I believe this chapter doesn't need any introduction. Let's see what happens. Shhhh...

Chapter Seven

The carriage pulled up to the front steps of the castle. Erik stepped down and held his hand out to Christine. As soon as her shoes hit the ground he pulled her into the front hall and to the stairs. He didn't slow down until they were in front of the door to their bedroom. He stopped to open the door then swept his wife into his arms. Once they were over the threshold he set her down then locked the door.

Christine went to the chair and draped her wrap on the back. Thankfully the material hadn't torn when they were at the theatre. She turned around and jumped. Erik stood right behind her, inches away. "Erik. You scared me. You're so silent."

"I'm sorry darling. I didn't mean to."

"I'm nervous Erik." She looked at the floor.

"I am too Christine." Erik pulled her to sit on the edge of the mattress. "I've never bedded a woman."

"Really?" She turned her gaze to her husband. "I thought –"

"That I slept with Giselle." Erik finished her sentence. "No. She made it clear that she wanted to. But I never did. I'm as pure as you are."

"Good. We can learn together." Christine took hold of Erik's shirt and pulled until his face was mere centimeters from hers. She didn't give him time to breathe before she kissed him.

Erik groaned from deep in his throat, he had waited a long time for this. He wanted to take it slow but all of his blood ran south to his very prominent arousal. One hand found the laces at the back of her dress and he pulled them loose. Then both hands went to her shoulders where her dress met with her creamy skin. He wrapped his fingers around the fabric and pushed it past her shoulders, it caught on her elbows.

Christine dropped her arms. The dress snaked down to pool around her bare feet. Her shoes had come off by the door.

He stepped back and took in the sight. His wife, slim of waist and hip, stood in only her shift. She wore no corset, he had seen to it that every single one she owned had been destroyed. He had decided that since his mother had nearly died giving birth to him due to her corsets being laced too tight, he would not allow his own wife to wear the ghastly things.

Christine stepped away from the puddle of fabric and lace, Erik grabbed her waist and pulled her flush against him. They stood chest to chest and Christine felt his arousal pressing insistently against her stomach. The feeling alone sent a rush of heat to the junction of her thighs. Her shift was thin and needing contact and friction, she unbuttoned Erik's jacket and pushed it off his shoulders. It caught on his elbows.

With a laugh he dropped his hands from her waist and divested with his jacket and shirt. Christine stood back and surveyed her shirtless husband, just as he had just done to her. His chest was broad and muscled, leading down to a flat stomach and trim waist. A trail of dark hair traveled from the middle of his stomach to disappear under the waistband of his trousers. Christine followed that 'happy trail' with her eyes.

Erik took her hand and led her over to their bed where he quickly pulled off his trousers and picked her up, tossing her into the middle of the mattress then following her down. His weight pressed her into the soft bed before he rested on his elbows. He began at her earlobe, kissing and nipping until she sighed, before traveling to her throat.

Erik took the time to kiss every inch of her neck before turning his attention to her breasts. He turned over so she sat on top of him, giving them more room to touch without her getting crushed. His hands molded themselves around the twin globes tipped by light pink buds. Using his thumbs, he rubbed until the small tips pebbled through the thin material.

Christine's head fell forward when Erik's hands left her breasts. "Don't stop now Erik."

"Oh Christine. I don't intend to." He slipped his hands under the hem of her shift, pulling the garment up and over her head, leaving her just as bare as he was. Erik touched her flat stomach then moved his hands to grasp her hips. He slipped his hand between her thighs, finding the soft curls wet with moisture, but not particularly wet enough yet.

Erik remedied this by pulling her down on top of his chest. He pulled each of the rosy tips of her breasts into his mouth, one at a time, and suckled, while running his fingers through the curls hiding the spot he so desperately craved to conquer.

Christine hesitantly slid her hand down to wrap around his manhood. The sensation was unique, hard and soft at the same time. She looked at Erik shyly. He gave a strained smile wrapping his own hand around hers. He showed her how move her hand along his length, then his hand fell away when she squeezed slightly. "If you keep that up, we'll both still be virgins in the morning."

This stopped Christine's hand. "Show me what to do."

"Just relax." He guided her hip until she was directly over his shaft. "It will hurt for a minute. I'll have to go quickly."

Christine took a deep breath, then nodded. She let out a cry when he pushed and breached the barrier.

Erik stopped, giving her a minute for the pain to subside. She looked down at where they were connected then back at him. She gave a small smile, trying to hide the tears. "Are you alright?" He asked.

"I'm fine. It only hurt for a second."

He wiped a tear from her cheek. "Should I stop?"

"We've made it this far." Christine sighed.

Erik smiled and started moving. Slowly, until he couldn't take it anymore. He had to find release. And by the way Christine was looking at him, she did too. He grasped her waist with both hands and pulled while he pushed with his hips. She took up the rhythm he created as perspiration coated their bodies. This was it. This joining was worth every second of time they had waited.

Christine let out another cry of pure release and her inner muscles tightened, With one final thrust he stiffened and his seed shot into the warmth of her womb. She collapsed on top of him, perspiration coating her forehead as she gasped for air.

