BOOM. I don't have much to say... other than I'm sorry it took me over a year to update. That's kind of embarrassing. I wrote a lot of this in the past couple of days. As I've said in the past, I have to be in that mood. And I have to have time. It's rather funny that I wrote a major portion while in college. Since when do you have time in college, right? Well, I don't know. haha.. I really hope you enjoy this chapter and its variety of emotions. Please don't get whiplash! But please DO review! ;)

Finally

Erik gently tugged on Amelia's hand as he led her through the dark passageways. They were silent now, both thinking similar thoughts. They were both so emotional, yet emotionally drained. There had been a very wide range each felt within the last hour or so. Erik felt like he had so much more to tell Amelia, but he didn't want to drown her. He wanted to tell her about the day she lost her memory and the velvet box... his song for her. At that thought, Erik brushed his lips against her hand yet again.

Amelia leaned closer to him. She was so happy. She couldn't believe what had happened mere minutes ago. Everything Erik told her had made sense, for the most part. Of course she wouldn't remember every detail, but the story confirmed that she wasn't a lunatic. Amelia wanted to know so much more about her forgotten year… or years. But, then again, she would give anything to just lay down and sleep. Her week of depression combined with ridiculous exhaustion and the sudden fluctuation of emotions just left her drained. She smiled nonetheless. Now that she had Erik, Amelia would have all the time in the world to sleep.

"Are we almost there?" she felt like she had to whisper.

"Nearly," he replied, just as quietly.

After a couple minutes, Amelia noticed a dim light washing over the hallway. Erik continued into his home and turned to face her. He wanted to see her expression, whether it be recognition or surprise; he didn't even care which. A smile appeared on his lips as he watched Amelia. Her lips parted as she took in his home. Her oceanic eyes swam along the cavernous walls and ceiling. They drank in each piece of furniture. They glowed as they rested on his piano. She smiled, too.

"This is beautiful, Erik."

He simply smiled in return and walked deeper into his home. Amelia followed, suddenly feeling very free and easy here. She released his hand to sit in the large chair. A sigh escaped her lips as she leaned back into the cushions. Her eyelids suddenly felt heavy...

"How many times have I been here?" she asked softly, eyes closed.

"We both used to live down here," Erik replied easily. But Amelia's eyes shot open and she turned to stare at him. "We slept in separate beds!" he added jokingly.

"Still, though... isn't that scandalous? Two young teenagers living together?"

"I wasn't really allowed to have a home, Mia. Marie snuck us in here, remember? You were only kind enough to stay with me, rather than live in the dormitories that they would have welcomed you to."

Amelia slouched slightly. That thought had never crossed her mind. She got up from the chair and went to him. Erik was facing the water with his back to her. Amelia stood behind him for a moment, then took both of his hands and rested her head against his back, like she had not long ago. They stayed in that position for a while, both feeling very comfortable with each other.

Then Amelia wrapped her arms around his waist and pulled him closer.

"Do you have any more stories about us?" she said softly.

She felt him sigh. "I have many." Erik turned around within her arms. "But I'm awfully tired. If you want to hear another story, I might need something to help keep me awake." Even with his mask on, Amelia could see the implication in his eyes and his devious smirk. She stared at that smirk for a moment. Then she captured it. At first his lips were tight from smiling, but when they softened, Amelia swore she did too. Every inch of her felt like warm, melting butter. She loved how gentle their kisses were.

"Ah, much better," Erik said, smiling. He took her hand and led her back to the chair. Once Amelia sat down, she realized that she wanted him to sit next to her. She looked next to her and realized that that would not work.

Erik noticed her body language and understood what she wanted. "There used to be a time when we could both fit on that," he mused. Amelia smiled for a moment and looked up at him. "I'm better at telling stories when mobile anyway," Erik added, and began to pace. "I suppose I haven't told you one of the most important stories…"

Amelia was glad he knew her so well. She wanted to know why she couldn't remember any of this. She looked up and became somber. She wished she could remember the laughs they had shared in this grotto. The nights they stayed up talking. Amelia looked over at him and found that he was still pacing. Something romantic he had done for her. She curled her legs beneath her and leaned against the cushions. A touch. A smile. A song…

Her eyes closed as Erik began to tell the story.

"We had been together for about a year, and I had a present for you." He glanced at Amelia and then the velvet box atop his side table. "I took you to the auditorium. I really have no idea why I wanted to give it to you there. Perhaps it was because I wanted to keep you waiting. You are adorable when you're impatient." He looked at her again to see her smile, eyes still closed.

"I took you above the stage, to the catwalk. I was such an idiot. I was hoping you would be afraid—just a little—so I could be the brave man." Erik rolled his eyes and sighed. "I kissed you when we reached the top. But you eagerly waited for the real present, which was in my pocket. Being the child I was, I decided that you should chase and catch me to win the prize."

