Chapter 17

At dinner that night Isabelle and Erik discussed nothing but their upcoming wedding. They decided on having it in a church, and the only guests were Gertie, Jonathan the stable lad and Maurice the groundskeeper. Gertie had purchased Isabelle's wedding dress and also picked out the ring for Erik. It was simple gold band with "All my love" etched on it.

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Erik offered Isabelle a music lesson after dinner but she was far too tired. He helped her to bed and sat down next to her, both began reading. Isabelle suppressed a yawn, Erik however noticed.

"You should sleep Isabelle," Erik said, in a tone very much like her father would have given her.

"I didn't want to disturb your reading," she replied sleepily.

"I am not interested in the book much, besides your health is more of a concern," Erik said, putting down his book on the nightstand, doing the same with hers. He blew out the candle and laid down next to Isabelle. She naturally moved her head to his chest and wrapped her arm around his midsection. His arm came up from behind her and rubbed her back soothingly. Erik wasn't tired yet, but listening to Isabelle's even breathing lulled him to sleep.

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"Isabelle, go, get away as fast as you can," her father said, "Quickly, they are coming for you."

"No! I won't leave you and mama!" Isabelle cried, even though her mother had already been killed.

"Isabelle, please, live on for our sake!" He begged. At that moment a man came from behind her grabbed Isabelle around the throat and started squeezing. Another man came and stabbed her father through his chest. Isabelle was gasping for air...

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Isabelle bolted awake with a cry, she was covered in sweat, but chilled to the bone, the covers fell off her when she sat up. Her breathing was ragged as she gasped for air. She had never had that dream before, but it frightened her nonetheless. She felt Erik stir next to her and hastily wiped away her tears.

"Isabelle what's wrong?" He asked, his tone full of worry, as he sat up.

"I had a nightmare," she said, her voice giving away her fear. Erik gathered her in his arms as she cried.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Erik asked, smoothing her hair back.

"I was dreaming my father was hurt and was trying to make me run to safety, but I wouldn't go and someone came up from behind me and started choking me and another man came and stabbed my father, but I woke up before anything else happened," Isabelle said, burying her face in Erik's chest. "I felt like I couldn't breath, it was so real!"

Erik tried soothing her by rubbing her back and smoothing her hair, telling her comforting words. Finally her sobs were relented and she released her tight hold around Erik, looking up at him she smiled bravely. Erik returned the smile and brushed a lock of hair behind her ear.

"I promise Isabelle, I will never let anything happen to you," Erik promised. Isabelle nodded and murmured thank you. Erik laid back down and pulled Isabelle next to him. He wrapped his arms around her and gave her a gentle kiss on her forehead.

"I love you Erik, more than you'll ever know," Isabelle said as she drifted off.

"You're my salvation Isabelle, I love you," Erik replied, kissing her head once again. They both fell asleep, a deep, and dreamless sleep.

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