A sliver of sunlight found its way onto Christine's delicate face; causing a stir in the bed that Erik's angel of music lay. She opened her eyes and was greeted with a single rose tied in a black silk ribbon. Touching the flower delicately, she smiled as she remembered being carried into her room. Erik's strong arms had held her gently in her half state mind, and had laid her tenderly into her bed. A fierce heat hit her cheek as she thought of their passionate kiss the night before… the man had a power around him that made her want to succumb to his every glance. The door opened moments later and she was greeted by a cheerful Maryanne. Christine smiled; she was taking a liking to this maid, and hoped she could become friends with her.

"Good morning my lady, lets help you pick something out for that handsome gentleman of yours" Maryanne stopped suddenly, feeling embarrassed by her words.

Christine laughed in delight, Erik taken as handsome from another woman? Mostly everyone that had encountered Erik had been freighted of him right away. Christine nodded in reply and walked over to the dressing table with Maryanne. Opening the closest, Maryanne pulled out a beige colored gown with a lower cut bodice. The sunlight caught a twinkle of a few rhinestones running down the length of the gown. Christine ran a hand down the dress, closing her eyes in the feel of the silk. She had never owned something so beautiful in her life, and this was just a day dress. Christine knew Erik must have informed Nadir what to buy, she laughed at the thought of Nadir carrying around gowns such as these. After deciding on her gown for the day, Maryanne proceeded to help Christine with her hair. She wasn't sure at first how to wear her hair, and decided to leave most of it down, only clipping back a small portion.

"Come my lady, let us get you to the dining area, the master awaits you" Maryanne informed her, while straightening out the dress as Christine finished placing it on.

"Yes of course". With that Maryanne and Christine made their way down the stairs and into the great dining room. Nerves flooded through Christine as she noticed Erik standing against the mantle of the fireplace in a room they passed. She stopped suddenly and made her way to Erik. He seemed to be deep in thought and did not notice Christine's approach. She laid a hand tentatively across his arm, causing him to flinch slightly. He turned his head and grinned when he noticed it was her. She never tired of seeing him smile, it brought warmth to her heart and she wanted nothing more but to make him happy.

"You look lovely" he said softly to her, dismissing the anxious maid who stood behind Christine.

"We shall be in for breakfast shortly" he told the maid, who left with a knowing smile on her face.

Christine turned at the sound of the door closing, she looked around the room.

This must be his study she thought to herself, although she didn't know what Erik would want with a study to begin with.

Erik moved away from the mantle and turned toward her, she looked so beautiful. He grasped one of her chocolate curls and twirled it lightly around his finger.

"Are you happy Christine" he asked, his voice an audible whisper.

"Of course I am, do you think I'm not?"

He shuffled his feet and dropped her curl "You have only been here a day, and I do not wish for you to be unhappy in this house". She moved closer to him, into his welcoming arms. How many times had she wanted to feel his comforting embrace? She always knew if she was bothered with a problem her angel would be there to comfort her. The tables were turned on them this time; she now found she was the one comforting his troubled thoughts.

"I only ask one request of you Erik". She said sternly to him.

His eyes widened at her tone "Anything angel" he replied

"Do not ask me if I am dissatisfied, for you could never dissatisfy anyone".

He smiled, knowing he would always satisfy her… epically in different matters. He swallowed quite loudly, well if he ever had the opportunity he hoped he would be able to.

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Breakfast had ended and now Christine found herself alone, Erik had excused himself saying he had "thoughts to work out". She had frowned at his words, but he assured her everything was fine. Christie now walked the length of the garden, taking in the sweet fragrances. She stopped at a beautiful red rose… one that reminded her so of the ones Erik presented her with.

"Beautiful aren't they?" she turned at a voice and was greeted by Nadir.

"Yes" she said, gently stroking the petals.

"Be careful" he warned, "There are thorns on such a beauty" he said while glancing at the stem. She removed her hand and watched as he cut the flower from the rest.

"Much like our friend" he said while looking down at the flower.

Baffled Christine asked what he meant.

"You see Christine, Erik and I have known each other for a very long time, I was the Daroga while I was in Persia. I was sent by the shah to keep an eye out on our monozygotic friend. He ended up saving my life, and I ended up saving his. We are both closer than either would like to admit" he said with a laugh.

He glanced toward the house. "I am as such Erik's inner conscience. He has had many hardships through his life"

He stopped and looked at Christine.

"Did you know he was an assassin?" he asked her, not knowing if he should share such details.

Christine shook her head, not very much surprised by that bit of knowledge. She knew he had killed in the past, and just recently with the deaths of Piangi and Buquet. She shuddered at the thought, but she had known that when she chose the scorpion. Nadir continued.

"Erik is a lonely man" he explained, "Much like the thorns of the flower, no one wants to touch them" he ran his hand lightly down the thorns expressing his point.

"The thorns represent his hardships, when you touch a rose you must be careful of the sharp thorns, much like Erik".

She nodded not fully understanding his point.

"Erik seems rough on the outside, but remove the Thorns and you have a gentle and beautiful flower… such as a gentle and loving man". He looked down.

"Erik is a good man, and I am grateful he is a friend… I am also glad you have come into his life, I saved Erik from death at the hands of the Shah, and he has returned the favor many times since then". He grabbed Christine's hands

"Now you have come into his life, and although you may not realize it, you have saved him as well".

A look of confusion came onto Christine's face.

"How so" she asked "He has more saved mine more than anything".

Nadir smiled and squeezed her hand.

"Oh but Christine, you have saved him from a life of loneliness"

She felt touched at his words and then sadness took over her face; Nadir noticed and lifted her chin.

"What is that troubles you?" he asked her.

Christine looked into the Persians brown eyes, tears filling her own.

"What I said to him that night down in the lair, I told him I hated him…. I didn't realize that I was suppressing my feelings for him… I thought I knew what I wanted and that was Raoul". She sighed "But it wasn't, when I kissed Erik I knew… I knew I was supposed to be with him, I felt love something that I hadn't once felt with Raoul, I had just thought I was in love with Raoul, he was my childhood sweetheart". She felt a tinge of sadness at the mention of her ex-lovers name; she had left him in such a rush. She sighed "But that is where the love ended… in my childhood" Nadir understood "Yes, Raoul, he seems to have gone stark raving mad since you left". He said, Christine squeaked with fear at the mention of Raoul being mad.

"Nothing to fear Christine" Nadir informed her, "It is common for a man to feel a little crazy when he looses someone he cares about".

Christine realized he was referring to Erik

"He does not hate you for your words of anger, sometimes people just say things". He stopped and handed her the rose "He was afraid of loosing you Christine, you'll never realize how much he loves you".

"Why does he not realize how much I love him?" she asked Nadir, searching for an answer in his eyes

"He was hurt the other night, but he has an extremely good way of covering it up… do not worry though, he'll show you eventually, it will take time for him to realize how much you care" he smiled. "I look forward to that day".

Christine smiled; tears flowing down her face "I am glad I have met you Nadir" she told him.

"I am glad you have met me as well, it is a pleasure finding the woman who can take Erik's breath away".

Christine kissed him on the cheek and walked around the garden with him, discussing various other things.

From his window Erik watched Nadir and Christine, his heart breaking.

Thank you readers! As for my updates… well I'm on Christmas break at the moment, in a very boring town… where it rains everyday! I have a lot of time to update. Thank you for your kind words! I hope you are enjoying!

-Eternally yours,

AesSedia