A/N: Thank you all for your reviews. Last but not least, thank you beta Erik'sTrueAngel for editing.
FYI: this chapter was partially inspired by one of the scenes from the cartoon movie Pocahontas. I don't own the dialogue in that scene, i just "borrowed."
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The next day was another beautiful day with the sky being clear and the sun shining radiantly above. Christine had felt more composed, mostly due to hers and Erik's reconciliation the day before. Since Erik had sincerely apologized to her over his temper and expressed his gratitude for her help, she should not have any reasons to be angry at him. Most importantly, Erik had shown signs of improvement, and that equally meant he could gradually take care of himself. After all, she had done her part in assisting him to the best of her ability.
As a flock of seagulls flew above, making jovial sounds before swiftly landed on the beach, Christine walked with natural grace to the shelter cove and felt the sand for telltale bubbles of water. Feeling a clam below a surface, she dug quickly and captured it, finding amusement in the activity. Holding it tightly in her hand and smiling, she continued on her way, searching and collecting several more.
On the cliff far above her, Erik stood watching her progress, as his curiosity toward the beautiful angel grew. "How old is she?" he asked Jameela, who was busy tending the garden nearby.
"About eighteen summers. More or less."
"How did she get here?" He turned and faced her. "For that matter, how did you get here and why are you both here, alone, on this deserted island?"
"Why are you here, young man?" Jameela looked up at him, pausing at her current activity and countered with annoyance.
"I was shipwrecked. I had no choice." Erik replied, his tone indicating irritation. The elderly woman should have known the answer, since he had been staying at her home for the past few days.
"I had no choice either," Jameela said quietly, not wanting to disclose anything about Christine and herself.
"Tell me what happened," Erik demanded, taking a step toward her. When Jameela glared at him, he paused and took another approach. "I would like to know how two women survived without assistance. Christine mentioned a bit of her father, your husband. Why did you and your husband come here and how did you two manage to settle on this isolated island?"
"Anything is possible," she answered. "If you need something enough, and have the strength to go after it, you can achieve anything. Isn't it simple?" she said wryly.
"You are being condescending," he accused, cocking an eyebrow with vexation.
"Absolutely, you deserve it."
Erik stepped back, confused by her words. He hesitantly turned to watch Christine on the beach and admired her charm. "She is very beautiful."
"Hummm…" Jameela paid no heed to his statement, as she continued to keep her nose to the grindstone.
"She is perhaps the most beautiful woman I have ever seen." Erik intentionally spoke louder, hoping to obtain the elder's attention and interest in order to elaborate more information about their personal lives. But seemingly to him, Jameela did not want to, and her lips were sealed.
"Hummm…" Jameela replied, as she drifted away, finding and picking green leaves that burst into pungent scent when plucked from the ground.
Realizing that he had lost his audience, Erik scanned the cliff top and located a path that led down to the beach. Glancing back at the elderly woman, he waved and set off down the pathway. Within a few moments, he reached the sand and saw Christine going straight ahead. He followed her, drawn by her beauty and animated personality. She walked leisurely, and he heard her humming a delightful tune.
"Christine, where are you going?"
Christine turned around to see Erik striding behind her. With a beatific smile, she paused her steps to wait for him to catch up with her, and then answered. "Nowhere really, I'm just strolling along the shore. Today is such a beautiful day and it would be a waste to not spend time outside, don't you think?"
"I want to join the walk with you," Erik suggested, doing his best to express friendliness, but yet his tone betrayed his inner intention, and sounded rather commanding. From the day he was born until now, Erik had never had a friend. Most people, who knew of his deformity, including his family, felt repulsed by his appearance, and since they all shunned him, Erik had no choice but to spend his days in solitude. As time flew by, after he had left everything behind to sail the sea, people under his crew command had always feared him, hence giving him the nickname the Man of Terror. And therefore, the wind and the sea were his only companions.
"Uhm… sure, I don't mind." Though feeling a little awkward, Christine managed what she hoped passed for a pleasant approval. This was the fourth time she had spoken to him, and each time before was rather short and unusual. Regardless of that, yesterday event had proven that Erik deserved another chance, and Christine would not deny him that.
They walked together in mutual silence. At first, Christine had thought that Erik liked to share something with her, and she was eager to learn about it. But as the sound of silence became increasingly unpleasant and it seemed so obvious that Erik actually waited for her to initiate the conversation, Christine decided to break the stillness by asking questions about him.
"Do you mind if I ask how you got the scar?" As she enquired, her index finger pointed to the right side of her face, indicating Erik's disfigurement.
