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:
To GigiMusic: Let's put it this way, everything seems alright for now *evil grin*.
To LittleMargarita: The Girys moving in, I think that would be more than Erik could take. He does love his privacy and with them around he'd have to keep the naughtiness confined to the bedroom. Read on and you'll see who the new residents are.
To foxgodess07: Madame Giry pull the "Mom Card"? Of course, she is Meg's mother and Christine's adopted mother and the closest thing Erik ever had to a real mother, so why not?
To RachaelMC: Yes, the Phantom has fallen in with the Faye. I hope you've kept reading this long because there are many more characters that will be cropping up, maybe even one in criminally tight pants.
Welcome and thanks to Secret Night Owl for adding this as a favorite story. I hope you enjoy the story and keep reading.
And the winning subject for my next artwork for Phantom of the Glen is. . . Christine fainting in the kitchen between the Brownies.
You can also see more artwork on my DeviantArt Page. Just look for Tamster73 for users or do a search on Phantom of the Glen. I found a bunch of cool doll programs and just went a bit wild. Plus you can see my guy dressed up a the Phantom as well (he's so darn cute when he does things like that).
Thanks to all who have read and reviewed; the more you review, the faster I write the next chapter. Now, on to the next chapter.
Phantom of the Glen
Chapter 32
Adjustments
Erik smiled and sighed contentedly as he felt soft lips against his and a gentle hand caressing his marred cheek. He moaned low when the kiss deepened and his eyes fluttered open. "Good morning Erik," S'ray smiled down at him.
"It certainly is," he replied taking the hand that caressed his cheek and kissing her fingers. "How do you feel?"
"Mmm, wonderful," she sighed and leaned down to kiss him again.
Erik closed his eyes and wrapped his arms around her as her tongue dipped in to tease him. He felt her hand slide down to caress his chest and stomach. A throaty groan of pure pleasure escaped him as she caressed the evidence of a very good night's sleep through his drawers. "S'ray," he growled arching his hips up.
"Yes Erik," she smiled now untying his drawers.
"Are you sure you're well enough for this?" he asked propping himself up on his elbows.
"Yes love," she replied now sliding her hand up his chest as he let out a shuddering breath.
"Tease," he smirked a she put her arms around his neck. "Still, are you sure we should be doing this?"
"And why not?" she replied while languidly kissing him.
"Mmm, we do have guests," he replied trying to resist the temptation that was sprawled so wonderfully on his body. "And Madame Giry is . . . "
He never finished his objection. S'ray covered his mouth with hers, effectively silencing any other objections as well. She pushed him back down to the bed and sat up, letting the sheet pool around her hips. He looked up at her through a haze of desire and his breath quickened in anticipation of love making. It had only been a few days since they'd last been intimate and he'd missed being wrapped in her warmth. He longed to feel her bare skin pressed against his and his body was reminding him of that in no uncertain terms right now.
Having apparently decided upon a course of action, she leaned over and slipped her arms around his neck. "I love you," she whispered and began kissing him again. He moaned softly and his arms wrapped around her once again. One of her hands slid from his neck to caress his marred side again. His heart skipped a beat as he felt her nimble fingers gently touch that which he was most ashamed of.
He sat up and caught her sweet hand in his again, kissing those wonderful fingers once more. Erik turned her palm upward and pressed more kisses across it. His eyes opened and he watched her reactions to his new seduction. Her eyes were dark and half-lidded and she watched with panting breaths as he moved farther down her palm. He felt her draw in a sudden breath and then release it slowly as he began kissing the inside of her wrist.
His gaze swept back down to the wrist he was tenderly kissing. He was instantly drawn to the black mark around her wrist. Such a mark was caused by iron poisoning and he knew exactly how this one came to be on his love. Erik stopped his attentions and drew back from her. "I'm sorry," he said gently caressing the marred skin. "Everyone I love is hurt simply because of me."
"This isn't your fault Erik," she softly said as he pressed his lips against the mark. "You didn't bind me with iron."
"I'm the reason it happened," he replied. "I may as well have done the horrid deed myself."
"No love, not true," S'ray gently replied, trying to soothe his guilt-ridden heart.
"I don't deserve you," he said shaking his head. "I'm a monster who deserves only death."
"Stop right there Erik," she said sternly and lifted his chin so their eyes met. "You are no monster and you deserve all the love I can give you and then some."
"S'ray," he replied, his voice thick with emotion.
"I love you Erik Destler and I love you with all my heart," she said kissing him soundly. "Don't you ever doubt that I love you now and always will."
His arms wrapped possessively around her as if he was half-afraid she would disappear like the morning mist. He felt a spark of electricity shoot though him as she pressed her lips to his once more. One of his hands slid up to cup her face as he returned her kisses. "I love you," she murmured through passion-swollen lips as he drew back to catch his breath. "I love you, I love you."
"I love you," he whispered, looking back at her in wonder.
"Erik," she said breathily.
"Yes S'ray," the Phantom smiled caressing her cheek.
"Touch me," she entreated.
"I am love," he replied.
"Love me," she sighed pressing herself against him.
"I do S'ray," he grinned, teasing her now. Erik tried to ignore the feel of her breasts pressed against his chest. It was maddening to distinctly feel her hard nipples and not have them in his hands or mouth. He knew she wanted him; he could feel the heat of her sex against his belly and smell the honeyed scent of her arousal.
"Mmm," she sighed closing her eyes. She bit her lower lip and pressed herself against him as she felt him harden against her thigh. S'ray arched her back, displaying her breasts to his hungry gaze. She gasped as the hand that had been caressing her cheek now cupped her breast, his thumb grazing her sensitive nipple. "Love me," she softly commanded.
