Here is the third installment of Ties of the Heart. I will go ahead and say that I don't know when the next chapter will be updated. Life is too crazy right now, so I may not get to update for a while. Apologies in advance :( but I hope you enjoy this one

Chapter 3

The carriage pulled up to a mansion that I had absolutely no clue how Erik could afford. What the heck did he do to get this much money? Start his own show?

We exited the carriage - well, more like he got out of the carriage while carrying me - and went into the house. "I think I can walk myself, monsieur." I claimed.

Erik cut his eyes towards me and shook his head. "I've got you." was all he said. I rolled my eyes and sighed. Still as stubborn as ever, I see...

As soon as we went through the door, my breath was lost. It was absolutely beautiful! I wold have never dreamed of being in the presence of such nice things.

"I can set up a guest room for you." Erik said suddenly. "It may take me little while, though. I wasn't really expecting a guest."

"Take your time. I obviously wasn't expecting this, either." I commented, trying to make light of the situation.

A sudden rush of breath escaped him in a huff of soundless laughter as he set me down on a couch in the middle of the room, taking a seat on the couch opposite from mine. More silence ensued - I was getting tired of all the silence - as we would look at each other then elsewhere as if we weren't supposed to lay eyes on one another. Finally, we both seemed to have the right idea as we began to talk at the same time.

"So, how have you-?"

"How did you know-?"

We both stopped and chuckled. "You first." I said.

"No, ladies first." Erik conceded.

"How did you know it was me? It's not like I have the body or face of a child as I did the last time we..." I trailed off.

He sighed. "How could I not know it was you? You were the only one who would ever stand up to that man."

"But it's not like...never mind. I've asked my question. Now it's your turn."

He hesitated, his mouth opening and closing like a fish. "How have you been? I mean, other than the obvious..." He uttered, referencing my hands.

I looked down at them in deep thought. I couldn't tell him about most of the things that had went on since after he left. I knew he had a temper - I had witnessed it a couple times when we were children. Whenever the master would beat me, he would always go on a rampage and speak of how one day he would kill him. If he had thought that then and all I got was a little thrashing for not performing well, what would he do if he found out about...

"As well as one could be, I suppose." I finally said. "I made it out better than some of the others." Lie...

He nodded, still tense. "So he never..."

"No." Lie...well, partial lie...

"Good, or else I would have to go back there and kill him myself." My eyes bulged is shock. He didn't really mean that...did he? I didn't get a chance to ask as he stood up. "You look famished. I'll get us something to eat."

"You don't have to. I can get-" As I braced my hands against the couch to get up, the pain reminded me that I could barely move my hands to do anything.

At my cry of pain, Erik ran to me and unraveled the makeshift bandages to find the cuts were bleeding again. "Hold on, I'll be back with proper bandages." He said as he left the room. He returned seconds later with white bandages in his hands. He silently set to work, gently wrapping the material around my hands. "Amirah, I did not rescue you from that hellhole so you can keep acting like a slave." He finally said. "You don't have to do anything anymore, especially now with your hands how they are. Please, let me do something for you."

Realization slowly dawned on me as realized that I was no longer a captive. I was free. There was no longer the fear of punishment if I did something wrong. No longer was I under merciless rule. The sudden realization brought tears of joy to my eyes.

Of course Erik, ever the protective one, was instantly concerned. "What's wrong? Are you hurting again?"

I couldn't speak for fear I would start bawling, so I shook my head. A smile spread on my face as I threw my arms around his neck. I felt him stiffen and his arms went out to his sides like he didn't know what to do. I could sense his awkwardness, so I pulled away from him. "I'm sorry. I didn't - I mean, I just...I'm free. I'm finally free..."