For the next few weeks, I visited the Phantom and he taught me more and more on his piano, and once tried to get me to sing, which was out of the question. With each visit, we began to learn more and more about each other. His lair was less a lair and more a place of refuge from the nightmare that was Carlotta. The weeks grew longer and longer as I was pulling triple duty as dancer, stagehand and seamstress and tonight was no exception. Today was probably the longest day of work I ever encountered at the opera house. My feet were blistered from the warn ballet slippers Meg let me borrow with Madame Giry promising proper fitting slippers later. My body ached from moving sets and dancing and old calluses on my hands had opened up again. If this was what hell was like, I was very glad my fate lied in the other direction; and if it didn't, my training would serve me well. I put Conner to bed and dragged myself to my room, grateful I had been given the day off.
"If I may say so my dear, you look like hell." The Phantom was waiting in my room, a concerned smile on his face. He crossed the room in stride.
"Who me? I'm fine Monsieur, really I am…" Erik shook his head. He handed me my nightgown.
"You can either change now, or wait. I didn't 'persuade' Badeaux and Leroux to give you the day off for nothing. You will rest in my care." I looked up to protest, but he simply put a gloved finger to my dry lips. "I will not take no for an answer mon cher." His eyes capturing mine in a threatening stare. Sighing, I ducked behind my divider and slipped my gown on. The softness was soothing to my skin as I came out. Erik wrapped my cloak around me, left a note for anyone looking for me, and moved the mirror for our journey.
"Monsieur I can't…" my legs quickly gave way. My arm went around Erik's neck as I fell. His arm easily reached around my waist as I fell into his chest. I could hear my heart pounding in my ears as my eyes were locked with his. Without breaking our trans, he let go of my hand and scooped me up in his arms. I wrapped my other arm around his neck as he began to descend the staircase and to the boat. He lowered me in and smiled, kissing my hand.
"Monsieur, your glove…" it was stained red. I turned my hand over to see a shallow cut. "I am so sorry…I will wash it and have it cleaned out once we arrive." He said not a word, but ferried the boat over the lake. I lowered my head and tried to keep from touching anything. The ride seemed to last longer than ever. The boat tapped the edge of his abode, our signal we had arrived. Giving him my other hand, I tried my best to help myself out of the boat. "Hand me your glove Monsieur and" but he put a finger to my mouth.
"Please, my name is Erik. You need not be so formal around me, and as for my glove, you need not trouble yourself. I have many." He gathered me in his arms and carried me to a large chamber, in my opinion it was fit for royalty. The bed was round, and had the shape of a swan. The sheets were red like crimson and black lace wrapped around the bed for minimal privacy. Erik carried me to a small couch close to the bed and set me down. It was plush and soft with silk pillows as décor. "Believe it or not, Carlotta refused this couch because it was red, not pink. So it 'disappeared' along with many other things not to her liking." I let out a soft giggle, causing him to smile.
"You little thief!" I sarcastically called him. A dark grin graced his lips.
"I prefer the term…repurposing…" He disappeared behind a divider and changed, his toned body more apparent, black pants and a white sheer shirt being his choice of comfort. I lay on couch as he walks around gathering bottles and jars with unknown contents. I watch his flawless gate march back and forth, letting it lull me to sleep. "Belle, please wake up." I stir to see him sitting beside me, his hand on my shoulder
"Yes? I'm sorry I fell asleep…"
"Hush with all these apologies. A warm bath waiting for you, please undress and soak in it for a while. I will call out when I am ready for you." I nodded my head and gave a weary smile. As I got up, I kissed his good cheek and slipped behind the divider. I peered around the corner, Erik was still sitting on the sofa, his hand on his face. Wait a minute, his he…blushing?! His head snapped toward me as I sighed; my eyes went wide and I quickly disappeared back behind the divider. The water was warm and smelled like lavender, my favorite. I rinsed away the day and washed my long hair, leaving behind many flakes of wood shavings and heavy stage makeup. He called for me to get out and dress, which I complied with. He came around the divider once I had dressed and carried me to his bed. The sheets were silk, real silk from China.
"I have never felt such softness and smoothness…they are beautiful Erik…" He smiled and kissed my hand again
"I am glad you enjoy then my dear, you shall sleep well in their comfort." He reached for my foot, which I quickly pulled away.
"What…what are you doing?" I asked, hiding my feet in my nightgown.
"Very simple, I am helping them heal, just like I will do with your hands and your back if you will allow me to do such."
"Why? They are fine…" His face gave me the same look from earlier in the evening.
"Your hand was bleeding and your feet are covered in blisters. You work too hard my dear and need to take it easy and heal your body and will not take no as an answer..." his voice almost growling at the end of his assertion. I closed my eyes and pushed my feet away from me. He gently took one and softly spread a cream on them, then rubbed it. A soft, satisfying, almost helpless sigh left my lips as he worked on them, his eyes meeting mine instantly. I blushed and looked away, trying not to be so helpless as he grinned with pride. My hands were next; he sat next to me on the bed, I moved as close as I could to him.
"Thank you Erik, for all of this…" I leaned forward and kissed his cheek. "If you don't mind, I will make myself at home on your couch." His hand tightened around my arm as I tried to rise from the bed.
"You will do no such thing, you will sleep here in my bed, I will take the couch." Too tired to argue, I lay back in his bed. He pulled the sheets around me and smiled, kissing my cheek daintily.
"Erik…?" He turned, taking his shirt off.
"Yes my dear?" a seductive yet playful grin on his face. My face became red as the sheets that covered me.
"Sleep beside me… please?" His grin became wider, almost as if he knew his plan had worked. He crawled in the bed beside me, wrapping his arms around my waist. No quicker than he whispered goodnight did I fall asleep.