Unable to resist any longer, he wrapped his arms around her and rolled them so she was on her back and he reclined over her. "So beautiful," he whispered as his hand slid slowly over her neck, down the valley between her breasts, across her smooth stomach and along her creamy thigh. Then he bent his head down and captured one of her nipples between his lips.
S'ray cried out softly and tangled her fingers in his hair. She gasped as he gently bit her aching nipple, the rasp of his beard against her skin causing shivers to race through her body.
"Why do you tremble?" he asked finally releasing her breast from his sweet torment.
"Because I desire you so much," she replied bringing his hand to her neglected breast. Her eyes closed and she sighed as he began kneading the soft flesh.
"Do you desire the beast or the man?" he asked leaning down and kissing the place between her breasts.
"I desire you," she sighed as his lips traveled to the breast he still cupped in his hand.
"Which me?"
"All of you," she gasped as his lips closed around her sensitive peak. "I desire Erik Destler, my phantom lover and the ghost who haunts my dreams at night."
"So I haunt your dreams, do I?" he smirked before licking her dusky pink nipple.
"Yesss," she hissed.
"What kind of dreams do you have of me?" he asked his natural curiosity now piqued.
"Mmm, wicked ones," she sighed as he suckled her again.
"Tell me," he softly commanded rubbing his stubbled cheek against her and causing another delicious shiver to race through her body.
"I'm walking along the bank of the stream at night and suddenly I feel your arms around me and you're pulling my clothes off. We wind up on the ground on your cloak, you hands and mouth tormenting me. You say nothing as your hand slips between my thighs and caresses me. Then I feel two of your fingers slide inside me as you continue caressing me with you thumb. My body arcs up to you and you cover one of my breasts with your mouth. I cry out and beg for you to take me and fuck me hard, but you don't. Instead you roll to your back and order me on top of you. I slide down on you and you pull me even farther onto your length, making me see stars at being filled so completely," she sighed as he caressed her.
At this point Erik had to start doing complex architectural equations in his head to distract his body enough so she could finish describing her dream to him. Unknowingly, his hand slid down to stroke the inside of one of her thighs. "What else?" he asked his voice rough with desire.
"You grab my hips and I start riding you," she sighed as his hand now stroked her slick sex. "And oh it feels so good. My hands slide up and I caress my breasts as you watch me enjoy you."
He took a shuddering breath as she began doing just as she described in her dream. He watched her lick her lips and moan in pleasure as his fingers slipped into her honeyed channel. "Does it feel like this when you're riding me?" he asked now sliding his fingers in and out of her.
"No, better, so much better," she gasped closing her eyes.
"What else happens while you're riding me?" Erik asked nuzzling her breasts.
"After a while you roll us over and take over," she smiled tangling her fingers in his hair. "You take me with slow, deep thrusts and I beg you to fuck me harder and faster, but you don't. So I wrap my legs around you and dig my fingers into your back and shoulders, trying you urge you into a quicker pace. Finally it seems that you can't control yourself anymore and you thrust harder and faster into me. Oh, it feels so good love that I start to cry out, but you cover my mouth with yours. Before long the pleasure is too much for me and I come undone in your arms. As I shudder against you, you follow me into bliss and we lay together on your cloak, wrapped in each other."
"When did you dream this?" he asked, struggling to control his desire for her.
"Mmm about a month after you arrived here," she smiled licking her lips.
Unable to resist the temptation of her pink tongue sliding over her lips, he claimed those same lips in a fierce kiss. Her eyes widened in surprise and then closed as his kiss gentled just as quickly as it started. She wrapped her arms around his neck and parted her thighs farther in anticipation of him claiming her soon. Then his body was over hers and he slid inside her. S'ray cried out as he suddenly filled her. "Did I hurt you?" he gasped.
"No Erik," she sighed adjusting the angle of her hips. "Mmm, that's better."
"Mmm, it certainly is," he smiled moving slowly over her.
She gasped softly as a tingling pleasure swept through her. Her hands slid down his scarred back and she arched her hips into his thrusts. Erik groaned aloud as her fingers dug into his lower back. He wanted to move quicker, his body demanded it of him, but he didn't want to hurt her because she was still recovering from iron poisoning.
"It's alright Erik," she said as if reading his mind. "I won't break, go faster please."
"Are you sure?" he asked as she stroked his cheek.
"Please love, I need you," she pleaded and wrapped her legs around him.
He increased his speed and her resulting gasp sent a thrill of pleasure racing through his blood. She was so tight and so wet and she felt so good beneath him. His blood burned in anticipation of bringing her sweet rapture and he shifted his position over her. She cried out sharply as he stroked against that special spot inside her and he could feel her start to move rhythmically around him.
Erik watched her respond to him, her eyes were half-closed and beautiful sounds of pleasure escaped her parted lips. S'ray arched against him, wordlessly pleading for release. His head dipped down to tease one of her hard nipples. She gasped at the sudden pleasure and bit her bottom lip as he brought her closer to the edge.
One of his hands slid down her side to firmly grasp her thigh. He pulled her leg upward so her knee was positioned just below his armpit. Satisfied with that leg, he did the same with the other. They both gasped in pleasure as he slid fully within her.
"Please Erik, please," she pleaded as wave after wave of tingling pleasure raced through her body.
"Oh S'ray," he moaned intoxicated by the feel of the woman beneath him.
"Erik," she gasped as he began moving again. Moments later, the stars exploded and she trembled in release beneath him.
Her gasps of delight and her body shivering in pleasure around him, helped send him over the edge in short order as well. Erik stiffed and with a low growl, spilled himself within her. Spent, he collapsed on top of her, his breath coming in great gasps. Her legs slipped down and were loosely wrapped around him. They lay together like that for several minutes.
Finally Erik found the strength to roll off her and onto his back. Once he'd settled himself in the bed, he pulled S'ray's languid form into his arms. "I love you," he murmured, burying his face in her silken hair.
