A/N: Hello everyone. Happy Hump Day! Here is the next chapter. It's uploaded earlier than usual since i have an event tonight and probably will be too tired to upload it later. So I hope you guys enjoy the chapter.

Chapter 25: A Phantom's Rage

One movement and she would be his. One movement and…

You can't do this, Erik…

What was he doing? He looked down at the woman beneath him, her flushed cheeks, her parted lips, the look in her eyes…god, he wanted her so badly. He wanted to make her his, but he couldn't. He couldn't take her innocence; he couldn't do that to her. She wasn't his and never would his. Tilting her head, he saw the questioning look on her face and that was it. Forcing himself off of her, he let out a groan as he sat on the edge of the bed, putting space between them so he could think. He put his hand in his hands, trying to control his emotions.

"Erik?" Reaching her hand out to touch, he wrenched away. Her touch would only make it worse; make him turn around and take her. Sitting up, she fixed her chemise so she was covered though it was pointless now. He had touch every single spot on her body. "Did I do something wrong?" She asked him. He didn't respond, he couldn't speak. All he could do was try and let the fire die down, but it wouldn't. She was too close, he needed to distance himself from her. Quickly getting off the bed, he made quick of getting dressed. He didn't look at her, he couldn't. One look at her and he would be done. It already took the last of his willpower to say no and if he looked at her, he would lose all willpower and control.

"I-I'm sorry." He managed to say, his back still to her. "I-I-I…" He didn't know what else to say. "That shouldn't have happened." He couldn't see the hurt look in her eyes. Standing up, he made his way to the door. Opening it in a rush, he made the soldier jump. He didn't wait for him to say anything; he practically ran down the stairs. I need some, I need air…He kept telling himself. The cold Scottish night never felt so good until now. Looking around, he needed to find somewhere to go to calm down. Seeing the forest, he knew he could always find safety there. Basically running until he hit the density of the woods, het let out a loud groan, almost roar. He didn't care if anyone heard him, he didn't care if his roar scared anyone. He could put out the fire raging inside of him, not matter how are he tried. He refused to fist himself, pumping him until he would release. He hated doing that, but sometimes he had to. A warrior's life meant a lot of lonely nights away from a woman and every warrior went through it.

To get his mind off the lass back in the tower, he tried to think of thinks that usually never excited him. Using the moonlight, he could see the outland the forest and an opening to the mountains in the distance. He knew those mountains; he had spent an entire year training in those mountains. It had been the longest year of his life and the roughest. He remembered the freezing nights during the winter, the blazing heat during the summers and every damn rain storm which seemed almost every week. Hell's Mountain they called and it was hell. But it prepared for the long war they were fighting. Those long days of intense training, the many hours Tor had them go through. God, Tor…He was much harder on Erik than anyone else. Probably because Erik was the only one who could beat him at hand-to-hand combat. Tor was known as being the strongest man in Scotland, and the most feared warrior…until Erik came along. Now the two basically shared the titled though Tor stays behind the lines now. Everyone knew it was because of his wife whom they all knew he adored more than anything. Some of warriors also had wives and families, but not Erik. His family was dead and there was no woman holding him back from fighting. Well maybe…he shook his head. No, he had no one. He only had himself and that's how he liked it right now.

The fire started to dimmer and he felt his mind clear. He let out a sigh as he leaned against the tree. The cold air had helped him and he always was thankful at times like these for that. A soft breeze blew passed him as he took a deep inhale. The scent caused him to straighten up, putting all his senses on alert. Inhaling again, he knew that smell. Fire…campfire. Looking out onto the opening, he saw see a small light in the distance. Though he was too far away to see anything to give away who or what it was, something was telling him that it wasn't friendly company. Making his way back to the village, he shouted orders to his men. They rushed to their feet and started preparing.

"What is it?" Seten asked.

"We're being followed?" Erik answered as he made his way towards the tower.

"By the English?"

