Although telling Raoul she was engaged had been incredibly liberating, his reaction had left her fuming. She was now not only doing things to spite him, but also because she'd seen something in his face, something truly hateful. And although she'd never admit it, she secretly feared for Erik. So every moment was precious.
It was almost midnight, and Kerri was saying goodnight to Erik in the hallway, a neutral zone between warring siblings. The rest of the house was asleep.
"Kerri, you need to go to bed." He remarked in between their kisses.
"I'll miss you"
"I'm right next door"
"It doesn't matter." She kissed him like his lips were a fine wine. Erik was equally passionate.
"We have an audience." He whispered into her ear, kissing her neck.
"What's he doing"
"Watching me"
"I think we need to go into your room"
"Just because you haven't been burned doesn't mean you should stick your hand in the fire"
"He already wants to kill you. What else is there"
"Actually doing it"
"Well, now there's no way I'm letting you sleep alone." She took his hand, pulling him into the bedroom and locking the door.
The room was dark, the dying fire casting a low light over everything. Erik removed his shirt, and Kerri draped her robe over a chair. She'd made it a habit of wearing her nightclothes if she spent any time in the evening with Erik, because usually what was meant to be one hour turned into four or five. She'd been so tired lately, and when it came time to sleep, if she wasn't already in her night gown, she slept in whatever she was wearing. Of course, she was due for her period next week, which also explained her short temper with Raoul. Kerri laid down next to Erik, draping one leg over his waist. She propped herself up on one elbow, and began tracing scars on his chest. Along with the whip scars on his back, he also had one on his left shoulder, where he'd broken his collar bone. There was a long curve under his right pectoral, where his friend Nadir had actually reset two of his ribs to keep them from puncturing a lung. Then there was his newest scar, the one where Raoul had sliced into his side. It had healed fairly well, and with time, might actually disappear. As she moved her nails lower, Erik fidgeted, grabbing her hand.
"Don't do that." He mumbled, placing his arm around her shoulders and pulling her closer.
"Why not"
"It tickles"
He never opened his eyes. Kerri smiled, resting her head on his chest and listening to his heart beat. She felt it against her cheek, thumping hypnotic and slow. Coupled with their now unified breathing, Kerri was lulled into a pacified existence, asleep but able to sense everything around her. If she could stay like this, with Erik, forever, then she was positive no one could ever touch them.Christine knocked on the bedroom door. Kerri answered almost instantly, giggling like a little girl. The smile melted off of her face like wax.
"Christine, umm, hello. I thought you and Raoul were leaving today"
"We are, but Raoul wanted to take everything home first. He should be back within the hour"
Kerri was a little confused. What did she want?
"Is that all?" She asked slowly.
"Oh, umm…if it's alright…could I please speak with Erik"
"Uh, sure. Do you want to come in?" Kerri stepped aside and cautiously, as if she was afraid something would jump out at her, Christine stepped inside.
The bedroom was in complete disarray. It had obviously not been cleaned that day, and both Kerri and Erik were covered in paint. What had they been doing?
"Umm, Erik, Christine wants to speak with you." His face clearly expressed utter shock.
"I'm going downstairs to find some soap. I'll be back in a minute"
Kerri left them alone. Neither knew what to do. Erik took to rolling up his sleeves and pacing. Christine sat on the edge of the bed.
"I didn't think you would want to speak with me"
"Why would you think that"
"Between almost murdering your husband, kidnapping you, stalking you, and then this whole situation with Kerri, no one in their right mind would want to talk with me"
"Raoul told me about the 'Kerri situation.' Is it true"
"That all depends on what you heard"
"I heard that the two of you are engaged"
"Then the rumors would be correct"
Christine felt a pang of disappointment.
"Would you really marry her just to spite me"
Erik laughed a harsh, cynical sound.
"Do you really believe that this is about you"
"Isn't it"
"Heavens, no! Is it really that absurd to think of me as loving someone other than you"
"No, I just…never mind. I don't even know why I came here." She stood abruptly. "Congratulations, really. I'm glad you've found someone"
She exited the room quickly, nearly knocking Kerri over.