"I was born with it," Erik curtly replied, apparently showing no interest in the topic. Silence again ensued, and Christine realized she had asked the wrong question. But after a few moments, Erik began to speak up:
"I am curious why you did not scream and run away when you saw what lay beneath my mask. Others would."
"I am not afraid of you," Christine replied with utmost sincerity in her voice. His question seemed to be rather odd, and she wondered why he had berated himself. The concealed side of his face was not a vision to behold, but to her he did not look as monstrous as he believed that would scare her away from him.
"Why? Am I not hideous to you, a monster to be shunned and rejected?" he asked her again to ensure what he had heard was correct. His eyes grew wide, penetrating into hers and frantically searching for any signs of deceit. How could Christine be so different from anyone he had known? Was she lying to him to bear his feeling? Nevertheless, all he could see was innocence and purity reflecting back at him in those lovely blue eyes, causing his suspicion to subside, leaving only shame in its wake.
Christine gave him a warm smile, assuring him of her full honesty:
"Just because, Erik. I already told you that I am not frightened of you nor will I shun you for what you hide behind your mask. To me, you are just another human being that God created. Beauty is in the eyes of the beholders and what matters the most lies within your heart. My father had taught me that and I never forgot it."
Erik became speechless at her words, his body stiffened, as he felt a powerful emotion coursed through his body. Christine was the first person, who did not give a damn about his disfigurement. Although they barely knew each other, her words struck a chord deep within him.
He reached out to hold her hands, his gaze still lingered upon her face, as he began to chuckle softly.
"And what made you so amused?" Christine enquired, still smiling at him. "Did I just grow another pair of eyes and ears?" Her sense of humor caused them both to burst out laughing, and for the first time, Erik truly felt joyful. Christine's angelic laughter resonated around him like loving arms, banishing the demons of his past and bringing light into his dark soul, only if she knew what she was doing to him.
"No… not amused but amazed. Do you know how much your words meant to me? I've never thought I would find such an amazing woman, who would look at me the way you did. When we spoke and touched, you didn't shudder or show revulsion to me."
Christine giggled softly, as her face became crimson with embarrassment at his flattering words:
"Why? I am absolutely astounded by your articulate declarations. I don't know what happened to you in the past, but Erik, for the entire time you're staying on this island, I would like to get to know you and perhaps become your friend." Christine darted her eyes to another direction, timidly avoiding his eye contact.
Growing up on this remote island, Christine did not have any real friends beside her horses and other small animals. Despite of Erik's uncongenial behavior in the beginning, she still found him captivating and intriguing, and yesterday he had shown her a bright side of his personality. Therefore, in her opinion, Erik could not be a bad person. Perhaps not.
"Friend? Are you serious of what you just said?" Erik stared at her in incredulity, unable to believe his own ears. She wanted to be his friend, and the idea seemed to be both peculiar and exhilarating to him.
"Yes, I mean it," Christine assured him.
"Oh Christine, you have no idea how many times I wished to have a friend, a true friend. I mean that quite literally."
Their eyes remained on one another's face for a while. Erik drew his breath slowly, steadily. In front of him stood a glorious angel, who saw through him, accepted him and allowed him this opportunity to present himself. He looked into her hopeful blue eyes and felt his heart skip another breathless beat. All else ceased to exist or matter. She had melted his heart with her innocent charm and kindness, and entered his soul with her soft laughter.
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The sound of the distant seagulls drew them out of their reverie. Christine gently but reluctantly released her hands from his grasp. Her face still blushed from his statements, but yet, she felt that they should be doing something more productive than just standing there in such a beautiful day like this.
"Since you've just arrived, I would like to show you around the island. Would you like to come with me? We will ride my horse instead, since you have not fully recovered." Christine shyly suggested.
"Yes, I would love to." Erik replied with assurance. Her offer triggered his heart to pound rapidly in his chest, and he could not wait to be closer to her.
With a loud whistle, Christine called on her horse, Claudius, to come and pick her up. After a few minutes passing by, a pristine stallion appeared running toward their location and stopped next to her. The wild horse swished his tail, happily greeting his friend, and rubbed his muzzle against her arm. Christine tenderly patted his forehead, and then within a blink of an eye, she swiftly got onto his back. Looking down at Erik, she contentedly extended her hand and said:
"Please come join me."
Without any hesitation, Erik quickly took her hand and came up behind her. Riding a horse was not new to him, and in fact, it was one of his hobbies to do back in the days at his mansion.
Christine's shoulders stiffened slightly when Erik wrapped both of his arms around her to take hold of the horse's mane. His rock-hard frame pressed against her back, while his warm breaths tenderly caressed the nape of her neck, silently hypnotizing her to surrender to his woodsy, masculine scent.
