A/N Hey I'm here with chapter 10 I know I'm posting really fast, but people ask so I give. This shout out goes to SoulDea please enjoy chapter 10
Noria found Erik as she left the middle of the room. She smiled when she got back to him.
"That was beautiful" Erik said as he started to dance with Noria again.
"Thank you I sang it with you in mind" Noria said, as she smiled at Erik. Later when the clock struck twelve Erik took Noria back to the lair.
"That was the most fun I've ever had, thank you so much" Noria said as she took of her mask.
"Your welcome I had fun to you were so beautiful." Erik said, as he chuckling.
Noria smiled down at her mask, as Erik continued to row. She loved her mask, and though it was beautiful; but what she would never tell Erik is that she was happy to have it off. It had become itchy hot, and suffocating. Noria looked at Erik as she wondered why he wore his mask so much; didn't it ever feel that way for him? Noria thought as she stared at Erik's back.
Then she saw Erik turned to her, as he tried to help her out of the boat. Noria took his hand, but didn't meet his eyes.
"Are you tired my dear your so quite" Erik said, as he looked at Noria.
"No I'm just thinking a lot has happened tonight" Noria said, as she looked at Erik.
"Yes your right you should get some sleep, you have a early start tomorrow.
"Your right goodnight Erik" Noria said, as she let out a small yawn.
"Goodnight my dear sweet dreams" Erik said as he let go of Noria's hand.
"Thanks you to" Noria said, as she walked up stairs to the swan bed. Erik watched her go, then he walked over to the couch, and fell into the most peaceful sleep he ever had.
Noria however was finding it hard to sleep. She took her dress off, and changed into a night gown. She thought about Erik, as she climbed into bed. Tonight was so amazing, I can't belive he kissed me; I love him Noria thought as she fell asleep.
The next morning Noria walked down the stairs, as she heard Erik at his organ.
"How can you play this early?" Noria asked, as she walked down the stairs, and rubbed her eyes.
"It's 7:30 dear you should come have breakfast, before your late Erik said, as looked up from his organ.
"I don't wan to go I want to go back to bed" Noria said, as she gave Erik a sleepy smile.
"You will feel better once you eat, sit down I'll be right back." Erik said as he got up from his organ, and walked to the kitchen.
"Okay" Noria said, as she sat down at the table.
A few minutes later Erik came out of the kitchen, and could help but laugh at what he saw.
Erik looked at Noria who was slumped back in her chair. Erik walked over to Noria, and placed her plate under her nose. Then Noria ran her fingers over her plate.
"Open your eyes" Erik said, as he started to laugh again while he held Noria's plate.
"Oh fine" Noria said as she smiled, and took her plate. Then Noria stared at Erik, as he took his seat.
"Is anything wrong my dear?" Erik asked, as he looked at Noria.
"I haven't heard you laugh in a long time, Ive missed it."
"Then I'll try to laugh more often" Erik said as he smiled, and blushed ever so slightly.
After Noria finished her breakfast, she quickly got dressed and grabbed her mask from her nightstand.
"Why are you taking your mask with you?" Erik asked, as he watched Noria come down the stairs.
"I'm going to show it to Rona, I told her I'de tell her everything about the gala; but don't worry I wont tell her about you, I know how you like your privacy as she walked to the boat, but stopped when she realized that Erik wasn't following her.
"Did I say something wrong?" Noria asked, as she turned to face Erik.
"You didn't do anything wrong I did" Erik said.
"I'm sorry for forcing you to keep secrets like this" Erik said looking away.
"Erik you didn't force me to do anything, I chose it your my friend; and I want to be with you, one little secret is a small price to pay." Noria said, as she put her hand on Erik's shoulder. Erik slowly turned around, and took Noria's hand in his as he gave her a hesitant smile.
Erik, and Noria made their way through the tunnels in silence. Then they said their goodbyes when they reached the mirror. Noria stepped through the mirror, just as her dressing room door bursted open.
"Yay your here tell me everything, what did you wear who did you dance you dance with; was there food?" Rona asked, as she ran into the room.
"Rona don't do that she could have been changing, and you just ate how can you possibly want more food?" A maid asked, as she came in behind Rona.
"I'm so sorry miss I can bring you some breakfast if your hungry." The maid said, with a curtsy.
"No thank you you can go. " Noira said.
"Yes miss" The maid said, as she left the room.
Then Noria, and Rona walked over to the couch.
"What do you want to know" Noria said asked, as she sat down on the couch.
"Who did you dance with?" Rona asked, as her eyes shown with excitement.
"I danced with Julian" Noria said, as she rolled her eyes.
"Why he's so mean I know he doesn't like me" Rona muttered.
"Oh sweetheart I'm so sorry" Noria said, as she pulled Rona into a hug.
"I don't understand" Rona said, as she started to cry.
"What is it baby?" Noria asked, as she started to gently Rock Rona back and forth.
"How can someone who is so handsome be so cruel?" Rona asked, as she wiped her face with her hand.
