-1Weeks passed easily, Evelyn chatting easily and slowly coming back to walking. As March finally passed into April, the mansion became more and more home to them. They rarely went into town, focusing more on turning their new palace to their liking. Erik began painting the ballroom ceiling with a mural. He wasn't extraordinarily talented at art with a brush but he managed to create a baseline sketch upon the clean slate. It was still life mainly of the surrounding mountains and flora.

Evelyn busied herself with chatting with the hired help, going about with a cane and maid. While he worked she would wander the gardens and visit the stables, acquainting herself with everyone that worked at the mansion. The cook Erik had hired, old Madame McCormick from Ireland, instantly took her under wing and talked with her like a daughter. The Madame, as the other servants called her, was a portly woman with frayed fire hair and gossipy blue eyes. Evelyn would be found sitting at the kitchen counter, talking and listening to the woman's tales of her birth home on the island, helping her peel potatoes.

The short red hair had finally grown back to her lower shoulder blades and some of her lively color had been restored. To Erik's extreme relief she seemed to gain weight again to a healthy level. As for himself, he was constantly tormented with conflicting feelings.

It took a while but the servants were congenial with him and would carry on a sizeable conversation with him. It was more than he could ask for. None seemed to question his mask, that he wore only about others, but neither did they appear to want to. This made him happier than he had ever been around people and more comfortable. What troubled him deeply was the predicament that he hid well.

No matter how he questioned himself and no matter how he ranted to himself when he was alone, Erik could not find solace. The secret bit at him and screamed in his mind when he was alone, but the pain grew to scratching and clawing in his skull when Evelyn was near. He wanted to tell her; he wanted to so badly. But he didn't want to hurt her. She didn't deserve being hurt again. He knew that one day she was going to wonder why she did not become pregnant after their many romps in bed and she would realize then. When that day happened he truly did not know what he should do.

So he pounded out his frustration on his new piano and his mural. It would take up hours and hours of his time, taking all his concentration, draining him. Once he went for three days straight, drawing away, erasing and scribbling before flying down the ladders to his instrument, furiously beating his music.

Evelyn would watch silently, her brow creased in worry and fear. A couple of times she tried pleading with him to rest or to eat but he wouldn't. As long as she could she sat up in the plush chair next to the piano, watching and listening into the long hours of the night before she slept, curled up like a cat. Her heart ached to beg with him what was wrong but she knew he wouldn't tell. As much as he understood her worry, her presence tortured him even more.

On such a night Erik finally revealed to her his full talent at music. It was near two in the morning when he came down from the ceiling, sweating and hurting. His black linen shirt was half wet in sweat and clung to his aching muscles. The cords in his back, shoulders and arms were sore from the position he had been sketching in, crouched under an arch. Damp brown hair fell in his face distractedly as he peeled off his painting gloves, steely eyes fixed on his next victim: the piano. His mask was still on though he did not notice at all.

Settling down at the bench Erik stretched and flexed his fingers, preparing to burst into a powerful aria of frustration. A movement behind the raised up back made him pause, accompanied by a low murmur. He lowered his arms and curiously peered over into the red chair. It was dark in this room, the only light coming from the faint lanterns in the mirror hall.

Evelyn was rousing from sleep in the plush chair, her bent arm cushioning her head and spilling hair. She wore a white, cotton nightgown; the one she had wore in their night at Troyes. The ends covered her legs except for her pale little toes which peeped out. They were pulled up and curled under her body, making her rest in a comfortable ball. The short, puffed sleeves let her thinned, white-skinned arms be bared to the warmth of the spring night.

A small smile crossed Erik's face but his heart wrenched. He watched as her eyelids tightened, the dark lashes flutter and the lips twist in a yawn. Sitting up she stretched slightly, opening her sleepy green eyes. Running her tiny hands through her thick, red curls she looked about to spot her love staring at her.

"Hey," she greeted easily, swinging her legs from under her to rest on the hardwood floor. Erik smiled gently, a crease of a frown fluttering over his thoughtful brow. Resting his hands in his lap he gave her a scornful look.

"You need to go up to bed. It's far too late."

"What about you? Will you come to bed?"

He frowned and shook his head. Standing up he walked over and sat on the armrest of the chair, reaching out to stroke her forehead. Evelyn smiled up at him pleadingly and grasped his other hand.

"I am not tired. There is no rest for me," he explained to her for the fifth time that day. It irritated him that she kept asking but at the same time he appreciated her sympathy. It pained his heart to see her so worried but it burned him more that he could not tell her. So far she had not asked but it appeared that wouldn't last.

