Chapter Seventeen

Christine dug the tips of her fingers against the dull ache lingering in her back. She caressed the area in meticulous circles. Weeks went by, and nothing helped the dull ache since her tumble down the stairs. Yesterday’s covert meeting with the physician told her all was well, despite what small amounts of blood she was passing. Still, nothing could shake free the terror of seeing that blood.

Clearing her head of the thought was difficult. She dared not tell Raoul about what Loup did, or mention her trips to the doctor, though many times she came close. It was no small feat convincing Chagny’s physician to keep silent either.

Christine and Raoul were familiar strangers in the halls of Chagny. The road they shared was rocky enough since Lyon, and his stress was hitting mountainous levels. She couldn’t bear the inevitable argument that would follow if she told him about Loup’s blackmail or what he’d done to her.

One thing she refused to do, despite the doctor’s orders, was to stay in one spot. She should be sitting somewhere with her feet up relaxing, but out in the conservatory, she knew she was safe. It was the one place not permeated by Loup.

Christine shoved the fabric samples in front of her aside too weary to choose patterns for drapery. Decorating the Vicomte’s room was called for since the nursery he was still in would be needed soon but she lacked the temper for such frivolity. The winter sun, enhanced by the floor to ceiling windows, grew soothing and hypnotic. Seated at a table and surrounded by hundreds of orchids, Christine tried to give in to the sun on her skin. She usually enjoyed this wing of her estate but right now, the conservatory caged her behind glass bars. Relaxing seemed impossible. Her mood darkened when the doors opened at the far end of the greenhouse.

“Christine,” Raoul jogged down the steps. His voice echoed along with his boots.

“Raoul, not now. I’m feeling poorly.”

He paused and slowed his steps. “I’m not happy to hear you’re unwell. Is there anything you need?” Christine waved him off. “Then we must speak.”

Her chair skidded backward as she got to her feet. She wandered up and down the rows of plants pausing every so often to inspect a delicate bloom. In truth, she was attempting to avoid him. She had been all month.

“I received a wire,” Raoul said. “Loup has found Mademoiselle Barret’s trail in the area of Dijon.”

Christine gazed steadily at the open mouth of a cymbidium. Orchids represented flawless beauty, she thought. “That is gracious news for Chagny.” She flicked her eyes out of the plant long enough to catch him lifting up a stack of fabric samples.

“What have we here?”

Christine wanted to smack the smile out of his voice but instead buried her displeasure in the quivering stem of an oncidium orchid. “I was selecting the decor for your vicomte’s room.” Refinement and wealth.

The slap of the fabrics hitting the table as Raoul slammed them down could have shattered the windows. Christine pursed her lips and kept her tongue

“How many times am I going to have to apologize, Christine? What am I supposed to think? When it comes to the Phantom, you hide your every thought. Half the time I don’t know whether or not you want me to continue tracking him or not.”

Christine ignored his implied question and returned to inspect the orchid.

“I’d love to put this manhunt aside and move on with our lives,” he said, making his way down the row of plants toward her. “But I made a promise to protect you from him. Is it so odd that the thought of you being intimate with Erik would have crept into my mind?”

“I find it disagreeable that you don’t trust me,” she snapped, ignoring the guilt hugging tight to her.

“I don’t trust him. Even I can see how the man has a strange way of seducing women. It seems that’s in Death’s nature, after all.”

Christine looked at him coolly, not appreciating the sarcasm in his tone. The look was well practiced and knocked down her husband’s arrogance.

“My accusation of you was foolish and cruel, Christine. I was acting on my insecurities and I took it out on you. I was wrong to do so and I sincerely regret what it has done. I apologize that I ever said that to you or even thought it. Will you forgive me?”

Christine didn’t want to look at him for too long lest she give herself away. He had apologized so many times that she lost count over the weeks. It wasn’t his actions that ate at her, but hers. She couldn’t risk him seeing that behind her eyes.

“Please forgive me, Christine. Your silence lately has me believing that you never will, and if I could take the words away, I would. I don’t want you to think for a second that I believe it to be true, and I do want you to know that I am doing this all to keep you safe from Erik.”

