Beauty Of Music

Chapter 23

After handing the letter off to the messenger, Erik immediately returned to his lair and made his way towards his bedchamber, hoping Catherine was there waiting for him. When he came to threshold, he stopped in his tracks and was in awe at what he saw. Catherine was still sleeping peacefully in his bed, as she slept her hair created a ring shape above her head, like a halo, her chest was moving up and down slowly as she breathed softly. To Erik she had the appearance of an angel. He approached the bed carefully and sat down beside Catherine on the right and looked at her with admiration. His minded drifted back to the events earlier and still couldn't wrap his mind around how the beautiful young woman before him, a living angel, show such kindness, compassion, and love towards someone as hideous as him. He had not felt such love from any woman since his mother was alive and together he and Catherine consummated their love in the ultimate act and couldn't help but feel honored that she had chosen him above any other man, he vowed to cherish her for ever. Without hesitating he raised his left hand towards her, slowly bringing it to Catherine's face to touch her cheek, gently. His touch made Catherine stir a little, but she did not open her eyes, Erik pulled away for a moment but then felt a compulsion to touch her again and to do more. He rested his left hand upon her cheek again then leaned forward until his lips touched her's and he kissed her lovingly for a few sweet seconds then pulled himself away. The feeling of Erik's lips upon her own stirred Catherine completely from sleep, she gave a small yawn before opening her eyes slowly. Her vision was distorted at first, she blinked a few times and once her vision cleared she smiled to see Erik looking down at her.

"Erik my love, you have returned" she spoke in a groggy voice as she pushed herself up from the bed.

"Yes Catherine. The letter is on its way to Christine and the Count. Now we just have to wait" said Erik, smiling.

"Oh, and what shall we do to pass the time?" asked Catherine, curiously.

Erik's smile changed to a smirk.

"Oh, I am sure we'll think of something" he teased with a chuckle.

He leaned forward once again and captured her lips with his.

Catherine returned the kiss, gladly, with the same passion as he was giving her. She placed her arms around Erik's neck, he didn't clench as he did before, he had now become accustomed to her touch, instead he responded by placing his arms around her waist and pulled her a little bit closer to him. They were in this position for quite some time until they had to pull away for air.

"As much as I would like us to continue what we were doing before, my love. I'm afraid we'll get distracted and miss our meeting with my sister" said Catherine, reluctantly as she lowered her arms to her side.

Erik sighed.

"You are right, my darling. And I think I know just what we can do to occupy our time for now" he said.

He rose from the bed and walked towards his writing desk. He opened the top drawer on the left, reached inside and pulled out a brown, leather bound book. He closed the drawer and walked back towards Catherine, with the book in hand.

"Do you like poetry?" he asked as he sat back down beside her.

"Yes" said Catherine with a beaming smile.

Erik gave a happy sigh.

"I thought you would. My favourite poet, William Blake. Do you know his work?" he asked, holding out the book to her.

"No" said Catherine, her cheeks colour with embarrassment.

"Oh, then you have such pleasure ahead, such bliss. This man knows my heart and he has seen God, know this book and you will know me more" said Erik, excitedly.