A/N - Me again! This might seem like an odd place to leave off, but I try to make each chapter only about three pages long. This was getting into the forth page and this was the best stopping point I could find.
Please continue to give me reviews! They fuel my creativity.
Oh, and I know he just seems to be getting worse and worse. But I promise there will be balance. It just has to find it's way in.
Elizabeth slept again. It really seemed quite odd to Erik, how often she had done that since finding her way to his lair less than a day ago. He had little respect for the ebb and tide of time, however, and in his realm it was always nighttime. She had drifted off huddled beside of the sleeping figure she had rescued from his grip in the hours before, but Erik had roused her and insisted she move to the other bedroom.
"It's not proper," he had mocked her, driving her from Nicholas' sleeping form. Now, however, he regretted that decision as the poor boy started hacking heavily. Erik knew that if he were not lifted to a sitting position soon, he would quite possibly choke on the matter trying to dislodge from his lungs, and die.
Decisions, decisions. Erik glanced towards the room Elizabeth had sequestered herself in. He would wake her. It was her pity that caused the situation anyway. A brisk stride brought him to the doorway quickly and he peered in at her. Even in her sleep she trembled, and her face was quite pale. At the very least, she would catch quite a cold from this encounter as well. With no one about to catch him in an act of tenderness, Erik allowed himself to enter the room and swaddle the sleeping girl-child in another heavy blanket. No, he could not wake her. She needed rest - and she was his after all.
In the other room, that damnable coughing continued - disrupting the silent speculation Erik was enthralled in. He tore himself from her side and left her to peaceful slumber.
"Sit up," he called from the doorway where Nicholas' lay. Obviously, Nicholas did little to respond. "You'll choke to your death, boy.." Erik muttered in a vicious tone. Still no response. Erik cursed, and stepped into the room. It wasn't until he had looped a single arm about the boys shoulders, helped him to a sitting position long enough to regain his breath, and then lowered him to the pillow once more that his gaze fell upon the face before him.
Erik recoiled in horror, even as Nicholas struggled to find consciousness. No, no, no. It couldn't be! Another child, cursed just as he was. What horrid wretch had fallen into his traps!
Nicholas looked up blearily, his vision swimming. "MmBeth?" His words were slurred.
"Sleeping," Erik hissed, and then wondered why he bothered with an answer at all. The masculine tone struck within Nicholas' mind sharply, shattering (at least for the moment) all of the bleakness that crowded his mind and vision. He attempted to sit up, but failed miserably. Instead, he glanced quickly upwards at Erik.
"You!" He called, with a hint of recognition. Erik was taken aback. It had been easy enough to play along with Elizabeth. He had found her in his own dreams as well, and could only surmise through her responses to him that they had shared similar thoughts through the night. He could not place this young man or his distorted face, however, and was not inclined to pretend. How did he know him, anyway?
"Who are you?" Erik demanded, a wave of fury suddenly gripping him. He was at Nicholas' throat in as little as a thought, his fingers curled threateningly about it. Nicholas's eyes went wide initially, and then settled into a glower.
"Nicholas," he spat, angry even in his weakness. "You've been... torturing.. my.. she.. Elizabeth."
"You are her brother?" A single name was not much to go on. Erik struggled to put the pieces together.
"No," Nicholas replied, suddenly finding each word painful because of the biting in his chest.
"A cousin, perhaps?" Amusement flickered across the dark face above him, and Nicholas realized for the first time that Erik was mildly... insane.
"No," Nicholas managed again - the expression that crossed his face when he attempted to find a word to put upon the relationship betwixt himself and Elizabeth not being lost to Erik.
Suddenly a dark and smug grin crossed the masked man's face.
"You love her," he taunted, using that familiar tone that dizzied Elizabeth. It seemed to echo within Nicholas' mind, and he did not care for it. He shook his head to rid himself of the voice.
"Everything becomes crystal clear now," Erik murmured again, tightening his grip. Nicholas gasped, his arms flailing against the covers that Elizabeth had so expertly bound him in.
"She belongs to me," Erik growled in a menacing tone. He would have proceeded to kill him without another thought, were it not for the voice which called to him from behind.
