Disclaimer: The Phantom of the Opera does not belong to me (though I think if it were up to him, he wouldn't belong to anyone), only my own characters do.
Author's Note:
Chapters are going to take longer coming out right now, my father is very ill and I don't have the time for writing that I did before. I'm not abandoning Erik and S'ray, but updates will be slow in coming. Reviews, however, will encourage quicker updates and cheer me up.
To foxgodess07: A love interest for Meg? Well, we'll just have to see how this develops. And as for Madame Giry? She is the rock that is the foundation of the ballet corps so perhaps she'll cross paths with someone equally as solid.
To phantommistress: You don't like Phelon? He wants to know why he's earned your ire, as he's done nothing bad (well, not yet anyway that he's aware of). And yes, no one fights dirty like the Phantom, except maybe Brownies. No, you didn't miss the Brownies and Pixie getting kicked out of the Inn, I just haven't put that whole episode in the story yet. BTW, I hope you like strawberry jam.
To LittleMargarita: Here's to bliss! Actually Merrick is based very loosely on Gambit from the X-Men comics and a guy from New Orleans that I used to date in college. Will Raoul get his comeuppance and from whom? You'll just have to read and find out.
I also want to thank everyone that has signed up for updates and marked it as a favorite; you also keep me writing and don't be afraid to write a review. I don't bite…well…not hard anyway ;-).
I really need your help, I'm going to do more artwork, but I can't decide who to draw next. Who do you want to see next? There's a poll up on my profile and you can vote for any 3 choices. The one with the most votes will be drawn next. Only 6 people have voted so far! I know you people are reading so don't forget to vote too! Don't be afraid, it's anonymous!
Thanks to all who have read and reviewed; the more you review, the more I write. Now, on to the next chapter.
Phantom of the Glen
Chapter 20
Notes and Letters and Surprises
"Luniana," Erik called after laying out one of his coats on the kitchen table.
"You called?" the Pixie twittered as she flew into the kitchen.
"Yes, I need some small alterations made to this coat that you made for me," he replied.
"Doesn't it fit right?" she asked.
"The fit is perfect, I just need some very special pockets added," he explained sitting in a chair. "Come here and I'll show you."
Luniana landed on the table next to the coat. "What do I need to do?" she asked.
"We'll start here," he said folding back the left breast and began to explain the size and placement of the hidden pockets on a magician's coat.
"Ooo sneaky, sneaky," she chirped happily when he'd finished showing her what he needed done. "Want me to do all of them right away?"
"Not just yet, we'll start with this one and see how it works first. Then once we get this one the way I need it, you can change the others to match," he replied.
"Okay, I'll have it finished tomorrow," she said.
"Good enough," he smiled.
Meg was brushing out her hair when she heard the knock at her door. She tied her wrap around herself and went to answer the door. She opened the door and found Monsieur Evangeline standing there with a bouquet of flowers. "Flowers f'r de prettiest flower of de Opera," he smiled.
"For me?" the ballerina asked surprised.
"Who else Petite?" he replied. "May I come in?"
"Of course," Meg smiled opening the door and stepping aside for him.
Once inside he handed her the bouquet of pink roses and said," You were beautiful t'night Meg."
"Thank you," she blushed putting the flowers in a vase. "I didn't think you'd be able to watch while you were working."
"Mmm, I had de easy part t'night," he said watching her fuss with the flowers.
"What do you mean?" she asked sitting on the divan.
"I stood guard inside de box an' anyt'ing dat get past Barrin don' put up much of a fight no more," Merrick replied.
"So have you ever actually had to defend them?" she asked and motioned him to come and sit by her.
"A couple of times," he shrugged sitting next to her.
"Were you hurt?" Meg asked wide-eyed.
"Jus' a few bumps an' cuts," he grinned turning toward her. "Not'in' dat left a permanent mark."
"And do you travel with them everywhere?"
"Everywhere."
"Where have you been?"
"Well, Greece, Spain, Italy, Turkey, Egypt, Morocco, Scotland, Norway, an' Russia so far," Merrick said leaning closer. "An' where you been all m' life Petite?"
"Umm, right here at the Opera," Meg smiled looking into his dark blue eyes. "I grew up here."
"Weren't y' scared?" he whispered across her ear.
"Of what?"
"De ghost o' course," Merrick answered breathing in her scent.
"Oh no," she laughed. "Maman always said that as long as I didn't do anything to make him angry that there was nothing to fear from him."
"An' was dat true?" his now husky voice asked.
"Yes, he never even played a prank on me," she eagerly nodded.
"Would you min' if Ah kissed y' Petite?" he asked, his warm breath tickling her neck.
Surprised, Meg shook her head no and closing her eyes, waited for his lips to brush her cheek. Instead her eyes snapped open when his pressed his lips against hers. Not wanting to frighten her, he simply kissed her upturned lips several times.
