Beneath a Moonless Sky
Chapter 2
Raoul sat in his study, shuffling papers and marking account ledgers, his mind occupied by the business of keeping the De Chagny estate running efficiently. He frowned when he saw a bill from the gardener. Five hundred francs for a man to harvest turnips?
A knock sounded at his door.
"Come."
The door opened and his butler entered. "Post for you, Monsieur Le Vicomte, and luncheon is served."
"Yes, thank you, Durand, I shall be down shortly." Durand passed him a pile of envelopes and departed.
Raoul looked through them and raised his eyebrows. A bill for saddle grooming oils? Phillipe would have us starve for his vanity….
Raoul continued to examine each letter until he saw a small piece of paper flutter out of one of the envelopes. He picked it up and froze, instantly recognizing the fine hand written there:
Come to me tonight
He stared at the note for several minutes, turning it over and over in his hands, his breath coming in sharp bursts.
But he despises me… hates me… I am nothing to him…
Raoul stood and walked to the blazing fire in his hearth. He crumpled the paper and threw it in, watching as it burned to nothing.
Raoul entered the dining area swiftly. "My apologies, Christine, Phillipe, Amelie," he said, rushing to his setting. "I was quite preoccupied."
"If you are to successfully run this estate while I am away, you must better manage your time, Raoul," Phillipe said sternly.
The woman to Phillipe's left put a hand on his arm. "Do not be so hard on him, Phillipe," she said. "It has only been two weeks since you put him in as master of the house."
Phillipe looked at her and smiled. "As you wish, my dear." He turned back to Raoul. "Amelie and I will be leaving for our honeymoon next month and shall return in two months' time. I trust we will not find the estate in ruins."
"You must have more confidence in your brother, Phillipe," Christine said severely. "He has done nothing as of yet to the detriment of the household."
Phillipe frowned and did not reply.
After luncheon Raoul returned to his study, but could not concentrate. The writing on the note burned through him:
Come to me tonight
Raoul paced the floor, cursing the uninvited passion that coursed through his veins. He felt heat in his groin as his body responded to memories of that night…
Vicomte, you flatter me…
Raoul put his palms on the desk and bent over it, his mind racing. I cannot, not tonight, not ever…
Raoul jumped as the door behind him opened. He turned to see Christine entering with a smile on her face. She walked to him and put her arms around his waist.
"Do not mind Phillipe," she said gently. "He only wants you to succeed."
Raoul held her tightly. "He is more like our father than he would care to admit."
"He is angered by the fact that you preceded him in marriage by almost a year," Christine said, smiling. "And that you are soon to be a father."
Raoul gave her a concerned look. "You should be resting, Christine."
She took his arm and gestured to the door. "I will, after our walk."
Raoul had always enjoyed their daily walks, but they had become shorter and shorter due to the colder weather and Christine's pregnancy. They decided to take a turn around a small garden at the back of the house.
The sun reflecting off of the white snow made Raoul's eyes hurt.
Come to me tonight
"You are miles away, Raoul," Christine said.
"Oh, I am sorry, my dear," Raoul said.
"I have been talking these five minutes," Christine scolded him. "Have you heard nothing I have said?"
"I am worried that I will not run the estate as well as Phillipe wishes," Raoul said.
Christine squeezed his arm. "You will do fine, Raoul. You should not worry so much."
Raoul smiled and kissed her. "And now, we must return to the house, for you need rest. I want my son to be healthy and strong."
Christine frowned slightly as they followed the path back to the house. "You keep saying that, are you so sure?"
"Yes," Raoul said fervently. "It is just a feeling, but a sure feeling."
Raoul returned to his study and forced himself to focus on the affairs of the estate. He was so intent on his work that he did not notice the day was swiftly ending. When Durand appeared announcing dinner, Raoul asked to have it brought to him. "Please apologize to Christine and Phillipe. I have much more I need to do."
It was after eleven o'clock before Raoul entered his sleeping chamber. Christine lay there looking peaceful and beautiful. He walked to the bedside, bent down and kissed her. Christine forgive me… please forgive me….
Cursing himself, Raoul dressed warmly and hurried to the stables.
