Chap 39

Erik sat in front of the piano playing the violin. The music streamed from him so effortlessly this night, he was struggling to write everything down as fast as it came. His muse was definitely quite busy tonight. It was as if a dam had been released. He played a particular phrase and scribbled it quickly on the ever increasing piles of staff paper around him. He got a cramp in his fingers and made a conscious decision to tuck away the rest of the composition that he had left in his mind securely into memory. He covered the keys of the piano and put away the violin carefully, then started to flex and massage his hands. Looking out towards the river, he smiled to himself, shaking his head, thinking about the events of the day, pleasant for the most part.

But the little bit of doubt that had manifested itself earlier in the day was growing in his mind. He thought back to the fishing trip with Roland.

Ah, the fishing expedition. The inordinate amount of time spent simply waiting for the fish to bite made Erik judge it to be quite an uninteresting sport, at first. He soon grew to understand that part of the goal of fishing was to have a setting for the quiet conversation one had with one's companion. He spent a long while just standing in silence with the boy, learning quickly about the how to put the bait on the hook and how to cast the line out into the river, which he did with considerably less flair than his child tutor.

Before his memories had returned, Erik had felt it easier to converse, to be social with just about everyone, including Roland. With the return of his memories came the return of a fear of rejection, awkwardness around people that he just could not shake. Slowly, with much gentleness and effort on Roland's part, the conversation began and progressed into a child's innocent inquiry into Erik's life.

Roland stood quietly, eyes wide as Erik revealed how it was to grow up with his appearance. Several times, when the subject became too emotional, Erik grew quiet and withdrawn. Because of his gift of innate compassion, Roland gently redirected Erik to open up with less sensitive subjects. Roland asked many questions about his journeys, and was rewarded when Erik painted beautiful verbal pictures about the many lands he had been to. But inevitably, the conversation drifted to more serious matters. Why Erik ended up in Capellen.

He told Roland that he had turned into a drifter because he frequently got into trouble. Erik left out the more gory details, summarizing his crimes as "very bad things" that were done in anger. The details were revealed only as was absolutely necessary, blunted and simplified for Roland's ears and gentle soul. The details that Erik thought were relatively mild still made the young boy's face turn white.

In short order, the sun was touching the horizon. Erik was surprised at how strange it was to talk in such a personal, open fashion with a child. But this was not any ordinary child. It was Elaine's son, and that fact alone made Erik more willing to try hard to connect with him. They both were rewarded with new understandings of each other.

"Erik?" Said Roland, after a particularly long pause.

"Yes, Roland?" He said, looking at the boy who was now staring at him.

"When you left before, my mother was very sad. Now that you are back, she is smiling again." He said. Erik knew the next question. "When are you going to go away again?"

"I have no plans to leave anytime soon." Erik said, smiling to himself.

"That is good. I like to see her smile." The boy said, looking out over the river. "And I think you could use some more practice fishing." He said with a giggle, looking at Erik's empty pail. Erik scowled at him playfully.

They walked back for dinner at the manor house, which was now vacated by the rest of the guests from the Ball, save Angelique and Adolph. They laughed about how they had little to show for their efforts. Both of them knew that this fishing trip was extremely successful, in other ways. They arrived back at the manor house via the kitchen entrance. Marjorie was there to greet them.

"Well hello, my young fishermen." She said, taking the pail with paltry offerings from Roland. She smiled, shaking her head in feigned disappointment. "I am glad we were not relying on your catch for dinner! It seems that the fish were not very hungry for what you were offering today." She said, handing off the rather odorous gifts to one of the kitchen hands.

"I am afraid his lack of success was because he was trying to teach me." Explained Erik.

"Well, you will do better next time, then. First lesson upon returning from the river, please scrub yourselves down thoroughly. Go on, Roland, show Erik the routine. Erik, I will fetch a new shirt for you. Roland, please run home and change. And be quick about it, dinner will be served shortly." Marjorie said with quiet conviction.

Erik smiled at the rather commanding tone of Marjorie, as he was being dragged off to do her bidding. She reminded him so much of Antoinette Giry. He laughed to himself when he thought of how shocked Antoinette would be if she saw him now.

Elaine walked over to the outdoor water pump that Erik and Roland were using to clean up, just as they finished up.

"You two were gone quite a while." She said, patting and kissing Roland's head, and touching Erik's shoulder lightly. Even that gentle touch from her stirred him, causing him to look at her intensely, with a small smile on his lips. Elaine gave him a gentle smile and another wink. She handed him a crisp new shirt to wear for dinner, holding his arm gently as he put it on. The tension between them was pleasantly palpable.