Amelia's eyes were now open and she sat up. She urged him to continue with her eyes, but his back was to her. Erik stared at the water with tears in his eyes. His lips parted in preparation, but no words escaped them. He removed his mask and held it at his side.

"Mia, you must know if I had any idea it would happen I never would have even thought about taking you to the auditorium. You must know that." She nodded furiously even though he couldn't see her.

"You chased me. I outran you and you got lost. I kept running because I didn't know how close you were. As you walked around up there, the rickety floor gave out and you fell." He let the mask slip from his fingers and descend to the ground. The clatter made Amelia jump.

"But my torment didn't end there. There had been ropes all over the floor and some fell with you. Multiple ropes wrapped around your body, suspending you above the stage. I followed sound of your cries for help." The pain in Erik's heart made him stop for a moment. It was amazing that it hurt to even speak about this incident because he loved her so much. That thought was both comforting and tragic. His mind lingered.

"What happened?" Amelia whispered, almost inaudibly.

Her voice returned him to reality. He swallowed his emotions and continued, "As I said, the ropes wrapped around your body. Including your neck. Like the floor, though, the ropes were starting to give out. But the accursed one enclosed around your neck did not. You were being strangled before my eyes, and it was all my fault. I didn't know what to do."

He had turned around and stared at Amelia with such vulnerability in his eyes. His maskless face looked so helpless. Tears spilled over at the sight of him.

"And you... between suffocated breaths, you... You told me to cut the ropes. I feared the inevitable harm of such a fall. But you were confident even though you were slipping away. I was so unsure of what to do until... until you said that you loved me."

Erik left his mask on the floor and made his way toward her. As he neared, Amelia instinctively reached out to him. He took her outstretched hand and slowly kneeled in front of her. He kissed a fingertip.

"Mia, you were the first person in my entire life to say that to me. You have been the only one to say it." He looked up.

A sob escaped Amelia's lips as she gazed at him through tear-filled eyes. He was still holding her hand, so she used the other to guide his neck next to hers. Her fingers clutched his hair and she leaned her head against his. She sobbed again.

"Please don't cry, Mia. I hate it when you cry." He felt her body breathe in and the air tickled his ear when she released it. Amelia clung to him as she tried to control her tears.

Erik closed his eyes. Unfortunately, this was not the reaction he was hoping for. He didn't really know what he wanted her to do, but it wasn't this. He didn't want her to pity him. He didn't want her feelings for him to change because of this extra piece of information. He simply wanted her to know that about him. She hadn't known it before, although she could have guessed.

"Mia," he whispered, "don't pity me. Please." Erik pulled away from her so he could see her face. Eyes and lips swollen. He had made her cry like that. He looked away to escape her heartbreaking gaze.

"How can I not, Erik?" she said, voice thick with emotion. He turned toward her again, only to regret it. Fresh tears poured down her cheeks.

"Stop," he whispered feebly.

"No. How can I not pity you? Your life has been so..."

"Unfair?"

She stared at him. "Can you not see how much of an understatement that is?"

"Mia, I see it. I know my life has been far more than unfair. But what can I do about it now? What's done is done. Besides, the most unfair part of it all is you."

Amelia stopped and stared at him yet again. She was prepared to fight with him, but that caught her off guard. What did he mean by that?

"What?" she breathed.

"Amidst all the injustices in my life, I have you. It isn't fair or right for me to have you, but I do. That's all that matters to me now."

She sighed. How could she fight with that?

She wiped her tears from her cheeks and rubbed her eyes. It wouldn't be long before she fell asleep... But something stopped her from laying back.

"What happened? Did you cut the rope?"

Erik sat on the ground and rubbed his face. He sighed. "Yes." Amelia watched him for a moment, wondering if he would continue. He licked his lips. "You fell, of course. But that sound... I can still hear the thud of your body impacting the stage. God, that sound." He composed himself. "I ran to you and realized that you weren't breathing properly. I struck your back and you began to breathe normally. But there was blood on your head. Not too much, but seeing it on my fingers petrified me. I took you to Marie, and she cared for you."

Amelia sighed. "And then I woke up, having forgotten everything. God, this kills me that I don't remember."

"Me, too."

Not long later, Erik sat at the piano, and Amelia had curled back into the chair. He played a gentle melody, an aimless song of pure joy. While Mia was upset about forgetting, he felt better about telling her the complete truth. Erik smiled slightly to himself; he knew she was happier about knowing that lost part of her life. He continued tinkering on the piano, making a lullaby up on the spot. Amelia had to be drifting over in her chair. She had to be exhausted from the day's wild emotional undulation. Erik wondered if she had slept well the last few weeks. He sure hadn't. But now, sleep was not a problem. His hands literally had a mind of their own. As he fell asleep, Erik played a mellow variation of his song for Amelia.

