A/N: I have come off of my vacation and have decided to take over the beginning of each chapter. I would like to thank all of you readers for your comments. I assure you that things will begin to heat up very soon. Enjoy this chapter.
The sun is setting. Let our story begin.
Erik
Chapter 8 – Under Your Spell
"Mine."
He began to wonder how many different positions she could put him in. It had been the wall, then the floor, now a table. But the chains remained the same. The wounds had not yet begun to heal as he felt her wrap the cold metal around his wrists.
"I have given you what you wanted."
"You have given me but a taste."
"What more can I give you?"
He hissed as she placed her hand on his waist – her fingers dancing lower and lower…
"I remember a time when I had to win your affections."
His heart beat in time with the beating of her fingers.
"It was the challenge that I relished."
"You never liked it. You hated that my heart belonged to someone else."
Closer…closer…
His breath caught as her eyes closed. She smiled – her battle won.
"I hated that your body belonged to someone else. I never cared about your heart."
He struggled against the chains as their clinking sound danced with her laughter. He longed for her to touch him. It was a fire that was slowly smothering him and she knew exactly how to make his flame soar again.
"How long was it? How long did you long for her?"
He didn't answer. His answer would only bring more pleasure – more pain.
"Succumb to me." She whispered. "And you'll live as you've never lived before."
Paris – 1870
"And you'll live as you've never lived before…"
Erik extended his hand and helped Christine step from the boat. He knew how deeply Christine had fallen under his spell. Seduction was the key. The boy only tempted her with wealth and objects. He would give her a lifetime of music and…
"Softly, deftly, music shall caress you…Hear it, feel it…secretly possess you…"
He felt the warmth radiating from her body. Christine was so close all he had to do was reach out…
'No! Woo her…seduce her…and she will be whatever you wish…'
"Open up your mind…let your fantasies unwind in this darkness which you know you cannot fight…"
The candlelight danced, making Christine even more beautiful. Erik could envision Christine lying in his arms – sated.
"…the darkness of the music of the night…"
He walked around his organ toward her, his eyes lingering on her body. She was the very definition of perfection. Her pale skin, dark curly hair, full lips, and slim body left him breathless.
"Let your mind start a journey through a strange new world! Leave all thoughts of the life you knew before! Let your soul take you long to be!"
The lair walls rattled as he sang with the passion inside of him. Christine's eyes were full of lust and longing.
"Only then can you belong to me…"
Persia – 1854
Only then can you belong to me…
The Sultan smiled as he watched the dancers in front of him. Their hips moved like they were controlled by a higher force.
The gods knew what they were doing when they made these beauties…
He looked over at the Sultana and watched as she tapped her fingers on the arm of her jewel-encrusted chair. Her slave boy seemed to be under the spell of the scantly-clad women as well. But it was actually Asiya that had both of them in a trance.
She was weaving a spell of seduction. Her body moved as if it were water, fluid and lithe. Her emerald eyes called out to them – beckoning them to partake of her forbidden pleasures.
The slave girls took their bows as the room erupted into applause. Just as Asiya turned to leave, the Sultan called to her.
"Asiya!"
Erik watched her body tense at the sound of his voice. Her head bowed for a moment before turning back to him. Erik watched as she walked toward the Sultan squaring her shoulders with courage and determination. She bowed before him.
"Yes, my Sultan."
"Retire to my chamber."
Her eyes quickly met the Sultan's. "But, Sultan…the other girls…"
"…are not my concern. See to it that you are in my chambers when I arrive."
She swallowed hard and nodded. "Yes, my Sultan."
As she left the room Asiya's eyes met Erik's. What seemed like an eternity had been only a few seconds, yet in that time he saw her fear and worry. He watched her leave, her pace slow and refrained. She dreaded going to the Sultan's bedchamber, but not to go when summoned was certain death.
"I am retiring, my love."
The Sultana rolled her eyes in response as the Sultan rose and left the room. Erik watched as the Sultana sauntered toward him.
"Let him go to his whore…"
Erik cringed at the Sultana's crude words. His goddess deserved better.
The Sultana held out her hand, showing the Hindu markings that ran from the side of her hand and up her arm. "Sing me to sleep?"
"I am not capable…"
"You will be capable or I will find some other ways for you to satisfy me tonight."
Erik sighed as he accepted the Sultana's hand. He knew that the Sultana, although devoid of a heart, had once been mortally wounded. It would take a great deal to dissuade her.
If Asiya could endure the pain, so could he. The Sultana would not want him for long. His heart had found someone else. And soon, this would overpower anything the Sultana asked of him.
Erik silently thought of Asiya as he walked with the Sultana to her room.
Let the dream begin…
