Apologies for the delay. Thank you so much for all the reviews, they have really motivated me to get this chapter done faster so keep them coming! :D
Hope you enjoy!
Phanty belongs to Leroux and Lloyd Weber
Erik
I was angry with her. I was furious.
But she removed my mask and I did not care to stop her...
Then she looked upon my face and instructed me to kiss her just as she had done many nights ago. In mere seconds she had stripped me of my defenses. I did what I had done the last time she had used those words against me, what I had wanted to do in spite of the pain she had unwillingly put me through; I kissed her.
Soon, things had escalated to a point which she and I had never reached; a point I had vowed never to reach for her sake... but before her eyes I was weak, beneath her caresses I was lost and what little self restraint I had threatened to vanish entirely. Here she was before me, beseeching me to do what I had vowed not to, willing me to continue. It had been days since I had seen her and tonight her beauty truly was unearthly; unparalleled. My Opera house had never witnessed such a sight. All of Paris could not compare to what I held in my arms... and I wanted it all. With every touch it became more difficult to resist her. She knew... she knew that and yet she did not care. I daresay she even shared the sentiment. As I began placing kisses down her neck she pulled me toward her... and the sensation I experienced at such an action told me that I had to stop.
"We... we should continue to the roof." I breathed against her neck. Perhaps the crisp, Winter air would allow me to come to my senses. Also I had neglected to mind my surroundings. It was more than likely that the entire company was still downstairs at the Bal but I had to be sure. She nodded demurely, straightening her dress and hair.
"Yes..." She said, looking down bashfully.
Buttoning my shirt and picking up my mask I approached the spiral stair case. I held out my hand in gesture for Christine to ascend first. Fairly awkwardly she made it up, only turning to face me when she reached the top. It was freezing, snowing. I closed the door behind me and approached her slowly, rubbing my neck awkwardly. What now?
I removed my jacket and slipped it over her shoulders before stepping back slightly.
"Thank you..." She said. She looked at the mask in my hand pensively before continuing. "Are you still upset with me?"
I don't know.
I folded my arms against the cold and averted her gaze. Perhaps I was still angry with her, perhaps I was ashamed of what I had almost done just now, perhaps both.
"I had to do what I did... I know that you understand, Erik." I began. "I know that you do! You're just... so stubborn!"
"As are you..." I said. A childish response, yes. But I had no idea how else to proceed. I looked down at the mask in my hand and sighed. Honesty... that was what she would want. That was what she deserved. "I am not upset with you, Christine. I simply... I saw you with him. I saw you together that night and... then just now..."
"I know." She said softly. "But... that does not mean what you think it does! You cannot allow your jealousy to get the better of you. It is unfounded." She stepped closer to me. "This cannot work if you do not trust me; trust my judgement..."
"I know." I said. "I know."
"...And please." She embraced me. "Do not simply... shun me like that again. That week without you was torture."
Yes, it was. More for me than for her, I was certain of it.
"I'm sorry."I said, returning the embrace, at once reminded of her warmth and my original reason for subjecting us both to such icy temperatures. "I had convinced myself that you did not wish to see me. And... I regret that I do not recall any such agreement made concerning the Bal. If I had, of course I would have honored it regardless of the consequences."
Christine laughed. What a sound... how I had missed it.
"Well, you were... considerably intoxicated. It was silly of me to ask you at such a time."
"Ah." I said with a smirk. Of course... "That was quite crafty of you." I smiled. "But I will agree with you, you were quite misguided in the assumption that a deal struck at such a time would be... remembered..."
"Yes." She giggled, pulling me closer. I held her tightly and exhaled, my breath; visible in the crisp December air... or was it January? I had not cared to check the time. I pulled my pocket watch from within my waistcoat and inspected it; it was twelve fifteen... The New Year had begun.
"Look..." I said quietly, showing her the watch. "Happy New Year, Môn Ange." Christine smiled and gently pulled my head down into a kiss.
"Happy New Year, Erik." She pulled me back into an embrace and rested her head upon my chest. I was freezing. It was snowing and there was an icy wind that cut right through my shirt but I did not care. "It is a shame that we missed the fireworks." She added. What did I care for fireworks? I had the most beautiful creation with me on that rooftop. I gazed out into the night. A New Year... a new beginning. After the final performance Christine and I would leave this place together...