"We will be back soon." She said, holding Roland's hand and walking back towards her house.

Erik watched after her, heart aching to hold her. She was keeping her distance, being very reserved. He was hoping it was all just an act for everyone else. He then walked back into the manor house, his heart a bit heavier than before.

Once in the parlor, Angelique approached Erik, Adolph at her arm. Erik smiled at her pleasantly.

"So good to see you again, Erik. I have someone I would like for you to meet." She turned to her beau.

"Erik, this is Count Adolph Wilhelm-Karl, the future Duke of Luxembourg." She said, beaming at him. "Adolph, this is Erik." Adolph met Erik with his usual grace and tact, hiding his momentary surprise at his appearance rather well. Adolph did not hesitate to hold out a strong hand for Erik to shake.

"A pleasure, Count." Said Erik.

"Thank you. A pleasure, Monsieur Erik. I have heard much about you." Adolph said, taking note of the French accent. "I can hear you come from France, no? What part?" he continued as they moved towards the dining room.

"Dinner is served." Said Marjorie, from the foyer.

The meal was as noisy and jovial as was to be expected for any meal in Capellen. Erik just sat back and listened to the banter around the table, taking it all in until Adolph engaged him in some light conversation, discussing travel and music, as suggested by Angelique.

Erik tried to keep his gaze from lingering on Elaine, but he looked at her longingly multiple times, smiling when their eyes met. He grew more worried about her emotional distance, but warmed each time she smiled at him. At the end of the meal, Erik excused himself and retired back to the River cabin, wanting to attend to the music that was bursting out of his head. His tolerance of social situations needed a little time to grow.

A soft knock on the door drew his attention from the memories of the day.

"Come in." he said, hope in his heart. To his joy and relief, it was Elaine. She walked in, with a warm smile on that made his spirits soar. He did not know she was coming but he felt that she would. His eyes looked at her adoringly, his heart longing for her closeness again as he stood up from the piano bench.

She smiled deliciously and ran into his arms, her warm lips caressing his face and then her mouth joining his, drinking him in, tasting him. He lifted her up and spun her around. Elaine, this beautiful creature he loved with all his wounded heart could offer. She laughed out loud as her spun her; he could not think of anything that sounded more delightful.

"I missed you so much today, Erik." She said, smiling as his kisses tingled the skin on her neck and his embrace drew her closer.

She backed away and slid off her cloak, looking for a place to put it. She had a look of intent on her face, as if she needed to tell him something.

"I regret how fast things went last night." she said, turning to hang the cloak on a hook near the door. She completely missed the effect those words had on Erik.

Erik's heart twisted excruciatingly within his chest. All the wonderful feelings he had suddenly disappeared that instant. He stood petrified, just able to stare with shocked eyes as she moved around the room adjusting the lighting to a dim glow.

Oh no. I should have expected this. How could she tell me so nonchalantly? And how could she kiss me, say she missed me, like that just a few minutes ago when this is how she feels? Disappointment and painful anger boiled within him.

She finally turned back to look upon him, a soft expression on her face. Worry crept onto her face as her eyes noticed his expression. Erik looked dark; devastated, angry.

"Erik, what's the matter?" she said, walking towards him, appearing mystified.

Distraught, he angrily walked towards the door. She intercepted him, placing herself between him and the door. He could no longer look at her.

The most wonderful night of my life and she regrets it. Damn her.

"Let me go." He said, anger and sadness lashing out in those few words.

"I am not moving until you tell me what is going on!" She said loudly, baffled by his actions. This man was very labile, that she knew it would take some getting used to, but this reaction she just could not understand.

He turned away from her, the thought of pushing her away from the door flashing through his mind, the likelihood of hurting her restricting that possibility. He felt trapped.

"Go on. You were saying that you regretted last night..." Finish pushing your dagger into my chest, woman. The bitterness in his tone was thick.

She walked up to him, bit by bit, scared and confused. He stood there before her, hands clenched, his breaths loud and labored. His eyes were lowered and glued to the floor. It was her hope that her love for him would unravel his mystery, soothe his soul. She was beginning to doubt herself. She stumbled through her words, her voice small and tremulous.

"Erik. What I regret is that passion made things move so quickly last night, because I … I should have slowed it down, given us time to…the time to savor the moment. I know how special it was for you as it was for me." By then she stood next to him. At her touch, he dropped to his knees, sobbing. She was now completely flabbergasted.

Slowly, he crawled up her body, with his hands. He rested his head against her stomach and wrapped his arms around her lower body as his shook. Her soft, gentle hand on his back made him weak.

