans often do."

"I know," he replied sitting up as well. "And I'm trying to adjust as well, but sometimes it's just too much at once."

"I understand, that's why I'm trying to take things slow for you," she smiled putting her arms around him and kissing his cheek. "And I'm so proud of you every time you keep your temper in check."

"Thank you," he murmured turning his head and kissing her lips. "You're the reason I'm trying."

"Mmm, we'd better get moving before she comes back up here," S'ray chuckled pulling away from him.

"I expect to continue this later tonight," he smiled, watching her leave their bed.

"So do I, now go," she said stepping behind the changing screen.


"I think its fine, though you managed to leave out most of the details," Erik said after reading the letter S'ray had written to her parents.

"I can tell them more after they answer this one first," she said folding the paper and placing it in an envelope.

"Such as your lover has the face of a gargoyle," he replied with a frown.

"You do not," S'ray replied putting her arms around him. "I've seen plenty of gargoyles and you look nothing like one."

"Close enough," Erik replied.

"I don't care," she smiled sitting on his lap and removing his mask. "I love this face."

Erik closed his eyes and smiled as she placed her perfect cheek against his ruined one. His arms were around her and he savored the feeling of their cheeks pressed together.

"I love you Erik," she murmured as he held her.

"I love you more you marvelous creature," he whispered in reply.

"You two make me sick," Brandji complained and made a face. "If you were any sweeter, the pixie would lick you."

"God forbid," Erik mumbled making a face at the thought.


"Hey you!" Brandji called from the tree branch. "Stop!"

"What?" the forest fairy asked as she flew up to the brownie.

"The Guardian needs the letter back," he said looking full of authority.

"Why?" the fairy asked.

"How should I know?" he shrugged." She just told me to bring it back."

"I was told…"

"Fine, deliver it then. I'll just tell her you refused," he said starting to turn back.

"Here," she said flying in front of the men holding up the envelope. "Should I wait?"

"No," he replied snatching the envelope. "She'll send it with another."

"Bye Brandji," the fairy twittered and flew off.

The brownie scampered down the tree and back to the Glen. However, instead of taking the missive back to S'ray as he said, he instead slipped into a loose basement window. Once inside he proceeded to stash the letter and the rafters where he kept his other prized possessions.


"How is it coming up there?" S'ray called, using her hand shade her eyes from the sun.

"Almost done," Erik replied from the roof of the barn.

"Need anything?"

"No, I have more than enough up here."

Suddenly the sound of a shake sliding down the roof was heard. "Look out below," Erik called from where he hammered the last replacement into place.

"Ahh!" Brandji yelled jumping out of the way of the falling shake just in time. "Watch what you're doing you stupid goblin!"

"I warned everyone," Erik replied as he started down the ladder. "You should've waited for it to hit the ground."

"I hate you," Brandji ground out stomping his foot.

"I'm not overly fond of you either," Erik replied.

"I'm glad I stopped that…"

"Stopped what?" Erik asked.

"Never mind, I'm not telling you anything," the brownie replied before scurrying off.

"Sounds like he was shaken up," Luniana twittered as she flew over to Erik. "You made him so mad he was shaking."

Erik only rolled his eyes in response to the pixie's puns as he put the ladder away.


He watched his target silently, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. Revenge upon this creature that kept him from his harem would be sweet. He moved to the side, readying himself for the charge. Finally his target was in position; he lowered his head and charged.

Erik was pulling the bottom crossbeam on the fence back into place when he heard running hooves behind him. He moved to stand so he could see what was going on and hit his back on the middle cross piece. Already cursing in Farsi, he was unceremoniously hit in the ass and went flying through the fence.

The Phantom suddenly found himself sprawled on the ground on the other side of the fence. As he tried to get to his feet, he was hit from behind again.

"Baa, baa."

He rolled to his back and saw the ram standing over him haughtily. Great, he thought, now the sheep are after me. He moved to get up again and the ram lowered his head and hit him once more.

