The golden light of dawn cascading through the window translated into the slightest hint of red brightness behind Erik's closed lids. His mind, though muddled by the remnants of pain-numbing drugs, drifted into consciousness slowly. Warm, soft things surrounded his body, yet the discomfort of aches and pains decreased the comfort. The ache in his side had lessened, thankfully, but the incessant itching of his surgical wound stirred him. He shifted to a more comfortable position.

Something slid off his arm; his eyes opened slowly to see Elaine's small hand lying beside his left arm. Blinking, his tired eyes surveyed his proximity. He was in the bed of the small upstairs room, the same familiar room that had been the site of his earlier recovery in the manor house at Capellen. Elaine lay on the familiar lounge chair, curled up under a light blanket as he rested under a plethora of warmth. The relatively heavy piece of furniture was pushed up against his bed.

He sighed heavily and reached over to touch her soft, warm hand. Her hair was disheveled and wispy, and the slight purple shadows beneath her fair lashes a marker of the stresses placed upon this woman of compassion and undeniable strength. He felt pangs of joy and pain within his chest, and remained still, staring at her, memorizing each feature.

Angel; you sleep alongside your devil again this day. Why? I should not be inflicting myself upon you; yet, you will not let me pass from this earth. Don't you see, loving one? I am naught but a curse to those who surround me. I was the death of the man who called me, after all, brother.

He leaned his head back and closed his eyes, that simple internal reminder causing the bitterness within his chest to crescendo. He rubbed his forehead with a shaky hand.

Erik let his head fall back as he remembered the past few days in small, vague, dream like sequences. He remembered waking in the midst of mind numbing pain to ask after his friend, to find his answer in the saddened eyes of his attendants, for their mouths could not utter it.

Nate was dead.

He felt his heart break and tears fall as pain wracked his body when he realized this truth, and from then he knew: despair for the loss of a loved one was as painful as any physical malady. He tried to refuse the medicine that would take him away from what he felt was a deserving physical punishment but they refused to let him writhe; Dr. Dyson convinced him, saying all their fine work would be ruined by his refusal. He could tolerate the physical pain with ease. The emotional wound was, however, more deep and festered within him.

Erik had never lost anyone he cared so much about in this way. For most of his life, he walled himself off because of his own maltreatment. He lost the lady he once gave his heart to in Paris to another man's arms, yet she still lived and would be happy, and there was now some comfort in him knowing that, after all that had happened to him.

In Capellan, Erik finally found people he learned to care for their wellbeing more than his own. Feeling what he did now made him wonder why people ever allowed themselves to get emotionally close to another, when the loss of a friend, family or a lover made one so miserable. How does man deal with such loss?

What compounded it all for him was the blame he placed on himself. Repeatedly, it echoed through his brain: Nate was not a fighter. He should have not let Nate go with the group to the Castle, to Useldange. He should have protected Nate. He should not have left Nate alone. He should have returned quicker and intercepted the blade that took him away. If only they were a few minutes earlier….So many regrets.

Elaine stirred besides him. He looked her way as her eyes found his. She stretched and yawned and eked out a small smile.

"You're up." She said.

"I woke just a few moments ago." He said. He could not return her weak smile. She pursed her lips and lowered her eyes. She slid a hand down his arm to entwine her fingers with his. He squeezed it hard.

"Do you need anything? Is your pain controlled?" she asked, with an expression that warned: You had better not lie to me.

"I can tolerate it. I no longer wish the mind numbing nectar, thank you." He said softy. She nodded and her thumb stroked his skin. She let a few quiet minutes go by.

"Maybe today we try to get you up to walk around…Today…" Elaine said, her eyes looking distant for a few seconds, as if remembering something. "I…I will be away for a while this afternoon, Erik. I have asked Sedrick to stay with you, to take care of anything you need." Erik raised an eyebrow.

"Where will you be going?" He asked, his voice, foreboding and low, his eyes hard and saddened. Elaine sat up, not removing her hand from his, her face sad, her lips pursed and eyes intentionally staring at his. She sighed, as if a weight was on her shoulders.

"The funeral, Erik. Nate will be laid to rest today." She said softly.

It struck him harder than he expected, but he showed no change in expression other than his eyes continuing to blink, suddenly feeling warmer and fuller. He gripped her hand.

"Can I go with you?" he asked, looking down.

Elaine held her breath, remembering that Dr. Dyson had recommended that Erik not go to the funeral; that it may just be too much for him to handle, and with his volatile nature, it would not be the best thing for his already strained mind and weakened body. Actually, Elaine was worried, unsure how Erik would take her refusal of his request.

"I don't think you are quite ready." She said, preparing herself internally for his response.

