THROUGH THE EYES OF AN ANGEL

Ever since I saw her, I knew I would love her.

So innocent, so unspoiled, so unlike any other girl I have met.

She changed very little since I last beheld her lovely face; only her beauty grew greater.

When she spoke my name, I wanted to take her into my arms; wanted to hold her until only eternity forced me to release her.

When she smiled, sunshine came pouring into my life, like the love that pours into my heart when I think of her.

I thought she loved me, as well.

Not as much, perhaps, but love grows fonder in time.

I knew she could learn to love me like I adored her, and that in the meantime, we would be perfectly happy together.

I was too much of a gentleman to tempt her with my worldly possessions; my great wealth, high position, and impeccable society.

But I still knew that no woman could resist such a situation, even if love is not at first hand.

And Christine, lovely, beautiful, perfect Christine, could happily reside under such circumstances, with me beside her.

If she would only accept me.

I thought that she would, when she smiled her angel's smile at me; when she spoke my name in her clear tones; when she glanced at me shyly.

I thought I had a chance.

But I did not know at the time, that there was another.

Perhaps he did not hold her love, as much as he held her fascination.

Even now, I look back at him then as a fearful tempter, who lured Christine to him by the sound of his voice.

The voice, I once heard, seemed full of malice, and dripping with evil.

But indeed, that was towards me.

This man, or phantom, held my beloved by her awe, and infatuation, for the mystery of his being.

But I knew that he would come to no good.

The Angel with the Golden Voice turned into the Monster with the Rotten Face- and the rotten soul.

When I recall Christine, shivering on the rooftops in my arms, terrified of this monster, I long to break out and kill him with my bare hands.

I cannot truly believe she loved him.

Her love was for a god, someone with power, someone she was in awe of, someone she loved, but powerful enough to fear.

I tried to take Christine away from this nightmare.

I did all within my power to keep her away, to marry her, to give her the life she deserved.

But her fascination for this creature held her down, kept her captive, until she was powerless to fight it.

In the end, it betrayed her, so that she followed the creature to the very brink of darkness.

And yet, I cannot help thinking that, perhaps, I am in the wrong.

Perhaps I knew all along that Christine's love for me was that of a brother.

That the love she held for this man was of a fire and passion that ours could never contain.

Possibly, she tried to tell me of this, but I was too stubborn to listen.

I was too infatuated with her, in my own way, to pay attention to her words.

And now, she is gone.

Partly it is of my own folly, pursuing them down to the devil's lair.

Had I known he would give her such an impossible choice, I might not have done so.

Then again, I might have followed her out of pride, in order to regain the possession that should have been mine; that was taken away from me.

And though I could not have her, she chose to save me!

My life over hers.

I saw the sadness in her eyes, as she looked at me before pressing her quivering lips to the phantom's.

I knew that her choice was out of force, and that she did not wish to stay with him.

My soul boiled at the thought of such a gruesome alternative.

I would rather have died than seen my darling in such torment as what was to become of her.

But I was helpless.

Just as time was out, the man returned her to me.

He did so to save Christine from the outraged mob, I am sure.

No goodness in his heart would have convinced him to do the right thing.

But as Christine and I raced off, I felt- I knew- that she left herself down there, with the monster.

Even as she halted, slowly took the simple gold band off her finger, rubbed it lovingly, I knew she could never be mine.

When she returned to give back the ring, I waited with fear in my heart; fear that she would not come back to me.

However, when she did return, the pain in her eyes forced me to see clearly for the first time.

I could not make her happy.

The monster- the man- Erik could.

For this reason, for love, I presented her to Erik, as a loving brother would to the groom.

The light shining in her eyes, her face, alive again, was enough.

I knew I had done the right thing.

Erik's face, his repulsive face, showed disbelief as Christine freely kissed him for the first time.

A kiss full of love.

One that I had hoped to claim from my Little Lotte.

But it was not to be.

Before I could slip away, Christine turned to me, and as she kissed my forehead, a small tear landed on my cheek.

Even now I cannot say whether it was hers or mine.

Erik looked at me, then bowed low. I returned it, returned myself, back to the land of light.

Oh Christine, blessed Christine, I see now what you have seen all along.

Looking through the eyes of an angel, I saw that though the outside might be blemished, the inside can be a beautiful soul, if only uncovered.

My pretty face held no difference than Erik's disfigured one, but our souls are one and the same.

Filled with more love for Christine than there are stars in the heaven.

And now, I can leave Christine with peace, for she is with her Angel at last.

A/N Chapter One in my trilogy! R&R, please! Much love, Kat!