Chapter Nine

Later that same day

Christine sat in her chair and pulled one of Erik's shirts, a needle, and a spool of thread from the basket on the floor. She threaded the needle, spread the shirt across her lap and found the tear. Slipping the needle through the fabric, she started sewing.

Erik pushed open the door, walked over to Christine's side and kissed her hair. "Hello darling."

"Hello." She rolled the shirt up and set it back in the basket. "How are you?"

He rubbed the back of his neck. "No complaints."

"Did you find out who has been murdering people?"

"Giselle told me that the two of them are lovers. She didn't give me a name though. That's all I'm going to tell you." He picked her up and sat in the chair, settling her on his lap. "You know what I was thinking while riding home." He ran his palm from her knee to her hip.

Christine focused on the warmth of his hand. "What were you thinking?"

"I was so disgusted with the inmates at the prison, that I felt like I needed a bath." He traced a pattern on her leg. "So I ordered Mabel to have the larger bath and water brought up." He looked up when the housekeeper knocked on the door.

Christine scrambled off his lap and went to let the servants in with the wooden tub and water. The servants poured the buckets of water into the bath and one passed a bar of scented soap and towels to Christine. The servants left the room, and Christine closed the door.

Erik pulled off his shirt, then undid the buttons on his trousers. Once he was naked he went to Christine and unlaced her dress, slipping the garment off her shoulders. Before he could remove her shift, she stopped him. "Let me wash you first." She pulled off his mask so it wouldn't get wet and set it on the table. "Then I'll let you wash me."

He complied and climbed into the tub. Christine knelt behind his head and picked up the small wooden bowl the servants had brought in, poured the water that was in it over his head, and picked up the soap. She lathered her hands and massaged the soap into his black hair, then poured more water over his head to wash away the soap. Picking up the soap again, Christine dipped it in the water and rubbed the bar into her palms. Dropping the soap into the water, she slid her hands across his chest, arms, and shoulders, then washed it away with the water in the tub. "Your turn." Slipping her shift over her head she stepped into the water and settled back against him.

Erik picked up the bowl, dipped it into the water, and poured the it over his wife's head. Putting the bowl down he grabbed the bar of soap and rubbed it into his palms, then slipped the soap into Christine's hair. Once he was satisfied her hair was clean, he poured water over her head to wash away the soap. Taking the soap again, he rubbed it on his hands then used his hands to soap his wife's skin.

He started with her neck, then moved to her shoulders and arms. He swallowed before turning his attention to her chest and ribs. He took his time, running his soapy hands around her breasts in slow circles. He dipped the bowl back in the water and washed the soap off her torso. "All done." He kissed the side of her neck, pressing his nose into her skin. It smelled like honeysuckle and soap. "You smell good." He bit her neck gently.

She sighed. "If you keep that up we'll be here awhile." She turned her head to the side and caught his lips, shoving her tongue in his mouth.

He gave a low groan and returned her kiss. "You do wicked things to my mind wife." Erik stood and lifted Christine from the water. He set her on her feet and wrapped her in one of the towels. He quickly dried himself. "As much as I'd love to stay here and make love to you all day, my knights need more training. You can go to the village if you like. I'll have a carriage prepared." He planted a kiss on her lips, then pulled his clothes on before helping her back into her clothes. "I'll be back before dinner. Then we can finish what we started." With that, he was out the door.

As Christine passed the baker's shop, she caught the scent of cinnamon. Cinnamon rolls. Erik's favorite. She turned around and pulled open the door to the little shop. The baker had just pulled a batch of the deserts from the stoneware oven as she walked in. He turned around and almost dropped the tray when he saw her.

"Your–. Your Highness." He stuttered, hastily putting the tray on a table to bow to his queen. "How can I help you?" the baker bowed.

"I smelled the cinnamon and wanted to purchase a small batch." She walked up to the counter. "My husband loves cinnamon rolls."

"Well you're in luck My Queen. I just finished a batch of six a few minutes ago. They're still warm I think." He picked up a small box and pulled the batch of pastries from the case. He arranged them in the box, then closed the lid.

"How much do I owe you?" Christine reached for the pouch of coins under her cloak.

The baker shook his head. "No charge for you My Queen. King Erik assisted my family when we went bankrupt."

Christine smiled. "I would like to pay you for these." She pulled a few gold coins from the pouch, placing them on the counter. "It wouldn't feel right if I didn't pay you. What is your name kind sir?"

The baker shuffled his feet, "Aaron."

"Well Aaron. Thank you for the pastries." Christine reached out and shook the baker's hand, then moved to the door before turning to wave to the kind hearted baker.

The guards greeted her as she walked out of the shop. "My Queen, we must return to the castle. It's nearly dinner time."

Christine followed the guards to the carriage, settling the box on the seat beside her. The carriage lurched as the driver snapped the reins.

Christine got back to the castle in no time with her purchases. Running up to the royal chambers, she hid the box behind her pillow. Erik knocked on the door, "Christine. I have a present for you."

"I have one for you too, darling."

Erik pushed open the door, holding a crate with holes in it and a boyish grin on his face. "Here, sit by the fire." He pulled her to sit on the floor in front of the fireplace. "Shall I give my gift first?"

"If you want to."

Erik passed the box to her. It moved, – and barked. Christine pulled off the lid. Inside was a furry brown and white puppy. "Oh Erik. Where did you find her?"

"She was hiding in an old crate by the training yard. I didn't know she was there until I heard her whining."