"I don't know, but I'm not going to wait around to find out. Get ready, we're leaving in a few minutes." He told Seten as he entered the tower. Climbing up the stairs, he pushed the memory of what had happened only minutes early. Relieving the soldier at the door, he opened it to see sitting on the bed as if she hadn't moved from it since he left. But she did move, her dress was back on which helped him think clearly, but just a little. Her head turned to look at him, the look of hurt, confusion and questioning look in her eyes made his heart ached. The moonlight shined into the room, onto her skin. She looked like an angel sitting there. He would never forget this sight of her, it would haunt his dreams forever. "Wake your nephew." He ordered. "We're leaving."

"I cannot do that." She replied back.

"This isn't a request, princess. There's an English party close by. And while I don't mind killing Englishman-" She glared at his words. "-I rather not have you and William in the middle of it." She looked away, giving him the cold shoulder. He knew she was angry at him; hell he was angry at himself. "I'm sorry about earlier." He apologized. He realized he'd been apologizing a lot lately and to and Englishwoman. God, what is happening to me. "It will not happen again."

"I cannot wake William because William isn't here." He froze, unsure he heard clearly.

"What do you mean he isn't here?" He asked. Before she could answer, he went over to the curtain and drew it back. William was nowhere to be found and the bed looked like no one had touched it. The sheets that Christine said were with him weren't found either. Storming back to her, he grabbed her arms, making her look at him. She could see the rage in his eyes. "Where is William?" He demanded. She tried to remain calm and only turned her head towards the open window. Following her gaze, he knew now. The missing bed sheets, they were used as rope to climb down from the window. That's why Christine was by the window when he came up. She must have hit the shutter as she cried to climb out. Oh fuilteach ifrinn! She was trying to escape when he was trying to apologize. "Are you mad woman!" He yelled at her. "Do you not realize how dangerous that was?! He could have fallen to his death! You have fallen to your death!" She tried not to show him how terrified she was. She heard story of the famous Phantom's rage but never experienced it…until now. "That was it? That was the noise I heard coming up here. You were trying to escape." She nodded slightly. Fury came crushing down at him. "You did that on purpose?" The puzzled look came back on her face. "Thu breugach Beurla galla! You threw yourself at me to distract while William escaped."

"No, I didn't." She tried defending herself. Forgetting whatever galla meant though she knew it must not be good, she tried to explain to him. "I was trying to stop you, but I didn't intend for that to happen."

"Didn't you? What do expect would happen when you kiss a man like that?" He asked her. "When you press your body against his and move your hips that like?"

"I am not what you think I am!" He was basically calling her a whore and that she would not tolerate. "How dare you accuse me of such a thing?" Now her voice rose. "You know that I-"

"Your actions spoke different. Your legs spread eager enough and I was a breath away from taking you up on the offer. A mistake I might rectify." Shock and horror covered her face.

"Y-You wouldn't. You said you wouldn't!"

"Who said anything about rape? From that alone-" He pointed to the bed and the memory of what happened there. "-I doubt I'll need any persuading." A sharp slap came across his cheek. She didn't care would he would do, but he deserved that slap and maybe something else. Before one word was spoke, he grabbed her, slamming her against the wall, pinning there. Though it wasn't hard, she knew a bruise would form on her back from it. "Watch it, princess." His voice was dark and dangerous.

"Or what? You going to rape me?" She knew she was playing with fire, but she didn't care. She blood was boiling with rage and though she didn't have power in Scotland, she knew how to threat. "Go ahead. My father will kill you for the committing such a crime."

"He'd have to capture me and I won't go down without a fight."

"He's done that before and history can repeat itself." He glared at her, his breathing hardening. He pushed himself away from her, taking a step back. He thought for a moment. He may not have Gustave's nephew, but he still had his daughter. He knew she was worth more and now he had no choice but to keep her. And at this point, Gustave would be lucky if Erik ever gave her back.

PS: If i don't translate some of the Gaelic, it's for a purpose. It means it's not something nice that Erik is saying so I leave it go. But other than that, I translate for you guys. Also, you'll be hearing a lot of people's names and they will appear throughout the story.

Reviews are welcome