She knew she was still asleep. But she was kind of awake. And uncomfortable. The first thing she saw when her eyes opened was Erik's bed. A large, soft bed. All she wanted was to go back to sleep comfortably. Amelia uncurled from her stiff position on the chair and stumbled to the comfort of the unfamiliar bed. She pulled the sheets over herself and closed her eyes. At least the smell was familiar...

She opened her eyes, already knowing what would be above her. Erik looked down at her both lovingly and hungrily. She loved the mixed emotions in his eyes; it stirred an amazing burning sensation in her stomach. She distantly hoped that she conveyed the same feelings. His hot breath fanned her cheeks and muddled her mind, so she finally stopped thinking.

She looked down and realized that his shirt was gone. Another sizzle in her stomach. Boldly, Amelia touched his sinewy shoulders and arms. She grazed her fingers against his chest. His breath accelerated against her face. She finally rested her hands on his neck and looked up at him. He dipped closer. Her heart hammered in anticipation of the kiss.

Erik's lips brushed against her own, burning her there. They both responded at the same time, kissing harder. He lowered himself so that their bodies meshed together, and Amelia found her fingers tangled in his hair. As she gasped for air between kisses, she breathed in his hot scent. It was both intoxicating and suffocating. Amazing.

As he deepened the kiss, the burning spread everywhere. His warm body enveloped hers as her blood boiled in her veins. Amelia was sure she would burn alive, inside and out. It was a marvelous sensation.

Then, he was hurled off of her. She heard him grunt from the sudden force. Amelia tried to sit up, disoriented. When her eyes finally focused, she saw Erik sitting on the ground, also confused. His mask was gone, but it didn't bother her. What bothered her was the fact that his expression and position reminded her of a lost and lonely child.

She tried to get up and go to him, but something made her freeze. Gypsies. They began to circle Erik, sneering and brandishing their weapons. Erik looked frightened, and Amelia wanted to cry. Then they hit him. One whipped him, the sound echoing in her ears. Another kicked him repeatedly while he was down. She watched in horror as they continued to beat him. Now she cried. She screamed his name, not knowing how it would help.

Each blow, smack, and hit was like a flogging upon her heart. It felt like chunks of it were being ripped out. Erik's body cowered from each direction the gypsies attacked him. His face was horrifying now.

His expressions cut her deep. She was helpless to save him.

"Disgusting maggot!"

Bleeding.

"Loathsome monster!"

Bruised.

"Devil's Child!"

He collapsed.

"ERIK!" she screamed.

"Erik! Oh, God... Please! Erik!" Amelia's voice reverberated off the cavernous walls. Erik sat straight up on the piano bench, alarmed and confused. His neck ached from its previous position on the keys. He had expected to see Amelia standing in front of him, but he had to look around to find her. Erik walked precariously around his home, only half-seeing things. A soft whimper awakened his senses.

Amelia thrashed in the sheets of his bed and whimpered again. He bolted to her side. Her cheeks were flushed, and a pained look tarnished her features. Erik briefly noted the thin sheen of sweat coating her forehead and neck. His hands hovered above her; he was unsure of what to do.

"Erik," she keened. "Please stop! Erik..."

What could she be dreaming about? What was he doing in her dream that she so desperately wanted him to stop? Erik retracted his hands and looked away. Why was she having a nightmare about him? Did his face secretly horrify her? Did she just pretend not to care while her subconscious revealed her true feelings about him? He was on the verge of leaving her there alone on the bed.

Amelia whimpered again. The sound broke his heart. It didn't matter what she was dreaming because he was going to end it.

"Mia," he said softly, gently shaking her. She remained in her nightmare. He kept cooing her name and touching her shoulder to no avail.

"Amelia," he said and shook her with more force.

"Erik?" Her eyes were closed, but he could tell that she was searching for him. "Erik? Erik..."

"Mia, I'm here. Wake up. Open your eyes."

"Erik..." she sounded hopeless.

"Wake up, Amelia!" he nearly shouted.

Her eyes flew open in shock. Then they settled on the young man sitting on the edge of the bed. She blinked a few times, slightly confused. But when she saw him and realized she was no longer dreaming, Amelia let out a breath. She reached out to him, and he hesitated. Hurt flicked across her features.

"Erik," she breathed, suddenly remembering the intimate part of her dream. The cold sweat that coated her face and neck made her shiver. He took her hand. His warmth made her draw him closer. He hesitated again, looking unsure. Determination took over Amelia's features, and she deliberately pulled him down onto the bed. Erik tentatively laid his head down on the pillow facing her. He still didn't know what her dream had been about; he didn't want to upset her.

