Part twenty-four
Christine watched in horror as Erik's eyes flashed an explosion of hate and anger. She stood deathly still as he turned and advanced on Meg as she struggled to regain her footing. It appeared that she had sprained her ankle when Erik had caught her in his cape. She had just gotten to her feet and stood up when Erik had reached her. She watched the scene unfold in front of her as she struggled to contain her fear and disbelief.
Erik leveled his sword at Meg's chest. Meg looked up at him and somewhere behind the hate and anger Christine could see the love she had spoke of earlier. Christine's heart went out to her. She knew the pain of loving someone you thought you could never have and Erik knew it too. It was a pain that could blind anyone to the truth.
"I warned you child to stay away from us. Why did you not listen? I gave you time and a chance to leave but instead you endanger Christine's life and your own. I will show no mercy to those that threaten my angel." Christine could hear the anger in his voice as he tried to keep his voice steady and his sword where it was.
"You and your precious angel. That is all you have ever cared about, isn't it? Well, she should be with Raoul not here with you. You were mine. She had left you behind and left with her sweet Viscount. She is the one that left you in the catacombs alone and with nothing. I came to you. I loved you, not Christine. Why can't you see that?" The hurt and anger in Meg's voice was evident but she was still dangerous. The wild look hadn't left her eyes and Christine could see Erik relaxing slightly.
"Meg, I let Christine go. She chose me and I let her go as I would have if it had been you. The life I have led is no life for either of you. Raoul is dead and she returned to the opera house and to me. I owe her my life for what she has done for me. She has saved me from my solitude and I love her, Meg. I always have." Erik lowered the sword even more. His back was turned slightly and Christine could see that he was letting his guard down. He may have started to calm down but she could tell from the fire still burning in Meg's eyes she did not intend to concede just yet.
Christine watched as Erik lowered his sword to his sides and Meg's eyes lit up briefly. The next few moments passed quickly and Christine didn't know if she had seen what she had thought. The instant Erik lowered his sword there was a glint of silver from Megs left hand and Erik staggered back. She gasped as she realized what Meg had done.
Christine ran over to Erik as he slipped to the floor, his hand still at his chest and the other still holding his sword. She slid to the rooftop beside him and placed her hand behind his head.
"Erik, oh no, Erik look at me. Please, don't leave me." Her voice broke as a torrent of tears fell from her eyes. She looked down at him and he opened his eyes. He reached up and placed his hand on her face softly.
"Say you need me with you here beside you. You led me, saved me from my solitude. For this Christine, I love you and thank you." He coughed and grimaced from the pain of the stab wound in his chest. He tried to smile at her but she could tell the pain was unbearable. He looked over behind her and something changed in his eyes. The pain was suddenly replaced with fear and alertness. Christine felt Erik shove her aside and looked in time to see him raise his Sword arm with the skull engraved sword and block a dagger thrust from Meg.
Meg had crept up behind her as she had spoke to Erik. He pushed himself up with his blood-covered hand and pushed Meg back with all his strength. Christine was amazed that after all the bleeding he had been doing he still had the strength to fight. He moved to his feet and pushed Meg back towards the rooftop door. She parried him with her small intricately carved dagger she had used to stab Erik with.
Somehow, Meg was keeping Erik at bay. Christine watched and saw that Erik was playing with her but not as he had done before. Now it was more like a cat toying with a mouse before they killed it. She could see Erik would swing his sword out and catch her on the arm. The he would strike the other. Meg had gotten numerous bloody slashes on her arms and legs by the time Erik was wearing out form the loss of blood. Christine knew from the training she had received in caring for Raoul, that the bleeding needed stopped soon.
Meg was tired and breathing heavily by the time Erik had pinned her to the door. He pressed his sword into her shirt over her heart and a small red colored spot spread over the white material. Christine saw Meg's face go white as Erik stood there with the tip of his sword digging into the flesh under her shirt. He was near fainting and yet held on to torture Meg.
Christine dashed over to them and placed her hand over the wound on Erik's chest. She pressed her hand hard and felt Erik weaken from the pain.
"Erik, love don't do this. There is no reason to kill her. I have you know and if I don't get you to the cook, I may lose you. Please, my great tutor, don't leave me alone here with no one." She looked at his face and he was still staring at Meg.
