The Point of No Return- COMPLETE

Chapter Seven


The silent tears slid down Christine’s cheeks as she stared into the bright flame of the candle. The robe she wore covered her corset and the lacy skirt with the slit, yet it offered no warmth. The chapel’s stone floor was cold but the iciness barely reached her. The solitude surrounded her, giving her the peace she needed. For two days the thought of what her loved ones had done to her, ate away at her heart. Reaching up she wiped away a tear forcefully. She moved her eyes down to stare at the miniature portrait that hung in front of the lit candle. “What have you done, Father? Why?” She whispered in the eerie quietness of the chapel.

“Christine?”

She turned her head around to see Raoul standing in the doorway. A harsh frown filled her features. “I have nothing to say to you. I wish to be alone.” She turned her head back to look at the flame. She then heard the click of Raoul’s shoes on the stone floor. “I thought I asked you to leave?”

“I know you are angry with me. Yet I couldn’t let him lie to you anymore.” Raoul started. He took another step until he was behind her. “You should have been told long ago.”

“So you have known all this time?” Christine lashed out. “If you knew then why didn’t you stop me from staying with him? If you loved me, then why didn’t you fight for what you loved?”

“That’s the problem, Little Lotte. I had the letter in my possession all these years, yet never knew what I had.” Raoul softened his voice. “After I left the opera house when he let me go free, I was insane with anger. I felt that you betrayed me, betrayed our love. I retreated to my country estate to get away from Paris. I found the letter stuffed in my desk and opened it. When I read the contents, I was shocked. It all began to make sense. I came back to Paris and I confronted Madame Giry. She told me the truth.” He squat down to her level.

“Why bring this up now, Raoul?” Christine turned to look at him. Tears slid down her cheeks as she stared at him. “Ignorance is bliss, isn’t it?”

Reaching up Raoul brushed away a tear with his thumb. “They lied to you, Little Lotte. You deserved to know. The robbed us of a chance to be happy. Madame Giry is just as responsible as your father and Erik.” It pained Raoul to say his name.

“I can’t change what I feel, Raoul. I love him.” Christine closed her eyes as fresh tears spilled over her lashes. “I love him.” She whispered softly.

“He tricked you into loving him, Christine.” Raoul clenched his jaw. “He manipulated you into thinking what he wanted you to think. Have you ever given a thought to what would have happened if you had come with me that night? We’d be married by now. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you.”

“No Raoul.” She shook her head. “I love him.” She repeated.

“Do you?” Now Raoul’s voice took on a harsh note. “This so called love that you feel, do you think he feels the same? Would love let him lie to you all these years?”

“Go please. I need to be alone.” Christine turned back to the soft light of the candle.

Raoul bristled. He pulled back and stood up. “Fine. But I am still the owner of this Opera and the deal still stands for the purchase. Three months. Opening night. If I’m not convinced you love him, I will have no choice than to retain ownership.”

Her head whipped around as she looked up at him with anger in her dark eyes. “I grow tired of your threats.”

“You know where to reach me.” Raoul gave her one hard look before he stormed out of the chapel.

Christine let her head fall into her hands as she wept. Her life had once been so simple. Music had been her life. Her Angel was there to guide her, and now there was no one. “What am I going to do?”

“You are not going to give in to Raoul.” Madame Giry’s voice spoke softly, echoing in the chapel.

Christine looked up to see the only mother she had known smiling down at her. “I trusted you. I loved you as a mother. Please tell me you truly were not in on this?”

Madame Giry walked over quickly and knelt down beside her. She wrapped her arms around the young woman and pulled her in for an embrace. “Christine all is not what it seems. Life is not always black and white, but subtle shades of gray.”

“You all lied to me.” Christine sobbed against her. “Why? That’s the only question I have.”

Madame Giry stroked her hair soothingly as she whispered to her. “Sshh Christine, do not cry. We never meant to hurt you. Your father loved you dearly. He was very proud of you. He noticed your gift very early on. That’s why Erik was so special to him. Your father’s heart went out to him. Erik was such an eager learner. He saw the same love in music in Erik that he noticed in you.”

