"Perhaps you should stay with me, dear," Mary said in a hushed tone. Nadir and Erik had gone out to take care of the horses and get them ready for travel.
"No," I said vehemently, "I won't leave my husband, Mother. He hasn't done anything!" I wrapped my cloak around me, shivering slightly and glancing anxiously in the direction that Erik had left in. The storm had passed the previous night, but it was still bitterly cold; the wind was biting, the sky was overcast, and the ground was muddy. It all certainly accounted for a miserable day.
Mary sighed. "Child, it's not right for you to travel like this. It's very unladylike."
"I'm not looking to be a lady," I said bitterly, "It's not like I've ever really yearned for society's approval. My career proves that much. Opera singers don't elicit much respect from the aristocratic people."
At that very moment, Erik came around with Cesar and Yvonne, the mare that Nadir had gotten for me at the chapel. She was a pretty thing, dappled with long legs and roman flared nostrils. Her ears were petite and constantly swiveling, trying to catch every sound around her. She was lively, but she didn't spook easily, for which I was grateful. I stroked the mare's nose and mounted hurriedly.
"Thank you for your hospitality, Mother," I said tightly before wheeling Yvonne away and heading south. I looked back for a moment, and Erik and Nadir were scrambling to mount up and follow after me. They caught up with me after a few moments.
"What was that about?" Erik asked, bringing Cesar on one side of me while Nadir and his gelding, Amare, came along the other side.
"She wanted me to leave you," I said shortly, keeping my eyes straight ahead. "Which, I told her in no uncertain terms would I ever do that."
"I see," Erik said, not pressing the matter any further. Nadir, however, did.
"Why would she want you to leave him? It doesn't make any sense when she knows nothing about us."
"She knows enough," I snapped. "She knows that Erik is wanted for murder."
"How did she find out?" Nadir sputtered. I opened my mouth to make a sarcastic reply, but Erik stopped me.
"It was a lucky guess."
"She was certainly very perceptive, wasn't she?"
"Aye, that she was," Erik agreed, and I rolled my eyes slightly. Since when did Erik say "aye?"
"Where'd you pick that up from, Erik?" I asked, turning in my saddle to face him better.
"Pick what up?"
"Aye?"
"Oh, that. It was something my father always used to say," he said, shrugging slightly.
"Oh, all right," was my brilliant reply. I assumed, though I was never entirely sure, that Erik started saying that to remind him of his father, since it was the only thing he really could take with him. Maybe it was deeper than that; sometimes Erik had these fits of sheer genius, and I would just watch him compose for hours on end, and I could feel my own light pale in comparison. I didn't deserve him. Erik deserved the best, but I was glad that he chose me. Who was I to question God? I wasn't anyone, to say the least. I was coherent for a little while, but I slowly sank into my own little world, letting Yvonne follow the other horses. Erik and Nadir had gotten into some sort of debate over something tedious, I was sure, but I didn't really deign to listen until Erik touched my shoulder lightly.
"Mmh?" I asked, looking at my husband curiously.
"We're stopping for a meal, Christine. It's nearly dark," Erik said, smiling at me crookedly.
"It's dark already?" I looked to the western horizon, and sure enough, the sky was a pink hue, and the clouds were tinted orange, the mountains that stood proudly in the distance were a deep, majestic blue. I sighed happily.
"It is, love," Erik said, brushing his lips against the back of my hand. I smiled at him, blushing like a school girl and dismounted, paying attention to my horse in an attempt to control myself. I didn't know why I was suddenly so fidgety and nervous all of a sudden. Perhaps it had something to do with what Erik's small gesture had implied? The thought made me blush even more, and I proceeded to braid Yvonne's mane in an attempt to distract myself.
In a matter of minutes, Nadir and Erik had a small fire going, as we had camped deep within a forest, and we were all huddled around it, lost within our own thoughts after eating a hot meal. Erik stirred slightly, and Nadir and I watched him curiously.
"Christine, would you care to take a walk?" he asked, standing and offering me his hand. I smiled and accepted it, allowing him to help me to my feet.
"Don't get lost, Erik," Nadir said, giving his friend a wry glance.
"I never get lost! Don't bother waiting for us, old friend, my wife and I have a lot to talk about, what with all that's happened." Erik said, leading me down an old deer trail.
"Whatever you say, Erik," Nadir said, waving us away with annoyance.
"What's this all about?" I asked once we were well out of earshot from our travelling companion.
"Nothing," Erik said evasively.
"Erik, with you it's always something. Don't lie. I know you've got something up your sleeve."
"So what if I am?" he said cockily.
"Don't play that with me," I teased, and Erik put his arm around my shoulder. I stopped and turned to face him, placing my hands lightly on his chest.
"I love you," I breathed, looking up at him.
"I love you too, Christine," Erik said, leaning in for a kiss, but I stopped him with a finger. He gave me a curious, exasperated look, and I peeled him mask off, smiling at him.
"You may proceed," I said, taking a step back, "If you can catch me!" I turned on my heel, picked up my skirts, and ran as fast as my legs would carry me. After a shout of surprise, Erik leapt after me. He caught me and pinned me against the ground, growling playfully. I laughed heartily.
"So, you've caught me," I said teasingly, "What do you plan to do with me now?" Erik didn't even muster a reply, he just kissed me.
I'm just pouring out chapters! I'm sorry this one's shorter than the others, but I'm not going any further with this chapter, methinks. So, it's the usual drill, review, if you like, or not. But if you don't, then… Well, I suppose that there really isn't a consequence. Phooey.