Chapter Six

Christine soon discovered that singing lessons with Erik Destler, whilst enjoyable, were far harder than affairs of state. More than once he snapped at her and she found herself humbled before him. Five days after her first lesson she arrived and he handed her a piece of music.

"You will be singing this today."

She glanced at it and frowned.

"I don't know this one."

"Then learn. Sing it." He said, sitting at the piano.

"But I don't know what it's supposed to sound like, how can I sing it?" She cried. Erik looked at her with blazing eyes and she hastily stopped. Rule number three. Do what he said without hesitation.

She placed the music onto a stand and he began to play. Christine began to sing, following the music as it went. He stopped.

"Start again." She did so, concentrating on the first few bars. He seemed to be doing the same for he returned to the beginning as soon as she had finished.

Erik glanced at her as she sang. She was improving. That voice sounded beyond perfection after just a few days of lesson. It could make angels weep and she didn't even seem to be aware of the power she held in that sound. He stopped playing and Christine carried on to the end of the bar. He nodded and considered her.

"Good."

"What is this song? I haven't heard of it." She said, glancing over it again.

"You won't have. I wrote it yesterday." Erik said, reaching for her sheet and altering a note. It didn't fit in there, he thought.

"You did?"

"Yes. None of the pieces you have here are challenging enough." Erik said dryly. Christine blinked and took back her music. The song was called Think of Me.

"You wrote a whole song in just one day?" She said, rather astounded at this feat.

"I did. Start from the beginning."

He launched into the song again and she sang at once, wave after wave of perfect sound coming from her. Erik played right to the end of the song but her voice stumbled over the cadenza. She hadn't tried anything like that before, although she could easily reach the notes. Erik realised what was troubling her and played the section without her singing so she could hear how it sounded. After listening she tried again but hit the wrong note. Christine ground her teeth in irritation.

"Calm down, your highness. Getting angry won't help." Erik said calmly.

Christine smiled slightly.

"You can call me Christine, Monsieur Destler." She said. He looked at her sharply. "I… I just mean that since you're teaching me, you're in charge here. I'd really be more comfortable if you didn't call me your highness."

He continued to look at her and then nodded.

"Very well. But only within the confines of this room."

"Of course." She nodded in agreement, looking down at her music. Erik thought over what she had just said. How strange that she should see him as superior when she was the royalty in the room. He was a guest in her home yet she still treated him with the respect that one would give to a superior.

Of course, Erik didn't comment on this. Instead he began to play again.

"How go the music lessons?" Raoul asked Erik as they strolled the gardens after lunch. Christine and her father were in his office and Philippe and Sorelli were off somewhere.

"Fine."

"Is she improving?"

"Yes."

Raoul eyed his friend.

"You could be a little more helpful, you know."

"If you want information, ask your princess." Erik said calmly. Raoul scowled, although he didn't mean it.

"She's not my princess. And I tried. She was about as forthcoming as you. What are you doing in there that's so secretive?"

"Nothing. But you're not the most musically inclined person; I doubt you'd understand even if I did try to explain it to you." Erik said calmly, examining a plant. Raoul laughed.

"Well, I can't disagree with that. But I'm glad you're getting along."

"What made you think that we wouldn't?" Erik said.

"Because I know you too well."

Erik glanced at him irritably and he smiled charmingly. Erik sighed.

"We're getting on perfectly well. Thank you for your concern."

"You're welcome." Raoul said cheerfully, moving off to examine a pond.

"A what?" Christine said, confused. Charles cleared his throat and she bit her tongue. "Sorry. What was that you said?"

"A masquerade ball. It'll be a chance to see everyone in a more relaxed setting and it could be rather enjoyable." Her father replied. "What do you think?"

"I think it's a wonderful idea! Oh, it'll be so much fun!" Christine said excitedly. Charles smiled.

"I'm glad you think so. Marie and I will be able to do the majority of planning, with some help from the staff. But feel free to help; I want you to enjoy this."

"Oh, I will! We've never done something like this before." Christine said dreamily. Charles laughed.

"Actually, we did. Long ago, before you were born. Your mother and I used to hold balls annually, although she always loved masquerade ones the most."

Christine didn't ask why he'd stopped holding them. She knew what the answer would be. Papa had loved her mother so dearly. Christine wished she could have known this stunning woman whose portrait hung in the main hall, fire in the eyes, a smile on her face. It seemed such a loss in her life. She saw Marie as something of a mother figure, but no one could truly replace her mother.

"I'd better get started with plans. Why don't you go and enjoy the sunshine?" Charles suggested. Christine kissed his cheek.

"I love you, Papa."

"I love you too, Christine."

She spent several hours in the library. Something had been nagging at her and she wanted to find something about it. Erik had told her that there was a mineral in the rocks that made them glow and she wanted to know more about it.