"What did you think I meant?" she said softly. She stroked his head gently. Barely able to speak, Erik answered with relief in his voice.

"Elaine, I thought you regretted being with me last night." he said.

"Oh, No! Erik, no…" She gasped, realizing what had happened, finally. He had misunderstood her earlier statement. She knelt down before him and held his face between her soft hands, waiting until his pale green eyes met hers. "Last night was one of the most beautiful moments I have ever experienced. I have never been so sure of my decision in all my life." She said, wrapping her arms around his shoulders. She started kissing his face, her own tears starting to mingle with his. His hungry mouth covered hers. She was muted by his deep, passionate kiss, and at once she let her hands rove sinuously around his torso, to scrape urgently down his back.

"I will never doubt you again." He moaned as she bit his neck gently. He desired her now more than ever, knowing she chose to be with him. They fell back onto the carpet, to lie together in the middle of the floor, hands fighting to urge vile pieces of cloth away from skin needing to be touched. Her clothing loosened, his hand found her soft breast as he looked at her eyes, closing with desire. With tremulous hands, he pushed the clothing away from her skin, taking a minute to bask in the glow of her beautiful body once again. He looked back into her eyes.

"My love, you must learn to trust me with your heart. I will not betray you." She whispered, stroking his hair. He swallowed hard, letting the fear and anger that had stabbed him a short while ago melt away with her touch. She gripped his hair urgently as his mouth tasted her. She gasped, melting in his grasp as his warm lips found the sweet skin of her bosom.

"Take me to your bed, and make love to me now." She said sensuously, pressing his mouth against her, his passionate lips possessing her, making her moan with pleasure. The burning desire within her was waiting to be stoked, making that part of her between her legs ache. He scooped her up gently, never losing contact with her lips for more than a moment, and carried her to his bed as she had requested, much to his delight. Near the bed, he placed her on her feet and smiled, kissing her deeply, holding her face. They stared into each others eyes.

"You wanted us to take our time, so we shall. We have all night, Elaine." He said, slowly releasing the remaining ties that bound her garments to her. She smiled, and slowly ran her hands up and down his torso, his back, sliding beneath his trousers over his buttocks. Within seconds, their skin was free of all obstruction and they were pressed close, in each other's arms.

This divine sensation of touch, the feel of her skin against mine, is what my soul needed for so long. I am complete now. I feel…perfect when I am with her.

"I love you, Elaine." He whispered. Erik swallowed hard and breathed, holding back a cry that was leaking from his throat.

She held him tighter as she felt him tense. She also felt the deep intense feelings, the spiritual ache within her chest as he held her close. He relaxed, his hands resuming their wanderings. She kissed his face gently, whispering into his ear.

"I love you, Erik. Don't ever forget it. Now lay with me." She said, brushing her lips over his skin. They slid into the bed, bodies close, gentle kisses following gentle touches, skin on fire.

Erik, always willing to learn, sent his fingers on a mission. He touched every small patch of her skin, looking at her face, awaiting the responses to his wanderings. He touched his lips lightly onto her mouth as a smile found its place on her face, her eyes closing. When touch to a particular location made her eyes flutter or made her breathe deeper, he heightened the sensation with a sensuous kiss on that same spot. He adored her, worshiping her body tenderly, inch by inch.

Elaine stroked his hair, his neck, his shoulders, anywhere she could reach as he continued his studies of her pleasure. He explored the areas on her arms and wrists that he already knew about for several moments. He found the sweet spots on her neck easily; he moved on to those on her shoulders, between her breasts, his mouth spending a long time thoroughly examining her now sensitive nipples. It was sweet, sweet torture. He progressed slowly, to the areas that made her moan as his hands splayed over her stomach and hips.

A familiar place within her ached for him, that ache grew as she felt his hands and mouth lingering over her intimate curls. He parted her leg gently as his fingers slid gingerly between her legs. She automatically gasped and her legs closed as his fingers found her most sensitive spot within seconds, the pleasure shooting through her. She pressed her body against him, her eyes fluttering, her mouth opening with a wave of pleasure. He looked up, wanting to see her face, to watch her expressions.

"I want to see that part of you that thrilled me last night. Please, teach me how…" he said softly, feeding upon the unbelievably gorgeous image of Elaine responding to his touch.

"You seem to be doing quite well on your own." She cooed. "You are driving me wild, lover." His heart jumped in his chest.

I am her lover. Oh how I dreamt, waited for this day. A deep ache spread from his heart, causing his skin to tingle.

