Search for the Opera Ghost: Rewrite

XXXV.

Zuri lay on her side, half-asleep and weary from her travels. Her thoughts wandered to Erik and their argument. She wish she would have stayed with him. However, no matter what the decision, she was going to always be controlled by a man. Whether it was her father or her future husband, she would never have any choice. No matter what, she would make sure that her baby had a good life. Sleep taunted her with dreams of Erik; wild, passionate, and harsh dreams that would not leave her mind. In her dreams she could be as wild and passionate as she wanted. No matter what the situation was.

xxxx

She awoke shivering, cold from the cool air that was blowing through the doors that led to her balcony. Tiredly, she stood up and made her way to them and shut the doors gently. Half-dazed, she made her way back to her bed. "Miss me?" A familiar voice said.

"Erik?"

He grabbed her out of nowhere and pushed her up against a wall. "You have nowhere to go now Zuri. You are mine. Mine alone."

"You keep saying that."

"Maybe you need to remember it." He snapped at her.

"Maybe you should remember that I love you Erik. You drove me away." She returned as he glared into her eyes.

"Blame me for everything Zuri, I..." He was interrupted by her pressing a kiss against his lips. He pressed back as his hands took hold of her hips.

"I've been waiting to do that. Erik...if you claim to be a man then take me. I need you. I need to feel you."

Erik was startled by her comment but would not waste an opportunity to have her and make her his. "I have a few conditions Zuri. First, I want a woman. You will do what I say without any thought of it. Second, I want you to understand that I am not ever going to come after you again. Lastly, you will give birth to our child in Paris."

"You mean you want our child?"

"Yes. You should know that you..." He stopped when he saw tears falling down her cheeks. He sighed softly then carefully picked her up in his strong arms and carrying her to the bed to gently put her there. "I made a mistake Zuri. I need you to come back with me."

"I love you Erik, but what if this cannot work out between us?" Zuri questioned him as he caressed her cheek. "We are always at war with each other. I cannot stand it anymore."

"When I was angry with you Zuri, I took you against your will. I admit that I did selfishly want for you afterwards. You consumed my thoughts until I finally took you to my home beneath the opera. I stole you away to satisfy my urges and was cruel to you as well. I apologize for my behavior Zuri, but you have been difficult." He paused, her eyes attentively staring back at him. "You have fought with me since we have met. You are absolutely the most stubborn woman I have ever laid eyes on. However, something draws me to you and makes me a slave. You argue with me over the most idiotic things. I don't understand you Zuri, but I know one thing. You are mine and I have every right in the world to you."

She sat up, her hair was wild and the look on her face told him that she wanted something from him. "Erik, love me." It was a simple request that had Erik on top of her body, caressing and pressing deep kisses against her skin. Zuri threaded her fingers in Erik's hair, grasping tufts as their lips met. His tongue pressed against her lips, pushing forward for access to her mouth which she granted him. Their tongues mated as one of his hand's slid over stomach.

Eagarness and giddyness filled her body as he pulled away and gently pressed a kiss against her forehead. "Zuri, I am sick of fighting you all the time. Sweetheart you must understand me. I love you."

Tears leaked from her eyes, "Oh Erik, this is more than I could ever dream of."

xxxx

Zuri shot up in bed, sweat poured down her face as she looked around in her darkened room. Erik hadn't been there, it was only a dream. She laid back down, sighing sadly as her hand went to rub her belly. 'He should be comforting me now.' She sighed again, though this time bitterly. 'Oh Erik, why couldn't you have been happy?'

A knock interrupted her thoughts and she wondered to herself who could possibly be calling her at this time of night. Zuri stood up from her bed quickly then wrapped her robe around her body. "Yes?"

"Zuri, your future husband wishes to see you. Make yourself presentable!" Her brother, Felix, shouted through her door. Zuri warmed herself by the dwindling fire as she heard the door open and shut. Her attention on the fire as he approached her.

"Is this the way you intend to greet me harlot?!" William questioned her as she felt his hand on her cheek.

She gasped as she put her hand to her cheek. "You bastard. How dare you hit me!"

"Where the hell have you been?"

"I have been in Bordeaux visiting vineyards."

"Or so you maintain. I think you lie and you know that I will punish you."

"You are not my father." Zuri said as she glared at him.

"No," He growled as he caught her wrist and yanked her up, "but I will be your husband and you will obey me Zuri." He flung her back against the chair she was sitting on, "Do not mistake that."

With that said he left the room, her thoughts raced in her mind. She refused to be his. She refused to let any man treat her in a bad way. If only Erik would rescue her from this, but she knew that it was too late. He would never come for her now.