"Meg, this is your point of no return. You have a choice to make. Either we both die or I let you leave with the few scratches I have given you. I am a better swordsman and I do not love you. If something were to happen to Christine I would die and then you would lose not only me but also the one friend that was more of a sister to you. Can you hurt her this way? Can you cause her the pain you now know? If I die so will you and we will have condemned her to a life of loneliness and solitude. This is your choice." Erik pressed his sword into her chest a fraction more and a tear slid down Meg's face.
Christine could feel the warmth slowly leaving his chest as she pressed her hand over the bleeding gash beneath his vest and shirt. She looked over at Meg and tried to read her face. She was in pain and that was hiding most everything else there. Then as Meg looked over at her the hate that had been there earlier flared again. Christine sighed, as she knew that Meg wasn't going to give up her hopeless love for Erik. Christine looked away from her and concentrated on Erik. He was turning pale and his hand started to quiver slightly.
Christine was standing there looking at the floor not wanting to see their faces anymore. Erik had a look of determination and she knew he would kill Meg rather than let her harm either of them. Meg on the other hand, now wanted them both dead and Christine was worried she may have her wish if Erik didn't end this all very soon.
She leaned into Erik's bleeding cut and felt him push his arm out. Christine buried her face into Erik's shoulder as she heard Meg slump to the floor and the dagger clatter on the rooftop as it slipped from her hand.
Part twenty-five
Erik dropped his sword and wrapped his arm around Christine as she leaned into him. He was so tired and pain ravaged his senses. He could feel his head swimming and darkness was starting to encompass him as he tried to remain awake. He shook his head to clear his thoughts for the moment.
"Christine, you have to go get that cook of yours. I don't think I can stand much longer." He tried to look at her but her face was still buried in his bloodied shirt. He could tell for the first time that she was sobbing softly as her shoulders shook gently.
"I didn't want her to die, Erik. She was my friend and a sister for so many years. I don't blame you but I wish there had been another way." Christine started to cry harder and Erik lifted her chin with his good arm.
"Angel, I didn't kill her. I hit her with the dull side of my sword and knocked her unconscious but she lives. I was so furious and I wanted to but I could not do that to you. I could not do that to her either. She feels for me the way I have always felt for you and that is a pain I know all too well. Now, go get that cook and round up a constable to take care of our young friend here. Please hurry, Christine." He felt the dark closing in on him again. He waited for Christine to run out the door and then he leaned up against one of the many angel statues mounted atop the opera house rooftop. He relaxed against it and slid to the floor unable to hold himself up any further.
As he sat there, he kept his eyes on Meg. She should be unconscious for hours but one could never be to safe. She was breathing and her wounds were minor compared to his. He could feel his hands and feet growing cold and he was having trouble focusing on the sounds around him. He heard the door open and saw a stout short women step onto the roof and look around for him. Once she saw him, she ran over and knelt beside him and ripped his shirt open. She seemed so familiar but he could not place it.
"I am Madame Beaulia and Madame Chagny has asked me to mend you. Do not worry I know who you are and do not intend to tell anyone. Madame Chagny cares for you deeply, I can see it in her face when she told me about you. Can you still speak, Monsieur?" She smiled at him as she reached into the folds of her skirt and pulled out a needle and thick clear threaded sinew.
"Yes, Madame. I can still speak although I am unsure as to how long I will be able to. I am rather tired. Madame Beaulia, do I know you? Have we met before?" He was sure he knew her but it seemed so long ago. Almost as if it were a dream were trying to float out of his memory.
"Monsieur, I do not believe now is the time to discuss this. You will have to hold still. I need to get this wound closed before the constable and his men arrive for the young lady over there." She nodded towards Meg still lying unconscious on the stone roof.
"Please Madame, I have known so few people in my life that when I recognize someone it is most often important. I do know you though I can not say how or why." He coughed and grimaced as Madame Beaulia started to sew up his dagger-inflicted wound. She kept at the work until she had finished and bent over to bite the sinew and tie the end. She reached out for his hand and helped him stand.
"Here rest your weight on me. We need to get you out of here before the police arrive and knowing the Madame, they will be here shortly. Follow me, I will get you somewhere safe." He was too tired and weak to argue. He let the sturdy women lead him down the staircase and through the halls to the very back of the opera house. She turned to face the wall and pushed a candleholder roughly. As she pushed, a section of the wall opened like a giant door and she helped him inside.
He looked around the small room and realized it was a pantry, a very large one at that. There were a great many spices from all over the world and large tomes containing what he could only assume were recipes. This lady was after all the head cook for the Opera Populaire.
