The Crystal Rainbow
An Alternate Universe – Phantom of the Opera Story
Nyasia A. Maire
© 2007
DISCLAIMER: I do not hold the rights nor did I create any characters found in The Phantom of the Opera or Phantom, nor have I received monetary compensation for writing this story.
Each society clings to the security of its mythos.
But, sometimes beliefs need to change in order that the world may grow.
A Fool's Book of Wisdom
Chapter Twenty-Eight – Mythos
"Everything is so quiet. She knows! She has control of the storm within her!"
And, then his hips thrust down and hers slammed up, to join them as lovers forever.
"Damn it! Why is it that flies never seem to sleep?"
Edgar flicked his long, floppy ears in a vain attempt to dislodge the insect, which clung so tenaciously to the corner of his eye. He gave a short snort of frustration and shook his head.
"Who would think that a man that was once a king could fall so low? Yet, I know that I have no one to blame for my current abasement but me. I brought this retribution upon myself. Oh, yes! My state is an irony that shines both in its utter absurdity and in its supreme glory! It is fitting that I am an ass re-made as I acted the part in my past life. Still … it makes it all the more difficult to carry out my purpose now as I cannot easily converse with my charges."
He inhaled deeply and the scents that assaulted his large, velvety nostrils sent a pang through his body that struck straight down to his loins. The nearby fragrance of Helen's arousal and the outright odor of sexual congress wafting heavily on the gentle nighttime breeze from the cottage were almost enough to banish all cognizant thought other than lust from his mind. But, Edgar pushed his bestial urges aside as his nostrils inhaled two unfamiliar scents that drifted alongside the baser ones, two new human scents. Another thrill ran through Edgar's body, but this time the cause of his excitement was protective, not sensual. Four humans now occupied the cottage, two women and two men. Edgar easily recognized the almost overpowering odors of Erik and Christine as the two joyously engaged in a long-awaited carnal embrace, but the other pair was new to him … and at the same time all too familiar. His nostrils flared as he breathed deep and concentrated on the subtle scents of the strangers, which had taken up residence in the cottage. Edgar nickered nervously, his hind quarters twitching and his tail swishing as his mind struggled to place an identity to the couple. Understanding dawned and his eyes widened and rolled with his excitement.
"By the Goddess! Can it be? Sabratha and Cadmus are in the cottage! Oh, shit! Could I choose a worse time to interrupt? Damn it! My apologies Helen, and, you too, Nadir, but I have no choice. At least I need not disturb Erik and Christine. After all, in order that all go well this evening, those two must find their release in order for Christine's power to ripen fully. Ah, fuck it! Well, there is no getting around it. Helen and Nadir will just have to wait a little while longer."
His attention returned to the man he thought of as his best friend and to the woman whom his friend loved. His lips twisted in a grimace of regret as his eyes took in the desperate strength of their grip on one another, the frantic grinding of their bodies against each other, the deep throaty groans of Nadir and the light musical cries of Helen. As he watched, the pair began to sink to the ground, intent only on slaking their passion.
"Oh, shit! I had better do something and do it quick before things progress past the point of no return! I really have no wish to witness such an intimate moment!"
And with that thought, Edgar lifted up on his hind legs and began to slash against the stall door with his forelegs. An off-key, braying scream burst from him as he realized the barrier would not open to his current method of attack. Deciding upon an alternate means to gain his end, he turned and bucked his hind legs into the gate, which immediately disintegrated into a splintered mass. So intent upon his need to stop the frantic caresses of his friends, Edgar was only barely aware of his surroundings. He charged blindly toward the pair, his animal instincts drawn by the intoxicating perfume of Helen's arousal. At the last moment, he drew upon the last vestiges of his control, veered past the startled would-be lovers, burst through the barn door and charged out into the night.
"What the fuck?" Nadir sputtered.
"Heavenly Goddess! What ever is the matter with him?" Helen gasped.
They stared in stunned confusion at one another for a moment, both panting and then with a shake to clear his head, Nadir sighed and spoke.
"Come on! We need to catch him before he gets lost in the woods."
Helen rolled her eyes and nodded.
"Wonderful timing, Edgar." She groused.
Nadir smiled ruefully and leaned in to place a light kiss on her forehead.
"I could not agree more, mon amour."
Taking her hand in his, he led her out of the barn, calling for Edgar as he strode briskly across the yard. He paused when he heard a woman's scream and Edgar's hoarse bray.
"Mon Dieu! Now what? Come on, Helen!"
"Cadmus?"
Jacob took an involuntary step back from the vision kneeling before him on the bed. His eyes ran over the woman, taking in her mane of fire-red curls that cascaded about her body to pool about her on the bed, the delicate features of her face with its high cheek bones and bee-stung lips and the almost marble-like translucence of her skin. When his searching gaze met hers, he became blissfully lost in their hazel depths. The woman tore her eyes from his and Jacob watched as she took stock of his body. When her eyes once more met his own, her smile was both shy and seductive.
"It is good to see you again, Cadmus. You look well." She paused and a pained looked crossed her face. "You have no idea who I am, do you?"
Before Jacob could gather his wits to answer her, she turned away from him. Her movement sent her long tresses bouncing and she tossed them back over her shoulder. Jacob's mouth went dry and his reply caught in his throat as he noticed for the first time that the woman's curls were her only raiment. He cleared his throat and ran his tongue over his parched lips, but no sooner did he attempt to open his mouth to speak, when the woman began to scream. Another howl joined the woman and Jacob whipped his head around to the source of the second cry. He gaped in surprise as he saw the large head of the Persian's mule stuck through the bedroom window with its mouth open and braying at the top of its lungs. Without realizing what his body did, Jacob moved to the woman and wrapped her into a protective embrace. The woman reacted immediately to his touch, fell silent, turned and burrowed her face into his chest. Jacob shuddered. The woman's touch unlocked a hidden floodgate deep within him and released a wave of memories, which swept through his mind. Images of this woman he now held in his arms. He saw the woman lying beneath him, her hair a burning halo framing a face damp with perspiration and her eyes lit with passion. He remembered the sound of her laughter and the joy he felt knowing he caused her happiness. Another image, one of holding her hands and whispering words of love. And suddenly, he knew who she was and who he was. Jacob sighed and closed his eyes.
