Kat lay contentedly against her husband's bare chest, listening to his slow and strong heartbeat. His strong arm held her close, protective even in sleep. She felt him stir, pulling her even closer. She nuzzled his nape which earned her a deep moan. The hand at her hip tightened, pulling her under him. She looked up as her husband moved over her, pressing his forehead to his. In their passion, Erik had flung his mask somewhere across the room and had made no move to retrieve it. This pleased her immensely.

"Good morning, wife." He leaned down, kissing her deeply. Her hands slid up his arms, tangling in his hair. She tugged lightly while wrapping her legs around his waist. She didn't want this to end, this moment of euphoric happiness, but she could feel him pulling away regardless. His forehead was still on hers as he took in large gulps of breath. He could kiss her forever and be content to die of lack of oxygen, but there was still work that needed to be done. There were matters that required his attention and she still had to return to that place for some personal belongings she couldn't bear to leave behind. When he had brought it up, she had begun to sob, frightened at the mere thought of returning alone, but he promised that he would go with her.

He rose reluctantly, leaving behind his very aroused and very disappointed wife. He emphasized his point by pulling on his undergarments and rising to find his shirt. He heard the bed creak as she rose and then two pale arms came around his waist to hold him tightly. He couldn't see her but he could feel her shaking. Laying his hands gently on her arms, he rubbed them soothingly. He knew she had every right to fear, but this was the end. They would go collect her things, he would finish his business deals and then they would depart for the shining lands of America.

Reluctantly, he pulled away to find her undergarments and a dress for the day. He settled on a light blue dress, something light and airy for he could already tell that today would be a warm day. She smiled and held her arms out to him. "Help me?" Erik smiled and helped her dress, fighting her drugging kisses to get the job done. Lacing the back of her corset, he kissed her delicate shoulder blades, trailing kisses up to her nape to distract her as he finished his task. She sighed, angry that he had tricked her, but also very pleased that she had married a smart man who knew what she liked.

They walked out to the street hand-in-hand. The feeling was so new to both Kat and Erik, but they enjoyed it immensely. Erik hailed a carriage, handing her inside while giving the driver directions to the Count's house. It wasn't a far drive, but Kat felt like it took forever. It had become hell in a gilded cage; it was a cage she feared flying back into now that she had known freedom.

They pulled up to the front door and Erik gave her hand a comforting squeeze. "Remember love, I'll be right here. Just yell and I'll come. I'll always come for you." She smiled and kissed him, holding his face close. Finally letting go, she stepped down and hesitated, a feeling of doom washing over her. The house looked so cold now, the windows like black eyes staring at her and mocking her. This was the cave and deep within, the beast was awake and waiting for her to come back. Stepping up, she reached for the knob and turned. It was cold in the house but she could feel that it wasn't empty.

She walked through and closed the door with a soft click; she didn't want him to know she was here. Creeping along, she didn't notice the man sitting in the dining room, his fingers tented. He had seen her pull up; he had been expecting her since the wedding. She did have to come back eventually. She would always come back to him; she just didn't realize it yet. He stood, his shoeless feet making no noise as he followed her.

He found her in her room, pulling out little treasures from secret hiding places and carefully stuffing them in her bag. She gasped and spun around, pressing her back to the wall when she noticed him. Raoul was disappointed that she saw the need to distance herself from him, but then again he would do the same if he had betrayed the one who loved him desperately as she had done. Even now, the golden band around her ring finger mocked him, holding tightly to her flesh as he had wished to do but had been denied, but no longer.

"Hello my dear. I've been expecting you, though you did take a very long time." He stepped forward and she moved farther away towards the far corner of the room. She was literally backing herself into a corner. He could almost laugh at the irony of it. He could feel her Raoul slowly disappearing, the old Count coming back to the surface. He could feel it like a disease, consuming every cell in his body, taking over until there was nothing left for her to recognize. The Count was his Mr. Hyde, and boy was he glad to be back.

"You don't need to fear me. I would ever hurt you. Willingly that is. The man that waits for you in the carriage below, that's a different story."

"Don't you touch him!"

"Temper, temper my love. I won't hurt him either, as long as you agree to my terms. I'm a reasonable man and I'm always up for a deal. So here's one for you. I'll let him live to stay here, go elsewhere, die, whatever he wants. In exchange, you stay here, with me. The marriage, (now don't bother to hide the ring now dear!), the marriage will be annulled. It will be as if it never happened. I'll forget and forgive everything and within the fortnight, we'll be married. If, however, this deal doesn't meet with your satisfaction, I'll be well pleased to just put a bullet in his skull and send you to a whorehouse where you belong."

Tears ran down her cheeks; breath seemed like lead in her chest, threatening to drown her in her grief. Through the whole speech, Raoul had stepped closer and closer until he stood right in front of her, a finger tracing down her cheek. She turned away, disgusted at his touch and the smile he wore as he spoke of murder. He was mad, and she was doomed. "I warn you now, my dear. This offer expires tomorrow night. If you do not return to me by suppertime tomorrow, I will take that as my answer. At that point, there will be no where you could run that I would not find you."

He leaned forward and kissed her cheek, making her whine in protest. She pushed away from him, grabbing her bag and running, ignoring the chill that was at her back. She had been happy, but now it was unraveling faster than she could think. She sobbed when she heard his voice from upstairs. "Suppertime my dear! I do not make exceptions, even for you!" She pulled at the door and ran to the carriage, ignoring Erik's pleas to talk to him. She didn't want to look at him while the figure of the Count stood at the window, looking down at her with a smile full of malice.

It has been so long since I updated, but I kinda lost inspiration and got distracted by some other story ideas (which everyone should go check out ;D) But here it is! Sadly, it looks like the story will be sad for a while so get your tissues now!

As always, please leave reviews. They make me happy and keep my inspiration happy too! Much love to everyone who has reviewed/favorited/followed this story. You all have made me so happy and dedicated not to give up! Here's some Erik hugs for you!

Til next time!