Author's Notes: Sorry for the delay. I was full of assignments, because, believe it or not, in my country the scholar year has not finished yet. The rating of the story has been changed because of somesuggestions and imagery.If you see too many grammar mistakes, it is because my beta is very busy,but it will be corrected very soon! Anyway, thank you for your reviews, I appreciate them a lot! And I have to give special thanks to Christine Erik, because she has read all what I've published, in Spanish and in English. Well, please go on and enjoy!

Chapter 6 – Passion in the Wings of a Swan.

"Wake up, wake up,

please hear to my voice.

Morning stirs,

And calls you to the sunlight…"

I heard, as I felt someone touching my shoulder softly. "Ellen, my love, it is time to wake up. A new day awaits for you."

I opened my eyes and looked around. I saw Erik in front of me, staring at me with a tender sight. As he caressed my face, I turned around and continued sleeping.

"No, no, drowsy girl. It is not time to sleep. I know you are tired, but you have classes today," he said.

I smiled and opened my eyes again. He sounded so paternal. I just could imagine my own father waking up little Elli to go to school. I realized that I had slept in his lair. I was lying in a bed with the shape of a swan. The magnificence of the design amazed me. Swans were my favourite animals. The bedspreads, made of red silk, gave my body a comfortable feeling. I was dressed in a sleeping gown, which seemed to be very old-fashioned.

"Good morning, sleeping beauty," he said, kissing my forehead.

"Good morning. How was your night?" I said, stretching my arms, and remembering that sad, yet joyful night. Passion carried us in its arms, taking us to the land of pleasure, to the land I had never went before. The land of the joys of the flesh, those I had not taste before, neither did him… I heard, for a moment, the song he sang me last night:

"Take me to the world of love,

The world of pleasure,

That one I have been missing long ago.

Let the passion burn our flesh.

Let us enjoy this.

Do not forget, I'm here to adore you…"

Bringing me down to earth, he said:

"Wonderful. Your presence brightens this whole world of darkness. Oh, wait a second, please," he said, walking far from the bed.

"Where are you going?" I asked.

"I have done some breakfast," he said. His voice echoed throughout the place.

"Thank you, you didn't have to…" I said.

"Who else deserves a delicious breakfast to start the day more than you?" he said, as he approached to the bed with a tray in his right hand.

I laughed, "Thank you," I said, while he placed the tray in the bed, and sitting at the edge of it. "Fruit salad! With plenty of oranges!" I said laughing once more.

"Yes. Where do you think I have been before talking to you? You talk so much that it is impossible not to know you."

"My friends say the same. What hour is it?"

"Seven o' clock. You have classes at ten, so I thought that waking you early was a good idea. We still have to talk, right?"

"Yep. Will you eat?" I said, finishing with a piece of orange.

"No, thanks for asking. So, what do you have to say?"

"What will I say to Sophia?"

"I was thinking about it, and I concluded that you should tell her the truth."

"All the truth?"

"Yes. She is your best friend, isn't she?"

"You are right, but I fear for her reaction,"

"Do not fear. She will understand you. She will know that you are under no risk with me."

"I know, but she will be as confused as I was before."

"So be sure to answer all her questions."

"I will try to be as clear as possible."

"But be sure that she will keep the secret."

"Yes. We can trust in her."

"But please promise me you will concentrate in all the things you have to do. Don't let this trouble you."

"I promise, if that makes you happy. Thank you very much for the breakfast."

"You don't have to thank me. Je t'aime, mon ange."

"Je t'aime aussi," I said, as placed my arms around his neck, and kissed him. After a while, he lost balance, falling over me and spilling all the food over the bed.

"Oh, God, how stupid I am! Please pardon me!" he said, jumping out from the bed.

"Don't worry, anyway I have to take a bath." I said, laughing.

"Do you want to go to your room?" he said, calming down.

"Yes," I answered, getting out from the bed.

"I will go with you. Wait for me, I will get your clothes."

While I walked around, he raised my clothes. When he finished, we went up to my room. It was one of the main rooms, so it had a large bathroom. When we were there, I locked the door. I didn't want anyone to discover him there. Erik sat down in the bed, and I grabbed some clean clothes.

"I am going to take a bath now," I said.

