4.) Angels and Demons
Unbeknownst to all inside, a lone rider now approached the moonlit manor. The figure dismounted with an uncommon fluid grace, and made not a sound as he led his dark animal toward the shadowy gardens behind the sprawling stone. He left the horse contentedly munching the fine green grass, along with more than a few rosebuds from the obviously expensive and meticulously cared for bushes. The man in the shadows could not contain a wicked smirk at the thought as he set about finding his way to the house unnoticed. It proved easier than he had hoped, as the hour was late and a great many glasses of champagne had been drunk by those inside. He stepped into the shadow of an enormous vase filled with exotic flowers, and from his position was easily able to see through the magnificent French doors of the ballroom. Fortunately, the doors were opened wide to the warm summer night, spilling golden light and music out into the grounds from within.
At first he could not see her, then suddenly, he caught a flash of deepest rose-red silk and auburn curls. As she turned to where he could see her fully, he felt his breath catch in his chest. He had never seen her as lovely as this night. Her eyes were bright and held a sparkle of barely contained excitement. The color was high in her cheeks, and the rich shade of the ravishing red dress set off her coloring to creamy perfection. With her hair knotted loosely at the back of her head, one or two auburn curls had escaped their comb and trailed down the elegant curve of her neck to rest on her lovely bare shoulders. It was all he could do in that moment not to simply drop to his knees and cry for the sight of her, all he could do to restrain himself from crawling to her feet and begging her to be his and his alone. It took him a moment to regain his composure and remind himself that such a sight would hardly be likely to win the heart of a lady fair such as the one before him. All at once, the idea to come here without invitation and hide amongst the greenery in the hopes that she would leave all of this splendor to ride away with him - the man with half a face, and live contentedly in a sewer seemed laughable.
He stood there for many moments, debating his choices uncertainly. Stay and risk humiliation, rejection, and even death for the tiniest chance at happiness, or return to the safety of his prison alone. Although the first choice was certainly the more dangerous, at the moment it seemed that even death was preferable to being forced somehow to tear his eyes away from the sight of her. No, come hell or high water, he would have to speak with her. To offer her his heart, such as it was, and know her heart once and for all.
As Christine stood listening with a polite half-ear to the elderly baroness before her, she felt a warm breath of summer's air caress her back. Barely able to contain her excitement, she turned toward the open French doors leading out into the garden and felt a surge of electricity pass through her veins, as if her blood itself leapt at the mere sense of his presence. He was here! Christine wanted to throw herself through the doors and into his awaiting arms, but reason and caution stilled her. If she did, his presence would be known to all, and no matter his brilliance, he would be in danger. That she could not bear. But she had to let him know of her decision. She had rejected him once, and she knew that he would be uncertain of her feelings now. She glanced desperately around the room. What could she do? She could not leave without others seeing.
Suddenly, she knew. Music was the language through which they truly knew and understood each other, the kingdom in which he ruled and she served, and others were not welcome. Gathering her courage, she approached the musicians and summoning all her charm implored them to accompany her so that she could entertain their guests with a song. The group of young musicians, eager to please her, readily agreed to her request and began to prepare. Oh God, this was taking too long, Christine thought. What if he lost hope and left her there? Her hands shook as she imagined the thought. She silently pleaded with the musicians to hurry.
Meanwhile, Erik was watching her curiously. What on earth was she doing? He had felt for a fleeting moment that she had sensed him there. Would she betray him, he wondered? Alert the authorities to his presence there? But instead, at the moment, she seemed to be chatting merrily with the musicians in the near corner of the room. Perhaps he had been mistaken. Perhaps she had not sensed him there at all. He shifted his weight uneasily. He had been wrong to come. She seemed so happy here. What right did he have to ask her to share the wretched life he had been given? He shook his dark head. It was wrong to ask this scarlet angel to give up the glories of this luxurious heaven for the love of a demon. He turned, fully intending to walk away and leave her forever in peace.