I'm going to make this announcement early this time…if you are reading this story, I'd really appreciate your reviews, even if it's just "Great chapter!" I wasn't going to write this story, and now that I am I wish it was being received as well as its companion. So please, review! And sorry this chapter is so short…Jewelles

Chapter Two – To Discuss can be to Reveal

Persia 1875

Erik

"I left with Raoul because I was scared."

Christine's words echo in my mind, getting stronger every time I think of them.

"Scared of what? Of me?"

"Of everything! Of losing Raoul, of being a prisoner, of…"

"You would not have my prisoner!"

"I would've been yours by force; that is prisoner enough."

"Erik?" Suddenly startled by the Daroga's voice, I turn quickly and find myself facing both him and Reza.

"It's nothing," I state, turning back to Nadir and Reza. "Where were we?"

"We were discussing," Reza says, sitting down and motioning for me to take a seat as well, "your and Christine's future."

"Keep your voice down!" I snap. "Do you want her to walk in and hear you?"

"Calm down, Erik," Nadir says sitting beside his son, both of them across the table from me. "Now, first order of business; how long are you going to stay here and live off of your good friend the Daroga's hospitality?"

"When you put it that way," I growl angrily, "I suppose not long." I stare menacingly at Nadir.

"All right then, you can stay as long as you like," he announces, chuckling a little. "Now, next is the topic you so love to discuss; when are you asking Christine to marry you?"

I nearly choke on air. True, I mentioned the idea of it to Antoinette in my letter just this morning, but actually acting upon it? That is completely different. "Are you out of your mind? It's none of your business if I ask her to marry me or not."

"Of course it's my business," Nadir replies, "and it's Reza's too. We care about the both of you and…"

"And if you truly cared then you wouldn't be intruding upon our personal business," my voice is harsh as I stand and lean across the table, hands firmly upon the tabletop, staring at the two men before me.

"Sit down, Erik," Reza says. "As my father said, we want the best for you both, but we won't force anything upon you." I sit back down and recline slightly in my chair. "That being said, it might be wise to check if you have the money you'd want to buy a ring worthy of…"

"Worthy of whom?" I see Reza startle as Christine's voice fills the room, angelic as ever. I can sense her presence behind me, and Lalitha and Lakhi too, but I continue to stare at Reza, hoping above all else that he'll keep quiet.

Turning around to face Christine, I say, "Nobody you know; it's a gift for one of Nadir's close friends." I avert my gaze to Nadir, making sure that he doesn't disagree with my lie, and I see him nod in agreement; thank God for small miracles.

Christine's hands rest on my shoulders and she stands behind me, saying, "Well, don't let us keep you." She leans down and presses a soft kiss to my cheek before walking off with Lalitha and Lakhi.

I see Nadir suppressing laughter across the table and snap, "Oh, be quiet, will you?"

Christine

"I had hoped that it would not be by force that you would stay with me."

"But it was! You were threatening an innocent man's life unless I chose you! How could that not be imprisonment if I'd chosen you then? Needless to say, I was terrified of what would happen, whatever choice I made!"

"I surmise you've never been put in my position, Christine!"

"What position? Did I not have problems too? I still do! How dare you say I don't?"

"Christine? Christine!" Turning my head abruptly, I see Lalitha and Lakhi staring at me across the table on the deck.

"I'm sorry," I mumble, playing with the fabric of my skirt. Out of the corner of my eye, I can see the sisters stare at each other questioningly, then turn on me.

"Has he asked you yet?" Lakhi questions me. I look up from my skirt.

"Asked me what?" I ask her, even though I'm certain I know what she will say.

"Has Erik asked you to marry him yet?" Lalitha continues her sister's question.

"Marry him?" the words seem to burn my mouth as they go out. Marriage. The thought of it…can ever go back? Marriage was what he'd wanted so many years ago. Marriage was what kept me away. Marriage was what I had with Raoul, may he rest in peace. Just one word, one union of "I do" was unto me a gift and a burden.

"I don't think that your problems are your own, Christine. You are other people's curse and their salvation, and that is your problem; you do not know where you belong."

"And you do?"

"I…I couldn't…"

"Couldn't what?" It is my turn to jump with surprise at being interrupted, as I'd interrupted Reza earlier. I look to the entry onto the deck and see Erik leaning against the doorframe. As suddenly as he'd appeared Lalitha and Lakhi have gone off, running past Erik into the house. Both pairs of eyes, his and mine, watch them, and then catch each other. "May I?" he says, stepping down onto the deck and motioning to the space on the bench beside me. I nod and shift over, giving him room. After Erik sits, we remain in uncomfortable silence.

"Don't start with me, Christine! Don't talk about what you don't understand!"

"I understand perfectly well, Erik. I walked in on Antoinette telling Meg everything about you; I'm not unknowing."

Unexpectedly to him, I throw myself into Erik's arms, clutching his shoulders, crying against his neck. "Oh, Erik, I'm so sorry about yesterday. I apologize for everything." Erik wraps his arms comfortingly around my small form.

"There is nothing to apologize for, mon amour. We were both distraught; you have no reason to give me your apology. But, if it makes you feel better, I offer you my own to reciprocate." I feel him kiss my temple, stroking my hair, holding me until I finally calm down. "Now, can we discuss something for a moment?"

"Of course," I say, sliding out of his lap and onto the bench beside him. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing is wrong," Erik responds. "We have to decide when we will leave Nadir's home. He has told me that he is in no rush to see us leave, but it is best we leave in the next few weeks before it grows too hot."

"In that case, I concur," I say, nodding in Erik's direction. "When do you propose we leave?" Propose. A little shiver runs down my spine as I say the word with so many connotations, both relevant and irrelevant.

"That," he says, standing and extending a hand to me, "we will decide later. For now we might like to take advantage of the lovely meal Nadir is setting out for us." I place my hand in Erik's and walk with him back into the house, nervous but at the same time content, as the sun begins to set behind me.

3