I pray you all are entranced? I hope that you all are enjoying the way that my little tale is progressing. Thank you so much all of you…without you my dear readers, my works would be just a whisper in my mind! Please, if you enjoy my story so…tell your friends, family ect! I wish to get out there! Thank you all once again, and thank you for your patience! Thank you all for your warm wishes in my time of darkness. My puppy is now in the arms of the angels. Thank you all dear readers for your support and patience in my absence. Now, on to the festivities!

PryingPandora

P.S. This chapter will be seen from Erik's point of view only. And divided into two parts muahahaha

X.

A million false faces pt 1

He could feel her anticipation as he stood just a few feet from the mirror. He did not want to see her magnificent form before she was ready to be seen. He paced back and forth in the corridor, the motion stirring up his cape around him. He smirked to himself, How will she like being courted by the Red Death?

A faint laugh escaped his lips, a joyous feeling bubbling in his chest. She actually wanted to be seen with him! Him, of all the suitors that had asked her, had been the one to take her hand. Smiling he lightly brushed his lips with his fingers, reminiscing of last night's kiss.

She had…kissed him. A faint blush stole across his features, unseen by any but not unfelt by him. He fingered the rose that he held in his hand, the sweet fragrance reminding him of Christine's own sweet scent. Not baring to be apart from her any longer he sauntered to the front of the mirror, peering in to the softly lit room. His voice calling out gently, soothingly, seductively.

"Christine…..Christine…."

He watched as she jumped from behind the privacy screen, he could almost feel her heart flutter. Her sweet angelic voice called out to him, stirring the memories of him and her.

" Maestro, please enter at last"

With a self-conscious smoothing of his wig he pushed the lever, the mirror sliding back silently. Stepping down into the room he was hit by her scent, the sweet faint rose, and found himself aching to hold her.

As she stepped from behind the privacy screen the sight of her took his breath away. Her hair was gently pined up, each curl lovingly placed just so, a few unruly strands escaping from around her temples. Her cheeks were sweet and rosy, her lips like soft rose petals, a slash of elegant red upon her creamy white skin. Her dress was the color of the flames, the fiery red satin catching the light, causing the fabric to almost glow. The neckline drew his eyes downward from her neck to her bodice. The bodice was elegantly decorated with black lace, the tops of her breasts creamy swells. Embarrassed he darted his gaze to her face, his own aflame under his mask. Her eyes betrayed her bashfulness and he could not contain himself any longer.

Sweeping her into his arms he crushed her to his chest, breathing in her intoxicating scent.

Christine, you wear the color of courtesans, but are so pure, like freshly fallen snow.

He could feel her fingers burrowing into his chest, her warmth pouring into his heart. Pulling away slightly he snaked his hand up to gently cusp her chin, tilting her head up so he could stare into her eyes. His voice was hoarse, his voice betraying his passion.

"Christine, oh Christine. Your beauty is unchallengeable."

He watched as a deep flush stole across her cheeks, her faint "thank you Maestro" reaching his ears and a faint smile creasing his face.

Leaning forward he hesitantly met his lips to hers, his heart skipping a beat when she kissed him back. The flush still staining her cheeks she pulled away, rushing to her vanity she picked up her mask. A throaty chuckle escaped him when he saw what she had created, the mask was made to resemble the black one in his lair. The one she must have found in his bedchamber.

As she smoothed it on, the black satin covered porcelain hiding her delicate bone structures. Stepping back so he could view the whole of her, his breath caught in his chest.

How could such a delicate innocent creature stir so much passion in a man such as I? Oh Christine if you only knew….

He could hear the festivities just outside her door, the sound of thousands singing in unison a gay song. Deciding he reached out his hand he beckoned her to come, signaling that it was time for their grand entrance.

It shall be one that they will never forget.