April's POV:

I read the article and sighed. I was mad. I couldn't believe that my father would do that to me. I had to speak to him. I hated him. I had to tell him that. I could send him a letter but it would be so much more fun to tell him to his face. I smiled almost wickedly. I knew Erik had probably gone to his bedroom so I walked up and knocked. There was some motion and Erik stepped out. I set my mouth in a firm line and said,

“I n-need to s-speak to my f-father.” He looked surprised then said,

“How do you intend to do that? I don't have a phone. You could write him.” I shook my head.

“I h-have to t-talk to h-him f-face to f-face.” Erik smiled slightly and those red eyes flared slightly. I kinda like them. I had always like the color red.

“Of course, I have too horses. We will be there in about twenty hours.” I smiled then frowned.

“I d-don't k-know h-how to r-ride.” Erik grinned and winked at me.

“I will teach you.” I smiled back.

“I w-will p-pack s-some f-food. W-when do we l-leave?”

“In an hour.” I smiled and hurried down the hall to fix some food. I even packed enough for Erik. I knew he wouldn't eat but I did it anyway. An hour later I was standing in a stable with two massive black horses looking down at me. Erik was grooming one and one was already saddled. Raven was bound around, barking. I looked up into the eyes of one of them and shuddered. I was a little scared. Erik saddled the last one and walked over to me, leading the shorter one.

“This one is your's. Her name is Veil. Put your left foot in the stirrup and swing on.” Erik pointed to the stirrup and I gave his advise a try. Lucky for me I did it in one try. I wasn't sure but I think I liked it. Erik walked over to the other and with one move was on his back.

“Take the reins in one hand and let the other rest on the saddle horn. That will keep you in the saddle in case she spooks. Let's ride.” He spurred his gelding and my mare followed without me even thinking about it. I held that saddle horn like it was my life and tried not to fall off. I knew I was making a fool of myself and hoped Erik wasn't looking back. He did on occasion but not often. But he never even cracked a smile. I was grateful for that. I hated being laughed at. Those hours dragged on and soon every muscle was sore. Erik was a stubborn man, I had learned. In riding it was so exception. Fifteen hours later we arrived in my father's backyard. I fell off Veil and, picking myself up, managed not to look like I was in pain. I knew my father would still be up. His window faced the backyard and the light was on. I raised my voice to its highest level and shouted,

“F-father!” The window opened and my father gazed down at me. I saw him growl and he left the window. I saw him open the front door and walk out.

“I said if you ever came back I would kill you.”

“I k-know. I am h-here to s-say s-something. I k-know you w-wanted me to die on the l-lonely s-stretch of r-road. W-well, I d-didn't. I f-found a f-friend. Erik, c-come h-here.” I watched as Erik stepped slightly from the shadows. He held quite a dangerous persona and I like it right now.

“F-father, I am l-leaving f-forever. I p-plan on s-staying w-with Erik til he t-throws me out. He l-loves my p-paintings. I am s-selling t-them n-now. I am l-living a g-good l-life. He d-doesn't m-make me s-sing s-stuff I h-hate. He c-cares.” I heard Erik's breathing stop for a moment. Then I said something I had meant to say a long time ago. “I c-care a-about h-him m-more t-than I e-ever did you. He is my o-only f-friend. I c-came to s-say g-good-bye. You w-will n-never see me a-again.” I turned on my heel and walked toward Veil. I stopped when I heard Erik say,

“If you have us followed I will kill you. Hurt her again and you will not see the sunrise on another day.” I felt the treat in his tone and liked while fearing it at the same time. He mounted his horse and with a wave good-bye we galloped away from my shocked father. We rode for another hour before Erik stopped his horse and turned toward me.

“April, did you mean what you said? Am I your friend?” I could hear the disbelief in his tone. I urged Veil closer and took his hand.

“Y-yes, Erik. I m-meant it w-with all my h-heart. You are my f-friend.” I for a moment I thought I saw tears in his eyes. I rubbed his hand and he whispered,

“No one has ever said that to be before.” I smiled and did something I knew would shock him. I kissed his gloved hand.

“W-well, n-now s-some h-has.” I heard his breath stop and his muscles tense. I looked into the place where his eyes were and I saw tears falling down behind the mask. He pulled away and turn his horse. He didn't say another word to me until we were home. I had trouble walking and he held my hand, helping into the house and into my bed. I didn't even bother to undress. He turned to leave but stopped to stay,

“Thank-you. No one has ever kiss me.” Then he was gone. My heart broke for him. He was alone and afraid to be hurt.

“I w-would n-never h-hurt y-you, Erik. You are my f-friend.” I then drifted off to sleep.

Erik's POV:

She kissed my hand. I had told her the truth. No one had ever kissed me before. Any part of me. Even a kiss on the hand was enough to stop my heart. I took of the mask and looked into the mirror.

“She is perfect. You have no right to even touch her. You are a monster and a monster cannot love or be loved. Don't feel. You have lived like that for so long. Keep it that way.”