Together...
I had told her that there were things that needed taking care of... and I had planned to wait, but this seemed the opportune moment.
"Christine... about... what just happened..." I began, pulling away from her warmth to look at her. I felt a rush of heat surge through me as I was reminded of what we had done.
"I know. We should not have let it get that far..."
"No, no. I... wish to discuss something with you."
She looked up at me.
"I wish to... say something to you. But I should make it quite quick."
"Quick? But Erik, I haven't seen you in so long..."
"Yes, I know. But we are both freezing and at the moment it is not safe inside... Listen, Christine. Before... in my home when we were... intimate... I told you that I could go no further until I sorted out some things."
"Yes?"
"Well, after spending time away from you I have realized that I do not wish to waste any more time. Marriage, Christine. I do not have a ring as of yet... and I do not know what I can offer you but..." I looked down, considering whether or not to drop to one knee in the snow. "But I cannot live without you, Mademoiselle Daae..." I took a deep breath. "...and if you would allow me the supreme honor of being my wife I should not want for anything else for the rest of my days..." She looked up at me, blinking; seemingly beguiled by my speech. For what it was worth, I was just as confused as she was. Such excitement and vulnerability must have seemed quite out of character but I did not feel like myself at all. I could not stop talking; perhaps I did not want to for fear of her answer.
"I understand that this is... quite a commitment to make... and there is much to be done, but what else matters? If you agree to this..." I was speechless. If she agreed I would likely faint from happiness. "If... you agree you will make me happier than any man has ever been, all my memories... all my suffering will have been nothing; it will be forgotten. If I..."
"Erik...I..." Her eyes filled with tears. Tears of happiness...tears of sadness... of fear? I did not know...
"You once told me that you wanted us to leave this place together... after the Opera, remember?"
"Yes. Of course." She smiled at me.
"Well I will do it. I would do anything for you, anything you asked of me. You know that, don't you?" I took another deep breath and took her hand in both of mine, dropping my mask in the snow beside me. "Christine Daae, redeem me, save me... Marry me."
Christine looked into my eyes and opened her mouth to speak. She was smiling... perhaps she would agree. Then her gaze shifted, she looked behind me and the smile faded from her face.
"What is this?" A voice sounded from behind me. I spun around. It was le Vicomte. That boy.
"My god..." He added. "This is why you wear a mask... grotesque." I scowled at him. My mask had been discarded in the snow beside me. It was too late to replace it now. The boy turned to Christine. "You left my company... you left me for this?"
"Do not dare to address her, boy!" I spat. "If she was in need of your conversation she would not have... as you say left your company."
Raoul scoffed.
"What are you doing here, Raoul?" Christine called from behind me. It was ideal that she was behind me. This was how I preferred it. She was safe there, away from him.
"I came to find you, of course. And now I have, so come with me."
"I do not wish to come with you, Raoul. Please, go back inside."
"Christine, you will catch your death out here, it is snowing!"
"I am more than capable of taking care of her, Monsieur." I spat, taking a step forward. Raoul did the same and unsheathed his sword. "And what do you plan to do with that, Môn amie?" I asked, looking down at the sword now pointed at me.
"What do you think?" he responded.
"Well, I think that you should put that away before you injure yourself. Christine does not wish to accompany you. She has made her stance on that quite clear. If you do not honor that, I will have no choice but to take action."
"Erik, no..." Christine whispered. Raoul looked at Christine once more.
"Christine... come!" As soon as he took a step toward her I placed my hand on the hilt of my sword.
"Do not come any closer, boy." I warned. Raoul smiled.
"Well..." He shrugged. "If Christine will not come with me, I shall have to take you in her stead."
"Me, dear boy?!" I scoffed.
"I have been searching for you. The authorities have been searching for you. They are waiting... just downstairs. And... once you are in custody..."
"Perhaps you underestimate your company. The Police do not believe what you tell them, is that not true? They cannot find me, they will not find me." I said, slowly unsheathing my sword.
"Please, don't fight." Christine cried, resting a hand on my arm. She looked at Raoul. "You do not need to do this."
"Christine..." I whispered. "He will not let us leave. I promise, if it is your wish... I will not hurt him. Only disarm him so that we may pass." How I wanted to hurt him.