"Meg, open this door at once!" Madame Giry called angrily from the other side of the door.
"My mother!" the young ballerina gasped.
"Get de door, don' worry, I'll disappear," Merrick smiled and kissed her cheek a final time.
Meg nodded and went to the door. Taking a deep breath, she unlocked the door and opened it. "Where is he?" Madame Giry demanded.
"Who?" Meg asked trying to look innocent.
"I saw one of those bodyguards come in here. Did he do anything to you?" she continued.
"No, mother, he just brought me flowers," she replied as Madame Giry came in looking for the man.
"I know he's in here, I never saw him leave," she said striding over to the wardrobe and opening the doors.
"Mother, there's no one here but us," she sighed wondering what had happened to Merrick and inwardly cringing at what would happen when her mother finally found him hiding in her room.
"Well, I don't know where he went, but he's not here," the ballet mistress said putting her hands on her hips.
"Now do you believe me?" Meg asked.
"Yes, I'm sorry I doubted you my dear," the older woman sighed sitting on the chair by the mirror.
"That's all right mother, I know you're just trying to protect me," she smiled and embraced her mother. Though Meg silently wondered how Merrick was able to vanish into thin air so quickly.
S'ray pulled the steel from the fire and started shaping it with a hammer. She worked it till it cooled to an orange color and then put it back in the fire to heat again. After repeating the process several times, she put the steel in a quenching bucket.
Then she pulled a crucible from the fire that contained dragon scales that had been heating since morning. Using a tongs, she pulled one out and secured it to her anvil. Next she took a steel punch in one hand and using a hammer in the other, punched four holes into the scale. She did the same with the rest of the scales and then set them near the furnace to cool.
She took a bar of glowing steel from the fire and brought it over to an anvil. Taking up a five pound hammer, she began shaping the piece into a spearhead. After several rounds of heating and hammering, it joined the first piece in the quenching bath.
Next she went over to some shelves and took down several molds. Setting them on a work bench, she pulled up a stool. After sitting down she opened the latches on each mold and then picked up a small chisel. Placing the chisel on the seal of the mold she gave each one a small tap with a hammer, opening them up. Then she picked up an agate burnishing tool and began polishing the pieces.
"Are you going to stay out here all night?" Erik asked as he leaned against the door.
"Erik!" she gasped in surprise, almost dropping her tool and the ring she was working on.
"Who else?" he smirked coming up behind her. "Now are you coming in or do I have to drag you in?"
"Mmm, let me think about it," she replied putting down her work.
"Very well, then drag it is," he said wrapping his arms around her and pulling her from the stool.
"Erik!" she squealed as he lifted her in his arms. "Give me a chance to answer first!"
"You took too long," the phantom replied hoisting her onto his shoulder.
"I did not!" she protested. "That wasn't even 30 seconds."
"It was long enough for a yes or no answer," he said patting her backside. "Besides you get after me for being at the piano composing all night."
"This isn't fair, I can't pick you up," she complained as he carried her out of the forge and closed the door.
"Very true, but is it fair for you to seduce me away from my work?" he asked carrying her back to the house. "And I have been taught to not play fair when dealing with anyone from the Seelie or Unseelie Court."
"I don't remember ever hearing you complain," she replied with a frown.
"How can I? You get me so enflamed that I've made love to you on the piano," he said and grinned at the memory as he opened the door.
"This isn't exactly seduction, I feel like a sack of potatoes," S'ray said as they entered the kitchen.
"No, you're not lumpy enough for potatoes," he smirked patting her backside again. "You feel soft and curvaceous like a woman."
"Are you going to carry me upstairs like this?" she asked.
"Certainly not, you're getting a bath first," he said taking her into the tub room. "And I've got the tub full and waiting for you."
"You're spoiling me," S'ray said as he put her down.
"Actually, I'm spoiling myself because I plan on watching you," he said and kissed her.
"So what's in it for me?" she asked taking off her heavy leather apron.
"Me, of course," he smiled sitting on a chair next to the steaming tub.
"But I've already got you," she replied opening her work shirt and letting it slide slowly off her.
"This may not have been my best idea," he mused watching her strip.
"And why is that?" she asked stepping into the tub.
"I may not be able to wait till you're done with your bath," the phantom replied with a gleam in his golden eyes.
Dear Aunt Nettie,
I miss you and Meg so much; it's much lonelier here than I first thought it would be. I really am missing the hustle and bustle of the opera and all the people there.
I'm very worried about Raoul; he's still obsessed with finding the Phantom. His behavior has become more erratic; he'll stay up all night reading, locked in his study. Then when I knock on the door I can hear him locking something away in a desk drawer. And then on the following night he can be back to his normal attentive and loving self.
