Etrange Duo
Disclaimer: Based on the Andrew Lloyd Webber’s stage musical, adapted from the novel by Gaston Leroux.
Chapter 4
Drowned by Love
Playing away in his sanctuary, Erik thought he heard a noise. His hands stilled, he waited and all remained silent. Shrugging off the feelings of foreboding Erik continued to move his fingers gracefully across his instrument, satisfied by the chilling notes it emitted.
He stopped to writ down said notes, and played it through once more to make sure it was jotted correctly before moving onto the next passage. As he was about to start playing he heard the noise again…
Splash!
…Smiling to himself, the corners of his mouth-- or one side anyway --lifted slowly, almost leisurely, as if he was savoring the death of who ever dared enter his home.
Never once considering he hadn’t lost Christine, but was in fact about to!
XXX
As she felt the boat begin to sway, Christine knew something was dreadfully wrong. As the boat tipped completely to one side, she cursed Raoul for delaying her… If she had come sooner, her Angel would still be waiting!
And as she felt that scaly, wet hand grip her ankle, its bony fingers clenched painfully tight around her fragile limp, she knew no god or angel in Heaven could save her now. As her head was completely submerged by water she realized her angel wasn’t in Heaven but mere minutes away.
Struggling against the creature that held her, she managed to free herself long enough to swim up to the surface.
Taking a deep breath, she shouted as loudly as she could; “Phantom!”
The monster grabbed hold of her once more and began to pull.
“Angel! My Angel, please! It’s Christine!”
As she, once again, was devoured by the lake one word echoed through the maze…
… Christine …
XXX
When he first got old of her, undoubtedly, she struggled, once underwater she ceased, and then as if she had had a sudden epiphany she struggled some more… And if only for a few moments, freed herself! No one had ever escaped him-- the Siren!
It was why Erik kept him around so long, he was perfect at his job, no one escaped-- until Her!
… Christine …
… Christine …
The word echoed throughout the underneath of the Opera House and through the sea creatures mind.
Why did the name sound familiar? How had she escaped? Why was she calling his master?
{Does Erik know this girl?} He wondered. She was pretty but wasn’t Erik afraid he would frighten her with his ugliness?
The monster thought to himself a while longer, contemplating letting her go, before deciding that she had to die. Only three were allowed down here, Mme Giry, the Phantom himself and her. The woman the Ghost loved, his pupil-- Chrissy or something.
… Christine …
Realization flooded the Siren! Christine, Christine, Christine! Releasing her ankle he waited to see if she swam away. When she began to sink the Siren realized she had passed out from lack of oxygen, grabbing her around the waist he swam towards the side of the lake Erik
XXX
“Phantom!” Erik’s head snapped up, someone dared come into his home and then call on him for assistance, did they? Determined to ignore the voice he continued to compose. The voice was obviously not giving up because soon after she called out again, and this time what he heard almost killed him.
“Angel! My Angel, please!” Not bothering to listen to the rest, knowing who it was without a doubt.
Rushing out of the music room and past the overturned candelabrums of no consequence, he headed straight for the flooded passages. Almost falling to his knees in grief as he saw the Siren roll Christine onto the bank-- even then unwilling to fully reveal himself --and return a few moments later pushing the overturned, abandoned gondola in front.
Moving swiftly to her side he finally allowed the grief to surface. Falling to his knees beside her, he gathered her into his arms and cried into her limp, soaked hair.
“Oh my love, forgive me.”
XXX
A/N: The Siren has been made his own entity in this fiction, although in the book it is Erik, how would i have Christine almost die? Short of having her locked in a room with La Colotta?
Chapter 5
Awakening
Wrapping one arm around her waist and the other under her knees, Erik stood and walked back to the bedroom, with the swan bed. After, laying her gently down on the red satin sheets he backed away silently. Not knowing what else to do he leaned against the closed door, and slid to the floor. Burying his face in his hands he let the tears flow freely again.
“I could have lost her!” He whispered to the quietness of the room. “She could have drowned!”
‘Drowned’, the word echoed in his mind. Reminding him, haunting him, angering him. The Siren should have known! He should have stopped; he should never have gone near Christine! But how was the Siren to know her looks and her voice? He, Erik, had never taken the time or opportunity to introduce her. It was his fault then?
