Anastasia's POV
My eyes slowly open to the sleeping visage of Erik, his chest gently rising with each breath as he peacefully sleeps. I carefully stand up and wobble down the stairs to the tub, hoping a hot bath will cure the sore muscles I gained from falling asleep on the platform. As I wash myself and soak in the hot water my mind wanders back to last night. I told him about Bella's death, he listened to my story and then took me into his arms and cradled me against his chest, his eyes were full of understanding and compassion. Oh how I long to reveal myself to him and tell him all about my story and fate, the only question is if he will try and use me for his own devices or if he will accept myself and my situation. I drain the water and dry myself off before dancing over to my wardrobe, wondering what dress I should wear today. My eyes fall on a gorgeous medieval dress made of the finest blue satin and draped in snow white lace from the neckline down past the long train of satin. I carefully tug the dress of the wardrobe, pleased at the sound of the satin and lace falling to the floor, as I lift the dress over my head and lace up the back and straighten the lace butterfly sleeves I feel like a princess.
Today is the day I reveal myself to him, I conclude mentally preparing myself for all the possible reactions my sweet Erik might have.
"Good morning my dear Anastasia. I swear to you I will do all I can to make you happy and get you out of your prison." I hear Erik's sweet baritone voice whisper close to the crystal. I quickly dash up the stairs in order to catch him before he closes the lid.
"Good morning dearest Erik. I do thank you so much for listening to me and consoling me during my time of need." I grin, reaching the platform below the dial, waiting for his reply before revealing myself to him. Erik's eyes sparkle with delight, his lips turning into a gentle smile.
"It is my pleasure Anastasia. I am glad that you are able to confide in me as I can confide in you." He sincerely grins as I begin to climb the steps leading to the opening in the dial. I pause on the step below, anxiety overcoming me as I think of what I am about to do. No Ana, be confident. You can do this. I silently tell myself.
"I too am glad you are able to confide in me. That is exactly why i am going to reveal something about me. I just ask that you keep this an absolute secret, I have never told anyone this before." I wring my hands and look up into his curious blue eyes, he brings the crystal closer to his face to better examine the watch.
"I assure you my dear, any secret shall always be kept hidden, especially if it is concerning you." I step out onto the dial...
Erik's POV
"I assure you my dear, any secret shall always be kept hidden, especially if it is concerning you." I grin, glad she is willing to share more of herself with me. My eyes scan over the face of my precious pocket watch as the back of my neck tingles with anticipation as I see movement inside the dial. My heart beats rapidly and throbs as a living angel steps out onto the dial. Her small and delicate form gracefully robed in a gown of a gorgeous midnight blue draped with fine white lace, her soft and curly chocolate brown hair flows down her back in waves, catching the light and framing her soft face, her cheeks are covered with a light pink blush as her deep green eyes stare into mine. Anastasia… she's perfect… She's an absolute dream…. My dear, dear Anastasia.
"I am sorry I hid myself from you signore, I had to be absolutely sure that I could trust you with my secret…" Her sweet voice trails off as she wrings her hands, obviously anxious about revealing herself. I suddenly understand why people would mistake my dear Anastasia and my precious pocket watch as a treasure worth more than all the jewels on this earth, I pull her closer and pinch myself to make sure this is not just a dream.
"Anastasia I do not blame you for hiding this from me. I am just glad you are able to trust me. Now that we have this settled, how about going about our day?" I inquire gently, not wanting to push her into sharing anything she doesn't want to, Anastasia relaxes and smiles at me.
"That would be delightful Erik. What is on the schedule for today?" Anastasia questions me, smiling and tilting her head to the left side so her hair gently falls in front of her shoulder as I climb out of my coffin bed and waltz over to where my clothes are all stored. I place her on my dresser with the lid facing me so I could have a glimpse of privacy while I am changing.
"First I have to discuss the matter of Christine's tutoring before returning her to the upper levels of the opera house, then I believe I will have to put the new managers of the opera into their places. After that we shall be free to talk about or work on whatever we wish to." The meticulous to do list rushing out of my mouth as I swiftly change into a normal set of black pants, a loose white shirt, and a flowing black jacket. Once I had finished changing I take Anastasia in my hands and proceed to the main area of my lair, sitting down at the large organ in the center of the room.
"That sounds perfect, I do have a question about your opera." Anastasia sits on the dial, gazing up into my eyes with curiosity. I grin and sit down at the organ, pulling out the rough score for Don Juan Triumphant, and placing it on the stand so I can begin to play and refine the coarse score.
" Feel free to ask me anything about my opera, my dear, you are the co writer." I chuckled, watching as her cheeks glow pink, her full red lips turning up into a sassy smirk.
"Well then Signore, do you have an idea of what key or what style you would like the opera to be in?" Anastasia requested of me, I obliged her by explaining the theme, plot, key, and overall tone of the music for both Don Juan and Aminta. Anastasia disappeared for a moment before reappearing with a small violin, demanding to know about any ideas for melodies and countermelodies.
We continued composing like this for what seemed like many hours. I am pulled out of this trance by spying Christine rising from the black swan bed and looking around, full of her usual curiosity. I quietly tell Anastasia to hide so Christine does not know about the secret inside my precious pocket watch. I continue to play the organ, missing the accompaniment of Anastasia's violin, why did Christine have to get up now and disturb the wonderful time with my lo….. What am I thinking. I am here to woo Christine, not Anastasia. I banish my dreams and fantasies from last night, resolving myself to the fact that Anastasia would not love me if she knew all of the deplorable things I have done.
Christine draws closer and begins to touch my back and face, I relish in the affection from my dearest Ana… Christine. Suddenly my mask is jerked off by the lying Delilah, I fling myself backwards to knock Christine onto the floor so she does not see my disfigured face.
"Damn you You little prying Pandora You little demon Is this what you wanted to see? Curse you, you little lying Delilah! You little viper! Now you cannot ever be free. Damn you! Curse you!" I scream at Christine letting her know just how angry and disappointed I am that she would dare to try to take off my mask. Christine cautiously hands me back my mask, I feel relieved at the familiar ceramic fitting to my face. I place Anastasia in my pocket and take Christine to her dressing room, making sure that she is blindfolded as we go through the winding tunnels to her mirror. I then hurry to madame Giry, handing her all the threats I had written to Carlotta, Christine's arrogant suitor, and the idiot managers.
Hello my wonderful readers! I am so sorry about being inactive for so long but I do have some exciting news for you all! I have decided to make an exclusive email for you all to contact me directly with any, comments, concerns, or requests for an upcoming story. The email is posted on my profile. Please review and let me know what you think about this new development and if you would like to recieve an email letting you know when the next update will be.