Chapter XXXV

"Do you like it?" Raoul asked warily as he stared at Christine from across the dining table, she chewed at the cake very carefully, "I had someone go out and get it for you early this morning."

"It's very good," she commented simply and took another bite of the cake. It was sweet and yet not sickly so. It was light enough to where she was almost certain she would be able to have two more plates of it, "thank you."

"Certainly," Raoul smiled with pleasure, "does your cheek pain you?"

"No," she shook her head slowly and raised her gaze, "Nadir did a very good job."

"Yes, he is a fine doctor."

"Yes," she agreed, "should I ask someone to go fetch the salve he had for me? I expect that it will not be the last time I shall need it, what do you think?"

Raoul's hand tightened on the fork in his hand, "Christine, my father will not lay a hand on you ever again. I promise."

She narrowed her eyes, "I do not understand you Raoul," he looked up at her with confusion, "how is it that the boy I knew became this cowardly infant before me now," he winced and she felt herself taking pity but continued, "how is it that you allow yourself to be guided so easily by your most vain emotions?"

"I do not know what it is that you are referring to," Raoul chewed quietly, hoping that that comment on its own would end the conversation in its entirety. But, as he suspected, she continued.

"I do not love you, you know this," Christine searched his eyes from where she sat. He was avoiding looking at her. It was as if he feared what she would see, "I've never loved you the way you love me Raoul. I understand that it is difficult to grasp that concept, but you know it is the truth."

"You will come to love me Christine," he stated and looked up at her, "if you can care for your guardian there is no reason why you cannot love me."

She smirked, "there was a point in time when I feared that. When I feared that I would come to love you. I felt in my heart that it would be a betrayal, but I realize that that will never happen, you are too selfish."

He glared at her, "selfish? And what of him? Keeping you locked up like a bird."

"You can see it as that," she shrugged, no longer caring to debate that topic with him, "but I did not feel as if thought I was caged. At least not until you began to fill my heads with ridiculous ideas of rebellion, I was so foolish," Christine shook her head with annoyance.

A long moment of silence passed between the two of them. Christine had the urge to lock herself up in the bedroom again but knew that there was nothing there to entertain her. Of course she could attempt to sleep, but she knew that it would not come to her.

"I only want to save you," Raoul whispered, very slowly and very quietly. Her eyes snapped up to him, his hands were trembling as he stood, "I cannot understand what it is that you do not understand. How do you not see how wrong it is that he keeps you on a leash. He has damaged you so much Christine and you adamantly believe that you are right. But you are so wrong," he shook his head, staring at the table as he leaned onto it with his fist, "but I will not let you rot with him."

Christine's heart gave a stutter and he looked up to her as if he had heard it.

"What would you say if Mademoiselle Meg Giry told you that her guardian does not let her have friends, and that he follows her wherever he goes, that he is a murderer and a fiend?" Christine could not utter one word in response. He smirked at her, "you would instantly tell her that she must leave him. And yet you condemn me for doing the same with you."

Raoul walked past her without saying anything else.

Christine sat there for a long time, unsure of what she should do. His hypothetical presentation weighed heavy on her mind. But even if it made sense to her why Raoul thinks she is in grave danger she could not shake her passionate thoughts for Erik away.

"Well," a feminine voice came from behind her, "I see you are doing much better."

Christine turned and noticed Jessica de Chagny behind her. She stood and gave a polite curtsy which the young woman returned, "how do you do?"

"Well, I am well," Jessica sounded slightly exhausted, and her skin was beaded with sweat, "may I take a seat?"

"Certainly," Christine murmured and took a seat cautiously, observing the stunning blonde, Jessica wiped at her forehead, "are you quite alright? You seem flushed."

Jessica smirked at her, "yes. Philippe is to blame."

Christine cocked her head to the side, "I do not understand."

Jessica stared at her with shock for a moment before bursting into a fit of laughter. Christine jumped slightly at the sudden burst of sound from the quiet woman. She couldn't help but also notice just how beautiful she was.

Jessica's hair, unlike Christine's, was wonderfully straight. It was pulled into a delicate bun at the base of her head. Her eyebrows were only slightly darker then the hair on her head and her eyes were not so much blue as much as they were green. She had a full mouth, colored pink, and her skin was fair.

Jessica recovered from her laughter and stared at Christine with humor, "truly Christine, you are confused as to my meaning?" The brunette nodded softly, Jessica looked around, "come, let us talk where there is more privacy. Your room perhaps."

Christine led her up to the second floor with wonder. This woman had such a strange air about her. At first she was dismissive, and now she wished to talk as if they were old friends. What a strange woman indeed!

Once in Christine's room Jessica shut the door and smiled as the brunette offered her a seat on the bed. She took it graciously and looked at Christine with wonder, "Philippe is to blame for my flushed countenance because he and I were making love."

