"Come here, Christine." The Sultana watched as Christine took a step toward her while Erik held on tightly to her arm. She frowned when it become evident that Erik wasn't going to let her go. "Erik, I promise I won't hurt her. Let her come sit beside me."

Christine looked up at Erik to see his face set as if in stone. His facial expression was

emotionless and unreadable. He nodded once and released Christine's arm. Christine stayed where she was at, unsure of who to listen to. The Sultana had voiced what she wanted, but Erik's actions at the Sultana's command clearly indicated that Christine was to stay at his side.

"Christine, come sit." Christine didn't want to have to ask Erik what to do in front of the crazy lady, but she didn't have a choice. She didn't want either one of them mad at her.

Erik could clearly see Christine being uncertain as to who to follow. He could also see the Sultana grow impatient with Christine. He placed his hand on Christine's back and gave her a soft push. "Go ahead, Christine."

He watched as Christine slowly went and took a seat on the steps leading up to the Sultana's throne. He wanted to get Christine out of her as quickly as possible. If that meant pleasing the Sultana, then so be it. He could make it up to Christine later.

Sultana started running her hand through Christine's hair. She smiled and wondered how long both of her pets would behave for. Maybe Christine would even sing for her. Now was the time to test Erik's temper. When she had Christine in her hands.

"Erik, do you know where Hazif is? I haven't seen him all day."

"It is not my responsibility to keep up with that worthless pile of flesh."

"Erik, where is he?!"

"He's your minion."

"Erik, leave my sight until you are ready to tell me what you did with his body."

"Come, Christine." He held his hand out, waiting for Christine to come to him.

"No, Erik. Christine is going to stay with me. Aren't you, Christine?"

"Yes, ma'am." Christine wished the mad woman would quit messing with her hair. Had Erik really killed Hazif? Was it safer to stay here with the crazy lady or to go with the insane man? Oh, the choices.

"Go on, Erik. I will Christine back to you in time for bed. Christine can stay out of trouble for a few hours without you." The Sultana smiled as Erik turned his back on both her and Christine to leave the room.

Christine watched Erik leave the room and silently tried to will him back to her. She wished she hadn't agreed so easily to stay. Who would protect her from these people if not Erik?

The Sultana had been sitting restlessly in her chair, entertaining the company of a young man. She was ready to have him hauled off and tortured for not giving her his full attention. If it wasn't for the fact that she noticed what had his attention, she would have done just that.

She had forgotten about Christine being in the room. The girl had been so quiet. She had not said a single word since Erik had left her. To the Sultana, it seemed that Erik controlled the girl's very will to even live.

Christine had continued to sit in the same spot she had when she first sat down. However, now there were two white wires coming out of her ears and a small, rectangular box sitting in her hands. Christine sang so softly that if it hadn't have been for the distraction the Sultana would have never had noticed her.

The Sultana sent the young man away. He wasn't that entertaining to begin with. Maybe she could finally get Christine to sing for her. She called a servant to her and told them to go check on Erik.

Erik in a black mood was always a good thing. Unless, his anger was directed at her. She had a feeling that today it was. After all, she had taken away one of his favorite playthings for the day.

"Christine." The Sultana wasn't getting any response from her. Her attention was completely entranced by the song. The Sultana's voice became louder and harsh. "Christine."

Christine took an earphone out as she heard her name. She had a feeling she had done something wrong with how irrate the Sultana sounded. "I am sorry."

The Sultana smiled. The girl had no idea what it was she had done, but yet, she was apologizing for it. Maybe the girl would teach Erik how to say sorry. The Sultana highly doubted it. He had too much pride and was too egotistical.

"You were singing."

"I didn't mean to."

"Christine, I enjoy it when you sing. I only want for you to sing loud enough for me to be able to enjoy it."

"Can I go home?"

"I will return you to Erik later. Now sing for me."

An hour later Nadir walked into the throne room to hear the Sultana shouting threats at Christine, trying to get her to sing. Christine simply sat with her hands over her ears. Nadir could tell the Sultana was getting more infuriated with Christine by the second. He rushed over to Christine and slowly pulled her hands away from her ears. The Sultana stopped her shouting to watch Nadir.

"Christine, what is wrong?"

"I want Erik."

"Erik is busy at the moment. He is working on a project. Maybe there is something I can do for you?"

"No, I need Erik." Christine stood firm in her want for Erik.

"Why don't you sing, Christine? I am sure Erik will be done by the time you finish."

"No."

"Please, Christine. I haven't heard you sing in some time. Please, just one song."

"Then you'll go get Erik?"

"I'll even take you back to your room to wait."

Christine sat thinking about it for a moment before she began singing a song that Erik had taught her recently. She finished quickly and headed for the door, not even waiting for the Sultana to dismiss her. Nadir followed close behind to make sure nothing happened to her.

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

Erik walked into his bedroom to find Christine under the covers asleep, mumbling about something or another. As he took off his shoes, her voice grew louder. "Come back. Come back. Don't go. Come back."

Erik rushed to her and gathered her in his arms when she began to thrash wildly about in the bed. "Christine, wake up. Christine."

Christine opened her eyes to find Erik holding her. She threw her arms around his neck and buried her face in the crook of his shoulder. "Don't leave me, Erik. Please, don't leave me."

"Never, Christine."

NNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN

Nadir bowed before the Sultana in the throne room, waiting for his punishment. He shouldn't have taken off with Christine earlier this afternoon, but he knew for the well-being of everyone that Christine had to be kept safe and if at all possible, happy. If anything ever happened to Christine, death and destruction would consume all.

"Nadir, what am I to do with you?" The Sultana asked outloud, expecting no response. "Why did Christine sing for you this afternoon when she would not for me?"

"Christine doesn't respond well to being yelled at. She's strong willed, and if you would you have asked nicely the first time, she probably would have."

"I don't think Erik ever asks nicely."

"You'd be surprised at what Erik does to keep Christine happy."

"Get out of my sight." The Sultana sat, thinking. The wheels in her head started to turn. Yes, she would show both Christine and Erik who was in charge, and Christine would help her with it.