"Baa."

Erik silently cursed the animal and rubbed his shoulder. He grimaced and frowned, the animal had hit the same shoulder the Vicomte had sliced open. Erik knew he was healed enough for it not to have opened up but it hurt like hell now.

"Baa, baa," the ram repeated and pawed the ground.

"Fine, I get the point," he grumbled and started to stand again.

As before, the belligerent animal charged him and knocked him to the ground.

"He he, rama lama ding dong," Luniana giggled from on top the fence post.

"I'm glad you're enjoying this," Erik almost snarled from where he lay in the grass.

"Does the big, bad Phantom need help getting away from the cute, widdle sheepie?" she twittered.

Erik groaned and eyed the sheep.

"Baa," the animal repeated looking down his nose at the Phantom.

Luniana giggled from her spot on the fence post, holding her stomach and kicking her feet in the air.

The Phantom frowned and scooted away from the sheep. He moved slowly, never taking his eyes from the animal. Finally he sat up and cautiously got to one knee.

"Baa," the ram bleated and charged Erik, hitting him once more on his sore shoulder.

The man landed on his back, grunting at the pain encompassing his shoulder.

"Baa, baa," his nemesis bleated triumphantly.

"Erik, you know I'll help, you only have to ask," Luniana twittered as she flitted over to him.

Erik let out a sigh of defeat. "I suppose I could use some assistance," he admitted.

"Should I get S'ray?" the pixie asked.

"No that won't be necessary, come here," he said already having a plan in mind.

"What are you going to do?" she twittered.

"Distract him," Erik replied snatching the pixie out of the air.

"Hey!" she squeaked.

"Sorry Luniana, but you owe me," he said and hurled the pixie at the sheep.

Luniana hit the sheep between his eyes and below his horns with an audible "oof" and a cloud of pixie dust. Erik scrambled to his feet as quickly as his aching shoulder would allow and scrambled over the fence back into the pasture. The ram shook his head in bewilderment and wondered what the man had stuck on his head.

Erik took a deep breath and let it out slowly while rubbing his shoulder.

"Not funny!" Luniana squealed as she clung to the sheep.

"So let go," he told her.

"No, this is too much fun," she giggled still clinging to the sheep.

Erik rolled his eyes and shook his head, he would never understand pixies. "Fine, can you help get them back inside the fence?"

"Look out!" she squeaked as the ram crashed through the fence.

Erik watched the retreating figure of the ram and then looked at the now broken fence. He sighed and dropping to his knees began moving the broken boards out of the way.


"Are you sure you don't want to join us?" S'ray asked combing Erik's hair back from his face.

"I'm sure, have fun with your sister," he replied opening his eyes.

"We'll be having honey wine," she tempted. "And you can lie in my lap."

"Mmm, as tempting as that sounds I'll just stay here and try to get some rest," he answered and shifted on the sofa, wincing as he jarred his shoulder. "I'm afraid I won't be good company anyway."

"Do you want something for the pain and to help you sleep? I think I have some laudanum in the cupboard," she said, concern crossing her features.

Tempting as the laudanum was, Erik knew that he couldn't have it or he'd start to crave opium all over again. "No thank you love," he replied. "I think a glass of brandy would suffice."

"Are you sure?" she asked caressing the unmasked side of his face.

"I'm sure," he smiled catching her hand with his right and bringing it to his lips so he could kiss her fingertips. "Enjoy yourself; I'll see you later in bed."

"Alright, I'll be back with the glass of brandy. If that compress warms up, Luniana will chill it for you again," S'ray said as she paused in the doorway. "Make sure you rest that shoulder."

"My only intentions for the evening are to read and nap as I already tried playing the piano and violin and it was too uncomfortable," he replied closing his eyes. "Besides, I have a headache as well."

"You weren't hit in the head were you?" she asked suddenly very concerned.

"No, too much sun I think," he said settling into the couch.

