It has been brought to my attention that not everyone has read Susan Kay's Phantom story – it is a book, not FF. It is AWESOME and you can buy it on Amazon. If you have never read it well that is where I got the characters of Javert, his mother and Giovanni. All very important people in his past and I thought it was only right that they show up and torment him just a little – ya I now, gotta love that angst. For those who asked and I could not respond to, here is the rundown on Giovanni real fast – but go to Wikipedia and check out the synopsis of the book if you do not have time to read it and that will catch you up pretty well.
Giovanni is an elderly Italian master stonemason, who discovers a thirteen-year-old Erik on one of his sites one morning, and takes him on as an apprentice. Giovanni practically adopts Erik and loves him as the son he never had, while training him all the while as a mason. Erik flourishes underneath Giovanni's care, and though a darkness was growing in the boy, the Italian helped to quell it for some time. Their rapport was interrupted by the return of Giovanni's youngest daughter, Luciana. Giovanni was the only father that Erik had ever known, and he almost hero-worshiped the man. For the rest of his life, Erik would refer to no other man as "sir," due to the trust that was eventually lost between them over the accidental death of his daughter.
Ok, commercials are over…..now back to the program…
Chapter 29
Nadir had been in the city with Darius when Kas had located him and told him of the situation. Immediately Nadir took off on his horse towards the palace, leaving the two other men to follow.
He had been afraid that something like this was going to happen…the Shahbanu was just too evil to let things be! Damn her!
The palace seemed more expansive than usual and it felt like it took forever to get to Erik's apartments. But when at last he did and pushed his way in unannounced, he almost wished he had never entered at all! Before his eyes was the worst possible scenario he could imagine, Erik sitting on the floor holding a lifeless Christine in his arms, sobbing uncontrollably. Oh Allah, what had happened?!
"Erik!" Nadir said, rushing to his side and kneeling down next to him, placing his hand on his friend's shoulders as he tried to ease his pain. "Erik, tell me what happened…is Christine…is she…" He couldn't bring himself to say the words.
"She…she is dead." Erik said between sobs. "I…I…killed her!"
At first Nadir believed that Erik meant that she was dead all because of him, it sounded very much like something Erik would say…that the Shahbanu had killed Christine but he blamed himself. But then Erik continued.
"I…I strangled her with my own hands, Nadir…I watched the life drain out of her eyes…I killed her!" Erik could hardly get the words out but when he did he began to shake even more violently if that was at all possible.
"You what…?!" Nadir asked, unable to fathom what the man before him had said. "You killed her?!"
"I didn't mean to…I thought she was someone else…the Shahbanu drugged me…I was hallucinating and she came in…and I…I thought she was Jamal and I…I killed her!" Erik fought to explain, still rocking her back and forth his arms, kissing her limp hand and brushing the hair from off her forehead as his tears fell on her beautiful face.
Nadir felt his eyes fill with tears and he let them fall without shame. He had once been in the same place as Erik…holding the lifeless body of the woman he loved and knowing there was nothing he could do to bring her back to him. As Erik moved he could see the evidenced of his friend's handiwork on her neck. The red marks and the growing bruises were evidence of what had taken place. He grieved for her pain, for the fear she must have felt as she found herself dying at the hands of the man she loved, perhaps without even knowing why. Nadir's heart went out to Erik as well, and he couldn't even imagine how he now felt knowing that he was the one responsible for her death. Nadir reached out and stroked Christine's hair gently…he was going to miss her terribly. The two sat there for a few moments, no words were said, for what words could have been adequate?
Nadir suddenly stood and looked around the room quickly, seeing the broken glass by the wall and the opened bottle of Arrack on the cabinet, he headed for it. He took the decanter in his hand and splashed a bit of the liquid on his fingers he tasted it on his tongue before spitting it out in disgust.
"Hashish! And a deadly dose too! How much did you have Erik?" He asked, looking at his friend nervously. Should he now fear for his own life…he remembered how crazed Erik would get when he was using this stuff.
