Sweet Seduction

Chapter Thirty: Sweet Seduction

Thanks for all of your great reviews! FYI,I had some time last weekend, so I went back and edited lots of errors and inconsistencies in some previous chaps, like the Eros/Ares sculpture thing and many other grammer/punctuation issues. Anyways, I hope you'll enjoy this chapter, I felt very sentimental while writing it, so expect fluff!

Christine sat down on the floor of the stage, spreading her thin, yellow chiffon skirt over her bare legs, nearly exhausted. After all that had happened the previous evening with Raoul down in Erik's lair, the performance had been canceled and rescheduled for tonight. Christine was very pleased at that, for she would hate to see Erik's opera cancelled again. But, Alexandre's voice had returned and Erik waned the boy to sing the part again. Christine sighed. She supposed it was al for the best and Erik just didn't want to perform, so she'd have to accept that, as disappointing as it was. She fiddled with the prop roses in her basket, waiting for Don Juan to appear.

Oh, this costume was so uncomfortable, especially the uniquely designed corset, fitted to nearly strangle her and pinch every time she moved, and she soon grew tired of pulling up her shoulder straps that continually fell whenever she moved her arms. Though it was beautiful, it certainly wasn't very comfortable or practical, and the skirt was so ridiculously sheer and flimsy, it threatened to rip every time she walked. Fortunately, the interval in the program was only a few scenes away and then she could collapse for a brief moment in her dressing room.

At last, Don Juan finally came onto the stage. She could see a faint black outline as she glanced behind her, and knew Alexandre would be approaching her in a moment, to begin their duet.

But, as her Don Juan drew closer, she immediately knew that this was not Alexandre.

It was Erik. She was certain of it. She glanced over in disbelief to stage right, where Meg and Jacques were watching. In front of them was Alexandre, in his normal clothes and no mask, beaming when he saw Christine's face. She mouthed "Thank you" and he nodded.

Erik began singing, and Christine felt time slowly rolling backwards to that night years ago when her Don Juan had seduced her like this for the first time, when she had realized in a sharp instant that it was her future husband singing to her. How many times had that voice sang to her in her dressing room during their lessons? Behind the mirror? At the cemetery? It was definitely Erik. She gave in to temptation, looking behind her quickly as her angel, in Don Juan's black costume and domino mask, almost whispering low, mysterious notes in his deep voice. She smiled uncontrollably when he looked at her, bringing his finger to his lips when he sang silence and winking at her. This was too perfect to believe. She wanted to turn around and look again, but she chided herself mentally

NO! Stay in character. You're Aminta, the beautiful Spanish gypsy, being seducing by a mysterious masked man (who technically is your husband, but still) you shouldn't be glancing around the stage and at him! Well, all right, just focus on him. Only on him.

Christine concentrated on him, only on him. His hair looked even darker than usual under the spotlights, almost gleaming, and she had only seen him wearing the smooth black mask on his face once before. She let her eyes stray downward towards his costume. His body looked very rugged and handsome in Don Juan's costume. It fit him extremely well, outlining his muscular arms and firm legs, the low shirt underneath his tight jacket revealing a glimpse of his smooth chest. He looked extremely handsome. Standing up, she closed her eyes, waiting for him to begin singing the chorus.

Past the point of no return
No backward glances
Our games of make-believe are at an end

Oh, his voice was so different than the familiar soft voice of her Angel. His voice was loud and powerful, the thrill of performing giving his voice a new-found strength she had heard only once before. He pronounced the words with a low, seductive undertone, practically making him and his voice irresistible. There was an adrenaline she knew from experience could only come from performing urging his voice on now, the passion and fervor rushing out of his throat, giving a new depth to his perfect low voice. Just like last time

Past all thought of "if" or "when"
No use resisting
Abandon thought and let the dream descend

He came towards her, silently, swiftly, drawing closer and closer. She still couldn't believe he was performing tonight, but he was. He was beginning to send delightful shivers up her spine. Erik drew closer and closer to her. He felt the swell in the music coming, and he couldn't control himself any longer. He had finally conquered his fear and anxiety of being captured or noticed by the police and here he was, seducing his wife in character and in truth on the stage.

Erik couldn't believe all that had happened to them both since the last time he had sung these familiar notes to her. After everything they had been through and experienced, their love for each other was still as passionate and pure as the first time they sang this song together, and Erik intended to show that.

He raced over to Christine, grabbing her neck with one hand and wrapping the other around her waist from behind exactly as he had done in the rehearsals and so long ago. Swept up in a comforting sort of nostalgia, Christine groaned softly. Her eyes shut and her arms almost instinctively wrapped themselves around his, feeling his warm, firm body as Erik sang:

What raging fire shall flood the soul ?
What rich desire unlocks its door ?
What sweet seduction lies before us?

Neither of the lovers knew what sort of "sweet seductions" or the future held in store for them, but whatever happened, they intended to expierence it together, as husband and wife, lover and friend, singer and angel. And neither would ever have it any other way.

One more chapter to go! Make sure you review!