Lianne

He just looked at me. Just looked at me. Why was he looking at me like that? I need to know what he's thinking! Will he reject me now that he knows I'm a highborn? All these worries and fears poured through my mind as I returned his gaze silently, though I knew my eyes revealed much more than his did.

I had put myself in a dangerous position by revealing everything to him as I had allowed myself to become vulnerable. The haunting memories were not something I liked to relive, but he needed to know. He needed to know about the demons I carried with me as much as I now knew his, though I knew that he still held his past back from me but I hardly cared about that. All I wanted was to help chase those dark nightmares away from him and help heal the wounds he had suffered.

Swallowing the lump in my throat Erik continued to watch me and I tilted my head to the side, parting my lips to ask him, however no words came to my mind. Finally he cracked and he gave me the broadest smile I had ever seen from him, astounding me immensely. "You, a noble's daughter? Now it all makes sense." He even laughed, shaking his head as he continued to smile. "I knew that tongue of yours came from higher backgrounds. You are far too well versed and commandeering to be a simpleton." I arched an eyebrow then closed my eyes into a chuckle, agreeing with him.

His arm wrapped around me to pull me closer and I readily leaned into his embrace as he pressed a kiss to the top of my head, breathing in the scent of my hair. "Annie…never hide secrets from me again."

"You are not angry?"

"I promised I wouldn't be, did I not?" He retaliated and I realised he was right, but that only made me worry further. "And before you ask, no. I would not have been angry regardless. I am only glad you got away from that monster with minimal damage, though the damage is great. It could have been far worse." I nodded my head, taking deep breaths as Erik touched my chin and turned my face to meet his gaze. "Lianne-Marie Danielle…a beautiful name for a beautiful lady." I blushed modestly. "Perhaps I shall start calling you Marie."

"Please don't!" I laughed, smiling up at him. "Marie was my grandmother's name, but it sounds so old." Erik smiled down at me before closing his eyes and quickly capturing my lips, making me smile into him as he gently brushed his thumb against my jaw. The kiss seemed to last a spellbinding eternity before Erik drew back and whispered in my ear.

"This is for you." And then he began to play a beautifully soft melody on the keys, first tapping only a few notes in a sweet tune before his lower hand began to play also, running the notes easily through his fingers as the serenade warped through my mind, making me stare in amazement as the music became increasingly beautiful. This was for me? He'd composed a piece just for me?

I dared not breathe as I did not want to break the spell. I'd always loved it when Erik played and I did not think it could get any better than this, however when Erik's voice began to add another harmony in lilting, spine tingling beauty, my eyes pressed shut so I could absorb the sound completely.

It was over too quickly but Erik played it again without me needing to ask and even a second time it did not lose its magic. It drew me closer to him and his eyes remained solidly on my face as I smiled, enjoying the lulling sensation until the final notes died down to silence.

My eyes opened and instantly I saw that bright fire burning in Erik's eyes as he freely scanned my face then suggestively began to search lower, following the curves of my body and I pulled myself upright to sit taller and give him a reprimanding look, however it only served to make my form stand out further and he growled lustfully at me. "Anne…"

"Erik." I answered smoothly with a slight rise to my voice, questioning him teasingly though I knew exactly what it was he wanted. Gracefully I rose up from the bench, humming my tune to myself as it continued to play in the echo of my memory. With elegant steps I began to turn across the room, hands held outwards as I spun with control, finding my own steps as my skirts flared out prettily and I admired the darkness of the red.

Without warning Erik gripped me from behind, pulling me close to him and his lips began to brand my skin with their heat, causing me to gasp and lean back into him as his desire and lust could no longer be contained. Both our breaths were ragged and sharp as his fingers began to dance over my body, holding me where only a husband should be allowed to hold. A husband…or a lover. "Anne…tell me you want this." He rasped in my ear, beginning to lose control. "I understand if you don't, but I need to be sure. If you're afraid then tell me."

Quickly I spun around and gripped his cloak, unlashing it from around his neck and let it drop to the ground as his hands found the buttons at the back of the dress and began to pull them apart by force, sending a thrill though me as I stumbled backwards with him guiding me. "Make love to me Erik." I whispered huskily in his ear. "Make music with me." And that was the only encouragement he needed.

He swept me off my feet as easily as if I weighed nothing more than a candle, carrying me just as delicately until I felt the softness of the sheets touch my back, Erik gazing down at me freely as he placed me down slowly, his arms around me as I deftly unbuttoned his jacket and slipped it from him as his fingers began awakening my inner desires with barely controlled strokes and kneading.

His shirt soon joined his outer garment on the floor and he leaned back slightly as I began to trace the lines of his muscles, the hardened and defined cut of his torso making my eyes widen in awe of him as his strong biceps then moved to draw me closer, lips pressing to the sensitive spot below my ear then began to whisper thrilling things to me, coaxing sounds from my own voice I had never before imagined. Is this what it truly felt like to be loved?

I knew he was being tender on purpose and I loved him all the more for it, enjoying the enthralling sensations his hands and body sent spiralling through me as he buried his face into my hair, drawing in its scent as I felt my dress slowly being eased from my body.