The sense of urgency he had felt before was absent as Raoul made his way down to the lake. More curious than anxious, he lit the small lamp and began to row. As he neared the far shore, he saw a tall candle burning near the water. Stepping from the boat, he picked up the candle and held it above him. Nothing had changed in the cavern, but Raoul noticed that the organ had been partially restored.
He was startled when he heard footsteps, then Erik walked into the light. Raoul's heart leapt at the sight of him.
Erik looked thinner than Raoul remembered, his tattered and worn clothing barely clinging to him. Erik's mask was tarnished but still clung tightly to his face. His cold cat-like eyes passed over Raoul.
Raoul tried not to shiver. "It has been six months, Erik," he said. "Why am I here?"
"I cannot answer that for you," Erik said. His voice was still intoxicating and beautiful to Raoul, but his words were not as harsh as they had been on their previous meeting.
"You asked me," Raoul said, his voice rising. He took a step towards Erik. "And I am here."
Erik smirked. "I did not realize I had that strong of a hold on you."
"Then why send me the note?" Raoul demanded. "Do I have that strong of a hold on you?"
Erik looked away from him. Raoul thought he looked nervous. "I hear you are soon to be a father," Erik said.
Raoul was mystified as to how Erik came to know this, but said, "Yes. The child arrives next month." Raoul stepped even closer to him. "Why am I here, Erik?" he asked again.
When Erik finally met his eyes, Raoul was surprised to find desperation in them. "I.… I need you," he said through gritted teeth. "Damn me to hell… I need you."
Raoul turned away, dropping the candle into the water. He stepped into the boat. "If my memory serves me well, you were not so eager for my company when last we met," he said angrily.
As Raoul began to row, Erik walked to the shoreline and watched him sadly, his pride too great to call him back.
Raoul was near the opposite shore when he hesitated. Erik would never admit to needing anything… the only thing he has ever asked for was Christine's voice…
Hoping that he would not regret his decision, Raoul turned the boat and rowed back. Erik was still standing near the shore, and he raised his drooping shoulders at Raoul's approach. Hope replaced sadness in his eyes as Raoul stepped from the boat once more and stood before him. Erik could not hide his desire.
"I will not ask you to beg," Raoul said softly. "I will not torment and abuse you as you did me."
Erik looked at him in shame. "I would not blame you if you did."
Raoul took the lapels of Erik's shirt and pulled him forward. Their mouths collided and Erik gasped with pleasure. Their tongues met and passion flowed through them. Breaking apart, Erik took Raoul's arm and led him to the swan bed. Throwing the curtains aside and ripping the coverings off, he fell into it and pulled Raoul on top of him. Erik pulled at Raoul's clothing eagerly, then Raoul stopped him.
"I want to enjoy this," he whispered as he looked down at Erik. "We do not need to rush."
In the faint light, Raoul could just make out the frustration in Erik's eyes, but he said nothing.
Raoul rolled to the side and Erik sat up. They both removed their shoes then sat looking at each other shyly. Raoul reached for Erik's coat and pulled it off him, then slowly removed his shirt, taking his mask with it. He saw that Erik's deformity was not limited to his face- his neck and chest wore the same twisted and ruined flesh. Erik lowered his eyes in shame and embarrassment. Raoul touched his deformed chest tenderly, then leaned over to kiss his neck. Erik shuddered as Raoul's lips moved over his jaw, his ear, across his face and then his mouth. Not wanting to end the kiss, Erik took hold of Raoul's coat and pushed it off him, and it was quickly followed by Raoul's jacket. Pausing only to remove Raoul's shirt, they rose to their knees on the bed, their mouths again colliding with renewed passion. When Erik reached for Raoul's trousers, Raoul again stopped him.
He smiled against Erik's mouth. "Slowly," he said. "Remember, I want to enjoy this."
Erik groaned. "You are teasing me," he growled.
Raoul took hold of Erik's waistband and reached inside, his hand coming to rest on the silky hardness he felt there. Erik gasped as Raoul's fingers explored him, and rocked against them as Raoul pressed and stroked him. Erik put his arms around Raoul's shoulders, holding him tightly and breathlessly whispering for him to continue. Encouraged, Raoul explored Erik further, causing him to groan and dig his fingers into Raoul's back. When Erik gave a final gasp and released, Raoul removed his hand and tasted his fingers.