I don't know what to do anymore Aunt Nettie. I've tried talking to him and telling him not to worry. The Phantom let us go and won't be back to do anything to us anymore. All Raoul keeps saying is that while he's alive we can never truly be free from him.
I'm so afraid he's going to get himself killed. If it's not the Phantom that does him in, then perhaps the awful men who have been helping him look for the Phantom. I know this may sound terrible, but sometimes I wish there was a way that I could prove that the Phantom is dead so Raoul and I can get on with our lives.
Please Aunt Nettie, if you have some way to contact him (and I'm certain you do), urge him to stay away and forget about me. Please tell him that it would devastate me if something were to happen to him or Raoul because of me. I know he'll listen to you Aunt Nettie, please try for me.
Love always to you and Meg,
Christine
Antoinette sighed and put Christine's latest letter in her drawer. Things were not going well for her adopted daughter. It was becoming evident that Raoul was becoming as obsessed with Erik as Erik had been with Christine.
The only saving grace of the whole situation was that Erik showed absolutely no desire to contact Christine or even come back to Paris except to retrieve some personal items. She pondered telling Christine that Erik had fallen in love, but decided against it because Raoul might be able to use that to hurt him. However, she would tell Erik again to stay out of Paris and that she would find a way to get some of his things to him.
"So what do you think?" S'ray asked handing Erik a spoon. "Is it sweet enough?"
"I think it's perfect, but I've never made jam before," he replied from where he sat at the table capping strawberries. "How many more do I need to do?"
"See those buckets by the sink?" she said gesturing to the four full pails that still waited.
"Yes," he nodded.
"When those are done, we'll be just about finished," she smiled and kissed his unmasked cheek.
"I had no idea it would take so long," he said standing to stretch.
"Well without you, this would take me twice as long at least," S'ray replied. "And this won't seem so bad in January when there's nothing to do and we're snowed in."
"At least I won't be stuck with the Brownies," he smiled.
"Yes, otherwise I don't think the house would survive," she laughed.
"Or the Brownies," he smirked.
"Now back to work while I start the syrup for the canned berries," she said measuring water into a kettle.
"Don't you have to put wax on top of the jam yet?" he asked sitting at the table with a full pail of berries.
"Not until its cool," she replied measuring sugar into the kettle. "So I'll finish that off tomorrow morning."
A slow smile crossed Erik's face as he came up with an idea for at least one jar of jam.
S'ray glanced over at him as she stirred the heating syrup. She recognized that smile, he had thought of something for later that night. The Elf smiled to herself, too bad she already had something planned to reward his help today. "Syrup's ready, are those jars full yet?" she asked.
"Not all of them, but I do have some that are ready," he replied. "You're turning into a slave driver when canning you realize."
"Yes I know, I get that from my mother," she smiled. "And as she'd say when we complained – You'd like to eat this winter, wouldn't you?"
"Of course," he replied bringing the full jars over to her.
"Then stop complaining and get back to work," S'ray laughed and lightly smacked him with her wooden spoon.
Erik frowned and grabbing a berry from a full pail, threw it at her.
The Elf stiffened when she felt the berry hit the back of her head. "So that's the way it's going to be," she said slowly turning around to face him.
"What? I didn't do anything," he said innocently.
"Then I suppose Brandji and Brule threw that?"
"I don't know, I was just sitting here capping berries like you told me," he replied working as if nothing had happened.
"Are you sure?" she asked narrowing her eyes.
"Positive," he nodded filling another jar.
They finished the rest of the berries without incident. As Erik was tightening the last of the jar lids, S'ray grabbed a jar of jam and after dipping her finger into the jam painted a red stripe across his bare cheek. "That was for throwing the berry, wasn't it?" he asked tightening another jar.
"Maybe," she smiled and drew another stripe next to it.
"I trust you have a plan to get this off me again," he said picking up another jar.
"Maybe," she smirked now and drew a line down his neck to his chest.
"I have a feeling this could get messy," he replied picking up the last jar.
"Maybe," she grinned painting his Adam's apple with jam.
"You realize that when I was haunting the opera I would have never let a woman do this to me," he said turning to her after he finished with the last jar.
"And what woman would have dared to do this to the feared Opera Ghost?" she asked extending the line down his chest.
"None," he replied and snatched the jar from her. "Now it's your turn my sweet."
"You wouldn't," she said watching him dip an index finger into the jar.
"I will," he replied drawing a line across each of her cheeks.
"So this is how it's going to be?" S'ray asked as he drew a line from just below her lips down her chin and then her neck.
"I am only going to finish what you started," he replied leaning against the counter.
"Then you won't be needing this," she said opening his shirt and tugging it from his trousers.
