Erik rolled over to his side of the bed, and pulled Jade with him. Holding her loosely in his arms, he tenderly kissed her hair as he slowly ran his hand up and down her back.
With a long sigh, Jade settled against his chest.
"Erik?"
"Yes?" he asked softly.
He smiled when she was silent.
The moment stretched on as he held her contentedly, and relaxed against her small body.
When she was breathing deeply, he rose, lit a candle, and carried it to the table near the bed. Then he slipped back under the covers, and propped himself up on his elbow as he gazed down at her.
The reserved look that she often had was gone, replaced with a delicious softness. With his free hand, he ran his fingers through her hair and played with its satiny, thick mass. As thin as she was, she was still lovely with her long lashes and narrow, straight nose. Lowering himself so that his face lay next to hers, he enjoyed the warm puff of her breath against his skin.
Her lips were still swollen from their kissing. That exquisite act had seemed to stretch on forever, and yet Erik hadn't been able to get enough. Each round of tongue probing had set off another throbbing erection, but he'd ignored it as he hungrily concentrated on Jade's mouth. The love-starved child in him had awakened and had feasted on those kisses. Only the threat of an impending climax had forced him to withdraw.
His finger lightly traced her lips as he stared at them. He had suddenly become a rich man, and was reveling in his treasure. To have her beside him and willingly sharing his bed—he had waited a lifetime for this.
Carefully, he pulled her a little closer, and kissed her cheek. She moaned softly which caused his groin to throb.
Glancing at his excitement, he smiled. Very soon, he thought as he closed his eyes with pleasure.
Erik lightly stroked her back as he held her. It would be very pleasant to fall asleep with her tucked in his arms. However, if she were to awaken, and his mask were to slip off…
His jaw clenched and he unconsciously tightened his hold causing her to whimper. Catching himself, he eased his grip, and pressed his nose into her hair. As he inhaled her scent, he meditated on the problem.
The mask had been on his mind since he had first decided to bring her to his home. After some consideration, Erik's solution had been to modify his dwelling with strategically placed devices. One was located under the floor between his bed and the door. The other was under the dais in the front room. Jade had set it off yesterday when she had walked towards him while he played the organ. Both mechanisms were activated by pressure, and discharged an electrical current that would pull him out of a deep reverie or sleep, and prevent a sudden unmasking.
Christine's horror when she had first seen his face had driven him to invent the devices.
However, now that Jade was in his bed, it would be easy for her to reach over and remove it while he slept.
After an hour, Erik carried Jade back to her room where he sat on the edge of the bed, and stroked her hair until she awoke.
Stretching her arms over her head, she blinked sleepily as she looked up at him. Smiling gently, Erik brushed a strand of hair out of her eyes.
"It wasn't a dream, was it?" she asked quietly.
Shaking his head 'no', he cupped her chin in his hand, and traced her lips with his thumb.
She gazed up at him with half closed eyes, mesmerized by that sensuous movement. A minute later, Erik stood up and looked down at her.
"Sleep well, my dear," he replied to the question in her eyes. Then he strolled out of the room.
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That evening, Jules Bernard sat in his kitchen, and watched as his wife kneaded the bread dough for tomorrow's meals. Her plump figure vigorously attacked the round of moistened flour as she took her temper out on it. When it appeared that she had vented most of her anger, he decided to try again.
"Gervaise, please don't make this a problem," Jules said with a strained voice.
She stopped working, and turned to him with a scowl.
"I won't help you," she spat out. "The whole idea is monstrous." Turning her back on him, she continued to punch the dough. Her yellow bodice stretched across her tight shoulders, which shook from her efforts.
Thoughtfully, Jules brushed a few crumbs from the oiled tablecloth. Leaning on his elbows, he assumed a pleading look. He'd tried reasoning with her for the last half hour, and now it was time to change tactics.
"Gervaise, think of what it would be like for you and the children if I weren't here," he said gently. He watched her figure soften, and knew that he had hit his mark. Carefully, he continued. "Erik's a man, just like everyone else, and he deserves a little happiness."
Finishing her task, the brown haired woman wiped her hands on her apron, and returned to the table.
"And what about the woman?" she asked sharply as she leaned back against the chair. Lifting her chin, she stared at her husband. "What doe she have to say about all this?"
Shrugging his shoulders, he replied, "He saved her life and nursed her back to health. I'm sure there's a strong bond between them. It's not the same as it was before with the opera singer."
"Really?" she flashed back with disbelief.
After giving him a long, hard look she said, "Jules, will you be the one to console her when she sees his face, and realizes what she's gotten herself into? And you know as well as I what happens when a woman tries to escape him!"
Gervaise left the table, and started on the second lump of dough. Vehemently, she slapped it on the board as she muttered Erik's name.