"Are you sure you want Luniana in here then?"

"I'll be fine as long as she can quietly occupy herself."


"So, what's it like?" Margarita giggled as they emptied their second bottle of wine.

"What's what like?" S'ray asked leaning back in her chair.

"You know," the younger woman snickered.

"Know what?" S'ray asked slightly puzzled because of the wine.

Grinning madly, Margarita nodded her head toward the library where Erik was dozing while looking toward the second floor with her eyes.

"What are you going on about?" S'ray asked.

"Oh come on, tell me, I'm your sister," Margarita coaxed.

"I'd tell you if you'd tell me what you're asking," the older Alve frowned.

"What's it like sleeping with Erik?" she finally asked.

"Oh, well in the first place he's a cover hog and secondly he usually winds up spread-eagle in the middle of the bed and he snores sometimes," S'ray replied swirling the wine in her glass.

"That is not what I meant and you know it," Margarita sighed. "What's he like between the sheets?"

"I honestly don't know, we've never stayed between the sheets," S'ray giggled.

"Oh very funny," the younger woman replied. "Seriously, how is the sex? Is he good? Can he really satisfy a woman?"

"That is a very personal question," S'ray said, trying to hide her smile.

"Yeah, and sisters share everything," she replied.

"Don't let Erik hear that, he'll think the wrong thing right away," S'ray laughed.

"Come on, what's it like with a man who's part human?" she pressed.

"He's a very passionate and generous lover," she smiled setting her glass down on the table.

"And details? Does he have hair anywhere besides his face?" Margarita asked.

"Obviously," she nodded.

"So what's it feel like?"

"Depends on what part of his body it's on. His beard can be pretty scratchy but he's usually clean shaven."

"Go on," she urged now sitting on the edge of her chair.

"Mmm, I love his chest hair, it's so fun to play with afterward; all sweaty and curly. Though it's just as fun to tease him by following that thin line of hair that goes down his stomach and into his trousers."

"So he has hair there, like an animal?"

"No, not like an animal, kind of like those statues we saw all those years ago in Greece."

"You mean the ones that Tereste was laughing at?" Margarita asked.

"Yes, those are the ones," S'ray nodded. "But it's surprisingly soft and silky."

"What about the rest of him?"

"Well, he has hair on his legs, his forearms and his armpits too."

"So what's it feel like when you're together?"

"It feels nice, but it can tickle sometimes."

"I bet I know where it tickles," Margarita smirked. "So what about that which makes him a man?"

"You should know, you felt it," S'ray grinned.

"Well, it kind of went away when he realized I wasn't you."

"That's my Erik."

"How about it then?"

"Well," S'ray started as her smile grew broader. "There are differences from Elven men."

"Judging by your smile they must be good ones."

"I'm certainly not complaining."

"So give me some idea at least."

"Fine, anyway he is more gifted than Elven men."

"How much more?"

"Never mind."

"So what's that like? Does it hurt?"

"The first time was a bit uncomfortable, but I'm putting that down to our haste and the tree," S'ray explained.

"Oh do tell," Margarita said leaning forward.

"It all came to a head on Beltane, we were walking in the forest," S'ray started.


Erik opened his eyes and grabbed his pocket watch from the end table. After looking at it twice, it still read just after 11 o'clock. He sighed and sat up; it was well past time to go to bed. He stood up and stretched, he could still hear and occasional giggle from the living room.

He went down the hall and looked in on the women. S'ray was lying on the couch cradling an empty bottle of wine while Margarita was sitting on the floor with her back against a chair. He also saw four empty bottles of wine on the table and surmised that neither of the sisters would make it to their beds under their own power.

The Phantom sighed and went over to Margarita. "Margarita, time for bed," he said kneeling down beside her.

"Mmm are you gonna take me to bed?" she asked with a drunken smile.

"If need be," he replied.

"Don't worry, I won't tell my sister," she whispered loudly and threw her arms around his neck.