Standing up, he moved towards the closet. Pulling out the least extravagant of stage costumes, but one that still seemed warm enough; he headed back to the swan bed. Laying the gown down on the bed, he reached for the unconscious girl. Rolling her onto her stomach he pulled the strings on the back of her black corset. Peeling the garment away from her blouse he dropped it to the floor and pulled the see-through white top over her head as well. Untying the black scarf wrapped around her hips, he added that to the pile of discarded clothes on the floor. Reaching for the last item he dared remove, he pulled the skirt down over her hips. The wet material clung to her legs, hindering his movements. Hooking one arm under her knees, he lifted her lower half into the air slightly, and quickly pulled the skirt the rest of the way down.
Erik stepped back, sucking in air as he eyed his love on the bed, in nothing but her undergarments. Grabbing the dress off the bed he quickly began to re-dress her. He pulled back the black satin sheets and placed her on bed once she was dressed. She stirred slightly, a soft moan escaping her lips. Erik smiled. At least she was ok. Raising the blanket up to her chin, he tucked the edges in under her. Leaving the room for a few moments, he returned with a handful of other blankets. Layer upon layer were placed over her. Once he was sure she’d warm up he stepped away from her and sat back on the floor by the door. Aminta’s outfit ignored.
XXX
Everything was fuzzy! Her head thumped and her lungs burned. Moaning softly, she moved her body a little. She felt someone’s hands on her, but feeling as safe as she did thought nothing of it. Giving in to her bodies demand for sleep, she relaxed herself and soon drifted off.
A little more than half an hour had gone by when Christine was jolted awake by a nightmare. Or at least she hoped it to be one. She remembered Raoul acting completely out of sorts, she remembered Mme Giry and the boat trip on the lake, and she remembered being dragged under water by someone thing! It was the same thing as in her nightmare.
'Good God, had it all been true?'
Trying to sit up she was stopped by, what she could only describe it feeling as, someone sitting atop her. Looking over herself, she almost laughed out loud, she was covered; toe to chin, with a mountain of blankets, and duvets. Someone had taken great care to make sure she was well.
Without needing to think about whom or why, she knew it had been Erik. It was obvious really; she had come in search of him, who else would have found her? And he loved her, and would go the extra mile to secure her safety.
'And in the process, accidentally smother me.' She joked silently. Her thoughts once again resumed to playful or practical, not distressed.
Pushing the covers back in a heap, she stepped out of the bed. Upon standing she noticed her clothes had changed. Erik must have changed her she decided, before reaching her hands to her head to blindly fix her hair. Looking around the room, she spotted Erik, asleep, still sitting on the floor of her room.
Moving quietly over to him, she kneeled beside him. Nudging him gently with her fist, and then again harder when he made no movement. Any fear she had at his lack of response was quelled as he jumped up, alert.
“Christine?”
“Erik! Thank you.” She whispered, which meant Erik had to strain to hear. Not sure he had heard correctly, he just nodded.
“You’re ok?” He questioned hesitantly. She too nodded and Erik smiled.
After a short pause he shouted, desperately, “I’m so sorry!”
She lifted her skirts and stood up once more, looking up at Erik. Once erect, she dropped her skirts again and raised her hand to cup his cheek. Rubbing her thumb back and forth she sighed.
“Oh Erik!” She breathed, “It doesn’t matter, I’m fine and that is the important thing.”
Nodding submissively, Erik took hold of her hand and pulled her back to the bed.
“It’s not alright, Christine. I could have killed you!”
“Of course you could have Erik” Smiling indulgently she continued. “From all the way inside your music room.”
XXX
A/N: Chapters 5 onwards have been beta'd :D My beta #2 Jo was sick so C6 took a while sorry!
Chapter 6
Forgive To Forget
“Christine.” Erik muttered stiffly, obviously not taking it as a joke. “I should have stopped him.”
“Who?” She asked with curiosity.
“The Siren. The thing that almost killed you… because of me!” His voice dropped to barely a whisper. “All because of me.”
“Oh.” Was all she said. Just one word and it almost killed Erik.
’Say something. Hate me, forgive me, anything.’ He silently begged her.
Pushing at her shoulders, Christine allowed Erik to sit her on the bed. Sitting beside her hesitantly, his whole body went rigid as she shuffled closer to him.
“What happened Erik? I want, no, I need to know.”
“Christine, please?” He went to stand but stopped himself when Christine placed a hand on his arm.