Good God! Christine choked for an answer and could only nod furiously. She looked to the window nervously and then back to the blonde woman, did she just tell me that she made love previous to entering the room? What in the world-

"Have you ever made love Christine, or do you remain a virgin?" Jessica asked, she noticed Christine's blush, "that is answer enough… so you do not know the sensation of having a man's hands on you?"

Christine shook her head quickly, "no, I have never touched a man, or kissed a man." Why am I not stopping this conversation? Christine wondered, because you want to know more, another voice replied.

"Goodness," Jessica leaned back onto the bed and crossed her legs, "and you've never seen a man naked before?"

"No," she squeaked.

Jessica smiled, "it is alright Christine, I want to be friends with you if we are to be in the same family. I cannot speak to anyone about the matters of women. And I will most certainly not discuss these matters with Madame de Chagny."

"What matters?" Christine moved curiously forward.

"The matters of men and women. I admit that at first I felt apprehensive about you, you seemed mousy, and strangely alluring. But after seeing your fit I knew you and I had to speak on more friendly terms. And now I find that you are completely lost in things I assumed you had already known of."

"Like what?" Christine sat shyly beside Jessica.

"Sex, Christine," she raised brow, "do you know how it works?"

"Well I have heard things," she mumbled, I know the mechanics."

"Well the mechanics are a good place to begin. But there is more to it and simply that, there is pleasure and love and beauty, I am surprised that Madame de Chagny has not pulled you aside and spoken to you of these things. She forced me to listen to her drone on and on about how to make love pleasurable for a man. Of course she did not tell me how to make love and derive pleasure for myself. But I assume she would not know pleasure, her husband is too busy sticking his cock in other women."

"His what?" Christine stared with confusion, "what did you say?"

"Cock," Jessica grinned at her teasingly, "it is a male's manhood Christine. As a virgin you must learn to expect pain, and you will get no pleasure from your first time making love, but with time it will change and you will learn."

Christine shifted, "what should I expect?"

"It all depends on who is making love to you. I suppose if the man does not care for your needs you should expect nothing but a building pleasure and then no end. He will spill his seed and be done with it, you will lay there empty handed," Christine almost flinched at her blunt language, but she appreciated the honesty, "but if the man loves you can you can expect to come out of it looking as I did a few moments ago," she smiled at Christine whose eyes widened with understanding, and then widened more with shock, "Philippe is difficult to satiate. I imagine Raoul will be too."

"Raoul? I would never make love to Raoul-

"Unless he tries to force himself upon you," Jessica corrected immediately, "I do not imagine he will. But on his wedding night he will expect something."

Christine stood in a hurry, "no, I will not… no!"

"Christine do not panic-

"I would never lay with him!"

"Lower your voice," Jessica hissed and came to a stand, grabbing her by the shoulders and sitting her down, "I will not continue to inform you if you are going to panic at the thought." When Christine stared at her obediently she continued, "I understand your fear. I was the same way, but there is one thing I've learned about men and that is that they can be pleased without taking you."

"What can I do?" Christine pleaded, "I will not lay with that man."

Jessica stared at her with worry. She could see the fear plain in Christine's eyes. And it reminded her so much of herself that she sat beside her and took her hand in her own, "slowly you must tempt a man. They will have your attention if you grab them."

"Grab them?" Christine's eyes became horrified, "you mean… on his…"

"Yes," she nodded, "you must touch him and then free him of his confines. Once you do that gently, Christine, very gently begin to stroke him. You must be gentle and not rough, that is a very sensitive area on a man. None would like it if you did it too hard."

Christine nodded quietly.

"Now, his breathing might pick up, what you do is stroke him faster, until eventually he spills his seed. And then he will be spent for the night. It is really that simple."

"Alright." It certainly seems simple enough.

"But when it comes time for you to actually have sex you must be prepared. There will be pain as you have never taken a man, and there will be no pleasure, and if there is any it will be very little," Jessica roamed her eyes over Christine's slight frame, "I imagine that you will be very sore."

"Will it ever get better?" She whispered hoarsely, she could see her entire life suddenly splayed out before her. Raoul de Chagny beside her in a bed, touching her… she shivered.

"Yes, but you must also make certain he knows what it is that you like. You are still a virgin and it is natural that you will not know what it is that you like, but you must learn to gather pleasure for yourself. Have you ever… experimented with yourself?"

Christine shook her head, "no."

"Good Lord," Jessica sighed heavily, "well Christine, my only piece of advice to you when it comes to having sex is to take your time. And take care of yourself before the matter is done."

"What do you mean?" Christine croaked unsurely.

Jessica bit her lip and stood from the bed. She approached the dresser and fumbled around for something, when she turned she had a pair of scissors in her hand. Christine blushed, suddenly understanding her meaning, "be careful when you do it. I do not mean to sound crass, but I think that it will be more pleasurable for you if there is less between you and him."

