"Oh, Lord have mercy," Erin muttered.

"This wonderful young lady has informed me that her mother is quite talented musically," The king's eyes found Erin. Her cheeks heated, deeply tinting to a bright red. Liam gave her a quizzical look. "She says that this special iPod holds music her mother sings to. All the musician need do is listen to it then they can play it." He gestured the violinist over and passed over Erin's iPod.

Ashlynn whispered something into the King's ear. He chuckled then nodded and sat her down. She confidently sashayed passed the table toward where the harpist was seated.

"Ashlynn!" Erin whispered to her. "What are you doing?"

"Don't worry, Momma," Ashlynn grinned, waving a hand dismissively at her mother. "I got this."

The little girl centered herself, looked at the harpist and counted off.

"Uh 1...uh 2...and uh 1, 2 3... He's got the whooooooole world, in His hands... He's got the whoooooooole world, in His hands...He's got the whooooooooole world, in His hands... He's got the whole world in His haaaaaaaaands..." Ashlynn sang her heart out, popping her hips left to right as she filled the room with her sweet voice not forgetting the arm sweeping hand motions.

She continued with three verses about the little tiny babies, the wind and the rain then you and me before she finished off the song complete with jazz hands. The applause roared through the hall and Ashlynn gave an adorable curtsy before running to Erin with her arms spread wide.

"Beautiful as always, honey," Erin complemented and kissed the top of her daughter's head.

"Thanks, momma," Ashlynn beamed. "Now it's your turn."

Erin pulled back to look at her daughter and blushed deep red. "What?"

Ashlynn leaned into her mother's ear, "Music of the Night, Momma." She pointed toward Liam then scrambled off of Erin's lap giggling. "We are going to bed now! Goodnight, Mommy!"

"Goodnight," Erin muttered.

Now Liam leaned over, smirking deviously. "What was that about?"

Erin rolled her eyes, turning to answer Liam. He was so close, their lips almost touched. She blinked and leaned back but he didn't miss her eyes flicking to his lips.

"Um...Ashlynn gave the King my iPod... so I would...perform here..." She winced, bracing herself to be called up.

Now it was Liam's turn for his eyes to flick down to Erin's tempting lips. "I didn't know you sang." His voice unusually husky. Erin licked her lips and nodded slowly.

"Lady Erin," the King called to her, holding a hand out to gesture to take her turn. The musicians were coming back from listening to the song.

Erin swallowed hard, licked her lips yet again then stood, slowly walking to the spot the previous performers had been. She signaled a servant and secretly asked them to douse every other candelabra to darken the room. It was night outside by now and she knew this song needed a specific ambiance.

As the strings started the intro to the song, just as it was on the recording, Erin closed her eyes and willed her body to relax. She began singing, quietly but with intensity raising one arm for effect.

Night time sharpens, heightens each sensation

Darkness stirs and wakes imagination

Silently the senses abandon their defenses

As she sang each word, she took steps away from her centered spot, gracefully strolling toward the King, giving a friendly smirk as she headed his way. Some had turned their chairs to face her but now just followed where she went, enraptured with her as she sang and her body language assisted with telling the story.

Slowly, gently night unfurls its splendor

Grasp it, sense it tremulous and tender

Turn your face away from the garish light of day

Turn your thoughts away from cold, unfeeling light

And listen to the music of the night

Now she headed over toward Rory who was staring at her as if she was his prey. A dark glint in his eyes. Erin knew full well that Rory thought she would pick him but her mind and heart were made up long before they even made the trip here. Gently she ran her fingers through his soft, neatly styled hair as she sang the next verse, raising and extending an arm above her head as she hit the pique note, then walked away leaving Rory's mouth dry and desperately wanting more.

Close your eyes and surrender to your darkest dreams

Purge your thoughts of the life you knew before

Close your eyes, let your spirit start to soar

And you'll live as you've never lived before

Liam was fuming inside as he watched Erin walk to Rory. What game were they playing? When he saw her leave him, he watched her every step, hooked on every gorgeous note that left her mouth. Then he realized she was walking toward him at a tormentingly slow pace. She raised an arm to point at him, a sly smirk on those lovely pink lips.

