XXIII.

Erik felt the warm tickle of Malika's breath upon his neck. Malika had begun her fifth month of pregnancy almost two weeks ago and she had begun having several different symptoms of pregnancy that he didn't enjoy watching her go through. He smiled in spite of it though. He watched her silently; her body curled up against his and her head lay on his chest.

He brushed the top of her head with his lips. Her nails scraped lightly across his chest as she opened her eyes, "You must like to wake me up."

"I am sorry cherie. I love holding you." Erik responded, his arms pulling her tightly against his chest. "Soon...we will have to be in separate bedrooms."

"I wish you would change your mind." Malika told him sadly.

"No cherie. I cannot. I would try to have sex if we stayed together. I love you, but I cannot risk hurting you or the children."

She sighed deeply, "You would never hurt me. I know this."

"I can't risk it. Please understand my reasoning Malika. I do not like this either." He heard her sigh loudly as she pressed a silky leg between his thighs. "Don't Malika. You are not going to win me over by arousing me. That will only anger me."

"You are unfair Erik. I don't want to have to sleep alone."

"Neither do I, but it is for the best cherie." He retorted.

"Don't you have to work today?" Malika questioned him.

"Yes." He sighed deeply. "Are you looking forward to a visit from the Vicomtess?"

"No." Malika replied quietly. "Why would I be looking forward to her?"

Erik laughed loudly, his chest rumbled beneath her head. "I didn't think you would cherie."

"You are something else. I love you though." Malika told him then kissed his deformed cheek.

"I am glad. Rest, it won't be long before I have to leave."

xxxx

"You wish to break them up?" Christine asked her husband in a confused tone. "But why?"

"Don't you understand Christine? Erik hasn't changed. It's all been a lie, don't you understand that?" Raoul countered, his eyes concentrating on her sweet face.

"You think that they are not married?"

"I know they are married, but I have heard through a reliable source that before he said he was married, he bought slaves from the underground slave market. Malika was a slave that he must have forced into marriage."

Christine gasped. "How terrible!"

"I also heard that she fell in love with him despite what he did to her." Raoul told her.

"What do you mean to do?" She asked him.

"Malika's pregnant now, you told me that she is in her fifth month correct?"

"Yes. She passed into her fifth month a few weeks ago."

"He will eventually want sex, but he can't with a pregnant wife. I sent a girl to him as a maid."

"Do you intend to make him cheat?"

"Yes."

"But Raoul, that would surely break Malika's heart. What possible good could come out of that?"

"You will see."

xxxx

Malika felt uncomfortable as she listened to the constant chatter of Christine's voice. She hated being in Erik's manor with her. She wished Erik was home and she was gone. She sighed softly then heard Christine say, "Have you and Erik decorated the childrens room?"

"Not yet. We plan to start soon." Malika answered while concentrating on her knitting.

"How are your siblings doing?"

"Well. They are being tutored now. My brother is considering studying biology when he becomes the appropriate age to go to a university. My sister wants to be a writer." She responded.

"I am sure Erik will be more than delighted to help your siblings."

"How is your home coming along?" Malika changed the subject.

"It will be completed soon. Erik is working really hard. I appreciate him for doing so."

"Yes...Erik is a hard worker." She commented.

"How are you feeling? Do you still have your symptoms?" Christine asked her.

"Very much so. I cannot wait to be done with my pregnancy." She paused, "It just has been more difficult than I expected."

"Erik does pay attention to you, doesn't he?"

"Of course he does! He is a wonderful husband!" She trailed off then said, "It is the fact that he is stressed because of many factors in his life."

"Do you think he might take a mistress?" Christine suddenly questioned her.

Malika felt her jaw drop, her cheeks flushed and she suddenly cried out, "How dare you even suggest that! Erik would never and I mean NEVER cheat on me! I know it! He loves me." She paused then in anger asked, "What about you Vicomtess, do you think Raoul would ever take a mistress?"

"No! Of course not!"

"Then why ask me that?"

"You seem sad...that is all."

"I'm not sad! I am perfectly fine! If you don't mind, I am going to concentrate on my knitting for a while."

Christine nodded as she returned to her embroidery. Still, she thought that Malika was hiding something. Somehow Malika knew that Erik was going to cheat on her, she figured, and unfortunately it would be a matter of time...

Author's Note: Thanks for the reviews! I appreciate them!