"Shoo you little beasts, shoo!" Madame Giry all but growled as she went after Brandji and Brule with the broom.
"Was it something we said?" Brule asked as they ran under the table.
"Come out from there you little cowards!" the ballet mistress ordered.
"I think it was something we did," Brandji laughed before jumping backward as a broom was thrust under the table. "Hah, you missed me!"
"Don't make me set the cat on you," Antoinette growled.
"Ahh, the furred death!" they both squeaked before darting out of the kitchen.
"How are you feeling Captain?" Daklu asked as he entered the tub room.
"Much better Dak," she smiled leaning back in the steaming tub. "Much better than the last time this happened."
"I'd hope so, seeing as we didn't have to pull any iron arrows from you this time" he smiled sitting on a stool next to the tub. "Now before your jealous lover barges in, let's see those wrists."
"I'm worried the marks will be permanent," she said as he examined her wrists. "What do you think?"
"How long were you bound?" he asked still checking her wrists.
"Two, maybe three hours," S'ray replied with a shrug.
"I don't think they'll be permanent," he replied releasing her hands. "Worried Erik won't find you pretty enough with those marks?"
"Funny Dak," she frowned and splashed water at him.
"I know, you're worried what he might do to the human that caused them," he sighed.
"A bit, but he blames himself for what happened," she sighed leaning back again. "And that's what worries me."
"Relax; there shouldn't be any lasting marks. Besides you can always cover them up with tattoos if you need to, just like me," he grinned.
"And wind up looking like you?" she replied quirking an eyebrow. "No thank you."
"What's wrong with me?" he asked in mock offense.
"The tattoos on your chest and shoulders may work for you, but not me," she laughed. "And do you really think Erik would let anyone see me without a shirt on, let alone ink me?"
"You could always have it done when he's gone and then surprise him when he comes home," the other Alve smirked.
"Really Dak? Really?" she asked. "Do you want to see him go on a rampage that badly?"
"Brandji, don't move," Brule said, his eyes the size of saucers.
"Who are you to tell me not to move?" Brandji demanded putting his hands on his hips. "Have you forgotten that I am the leader here?"
"No, it's just that. . . " Brule said.
"What?" Brandji demanded impatiently tapping his foot on the dirt.
"I don't want to have to replace you," Brule whined.
"Why would you have to replace me?" he asked. "I'm not going anywhere."
"Are you sure?" Brule asked slowly backing up now.
"Yes, why are you backing up?" Brandji asked.
"F. . .f. . .f. . ." he stammered pointing above Brandji's head.
"What? What are you pointing at?" Brandji asked tilting his head to one side.
"D . . . d . . . d. . ." Brule continued as he kept backing up.
"Would you just say it? This is getting old," Brandji frowned.
"Behind you," Brule finally squeaked out.
"Fi. . . furred death! Run Brule, run!" Brandji screamed as he turned and ran from Ayesha.
"I need to talk to you," Tavlyn said shutting the Dutch door on the barn.
"What about?" Erik asked hanging up a hay fork.
"About my Captain and your relationship with her," the Alve said drawing himself up to his full height of five feet, six inches.
Erik's back noticeably stiffened, then he took a deep breath and turned to face Tavlyn. "What about it?" he carefully asked.
"Now let me make this clear, I have nothing against you or the two of you being together," Tavlyn started. "In fact, I'm all for it because I haven't seen her this happy in a long, long time."
"However?" Erik asked raising his visible eyebrow.
"What were you thinking when you dragged that stupid human off to your old lair instead of seeing to my Captain?" he demanded.
Erik hadn't expected this; he had believed they had settled this matter in his lair several days ago. "As I told you before, revenge," he replied. "I thought she was dying."
"Then all the more reason to stay with her," Tavlyn snapped. "Revenge on that human wouldn't be worth letting her die wondering where you were. I thought you were man enough to face death."
"I've seen enough death in my life already," Erik shot back. "And I've no desire to see hers, ever."
"Bollocks!" the Alve angrily replied. "You've lived under the opera house most of your life. I've been in wars that have lasted longer than your brief existence and I've seen more than my share of death. So what do you know of death and slaughter?"
"What do I know?" Erik laughed wryly. "I don't know how many I killed when I was in Mazanderin and they were all up close and personal. How many times have you killed like that?"
"I don't know, 50 perhaps in all my life," Tavlyn replied.
"Then it seems in this respect I have the broader experience," Erik sneered striding up to the Elf. "I've killed hundreds like that and for no other reason that it gave my employer some brief twisted pleasure. So believe me when I tell you that I didn't want my last memories of S'ray to be those of a cold and lifeless corpse. I already see enough dead faces in my dreams without adding hers as well."
Tavlyn was taken aback. He knew Erik had a dark and probably violent past, but he'd never imagined what the man now hinted strongly at.
"Don't tell me you've forgotten what I told you during our last lesson already," Erik demanded. "I told you several weeks ago that I was a trained assassin of the Mazandarin Court. They used to call me the Kahnum's Angel of Death."
Tavlyn paled at this sudden revelation. He remembered hearing tales of the feared and wicked assassin when he was traveling in Persia, barely 20 years ago. "I. . . I didn't realize," Tavlyn stammered, at a loss for words.
"It's not something I'm proud of," Erik said averting his eyes and sitting heavily on a nearby barrel.
The Elf stepped closer and quietly asked, "Have you told her? Does she know?"
"Yes, I told her. Right after Beltane in fact," he said covering his face with his hands. "Why she still desires to have me stay here with her, I don't understand. I've done nothing but cause her grief and bring trouble to this place. Especially now, it's my entire fault that she's been hurt."
"That's S'ray," Tavlyn sighed pulling up a barrel across from the Phantom. "She's the direct opposite of her older sister."
