Hey everyone thanks again for the reviews! This story probably only has a few more chapters to go…. Oh, this chapter is a little graphic…nothing drastic, but yes, it is sort of graphic. You were warned…Enjoy!
Christine's POV
The following morning, I wrapped my arms around Erik's body that was laying beside me, and sighed.
"You're awake." he murmured softly into his pillow.
"I've been awake." I sighed into his shoulder. "Been looking after you."
"You should have slept." he rolled over, and cupped my cheek. His face was so pale, and his eyes tired.
"You're weak."
"I'm fine." he assured.
"You need nourishment."
Just then the doors opened, and the same two Persian men came in to unshackle us. They pulled us to the dining room, where once again, the Khanum was awaiting our arrival.
"There's my two favorite corpses." she snarled, a huge smile glistening on her face. "I hope you slept well."
Her eyes moved directly to Erik.
"By the heavy smell of vomit that's fermenting all over your body, I could only take a wild guess as to what you were doing all night."
She snapped her fingers, and pointed to a door behind her.
"Go in there and get yourself cleaned up. I will not stand to be in the presence of someone who looks and smells like a vomit filled chamber pot."
I didn't want Erik to leave me alone with the Khanum, but what choice did he have? I sat there beside her, looking down at my hands, wondering when Erik was going to return.
"Tell me, Christine." she purred. "How do you control your corpse?"
"I don't know what you mean." I didn't dare make eye contact with her, who knows what she would do if I did.
"Your husband has to listen to you sometime or another does he not?"
"He loves me." my hands began to sweat, and my heart was pounding against my ears.
"And do you love him?"
"Of course. He's my husband."
A moment of silence occurred, and I wondered what she was going to say next. When she said nothing, I swallowed hard and broke the sudden silence that was actually peaceful to me.
"Would it be indecent of me to give some advice?"
I finally found the courage within me to make eye contact with the Khanum. I had expected her upper hand to hit me across the face, but she seem interested in what I had to say.
"What makes you think that the Khanum of Persia needs advice from a poor girl like yourself?"
"It's about my husband. If you expect him to keep working for you, I would advise that you give him food he can actually eat. He's weak, and if he goes to work like that your kingdom will never come out the way you want it to."
"Food? That's your advise?"
I only nodded, too afraid to see the outcome if I said anything more.
"Perhaps you're right."
It was then that Erik came walking back out, his dark hair soaked to the bone, and his body clean. He took a seat across from me, and folded his bandaged hands.
"Your wife has given me some good advise, corpse." she taunted. "She says in order for you to perform your job, you need food."
The Khanum snapped her fingers, and her men immediately brought our breakfast; Erik's consisting of applesauce and a glass of water. Finally. She really had listened to my advice.
"But your wife did something she shouldn't have done. She back talked me, corpse. Your wife spoke to me when she shouldn't have spoken. She needs to be punished."
God! What have I done?
"Stand up!"
I was frightened, but tried to keep calm as both Erik and I did as we were told and stood up from our seats. The Khanum demanded that Erik approach me, which he did. I was so close to him, that I could hear his heart pounding against his chest. He wasn't the only one who was frightened.
"You see, Christine." the Khanum mocked. "there are rules, and you will know these rules just as your corpse has come to know them. When rules are broken, then punishment must be given."
The Khanum folded her hands across her chest, and smiled before giving out her demand.
"Corpse, I want you to slap your wife right across her pretty little face."
What ever color was left in Erik's face vanished, leaving him lifeless. He didn't want to hurt me, but I knew what would happen if he didn't.
"Khanum…I…"
"Slap her! Slap her right now!"
Erik's teary eyes lined with mine, his soul begging me to forgive him for what he was about to do. His boney hand rose from his side, trembling from every limb. It came at me so fast, that it was over before I could even wince. It hurt, oh how his hand making contact with my cheek stung like the sting of a thousand bees. I cried. I couldn't hold back the tears that wanted to come. When the Khanum told us to be seated once more, I took my seat, only to look over at Erik who was staggering to his, a hand placed directly over his heart. No! Please don't let an attack overtake him now. My tears were caused by him and it had hurt his heart.
"Time is money, corpse!" she yelled. "Breakfast is over!"
