Well, let's go over the main points that have popped up so far, shall we. 1) Erik and Christine have been crowned King and Queen. 2) Erik is injured and lashes out at Christine for the hateful words she's said to him. 3) Christine gets jealous over a woman from Erik's past. 4) Christine gets injured from a piece of glass when she runs away from Erik at the coronation ball. 5) Erik realizes he loves Christine. And 6) Christine falls through the ice at the pond where she and Erik had first gone ice skating. Now, Erik has confessed his love for Christine and she hasn't said if she loves him as well or not. Dim the lights, start the orchestra, and on with the show. (That's a hint on what this chapter will be about).
Chapter Six
Two days later
Christine was getting restless and kept asking to be let out of Erik's bedroom. Erik told her over and over he was playing the dutiful husband and loved taking care of her. He brought all of her meals to her while she sat in the chair by the fireplace reading, knitting, and sewing. He had had her wardrobe moved to his room and had it put against the wall behind the privacy screen. Her undergarments had been put in a trunk next to the wardrobe.
Christine was in the middle of repairing a tear in one of Erik's shirts when he burst into the room with a wide grin on his face. She jumped and stuck her finger with the needle, yelping in pain. "Erik. What's got you in such a good mood?" She inspected her finger, glad to see no blood.
He strode across the room, took the shirt and needle from her, put them in the basket by her chair, and knelt down in front of her, kissing her. "I have wonderful news darling." He kissed her again. Then again. And again.
Christine put her hands on either side of his face and held his head away so she could talk. "Erik, stop. What's your news?"
He smiled, the corner of his visible eye crinkling. "We're going to the theatre."
Christine squealed, wrapping her arms around his neck and hugged him. "Really? When?"
He pulled back from their embrace. "Tonight." Her face fell. "What's wrong Christine?"
Christine sighed. "I wish I'd known sooner. I don't have a dress."
Erik let go of her and walked to his wardrobe, pulling open the doors. He reached through his shirts and jackets, pulling out a garment bag. Taking it to where Christine sat he held the hanger with one hand and lifted the cover out of the way.
Christine gasped when she saw the pale blue gown. It sported long sleeves with dark blue ribbons and a square neckline. The bodice had pearls and small diamonds sewn on while the wide sash was made of lace. The skirt was an A-line with more blue ribbons falling down the sides from where they were attached to the sash. She took the dress, laid it on the arm of her chair, and launched herself at Erik, showering his face with kisses. "Thank you Erik. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you."
Erik chuckled. "I'm glad you like it. My mother went with me into town yesterday when you were sleeping and we bought it. Thankfully you were still asleep when we came back so you didn't see me hiding it." He stepped out of her embrace and pulled the string to call a maid. "Hurry and get changed my darling. We'll leave in two hours." With that he took another bag from the wardrobe, and disappeared through the door to her old room.
Christine looked stunning. Erik admired her as she sat across from him in the carriage. When she'd emerged from their room, he'd had to fight to keep from ravishing her mouth right then. The dress brought out her eyes, making them look like endless blue pools. Her emerald crown rested on her head, her hair was cascading down her back in the way he liked. "You look beautiful My Queen." He stared at her face, free of makeup. Except her lips, which were a rosy pink. Again, just the way he liked her.
She blushed. "Thank you My King. You look very dashing." She reached over to him and fastened the middle button on his jacket. "You missed one."
Erik grinned. "Thank you for fixing it." He took her hands and kissed the knuckles.
Christine's curiosity took over. "Erik, what play are we going to see?"
"Romeo and Juliet."
Christine slapped her hand over her mouth to hide her delighted smile. "I love Romeo and Juliet."
"I've seen it several times. It's wonderful." Erik removed her hand from over her mouth, planting a kiss on her smiling lips. He wanted to take that smile and put it in a jar so he could keep it forever.
The carriage pulled up in front of the theatre steps and the coach attendant opened the door. Erik stepped out then turned to assist Christine. She looked around then accepted his arm and he led her into the theatre. They were seated in the king and queen's box on the top balcony right at center stage. The theatre was packed with people, all the seats were occupied. The chandelier rested in the middle of the domed ceiling above the audience.
They didn't have to wait long before the lights dimmed and the orchestra began. Erik took Christine's hand and kissed it, settling into his seat to watch the actors.
"Erik!" A familiar voice rang out behind Erik as he stood outside the auditorium after the play ended, waiting for Christine to return with the wrap she had left in their seats.
Erik groaned. "What is it Giselle?"
The blonde woman sashayed up to him and smiled. "I just noticed you standing alone so I thought I'd come over and ask if you'd like to take a stroll outside." She rested her hand on Erik's arm.
