Thanks to MadLizzy for offering her beta skills!

Rose26

"You must go," Raoul urged. "They'll wonder where you are. Come with me, Christine."

A snowflake fell on the tip of her nose. Shaking her head, Christine sighed. "I want to stay a moment more. Go on without me."

"Are you certain?"

Leave.

Raoul cringed in surprise. "I swear to you, Christine, there are voices on the wind."

"Clearly, you must be exhausted."

"Perhaps you're right, Christine. I've never spent so much time in bed and so little time sleeping until I arrived here as patron. Duty awaits!" Raoul exhaled. He studied Christine one last time. "You're absolutely certain that you wish to stay here alone?"

"I am." With a half-smile, Christine watched Raoul disappear through the door and leave her standing on the roof. Wrapping her cloak tighter, she turned and scanned the statues.

"He's gone now," she said. "Do you intend to hide in shadows until I'm gone as well?"

The sound of feet shuffling through the snow drew her attention to the roof corner. Though he remained in shadows, Christine saw Erik's hardened expression.

"He's in love with you," Erik said, keeping his voice low. He spoke through his teeth, rage and agony filling his words despite his soft tone.

"He's protective," Christine corrected. "Noble but harmless, if his intentions concern you."

"Why did you tell him?"

"Excuse me?"

"He will go to the managers, to authorities," Erik spit. "Why would you do such a thing?"

"You make him sound like a child," Christine grumbled.

"He's a boy," Erik snapped.

"Hardly."

"You defend him?"

Christine rolled her eyes. "As patron, he has clout in the theater."

"No more so than I have," Erik replied defensively.

"Ah, yes, I have forgotten," she replied dryly. "Whereas you take money, however, he and his parents support the arts."

Erik glared at Christine, unable to argue that point. "He was born of privilege."

"Would you honestly prefer spending this lovely evening arguing over Raoul de Chagny rather than enjoying the snowfall?" Christine sighed. "Stamp your feet if you must, but I'll have you know I am not pleased with your spying."

"Spying," Erik said under his breath.

"Eavesdropping." She shook her finger. "And not a word of nonsense over being my angel. Your halo is anything but straight, sir."

"Why would you tell him? Answer me that."

"To form an alliance," Christine answered.

"I don't need his pity."

"Erik, please. This has nothing to do with pity. He's someone to back your opera."

Erik studied her a moment. "Why would he ever do such a thing?"

Christine shrugged. "Because at the Bal Masque he will finally meet a musical genius whose works deserve to be shared with Paris and beyond. It would prove lucrative to the managers to bestow our stage with something innovative, provocative, ecstatic."

With a nod, Erik crossed his arms. "A business arrangement?"

"Yes, exactly."

His eyes narrowed, jealousy evident in his piercing gaze. "At what price?"

Christine, seeing her opportunity to end their conversation regarding Raoul, wrapped her arms around Erik's waist and pulled herself close. "I have known Raoul de Chagny for many years. We were childhood sweethearts, yes, but we are children no more. My affection for him is that of sister for her brother. He is aware of this fact and being a man of his breeding and ethics, I have no doubt he will respect my decision."

Erik remained unconvinced, his body still rigid, his jaw still set.

Christine smiled up at him, knowing his fears were deep and that one night would not quell his anxieties. "Do you ever dream of seeing your opera performed on stage?" she whispered as she ran her finger along Erik's jaw.

"With you as the lead."

"Forget your hopes for me," she murmured with a shake of her head. "What do you want for your work?"

Erik's arms snaked around her, his hands clasped at her back. "I've never considered that."

"Perhaps you should." Christine inched closer, so close she could feel his breaths on her face. "The night is too keen and cold, the snowflakes too brilliant to waste on words, especially a disagreement. Stand with me, if only for a moment, and keep me warm."

Erik held her closer and rested his chin on the top of her head. Inhaling deeply, he ran his fingers down her back. "His words do not bode well with me."

Christine resisted the urge to pull away and look Erik in the eye. She was far too comfortable in his arms and had hoped that he would be content in hers.

"If you took a moment to speak to him, I think you would enjoy his company. He's very intelligent, a gregarious party host, a wonderful dancer, and not a bad tenor." Pausing, Christine lifted her head. "I suppose nothing I have said impresses you."

"He mentioned a plan."

"Ah, yes. A sinister plan. I have no idea what he means."

Erik's grip tightened. "Neither do I. You should be wary of your surroundings, Christine. I won't risk anything happening to you, not ever, not when you're this close to your dream."

His words caught Christine by surprise and a shiver wriggled up her spine. "Are you attempting to frighten me?" she questioned.

Erik glanced down at her and shook his head. "Erik…Lu'oar? He would never attempt to frighten you," he answered bitterly.

Christine pursed her lips. "I can't think well under pressure."

"Obviously. Lu'oar? Lu'oar! Of all the names in the world. Why not Noir…Belmont…Levesque…Kire…Leroux is nice and French."

"As is Lu'oar," Christine shrugged.

"Oh, Christine," Erik exhaled heavily. He looked at her again, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Your nose is red. Come, we must return before you catch your death."

"I don't feel like returning to my room," she sighed, lacing her fingers with Erik's. "I'm not the least bit tired and there is absolutely nothing to do but read…unless Meg is in there with her mystery groomsman."

"Groomsman?"

Christine nodded. "He's a horseman. At least that's what I think she said. I was so infuriated to find her in my bed that I didn't listen to what she said. But, anyhow, I don't want to sit around and read or stumble upon Meg being ravished."

"Good. I want you to see me dressed in my costume."

Christine cocked an eyebrow as she looked him up and down. "And out of it as well," she said under her breath.

"Pardon me?"

"I simply cannot wait," she said cheerfully.