"The same for you my Goddess," Erik smiled slipping his shirt off the rest of the way.
"Very well," she smiled and after licking the jam from her fingers, slipped her shirt off as well.
The phantom dipped two fingers into the jam and drew a wide line down her chest and between her breasts. Not to be outdone, S'ray took another jar and drew lines that went from his shoulders to the bottom of his breast bone. Erik smiled and covered her nipples in jam; then she did the same to him.
S'ray dipped three fingers in the jam and drew lines along his ribs. "Hey, that tickles," he laughed.
"I don't believe what I'm seeing!" Brandji exclaimed as he and Brule stood frozen in the doorway.
"I do, they are right in front of us," Brule said intently watching Erik and S'ray draw on each other with strawberry jam.
"That was a rhetorical question you idiot," he frowned.
"Looks like fun, if you ask me," Luniana giggled.
"We did not ask you and it looks disgusting," Brandji frowned and stomped away.
"I think it looks sticky," Brule said to the Pixie before following Brandji out the door.
Luniana giggled and continued watching the Guardian and her lover paint each other with jam.
S'ray set her jar on the table and Erik took the opportunity to pull her over and kiss her. "You just made a mess," she laughed, playfully poking him in the chest.
"I know" he replied. "And you played right into my hands."
"So smearing strawberry jam all over me was your plan all along?"
"That was only part of it."
"So what's the next part Monsieur Phantome?"
"The best part."
"And that would be?"
"Licking it off you."
"And I suppose you'd like me to do the same to you?"
"Only if you want, I know that I would appreciate every lick."
"And I bet that I could get Luniana to help me lick it off you," she grinned touching his earlobe with a jam covered finger.
Suddenly Erik felt the Pixie land on his shoulder and lick the jam from his ear. "Mmm, very happy to help," she chirped.
"No, absolutely not," he frowned, unnerved by the situation he now found himself in.
"Aww, come on," the Pixie coaxed licking his ear again.
"Are you sure? I've heard that most men fantasize about having two women at once," S'ray smiled and covered her giggle by licking some jam from his neck.
"It's you alone S'ray or no one," he asserted.
"Are you sure?" Luniana asked hopefully. "Just think about it, two Faye women all to yourself."
"Positive," he said focusing on S'ray.
S'ray gave the Pixie a look and she flew off, leaving them alone again. "A private performance then?" she smiled drawing several symbols on his chest.
"Are you putting that spell from Beltane on me?" he asked watching her.
"No, just my name," she sighed.
"Later on, would you start teaching me your language?"
"Sure, after we get cleaned up."
"Of course," he smiled and lowered his head to lick the jam from one of her cheeks. His hands went to the buttons on her pants and pulled them open. She shimmied her hips and the garment fell to the floor. Erik gave a low whistle as she stepped out of her trousers now wearing only a very brief pair of pantalets.
"Your turn," she replied and started pulling open his trousers.
"Weren't we in this same position just last night?" he asked now dressed in only his drawers.
"Possibly," she smiled pulling the tie on her pantalets before turning and walking into the tub room. "But we were upstairs and jam was not involved."
"Where are you going?"
"Follow me and find out."
"It's not nice to tease the phantom," he replied following her.
"Oh, but the results are so much fun," she laughed letting her pantalets slide down her hips.
After the garment slid down her legs completely; he grabbed her shoulders, whirled her around and pulled her close for a kiss. Her hands grasped his upper arms as he held their naked bodies together. Erik was still amazed at how they just fit perfectly together, like they were made for each other. His mouth moved across hers and licked the jam from her other cheek. "You taste wonderful," he murmured dropping to his knees before her.
"Mmm, you taste pretty good yourself," she smiled licking his left cheek.
"Not as good as you," he growled licking the underside of one of her breasts.
S'ray gasped as he pulled her close, smearing more of her body with jam. Her breath caught as his mouth closed over one of her nipples, sucking the jam from the sensitive skin. She shivered as his tongue lazily stroked over the hardened peak while he licked more of the jam from her breast. "Oh Erik," she moaned softly, tangling her fingers in his midnight hair.
He growled deep in his chest as his tongue slid over to her other breast. Erik could feel himself tremble with his need and desire for S'ray. She always seemed to be able to bring out sides of himself that he never even knew existed. It was true that he'd written the part of Don Juan with himself in mind, but he'd never realized that he was capable of the erotic acts that he performed for this woman in his arms now. Never in his life had he even envisioned himself doing anything close to this with such a beautiful and willing woman. It was as if her love had transformed him into a new man and he was all the happier for it. There wasn't a time in his life that he could remember being this happy; not even Christine and her wonderful voice had filled him with such happiness and joy.