"What do you mean?" he asked raising his head and running his fingers through his hair.
"Our S'ray has a heart as big as all outdoors," Tavlyn said. "That's why she was picked to be Guardian of this forest. It's her job to look into the hearts of those that wish shelter here and see if they mean harm to the wood or not. She sees that you're not that man anymore."
"That doesn't protect her from my ugly past," Erik replied.
"That's what friends are for," the Elf said putting a hand on his shoulder. "Me, Dak and even Cyd in his own way, are your friends."
Erik looked up at Tavlyn, a life-time of hurt and self-loathing still evident in his golden eyes. "I've only ever had two friends my whole life, not counting Sasha," he said quietly.
"And Erik, if I thought for one moment that you were bad for S'ray or were going to hurt her, I would have run you out of here a long time ago," Tavlyn said standing. "I know you love her a lot or you wouldn't be blaming yourself right now."
Erik nodded his head in agreement.
"But as I'm sure she's told you more than once, everything bad that happens isn't always your fault," he continued. "You're going to have run-ins with humans and others that know our secrets either because they adhere to the old ways or they covet knowledge like vampires covet material possessions."
"And when it is my fault that she's hurt?" he asked dejectedly.
"Then you deal with it then and not before," the Elf replied. "I've been a soldier for a good deal of my life and have learned that there are no certainties in this world except for death. I've seen how you look at each other, how you treat each other; you share a love that guys like me sing and write songs about. I mean, I can only dream that I'll be lucky enough to have someone love me like that someday. I hope you realize how lucky you are and treasure every moment you have together."
"I do, trust me I do," he replied quietly.
"Look, I'll take care of the rest of the chores for today. Why don't you wash up and take her to that private spot you two have by the stream," Tavlyn suggested with a smile.
"And do what?" Erik frowned, knowing that S'ray was still easily tired from the after effects of iron poisoning.
"Just be together. Sing to her, recite poetry, just hold her in your arms," Tavlyn replied.
"I'll need time to get it ready," Erik sighed standing.
"Leave that to me and Cyd," Tavlyn said putting up his hand to silence any other protests. "Now go get cleaned up and changed."
"One more thing," Erik said before Tavlyn could open the door.
"What's that?" the Alve asked turning back to the Phantom.
"What exactly are your intentions toward Meg Giry?" Erik asked looking him straight in the eye.
"Excuse me?" Tavlyn asked completely surprised by the question.
"Do you care for her or is she just going to be another one of your conquests?" Erik asked with a frown. "Because if she is. . . "
"Hold it Erik," Tavlyn said holding up his right hand. "Do you honestly think I'm stupid enough to hurt one of your friends?"
"I've seen how easily you go from woman to woman at the inn Tavlyn," he frowned, crossing his arms over his chest.
"Those women don't mean anything to me, it's just a romp and a bed for the night," the Alve replied.
"And Luniana?" he asked raising his visible eyebrow.
"That's, well, that's complicated," Tavlyn replied. "Besides, I think she's growing tired of me being tired all the time."
"Finally a woman you can't handle," Erik chuckled.
"Shell shards man, she's a Pixie!" he exclaimed. "Though it could be worse."
"How could it be worse?"
"She could be a Nymph."
"I really need to start reading in the library," Erik said shaking his head.
"Anyway, I really like Meg," he said as they walked outside. "And I want to get to know her before I decide how I like her."
"Good," the Phantom nodded. "Besides, it's not really me you need to worry about, it's her mother. I've seen what she can do with that cane and it's painful."
"Surprise," Erik whispered, gently removing the blindfold from her eyes.
"Oh Erik," she breathed. "How did you?"
"I had some help," he smiled and led her to the blanket and cushions. He gracefully sat down and pulled her down into his lap. "I love you S'ray," he said cupping her face in his hands.
"I know," she sighed gazing into his eyes. She lifted her hands to his masked face and brushed the unruly hair back. "I love you too."
"I never realized how much I love you till I thought I was going to lose you," he confessed looking back into her deep violet eyes. "I am so lucky that you love me."
"No, I'm the lucky one Erik," S'ray replied, her fingers tracing his jaw line. "Lucky to be loved by the most passionate and handsome man I've ever met."
"S'ray," he choked, overcome with emotion. Then crushed her to his chest and buried his face against her neck and shoulder.
"Erik," she said breathily.
"Yes," he replied holding her tightly.
"Loosen up, you're crushing me love," she gasped.
"I'm so sorry," he said releasing her and hanging his head.
"It's alright," she smiled and tilted his chin up to look at him. "I understand, I feel the same way about you."
"You are more precious to me than life," Erik softly said running his fingers down her neck and across her shoulder.
"Such things you say," she blushed.
"And every one of them true," he smiled as his hand continued down her side.
"Flatterer," she softly laughed.
"Every word is still the truth," he answered smoothing the blue fabric of her dress over her legs. "I don't think I've ever seen you wear a dress before."
"Do you like it?" she asked expectantly.
"I do," Erik smiled. "You look beautiful."
"You always say that no matter what I wear," S'ray laughed.
"And if you recall I also say that when you wear nothing at all," he smirked with a gleam in his eyes.
"You wicked, wicked man," she chastised before grabbing his chin and kissing him.
"Guilty as charged," he grinned holding her in his arms.
"So did you bring me to her just tell me I'm beautiful and then make wicked remarks?" she asked.
"Not entirely," he sighed, moving them so they lay next to each other on the cushions and blankets.
"Then why did you bring me here, you wicked creature?" she sighed stretching out next to him.
"To have you all to my very greedy self," he grinned. "I know I'm being selfish by keeping you to myself and I admit to it fully."
"Any other reason?" she asked raising a golden eyebrow.
"Well, there was one other reason," Erik said twirling a lock of her hair in his fingers.
