Chapter 10- In Which Pandora Re-Emerges
He searched the depths of her eyes for deception, for knowledge, for fear. But all that he saw was confusion. Erik grabbed her hands in his and used his skill of legerdemain to transfer the gold ring he wore to her finger, unnoticed by her.
"Darling, of course I sang to you while you slept. I am so glad you are awake. Now we can finally begin our life."
"We can begin our life." Christine echoed dumbly. "Our life. Our life. Our life?" Christine began to sob and fell into his arms. "But who are we? Who are you? Who am I? I don't remember anything. Oh God, who am I?"
Erik stroked her hair, reveling in how soft if felt, how good it smelled. She remembered nothing and he would be the one to tell her who she was.
"Christine, you don't remember your poor Erik? Your husband who loves you more than life itself?"
She looked up at him when he said this because somewhere from deep inside of her a voice was crying out, trying to warn her of...something. It was the man's name. Upon first hearing it, the name evoked a feeling of intense love. But soon she began to feel other emotions; fear, confusion and betrayal bubbled to the surface, frightening her.
But when she looked into his eyes those were drowned out by the intense love she had felt upon first hearing his name. And slowly the whole sentence began to sink in. 'My name is Christine! I have a name! And a husband!' She smiled again, then blushed when she was suddenly taken with a desire to kiss him.
"Oh Erik, I wish I could remember something, anything. But when I try all I see is black. It's as if I didn't exist before the moment I awoke."
"It's all right darling. I will help you to remember. But right now I think you need to eat. It has been some time since your last meal."
"When you mention it, I do find myself famished."
"I'll be back up in a moment with some food, my love."
When he was safely outside the room he leaned against the wall to allow for a moment to collect himself. He was afraid of this opportunity because of how delicate it was. There was no way for him to know how long her amnesia would last but perhaps it would be just long enough for him to -
"Damn it." He swore out loud then, realizing how close he was to the open door of his bedroom, he moved downstairs.
"What am I doing? This time will be no different. This is not an opportunity, it's God laughing at me, waiting to snatch her away from me again."
"But she's here. She's here. And I can't help myself. I need her."
He shook his head sadly and went to the kitchen to gather some food for her. If this plan of his did not work it would kill him. He could not survive losing her a second time. She must fall in love with him or -
"Or what, you fool? Of course she won't fall in love with you. She will hate and fear you until her dying day."
"But I have to try. I am nothing without her. She is my love, my life, my muse. I am nothing. She is my everything. Oh!" He moaned aloud with pleasure, she had been in his arms! He had stroked her hair!
He silenced himself as he pushed open the door to his bedroom. He half expected her to be gone or standing there with an accusing stare, demanding to know why he'd done this to her. But she was exactly as he'd left her and she smiled brightly when he walked in.
"Your food, my love."
"Thank you, Erik." He started to walk away and she sounded a quiet, "Oh."
"Is there something wrong?"
"It's just, I had hoped you would stay with me and tell me about my life while I ate. I felt so alone while I was dreaming."
"Of course, I am but a dog at your feet, my love. What would you like to know?" He asked as he sat on the bed beside her.
"Everything, I suppose."
"Well..." And here Erik was at a loss once more. For though he was excellent at deceit and certainly had deceived Christine herself on numerous occasions, never had he found it necessary to fictionalize a person's entire life. And he knew too that certain names and facts could trigger her memory and possibly break the spell of her amnesia (the confused recognition at mention of his name had not gone unnoticed by him). He would have to tread carefully here.
He decided to tell her all the truth he knew about her childhood, hoping to buy himself some time to come up with a story about the rest. Or perhaps put it off all together.
He told her of daddy Daae, how her father had been a great violinist and that they had traveled everywhere together. He remembered some of the stories Christine had told Raoul on the roof top when they had played at being engaged and repeated several of these "dark stories of the north" to her. He thought it best not to tell her of the angel of music, though and purposefully omitted any mention of the boy who saved her red scarf from the sea.
Christine had long ago finished eating and was laying on her side staring up at him, listening intently. She seemed to be enjoying herself and he too began to lose himself to the stories he was telling. This happy, relaxed mood caused him to forget himself.
And that is why he was completely unprepared when she interrupted him to ask, "Erik, why is your face covered with a mask?"
a/n : it had to happen sooner or later... special thanks to goodbyeybr, sayuristang, carillon and invaderoperaghost who reviewed chapter 9. most reviews for a chapter yet, yay! hope everyone is still enjoying it (: