Christine dans Deux

An Alternate Multiverse - A Phantom of the Opera Story

Nyasia A. Maire

© 2006

DISCLAIMER: See Chapter One
Chapter Sixty-One – Act Two - Scene Two

"Monsieur le Vicomte has not made good on his threat. Do you think he has forgotten about us, beloved?" I use a soft voice so as not to disturb anyone during the performance.

Christine surprises me by shushing me.

"This is my favorite part."

Her words and rapt attention to the stage give me a small pang of jealousy, which quickly turns to one of understanding … the balcony scene, but of course!

"What woman wouldn't want a man to risk everything just to be able to declare his love and tell her how incomparable her beauty is? Of course, I can do without all of the angst and death, but can't have everything I suppose. No drama! No passion! No opera!"

She smiles a little too sadly for my comfort, so after making certain no one is observing us, I raise her hand and give it a furtive kiss.

Her words stir a strangeness within my heart. I usually am adept at expressing my feelings through music, but suddenly I feel words flowing through me. Words I must speak to her. Words that I know she will hear and understand to the depths of her soul. I part my lips to give passage to the words and out they quietly spill.

"My dearest wife, I will love you with a fervor that will leave you breathless when we return to the hotel tonight. Our lovemaking shall be wild and arduous. I shall take you on the wings of passion to soar closer to the heavens than any mere mortal has dared to go before. I shall defy the gods to bring you such ecstasy that Eros himself shall be in awe of the bliss we share. There is nothing I would not do for you, my dearest heart. I am but a humble man devoted to a woman who is more beautiful than Aphrodite, younger than Hebe, wiser than Pallas Athena, more of a wild thing than Artemis and more a queen of the gods than Hera. My love for you shall endure all. I hope to spend my last breath upon your lips and even then, I shall still leave this world desiring more of you!"

During my declaration Christine's attention left the stage and centered on me. I watch her lovely face become flushed with a suffuse glow as she listens intently. Her eyes sparkle with a rapturous joy and her body begins to radiate an inner heat.

"Erik!" She gasps as I finish. "This moment shall remain in my heart for all time. My dearest one, my husband, I love you! Only you forever more! Your words kindle a madness within me and were I to let loose my control, I would beg you to take me here and now. Never before in my life have I felt such an overwhelming demand to give myself over to wanton desire. If we are to act in a decorous manner, you must be the one to reign in this need of mine and hold it in check until a more prudent time. I cannot contain myself. I do not wish to restrain myself!" Her eyes are wild and glassy. Her breathing husky and ragged.

♥♥♥♂♀♥♥♥

I open my eyes as consciousness slowly returns and find myself in bed. The intricate details of the red and gold ceiling dazzle my eyes. Even now I can hardly believe the madness that had taken hold of Christine and me last night. Our sudden departure from the opera had most likely set tongues wagging, but I know that was better than the alternative … taking her there in the box. I reach out to touch my wife and gently shake her shoulder to awaken her. She groans and suddenly bolts upright. Concerned, I turn to look at her, but she is facing away from me and seems to be staring straight ahead.

"Ma chère …." I begin.

My words catch and die in my throat as she curls into a fetal ball and begins to rock back and forth. I cannot understand her words as the wracking sobs slur them into mumbles. I watch in horror as her body convulses. Terrified, I race around the bed and kneel on the floor next to the bed. I gently brush her hair away from her face … her hair … is a mass of curls … and chestnut brown!

"What the hell?"

I place my hand under her chin and lift her face. She looks up into my eyes.

"No! This cannot be!"

My hand recoils from her chin as if burned and the room begins to spin. I shake my head to clear it and take a deep breath. Once more, I approach the figure on the bed.

"Christine?"

The woman raises her eyes to meet mine, but instead of the hazel-green eyes with golden-brown ring, I look into eyes of dark chocolate brown. My mind reaches out to my wife, but she is not there. Only a dark empty void. I look into the woman's tear-filled eyes as she gazes deeply into mine. Her hand reaches to touch the right side of my face.

"My poor, poor Erik."

As her hand caresses my cheek, I suddenly know.

"The dream is finished and I am a monster once more."