“Erik.” He took a deep breath and willed himself to stay calm. He wouldn’t cry in front of her.
Making himself comfortable next to her, he told her everything. From the production of ‘Don Juan Triumphant’ to her waking him up. Occasionally he stopped, trying to hide his tears.
“Oh Erik, it is not your fault.”
“I-- Christine I told him I did not want to be disturbed. I thought I’d lost you. I should have believed in you to come, I should have, but I didn’t. I didn’t!”
“You waited four hours Erik, how much longer could I expect you to wait? I knew you would not wait that long but I came down here anyway.” She placed her hand against his face again and unconsciously began to rub her thumb across his deformed cheek. “You’re mask is still off. Did you take it with you?”
“No. I thought you had it.”
“I will get it in the morning, if it is on the stage, Raoul or Meg will get it if Mme Giry does not. It shouldn’t be too hard to come across it. That is if you want it back.” She hastily added. “You don’t have to wear it around me.”
Erik looked up at her, his love for her clear in his mismatched eyes. “Thank you.” He whispered sincerely, meaning it in more ways than one. For not shunning him because of his features, for telling him to get off the bridge, for coming to see him like she promised, for… loving him? She smiled at him affectionately.
“Your welcome, mon Ange.”
My Angel, the words make him smile foolishly, and he couldn’t care less. She still thought of him as her Angel, even after everything. This was one of the moments he’d been at his happiest. Another was when she first wanted to know him, another when he first laid eyes on her; another was yet again centered around Christine-- when she knew he was a monster and still came with him willingly. Now he had to hear three small words come out of her mouth and he’d willingly turn himself over to the authorities and the Vicomte, he’d be that happy.
’Three little words, such a big meaning.’ He mused.
Unable to resist the temptation that was Mlle Daae any longer, Erik leaned forward and tentatively pressed his lips to hers. Shocked at his forwardness, Christine almost pulled away. Stopping at the last possible second, she reminded herself of the pain it would cause her teacher, and that he would not understand why. He had not grown and lived by society’s rules, they meant nothing to him. So why should they mean anything to her? Moving closer to him, she kissed him back intensely. Their lips welding as one, as their tongues escaped the confines of their own mouths to meet. Pulling back panting for lost breath both Erik and Christine blushed furiously.
Christine mentally slapped herself for forgetting that this man had never known a woman’s touch, he was as innocent as a child in ways, just like she. Grinning, she exuded feminine pride at the thought that she’d be the one to teach him, as he would teach her. Reaching for his mouth again Christine mewled softly as his arm worked its way around her waist. Pushing her down upon the bed, he lay above her, kissing her breathless. His free hand fisted in her hair and she cried out.
A cry he would have recognized as one of agony even if he had known what one of pleasure would sound like. Pulling away from her he frowned.
“Christine?”
“I fell. Off the bridge, it’s why I did not come straight to you. I woke four hours later and the doctor would not let me leave. He spent sometime reminding me of a few things while I played at a concussion, to help hide you. But he knew, and suggested I go to you. I was going but Raoul came in.” She felt him tense at the mention of the Vicomte’s name, but continued anyway. “He shouted at me. He… was angry, I understand. I’m sure he would never have done it otherwise. I just wish to forget so I have forgiven him.”
“For what?” ignoring him Christine ploughed on.
“Mme Giry took me away after she heard him shouting. She and I talked and I came to find you. And then I, the Siren and the lake occurred and I woke to see you sleeping while I was buried alive in blankets.” She gave a short laugh at the end, still finding his help somewhat amusing.
“Why must you forgive him? What did he do?” Erik urged her.
“He… nothing, it does not matter.” Turning her head away guiltily to escape his stare, she whispered. “I have forgiven him.”
Nodding Erik stood from the bed, still wishing to know why he needed forgiveness. Why he deserved it and Erik himself did not.
“Come, you must be hungry.”
Standing and following him out the door and into the kitchen she smiled sadly at his back.
“I want to forget. I forgive you too Ange.” Erik nodded stiffly, he did not want her forgiveness because she didn’t want to remember, and he wanted it because she cared enough to consider him worthy of it. Pulling out various foods, he held them up for her inspection. Blindly pointing at any item he held in front of her, she stepped closer to him. Pressing a chaste kiss to the marred side of his face she finished her sentence before walking into the music room to await him.
