Erik woke up in a cold sweat. That was the second time he had had to relive that moment that day. A few hours prior he had found it in him to tell Christine and he supposed that having had to think about it had caused him to have a nightmare. That had been one of many nights that Isaac had found it in himself to beat Emma. Erik had not understood at the time why Michael had allowed it all to happen, but he did now. Antoinette, Emma's mother, had been unfaithful to him during the first early years of their marriage. And because of this unfaithfulness she had become pregnant with Emma. When Emma had found this out she had cried in Erik's arms. The man she had thought was her father wasn't and that was why he did not care what happened to her. She was not his daughter.
Christine stirred beside him. She had allowed him to stay in her room for the night in Anthony's manor and in the morning they would leave and go to their home. She had told him that Sienna was coming with them and of course he had argued. He knew nothing about the woman and did not want her in his house. His little spit-fire had told him that if he did not allow Sienna to go with them then she would not allow him to touch her! Imagine the nerve of such a statement! Erik had laughed and Christine had become outraged, pounding her tiny fists against him. Their argument had heated up once again but it had only resulted in the two of them nearly launching themselves at one another in frenzied lust. Erik had taken her hard against the wall and in the end agreed to letting Sienna come to their home.
But now as he gazed at her, lying beside him beneath the black sheets, and knowing that she was naked beneath them, Erik felt his body stir in desire. He had had many women in his life but she was the first that he had ever found himself unable to get enough of. Yanking the sheet off of her pale body he turned her onto her back and spread her legs. He touched her center and found her still warm and wet from their previous encounter. It was the only encouragement he needed and he thrust himself hard into her welcoming body.
Christine's eyes fluttered open and she moaned long and loud. Her eyes found his as she wrapped her legs around his waist and met him thrust for thrust. Erik braced his hands on either side of her head and continued his hard rhythm against her. Was it really she, who moved against him just as roughly, that had said that her body needed rest? It seemed like such a ridiculous statement to make now that she was making love with him. He kissed her and Christine's hands tangled themselves hard in his hair. His pounding continued until she screamed her release, the sound echoing in the still of the room. Erik's head fell back as he groaned and released himself inside of her. With his seed he was cleansed of nightmares for the rest of the night.
FlashbackÂ
Love Broken
Paris
Delauney Manor
April 1860
Erik shook his head at the Persian Nadir as he made the most ridiculous faces with the hope of cheering Emma up. She had been down for the past few days and not even Erik could figure out the reason. Isaac had been at the Delauney estate in London for the past week and Erik thought that that would put Emma in high spirits. Apparently he had been wrong. But the faces Nadir was making were just too ridiculous and Emma let out a small giggle. Erik sighed in relief and gave Nadir a thankful look. He and the Persian had become good friends quickly and Erik looked forward to his visits all the time.
"There, that is my Emma," he murmured, pressing a kiss to her mouth. Emma sighed and gave a small, tired smile. Erik knew something was on her mind but as of yet she had not shared it with him or even Nadir apparently and it was beginning to worry him. Since he had been there Emma had always shared everything with him, why was she not now? He had turned seven a few days prior and Emma had taken him out into Paris and she had bought him anything he wanted for his special day. But he had loved just spending time with her. It was a day he would always cherish.
They had spent this particular day with Nadir and Erik had had fun, even if Emma was upset for some unknown reason. But as Nadir told both of them farewell for the evening Erik told himself that he was going to figure out what was wrong. She had to tell him. She was his elder sister; siblings shared things with one another. When Nadir had left the room Emma got up and began walking towards her room. Erik ran to catch up. Emma glanced at him and gave him a small smile, affectionately patting his head. Erik continued to look, not saying a word, knowing that his eyes often told everything he wished to say.
"I am fine, Erik, I promise," Emma assured him. Erik frowned, knowing she was lying to him.
"Would you like to go for a ride later?" she asked clearly changing the subject. Erik slipped his hand into hers as they continued walking down the long hall. Emma sighed, obviously fighting her own demons on whatever was bothering her.
"You have every right to know, Erik," she whispered. Erik did not know if he liked her tone. Was whatever she had to say really that bad? She led him to her room and shut the door behind them. Erik frowned but said nothing. She told him to sit on the bed and she sat down next to him. Emma took a deep breath and was silent for several long moments. Erik took her hand once again and gently squeezed it. Emma smiled.
"Erik...do you know when two people love each other very much...that things can sometimes happen?" Emma asked. Erik slowly nodded, not really knowing where this was going to lead. Emma's hand had begun to tremble. A tear fell from Emma's eyes and Erik reached up and with his tiny little hand wiped it away. Emma gave a sob and wrapped her arms around Erik, pulling him closer.
"I love, Nadir, Erik," she whispered into his hair. Erik pushed himself closer to her.
"I know," he whispered. She pulled away only to look into his eyes.
"How do you know?" she wondered. Erik smiled and shrugged.
"The way the two of you act with each other," he answered. Emma shook her head and pressed a kiss to his temple.
"You are far to smart for your age," she told him. Erik smiled again and said nothing for a moment.
"But if you love Nadir why are you so upset?" he wondered. She took his hand and laid it on her abdomen. Erik's eyes met hers. He knew all to well what it was she was going to tell him.
"I am going to have a baby, Erik," Emma whispered. Her smile was happy but her eyes were sad.
"Nadir's baby," Erik whispered. Now Erik realized why Emma was so upset, and it was not the fact that she was having a child. Knowing Emma she had to be thrilled about becoming a mother. But being a woman in her position of nobility the scandal of her being pregnant would be everywhere in Paris. She was not married and yet she was having a bastard. Her father and brothers would kill her if they found out and Erik was suddenly worried about Emma and the baby.
"Does Nadir know?" Erik asked. Emma shook her head and bit her lip. She wanted to tell him so badly but she was so afraid of what he might think. When they had made love for the first time she had known that it was the right time with the right man but she had not thought about the consequences.
"He is not going to find out," Michael said, his voice booming in the silent room. Both Emma and Erik turned in terror to see him standing there, the key to Emma's room in his hand. Emma had paled and she unconsciously put a hand to her stomach in a gesture of protection.
"What?" Emma whispered.
"You are not to tell Monsieur Khan about this baby, Emma," he said, his voice harsh and unrelenting.
"But why? He is the father!"