"I can walk. I am sure of it." He practically growled. She knew he would rip through his stitches without batting an eye, just to prove his point.

"Erik, please. It is not your body that is not ready." She said. He stared at her. The gentleness of her eyes and the soft stroking of his fingers made him want to push her hand away and get angry, while at the same time, he knew in his mind, even though he hated it, she was right. He stared past her.

"I understand you want to be there, Erik. We can go privately at a later date, when you are better. Alright?" She said, a little chilled at his lack of response. "It may be better that we go there in a more private situation, just you and I, in a few days." She said, looking down. "So that I may speak privately with him as well. This occasion is for his wife and my father, to morn and be surrounded by support." Elaine said.

"How is your father doing?" He asked. Erik felt it was responsible to ask about others just as affected.

"He is alright, burying himself in details…" She said. "He is sad about losing his right hand. They were so close, he and Nate. But he is thankful he still has a daughter and grandson." She said, encouragingly. Erik nodded, head hanging low.

"I just…I wanted ..." Erik pursed his lips and shook his head. "But maybe you are right." He said. "I would just be a burden." He said. He also felt that others may look at him, wordless accusations…

"Why are you still blaming yourself?" Elaine asked, rather abruptly, squeezing his hand. He looked at her quickly. Her face seemed a little upset, impatient.

"I should have protected him…"

"You did what you could, Erik. You did not push that blade into his chest, the gypsy did." She said, steeling her resolve.

"I should have not let him come with us…"

"He would not have allowed it. He was a very stubborn man. And he was the only one who knew the way." She crouched to force him to face her. "You have to accept that it was not your fault and let yourself and others morn his loss, for the horrible incident it was." Erik looked at her. He had never before seen her frustrated or short with him.

"He…was my friend; I don't have many of those." Erik said, suddenly feeling overwhelmed. He said it so softly, she could barely hear. Elaine knit her brows.

"That has changed, Erik." She said, softly. "You are surrounded by friends."

"I…am afraid of losing them all…because I am ..." He looked into her eyes. "I am most afraid for you; look at all that has happened." He confessed. Her eyes became hard.

"Let us be clear about this: we lost Nate because of Monty, not you. You are not a curse and people you care about will not just die because of you." She said, standing up, her frustration and sadness building within her. "You must not withdraw from people because you are afraid that you will lose them. Especially not me!" Erik just looked at her, in amazement.

"And I don't want to go to the funeral today with worry on my chest that you will do something completely inane like trying to slip away again while we are gone." She said, crossing her arms. He looked at her, one of his eyebrows rising.

"You know me well…" He nearly laughed at himself inside. He was considering just that thing. Not now, but at a later time, when he had gotten them all sick of him.

"No, I don't. I would not dare to believe that I know you well. I just know what I fear."

Elaine sat at the edge of his bed. Erik looked down, realizing how blind he had been.

"I am sorry… Elaine. Please…come." He held out his hand. Elaine took it and gave a little yelp when he pulled her quickly into his arms. He surrounded her as she struggled.

"Erik! You are going to hurt yourself!" she said, trying to push away.

"I am fine, Elaine. Please…Just lie down and stay with me a while." He said. She complied begrudgingly, gingerly lying down next to him as he lifted the blankets for her. She snuggled up against him as the warm blankets fell over her, and his arms surrounded her. "Elaine I will be here when you return." He stroked her hair and put his lips against her head. "I'm sorry, Elaine." He said.

She put her arms around his chest, careful to avoid the bandage on his belly. For a few bewildering moments she let herself calm down, concentrating on Erik's proximity and warmth. Then her sadness welled up inside her. She started to weep, letting the tears wet his shirt. She melted into his comfort, and he into her. Erik held his love close, stroking her hair, whispering words of comfort.

Dr. Dyson stood on the front stairs of the Main house of Capellan. The little carriage was stopped before him, draped with a fine black fabric was covered with decorative flowers and vines laden with fruits, all gifts from the fertile earth of Capellan. Nate's body lay in a box beneath the black sheet, degradation kept at bay by a temporary residence in the cold shed, the funeral postponed until Nate's in laws arrived this morning. The carriage stood waiting briefly for the last two mourners to join the somber group of people walking behind it.

Dr. Dyson sighed and patted the hand of the slim, small woman by his side. Marjorie's sad eyes rose to his and she gripped his arm tighter, her lips curling to a smile of reassurance. They both walked down the stairs and joined the rest.