The sun intensified making Christine shift from her spot. Their eyes briefly met as she slipped behind him to head back toward the table. As always, Raoul was a perfect gentleman with his clothing pressed and brushed and the scent of his soap faintly on the air between them. Or was it the flowers? Either way, he contrasted the man of which they spoke. She stopped and plucked the large, buttery bloom of a cattelya and placed it gently in the palm of her hand. Raoul loved orchids. Cattelya’s are the symbol for many children.

“You didn’t need to protect me from Erik,” she said to the flower.

“Christine, your perspectives on that is clouded,” Raoul said sadly. “I’m tired of competing against him. This hunt has begun in earnest and won’t end until we find the Phantom. Once captured, you’ll not be able to be with him. He’ll go to prison and quite possibly be executed. The man can give you nothing, and here I am willing to give you everything, and you won’t let me.”

Christine turned her attention from the plucked bloom to the potted orchid. Doting on these plants was a passion of Raoul’s—beyond her and horses. Before she could pick another orchid, Raoul snatched the one from her grip and gestured at her with it.

“What do you want of me, Christine? Do you not want things around to remind you of me? If I can’t be all you need and desire, then I’m not a man. My vows are my word and a man’s word is what makes him. I promised you everything. I vowed to live for you. But I dread that you want Erik for reasons that are different from the path on which we started.”

Christine caressed the dark green leaves in front of her. “Are you tracking Erik for me, or out of revenge for your brother?”

“That’s not the discussion.”

“You’ll never be able to understand the connection I have with him, so there is no discussion.” If she were a bird in a cage, she would be beating against the bars until free. Why was it suddenly so hard to love Raoul?

His sad sigh twisted all the blood from her heart.

“Christine, I want to understand. If you’ll allow me that, I can love you even more.”

He approached and laid the orchid he’d grabbed on the pot beside them. Its broken petals reflected in the nearby window. Even scarred, it’s beautiful.

“Please don’t let this become a rift between us,” he implored. “I was wrong in my accusation of any infidelity, and I’ve died a thousand times thinking what that must have done to you. I have hurt you, and on my honor, I’ll never do so again.”

Tell him. He is a forgiving man. He’s like his brother that way. Admit your indiscretions as Erik suggested, and then perhaps you could escape the past. Her gaze darted around the orchids. Wealth, refinement, beauty, love, many children.

The twitch in her back made her squint in pain as his words caressed her ear.

“I know there are things he is that I can never be. I’m doing this all for you, Christine. You do want to see Erik locked away, don’t you?”

“Yes.” No.

He gazed into her eyes. “Loup’s correspondence confirmed sightings of a man traveling with Anna. From the descriptions, it can only be Erik. We have a beautiful new blessing on the way.” The sparkle in his eyes pummeled her with guilt. “I want my baby girl to grow up free from the Phantom being tangled in our lives. I die a bit every day knowing André already is surrounded by this madness. Help me understand what you need to prevent this from destroying our family.”

Christine studied the glow of the sunlight as it streamed through the window. She tried to destroy the thought of a different gleam that came from the eyes of the man of which they spoke.

Freedom to love couldn’t grow in a jealous heart. The past couldn’t be put to rest so long as the desire for two men took root in her soul—and so long as another woman stood in the way of her redressing choices.

One who is jealous is undoubtedly in love. The question on Christine’s heart was whether she was jealous of Anna, or the freedom Christine thought Anna had.

The quiet afternoons faded away into the gentle slumber of evenings with steadfast predictability. As predictable as that, was Anna spooning close against Erik in a bed made of hay instead of staying in the bed Darius provided.

Instead of reprimanding her for not accepting the comfort offered her, Erik had taken Pappy’s advice and listened to her. No words were exchanged each time she did this, but Erik thought perhaps there was something to be said for why she visited his meager bed night after night. His chest to her back gave him the most contact he had with her for a long while. Erik refused to move or breathe too hard lest he disturb the moment. Their relationship rocked heavily under the weight of all they had been through. With so much pent-up energy over it all, Erik had all but rebuilt Darius’ house, mended the barn, and reconstructed solid pens to contain the wandering sheep.