At first I was embarrassed at being seen completely bare by him but when his eyes roamed over me with a silent appreciation and awe I felt flawless and goddess like, suddenly losing my flush as I proudly allowed him to admire my naked flesh which he so greatly seemed to admire with a love that was uniquely his own.

My lips murmured his name as he undressed himself, moving slowly against me as I wriggled slightly, trying to adjust to this new yet exhilarating experience which I knew would ruin me in the eyes of society, but I laughed in their face. I did not need their high standards which they so oft broke themselves. All I needed was Erik, and with him I am complete. At least not yet, but I soon will be.

With him settling rather neatly between my legs he stopped and returned his gaze to me as I lay back, breathing lightly. His hand came up and brushed back my hair, smoothing it back and I couldn't help but open my eyes and smile at him. "Anne…I…I can't." He whispered to me and I frowned up at him. Have I done something wrong? What happened? It felt so nice, so wonderful! "Annie, I can't ruin you this way." I snorted with a roll of my eyes as he shifted closer to me and I wrapped my arms securely around him.

"You think I care about what those high society fops will think about me? It's not as if they will find out." He shook his head and pressed a hand to my stomach, revealing his worries for me and I delicately arched my eyebrow. I see. He was worried about impregnating me. Why is it that this only makes me love him more deeply? "Erik…"

"I won't dishonour you that way Annie, I can't. You are too precious to me." He rolled onto his side and pulled me closer, entwining our fingers together as I gazed up at him lovingly. "I'm sorry, I just can't do it."

"Ssh…" I whispered, trying to ease his concerns. I knew that he was afraid he had upset me but I partially agreed with him. There could be consequences to our actions now, so perhaps we had better plan first. Although I was hardly opposed to carrying Erik's children, I doubted other's would see things my way and then the child will be the one to suffer.

"This should be something you share with your husband, Annie, inside of marriage where your reputation won't be tarnished." I thought for a moment before rising up, pushing him onto his back and his hands instantly went to my waist, rubbing his thumbs into my skin as I hovered over his face, my blonde hair tumbling down beside him as I grinned.

"Then marry me." He stiffened in place and just stared up at me blankly.

"What?"

"Marry me." I repeated simply, giving him another smile. "I apologise for not having a ring, but I was caught a little unawares." Erik barked a disbelieving laugh, shaking his head at me with a sigh as he pushed back my hair and thumbed my cheek.

"Is it not the man who should propose to his beloved?" He teased me but I only gave him a shrug.

"I tend to step outside the expectations of others." I replied before biting my lip, daring myself to be hopeful. This was a giant leap for me as I knew that Erik could answer either way and neither I could anticipate. This was all up to him, something that I had no control over or could easily guess. His eyes wandered freely over my features, mapping them out silently in his own way but I was swiftly growing impatient. "Erik?" He exhaled.

"You would burden yourself with me?" He asked and I instantly nodded my head.

"Yes, though I do not see you as a burden. You'll be my companion, Erik, and you're the only one I could ever want or ever will choose. I'll be your wife if you'll have me and I shall love you with all my heart so long as you love me with all of yours, me and no other. I will not share you, Erik, neither will I let you go. I want you by my side, now and for always." He spun me onto my back, making me gasp and lurch into an arch as his mellow whisper brushed against my neck.

"Wait here." He rose up and disappeared, leaving me slightly breathless but I slipped underneath the silk sheets, getting comfortable before Erik returned and I instantly sat up, covering myself modestly but he only chuckled and slipped in beside me, stroking my face before he opened his other hand and I saw something glinting there.

The ring was of gold and it wove beautifully around a dark sapphire, reminding me instantly of my mother's eyes and I choked slightly on the memory of her face, the lump rising to my throat as I left its loveliness to stare up at Erik. "If you had only been patient, my dear Annie." He said to me with a wolfish amusement as he lifted my left hand. "Now, my dearest little dancer, how should you like to live at my side until death us do part?" He asked me and instantly I beamed, feeling a wave of unmeasured happiness sweep over me as I nodded my head ardently.

"I should like that very much, my dear Erik." The ring fitted perfectly on my finger and I wondered how he had come to purchase it. When I looked into his eyes, the silent question ringing clear, he gave me a tender smile as he pulled me close.

"Something that happened to fall into my possession upon my travels. I knew it had a purpose, but I believed it to be too simple for any wife of mine, but I think it suits you better than any gaudy and oversized diamond I could have found." I heartily agreed with him. To show my gratitude I kissed him fiercely and his tongue stroked my mouth until I gave a shuddering groan and he was quick to delve inwards as I opened my mouth further, learning this new dance quickly and beginning to answer his rhythm.

He did not allow it to progress further, though his hands did wander over my body and made me writhe under the sheets in want for more, his tender teasing bringing me to the brink of madness before he held me in his arms and hushed me, offering comforting words before simply holding me close. We fell asleep for a while, an hour at most and Erik had to quickly leave me to allow me to dress before he was tempted to do something he may regret later.

I was certain I would not regret, but I respected his want to do things properly. He made sure that Leroy was gone before returning with me to the opera house, where I kissed him again to let him know my own feelings before he let me go, though left a silken promise in my ear that I would not have to wait long before our wedding night, and then he would cause me to dance like I had never danced before.

His words sent shivers of anticipation down my spine as I left, though I smiled all the same.