"Ma Erik, s'il te plaît, tell me what is wrong. I have been silent and I have chewed my lip quietly but I am about to go absolutely mad!" she exclaimed, sliding off the seat to sit on the floor, holding his hand. "Mon amour, tell me what has been bothering you. S'il te plaît?"

He looked down at her on the floor with a bittersweet smile tapering the ends of his lips. His blue-grey eyes gleamed from the light in the mirror hall, one of them staring out from behind the white porcelain mask. Light brown hair fell in his face, half held back from the form it had previously held. The muscles in his neck strained and moved as he sighed and thought.

Not a word would escape him in explanation, nothing. He couldn't find a lie or break the horrible news he held in his heart. Instead he stood, smiling down at her. Helping her stand he led her to the piano.

"The sun is sleeping quietly
Once upon a century," the first words of a song he had once heard swelled and slipped free from his golden throat. It was a little harsh and unrefined from over a year of practically no use. But Erik was an expert and knew exactly how to tune his voice after one try. Sitting down on the piano bench he tugged her hand for her to join him. Sliding down next to him, her wide green eyes watched in curious wonder. Looking away Erik easily played a light and sad tune, hardly carrying over to the middle of the keys. Taking a deep breath he let the smooth music he had locked up in his heart pour forth.

"Wistful oceans calm and red
Ardent caresses laid to rest
For my dreams I hold my life
For wishes I behold my night," his velvety voice gained momentum, echoing in the room and out into the hall with the underlying music of the piano. The sound of his thick, mournful and reverent voice reverberated through to Evelyn, sending chills up her spine and flesh. She had always hoped he would sing for her but could never bring herself to ask.
"The truth at the end of time
Losing faith makes a crime."

A low and quiet stanza followed these two lines. Tears ran into her eyes at the pure sadness in his music and the bubbling happiness that danced under the shield of sorrow. Evelyn put a timid hand on his shoulder, the sensitive skin picking up the vibrations from his chest, rumbling and growling the low words of the next verse.
"I wish for this night-time
To last for a lifetime
The darkness around me
Shores of a solar sea," the words rose up to an overpowering sound, the last syllable rolling like the very ocean he sang of, flowing over her ears and drowning her in its strength. Her eyes closed and her breath hitched as the crystalline tune struck at her heart. Suddenly the music dropped again to a slow and tantalizing serenade. A brush skimmed her cheek, startling her to look. Erik gazed at her with a sweet smile before turning back to the keys.
"Oh how I wish to go down with the sun
Sleeping
Weeping
With you."
The last line was drawn out in a whisper, hanging in the air like chimes. Erik took her hand and stood to tempt her into the dining hall. Evelyn, swept up with the spell of his voice and the pure love he poured into it, breathlessly followed, letting him take her wherever he pleased.

The hall was emptied of carpets, chairs and the great table, covered instead by buckets of paint and towering ladders and benches that reached up to the vaulted ceilings. Evelyn took a moment to gaze up at the pencil sketching and charcoal linings Erik had laid down that night before gazing at the man. Lanterns hung on hooks about the room, reflecting in the mirrors to send the room in a golden glow with the fires as repeated miniature stars.

Coming close to her, Erik put a hand on her waist and lifted one of hers to rest on his broad shoulder. A grin crossed her face before she leaned down to gather the ends of her gown to lift them up to her shins. Erik took her free hand with the ends and clasped it warmly. With a quick step he led her into a waltz, clutching her close to him as he sang.
"Sorrow has a human heart
From my god it will depart
I'd sail before a thousand moons
Never finding where to go."

Their bare feet glided over the polished wooden floor lightly, perfectly turning and dancing to his voice. Spinning around and around, Evelyn felt drunk and intoxicated by the lights and mirrors reflecting their image a million times over. Leaning back in his arms she let herself get lost in the song and his deep, powerful voice.
"Two hundred twenty-two days of light
Will be desired by a night
A moment for the poet's play
Until there's nothing left to say," Erik's voice dimmed out as they came to a slow dance, watching each other in a dazed wonder as they turned slowly, pulled tightly together. Erik looked down at her and smiled gently.
"I wish for this night-time…"
He let go of her hand to cup her cheek, tilting her face up towards his. He leaned in until his hot breath blew over her face and tickled her nervous skin. Evelyn felt her breath hitch as he whispered the last line.
"I wish for this night-time…"

The words sent her mind reeling before he closed in and captured her lips in a fiery kiss. She whimpered slightly when he teased her bottom lip with his tongue, tracing the slight opening. Allowing his access, she felt herself lean back as he pulled her firmly against him and plundered her mouth. Erik growled and let one hand reach up to grasp her longer red hair. Pulling away he smiled at her dazed expression and panted for breath.

"I told you I could sing, ma cher."