For now, Erik’s arms caged the swell of his baby. The scent of Anna’s hair intoxicated him. He longed to find her lips, even boldly explore the female body in full cry of womanhood, but knew that would bring a flash of sadness to Anna’s face. Wondering when his child would arrive entertained him for hours instead, and eased the guilt he had for all he did to damage Anna’s trust. Tonight, for the first time in a long while, his mind calmed.

The screams from the yard, however, jolted him back to reality as Darius’ voice cut through the air.

On his feet faster than a bullet from a pistol, Erik raced to the door and slid it aside with a mighty crack. Darius thundered up the road on horseback; hooves breaking through the crusty snow sent shards of hardened ice in every direction. Chickens scattered for their lives. Pulling on the reins, Darius didn’t wait for the horse to stop before dismounting. His third cry sent Pappy bolting from the house.

“Gather the horses, and your belongings,” Darius commanded.

“What’s going on?” Anna said rubbing the sleep from her eyes and as she took a spot by Erik’s side.

“Marksmen. In the village.” Darius said, his face grave.

“How many?” Erik snapped.

“Six. They were in the mercantile. Six men, twelve hounds.”

“Hounds?” Anna gasped.

Darius nodded. “English bird dogs. Endurance trackers. It is a twenty-minute ride at full gallop between here and the village center. That’s all you have.”

“Loup,” Erik snarled, his anger blazing like wildfire. The noise in his mind took firm control of his senses. He turned to Pappy. “Take the mare and the stallion and what provisions you can pack.” The old man raced passed Anna into the barn. Erik addressed Darius. “What is the best direction from here?”

“North. Follow the streambed to the river. Those dogs will still be able to track in water, but it will at least slow them down.”

Erik grabbed Anna’s shoulders. “Do as he says. I will follow when I can.”

Pappy reappeared and took her elbow, trying to drag her off, with him and the horses. Anna dodged out of his way. “Erik, you can’t stay here.”

“Go, Anna.”

“What are you going to do? I won’t lose you again, Erik. I can’t leave you!”

Erik let all his murderous hatred and tension scratch out metallic syllables. “I will do whatever is necessary to protect you and my baby.”

Pappy grabbed her again, managing to get her a few paces toward the tree line before she yanked herself free.

“I love you!” she shouted, bolting into Erik’s arms.

Such fervor from her he had never experienced before. Erik gritted his teeth wanting to respond, but the hatred swelling his veins was too steady. He prodded her toward Pappy.

“There’s lamp oil in the barn. I’ll burn the building,” Darius said anxiously. “The hounds will pick up their scent and yours quickly. The smoke will cover your trail and confuse them a while.”

“Why do that for us?” Erik demanded, watching Anna hasten off.

Darius stared at the tree line, where Pappy and Anna vanished. “You’re not that madman I knew in Persia. That man disappears when you look at that woman. I do this for her and the unborn child I’ve grown to care for. I do this for the Daroga. He has always believed in you.”

“Destroy that building, and you jeopardize your well-being,” Erik said pointedly.

“Don’t argue with me.” Darius ran toward the barn.

Erik’s darkened gaze slid to the trees that would act as either their prison or protector. Darius reappeared beside him with a lit lantern and tin of oil. The look on his face seemed to match Erik’s thoughts.

“She’ll be safe in the woods.” Darius tried to reassure Erik, but his voice betrayed his nerves. “I can’t hide her here. Not with armed men approaching. If I could keep her, I would. But I’m already an oddity. A woman with a eunuch? If perhaps I were a whole man I could.” He lowered his head in shame. “She holds the world in her heart. I’m sorry.”

Erik laid a hand on the boy’s shoulder. “You are more man than I could ever be.” The oppressive presence Erik fought day and night clawed its way to the surface. The victory he had over it for the short time he was here was hollow now. Anna couldn’t outrun foxhounds, not even with time to her advantage. “You do what you must to protect your kind, but this I will not allow. I will not have you risk your future because of my sins.”