Christine nodded.

"You might also find that there will be times when you feel… a building sensation," Jessica approached Christine cautiously, the young girl looked like she was ready to combust, "it is perfectly normal. Chase that – you might not get it again."

Christine nodded and bit her lip, "may I ask you something?"

"Of course," Jessica sat beside Christine and stared at her seriously.

"What if…" she blushed, "never mind."

"Tell me," Jessica ordered.

"What if… Raoul," she almost hissed the name out, "wishes to do something out of the ordinary. Are there things that I should know?"

Jessica cocked her head to the right, "there are certain things that men like that a woman will not find particularly enjoyable. There are men that want women to pleasure them with the mouth."

"With my mouth?" Christine spluttered, "that is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard!"

"Pzzt!" Jessica scolded her for raising her voice, "yes with the mouth," she sighed and rubbed her forehead as Christine stared at her with outrage, "they enjoy the feeling… it's like a suction. Again, if Raoul should ever ask this of you do not use your teeth. It is a very sensitive area Christine."

She nodded, "thank you for telling me of all of these things."

"I felt the urge to speak with you. I understand that our father in law is getting very impatient for grandchildren, he has been speaking to Raoul of perhaps… instigating sex with you before the marriage."

Christine shut her eyes and breathed hard, "I will not bear children."

"Then you will be forced to," Jessica explained, "they will ensure that Raoul impregnates you Christine, one night he will come here and try to persuade you."

"I would like to see him try," she spit.

Jessica sighed, "Philippe is also getting impatient."

"Do you want to bear his children?"

"Of course. Our marriage is one filled with love. But I am afraid. Child birth is painful, and often women die of complications. He is impatient, but his fear is just as great as mine if not worse."

"I do not understand," Christine frowned, "if you do have… sex, then how is it that you are not with child?"

She sighed, "we are very, very careful. That is how."

"I still do not understand," Christine stared.

"There are some methods… sometimes we do not actually have intercourse, we simply use our hands to give pleasure to one another. Or I ensure that he remove himself from inside me before he spills his seed."

Christine bit her lip nervously and nodded, "I understand."

"Jessica!" Philippe's voice rang from outside the room.

"I am with Christine darling, no need to shout!" She called back and grinned as Philippe knocked on the door.

"Come in!" Christine called and then he burst into the room energetically. Christine smiled at him as he shot her a grin.

"I have been looking for you everywhere," Philippe gently told his wife as she came forward and took his hands in hers, "I do not like it when I am unaware of where you are."

"Forgive me my love, I was simply talking to Christine," Jessica looked to Christine, "I must take my leave. It was a pleasure talking of music with you Christine, I will come visit you tomorrow."

"Certainly," Christine nodded and curtsied to them both. They left with grins on their faces.

She gave a hard sigh and moved towards the window… what a conversation.

I could never do any of those things with Raoul, she thought as she gazed out at the expanse of the land that Raoul's family owned, I would never give him a child.

Most of her thoughts revolved around what she had said about making love. About the fact that it would hurt at first, and the fact that there would be pleasure eventually but that she must chase it, or else she would never get it again.

I wonder if Erik has ever been intimate with a woman, does he even know how to? Certainly he must, he knows everything.

Then she paused and cocked her head as she remembered something, Raoul's father is sleeping with other women? Good gracious!

She covered her mouth with shock and then moved away from the window. She approached the dresser and stared at herself with interest, who could ever want me? She wondered as she stared at her face.

Christine felt that if she had any attractive feature it was her eyes. They were almond shaped, wide and blue. Crystal clear. But then the rest, in her opinion, was a disaster. Her lips were awkwardly full, and her face did not have the striking qualities that Jessica possessed. Her hair was outrageously full and curly, and her nose was not defined enough. She was a plain.

Christine stared down and noticed the scissors…

She bit her lip and then moved towards the door. She would have a bath drawn, and then she would follow Jessica's suggestions.

It was a long time before night fell. Christine did not see Jessica for the rest of the day. Thoughts of Erik invaded her senses, she felt as if though he were following her, as if his spirit was with her even when she knew very well that it was not.

That night Christine fell into bed with fearful thoughts. She was Raoul's father was getting impatient and wanted grandchildren. She locked her bedroom door so that Raoul would not be able to enter the room, but certainly he has a key, she thought with fear and buried herself into the bed sheets. She fell into a fitful rest.

Christine began to dream of Raoul. She dreamed of him waiting for her at the altar. And she would walk to him, and yet she yelled hateful words at him. And in the audience she saw Nadir, smiling at her, encouraging her. She saw Jessica whispering words to her, telling her how to please him for that night. And when she reached the alter the priest stared down at her with burning eyes. And only when she focused did she realized that they were colored amber.