"Master! No! We have a pact, you and I. If you kill him, then I am free.." Through the panic that ensued her still groggy mind, Elizabeth found the words to ensnare him.
Erik made an animal-like sound of disgust and released Nicholas. Elizabeth rushed into the room and would have thrown herself atop the mound of covers if he had permitted. Erik caught her about the waist in a fluid motion, crushing her to him instead.
"Ah, but you're right my little pet. You will not touch him, however, as the little rat seems to love you." Erik chuckled darkly into her ear, mildly nuzzling against the fragrant curls he was so fond of.
Nicholas had finally gotten free from the covers, but found his limbs nearly useless. He could scarcely move.
"Evil bastard," he breathed at his father. In his worry and anger, Nicholas had completely forgotten that this cruel creature before him had created him inside of his mother's womb. Erik, for the moment, was delightfully busy holding the squirming Elizabeth within his arms. The distortion was oddly familiar, yes, but he would never make the connection on his own. He had only ever loved one woman, in that way, and she had left him. She would have told him of a child.
The insults only seemed to fuel the strange and maniacal ego of the one in control. He murmured in Elizabeth's ear, though his gaze lifted to mock the boy on the bed as he spoke lewdly.
"Really, my dear.." Erik hissed, in that tone that made Elizabeth quiver. "It has been as many years as you have been alive since I've.. known a woman. Your wiggling is quickly tearing away at my resolve."
Elizabeth stilled immediately, her pale complexion flushing a deep red. Erik admired the way the crimson crept along the swell of her breasts and along her chest - easily displayed in the neckline of the gown she had donned. His words had their desired effect - on both parties. Nicholas seethed with an obvious hatred for him, and Elizabeth had stalled all the silly wrestling.
"Do you require anything, Monsieur?" Erik quipped at Nicholas then, even as he stroked at Elizabeth's hair as though she were a pet indeed. His voice was thick with mock hospitality. The young man shook his head, vowing to himself that the moment his strength returned he would kill the beast before him.
When Nicholas declined, Elizabeth felt a tremor of fear wash over her. Surely that would mean Erik would sweep her off and they would be alone again. Her mind could not decide, however, whether she feared his overt forcefulness or his subdued seduction more. A look was passed between the two young lovers, one of a promise and the other apologetic. Amid the strains of his distorted laughter, Elizabeth was swept from the room - leaving Nicholas alone with his anger.
Erik easily deposited the girl upon the divan again, and paced in front of her. As he had observed before, it made her nervous.
"You'll not speak to him, except to inquire about his illness and needs related to it. You will not speak his name, answer his questions, or meet his gaze. You will, under no circumstances, touch him with more than your fingertips and only then if it is necessary to heal him. Do you understand?"
Elizabeth glowered. "You're a fool," she murmured brazenly. Erik cuffed her, and Elizabeth cried out at the pain that flooded her jaw.
"And you're mine," he reminded her softly. In a tone that was too soft, he finished. "I will kill him, Elizabeth, if you disobey me."
The foul taste of blood filled her mouth, and Elizabeth realized he had busted her lip. Erik seemed to notice that at the same exact moment, and crouched before her. He pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and dabbed with an odd sort of gentleness at her wound.
"There, there.." he murmured to her. "You'll quickly learn how to speak to me, child. Quick obedience will earn you my favor, a sharp tongue will earn you more of the same. You've given yourself to me, Elizabeth. This can be easy, or quite difficult."
Elizabeth found herself alarmed at the speed with which Erik could shift gears. Kneeled before her, speaking so softly, she again remembered how handsome he was - even with his age. He seemed endearing, and Elizabeth found herself wanting to pity him. To touch his cheek and warm his cold flesh with a kiss. The horror of her own thoughts caused Elizabeth to gasp. Erik dismissed it as a reaction to his touch upon her lip.
"I think you'll rather like being in my favor," Erik finished his thoughts, in something akin to a purr. His fingers played against the line of her jaw, and Elizabeth wondered how a monster of a man could know so precisely how to touch a woman to please her.
"May I know your name?"
Inwardly, Erik cursed the vixen before him. Confusion was etched upon her features, as well as fear. Her lower lip was swollen from his blow, and now trembled. He found himself unwilling to deny her.
"Erik."