"Just as I remember," he whispered.
Erik held him tightly, kissing the perfect flesh of his neck, chest, and face. He then reached for Raoul's trousers, and gave him a questioning look. When Raoul nodded, Erik pulled Raoul's trousers down to his knees, then pushed Raoul back into the softness of the bed. Erik quickly removed them, then knelt by the bedside and put Raoul's legs over his shoulders. Holding tightly to Raoul's waist, Erik teased him with his lips and his breath until Raoul's back arched with pleasure. He took Raoul into his mouth, running his tongue over Raoul's pulsing need. Raoul put his hands on Erik's head, pushing him down, breathlessly begging him to continue. Erik sucked and softly bit, exploring with his fingers and tongue, making Raul moan and gasp. With a cry Raoul let go into Erik's mouth. Rising from his knees, Erik lowered himself gently on top of Raoul and kissed him.
"You taste good," he whispered passionately, and felt his own desire rise up. Raoul looked down and gave a small laugh.
"Again?"
At Erik's blush, Raoul turned over. "I am trusting you," he said, looking back at Erik.
Erik lay down beside him. "If you don't want me to…"
Raoul looked at him tenderly and ran a hand over Erik's ruined face. "I want you to," he said.
When Erik slowly slid into him, Raoul gasped in pain and Erik froze. "No…" Raoul said, moaning. "Don't stop….please don't stop…"
The pain was nothing in comparison to the pleasure Raoul felt as Erik moved within him, and their moans and gasps mingled together in a symphony of passion.
When Erik's need was spent, he withdrew from Raoul and collapsed beside him. Raoul turned and put an arm over him, pulling him close. "Thank you."
Erik's yellow eyes looked at him questioningly.
"For asking me here," Raoul said, kissing Erik's chest.
"I needed you," Erik whispered. "It has been agony for me…" Erik shuddered, and Raoul felt something drip onto his head. Reaching up, he found Erik's face wet with tears.
"Erik, what-"
"I have never had this…," Erik said softly. "I have never felt this…" His hand clenched on Raoul's back. "You cannot imagine how I was treated as a child, my own mother never held me, or loved me… she hated me...I was a burden to her…" He brought his hand to the back of Raoul's head and pressed him to his chest. "And then the circus-"
Raoul wiped Erik's tears away. "Do not speak of it, it will only ruin you."
Erik kissed his shoulder, softly, tenderly. "I need you… I think I always will…" He pulled back reached for Raoul's desire, massaging it gently until he felt it swell. "I need this…please…"
"I do not want to hurt you, Erik," Raoul said.
Erik looked down at him, his yellow eyes glimmering. "It's okay."
Raoul moved from Erik's side, and gently pushed him onto his chest. He pulled Erik's end up and pressed his need against Erik's cold skin. Raoul waited a few moments, then slowly slid himself inside. Raoul heard a hissing intake of breath as Erik arched his back and opened his mouth in a silent scream, his own desire bursting and dripping onto the bed. Raoul heard him groan painfully. Raoul moved to pull out, but Erik reached back and grabbed his wrist, holding him there. Erik waited, then pulled Raoul to him again, rocking slowly forward. Erik gasped in pain, then slowly he began to feel the intense pleasure of having Raoul inside him. Raoul moved against him gently, moaning as he felt Erik's muscles clench against him. After one final thrust, Raoul withdrew, and together they collapsed onto the bed, gasping.
They lay there looking at each other, their bodies sweaty and flushed. Raoul shivered in the cold, and Erik pulled him to his chest. Raoul kissed him. "I need to go. It must be near to daylight."
Erik held him fast. "No… you could stay here…"
Raoul gently but forcefully pushed Erik from him. "You know I can't, Erik." Raoul rose from the bed and slowly began to dress.
Erik rested his head on his arm and looked at Raoul longingly. "When will I see you again?"
"I do not know," Raoul said, standing. "Not until after the baby is born." He gave Erik a rueful smile. "I must play the role of dutiful husband. It is not easy."
Erik rose from the bed and followed Raoul to the shoreline of the lake. Raoul gave him one final passionate kiss, and again felt Erik respond with passion. Raoul caressed him gently, then climbed into the boat.