Erik and Ella held each other in silence, just letting everything sink in. She couldn't believe that he actually loved her. Her fears seemed far away and insignificant when his arms were around her in a secure embrace. After a while, Ella broke the quiet with an attempt at humor. "Maybe I should quit going to sleep. Every time I do, I wake up in a different place with a different man, and I like being right here with you."

Suddenly her stomach growled loudly, ruining the moment. They stared at each other for a moment, before Erik chuckled. "Well I suppose we should take care of that. We don't want you starving."

"It's a little too late for that," she replied, without thinking of the consequences of her words.

His face darkened instantly. "What do you mean?"

"I haven't eaten anything since Archer kidnapped me," she admitted.

"He starved you?!" Erik roared. "That is it! I am going to kill him!"

"No, he didn't starve me," she responded quickly, hoping she could calm him down before he completely lost his temper. "I chose not to eat. I partially did it so Archer would realize that I didn't want to be there. I thought if I didn't eat, he'd eventually have to bring me back or I'd starve, and I knew he wouldn't let that happen."

"If that was only part of the reason, dare I ask why else you refused to eat?" he asked through clenched teeth. His hands were balled into fists, and he was shaking with rage, even though Ella could tell he was trying to control himself for her. It proved that he was changing into a better man.

"I…I was afraid," Ella whispered. "He had me drugged when he kidnapped me. I thought that maybe…just maybe there was some more in the food. I didn't want to risk it happening again. I wouldn't sleep either. I was scared of what would happen, where he'd take me, if I closed my eyes at all."

Erik growled. "After everything you've been put through, Archer scaring you to the point of starvation was the last thing you needed. So the last time you ate was four days ago?" She nodded. Erik scooped her up and placed her back into the bed. "Stay here and rest. I'll go fetch you something."

A few minutes later he returned with a cup of tea and small plate of fruit, cheese, and bread. "What's this?" Ella asked as he handed them to her.

"I'm about to start breakfast for you, but I'll need some time to make it. This is so that you don't have to wait any longer. Besides if you eat too much or too fast, you will get sick."

"You're making breakfast?" Ella repeated. "You cook?"

"Despite the rumors, I am fully human. That means I have to eat too," he replied, the corners of his lips turning upwards into a hint of a smirk. "I'm not a gourmet chef by any means, but I'd like to think I'm decent in the kitchen."

"You do everything!" she exclaimed with a smile.

He caressed her face gently. "Eat. I'll be back in a few minutes with something more substantial for you." Erik disappeared with a swish of his cape, leaving Ella alone again.

A knife in Erik's hand probably wasn't the best idea. He had reigned in his rage in front of Ella, but now that he was alone in the kitchen, he was absolutely livid. Trying to keep himself from going on a homicidal rampage, Erik was viciously cutting vegetables. No one could ever accuse him of more murder if he was only stabbing food. He grabbed an egg and smashed it against the side of the bowl, getting it everywhere but actually in the bowl. Erik swore before grabbing a towel to clean up the mess.

How could that stupid boy do that to her? Ella had done nothing to him! Nothing! Not only did Archer kidnap her, but he terrified her to the point of starvation! If he weren't trying so hard to be worthy of Ella's love, Erik would have hunted that boy down and ripped him apart limb from limb with his bare hands.

Erik finished making Ella's breakfast and was back at her side within moments. Her face lit up when she saw him approach. He sat at the edge of the bed and presented the plate. "I hope you like eggs," he said.

"You made me an omelet?" she asked excitedly. Suddenly it vanished, and her brow furrowed. "Erik, what's wrong? You're still upset about Archer aren't you?" Ella took his hand and squeezed it gently. "There's nothing you could have done to stop him. "

"But I could have. If I had been paying better attention, I would have known that Jacqueline was following you sooner. And if I knew that, I could have prevented her from telling Archer, or I could have kept a closer eye on you. We developed a pattern, and I knew better! That's how you get caught!" Erik shouted. "It's exactly what happened with Christine! I got too comfortable and let my guard down!"

"You fell in love!" Ella cried. "There's nothing wrong with that!"

"There is if it means you get hurt!" Erik's voice tremored with emotion. "Ella, I can't lose you! Every time I love something, it gets taken from me! I refuse to let someone steal you from me!"

She leaned in and pressed her lips against his. Before Erik could protest, she pulled the porcelain mask from his face. Ella gently began to kiss the marred side of his face, eventually working her way back to his lips. He wrapped his arm around her waist and brought her closer. "I'm not going anywhere," Ella whispered when they broke apart. "You don't have to worry about anyone taking me from you."

"Oh mon Ange," he breathed. He suddenly pulled away and pushed the plate in her hands. Ella looked up at him with questioning eyes, silently inquiring about the abrupt change in behavior. "You need to eat. I won't have you starving now that you're free."

Ella obediently began to eat. "Erik, this is amazing! How did you learn to cook like this?"

"A lot of bad mistakes," he replied with a smile.

Once Ella was finished, she took a deep breath, like she was going to ask him something. "Erik, are we going to go back upstairs?"

He hadn't been expecting that question, at least not so soon. She had been awake maybe two hours, and she already wanted to leave? Erik shrugged, trying to hide his hurt feelings. "Did you want to go upstairs?"

"Meg is probably worried sick. If there's any way I can tell her that I'm alright…"

"I left Antoinette a note. She knows you're safe, so she can tell Meg," he replied, secretly relieved that it wasn't him.

She nodded. "I know, but I'd feel better if I could tell her in person." The sound of footsteps reached Erik's ears. He turned around and saw a shadow coming around the corner. Erik pushed Ella behind him, instinctively reaching for his lasso. "Erik?" Ella whispered.