Something There

Over the next few days Erik allowed Christine to go out into the yard of the castle. He watched from a balcony as she wandered through the snow, his horse following her merrily and butting his head gently into her back for a bit of attention.

"You seem happy," Nadir commented one afternoon.

"You are intrusive," Erik grumbled.

"Perhaps, but you are happy, aren't you?"

"Happy is a relative term."

"Of course Sire…have you seen the rose recently?"

"Of course I have, it is in full bloom," he replied.

"You know what happens after it blooms," Nadir said.

"It wilts," Erik replied dismally, "and then the petals fall."

"Keep that in mind Sire, you have until the last petal."

Erik sighed and folded his arms on the railing of the balcony before resting his chin there. He had never imagined or even hoped that he could love someone, and it seemed even more impossible for somebody else to love him in return. But as he watched Christine stroke the nose of the stallion and remembered her beautiful voice and kindness he felt as if it might be possible. At least for him to fall in love, but having her love him in return…it did not seem possible.

She looked up at him and the small smile that was on her face disappeared and was replaced with a look of worry, "Are you feeling alright?" she called.

"Fine," he replied.

"Oh, very well then…it's a lovely day, why don't you come down?"

"Very well," he murmured, then added in a louder voice, "in one minute, Mademoiselle."

Christine offered a small smile when Erik joined her. She was beginning to find his elusive presence somewhat enjoyable. It was almost like having a guardian angel who she knew would always be watching over her.

"It's a beautiful day," she said cheerfully.

"I suppose so," Erik replied.

"Is something wrong?" Christine asked, trying to look him in the eyes.

"Not at all…come, lets go for a walk in the gardens."


Christine sat in the library reading when Erik found her. She looked up and gave him a small smile, he was surprised to find himself smiling back. She seemed to take some sort of joy in the action and motioned for him to join her.

"Yes, Mademoiselle?" he asked.

"I though you might like to join me," Christine said, "and stop calling me that."

"Calling you what?"

"'Mademoiselle,' you can call me Christine," she said, "I prefer it that way."

Erik nodded and sat down beside her, "If you wish, Christine."

She smiled and tilted the book towards him, "Have you read it?"

"I have read all the books in this library…but I would like to read it again."

"Then we'll start at the beginning," Christine said, flipping back to the front of the book, "if you'd like I could read it aloud."

"I would like that very much," Erik replied.

Christine nodded and turned her focus to the page, "Once upon a time…"

Erik watched Christine read, she was beautiful and he couldn't help but feel almost happy when she was around. Just her presence seemed to brighten the room and make his heart skip a beat, his throat go dry and his palms sweat.. It was a strange feeling, but he found that it was not entirely unpleasant.


A/N: I love the response I am getting to this story, so many lovely reviews! Well I hope you enjoyed this chapter, I know it was a bit short but that's the way I wrote it. Anyways, keep reviewing, love you all and I will update soon. Sayonara.