Chapter 12: The Duel
My eyes fluttered open; I turned my head toward the wooden clock that lay on the table next to the window.
"10:30 pm." I muttered still a little tired. Darkness overtook the room; I stood from the bed and stretched. Feeling a few bones crack I sat back down and placed my boots on. I headed for the door but suddenly a sound caught my ear. It sounded like a growl. A growl that belonged to Thelma.
I went to the window and glanced outside to see Thelma. She was swinging her sword back and forth, doing moves I've seen earlier. From the looks of it she was practicing. Does the woman ever put down her sword?
After watching another good performance for about five minutes or so she finally retired and made her way in the cottage. I shook my head; she is indeed an amazing woman.
Suddenly feeling the need for air I made my way downstairs and outside in front of the Tamber's home. I looked up at the sky. Every time I stood on the roof of the Paris Opera House, I would stare at the night sky, it was beautiful, but nothing compared here, no clouds covering any of the glittering stars lighting the night.
The wind blew through my hair as I pulled the coat tightly around me. I closed my eyes and listened to the music the night created. This place…never have I been anywhere better.
I began to walk back to the cottage when suddenly I glanced up and saw Thelma through her window. The room was dark, the only light there was, was the moon beam. It lit her skin in the most elegant way I have ever seen. I told myself to look away before she sees you but I couldn't look away from her. How her long black hair ran freely down her shoulders, and how her black robe went tightly around her body, the top was open revealing her white blouse. She just stared at the moon, rubbing her neck so soft and slow, oh how I wish my hands were hers, and then I would do more then touch her neck.
I blinked once then winced as I noticed she was no more in sight. Did she see me staring at her? My frown deepened, how could I have not seen her leave?
Suddenly, the feeling of sharp metal was at my throat. I froze. But then, somehow, knowing who the weapon belonged to me smiled.
"Either that sword was meant for you, or you were born with it attached to your hand." I said with grin glancing in her direction.
The look of her in her robe, her hair, and sword pointing to my throat, it was all too exciting. She gave a small laugh.
"Here's some advice, if I were you Monsieur, I would believe the second one."
I couldn't help but curve a corner of my mouth.
"Advice taken." We never looked away from each other, we each held a grin or smirk on our faces, knowing well what we wanted to do next.
She suddenly untied the rope that held her robe in place; she folded the side of the piece of clothing behind what looked to be a second sword. She then moved closer to me, the tip of her blade still to my Adams apple, she moved closer and posed in a position were I was able to steal the sword that was in her belt. I faced her as she asked.
"Tell me the truth now, are you, or are you not able to use a sword?" she said her eyes holding thrill.
I leaned in.
"We shall soon see won't we?" I asked narrowing my eyes. She smiled deeply.
"We soon shall." She waited.
Making the first move she swung at me, I quickly grabbed the second sword from her belt like she wanted and blocked her shot. She swung at me again and again, each time missing. Finally blocking her I struck her sword making her take a step back, I made my move, and I aimed for her gut, knowing she would block it she did. We swung at each other, countless times, missing and blocking neither of us winning a point. We neared the center of the grass surface; she suddenly trying to trick me tossed her sword in her left hand then made a right jab to my face. Missing me I quickly grabbed her wrist and spun her around, her back was now tightly held against my chest. Using the hand that held my sword I rapped my arm around hers, making sure she couldn't strike at me I tugged roughly at her arm making her drop her sword. She struggled but I wouldn't let her go, she was now mine to control…At the moment.
I was breathing heavily against her neck, trying desperately to try and calm my breathing. She seemed to be doing the same. I laughed again as she tried to struggle free.
"Having a little trouble are we? Funny how I thought you could take me." I whispered harshly to her ear with a smirk. She growled and thrashed about more violently. I held in the laugh, her body wiggling against mine. I almost lost my mind.
Suddenly she started to laugh. I figured that was some sort of a sign that she was quitting. Oh how wrong was I.
She kicked down fast and hard on my foot making me yelp in pain and bend forward. Big mistake to do that. She then quickly thrust her head backwards hitting mine. I let her go almost tumbling over. Then in a blaze she elbowed me in the abdomen making my fully collapse to the ground out of breath, then kicked the sword out of my hand.
I stared at her from the ground, feeling utterly weak from losing. She walked to her sword next to my head, then slipped her foot underneath then thrust upwards catching the sword while it was in the air. She placed the tip of the sword under my chin.
"Funny how a man can judge so quickly. I expected more from you Erik, but I guess I judge to quick as well, no man could beat me. Especially you." She said with a laugh looking down at me.
Anger filled my veins. I saw my opportunity. With one swift movement I grabbed her legs and pulled them toward me making her fall on her back. I jerked her underneath me and yanked the sword out of her hands, tossing it out of her reach. She struggled even rougher then before, she starting hitting my inner thighs making me growl in pain. I grabbed both of her writs and pinned them over her head. I then squeezed her writs to get her attention.
"You would do right Thelma if you take back what you said and say what is true." I said locking gazes with her.
"And what is that?" she asked staggered.
"The fact that I can beat you, the fact that I am better then you." Each word I said seemed to be a tender growl that made her shiver beneath me. Good.
"Say it!" I said squeezing her writs more. She squinted.
"No!" she said coarse. I smiled.
Then I guess I'll have to make her. I knew what she wanted now; I knew it all along but was too blind to see it. She wanted me.
Having only one hand now holding her writs together I used my free hand to slowly rub her side just beneath her left breast. Her breathing became hallow as she began to shudder.
"Say it Thelma, say I'm better then you." I didn't want to act like this, but I somehow felt like my old self, in control! But then again, I didn't want to be in control, I just wanted to be Erik Munoire, kind, and gentle, sometimes irritated. But not the Phantom. Oh how I wanted to stop, but the look in her eyes just begged me to continue.
"Say it." I repeated lustfully. Her chest went up and down as she looked deeply in my eyes.
"No."
I slowly began to smile as I moved my hand lower. Her eyes slightly widen.
I demanded over and over for her to admit that she was weak, that she could not ever beat me, yet she kept denying. And with each reject she made, the lower my hand went. She knew what I would do if she kept refusing, she knew as well as I did, the lower my hand went the more her smile of lust grew. My mind told me. Shouted for me to stop, but I ignored it. I didn't care.
Suddenly feeling the heat between my legs and hers I quickly jumped off. Her eyes full of desire were now full of confusion. Slowing my breathing down just a notch I held my hand for hers. She took it and pulled herself up. We said nothing to each other but stared.
Thelma was a good person, wild full of life! But yet, the more I think of it the more I realize that I was right. She was no match for me, me or the monster from the past. Just being near her made me wants to forget Erik Munoire and just be The Phantom.
But I didn't want to be him. I did not want to be that monster.
Not one word escaped our lips; our tête-à-tête of trying to understand one another was being done through our eyes.
Suddenly. "What are you doing out here? It is freezing for crying out loud!" Dolly shouted making both our heads jerk to where she was.
"Y'all get in the house right now before one of you or worse both of you get a cold!" We watched as the Tamber's made their way into their home.
I made one more glance at Thelma, she did the same then we made our way inside.