Ah! How ironic that she would lay her hand over his just now, when his hand was so numb that it was difficult to register anything but pressure. He wondered if his gloves kept the coldness away from hers He hoped as much. It was impossible to pull away, although he knew he should -- if only to keep her from worrying more.
Her eyes were angry when he told her that he'd been ill. Enigma had said she hadn't told anyone anything other than the fact that he was well. Perhaps the lie of that, then.... "You must understand," Erik explained patiently. "I had forbidden Enigma from bringing anyone to me. She was obeying my command."
But that didn't seem to be enough. She does not like me. Erik's frown grew deeper. True, he'd sensed jealousy between the two, and assumed it'd been the nature of sharing the stage. Perhaps he would do well to look more carefully into the matter.
Later, though. Later. He brushed her talk of seeing a doctor aside. "There's more I need to tell you, Christine. Things I need you to know. About me. About... my past. About who I was before I met you."
This would take strength. Already, all he wanted was some rest. He took a breath and leaned back in his chair. His left hand remained still under Christine's.