XXX.

Words could not express Malika's happiness for being able to have relations with her husband again. She loved him and she would do anything to make him happy. Over the past few nights they had made up for months worth of lost intimacy and Erik had vowed to her that they would find a way to keep their intimacy if she ever became pregnant again, which she figured she would.

Malika was now content, feeling that Erik and she had no more walls before them. They would raise their children in a happy and loving home and everything would turn out right. At least that was what she hoped for. Erik seemed less enthused about his job but more happy that it was coming to a close. He would be able to spend more time with the children and act as a father. Malika couldn't think of anything at this point that would or could come between them now and she hoped it would stay that way.

xxxx

"Explain this plan of yours again." Alexandre said as Raoul sat in a chair.

"I have someone working for Garnier. He is going to sneak some sleeping powder," he held up a packet of powder, "and this we will give her when she arrives."

"And what is that?"

"It is a little something that will subdue her when she wakes up. She will be awake but she will not be able to fight you. We can't have that."

"So this person is going to give her a drink with sleeping powder in it and then what?"

Raoul rolled his eyes at his friend, "My inside source will then plant a love note written in your handwriting so that Garnier will know where you are."

"What are you planning? For him to find me taking liberties with his wife?"

"That is it."

"But how will that hurt him? It seems it would only make him angry at her."

"That is the point."

xxxx

Malika sat in the parlor knitting alone. The babies had been put down for an hour nap and her siblings were in the garden. Erik was due home in an hour or two and she couldn't be more excited. She sipped on a cup of tea that had been brought by one of the maids. It tasted delicious as she drank it down. Everything seemed perfect almost. She stifled a yawn as she suddenly felt her body become tired. What was going on with her? She yawned again and felt a sudden heaviness descend over her limbs. Falling on her side, she could feel her eyes close slowly. She tried to keep awake but was failing terribly.

One of the servants entered the room, a smile covering his face. "Sweet dreams madame. We have big plans for you." He said before she fell asleep entirely. He then placed a piece of paper on the table beside him, knowing it would draw attention to Erik. He then lifted Malika into his arms and quickly took her to a waiting carriage. He watched as the carriage pulled away knowing he would get his reward in due time.

xxxx

Erik returned home to find the nurse pacing the foyer. "Monsieur, I have looked for your wife everywhere! Did she go out to meet you?"

"No." Erik responded, feeling a deep sinking feeling in his stomach.

"She was last in the parlor. Look in there Monsieur Garnier." One of the servants told him.

Erik quickly walked in to find Malika's knitting on the floor and the only clue of her disappearance was a note. He picked it up and read it.

My dear Malika,

Meet me at my house at the usual time. I cannot wait a moment longer to taste you.

Alexandre

Erik stared blankly ahead for a few minutes then looked back at the paper then up again. He noticed an address on the paper and glared at it. "Ready my carriage." He said in a cold voice.

"But monsieur!" The nurse cried out.

"Do it!" He shouted, enraged by the betrayal of his wife. Erik knew in his rational mind what he would do when he found her with that man. First he would kill him. Then he would most likely beat her bloody. He felt his heart clench in agony. How could she do this to him after their newly renewed love? He growled loudly as he grasped his cloak. He would make them both pay for their wrongdoings. Then he would make sure she never saw the outside world again.

Author's Note: Not a long chapter. I know. The next one will be longer. The plot thickens. Dun, dun, dun! Thanks for the reviews and words of kindness.