"What was that all about?" Kerri asked, rinsing her arms and hands with water, and then scrubbing them with soap.
"I wish I knew." He chuckled, running his hands through his hair.
"Well what did she say"
"Nothing, really. She congratulated me, on us"
"Oh? Do you think she meant it"
"Yes, I do"
"Do you think Raoul knows how she feels"
"If his yelling is any reflection of his feelings, I'd say not"
"You heard us last night"
"I'm old, Kerri, not dead. All of my senses are still intact"
She smiled, sprinkling water on him from her fingers.
"You're not that old"
"I'm old enough"
"Kerri shrugged. "If you say so. Now come here and take off that shirt. "
"Why"
"You've got paint all over yourself"
Erik unbuttoned his shirt, handing it to Kerri. She began scrubbing all of the paint spots, hoping she could get the colors off before the oil stained.
Erik watched her with amused fascination; she was so set on cleaning the garment that her whole face was scrunched up unintentionally. She blew a strand of hair out of her face that had fallen from her ponytail. She was so gorgeous, and she worshipped him. He didn't deserve her.
"What?" She smiled, looking up from her work.
"Nothing"
"Are you sure? You've got this weird look on your face"
"No, no. I'm fine"
She smiled, her whole face lighting up. Finished for the moment, she draped the shirt over the back of a chair. She started to clean up the rest of the room, dipping dirty brushes in water, capping tubes of paint and placing them back in the drawer where they came from.
"Actually, there is something I want to ask you"
"Is there something wrong"
"No, no. But I was wondering, would you ever think of running away with me"
"Now"
"Of course not. But would you"
"Of course"
"Why? I have nothing to offer you"
She sighed. "Erik, you may think that I am insane, but I would give up all that I have to experience what you have"
"So you'd give up everything here, all of this luxury, if it meant being with me? Even if, for the rest of our lives, we were on the street"
"In a second"
Kerri had no clue what he was saying, or if he was trying to tell her something. She didn't want to ask, because she was slightly afraid of what the answer could be.
"Are you trying to tell me something Erik? Because I'm with you until the end. You know that, right"
"Of course I do. I've just been thinking about what your brother said, and he was right. We'd never be able to be married in a church"
"I've never been a religious person anyway"
"Kerri, I don't want you to have to give up anything. I want our wedding to be perfect"
She sighed, placing his hands on top of hers.
"As long as you're the one with me, it will be perfect"
"Kerri…"He sighed. He was trying to get her to see that if she chose this life with him, it could be hard.
"Don't say my name like that"
"Like what"
"Like your favorite dog just died"
He chuckled, kissing her hand.
"You never cease to amaze me"
"I'll take that as a compliment"
"Kerri? May I come in?" Her father was knocking on her bedroom door, sounding urgent.
"Shit!" She whispered, pulling Erik across the room to the servant door.
"Just a minute!" She called, shoving him inside and locking the door.
She ran to answer her door, when she saw Erik's shirt. She grabbed it, putting it on over her dress.
"Daddy! What are you doing down here?" She almost yanked the door open, forcing a smile.
"Now I need a reason to have a conversation with my daughter"
"No, of course not. Come in." She let him enter, shutting the door behind him.
"Was someone just in here with you"
"No, she replied hastily "Why would you think that"
"I thought I heard voices." He paused, looking at her.
"Where did you get that shirt"
"Oh, I've had it for years. It was yours. I use it to paint"
"I can see that." He gestured to the few spots she had failed to remove.
"Your brother will be leaving shortly"
"Well then we should probably go say our goodbyes"
She started to leave, but her father caught her arm.
"Hold on just a minute. I want to talk to you about something"
She tensed up, but waited for her father to continue.
"Since you think that you are capable of caring for yourself, your mother and I have decided to let you choose your husband"
This week was just full of surprises.
"Now don't get too excited, because you only have one month to do so, and we have to approve of him"
Kerri was deliriously happy. She and Erik could finally be together!
She hugged her father tightly, kissing him on the cheek.