"Where are we?" He looked at her as she helped him lean against the wall beneath the numerous shelves.
"This is my private pantry. Madame Chagny had it built for me. I worked for the Chagny family for many years, Monsieur and in the travels have collected many recipes and spices from around the world. After the Viscount de Chagny's parents died Christine asked me to come here and I accepted. However, I had other reasons for coming to this dark place than to cook. I came to see how you had fared. I know you are wondering who I am and how I know you and how do I know you are here, are you not?" She looked over at him and Erik was fighting the darkness around him. All he could manage was a simple nod.
"I promise Monsieur, that I will tell you. For now though, you need rest and sleep. I will go make something to help to heal and I will inform Madame Chagny that you are here and well. Now, sleep and think no more on these things. We will speak again when you are better." She stood up and headed for the door.
"Thank-you, Madame Beaulia for everything. I owe you a great deal." Erik watched as she turned and smiled at him.
"No Monsieur, you have become a very kind man and that is all I could have hoped for. Now sleep." Erik let the dark take him as he heard the door to the secret pantry close behind Madame Beaulia. Before all the light slipped away, his mind searched for something. A thought or dream, maybe even a memory of a thinner and younger Beaulia. He could almost recall why he knew her but then it slipped away with everything else and he slept.
Part twenty-six
Christine ran out into the street after she had made sure Madame Beaulia had understood her instructions. She searched the street for any sign of an officer or person in general. The streets were near the opera house were empty and she ran to the back of the building to the stables. Here she kept her horse, Aria in case of emergencies. She quickly saddled the roan horse and together they shot out into the night. Christine had been thinking of a story to tell the police about Meg. The truth would not work and she knew it had to be convincing for Meg may decide to tell her version of the tale.
Christine slowed Aria and tied her to a carriage post beside the station. She quickly messed up her hair and dashed into the building. Inside there were two uniformed officers and they looked up from their card game as she stormed into the room.
"Monsieurs, I beg of you for your assistance. I have just had a most distressing encounter with a deranged young woman. Please, Monsieurs follow me." She dramatically stumbled and fell into the younger of the two, a tall handsome blond haired man.
The younger man caught her and helped her to a nearby seat.
"Please, Madame tell us what happened. Please start with your name and where you came from." He went to his desk and poured her a shot of brandy. "Here this will calm your nerves."
Christine drank the shot of brandy and looked desperately at the two men before her. They were intent on her story and this is exactly what she had hoped for. It seems she had learned to do more than sing while at the Opera Populaire.
"My name is Christine Daae de Chagny and I am the current owner of the opera house The Opera Populaire. My husband purchased the building and ballet school shortly before his passing. This is all beside the point, Monsieurs. I had arranged a private dinner for myself and a friend on the rooftop of the opera house and was preparing to arrange the plates when a mad woman steeped out of the shadows. I thought she might have been familiar yet she said not a word. She stalked towards me brandishing what looked like a sword. She was my height with blond hair and I never had the chance to see her eyes. She came at me with this sword thing and as I ran towards a statue located on the rooftop another stranger jumped out at the mad woman. They fought for a long time yelling at each other in a language I did not understand. She stabbed him with a small dagger of some kind and he hit her on the head with his sword. She passed out and he came over to see if I was all right. I told him I was fine and thanked him. He said this girl was in the ballet before the fire and was upset that I was upset with me for renovating it and he had been sent to stop her from hurting me. I am sorry Monsieurs, but then he left and told me to come here and get you. He said the constables would arrest her and question her. They would see that she is quite mad. I saddled my horse and rode as fast as I could." She forced herself to cry as she finished her story.
"Madame, we will follow you at once. I knew your late husband and I give my sincerest sympathies over his untimely death. He was a very good man. Did your friend ever arrive for dinner?" The older man had put his hand on her shoulder for comfort.
"No, he never did. He more than likely sent a rider to me that I missed in my hurry to get here." She wiped her tears and stood to leave. "Please hurry, I fear she will wake and then we will never find her."
The two police officers lifted themselves onto their mounts and followed Christine as she raced through the streets to the opera house. She led them up the stairs and to the rooftop where to her great relief, Meg was unconscious. The two officers examined her and collaborated that she had been hit by what appeared to be a blunt object and could easily have been a sword. The two gentlemen bound her wrists and lifted her up. With all the movement, Meg regained her senses and looked around herself to get her bearings. Suddenly the anger of before flashed in her eyes. Christine had to keep up the act so she stepped back quickly and gasped.
