Chapter 82 Angel of Shadows

Hello possums! Nearly at the ball, (which I should write) This chapter is for...daughterofdarkness87 or otherwise known as Debz who has been such a faithful reviewer and DBCA-ian!

Erik turned his mask over in his hands, it was strange to find the porcelain shape felt awkward in his fingers. He glanced at the grandfather clock standing against the wall, half past six, he wished Adriana would hurry, there were too many details to leave things late. A soft step echoed down the corridor, announcing Adriana's presence, he sighed, about time.

"What do you think Erik?" the low voice asked. Erik turned, mask in hand, to see a vision of darkness standing before him, the white porcelain fell to the ground with a dull clatter.

Adriana stood, her head bowed, and straight golden hair flowing down past her face to coil around her shoulders. The tiny wisp of curl that never stayed flat had grown long enough to kiss her forehead, the only hint of softness in her entire appearance.

Her dress was liquid black silk that gleamed dully in the candlelight, contrasting sharply with her pale skin. It was cut in a daring style for the day, straps barely two fingers wide covered her shoulders and ribboned out slowly to a sweetheart neckline that allowed just the barest shadow of cleavage to be seen. Blood red cord wrapped and tied itself in an intricate knotted dance around her middle like in a single smooth girdle, drawing the fabric in and against her skin. The dress hugged her figure in smooth contours that deliberately flaunted her…uh…considerable attributes. It lacked the full or bustled skirt so currently en vogue, but hung straight, clinging to the sides of her legs delicately. A slight train spread out from the tiniest of gatherings at the back to allow for freedom of movement for dancing.

And at her back, the same colour as the ties, were a pair of sweeping scarlet wings. Constructed of real feathers, the folded wings jutted out from her back and swept out so that the longest of quills caressed the floor.

Her pale hands held a black glass orb that reflected the candlelight and red of her wings, so that it looked as if she clutched a sphere of liquid fire within its black depths.

Slowly Adriana raised her head to look at Erik, her heart skipped a beat as she gazed on the Angel of Music, standing tall and proud, clad in darkness, unmasked and gazing at her with such shock, desire, and…(dare she think it?)…love?

Slowly she sat the orb on a small table and walked towards him, she bent and retrieved the mask, holding it lightly as she gazed at his tall figure.

"What is this one called?" he asked quietly, his golden voice raising goose bumps on her skin.

"Discordance" she whispered, "I think," Erik shook his head adamantly.

"No," he told her, "Tonight, you are the Angel of Shadows."

The mask fell to the floor again as Adriana stared, her grey eyes wide. An Angel?

No one but Erik or Christine, could claim the title of Angel, let alone her.

"Erik…"

Then his hands were tangled in her hair and her arms were around his neck. Their lips met and heat burst and flamed between them.

Erik caressed her neck with long fingers, as she clutched at his shirt. If love could be spoken through kisses, then endless vows of devotion and passion were being sworn and sworn again as he devoured her spiced lips. The knowledge that tonight was to be the triumph of the season and all too soon the time would come to take part in the greatest show the Opera Populaire had ever seen only served to enflame them further.

Then the clock struck seven, and they both froze in shock, lips still pressed together. Erik hurriedly pulled back, "We have to go" he whispered hoarsely, Adriana nodded, not taking her eyes off him as she straightened her hair and shrugged her wings into place. Erik retrieved his mask and set it on his face, "Wait," he halted her hands picking up a simple black mask, ready to be tied on by a string of red beads, Adriana looked at him questioningly as he then reached behind him to draw out a flat black box, tied with red ribbon. "Here," he handed her the package. Adriana took the present and drew out one tail of ribbon, letting the band slip like liquid cloth to the floor. She lifted the lid and gasped in surprise. A black-feathered mask sat nestled on a bed of soft tissue paper. Made of midnight black feathers, it swept up in two flaring wings, trimmed with red ribbon around the eyes and behind the feathers of the top. A pair of lower wings to spread over her cheeks, were surrounded by the black silk ribbon to tie the masque in place. Erik's long fingers reached out and lifted the masque from its bed, "Turn around" he murmured softly, Adriana obeyed with a rustle of wings, setting the box aside. The black masque slipped over her face, fitting perfectly. Erik tied the strings and dropped a single kiss onto her left shoulder before she turned to face him.

Her grey eyes glowed from within her feathered façade, as he surveyed her.

"Perfect" he said, offering his arm, she slipped her hand through and reached up to place a single chaste kiss on his lips.

"Thankyou…" she whispered softly.