Chapter 14: My New Inspiration

May, 1870

Erik's POV

I sat alone in my music room,  playing Mozart's Magic Flute on my organ as I began to reminisce on what had happened in the last month.

Ever since we viewed the sunrise from the roof, our friendship has grown stronger as the days quickly turned into weeks.

We now made it part of our daily routine to go on the roof every morning to watch the sun rise and every evening to watch it set.

Evangeline's voice lessons were going quite well, more than well, actually. Her voice was like nothing I had ever heard before. I dare say that it was even better than.... her.

You know, during these past few months, I haven't had one  thought of my former prodigué, Christine. I had been so busy with my current friendship that I had somehow forgotten about Miss Daaé and her fop of a fiancée, Vicomte Raoul d'Chagny.

Suddenly, my fingers began to play the chords of Don Juan Triumphant and my peaceful mood was ruined as I began to think about the day she betrayed me.

*Flashback*

At last! My day of triumph has finally come! My life's work is now being viewed for all of Paris to see. Now, everyone will be in awe of my genius! And what's even better is that not only is my Christine, my beautiful, perfect angel, singing the lead that she was made for, but I will be singing WITH her!

True, I had to "dispose" of Ubaldo Piangi so that I could sing with my beloved, but it had to be done. It was a shame, really. I actually thought that he was a decent tenor. Not extraordinary, but he did do his job. Although, as I had told him beforehand, he could have stood to loose a few pounds, especially since he was getting older, but ce la vie.

As I fixed the cloak over my person, I could hear the clear, angelic voice of my Christine. I could imagine her smooth, soft, porcelain skin radiating with beauty as she danced around in the pink and black gypsy dress I had designed for her, her brown curls cascading down her back like melted milk chocolate semi-covered by the black, lace shawl that she held around her shoulders.

If things go according to plan, then she will be mine by the end of Don Juan. Oh, I could practically hear her say, "I do," as she becomes my wife! I envisioned  our lives together. My angel will want for nothing. If it is in my power to give, she will receive anything and everything that she will ever want or need, I will make sure of it.  I will take her out to the park for strolls on Sundays, just like I would see that doctor do with my mother when I was small. I will even live above ground for her!  I have completed blueprints on a house that I will construct for my lovely Swedish rose so that she can have all the sunlight a beautiful flower like herself needs. And in turn, I will no longer have to be alone.

No thoughts within her head but thoughts of joy

No dreams within her heart but dreams of love.

Oh, her voice! Her angelic, wonderful, sweet voice! But as much as I wanted to stay in complete abandon at my darling's glorious song, my cue was inanimate.

Master. The other actor sang my cue.

Passarino, go away for the trap is set and waits for its prey.

As I stepped out from behind the set, I looked across the stage to where my love sat. She was more beautiful now than I had imagined a few moments ago. I couldn't help but feel the impulsive urge to bask in her glow as she sat there, unaware of my presence.

You have come here,

In pursuit of your deepest urge

In pursuit of that wish

Which 'til now has been silenced

Silenced

I had brought you,

That our passions may fuse and merge

In your mind you've already succumbed to me

Dropped all defenses, completely succumbed to me

Now you are here with me, no second thoughts

You've decided,

Decided

My beloved angel was shocked at my presence, but knowing her, she didn't let it show. My brave Christine was keeping character, making the audience none the wiser.

Past the point of no return

No backward glances

Our games of make believe are at an end

Past all thought of 'if' or 'when'

No use resisting

Abandon thought and let the dream descend

What raging fire shall flood the soul?

What rich desire unlocks its door?

What sweet seduction lies before us?

I was so close to my lovely songbird! Her beauty seemed to manifest right before my eyes as I continued singing to her.

Past the point of no return

The final threshold

What warm, unspoken secrets

Will we learn

Beyond the point of no return?

As my hand touched Christine's  arm, she suddenly recoiled from me, but did not miss her que.

You have brought me

To that moment where words run dry

To that moment where speech disappears into silence

Silence

I have come here

Hardly knowing the reason why

In my mind I've already imagined

Our bodies entwining

Defenseless and silent

And now, I am here with you

No second thoughts

I've decided

Decided

My goddess of song then gave me a surprisingly seductive smile as she slowly walked towards me, singing in time with the music.

Past the point of no return

No going back now

Our passion play has now

At last begun

Past all thought of right or wrong

One final question:

How long should we two wait

Before we're one?

When will the blood begin to race?

The sleeping bud burst into bloom?

When will the flames at last

Consume us?

As the music began its climatic crescendo, our voices sang with the passion and fire that seemed to shake the gates of both Heaven and Hell!

Past the point of no return

The final threshold

The bridge is crossed

So stand and watch it burn

We've past the point of no return

Christine then suddenly flipped the hood of the cloak off of my face revealing my identity.

I started to run offstage, but two things stopped me. One, two officers of the law were in both wings, pointing their pistols at me, and blocking any chance of escape; and two, this could be my last chance to convince Christine to become my wife.

And so, I did the only thing that was sure to win her over.

I serenaded to her.

Say you'll share with me

One love, one lifetime

Lead me, save me from my solitude

Say you'll need me with you

Here, beside you

Anywhere you go

Let me go too!

Christine, that's all I ask of-

But before I could finish, she ripped off my mask, exposing my face to the entire audience!

Gone were the visions of our wedding or of our Sunday strolls in the park. Gone was the beautiful house and the hope that someone would finally love me.

Yes, all my hopes and dreams had been shattered in those mere seconds, leaving nothing but betrayal and a rage like no other.

With no hesitation, I grabbed Christine by the waist as that boy gave orders to the officers to not fire their weapons, giving me the best opportunity to escape.

I dragged Christine off the stage, but not before cutting the main rope that kept the two-ton, crystal chandelier from falling. The last thing I hear before I forced the lying vixen into the gondola was a terrific crash that set the entire Opera House bursting into flame.

I hit a sour note as I heard a young woman clear her throat.

I turned to my friend, her black hair loose, seeming to form an ebony halo around her head. Her tan dress with green and red swirls almost touched the ground as she headed in my direction.

" Sorry for bothering you."

"It is alright, Evangeline." I then noticed a bag around her shoulder and a basket in her arms.

"What is the bag and basket for? I asked, curious.

"We're low on food and I'm heading for the surface to get stuff for dinner. Did you want anything specific for tonight?" She asked, adjusting her bag.

I shook my head no, and with a final goodbye, she left for the surface. I was now the only one in my lair, alone with my thoughts.

For the longest time, Christine had been my muse, my inspiration, my only reason to exist, even. But ever since Evangeline came along, I found my memory of Christine waning less and less with each passing day.

Instead, it was filled with thoughts of Evangeline. Her beauty, her kindness, her voice, her sense of humor, everything about her made my heart automatically skip a beat.

I do not know yet if this is a blessing or a curse, but I do know one thing:

Evangeline has become my new inspiration.

A/N: HEY YOU GUYS!!!!

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