A/N: Okay, I finally figured out how to close out this story. I knew, way back when I left off a year and a half ago (eek!), the who and the what, but the little details evaded me . . . until now. At long last, I can lay this story to rest, with Erik's words, as it should be.

One week later

"That was a wonderful supper after the gala, wasn't it, Erik?" Christine asked over her shoulder as she removed her jewellery.

Erik smiled behind his mask. "Yes, it was, my dear. Quite . . . enlightening."

"You and Mignon's mother certainly seemed to get along well," she murmured.

He caught her eye in the mirror. "She is the sister of someone I used to know," he explained. "Someone who was quite dear to me."

"Oh?" She raised an eyebrow.

Carefully, he removed his mask. He'd worn it all day, and it had begun to chafe during the evening's festivities. At least it allowed him to look like an ordinary man. That was its saving grace.

"You know I lived in Nizhni-Novgorod for a time, that I performed at the fair there. What I never told you was that . . . I had a friend. She was very kind, as you are. She loved to dance in the moonlight, wild and free. She didn't care about my face, either."

Christine sat and watched him, hanging on his every word. She loved to hear about his past, even the unpleasant parts, and even the parts that made her twinge with jealousy.

He got caught up in the memories, and his eyes saw the tent where he'd once performed his feats while Anahita danced.

"She was magnificent. The way she'd twirl and flourish and charm the onlookers. She made me feel . . . as though I could do anything . . . even be handsome. But she was taken, abducted while I was away on some business in a neighbouring town. I never forgave myself for that, for not taking her with me. I learned, months later, that she'd been taken to Persia; I knew not the exact location or who had done this vile thing.

"When the daroga - you've seen him puttering about backstage often enough - sought me out, I took the opportunity with the intent of finding her and securing her safety. I did horrible things in Persia, Christine! Things I wish you never to know about. The little sultana, I called her - the Shahenshah's favourite wife. Oh, yes, he had more than one wife to call his own.

"She had a bizarre sense of entertainment. She liked to see people suffer. I'll spare you the gory details, for they are loathsome.

"I found that Anahita had been taken to the harem to be trained to become the Shah's next wife. I could not let that happen. I knew what became of his younger wives when the little sultana grew jealous. Unfortunately, I was too late. She had already been poisoned."

Christine clamped a hand over her mouth to keep from crying out. How horrible to see someone one cared about treated such a way!

"It was a slow-acting poison; it required multiple doses over the course of several weeks to be fatal. It would be a drawn-out and agonising death unless a cure could be found. I did what I could for her, and the daroga helped me get her out of the palace. A troupe was passing through the area, and I paid them handsomely to take her where she could be treated. My death had already been ordered, and I could not remain in Persia any longer.

"That was when I made my way to Constantinople; I offered my services as an architect and . . . performer. I was unable to discover whether Anahita had lived or perished . . . until tonight. The troupe took her to a hospice, where she was treated remarkably well. She lived, recovered from her maladies, travelled with them to Greece. That's where she found her sister. She lives in Italy now, married to a count who loves her dearly."

Christine, relieved that her tale had a happy ending, rose and crossed the room to embrace her Erik. "And us? Where will we live after we are married? Perhaps we could travel to Italy to visit your old friend?"

He chuckled. She was such a sweet girl. "After we are married, we can live anywhere you wish, my angel. I will be happy just to hear you sing every night."

Finis

A/N: Thank you so so so much for all the feedback and words of encouragement throughout the time I spent writing this! That you enjoyed this enough to review means more than I can adequately express.
And, if you want to read my non-fanficcy-wiccy, wibbly-wobbly stuff, (shameless self-promotion), I've got my site, MaisonDesGhouls com/. Peace and love, dearies.