Chapter Nine
A Private Lesson
The time flew by as it always does. Days turned into long weeks, and Maria finally regained her health. She kept drinking the odd wine, which seemed to give her strength and energy. She quickly returned to her duties as opening night grew closer. She watched rehearsals daily, listening to the Managers and Carlotta criticize her work. At night she made her corrections, bue she longed for escape. After many nights of working and being without a companion, Maria decided to return to Erik.
She waited until Carlotta was gone and went to the mirror. It had been months since she had seen the corridor. She walked cautiously, holding a candle in front of her. She reached the stairs and descended quickly. Her whole body was almost shaking with anticipation. She stopped at the dock and waited. The minutes seemed like hours. Then slowly the small boat rounded the corner. Maria felt her heart skip as she saw Erik. He stepped out and helped her in just as he had done that first night.
They traveled back to his room in perfect silence. The candles were wall brightly lit and sent warmth out to them.
Erik brought the boat ashore and jumped out. He held out his hand, and Maria took it. He gently pulled her out. He helped her ashore and then returned to the organ.She slowly followed him.
"I came for my lesson," she said.
"You're not ready," Erik replied forcefully.
"I am. Erik, my voice has never been this strong."
"I said you're not ready," Erik suddenly roared.
Maria took a step back, bumping a candle holder. She couldn't understand this sudden temper change. She wondered if she had angered him by coming back.
"You're lungs are still too weak," Erik said, looking down at the stone floor.
"How do you know?" Maria snapped.
"Because I have been watching you. Every night when that Peacock isn't there, I'm with you. I have also given you some medicine."
"You spiked my wine?" Maria asked.
Erik only nodded. "The medicine is not harmful."
Maria shook her head. She knew that Erik would never do anything to harm her. She trusted Erik, but his tone tonight was full of venom. She had heard it in every word he had spoken. She walked back over to the water. She could feel Erik watch her.
"What?" she asked.
Erik sighed and turned to the organ. He started playing the song he had heard Maria sing in the chapel. Maria turned to him and started singing. She moved back toward to the organ, and he watched her. She seemed to be stronger than he thought. She hit the highest note of the song suddenly. Erik's eyes shot up from the keys to her.
She was reflecting every emotion of the song. He could see the feelings that she was trying to hide. He could also see pain. She was losing her battle once again. He stopped playing and reached for her. She fell against his chest as soon as he had a hand on her. She was sweating and shaking. He pulled her close and wrapped his arms around her.
Maria could feel Erik's heart racing as her head rested there. Was he as nervous as she was? The warmth of his arms felt good. It was like the additive in the wine. She slowly pushed herself away and looked at him. He was staring at her with those soft gray eyes. Maria couldn't read his thoughts.
"I guess I wasn't ready," she admitted more to herself than him.
"I think you might be," Erik replied in a choked whispered.
Maria smiled on the inside at seeing him choked. She looked at him, waiting for him to explain his comment. Unexpectedly and carefully Erik turned her back to him. He placed his left hand on the top of her stomach and then placed his right at the base of her throat. Maria felt her pulse rush as his bare hand touched her flesh. He gently pulled her toward him.
"Sing the last note," he ordered.
Maria nodded and began to sing. Erik never moved and held her in place. When she got to that note, he pressed against stomach. The sudden impact made the note skip. Erik stopped.
"Relax," he whispered in her ear.
Maria suddenly tensed at feeling his breath on her neck. She nodded. She started to sing again, when she felt her hair fall from the bun. She stopped and almost turned on him.
"Sing," he said firmly.
Maria started. She wasn't sure what to do. She could feel Erik running his fingers through her maze of locks. His touch was so enticing and powerful. Then she felt his hands go down her go down her neck and shoulder until they were around her waist. He pulled her closer and bent down to her ear.
"But please promise me," Maria sang with her voice shaking, "that sometimes you will…"
"Think of me," Erik finished beautifully.
Maria slowly turned to him. His soft eyes were staring into hers. She gently reached up and touched his face. He closed his eyes, lost in her soft caress.
"I always think of you," Maria confessed.
"Even when you are with him?" Erik asked.
"Especially when I'm with him."
"Come back tomorrow night. You will be ready soon."
"I can't, tomorrow night is dress rehearsal."
Erik slowly let got of her. He felt that he had been cut her words. He paced and then sighed.
"Erik," Maria said, grabbing his arm. "If I could come back tomorrow night, I would. That I swear to you."
Erik looked at her. She was telling the truth, just as she always had. Lies were not a part of his world. He turned back to the organ. His hand reached out and picked up something. The object was no bigger than a stone. He handed it to Maria, who gasped when she saw it.
The object was a small sapphire ring. The band was silver and there were small diamonds around the deep blue stone.
"Erik, it's beautiful," she gasped.
"It's yours. Wear it and think of me."
Maria slipped it on her ring finger and discovered it was too big. She slipped it on her middle one, and it fit perfectly.
"Thank you," she said hugging him.
Erik held her as long as she would let him. She was perfect, just like the ring she now wore. She pulled away with a small sigh. Erik could see small tears making in her eyes. He slowly handed her another rose with the same black ribbon. She took it and walked toward the boat.
"May I go back now?" she asked.
Erik nodded. He wanted to tell her that she could leave at anytime, but he wanted her to stay with him. He wanted to protect her from everything, he wanted to sing with her, and he wanted to love her. Every time he touched her, he could see that she wanted the same. But she belonged to the world above, not this heaven he had created out of his hell. She belonged in the sun for all to see.
Erik dropped his thoughts and helped her into the boat. They were silent on the journey back. Maria had so many thoughts running in her head that it almost frightened her. She stared at the ring and wondered why she was going back. His hell was turning into her heaven. She hated returning.
The boat stopped, jarring Maria back to reality. Erik gently scooped her up and placed her on the walk. They both lingered there a moment, waiting.
"You should go," Erik finally said.
Maria nodded. She turned to the stairs and started for them. She stopped before she started to climb back to her world. Erik was still standing there. She looked at him and fought back tears. She quickly started back on her long trip. She ran down the passages and rushed back through the mirror. She had returned. She had returned to a world that didn't want her. A world that probably hadn't even noticed she was gone.
She walked to her room and went in. She shut the door and slid to the floor. Finally she let the tears fall.
"You stupid fool," Maria said to herself. "You have fallen in love with an angel trapped in Hell."
Erik returned to his home. He couldn't stop thinking about Maria. He climbed out of the boat and paced. Then he stopped. He walked over and kneeled down at the water's edge. He stared out at the water and started to sing.
No one would listen
No one but her
Heard as the outcast hears.
Shamed into solitude
Shunned by the multitude
I learned to listen
In my dark, my heart heard music.
I longed to teach the world
Rise up and reach the world
No one would listen
I alone could hear the music
Then at last, a voice in the gloom
Seemed to cry "I hear you;
I hear your fears,
Your torment and your tears."
She saw my loneliness
Shared in my emptiness
No one would listen
No one but her
Heard as the outcast hears
No one would listen
No one but her
Heard as the outcast hears...
He slapped some water to the side and stood up. He walked over to where he kept the drawings of Maria. He looked at the one he made of her in the chapel. She looked so much like an angel, which made him love it. He sat down heavily ata small tablestill holding the portrait. He looked down at it, wishing that he had never let the private lesson end.
My Dear Readers: I'm afraid I won't have the next chapter up for about another week or maybe two. I'm taking a vaction and will have no acess to a computer. Just hang in there I haven't forgotten you guys!