"What are you saying to her!?" Raoul called from across the rooftop.
"I don't believe that it is any concern of yours, Monsieur!" I raised my arm. "Consider this your last chance." I said, walking forward. "Drop your weapon and allow Christine and myself to pass, unhindered."
"You will not take her again!" Raoul gritted his teeth and lunged toward me, sword pointed at my chest. A simple parry deflected his advance, I stepped to the side and allowed his weight to take him past me. Frustrated, he lunged at me again. Several more times I blocked his attack and countered. He possessed more skill than I had expected him to and with each attack he was aiming to kill or seriously injure me. I could see it in his eyes. A look I was quite familiar with... a thirst for murder... I had promised Christine that I would not hurt him; therefore I was limited with what I could do. She simply watched, horrified... inhaling sharply with every blow that was struck.
I was beginning to lose my temper and my patience with this man was running short. I struck downward with force but Raoul deflected it. My grip was slightly loosened from his parry and before I knew it he had knocked my sword from my grasp. A hard kick to the chest sent me backward and I fell to the ground, thankfully the snow allowed for a soft landing but the wind was knocked out of me nonetheless.
I heard Christine gasp from my right. I shot her a brief glance as Raoul advanced hastily. I scrambled for my sword, thankfully taking hold of it just in time to block what would have been a killing blow. I jumped up and advanced toward Raoul, but he was blocking each one of my strikes. Then, I noticed that his grip had changed. With all my strength I hit the sword from the left, toward his opposite arm. It fell from his hand, landing in the soft snow with a dull thud. He scrambled after it but I kicked it away and held my sword to his throat.
"Bested, Monsieur." I breathed. Raoul scowled at me.
"Christine, come..." I spoke behind me, holding out my left hand for her to take. Once I felt her small hand in my own I pulled her behind me once more.
"Christine..." Raoul pleaded. "Christine, do not go with him. I beseech you!"
"Raoul, I am sorry." She spoke from behind me. Raoul's gaze shifted to me and his eyes narrowed. "I will find you. I will find you again and I will kill you for what you have done to me."
I said nothing, only kept my sword aimed at his throat until Christine was inside. Then I swiftly slipped inside, myself and closed the door behind me. Once there I took Christine's hand once more and led her back downstairs. Soon, we were in the wings of the auditorium; the same place we had met previously during her rehearsals. I knew that it would be deserted at this time and there was nowhere else that I could take her.
"Are you taking me to your home?" She asked as we approached the wings of the stage.
"No, I cannot. Not tonight." She looked down sadly. I touched her face gently. "I am sorry, Christine. I want nothing more than to spend more time with you, you know that. But at this very moment, Raoul is searching for me. You must return to your sleeping quarters."
She nodded.
"Erik?" She began softly. "Tomorrow I plan to visit father's grave. You... had said that..."
"Of course I will still accompany you." I said. How could I have her travelling alone after what had just transpired? I doubted that le Vicomte would ever harm her, but I could not risk it. I thought of us leaving the Opera together, even for the day. How I would love to take a carriage ride with her as any normal man would have... however, in spite of my fantasies I knew that it could not happen. "But I will have to meet you there." I added. "It is too dangerous for us to travel together... and... I expect that you will want to make your visit during the light of day?"
"Yes..."
I nodded.
"I thought as much. I will meet you there." I took her hand in mine. "I will be there. I promise. I apologize for any prior misunderstandings I may have caused... I believe you when you say that I had agreed to accompany you tonight and I sincerely apologize for making you wait for me... I do not want you to think that I would ever knowingly mislead you, or not be there when you needed me."
"It is alright!" She said with a smile. "I... I don't even care about that. It seems so trivial now compared to what just happened. I was so worried. Are you alright? Did he hurt you?" She ran her hand over my chest softly. The sensation made up for everything that had just happened. I could not hide my smile from her.
"What is it?" She asked.
"Nothing, nothing. Just... anywhere you touch me... I have missed you so much."
"And I, you." She smiled. "Does it hurt? It looked painful."
"I am fine." I said with a slight chuckle. It had been nothing, a trifle compared with what I had experienced in my years. "Do not worry for me." I took her hand. Her fussing was excessive; I think she knew that I had not been hurt. But I did not mind. I did not mind at all.
