Authors Note: There are two endings to this story. Here on is a nice, romantic ending. On another site adultfan. under the same name DuchessLomia is a more mature, adult content ending. Please tell me if you want me to continue this story or leave it as it is.
She was asleep. Erik had played the entire finished sections of his Opera to her a few days ago, and now he set to work finishing it. Elisabeth had given him several good suggestions, and he was pleased that she enjoyed it. Her only problem with it was that it was too violent, and not romantic enough. Don Juan had been a lover, but Erik had focused more on his fighting side. Now Erik wrote romance into the story, adding bits and pieces, and he set about writing a duet. A duet for Amnita and Don Juan, with the title Point of No Return. He wondered if this would offend many Parisians, and then laughed. He wanted to offend Paris, "The city of lovers". Modern society was much too narrow-minded. He wondered what the view on love and lovers would be like in the coming millennium. As he wrote he smiled. He had never had any reason to smile, but now, with a young woman in the next bedroom and news that the war would soon be over, Erik had plenty to smile about.
He didn't realize when Elisabeth came out and gasped. "Erik darling, you haven't been awake all night with that?" He laughed as he looked at her astonished face, "Too many thoughts are in my head right now. I'll sleep when I am tired." She came over to him and looked at the current page, and he did not swipe it away or scream. "Unusual, very seductive." She nodded her head in approval. "I'll fix breakfast." Erik cracked his fingers and began to compose. She did not try to force him away during the day, unlike his mother who had always shooed him off to other things when he became enraptured in his music. Elisabeth read some of his books and tried her hand at painting. Finally, around seven p.m. the next evening he moved from his music. He found Elisabeth in the living room painting a sunset over the Paris streets. "Very beautiful." He complimented her. He knelt down and asked "Would you like to see the entire city beneath your feet?" He took her hand and led her outside. "I'd love to get some fresh air." She commented.
They rowed across the lake and Erik snuck her up the cellars to the unfinished left wing. The Opera House was intended to be twelve stories high with five cellars below. He bade her be careful as they ascended the scaffolding. Suddenly she gasped. Paris spread out below their feet. Erik grabbed Elisabeth's waist so she wouldn't fall, and he breathed in her heavenly scent. They had only been together for two weeks, but Erik had already admitted to himself he was in love. For the first time in his life, he loved someone. Elisabeth leaned into him and he whispered in her ear. "I have a gift for you." She smiled. "I don't want anything, just you." Erik nudged her neck as he reached into his pocket. He pulled out a small, oblong box and opened it. It was a diamond and pearl choker! Elisabeth almost tripped on the scaffolding, and Erik pulled her close. The wind blew through her hair as he pulled it back and tied the choker around her neck. "Erik, it's gorgeous. Why did you waste your money on me?" Erik pressed his hands on her hips and murmured. "It's not a waste. I must admit Elisabeth; I have fallen madly in love with you." She closed her eyes and he turned her slowly to face him. "Will you consent to look upon me and grant me a kiss?" Erik asked shyly.
His heart was racing as she nodded her head. It was the moment he dreaded. He felt stupid for bringing her to the thin scaffolding; if she tried to run she would fall immediately. Why did he always bring misfortune on himself? Elisabeth held his waist tight as he lifted off the mask, and he felt her body stiffen when she saw him. "Oh, my, Erik, what has happened to you?" Her eyes betrayed her fear, and Erik prepared himself for her loss. The loss of a great companion, and a three thousand franc necklace. "I was born this way. I can not help my appearance." Elisabeth's arms loosened from his waist, but he grabbed her before she fell backwards. "I'm so sorry! I never wanted to frighten you. Dammit. I just want to be like all normal, healthy men." Tears welled up in his mismatched eyes, and so did Elisabeth. She placed her head on his shoulder and he stiffened. Suddenly Elisabeth brought her head up and looked at him. She hesitated, and then brought her lips to his grotesque face. She kissed his cheek, then his chin, and finally his lips. Erik embraced her as the wind blew, and she kissed him faithfully. "It is worse than what I expected, but I don't really know what I expected." She whispered. Erik reached up to move a strand of hair from her face, and she leaned into his palm.
Erik cupped her face in his hand and caressed her skin. He held her tight as the wind shifted, and then pulled away. "If you want to leave you may. I have enjoyed your company. I hope you have a long, fulfilling life." Elisabeth stared at him, and then she pulled her hand back and slapped him hard. "You assume I want to leave? You dare to tell me what to do! Just because you're a damn ugly ass you expect people to hate and fear you. Well I'll tell you, sir, I don't find your body or face repulsive. I find your actions and your expectations to be atrocious!" She cried as he held onto the rope, reeling from shock. He grabbed her hand and pulled her close, then slung her over his shoulder. He descended the rope quickly, and then raced with her crying into his shoulder down to the cellars. "Put me down Erik!" She screamed. "Please, they'll find us." Erik tried to calm her down. He placed her in the boat and began to row back to his lair.
She looked up at him through her tear stained eyes, and he had nothing to say. It was true. He always anticipated people to run from him, to fear and loath him. He never thought that perhaps it was his actions also that caused people to leave. She had kissed him now twice, willingly, but he still could not accept her love. They came to the shore and Erik climbed out. Elisabeth followed meekly behind as they entered. The first place Erik went was to find Ayesha, and Elisabeth sat on the couch. She stared into a pillow as if memorizing the stitching. Suddenly she felt his cold hand on her shoulder. She had grown accustomed to his touch, but now in her anger and his depression it felt like the touch of death. She looked at his unmasked face, and reached up to touch him. He turned, and she climbed up to the top of the couch. "Get your feet off my furniture." He snarled. She did immediately, and Erik came around to sit next to her.
She did not say a word. He stared at the same pillow she held, not meeting her eyes. "What is your next course of action?" He asked. If she wanted to leave he would give her enough money to leave the country and start over. Hopefully she would find a nice job somewhere and a man who deserved her. But instead Elisabeth threw the pillow to the floor and grabbed Erik's arm as she kissed him tenderly. He did not move, his lips remained shut, but his body shivered in delight. "This is my next course of action." She said. He looked at the floor. He felt her hands on his face as she traced his hollow cheeks. She moved her hands over his forehead, and he closed his eyes. No matter how hard he tried to remain motionless his body betrayed his desire.
She finished her exploration at his neck, and she leaned in to kiss him. He tried to stop, but he moaned as her lips tickled his sensitive skin. Indeed, she was overly affectionate. Finally Erik caved in and began to nuzzle her earlobe. She sighed as he ran his fingers through her hair. "Dearest, is this really want you what?" He gulped and corrected himself. "What you want?" She giggled seductively. "Only if it is what you desire." She replied. "I have desired this for a very, very long time." He kissed her passionately and they moved to the bedroom.
They made love long into the evening, and when they lay content in each other's arms Erik whispered to Elisabeth. "I love you." She nuzzled into his chest. "I love you too."