“I forgive you also, because I love you… Erik.”
Chapters 7-9
Chapter 4
Drowned by Love
Playing away in his sanctuary, Erik thought he heard a noise. His hands stilled, he waited and all remained silent. Shrugging off the feelings of foreboding Erik continued to move his fingers gracefully across his instrument, satisfied by the chilling notes it emitted.
He stopped to writ down said notes, and played it through once more to make sure it was jotted correctly before moving onto the next passage. As he was about to start playing he heard the noise again…
Splash!
…Smiling to himself, the corners of his mouth-- or one side anyway --lifted slowly, almost leisurely, as if he was savoring the death of who ever dared enter his home.
Never once considering he hadn’t lost Christine, but was in fact about to!
XXX
As she felt the boat begin to sway, Christine knew something was dreadfully wrong. As the boat tipped completely to one side, she cursed Raoul for delaying her… If she had come sooner, her Angel would still be waiting!
And as she felt that scaly, wet hand grip her ankle, its bony fingers clenched painfully tight around her fragile limp, she knew no god or angel in Heaven could save her now. As her head was completely submerged by water she realized her angel wasn’t in Heaven but mere minutes away.
Struggling against the creature that held her, she managed to free herself long enough to swim up to the surface.
Taking a deep breath, she shouted as loudly as she could; “Phantom!”
The monster grabbed hold of her once more and began to pull.
“Angel! My Angel, please! It’s Christine!”
As she, once again, was devoured by the lake one word echoed through the maze…
… Christine …
XXX
When he first got old of her, undoubtedly, she struggled, once underwater she ceased, and then as if she had had a sudden epiphany she struggled some more… And if only for a few moments, freed herself! No one had ever escaped him-- the Siren!
It was why Erik kept him around so long, he was perfect at his job, no one escaped-- until Her!
… Christine …
… Christine …
The word echoed throughout the underneath of the Opera House and through the sea creatures mind.
Why did the name sound familiar? How had she escaped? Why was she calling his master?
{Does Erik know this girl?} He wondered. She was pretty but wasn’t Erik afraid he would frighten her with his ugliness?
The monster thought to himself a while longer, contemplating letting her go, before deciding that she had to die. Only three were allowed down here, Mme Giry, the Phantom himself and her. The woman the Ghost loved, his pupil-- Chrissy or something.
… Christine …
Realization flooded the Siren! Christine, Christine, Christine! Releasing her ankle he waited to see if she swam away. When she began to sink the Siren realized she had passed out from lack of oxygen, grabbing her around the waist he swam towards the side of the
XXX
“Phantom!” Erik’s head snapped up, someone dared come into his home and then call on him for assistance, did they? Determined to ignore the voice he continued to compose. The voice was obviously not giving up because soon after she called out again, and this time what he heard almost killed him.
“Angel! My Angel, please!” Not bothering to listen to the rest, knowing who it was without a doubt.
Rushing out of the music room and past the overturned candelabrums of no consequence, he headed straight for the flooded passages. Almost falling to his knees in grief as he saw the Siren roll Christine onto the bank-- even then unwilling to fully reveal himself --and return a few moments later pushing the overturned, abandoned gondola in front.
Moving swiftly to her side he finally allowed the grief to surface. Falling to his knees beside her, he gathered her into his arms and cried into her limp, soaked hair.
“Oh my love, forgive me.”
XXX
A/N: The Siren has been made his own entity in this fiction, although in the book it is Erik, how would i have Christine almost die? Short of having her locked in a room with La Colotta?
Chapter 5
Awakening
Wrapping one arm around her waist and the other under her knees, Erik stood and walked back to the bedroom, with the swan bed. After, laying her gently down on the red satin sheets he backed away silently. Not knowing what else to do he leaned against the closed door, and slid to the floor. Burying his face in his hands he let the tears flow freely again.
“I could have lost her!” He whispered to the quietness of the room. “She could have drowned!”
‘Drowned’, the word echoed in his mind. Reminding him, haunting him, angering him. The Siren should have known! He should have stopped; he should never have gone near Christine! But how was the Siren to know her looks and her voice? He, Erik, had never taken the time or opportunity to introduce her. It was his fault then?
