"I knew he would not be able to stay," Gustave whispered, looking out the window. Sienna looked down at the floor for a moment when she came into the room to find Anthony's father there. Of course there was no way that she would be able to sleep because it had been a couple of days since Anthony had left. This night was the first that Sienna had managed to leave her room and it was the first time she had seen Gustave since her lovers escape. He continued to stare out the window, his back to her. Sienna decided to seat herself and once she was settled she looked down at her folded hands. She had desperately needed to talk to someone and Gustave was the only one around.
"I am glad that my son has found a woman like you, Sienna," he murmured. Sienna smiled and whispered a thank you. She noticed that Gustave never mentioned the fact that Anthony was not his son, because she knew that he loved Anthony just like any father would and she was thankful that Anthony had a man like that in his life, even when it had been so devastating to him when he found out that Nadir was his real father, a man he hardly even knew.
"I am grateful that both of my children were blessed with love, I have no doubt that you will make my son happy, Mademoiselle," Gustave said, finally turning to look at the young woman sitting in front of him. Anthony had been given a gift to be born with his good looks and intelligence. He had never wanted for anything in his life except for a woman he could love more than himself. Gustave had no doubt that this was the woman for him. She was one of the most beautiful women he had ever seen and he watched the way the two of them acted with each other, it truly was love, something not found very much it seemed.
"I miss him," Sienna whispered, ashamed of her selfishness. Anthony was doing what he had to do and she should support him completely, not want him home when it was obviously not going to happen.
"As do I, but you must understand why he is doing this," Gustave said. Sienna said nothing, she knew it was childish but she could not help but think that there must have been another way for Anthony to help his sister. He did not have to put himself in danger!
"Growing up Christine and Anthony have always been close. When Christine was born Anthony thought it was his responsibility to make sure that no harm came to her, and Christine idolized her older brother. They formed a bond at an early age and it is still there today. Anthony will never allow any harm to come to his sister," Gustave said, sitting down across from Sienna.
"But both Raoul and Erik are there to protect Christine!" Sienna said, needing to say something. Gustave sighed. He knew where she was coming from. She was frightened about losing Anthony when she had no one else in the world. Gustave had heard that she had no family left and so Anthony was really the only person in the world that she truly loved.
"I'm frightened for him," she murmured, lightly touching her abdomen without realizing that she did so. Gustave took notice immediately and cleared his throat.
"Child, I know that you and my son share a bed every night...has this caused certain circumstances that would have you even more worried about Anthony's welfare?" he wondered. Sienna met his gaze and frowned, not quite knowing what he meant. He glanced pointedly at her hand and she moved it away as if burned.
"I have no idea what you are talking about," she said, swallowing. Gustave smiled gently.
"There is nothing to be ashamed of."
"I am not ashamed!" Sienna retorted.
"Does Anthony know?" he wondered. Sienna looked away and slowly closed her eyes. She had not expected Gustave to be the first person to find out but there was really little she could do about it now that she had given it away.
"No...I had planned on telling him that morning but...I never was given the chance," she whispered. Becoming pregnant was the answer to every prayer that she had ever had in her recently lonely life and now that she had Anthony and their baby she knew that she would never be alone. That was why he had to come back to her. She could not bare it if anything happened to him when he did not know that she was carrying his child
The sound of breaking glass echoed for several moments after the window had actually been broken. The moonlight, thankfully, was rather bright and as Erik sat crouched at the window he could clearly make out the silhouettes of the men riding towards the house. He knew Raoul and Anthony had already positioned themselves and were waiting for Erik's first shot. It was still very dark and Erik knew very well that he could miss but they needed to eliminate some of the men so that they would have a better chance of winning this. The gunshot echoed in the still night air and one man fell off of his horse, never to get up again.
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Meg began to sob when the gunshot went off and they heard the men on horseback shouting at each other among the noises that the horses were making in their fright. Antoinette wrapped her arms around her daughter and pulled her against her, closing her eyes as Meg covered her ears and began whispering that Raoul was going to be alright. Antoinette soon had tears in her eyes as well. Christine's entire body had tensed up as had Nadir's. Christine could see in the Persian's eyes the need to go and help, because she knew that he had to feel useless where he was. He glanced at her and saw her staring and he quickly looked away, not wanting to see that look in the young woman's eyes. Of course he felt guilty for staying where he was, but he had to protect Christine because he knew she was as unpredictable as a storm and she might just be foolish enough to think that she might be of some use to Erik.
"They are going to need our help, Nadir, I have no doubt of that," Christine said softly. The Persian said nothing; he was not going to allow himself to be swayed. They needed to stay where they were.
"You see how many men are out there, there is no way they will make it without our help!" Christine insisted. Meg whimpered at her statement and buried her face against her mother's chest. Christine sighed in agitation. She could not be like these women, she had to help the men somehow, she could not just sit there and do nothing!
"He put your life and your child's in my hands, I will not let anything happen to you," Nadir said, unmoving.
"And if he dies?" Christine asked, forcing down the sobs because she had to make Nadir change his mind. The Persian said nothing for a moment because he did not like to think about that.
"He will not, Christine, and you would be wise not to talk about such things," he replied after a moment.
"We need to help them."
"No."
"You do not understand-"
"I understand perfectly."
"No, you understand nothing!"
Nadir, Antoinette, and Meg all froze when Christine pulled a pistol from beneath her cloak not hesitating when she pointed it at Nadir. The Persian was looking at the woman before him in disbelief.
"I refuse to lose him again," she whispered. She had not wanted to do this, but Nadir had left her little choice.
"Think about what you are doing, Christine, you can get yourself killed or Erik!" Nadir pleaded, needing her to see reason.
"I thought long enough about what I am doing, and I cannot just sit around here and do nothing! If he dies it will be my fault for not helping him when I had the chance!" Christine said. She had the element of surprise against Michael and his men, and she could use that to her advantage.
"You will not shoot me, Christine," Nadir said softly, taking a step toward her.
"Stop moving, Nadir, I am warning only once. My love for Erik will give me the courage to do anything to make sure he is safe," Christine said. Nadir ignored her, taking another step. Everyone jumped when she shot the pistol mere inches from Nadir's feet, causing the man to stumble back.
"Next time I will hit my target," she warned. "Now you can either join me or you will stay here. Make your choice."
Nadir knew she had given him little choice and he knew she was only doing this out of love for her husband. He just hoped that neither of them regretted it in the end.
"I will join you," he whispered. Christine nodded, fighting back tears. She had to be strong.
"Then when everything is clear, we will make our way to the cottage.".