“And I won’t have you kill for yours!”

Erik shot Darius a dangerous look, as the boy gestured toward the village center.

“The authorities can do nothing to me. They have no proof I kept you here. You must leave.”

“This farm is your life!”

“The Mademoiselle is yours! If I could keep her here as a part of my own I would, but Allah have mercy—will you just let me help you?”

They locked eyes, and surprisingly Darius didn’t back down. Erik consistently denied the presence of Samaritans. Years had been spent crafting a need to do without them, but the pressure building in his chest as he thought of Anna he couldn’t ignore. He stared at the lit lantern.

“I can never repay you,” he replied humbly.

“Promise to one day put yourself aside, and do great good, and you’ll have repaid my sacrifice.”

“You have my oath.”

“Go, before it’s too late.”

As distant barks filled the night, Erik reached his hand across the expanse between him and the eunuch. “No. If the hounds will be confused, I stay. You will need my aide to extinguish the flames. I will not see that building burned to the ground.” Erik’s hand hovered in the space between them.

Darius nodded and accepted his handshake. “I regret that time has placed this chapter in my life in such an awkward spot in yours. The Daroga is correct; yours could be a very noble life.”

The night was a welcomed friend, one that protected any who ventured out in it. However, the incoming rays of dawn couldn’t be avoided. They were the whips sending those who wished to remain hidden deeper into the unkind wilderness.

Anna wanted to shiver from the damp and cold, but she was too empty inside to do much more than stare blankly into the dying embers of the fire. She and Pappy couldn’t afford the luxury of full flame out of fear of being discovered. She quietly prayed that Darius had been saved from any injustice and that Erik was safe—somewhere. Anna rolled a thin length of silk through her hands as she stood there. Her earlier efforts at snaring a rabbit were cut short by her fear of being found and her growing inability to navigate her changing body.

“You need to sleep.”

Anna shook her thoughts clear at Pappy’s gruff voice. “I’m fine.”

She wasn’t tired she was cold. Anna didn’t want much. For all her life she’d been contented with the small things often forgotten by those who had plenty. But Darius’ humble house, his ridiculous sheep, and the scrawny chickens made her want a home and future, not a manhunt.

“I don’t care if you’re not tired,” Pappy scolded, jolting her from her pity. He rummaged in the satchel and dug out the hunting knife. “You may not be, but the baby needs you to rest. I’ll make sure no one finds this camp.”

Anna refused to move. “I won’t be able to rest until I know Erik is safe.”

“Erik can take care of himself; the baby can’t. You have to think beyond this pursuit.”

“How am I to do that, Pappy?” Anna folded her arms blocking away his glare of disapproval. “There is clearly no stopping Chagny. Not with Loup involved. Tell me how I’m to think beyond this manhunt when it devours every moment we have?”

Something snapped loudly enough to send a shockwave through Anna’s chest.

The camp fell eerily silent. Pappy held up his hand for her to be quiet but there was no need. Anna had gone still has a statue. His eyes searched the dark trees behind her, while hers did the same behind him. Whatever made that noise it was close and making the hair on the back of her neck stand on end. Another twig snapped.

Anna slammed shut her eyes. If it was a hound sniffing around, she didn’t think she’d survive seeing its beady eyes. It’s just a red deer in search of a drink.

She imperceptibly moved her head to the right but saw nothing but darkness. Threads of fear looped around her spine. It’s not Loup. He’s not here.

Something else splintered in the brush off to her right.

Anna rounded. The silk in her hand snaked through the air, hitting its mark and making a sickening tautness race up her wrist. She snapped backward and with lightning reflexes moved her other hand to grab the silk’s remaining length in preparation for the final twist and yank. But the rope grew slack. A yellow glow moved from the cover of the trees before a shadowy figure came into view.

With a deathly calm, Erik lowered his hand from the level of his eyes. He moved toward the center of the camp, untangling his arm from the silk and holding its tail up before his mask. His yellow eyes grew even larger in the darkness as he removed the Punjab lasso from his neck and tucked it out of sight.

