"The prickly thorn often bears
the softest rose..."
Chapter Four
Beneath the Angel's Wings
He hated her. Those words were twirling in her mind and Christine could do nothing to rid herself of them. But...surely he still did not blame her for what had happened at the opera with Raoul...she had chosen him! Why should anything else matter? Was this his punishment for agreeing to help capture him the night of Don Juan? She had practically asked him to marry her! Christine had thought that was what he wanted...it was part of the reason she had chosen him! What had happened to change his mind?
She wiped the tears from her now swollen eyes and sat up in bed. She felt so lonely...she needed someone to talk to desperately. But who...the idea came to her instantly and she rushed to her wardrobe, searching frantically for a cloak. She draped herself in it and drew the hood over her head before silently slipping out of the room. Paris had grown dark as Christine went outside, a cold breeze sweeping over her, causing her to shiver.
Christine knew not where this house was located in regards to Paris and began to walk, hoping to come across something familiar. She glanced back at the house, amazed at its sheer beauty and size, wondering how Erik could have paid for such a place. Then she remembered all of the notes the managers at the opera had received in regards to the ghosts salary, Erik must have saved much of it to afford a home like this.
She turned her ahead away and continued her determined walk. They could not be that far from Paris and she prayed it did not rain. An hour later Christine saw the city lights and sighed in relief. She was not far away, just a little further.
The church loomed above her and Christine made the sign of the cross as she entered. Several candles were lit and she saw a priest nealing at the altar. She was relieved to find another human being and approached him slowly, not wanting to startle him. He seemed surprised by her appearence and she pulled down her hood to reveal her face.
"Forgive me, Father, I did not mean to frighten you," she said with a smile which he returned.
"There is nothing to forgive, my child. You are here rather late, is everything alright?" he asked. Christine nodded.
"Yes...I just needed to pray," she whispered. He studied her for a moment before taking her cold hands in his.
"You are missed, my child...many people are worried about you," he said softly. Christine's gaze flew to his. His expression was both tender and concerned.
"Father?" she whispered, confused.
"Yes, Mademoiselle Daae, I know who you are," he said. She turned away.
"Do not fret, my child, I will say nothing to anyone about your appearence tonight as long as I know you are happy where you are," he said. Christine hesitated. This was her oppertunity to get away from Erik. But she was not sure that she wanted to be taken from him...no matter what he had done. The people whom the father spoke of had to be Meg and her mother, but what of Raoul? She knew he would not let her just go away with the man who had haunted her for so long. She had silently prayed that he would for she did not wish to see him hurt.
"Father...the Vicomte de Chagny...is he one of whom you speak?" she wondered. The man smiled as he studied her.
"Yes, Mademoiselle...he has issued a reward for anyone who has any news of you," he said. Christine paled.
"How much?" she whispered.
"Thirty thousand francs," he whispered. Christine put a hand to her head, feeling suddenly faint.
"Mademoiselle, please, sit," he urged, ushering her to sit down in the nearest pew. Raoul was offering that much money for her? He couldn't! She needed him to forget about her, find someone else to love...she had to be with Erik. The father was looking to worried for her health and she needed to change the subject.
"What...happened to the Opera Populaire?" she asked. The man sighed and shook his head.
"It burnt to the ground...the managers do not even think they should rebuild," he said. Christine felt a tear come to her eyes. The opera had been her only home for so long, to think that it was gone tightened her chest.
"I will leave you to pray, my child," the father said, touching her hand lightly before leaving the room. Taking a deep breath she knealed and clasped her hands in front of her.
"Papa, if you can hear me, please tell me what I should do! My world has changed so much since you left...I need your guidance desperately," she whispered. She stayed that way for several hours until the candles burned low and the wind outside picked up, promising an unexpected storm. She did did not like storms and suddenly wanted to be home immediately. Making a hasty sign of the cross Christine fled the church. Lighting crackled overhead and Christine's heart began to race.
She was quite suddenly aware of how dark it was and could not remember exactly which way she had come from. She screamed again when lighting seemed to vibrate all around her, causing her to lose her balance and trip. She landed on the ground with a loud thud that was followed by harsh sobs. Christine's fear was overwhelming and she could not move from her place on the cold floor.
"Erik!" she screamed, knowing he could not hear her but needing to say his name none the less. She hated storms and she loathed the dark and she could see nothing around her, causing her to whimper in fear. Perhaps Erik would rather leave her out here then come for her, he seemed to not want her around.
"Erik!" she screamed desperately. Suddenly she felt a hand on her arm and she screeched, lashing out at her attacker.
"Leave me alone!" she sobbed. But the hand refused to budge and Christine began to struggle. She felt herself being pulled against a warm and solid chest and those arms wrapping around her.
"Shh, mon amour, you are safe now," Erik whispered into her ear. Christine sagged against him in utter relief, never as happy to see him as she was at that moment.
"Oh, Erik," she whispered, her small hands clutching desperately onto his coat. His arms tightened and he lifted her from the ground, cradling her against his warm and solid chest. She could feel the tension in his body and knew he was angry with her.
"I am sorry," she whispered into the material of his coat. He said nothing and Christine's wept, her tears silent. It began to rain as soon as they reached the manor house and Erik quickened his steps until they made it inside. Light finally surrounded them once more and Christine hesitantly looked up into Erik's face. He looked livid. In all reality he had every right to be. It had been foolish to go out so late at night without someone with her. He carried her to her room and set her down on the bed. Christine pulled her legs up against her chest on the massive bed as Erik began to pace, clearly angry.
"What were you thinking, Christine Daae!" he growled. He was making her feel like a child and she did not like it. She was a woman!
"I needed to pray!" she whispered.
"And you told no one? You had to sneak off in the middle of the night? Do you know what could have happened to you?" he hissed. Christine whimpered and buried her face against the pillow.
"Nothing happened," she said softly.
"No, because I managed to find you in time! Someone could have found you and taken advantage of the fact that you were alone!" he said. Christine balked at the idea.
"I am sorry, Erik," Christine said.
"Sometimes you act like a child!" he told her angrily. His face had grown so angry in the last few minutes that it was frightening to her. He continued to rant, but Christine had stopped listening, not wishing to hear him. She just needed someone to hold her. She slipped from the bed and went to him slowly, wrapping her arms around his waist as she did. Erik froze in shock, unbelieving that someone had just embraced him willingly for the first time in his life. His angel had tears in her eyes and she was shivering in fear. How could he have forgotten how timid she was in a storm?
"I am sorry, Erik," she whispered again. All the anger Erik had felt in that moment disappeared. He had been so worried that something had happened to her out there that he had allowed his anger to get the better of him. Her arms tightened around him and she buried her face in his chest, a clear indicator that she wanted to be held. Erik's arms began shaking as he tentavily wrapped them around her slim form.
"Please, please do not be angry with me, Erik," she whispered. Erik realized that he would give her anything as long as it meant she was protected
"Shh, mon ange, no more tears," he whispered. He gently brought her to the bed and lied her down. Her eyes found his before slowly drifting shut in exhaustion. Erik smiled and allowed his fingers to caress her cheek before he silently left the room.