"Thank you," he said and winced as she hit his sore shoulder. "Take it easy on that shoulder please."

"Aww I'll kiss it and make it better," she giggled as he picked her up.

"That's not necessary," he replied carrying her to the hallway.

"How about this instead?" she asked and kissed the side of his neck.

"Margarita, please," he said opening the door to the guest room.

"Oh begging already," she laughed sliding her hand into the open front of his shirt.

"I meant stop it," he said, now becoming a bit annoyed.

"Playing hard to get now?" Margarita pouted as he set her down on the bed.

"Certainly not," Erik replied.

"Then come here good looking," she slurred grabbing his shirt suddenly and pulling him down onto the bed with her.

"What are you trying to do?" Erik demanded.

"Getting you in bed with me. What does it look like?" she giggled.

"I shall have to decline the generous offer," Erik frowned.

"Why?" she pouted.

"Because I am already in a relationship with S'ray, you are her sister and you are drunk," he stated as he disentangled himself from the woman.

"Aww, I never get the good looking ones," she sighed.

"Good night mademoiselle," he sighed covering her with the blanket before leaving the room and gently closing the door.

Erik went back to where S'ray was still lying and removed the empty bottle from her limp grasp. "Bed time love," he whispered softly.

"Hi lover," she smiled opening her eyes. "That late already?"

"Yes S'ray," he smiled. "Your sister is already in bed."

"So it's just you and me?" she asked.

"Yes," he nodded and picked her up.

"Carrying me, how romantic," she sighed leaning her head against his good shoulder.

Erik rolled his eyes; carrying S'ray would have been a lot more romantic if she wasn't too drunk to walk right now.

"Love you Erik," she mumbled and kissed his neck. "You're such a wonderful man."

"I love you too," he smiled as he carried her up the stairs.

"My sexy, handsome man," she sighed pulling his hair out of the pony tail he had it tied in.

"If you insist," he replied pushing the door closed with his foot.

"Alone at last," S'ray murmured as he lay her on the bed.

"Alone in our room anyway," he smiled, brushing her hair away from her face.

"Come here lover," she smiled and pulled him down on top of her on the bed. "I want you so bad right now."

"But S'ray, I…" he started but was cut off by her insistent kiss. The next thing he knew he was on his back, his mask was off and S'ray was actually ripping his shirt open.

"Oh my poor baby," she cooed upon seeing the purple and yellow bruise that now covered his left shoulder.

"It looks worse than it is," he replied as she gently touched his shoulder.

"I know just the thing for that," she smiled and bending down placed feather light kisses upon his shoulder.

Erik closed his eyes and turned his head to the right, an unconscious invitation she accepted and began kissing his neck. He felt her stop kissing him and sit up; his breathing quickened as he watched her remove her own shirt. She leaned back down and put her arms around his neck, kissing him again. He groaned low in his throat as she undulated against him, arousing his desire for her. Returning her kisses, he wrapped his arms around her and then rolled them over so he was on top.

"Feisty," she laughed and then gasped as his mouth descended on a bare breast. Her fingers tangled in his hair and she held him to her breast as he suckled her.

Then he moved back up to capture her mouth again while reaching down and undoing her pants. S'ray's hands were also at his trousers, opening buttons. He stopped kissing her long enough to finish stripping her and then himself. Erik pounced on top of her, claiming her lips.

"Roll over," he finally growled after tearing himself away from her kisses.

She did as he bid his tone of voice clearly showing he was in no mood to debate or argue. He moved her hair to the side and going to his hands and knees began kissing her back. S'ray gasped in surprise and delight; her eyes closed and she shuddered as he ran his tongue up her spine, ending with a nip at the base of her neck.

"Did you like that?" his seductive voice asked as she felt his hand slide down her back and over her buttock to come to rest on her thigh.

Unable to form words, she nodded her head in assent.