Softly, deftly music shall caress you

Hear it, feel it secretly possess you

Open up your mind, let your fantasies unwind

In this darkness that you know you cannot fight

The darkness of the music of the night

Erin made it to Liam and stopped directly in front of him, meeting his eyes as if singing only for him making the message crystal clear. She hit the pique note with closed eyes and belted it out. The pitch resounding through the hall. On the last line, Erin lifted her skirt a bit so she could boldly move to straddle Liam's lap, eyes alight with determination. Everything around them faded.

Let your mind start a journey through a strange new world

Leave all thoughts of the life you knew before

Let your soul take you where you long to be

Only then can you belong to me

Sliding her hands up to Liam's shoulder, he did the bidding of the words and possessively slid his hands over her hips to settle on her waist. Erin's hands continued up to his neck then caressing up to his cheeks just in time for the deeply resounding last note of the verse. When that note ended, the strings went into the glorious interlude and Erin pressed her lips hungrily to Liam's. She staked her claim knowing that Rory was watching. The kiss wasn't to make anyone jealous but to show Liam she wasn't desiring anyone else but him.

Floating, falling sweet intoxication

Touch me, trust me, savor each sensation

Let the dream begin, let your darker side give in

To the power of the music that I write

The power of the music of the night

She broke the kiss but kept her lips close to his as she sang the last lines. Liam's hands trailed up her back as she sang, not wanting her to stop whatever magic she was weildling. Rory stood abruptly, the chair scraping along the marble then stormed angrily out of the room.

You alone can make my song take flight

Help me make the music of the night

That long last note had Liam mesmerized. He held her steady in his lap until she was done. Erin leaned down and pressed her forehead to his, a little breathless from that record breaking note. Neither of them noticed the applause. They were lost in their own moment.

"I do not want to let you go," Liam whispered, his hands staying firmly on her hips.

"Then don't," Erin whispered her reply, keeping her own hands on his shoulders, fighting the urge to explore elsewhere.

"I fear that for now...I must," Liam's eye flicked up just passed Erin causing her to look. They saw the King himself walking toward them.

"My, my, my...Lady Erin," The King grinned, extending his hand, fully expecting Erin to take it which she did. Unfortunately he gently pulled her from Liam's lap. "That was a marvelous performance. I apologize my son left before you were finished. It is his loss." He smiled at Erin the glanced at Liam. "It was a perfect ending for this evening's festivities." After kissing the back of her hand, he turned and left the room.

Erin turned back to Liam who now stood behind her, offering his hand. "The King has retired, so we can now, too," he informed, trying to hide a smirk.

"Then let's go," Erin smirked back.

With Erin's arm looped around Liam's elbow they exited the grand hall as quickly as possible. Others were also returning to their rooms but soon they were alone after a turn down a different hallway. They walked slowly, enjoying the peace and quiet until a hand reached out from an alcove, grabbing Erin.

She gasped and almost screamed but only groaned when Erin realized who it was.

"Rory!" Erin exclaimed, exasperated with these games of his. "Let go of me!" Rory stepped out from the shadows and saw Liam glowering, ready to kill.

"Erin," He sighed, ignoring his old friend and competition. "I had to see you again..."

"No, you didn't," She interrupted. "I've heard that line before! You wanted but you didn't need! I thought I made my decision quite clear. Or do you need me to spell it for you?" Erin stepped back and sought out Liam's hand. When she found it, she intertwined her fingers tightly with his.

"Just give me a chance..." He began but Erin put up a single finger.

"You are married!" Erin shouted then collected herself, sighing heavily. "So men always take 'no' to mean try harder? Well, when I say 'no', I mean NO! There was never a choice to be made!"

Rory made another move but Erin stepped back. "Liam..." She smirked. He 'hmm'd' in response, school his features to hide his growing grin. "How did Kyla hit him again?"

Liam coughed to cover a laugh before he answered. "I think it was a right hook, if I remember correctly."

Erin nodded, her eyes narrowing but never leaving Rory. "If you come near me again, I will either repeat the move or give it matching damage on the other side. I haven't quite decided yet. This...is your final warning."

As she turned to walk away, Rory reached out for Erin's free hand. She rolled her eyes, groaned and released Liam's hand to reel her left fist back then sent it forward to meet Rory's face with a loud crack.

Rory stumbled backward clutching his jaw.

"Stay. Away. From me!" Erin growled, more furious than she had been in a very long time as she stormed away, once again hand in hand with Liam.

Thank you guys for your patience.  Food poisoning is no joke.  I spent all day in bed aching.

Enjoy, vote and comment!

<3