He continued to move his fingers slowly, gently massaging her womanhood, reading her moans and the sensuous movements of her hips, adjusting his touch accordingly. He slid himself down her body to between her legs, stroking her gently, letting his lips wander over her skin. He urged her to open herself to him. He looked at her intimate, dark pink, moist skin with curiosity and desire, his fingers finding that firm spot that made her moan.

How efficient love is; every bit of pleasure I give her with my touch, my mouth, I can feel within me, it arouses me almost as much as her hands on my body.

"Erik…please stop. I want you to make love to me…I burn for you." She said, gasping as he stimulated her almost to climax. She moved her hips away from his touch, wanting to wait for release.

He breathed in, moaning deeply as he felt her hand slowly move down past his stomach to hold his now firm arousal, her soft hands stimulating his taut skin. Her hand moved wandered excruciatingly slowly up and down his length, making him shudder. She massaged a spot near the tip which sent waves of pleasure through him, making him gasp. She smiled a little wickedly as she saw his state of arousal manifest itself on his face.

They kissed deeply, shifting their bodies around, until his hips lay between her legs. He struggled to hold his shaking body still as looked into her eyes. Her face was flushed, beaming with her need. He was breathing heavily, his body trembling, unbelievably aroused. His hand wandered down her body to her hip, and he pressed himself against her, her wetness bathing him.

Oh my god…

She brought her legs up to surround his hips, tilting her hips forward until she could feel his hardness against her core. She held his face in her hands wanting to see his expression, and wanting him to see her responses. Her body was aching uncontrollably, tense and ready for his love. She nodded; he understood, instinctively. He loved so deeply, so completely that for the next few minutes, she had to hold back her tears.

Erik's eyes closed, lids fluttering, mouth open, gasping as he moved into her slowly. His thoughts faded, his mind only able to interpret the pure sensation of her smooth, moist body, now slowly surrounding him. His heart started to pound with the intensity of the pleasure that was making every nerve fire. He moved his hips so he could push himself deeper, increasing their pleasure. He had to fight with himself to keep a slow, steady rhythm.

She gasped and her body arched as he entered her. Pleasure spread through her body as he filled her. She looked at his face, tense with pleasure, his eyes closed, his mouth open slightly. She kissed at his mouth, running her hands through his hair, then gave up trying to divert her attention from the intense sensations growing between her hips. She arched and moved to meet his slow, deep movements, to maximize the vibrations she saw playing across his face. She loved this man. A deep, guttural moan came from her throat as he pressed a particular way, it heightened her arousal and her internal muscles clenched.

He gasped and his eyes flew open when he felt her body tighten around him. He did not believe that it could get better, but it had. He panted loudly as her head fell back with pleasure, the music of her excitement coming from her throat, bathing his ears, feeding his hunger. He wanted to make her explode with pleasure.

He ravaged her neck with his mouth as his hips started to move faster, the gratification rising higher and higher within him, within her…he got as close as they could to her precious body, gasping as he felt himself approaching climax. Her legs clenched him tightly.

Almost simultaneously they peaked, bodies thrusting against each other in the throes of orgasmic love. They gripped each other tightly as wave after wave of pleasure flew through their minds, tore through their bodies. They shouted out together and strained to grab each other, to hold on to that intense sensation. He opened his eyes and looked at her, eyes shut, still seemingly extremely aroused.

He moved his hand between them, to touch the place that made her moan and move when he explored her body before. He massaged that swollen part of her firmly and felt her tighten around him once more, her body becoming tense, her eyes shut in ecstasy, her hands gripping him desperately, lifting her chest to his. He smiled and pushed himself deeper, faster, holding around her hips, and was amazed to feel her peaking again, moaning loudly, convulsing with pleasure, her inner muscles holding him tightly. Their muscles were burning, their lungs hungry for air, sweat beading upon them.

Erik felt her body finally relax after his movements ceased. Almost immediately, her soft hands began to stroke his face and his neck, her languid legs massaging his thighs. She opened her eyes and they looked at each other, eyes tracing every flushed feature. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders, kissing him deeply, lips and tongues somehow managing to come together through labored breaths.

"Relax, love." She said, pulling him onto her, stroking his cheeks, wiping the sweat from his brow as they breathed heavily together. He was filled with intense love for her, the remnants of their ecstasy still causing his body to tremble.

"Elaine, I don't know how I ever lived, really lived, without you." He said with a shaky voice, strained by his shouts of pleasure.

"You will never have to worry about that ever again, Erik." She said.

Elaine and Erik stayed entwined, exhausted, gently caressing each other until they drifted off for a brief sleep. They spent the rest of the night making love repeatedly until they could no longer keep their eyes open, speaking words of devotion until the morning sun lit up the sky.