Chapter Ten
Masks Hide All
Belle
It was a strange road indeed we took to reach the surface, but I enjoyed it none the lest. For some strange reason the dark caverns of the underground did not frighten me as much as they had done before. The high dark ceilings seem encased with shades of black and dark blue as if they were painted on. The dripping and splashing of the water echoed like music in the lake, nature's own symphony. Erik had made special care to make sure my dress was perfect and not ruined during the journey. He even lifted me up off the ground and helped me climb into the boat so my dress would not tear at the bottom. But the best surprise was when we reached the other shore, and Erik went to fetch something. He returned with a large white horse, it's mane glistening like a light in the darkness. I gasped in surprise.
"Oh Erik, He's so beautiful." I exclaimed reaching forward to stroke his neck. The horse made a soft noise and the nuzzled his nose against my hand. "What's his name?" I asked
"He is called Cesar. He used to be a fabulous show horse used for the stage many years ago. He's being getting old now, but the opera company still keeps him around." Erik slipped his hand into mine, leaving something in my palm. I opened it and glanced down. They were sugar cubes in my hands. "Feed him those. He'll love you."
I offered my open palm to Cesar and he licked it free of the sugar cubes with a well-placed movement of his pink tongue. I gave a small laugh; it brought back memories of me and my brother Beau with his horses. I patted him on the head, pressing my forehead against his soft short hair. "He is such a kind soul." I remarked.
"Indeed he is, and very tame and obedient as well. He doesn't even need a bridle or a bit." He stood by Cesar side and outstretched a hand to me. "Well milady, your white horse awaits you." With a smile I took his hand as he helped me up onto Cesar's back. The horse gave a grunt and then a quick approving nod of his head. I looked down at Erik and thought there could be no more special moment than now. Bizarrely, it felt so near to perfect. I was on a white horse and I looked down and there was my prince standing. I felt like I was in a fairy tale childish as it was. Erik was dressed in a gold mask and a dark blue hooded cloak. He looked like a magician. He held out his hand to Cesar and the horse began to trot behind him, following. I gently stroke Cesar's neck and whispered word of encouragement into his ear. Erik led us to the surface up and down winding dark corridors. The images of the underground didn't frighten me anymore. I looked calmly at the fires of the furnaces and the dark bricks of the walls. We crossed by a well and then a large room full of props and old sets. It was indeed like a fairy tale, a false one no doubt, but as I sat there being carried by Cesar, I thought did it really matter? I was alive and being treated kinder than I had ever been before. And more importantly I had a friend to talk to, and while I could never understand Erik's pain on the same level, he was still there. We could be each other's comfort and support. I sighed knowing I could really be nothing more to him. Yes he cared and pitied me, but his heart belonged to another women, and it looked content to remain there.
But just maybe, maybe that would change. But I couldn't be completely certain so I had to keep my hopes grounded for now.
We finally reach to the point where Cesar could walk no further, so Erik led me on foot up a flight of stairs the rest of the way. We emerged from behind the mirror in the old dressing room and then made our way through the hallways of the opera. I could hear music and the sounds of voices growing louder. I tingled with anticipation. I had been to parties when my family was still wealthy but never a social gathering this big. Erik withdrew an envelope from his cloak and checked his mask. We stopped at a set of large double doors where the sound was coming from. Two footmen stood outside the doors and as we approached on of them turned to Erik. "May I see your invitation monsieur?" he asked. Erik nodded and then passed the envelope to the other man. He opened the seal and examined the note inside. "Very well then, all seems to be in order." He confirmed opening one of the doors. "Enjoy the masque." I stepped through the door, Erik's arm slipped around mine into the bright light of the party room. I gasped in wonderment and delight. The great entrance hall which I had only see as empty, set in silence beauty was now full of warmth and energy. The colored costumes danced before my eyes like a magical carousel. I observed the dress of the other partygoers as Erik escorted me down the stairs. We were meet with an occasional stare or glance, but it didn't feel incriminating or harsh. I felt that I belonged, hidden behind my own mask.
"All the other couples costumes seem to match color you know. Erik why didn't you decide to wear something red?" I asked trying to make small conversation. His lips contorted into what I could only guess was a cynical smile. He gave a slight chuckle under his breath.
"I've outdone the red costume before in my past." he simply replied. We finally reached the dance floor and I watched the small string quartet lead the dancing couples in a lively polka. I watched enraptured as the dance came to a climatic ending, which was meet by applause. The faces passed before my own, either porcelain or paper. There were animals, and mythical creatures and even mask representing no more than abstract objects. Erik leaned over to whisper in my ear. "Would you like something to drink, perhaps?"
I turned around in his arm, with a beaming smile across my face. I started to pull him out onto the dance floor. "No Erik, let's just dance. I want to dance all night!" I exclaimed foolishly. I felt so alive and rather giddy. The quartet slowly moved into a beautiful waltz. I recognized the tune immediately, it was a variation of the folksong Erik and I had sung. He brought his arms around my hands and started to lead me in the dance steps. I feet felt as if there were five inches off the ground as Erik turned me about the dance floor like I was floating. I watched the other dancers who had started to slow their own steps to watch us, but I didn't mind at all. In Erik's arms I could be as graceful as a queen or delicate as a butterfly. Being with him transformed me; he had molded my outlook on life into something new and amazing. Erik reached up a hand to place with the petals of the rose I had placed in my hair. I let my head rest against his chest, the soft fabric of his jacket pressed upon my cheek. I could hear his heartbeat echoing in my eardrum, matching the waltz like the bass of the song. I glanced around again, now mostly everyone was watching us, but in delight with smiles on their faces. As we would past them, I could make out certain whispers such as "My how graceful they look" or "Such wonderful dancers they are."
Erik was the one who moved like a professional dance. Could I add the art of movement to one of his list of talent? Would Erik ever stop doing things that would amaze me? He used a set of fingers to lift up my chin to face him. "Belle are you happy here?" he asked simply. I stared at him confused for a while. Could he not see my smile? Of course I was happy, happier than I have ever been.
"With me" he added with uncertainty.
"I am." I replied firmly. The last strains of the waltz started to bring the song to a close. Erik spun me in the last twirl before it ended. We bowed to each other. Even through all the lively chatter in the room, I still felt that in that moment between me and him, gazing into each other's eyes it was dead silence. So quiet that I could hear my blood running through my ears. He then came towards me and leaned over to place a soft kiss on my face. I blushed as he did so. Pulling away he whispered. "That's all I needed to know."
I felt a tap on my shoulder and turned around to be greeted by the faces of two masked women. They both wore fine party dresses, one of gold and the other of green. Their cheeks were red and hot as if they had been giggling. The crowd started to swell around us and I was afraid of losing Erik in the mass of people.
"Oh mademoiselle, we simply has to tell you how beautiful you looked on the dance floor just now." one exclaimed.
"Yes indeed. That gown is gorgeous! Where on earth did you find such a dress?" added the other. I listened closely and then realized that I recognized the voices behind the masks. But it couldn't be, I thought I would never see them again. Carefully, I lowered my mask off my face.
"Marie? Clara?" I asked. I saw two pairs of shocked eyes staring back at me as the women in lowered their masks.
"Belle?' my sisters asked in turn.