"Meeting people unlike oneself does not enlarge one's outlook;
it only confirms one's idea that one is unique."
"Monsieur, perhaps the wedding should wait for another day," Father Joshua said nervously, looking at the masked man who seemed to fill the church with his presence. His glowing gray green eyes looked away from the young girls face only briefly to glare at the priest.
"The wedding will take place tonight," he stated simply, his voice stilling any arguements. Erik looked back at the woman who he had laid along one of the many pews. She was extremely pale and he muttered several curses under his breath that caused the priest to make the sign of the cross. He had seen her bolt in the other direction as he stood at the entrance of the church and had gone after her immediately. And he was very glad he had.
Gustave had never told him just how beautiful this girl was. A girl she was, he knew she had not yet turned twenty which to him was still a child at his own age of thirty two. He should have known that she would have her mother's beauty, although he found her more beautiful then Emma had ever been.
Her auburn curls were spread out around her head like a blazing halo. The moment before she had fainted he had seen the brilliant blue of her eyes before they rolled back into her head. When he had carried her back to the church he had felt how beautiful her body was beneath her cloak and dress. Plump of breast and full hips, exactly how he liked his women. And she was his woman now. It would be no other way. This was owed to him and he would reap the benefits...all of them.
"She is waking," Father Joshua murmured. Erik's eyes found the young girls as she opened her eyes. She saw him and gasped, sitting up and moving away from him. The priest murmured something under his breath as Erik approached.
"Stay right there!" she demanded. His smile was grim and sarcastic at the same time.
"You will learn how to behave towards me in time," he said. Christine's eyes grew round in disbelief as she realized who he was.
"You're...you're my-"
"Fiancee," Erik finished. Christine moaned, burying her face in her hands.
"This cannot be happening, not to me, not now!" she whispered. Erik was becoming impatient.
"When you are finished talking to yourself we have a ceremony to complete," he said. Her eyes snapped open to look at him.
"How can you want to do this?" she asked, wishing he would tell her she could go home and forget everything.
"Your father should have taught you more manners, I said we are getting married and we are getting married, right now," he growled. Christine said nothing when his hand latched around her wrist and he pulled her to her feet.
"Wait!" she pleaded when they reached the alter. He turned extremely impatient eyes to hers.
"What now?" he demanded. Christine swallowed and looked down at the marble floor.
"I just wanted to know your name," she whispered. Erik sighed, he was being far to impatient with the girl, she had every right to be nervous and he was not helping.
"Erik Desslar," he replied. She nodded, allowing him to take her the few remaining steps to the alter. Father Joshua looked between them, shaking his head before he slowly began the wedding.
Christine's mind remained blank throughout the entire ceremony. This was her wedding, away from her friends and family with a man she knew nothing about. Perhaps she would not be so angry if she knew what the reason was for her father giving her away. Then it might not be as hard. She glanced at her soon to be husband and swallowed slightly. He was rather intimidating.
He wore formal black evening trousers with matching shirt and jacket that encased his lean but obviously well built body. His hair was thick and black and pushed back. The only side not obscurred by the mask was cleanly shaven and handsome in a rough sort of way. Then the mask. It was a snow white and covered half of his face and it made him appear even more dangerous then she already thought him. His gray green eyes turned to her and their gazes locked.
She was giving everything she was to this stranger for the rest of her life. The only thing she knew about him was that his name was Erik Desslar and she was soon to be Christine Desslar.
"You may kiss the bride."
Christine's eyes grew round as Erik leaned forward as he gave her a persistant, and yet rather chaste kiss on her lips. He pulled away and his gaze bore into hers. Here began her new life.
xXx
Erik stared across the carriage at his wife. She had said nothing since they had left the church and as the carriage brought them to his home he wondered what she was thinking. The brief kiss he had given her had affected him more then he had shown. His whole body was tense with desire and the idea that she was his did little to help his raging body.
She looked young, but incredibly beautiful as she sat in front of him. The moonlight illuminated her face and seemed to enchance the perfection of her features. Her slim hands were clasped on her lap and Erik glanced at the diamond ring he had given her at their wedding. It was expensive and he had not wanted anything less for his future wife.
"Monsieur?" Christine whispered suddenly. Erik found her eyes and saw the hesitant and yet passionate look in her eyes. She had an inner fire about her that he knew he would enjoy seeing if she opened up enough to let him.
"Yes?" he asked. She looked out the small window before looking back at him.
"Might I know your name? If you do not mind me asking that is?" she asked.
"Thirty two," Erik replied. He saw the surprise register in her eyes and he smirked. He could see that she was calculating the difference in age and when she had it her eyes widened. Thirteen years. He was thirteen years older then she was!
"Disappointed, Madam?" he asked. She shook her head.
"I know I am not the handsome young man you would have liked," he continued. She realized she had offended him in some way and made to apologize.
"Monsieur, I am sorry, I should not have-"
"Do not apologize, Christine," he interrupted. She glanced at his mouth, surprised by how nice her name sounded on his lips. She sat back when he suddenly leaned forward and took her hand in his. His eyes never left her face as he spoke his next sentence.
"But believe me, my dear, ugly though I may be I have far more...experience then any of the young men you fancy," he murmured, kissing the skin of her hand. His lips lingered and she could feel his tongue against her skin, causing her to shiver in what she was surprised was delight. Yanking her hand away she looked away from him, not liking the smirk on his face. She heard his satisfied chuckle.
"I believe I am going to enjoy our time together, Christine."