The officers grabbed Meg more tightly and pulled her away from Christine.
"Come with us Madame. We need to have a few words with you." They started to pull her towards the door when she looked at Christine.
"Where is he? Where is the Phantom? He was here and I killed him…where is he you tramp!" She screamed at her and Christine couldn't have hoped for a better show.
"There officers, I told you she was mad." Christine backed away further and watched the constable and the young officer drag her from the building. After they had rode off, Christine ran to find Madame Beaulia and learn of Erik's fate.
Part twenty-seven
Erik woke at the sound of the hidden pantry door being opened. He tried to sit up but pain spread out from his wound and he leaned back against the wall. There wasn't any light inside the pantry but he tried to see into the darkness. There before him was a silhouette of a women, a woman that he recognized.
"Christine," he spoke softly into the darkness. "Christine, is that you my angel?" He waited as the vision moved closer and knelt beside him.
"Yes, Erik. How are you feeling? I was so worried about you." He reached up and touched her face.
"Sore and still very weak. What time is it? I feel as though I have been in here for days." He felt her face tighten under his caress. "What is it Christine?"
"You have been sleeping for almost three days. Madame Beaulia would not let me in to see you. She said I would wake you if I even walked near the entrance. I have had a lot to do so it has been a very small blessing. I have missed you." She reached his hand and kissed it softly. "Madame Beaulia says that your fever is gone and there is no infection. You will be as good as you ever were and you can leave as soon as you feel up to it."
"Then we can leave now. I want to leave here and spend time with you before the opera house opens. What ever happened to Meg?" He had just remembered the incident on the roof and was very interested in how that had been dealt with.
"I went to the constable and told him a mad woman had attacked me. All I really had to do was mention who I was and who my husband had been and they took care of the rest. As far as I know she is still in jail." He listened to her as she gave him the full story of what had happened over the past few days. She had to go to the constable's office and assure them that her friend was fine and nothing ill had befallen him. She told them she had not seen the mysterious stranger again and they took her at her word. She had spoken to Madame Giry and explained what had happened. Christine said that Madame Giry knew something would happen and wanted to thank him for not killing her daughter. Madame Giry had gone to the constables office and signed some papers to have Meg committed to a well-known asylum for a number of years. The artisans had finished the restoration work and all that was left was to fix the gas lines that had burst in the fire. That and the training of the students and rehearsal for the first opera had been taking a lot of her time.
"It seems as if you have everything well in hand. I am very proud of you. You have become more of a woman than I have imagined possible. You are still the sweet angel I have always known but so much more." He smiled at her and started to push himself up. It hurt more than he expected but he wanted to leave the small pantry bad enough that he didn't care anymore. Christine offered him her arm and opened the door. Together they left the dark of the pantry for the dimly lit openness of the hallway.
He followed Christine out into the main part of the opera house and she led him to the top of the staircase. They walked slowly to her room and he noticed that many her things were missing. He was too tired after the long walk to the entrance of his grotto to bother asking about it. He made a mental note to ask about it later. He let Christine help him to his bed and he sat down with his back up against the headboard. Christine moved over to sit by him and gently sat on the bed.
"You should sleep. I know the walk down here has taken a lot out of you. Is there anything you need, Love?" He felt the warmth of her touch as she rested her hand on his own. She was going to take care of him and he wasn't sure how to react. No one had ever cared for him before and the feeling was different.
"Yes, come to think of it, I do. Tell me all you know about Madame Beaulia. How long have you known her and where did she come from. Christine, she seems so familiar to me. Like a distant memory hiding in the back of my mind. She told me she knew me and that she was proud of me. I want to know everything you know before I confront her again." He watched her face shift from one emotion to the next. She was thinking, debating what to tell him. It was obvious she knew something that she did not wish to tell him. "Please, Christine this is very important to me."
"Alright Erik, I will tell you all that I know." Christine seemed to take a deep breath before she started her tale and he wondered what he was about to learn about this mysterious cook.
Part twenty-eight
Christine wasn't sure what he wanted to hear. She could tell from the tone in his voice and the look on his face that he thought she knew something. She thought over everything in an instant as she wondered what he would think after he knew about Madame Beaulia. She had no choice. He had to know all that she knew about the extraordinary servant.