Erik looked up at S'ray and saw her face lit up with a smile of pure bliss and pleasure. He smiled, knowing that he, the Phantom of the Opera, had put that smile on her lips. "I love you so much," he murmured against her before drawing her other jam covered nipple into his mouth.
S'ray mewled in ecstasy as he licked the jam from her. She could feel the desire he brought out in her, coursing through her veins like a wildfire. His soft touches and quite words of love only served to fuel the flames that always threatened to consume her when they were intimate. Tereste had been a skillful and courteous lover, but Erik possessed a passion for her that her husband had lacked. Erik's voice was now a low rumble that caressed her intimately as he murmured words of love and passion against her heated skin. "Erik, Erik, Erik," she moaned letting her head fall back as his body and voice pleasured her.
His large hands grasped her backside as his hungry mouth moved down her stomach; slowly licking and sucking the jam from her. Erik's breath quickened as he drew nearer her most secret place; her scent and taste never ceased to drive him almost mad with desire for her flesh. Unbidden, images of their bodies entwined flooded his mind; he moaned almost painfully against her. His ache for her was so great it was almost an agony to be this close to her and not be buried inside her warmth. He dipped his head lower and licked some of the jam from her Venus mound.
She gasped as his tongue slid over her mound, drawing ever nearer her waiting sex. Her thighs parted slightly in anticipation of his coming intimate kisses.
Still holding her with one hand, he reached out and pulled the chair next to the tub closer to them. "Sit," he ordered huskily as he nudged her toward the chair. She allowed him to seat her in front of him and then spread her thighs so he had better access to her and didn't have to worry about her falling from the intensity of his pleasures. He pulled her close to the edge of the seat and picked up the jar he'd brought with him from the kitchen. Then he dipped two fingers into the jar and then slid them along her inner thighs.
S'ray gasped and shivered as his fingers spread the jam along her inner folds. "Oh you wicked man," she moaned as his tongue slid along her inner thigh.
"Is that a compliment or a complaint?" he asked moving to her other leg.
She gasped and stiffened as he came close, but still didn't touch her aching center. S'ray grabbed a hand full of his hair and tilted his head back so she could look at him. "Tease," she growled at him.
"Does that mean you're enjoying this?" he asked gazing up at her flushed body.
"Can't you tell?" she growled and pulled his mask off with her other hand. "You wicked, wicked man."
"I can't get you undone unless you release me," he smirked looking into desire darkened eyes.
The Alve licked her lips and loosened her hold, but didn't release him. "Finish me Dammit," she growled pulling him forward.
"As my Pagan Goddess commands," he whispered and slowly licked her.
S'ray shuddered and pulled him closer to her core. Erik obliged and licked more of the jam from her soft folds. She cried out as he teased her clitoris and threw her legs over his shoulders. Soon she released his hair and gripped the seat of the chair instead.
Erik grabbed onto her thighs and held her still while he pleasured her. Her cries grew louder as he pushed her closer to the edge. He heard her breath catch at the same time her thighs began to spasm. He pulled back a bit and licked and nipped her thighs, drawing out a cry that was some where between disappointment and pleasure from her. Her back was arched and firm breasts topped by erect nipples jutted out at him, tempting him to suckle them with every heaving breath she took.
He swallowed hard, trying to regain a bit of self-control. Though his body longed for it, he wasn't ready to pull her down onto his aching erection just yet. He released one of her thighs and slid one of his fingers into her wet passage. She gasped and then whimpered; her body arching closer to him, wordlessly begging for more.
The phantom took another shuddering breath; God how he wanted her right now. She moaned softly as he began sliding his finger in and out of her. He couldn't believe how tight she was and yet he had never hurt her or caused her pain or discomfort when they coupled. Erik closed his eyes and pressed his lips against her clitoris as he now penetrated her with two of his long musician's fingers.
He moaned long and deep, his lips vibrating against her as her body started to tighten around him. "Yes," she gasped softly, "do that again. Please Erik."
His eyes darted up to her; a look of exquisite pleasure was on her face. He licked his lips and hummed against her again. A delicious tremor passed through her body and she mewled softly, begging for him to continue. He began humming "Music of the Night" and felt the small tremors start to go through her again.
S'ray cried out softly as she felt an indescribable pleasure building where he hummed against her. He nuzzled further into her folds and embraced her clitoris with his lips. She cried out louder this time, the pleasure becoming almost unbearable as his lips and tongue vibrated around her most sensitive part. Suddenly it was too much and she felt herself explode before him into a thousand trembling pieces.
He caught her limp and trembling body before she tumbled from the chair and pulled her into his arms. Her legs wrapped around him of their own accord as he tenderly held her to his chest and kissed her parted lips. He groaned, her hot and wet sex was pressed tightly against his erection and he could intimately feel every tremor from her still climaxing body. Another groan escaped his lips; he was so close to release now himself. But then a sigh of relief left his parted lips, her body began to still and soon she lay quietly in his arms.