A strange, pleasant feeling washed over her, causing her body to tremble with excitement. Yet, Christine was so confused, for what was there to feel excited about? This was not the first time she rode with him and Christine made every effort to remain calm.
Nevertheless, Erik noticed a sudden change in her expression, and he wondered if he had done something wrong to her. Feeling worried, he asked:
"Christine, are you alright?"
"Yes, I'm fine." She answered, trying to sound as composed as possible, but at the same time doing her best to suppress the raging fire inside her body. Christine convinced herself that this symptom was due to her lack of sleep for the past few days. Quickly dismissing it, she put on a bright smile to assure Erik of her condition: "I just feel a little tired, but it will eventually go away soon. Don't worry!"
"If that's the case, let us go then." Erik suggested. His voice was low and caressing at her ear.
"Yes, hold fast, sailor." Christine said, as she prodded the powerful beast into a breathless gallop with a nudge of her heels and gave him free rein.
Tingles of excitement coursed through beneath their skin, as the wind whipped past with its bite invigorating and freeing. As the two rode together along the beach, they thrilled in mutual delight, as if they were the only beings in this enchanted existence.
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On the cliff above them, Jameela stood watching the two together. In her eyes, they looked more like lovers, and while the situation between them seemed to improve, it still troubled her. With a heavy sigh, she shook her head, and mumbled to herself.
"I hope Christine knows what she is doing. She seems to be interested in the young sailor." Rolling her eyes heavenward, Jameela continued. "Arid, if you could hear me, please always protect Christine. The girl is too young to understand life could be unpredictably dangerous. I am so worried for her."
A wind gently blew by, as if Arid had heard and responded to her prayer. But as strange as it appeared, the wind somehow told her that Erik and Christine were destined to be together, and Jameela suddenly felt the heavy weight being lifted off her chest.
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The passage of time became lost in a dreamlike realm, as the two young people had so much fun touring the island.
It could have been hours, it could have been minutes, though logic told Christine no more than several must have elapsed. When they dismounted the horse near a lagoon and walked together, Erik was amazed at how lovely the island looked. The trees and bushes were so green and unique with wild blossoms harmoniously growing everywhere, creating a romantic scenery. The air was fresh with birds singing mellifluously on the trees. In France, it was difficult to experience this kind of peace, especially in an overcrowded town, city or village where the populace grew.
Erik walked to the water, kneeling down, and quickly splashing some water onto his face. Christine watched him from behind, softly giggling. Oh how she enjoyed spending time with him. Erik seemed to find everything on this island to be magnificent, and she just wondered how life in his homeland (hers as well) had been like.
As Erik turned around, catching her smiling and daydreaming, he asked:
"What's so funny?"
"Nothing." Christine briefly replied, turning her face to another direction so Erik would not see her blushing. Stepping a couple feet away, Christine turned to smile at him, and her eyes sparkled with curiosity. "Tell me sailor, what is life in France like compared to here? I want to learn about the place that you came from, the people, the houses and... What's that word again? Oh, the streets?"
"Well, I lived in a big city…."
"What is a city?" Christine enquired.
"It's like a big village with many streets, filled with carriages, people, bridges over the rivers… and buildings as tall as tree."
"Amazing. I want to see those things." Christine said with hopeful eyes, and both of her hands clapped together.
"Oh, you will. When my crew comes and gets me, I want to take you and your mom on a fun trip to the mainland and show both of you the civilization there."
"What? Really? You can't be serious." Christine frantically batted her eyes questioning him. She pondered if Erik truly meant what he said.
"Yes, I am. I'll show you all the wonders in the mainland so that you both know how to use this land properly and make the most of it." Erik confirmed her with opened arms, as his eyes scanned around the area.
"Make the most of it?" Christine reiterated his words, which tremendously puzzled her. Her life on this island had been fine, but perhaps Erik might have assumed it was just insufficient and behind compared to his place.
"Yes. In the mainland, people build roads, decent houses and…"
"Our house here is fine." Christine quietly interrupted, unsure where this conversation would go.
"You think that only because you don't know any better."
Erik's relaxed declaration hurt her. Irritated at his arrogance, Christine strode quickly to her horse, intending to abandon him behind. When she was about to mount her horse, she heard him calling from behind her.
"W-Wait a minute. Don't take it that way. Hey. Hey! W-w-wait!""
"What now?" Christine glared at him and saw him running behind her, her cheeks flushing.
"Why did you run away? I only meant that people at my place, the mainland, have taught and improved the lives of wild people all over the world." His breaths came in gasps, as he muttered the words.
He did not intend to infuriate her and drive her away. Within a second, she had gotten away from him, and he had to run as fast as he could to catch up with her.