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An hour later, Jules was at his desk writing the letters that Erik had specified. There was a great deal to do, and the work needed to be finished within three weeks.
Knitting his brow, he considered the third item on the list. The required visit to the Town Hall was a problem. He wasn't certain that a bribe would solve it.
Standing up, he stretched his back and blankly stared out the window. He had been at Erik's beck and call since late November when they had begun their hunt for the woman. At the time, Jules had considered the search a futile exercise—a culmination of Erik's useless obsession.
But after they'd found her, he had changed his mind. He'd watched as Erik had placed her in the boat, and had handled her with the utmost tenderness. He'd seen the ache in that fierce man's eyes as he'd stared down at the unconscious woman.
Jules shook his head and reached for his cloak. Gervaise doesn't understand, he thought as he stepped out the door. Every man needs a chance for redemption.
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That evening, Jade examined some of the treasures of Erik's home. Before her was a large tapestry of a medieval garden with tightly shaped bushes and delicately arranged fruit trees. In the center of the design were a young woman and a white unicorn. As she followed its cunning pattern, she marveled at Erik's taste. It was beautifully done, and added a majestic grandeur to his home. It looked old, and had probably originated in the castle of a great lord.
Stepping away from the hanging, she strolled about the spacious room. The fatigue that had plagued her since November was finally lifting, and for the first time in months, she felt like dancing.
Her eyes settled on the couch. If she were to push it closer to the dais, it would give her more room to move. Glancing at the door, she wondered when Erik would return. When she had awoken, there had been a note waiting for her on the table with her meal, which had explained that he would be absent that afternoon while he tended to business.
What business? she wondered as she set her shoulder to the couch and shoved it. Did he work like other men? She thought of the green gown that sat in the wardrobe in her bedroom along with several new garments. Reflecting on his impeccable attire, she speculated as to how he managed day-to-day affairs. There had to be others helping him. Perhaps he had gone to meet with one of them.
Moving to the center of the room, Jade closed her eyes and concentrated on the music in her mind. The melody had the quicksilver quality of a cascading brook. Its liveliness coursed through her limbs, and gave her a much-needed lightness.
As she focused on the lilting melody, her hand rose of its own accord and swept the air.
She was in the stream with cool eddies swirling about her ankles. The fresh forest smell tickled her nose, and the wind moved in waves through the aspen leaves above. Lifting her skirts, she balanced on the slippery rocks, and danced through the water as she kicked up a spray. The clear notes of a lone flute rained down upon her as she traipsed along the thick, woolen carpets. Raising her shoulders, she spun with out-stretched arms with her face tilted to the sky.
After ten minutes of that easy rhythm, she sat on the floor, and pulled her knees to her chest. The music drifted away, and she rested in silence. A minute later, she lazily looked out from under her lashes, and noticed the dark trousers that stood beside her.
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Stepping out of the boat, Erik walked lightly across the jagged rocks of the cavern floor to his home. He was considering the afternoon's work and what needed to be done in the next three weeks.
Pausing at the entrance, he thought of Jade. When he had last seen her, she had been quietly sleeping, but by now she would surely be awake. The thought of her waiting for him was exciting. He imagined her sitting on the coach with her head bent over a book, and the look that would be in her eyes when she saw him again. Then there were those soft lips that needed to he kissed… Eagerly, he opened the door.
She was standing in the middle of the room with her eyes closed and her attention turned inward. Gliding to the worktable, Erik sat down and silently watched her. He had only seen her dance on two other occasions, the last having been in September on the opera house stage. She appeared to be deeply lost in the music, and he leaned forward in anticipation.
Her hands moved lightly, effortlessly as they floated on the air—random gestures that hinted at the hidden melody. As she continued, he realized what she was doing as he saw the water slipping through her fingers. He smiled with delight when she kicked up a spray, and whimsically scattered the drops about her. He could see the water splattering the walls.
Spellbound, Erik watched as Jade merged with the water. Her lithe figure stretched and thinned, and a green light momentarily flashed about her.
Shaking his head, he looked again. The light was gone, but her intimacy with that element remained. As he continued to watch, Erik forgot that he was beneath the opera house as his mind flew to forests above and the gypsy camps of his childhood.
Once again he was a child listening to the tales about the entities who lived in streams and trees. The storyteller's face shifted in the campfire's shadows, and his long hands expressively moved near the flames as he shaped the story.
Erik opened his eyes, and he gazed at the tapestry with its unicorn. Then his eyes returned to Jade.
As he watched her traipse across the carpet with the innocence of a child, he understood why she would hide from others when she danced. She was oblivious to his presence and utterly vulnerable.
When she finished, Erik rose and strode to her side. Her dancing had carried him away, and at that moment, he wanted to scoop her up, and take her to his bed.
