Rosetta's POV:
I settle back against Erik's chest and snuggled into his arms. It had been one week since we had confessed our love for each other and he never let me go if he couldn't help it. He often said I was becoming his reason to live. He was also softening a little.
He wrapped his arms completely around me and kissed my cheek. He also couldn't keep his hands off me. He was always holding me or kissing me or something. Not that I minded though. I think it was a way for him to reassure himself I was a living breathing human, not just a figment of his own love-deprived mind.
We never talked about the mask and I never asked. I would ask one day but right now he needed to know I was there, not worry about rejection for his face. I had heard rumors of what he looked like but they were all jumbled and I never trusted such rumors. One day I would see. That was enough for now.
“Erik,” I whispered as I looked into the fire. “sing to me, please?” He chuckled and I smiled at the sound. I loved his laugh. He only laughed in my presence though. He always said he had to keep up the hard exterior.
“Very well, Rose, if you wish. What do you want me to sing?”
“Oh, anything, Angel, anything at all.” He smiled and held me closer as he began to sing.
I suppose that I look different without the robes and crown
I come this day before you with no riches, no renown
For here I am no leader, I am just a humble man
And I only ask you take me, you take me as I am
I'm not looking for perfection, I'm not offering a saint
I'm not looking for a pretty bird to put in some restraint
The only thing I want is that you love me if you can
And I only ask you take me, you take me as I am
I offer you a look inside, I offer you that trust
I need your strength to help me fight the battles that I must
I need you to remind me of the light we bear within
That there's more to life than struggle and the things we seek to win
Don't take me out of duty, don't take me out of pride
Just take me if the man you see is one you'd stand beside
I'm offering an open heart, I'm asking for your hand
And I only ask you take me, you take me as I am
You take me as I am
When he was done, I quickly wiped away the tears that were trickling down his neck. He looked down at me with love-filled eyes and kissed me before saying,
“Thank you for taking as I am. Monster though I be.” I kissed him back and whispered,
“Oh, but you are not a monster. Oh, I wish you could see the man I know. The man I see and love.” He smiled sadly and rubbed my arm gently.
“I fear I will never see. But I always enjoy your attempts to make me see.” I grinned and kissed his masked cheek before laying my head back on his chest.
Suddenly the door opened and Daroga stepped through. He knew of our relationship and everything so I didn't bother to move from my place. He smiled at me but before he could say a word, Erik snapped,
“*It is customary to knock first before entering. What the devil are you doing here at this hour? I didn't not invite you.*” He had softened with me but was just as curt with anyone else.
Daroga let his voice boom as he said,
“*This is not a social visit. I come here in my official capacity, as chief of police in this region, to arrest you for treason. You must prepare to leave at once.*” Erik laughed but Daroga gestured for him to stop. He tilted his head and looked at him curiously. I was simply very confused.
I moved from Erik's lap and stood off to one side. Erik was being arrested. I knew he was thief and a killer but treason was something I never quite accused him of. Daroga lowered his voice to a whisper and said,
“*We don't have much time. Find whatever you have of portable value and give it to me quickly.*” Erik smirked and loudly said,
“*I have been working all night on the shah's personal commission. You find me about to bathe.*” Daroga was quick to respond with,
“*You will be permitted a few minutes in which to dress.*” Erik stood from his seat and walked over to his secret hiding place where he hid his treasure trove. He had once told me he had two loves in life before he had met me. Money and power. Now, he declared he would live a poor slave to a cruel master again if he had me at his side. It was a comforting feeling to know I was loved that much.
He removed a case and handed it to Daroga. He opened it and I knew by his wide eyes that he was surprised at the amount of jewels within. Erik was a wealthy man and most of it was stolen. He had stolen for a week and I was very pleased with that.
Daroga glared at Erik and he shrugged.
“*You know my weakness for beautiful things.*” He didn't look at the jewels when he said that but at me. I blushed and he picked up his violin case and handed it to me.
“Rosetta, keep this with you. Keep it safe for me. I trust it into your care.” I nodded and held it close to my heart. Daroga walked over to the hiding place and pulled some money from it. He pored the jewels and the money into a bag and hid it under his coat.
He then reached for Erik's wrists.
“*Give me your hands. They will expect to see you bound.*” Erik's eyes darkened in anger but he relented. I knew how he hated to be bound. It brought back memories of things he didn't want to remember. I laid my hand on his arm gently and he managed to stay calm as Daroga bound his wrists.
I felt his instinct to flee but it seemed he was focusing on my gentle touch rather than the ropes on his narrow wrists.
Daroga looked at his hands and asked,
“*How did you come by such injuries?*” It was then I noticed the scars on his hands. I hadn't noticed before. I looked up at him and he said softly.
“*I broke a mirror once. A well-meaning and very misguided lady bound up my wrists and saved my life.*” I slipped my arm around his and leaned against his shoulder. Daroga asked,
“*Your mother?*” Erik gazed icily at Daroga and hissed,
“*My mother would have let me bleed to death. And who is to say she would not have been right by that?*” I rubbed his arm gently and said,
“I would. She would have been very wrong, my love.” He looked down at me and smiled.
“Only you would think that, Rose.” He lean down and kissed me lightly. I smiled up at him and held the violin case close to me.
When Daroga was done with the ropes he called his men in to take inventory of stuff in the room and we left the palace as the sun was rising. Daroag had everything planned and when his escort had disappeared around a corner, he cut Erik's bounds and said,
“Go. Hide in the caves on the coast. I will send Rosetta there in the morning. We must pretend that you escaped and left her. It is simpler.” Erik looked at me and I saw pain written in his eyes. He never liked to be away from me even for a little while. I smiled at him and said,
“Its okay, Erik. I will be fine.” He looked at Daroga and I drew my horse a little ways away to give them some time alone to talk. They didn't need to have me listening. Lord knows how many things they needed to work out and they didn't have long.
After a little while, Erik rode over to me. He took one of my hands in his and whispered,
“Oh, my love, Daroga said that he will send you with a trusted servant part of the way to the caves. You will have to be careful as it isn't a safe journey. I know you are strong though. Stay safe, for me. I couldn't live without you.” I nodded, too choked up to say anything.
He leaned over and stole one final kissed before spurring his horse and galloping away. Daroga rode over to me and we returned to his home. I was silent all that day and waited anxiously for the next day's light.
If Erik thought that he would die without me, I would certainly. Not knowing exactly where he was was going to be the death of me. I would simply have to wait and hope that he wouldn't fall foul of any dangers. I laughed at my worry though.
Erik was the most dangerous man in Persia and any trouble that would try befall him would wish it hadn't. But a woman worries. It is her nature. So, I sat by a window and waited for morning light.