It has been a long time since an update. I hope that you are still interested in the story. It has lost ground for quite some time but I'm hoping that I can stir something inside the writer that is writing my story. Please inspire her and leave feed back.

The sun is setting. Let our story begin again.

Erik

Chapter 9 – Sleeping Desires

Paris – 1870

"Let the dream begin…let your darker side give in…to the power of the music that I write…"

He led her down the staircase away from his organ. The words he continued to sing resonated through her mind.

"…the power of the music of the night!"

Erik stopped in front of the red velvet curtain. Drawing it back, he watched Christine's expression and her skin turn deathly white. The mannequin she looked at was an exact replica of her. She fainted, falling into his arms. Erik knew one day the wedding dress the mannequin bore would be worn by the true angel.

Carrying her gently in his arms, he ascended another flight of stairs and walked into his private chamber. Laying her upon the blood red velvet sheets, Erik watched as his angel slept. She had never looked more radiant.

His leather-gloved hand lingered on her face – caressing her cheek. He longed to lie next to her – to feel her silky skin and feel every curve of her body. The nightdress she wore was enough to drive him mad with desire. He felt every part of his body tense as he continued to gaze down at her body.

His hand on her cheek would have to do for now. He knew that Christine would come to him of her own accord soon enough. Erik would have her – mind, body, and soul.

"You alone can make my song take flight…"

Her hair was fanned out on the pillow. He could not feel the silky strands through the gloves he wore, but all he needed to do was close his eyes and imagine. He had spent many a night just imagining the feel of her hair, her skin…

"…help me make the music of the night…"

Erik rose before he did something he would regret later. Just the sight of her made him drunk with desire. He would bide his time. Soon, he would not have to enchant her with words or with music. Soon, Christine would come to his lair without thought or pretense.

Pulling on the golden rope, he watched the black lace curtain become a barrier between him and the woman he loved.

'Is it love? Or desire?'

It didn't matter to him. He had an angel sleeping in his bed. In the morning, she would rise and Erik would make her understand the feelings he had had for years.

'It is only a dream…'


It is only a dream…

He shut his eyes tighter. The caress he felt on his body was not from the woman who made the darkness her own. This touch was lighter – softer. There was tenderness behind it and not the desire to hurt him.

Please do not shut your eyes.

Forcing his eyes open he saw the silhouette of a young woman standing before him. He felt both of her hands on his chest. There was warmth and not the icy chill of the darkness.

I am here. There is nothing to fear.

The feathery touch of fingertips dancing on his chest made him want to return the favor. This desire brought thoughts to the surface that he knew should have been kept hidden. Desires that no mortal man should even think.

I am coming for you.

It was a statement he knew could not be true. Only the Dark One was coming back for him. She seemed immortal. As many times as he had killed her in his dreams, she continued to return to torture him – killing him from the inside out.

Please…do not let her consume you. I am the one you have longed for. I am coming for you.

Why did God mock him so? Where was the salvation he sought? He longed to be free. He longed to be in the arms of the woman he loved.

"You're damning me!"

Tears streamed down his cheeks. Yet he dared not shed a tear in front of the Dark One. She would laugh at him – mock him.

I am trying to set you free.

His eyes closed in ecstasy as he felt the touch of her lips on his. They were soft, warm, and inviting. He wanted to be free of his chains to touch her body – to respect the Goddess that stood in front of him.

He granted her access. Her tongue danced with his – giving him pleasure that he had not felt in days.

But as soon as he thought he would die from the fire building within him, she was gone. His eyes slowly opened and all he saw was the darkness. He struggled against the chains which sliced his flesh and punished him for even thinking he could be with a creature such as her.

"The darkness mocks you."

He stopped struggling when he heard the Dark One's voice. Once again his body responded to her touch. He knew his reaction was partially because of the desire inspired by the Goddess' touch, for the woman who was basked in light. The desire wasn't for the woman who tortured him.

"It is amusing to watch how people dream. What desires arise from a sleeping need deep within." She continued to play with him – torture him as she trailed kisses up his torso. "How the light beckons one forward, but it is the darkness that consumes them."

He closed his eyes, still remembering the touch of the Goddess – her caress, her lips, her body…

"You have succumbed to the darkness. Now that you have, you will succumb to me."

He quickly shook his head – denying what he feared was true.

"You no longer belong to the light. You belong to me!"


Persia – 1854

You belong to me!

That's all Erik could hear in his mind as he walked down the corridor of the palace. He could hear the Sultan's voice. He yelled as Asiya screamed. It was not pleasure he heard in the beautiful dancer's voice – it was fear.

He stopped in front of the door and placed his hand on it. Erik knew what he had to do.

There is no going back if you do this.

Pushing open the door, he paled at the sight before him. Moonlight illuminated the dancer's body on the bed. She was curled into a ball, staying as far away from the Sultan as possible. She had always been that way in his mind after she had pleased the Sultan.

Erik was thankful that all the Sultana had wanted was a song. He had left only a few moments after she had fallen asleep.

Now it was time to save his sleeping angel. Approaching the bed, he noted the curves of Asiya's body under the silk sheets. Her hips, her chest…

Save these thoughts for later!

He gently placed his hand on her arm and she jerked away from him.

"Asiya…"

Slowly opening her eyes, Asiya looked into the eyes of her White Knight. "How did you…?"

"Do you wish to leave?"

"Yes."

"Then come with me."

"But the Sultan…if he sees you…"

"The Sultana provides much worse punishment. I don't fear the Sultan."

"He tore my clothes." The moonlight made the tears on her cheeks glisten. "I have nothing to wear."

"I will keep the sheet wrapped around you." Wrapping her in the silken sheet, Erik drew her close. "Do you trust me?"

"Yes."

Erik lifted her from the bed. He held her close as she rested her head on his chest and wrapped her arms around his neck. The closeness of her body to him made him tingle with desire.

"Please…if you save me tonight, I will repay the debt ten-fold."

"You owe me nothing, Asiya." He began to carry her out of the room. "You have already repaid me more than I could possibly imagine."

"Take me to the Garden. I must ask the Gods for forgiveness. The Sultan has done things to me that no man should ever do to a woman."

Erik walked toward the Garden. If she only knew the thoughts he was having, she would have quickly fled his arms as well.

"May I ask the name of my savior?"

"Erik…" His voice was hoarse – he did not want her to know of his lingering desire.

"Erik, I will grant you one wish."

They approached the Garden. He gently placed her on the grass as she clutched the sheet tighter around her body.

"Tell me of your desires and I will grant you the one wish you have been longing for."

Erik looked at the angel standing before him – bathed in moonlight. He knew what he wanted to ask but would settle for what his heart desired.

"A kiss. I only wish for a kiss from an angel as radiant as you."

Asiya smiled and slowly began toward him.

I will wake from this dream. The Sleeping Angel will rise…