Erik set his lips to her shoulders, punctuating his kisses with gentle nips. She gasped and mewled in pleasure when his fingers found her wet center. "Vixen," he growled licking his fingers and then biting the small of her back. "Seems you need to settle down a bit."

He sat up and then straddled her hips. She'd given him countless massages already and it was time he returned the favor. He ran his hands up her back and smirked as she wriggled beneath him. He started massaging her shoulders and was rewarded with a sigh of pleasure as she began to relax beneath him. His hands slid down her back, gently rubbing along her spine. After going up her back again he leaned down and kissed her cheek. "You are beautiful," he smiled and kissed her again.

"Erik," she murmured as his massage turned to gentle caresses.

He moved from on top of her to lie beside her. Erik leaned over and began kissing and nibbling on her back. Her soft gasps and sighs of pleasure quickly brought his desire to the forefront again. Unable to wait anymore, he rolled her to her back and found that she had fallen into a drunken sleep.

The Phantom rolled to his back and groaned in frustration as his desire quickly retreated. He closed his eyes and covered them with a hand as he took several deep breaths to calm himself. He sat up and looked at his peacefully sleeping lover; it would be wrong to wake her now he thought. Heaving a sigh, he stood and pulled the covers down on his side of the bed. Then he picked her up and gently laid her between the sheets before climbing back in on her side.

Erik smiled as she snuggled close to his right side after he'd pulled the covers around them. He sighed again as he wrapped his arm around her and closed his eyes. He was just about to drift off to sleep when he heard a strange sound that startled him back to wakefulness. S'ray had started to snore. His head fell back onto the pillow in frustration; bad enough that she passed out during his lovemaking, but now to add insult to injury she was snoring.


S'ray yawned and opened her eyes, it was just after dawn. The soft growl she heard next to her indicated that Erik was still asleep. She smiled and upon sitting up, discovered that she was naked. Not remembering how she got into bed, she wondered if they'd made love last night.

She leaned over and softly kissed him. "Good morning love," she smiled when he opened his eyes.

"Well good morning," he replied with a sleepy smile.

"Erik, about last night," she started.

"No, we didn't. You started and then passed out on me."

"Oh I'm sorry."

"You owe me," he said sitting up as well.

"I do?" she asked leaning back against the headboard and eyeing the tented sheet that covered his lap. "And what do I owe you?"

"A morning of passion," he smiled pulling her onto his lap.

"And if I have a hangover?" she asked.

"I would change that to a night of passion," he replied kissing her cheek. "How are you feeling this morning?"

"Very well rested," she sighed putting her arms around his neck. "And you?"

"Surprisingly good, my shoulder aches, but that's to be expected," Erik explained.

"Mind if I change position a bit?"

"Not at all," he smiled watching her pull away the sheet and straddle his lap.

"Looks like you're awake," she smirked slipping her hand between them and stroking his erection.

"I am," he groaned letting his head fall backward.

S'ray took the opportunity he offered and leaning forward began kissing the base of his throat. "I'm sorry about last night," she whispered against him.

"S'alright," he murmured as she roused him further.

"Maybe I should stop for now," she sighed as his breathing noticeably increased.

Erik nodded his head yes as she stopped her caresses. "Your turn," he finally said after regaining his breath. His arm went around her waist and he turned them so he was on top and they were lying crosswise on the bed. "You feel so warm," he murmured kissing her.

"Erik," she gasped as his lips moved to her breast.

"This time I'm not going to settle you down," he smirked as his hand slid between her thighs. "Mmm, so hot and wet."

She cried out softly as his fingers slid over her clitoris.

"Is this what you want?" he asked as he stroked her.

"Oh yes, yes," she gasped arching into his touch.

"Do you want me?"

"I need you."

"I'm yours," he groaned as he slid inside her.

S'ray moaned softly as they lay entwined together. His hand moved to her face and tenderly brushed the stray lock of golden hair away. He kissed her, coaxing her lips apart and then teasing her tongue with his. Her hands cradled his face, stroking his cheeks as they kissed. "Love you," she whispered against his lips.