"And that was?" she pressed.
"I was told by several experts in the matter that being out in the glen like this would be good for you especially after spending several days in my lair," he explained. "I am sorry we had to linger in such a place for so long while you were ill."
"Don't be," she smiled, "I liked your home, what little I saw of it."
"Mmm, you'll like it more when I finish some improvements," he smiled as she caressed his perfect cheek.
"Since it's just you and me, we can get rid of this," S'ray said and gently unmasked him.
"Why do you do that?" he asked always bewildered by her desire to look upon his unmasked countenance.
"Do what?" she asked lightly caressing his bare face.
"Remove my mask," he replied.
"Because I want to look at you," she sighed.
"Why? I'm horrid, even my own mother couldn't stand to look at me. I don't even like looking at myself with out the mask," he said turning his marred side away from her. "What am I compared to one of your kind except some sort of monstrous bastard?"
"You are not horrid looking," she said turning his face back to hers. "And I see no monster when I look at you. I also find you quite handsome in your own way, as I've said many times already."
"There's no need to stroke my male ego with honeyed words love, I know I'm no prize by any means," he sighed closing his eyes.
"You're my prize Erik Destler," she whispered and brushed her lips against his in a tender kiss.
"But to look at me like this? Are you certain you wouldn't prefer the mask? I don't mind, I really don't," he objected.
"Would you like to know the truth?" she asked pulling back from him slightly.
Erik nodded, not wanting to speak.
"I hate that wretched mask," S'ray said, venom clear in her voice.
Erik's eyes widened in surprise. He hadn't expected this from her, especially when she'd given him a mask.
"And I hate that you have to wear it to even be tolerated in man's world," she continued cupping his marred cheek in her hand. "I hate that your mother was too weak to love you and made you wear the wretched thing in the first place. I hate the world that shunned you because of an accident of birth. And I hate those that are too blind to see the beauty within you. But most of all I hate that wretched mask Erik. You don't need to wear it in my world, ever."
He was speechless; he hadn't realized she felt this way about his mask.
"That is why I want you to take it off in our bedroom," S'ray said, running her fingers over his uneven flesh. "It reminds me of something I hate and I don't want that in a place meant for love, in a place meant for our love."
"But," he said, wanting to question her, but not knowing what to ask.
"I understand why you need it, you were taught to loathe yourself because of this," she said and placed a kiss against the side of his nose that spread unnaturally. "They told you were the Devil's Child and no one would ever love you."
He shuddered and nodded in agreement with her.
"None of it is true, not then and not now Erik," she said kissing his sunken cheek and then beneath his drooping eyelid. "I love you Erik. I love all of you, especially your face."
"I. . ." he started.
"I love the way you look at me Erik, the way your eyes soften and your smile when we make love. I want to see your face relaxed when you sleep next to me and watching you slowly close your eyes when we kiss," she confessed. "I want to see your whole expression, not just half."
"But I'm a murdering monster," he barely whispered.
"Not to me," she replied kissing his missing eyebrow.
"Tavlyn knows, I told him who I was in Persia," he confessed.
"And?" she asked.
"I frightened him," Erik choked.
"He'll get over it," she sighed pulling him to her breast.
"This is ironic," he said with a hitch in his voice.
"What love?" she asked.
"I brought you here for comfort and now you're comforting me," he replied holding her close.
"You are my comfort," S'ray smiled combing her fingers through his hair. Then she took a deep breath and yawned.
"I'm sorry, I forgot how easily you tire yet," he sighed pulling himself from her.
"It's alright," she said with another yawn.
"No, it's not, you need rest," he frowned and then picked her up and laid her down in the shade of a small lean-to. Then he lay beside her and wrapped them both in light blanket to keep her from becoming chilled and possibly getting a fever on top of the iron poisoning. "Sleep if you'd like, I'll be here when you wake."
"And where do you think you're going?" Madame Giry asked Christine as she saw the young woman about to follow the same path Erik and S'ray had taken bare moments earlier.
"I was just going to go for a walk," the young woman said evasively.
"In that case," Madame smiled knowingly. "Why don't you walk with me, it's been too long since I've seen you my dear."
"Alright," Christine smiled, trying to hide her annoyance at not being able to follow the Phantom and the Elf.
"Many things have happened since Don Juan," the older woman started as they began walking along the stream. "You've been married, Meg is prima ballerina and my eyes have been opened to a whole world I only ever dreamed existed."
"I know," Christine answered. "I always thought Father's stories were just stories."
"He told me you found him," Madame said. "How ever did you manage to find this place?"
"I. . . I overheard Raoul telling one of the maids how to get to the village and then which road to take from the village," she said plucking a long strand of wild grass and twisting it in her fingers.
"And then what?" Madame Giry asked.
"Well, I found this place and found them inside," she said blushing.
"Ah yes, he mentioned that you discovered them in, shall we say, an intimate embrace," the older woman nodded.
"Yes," she sighed.
"And what did you think of that?" Antoinette asked.
"I was shocked of course," she explained. "I mean what kind of people do something like that in broad daylight and on a kitchen counter of all places?"
"Two people who are madly and passionately in love with each other," the ballet mistress replied, thinking back to her own husband.
"So he told you he loves her too?" Christine asked, some of the light draining out of her eyes.
"Oh yes," Antoinette sighed and smiled. "Erik loves her very much and I can see it by the way he looks and speaks about S'ray"
"He doesn't love me any more," Christine sighed.
"I wouldn't say that completely," she replied. "He does still care for you, you were his favorite student. But he cares for you as one would a child or dear friend."
"But not like he used to," the ingénue said sitting down on a nearby log.
"No, he is not obsessed with you anymore," Antoinette said, sitting beside her.
"Aunt Nettie, if things had been different, if Raoul hadn't come back, would things have turned out different?" she asked looking up at the older woman with tears in her eyes.