But suddenly, he stopped. Jade was huddled before him with her knees clasped to her chest, and there was a shimmering glow about her. As he stared down at her, the image of the unicorn settled in his mind.
A new feeling was dawning. For the first time, he had intense desire without the need to absolutely possess her. Jade's individuality, her separateness, had suddenly become precious.
Erik stood by her side and waited.
A moment later, Jade turned her head, and slowly looked up at him with a distant, dreamy look.
Reaching down, he took her hands, and helped her to her feet.
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Jade stared ahead as Erik propelled the boat along the lake. They were traveling in a different direction than usual. She was seated in the front of the boat facing away from him while the craft sped across the water.
The cashmere cloak sat lightly on her shoulders, and beneath it was a new blue gown that Erik had given her that evening.
He had laid it on her bed next to a pair of blue satin slippers, and then looked intently at her. Jade had gazed at him for a moment, and then had looked at the lovely, cornflower blue gown. What is he up to? she had wondered.
With a honeyed tone, he had said, "Jade, it is pleasant weather tonight. Would you allow me to escort you to dinner?"
Now here she was, wearing the new outfit as they flew through the cavern.
As usual, Erik was being mysterious and not giving away his intentions. However tonight, she didn't care. She was on an adventure, and traveling to the world above for the first time with her dark lover.
Yes, they were lovers now. Or at least, they would soon be. Their long session of kissing had set to rest any remaining doubts that she'd had. Erik was a gentle, and considerate and would ease her into their new physical relationship. She was grateful for his kindness and experience.
Cocking her head, she listened for sounds behind her. She could barely make out Erik's breathing. The soft whistle caused her ears to tingle and warmth to creep up her arms. The moment he had taken her hand tonight and led her to the boat, her senses had become heightened. She was relishing this waking dream as they slid through the night.
The paddling ceased, and the boat drifted for a few moments as Erik guided it to shore. Stepping out, he offered her his hand, and then led her to the mouth of the cavern where the moon's thin light coated the iron-gate. Briefly, there was the sound of metal against metal, and then the gate swung open.
Erik took her hand, and led her up the narrow street to the street beyond where a carriage waited. Stepping inside, they sat across from each other, and the carriage began to move.
It was exceptionally warm for the first night in February, a welcome surprise after the harsh winter. Jade stared out the window, and watched the streets pass by. Soon they were on a large avenue filled with vehicles and foot traffic. The raucous noise of carriages and drivers jostled her mind, and plunged her back into reality. It reminded her that for the last few days she had been living a rarefied, almost dream-like existence.
She turned away from the street, and gazed at the man in front of her.
Erik was handsomely outfitted with his black cape and his pristine white collar rising above it. The cloak opened and fell away at his waist revealing the lower part of his golden waistcoat, and his long, lean legs. His hands rested on his thighs, covered by the well-fitted black, leather gloves.
Peering at his face, she noticed how he had chosen the side of the carriage, which hid him in the shadows, whereas she was exposed to the streetlights. As she meditated on that, he turned his head to the street, and presented his white mask in profile. Occasionally a stray shaft of light lit it up with a stark glow. Staring at it, Jade suddenly felt grateful for its existence. It would always be a reminder that Erik was not a man to be trifled with.
The carriage traveled through unfamiliar streets, and eventually came to a heavily vegetated area where it stopped. Erik stepped out and offered her his hand. Once out of the carriage, Jade looked about and saw a large pond, which was dimly lit by the quarter moon. They were in a park-like setting without another human in sight.
Erik led her up a path to a copse of aspen. Wet dead leaves matted the ground and muffled their footsteps. They passed the stately, white trunks that dully reflected the moon's bare light, and came to a small pavilion constructed of stretched fabric and billowing, linen walls. Inside were a table and two chairs surrounded by dozens of candles in tiny ruby red and cobalt blue glass lanterns scattered on the ground.
When they were seated, Erik whisked out the food and set it on the table—a feast of pheasant, warm bisque, truffles, and petite discs of rich chocolate. Carefully, he measured out her food, and handed Jade her plate. It was delicious, and she savored the sweet and earthy tastes as she stared down at the pond below.
As they silently sipped their wine, a light breeze tugged at the canopy, and Jade pulled her cloak around her. Erik moved his chair next to hers, and placed his hand on the back of her neck. Then he casually reached for one of the chocolates, and brought it to her mouth. Jade watched him with wide eyes as he gently rubbed the delicacy against her lips. When she opened her mouth, he deftly laid it on her tongue. Then he bent over and kissed her.