"Erik, I have known Madame Beaulia since I was a child. When the Chagny's and my father knew each other Raoul and I used to play together and Madame Beaulia worked for his family. She was a cook and a handmaid and a schoolmistress. Raoul and I used to talk about her as if she were a witch, she could do things that we could never explain. She knew things before they happened and once when we were little Raoul and I were playing around in an outcropping of trees. Raoul had convinced me to climb up with him although my father had told me repeatedly that it was not proper for a young lady to climb trees. I had nearly reached the top when I lost my footing. Raoul reached for me but I tumbled out of the tree and landed in the arms of Madame Beaulia. She said she had gone for a walk and overheard us arguing and decided to check on us. I think she knew I was going to fall and Raoul and I were always very careful around her." She paused for a moment to look at Erik to find him listening intently to her every word.
"When were older, we crept into her room while she was out at the market. There in her room we found wondrous things we had never seen before. She had a deck of playing cards that had these ornate pictures on them and candles everywhere. She had many bottles of strange smelling herbs and oils. In a box under her bed, we found hundreds of chains and necklaces. Most were copper but a few were silver and gold with tiny bells and charms dangling from them. She had many strange rings and figurines strewn over the top of her armoire and night stands. Neither of us had any idea what any of this was but we decided not to touch anything and left. We never told anyone what we had done and seen." She shifted on the bed. She hadn't talked about the events of her past since Raoul had gotten sick and these were long buried memories.
"She was a gypsy, Christine. My mother was and so was the…well it doesn't matter anymore. Please, go on." She watched as his face betrayed the emotion his voice was hiding. He was remembering his past as well and it hurt him as much as hers hurt her.
"Then my father died and I came to live her and study with the ballet. I met you and then the fire. After I married Raoul he took me to live at his ancestral home and she was still there. She remembered me and seemed surprised to see me with Raoul. She would ask subtlety about any other gentleman friends I may have had while at the opera house. I didn't want to upset Raoul so I told her that I had not known any other men before Raoul. I could tell she did not believe me and I think the strange looks directed at Raoul and I might have been one of the reasons we left so soon to travel. As we were preparing to go his parents suggested we take her along for they were leaving on an extended cruise and she did not enjoy the long boat rides. Reluctantly we agreed and together the three of us left for parts unknown. She would travel to small villages and learn new recipes and strange new herbs as the two of us went on safaris and had meetings with foreign dignitaries. She would set up dinner for us on the nights we were home and made the most spectacular breakfasts. Things were so great. Raoul was so happy and I…well I was as happy as I could be while worrying about you and trying to keep Raoul from knowing I was worrying about you. He never let on but I think he always knew how I felt." Speaking of Raoul had brought tears to her eyes and she wasn't sure why. They had been happy and she knew that she had loved him. She had never thought about the wonderful time they had had together before he had gotten sick. She turned her face so Erik wouldn't see the stray tear trickle down her cheek.
Erik reached over and turned her chin back to him.
"Christine, it is perfectly understandable to miss him. I know that you loved him and he made you very happy. Please, don't hide your feelings from me. I am no longer upset at him. He took you out of this hell that I pulled you into and made you smile and sing in the sunlight. I am thankful to him for that." Erik leaned back against the headboard again and breathed heavily. She could tell his wound still hurt him when he moved.
"Thank you, I do miss him but I am happier than I have ever been here with you. I want you to know that."" She waited for him to acknowledge her before she continued.
"A week before Raoul started to get sick Madame Beaulia came to me while Raoul was out with a local governor. She came into my bedroom and asked if she could speak with me. I was curious for she had never approached me privately before. I allowed her in and asked her to take a seat. She sat across from me and starting asking me questions about my life here at the Opera Populaire. She wanted to know if I knew of the Phantom and if I had seen him. I was not sure what to say. It hurt to speak of you not knowing your fate. I could not speak of you and not feel as if I was betraying Raoul. She must have known for she assured me she would never utter a word of what I said to anyone. On her life, she swore it to me. I told her I knew of the Phantom and that I was unsure what had happened to him. She seemed so worried about you Erik. She asked how I knew the person I spoke of was the same as the Phantom she was referring to. I mentioned that I knew of your past from Raoul who had learned it from Madame Giry. She agreed that it was as I had said. She said you were a sensitive and brilliant child. She wanted to know why I was married to Raoul and not still with you. She told me she could see the love in my eyes when I thought about you or some one else mentioned the events of the past. I admitted that I cared for you deeply but you had felt it better I go with Raoul. Her eyes filled with tears and she asked if you were happy. I did not know what to say. Then the conversation became strange. I can still remember every word." Christine closed her eyes and thought about the conversation she had that evening almost a year ago.