Evelyn stared at him in a drugged way but her green eyes were darkened from something. Something he knew had possessed his own eyes. Suddenly she reached up and grabbed him about the neck, putting a feverish kiss upon his lips. He laughed and she slid her tongue into his mouth, turning his chuckle into a heated moan. Their tongues battled for dominance while their hands roamed, tearing at clothing.

Tiny hands tugged Erik's half wet shirt free from his trousers, ripping a couple of buttons off before flinging the garment away. Evelyn broke their kiss to suckle on his strong, thick neck as his hands hitched up the ends of her nightgown. Giving a moan he grasped her bottom from under the dress, lifting her up enough so she could wrap her bare legs about his lean waist.

Erik walked them over to one of the walls, having problems making his feet move due to his desire. He felt himself straining hard against the wool of his pants, almost to the point of pain. Pressing her back against the wall he pushed his hips into the cradle of her thighs, against her bare, wet flesh. The low dip back of her white nightgown allowed the cold mirror to press against her hot flesh. She gasped and threw her head back, allowing access to her neck.

Biting and nibbling on her neck Erik gave a low groan when her hands slid about his bared shoulders, kneading and grasping at it. Evelyn stifled a cry when his hands, softened from being inside sweaty gloves, slid under her neckline to meet the gentle flesh of her breasts. Fingers pulled the material down, freeing them to his hungry mouth. Evelyn cooed and threaded her hands through his brown hair as he licked and teased the hardened nipple, making her squirm.

In response Evelyn thrust her hips against him, grinding herself against his straining member. Erik shuddered and cried out, pushing against her. He reached down to unbuckle his belt, releasing himself from the hot confines of his clothing. As gently as possible he reached down under the folds of her dress and bunched them about her hips more.

With a prodding hand he stroked the tender flesh of her sex, making his lover arch and moan loudly.

"Erik…Erik, now!" Evelyn panted into his ear before biting it then lathing the spot with her tongue.

"As you wish," Erik growled throatily before shifting his hips and sliding into her hot, moist folds in one stroke. Evelyn gasped before squirming, her body trying to thrust against him. She felt him stretch her and brand heat within her cavity. He throbbed and pulsed deep within her, making her walls contract and squeeze him deeper.

Before he could think Erik slid out before slamming back in, up to the hilt. He gasped and moaned, his hips jerking. Stopping for a second he caught his breath, trying to steady his unstable body. Evelyn waited patiently, keeping the grip in his hair and petting his scalp.

Taking a deep sigh Erik moved again, pulling out to easily slide back in. His tempo picked up gradually, each thrust becoming faster and harder, driving her up and against the glass. They were timed and sure, slicked by her wetness. Plunging deeper and deeper into her willing body he grunted, enjoying the sound of her moans and cries. Burying his face in her hair he glimpsed movement over her shoulder. A wicked grin grew on his face.

"Evelyn, mon amour, look!" he groaned, not stopping his steady movement. Evelyn opened an eye to find the image of them reflected from across the room. She gasped, watching her own mouth fall open and her head fall back against the mirror as Erik sped up. Clutching his hair she kissed him, watching herself do so, mesmerized by actually seeing Erik's hips thrust into her.

Erik reached up to grab her hands, stretching them upwards to pin them against the cold glass. He plunged deep within her, stilling himself and nearly screaming at the feeling of her walls sucking at him and pulling him in. Pressure built within him like a knot, cutting off his breath as he frantically tried moving again.

Evelyn gasped, tossing her head side to side in an attempt to find some way to gain release. Erik took one final stroke within her sweltering flesh as his hand reached down to roll her clitoris between two fingers. Screaming his name Evelyn pressed her body against him, her walls clamping down upon his trembling cock, pulling it deeper within her. Erik's hips jerked helplessly as he exploded within her in hot, thick and filling spurts of seed. The wave of orgasm slowly died, making them both incredibly dizzy.

Still locked deep within her Erik felt himself slide down to the ground to his knees, Evelyn falling with him. Leaning heavily against her into the mirror he panted, his breath fogging the area where his lips met the glass. Evelyn kept her legs locked about his waist, unwilling to let go of him, her trembling hands running over his hair and back.

Erik kissed her cheek and her sweaty shoulder, reveling in the slightly salty taste. He sat up a little, looking into her eyes before smiling at her satisfied, sleepy smirk.

"Judging by those moans, I never should've doubted your singing."

After that night the obsessive self-abuse ended, having lasted three days. It came at a price however. He was bound to bed for over a week from sleep deprivation and malnutrition. Evelyn lightly scolded him, all the while smiling and stroking his forehead. Afterwards he drifted to normal, feeling better than he had before. Evelyn would smile again and ask him to walk with her along the lake. Things returned to the happy state they both had dreamed for.