I woke up with a start and nearly jumped out of bed. Slowly, I came to my bearings. I was in a long, narrow bed. It was explicitly soft and covered with stacks of rich pillows. The upper half of my body was draped over the pillows, and my red ball gown was still intact, falling over the rest of the bed. The bed, with more consideration, was actually more a chaise lounge, there were no blankets or head board. I slowly lifted myself to my elbows and blinked into my dim surroundings. I could not see clearly into the distance, the only shapes that were visible was the glow of candles. My head ached, and my skin felt as it were on fire. I felt feverish and sleepy, despite having just awoken. When I felt calm enough to stand, I did so and slowly left what seemed to be a little alcove. Where had the Angel gone?
Walking forward in a dazed manner, I felt my way through the dark corridors. When the Angel had sang to me, we had been in a bright golden cove surrounded by water and mist. Now, I was lost in a dark, murky corridor, completely alone. Had it been real? I felt myself began to panic. My heart race increased, soon my breath grew shallow and I felt faint. "Calm down, calm down!" I whispered to myself. Though it may sound strange, I often found it comfortable to repeat the facts of my life out loud to myself. "Well, it must have been real." I said slowly and stopped frantically feeling my way through the dark. I stood still and let my hands wander out in front of me. "I remember there was mist. Mist that swirled over a vast, glassy lake. There were candles everywhere, even floating in the water. In the lake there was a boat, no... a gondola....And in the gondola, there was a man." Even though it was pitch black, I closed my eyes and remembered the man. Even wearing a white mask, his beauty had rivaled Edward Cullen's. That alone was enough to stun me, but then he had sang. His voice was more then that of an Angel's, he sang of lust and with the feeling of a man. And now that divine being had vanished on me, left me alone in a vast black cavern.
To top that off, I realized I still wore my silk ballgown. The corset was digging into my ribs, and since I had been sleeping in it, my breasts were nearly falling out of the already low neckline. I brought my hand up to my hair, and noticed that my gloves were still on as well. My hair had fallen out of the elaborate twist and fell into wild mane around me. I could feel that my hair must be rather voluminous. Jewels still seemed to be tangled into the thick curls. My annoyance at my wardrobe distracted me from my previous panic at being deserted, so I quite calmly walked back to the chaise lounge. It was perhaps the brightest place in the whole lair, having a few candles set up next to the long chair. I sat down and waited for the Angel to return.
…....But I have never been one for waiting, so I began to pace and fiddle with my dress. When lots of time had surely gone by, I gave a frustrated growl and began to fidget with the ties on my lower back. My corset and heavy skirts felt as if they were tying me to the ground . Finally, I looked about me. I was truly alone. Carefully, I unfastened the latches on the back of my dress. I removed the sash from my outer skirt. I kicked off my shoes. Clumsily, I detached the "princess" bustle from the outer skirt. Then I stepped out from dress. I stood in the lair wearing my lacy black silk chemise, stockings and corset. I contemplated removing my corset, then decided it would be a futile effort, I couldn't reach the stays and it would be terribly hard to put back on. I felt rather racy in wearing just my underclothes, but decided to just ignore the feeling, and placed my discarded clothing over the end of the couch. Then I resumed my pacing, which was much easier without the cumbersome bustle and heavy skirts.
"Waiting for someone?" I must have jumped about five feet into the air. The velvety, seductive voice of the Angel had startled me. I turned and saw him step out a the shadows. He was exquisitely beautiful and proud. Then I remembered my state of undress, and fled to behind the sofa. Once there, I tried to clutch my outer garments over my body. My chemise and corset revealed every curve I had. I couldn't think of a thing to say, so I stared at him pitifully, my face heating up with a blush. "Why cover yourself? You are magnificent." he said, slowly walking towards the chaise lounge. He still wore the striking white mask. I wished to touch it. The meaning of his words sank in, and my blush deepened . I stepped out from behind the lounge, calling on my boldness. I usually was not a shy, simpering girl, so I wouldn't behave like one in front of this creature. Once I was in plain sight, I let my arms drop so he could see my full form. The Angel slowly smiled at my arrogant move. Then there was just silence as we stared at each other. Finally, I asked a question that had been burning me since I woke up. "Monsieur....why have you brought me here?"
His smile faded to a pleased smirk. He took a step closer to me, then in his perfect voice, asked, "Belle. What do you suppose I am?" I turned away from him in confusion. I immediately wanted to say he was the Angel of Music, but he was more then that. He also seemed to be a man, an impossibly beautiful, talented man who lived beneath the opera house. Narrowing my green eyes, I finally answered, "You...are some sort of man. A man who can sing like an Angel, conjure tricks for my mind....a lovely man, yes? An angel of music." He gave a low laugh. "You are honest." I nodded to his statement, my large curls bouncing in the air.
"You have not answered my question, Monsieur Angel." He laughed again, a throaty sound, then said, "Belle, I have brought you here for many reasons." I cocked my head, and gestured for him to go on. He didn't say a word, but walked towards me again. We were but a foot apart. I could smell him; an intoxicating delicious smell, like honey and wine. Drawing in a shaky breath, I whispered, "I only ask because I am curious...You only first sang to me three days ago..." He shook his elegant head and murmured, "Oh, but I have known you much longer then that." Then the Angel filled the space between us, putting his cold, gloved hands on my hips and pulling me to him. I nearly fell, drunk on his scent and voice. "You are light – your innocence, your voice, your curiosity, your beauty..." He leaned his head in closer, and my head fell back, my curls brushing against the nearly bare skin of my back. When he spoke again, his lips brushed against my neck. "Belle. We are destined to be together. Music is our tie, our covenant." He kissed my neck slowly, his hands still around me, pulling me closer to his cold, hard body. I felt faint. "This Music of the Night- it's our music. Once you have heard it, you can't escape it." I nodded with him, my dazed eyes closing. "You belong to me, and I to you." Again I nodded. I was dreaming, surely. "Confirm it, my love. Sing to me!" I managed to open my eyes and stare at him. He was so captivating in his power. I brought one hand up and stroked the smooth porcelain of the mask. In spite of my curious nature, I did not want to remove it. Then I carefully thought of my words.
"In this darkness, music has set me free. Forever, we are chained together with only our music as the key." When I sang, he closed his eyes. My voice seemed to bring him as much pleasure as his voice brought me. When my final note rang out, his bright eyes opened and stared into me own. Then one of his hands traced over my face, and he leaned in and kissed me. I had been kissed before, but it hadn't been like that. My few former kisses had been by spoiled rich boys who expected me to be flattered at their scandalous behavior. The Angel's kiss scorched me. His lips against my own was a great and terrible sort of beauty, he sealed our fates. I felt extreme passion, my arms went around him and I pressed myself even closer to his body. I was intoxicated. Yet, even in the glory of the moment, I felt a strange sense of ill-foreboding. In his kiss, he claimed me to him forever. I felt exhilaration but also a small bit of dread. I was no longer my own, I belonged to the Angel of Music. Somehow, while he passionately kissed me, he slipped a ring onto the fourth finger on my left hand. Then he broke away, still keeping his face near. My breathing was ragged, and I could feel the heat radiating off my skin. He was calm and collected. When he saw my eyes focus once more, he solemnly released me from his embrace and whispered, "You are mine."