Amelia literally stared into his eyes for a very long time. Dark brown all the way through. Though she found that in dim candlelight his eyes held a golden glow again. That was nice. She finally allowed her eyes to release his and looked down. A light scar blemished the top of his chest. Amelia felt her eyes sting as images from her dream resurfaced. She shuddered.

Erik watched her as she stared at him. As her eyes changed color with every minute movement like the sea. As she smiled ever so slightly. As her lips parted when she breathed. As she slowly looked away and saw something. As pain washed over her features. Now he watched her helplessly. He still didn't want to touch her and possibly upset her further.

Amelia looked up at him again with tears in her eyes. "Hold me," she whispered.

When he paused, she buried her face into his chest. Erik immediately wrapped his arms around her. It was slightly awkward lying down, but he didn't care. He felt her breathing deeply against his chest. She wasn't crying, though. Erik placed one hand against her head and began stroking her hair. She curled closer to him. He rested his cheek on the top of her head, and they both sighed.

Amelia woke up from the best night's sleep she'd ever had. She kept her eyes closed, loving how refreshed and warm she felt. Her sigh caught in her throat. Warm? All along her back a soft, wonderful temperature... She looked down at what was in her hands. A third hand. What?

Then, with a rush, it all came back. Making up. The truth. The whole truth. Crying... a lot. Her dream. Erik's endless hesitations. And finally, falling asleep in his arms.

She looked down at his hand again. Now she felt his arm draped across her side. An oddly familiar sense sizzled in the pit of her stomach. Amelia closed her eyes again and relished in the warmth of his body enveloping hers. She felt his face against the back of her head, no doubt buried in her hair. Pulling his hand closer to her face, she kissed his finger.

Erik opened his eyes and took in a breath at the same time. Something hindered both of those actions. He pulled his head back from the mass of sandy locks in front of him, spitting out a few strands in the process. Both of his arms were uncomfortably asleep. As he began to let go of Amelia, he realized that he was holding Amelia. Their shared warmth covered the entire front of his body. It felt nice. He nuzzled his face back into her hair while pulling her closer. She sighed and kissed his finger again. They lied there, both knowing the other was awake.

Amelia suddenly bolted upright.

"What?" Erik asked, voice thick from sleep.

"I… spent the night here. We didn't… but people might… Caitlin. Marie."

She scrambled out of the bed and wobbled on the stone floor. Amelia darted around, looking for any belongings that she would need to gather. She caught sight of her reflection and worried about her slightly puffy eyes... After a few moments, she realized that Erik was laughing. Laughing. Amelia looked away from the mirror and glared at him. Erik continued laughing hysterically, rolling around on the bed.

"What, may I ask, is so funny?" she snapped.

Erik's laughter finally trailed off and he took a few breaths. He sat up and smiled at her. Amelia's eyes narrowed. "This whole situation! You only slept here. And you're worried what the two girls who know you best will think!" He chuckled again. "I suppose I'm just slap happy. You're worried about propriety, but I'm just glad that you came last night…"

Amelia's eyes softened. "I'm glad as well." She smiled. "Thank you for telling me everything." She sat on the edge of the bed and looked at her hands. "I can't imagine how difficult it was for you all this time. I can't imagine being in your place." She paused for a moment and her brow furrowed. "I can't imagine how I'm worth it…"

Amelia trailed off and looked away, suddenly embarrassed. She rarely felt insignificant, but she suddenly couldn't believe that Erik had done all this for her. That he had waited for her. After all this time, hadn't he grown tired of waiting? Or even just of her? Amelia felt herself blushing with chagrin. She failed to notice Erik inching closer to her.

"Mia," he said simply. His nickname for her sent chills down her spine, and warmth seeped through her veins. She looked up and was surprised by his sudden proximity. "You must know that you are far more than worth it." Her lips parted as she thought God, I hope so. Erik smiled slightly. His fingers brushed her newly flushed cheek, then her jawline. Then he lowered his lips to hers.

A perfect balance of pressure and softness took her breath away.

It only needed to last a few moments. It wasn't an urgent, hot kiss. It wasn't necessarily a chaste kiss, either. It was simply Erik's way of proving his last statement.

As they pulled away, Amelia's eyes were still closed. She slowly opened them after a moment. Erik's maskless face didn't frighten or bother her. While the previous night had been the first time seeing it since losing her memory, it still felt familiar. That was good. Deep within the recesses of her mind, she remembered. Amelia suddenly wanted to thank Erik for waiting for her. So she tried to give him something as intimate as that kiss.

She lifted her hand and touched her fingertips to his raw cheek. Erik's eyes slid closed. She touched his right eyelid. His nose. His twisted lip. She moved closer and reached to touch his ear. Even that felt slightly different than normal. Amelia looked at his peaceful expression. Then she took advantage of her proximity and kissed him. Both of her hands cradled his face. This kiss was much softer, more comforting. Trusting.

