Chapter 6



Faust opened the next evening. I didn't have time to talk to Christine about last night's events. In truth, I hardly had time to dwell on them myself. We were kept busy all that day with rehearsals and fittings. It was only during our infrequent breaks that my mind wandered and my heart ached. What had I done to make him so angry? I had only tried to make him think reasonably. What if he never came back? The questions tormented me all through the day.

That evening, I waited backstage for my cue. When it was given, I walked onstage and stood beside Christine. She was playing the lead role, the self-centered Carlotta having resigned after an "unfortunate accident" involving the collapse of some scenery. Christine finished her aria, and with my heart pounding so loud I feared everyone else could hear it, I began mine. It went better than I had thought it would, and the auditorium filled with thunderous applause when I finished. As I exited the stage, I wondered if Erik had seen my performance. I hoped that he had. I wanted him to be proud of my hard work and of his accomplishment. I would never have come so far in my career if it hadn't been for him. Thinking of him brought a stab of pain to my heart.

After the performance, I decided not to go the huge party that was being held in the restaurant across the street. I needed to see if Erik would come back for our lesson tonight. I graciously accepted the flowers that were given to me as I made my way back to my room.

When I arrived, I knew that he was there. I felt his presence all around me. "Erik?" I called. There was no answer. "Erik! I know you are here. Please answer me. I'm sorry that I was so hard on you last night, but I only did it because…"

I knew instinctively that this was the right time. No matter what his response was, I had to tell him. But the words wouldn't come. I frantically searched myself for the right words. Finally, I began to sing the song that Erik had taught me.

"My love consumes me, filling my soul with delicious passion. The purpose of my life is to love you." My voice filled the room, echoing richly off of the walls. Ever so softly, another voice joined with mine. I knew that it was Erik's, and my heart leapt with joy. He loved me! His voice gained strength, and we finished the song together. We were both silent when the song was over.

Presently, I felt a hand on my shoulder. "Oh Erik! I breathed, "I love you!"

"I love you too ma belle Ange," he said, pulling me into his arms and kissing me. His kiss was gentle and yet filled with passion.

"Why didn't you tell me before?" I chided him gently. "I've loved you since the first night I met you."

"So did I," he said softly, "but I also loved her. I was so filled with conflicting emotions up until last night. When I heard those last words that you said, I was sure, but I didn't know how to tell you. I was afraid that you would reject me too."

"I wouldn't have, and I never will," I said fiercely.

"But can you really love a monster?" He asked, his voice filled with anguish, "can you spend the rest of your life in eternal darkness?"

"Erik," I said smiling slightly, "I've lived my entire life in darkness. It won't be much different for me."

He laughed softly. It was a carefree happy laugh. "I suppose you have," he said softly, "but you know what I mean. I can never live above the Opera."

I thought that one day we could, but didn't tell him of my thoughts just then. Instead I kissed him. "My home is wherever you are my love."

"But my face!" He protested. In answer to his protestation I reached up and caressed the unmasked side of his face. He flinched slightly, but didn't stop me. I moved my hand to the other side of his face, feeling the leather of the mask.

"Isn't it uncomfortable to wear that all of the time?"

"I've gotten used to it."

I slowly lifted the mask. My fingers ran gently over the deformed skin. The right side of his face was rough and had many jagged scars, but was not altogether unpleasant to my fingers. I explored further and saw that he didn't have much of a nose, only a nearly flat knob of flesh where it should have been. I also saw that the right side of his mouth curved inwardly.

During the time of my exploration, Erik didn't move. Having seen the whole right side of his face, I kissed his scarred cheek and his sunken mouth.

"You're not running away." Erik said incredulously.

"No," I said gently, "I told you I wouldn't."

He held me tightly against him, and I rested my head on his shoulder, his scarred cheek pressed against my neck. He took my face in his hands gently and kissed me. "Oh my precious love," he breathed, "surely there is a God in Heaven. Only He could have given me such a wondrous gift. I love you more than life and I will love you until my dying day."

"I love you too Erik," I said. I still couldn't believe that this was real. Surely I was dreaming. But the feelings that Erik's kiss invoked in me convinced me that it wasn't. In that one tender moment, I was completely happy.

Erik held me for a long time. It was as though we were the only two people in the world. But it was cold in my little room, and I shivered involuntarily against Erik.

"Here," he said, wrapping his cloak tight around me. "Perhaps we should go home where it's warm."

Home. The word filled me with love and happiness. Taking Erik's hand, I followed him through the mirror and below the Opera.