"Would you return to him if the time ever came?" She asked me.
"Yes, I would return to him if he were still there. He has probably left that hellish place by now though." I had said in return.
"He is there and he waits for you. You are destined for each other. I have heard you speak of him in your dreams. Some people in this world are tied to each other and the two of you are like souls. You will see." She commented to me.
"I am with Raoul and I will not betray his trust and love. No, the Phantom will never see me again though I wish for one more chance to see him. To tell him all that I feel, for one moment see him happy." I replied to her as she stood to leave.
"When you return to him all I ask is that you take me with you. I have unfinished business at the Opera Populaire and with this boy I once knew." With those last few words she turned and left the room.
"I didn't know what to think. Then within the week, Raoul started to develop a cold. He steadily got worse and we went to see the first of many doctors. Everyone agreed, it was malaria and we did not catch it soon enough to help him. He later told me he had been sick for a few weeks and did not want to worry me. I think Madame Beaulia knew he was sick and that is when she came to me. She was preparing me and I didn't know it at the time. Then we returned home until Raoul passed and I hired her on as the head cook here." She looked over at Erik. He was deep in thought. He noticed her and looked up from the thoughts he had been concentrating on.
"I think I know who she is. I am not sure though and if I am right, she will wish she had stayed away from me." Christine watched as Erik slowly stood up and walked out of the bedchamber. She followed him to the lake where the boat was floating peacefully on the black surface. He reached over and took his cape from the bow and slung it around his shoulders. Without turning around her spoke to her.
"What time is it Christine?" He stepped onto the boat.
"Sometime after dinner I assume. The opera house should be empty for the most part. Why, where are we going?" She moved closer to the boat cautiously.
"We are going to pay a visit to the cook. I have to know if she is who I think." Erik turned around and helped her into the boat. "All I ask is that you say and do nothing. This is between the two of us. For her sake, I hope she is not who I fear she may be. Do you promise me Christine?" He looked at her, his eyes both pleading and angry. What could she do but follow him.
"I promise, Erik." She sat down as he steered the boat underneath the Opera Populaire. Who did he think she was that would have him confront her while in as much pain as he must have been?
Part twenty-nine
How dare she return to this place after what she did? I know who this Madame Beaulia is and it appears she has been married. Well, this demon from my past will wish she had stayed there when I am done with her. Erik thought through what he knew about this talented cook and tried to keep his temper in control. He knew Christine was watching every move he made. She was worried for him but he was more worried for her. He knew what this person was capable of and the thought that she had been living with his angel all these years infuriated him.
He steered the boat to the staircase underneath the main stage and helped Christine out. Together they walked up the long pathway and to the hidden door back stage. This part of the opera house had been completely redone and Christine had insured that he would have his secret passages throughout the Opera Populaire.
"Christine, which way to the cook's room?" He looked over at her and she thought about where they were for a moment.
"The servant rooms are on the far left side of the stage area. This way." Christine reached out and took his hand. She led him through the empty halls and into the servants quarters.
He knew instantly which room she was in. He could see a small flicker of light under a door on the right and the smell of frankincense oil permeated the air around the room. He pulled Christine behind him and cautiously walked up to the door. He stood before it, conjuring up the civility he would need to handle this conversation without strangling the woman.
Behind him he felt Christine squeeze his shoulder and he reached out and gently but firmly rapped on the waiting door. Inside he heard the voice from his nightmares answer.
"Enter Erik and tell Christine she is welcome as well." With that, he opened the door and Christine followed him inside.
He stood beyond the doorway and quickly glanced around the room. There were rich brightly colored fabrics thrown over the chairs and hanging from various places on the walls. He could feel the smoky incense surround him as he stood there. The figurines Christine had mentioned were here as well. Small figurines of men and women in various embraces and some had been draped with the jingling chains she had spoke of earlier. There past the first set of chairs seated at a table, was the woman he remembered form the rooftop. She looked up from the cards spread out before her at her guests and motioned them to sit opposite her.
Erik moved towards her but motioned Christine to stay where she was. He glanced behind him to see concern on her face but she was not following him to the table. He stopped behind the chair she had motioned him to and waited for her attention.
"You have many questions I see. Please sit down child." She looked over at Christine as she spoke and Erik's temper flared.