"Wild people? You mean my mom and me? And what the hell made you think we should learn from you? And make the most out of this land?" Enraged, she jumped onto her horse and commanded him to move. But Erik had caught up with her and halted the beast.
"No. Listen. That's not what I meant. Let me explain."
"LET GO!" Christine squealed with anger.
"No. I'm not letting you leave." Erik replied, his eyes and action amplified his words. "Look Christine, don't do this. Wild is just a word to describe people who are uncivilized…"
"Like me?" Christine scowled at him defiantly. This man was insufferable. How dare he called her uncivilized?
As quick as a lightning bolt, Christine effortlessly grabbed the big tree branch above, swiftly swinging herself upward, and landing acrobatically on top like a squirrel. She was determined to get away from him, the arrogant bastard. Nothing he could do would stop her. Christine continued to reach for the next higher branch and quickly climbed up.
"Well, when I said uncivilized. What I meant is, is…."
"What you mean is 'not like you!'" Christine shouted down at him.
"Christine, please just listen." Erik tried to catch up with her by doing the same thing she did. But unfortunately since he lost his balance on the first tree branch, he accidentally fell down, landing on his rears. "O-Ouch," Erik cried out in pain.
With a sharp exhaled breath, Christine jumped down from the tree, agilely landing on the balls of her feet and quickly approached him. This man truly caused more troubles to himself than he thought.
Noticing her being near, Erik suddenly stood up and grabbed her by the wrists, pressing her back against the tree to block her escaped route, while her face was merely inches from his.
"Erik, you lied to me. You pretended to get hurt in order to lure me. LET GO OF ME." Christine shrieked.
She struggled to get away, but he was too strong.
"Christine, listen. I won't let you go." Erik was assertive in his words, but Christine turned her gaze away, ignoring him. "I'm deeply sorry about my overstatement. Earlier I did not mean to insult you. It was simply an offer, an invitation. There are a lot of things you haven't seen and I would like to have the honor to show you around the mainland, if you like, just to see how life truly is out there."
"You think I'm an ignorant, wild person, who doesn't know any better?" She looked back at him. Her voice was shaken with emotion, and her twinkling eyes were glimmered with anger. Erik soon realized he had offended her tremendously.
Nonetheless, the longer he stared at her, the more he felt fascinated by her enchanted beauty. She looked like a beautiful little spitfire, all sparks and flame. Erik drew his breath slowly, quietly. How he wished she was his, all fire and fury, all independence and courage, all heated passion.
"No, never. I've never thought of that." His tone was velvety and emphatic. "Ever since I met you and got to know you, I never had a single negative thought about you, or your mom. You have been kind to me, and I only wished to repay you with my appreciation, if that's possible."
Christine stared at him, searching his eyes for any sign of deception, yet Erik seemed genuinely repentant, giving no indication of playing false.
Seeing Christine not responding, Erik became even more worried, as he continued:
"I am very sorry that you were upset like this. I really didn't mean to hurt you. But please, don't do this to me. I don't want to lose a friend like you, and to be honest, you are my first and only friend." As he spoke the last words, Christine could hear his voice quivering. He had truly meant it.
"Fine," she said with sigh of resignation. Since Erik had done a fair job of apologizing, she figured harboring a grudge would only drive her more insane. "I suppose… you are forgiven. But please promise me that you will consider your words before you speak. Your statements earlier hurt me like a knife. I must admit I haven't been to many places like you, and the island is the only place that I know. But please don't call me wild or say I don't know any better. You understand?"
"Yes, I do and you already have my promise on that. So now we are back to being amiable, are we?" His voice pleaded softly, while his face drew even closer to her. How he yearned to bestow a kiss upon her lips and freeze this wondrous moment to last forever. This maiden had mysteriously drawn him to her, secretly worming her way through the impenetrable barrier of his heart. But he would not admit it to her. At least not now.
However, inwardly fighting the churning desire within him, Erik slowly but reluctantly released her from his strong hold.
"How about you continue to show me around the island. I would like to learn more about it."
A relieved smile touched his lips, as he extended his arm to her, inviting her to continue the trip with him.
Christine was hesitant to take his hand, her mind churning over all the implications accepting his offered touch might bring. And yet, they had come a long way in the last few minutes. Her adopted parents had told her that no one in this world was perfect, even husband and wife sometimes fought over things, not to mention her and Erik being friends. And from the way Erik had stepped up and immediately apologized, she began to think he was not as egotistical and arrogant as she had assumed. So with a smile, she accepted his hand, allowing him to take her along the bank.
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A/N: Hi readers, did you like the sexual tension between Erik & Christine?
Erik was such an idiot. He pissed her off again. "Yes, Erik, watch your words before you blurt it out."