"Well, that didn't take long," he chuckled, brushing her hair from her face. "I didn't even finish the song."
The Alve's eyes flew open and she smacked him in the chest, spattering jam.
"Now is that anyway to say thank you?" he asked grabbing her wrist before she could strike him again.
"And how long do you think you'd last?" she demanded gazing at him with fiery eyes.
"You'll just have to find out for yourself," he smirked.
"Then I think I will," she replied and pulled herself from his embrace. She knelt before him and suddenly pushed him over with all her strength. Erik landed on his back and barely had time to register what was happening when she pounced on him. "Your turn my love," she said silkily, dipping her finger in the jam and drawing a line down his stomach to his erection.
His breath came out in a hiss as she slowly spread the jam on his erection. He drew in a shuddering breath as her tongue followed a long scar that ran across his chest. She licked her way up to his chest and over to his throat. They kissed briefly, her hand cupping his smooth cheek.
She pulled back from him, violet eyes gazing into golden eyes. "Your Faye half shows a little more each day," she smiled caressing his cheek.
"Is that good or bad?" he asked cupping her left cheek as well.
"Good," she sighed. "It suits you."
"Too bad it won't improve my face," he said bitterly, turning the disfigured side of his face away from her. "I'm a monster in love with a beautiful angel,"
"I see no monster before me, only a man," she replied softly. "And I know, I'm familiar with many kinds of monsters."
"I don't know how you can stand looking at me unmasked when I can barely stand it long enough to shave," he said with a shake of his head.
"Oh Erik, how many times do I have to tell you that your few imperfections mean nothing to me?" S'ray asked moving her hand to his right cheek and turning him back to face her.
"Until I become tired of hearing you repeat it," he sighed leaning into her caress. "And I assure you that I never shall."
"I love you Erik," she smiled kissing his right cheek.
"I can hardly believe how lucky I am to have you," he whispered to her as she kissed his imperfections.
"Same here," she whispered moving to his lips again. "I love you Erik, love you, love you, love you."
His hand moved into her hair and held her mouth to his. S'ray sighed happily; she could taste herself and strawberry jam in his kisses. She softly bit his lower lip and then allowed his tongue into her mouth. Long moments later they pulled apart; golden eyes gazing into violet.
She leaned close to him again and licked jam from his chin. "Mmm, missed some earlier," she smiled licking her lips.
"That's not the only spot you missed," he smirked leaning back on his elbows.
"So I've noticed," she smiled running a finger across his chest before sucking the jam off it. "Mmm, yummy."
She slid down next to him and began licking the jam from his shoulder. Erik closed his eyes and sighed as her tongue ran across his collar bone. His breath quickened as he felt desire for her flare up again. As she moved slowly down his body, he found it more difficult to hold himself up. He let his arms slide out from under himself and he lay back on the rug before her.
"Oh S'ray," he moaned as she followed the line she drew down his stomach. He shuddered in pleasure as she ran her tongue along his erection. She pulled him into her mouth, sucking off the jam she'd spread on him. Erik's eyes closed and he took a shaking breath in and out.
"Well," she said with a slight laugh, "you've lasted longer than I though you would." Then she sat up and straddled his hips before sliding down onto his length.
Erik's eyes snapped open and his hands grasped her strong hips. He grunted as she settled herself above him, preparing herself to ride him as she would a wild stallion. "And you called me wicked," he smirked caressing her hips.
"And why am I wicked?" she asked moving over him.
"Mmm, what you're doing to me now," he smiled as she slid back and forth over him.
"How is this wicked besides the obvious reason that we aren't married?" she replied trailing her fingers down his stomach.
"You're on top of me, not that I'm complaining," he explained pushing her farther onto himself. "It's just that most everything I've read about sex says the man should be on top."
"That is simply some foolish man's idea of which sex should be more dominant. Besides, as you're finding out, there are many ways and positions for love making," S'ray smiled stopping her movements.
"Very true," he agreed raising his hips beneath her.
She gasped as he penetrated her deeply. "Besides, if I were a Drow you'd have no choice but to be under me," she replied resuming her movements.
"You'll have to tell me more," he groaned as his movements went into sync with hers. "Later."
"Mmm Erik," she purred splaying her hands on his chest and rocking over him.
The phantom know what that purr of hers meant, he was in her in just the right way. One of his hands slid to her inner thigh and his thumb brushed over her sweet spot. She gasped and he felt a tremor start at her core and move outward.
Her hands slid down his chest and stomach as she straightened above him. He watched her hands trail up her body as she undulated over him; a blissful smile lighting up her features. He stroked her again and was rewarded with a gasp and her hands moving down to caress her breasts.
