Her Story by tactics
Previous disclaimer applies.
Chapter 2
As soon as I set foot through to the passageway behind the mirror, I realized who this man was. He was the fear of everyone who resided in this Opera House, he was Joseph Buquet's favourite topic of conversation…
He was the Phantom of the Opera.
However, he was not as Buquet described him. His skin was not like yellow parchment, it was pale and smooth from what I could see, from what was not hidden beneath his porcelain mask. His eyes did not burn like hellfire either – they were blue and intense… And he most definitely had a nose, not simply a hole in his face!
The torch he carried illuminated his lean form so I nervously gave him a once-over on instinct. He looked the part of an aristocrat – much more so than Raoul! He carried himself confidently, and he gave off this aura of sophistication. The evening clothes he wore were luxurious and fit him perfectly (but I should not be noticing that!) My embarrassment must've shown on my face as the Phantom gave me a small smirk before we neared his horse.
Or rather, I presumed it was his horse.
He helped me onto the animal's back as he held its reins, leading it. A small smile crossed his features as I continued to regard him with fascination. Even with my heart racing I asked softly, "Does my Angel have a name?"
He turned to me, mildly surprised. I smiled – perhaps he did not anticipate me asking him… Another ghost of a smile graced his lips before he answered me in that deep, silky voice that I had grown to love: "Erik… that is what you may call me."
"Erik," I whispered, the name rolling off my tongue. I turn to him with a smile and say, "It's a beautiful smile – it suits you." He turned away and said nothing, and I did not even get a chance to see his expression. Still, without a word, he helped me off the horse. I seemed to fall into his arms and it was as if my heart stopped for a moment as I looked up at him.
A look of surprise crossed his features. My breath came out shuddering at his close proximity – his face was but inches from mine! I stayed in his embrace for what seemed like an eternity before he stepped back and led me into a miniature gondola nearby.
I sat in the boat pondering what had just happened just now – had he felt the same way I did? It was as though our connection, our unspoken bond, had strengthened tenfold in that single moment in time…
Awe overtook me as we reached his home. What seemed like a thousand candelabras gave the lair of sorts a worm, radiant glow – it was beautiful! Nothing in my wildest dreams could have prepared me for the sight of this little bit of musical heaven before me. Erik rowed the boat to the shore and stepped out.
He extended his hand again to me invitingly.
I accepted it willingly, then a shiver of thrill shot up my arm. Just as I thought my pulse had returned to normal, it started racing again.
Erik, my Angel of Music, was singing to me the Music of the Night.
"Night time sharpens, heightens each sensation
Darkness stirs – and wakes imagination
Silently the senses, abandon their defences…"
His melodic voice was smooth and seductive, enticing me with each lyric he sang. I no longer had a care for anything else in the world – I was lost, so blissfully lost in his music.
"Slowly, gently – night unfurls its splendour
Grasp it, sense it – tremulous and tender…
Turn your face away, from the garish light of day!
Turn your thoughts away from cold, unfeeling light…
And listen to the music of the night…
Close your eyes and surrender to your darkest dreams
Purge your thoughts of the life you knew before!
Close your eyes, let your spirit start to soar…
And you'll live, as you've never lived before…
Softly, deftly, music shall caress you –
Hear it, feel it, secretly possess you
Open up your mind – let your fantasies unwind
To the darkness that you know you cannot fight -
The darkness of the music of the night…"
As he sang, he was leading me around his home, my hand still in his. I was nothing short of mesmerized by this man, this Angel, this Phantom… His features were illuminated by candlelight and his beautiful blue eyes never left mine. His lyrics captivated me, but there was a particular verse that seemed to tattoo itself into my memory.
"Let your soul take you where you long to be!
Only then – can you belong
To me…"
His gaze was particularly intense when he sang that verse, and I returned it in kind. He circled and stopped behind me. He continued his song as he wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling me close to him in an intentional (and welcome) embrace. A gasp escaped my lips as his gloved hand found mine – to which I instinctively intertwined my fingers with his. He brought my hand to his bare cheek, and in response my eyes fluttered shut and I quietly sighed.
Suddenly I felt him move away, and I found myself wanting to be back in his arms. My hand was still in his, however. He gently led me towards something that happened to be covered in thick velvet curtains lined with gold tassels.
Just before he revealed what was behind those curtains though, our eyes met. I felt that thrill go up my spine again. I smiled at him and he returned it rather shyly.
As soon as my head turned I saw myself stare right back at me! I was confused, at first… At first I thought it was a mirror. But it wasn't – the replica of me was wearing a sheer veil over her face, and she was wearing a beautiful white gown…
That was all I was able to see before everything faded into black.
TBC
A/n: I like that scene. I really do. It's a very EC scene, that's why… And totally without the unwanted presence of Le Fop! Muahahahaha… anyway, tell me what y'all think. I now realize why my friend is a review whore. Lolz!