Erik and I spend the greater part of three months in our little shack. He grew stronger and we grew closer. Even though we knew it was highly improper we still shared the same bed. He needed warmth and we both needed the comfort of knowing that some one was there for us. We had made a pack that we would do nothing and he was quite agreeable to the proposition.

“Alair, you may be my best friend but that is something I will only do with my wife, if I ever get one.” My heart broke when I heard his hopelessness. He would never see himself as anything but a monster. I was beginning to wonder what my feelings were for Erik. I liked him more than I ever had before and it grew each day. There was one thing that I hated about Erik. It was his mask. I hated that it was in the way. He would never let me see behind it and no matter how much I tried he never would let me. One night I had had it.

“Erik, we have to talk.” Erik looked up from the paper he was reading.

“About what?”

“Your mask.” I sat down on the bed and set my mouth in the thin line. I had had it with his hiding.

“No.” He said and returned to his paper. I was ready to do anything to get it off him.

“Would you take it off I kissed your cheek?” He stared at the opposite wall and the only thing that moved on him was his chest which barely rose and fell. He had never been kissed gently and I suspected he wanted it bad.

“You wouldn't.” He turned back to his paper and I walked over to him. Grabbing his chin I turned him to look at him. Our golden eyes met and I whispered,

“Why? I have seen your face the night we ran. It is okay.” I touched the mask. He flinched and pulled away.

“No matter how much I want that I doubt you could do it.” All my hatred towards the mask welled up and I had ripped from his face and before he could move planted a kiss on his left cheek. I let my lips linger on his cheek for a moment before stepping back. He was frozen in place. I held his mask in my hand and waited for him to say something. He didn't say a thing. He just lowered his hand onto the table and sobbed. I rubbed his back as he cried. I didn't know his pain but I knew he was in pain.

“Erik, I don't mind looking at you without a mask. In fact I prefer it. Just seeing your eyes is not enough. Please,” I begged. He looked up and me and tried to smile. I kissed his cheek again and wiped the tears away.

“Now, will you promise not to wear the mask around me?” He nodded and I sat down opposite him.

“Now, let me see. I have been thinking about something other than your mask. We can't stay here forever.” Erik sighed. They still had the horses from the gypsies but moving wouldn't be easy.

“Alair, we just can't pull up stakes and leave this place. It has become home for us.”

“No, Erik, the people in the village are very suspicious. We can't let ourselves be found. I know where we can go.”

“Where?” Erik raised his eyebrows hopelessly.

“My aunt wasn't my only relative.” I had told him about my past very early in our relationship so he knew exactly who I was talking about. I only wish he would tell me about his past. “My father still has family in Germany.”

“Are you saying we leave France and go to Germany?”

“Yes, I think we should move to Germany.”