Emily, brush up on your knowledge of the man that is Erik, then review my story. Thanks for the reviews and tips everyone else. The song at the end is in fact a song with a melody. It is the prettiest song I have ever written. I want to share it with you and when I get a chance to record it (Most likely just my voice) I will share it with you.
"What did you do with the body?" Claire asked. They were once again in his home beneath the Opera House. Erik was sitting rather moodily on his "throne." He'd hardly said two whole sentences to her since they'd arrived. She'd been left to her own devices. Claire tread carefully around his home, occasionally glancing over her shoulder to make sure he wasn't throwing her accusing glances. There wee not many rooms. There was a bedroom, a kitchen like area, and the open area that looked out onto the lake. If there were any other passages she could not find them.
She returned to him. He had not moved at all. Erik's eyes were stuck on one spot, far off. Claire kneeled before the chair.
"Erik?" she said, touching his arm gently. There was no response. Claire lowered her eyes to the ground. She did not know what to say or how to approach this situation. Only an hour ago they'd shared something special, now he was treating her like a stranger. She stood and crossed wearily to the room she had once been forced to sleep in, giving no other choice. She sunk down onto the bed of satin and curled up into a ball. She could think of nothing else to do. She was tired and needed rest. Closing her eyes she felt her body give into sleep.
How long she had been asleep was not known to her. She was awoken suddenly by a movement beside her. An arm draped across her still frame. She felt a body press up against her own.
"Hush," she heard Erik say, his other arm was positioned just so that he could stroke her gently. Claire gulped, not daring to move against him. The last time she'd been in bed with another man her clothes had been off and her legs in the air. No man had ever held her close like this in such a loving way.
"I want to say it," Claire gently said. She felt his breathing become more labored. He stopped his gentle stroking.
"I can't hear you say that," he retorted. Claire was in a huff. She sat up without warning, Erik's arm flying back towards him.
"How am I too be with you if I can not say what is in my heart?" Claire yelled, her face contorting in anger. Her eyes were wide with pleading and her teeth clenched together in a threatening manner. Erik's mask was not removed, Claire was furious.
"How dare you lay with me and not take off your mask! Do you think so little of me?" Erik did not look at her, he looked past her. Claire suddenly felt foolish for yelling at him. He had never been in this situation before. How was he to know what was right and what was wrong? She scolded herself and tried to catch Erik's eye.
"I'm sorry," he said quietly. Claire nodded and rested her head back down on a pillow. She was now facing Erik who was still fixated on some far off object.
"Look at me," she commanded. Erik slowly turned towards her. She was again pressed up against his body. Claire removed his mask with Claire, Erik's eyes closed the whole time during this process. She stroked the deformed side of his face and then kissed the brow of his sunken eye.
"I love you," Claire uttered suddenly. Erik's eyes snapped open but he did not move.
"Please don't hate me," Claire pleaded and placed a hand on his chest. She could feel his sculpted chest through the thin material of his white shirt.
"I could not," he answered, his voice so low she could barely hear him. Claire smiled. She had begun to cry again. Erik wiped the tears from her face.
"Don't cry, my love." Claire sniffed and rested her head on his chest. She listened to the steady beat of his heart. She ached to touch him in ways he'd never been touched before, know him in a way he'd never known. He would accept, no doubt of that, but Claire could not being herself to make love to this man out of lust, only love. Claire sighed into his warmth. His arm around her once more, she had never felt more comfortable in her life.
"I love you Claire." Her ears pricked up at these words and she lifted her eyes to meet his.
"Thank you," she whispered and brought her lips to his. The kiss was long and ended to soon. He kissed her neck, and moved his way up to her jaw. His hands had started to work at her blouse. Claire knew this could not continue yet her hands were all over his body. She was melting underneath his touch once more.
"No," she said and stopped him. His eyes filled with confusion. She shook her head.
"Not tonight," she said quietly and let the passion ebb. Erik seemed disappointed but did not protest. He went back to running his fingers through her long mane.
"Sing to me Erik," Claire asked, closing her eyes. Warm in his embrace he began to sing to her in a soft but sensual voice.
The night beckons,
The sea is calm.
The clouds roll back,
The tide goes out.
The light is gone,
The earth is still.
Your eyes will close,
But dreams begin.
Sleep my love,
Do not fear,
For in the morning,
I'll be here.
Save your tears,
Do not weep,
All through the nighttime,
I'll be here.
The dark will hide,
Moon shines bright.
In my embrace,
You'll find my heart.
Closer you come,
Feel my pulse.
You hear my voice,
Now take my hand.
Sleep my love,
Do not fear,
For in the morning,
I'll be here.
Save your tears,
Do not weep,
All through the nighttime,
I'll be here.
The silence is unbearable,
But with you it's unreal.
The loneliness I felt,
Is it finally a thing of memories?
Sleep my love,
Do not fear,
For in the morning,
I'll be here.
Save your tears,
Do not weep,
All through the nighttime,
I'll be here.