Christine looked up and wiped her eyes. “But what about choosing Erik for me? I was seven years old. I wasn’t old enough for anything.”

“You are right, child. What your father did in essence was what fathers do every day for their daughters in the times we live in. Your father chose a man that he hoped you would grow fond of. Erik’s intentions were far different than they are now. To him you were Gustave’s daughter. You were a miracle waiting to happen. Your voice drew him in, even in it’s early stages. He promised your father to become your teacher. Only when you started blooming into a woman did he look at you differently. In fact, he was torn with his feelings. I remember the night he confessed to me that he was falling in love with you. It was the morning after your first night in the lair.” Madame Giry smiled down at the young woman.

“What happened?” Christine asked. “I remember him escorting me to my room and then leaving quickly. He frightened me with his abrupt nature. I thought he was angry.”

“He was child. He was angry with himself.” Madame Giry sighed. “You were the first woman that ever showed him compassion in the way of a lover would. He was torn between his oath to your father and the way you made him feel like a real man. Then when you turned to Raoul, I do believe his heart shattered. He went wild. Yet he retreated from us. That is why we didn’t hear from him for all those months. He was preparing to give it one last try to win your heart.”

“He should have told me.” Christine sighed. “How can I ever trust him again?”

“Christine, you trusted this man with your life. Yet you have never really had given him your heart. I think maybe it’s time that you trust Erik with all of your heart. He would never break it if he could help it. He is the type of man that would do anything for you, even if it means his life.” Madame Giry looked at her young charge gently.

“Can I trust him? What is stopping him from lying to me again?” Christine asked. She knew she was being childish. However, she was scared. What if she went spiraling down into Erik’s world only to find out that it was all but a pack of lies?

“I cannot answer that question for you, my dear. You must look Erik in the eyes to find the answer. The reason we kept this from you was to protect you. Erik, your father and I each love you in our own way. We were only thinking of you.” Madame Giry sighed.

“May I ask you a personal question?” Christine pulled back to look at her friend. When she saw Madame Giry nod, she pressed on. “Were you in love with Father?”

Madame Giry was taken aback by Christine’s question. She never expected to speak about this topic again. With a blush tingeing her cheeks, she looked down. “I cared for your father very much. Gustave was a good man.”

“But did you love him?” Christine repeated.

“Yes.” Madame Giry said simply. “I loved your father. However, we found each other in strange time in our lives. Our priorities stood in the way. Please Christine, do not let that happen with you and Erik. I know you love him. I can see it in your eyes each time you look at him. You see past the physical aspects. You love HIM.”

Fresh tears filled Christine’s eyes. “I’ve hurt him As God as my witness, I truly didn’t mean to.”

Madame Giry hugged her. “I know my dear, and so does he. You must go to him. Show him what you are feeling.”

“Where is he?” Christine wiped her tears away with her palm.

“In the lair. He has left the boat for you.” Madame Giry nodded. “Go to him.”

“Has he been there since he fled the cemetery? For two days?” Christine paled at the thought.

“I tried to speak to him but he refused. All he would tell me is that when and if you were ready, you would come to him.” Madame Giry stood.

Christine nodded. “I will go to him. If Raoul asks where I am, tell him nothing.” She stood up, straightening out her skirt.

“Yes, my dear.” Madame Giry watched as Christine kissed her cheek and brushed past her.

Looking at the candle, she made a sign of the cross. “I hope she forgives us, Gustave my love.”

* * * * * *

Erik stared at the rose in his hands. The black satin ribbon slipped through his fingers. The petals had begun to wither, shrinking up close to the bud. The dying flower curled against his long fingers as if needed attention to bring it back to life. This rose is a true symbol of our love. Vibrant and alive at first and then harsh events of life come to kill it. He took a deep breath as he let the flower fall into the water.

He walked away from the water’s edge. It had been two days since he had seen Christine. The first night had been difficult. He longed to have her head resting on his chest, as his arms held her. The second night had been downright unbearable. He didn’t know where she was, only she wasn’t with him. He tossed and turned all night. Finally, he had given up and stormed off to his organ. He played wildly as if trying to drive the thought of her out of his mind. Nothing was helping. Walking up the stairs to his organ, he sighed. He had truly lost her because of his lies.

