Sorry for the delay. Writer's block, a wedding, college, and a moving uncle do not do wonders for a story, nor for the brain. But on the bright side, the writer's block is gone (for now), my best friend is married to the love of her life (I was the maid of honor XD), my college schedule is amazing, and my uncle is moving close to where I live. But now that (mostly) all of that is done, I have finally come up with a new chapter for all of you. Shoutouts to XPoisonedKatanaX, enigmantic, str81994, bluebird397, AsaraSahara, StoryLovingAuthor, , and all my reviewers. A special shoutout goes to Adelaide Destler for making a cover for this story. Hope it's going well Adelaide :) Now, onward!
Chapter 29
The portcullis was closed as we reached it, blocking the way. I could see through the holes that the lair was well lit, but that was all I could see: light.
"Um, Erik?"
"Yes?" he answered.
"We seem to have a little problem."
He chuckled. "Just watch the magic."
He brought the pole down to row us on, a click reaching my ears through the water. Nothing happened. I heard an irritated growl behind me and a few more clicks, accompanied by the splashes being made by the pole. Finally, after about the seventh click, the portcullis began to moan and raise, opening our pathway.
"Magic…" I stage whispered, doing what could only be described as 'jazz hands' for special effect.
A snort emanated itself from the man behind me. "You're ruining it again."
I ignored him as I looked out to the lake, admiring how the candlelight reflected off of the water's surface. It was absolutely beautiful – almost breathtaking. What took my breath away, though, was the shore. If I thought the rose petals in my room were a lot, this doubled it. Red and white petals littered a large blanket that was laid out on the ledge above the lake. As we got closer to the shore, a delicious smell reached us, making my mouth water. Did he make dinner for us?
We docked and Erik stepped out of the boat with ease, holding out his hand to me. But as I reached for his hand, he seemed to hesitate, then he pulled his hand back. "Erik, what are you doing?" I asked him.
He backed away slowly, a mischievous look in his eye.
"I have brought you,
To the seat of sweet music's throne,
To this kingdom where all must pay homage to music,
Music…"
My jaw dropped. Is he really pulling this number? Because if so, please, dear Lord, don't let him stop… I prayed.
"You have come here,
For one purpose and one alone,
Since the moment I first heard you sing,
I have needed you with me to serve me to sing for my music,
My music…"
Infamous pause before one of the best songs ever…
"Nighttime sharpens, heightens each sensation,
Darkness stirs, and wakes imagination,
Silently the senses abandon their defenses…"
He helped me out of the boat in between verses, just like in the movie.
"Slowly, gently, night unfurls its splendor,
Grasp it, sense it, tremulous and tender,
Turn your face away from the garish light of day,
Turn your thoughts away from cold, unfeeling light,
And listen to the music of the night…"
He led me around the lair, passing the organ and the dioramas. Only difference was that I was the star of the stage, not Christine like in the film. Mandy, why are you comparing everything to that? You are awful…
"Close your eyes and surrender to your darkest dreams,
Purge your thoughts of the life you knew before,
Close your eyes, let your spirit start to soar,
And you'll live as you've never lived before…"
He pulled me into his arms, embracing me as we slowly swayed together.
"Softly, deftly, music shall caress you,
Hear it, feel it, secretly possess you,
Open up your mind, let your fantasies unwind,
In this darkness that you know you cannot fight,
The darkness of the music of the night…"
We pulled away from each other, our eyes never leaving each other's.
"Let your mind start a journey to a strange new world,
Leave all thoughts of the life you knew before,
Let your soul take you where you long to be,
Only then can you belong to me…"
He pulled me close again, my back to his chest.
"Floating, falling, sweet intoxication,
Touch me, trust me, savor each sensation,
Let the dream begin, let your darker side give in,
To the power of the music that I write,
The power of the music of the night…"
I turned to him, pressing my lips to his in a sweet kiss. It was cut short, though, as my legs gave out from under me. I didn't faint, but he caught me and walked to the blanket, laying me down on top of it. "Are you alright?"
I nodded. "Yeah, I'm fine. I guess all the practice today just got to me. I'm not tired at all, I'm just…tired."
He shook his head with a laugh. "I'm sure that makes sense…somehow."
"It does. Now I have a question. What was that delicious smell that I detected earlier?"
It turns out that he did cook us dinner, which was chicken alfredo. Needless to say, it was the best chicken alfredo I ever had. After the food was gone and the dishes were cleared, I was dead beat tired. So tired in fact, that I couldn't even get up to go to the bed. I laid amongst the rose petals and drifted off to sleep. I barely remember Erik picking me up and carrying me to the bed, singing softly as he laid me down.
"You alone can make my song take flight,
Help me make the music of the night…"
I do not own the song Music of the Night. Only Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber has that privilege...