"Three glasses….I went crazy from it. Began seeing things that were not there. But when Christine…oh my Christine… she ripped off my mask and it all went away…like the rush of adrenalin flushed it from my system. But I am still in pain…not like before… something is different." But Erik didn't care about the pain anymore, the only pain he now felt was that in his heart over losing his Christine.
Nadir picked up the container and looked at the glass bottom, his eyes growing wide as she saw a dark black residue lining the base as it swirled around in the rich golden liquid.
"You were not just drugged Erik, you were poisoned!" Nadir said, setting the decanter down and rushing back to his friend. Grabbing his hand, Nadir pulled Erik's sleeve up and looked at his veins…they were turning black! "The Shahbanu put a poison in your drink as well, when the darkness reaches your heart, you will die!"
"I don't care…nothing matters now…nothing ever mattered but Christine… and now she is dead." Once more he buried his head in her hair and let out a cry of grief-stricken madness.
Nadir took her hand in his and gently kissed the back of it reverently. She was the kindest of women, the gentlest of souls. Suddenly he felt something…a pulse! He moved his fingers against her wrist to make sure…dare he hope? Yes! There it was again!
"Erik! Move, damnit!" He yelled, pushing his friend away from her as he leaned down to place his ear to her heart. It was faint, but she did have a heartbeat! "She is not dead, she is alive!" He told his stunned friend as he eased her from Erik's lap and onto the floor with great care. She needed medical attention…but he was not skilled in this area and Erik was in no condition to care for matters.
Just then the doors opened again and both Darius and Kas came skidding to a halt as they saw the scene before them.
"Oh, Allah, no!" Darius said as Kas simply stared in disbelief.
"Darius, go to my quarters and bring my medical supplies immediacy!" Nadir yelled. "Kas…get me some warm water and see if Erik has any arnica herbs. Hurry!"
Erik seemed stunned, he couldn't take his eyes off of her and Nadir knew that he was unable to bring himself to believe his words. Erik dared not even hope.
"She is alive I tell you! You did not kill her. But I am not familiar with wounds of this kind, I cannot tell the extent of her injuries. The best I can do is treat the outer symptoms and hope her neck is not broken or crushed.
Nadir's words finally sank in to Erik's tortured mind and he once more gathered her into his arms and cried the tears he thought he no longer had in him. She was alive…his Christine was alive!
Kas came back then with the things Nadir had requested and found he could not take his eyes off of Erik sitting there holding Christine. Kas had feared this man…lived in dread of displeasing him at the risk of his life. His reputation as a cold and merciless killer had always surrounded him, but now to see him there a broken and grieving man was a powerful blow. The dark Angel did love this girl…he truly did! And Kas now felt a form of kinship with this dangerous assassin, for he too had grown extremely fond of his charge.
Darius arrived soon after and Nadir got to work, forcing Erik back as he bathed her neck in the herb infused liquid and then gently wrapped bandages around her throat, hiding the painful sight from Erik's eyes.
"Now we need to see to you, Erik." Nadir said, placing his hand on Erik's forehead and feeling the raging fever that had already taken hold.
"I don't matter!" He growled, touching Christine's cheek gently as he grabbed his middle and bent forward as another spasm of pain wracked his body.
"Erik…you will die without some help…although I fear that there is no cure for the poison that snake gave you." He did his best to recall all the different kinds of toxins known to this land. Only a few had antidotes…and he knew this was not one of them.
"Then I will die….Nadir….I will die and this world will be the better for it." He said, stopping ever few seconds to take a painful breath. "Christine is all that matters now….I need….I need to get her to safety. If I die, I cannot protect her any more….we have to think of her now."
"Erik, do not talk that way." Nadir scolded him, but he knew he was right.
"You said you…you had a way to get her out of Persia….I need you to send her away now. Right now before…before I die and …the Shah will take her." Erik knew he was getting worse, the pain was becoming unbearable and soon he would slip into oblivion. "Please, Nadir…help me one last time…help me save her."