"Well dear sometimes when people find out that, other people think they are handsome; they become mean, but that isn't right beauty fades. It's what's in here that really matters. " Noria said as she placed her hand over Rona's heart. Rona gave Noria a stiff nod then got off of the couch.
"We have to go to dance class now, Antoinette will be mad if we're late." Rona said, as she walked to the door.
"Yes your right lets go dear." Noria said, as she left the room. Later Noria went to dance, and felt the other girls eyes on her. I'm not here to be liked I have a job to, and I have Erik Noria thought as she pushed herself harder.
"That will be all ladies you may go" Madame Giry said. Noria was about to take Rona, and leave when she heard Madame Giry call her name.
"Noria may I see you for minute?" Madame Giry asked, she walked over to Noria.
"Of course did I do something wrong?" Noria asked.
"No dear you were perfect, but that's just it." Madame Giry said.
"Antoinette I don't understand what you mean" Noria said, as she gave Madame Giry a confused look.
"I'm amazed at how you can be completely love struck, and still be at top form. Any other girl would be completely out of focus. " Madame Giry said.
"Antoinette I'm not lovestr-"
"Stop" Madame Giry said, as she raised her hand in the air.
"What?" Noria asked.
"Don't lie to me because your not good at it, and I don't want to see you do it. Just answer these questions." Madame Giry said.
"Okay " Noria said, as a tight knot started form in her stomach.
"Is it Julian?" Madame Giry asked.
"Oh god no" Noria said, as she rolled her eyes.
"Good does he treat you well?" Madame Giry asked.
"Yes very" Noria said smiling.
"Good then just promise to do one thing."
"Of course what is it ?" Noria asked.
"Be careful because if you don't, your first love will destroy you." Madame Giry said, then she walked away with out another word.
Noria watched Madame Giry walk away as a cold shiver ran down her spine. Why did she say that she didn't just mean me, she meant someone else but who Noria though. Then she felt Rona tug at her skirt.
"I'm fine let's go" Noria said, as led Rona from the practice room. Later Noria made Rona, and herself lunch. Then they spent the rest of the day playing hide and seek, and hot potato. Then at last the sun started to set, and Noria took Rona back to her room.
"Time for bed now Rona you've had a long day, and we both have an early start tomorrow." Noria said as Rona changed into her night gown. Rona gave Noria a yawn, and a nod as she walked to her bed. Then she stopped, and turned as something on the couch caught her eye.
"What's this?" Rona asked, as she walked over to the couch.
"Oh that was the mask I wore to the gala isn't it pretty?" Noria asked, as she traced it's intricate designs with her finger.
"Yes it is " Rona said, as she as she slid it over the right side of her face. Noria watched Rona as she looked at herself in the mirror, the mask did look good on her; but there was something else that worried Noria. Rona liked the mask a little to much, but Noria tried to wave these feelings away as she tucked Rona in and watched her fall asleep.
Then Noria stepped through the mirror. Noria smiled as the cool air of the tunnels kissed her arms, the she felt a whoosh of cool air as Erik appeared beside her.
"Hello my dear did your day go well?" Erik asked as he took Noria's hand, and started to lead her back to the lair.
"Fine thank you how was your day?" Noria asked, as she smiled at Erik.
" My day was very productive thank you for asking, but I can tell that something is bothering you; and where is your mask?" Erik asked, as he helped Noria into the boat.
"Rona took a liking to it, and I didn't have the heart to take it from her.
"Your worried because she likes the mask?" Erik asked, as a knot of worry formed in his stomach.
"Not particularly we all have little things that we clung to when we were younger. I had a teddy bear that I carried with me until I was five; but this is different.
"How so?" Erik asked, as he started to feel more nervous by the second.
"I'm not sure maybe I'm over reacting, I've been very protective of her lately." Noria said, as she let out a sigh.
"You say that like you think it's a bad thing" Erik said .
"I don't think it's bad, just strange" Noria said, as she turned to face Erik.
"Erik I'm only nineteen, I'm to young to have these feelings." Noria said as she started to wonder, if this was the right conversation to be having with Erik.
"Noria we can't control the things we feel, they grow inside our hearts; and we feel them whether we want to or not. Do you love Rona?" Erik asked.
"Yes" Noria said.
"Do you want to protect her?" Erik asked.
"Yes" Noria said.
"Then what you feel is completely normal, you care for her as a mother would. Your very good to her, trust your instincts and you will be a great mother. Erik said, as he laid his hand on her shoulder.
"Thank you Erik I feel much better now, but I'm tired I'm going to bed now." Noria said, as she smiled at Erik.
"Of course sleep well my dear" Erik said, as he returned Noria smile.
Noria walked up stairs to the swan bed, and changed into a nightgown. She thought of Erik, she thought about how he always knew just what say; how charismatic , and handsome he was but as she climbed into bed Madame Giry's words pulsed through her head.
A/N there you have it chapter 10. It's not as long as my other chapters , I've been meaning to shorten them. Anywaya if you want more you know what to do Seeya in chapter 11 Bye