The rich taste of melting chocolate accompanied by his tongue slowly stroking the inside of her mouth was almost too much for her. Her heart started pounding and she automatically reached for his face with both hands. His warm cheek met her right hand and the leather mask slid beneath her left. It was her first contact with his mask, and she gasped when she touched it. Opening her eyes, she stared into his fierce ones as her hands fell from his face. Pulling away, she leaned back in her chair and watched helplessly as Erik leisurely picked up a napkin, and dabbed the chocolate from her lips. Then he sensuously ran it across his own as he slowly smiled at her.
In spite of the winter night, her skin was on fire. Suddenly rising, Jade stepped out of the enclosure towards the pond, and in a moment Erik was at her side. Taking her arm, he led her down the path to the water below where and then to a path that skirted the shore.
Silently, they strolled next to the still water under the light of the moon. Ahead of them, a white shape emerged from the blackness, which gradually became a pair of swans swimming in their direction. When the great birds reached them, Erik stopped and solemnly watched as they floated by. Then his hands slid around Jade's waist, and he pulled her close to him while pressing his lips into her hair. After holding her tightly for a long moment, he sighed deeply, and slowly released her.
"Are you chilly, my dear?" he asked gently as he gazed down at her.
Jade shook her head "no". Taking her arm, he led her to a nearby bench where they sat and watched as the swans disappeared.
"After a few minutes, he spoke.
"Jade, do you think you will be happy living here in Paris, instead of the Provinces?"
She thought about his question for a minute before replying. "I used to think that I would go back to the country someday, but now, I don't know." Then she turned and stared at him intently. "And where would you prefer to live, Erik?"
A dry sound escaped him, and Jade bit her lip. What a foolish, insensitive thing for me to ask, she thought with dismay as she looked away. Obviously, a man of his tastes and gifts would not have deliberately chosen to live in a cave. Her careless question had simply reminded him of what he couldn't have.
Taking his hand, she pressed it between her own as she struggled with a newfound sadness for him.
His face was hidden in shadow, and his voice was smoothly controlled when he said, "I have lived in many places, my dear."
Leaned towards him, she tried to discover his hidden meaning but couldn't penetrate the mystery he had wrapped himself in.
Erik offered her his hand, and led her back to the carriage.
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Their ride back was slow and comfortable. Erik sat beside Jade and held her hand as she stared out at the passing streets. They were taking a different way back to the opera house than the way they'd come. Soon she recognized landmarks, and realized that they were in the vicinity of the river. Craning her neck, she eagerly awaited her first sight of the Seine. She hadn't been in this part of Paris since November and it was her favorite place in the city.
Erik struck the ceiling with his fist and the carriage stopped.
The breeze was stronger by the river but Jade didn't notice the chill. Instead, she happily stared at the sliver-streaked water below them. Returning to this place where she had acquired many pleasant memories gave her the feeling of coming home. She looked up at Erik who was watching her, and then placed her hand in his.
A short distance away was the familiar bench that was hidden in an alcove of hanging branches. As they sat there, her mind wandered to the months before when she and Pierre had sat in that same place. At that time, they had only been friends for a couple of weeks, and yet she had felt her heart quickly opening to him. It had been the beginning of her new life in Paris with friends, a home, and Gillian.
Gazing down at the river, she wondered where Erik had been on that night.
The hanging branches behind them suddenly swayed in the breeze. Turning her head towards the rustling mass, Jade felt something at her hands. Glancing at them, she saw Erik's pale, bare hands moving across her own as they gently slid her gloves off. A moment later, his hands were caressing hers.
Lifting her eyes to his, she gazed into their intense depths. There was something familiar about their expression, a hypnotic quality. As he held her gaze, Jade searched her memory and it came to her that this was the way he had looked at her in the wounded stallion's stall, on the first day that they'd met. She had been looking up at him as he handed her the salve, and his eyes had caught hers in a mesmerizing gaze.
She had feared him then, and yet she had allowed him to touch her. Now she loved him. And still, the look in his eyes was the same.
With that realization, she felt a slight pressure on her finger and looked down.
On her left ring finger was a small band of gold set with three diamonds. As she shifted her hand the dim light moved across the silver points, which winked at her.
Her eyes shot up to Erik's with an intense, questioning look. Why? Flashed through her mind as she stared hard at him.
In answer to her query, Erik bent down and kissed her.
It was a long, possessive kiss with his hands grasping her waist as he pressed her against the bench. His lips crushed her mouth with hot fervor. As the kiss grew harder, and swept her up in its storm, she distantly thought that she would be sorely bruised from it in the morning.
It was a declaration of his need, and she yielded to it. Moments later, she felt his hands release her waist. One traveled to the back of her head and cradled it, while the other lifted her chin as his mouth softened over hers. Then his lips moved across her face in slow, lingering kisses.
Jade shut her eyes, and gave herself up to him. She understood what he was doing. Erik was worshipping her. He was opening his heart, and pouring out his love.
In that stillness, as she rested on the wave of his devotion, she felt the beauty of heaven.