“It is safe to say that has never happened before.” Any calm he had in that statement evaporated with the next. His next roar shook the branches of the trees above her. “Anna, never throw with your dominant hand unless you intend to kill!”

As she fought to get air into her lungs, Pappy clutched at his chest and sank against a tree.

“If I ever—ever—see you use that against another human being again; I will teach you a lesson you will never forget! I am never to discover that you have killed a man. Is that clear?”

Anna finally found her tongue. “Dear God, Erik, I am-—”

His lips crushed her words, kissing them away with a savage intensity until she sobbed and fell lax in arms. Erik was dirty, soot-covered and smelling of smoke, but his kiss had never tasted so sweet.

“I’m fine by the way,” Pappy squeaked. “Just an old man having a heart attack. Pay me no mind.”

Erik broke the kiss and rolled his gaze toward the old man. “You are a withered German goat. You are fine.”

Pappy slid up the tree. “Oh, so a mastermind such as you would be able to see into my chest right now?”

Erik returned his gaze to her, everything in his look gleaming with seduction. “If you so like, old man, I will be more than happy to provide you with that heart attack so to be alone with my Anna.”

Her chilled cheeks warmed with her blush. “Are you all right?”

“Do not be concerned for me, Anna. I heard what you said about this pursuit, yet I will not let anyone harm you.”

That was more like the Erik she knew. “Erik, you didn’t-—”

“I shed no blood.” He helped her to the bedroll and settled behind her. “The comte’s new friend stands warned. Loup should watch where he treads.”

The name marched down Anna’s spine.

“Why are you shaking, Anna? He is merely the lackey of an insolent boy; Raoul’s pathetic excuse for a marksman.”

“Loup is ruthless!” She withered in his arms and worked to cover up her blunder. “I mean, shouldn’t we be worried? He has hounds.”

“You think I cannot handle a fool such as Loup? What do you know of him?” She shook her head and lifted a shoulder doing her best to hide what she knew. “I assure you, child, do not doubt who I can and cannot handle.” His laughter trembled in the air, hovering before it fell around them. “He will meet my rope one day. He is of no concern to me.”

No concern to you perhaps.

Erik couldn’t see the color Anna felt trickling from her face. She mouthed to Pappy to keep his silence and didn’t unpin him with her eyes until he yielded with a reluctant nod. The fire left an afterglow in her vision as she closed her eyes and allowed Loup’s name to settle back into her soul.

She should she confess her sins to Erik and let him know the real truth of what bothered her. But a considerable part of her found such transparency hopeless. There would be no outrunning this pursuit now, not with Loup.

One can only outrun The Wolf for so long.

Anna pressed a thumb to her ear. Nothing helped. Once Loup’s song got stuck in her mind, the tune of Alouette Gentile Alouette tended to stay.

“What now?” Pappy asked, poking at the fire. “We can’t outrun tracking dogs.”

“We can. And we will.” Erik’s voice strained against what seemed to be a rehearsed revelation. “Nonetheless, Anna, I will end this now if this is too much for you and our baby. I will give myself to Chagny.”

A single laugh erupted from Anna’s lips. “Hypocrite! You say that no man can conquer you and yet you’d allow Chagny to do just that? Your valor is admirable but—stop. Turning yourself in would break my heart. You may think sacrificing yourself is the right thing, but when will Chagny realize their part in all this? If they’d communicate with one another maybe they’d uncover the truth of this manhunt! You turn yourself in and you’ll never see this baby. I don’t want him growing up with the stories I weave for him, or rumors he learns of a Phantom. I want him to grow up knowing his father: murderer, maestro, magician, mastermind.”

“And you blindly accept that I am all that?”

“I accepted it long ago. I’m not one to judge you by your past. I didn’t live it. Love is worth running for. And if running will be our life, then so be it.” She looked around the haphazard camp. Though giving up the hopes of a home and normal life squeezed her heart, losing Erik would make it stop beating completely. “I found all I need right here. I dare Chagny to find the same.”