Little Lotte- as I have said to you a hundred times, Erik loves you, and you love him, go snog him! He would choose you over anyone, eventually you will realize this.

Love you!

Chapter 33

When Murtagh and I returned home, Erik was no where to be found.

"He's probably still at my home, pacing back and forth waiting for you. I'll go retrieve him." Murtagh hurried off, leaving me alone in our home. I curled up on my favorite love seat, grabbing the book on the stand next to me, and waited for Erik's return. Ayesha joined me, laying down in front of my stomach. I found myself being absorbed into Goethe's Faust, to pass the time.

To see him only

At the window I stay

To meet him only

From home I stray

His noble form

His bearing so high

And his lips so smiling

And the power of his eye

His flowing speech's

Magic bliss

His Hands' fond clasp

And, ah, his kiss!

The sound of my husband's footsteps pulled me from my book. With a smile upon my face, I practically jumped off of the furniture, heading down the hall to meet Erik.

"Erik," I called for him sweetly, as he came into view.

A heart wrenching gasp escaped my lips as my eyes fell upon my husband.

Erik staggered forward, his bloodstained hands clung to his side. Those piercing eyes look up at me, both horrified and relieved, his mouth formed a grinning wince.

"Erik!" I rushed to his side, helping him into our bedroom, on top of the bed. I removed his jacket, vest, and shirt, letting his chest lay naked before me, his wound standing out clearly against his pale skin. A deep gash, most likely from a knife, laid low on his left side, the blood that covered his hands and cloths pulsed from it.

Immediately, I rushed to the washroom, to gather a basin of hot water, and a cloth, to do my best to tend to my Erik.

He didn't say a word, as I did my best to clot, and clean his wound.

"What happened Erik?" The fear I felt bled through my words. He turned his face to me slightly, those eyes baring an unfamiliar cold glare.

"Nothing My Love." He mimicked my earlier worlds.

How can he be like this? Especially now. When he has some form of wound, he won't tell me? Instead he makes fun of me for what I spoke of earlier!

"Erik! Your hurt!" I practically screamed, forcing his face to look directly into my own.

"It's nothing for you to worry about, Mon Ange." He tried to turn his face away, but I wouldn't let him.

"Do you not think the welfare of my husband is something I should worry about? Erik! Your hurt, you could have died doing what ever it was that you did!" A queer look of both guilt, and amusement appeared upon my angel's face.

"Do you not think the welfare of my wife is something I should worry about? Do you not think I have the right to know the dangers she faces?"

Must you always win, My Love?

"I had good reason to!" I got up off the bed, and began to pace back and forth, nearly stepping on Ayesha, before she joined Erik on the bed.

"I kept what I did from Hurting you! I didn't want you to worry, If it did happen...You would have at least been happy." The tears started to swell in my eyes, but I must push them away, I can't let him see them.

"Mon Ange!" Despite Ayesha's protest, he got up off the bed, joining me in front of the vanity.

"You are everything to me, you are my wife, my love, my life. I only want to see you happy. There must be something I can do for you, to keep it from happening." I turned to face him, my forehead grazed his lips.

"Erik, as I told you earlier, you have nothing to worry about, I have this all under control. I promise you it will all work out, I refuse to leave you." Despite his sceptical look he excepted my word, and returned to the bed.

"Now my Erik, it is your time to explain." I sat down beside him, laying my head in his lap. He looked down at me, a faint smile met his lips.

"After you left, I rushed over to Murtagh, I couldn't stand staying home, not while I worried about you. He wanted me to go with him, to pursue you, for I am pretty sure I know where you went. But I refused to accompany him, you didn't want me too." He paused for a moment, the faint smile left his face, leaving only a grim, lifeless gaze.

"After he left to retrieve you, I found myself stalking up and down the streets, I couldn't keep my mind from worrying about you. That's when I ran into him."

Him. My heart sank, knowing exactly who he was referring to.

"He stumbled out of some low establishment, reeking of alcohol. I tried to pass by him without any trouble, but he wouldn't have that." Erik looked down at me, as I reached up to where his wound lie, letting my fingers hover over his flesh tenderly.

"Oh Erik." I found myself whimpering out, pity filled my heart.

"He should be leaving soon, they all should. On to the next city. They never stay for very long, just enough to collect some money, then on to find new victims." I wrapped my arm around his torso, kissing the flesh above his wound.

"The sooner the better."

We laid there on our bed peacefully, just enjoying each other's company. I drew unseen picture along his chest with my finger, while he played with my hair. My finger traveled down, over to near his broken skin.

"You should see a doctor, I am no nurse. Despite what you and Murtagh think." A small chuckle escaped his lips.

"There is no need for that, It's a shallow wound, nothing time won't mend."

"I still think you should see one." I buried my head into him farther, inhaling his sweet scent.

"If it will pleases you, I shall see one in the morning." He stroked my hair tenderly.

"I just don't want anything to happen to you." I lifted my head from his lap, to look into his eyes.

"You won't ever have to worry about that, Mon Ange." He kissed my forehead lightly.

"Nothing could tear me away from Mon Ange."