Erik's POV

"Back to work," I demanded one afternoon, when I noticed the Shah's masons slacking off. "The Shah's palace isn't going to get finished by standing around…"

I had returned to work just a few days ago, and yet, I couldn't help but feel as though the workers thought of me as the Shah's jester and nothing more. I watched them until they stopped their foolish conversation and returned to work. Afterwards, I knelt down in the area I was working in and began to lay a few bricks. My back was still killing me, but I wasn't going to let the Shah see me in agony. I was a strong man, and I would never show him weakness.

"Ah, there is my master mason…"

When I heard his rich voice, I cringed, for I knew the Shah was approaching me from behind. I wasn't sure what he wanted, but I took a deep breath and prepared myself for what was to come.

"Back to work, I see… Have we learned our lesson?"

I stood up straight and dusted off my trousers before turning to face him.

"I was wrong to have ever doubted you, your highness."

"That's much better… I'm glad you are learning the ways of my people. It's good that you have learned your place, Erik of Egypt. And have you consummated your marriage with your slave yet?"

My heart was pounding from within my chest, for I had not. How could I ever taint her in such a way when she didn't want me? But if I lied and said that I had, there was no doubting that the Shah would check for evidence, evidence that obviously wouldn't be there. Punishment would surely follow…

"I…I have not been able to stop the pain in my back yet, your highness. When I am feeling like my old self again, the deed will be done."

"Well, that sneaky bastard paid his dues…He has paid for your pain and suffering."

There was an awkward silence, and then, the Shah intervened.

"Don't keep me waiting too long, Erik of Egypt. You are to make your marriage official… This will be my final warning, next time, you won't find yourself so lucky."

I was running out of time, time that I didn't want to end. I didn't want to touch Christine yet, but I knew that I would have to in order to protect us. That evening after my day of work was over, I took a deep breath before entering my flat. Like usual, Christine was bustling around cleaning and cooking like she was supposed to be doing. I didn't want her doting on me all the time, but it was something that needed to be done.

"Erik, you're home early…"

"I've done all that I can do for today… More supplies will be in tomorrow."

"I was going to make dinner, but you told me that we're going to your friend's home tonight."

"Yes," I replied. "I just need a few moments to freshen up."

"Should I draw you a bath?"

I shook my head and headed to my bedroom.

"That won't be necessary…"

When the door was closed behind me, I drew myself my own bath and sunk my body into the tub. Feeling exhausted, I rested my head against the back of it and closed my eyes as the warm water seeped into my rotting flesh. All I could think about was what the Shah had told me… I had to make our marriage official, take Christine as if she were a slave and nothing more.

"Erik, I brought you in a towel…"

I tried to cover myself with the suds, but she was in the room and gazing my way.

"I told you that I was freshening up…What's wrong with you?"

"I…I thought that I could help is all… Your back still needs to be washed."

I bent forward, my back being exposed before her own very eyes. Her hands lightly brushed up against my scars as she ran the soapy sponge over my healing wounds.

"Y…You've been so quiet lately, Erik. What's wrong?"

"Nothing… Why must there be an explanation for my silence?"

"Because when we were children, you were never silent."

"Have you noticed that we're not children anymore?" I snapped. "Times have changed."

"We are to be married for the rest of our lives, Erik…You don't have to act as though it's a horrible punishment."

Anger was coursing through my veins, so much, that I spit out something that I shouldn't have.

"Tonight we are to consummate our marriage."

After I said those exact words, there was nothing but silence.

"After dinner…When we return home."

"As you wish, master…"

Oh, she was getting me back with that evil word. She knew I detested the very name. After drying off, I dressed and escorted Christine to Nadir's home. It had been a while since I had last been there, but Nadir insisted on having me for dinner, and therefore, I agreed. Christine was silent the entire trip there, for I knew she was still upset about what I had said to her. Yes, it was mean and I wish I could have taken it back, but it was too late for apologies.

"Ah, Erik…" Nadir stepped aside and allowed Christine and I to pass. Once inside, Nadir smiled and kissed Christine's hand.

"You have a beautiful wife, Erik…"

"Yes, she is a delicate flower, isn't she?"

"Well, with that being said, I would like you to meet my son."

A small child that looked like Nadir entered the room and shyly approached me.

"Reza, this is Erik, the mason I was talking to you about…"

The child didn't say anything at first, not until Nadir patted the boy on his head of raven locks.

"Well, aren't you going to say something to Erik and his wife?"

The child looked up at me and wheezed out a simple "hi," before scurrying off to another part of the house.