"It was awful, watching that."
"I am sorry that you had to see it. But I would do it again. To keep you safe... I would."
She reached up and stroked my face gently. I smiled to her touch and placed a kiss on her hand. Much to my dismay I heard noises from above. Raoul was probably close.
"I should go, Christine. As should you."
"Yes. Will you hold me a second longer, Erik?"
I held her tightly.
"Yes." She said quietly.
"What?" I asked absentmindedly, momentarily distracted by the scent of her hair.
"Of course I will marry you."
What?
"What?! You... you will?"
"Of course!" She giggled, holding me tighter.
"Oh... Christine... You don't know what you have done for me..." I was breathless. "I... I am so happy. I am so happy!"
"As am I." She grinned.
"I love you." I whispered.
"I love you!" I said loudly. With a laugh I picked her up. She squealed in delight as her feet left the ground and I spun her around. "Stop." She laughed. "You will make me dizzy."
I stopped and looked into her eyes. She held my face in her small hands and brought her head down until our foreheads touched. Then, ever so gently she placed her lips upon mine.
Another noise sounded from above, disrupting our perfect moment. I gently put her down and looked up. Christine pulled my face back down to meet hers.
"Until tomorrow." She said. I smiled and placed a kiss upon her forehead.
"Until tomorrow." I replied.
"Oh!" She exclaimed before removing my jacket and returning it to me. I had almost forgotten. "This is yours."
I smiled and took it. "Go to your sleeping quarters, Mon Ange."
"I will. I will." She whispered. "Go."
I took her hand and kissed it once more before turning away. I did not want to leave her after so much time apart but I knew that I would see her tomorrow. As I slid into my entrance by the discarded props I turned back once more.
GO! I mouthed with a smile. She rolled her eyes playfully and walked in the opposite direction. I made sure that she had left the auditorium completely before I disappeared back beneath it.
Raoul
I was left in the snow, disarmed and broken-hearted. Perhaps it was time to give up... perhaps she really did not love me. She had agreed to attend the Bal with me but ran after him as soon as he appeared. Perhaps... she could have loved me if it were not for him. If he had stayed away for longer, she would have seen me in a different way. Whenever I had a chance with Christine, whenever she showed the slightest inkling of affection for me, he was there. I would find him and there would be retribution for all of it; for taking my Christine, for making me appear foolish before her... making me appear foolish before the authorities. He would pay.
I stood up and dusted my pants. Of course, it was too late. I had fallen in snow and my clothes were already wet. I bent down to pick up my sword and as I did I saw something several feet away from me. It was also white, lying there, discarded in the snow just as I had been. His mask. He had left it behind. Finally... Finally something I could show to the authorities to prove that he was real. That i had not lost my mind. They would all see. I picked up the object and held it in my hands, turning it over and inspecting it carefully.
His face. The rumors had been true. He wore a mask because he was deformed, and still Christine chose to be in his company. How was that so? They would meet again. They would. It was only a matter of time. I knew that all I had to do was to watch Christine even more closely than I previously had been. I had to watch her and soon enough he would reveal himself. Mask in hand, I marched to the door and swung it open. I made my way down the steps toward the auditorium. Tonight, I would sleep by Christine's bed chamber, and tomorrow I would pay a visit to Inspector Auguste and I would show him what I found...
Christine
Thankfully I made it back to the sleeping quarters without incident. A few of the cots around mine were still empty; supposedly their owners were still at the Bal, enjoying their partners... It had been a long night. At first I was angry with Erik... and yet desperate to see him. Then I was driven mad with lust for the man. And then I was sick with worry as Raoul repeatedly lunged at him with a deadly weapon. Tomorrow I would visit my father's grave and I only hoped that Erik and myself would be safe in doing so. After all, the cemetery was quite far away from the Opera and I would be leaving quite early. I could not understand why he and I could not simply be. Forces threatened to tear us apart at every turn and if anything were to happen to him... especially on my account I could not go on living. I lay there, smiling to myself at the thought of seeing Erik again, smiling as I re-lived the night in my mind; the moments we had shared together.
