Chapter 14: The Awakening

The sun's slanting rays touched the rustling trees with gold. A soft breeze gently stirred the window curtains. On the room's ample bed, a woman's arm, draped across a man's naked chest, moved slightly.

Christine opened her eyes. She became aware of her arm on Erik's chest, and of his peaceful breathing. She smiled. It had taken her a few seconds to realize where she was, and with whom she lay in bed......

The time she had spent with her new husband had been the most wonderful of her life. She had given herself entirely to him. Their lovemaking had been luxuriously slow at first, due to their mutual inexperience. Later on, however, their insatiable desire and love for one another had turned their timidly sensuous sport into a truly passionate one.

Toward the end of the first day, they could only lie in each other's arms, completely satisfied and happy.

Toward the end of the second day, Erik had fallen asleep with his head on her shoulder. Later on, she had somehow found herself with her head on his chest. Then, she, too, had once more tumbled into a restful sleep.

Darius had discreetly withdrawn after serving them breakfast, upon their early morning arrival, on the first day. Christine blushed as she realized that she and Erik had spent two entire days, as well as one night, alternately making love and sleeping, with no thought for food. Then she smiled again. She had certainly married a man with plenty of stamina! It was hardly surprising, however. She had always been aware of Erik's strong sensuality. It rippled from him, with no effort on his part, enveloping her in its intoxicating aura.

Erik slowly drifted awake, becoming aware of a feminine hand alternately caressing his chest, and playing with the whorls of hair on it.

"Ummmm........" Smiling, he captured her hand. "My sweet angel is awake, and her soft hand is pleasantly abrading my skin. Does she have the appetitie for more than soft caresses?"

"Erik!" She laughed. "Are you really so very insatiable? Why, this is hardly decent!" She knew she was blushing furiously.

Erik joined in her laughter. "Christine, where you are concerned, I shall always want more, and more, and more......." Thus saying, he rose on one elbow, and would have moved to cover her with his body, but for her restraining hand on his chest.

"Erik, really! Are you not hungry?" She stared up at him, wide-eyed, yet laughing.

"Only for you, my love......." He bent his head in order to nibble at her left ear. Then, to his dismay, his stomach rumbled.

Christine's laughter pealed out once again. "I think your body has other ideas, my love! Come, let Darius prepare something for us. We have plently of time for......further lovemaking later, if you wish it."

"Oh, but I do wish it!" Erik chuckled as he began licking her ear.

Christine felt a rather delicious shiver course through her entire body. She gently pushed his head away, and sighed patiently.

"I promise you that we wil further enjoy ourselves later, Erik. You are, after all, a hard man to resist. But now, I know I am quite hungry, although my own stomach has yet to rumble......." Just then, her stomach made the same noise Erik's had, a few seconds earlier.

They laughed together.

Erik moved suddenly, in order to bound out of bed, but Christine restrained him. "Please cover yourself, sweet love. I......." And she blushed again, to her intense embarrassment.

Erik smiled tenderly. His new wife was becomingly modest. On the other hand, she had to accustom herself to the sight of her own husband's nudity. Still, he knew she needed time for that.

"Just turn your head, Christine. I will put on some clothes."

Christine did so, and heard the mattress rustle behind her. She peeked over one shoulder, and saw, with a satisfied sigh, that Erik was pulling on the trousers he had discarded at the foot of the bed two days before. Once finished with them, he then scooped up the shirt that he had hastily thrown next to the trousers, and put it on. Only then did he stand, and turn to Christine.

"Ah, I see you peeked!" he teased. "No matter. In time, you won't react so modestly to viewing your beloved's......attributes, shall we say?"

Christine, as red as a tomato, wordlessly threw her pillow at him, then buried her head under the covers.

Erik, laughing softly, walked into the adjoining room, where he pulled on a rope next to one of the divans, in order to summon Darius.

Christine, in the other room, brought her head from under the covers. Satisfied that Erik had left the room, she slowly took up a robe from a chair next to the bed, and drew it on, wrapping it closely around herself. She then stood, and tied the sash tightly.

"Erik?" she called out. "Have you rung for Darius yet?"

In answer, Erik came rushing back into the room. "Get dressed, my sweet," he said, tersely. "We must escape at once!"

"What?! What are you talking about, Erik? How could they have.......?"

"Christine! Darius has just informed me! They're on the way! I cannot explain further! Hurry!!"

They quickly gathered their very scant belongings. Erik had the advantange, naturally, since he had already dressed before getting up. Christine had no time for a more elaborate toilette, but had to literally throw her gown on.

"Come!" Erik tried to make her hurry. "One of these back windows will suffice!"

He then grasped her arm and dragged her to a window. Throwing up the sash, he looked outside, remembering, with dismay, that they were three floors up. Fortunately, a very stately tree stood right outisde the window, and one of its branches, which was close to the window, looked sturdy enough for them to put their weight on it.

"All right, Christine, I will go first, and help you onto the branch," he said, turning to her. Christine said nothing -- her stomach had turned into a pool of fear.

Erik looked at her, and gently ran one finger down her right cheek. "Do not fear, for I will not let you fall," he promised. Christine took a deep breath, and nodded. He then climbed out the window, and crawled onto the branch. Then he gingerly stood, balancing himself on it.

"It will definitely hold," he reassured her, and turned carefully, so as to assist her from the window. Christine just as carefully climbed out, silently cursing her voluminous skirts. Erik, however, immediately had her by the arm, and helped her to stand on the branch. They then inched their way to the trunk of the tree. Once there, Erik was able to find an open space in the middle of the trunk, nestled among several branches. Still firmly holding Christine's arm, he climbed into it. Immediately, he pulled Christine into his arms. She was shaking uncontrollably.

"Shhhh..........don't worry, we shall escape," he said, soothingly.

"I don't know if I can climb down," she said, trembling.

'But you will," he affirmed. He then turned his attention to finding footing on the next branch down. Once he had, he helped her onto it. Somehow, they found their way down, going from branch to branch.

Once their feet were firmly planted on the ground, Erik gave a low whistle. The stallion immediately appeared.

Erik boosted Christine up, and into the saddle, then swung himself up behind her. Then he shook the reins, as he made the strange clicking sound. The mighty stallion turned at once, heading away from the inn, and trotted into the wooded area behind it. Beyond lay an open field, and Erik gave Al-Hafaz his head. The black broke into a powerful, thundering gallop.

Thus the Phantom and his bride once more flew out of the hands of those who would have captured them, as swiftly as the wind over the sands of the Sahara desert.