Forsake
Night had descended upon them. The once dull warmth in her stomach had turned cold; not an uncomfortable sensation, but and odd one. He was a mere hairsbreadth away, a draft swept past them, his body emitted a warmth that gave comfort and calm as the carved Greek gods stared down at with a fire in those stone eyes.
The reflection of lighted candles danced around the small black gondola, wavering and sparkling in the crystal clear water. How many times had the traveled this path in pure ecstasy? How many more times should they? Would they? As shiver pulsed through her as she craned her neck to look at the shadowed man behind her.
No, she thought as his blue eyes, glowing in the yellow candlelight, swept down to caress he face. No, I'll never let this end. He began to hum softly, she felt her eyelids slip closed. The dark and nameless melody wove around and through her, releasing her human bonds so she could soar with eagles in time with the music in the night.
The gondola jarred into land, shifting her from music to reality. Hands grasped the sides as the man clad in black stepped out, rocking the boat slightly. He she his cloak and extended a hand, helping her out and leading her through his home. Wine red tapestries edged with golden thread covered stone walls, burning candles surround them in euphoric light, the white mask on the right side of his face contrasted sharply with his black hair and dark clothes.
He led her to a room similar to an office, a desk sat in the right hand corner, covered with important looking papers and documents. Leather bound books with foreign titles were strewn about, two red velvet chairs strategically placed in the middle of the room. He sat her in one and knelt at her feet.
"Christine," he murmured. "I have something to tell—or rather, ask—you."
Christine smiled and nodded, not doubting she would say yes to anything her beloved teacher and angel would ask of her.
"Well," Erik—for that is who he is—returned the smile faintly. "I must go away for awhile," he paused to watch as he face fell and some of the light left from her sweet Autumnal eyes. "But I wish to ask you something."
She tilted her head in a questioning gesture, chestnut curls chasing themselves over her shoulder. He fought the urge to brush them away.
"I was hoping you would come with me," the lighting of her face was so beautiful he was sure he could die quite happily then and there.
"Where will you go? When will we come back?" she asked as thousands of more questions burned in her mind. He smiled sadly.
"Anywhere you wish, but" his seraphic voice turned grave, "we will not be coming back." He stood, slipping two gloved fingers under her chin and tilting it upwards. "This is your choice, Christine. Will you come with your master and forsake this life or stay behind and lose me forever?"
She shivered and either prospect, to stand by his side for eternity would be a dream come true. But could she leave the only home she knew; the Opera House? Could she look away from the garish light of day and plunge into the darkness blindly? Could she give into the dark temptations of her dreams and his music?
She closed her eyes. But how could she not? To leave her home was nothing compared to losing their endless passion. Two voices, in one combined. She took a shuddering breath and when she opened her eyes, she was staring into his endless skies.
"I'll go."
~This is the End~