Erik sat in a chair on the small terrace outside his room, having reached there with the considerable help of Sedrick, who now stood solidly behind him, watching the funeral procession. A slew of emotions floated through Erik'mind as he watched the group slowly exit the gates of Capellan. He saw Elaine and Roland flanking Nate's widow, holding her with gentleness and concern, the woman walking behind her husband proudly, yet sadly. Erik stared at the gates long after they had walked heavily through. There was mourning, yes, but there was love. Complete and evident, it connected them all. Nate would be missed with the power of dozens of hearts, but never forgotten…

"It is time to come back inside, Erik." Sedrick said, quietly. Erik looked back towards him, and nodded. Sedrick's large, strong frame lifted Erik, barely letting his weight rest on his feet. Erik winced a little as his wound was stretched. Sedrick put him gently back into bed.

After a few quiet moments, Erik glanced at the man who now sat in a chair at the foot of his bed. Sedrick was looking out of the window, arms crossed, seeming to be a bit troubled. Erik doubted it had anything to do with Nate's funeral.

"Sedrick, what is it? Are you and Annabelle comfortable here?" Sedrick looked at Erik with surprise.

"Yes…we are quite comfortable here. Everyone has been quite helpful… It is just…that I am uncertain of our future." He said. Then he looked up at Erik. "Not anything we need to talk of now. You have enough on your mind."

"A little distraction will be mercy." Erik said. Sedrick's brows knit and a shadow drifted over his face.

"We are a family without a home; we cannot return to the castle where such awful things have happened." Sedrick stood up, head hung low. "But worse than that, once the King finds out what I did to his son, my days are numbered." He murmured. "I have failed my family once again." Erik looked at Sedrick, now understanding his heaviness. Erik nodded.

"I see. That is a problem." Erik started. "The irritating, prickly web of Montague lives on beyond his demise."

"You see what fate befalls me." Sedrick said. "I do not wish my family to live on the run, torn away from all they know." He sighed heavily.

"It is only a problem, Sedrick, if you are the accused." Erik insisted. Sedrick raised his eyes. Erik looked away, to the window. "This occasion is one I think honesty does not allow for the best outcome."

"What do you mean?"

"We have not been implicated in the occurrences at the castle Boursheid." Erik said, turning with a sly look to Sedrick. "The King's daughter and confidante, Angelique, no doubt, will be the one to inform the King of such…details." Sedrick approached closer, sitting down.

"But she knows of all that has occurred." Sedrick said. "She went to the grounds, with her guard, and found his body in …that state." He put his head in his hands. "I…still don't believe I was capable of such...ugh." he said.

"You were driven to do such a thing by Montague himself. Because that is the truth, if you are honest with yourself."

Sedrick shook his head bitterly. "No…I should have not let it get that far. I should have protected the castle and land at least for the memory and honor of my beloved old duke…"

"And what? Let your family die?" Erik said. "When one deals with filth such as Montague, your only mistake was believing he would eventually keep his promises." He said, looking at Sedrick. "In any case, Angelique may be helpful in diffusing your situation."

"But he was her brother. Surely…"

"The truth is you have done her a favor." Erik said. Silence fell over the men for a moment.

"I hope you are right." Sedrick said incredulously, the slightest bit of hope entering his mind.

"I am befuddled as what to do about this…" Angelique said, as she splayed herself on the ornate bed alongside Adolph in a bright and cheery private bedroom, in a small guest chateau in Capellan. Her long, ebony hair cascaded over her shoulders, above a frilly, light nightgown, cinched at her slender waist by a darkly colored dressing gown. Her pretty face was set in a pout, and showed signs of the stresses of the recent days. Adolph was laying on his back, similarly adorned in comfortable sleepwear, one hand behind his head, one arm around Angelique. "And I hate being befuddled."

"How so?" Adolph queried.

"When the safety of my adoptive family here in Capellen is threatened, I can't rest." She said, with a sigh. "And castle Boursheid is besieged by brutes." She looked at Adolph. "The seat cannot be left in such a state."

"You have just lain to rest a fine man who did not deserve to die, from what I have heard about him." Adolph said gently. "You must allow yourself the reprieve that is necessary and understandable for this situation, Angelique." Then he guffawed. "I believe the greatest risk to your friends is now dead and gone." He said, his voice low.

Angelique said, with a sigh, her face saddening. "They are your friends as well, Adolph." She reminded him, and then held him tight.

"That I have felt since I first came here." He replied. "And as for Boursheid; it will survive for a few more days. It has for centuries before." he said.

"Yes, I do believe you are right. But I cannot help but to remain unsettled…and a little bit torn within. I should care more that my half-brother was attacked so savagely and his body left in such a state. Should I not?" She said, her lips pursed in thought. Adolph looked at her. "And I do, to a degree."

