Author's note: thank you for the reviews! When you don't post I go insane. Please review again. I'm not sure whether the last chapter was weak or not. I hope this is a better chapter.
I sat in my chair in the dim box and brushed my dress from underneath me. I was wearing a pale blue dress that Christine had picked out for me. The numerous white frays, layers and swirls of Technicolor fabric were gallingly heavy. I wore a tight corset and low cut bodice that gave air to the peak of my breast. Liana's silver chained fluid silver necklace with a blue diamond was positioned above my breast. I had refused to tie any straps to constrict my stomach. I didn't wish to strangle my poor child. The straps were also very tight and ended with layers of fabric. Such a dress is the latest fashion.
I wore matching blue eye shadow and gloves that covered most of my skin. My curls were packed in a loose bun at the top of my head. On the right side was Liana's silver hair piece that sparkled with diamonds. An expensive fragrance rolled off my neck and swirled in the air.
I finally felt beautiful for the first time in months. It had been so difficult to adjust to the fat rolls on my legs and other places on my body. Ever morning I would sit at my desk and try to imagine how I had looked skinny. I was now very large. The only place I wished to keep my fat was,.. well Erik wouldn't mind that either.
I turned to Erik at my right and smiled. As always, he looked absolutely breath taking. I took my time to memorize the colors of each layer. The first was a black button up collared shirt. Next, was a tight button up red vest. My chain and gold ring glimmered on his rising chest. Then came the black tucked in scarf and dark red coat with matching pants. He wore a matching nearly black cloak that was draped over his right shoulder. He had black, newly polished shoes and tight black gloves of a familiar color. His tight gloves could barely constrict his very large hands. On his head was a long hat that he tilted to the side to overshadow his white mask. The corner of the hat nearly brushed his lip when he leaned his head down. A large dark red feather was perched on the side swirling whichever way it pleased. Though the hat was only to ensconce his mask that was only one of the effects. Every item of clothing seemed to scream out how mouth watering Erik truly is. A sly smirk dominated my healthy grin.
The roaring orchestra caught my attention and grabbed my eyes to the opening curtain. The red curtain parted and revealed smiling Christine in an enormous pinkish purple dress. Her hair was piled beneath a matching bonnet. She began with eye popping high notes. My mouth dropped. Behind her a line of ballerinas parted like the Red sea. Each one's entire body was painted a different color. Their tutus blended into their skin. Each one swirled ribbon around in the air in spirals while twirling on their toes. The shorter and younger girls were in the front and the taller ones in back. I heard ooing in the audience.
The cellos had the melody. The deep sound smoothed over the bouncing high violin notes. I turned to Erik to see him observing my reactions. His chin was rested on his knuckles. He grinned at my widened eyes. He truly is a genius.
The entire show the audience was either on the edge of their seat or leaning back and grasping their heart to prevent a heart attack. He truly knew how to seize even the simplest mind. When the show was almost over he grabbed my hand and led me out of the box. I strained in confusion.
"Would you please tell me why we are leaving so soon?" I asked angrily. My pregnancy mood swings began kicking in. He paused for a moment and turned to face me. He cupped my hips in his large hands and tenderly pecked my cheek. My anger ran away from me. My eyebrows raised and I tried to hide my grin, but before I could conger another thought in a swirl of his cloak we were backstage. We could nearly taste the sweat of the dancers. I noticed how incredibly hot Christine must be.
Christine exited the stage and the ballerinas rested in a bowing position. Their hands were cupped upward beneath their face as if they were begging for coins to be dropped in their empty hands.
Erik pulled me towards the stage. I pulled him back to me.
"What in the world are you doing? Do you expect them to not notice you gallivanting about the stage during a performance?" I asked harshly. He only smirked.
"I know what I'm doing." He reassured me softly. I was a bit shocked by his calmness.
He told me with his eyes that he had planned all of this. Before I could resist he brushed my lower lip with his thumb then slid a hand down my hip. I was silenced by this action. I tried to push him away but he began humming in my ear. I was mesmerized. I followed him to the center of the stage in a trance. His strong cologne surrounded me and ceiled my eyes. My head felt as if it were soaring from my shoulders. The audience disappeared. My eyes were locked on him.
Soft powerful notes filled the room. My eyes rolled in my head with his vibrato. No man had a voice as magical, as supernatural as his. No doubt it was flawless. Once he had led me to the stage a ballerina set a stool behind me and I gladly took my seat. My feet were constantly sore from all the weight I know carried.
Now that I was sitting I realized the audience that was obviously wondering who we were. I glared back at Erik. He held my hands in his. Despite the weight I had gained both of my hands still fitted into one of his. His eyes sparkled. The desperation trembled on his face as much as it did through his voice. He was singing of how much he loved me.
In my dieing days,
Let my heart still ring
Not a single lifted hand
Not a mans warm embrace
Shall cherish beneath your skin, Shall caress your soul
Let men know I have claimed your soul.
He held my hands to his chest as he nearly whispered the last notes.
For you have claimed mine.
I bit my lip as tears escaped my eyes. For the first time in his presence I had dared to sing.
"I love you," I sang softly.
On the carriage ride home I could only smirk at Erik. He grinned back at me. He wrapped his arms around my shoulders and buried his face in my hair. He only wished to hold me. I wish he could hold me for the rest of eternity.
When we got home I was so glad to get out of my dress. Erik helped me to unhook the few laces on the top of my corset. I sighed with relief once I could breathe again. He threw his vest and jacket on a chair along with his hat.
My body became so graceful when wrapped in his arms. I place one hand on his chest and wrapped the other behind his neck as our lips met. I was forced to walk backwards slowly as his tongue slipped between my lips. I moaned savoring his intoxicating taste. With one slip of his finger my corset fell to the ground leaving me only in bloomers.
Suddenly, a piercing scream escaped y lips. With a whirl of unfamiliar pain and tingling I fell to the ground. I held my hand up to see what wet substance my hand had fell upon. I lay in a pool of water and blood. It was my own blood, Erik's eyes widened in a mix of both excitement and terror.
"Liana!" he yelled at the top of his lungs.