"Sorry about that, Erik. Reza doesn't speak to anyone really…He barely speaks to me at times. Come, Seena is cooking in the kitchen. Perhaps your wife would like to help her so I can speak to you alone in my office?"

I looked at Christine and she bowed before me.

"That would make me extremely happy, master…"

Oh, she was still playing this evil game! When she was in the kitchen, Nadir gave me a strange look before dragging me into his office.

"Your wife…um…she seems a bit odd, wouldn't you agree?"

"She's toying with me! She knows how much I can't stand to be called that dreaded name, but she does it to annoy me! But I can't blame her seeing that I've been bothersome to her ever since the Shah ordered me to make our marriage official."

I plopped down onto the man's couch and ran my fingers through my dark strands of hair.

"Why so nervous? I mean…well, I was nervous about making love to my wife for the first time too, seeing that she and I didn't really know each other that well. Everything turned out all right the next day and we fell in love."

"I've never…I…I've never been with a woman, Khan. I've never even touched myself when I had the urge to."

"What? Never?"

I shook my head. "I've been through so much pain in my life, Khan… I was taken advantage of by men when I was a boy and it has left a permanent scar. I've known Christine for a good portion of my life, and I've always seen her as a good friend. She's in this mess of a marriage because of me… I left her many years ago out of embarrassment and she has spent years searching for me. I don't want to ruin her…"

"Erik," the man handed me a pipe of some sort and told me to calm down. The substance made my head feel a little light, but it did calm my nerves.

"Just relax, Erik… You can't think about your friendship to her now. You must do as the Shah instructed you to do and make your marriage official. If you don't, he will punish you for it… Besides, you have bigger things to worry about other than taking your slave…The Shah's mother will be arriving soon. When she does arrive, you must promise me that you will keep your head down and out of her sight. She is the snake that you do not want to tangle with… Many a good men have fallen at the slightest twitch of her hands."

I wanted to fix the pain I had put Christine through, therefore, when dinner was over I escorted her to the family room for dessert. I was sipping on a cup of tea, while Nadir was playing with his phonograph. When music filled the room, I couldn't help but feel the urge to dance. Very smoothly, I stood to my feet and extended my hand to Christine.

"Dance with me?"

Christine was silent as she stood to her feet and interlaced her hand with my own. It was strange waltzing with another person, for I had never danced with anyone before. My heart raced from within my chest as she and I slow danced around the family room. I felt as though I was gaining her trust a bit, but I wasn't sure.

"Did you enjoy monsieur Khan's dinner?" I questioned as we were walking home, the purple sky causing the once orange one to become darker.

"I did, master…"

"W…When we get home, I don't want you to call me that anymore. I…I don't want to fight with you, do you understand?"

"Yes…"

When I opened the door to my flat, I allowed Christine to go first. It was now or never…I swallowed hard and locked the door behind me, knowing what had to be done now.

"Tell me what to do, Erik…" Christine pouted as she looked down at her feet.

I placed my finger beneath her chin and lifted it so that she was facing me.

"We have to do this, Christine…It's not by choice. Do you understand?"

"Yes…"

"Good…Go lie down on my bed."

"S…Should I undress?"

"No," I choked. "Just lie down."

When Christine was gone, I closed my eyes and leaned against the wall. How was I going to do this when I wasn't even turned on? I tried to think of anything to get me started, but I found that nothing was working. Feeling extremely frustrated, I ran my shaky hand down to my trousers and reached inside to feel myself.

"Oh, just get it over with…" I groaned.

Instantly, I hurried into my room to find Christine lying there with a candle burning on my night table. I blew out the flame and climbed on top of her in the darkness.

"Erik, what are you doing?" she nervously shuttered.

"I just want to get this over with…I don't want to linger, Christine. It needs to be done."

I could feel Christine nervously shaking from beneath me, causing my small erection to fade away. I was hurting her, hurting her and nothing more. Tears began to fall from my cheeks as I realized what I was doing. All my life, men had forced themselves upon me when I begged to be left alone. How was what I was doing now any different? I was raping this woman, taking her against her will.

"Do it," she sniffled. "Just get it over with…"

But I couldn't… I quickly rolled off her body and ran to the door.

"Erik, what are you doing?"

"I can't do this…If I do, how would that make what my master did to me any different? I'm not a rapist, and I don't want to do this to you."

"But the Shah…"

"Goodnight, Christine…"

And with that being said, I slammed the door to my bedroom shut and sunk to my knees. I was a horrible man…

Good for you, Erik! You only want to do what is right... Well, now that Erik can't be with Christine tonight, he will take a walk. Reviewers shall get a visit from him. He really needs a hug... Poor poor guy. Please review!