"Thank you! You have no idea how much this means"
"You are very welcome. But you have one chance at this, and then that's it"
"Of course, Daddy. Thank you"
He smiled. "Come now. We must say good bye to your brother."
It was almost midnight, and Kerri was saying goodnight to Erik in the hallway, a neutral zone between warring siblings. The rest of the house was asleep.
"Kerri, you need to go to bed." He remarked in between their kisses.
"I'll miss you"
"I'm right next door"
"It doesn't matter." She kissed him like his lips were a fine wine. Erik was equally passionate.
"We have an audience." He whispered into her ear, kissing her neck.
"What's he doing"
"Watching me"
"I think we need to go into your room"
"Just because you haven't been burned doesn't mean you should stick your hand in the fire"
"He already wants to kill you. What else is there"
"Actually doing it"
"Well, now there's no way I'm letting you sleep alone." She took his hand, pulling him into the bedroom and locking the door.
The room was dark, the dying fire casting a low light over everything. Erik removed his shirt, and Kerri draped her robe over a chair. She'd made it a habit of wearing her nightclothes if she spent any time in the evening with Erik, because usually what was meant to be one hour turned into four or five. She'd been so tired lately, and when it came time to sleep, if she wasn't already in her night gown, she slept in whatever she was wearing. Of course, she was due for her period next week, which also explained her short temper with Raoul. Kerri laid down next to Erik, draping one leg over his waist. She propped herself up on one elbow, and began tracing scars on his chest. Along with the whip scars on his back, he also had one on his left shoulder, where he'd broken his collar bone. There was a long curve under his right pectoral, where his friend Nadir had actually reset two of his ribs to keep them from puncturing a lung. Then there was his newest scar, the one where Raoul had sliced into his side. It had healed fairly well, and with time, might actually disappear. As she moved her nails lower, Erik fidgeted, grabbing her hand.
"Don't do that." He mumbled, placing his arm around her shoulders and pulling her closer.
"Why not"
"It tickles"
He never opened his eyes. Kerri smiled, resting her head on his chest and listening to his heart beat. She felt it against her cheek, thumping hypnotic and slow. Coupled with their now unified breathing, Kerri was lulled into a pacified existence, asleep but able to sense everything around her. If she could stay like this, with Erik, forever, then she was positive no one could ever touch them.Christine knocked on the bedroom door. Kerri answered almost instantly, giggling like a little girl. The smile melted off of her face like wax.
"Christine, umm, hello. I thought you and Raoul were leaving today"
"We are, but Raoul wanted to take everything home first. He should be back within the hour"
Kerri was a little confused. What did she want?
"Is that all?" She asked slowly.
"Oh, umm…if it's alright…could I please speak with Erik"
"Uh, sure. Do you want to come in?" Kerri stepped aside and cautiously, as if she was afraid something would jump out at her, Christine stepped inside.
The bedroom was in complete disarray. It had obviously not been cleaned that day, and both Kerri and Erik were covered in paint. What had they been doing?
"Umm, Erik, Christine wants to speak with you." His face clearly expressed utter shock.
"I'm going downstairs to find some soap. I'll be back in a minute"
Kerri left them alone. Neither knew what to do. Erik took to rolling up his sleeves and pacing. Christine sat on the edge of the bed.
"I didn't think you would want to speak with me"
"Why would you think that"
"Between almost murdering your husband, kidnapping you, stalking you, and then this whole situation with Kerri, no one in their right mind would want to talk with me"
"Raoul told me about the 'Kerri situation.' Is it true"
"That all depends on what you heard"
"I heard that the two of you are engaged"
"Then the rumors would be correct"
Christine felt a pang of disappointment.
"Would you really marry her just to spite me"
Erik laughed a harsh, cynical sound.
"Do you really believe that this is about you"
"Isn't it"
"Heavens, no! Is it really that absurd to think of me as loving someone other than you"
"No, I just…never mind. I don't even know why I came here." She stood abruptly. "Congratulations, really. I'm glad you've found someone"
She exited the room quickly, nearly knocking Kerri over.
"What was that all about?" Kerri asked, rinsing her arms and hands with water, and then scrubbing them with soap.