"Now I don't know that my dear, no one can know that," she smiled at her adopted daughter. "But I don't think you and Erik would have been happy together for long."
"Why do you say that?" Christine said wiping tears from her eyes.
"Because you weren't meant for him," Madame Giry said putting her arm around the younger woman's shoulders. "Erik is a difficult man to know; it's not his fault, the world made him that way. He needs a strong woman to love him; one who's not afraid of his temper and will not back down from him. Do you remember how frightened you were when he brought you back after that first time you met him?"
Christine nodded; she'd been more than frightened, she'd been positively terrified of her Angel.
"That is why you wouldn't have been happy, for how could you be happy if you were afraid all the time?" she asked hugging her adopted daughter.
"That's true," Christine sniffed. "But it just seems like he replaced me very quickly."
"We can't choose when we fall in love, it just happens," Antoinette sighed. "And if I know Erik, he tried to deny his feelings as long as possible. You see it's very hard for him to believe that someone would feel anything but pity for him."
"Because of his face?" she asked.
"Because of his face," the ballet mistress nodded. "Surely you are happy for him?"
"I guess so, but I'm also jealous of her," the young soprano said brushing some grass from her skirt.
"That's just because you were so used to being the center of Erik's world for such a long time," she smiled. "But think of it this way, you are now the center of Raoul's world, are you not?"
"I suppose so," she sighed. "But Aunt Nettie, he's hardly around now."
"Don't you worry, my dear," Antoinette said standing. "I think that when you get home you'll find he's had a change of heart."
"Bad Ayesha, bad Ayesha," Luniana scolded as she flew out of the feline's reach. "Not a birdie, not a birdie!"
The Pixie frowned down at the crouching cat; this was not going to be tolerated. Not only was her Tavlyn following around that blonde girl like a lost puppy, but Erik's cat had a pretty, shiny collar and he didn't give her anything pretty and shiny.
Luniana flew up higher as the Siamese sprang at her again. "Not a birdie!" she scolded and stamped her tiny foot in the air. Then sticking her tongue out at the cat, she flew off looking for safe refuge with the dragon.
S'ray opened her eyes and didn't feel Erik's arms around her any more. She sat up quickly, worried about where he'd gone off to while she'd slept.
"Don't worry, I'm here," he said from her other side. "Sleep well?"
"Yes," she smiled letting out the breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. "What were you doing while I slept?"
"Several things," he smiled putting down his drawing pad. "Sketching you mostly."
"May I see?" she asked disentangling herself from the blanket he'd wrapped her in.
"Mmm, I don't know," he gently teased.
"Please Erik," S'ray pouted.
"I wish you wouldn't do that," he sighed moving closer to her.
"Why?" she asked still pouting, barely able to contain her smile.
"It makes me want to do this," Erik replied pulling her into his arms and crushing his mouth against hers.
S'ray's lips parted beneath his passionate onslaught and her arms went around his neck. She let him press her back against the blanket and cushions once more, delighting in the feel of his body against hers. "Oh Erik," she gasped as his lips moved from hers to her neck, gently kissing and biting.
"I love you, I adore you, I need you," he whispered against her neck. One of his hands moved to her shoulder pulling the sleeve even further down, his fingers gently stroking the arrow scar.
"Erik," she breathed against him as her fingers wound into his dark hair.
"What you do to me," he smiled pulling back from her. "It's too bad we're not behind closed doors."
"Can't you make love outdoors?" she asked combing her fingers through his hair.
"Surely you're joking," Erik laughed gently stroking her shoulder still.
"Not at all," she smiled. "Or don't you remember that time when I was feeding you strawberries and you decided to use them to write music on me?"
Erik colored at that particular memory; they had come very close to making love under the old oak. But the sudden rain shower had driven them back to the house and they'd made love in a bathtub of steaming water instead. "We have guests love, someone may see us," he objected.
"So, let them see," she smirked and kissed his full lower lip.
"But S'ray," he began to protest and was silenced by her lips against his again.
"Shh," she shushed and drew his earlobe into her mouth and nibbled on it.
"S'ray, please," he groaned, feeling himself harden under her attentions.
"I love you," she whispered kissing the sensitive spot on his neck where his pulse throbbed.
"Someone is coming," he hissed, his eyes opening wide as she moved to remove his mask again.
"And what have I said about this damned thing?" she demanded, ignoring his protests.
"S'ray, I," he frowned and was stopped by another kiss from her. Then he felt her hand grasp his half-mask and pull it from his face.
"Mmm, much better," she smiled pressing kisses to his marred flesh.
"But love, someone is. . ." he began and was silenced by her lips against his again. Erik closed his eyes and began doing math, the only thing that could distract him from S'ray's charms. Suddenly he found himself on his back and she was straddling his hips. His eyes opened wide as she tore his shirt open.
"Mmm, even better," she smirked looking down at him.
"S'ray! How am I going to explain this when we go back for the evening?" he asked, shocked by her behavior.
"You just say I was overcome by my desire for such a handsome man as yourself and before you knew it, I had my wicked way with you," she laughed sliding her hands down his now bare chest.
"I don't believe you," the Phantom said, still amazed at this sudden turn of events.
"You are mine Erik and if I have to mark you to prove it to every little strumpet that throws herself at you then I will," S'ray almost growled as her fingers followed the line of fine hair that ran down his flat stomach.
"S'ray, I. . . " he stammered.
"Be quiet Erik," she ordered and then kissed him.
Erik groaned as her tongue slipped into his mouth and he felt her hands on his shoulders, holding him down.
"Who do you belong to?" she asked pulling back from him.
"I . . . I. . . " he said breathing heavily.
"Very well," she sighed and kissed him again, harder this time.