I believed she had been upset with her entertainment, hence her sudden attitude. I was sent back to my chamber, while Erik was sent to work. My husband, my poor husband had to work knowing that he had caused me such pain. I laid there for a while sobbing into my pillow, and rethinking about Erik's wants. He wanted to move away from Coney Island to a secluded place outside of New York. I didn't care anymore, I would go anywhere he led. All I wanted was to be free and back with my son. After a few more loud sobs, I heard the door to my chamber open, only to think that one of the Khanum's men were coming in. But when I rolled over, it was actually Erik! He came walking in, carrying his drawings in hand. I wasted no time in jumping into his arms and pulling him onto the bed with me.
"Erik." I cried his name as my lips crashed against his. He had to know that I wasn't upset with him. Our kiss was filled with such passion, such love, so much devotion. I pulled away only when I tasted the saltiness of tears; his tears.
"My love, please don't cry." I begged. "I'm not mad at you."
"I..I hurt you, Christine."
"You had to."
His hand cupped my sore cheek lovingly, and I winced at the sudden pain. His lips kissed every morsel of flesh that covered it, kissing away the pain I was feeling.
"Erik is sorry. He had to come see you to make sure you were ok."
"Yes, I'm fine."
I sat up, and took the drawings out of Erik's hand. They were absolutely beautiful in everyway; just as beautiful as the last set.
"Perhaps the Khanum will likes these ones better."
"I think they're beautiful."
My husband smiled, and began massaging the flesh around my ankle. The shackle was certainly becoming something I loathed more than anything.
"Christine, there's something I must tell you."
"Anything."
"If the Khanum enjoys my drawings when they're presented to her, she's going to celebrate, and if she does, there's no telling what she'll want to do. She always had a weird way of doing things. But know that no matter what happens, I never meant to do any of it to you."
I pressed my lips to his, and nodded.
"I know. And I the same."
Erik pressed me down on the mattress, and began to ravish me with kisses. I didn't care what the Khanum had in store for us, we were together now and that's all that mattered to me. I pulled the patched up blanket over our bodies, as I pleasured his sore neck with my kisses.
He sighed at my touch, and ran his bandaged fingers through my hair. My lips traveled from his neck down to the open area of his shirt, kissing his heartbeat as it fluttered against my lips.
Just then, the door opened, and we were cut off by one of the Persian men grabbing us, and pulling us back out to the dining room where the Khanum was seated. My hair was a mess from when Erik and I were kissing, and I knew this wasn't going to be a good evening. Right when the man whispered into the Khanum's ear, I knew what he was telling her. The Khanum didn't say a word, and snatched the drawings out of Erik's hands. For several minutes, we sat there in silence as she looked through them over and over again. I only hoped she wasn't going to ask for my opinion.
"Seems as though that apple sauce really did the trick." she replied, continuing to flip through the drawings. "These are better than the ones you gave me yesterday."
"Then it's to your liking?" Erik questioned.
"Yes, I love them. You've done a wonderful job, corpse. You can start building it tomorrow."
"I haven't built things such as that in over ten years." he confessed. "My body is incapable of such labor. I was told it be the death of me."
The Khanum laughed, and slid Erik back his drawings.
"You look fine to me, corpse. Tomorrow you will begin work on my park."
"But…"
"No buts!" she roared. "You're the best mason Persia has ever known. How dare you defy my word!"
Erik placed his face into his hands, and groaned.
"You know, corpse, don't think that I don't know what you and your wife were doing in your chamber. My man caught you. He said the both of you were under the covers going wild at one another's bodies."
"We kiss." I blurted out. "Don't all couples?"
"Silence! Don't make me punish you again!"
I quickly shut my mouth, and wiped my sweaty palms on the hem of my dress.
"You know, corpse, I would enjoy seeing how one such as yourself kisses a woman."
"Like any other man." Erik straightened himself up in his chair. I knew he too was feeling a bit uneasy.
"Well then, let's have it."
Erik's eyes moved from the table to my face. She wanted us to kiss in front of her.
"I…I don't think it's nessesar…"
"Enough! Kiss her! Kiss your wife! I want to see the living corpse kiss a woman!"
My husband stood up in his chair, and approached me. This was so embarrassing, we were acting as if we were brother and sister, being forced to act out as lovers. Erik was a wonderful lover, but things have defiantly taken a turn for the worst with this request. Our chests leaned up against each others, his hand cupping my cheek.
"Now kiss her! Kiss her like you've never kissed her before!"