They didn't pull away this time, keeping close after the kiss ended. Amelia's eyes swept his face, loving his differences now. She took in each abnormality and committed it to memory: she would not forget again.

"You are amazing," Erik breathed.

Amelia smiled softly. Then a thought returned, pushing all others aside. She bit her lip in frustration. "Well, as much as I would love to stay forever in this… secret lair," she smirked, "I should go. I honestly do worry about propriety and Caitlin and Marie. Even if they don't think the worst of me, they might worry."

Erik sighed in agreement. "I'll see you at—well, I'm not really sure what time it is…" He turned to look at the clock on the side table. His eyes lingered on the velvet box. "Huh. Ten o'clock. I usually wake at eight no matter what. Oh, well. You go up to breakfast and I'll see you at lunch."

He stood and stretched. Amelia gazed at him furtively. She suddenly remembered his naked chest from the previous night and in her dream. A blush warmed her cheeks as she looked away. Now was not a time to think of such things. Erik turned to smile at her. He noticed the extra pink on her cheeks, but decided to ignore it.

"Not that I want you to leave, but… didn't you want to get going?" he tried to sound teasing.

Another blush. "I don't necessarily remember the way out, Erik."

"….Oh. Right."

Erik sat on his bed after returning from showing Amelia out. He let out a content breath. Never had he thought that things could go so well with her! The previous night had been quite an undulation of emotions, but she had stayed. After everything that had happened, Amelia stayed with him. Erik smiled.

As he changed, Erik's eyes wandered to the velvet box again. His lips pursed. There were two more things that he needed to give to Amelia. The velvet box and his song for her. But he would get there. They'd only been together a day! He didn't want to suffocate her with information, presents, love. No, he would take his time, and give her these things when she was ready. When they were ready.

Amelia was walking down a corridor when Caitlin appeared from thin air. The frantic friend dramatically pulled Amelia into the nearest room.

"Where have you been? Marie and I have been worried! Well, Marie's been worried. I've been anxious to hear what happened…"

"Caitlin, calm down. Erik and I talked at the café yesterday. Everything's fine." Amelia could tell immediately that such a measly explanation would not satiate her friend. She sighed. "Afterward, he took me to his home. And he explained… everything."

Caitlin's eyes widened and her mouth stretched into and open smile. "Isn't the grotto beautiful?" she asked dreamily. Then, more seriously, "Wait. Everything?"

Amelia smiled softly. "Yes. Erik and I have quite the history." Her smile turned wry.

They sat in the practice room and talked. Amelia told Caitlin almost every detail. There were some things she preferred to keep between her and Erik. Not because she was embarrassed or unsure, but because their relationship was theirs. Just that thought left her feeling giddy.

By the end, Caitlin was dragging information out of her. There wasn't much else to tell. Finally, their rumbling stomachs gave Amelia an excuse for them to leave. Breakfast had passed, and it was already time for lunch. And time to see Erik again. She wondered distantly if it was bad that she missed him already.

As Amelia and Caitlin walked into the dining hall, Erik and Marie entered from a different corridor. Amelia felt relieved. Now she wouldn't have to spend time explaining and repeating everything to Marie. She must have caught up with Erik and asked him about everything.

They all met at their usual table. Moments later Peter and Thomas joined them. Each person sat next to or across from their partner. Amelia smiled to herself, glad that things were finally falling in to place. Marie eyed Amelia warily, as if she still wanted to talk. Perhaps they could do that later; Amelia wanted to enjoy her first lunch with Erik and the other two couples. Caitlin and Thomas sat close to each other, eating little and talking in low voices. She and Erik sat across from them, closer than they'd sat in the past. Her heart fluttered when she looked briefly up into his eyes. Marie and Peter sat across from each other, eating politely and stealing endearing glances at one another.

This is how it's supposed to be, Amelia thought as Erik slipped his hand into hers.

Weeks passed. Erik and Amelia were forced to give more information. They each told Caitlin and Marie everything… excluding the fact that they slept in the same bed. Although they only slept, the couple figured some propriety would be helpful. When the two girls were satisfied with every detail, things began to settle.

Everyone eased into routines—some new, some old. Amelia continued her mail route; Erik helped her every once and a while. Marie and Caitlin continued with rehearsals. Operas were being performed quite often as it was the Populaire's peak season. With each passing performance, Marie earned higher dancing roles. Caitlin continued with the harp.

Sitting together at meals was a rarity now. Rehearsals, errands, and lessons made the three couples' schedules less flexible. So, in order to spend time together, they would arrange activities or trips on specific afternoons. As the spring turned into summer, the heat was frequently unbearable. One rather torrid afternoon, Thomas mentioned an oasis of relief.

"Has anyone heard of the lagoon?"

Everyone shook his or her head. The three couples were spread out beneath the shade of a couple chestnut trees. A light breeze maintained a rather comfortable temperature.

