"I am going to be taking Christine back with me to my manor," Erik said. Anthony shut the book he had been reading to look at his sisters husband, illuminated by the sun shining through the windows. Anthony's thoughts had not been on the book in his hands rather the young Italian woman now staying at his manor.
"When she decides-"
"She has," Erik interrupted. He would not allow Christine to be separated from him now that he had made love to her. She was his now in every sense of the word. When he had woken early that morning Christine had been sleeping soundly, her body curled against his. He knew she was exhausted because he had woken her up numerous times during the night to make love to her in as many ways as he knew were possible. Now it was almost noon and Christine had yet to wake.
"Well, when she comes to me and says she wishes to leave then perhaps I will consider it," Anthony said. Erik felt his hands clench into tight fists.
"I have decided, Anthony," Christine said, startling them both as she came into the room. Erik felt his body stir at the sight of her and a small smirk came to his mouth. She was wearing only one large evening robe and she had her arms wrapped around her stomach. Her curls were down, framing her face. Erik noticed the dark purplish mark on her neck and remembered that that was where he had bitten her when he had first made love to her. She came to him with a small smile on her face. Erik wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her close, kissing her quite intimately. Anthony could not help but stare. What had caused this sudden change of feelings between the two of them?
"I would like to talk to you," she whispered to him. He nodded and turned to Anthony. They young man sighed and got up. He went to Christine and kissed her cheek and she gave him a small smile.
"I will leave the two of you alone," he said. When he had left the couple remained silent for a long time. Erik knew what it was she wanted to talk about and he really wanted to postpone such a discussion as long as he was able. Knowing of only one way he grabbed her and dragged her to him, pressing his mouth hungrily against her own. She moaned softly and kissed him back. Her whole body was so sore from the night before that Christine was surprised she could even move. She had learned a lot that night, and one lesson had been how she could not seem to get enough of her husband and their newfound passion. She had been extremely embarrassed to find out that she had slept until noon. But with the kidnapping on top of Erik's insatiable needs she had been exhausted.
Christine did not want to start an argument with him but there was much she wished to know and she knew he might not be as willing to tell her. She had a right to know. Not only had she been kidnapped by a family member she had never known before but he knew Erik and her husband had never told her that she had family she did not know.
"Is Leroy my uncle, Erik?" Christine asked, deciding that was a very good way to start the questions. Erik pulled away from her and went to the window, looking out at the beautiful city that was Rome.
"Yes," he answered so softly she almost did not hear him.
"Why did you never tell me?" she asked. There were so many things that she did not know. What if everything she had believed about her mother had been a lie? A brilliant lie to hide a past she did not wish to reveal? What did her father know about all this? Was he aware of all of this? Was Anthony?
"He has no right to call himself a member of your family, Christine, and that is why I have never acknowledged him," Erik said, keeping his back to her. She needed answers. Walking up behind him she laid a hand on his broad back and felt him stiffen beneath her fingertips.
"Tell me what my mother has to do with all of this, Erik, please. I was very close to my mother and yet I knew nothing about you or any of this," Christine pleaded softly. She knew there was a hint of desperation in her voice and she could do nothing to hide it. She was desperate, for answers.
"Your mother's beauty is what cursed her, that and her voice," Erik said, finally turning to her. Christine frowned.
"What?"
"It is the same beauty that you carry now," he answered. His eyes roamed over her face, as if he was looking at Emma instead of her daughter.
"Tell me everything, Erik, please," she whispered. Erik sat her down in one of the soft chairs and took a seat across from her. She was stunned, he was obviously going to tell her the things she had wished to know for so long!
"I will not tell you everything, Christine, but I will tell you the story of when I had first met your mother," he said. She nodded, she would have to be able to handle that until he was willing to tell her more.
"Alright, tell me whatever you wish..."