Chapter Twenty-five - Stay With Me Tonight
Erik tried to rise from the bed, but Christine caught his arm.
"Erik, what is wrong..."
She could not comprehend the sudden change in him. She wanted him, she wanted to surrender herself to her husband.. And she knew the desire was mutual. Then why was he leaving her?
"Christine, please don't ask me to explain now. I want nothing more than...but it is better this way, my love."
"Erik, please, I don't understand...tell me what is wrong."
"Before we were married, I asked you to trust in me. Beloved, give me that trust again. I don't want to see you hurt."
Christine shook her head and tried to pull him down beside her.
"Erik, you could never harm me."
"Christine, believe me when I tell you that I would give the world to...to make love to you tonight. I promise you...you will understand tomorrow why."
He eased her hand from his arm and rose. He forced himself not to look back at her, but he saw her in his mind. He saw her lying there on the rose-hued coverlet, her soft hair in a loose braid, her gray dress half-open and twisted around her. The desire in her eyes giving way to confusion and disbelief.
Only days ago, he had sent her away from him. Leaving her now was so much worse.
Christine sat up in the bed. Another second and he would be gone. He had reached the door and not once had he looked back at her.
"Erik, don't leave me alone. Stay with me tonight. Nothing more...just stay with me."
His hand was on the door when he finally turned.
"Please, stay with me."
How could he refuse her this?
Outside, the rain had turned to snow. He could see the white flakes spinning down through the bare tree branches.
"Very well, Christine. I will stay with you."
Returning to the bed, he lay down beside her.
"Promise, Erik, that you will never leave me."
"I promise you that, Christine," he said, cradling her in his arms, "If nothing else, love, I promise you that."
"Thank you, Erik."
He held her close and he sang to her, his voice so soft and tender, a song meant only for her to hear.
At last, they fell asleep, her smooth cheek resting against his disfigured one.