"She will stay where she is and you will answer my questions woman." Erik spat each word at the older lady as she reshuffled her cards calmly. He looked over at Christine and could tell she had backed towards the door a few steps. He would have to try to keep control of his temper as he spoke to Madame Beaulia. He could tell he was frightening Christine and that made it harder to remain calm.
"Erik, sit and we will talk. You were such a calm and bright child." She started setting the cards out in an elaborate pattern on the table before her.
"You have no place speaking to me as if you care. You gave up that right years ago. I only have a few questions for you before I determine what to do with your worthless hide." He glared at her as she looked up from her cards. This time she looked less calm than she had. Good, he was finally starting to get to her. He would need her off guard and a lot less calm if he was going to get the answers he wanted.
"Ask what you wish." Was her only response.
"How could you do it? How could you let them take me after my mother died?" He practically screamed at her. His voice low and threatening like a male lion before a fight.
"Don't yell and do not act as though you cared about your mother. She was as cruel as the people at the carnival." She spoke with utmost calm and serenity. Erik was having trouble not reaching across the table and strangling this creature before him.
"No, they were worse. They paraded me before strangers…calling me a devil child. They beat me and yelled at me as if I was demon spawn. You, you let it all happen. She died and you let them take me away in a cage like an animal." Erik fought to control the flood of tears trying to spill from his dark eyes. He could sense Christine wanting to come to him but thankfully, she stayed where she was.
"You were a child. Your mother hated you for the outcast your birth made her. She had given birth to a deformed child and no man would marry her. She loathed you for it and treated you as a monster. Yet here you are blaming me for the life you had." She flipped the first card and then the second. "Your life has been truly rough. You have had to live through more torment and pain than anyone I have ever encountered. You are brilliant, I would say you are a true genius and you have the most beautiful inner soul. Christine can see it even if you can not. Why can you not let the past rest child?"
"Stop calling me that!" Erik lost control of his ferocity. He reached across the table and grabbed Madame Beaulia by the neck of her shirt and dragged her over to him, toppling the table and spilling the cards everywhere. Christine took a step forward and he put out his free hand to stop her. This was between the two of them.
"Mirella, you were my godmother! It was your responsibility to take care of me when my mother died and you sold me! YOU SOLD ME!" Erik's temper exploded and he pushed the woman backwards into the turned over table, breaking it into pieces. He was livid and he didn't notice Christine when she moved over to him this time.
"Erik, please I know this must be horrible for you but please calm down." He turned around at the sound of her voice and saw a deep sense of fear in her eyes. He felt all the hatred drain out of him and he reached for her. She threw herself into his arms and he wrapped himself around her. Feeling her there seemed to calm him. He never wanted to scare her but he did want to scare Mirella.
"I am sorry angel. I hate this woman more than I have ever hated my mother. She may have been pressured to treat me badly by custom but Mirella was my godmother. It was her responsibility to care for me and see that I was safe even if my mother could not. She was, by custom the one who was to love me as a mother since my own could not. What did she do? She sold me to a traveling freak show for some extra coin." He buried his face into her hair and breathed deeply. Her sweet scent calming him after his outburst.
"I gave you to a traveling troupe for protection from the men of our people. They felt that you were bad luck some ill omen and wanted to kill you. At least among those people you would be alive." She picked herself up and brushed wood chips off her skirts.
Erik lifted his head up and glared at Mirella.
"You were the one that was in charge of my protection. Not a group of hedonistic carnival people. If Madame Giry had not rescued me from that place I would more than likely not be alive right now. I lost my temper one night and the results were deadly. Not that he did not deserve to die but the mob afterward would surely have been my end if not for her. I was only six and she brought me to the catacombs underneath the opera house. It seemed like eons I stayed down there until I heard the sweet sound of an angel." He glanced down at Christine and she was smiling at him.
"Then all the hardships in your life led you to the one person who understands you. Who loves you no matter what others think or feel. Even for those of us born with no differences in this world that is a miracle. Would you like to see your last card Erik?" She pointed to the only unturned card from the spilt deck.
He reached down and flipped the card over. On it was the visage of a tall skeleton in a black robe. Behind the figure circled two birds, a raven and a sparrow. It was the death card.
"Do you know what that means?" She asked fully aware that he did.
"It means it is time to let go of the past so that the future can happen. Without death, there is no birth. Even as a child, I often drew this card. So, I am to forgive you and move on with my life, is that what the fates are trying to tell me Mirella?" He glared at the card in his hand and then at the older woman.