Sitting down on the bench, Erik growled. No matter what he did or hard he tried, he would always be who he was. He was the monster who would always be on the outside looking in. Slamming his fingers on the keys, he began to play. He closed his eyes and became lost in the melody. Whereas he started with a loud angry sound, as the tears started to fall the melody grew softer.

Christine moved the boat closer the shore. She had followed the music from the tunnels. Then she saw him. His back was turned to her, and his head hung as he played. She swallowed hard as she watched him. He wore no shirt, only his black trousers. His back was broad as were his shoulders. The muscles in his powerful arms rippled as he played. His soft brown hair was tousled as it fell around his face. The candlelight gave his skin a warm glow despite him hardly ever being out in the sun. To her it was the greatest sight she had ever seen.

Reaching shore, she stepped quietly onto the solid rock. Trying to be as quiet as she could, she leaned the pole up against the wall. By now, Erik was playing the melody to Music of the Night. Her tears became caught in her throat. This was his song. The first night she came down here, he sang it to her. Gathering up her skirt, she tiptoed up the stairs. The closer she walked to him, the louder the music became. When she was standing behind him, she froze. His music flooded over her. It hit her how much she missed him. Just not her body, but her soul.

When Erik felt a delicate hand touch his shoulder he jumped, his fingers slamming down on the keys in a loud crash. Opening his eyes slowly, he froze. He would know her hand anywhere. Her fingers were so delicate as they cupped his neck and shoulder. He reached up and covered her small hand with his large one. Their fingers intertwined as he gripped onto her hand for dear life. “You came back.” His voice was hoarse with emotion.

Christine watched as Erik turned around on his bench to face her. Her eyes feasted on the site of his bare chest. Slowly moving up she cringed when she saw him wearing his mask. Reaching up, she tenderly removed it. “There is no need to hide from me.” She reached past him and put it on top of the organ.

“When you have lived your life in hiding, taking the mask off isn’t always easy.” His voice almost sounded hollow.

“I know life with me won’t be easy. For that I apologize.” Christine’s voice broke as she looked down.

Erik reached up and cupped her face, lifting it so he could look in her eyes. “All I’ve known is life with you. You are my life, Christine. Easy or hard, I’ll take it.” He whispered to her.

The pure emotion of his voice rocked her down to her soul. Seeing the sadness in his green eyes, she yearned to take it all away. She moved closer to him, straddling his leg as her arms wrapped around his neck. She pulled him into her embrace as she hugged him. “You’re all I’ve ever known Erik. Through the changes of my life there was always you.”

Sliding his arms around her waist, he roughly pulled her closer to him. He buried his head against her breasts. She was so soft. He slid his hands under her robe and up her back. His cheek grazed the silk of her corset as he looked up. “I will always be there for you.”

Christine took his face in her hands as she brought her lips down on his. The kiss was meant to start out sweet. However, the moment their lips met a spark was ignited. Erik pulled her closer. Her womanhood rocked against the hardness of his thigh, causing a moan to escape her lips. His soft tongue pushed past the barrier of her lips to explore her mouth. He returned her moan when he felt her tongue flick against his. When she began to suck on his tongue, he made a sound in his throat that resembled a sexy growl.

She let her palms slide down from his neck to trail down over his chest. Her fingertips slid through the soft darks hairs there. “I love touching you.” She whispered against his lips. “You’re like an instrument I long to play.” She began to nibble on his chin, swirling her tongue around the tiny cleft. “Teach me Erik. Teach me to play.”

Hearing the seductive words slip from her mouth had him hard and throbbing instantly. The look in his eyes turned to sadness as he looked up at her. “I’m afraid my sweet Christine this is one lesson that I am not equipped to teach.” His voice broke as he turned his head from her.

She put her fingers under his chin and turned his head. Looking deep into his eyes, Christine smiled. “Then tonight we can both be students.”

His hands pulled at her robe, sending it crashing down to the carpet. He slid his hands up and down her arms. “You are freezing, my love.” He looked up into her eyes, concerned.