He grasped her hips more firmly as he thrust into her. She gasped and slid her hands down to grip his wrists. She bit her bottom lip to hold back the pleasure that was quickly building inside her. "Yes, yes, yes," she purred in time with his thrusts.
Then he pulled her down for a kiss before rolling them over so he was now on top. "My turn," he growled as they adjusted to the new position. His mouth descended on hers again as he surged into her. Her arms were around his neck, fingers tangling in his thick hair.
S'ray's legs wrapped around him as they came together on the floor. She could feel it coming as he moved over her, the inevitable and welcome wave that would shake her to her core and leave her senseless in his arms. Her eyes opened and met his, she cried out softly as he quickened their pace. She gasped and her eyes began to roll backward; Erik always seemed to know exactly what to do to bring her pleasure.
She shifted her hips and her vision swam when he stroked against that special spot inside her. Hands traveled over his shoulders, down his chest and sides to grasp his buttock and urge him on. Erik didn't need any urging from her, he could feel what she needed as she began to tighten around him.
Her toes curled as they neared the heights of pleasure. He felt her hands slide up his sweat slicked and scarred back to grip his shoulders. His head dipped low and he kissed and nipped at her neck and shoulder. She moaned and whimpered beneath him, her cries an accompaniment to his movements. His breath came in short huffs as he buried himself within her now molten core.
She cried out his name as the stars exploded and she trembled in release beneath and around him. Erik thrust into her shuddering body several more times before groaning out his own release. The room was then silent except for the sounds of their labored breathing.
"I'm sorry Monsieur, but box 5 is not available," the box office agent explained.
"Who rented it? I'll buy it from them," Raoul said with a frown.
"I do not know," he shrugged. "I only know that it is not available."
"Let me speak to the manager then," he demanded.
"Of course sir, one moment please," the agent said and went to fetch a manager.
"Ah Vicomte, so nice to see you. How may I assist you?" Monsieur Andre asked.
"I would like to purchase box 5 again for this season," the Vicomte said with a frown.
"Oh I do apologize, but box 5 is not available for rent," Andre explained.
"And why not?" Raoul demanded.
"I do not know, except that is what Monsieur Phelon told us," he replied.
"In that case, I would like to speak with him," the Vicomte demanded, a scowl creasing his forehead.
"Very well, come with me," Andre said a bit nervously.
They walked to the owner's office and Andre knocked on the imposing door. "Enter," Phelon said from the other side.
"The Vicomte would like to see you sir," Andre announced.
"Very well," the Greek nodded, "show him in."
Andre quietly ushered the Vicomte into his employer's office and quickly left.
"And how can I help you today Monsieur DeChagney?" Phelon asked, not bothering to rise from his seat.
"I would like to rent box 5 again for this opera season," the Vicomte stated again.
"I'm sorry, but box 5 is not available for rent," he replied flatly.
"What do you mean? I rented it last season," the young man protested. "How can it not be available? Who rented it?"
"No one rented it," the owner replied. "It is simply not available."
"Why not? I'll pay you double for it," the noble protested.
"Because I am leaving it empty or the Opera Ghost should he decide to want it for his personal use," the Greek answered.
"You have got to be joking! You can't seriously want that criminal to return here!" Raoul shouted, outraged.
"What I want is none of your business Monsieur DeChagney," Phelon said rising from his seat and coldly looking the younger man in the eye. "I have spent a great amount of money and time to restore and re-staff this opera house. As a result, I have no desire to repeat the fiasco between you, the idiot managers and the Opera Ghost. And all because of your sense of pride and the affections of some slip of a girl!"
"But," the young noble interjected.
"Now get out of my office before I loose my temper," the older man ground out. "And I either say or do something very regrettable."
Raoul swallowed hard at the look of rage in the owner's eyes and quickly left the office.
Luniana fluttered back into the kitchen. The door to the tub room was still closed and judging from the sounds on the other side, it would be that way for a while yet. The she spied the open jar of jam that S'ray had left on the table. The Pixie's eyes lit up and she squealed in delight.
She flew over to the table and landed next to the jar. Luniana threw her arms around the jar and licked a drip from the side. "Yummy, yummy, yummy," she purred climbing out of her dress and onto the rim of the jar. Then with a giggle she dropped off the edge and landed chest deep in the jam.
Erik leaned back in the tub, eyes closed and head resting on the edge. S'ray lay against his chest with one of his arms wrapped loosely around her. Her head was turned to the side and she was softly kissing him where his neck met his shoulder. "I love you," she said softly as her right hand moved up to caress his marred cheek.
"Mmm," he smiled leaning into her caress.
"Is that contentment and relaxation I hear from you?" she gently teased.
"Mmm hmm," he nodded and turning his head to the side, kissed her forehead. "Never before have I been so happy in my entire life."