"I went there a few times when I was younger. It's a small pond in the middle of the forest a few miles east of Paris. A perfect place to cool off on a hot summer day…"

"Let's go!" Caitlin said, smiling eagerly.

"Do you know exactly where it is?" Peter asked.

Thomas shrugged. "I definitely remember how to get to the forest, but we might have a little adventure finding the pond. There used to be a small trail, but it's probably grown over by now."

Everyone went to their respective homes to change into appropriate attire. As Amelia walked with Caitlin, she realized that she hadn't been swimming since she was thirteen. Since her old life. A strange sense of nostalgia washed over her as she recalled playing in the creek with her brothers and sister. It was strange—she hadn't thought of her family in a very long time. It was strange not having a family anymore. In the instant Amelia thought that, Caitlin linked arms with her. She looked up at her best friend. She looked over at Marie, who smiled. Amelia thought of Erik and Peter and Thomas. Of Lucas. Of Monsieur Reyer. And she smiled.

She did have a family.

They borrowed three horses from the Opera's stable; each couple rode a horse to the forest. Amelia was surprised to find out that Erik knew how to handle and ride horses. He'd worked with them a couple of times at the Opera House, but it mostly came natural to him. Erik mounted the black horse with a grace she hadn't seen before. She gazed up at him as he situated himself and held out his hand to her. Masculinity radiated from him. Amelia tried to catch her breath as he helped pull her onto the horse.

She—unlike Marie—decided to ride the horse like a man, and sat behind Erik. He looked over his left shoulder at her as she wrapped her arms around his torso. Amelia blushed slightly. Would this feeling in her stomach never cease? She hoped not…

Thomas and Caitlin led the way, of course. Caitlin also rode the horse like a man, but Thomas sat behind her. Amelia thought that position looked comfortably intimate. She remembered how amazing it felt to have Erik's chest meshed against her back, their shared warmth. When Amelia saw Peter and Marie, she smiled. Marie rode like a lady and sat in front of Peter. They were going a bit slower than she and Erik. Peter noticed Marie's slight discomfort and slowed down just enough.

Minutes passed as the three couples rode silently. Amelia lifted her head from Erik's back to look at the scenery. In a few moments they would escape the city and enter a familiar world. It had been so long since she enjoyed the balmy sunshine or cool water of a creek. She missed playing like a child. Climbing trees. Walking barefoot in the soft grass. Purposefully getting dirty. Amelia was completely absorbed in nature now. It was heavenly.

The moment Erik took her hand, however, Amelia returned to the horse ride. When he lifted her left hand from his torso, she held on tighter with the other. He kissed her fingers. Amelia blinked, staring at his dark hair. Erik's hand caressed hers in almost a sensual way. Ah, the sizzling in her stomach had returned! As he released her hand, Amelia decided that she wanted him to feel that excitement as well.

She let her fingers wander, trying to feel the light muscles of his chest and stomach beneath his shirt. Erik's muscles tightened—in anticipation or discomfort or excitement, she did not know. Amelia leaned into his back, allowing her stomach and chest to rest there. Her face was centimeters away from his neck. She let her nose brush against his hairline so she wouldn't startle him. Her lips brushed against the hot skin of his neck, then she kissed him there.

Erik tried to concentrate on how fast they were going, on where the road was, even on the horse's ass in front of him. On anything but Amelia's arms around torso, hands feeling for God knew what. Her soft chest pressed against his back. Her legs enveloping his. Her lips lingering at the nape of his neck, warm breath fanning there. Erik tried to concentrate. He tried.

Over the thumping of the hooves and her heart, Amelia heard Caitlin clear her throat. She opened her eyes and stared at her friend. Then she tried to see Marie and Peter, but they were far enough behind not to notice her display of affection. Luckily, Thomas hadn't noticed, either. Amelia felt a blush weighing heavily on her cheeks, and she sat back. Caitlin merely winked as she and Thomas pulled ahead. Mortified, Amelia turned her head in the other direction and held onto Erik as limply as possible.

After a few more minutes of silent riding, the reached the edge of the trees. Thomas and Caitlin dismounted and began to tie up their horse. Erik glided off the horse in one swift movement. Amelia stayed where she was, too embarrassed to look into his eyes.

"Mia."

Heart fluttering, she looked down. Erik's dark eyes glowed beneath his mask. They glowed that golden color as if he were sitting in dim candlelight. Only this time, the glowing seemed to come from within, rather than a reflection of the golden light. His lips parted and formed a slight smile. She didn't even realize that she had swung both legs to on side of the horse. She didn't notice that as she begun sliding down, Erik grasped her sides to help. He practically lifted her off the horse. But she didn't notice. All she saw were his eyes.

"Jump! Jump in, Amelia!"