Taking his hands, she placed them on her breasts over her corset. “Then warm me.” Tiny flames of desire burned in her dark eyes. To emphasize her point further she rocked her body on his thigh. Her knee brushed against his hardness teasingly.

Suddenly Erik’s hands were at the front of her corset. He dipped his fingers into the top, feeling the top of her breasts. Then with a hard yank, he ripped the corset open. The sound of ripping silk filled the air. The ruined garment freed her breasts, which fell into his awaiting palms. Cupping them softly, Erik brushed his thumbs over the hardened nipples. He smiled when he heard the gasp that fled her mouth as her hands came up to grab his shoulders for support. He felt giddy and scared to death all at once.

Try as he might, he couldn’t stop staring at her body. This was the first time he was actually seeing her nude form in front of him. Her features were delicate. Her breasts small compared to most women, but a perfect fit for his hands. Without a corset, her waist was still small as it led to her naturally curvy hips. Letting one hand slide down to wrap around her waist, he pulled her skirt from her until she was nude. Erik took a dusky peak between his lips. Christine moaned as her eyes closed when he began to suckle softly. Her fingers dug into his shoulder. His thumb teased the other nipple as his tongue circled around the one in his mouth repeatedly.

“I need you, please?” Christine’s voice was barely above a whisper. “Please Erik. Enough waiting.” She found herself rubbing her body on his thigh, loving the erotic friction. She felt the wetness pooling between her legs. “Make love to me. I know that this is new for both of us. We can take as much time as we need. All I know is that I need you.”

As if those were the magical words he had been waiting for, Erik stood up abruptly as his mouth broke contact with her breast. He towered over her, the look on his face a mixture of love and desire. Keeping eye contact with her, Erik scooped her up in his arms. He cradled her against his chest as he took her lips in another mind blowing kiss. Their tongues teased each other’s as he pulled her closer to him. He began walking towards the bedroom, kissing her as he walked.

Entering the bedroom, Erik walked over to the ebony swan bed. He laid Christine down on the crushed red velvet sheets. Kicking off his boots, he began to crawl on the bed. Covering her body with his own, Erik took a nipple back into his mouth. Christine moaned as she arched up into his mouth. Her fingers flew to his head, threading through his hair, tugging on it. He moaned as he nibbled on the hardened peak. His palm slid over her flat stomach to the juncture of her thighs. He cupped her mound, hissing as his fingers became soaked with her arousal. Could she really want him this much?

“Erik!” She moaned his name, the sound bursting forth from her lips like a well seasoned prayer.

Letting the nipple pop from his mouth, he began dragging his lips along her body. Flicking his tongue over her, he tasted the sweetness of her skin. Reaching her navel, he swirled his tongue around the rim only stopping to dip it in. Putting his hands on her thighs, he began to spread them as he slipped lower. As he turned his head, Erik began to lay soft kisses in the inside of her thighs.

“What are you doing?” Christine asked with what little breath she had.

“Tasting you, my sweet delectable Christine.” Erik’s breath was hot against her wetness. “After all you tasted me, it’s only fair.”

Hearing the deep huskiness of his voice Christine cried out softly. However, it was the quick flick of the tip of his tongue that had her moaning fully. She arched up, grasping the sheets in her hands. Her breathing became labored as she felt his tongue circling her bud. Sheer bolts of pure pleasure ran like lightning through her veins. Repeatedly he teased her, until she was nearly sobbing from the pleasure. The blunt tips of his fingers began sliding into her wetness. The first time he had done this to her, he was scared he would hurt her. Now he knew exactly how to move in order to draw the response he craved. As she lifted herself off the bed, he thrust his fingers in deeper. He began to suckle on her bud as if it were one of her nipples.

Tossing and turning her head, Christine knew she couldn’t hold on much longer. She cried out softly as his fingers beckoned her climax with a twist here and a thrust there. His tongue bathed her softly as he swirled it around her folds. When his fingers suddenly disappeared, she moaned at the loss. Instantly they were replaced with his tongue as he slid it inside. Feeling his tongue slip inside her sent her over the edge. Her hips bucked as her orgasm exploded and roared over her like a giant ocean wave.

