He rested his chin on the top of her curls and Christine pressed her face against his throat, trying to keep from crying. Was this a trick to get himself back in her good graces, or was he using her to get to Raoul to get him back for kissing her? She prayed it was neither. But other then that she had no way of explaining why he was being so kind to her and in a way it frightened her. She felt his lips press against her ear and she could feel his warm breath and she was instantly reminded of her dreams of late. Would he think her wanton for dreaming of him in such ways?
"I am sorry," he whispered. She might not have believed him but his tone left little doubt. She wished she could tell him that it was alright but she could not trust him so soon, it was not going to happen. She said nothing but moved closer to him, needing someone to hold her when she desperately needed love. She fell asleep easily in his arms, never questioning him about why he was there...because she did not want to know...
The Black Knight was gone before morning. Christine woke up to an empty bed with a still slightly warm pillow beside her. She sat up and pushed several curls away from her face, sighing. Perhaps she felt more for him then she would admit.
She had been weak that night. She should never had allowed him to stay in her room and she regretted it. She did not want Erik to think that she was so easy to forgive because she wasn't, in fact she hated him more for coming and showing her what she believed was false tenderness. What was she supposed to feel for a man like Erik? He was so up and down with his moods it was almost impossible to keep up and she found she did not want to. She was just so confused she no longer knew what to think or believe.
xXx
Erik silently slipped back into his manor that resided not far from Anthony's. He had arrived several days prior and had only managed to find Christine the night before. He had easily snuck into her room and had heard her soft cries; each one he knew was caused by his actions. He had decided that the only way to get her back was to slowly regain the trust he had ruined. Last night had been the first step, to get her not to turn him away. He knew that she would not, simply because of the fact that she felt it was her duty as his wife to not say anything.
But he knew he should have waited. There was still a talk that he needed to have with Raoul and Anthony about where Christine's duties lay and he knew that he might just lose his temper one last time...
"Gentlemen," Erik murmured. Both Anthony and Raoul turned to look at Erik, who had somehow managed to get into the room and was standing, shrouded in shadows. Raoul flinched slightly but Anthony held his ground.
"You have a lot of nerve coming here," Anthony said, turning back to the game of chess he was playing with Anthony. Erik was silent for a time. Anthony Daae was a strong man, and though Erik would never admit it to him he admired him for that strength. He had been doing a lot of thinking lately and had realized Emma's words had been true. He was going to end up alone because he did not see Christine as a woman...more of a possession. He would never be able to win her heart if he did not stop thinking that way. The only one really hurting here was Christine...and he did not like it.
"Indeed...but you men should count yourself lucky that you are not dead," Erik said softly. Raoul swallowed and glanced at his good friend, who did not seem affected by his words.
"I understand why you let your rage go with my sister and Raoul but that does not mean I think you should have done it," Anthony said, deciding to simply get to the point. Erik's eyes behind the mask were glowing as he clenched his fists and did everything he could not to lose his temper. Think of Christine, damn it!
"I told Christine I was sorry for what I had done. I will not apologize to him, or you" Erik said, nearly spitting at Raoul. But Anthony had stood up.
"When did you speak with my sister?" he demanded. Erik grinned.
"Last night...in her room," he said. Anthony growled and took a step towards the masked man. Erik grinned. Let the man think what he wished.
"Easy, Daae, I was told it was not good to let my temper go, I think the same rule applies to you as well," he said. Anthony's hand clenched in anger as he reluctantly made a step back.
"If you hurt her-"
"Save your breath. I did not touch her, I promised myself I never would again," Erik interrupted. He did not have to tell these men any of this, it was none of their business, but he felt slightly better having told someone.
"Very noble," Anthony sneered. Erik shrugged casually and said nothing. Anthony studied the man in front of him for a moment, thinking about what he wished to say to him.
"I am not here to tell you what is going on between Christine and I," Erik said, interrupting Anthony's thoughts.
"Indeed, then why are you here? The last time I checked you were not welcome," Anthony said.
"Touche...I am here to give you a warning of sorts," Erik said. Anthony's gaze never left the other man, he refused to show any weakness in front of this man, his pride would not allow him to.
"A warning? Pray tell, what is this warning you come to give us?" Anthony asked. Erik stared at Anthony a long time before answering.
"Your love for your sister is something I will not deny but this love for her will get you killed, mark my words. You will never meddle in affairs that have to do with my wife and I, I do not take the insult of you taking her lightly. For the time being I will allow her to stay here with you until she is ready to leave, and I will leave you in peace, with your word that when she chooses to come back to me you will not stop her," Erik said.
"You talk highly for a man who slapped your wife and drove her away with your temper. What makes you so confident that she will return to you?" Anthony demanded, not liking how confident this man always seemed to be. Erik merely smiled a rather dark smile.