"Ok, I will wait you here," he answered.

I entered the bathroom and stepped in front of a large mirror. I stared at my face. It was a disaster. My blonde hair was all messed up. The white sleeping gown was now orange. I tried to pull it off, but it was impossible. I thought for a moment, and I took the decision of asking Erik for help. I felt a little uncomfortable, but there was not other way of doing it. I opened the door, and I said:

"Erik, I…"

"What do you need?" he said. He was lying in the bed with his hands in his head.

"I need some help with this dress…" I said, timidly. He began to laugh loudly.

"Shut up, please! You will be discovered! Why do you laugh? Don't be mean!" I said.

He lowered his laughter, and said:

"Sorry, sorry, it's only that…" he giggled. "Oh, my little fool!"

I smiled, and said: "You will pay! Nobody calls me a fool!" I ran to the bed, and I acted as if I was striking him.

We started to laugh, and then, he said:

"Ok, ok, I'll help you."

I stood up, and so did he. He started untying the corset slowly. Suddenly, he began kissing and touching my neck.

"Erik, I… think it's not the right time… I have to get ready."

"Yes, you are right, sorry,"he said, as he continued.

When he had finish, I went to the bathroom, holding the dress against my chest. When I was inside, I got the dress off and went into the bathtub. I deposited the rose scent in the water, and closed my eyes.

While the scents made me feel enlightened, I thought about many things. The events of last night came slowly to my mind. I wondered about how many time was left before his parting. I wanted to make that time wonderful and unforgettable for him. I wanted to be devoted to him, to make whatever he desired. I wanted him to know all the things I thought he had never enjoyed. I would take him to the sea, to the forests, to meet the world…

When I had finished, I got ready. When I was going to open the door, Erik entered in the bathroom and said:

"Someone is knocking the door. Go and open, quick!"

"What will you do?" I asked him.

"I will hide here. They will not find me, I swear."

"Ok, but don't go away, please." I said, closing the door of the bathroom and opening the other one. It was Derek. He looked very worried.

"Hi, Derek. How are you," I said.

"Fine, thanks. Why didn't you open the door?" he asked.

"I didn't hear you, sorry. I was getting ready in the bathroom."

"Can I talk with you? It will not take too much, I promise."

"Ok, because I still have things to do. Sit down, please."

As we sat down on a pair of chairs, he said:

"Ellen, we all are very concerned with you. You are getting apart from us. It seems that we are no longer your friends. What's the matter with you?"

"I don't know. I'm sorry, really. I don't know what is happening to myself," I lied. "But I swear that I will put my feet on the ground. Everything is going to be normal."

"I hope so, because we miss your presence. David is almost getting crazy. You two were very good friends. We thought that you were going to end together, but we were wrong."

"I know he loves me, and… I love him too, but only as a friend. I don't want to be with him."

"You should consider it. He could die for you."

"But I don't want to be his girlfriend. It's only that I don't know how to tell him without hurting his feelings."

"He is a strong guy. He will understand. Please end with his false hopes."

"I will find the moment to talk with him."

"But soon, please. Think about him. If you need some help, just remember I am your friend."

"Ok, I will consider it. Thank you, Derek," I said, hugging him.

"Please promise me you will spend more time with us. Bye, Elli."

"I promise. Bye, Derek."

When he got out from my room, I locked the door again. Then, I went to open the bathroom's door. I entered, looking for Erik. Suddenly, I felt a hand in my shoulder. I turned around quickly, and saw Erik laughing.

"You look so pretty, mon ange. What did he wanted?"

"He told me that I have to spend more time with them."

"He's right. You are loosing your friends. I don't want to become a burden for you."

"You are not a burden! Come on, Erik. I know that I have to keep my friends."

"So pay attention to them."

"He said David was almost getting crazy with my absence."

"That fool? He could get crazy, but he will not have you!" he said, annoyed.

"Calm down, my angel. I am only yours. He is only a friend."

"Promise me that you will never change me for him."

"You know you are my only one, don't be so brainless!"

"Sorry, dear. I know you are mine."

"So why you make me promise that, if you can take it for granted."

"I am an idiot, I know."

"Yes, but you are my idiot." I said, kissing him.