Nadir looked at the eyes of his helpless and pleading friend and gave in with a sad nod. He would not deny Erik his final wish.
"I will take her to my contact…we will get her out of Persia." He agreed. "We will give you a moment to say your farewells." Nadir rose to his feet and ushered the two other men towards the kitchen to give Erik his privacy.
Erik took her gently into his arms and held her upon his lap as he stroked her cheek, memorizing every line and every curve with each delicate touch. Oh she was perfection…far too lovely for the likes of him. He knew it had all been too good to be true…to perfect to last.
"Please forgive me, my love. Forgive your Erik for the pain he has caused you. These sinful hands were never meant to hold beauty…they destroy all that is good, defile all they touch. And yet, for a while you were mine and I loved you for it…I loved you so deeply and will never stop even after I take my last breath." He stopped there again as he was overcome with a wave of burning pain. Composing himself once more he continued. "I will cherish every moment we shared, every single one and I hope you will not look back on our time with regret…I hope you will remember the love…and not the way we ended." He leaned down and kissed her still lips as his tears fell from beneath is mask and moistened her cheeks. "Oh Christine!" He sobbed, holding her tightly while still being as gentle as possible. He could not let her go! She was his life…his love….his reason for living! But as he felt another spasm take hold of him, he knew his life was forfeit. Getting her safely out of Persia would be his final task on this earth and he refused to go out a failure! "Nadir!" He called, knowing it was time.
Nadir and the other two men came back in and stood beside him.
"I am ready…but first…go to my dresser, there is a small box…bring me the ruby necklace there." He directed, watching as Darius complied, retrieving the piece of jewelry he asked for. Erik leaned forward and placed the chain around her head and neck with such care and reverence, laying the gem out gently as he stared at her once last time. No…his eyes were never meant to look upon such beauty as hers, never meant to touch perfection…but he had cheated fate, he had held happiness in his hands if even for a short time. "Now take her…take her and go." He directed, his voice breaking on the words.
"It will be dangerous getting her out of the palace unseen." Nadir began, looking around as if forming a plan.
"Use my secret exit." Erik directed, gesturing weekly over his shoulder to the bedroom. "Behind the tapestry on the wall, there is a hidden door…I built it the day I took up residence here…just for such occasions." It was becoming more and more difficult to breathe. "It will lead you down to the stables, the passageway is narrow, but I think you can manage. Get her out safely, Daroga…I am placing what little faith I have left in this world on you now."
Nadir nodded in understanding and leaned down to scoop up the still unconscious Christine.
"You two do what you can for him until I return. Get him to his bed and force him to drink as much water as possible, perhaps it will help flush out the poison…or at least offer him some comfort before he…." Nadir could not bring himself to say the final words.
Erik nodded, knowing that his chances were slim at best and that Nadir knew it. He forced himself to rise, almost a struggle in futility, but he made it. Leaning down he kissed Christine on the forehead and whispered one last time.
"Christine… I love you." And then he watched helplessly as Nadir left the room with his wife…his love…his Christine.
The last sound Nadir had heard as he entered the darkened passage was the cry of rage and grief from Erik followed by the sound of him falling to the floor. He prayed that Erik was not dead, that he had just succumbed to his overwhelming misery and collapsed. Darius and Kas would have to care for him now…he needed to concentrate on Christine.
Once out of the passageway and into the stables he chose a fast looking horse and quickly saddled it before someone happened along and saw them. The sun was beginning to set and Nadir would be glad for the cover of darkness to hide his actions. He found a blanket and wrapped the lifeless girl in it as he gently swung himself up onto the steed and kicked it into motion. It would be a long ride and he was in need of haste. He only prayed that man he had contacted would be waiting for him where he was told he would be.