"Love you," he replied against hers.


Margarita's greeting died on her lips as she opened the door. If she hadn't already been wide awake, the sight that greeted her would have awakened her. There on the bed were Erik and S'ray; Erik was on his knees and had his back to the door. What little she could see of her sister were her feet resting on Erik's shoulders and bouncing with his every thrust.

She clapped her hand over her own mouth to silence herself and backed out of the room. Taking a deep breath, she quietly closed the door and went back downstairs.

"What's the matter with you?" Brandji asked as he rolled an egg across the counter.

"Why do you ask?" Margarita replied.

"You're all red in the face," he said tying some rope around the egg.

"Did you see something naughty?" Luniana asked flying in through the open window.

"Never mind," the Elf frowned.

"You saw Erik and S'ray being naughty!" the Pixie happily squeaked.

"I did not," Margarita protested.

"You did too, I saw you walk in on them," Luniana twittered.

"You were watching them," the younger woman said not overly surprised by the confession.

"She always watches them," Brandji groused as he lowered the egg to Brule.

"He's really horny this morning," the Pixie squeaked. "They've gone through quite a few positions already and they're still not done."

"Giving us a blow by blow?" Margarita asked arching an eyebrow.

"Oh, they didn't do that and he didn't lick her honey pot either," she twittered.

Brandji made a face; he hated hearing about Erik and S'ray having sex. However, if everything went according to his plan he might not have to worry about the interloper for much longer.

"Thanks Luniana," Margarita sighed as she sat at the table with a cup of coffee.


"Well about time you two finally came downstairs," Margarita said as S'ray and Erik entered the kitchen.

"Sorry," S'ray smiled, "we overslept."

Margarita snorted in disbelief. "Yeah, tell me another one sis," she said barely holding back her laughter.

"Another what?" S'ray asked.

"You two were not sleeping when I looked in," she said, now failing to contain her laughter. "And Erik, you should start locking that bedroom door if you don't want to be putting on a show for others."

Erik colored at the realization that they'd been seen making love again.

"And from what Luniana told us, you are quite the stud this morning," she continued giggling and pounded the table.

Erik turned even redder at that bit of information.

"You go outside love and I'll start your breakfast," S'ray smiled caressing his bare cheek.

Erik nodded and headed out the door to the barn to start morning chores.


Erik moved silently through the hidden corridors of the Populaire, surveying his domain. He needed more information on his new partner so he took the corridor that lead to the manager's office which was now occupied by Monsieur Phelon. He stepped up to the spy hole and saw the vampire seated at the desk reading through the opera that would be opening the season.

Phelon paused in his reading, he was being watched. He smiled; it had been a long time since he'd encountered someone skilled enough to get this close before he noticed their presence. This could mean only one thing; the Opera Ghost was back in residence. "By the by, you are expected to attend the Opening Gala now that you are co-owner of the Populaire," Phelon casually remarked as his eyes went back to the script he was reading.

The Phantom was taken aback; he had never been discovered in this manner before.

"I'm not deaf, I can hear your heartbeat," Phelon continued. "And I must say, you're surprisingly calm for someone eavesdropping on a vampire."

Erik stayed silent, not sure if he should respond or not.

"And do feel free to bring the Lady Guardian with you, neither of you will be harmed by any in my coven," the vampire added. "Formal dress is required, but I'm sure you already have something in mind for her."

"The date?" he finally asked.

"Fifth of next month," Phelon answered. "And do try to leave the little people at home, my consort will be here and she detests them in all their variety."

Erik nodded silently.

"See you then unless you have any critiques of the company and you can leave those right on my desk as I assume you have a way in here that I haven't found yet," the Greek said dismissively.


Author's End Note: Sorry about the delay, had some plot bunnies that chewed holes in the story and I had to some major revisions. Updates should be quicker from now on.

Coming up in Chapter 4 – Meet the Parents

Uh-oh.