I apologize for the delay. This is the final chapter, and as so, it would make me so happy to hear even just one word from you on what you thought of it.

Thank you to all of my faithful reviewers and loyal readers. I hope that you enjoyed reading "Pariah" as much as I enjoyed writing it (and this won't be the last story that you hear from me!).

-Brittany

Ch. 36

Estella awakened the next day somewhat disappointed to see that she was alone. She sat upright, wiped the remainder of sleep from her brown eyes, and glanced around the room that was not her own.

A sweet scent filled the air as she noticed the scarlet-colored roses of various sizes that had been placed upon every surface imaginable in the room. She could not prevent the smile that swept across her features as the memories of the previous day filled her mind.

She was married to the man whom she loved, and he had confessed so passionately of his love for her! He had also allowed her to look upon his unmasked face; something that she knew could not have been easy for him. Now she felt that there was nothing between them-they had both been made vulnerable to each other and could find comfort in it.

The neatly-folded letter that lay beside her caught her eye. She picked it up gingerly and her heart fluttered in her chest once she had read its contents.

"My Most Beautiful Wife-

If words could properly express my inner feelings, then I would tell you of your beauty. It makes each petal of these roses sigh with envy, for you cause them to appear as dandelions in your contrast.

Aphrodite, herself, would covet your almond-shaped eyes-alluring and bright; the softness of your caramel-colored skin. The fullness of your lips, which I yearn for every moment, have brought me the greatest joy of all. How I find ecstacy when kissing them, and how they speak such sweet words to me! I am now the happiest man alive.

With all of my love,

Erik.

P.S. You looked so peaceful this morning that I did not wish to disturb you. Whenever you have awakened, I will be awaiting your presence near the stables."

Estella reread the words a few times, marveling at how her life had turned out. Would she really be able to remain this happy, to find comfort in the arms of a man so passionate and endearing? It was as a dream, as if she was walking on clouds, and she even hummed merrily to herself as she got out of bed.

Her feet seamed to sweep themselves across the room gracefully, and she imagined that one could mistake her for dancing, as she readied herself to go search for him. Before she exited the room, she smelled the beautiful flowers once more with a wide grin.

Yes, she could.

On her way to the front door, Estella was stopped by her maid. Immediately she was alerted by the look of worry on Marguerite's freckled face.

"Excuse me, Mrs. Destler...but, have you seen Mr. Destler this morning?" she asked shyly. She felt the remorse of interrupting her Mistress' day, but she simply had to know the answer to the question that burned within herself.

"I believe that he is out at the stables," Estella replied, remembering the letter that she had read not even one hour ago. Noticing how something appeared to be turning in Marguerite's mind, she asked, "Why? Is something the matter?"

"No," Marguerite shook her head and gave a weak and unconvincing smile. "It is nothing."

"Marguerite, if whatever it is concerns my husband, then it concerns me, as well," she stated as-a-matter-of-factly.

Marguerite did not wish to trouble her any further, and so she would settle for discovering the answer in a different way. Estella could see that the maid was reluctant to divulge her secret, and so she spent a few minutes in an attempt to tempt her, refusing to leave until she knew what it was.

"While I was purchasing a few supplies in town this morning, I happened to overhear a conversation about a man whose description matched perfectly that of the one of whom I saw leave your room..."

Estella's breath caught in her throat, and she began to regret ever inquiring about what had troubled her. If it had to do with Samuel, then she wished not to know of it. And yet, she needed to know-her mind would never cease in worrying if she remained ignorant.

"He was found deceased in the early hours of the morning...I do not think that they suspect violence, but I did not care to listen further. M'Lady, if Mr. Destler has played any part in it, then I wish to remain unaware of it," Marguerite admitted. "I only wished to warn him."

Estella slowly nodded as the news registered in her mind. Samuel was dead. And within four-and-twenty hours of when she had told her husband of what he had done, at that. She strongly hoped that it was merely a coincidence.

"I also do not wish to know," Estella agreed. "It matters not how it happened; that monster has met his fate, and he can never harm another soul on earth. I only pray that my husband is not blamed for it."

Marguerite then recounted the tale of how a servant had been dismissed in anger after much interrogation from Mr. Destler that very morning, stating that it had been the very person accountable for allowing Samuel into Estella's room.