Caitlin and Thomas had already jumped off the rocks into the pond. The water was a perfect depth, a perfect blue-green, and hopefully the perfect temperature…

Amelia stood atop the rocks and fallen tree trunks anxiously. It had been so long since she'd done anything like this! Where was her childish courage? Her toes hugged the rugged edge. She clenched her hands into fists. She squeezed her eyes shut and screamed before she jumped in. The whoosh of falling lasted for just a moment or two, then the water engulfed her. It was quite cold, but not freezing. As she broke the surface, Amelia gasped at the temperature and for air. Then she laughed with Caitlin.

After getting used to the water again, Amelia looked at Erik, who sat on the water's edge. She swam over to him. When she got close enough, she could touch the muddy bottom.

"Is something wrong?" she asked quietly.

Erik looked down at her. He was wearing a white button-up shirt and black trousers. The lengths of both were rolled to his elbows and knees. His pale feet lounged in the shallow water.

"No," he replied.

Amelia hesitated. "Do… don't you want to swim?"

Erik hesitated this time. "I do, it's just… I don't know how to go about it."

"You don't know how?"

"I know how, I just don't know about…" he gestured to his mask.

"Oh."

She sat there in the water gazing at him. He didn't want to take off his mask to swim. Had the others not seen his face yet? Or did he not want to get his mask wet? Amelia walked up the shore to sit next to him. She was clad in only undergarments—bloomers and a chemise. She had blushed furiously when taking off her outer clothing earlier. Erik continued looking pensively at the water once she sat down. She sat on his left side, his good side.

"Do you not want your mask to get wet?" Amelia practically whispered.

Erik took a slow breath before replying. "I'd like to think that's my only excuse."

She blinked. "So, the others… they haven't seen…"

"Well, Marie has… At the traveling fair. But, no one else. Just you." He looked at her for a fleeting moment.

Amelia thought for a moment. Then she leaned in close to Erik's face. She kissed his cheek.

"Come in the water," she whispered against his ear, "however you want. Mask or nothing. You know I don't mind. These people love you, too." She kissed the skin beneath his ear and went back into the water.

Erik sat there, dazed. Love you, too? Too? Heart pounding, he looked at his friends in the water. Marie also sat on the water's edge. Peter was beginning to wade out. Caitlin and Thomas were jumping, laughing, and splashing. Amelia was slowly swimming away from him. Too? As he unbuttoned his shirt, Erik was thankful yet again for his newly formed body. Amelia had seemed to appreciate it earlier. With newfound confidence, he waded out into the water, mask still in tact.

Too?

He followed Amelia silently; Caitlin and Thomas made enough noise to distract her. She lingered for a moment, and Erik seized the opportunity to grab her ankle and pull her back. Amelia let out a scream, but laughter soon followed.

She floated on her back while he held her ankles. She spread out her arms, and her hair followed. Erik pulled her legs to his right side and gazed down at her. Amelia was an ethereal mermaid. Her skin looked rather creamy, but he could spot a few freckles on her nose and cheeks. Her caramel hair looked delicious. When she opened her eyes, Erik couldn't breathe. He finally found the match to her eyes. The color that could describe them perfectly. Her eyes were a shady lagoon in a green forest beneath a perfectly clear blue sky.

"You are beautiful," Erik breathed.

Erik and Amelia agreed to return to the lagoon that night. Alone.

At around midnight, Amelia slipped out of the dormitory. She walked swiftly through each dim corridor, heart racing in excitement of seeing Erik and anxiety of getting caught. As she descended the staircase to the lobby, Amelia held her breath. Then she literally walked out the front doors. Who knew it would be so easy? She giggled lightly and made her way to the stables.

Amelia entered the dark stables silently. She couldn't see anything; the only sounds she heard were her own heart and a couple of snorts from the horses. As she walked blindly down a row of stalls, Amelia's fingers brushed along the wall. The hay crunched lightly beneath her feet. The adrenalin slowly faded from her veins. Now she just had to wait for—

Amelia's heart and stomach leapt when a hand grasped hers. She turned abruptly to see only his mask in the darkness.

"Shall we?" he said softly, holding out his arm.

Amelia smiled, knowing he could see her expressions. She took his arm and followed him to a nearby stall. Erik adjusted everything before mounting the black horse. By then Amelia's eyes had adjusted just enough to see his outline and a couple of details. He helped her onto the horse again, only this time she sat in front of him. As they trotted out of the stables, Amelia leaned back into his chest, forehead grazing his neck. This was where she belonged.