"I wish I knew." He chuckled, running his hands through his hair.
"Well what did she say"
"Nothing, really. She congratulated me, on us"
"Oh? Do you think she meant it"
"Yes, I do"
"Do you think Raoul knows how she feels"
"If his yelling is any reflection of his feelings, I'd say not"
"You heard us last night"
"I'm old, Kerri, not dead. All of my senses are still intact"
She smiled, sprinkling water on him from her fingers.
"You're not that old"
"I'm old enough"
"Kerri shrugged. "If you say so. Now come here and take off that shirt. "
"Why"
"You've got paint all over yourself"
Erik unbuttoned his shirt, handing it to Kerri. She began scrubbing all of the paint spots, hoping she could get the colors off before the oil stained.
Erik watched her with amused fascination; she was so set on cleaning the garment that her whole face was scrunched up unintentionally. She blew a strand of hair out of her face that had fallen from her ponytail. She was so gorgeous, and she worshipped him. He didn't deserve her.
"What?" She smiled, looking up from her work.
"Nothing"
"Are you sure? You've got this weird look on your face"
"No, no. I'm fine"
She smiled, her whole face lighting up. Finished for the moment, she draped the shirt over the back of a chair. She started to clean up the rest of the room, dipping dirty brushes in water, capping tubes of paint and placing them back in the drawer where they came from.
"Actually, there is something I want to ask you"
"Is there something wrong"
"No, no. But I was wondering, would you ever think of running away with me"
"Now"
"Of course not. But would you"
"Of course"
"Why? I have nothing to offer you"
She sighed. "Erik, you may think that I am insane, but I would give up all that I have to experience what you have"
"So you'd give up everything here, all of this luxury, if it meant being with me? Even if, for the rest of our lives, we were on the street"
"In a second"
Kerri had no clue what he was saying, or if he was trying to tell her something. She didn't want to ask, because she was slightly afraid of what the answer could be.
"Are you trying to tell me something Erik? Because I'm with you until the end. You know that, right"
"Of course I do. I've just been thinking about what your brother said, and he was right. We'd never be able to be married in a church"
"I've never been a religious person anyway"
"Kerri, I don't want you to have to give up anything. I want our wedding to be perfect"
She sighed, placing his hands on top of hers.
"As long as you're the one with me, it will be perfect"
"Kerri…"He sighed. He was trying to get her to see that if she chose this life with him, it could be hard.
"Don't say my name like that"
"Like what"
"Like your favorite dog just died"
He chuckled, kissing her hand.
"You never cease to amaze me"
"I'll take that as a compliment"
"Kerri? May I come in?" Her father was knocking on her bedroom door, sounding urgent.
"Shit!" She whispered, pulling Erik across the room to the servant door.
"Just a minute!" She called, shoving him inside and locking the door.
She ran to answer her door, when she saw Erik's shirt. She grabbed it, putting it on over her dress.
"Daddy! What are you doing down here?" She almost yanked the door open, forcing a smile.
"Now I need a reason to have a conversation with my daughter"
"No, of course not. Come in." She let him enter, shutting the door behind him.
"Was someone just in here with you"
"No, she replied hastily "Why would you think that"
"I thought I heard voices." He paused, looking at her.
"Where did you get that shirt"
"Oh, I've had it for years. It was yours. I use it to paint"
"I can see that." He gestured to the few spots she had failed to remove.
"Your brother will be leaving shortly"
"Well then we should probably go say our goodbyes"
She started to leave, but her father caught her arm.
"Hold on just a minute. I want to talk to you about something"
She tensed up, but waited for her father to continue.
"Since you think that you are capable of caring for yourself, your mother and I have decided to let you choose your husband"
This week was just full of surprises.
"Now don't get too excited, because you only have one month to do so, and we have to approve of him"
Kerri was deliriously happy. She and Erik could finally be together!
She hugged her father tightly, kissing him on the cheek.
"Thank you! You have no idea how much this means"
"You are very welcome. But you have one chance at this, and then that's it"
"Of course, Daddy. Thank you"
He smiled. "Come now. We must say good bye to your brother."