While Estella was greatly relieved that her husband was a man of justice in regards to her, the news had done little to settle her disquieting thoughts. Marguerite noticed this written on her features and attempted to reassure her.

"No one knows of what has happened to you, M'Lady; I doubt that anyone would suspect anything. The other servants are only aware that there was an error made in which an unwelcome visitor had called upon the estate and had been allowed inside further than was permitted while Mr. Destler was away. I will not speak on the matter to anyone, regardless of whether or not the two instances are related to one another."

Estella was relieved when she found Erik murmuring to Cesar among the wildflowers. Cesar's ears twitched at the sound of her approaching and he whinnied in greeting to her.

The warm sun reflected off of the whiteness of Erik's mask as he turned to look at her with a smile. Before he could say anything, however; she wrapped her arms around him and buried her cheek against his chest. Erik, both surprised and pleased, began to stroke the curls of her hair.

"Promise me that you have done nothing irrational," she breathed into his cream-colored shirt.

"My darling, if you would have known me during my previous years then you would find that irrationality was all that I was capable of," he laughed light-heartedly.

She pulled away slightly to look into his hazel-colored eyes, "I do not wish for anything to jeopardize the life that we will build together...I do not know what I would do if anything were to happen to you..."

He gently tilted her chin upward with a softened and more serious expression. "Do not worry, mon amour, for I will never allow for anything to come between us," he reassured her with a kiss on her forehead.

Yet unsatisfied, she asked, "Do you still have that Mediterranean villa?"

Erik's brows furrowed at her and he frowned.

"What is it that unsettles you so?" he asked, now concerned.

She contemplated whether or not she should tell him, but she decided to vocalize her fears. He had every right to know, and she was not about to keep anything from him once more.

"I have learned that Samuel is dead," she said slowly. She hoped to see some sort of reaction from him, but no emotion could be detected on his face. It was as if the cold, blank mask had extended over all of his features.

"I am not suggesting that you were involved, but...would it not seem suspicious to others that an employee has been dismissed because of allowing him entrance?"

"How can it be suspicious? Would not anyone release a servant from duties for allowing any unknown visitors inside while the Master is away?" Erik countered. "Who is to say that it was Samuel who was allowed the entrance, rather than an unknown identity? For I have not mentioned it!"

Estella remained silent, hoping that he would say no more about it. The topic brought about painful emotions, and new ones as well-feelings of worry and fear for Erik-that did not please her.

"You understand why I could not allow him to remain employed here, do you not?"

Estella nodded in agreement and looked down at her hands. She wished that she could simply will the entire ordeal away, and only have pleasant things to ponder.

"Did they say how he passed away?" Erik asked after a while of silence, curious.

"No, and I do not care. As long as he is no longer breathing, I am satisfied."

Erik pulled her to his chest and whispered lovingly into her ear until her mood seemed to improve. But even after a long while of savoring his embrace, she could not forget the subject entirely.

"Can we not go to the villa? I think a new beginning would do well for us..." she suggested.

Erik dwelled on the idea, realizing that it would mean leaving his current estate. Of what difference did it make, where he was to live? He had enough fortune not to require a profession, and no interests or occupations that would hinder him. All that mattered to him was that he have his beloved bride beside him, for she was his breath and life.

"We could enjoy strolls near the seaside..." she daydreamed. After not receiving an answer, she added, "I only want to forget the painful memories and begin anew."

He agreed that a new start was very tempting, and if it would please her, then he would do it.

"If that is what you wish," he replied. "I will notify Mr. Matthews and the servants, immediately."

Her face lit up with a grin, much to his relief, and he hoped that happiness would be the only emotion that he would see from her for the rest of the day.

"I know that it will take some time to prepare the house, but can we not leave a bit early and enjoy it alone, before the business of the servants will overtake it?" she asked.

"Whatever it is that you desire, my dove," he placed a soft kiss upon her lips. "Now, if you would be so kind as to oblige me with your time, there is a very scenic spot just south of here that is calling out to us. I took the liberty of preparing Cesar and a picnic."

Estella felt her spirits lift greatly and reveled in the fact that she would be allowed to enjoy his company for the entirety of the day, and so she placed her hand in his with a smile, deciding to forget all that had troubled her.