Minutes passed and so did the changing scenery. Amelia could barely see anything once they left the city, and she was thankful for Erik's keen eyesight. She distantly hoped he remembered how to get there, because she sure didn't. She had been a little distracted before…

Eventually they made it to the edge of the forest. The entire ride had been silent. Erik and Amelia both held blankets as they made the trek through the trees. She remembered this part a bit better. The country silence was peaceful. The birds were quiet, but they could hear crickets, bullfrogs, wind rustling the leaves. Erik began humming. Amelia was tempted to close her eyes and listen, but the ground was just uneven enough that she might fall. She hadn't heard the tune before, but it wasn't aimless. After a while he trailed off.

"What was that?" she whispered.

"A song I wrote. I'll play it for you soon." There was something different in his voice as he replied. Amelia couldn't quite place it—eagerness, anxiety, and peace. Strange.

Soon they found the clearing that held the lagoon. There were little enough trees to see large patches of the blue, velvety sky. It was a new moon, but stars were everywhere. The water was perfectly still glass, reflecting the canvas above. The couple simply stood at the edge of the trees, soaking in the beautiful night.

"It will be cold," Erik teased.

"Just a quick dip, then we can look at the stars," she whispered.

Erik merely smiled and took off his shirt. The action made Amelia blush—at his naked half and at the fact that she would soon be wearing less… As he rolled up his pant legs, she began to remove her dress. Tonight, she'd opted for a simple cotton slip beneath. Erik glanced up for a moment, then stared. Amelia stared wide-eyed back. He stood and inched closer.

Amelia slowly reached up to his face, and traced the edge of his mask. Erik closed his eyes, relaxing at her touch. Then she slid the mask off. She gazed at him for a moment. The darkness enveloped his face, so she couldn't see the details very well. But she remembered what he looked like, and she loved it. Amelia let her fingers trail down his right cheek. Then she took his hand and led him to the water.

"Swim," she said softly.

Erik watched her walk into the cold water for a few moments before he followed. The white of her slip stood out against the inky water. Soon, the blackness engulfed all of her. She came back up for air seconds later. He continued following her out until he could no longer touch.

"Mmmm…" Amelia sighed as she floated on her back.

Erik swam to her and went under. The cold felt lovely against his usually uncomfortably warm cheek. He stayed under for a while, enjoying the gooseflesh rising on his arms and legs. When he came up for air, Amelia was right there. He gasped softly—for air and in surprise. He watched her eyes sweep over his face and linger on his lips.

Erik reached out, and his hand grazed her side. Amelia gasped as he pulled her close. He wrapped his arms around her waist, her hands rested on his chest. Then he kissed her.

This kiss was different from any other. Despite the cold water surrounding them, both became hot. One of Amelia's hands moved to the back of his neck, pulling him closer. The other tangled into his hair. Erik pressed their bodies together, wanting to be as close as possible. She began gasping for breath while their mouths were still connected. Their tongues collided simultaneously, performing a primal tango.

Each movement assaulted Amelia's stomach with butterflies. The way Erik was kissing her… her heart was sure to explode. It was a good thing they were in water, or she would have collapsed. Her knees were bound to give out.

Erik couldn't believe he was kissing her this way, and she was returning his feelings! He loved how she grasped his hair, how she would run her fingers through it every so often. He loved that his mask wasn't in the way. He touched her neck, her arms, her cheeks. They were all so soft.

After a while, Amelia pulled away, gasping for air. They moved apart, both able to reach the muddy bottom. They stared at each other in the darkness, breathing heavily. Erik couldn't hear the crickets or bullfrogs over his heart. They continued gazing at each other.

"That was…" Amelia trailed off.

"Breathtaking," Erik finished.

After a moment, Amelia burst out laughing. She laughed hard and clutched her stomach. Her laugh permeated the entire forest, filling it with an enchanting sound. It was contagious. Erik followed suit and chuckled. He'd made a joke, after all. Once their laughter finally faded, Amelia sighed happily. She floated on her back again, looking at the vast sky above them. Erik just looked at her.

"Let's look at the stars," she whispered.

They got out of the pond and tried to dry off. The weather was still rather warm, so it felt good out of the water. They carried the blankets to a grassy spot with a perfect view of the sky. Erik lay down, and Amelia looked at his maskless face. It wasn't horrifying or even strange. It felt normal to see him this way. She smiled to herself and lay down as well.

"It's beautiful," she said softly. The stars were millions of tiny twinkles in the inky blue sky. A lighter section stretched across the middle, flecked with even more stars. Some were brighter than others. Some seemed blue, some purple, some white, and some orange. Some seemed closer than others. Some formed shapes, like clouds. All was silent except for the bugs and animals. It was a symphony of nature. It was beautiful.

After gasping at some shooting stars, Amelia grew tired. She nestled into Erik's side, fitting perfectly. He stroked her hair, knowing it would relax her further. Her fingers, which drew aimless circles on his chest, began to slow. Her breathing became deeper. Her hand now rested on his sternum. Erik sighed and closed his eyes.

"Erik?" she sighed.

"Hmmm?" he was barely awake.

"I love you."