Christine never awoke during the long ride and it worried Nadir greatly. What if Erik had done irreparable damage to her throat? A crushed larynx or broken bones in her neck would spell death for her. But he couldn't let himself think of that right now, he had to get her out of Persia and fulfill Erik's final wish. He would not let his friend down! When he reached the small shack he had been told the man he sought would be staying at, he dismounted with as much care as he could and kicked the door open in front of him. He saw the faces of one man and two women turn towards him as they rose in alarm.
"Are you Rahim?" He asked without skipping a beat.
"Depends on who is asking." The man said, his eyes narrowing as his hand went to the hilt of his sword.
"I am Nadir, I was told you can get this woman out of Persia." He said, walking over and placing Christine on a nearby couch.
The man stared at the Persian for a moment before ordering the two women to leave the room. Once they were gone he became all business.
"I was not told that she was injured, this will raise the price of her extradition considerably." He told Nadir, coming over to inspect the girl closer. He had to admit that she was a beauty.
"Money is no object. If you take on the task tonight and accomplish it successfully I will pay you double what you were initially promised." Nadir assured him, willing to do whatever it took.
"Double…well now, she must be pretty special then." He surmised, rubbing his hand over the stubble on his chin. "Why is it worth so much to you to see her get out of here?"
Nadir was not sure what to say…but he went for the scare tactic.
"Are you familiar with the man known as The Angel of Doom?" He asked, watching Rahim's eyes grew wide with recognition, telling Nadir that he had. "This is his consort and he wishes for her to be taken safely away. Will you be the one to go against his express wishes… and fail?"
"This one belongs to the dark Angel?" The man breathed in fear, looking down at her now with renewed interest. "And it is his idea that she be taken away…I will not be crossing him by doing so, will I?"
"You will cross him if you do not!" Nadir threatened. "Now can you do this tonight…it is vitally important that we get her out of Persia right away."
"It can be accomplished…for triple the price." He told Nadir, realizing that he had the man over a barrel and was now taking advantage of it.
"Done!" Nadir agreed, not hesitating for a moment. "I will give you half now and half when I am assured that the job is complete. I will expect proof of her safety from her own hand. If you cannot provide me his assurance, you will not only forfeit your money, but I will also personally hunt you down and take your life. Do we have an understanding?"
The man paused for a moment and then stuck out his hand in agreement. The shook hands and then set to work on the plan.
Christine could hear water…not the sound of running water like in a bath or sink, but lapping water as it hit the side of a boat nearby. She struggled to open her eyes but they were so very heavy. What had happened? Why did her throat hurt so much and arms would not move? At last she willed her eyes to open and focus, seeing the dark and concerned face of Nadir above her staring straight ahead at something in the distance. She realized she was wrapped in a blanket, hence the reason for her arms not working, and her Persian friend was holding her in his embrace.
"N…." She tried to speak but hardly a sound would come out. Any effort to form a word was like stabbing knives in her neck. What was wrong?!
Nadir felt, rather than heard, her try to speak and he looked down with eyes full of elation and sympathy.
"Christine!" He said, walking over to a nearby crate and setting her down gently as he kneeled in front of her. "Praise Allah that you are awake! How do you feel, my dear?"
Once again she tried to make a sound but it hurt far too much.
"No…don't try and talk. Your neck and throat are severely damaged, and while I did what I could you should not try and talk for as long as possible to help it heal."
Christine touched her throat with her hands gingerly and Nadir could see that she was trying to remember everything that happened and when her eyes became wide and she grabbed a hold of his shoulder he knew she remembered. When she looked at him with pleading eyes, Nadir knew what she was asking and he was loathed to be the one to break the news.
"Erik was drugged by the Shahbanu…he was out of his mind. When you came in he mistook you for a vision of Jamal and he attacked you. Your throat is injured but hopefully not too severely. We were so afraid for you when you would not wake up." When Christine heard him say 'we' she began to look around frantically, desperately trying to lay her eyes on Erik. Nadir once more continued his sad story. "He is not here, Christine…he is…he may already be dead."