Christine picked up the ball of fur. The puppy licked her chin, her tiny tail wagging. "What should I name her?"

"You decide my love." Erik scratched the puppy behind the ears.

Christine thought a minute. "How about, Caramel." She rubbed her nose against the puppy's head. "That's it. Caramel."

"Caramel it is." Erik grinned.

"Now. Your present." Christine set Caramel down and went to their bed to get the box of rolls.

Erik took it and opened the lid. "Cinnamon rolls? When did you get these?"

"I got them in town." She blushed. "I remembered that you really like them."

He put the box on the table so Caramel couldn't get them. "I do believe that dinner is ready." Picking up the puppy, he tucked her under his arm, holding the other arm out to his wife. "I do believe that Javert can find something to feed this one. And the servants can give her a bath."

Christine took her husband's arm and followed him to the kitchen. "Javert, can you get my puppy something to eat?" The man nodded, and Christine turned to one of the servants. "Can you give her a bath?" The woman nodded and bowed. "Thank you."

Erik passed the puppy to the servant, who took her gently. "Now My Queen. Shall we join my parents for dinner?"

"We shall." Christine giggled. Erik led her off to the Great Hall where his parents waited.

He had missed his chance to get the queen. Jared Robert Barton sat in the pub with a pint of ale. The queen was supposed to pass the alley where he had been waiting. But instead, she had gone into the baker's shop. Oh well. He would get another chance to kidnap her. And when he did, he would relish the act of killing her. He downed the rest of his beer, left a few coins on the table, and left the pub. Walking down the street to the cottage he had shared with his beloved Giselle, he gritted his teeth. King Erik would pay dearly for taking his hopes and dreams away. This, he knew for a fact. A menacing grin spread across his face. In time, the king would fall.

Erik lay awake that night, stroking his wife's back. Caramel snored lightly from the blanket covered pillow Christine had set up by the fire. He sighed, disentangled himself from Christine, and pulled on his trousers. He picked up the candle and lit it in the fire, placing it back in the holder. As quietly as possible he opened the door and slipped through. Holding the candle out in front of him, he made his way down the steps to the library. He needed a book. Pushing open the door, he went to the bookshelf and browsed the titles. None of them were the one he wanted, and he moved to the next shelf, then the next, then the next.

Finally Erik found the book he was looking for. Pulling it from the shelf, he turned and left the room, going back up to his and Christine's bedroom. Shutting the door quietly, he tiptoed to the chair in front of the fire, opened the book, and started reading. He glanced back at Christine every so often to make sure she was still asleep. She shifted a few times, but other than that, she stayed silent. He yawned. Marking the page in his book, he set it on the table, blew out the candle, set the candle on the bedside table, and climbed back into bed. Wrapping his arm around his wife, who curled into his warmth, he took off his mask and closed his eyes.

Christine's eyes fluttered open, and she turned her head to look at her husband. He was so handsome. His jet black hair was sleep tousled, with morning stubble darkening his jaw. She sat up and leaned down to kiss him. But before her lips made contact with his, his eyes snapped open and he let out a growl. She giggled as he grabbed her waist and rolled her onto her back.

"Good morning Erik." She smiled sweetly while her hands ran across his chest.

He growled again. "Temptress, even in the morning you're as sinful as a fox." He kissed her briefly.

She stuck her lip out and widened her eyes. "Is that it? One tiny kiss?"

Erik grinned down at her. "For now, yes." He made to get out of bed.

Christine would have none of that. She wrapped her arms around his waist and pulled him back on top of her. "No. We never finished what we started yesterday."

"And you want to finish it."

Christine was the one to grin this time. "I do."

"I can never deny you my love." Erik groaned and caught hold of her lips, kissing her as if there was no tomorrow. He ran his palm from her waist to her knee. His own knee wedged itself between her thighs. Nipping at her neck, he used his other hand to rub the tip of her breast into a stiff point. He basked in the moan she let slip from her throat. Taking the bud between his teeth, he bit gently, then licked it with the tip of his tongue.

Christie squirmed under him, and he knew what she needed. Guiding the tip of his shaft, he slid his hips forward, burying himself completely. He took hold of her wrists and raised her arms above his head, which made her arch her back. Erik made love to his wife for what felt like hours, bringing them both to simultaneous release. Erik held himself still, letting his seed shoot into her womb. Spent, they lay locked in each others arms for a moment before Erik slid off of her and lay on his side, pulling her against him. She rested her head on his outstretched arm, sighing.

"Erik." She turned over to face her husband. Worry creased her brow.

Erik's pulse kicked into high gear. "What is it?"

"Remember when we talked about children?" Christine traced a pattern on his chest.

"Of course." He stared at his wife. Then, realization dawned. "Are you with child?"

She nodded.

Erik let out a loud laugh, gathering his wife into his arms. "You're certain?"

"Yes. I'm certain." She let her husband hug her, then took his hand and set it on her still flat stomach. "Our baby is growing in there."

Erik's face fell.

"Erik. What's wrong?"

He looked away, "What if he looks like this?" He pointed at his scarred face.

She took his hand, "I've read a few books on the subject, and all of them say that face deformity is not hereditary."

"You're sure?"

"I am." She put his hand back on her stomach. "He will be just like you. A free spirit."

"What if it's a girl?"

"Then she'll have you wrapped around her little finger." Christine kissed him. "We should get out of bed and share the news with your parents."

Erik stood, holding out his hand to Christine. She took it and they dressed quickly. The news of their impending parenthood gave them both a spring in their step.