The estate was simply breath-taking. Estella was awe-struck as she was shown the property; all the while Erik could only gaze at his beautiful wife as a smile lit her features and wonder how he had become so fortunate as to have her as his own. The idea of beginning a new life with her elated him to no end.

After they had explored every room, she had the desire to take a walk along the Mediterranean shoreline, as the sun was beginning to set and the weather accommodating.

The air was warm and tasted of salt. A breeze played through her hair as she laced her fingers with his. The sensation brought a warmth to Erik's chest, and he wondered if he could ever become accustomed to such affections instead of being surprised by every small gesture, though he quite enjoyed them.

They savored the sight of the waves rolling in, watching their emerald and sapphire depths and how the painted sky would reflect its colors upon them in the horizon. A few minutes had passed by in silence, each one in their own thoughts.

"Erik," she quickly captured his attention with her warm brown eyes, "Now that we are to begin a new life, I feel there should be some changes in the way in which we live it."

"Oh?" he raised a dark eyebrow to her out of curiosity.

"Yes," she continued, nonchalant, "For example; I would enjoy it very much if we had a meal together everyday. I have never much delighted in eating alone in my room during my lifetime, and I suspect that neither have you."

Erik sighed very loudly in response.

"Mrs. Destler, I have given you a luxurious house among the Italian countryside in which you can enjoy the sight of the ocean. I also give to you my heart, and if you should require it, I could possibly will myself to obtain a star or two from the midnight sky for you. But you should know that I cannot grant a daily meal in your presence!" he replied with a playful smirk.

"-and a walk together every afternoon..."

"Your stipulations really are impossible! What will you suggest, next? A moonlit serenade beneath the stars while I bring one of them down?" he teased.

"Now there's an idea!" she giggled. "I never have heard you sing, after all..."

"My dear, I will sing for you one-thousand moonlit serenades if it means that you shall always be my wife."

Estella stopped to give him a kiss. "I shall always be yours," she said.

The two of them resumed their walk, arm-in-arm, until she had grown anxious.

"There is something else that I wish for..." she mentioned.

He noticed her hesitance, though he knew that she had no reason to be nervous; all of her requests thus-far had been pleasing to him.

When she had been allowed to gather her courage, she continued, "Whenever we are alone, I would greatly prefer it if you did not wear your mask."

Erik stopped suddenly, and his smile had disappeared.

"Why would you wish for such a thing?" he questioned incredulously.

Was this a nightmare that he was experiencing? Was she seeking to humiliate and scorn him? After such a lovely conversation on a fine evening, he could not imagine that the sight of his face would inspire such positive thoughts.

"Please, do not be afraid..." she reached a hand up to touch his unmarred cheek with softness. "For I have already seen it. Erik, despite what you may believe, you are not hideous! You are the wonderful, caring, and handsome man whom I love; I only wish to look upon my husband's face when I tell him of my love for him. I want nothing to separate us from each other."

Oh, how her words were soothing to him! A sort of salve for the pain deep within his heart, yet they brought a mixture of reluctance and fear into his mind. But still, he could find no trace of malice or mockery on her appearance.

"Alright...I shall try," he concluded, a bit unwillingly, at that. He hoped that she would forget the ridiculous request, soon enough. After all, who would want to see his face? Perhaps she could tolerate it on occasion, but to desire it?

"...might we begin, now?" she asked, timid. She hoped not to ignite his temper, and so she looked at him affectionately.

He inhaled sharply and released it with a shaky sigh. Could he ever make peace with this one request? Though she had asked with kindness and affection-though she had not ripped away his mask without consideration to his feelings-he was uncertain that he wanted to expose himself.

And yet, her eyes pleaded with him. Those perfect lips were persuasive.

His fingers seemed to peel it off himself, before any logical thought had registered in his mind. How he wished to find acceptance! He felt the saltiness of the sea, the wind tickle his suffocated skin, and her fingertips caressing the redness of his cheek ever-so-lightly.

Her smile was one that even he could not imagine-comforting, loving, welcoming. Everything that he had ever yearned for in his life was found standing before him on that warm summer night.

And with that, she took his hand and led him to continue their walk, as if they were any other couple. His mask dangled by his fingertips at his side.

They were two outcasts, two pariahs, who did not belong in the world. But they certainly belonged together.