Tears instantly sprung to her eyes as she grabbed his hands, willing him to explain his words.
"The Shahbanu also poised his drink…he was already succumbing to its effects when I left with you. Erik's final wish was that I get you safely out of Persia. He was beside himself with grief over what he had done and could think of nothing but your safety, even over his own life. If he dies tonight, and I do believe he will, he will go to his grave regretting what he did to you today. He loved you more than anything in this world…you must believe that Christine."
This was too much…she wanted to cry, to scream at the top of her lungs for the loss of her beloved Erik, but no sound would come. Instead she threw herself on top of the crate and began to sob hysterically. No, no, no! Not her Erik…not her husband!
Rahim came up just then and looked at the crying girl with a touch of irritation.
"Well at least she is alive." He sighed, not enjoying her tearful display.
"You will show some respect!" Nadir berated him.
"Fine. But if this is going to happen we have to go now." Rahim said, walking over and taking Christine by the arm as he began to pull her up.
Nadir stepped forward and slapped his hand away.
"I swear that if I hear you have treated her unkindly or with an ounce of disrespect, the Angel of Doom with be the least of your worries! I hope I make myself perfectly clear!" He growled, reaching down and gently bringing Christine up into a standing position. He looked down at her tear filled eyes and his heart went out to her. She had suffered so much…lost all she loved and now she had to flee. "Christine, I have made arrangements for you to be transported out of Persia for your own safety. This is Rahim, he will be taking care of you and he will make sure that you see the ship's doctor as soon as you are underway. You will travel by steamer across the Caspian Sea, then be transported over land through Russia and then at last on to France. Rahim has made all the arrangements but if you need anything else…take this." Nadir explained, and taking a small pouch containing some money he tucked it in her hand.
Christine looked up suddenly as if she were just realizing what Nadir was telling her…she was leaving Erik behind! Not only behind… but dying! She began to shake her head vigorously, causing sharp pains up her neck, but she didn't care. She could not leave Erik!
Nadir understood her protests but spoke firmly to her.
"Yes, Christine, you have to go. Erik wants it this way. I will go back and stay with him till the end. And I promise you this, if by some miracle Erik lives… nothing under the sun could keep him from your side. Please believe this to be true. If he does not live…then I will come and find you. I swear it. You will not be abandoned to this world."
Christine wanted to tell Nadir so much, to thank him, to tell Erik she loved and forgave him but without her voice she was powerless. Instead she just threw her arms around the Persian and hugged him as if she would never let go. She hoped this conveyed everything in her heart.
"We have to go!" Rahim repeated, reaching out his hand once more, but this time offering it to her, not just grabbing.
When she turned to look at the man holding his hand out she froze…she couldn't do it. She had to go back to Erik! She began to step back, eying both the man and Nadir, her look of grief telling them she couldn't leave without her husband!
Nadir furrowed his brows; she was not going to make this easy, was she? But why should he expect any different? She was after all Erik's wife and if he had never been one to follow orders…why should she? But Nadir knew it had to be done. So stepping forward he grabbed her around the waist and brought her to Rahim as she kicked and fought him, her tears now expressing her anger and despair where her voice could not.
"Take her and go!" Nadir said, his heart aching for the poor girl.
Rahim scooped her up and carried her on up the plank and onto the ship, all the while Christine was fighting him and looking back at Nadir with pleading eyes and outstretched hands.
Nadir watched as she disappeared from his sight, standing there as he let a single tear roll down his cheek. He was going to miss that little girl so terribly much.
As the Persian turned and mounted his horse, now headed it back towards the palace, he didn't notice the dark figure lurking in the shadows, watching him go.
Oh the plot thickens. Christine is leaving town thinking Erik will be dead by morning… Erik might very well BE dead by morning…and Nadir will be IN mourning!
See, and you were all worried I was going to kill off Christine…silly readers… hee hee.
So what do you think of Nadir's plan?
About poor Erik's poison problem?
Of Rahim?