I was expecting a passionate kiss like any other time, but Erik simply placed his lips over mine and then pulled away.
"What the hell sort of kiss was that!" the Khanum thundered. "Do it right this time!"
Soon, Erik's lips were over mine again in a much needed passionate kiss. His lips feverishly meshed with mine, his tongue intertwining with my own. I pushed towards him to deepen the kiss, only to hear him groan.
"That's more like it!" she laughed. "So disgusting, yet so entertaining."
Once we sat back down, the Khanum handed Erik a glass of water, which he nervously gulped down.
"So tell me, corpse, when's the last time you've pleasured yourself?"
"I don't." Erik pushed the empty glass away, and concentrated on his hands.
"You did me good, corpse, which is why I'm going to reward you."
"I don't need a reward."
"Don't speak when you're not asked to!" she snarled. "I say you're getting a rewarded! Tell me, corpse, what is the one thing you desire above anything else?"
"To be free from you." he sarcastically replied.
The Khanum laughed loudly, before slamming her fist down onto the table.
"No, don't lie. I know how you yearn to make Christine your own. I could only imagine how badly your body wants to be released by her. Yes, my corpse, I know what it would mean to you to make love to a woman."
Yes, Erik and I had made love countless times over the extent of our marriage, but I only thanked god she didn't know that.
"You know damn well that a corpse can only love a corpse."
"I can put a bullet through her head if you would prefer her that way." The Khanum evilly suggested.
The room got silent, as I kept my watch over Erik. For some strange reason, he seemed to be acting strangely. He was calm just moments ago, but now his fist were clenching the ends of the table, and his eyes were sealed shut. What was happening to him.
"Ah, I see it's working."
"What's working?" I yelled out.
The Khanum didn't seem to mind that I had spoken out of tongue, and went on to explain what was happening with a smile.
"My corpse didn't tell you?" she teased.
"Tell me what?"
"I'm a magician, you see. My first trick was when I made the corpse's body yearn for a corpse. Would you like to know how I did it?"
I wasn't sure what to say, but nodded.
As soon as I did so, her hand slapped me across the face.
"No, my dear, a magician never reveals his secret."
As I still watched Erik, I noticed that he was now running his fingers through his hair. What was wrong with him!
"Anyway, Christine, my second trick is making him yearn for you. Yes, any moment now, he is going to need you."
"What are you talking about?"
Erik slammed his fists down on the table, and groaned out something I thought I would never hear.
"She's drugged me!"
The Khanum pulled me closer to her, enjoying her current entertainment.
"Not with just anything, my sweet corpse. It's a special aphrodisiac serum made by the finest potion maker in all of Persia. The same serum that I slipped you right before you made love to that corpse."
"Aphrodei-what?"
The Khanum laughed at my stupidity, and threw me right towards Erik, causing the both of us to tumble over and land on the floor. I was laying right on top of Erik, not knowing a thing on what the Khanum was talking about. That was until I felt the hardness in Erik's trousers.
"Christine, please forgive me." my husband pleaded as if he knew what was about to happen.
"Erik?"
Before either of us could say a word, both him and I were grabbed, and taken back to our chamber. I had thought us to be getting dropped off for the night, but when I felt our clothes being torn away from our bodies, I knew something wasn't right. Our chamber was now filled with about five other men along with the Khanum who was standing near the door.
"Make sure they're both completely nude!" I heard her command.
Once my dress and undergarments were stripped from my body, I was thrown onto the bed right before Erik was thrown on top of me. As soon as his body hit mine, he gathered to his knees to take away some of the unbearable weight. His chest was heaving against mine, and I could only imagine what was going to happen now.
"So my love, this is your chance." the Khanum purred. "Time to finally fulfill what you've always wanted."
"I..I don't want to do this." he pleaded, trying to move off the bed. "Please, I'd rather not."
When Erik tried to touch the floor, one of the Khanum's men threw him back on top of me, the hardness of him pressing against my leg. I was scared, but tried to stay as calm as I could.
"You know what's going to happen if you don't make love to something. You'll be in the worst agony until your loins get the pleasure they so need. Now don't make this harder than it already is. Just make love to your wife."
But Erik didn't obey, he violently pushed the man aside, and grabbed his trousers.
"I won't do this to my wife in front of the likes of you!"
The Khanum smiled, and threw my dress at me.
"Very well then, I'm going to enjoy this more than seeing you make love to your wife."