Standing up, he moved towards the closet. Pulling out the least extravagant of stage costumes, but one that still seemed warm enough; he headed back to the swan bed. Laying the gown down on the bed, he reached for the unconscious girl. Rolling her onto her stomach he pulled the strings on the back of her black corset. Peeling the garment away from her blouse he dropped it to the floor and pulled the see-through white top over her head as well. Untying the black scarf wrapped around her hips, he added that to the pile of discarded clothes on the floor. Reaching for the last item he dared remove, he pulled the skirt down over her hips. The wet material clung to her legs, hindering his movements. Hooking one arm under her knees, he lifted her lower half into the air slightly, and quickly pulled the skirt the rest of the way down.
Erik stepped back, sucking in air as he eyed his love on the bed, in nothing but her undergarments. Grabbing the dress off the bed he quickly began to re-dress her. He pulled back the black satin sheets and placed her on bed once she was dressed. She stirred slightly, a soft moan escaping her lips. Erik smiled. At least she was ok. Raising the blanket up to her chin, he tucked the edges in under her. Leaving the room for a few moments, he returned with a handful of other blankets. Layer upon layer were placed over her. Once he was sure she’d warm up he stepped away from her and sat back on the floor by the door. Aminta’s outfit ignored.
XXX
Everything was fuzzy! Her head thumped and her lungs burned. Moaning softly, she moved her body a little. She felt someone’s hands on her, but feeling as safe as she did thought nothing of it. Giving in to her bodies demand for sleep, she relaxed herself and soon drifted off.
A little more than half an hour had gone by when Christine was jolted awake by a nightmare. Or at least she hoped it to be one. She remembered Raoul acting completely out of sorts, she remembered Mme Giry and the boat trip on the lake, and she remembered being dragged under water by someone thing! It was the same thing as in her nightmare.
'Good God, had it all been true?'
Trying to sit up she was stopped by, what she could only describe it feeling as, someone sitting atop her. Looking over herself, she almost laughed out loud, she was covered; toe to chin, with a mountain of blankets, and duvets. Someone had taken great care to make sure she was well.
Without needing to think about whom or why, she knew it had been Erik. It was obvious really; she had come in search of him, who else would have found her? And he loved her, and would go the extra mile to secure her safety.
'And in the process, accidentally smother me.' She joked silently. Her thoughts once again resumed to playful or practical, not distressed.
Pushing the covers back in a heap, she stepped out of the bed. Upon standing she noticed her clothes had changed. Erik must have changed her she decided, before reaching her hands to her head to blindly fix her hair. Looking around the room, she spotted Erik, asleep, still sitting on the floor of her room.
Moving quietly over to him, she kneeled beside him. Nudging him gently with her fist, and then again harder when he made no movement. Any fear she had at his lack of response was quelled as he jumped up, alert.
“Christine?”
“Erik! Thank you.” She whispered, which meant Erik had to strain to hear. Not sure he had heard correctly, he just nodded.
“You’re ok?” He questioned hesitantly. She too nodded and Erik smiled.
After a short pause he shouted, desperately, “I’m so sorry!”
She lifted her skirts and stood up once more, looking up at Erik. Once erect, she dropped her skirts again and raised her hand to cup his cheek. Rubbing her thumb back and forth she sighed.
“Oh Erik!” She breathed, “It doesn’t matter, I’m fine and that is the important thing.”
Nodding submissively, Erik took hold of her hand and pulled her back to the bed.
“It’s not alright, Christine. I could have killed you!”
“Of course you could have Erik” Smiling indulgently she continued. “From all the way inside your music room.”
XXX
A/N: Chapters 5 onwards have been beta'd :D My beta #2 Jo was sick so C6 took a while sorry!
Chapter 6
Forgive To Forget
“Christine.” Erik muttered stiffly, obviously not taking it as a joke. “I should have stopped him.”
“Who?” She asked with curiosity.
“The Siren. The thing that almost killed you… because of me!” His voice dropped to barely a whisper. “All because of me.”
“Oh.” Was all she said. Just one word and it almost killed Erik.
’Say something. Hate me, forgive me, anything.’ He silently begged her.
Pushing at her shoulders, Christine allowed Erik to sit her on the bed. Sitting beside her hesitantly, his whole body went rigid as she shuffled closer to him.
“What happened Erik? I want, no, I need to know.”
“Christine, please?” He went to stand but stopped himself when Christine placed a hand on his arm.
“Erik.” He took a deep breath and willed himself to stay calm. He wouldn’t cry in front of her.