They stayed in each others arms for a while. Then Erik remembered what his mother had told him about the blood. He slowly eased himself out of Christine's body then stood up, walking to the basin and dipping a rag into the water. Returning to the bed he ran the cloth over the junction of her thighs, wiping away the blood. Then he rinsed the rag and looking out the window to make sure no one was under them, he stuck the basin outside and sent the bloody water to the ground.

That done, he set the empty basin back behind the privacy screen before returning to the bed where Christine lay half asleep. Erik climbed under the covers on the opposite side from the bloodstain, lay on his side, and pulled his wife into his arms. Her back was against his chest, and her head rested on his outstretched arm. He kissed the back of her neck. "Sleep darling. You will be sore for a couple of days."

Christine nodded then closed her eyes. Erik quickly followed.

The next morning

Erik carried a tray up the stairs to his and Christine's bedroom. On the tray was a plate of cinnamon biscuits with butter, two teacups, earl gray for himself and jasmine for Christine, a wedge of cheese, and sliced apples. He pushed the door open with his back, then shut it with his foot. Going to the table between the two chairs facing the fireplace, Erik set the tray on the surface and went to rouse his wife.

He sat on the edge of the bed, planted his fist on the middle of the mattress, and bent his head to kiss her. This was truly the only way to wake a sleeping beauty. Erik stood up, going to the table and settling into his chair, watching for Christine to wake up. A minute later she sat up, rubbing the sleep from her eyes.

She glanced to his side of the bed and frowned. Looking around the room, she spotted him and smiled. A sleepy smile. "Good morning husband."

Erik smiled back. "Good morning wife." He gestured to the table, "I brought breakfast."

Christine stood, picking up the closest article of clothing, his shirt, and walked to the vacant chair. "What are those?" She looked at the plate of biscuits.

"Those are Javert's cinnamon biscuits." He picked up one of the biscuits and passed it to her.

She took one of the cloth napkins from the tray, spreading it on the table. Taking a bite she chewed slowly and her face lit up. "These are delicious. Much better than the biscuits that the royal cook makes in France."

"Really. How so?"

"The biscuits Cook makes are hard and chewy. And they're hopelessly bland."

Erik smiled, picking up his teacup. "I got Javert to dig out the jasmine tea leaves this morning."

"How did you know that jasmine is my favorite?" Christine picked up her own cup and took a sip. "Two sugars and no cream. Really, how did you know?"

Erik set his tea down and sliced a piece of the cheese from the wedge. "I wrote to your parents the day you arrived here, asking them what your favorite foods were and if you had any allergies."

Christine stared at him. "Is that what you were doing when I woke up that first morning?"

"Yes. Are you mad?"

Christine smiled. "No. I'm glad that you took the time to ask my parents about those things." Then she remembered the letter she had written after he had been injured. "I wrote to my parents as well. After your fever broke."

Erik picked up his tea, glancing at his arm. "What did you tell them?" He looked scared.

"I just told them about our wedding. I also told them abut your injury and what happened after that." She took another sip of her tea then set the cup and saucer on the table. "When you apologized, I wrote them another letter the next day and told them that we'd mended the problem."

Erik released the breath he hadn't known he was holding. "I'm very sorry for yelling at you Christine."

"It's alright Erik." Christine reached over and rested her palm on his hand. She picked up the knife and sliced a few pieces off the wedge of cheese, then set the knife down. "What are you going to do today? Your mother is going to show me how to govern the country."

"I'll be in the woods training the new recruits."

"Okay. But be careful. I don't want to have to stick you with a needle multiple times again."

"Believe me wife. I was unconscious, and you had poured whiskey on the wound, so I didn't feel it."

"Good." Christine was taking another bite of the biscuit in her hand when someone pounded on the door.

"King Erik! Queen Christine!"

Erik stood up so fast he nearly knocked his chair over. He crossed the room and opened the door. The housekeeper stood in the hall. "What is it Mabel?"

"My King, it was horrible." The woman tried to catch her breath. "Your father woke up this morning and went to the courtyard to rouse the knights, when he found one of the guards dead on the ground. Someone slit his throat and placed a letter in his hand."

Erik looked back at his wife, who stood with her hand over her mouth. "What did the letter say?" He asked the housekeeper.

"I don't know. Cedric wouldn't let anyone near the body. He had several knights take the man to the church. He took the letter to his study."

"Thank you Mabel. My queen and I will go to my father immediately."

Mabel bowed and raced away. Erik turned back to his wife, who went to her wardrobe and pulled a gown from the rack. "We have to hurry. You're already dressed so can you help me?"

Erik crossed to Christine and assisted her with dressing. "What do you think happened to cause this murder?"

"I don't know." Christine pulled her hair back, braided it, and tied a ribbon around the end.

Erik took her hand when she was done and the two left their bedroom and raced down the stairs to Cedric's study.

Dun dun duuuuuuunnnnn. What happened? What does the letter say? If you have a thought on what the note might say, write it in a review to this chapter. And if not, just write a regular review. Oh and please click that follow/fav button please. And please keep the negative comments to yourselves. Thank you.