Chapter Thirty-nine - Still Room Enough For Two

She heard him catch his breath sharply as her lips travel from his temple to his chin, then brushed the corner of his mouth.

He pushed her away gently, the cape half slipping off her shoulders.

When he stood, he moved his hand as if to cover his face again. But he did not, nor did he ask her again for the mask.

He walked to the edge of the landing, the wind ruffling his shirt.

"Your mother," he said in a low voice, "I'm certain she is…that she is all right. It shouldn't be difficult for you to find her."

Meg eased forward onto her knees and looked up at him.

His clothes…like hers…were rumpled and smudged with dirt. His hair, free from the dark wig, was wild…a light brown touched with early gray.

He destroyed his world…for her…where will he go?

"Leave the mask and take that bag with you. The money from the managers…much of it is there."

For the second time, she defied him. She rose and, coming beside him, took his arm.

"Let go with you."

He turned on her so suddenly, shrugging off her arm and catching her shoulders.

But she gave him no chance to object, to refuse her. Her blue eyes met his without wavering.

"I am going with you, Erik."

The room was small, high in the garret of a cheap boarding house. The thick old wallpaper was faded that its pattern was indiscernible.

There was a single small window above the head of the bed. A dull gray mirror hung opposite it.

A threadbare blanket was spread across the bed. A patch of morning sunlight shone on it.

The stocky patroness had kept her eyes averted from Erik's face and scowled at Meg as she took payment for the room.

She made it clear that they were hardly welcome and that nothing else was included or to be expected for the price.

"At least it's clean," Meg muttered wearily as she laid Erik's cloak over the broken chair next to the bed.

As narrow as the bed was, there was still enough room for two and they fell asleep, her head nestled against his neck.