Chapter 9: The Honeymoon Journey Begins
Erik and Christine emerged from the chapel, into the star-filled night. She turned her face up to his, as they paused before the chapel doors. He brought his lips to hers again, softly, his hot breath fanning out onto her cheeks. She had to forcibly separate herself from him, as her own breathing had become rather unsteady.
Nadir stepped up quietly behind them. Erik, feeling the daroga's presence, turned to him.
The Persian smiled enigmatically at Erik. "I have arranged for some...transportation." Then, without warning, he put his fingers to his lips, blowing a piercing whistle that had the women covering their ears. From out of nowhere, a large, beautiful Arabian stallion appeared, trotting majestically up to the chapel steps. Erik, Christine, and the others stared at the animal, astonished.
"Nadir, you have definitely outdone yourself this time!" exclaimed Erik in admiration, as he ran his eyes over the stallion's sleek flanks. He was an excellent judge of horseflesh, having loved the animals ever since he could remember. He missed the horse that had served him so well, at the Opera House. He was now reminded of the regal horses that flew over the arid plains of Persia.
In the brilliant moonlight, the stallion shone like an ebony jewel. It seemed to Erik that he was an elegantly wrought sculpture come to life. Turning to Nadir, he asked, "Where did you acquire this magnificent creature?"
The Persian smiled, evidently quite pleased at Erik's reaction. "May I introduce you both to my dearest friend, Al-Hafaz? He has traveled with me all the way from Persia. I had simply never told you about him before, Erik. I trained him myself, from the time he was one year old. He has never known anything but kindness, and so has never had his spirit broken. I could have had him gelded a long time ago, but I utterly abhor the practice, which I consider totally unnecessary. Well, you will take good care of him, will you not?"
Erik and Christine both stared at him, open-mouthed.
"Yes, indeed," Nadir assented, clapping Erik on the shoulder. "He is my wedding present to you."
Erik found himself completely speechless. He looked from the horse to Nadir, and then back again to the horse. Christine, meanwhile, leaned over and gave Nadir a peck on the cheek.
"Thank you, Nadir," she murmured, her eyes shining.
Erik chuckled as he noticed the daroga's embarrassed face. "Why, my dear daroga! I do believe you are blushing!"
"Come, come!" said Nadir, brusquely. "Up with you both! You are to start your honeymoon at once, do you hear?"
Erik shook the Persian's hand, meeting his eyes. "Nadir, this shall not be forgotten, by either one of us."
Erik then turned to Christine, and, taking her hand, led her down the steps toward the waiting horse, who remained completely still, softly blowing air from his great nostrils. Christine did not feel intimidated by his size, as she had been around horses before, as a child in Sweden. Nadir moved to the great stallion's head, holding him by the mere touch of his hand on the horse's nose. Christine carefully put one foot in the left stirrup, and, while Erik waited, easily swung her other leg over the stallion's back, holding the pommel with one hand, while she grasped the skirt of her gown. Once in the saddle, she tucked the folds of the skirt carefully around her body. Erik smiled up at her admiringly.
"I see I have married an expert horsewoman!" he exclaimed, laughing, as he prepared to mount.
She grinned down at him. "Shall I help you up, my dear sir?" she teased.
"Ah, you shall definitely pay for that remark, you saucy wench!" he teased back, as he, too, swung up onto the stallion, and settled himself in the saddle, right behind her. Wrapping one arm around her waist, he gathered the reins with his free hand.
Nadir stroked the horse's nose affectionately, patting his neck as well. His voice broke as he spoke softly to the beautiful animal he had so carefully nurtured and loved.
"Good-bye, my friend," he murmured, as the horse dipped his head, nuzzling Nadir's shoulder. "Perhaps we shall meet again."
Erik suddenly felt guilty. Nadir was obviously quite fond of the stallion.
"Fear not, most excellent daroga! We would not dream of taking such a lavish gift from you! We shall return him to you as soon as we are able."
The Persian shook his head determinedly. "I freely give him to you. You must accept him, or I shall feel highly insulted."
Christine smiled down at Nadir. "You shall see him often, then, Nadir. We will make sure you do, when we are established..." She broke off, and turned to Erik. "My love, where are we going? And...where are we to live?"
Nadir answered for him. "For now, you are to go...here." So saying, he produced an envelope from his voluminous clothes, and handed it to Erik. The latter took it, opening it at once. He smiled broadly as he read its contents, then wordlessly handed it to Christine. She read it quickly, and gave out a little gasp as she delicately covered her mouth with one hand.
"Nadir..." She looked at him, then at Erik, a radiant smile spreading over her face.
"Closer than a brother, Erik. Remember that." With that, the Persian released the stallion's head. Christine turned to wave to Meg, Madame Giry, and Father Lecourt, then blew a kiss to Nadir. Erik gathered the reins firmly again, and gently tapped the horse's flanks with his booted heels, turning the animal's head just as gently. Al-Hafaz snorted, and obeyed his new master's command, moving away from the chapel steps at a slow canter.
Christine sighed contentedly, leaning back onto Erik's broad chest, while he tightened his arm possessively around her. They were now officially beginning their honeymoon. Both tried to release all thoughts of what the future held in store for them. For now, they were together, as husband and wife at last.
A long ride through the outskirts of the city, and then the countryside, awaited them. Erik sighed uneasily, wondering whether they would be able to leave the city undetected. He was now regretting having ever brought Christine into this madness that was his life. He did not deserve to be loved by such a woman. But his first glimpse of her, from the darkness of Box Five at the Opera House, had sealed his destiny. From that moment, he had been helpless to do anything but love her. Christine heard his sigh, and, turning her face up to his, lifted a hand up to caress his visible cheek.
"What is it, my love? Are you not bursting with happiness, as I am?"
He looked around warily at the silent buildings they were passing, and did not immediately answer.
"Tell me what is troubling you, Erik," she insisted.
He sighed once more. "This is all a dream, my sweet angel. It should never have been. And we shall soon be awakened by the Paris police. It is only fitting, wouldn't you say? Do not forget what you have married, my dear..."
Christine continued to caress his cheek, now leaning her head back onto his chest.
"Erik," she murmured, "I have married a man with a beautiful soul. You have tainted that beauty with murder, but this does not mean that you are incapable of goodness. I cannot help but love you in spite of what you have done."
Incredibly moved, he pressed a kiss upon the top of her head, as they continued on their nocturnal ride.
"I shall love you until my last breath leaves my body, and beyond that, as well, my beautiful wife..." He moved his hand from her waist to her cheek, caressing it as she had done with his. Then he glanced up at the moon, the eternally watchful moon, and thereupon made a solemn vow, to Whoever was up in the heavens. He would treasure this woman forever, doing nothing that could possibly bring any harm to her, emotional as well as physical.
They silently passed through the streets of Paris like misty wraiths, on their way to a small inn in the country, where the Persian's manservant, Darius, was waiting for them.