Making himself comfortable next to her, he told her everything. From the production of ‘Don Juan Triumphant’ to her waking him up. Occasionally he stopped, trying to hide his tears.
“Oh Erik, it is not your fault.”
“I-- Christine I told him I did not want to be disturbed. I thought I’d lost you. I should have believed in you to come, I should have, but I didn’t. I didn’t!”
“You waited four hours Erik, how much longer could I expect you to wait? I knew you would not wait that long but I came down here anyway.” She placed her hand against his face again and unconsciously began to rub her thumb across his deformed cheek. “You’re mask is still off. Did you take it with you?”
“No. I thought you had it.”
“I will get it in the morning, if it is on the stage, Raoul or Meg will get it if Mme Giry does not. It shouldn’t be too hard to come across it. That is if you want it back.” She hastily added. “You don’t have to wear it around me.”
Erik looked up at her, his love for her clear in his mismatched eyes. “Thank you.” He whispered sincerely, meaning it in more ways than one. For not shunning him because of his features, for telling him to get off the bridge, for coming to see him like she promised, for… loving him? She smiled at him affectionately.
“Your welcome, mon Ange.”
My Angel, the words make him smile foolishly, and he couldn’t care less. She still thought of him as her Angel, even after everything. This was one of the moments he’d been at his happiest. Another was when she first wanted to know him, another when he first laid eyes on her; another was yet again centered around Christine-- when she knew he was a monster and still came with him willingly. Now he had to hear three small words come out of her mouth and he’d willingly turn himself over to the authorities and the Vicomte, he’d be that happy.
’Three little words, such a big meaning.’ He mused.
Unable to resist the temptation that was Mlle Daae any longer, Erik leaned forward and tentatively pressed his lips to hers. Shocked at his forwardness, Christine almost pulled away. Stopping at the last possible second, she reminded herself of the pain it would cause her teacher, and that he would not understand why. He had not grown and lived by society’s rules, they meant nothing to him. So why should they mean anything to her? Moving closer to him, she kissed him back intensely. Their lips welding as one, as their tongues escaped the confines of their own mouths to meet. Pulling back panting for lost breath both Erik and Christine blushed furiously.
Christine mentally slapped herself for forgetting that this man had never known a woman’s touch, he was as innocent as a child in ways, just like she. Grinning, she exuded feminine pride at the thought that she’d be the one to teach him, as he would teach her. Reaching for his mouth again Christine mewled softly as his arm worked its way around her waist. Pushing her down upon the bed, he lay above her, kissing her breathless. His free hand fisted in her hair and she cried out.
A cry he would have recognized as one of agony even if he had known what one of pleasure would sound like. Pulling away from her he frowned.
“Christine?”
“I fell. Off the bridge, it’s why I did not come straight to you. I woke four hours later and the doctor would not let me leave. He spent sometime reminding me of a few things while I played at a concussion, to help hide you. But he knew, and suggested I go to you. I was going but Raoul came in.” She felt him tense at the mention of the Vicomte’s name, but continued anyway. “He shouted at me. He… was angry, I understand. I’m sure he would never have done it otherwise. I just wish to forget so I have forgiven him.”
“For what?” ignoring him Christine ploughed on.
“Mme Giry took me away after she heard him shouting. She and I talked and I came to find you. And then I, the Siren and the lake occurred and I woke to see you sleeping while I was buried alive in blankets.” She gave a short laugh at the end, still finding his help somewhat amusing.
“Why must you forgive him? What did he do?” Erik urged her.
“He… nothing, it does not matter.” Turning her head away guiltily to escape his stare, she whispered. “I have forgiven him.”
Nodding Erik stood from the bed, still wishing to know why he needed forgiveness. Why he deserved it and Erik himself did not.
“Come, you must be hungry.”
Standing and following him out the door and into the kitchen she smiled sadly at his back.
“I want to forget. I forgive you too Ange.” Erik nodded stiffly, he did not want her forgiveness because she didn’t want to remember, and he wanted it because she cared enough to consider him worthy of it. Pulling out various foods, he held them up for her inspection. Blindly pointing at any item he held in front of her, she stepped closer to him. Pressing a chaste kiss to the marred side of his face she finished her sentence before walking into the music room to await him.
“I forgive you also, because I love you… Erik.”
Chapters 7-9
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