A/N: This is like part two of Chapter 7. There's a bit more E/M in this chapter as well. Enjoy and please review!
"...Close your eyes and surrender to your darkest dreams, Purge your thoughts of the life you knew before. Close your eyes let your spirit start to soar…"
He told me to close my eyes, and I obeyed. Slowly, I began to lose myself in his music and I could feel my soul soaring along with his voice…
"And you'll live as you've never lived before. Softly, deftly, music shall caress you. Hear it, feel it; secretly possess you. Open up your mind let your fantasies unwind, in this darkness which you know you cannot fight. The darkness of the music of the night…"
I opened my eyes and my breathing grew ragged as the music started to crescendo.
"…Let your mind start a journey though a strange new world, leave all thoughts of the world you knew before. Let your soul take you where you want to be!" He came toward me, whispering. "Only then can you belong to me…" I turned my back to him as he put his arms around me.
We both started to sway slowly to the sound of his voice. "Floating, falling, sweet intoxication. Touch me; trust me savor each sensation..."
I brushed my lips against his cheek as I turned around. He took my hand and began leading me once again to the candlelit room near the back of the back of the house.
"…Let the dream begin, let your darker side give in; to the power of the music that I write. The power of the music of the night…"
Within a matter of seconds, I found myself in front of the armore, looking once again at that magnificent wedding gown and flowered veil.
"Christine…" Erik whispered, standing behind me. "Will you forgive me, and… marry me?"
Still entranced by his music, I nodded and said in a very soft voice. "Yes… yes I will."
The next morning Erik and I were discussing our wedding plans, when outside of our window, I saw Meg walking toward our house. I opened the door and greeted her.
"Meg, Meg!" I cried. "Guess what, Erik and I are getting married!"
"Oh!" She said, obviously taken aback. I thought I saw a look of disappointment on her face for a moment, but her voice appeared happy. "Well, congratulations! I'm so happy for you!"
She gave me a hug and I invited her in. Erik had some errands to run, so he left me and Meg alone.
"It's so good of you to come here." I told her as we sat down for some lemonade. We sat in silence for a few minutes and then I asked.
"Meg, is there something wrong?"
She looked down at her lemonade and whispered. "I'm glad for you two, I really am but…" She stopped.
"But what?" I encouraged her to go on.
"But ever since I saw Erik in "Don Juan" I kinda developed feelings for him. His voice captivated me and I felt jealous when I saw him holding you, singing to you, begging you to love him, and…"
I reached across the table and took her small hand in mine. "Oh, Meg." I whispered. "My dear, dear friend. I'm sorry, I never knew."
She looked up at me and smiled a sad smile. "I didn't know myself until that night at the Opera."
We sat in silence for a few more minutes and then Meg asked. "So, do you want some help with the wedding plans?"
"Yes, please!" I said, letting go of her hand. "I need all the help I can get!" So, all that afternoon, Meg helped me with the wedding plans.
Later that evening, I went into another room for a moment to get something when I heard a muffled conversation outside the door. Erik had come home from his errands and was chatting with Meg, I started to open the door, but instead of opening it all the way, I just cracked it enough to see what was going on. Erik was congratulating Meg on getting the lead dancing role in the new Opera. Meg blushed a little and said.
"Thank you, Monsieur. But I find that my timing is off."
Erik smiled a little and replied. "Well, mademoiselle. If you ever find any free time in your schedule, perhaps I can help you."
Meg thanked him, said good night and did something that surprised me; she gave him a little kiss on the cheek! Now it was Erik's turn to blush as he bade her good night and closed the door. I then opened the door and just stood there, arms crossed, smiling mischievously. When he turned around and saw me, his expression changed.
"What are you looking at?" He asked, annoyed.
"Oh, nothing." I smiled as I went to my room to change for bed. Within a few minutes, I slipped under my covers and fell asleep. I did not dream about Raoul those hours of darkness, for all I could hear was the music of the night.