Unfortunately she didn't know the name of the mineral or where to look. So she simply pulled out a pile of books and flicked through them. It was several hours later when Erik was passing and heard someone inside. He paused and looked into the room. Christine was perched on the edge of the desk, skimming a book. She shut it with an impatient snap and threw it onto a pile of other books before reaching for another.

"What are you doing?" He said. She looked up.

"Those glowing rocks. You said it was a mineral but I can't find a single thing about glowing rocks in any of these books!" Christine said crossly. "I've been searching for ages."

Erik looked rather bemused.

"The common name for it is Angel Stone, if that helps at all." He said. Christine jumped from the desk and clambered up a ladder, searching along a bookshelf. She pulled out a large, dusty tome and flicked through. After a few minutes she smiled and slid down the ladder.

"Here it is! Angel Stone." She said, wandering back to the desk as she read the brief note about the stone. Erik watched her curiously as she read the information to herself.

"Of course, it's not the stone that glows. As I said, it's the mineral and it occurs in different kinds of stone. Angel Stone is simply a general term for it."

"Well, someone should write something properly about it. It's annoying, not being able to find anything sensible about it." Christine grumbled, closing the book.

"I shall tell you more about it after tomorrow's lesson. But for now I suggest we go to dinner."

"Oh, yes. Of course." She said, glancing at the clock. She replaced the books she had taken down and Erik noticed Ayesha strolling around after her. She looked over at him and arched her back against his legs, purring. He lifted an eyebrow.

"She likes you." Christine smiled. Erik lifted the cat and examined her.

"She's looking well. You've been taking care of her."

"After risking life and limb to get her out of that tree I feel a little protective of her. I found a book on cats and it's helped a lot, telling me what to feed her and so on." Christine said, stroking the chocolate coloured fur of the small cat. She took her into her arms. "I'd better put her away before dinner. I'll be down in a few minutes."

"A masquerade? How wonderful!" Sorelli said happily. "That's a charming idea, don't you think Philippe?"

"Indeed, I do. And you are planning it yourself?" Philippe asked Charles. They were sat at dinner and Charles had just announced the idea.

Christine glanced over at Raoul. He looked rather interested as Charles replied,

"Myself and Marie and I believe that Christine will be lending a helping hand."

"I certainly will! I've never had an opportunity to do anything like this before." Christine said.

"Well, Marie and I were going to talk tomorrow morning, if you want to join us." Charles said.

Christine shook her head.

"No. I have my singing lessons straight after breakfast, Papa. I can't miss it."

"Oh, of course. Then after lunch." Charles decided. Christine smiled gratefully and turned her attention back to her fish. Erik felt rather pleased. Even when she was as excited as she clearly was over this ball affair, she still put the singing first. It was quite admirable.

"You seem to be enjoying your lessons a lot, Christine." Sorelli smiled.

"I am."

"What have you learnt? I'm sure someone as talented as Erik has passed on some pearls of wisdom." Philippe winked. Erik lifted a brow and Christine laughed slightly.

"I've learnt to obey my teacher. And in doing that, I can't discuss my lessons."

"You're not allowed to talk about your lessons? That's very odd." Raoul commented. Erik cut into the conversation.

"I find it very difficult to teach if my pupil is distracted. By keeping her lessons separate from her other activities, she will learn better."

"That's an interesting way of looking at it." Charles commented.

"But effective, your Majesty." Erik replied calmly. Christine caught his eye and smiled. He didn't return the expression but nodded fractionally. She turned back to her meal, satisfied.

The ball was to be held three days before the de Chagny's were due to go back to Hirlos. The time that followed was a whirlwind of music lessons, ball planning and walking and laughing with Raoul.

She was in her music lesson four days before the ball and Erik could see that she was not concentrating in the least.

"Christine, may I ask what is so important that is distracting you?" He said icily. She looked up quickly.

"I'm sorry."

"I don't want an apology, I want an explanation." He said, looking at her. She flushed slightly.

"I… you'll think it's ridiculous."

"Tell me."

"… I don't have a costume yet." She mumbled. Erik blinked.

"A costume."

"I told you it was ridiculous. I've just been so busy I completely forgot that I needed one and then Meg reminded me this morning and I…" Her voice trailed away.

Erik sighed.

"We will sort out a costume after the lesson. Which will be taking all day if you continue to perform at this rate."

"I'm sorry. I'll concentrate harder." She promised. And then she realised what he had said. "Wait, what do you mean by 'we'?"

"I have nothing better to do. I shall assist you. In fact… I may already have an idea."

"What is it?" She asked eagerly.

"Think of Me, from the beginning." He said, clearly changing the subject. Christine knew that there would be no use in asking again until the lesson was over, so she sang instead.

