A/N: Yet another short chapter...sigh...sorry. But it all comes to me in spurts. Also, I lose motivation with a loss of comments/critques (both of which I welcome eagerly). This chapter made Erik happy, I hope it does the same for the reader. But, what is to come?
Christine smiled, an otherworldly sense of calm adorning her features, and rose. I quickly followed suit, my fingers interlaced with hers- I would never grow accustomed to the pleasure that was her touch. I still had no idea of what lay ahead, deciding it was to my best interest and the protection of my heart, to have no expectations, and relish every instance of physical contact.
To hold a woman's hand, to kiss the back of her palm, was considered a mere custom by polite society. Surely, that insipid Vicomte took the liberty with every gentlewoman who made his acquaintance; and did not grant the gesture any underlying significance. But, to a man like myself-were there any other unfortunates out in the world cursed from birth, as I- any caress, even the unintentional sweep of another's hair against my tingling skin, was an intoxicating and wholly new experience.
Without sharing another word, we began to make our departure from the stain-glass covered chapel. Our steps seemed to synchronize all on their own, so that it sounded as if only one unfulfilled pilgrim had stolen into the night to seek his savior's guidance, then quietly leaving with the satisfaction of having found the consolation sought. Perhaps, I had even felt a vestige of God's grace that night. I will never be sure.
As we once again neared the massive doors, Christine pivoted, causing us both to face the magnificent altar ahead. I looked forward, but grew distracted by the comforting warmth oozing from her palm.
"Erik, I wish to make you a promise, here, at this spot, so there will be no room for doubt in your mind as to my sincerity." She gulped down hard, bringing us face to face by the lifting of our hands to form a barrier between us. Holding me as a willing prisoner to her eyes, she continued on in an unwavering voice, "If you will trust me, if you will let me show you how to live, I promise you, Erik, I will marry you in this very church a year from this night. Let me in, and I will be a good and loving wife to you."
Awed by her sacrificial vow, I sank to my knees as a supplicant and pressed my forehead to the delicious softness of her stomach. She bent her own head, and I was granted the whisper of rich auburn curls tracing my cheeks. There, wordlessly, I gave her all of my pain, my secrets, and whatever parts of my soul that she did not already possess.
Only when I had safely deposited her at the door of her dressing room did we again exchange words.
"Tomorrow evening, then? My lesson?" The poignant shyness of a searching child made her tone tremble.
"Yes, tomorrow evening, Christine." After kissing her cheek- yet another new and enthralling pleasure- I reluctantly turned on my heel and traveled towards the familiar solitude of my home, Though one might assume that it was a restless night due to the happenings of the evening, I believe I enjoyed the first night in several years without the plague of childhood nightmares.