Her eyes snapped open. The darkness around her was astounding. The moon did not reveal itself to her this night, and she could only lie there very still.

What a strange dream, she thought quietly, why would Nadir be in the audience? Why does my mind play tricks on me so cruelly?

Christine stiffened as she heard the sound of Raoul's door opening and closing from outside her door… her eyes widened when she heard him yawning near her door.

She stiffened and sat up as he began to jiggle the doorknob. A sob began boiling in her stomach as she clenched her hands into the sheets.

Then it clicked open. A tremble rocked through her entire body... he is here. The door clicked again as he closed it.

"Raoul?" She croaked. God help me…

…

Impatiently Erik stroked the fur of the animal in his lap. It purred and nipped at his fingers gently as he waited for the appropriate time to make his way towards the vicomte's home.

What is Christine doing? He wondered quietly, perhaps she is irritating the de Chagny's. He smirked at the thought.

When the night came Erik threw on his dark cloak and silently made his way out of his home. Nadir had described the layout of the home to him with perfect details, he could almost envision the house perfectly.

He glided through the night at a furious pace. No one would have caught sight of him even if they squinted, he kept the white mask turned away from the light, and he ensured that the hat on his head blocked out all light from his face. Thus, he became a part of the night itself.

It was not until he approached a magnificently large home that he began coming to a stop. The closer he came the harder his hands clenched.

Somewhere in there lay his blue eyed muse, waiting for him.

Erik hurried approached the Iron Gate and easily analyzed the home. It had three floors, and a stone walk way led up to the front door. He counted eleven windows on each story and noticed that there were two tower like structures at the front corners of the home.

He observed the house for a few moments, looking for any signs of movement. When he was certain that he would find none he began climbing the iron fencing around the land. His fingers grabbed on tightly to the iron posts and his movements were silent and catlike as he reached the top and then jumped down, landing quietly and without effort.

Slowly he began approaching the home.

Erik pulled out two needle like objects and crouched as he stopped before the door.

"Interesting choice," he muttered as he observed the lock, "Joseph Brahmah. We will see if it can keep me out."

It took him less than five minutes to unlock the door. And when it clicked open he almost grinned.

Erik slid inside the home and quietly locked the door. Nadir had indeed done a good job of explaining the layout to him. It was just as described. Everything inside was silent. And Christine was right, it smelled of flowers, too many flowers. Erik scowled in distaste. Everything was lavish, and the floors were too white, even in the darkness.

Wasting no more time he glided up the stairs and to the second floor. He turned a corner and observed the long hallway.

She had told him that her door was the one colored ivory. He spotted it in the center of the hall and moved down that way with ease. He listened for movement as he moved and when he came to a stop outside her door he pressed his ear to it, trying to listen.

Then Erik stiffened.

He could hear someone opening a door down the hall. He turned his head and squinted in the darkness.

Raoul de Chagny was making his way out, rubbing his eyes in a tired fashion and yawning quietly as he shuffled down the hall towards him. The masked man stiffened as Raoul cast his eyes up at him.

This is where you die boy, Erik thought as Raoul squinted at him in the dark.

He blinked furiously and then sighed, rubbing his shoulders and moving forward some more. He passed by Erik's stiffened body without comment or acknowledgement, seeing and unseeing. He released another yawn and behind making his way down the stairs.

Erik blinked with shock and looked down at his clothing.

Of course! He realized that Raoul could not have seen him in the darkness.

How oblivious! Damn him… now knocking is not an option. If he hears it would be a mess.

Erik quickly kneeled and began the task of unlocking Christine's door. Even as Raoul's footsteps faded he would not risk the man making his way back up to the room and then getting caught. No, that would not do.

Erik struggled with it for a few moments. He felt his jaw clenching in frustration. Nothing would keep him from her, and knowing that she was just beyond the door made him more anxious.

Erik struggled with it for a few more moments before he heard a sharp click. He shut his eyes hoping that no one else had heard it and then slid like ink in water through the dark and into the bedroom. Quickly he turned and shut the door quietly, but still the click sounded.

Silence fell for a few moments, before another sound came.

"Raoul?" Christine breathed.

:o

Oh crap.

No Christine, not Raoul. Not Raoul.

SO! I hope that you all enjoyed that chapter. I wanted to finally bring Christine naivety about sex to the forefront now that she is in a world that is basically revolving around her giving up a lot of things about herself and the biggest thing is that she must give Raoul children. I wanted Jessica to be the type of woman that is blunt and brutally honest. So she does not sugar coat things for Christine about what to expect from sex (at least in this society) . They live in a world where a woman gives, she does not take. And so that is what she is telling Christine basically. Especially about the kids.

So! I hope you all enjoyed that chapter. Please tell me what you think! I spent lots of time on this chapter, trying to make Christine both curious looking, and also apprehensive. So :) I hope that came across.

Review darlings! I love hearing from you all!