I didn't know what she meant by her evil comment, but moments later, Erik was dragged out of our chamber by two men right after one shackled my leg. I ran to the door, and pounded on it, pleading them to leave my husband alone. God, this was all my fault! Why! Why didn't he just make love to me? Who knows what the Khanum was ordering her men to do at this very second. I threw on my dress, and laid down in bed, waiting for Erik to return. I counted the minutes as they went by. When the door of my chamber opened again, it had to have been at least a half an hour since the last time I seen him. He came stumbling in wearing nothing but his long white shirt, and could hardly walk. After a shackle was placed back around his ankle and the man who brought him in left, Erik gently sat down on the bed.
"Erik?" I slowly sat up behind him, and massaged his shoulders. He looked to be in agony, but there wasn't a scratch on him.
"Oh, Christine." he groaned. "Please just let me be for the time being."
"Here, let me get your trousers." I got off the bed to grab them, when he stopped me.
"No, don't even show me those goddamn things."
I was so confused. What was going on? Where had the Khanum taken him, and what had she done to him?
"Erik, why didn't you make love to me?"
"What? And embarrass you? Never!" his sudden screech had caused another episode of agony to course through his midsection, for he grabbed hold of it with his hands gently.
"Erik, what did she do to you?"
"I should have known she was going to slip me something. She did it before….But I was so thirsty. How was I to resist?"
"What are you talking about?"
"Haven't you ever wondered how I the Khanum got my body to yearn and lust for the corpse's?"
Yes, I had wondered, but never thought it to be important.
I shrugged my shoulders, completely dumbfounded by how she had done such a thing.
"She slipped me some kind of aphrodisiac serum."
"What's that?"
"Aphrodisiac is…" he paused, feeling another agonizing jolt enter his body. "Christine, could we perhaps continue this laying down? My body is…"
"Yes!" how thoughtless of me to drill him while he was in such agony. I moved him onto the bed, and threw a blanket over his body as he made himself comfortable.
"Better?" I asked.
"Hand me that pillow." he was motioning to one of the many pillows that were laying on the floor, wondering why he needed an extra one.
"What do you need with this?"
"To put it between my legs."
I gasped, and quickly placed it in his hands. My poor poor husband, what had they done to him?
"Aphrodisiac is something that heightens sexual desire. She slipped it into my drink back when I lived in Persia just so I could perform on the dead girl. She did the same tonight to try and make me perform on you. In order for the feeling of such desire to go away, one must make love or be pleasured."
My lips placed themselves over Erik's, wondering how the Khanum had rid the serum from my lover's body.
"Erik, tell me what she did to you?"
Erik's eyes filled themselves with tears, and he looked down at the sheets, too embraced and hurt to tell me.
"Erik?"
"She beat me."
"Beat you?" I didn't understand. What did he mean "She beat him?"
"Yes, beat me….down there….until the pain took away my desire and lust for you."
I held Erik's body close to mine, and kissed him, hoping to take away all the agony he was feeling. My husband had suffered so much. When were we truly going to be happy at last? How did the Khanum expect Erik to build her an amusement park when he was beaten and sore?
"Erik, tell me how to make you feel better?"
My husband closed his eyes, and lay there completely still, too sore to move a muscle.
"Here, let me work on you."
My lips found there way from his neck, all the way down his chest, savoring every part of flesh that they moved over. His body relaxed under my touch, and I continued to kiss every part of him, his legs, his thighs, his stomach, arms, hands. Nothing was left untouched by me. If Erik was to be my savior, than I was to be his.
"Christine, I love you." were the words that escaped his lips.
"Me too, more than you'll ever know."
I rested my head into his chest, and closed my eyes. I was indeed tired, and I knew Erik was as well.
"Sleep well, my angel, perhaps tomorrow will be a better day."
I was trying to stay on the bright side of things, but I knew the Khanum's punishments would only get worse and worse.
"Night, Christine." were the final words that escaped his lips right before the both of us fell into a deep and mercifully sleep.
"Ok everyone, I promise happyniess is coming soon. There are actually only a few more chapters left of this story, and since you've all been such faithful readers, I am going to leave it up to you. I want to know what you all want added into this story before it ends. If there is anything you would like to see happen, please let me know before I post the next chapter. I love you all, you make this story happen! Thanks, and I look forward to reading your reviews and requests!