Erik shoved her hand away. "Giselle, your advances at me have become childish and idiotic. I don't like you. I don't want to spend any time with you. And I certainly don't want you anywhere near my wife or myself. Is that understood? Because I have the grounds to file charges against you for harassment. And believe me. If these attempts don't stop right now, I will go straight to my legal adviser and have charges drawn up. I don't care if I have to wake the man to make it happen."
Giselle blinked once then turned and walked away in a huff. Erik stood there and watched her go. He looked at the grandfather clock that stood near him. It was past midnight. He waited a few more minutes then went back into the theatre to find Christine. He walked up the steps to the box he and Christine had been sitting in and the scene before him made him proud of his little wildcat.
Christine pulled again on her wrap. It was caught between the back and side of the red velvet seat she had been sitting in during the play. She reached down with her fingers to try and pry the edge loose.
"Why would he want you?" An all too familiar voice laced with venom came from behind her. Giselle.
Christine didn't look up or turn around, preferring to ignore the harlot.
This angered Giselle, and her next move was to grab the curls that fell down Christine's back. Christine dropped her wrap and whirled around, knocking the woman's arm away, effectively making Giselle let go of her hair.
She had learned the move along with others over the past two days by watching Erik and his knights through the window to the courtyard when she was supposed to be in bed. Now she was all too happy to put the move to use.
Christine advanced on the woman. "Why would he want me? Is that your statement?" Her eyes flashed blue fire. "Let's count the reasons, shall we?" She held up her hand, touching one finger at a time. "I'm not fake. I'm gentle. I'm caring. I'm loving. And above all, I am not a harlot." She was almost yelling as she pointed her finger in Giselle's face. "I'm all the things you are not, you little tramp. So next time you try and break up a marriage, ask yourself: Who am I?" She turned and tugged on the corner of her wrap, freeing it.
Turning around she saw her husband standing in the doorway. Giselle hadn't seen Erik yet, this Christine knew. The other woman raised her hand as if to slap Christine, but Erik reached out and grabbed her arm, twisting it behind her back. "Now now, Miss McMillon. Striking royalty is an offense punishable by death. Or a very long time in prison."
"I wasn't going to hit her." Giselle replied in a buttery tone. Her eyes betrayed her, shooting mental daggers at Christine.
"Oh really. If you weren't going to hit my queen, why were you about to pull her hair a few minutes ago? And why did you raise your hand as though to slap her?" He glared at her. "I saw everything. Don't even try to deny it. Now, the gallows or prison. Which will it be?"
Giselle's face went white. She opened her mouth, then snapped it shut.
Erik looked at Christine, then made the decision for the harlot. "Christine, go and tell the guard I will be bringing him someone he needs to take to the town prison."
Christine led him down the stairs, he followed with his hand clamped around Giselle's arm. Christine spoke to the guard, who pulled a set of metal shackles from his belt. He stepped behind Giselle and clamped the metal around her wrists.
"Take this woman to the town prison. Don't allow anyone to visit her and if her family shows up tell them that she's being held by the king's orders and will not be released."
The guard led a cuffed Giselle through the crowd. All eyes followed her departure and several women turned and whispered to each other behind their fans.
Christine looked at her husband. "Thank you for coming up when you did." She hugged Erik.
"Darling from what I saw, you were doing just fine on your own." Erik took her hand and wrapped her fingers around his elbow. "Let's go home wife."
"Certainly husband." Christine followed him outside to the line of carriages.
Erik led her to their carriage and helped her in. Once they were both seated, he tapped on the roof. Christine rubbed her hands together. "Are you cold?" Erik asked.
"Very much."
"Come sit by me." Erik slid over on the seat and she moved to the seat next to him. He wrapped his arm around her waist. She laid her head on his shoulder. Erik swallowed as he caught a look at her graceful neck. The pale column beckoned him. He shifted and Christine turned her head, right to his awaiting mouth. He pressed his lips against hers, and she responded with a sigh. Erik took the sigh and the gap between her lips to move his tongue into the cave of her mouth.
His hand found it's way to the back of her head and she clenched her fist around the lapel of his jacket. Her tongue slid against Erik's, eliciting a groan from low in his throat. He had to stop, they should be doing this at the castle. Not in a bloody carriage. Reluctantly, he broke the embrace. They both were breathing heavily, and Christine's kiss swollen lips turned into a smile.
"Christine." Erik tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "Can you wait until we get home?"
"I can. Can you?"
Erik cleared his throat. "I'll do my best."
"That's all I ask." Christine turned to look out the window.
Giselle was arrested. Christine is definitely warming up to Erik. Tune in for the next chapter where hopefully, their long anticipated wedding night will happen. If you liked this chapter, please send me a review. But please. Keep the negative comments to yourself. I apologize for this chapter being short. The next chapter will be longer. And maybe, more passionate.