"No, you have a lovely woman by your side that is telling you that Erik. I and the fates have no need to when such a strong vision is already in front of your eyes." She walked over to Christine and kissed her cheek. "I told you he was not who you were meant to be with. Now, if you two will excuse me it is quite early and I need to start breakfast for all those hungry children in the ballet." Before she left she turned to Erik again.
"I do not ask your forgiveness for what I did. I do not deserve it. The only thing I want from you is a promise that you will leave this dark place in which you have dwelt these many years. Find a big home away from this place and live there in peace with your angel." She turned and left them alone.
Part thirty
Christine stood there still wrapped in Erik's arms. He seemed stunned and she was unsure what to say to him. She had something she wanted to tell him and ask him but was unsure as to how to do it. He was still shaken and emotional after his encounter with his former godmother. Then again, so was she. What a surprise all of this had been to her. She never knew much about his past and it was easier to understand how he became who he did after all he had been through. If anything, she felt for him more than she ever did.
"I want to ask you something Erik." She waited for him to look at her. He furrowed his brow with worry and looked at her.
"What is it?" He asked her quietly.
"I have been building something over the weeks since I have returned here to the opera house and to you. I want to show it to you. I think it is almost ready but I need to know if you are willing to leave this place. We can return to run the Opera Populaire and to see the performances. I may even audition for one. I want to show you what I have been making for you." She looked into his eyes and found the answer she had hoped for. He was curious and she knew he would follow her. "Let us leave by coach before the sun comes up. I think that will give us plenty of time."
She grabbed Erik's hand and flew out of the cook's room and into the dark halls of the opera house. They left by way of the stables and she decided to give him another gift she had recently bought for him. As they entered the stables her roan horse Aria was standing next to a tall coal black steed.
"This is Aria. She has been a loyal mount for as long as I have had her. I wanted to get you something we could enjoy together. The other one is yours." She watched Erik walk over to the monstrously large horse. He stretched out his hand and the horse instantly nuzzled him. She followed Erik as he walked around the horse looking him over. As he moved to the left side of the stallion, he saw a deep scar running down its neck. Erik ran his hand across the scar.
"I found him at an auction. He was racing and fell into a fence. His owners were furious with him and were selling him to a factory of some kind. I paid twice what the factory was going to. I knew he would have a good home with us." She walked over to Aria and gave her a good nuzzle before tossing her saddle up to Aria's back.
"We haven't got all night. Let's go." She smiled at Erik in a playful way and waited for him to finish readying his horse. Before leaving, she looked over at him as he rode up beside her. "You do realize he needs a name befitting his rider."
"We have already agreed on a name." He stroked the horse's mane. "Let's show her shall we?" And together they took off.
Christine had to ride Aria hard to catch up to them. Suddenly Erik drew the reigns and the two of them came to a stop. She moved Aria up next to his horse and laughed at him as she reached over and hit his shoulder.
"I forgot that you are leading this party." He returned her smile and waited for her to lead the way.
"What have you two decided on then?" She asked him.
"We have decided on Vivace. What do you think?" Erik looked down at the horse again and ran his fingers through its think mane.
"Vivace, meaning spirited, bright and very fast. I think that is perfect. Now, follow me." She led him out of the city and into a thick cropping of forest near the cemetery where her father and Raoul were buried. As they rode into the woods, a clearing appeared. She led him into the clearing and before them stood a large cottage, a stable house and a small stream running behind the property.
Erik turned around and stared at her for a moment.
"Is this yours?" He seemed overwhelmed at the scene before him.
"No Erik, this is ours. Do you see the stream behind the house? If you follow that stream, it leads to a cave that empties into the catacombs under the opera house. You can go between here and there whenever you please. I wanted you with me but I did not want to take who you are away from the place that you love." She slipped down from Aria and walked her over to the cottage. Erik followed her and slid off Vivace. He moved up behind her and spun her around.
"I do not love that place Christine. I love you and wherever you are is where I want to be. You are kinder and more considerate than anyone I have ever known." Christine felt him pull her into an embrace and sunk into him. "Thank you" she heard him whisper in her ear.
"For what?" She asked him.
"For letting me go anywhere you go." Christine looked into his eyes and saw a very happy future there. Erik bent his head and kissed her deeply as the sun rose over the house they would spend the rest of their lives in…together.
Fin