"He gave you no reason to be heartbroken at his demise; he tortured you as a youngster, you said." He grunted. "And I saw how he acted around everyone at the ball. I for one am not sad he is gone."

"True." She replied. "He did torture me. Until I was able to wage a formidable defense."

"As the old adage goes, you reap what you sow, I believe." He said. "But I realize that I run the risk of sounding cold. He was your kin."

"Your candor is unnecessary around me, Adolph. But…he who did that to him, to his body…what else are they capable of, in a fit of passionate rage?" She said, concern flitting over her face. Adolph looked confused.

"What do you mean?" He asked.

"That person I know has a questionable history and origins. And he is here." She said, lifting herself up and repositioning herself on Adolph's broad chest looking towards the window. He knit his brows.

"If I recall correctly, Erik said it was Sedrick who finished Montague."

"I thought it was Erik…" she said, blinking.

"No...but it was only after Sedrick was told his wife and child was killed by Monty's order, in the most horrible way possible. Monty admitted it. And this was after months of coercion and blackmail…" She got up and started to pace back and forth, her mind working.

"So…Monty told him a lie, just to hurt him…" Angelique said, shaking her head.

"Yes. But he got more than he expected." Adolph said.

"Evil till the last." Angelique said, crossing her arms. "So you believe what Sedrick did… it was justifiable?" she probed. Adolph looked to the ceiling and sighed, thinking for a few moments.

Angelique waited patiently for his reply. Already, she felt herself uncharacteristically comfortable with this man, who not only matched her in intellect, but also in his artistry with politics and energy in the bedroom, which was on par with her own.

"I could see it." He said, looking to the ceiling. "When you believe all you love in this earth has been torn from you, for a man of the military, as Sedrick was, in his rage and anguish he was driven to action." He looked down at Angelique. "And believe you me, we would not have been able to rescue the boys and his woman from Useldange had we not had his brutish force." Angelique nodded. Adolph still looked disturbed.

"What puzzles you, Adolph?"

"I know not much of Erik's questionable origins, but he was the picture of control, calm and decisive . He is quite cunning, manipulative, and a brilliant swordsman. I am glad he is on our side." She nodded, yet continued walking around.

"I agree. The bigger question, now." Angelique asked. "Should I tell my father the truth, and sentence a man to death for a …rather justifiable action? For they will demand someone's head for Montague's death." she said, walking around the room. "Or should I use this sad occurrence for my father to start an offensive on the plague in the castle, if I blame them for Monty's death." She looked back at Adolph.

"Hmm. That would set into motion a rather…convenient course of events." He said, rising up on his elbow. "And of course, as allies, we would be happy to help in reclaiming what is rightfully your father's." He said, with a slight smile.

"Would you now?"

"It would be my honor, privilege and duty." Adolph said.

"Does the method used for such an end bother you?" she said, eyeing Adolph carefully.

"The truth is that Boursheid must be defended and your brother, as horrible as he was, should be avenged, at least for appearances." He said, sitting up.

"My father will believe what I tell him I have learned about the situation." Angelique sat down next to him in the bed, her eyes softening. Adolph stroked her cheek.

"I will be more than happy to assist and verify; As long as, in the end, I will be the one who will be chosen for the enviable task of taking care of this beautiful little land…and its beautiful people." he said, kissing her cheek. Her eyes fluttered.

"That…can be arranged." She said, breathy.

"I have another…term for this arrangement." he said, kissing her neck. She let her head fall back.

"Oh? What?" She asked, wrapping her arms around his shoulders. Adolph quickly pulled her over him and laid her beside him. Angelique let out a little yelp, in pleasant shock. She laughed and then became worried as she looked into his eyes. They were soft, but serious.

"You must agree to remain by my side." he said, staring at her face.

"I will continue to help you through the transition..." Angelique said, suddenly feeling flushed, a little flutter in her chest. He smiled and kissed low on her chest, just above her cleavage. She breathed in deeply, her heart beating hard.

"That I have grown to expect. But I wish for a more…permanent…arrangement." he said, as he kissed her neck, and his hand wandered down her body. "I think it best I keep you close to me; to keep my eye on you." She put her hands around his neck and raised her head to his.

"That can be considered coercion, Count…" she said. He smiled and gripped her hand, resting them both, entwined, over her chest. She looked into his eyes.

"It is not coercion if one agrees willingly. But I will cease and desist if it offends you, Countess…" Adolph said, starting to pull away. Angelique gripped his head and pulled him back down to her face, to kiss him deeply.

"Don't you dare…" she breathed, as a seductive smile played on her face. "I find the arrangement quite… desirable." Angelique said, her eyes wandering over his body.