After their lesson Christine went to see her father. But when she returned to find Erik, he had vanished. Rather put out, she went to see if she could find him. But Raoul came in, having been out riding and she stopped with a smile.

"Did you have fun?"

"Yes, I did. You've got some excellent horses, you know." He said, panting and wiping his brow. Christine laughed.

"I don't ride enough to find out."

"Then I must take you out riding. It's a travesty for you to be so close to them and still not take advantage of it." He grinned. She nodded.

"Yes, you must."

"Tomorrow after lunch?" He offered.

"That sounds wonderful." She smiled. Raoul seemed to flush even redder, but that could have just been the heat. They began to walk together.

"How go the ball plans?" He enquired. Christine smiled excitedly.

"It's going to be wonderful! I can hardly wait! Except for the fact that I have no costume…"

"With only four days left?"

"I know, it's terrible. Monsieur Destler said he'd help me but he's vanished." Christine said, rather annoyed. Raoul didn't reply.

"I can hardly believe how quickly the month has passed." He said slowly.

They stopped and Christine looked up at him.

"I know." She said quietly. "I do believe I'm going to miss you rather a lot when you leave." Raoul nodded and looked rather awkward.

"But… you could visit us in Hirlos. Maybe… you could visit me." He said. Christine smiled lightly.

"I'd like to." She said softly. Raoul smiled.

"Christine… I know we agreed to be friends. And we both know what everyone is hoping for. We need to talk it through properly." He said firmly. Christine nodded.

"Yes, we do. And since we're friends we can be truly honest."

"Yes."

Neither of them spoke. And then Raoul reached out and took Christine's hand in his.

"Christine-"

"There you are!" Meg said, running down the corridor. Raoul hastily dropped Christine's hand and they both looked rather embarrassed. Meg stopped and a look of intense horror crossed her face.

"Oh. Oh! I'm so sorry!"

"What is it Meg?"

"Monsieur Destler is in the library and he asked me to fetch you." Meg stammered. Raoul stepped away.

"I should go and change. I'll…" He gestured wordlessly and then turned brusquely and hurried away. Christine stared after him and then caught Meg's smile.

"Oh, stop it Meg." She snapped and hurried off to the library.

Erik Destler was sat on the edge of a table with a piece of paper when Christine arrived, still flushed. He lifted an eyebrow.

"Is everything alright?"

"Yes. Yes, it's fine." She said. He did not look convinced but held out the paper.

"Here. It's only an idea, of course."

She took the paper and looked down at it. Her eyes widened in astonishment. There was a sketch on the paper, hastily frown but impeccably detailed. It was of herself, gazing into the distance, a smile on her face, her head tilted to one side in amusement. Her dark curls gleamed, falling around her face beautifully. She was dressed in a beautiful gown, large wings and a halo.

An angel.

Christine looked up at him sharply and then back down at the paper again. He watched her closely. Her mouth was open as though she wanted to speak but couldn't find words. Eventually she said,

"Did you draw this?"

"Yes."

"Monsieur Destler, it's… it's beautiful. It's perfect!" A smile finally crossed her face and Erik allowed himself a measure of satisfaction.

"I'm glad you think so."

"What on earth made you think of it?" She exclaimed. He considered her.

"An Angel of Music seemed most fitting for you."

She flushed slightly and looked at the picture, smiling again. Erik watched her as her eyes slowly wandered over the picture again.

"I suggest that you take it to Marie Giry so she can get started with making it." He said calmly. Christine jumped slightly and smiled brightly at him.

"Yes, of course. Thank you."

Christine turned to leave and then quickly turned back, hugged Erik impulsively and darted from the room. Leaving Erik in a state of something not dissimilar to shock.

"You give this to me four days before the ball and expect me to make it?" Marie said crossly. "Do you think I have nothing better to do than make your clothes?"

Christine looked awkward but pressed her.

"Please Marie? I know it'll be difficult-"

"Difficult? More like impossible!"

"But I'm sure you could do it! No one else could do it like you could."

"Christine Daae, your flattery will get you nowhere." Marie said firmly. Christine sighed and took the design.

"Well… perhaps if Meg and I try we could make it in time."

"Don't be so ridiculous! The pair of you are incapable of sewing a handkerchief!" Marie snapped, snatching the design and moving from the room with the air of one who was utterly disgusted at such a suggestion.

Christine smiled to herself.

A/N: I am SO glad that you like this story! I've planned out every chapter and I was terrified everyone would think it's a really bad idea. Keep the reviews coming, I love them all. There will be some rather cuddlesome R/C moments. I've never done them before, so be easy on me. but this is ultimately an EC fic. Cos it's meant to be.

Lotsa luv 'n' huggles

Katie