Thanks a bunch to SloaneDestler, crawfordphantomluvr, Child of Dreams, Phantomgirl24, peanutpup, Pip and CO, Badpixie06, and phanrose for the lovely reviews!
Note: Initially this story was going to be 110 chapters - it is actually going to be 100, as I had to cut some extraneous content out because it didn't flow nicely. I also said in the last chapter's note that Erik's chapters will be shorter - I went back and edited this out because, in looking at my plans again, his chapters may still be as lengthy as Christine's, if not longer. It was really only chapter 70 that was short.
Anyway, enjoy!
Christine
Chapter 72
The Decision
Erik had an extremely difficult time letting go of our embrace as we stood in Nadir's parlor. He was leaving me here with the Daroga, as Ibrahim was to attend the execution of The Lotus, to watch along with the Shah.
"I love you," I whispered as he held me tightly. Nadir was in his study, letting us have our privacy.
"I don't want to do it," he said softly.
"I know."
After a time, Erik unwrapped his arms from around me. He put both hands on either side of my face; even with his mask, I could see his misery. His eyes told of how desperately he wanted to just stay with me. Slowly, he brought his lips down to my forehead, pressing them there for a while, and finally let me go. With one last regretful look, he left the house to meet Ibrahim and the guards on his walk back to the palace.
Stomach sinking at his absence, I took a seat on one of Nadir's plush couches and merely stared down at my hands.
After about ten minutes, Reza appeared with Parvana. I greeted them both. She bowed her head to me and took a seat across from us as Reza caned his way over to me. He placed a hand on the couch's seat.
"Can I sit?"
I smiled at him, though he couldn't see it. "Of course."
He put his cane down and found his place next to me.
"Christine?"
"Yes, Reza?"
"Father said that Erik wrote to your father." His legs started swinging; he had his head down, as though in thought. "And he said that he sent the letter to him."
"Yes." I stared at him. "Did...is there any response? Do you know?"
"Oh, I don't know." Reza shrugged; he inclined his head a bit toward me. "But does that mean you will go soon?"
I paused, then looked down. "I don't know, Reza. I think it depends on...on if my father is alive or not."
"What if he is not alive?"
My heart contracted. "Then I might have to stay here for longer."
He considered this. "I don't want your father to be dead, but...I don't want you to go. Will Erik go, too?"
"I don't know, Reza. It - it all depends, all right?"
I didn't mean to sound impatient - actually, I wasn't - but my uncertainty and anxiety about the situation was making my tone a bit sharper than I meant it to be.
"Sorry," he said softly. His legs stopped swinging.
I sighed. "It's all right. It's not a problem."
He nodded, then seemed to brighten. "Father bought a set of books; he's been reading them to me. He never used to do that. I really like it."
"Oh?" I looked toward the direction of the study. I remembered Ibrahim's words - that Nadir would sell his own son if it meant avenging his wife. "That's very nice, Reza."
"Yes." He paused. "Can you read?"
"I can."
"Father bought some books in French. Can you read one to me?"
I smiled; that, actually, sounded quite nice. "Yes, of course."
He hopped down from the couch and spoke to his nanny. She nodded, stood, and walked with him from the room. Five minutes later, he arrived with a book.
"The Count of Monte Cristo," I read when the novel was in my hand. I'd heard of this story; though I was unsure it was entirely suitable for children. "It's an adventure story."
"It's very fun!" He sat next to me again.
"Yes - does your father approve of me reading this to you?"?"
"I got it from the study - he gave it to me for you to read."
I nodded. If Nadir was fine with it, then- "Where did you leave off?" I opened the pages.
"The beginning of chapter two."
"All right." I read aloud. "Chapter two. Father and son..."
I read to him for an hour or so - I myself was getting wrapped up in the story. He'd laid his head on my arm halfway through - but at the end of the hour, he'd fallen asleep. It was, after all, dark outside, and I couldn't imagine that a boy of six stayed up very late.
I stopped reading and looked at Parvana, who was smiling lovingly at Reza. She nodded to me, went to him, and picked him up along with his cane. She said something to me, and I assumed it was goodnight. I waved to her before she turned and walked him out.
When they'd gone, I dived back into the story, genuinely intrigued as to what might happen next. I was stirred from my small escape when a knock sounded at the open parlor door. I looked up to see Nadir standing in the doorway. Quickly, I closed the book and stood.