When I awoke it was very early, I could tell by the temperature and by the mist upon peering out the window. I crept over to another cot and peeked at the pocket watch beside the bed. Six o'clock. Most people would still be in bed due to their frivolity the night before... I hoped. I looked out the window again thoughtfully. Erik had said that he would meet me. I hadn't a clue how he would know when to meet me because we had not discussed a time. He would be there. He said that he would. Deciding not to dwell on it I changed and opened the door. To both my surprise and horror, the first thing I saw upon opening the door was Raoul. He was asleep in a chair directly across from my doorway.
Asleep.
That was something to be thankful for. I had guessed that he would be watching me closely after what had happened but I had not expected this. Not at all. Carefully I crept past him and made my way down the stairs. Perhaps I should tell Erik about what I had seen, perhaps not. He would probably not take kindly to the fact that someone else was watching me.
Thankfully as I opened the door to the stable there was a man preparing his horses.
"Pardon, Monsieur. Are you in service?"
"Oui." He said. "Where would you like to go?"
"The cemetery..."
"Oui." He nodded dutifully. "Allow me several minutes to prepare the carriage."
"Of course."
When I returned the driver was simply sitting at the reins. I thought it strange but I entered the carriage all the same and within seconds it had lurched into movement. After several minutes of silent travel I decided to speak.
"Do you know the cemetery well, Monsieur?"
No response.
"Have you lived here long?"
"Oh yes. Quite a long time."
That voice.
The driver removed his hood and turned to me with a smile. I could not hide my elation at who I saw.
"Erik!"
"Christine." He teased, turning back around to face the road. He laughed as I embraced him from behind and placed a kiss on his cheek.
"How did you manage this? What of the driver?"
"It is alright. He is fine... just unconscious. I had planned to meet you there until this opportunity presented itself to me. Do not worry. I made sure that I was not seen."
"Good... Oh, I wish I'd known it was you, I would have sat beside you!"
"This is much more conspicuous, my dear."
Yes, it was. But I wanted to be near him. I wanted him to hold me.
"Yes, I know."
"We will be there soon. Sit back down Môn Ange. I must replace my hood. We cannot be too careful now." He placed a kiss on my hand and held the reins in both hands. I sat back down in my seat and smiled.
He brought the horses to a halt and jumped down from the front before removing his cloak and offering me his hand. I took it with a smile.
"Thank you for accompanying me." I said.
"You are very welcome." He said. We walked to the cemetery hand in hand.
"Don't we need to go around to the front?"
"Not necessarily." He said. "There is... well not an entrance as such but we can enter from this side." He led me to a small gap in the fence and slipped through before holding out his hand and beseeching me to do the same. I wondered how he knew about this entrance and then it occurred to me that he had probably come here prior to today... if I had come here, odds were that he had. I thought it prudent not to mention it.
My father's grave was at the back of the cemetery therefore we entered right near it.
"This is it." I said as I released Erik's hand and stood before the mausoleum. He simply smiled... I had a feeling he knew exactly which one it was. He slowly approached me and stood beside me, hands in pockets.
"Do you wish for some time alone with your father?"
"No..." I said, rubbing his back affectionately. "Don't leave."
Erik put his arm around my shoulders and placed a kiss atop my head. I shivered as he held me. The temperature was dropping as each day passed. Erik removed his cape and wrapped it around my shoulders.
"Thank you." I smiled.
"Are you... are you sure you do not wish for time alone? I just..." He rubbed his neck awkwardly. I was beginning to see that it was a habit of his. "I think it may be inappropriate, me being here... given everything..."
Everything.
I knew exactly what he meant.
"I will just... I'll give you some time alone."
"Well, don't go far." I said, slightly uneasy.
"Of course not." He smiled. "I will be back in a few minutes. "I saw him wander away, hands in pockets once more and I smiled to myself. It was always refreshing to see him out of his element. Usually he was the one in control, powerful; omnipotent... but there were times when I saw another side to him, when inexperience or self-doubt caused me to see his vulnerability. Times when he was awkward or unsure like me or any other person. Times when he would give away a simple, unguarded smile because he had either forgotten himself or didn't know how else to react. I lived for those moments...
I turned back to my father's grave;
Gustave Daae.
What would my father have thought of such a man? I could not help but think that father would have approved of Erik or at the very least admired him...
I heard a sound behind me and convinced that it was Erik, spun around with a smile.
Raoul.
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