He saw stars and the world tipped on its side as she kissed him. Erik had never been dominated by a woman before and he was more than disconcerted by it; he was also aroused by it.
"Who do you belong to?" she demanded again after she released his mouth.
He was breathing heavily, his chest heaving beneath her. It was difficult to form a coherent thought, let alone answer the woman over him. His eyes widened as she leaned down and pressed her lips against his once more. A groan of desire shook him to his bones as he became painfully hard beneath her. No woman had ever subjected him to such torment and he was fully enjoying it.
"Who do you belong to?" she asked again sitting up.
"You . . . you . . . S'ray," he gasped. "Only you."
"Now show me what you were drawing while I slept," she smiled and moved from on top of him.
Erik let his head fall back to the blanket, gritting his teeth and biting back a growl of frustration. That woman had aroused him to the point of agony and now she wanted to look at his drawings, this was worse than any other torture he'd ever endured. The worst part of it was, she did it on purpose and damned if he was going to make love to her outdoors with so many others in the Glen.
"Well?" she sweetly asked. "Or do I have to repeat what I just did?"
"No," he answered, sitting up and wincing at how uncomfortable his trousers had become.
"Problem?" she asked with a smirk.
"Nothing I can't handle," he said taking a deep breath.
"Do you need some help?" she asked leaning over and kissing his ear.
"Not at this point," he ground out reaching for his sketch book. "Some of these I did while we were in the lair."
"I don't see how you can say you're going fishing when you don't have a fishing pole," Meg huffed as she followed the two Elves along the bank of the stream.
"One doesn't always have a pole to fish with when on a campaign," Daklu winked at her.
"So true," Tavlyn agreed. "You have to make due with what you have with you."
"This looks like a good place to cross," Daklu said. "You may want to remove your shoes miss."
"Why here?" she asked sitting down to remove her shoes. "Why not farther down?"
"Well, we don't want to disturb anyone," Tavlyn said with a chuckle as he removed his boots and flung them to the other bank.
"Oh," she giggled. "You mean the Phantom and S'ray."
"Exactly, the three of us coming across him and the captain in an intimate embrace would kill him from embarrassment," Daklu grinned.
"Yes, he does turn red at the drop of a hat," Tavlyn agreed.
"Do you know what would be worse?" the ballerina giggled.
"What?" Tavlyn asked standing again.
"If Maman or Christine saw him," she laughed.
"Too late," Daklu grinned. "Christine already saw that act."
"No," Meg gasped.
"Yeah," Tavlyn smirked. "She saw him and S'ray in the kitchen. From what I heard it was so good neither noticed her till they were done."
"Oh, I don't believe it, not the Phantom of the Opera," she scoffed.
"It's true," Daklu replied. "We heard it from Erik himself."
"Now, if you allow me pretty lady," Tavlyn smiled as he stood and offered her his hand. "I'll get you across the stream."
"Thank you," Meg blushed as he picked her up and waded into the stream.
Daklu just rolled his eyes; leave it to Tavlyn to play the gallant hero.
"I still don't understand how you expect to catch any fish," she frowned after being set down on the other bank.
"Just watch," Daklu said as he pulled an arrow from his quiver and nocked it on his bow. He drew back and focused on the water he was still standing in. She watched him move the bow back and forth and then suddenly release an arrow. He put the bow across his back again and reached into the water to retrieve the arrow. When he pulled it out, she was amazed to find a fish skewered by the arrow.
"I don't believe it," she said amazed at the feat of marksmanship she'd just witnessed.
"If you would be so kind," he grinned and tossed both fish and arrow to the bank next to her.
Meg picked up the arrow just as she heard Tavlyn release an arrow into the water. She watched as he also pulled up an arrow with a fish on it. "Just pull the arrows out and toss the fish in a pile," Tavlyn said tossing her his catch as well.
"And give a total every now and then so we know when to stop," Daklu called loosing another arrow.
Cyd could hear music coming from the study, a sure sign of Erik's presence and his good mood. The dragon quietly pushed the door open and saw him seated at piano. One hand was on the keys and the other was busily writing notes on paper.
"Can't sleep Cyd?" Erik asked never taking his attention from the notes he was writing down.
"I don't need to sleep as often as . . . " he began.
"Lesser creatures?" Erik asked turning the face the dragon.
"No offense meant," Cyd nodded entering the study.
"None taken," Erik replied. "I imagine that you wish to talk since you're seeking me out."
"Correct," the dragon replied.
"Please, have a seat. Can I interest you in a drink?" Erik offered as he rose and went to the desk.
"No thank you," Cyd said as he sat down before the desk and laid "The Book of the Faye Realm" upon it. "But help yourself."
"Thank you," the Phantom said sitting and bringing out a glass and bottle of brandy. "So what did you wish to talk about?"
"There are several things actually," Cyd began as Erik poured himself a drink. "My rider is first and foremost among them."
"Go on," Erik said eyeing him warily.
"I haven't said anything before because there haven't been any problems," the dragon continued. "However, now I must because this will start affecting S'ray."
Erik narrowed his eyes and prepared for yet another chastisement of his behavior when he thought that S'ray was lost to him.
"Now as to what happened in Paris, I trust there will not be a repeat of that behavior," Cyd said looking him square in the eyes.
"No, there will not," Erik said quietly, hearing the barely concealed threat in the dragon's voice.
"Good," he nodded steepling his fingers. "S'ray is not like any woman you've ever met before."
The Phantom nodded in agreement.
"In fact, she's different, even for an Alve," he continued. "She's both a dragon rider and a forest guardian; it's very rare to find both traits in one Alve, especially a woman. Such uniqueness is rare in our realm, just as it's very rare to find talent such as yours in any human. Perhaps that is what drew the two of you together."
"Regardless of how you found each other, you are together and now share a bond that goes beyond just love," Cyd said leaning back in the chair.