"No need to stand, Christine," he said softly. His face was calm. "I am, actually, coming in here to speak with you." True to his word, he went to where Parvana had just been and sat. He gestured with an open-faced palm for m to sit as well. I obliged.
"Thank you," he said, "for reading to Reza."
"Of course."
"He cares for you."
I smiled softly. "Thank you."
"And Erik."
"Yes."
"More than he cares for me, I think."
I looked down. I had no idea about that - but even if I did, it was certainly not my place to say.
"Christine."
I brought my eyes to his again. "Yes?"
"I am genuinely sorry for my behavior as of late."
My face reddened a bit. This conversation made my stomach flip; little doubt as to why. "It's all right-"
"No," he said, "it's not." He cupped his hands together in his lap, watching me through his spectacles. "I am still concerned about your relationship with him-"
"He said he would finish the-" I whispered, but he stopped me.
"Please, Christine, do not interrupt. Allow me to finish."
I nodded, cheeks growing hotter.
"I understand," he continued, "that Erik will complete the chamber. I've seen his progress, and it truly does appear that his relationship with you is not hindering his ability to finish the...project." He inhaled. "I believe him when he says he will complete it. But now that I am no longer worried about that...well, there is something else that concerns me. Something that, I fear, may not be in your best emotional interests."
I stared at him, uncomfortable prickling at the back of my neck. Those words sounded very much like a repeat of... "Erik-" I swallowed. "Erik told me that he has a secret that might hurt me - that he can't reveal right away."
He paused, then nodded very slightly.
"Nadir."
"Christine."
"Is there something..." I said, barely above a breath, "something about Erik that I should know?"
He watched me for a while as I felt my heart hammer. Was this too far? A breach of his privacy? Or was it something that I had a right to know?
"The secret," he finally responded, "is not about entirely about Erik. It is more about the chamber he is designing - though Erik plays a role."
"Of course he does - he is designing it."
He pursed his lips. "There is more I wish to tell you, but Erik gave good reason as to why I shouldn't. So I won't." He looked down. "One thing I do want to say, however, is that I have...given it thought, and I already had a chance at love. At a - a full life, no matter how fleeting it was. I do, however you may doubt it, wish Erik well. I wish you well too. I would be willing to-"
A pounding at the door to Nadir's house. Nadir's normally serene face held an uncharacteristic alarm. He glanced at me. "Excuse me for a moment. I seem to have a very rude visitor. If it is Erik, finished with his execution, he needn't be so violent with my front door."
Nadir left the parlor for his foyer. I heard a bit of Persian conversation, which started soft but began to grow louder and more urgent. I looked at the doorway, waiting and watching, until the sound of heavy footsteps - several pairs - met my ears.
First came Nadir, wide-eyed but moving to the side of the room.
Then came Ibrahim. His expression, too, was uncharacteristic - domineering, serious, full of power. For the first time, he actually looked like a Grand Vizier.
I didn't like it.
I especially didn't like the four guards who followed and stood a meter behind him.
He raised his chin as his eyes rested on me. He spoke with tonal conviction in Persian. The guards behind him nodded.
Then he spoke in French.
"Rose, slave to the Angel of Death." His voice sent a chill down my spine, but when he winked quickly at me, I asked my heart to slow - Ibrahim was acting. Only acting. "Your master has chosen to insult the Shah, and will be punished until he has proven his loyalty once more. When that time comes, your services will be returned to him - but for now, your services will be transferred to me."
What?
What did he...I didn't think I heard right.
I wanted to ask him to repeat himself, but my rapid heartbeat took all the energy from the rest of my body and I felt weak.
Erik would be punished, he said. Had he said that? Had he-
The guards moved forward to lift me harshly from my seat. All of their backs were now turned to Nadir and Ibrahim. The Daroga, I saw, was stricken, staring at Ibrahim.
The Grand Vizier merely looked at me, face once more soft.
He mouthed the words 'Don't worry', sympathy stitched in every line of his face.
But all I could see or hear were the words he'd said before: will be punished.
Punished.
After everything Erik had already been through, I thought, as the guards moved me through the house, Ibrahim in the lead. After everything he'd been through, the world decided to pile on more.
Always more.
And not even I could keep my promises. I'd told him I'd never let myself part from him for a moment.
But the world had other ideas.
