Erik stumbled back a bit when the figure launched itself at him but he caught it readily and looked down to see Cecile smiled widely at him and Christine, as Erik held her in his arms when he caught her.
"You are supposed to be in your lesson, Cecile." Christine felt relief knowing that it was not anyone threatening.
"It was boring." She replied. "I much rather be here with you and mother."
"Cecile." Erik put her down, knowing there was more behind it than just her being bored. "You should not runaway from your tutors."
"But I have a good reason!" The girl protested.
"What would that be?" He asked doubtfully.
"Master Harrison was paying attention to only the boys!" She signed furiously. "Then he said that girls were only useful when married!"
"That is a good reason to runaway." Christine said to Erik and he gave her a look, but she returned another as if taunting him about the swimming incident.
"And!" Cecile made their attention return to her. "He spoke it to make sure I didn't understand!"
"Then how did you understand?" Christine looked at her.
"I am getting better at reading lips." She shrugged. "And I made him sign it."
"How did you make him sign it?" Erik asked.
"I ordered him!" Her manner became proud. "And he listened, papa!"
"Well." Christine signed. "You should get back to your lesson."
"But…"
"I meant the other lessons." She smiled. "There are much more important ones, I am sure."
"Who let you escape, Cecile?" Erik questioned his daughter and she just stood there. "Cecile…"
"I did." Sorielli cleared her throat and came away from the bushed. "Mama had the other duties to attend to and told me to watch her since Meg was gone."
"You should not have let her leave class." Christine said sternly, but then smiled. "But I admit, I would have done the same."
"That is why I let her, Majesty." The young maid shyly stated. "Would you like me to take her, now? I will call…"
"No." Erik spoke. "I think we shall go on an outing of our own."
"That is the wrong key signature." Christine pointed out as she walked into the music room, while Erik played the piano.
"No." He shook his head. "It is not."
"Yes it is."
"No," His voice was steady. "I know this piece by heart."
"Oh do you?" She smiled and took a seat next to him. "And why would that be?"
"I wrote it." He smiled back and continued to play.
"Its beautiful." Her hand touched his to stop the playing. His eyes turned towards hers, which were filled with longing and emptiness. "The child, in the picture, is that you?"
His lungs let out the air in them, and he turned away. "Yes."
"Why?" Her voice was barely above a whisper. "Why would you condemn yourself to something you do not deserve?"
"Perhaps it is exactly what I deserve."
"What have you done to deserve a such reward as to burn in hell?" She questioned.
"I was brought up to believe I was." He swallowed. "To my parents they received me as the devil's child. I was nothing more than a thing. Never there, never caring, never loving. My hope and prayers were believed to be devil's work."
"The mask…" Christine let her eyes linger to it for a while.
"Yes, the mask." His teeth became cemented together. "It was a way I could present myself and not be presented as my parents were led to believe. It stands for everything that I have wronged and am going to wrong. But at the same time is it my…"
"Protection." She said softly. "Its your shield."
"Yes."
"May I see it?" Her heart stopped at the question that sprung from her mouth. "Beneath it, I mean."
"Christine…"
"I understand." She looked downward. "It protected you for so long and I demand that I take something that is not my mine to take. It is not fair and I shall not…"
"It isn't." His voice was quiet. "You came here unbeknownst of me and I could not possibly think of what you thought of me for the first time…"
"I think you were going to be just like every man." Her eyes grew distant. "I sought to find your inner workings, your weakness, everything. I wanted this to be strictly alliances, nothing more."
"Is it not?" The question made her look into his eyes.
"It was." Christine felt something in her fall. "Until..."
"Your right." He shook his head. "It changed somehow."
"Yes." She agreed. "But when, when did it change?"
"For me," Erik smiled softly. "It was when I saw you with Cecile. You treated her with kindness and I saw her eyes glow. They had not do that in a while and I just could not help that you had done that. You truly are tender and gentle when you are not provoked."
"And for me." Her eyes lit up. "It was when you were by my side when I was ill. No one has ever cared for me like that. I know it sounds pathetic but its true."
"It isn't pathetic." He whispered. Silence grew as the two looked at each other. Trying to define what they needed to define. They both knew something had changed, but what?
"Erik." Her voice was shy and quiet. "I want to be there for you. I want to show you that I do care. And… I want you to trust me as I trust you." A breath. "In time, if it mustn't be now, then in time." She kissed his cheek and made to go when he caught her. Her head turned to see him with his head down.
"Is isn't that I do not trust you." He said in a low tone. "It is not that I do not care. Its worse, much worse."
"How worse?" Christine felt her stomach falling.
"They say men do not fear things…"
"Everyone has a fear, Erik." She stated calmly. "You are only human; you have fears."
"I know." He nodded. "But this fear has spanned my whole life and each person has fed it."
"What is it?"
"Christine." His voice came out in a sigh. "I cannot…"
"Then don't." She touched his hand and looked at their hands intertwined.
"But you…"
"If you are not ready, then don't." Her free hand touched his cheek. "There can't be anything between us to make it work."
Erik looked at her a moment longer and then brought her into a searing kiss. Willingly she held him to her and opened her mouth to allow entrance. He let his hands travel from her neck to her bust and through the heavy fabric she could feel his hand massage her breast. Christine arched her back when the sensation came to its full and moaned when his lips attached themselves to the tender skin on her neck. His teeth pinched and teased the flesh. The nimble fingers moved themselves to the back of her dress where the laces sat. Slowly he worked the laces.
Christine stopped and rested her forehead against his, breathing heavily. Erik paused with his eyes still closed.
"Until you trust me." She whispered. "I cannot be yours."
Yes I know I am a very bad updater. I am sorry it has been crazy here, please blame finals and such because that it what is taking up my time. Oh and 'Vous' yes I know I am trying to update that so as soon as I get it back from my beta it will be up and it is the last chapter for 'Vous'. So keep an eyes out for it. Anyway please review and enjoy the story!
EV