"What do you mean?" Erik asked, intrigued by where the dragon was taking this.
"You already know the basics of what a forest guardian is, but it's much more than that. A guardian shares a connection with the forest where they live; the life of the forest and the guardian are connected. If the guardian is young and in good health and mood, then the forest flourishes. But if the guardian is old and nearing the end of life and melancholy then the forest starts to fade and diminish. When Dandle was guardian, this forest began to decline because he was nearing the end of his life," the dragon explained.
"And S'ray was badly injured when she came here," Erik frowned.
"Yes and the forest continued to decline until she began to recover. As S'ray grew stronger and healthier, so did the forest," Cyd answered. "And now that you're here, the forest has truly come back to life."
"What do I have to do with that?" Erik asked. "All I've ever brought has been death and sorrow."
"Not true, it's your love for S'ray and hers for you that has made the difference," Cyd said. "With each of you alone this wouldn't have happened, but when you are together is a different tale. Have you ever heard that love is the strongest force in the universe?"
"Of course, but that's just some old poetry," Erik said trying to brush it off.
"Is it?" the dragon asked raising a silver eyebrow.
"Isn't it?" Erik asked a puzzled look crossing his masked countenance.
"Not at all," the dragon replied. "Look around the glen and the forest; never have I seen it this green and full of life. That started to happen the moment you two became one on Beltane."
"S'ray said that was just and old tradition from when the Alve were still wild," the masked man objected.
"A public joining on the alter stone was the tradition," Cyd answered. "But that doesn't mean there isn't magic happening when the Queen of Beltane is pursued and taken by the Green Man at the festival. And the magic was made even more potent because you made love in the forest and against an ancient oak at that."
"It wasn't supposed to happen like that out in the open, we were even watched," Erik said crossing his arms over his chest and leaning forward in his chair.
"You seemed to have become accustomed to that now," Cyd smiled.
"That doesn't mean I like or encourage it," the Phantom frowned. "I only tolerate it and not very well at that."
"Be that as it may, it was that initial rush of magic from your first coupling in the forest that truly brought it back to life," Cyd replied straightening in the chair. "And if this magic is as strong as I think it is, then the harvest will be plentiful as well."
"Are you saying that the harvest depends on how often S'ray and I make love?" Erik queried disbelief plain on his face.
"Not in those exact terms, it depends on your relationship and how happy you are, how strong your love is for each other. The sex is just a physical expression of your love and passion for each other," Cyd explained. "And if you are fruitful, so is the land."
"By fruitful, you mean having children?" Erik questioned with a raised brow.
"That is the obvious meaning, but relationships are fruitful when couples are happy and content with each other. Of course having children will help the forest thrive, but it's not a requirement and you'll have children when you're both ready for them," the dragon answered. "However, we will expect more permanent arrangements between you before that."
"Of course," the man nodded. "I still don't completely understand all of this and I'm not going to pretend that I do."
"In that case, it's time you started learning more about this world," Cyd smiled and slid "The Book of the Faye Realm" across the desk to the Phantom. "I can think of no better protector of this book than you. I trust that you will use the knowledge contained in these pages wisely?"
"Of course," Erik replied. "I don't know what to say."
"Thank you will be sufficient," the dragon smiled.
"Thank you, I've been trying to read some of the books here already," he said carefully opening the book. "This will help me understand S'ray's language much better."
Erik walked into the darkened bedroom and softly closed the door so as to not wake S'ray. He shrugged out of his shirt and then removed his trousers and laid both on the chair by the bed. Then clad in just his mask and drawers, he went to the wash stand. Pouring a bit of water into the basin, he quickly washed up for the night. Then he removed his mask and laid it on S'ray's vanity.
He went back to the bed and knelt down before her. "I love you," he whispered, not daring to touch her for fear he'd wake her. "I love you more than I will ever be able to tell you."
Then he stood again and went to the other side of the bed and slid in next to her. His arm went under her pillow and he pulled her snug against himself. "Erik," she softly sighed snuggling close to him.
"Yes S'ray," he whispered against her ear.
"I missed you," she whispered opening her eyes.
"I'm here now love, you can go back to sleep," he smiled.
"I love you," she smiled closing her eyes again.
"I know," he replied
"You seem very relaxed now," she said stroking the arm he wrapped around her.
"I am S'ray," he smiled breathing deeply of her scent. She smelled wonderfully fresh and clean and he could just detect the underlying sweetness of honey that was all S'ray. "You smell wonderful," he said nuzzling her neck.
"You too love," she sighed as he softly kissed her neck. "Did you just wash up?"
"Yes why?" Erik asked pulling her hair back.
"Your hair feels a bit dame," she replied. "I could feel it against my shoulder."
"I love what you're wearing," he said huskily as he saw the purple lace on her shoulder.
"I know you do, I wore it for you," S'ray smiled turning toward him.
"Then I'm sorry I came to bed so late, if I'd known I would have come earlier," he said pulling back the covers to reveal more of her.
"And you said I'd never get the chance to sleep in it," she smirked.
"This may be your only chance," he sighed running his hand over the purple lace that covered her. "I'm so tired that I'm just not in the mood for love making tonight."
"That's alright," S'ray smiled snuggling up close to him. "There's always the morning."
"I do love how you wake me up some mornings," Erik said remembering the last time she'd woke him up.
"You are a wicked man," she laughed and playfully hit him in the chest.
"And you enjoy it fully," he smirked pulling the blanket back up and around them.
"In the morning I will," she promised and kissed him.
"Mmm, that's a promise I will definitely keep," he said kissing her back.
Author's End Note: Woo this story arc is almost over, only a few more chapters to go.
Coming up in Chapter 33 – A Little Song and Dance
After a crisis, it's always good to relax a bit.