He opened his eyes to find he was no longer in Helen's bedroom, but walking down a long stone-lined corridor. Strangely, he felt no fear, only the strange anticipation one feels when nearing the end of a long journey. After walking a short time, he saw a tall figure walking toward him. The two men locked eyes, but said nothing. They paused for a moment before they passed each other, quietly studying the other man's face. Still in silence, they nodded a greeting and then continued walking in opposite directions along the passageway.
As the other man's footfalls faded into the distance, Jacob called out to him, "Bonne chance!"
Without turning around, Cadmus replied.
"Merci, mon ami. Merci pour tout.¹"
Jacob sighed once more, blinked and found he now lie comfortably ensconced in a bed with a feather mattress and pillows, covered with satin sheets and a delightfully warm quilt. He snuggled deeper under the bedclothes, closed his eyes and Jacob fell into a deep, dreamless slumber.
Cadmus became aware that he was no longer alone. He felt a woman's body wrapped within the protective embrace of his arms. He inhaled deeply the remembered scent of his beloved and opened his eyes.
"Sabratha? Do not fear. I am here with you." He whispered.
He pressed his lips to the top of her head, savoring the texture of the silky tresses against his mouth and allowed his hands to run over the remembered and well-loved curves of her body. His manhood awoke and swiftly rose to a throbbing hardness between them. A groan of desire escaped his lips.
She responded to the rising heat of his body with a soft gasp, her hands reached around him, clasped the taut globes of his buttocks and pulled him tightly to her. The two moaned a passionate duet as their bodies ground against one another. In a spiral of lust, the two descended to the bed, the beast at the window forgotten. A breathless Sabratha broke her lips away from the man she had almost given up hope of ever seeing again.
"Oh, Cadmus, you remember me?"
He drew back from her slightly, so he could look fully into her eyes. He smiled gently, a look, which made Sabratha's heart jump in her chest and then he carefully brushed an errant lock of her fiery curls behind her ear.
"Oui. I remember you, but everything else is … well, a bit jumbled. I believe it may take some time for me to sort through everything. I need to separate which memories belong to Jacob and those that belong to me, but, now, the memories I have of you …. Well, I remember everything about you. Oh! What is this? Tears? Sweet Sabratha, do not cry. We have found one another at last and I shall never let you go again. I swear it!"
A sound, which was half chuckle and half sob, escaped the woman's lips before the pair once again melded their lips together in a searing kiss. Their hands began a trembling exploration of each other's body and when the man's hand brushed across the hardened tip of her bare nipple, a shocked exclamation escaped from Cadmus.
"Oh my love! I forget myself! You are unclothed and I fear someone shall soon discover us because of the beast's calls of alarm. We must cover your nakedness before the entire household arrives. I refuse to share the sight of your beauty with anyone."
He lifted his head to stare into the rippling colors of her hazel eyes. His perusal suddenly interrupted by the slight crinkling of the corners of her eyes and the tinkling tone of her bell-like laughter.
"Oh, this is perfect! Just one more way that I can shock Madame Helen!" She began to tease then paused as she noticed how Cadmus' face paled at the thought of her baring her body to anyone other than him. Lifting her hand, she gently caressed his cheek. "Do not concern yourself, mon amour. I can wrap myself in the comforter, but you need to move or I will have to wrap you up in it with me."
She bit her lip to suppress a giggle at the shocked look on his face.
"Mon Dieu! I almost giggled! I cannot remember the last time I laughed, much less giggled. Ah, love, it makes fools of us all!"
"Well? Do you plan on moving any time soon?"
And this time, a small, throaty chuckle escaped her lips.
He blinked, released her and scrambled off the bed. She quickly tugged the quilt around her body just as she heard the sound of voices approaching the window. Glancing at the window, she watched just as the great gray head of the mule lifted and backed away into the night. Sabratha heard a man's voice speaking in soothing tones to the animal, but it was the woman's words, which caused her to erupt in peels of unrestrained laughter.
"Merde! Nadir! Leave Edgar the fuck alone and get your ass over here! There is a strange woman in my bed and I believe she is naked!"
The words of Robert Southey's "The Story of the Three Bears" ran unbidden through Sabratha's head.
"And when the Little, Small, Wee Bear came to look at his bed, there was the bolster in its place; and the pillow in its place upon the bolster; and upon the pillow was the little old Woman's ugly, dirty head – which was not in its place, for she had no business there. "Somebody has been lying in my bed and here she is!" said the Little, Small, Wee Bear, in his little, small, wee voice.²
And, Sabratha found herself laughing so hard that for the first time in millennia, she laughed so hard that she cried.
¹ "Merci, mon ami. Merci pour tout." – Translation: Thank you, my friend. Thank you for everything.
² "And when the Little, Small, Wee Bear came to look at his bed, there was the bolster in its place; and the pillow in its place upon the bolster; and upon the pillow was the little old Woman's ugly, dirty head – which was not in its place, for she had no business there. "Somebody has been lying in my bed and here she is!" said the Little, Small, Wee Bear, in his little, small, wee voice." – "The Story of the Three Bears" from "The Doctor" by Robert Southey, 1837.
