CHAPTER IS REALLY SHORT! SRRY IF U GUYS DONT LIKE IT... ILL WORK ON IT MORE LATER! ENJOY:-/
Guilt still stirred in the pit of her heart. For once in her life, she'd done something she'd wanted, something dangerous and thrilling, even scandalous. Her heart skipped a beat at this thought.
"Raoul, you should leave as soon as you're well. No use staying here, if you must pursue Christine. I'll pack your things."
Meg laced on a blue dress, buttoned up her shoes, and moved toward Raoul's small pouch she'd found in his cloak. It held a small gold wedding band, a shot gun, and a small amount of money.
"Why not come with me, Meg? You could help me find her and… and…" Raoul fell short, and Meg knew he realized what he was saying.
"And what, you go back to her? I'm not going to be a whore, you know Raoul! My mother would never forgive me for what I've done."
Meg's words seemed to slip past Raoul. A sweet smile was upon his face and his hand was held out for Meg. She took it, feeling like a little girl once more, with a childhood sweetheart at her side.
"Raoul, even at the opera house… I always loved you just a little… Once I was even jealous of Christine…" Meg whispered, giggling a little.
Raoul laughed to and kissed her once more. Meg accepted, but a feeling she couldn't explain ran through her. It felt like a warning, but she took no heed of it. She had her lover to think of.
Christine sat up, awakening rapidly from a nightmare. Sweat ran down her cheek and her hair felt tangled, like a bush of knots. Just a moment before, in the nightmare, Erik had taken advantage of her, something he would never have done. He'd never slap her, all the while trying to remove her clothing with cold hands that harmed her. It chilled her heart, still hearing the menacing laugh he'd issued in her mind.
"I can't wait forever Christine…"
"Erik, wake up," she whispered, shaking him.
Erik lay tangled up in a sheet, looking dreadful as though he hadn't gotten a night's rest.
"What is it?" he said, up at the tone of her voice: frightened and apprehensive.
"Erik, I…"
No, she couldn't tell him about it.
"What is it Christine?"
'What if he got an idea…" she thought, shivering slightly.
"It's nothing; I just thought we should get up. Nearly midday!"
With much false happiness in her tone, Christine flung back the hangings and slipped on her robe. Daylight drifted in lazily. Outside the inn they resided in, a few town folk bustled about, wheeling in carriages. A couple walked past, arm in arm with rosy cheeks and smiles. Christine's heart ached with longing. Their love looked so innocent. The man stroked lightly at his lover's cheek, pleased as a blush crept up her porcelain cheeks. How could the fire in Erik's heart ever simmer long enough to give her the sweet love she longed for?
"Kiss me once, please, Erik," Christine whispered, turning toward her love.
Erik looked confused, but slipped off the bed and began a deep, slow kiss. In her mind, everything was filled with ecstasy, but her heart quivered with some faraway hope that the kiss would have been different. With a thrust push, she was separated from Erik. His eyes grew hurt, almost crying out with apologies.
"Christine…"
Christine couldn't be sympathetic; no matter if it was her fault he was baffled. Something was changing her. Did she want the tender love like the young couple, or the fiery passion Erik was trying to supply? Her heart was torn.
"What is the matter? I've tried to treat you well, but you've been acting strangely for a while," Erik explained, an uncharacteristic seriousness glazing over his face.
"All I ask is every waking moment turn my head with thoughts of summer time! Say you need me with you…" Christine sang, her thoughts burning a hole in her heart.
She slid on top of Erik and kissed him tenderly, so soft that he shivered from shock. He returned the tenderness, gently caressing her hair. Love burst gleefully into their hearts, as it had never before.
Meg sighed, sitting straight on the seat of an open carriage. The glorious sun sprayed warm rays upon her fair skin. She felt glamorous and amazing, with a pearl white dress and a large diamond upon her finger. All of these riches were given to her by Raoul, who sat beside her, with his arm around her waist.
"Dear Raoul, how glorious your life must be!" she remarked, beaming at the man beside her.
Raoul smirked, full of cockiness. Feeling just as attractive, he knew how much Meg was enjoying herself.
'Last night makes her worth every penny,' he thought, trying not to laugh.
Twirling a golden lock from Meg's head, he gazed down at the girl. Her full bosom was enticing and her slender legs were alluring. Such fairness made him realize how much more appealing she was than Christine's dark features. He slid his hand down her back, caressing the tender flesh. Meg seemed smiled. The smile was perfect as it could have ever been. Raoul's arousal was growing ever faster.