"I'm glad you're happy," she sighed as his arm around her tightened, holding her as close as possible.
"What's your next canning project?" he asked opening his golden eyes.
"Didn't you just call me a slave driver earlier?" she asked looking up at him.
"True, but if this is how your slave is rewarded then he will be eager to please you," he smiled sliding his other hand up to caress her breast.
"My, my, my, aren't you brazen today?" she laughed when she felt him stir beneath her.
"It's not easy being a gentleman when there's a beautiful, naked woman sprawled against my chest," Erik smirked. "And to state the facts, you've done a good job of eroding my self-control when it comes to this particular primal urge."
"Would you rather have me be icy, not move and stare at the ceiling and think of France while you make love to me?" she teased relaxing farther into his embrace.
"Certainly not," he growled leaning down to capture her lips in a kiss.
"This is so nice, I hate for it to end," she sighed.
"It doesn't have to," he replied gently caressing her, "though we will have to get out of the tub sooner or later."
"And there are still chores to do and supper to be made," she sighed sitting up and stretching.
"We could resume this position later tonight, upstairs and in bed," he smiled watching the water run off her smooth skin.
"I can wait if you can," she smiled looking over her shoulder at him.
"I have the patience of a ghost," Erik replied trailing his fingers down her back.
"It's settled then," she said and stood up.
It took all of the phantom's self control to not grab her hips and pull her down into his lap again. "You are so beautiful," he sighed as his eyes roamed over her bare body. "It would be so easy to just pull you down and make love to you again right now."
"You're biased," she smiled turning toward him.
"Am I?" he asked raising an eyebrow. "How so?"
"Because you're in love with me," she said bending down to kiss him.
Erik's self-control vanished when her lips met his; he grabbed her and pulled her back down into the tub with him. She landed against him with a splash and water sloshed out of the tub. S'ray found herself straddling his lap as his hands slid down to grasp her hips and pull her closer to himself. Her arms went around his neck as he kissed her.
"Erik," she gasped as his mouth moved down her neck. "Erik stop."
"Why?" he breathed as his warm breath sent a shiver down her back.
"Chores, we still have work to do lover," she replied as he caressed her back.
"Are you sure?" he asked as he kissed along her shoulder. "We could make it quick like the other day."
"As tempting as that sounds, I'd rather we be able to take our time," she sighed against him before pulling back. "Besides, I thought you had the patience of a ghost."
"I do," he grinned, "but having you naked in right in front of me puts too much strain on it."
"Then it's best I escape your clutches while I still can," she laughed and stood again. S'ray quickly stepped out of the tub and picked up one of the sheets from the chair and wrapped it around herself.
"I could still decide to chase you," he smirked standing up now as well.
"You do and I'll run outside and make you chase me into the woods stark naked," she laughed handing him the other sheet. "And then call Luniana to help me."
"I believe you would," he smiled and kissed her as he opened the door to the kitchen.
"Just remember, the earlier we finish up our work for the day, the earlier we can go to bed," she smiled as they walked into the kitchen. "I'm going to head upstairs and get dressed again."
"I'll clean up the kitchen and start. . . "
S'ray bumped into him as he stopped dead in his tracks. "What?" she asked looking up at him.
When he didn't answer, she followed his eyes to where he was staring. There on kitchen table sat Luniana next to a now empty jar of jam; she was humming happily and licking the remaining jam from herself. S'ray elbowed him in the ribs, hard.
"What?" he said snapping out of his surprised trance.
"Forget it, you had your chance with her earlier," S'ray said walking around him.
"How does she do that?" Erik asked, still transfixed by the naked Pixie licking jam from her inner thigh.
"All Pixies are double jointed," the Alve answered. "Now stop staring before she notices you and makes you pay for it."
"And how would she do that?" he asked.
"Why don't you ask Tavlyn?"
The phantom frowned and turned to follow S'ray up the stairs. "I'd really rather not," he replied as they walked upstairs to dress.
"Did you know she could do that?" Brule asked Brandji as they too stared transfixed at the Pixie.
"I didn't know she could do that," Brandji replied wiping the drool from the corner of his mouth.
"I think I'm going to go outside for some alone time," Brule said edging toward the door.
"I think that's the best idea you've ever had," Brandji agreed following Brule for a change.
Author's End Note: Don't forget to vote in my poll for who or what to draw next. And to get some more reviews, I've got a bit of a contest for you all. Whoever does the 100th review will get to make an appearance as a minor character in the story. Who will be the winner? Write a review and see what happens to you when I throw the 100th reviewer into 1870's France.
Coming up in Chapter 21 – Same old. Same old?
Things have pretty much settled into a routine in the forest and the Opera Populaire. It's peaceful and quiet, or is it?