Roses

Chapter 1

Christine sighed from exhaustion. After an almost flawless performance, she needed a rest. Yawning, she went to her vanity and took off her stage makeup, trying to avoid the several vases of pink roses. She felt almost content with her performance, yet felt so disappointed. She wished her teacher was there to watch her.

"Little Lotte let her mind wander…" A lovely tenor voice sang. Christine turned her head and saw her childhood sweetheart, Raoul. She smiled, happy to see him.

"Little Lotte thought: Am I fonder of dolls…" he continued.

"Or Goblins… or shoes…" she giggled, joining in with the old nursery rhyme.

"Or of riddles. Of frocks…"

"Of chocolates."

"Father playing the violin." Christine smiled, not speaking above a whisper. The nursery rhyme, while innocent and cheerful, brought sad memories of her father.

"As we read to each other dark stories of the north." Raoul continued.

"No what I love best, Lotte said, is when I'm asleep in my bed, and the Angel of Music sings songs in my head!" They sang, giggling like the children they once were. "Father said,'When I'm in heaven, child, I will send the angel of music to you.' And he has. I have had a visit from the angel of music." Christine told him, a small secret she didn't share with anyone else.

"That's lovely," He spoke as he would a child. "Now we must go to supper, meet me back in two minutes at the carriage."

"No Raoul, the angel of music is very strict." But he left without a goodbye, leaving her alone and feeling quite naive and childish. She hated to feel that way since she was almost a grown woman now, but it was hard. Her whole childhood stolen away at seven, so it was hard to grow up.

She picked up her hand mirror, hardly believing how much she's grown. She looked into her sapphire eyes, noticing how dark they looked in the candlelight. They were her mother's eyes, as her father told her so many years ago. She looked at her father's picture, hanging on the wall. He had a deep chocolate brown eyes that were as warm as the brandy he drank.

"Insolent boy, this slave of passion. Basking in your glory." A seraphic voice sang behind the mirror."Ignorant fool this brave young suitor. Sharing in my triumph!"

Giddy to hear her teacher's voice once again, she knocked over one of the rose vases, entranced by his melodic voice. The sound was a soothing baritone, like a lullaby.

"Angel I hear you. Speak, I'll listen. Stay by my side, guide me." She sang back to him.

"Flattering child, you must know me… see why in shadow I hide. I am your face in the mirror… I AM THERE INSIDE."

She turned her head to the mirror, where she saw a tall masked man, reaching his large hand out to her. He was very handsome from what she could see. The mask hid half- no a third of his face, but all she noticed his angelic features. He had a very masculine face, a strong nose, and square face, but it was his eyes that stood out the most. They were a light blue, but his blue eyes had more darkness than any brown eyes Christine had ever seen before. He was purely angelic.

Entranced, she stepped closer to the dark-haired angel. To her, the whole situation felt whimsical. He held his hand out to her, and she gladly took it. He led her down the hidden steps, yet didn't say another word.

They continued to sing to each other. Their voices mixing seductively with one another's. He took her hand into his and led her through the mirror.

He led her down through the secret catacomb, continuing to sing to her. Christine couldn't believe where she was, that she must've been dreaming, but her heartbeat and the feeling of her Angel's leather gloves against her hands proved otherwise. She felt like she would faint at any more surprises, her legs like gelatin, and her stomach feeling like a bunch of zoo animals gone loose.

He had not only led her by horseback, but they walked downed hundreds of stairs and even rode on a beautiful gondola. Christine had declared that this was the most exciting moment of her life.

They had finally made it their destination. He helped her off the gondola and onto the tiny, makeshift beach. Christine could hardly believe her eyes when she looked where her angel had taken her.

There were hundreds of candles all around them, held by chandeliers, candelabras, string, and even old wine bottles. There was a lovely organ, along with several well-made instruments. There were rich, dark red curtains that covered most of the walls. Music sheets were scattered everywhere, along with books and quills.

Christine was so astonished by such luxury that she hardly noticed the angel walking towards her. He looked at her, amazed at her beauty, reached for her hand and kissed it softly.

"Christine… welcome."

okay, so this is the first semi-decent fanfiction I didn't immediately hate after writing it. Please review, I would love feedback.