First light found Raoul dressed, traveling bag packed, and his father at the door as promised. Raoul invited his father in for breakfast before they departed. The two ate quietly as most of the house still slept, except the cook, and the stableman. Once ready, horses properly fed and saddled, they left the house, mounted their steeds, galloping off towards the city. The crisp cold air giving rise to the frosty breath from both man and beast.
In half an hour's time, they were in front of the police office, where men had begun to gather. All had behaved pleasantly for Raoul the day previous, but a hushed reverence was obvious at the presence of the senior De Changy. He was known for his ruthlessness, and his power, none wanted to challenge it. He was fierce in all that he did. He supported what he believed in with great passion. That is why today, none were surprised to see him there.
"Good sir," the senior De Chagny called out to the officer in charge. "Are we ready to proceed?" He looked at his watch. "We shall give them until a quarter past, and then we will divide and conquer." The officer nodded. Several more men joined them until the group totaled twenty-five. Raoul's father pranced about on his horse impatiently, making the animal display his finest features through skillful jabs in his sides. Raoul rather despised the constant need his father had to show dominance…he was so unlike his father.
"We are ready." The officer signaled to the senior De Chagny. "Men, let me first thank you for your assistance yesterday with my son. This was a good first-course of action. Today, we will move backwards, starting with the perimeter of the city first, moving inward until we meet back here at 6:00 p.m. You will all be invited to join my family for dinner at the Starboard." The men looked at one another a bit bewildered. Only nobility or the very wealthy were permitted inside those doors. It gave them an added sense of urgency to do a thorough job for him today.
"Now, let us split into our assigned groups, where we might discuss details." They dismounted their horses, hitching them to posts and entered the cramped quarters of the police office to receive their assignments.
XXXXXX
Eric woke first, hearing movement in the streets. Morning light had not ventured around the thick curtains that still hung across the windows. He could smell freshly baking bread, and brewing coffee. It was an odd treat for him, and he savored it.
Christine lay in his arms, her leg casually draped across his knees, one arm above her head, the other wrapped loosely around his neck. How attached she had become in such a short while. He smiled to himself thinking that one day, this would seem common to him, an everyday occurrence. For now, he reveled in it.
Spending so many years alone, he never really looked forward to waking up in the morning, unless it was time for a lesson with Christine. He often slept late as he never retired early. He spent many nights just on the other side of the wall, or in the rafters above Christine's room, keeping a watchful eye over her. He sang to her when she cried, he whispered to her when she was afraid. Now she was at his side.
He gently caressed her cheek, brushing the brown curls away from her face. She looked angelic, and so comfortable that he hated to disturb her, but he knew he must. She had much powdering to do, and he much padding. He slipped from beneath her arm, resting both her leg and her hand on the bed.
He peeked out one corner of the curtain. He could see the men gathered in the streets, in groups of four. An officer looking down at a map pointing to each group with his arm, index finger extended. "They are starting on the edges of the city" Erik thought to himself "perfect.". The group was much smaller than he had anticipated, but it still concerned him that a third day of searching was underway. With no clues to work with, it was difficult to say why they continued to search in the city.
He turned around to see Christine stretching like a cat, yawning. She curled into a little ball and smiled at him, then began to giggle quietly. Erik could not take it…he returned to her side, scooping her up into his arms. She ran her arms up around his neck, and pushed him to his back. Playfully she climbed on top of his chest, kissing his neck, behind his ear, and finally placed a proper kiss on his lips. "Good morning my husband."
He smiled back at her, mumbling something inaudible under his breath. "Christine, why must you do this to me?" He said almost groaning and laughing at the same time. "Do what my love?" She said with a silly smirk on her face. Erik growled, grabbing Christine around the waist, rolling her to her back. "Christine, Christine, Christine…" Erik said her name in between each tender kiss, each one lasting a bit longer until their lips no longer parted. A warmth grew between them, each time changing into something more than lust, but rather into a song of love, of passion, of pent up emotions, of an indescribable ecstasy.
A gentle rap at the door startled them both, as they quickly pulled the sheets over their exposed flesh. "Dear Uncle, are you awake yet? Mother and I are preparing to go down for breakfast if you'd like to join us. It is a bit before seven, and I knew you'd be wanting to get an early start today." Meg paused, there was at first no response. She thought about knocking again, but then came a muffled "we'll be ready dear, you and your mother go ahead and go down." Meg smiled, the plan was already in place, now the real test would be the breakfast that awaited them in the rooms below.