Erik continued to lick her as her orgasm continued. Her legs came up to cradle his head and he loved every second of it. Her response was so natural and pure that he knew it came from her soul. As her body fell back against the bed, he lifted his head. He couldn’t help the pure masculine smirk that appeared as he saw the dazed expression in her eyes. He moved up her body to take her lips in a passionate kiss.

Christine wrapped her arms around his neck as she returned his kiss. Her hand slid down his chest to the band of his trousers. She began to tug on them. “Take these off.” She whispered hoarsely. “Please?” She softened her order with a gentle plea.

Erik smiled at her thoughtfulness. Pulling away from her, he stood up. Looking at her lying on the bed, his breathe became caught in his throat. Christine was the vision of an erotic goddess. Her hair was spread over the bed like a dark curtain. She looked up at him with such trust and love he felt as if his heart would burst. Putting his hands on his hips, he pushed the trousers from his body until they fell into a pool at his feet. Once his erection was released, it stood out revealing his desire. He hesitated for a brief second, waiting for her rejection.

Reaching out, Christine grabbed Erik’s hand. Pulling him back onto the bed, she whispered softly. “Come to me my Erik, my angel.”

Once again, he crawled back on the bed. As their fingers intertwined, Erik couldn’t control his trembling. Christine’s hand cupped his scarred cheek as she kissed him softly. “Erik, I am here.” She whispered to him.

“What if in the end you realize that perhaps this is wrong?” He couldn’t disguise the fear in his voice. To come this far, this close, to his Christine he couldn’t bear it if she looked at him with disgust after it was all over.

“This will never be wrong.” Christine’s heart was breaking as she saw the fear in his eyes. “I love you, my sweet Erik. You are my soul mate.” She pulled him down over her as she kissed him again. She felt the hardness of his erection pressing into her. Her fingers curled around the shaft, stroking softly.

Erik hissed as he arched into her hand. “I can’t bear it any longer! Please, I want to be inside of you.” He put one hand on each side of her head. “Guide me. Take me inside of you.”

Hearing the pleading in his voice Christine spread her legs. Using her hands, she guided him to her moist entrance. As he started to slip in, she winced. Erik looked down at her and stroked her cheek. “We can stop.”

Her eyes snapped up to look into his. “No! Please no! I am just unfamiliar with something larger than your fingers.” She blushed at the mere mention of it. She saw relief spread over his face as he leaned down to kiss her.

“I shall go slowly so you can become used to me.” He whispered as he slipped in a bit deeper. He paused to give her some time. When he saw her nod, he ground his jaw as he thrust his hips, entering fully. The sudden sensation of having her body wrapped all around his for the first time had him throwing his head back and roaring. Never would he ever imagine it could be like this. It was as if his body had been waiting for her’s and her’s alone.

Christine let out a long sensual moan as she felt Erik thrust in to the hilt. He felt as if he were touching her womb. There was a sudden pain as her virginity was but a memory. Her arms went around his neck, pulling him down. The first pains started to recede as she whispered to him. “More.”

At first, he took small uneasy strokes. Then he realized the deeper and harder he seemed to go, the more Christine would moan. He began to build up speed as her legs wrapped around his waist, urging him on. Their bodies began brushing against each other, soon turning to a gentle slapping sound. With every thrust, Erik found he drew a new sound from her each time. One may be a moan while the next would be a cry. Her sounds urged him on. The way her passage hugged him had him trying to breathe. “You are so tight.” He managed to choke out. The thought that he was the first man to ever do this only made him harder.

Christine couldn’t barely breathe, let alone talk. The power of his thrusts grew with each one. Her body arched up to meet him every time. Just when he’d pull away, he was right there deeper and harder. Her fingernails lightly trailed over his back in an effort to hold on. The only sound in the cavern was of their bodies meeting with every thrust. Her felt her body start to stir again signaling another release. She wasn’t sure if she could hold it back.

Erik felt her body clench around his. He didn’t want this to end. He wanted to spend all night inside her, buried deep. However, his body had other ideas. He felt his hips jerk involuntarily as he tried to gasp for air. Just as Christine arched up for the last time, her body squeezed down on his. A low growl erupted from his throat as he burst inside of her. His hot seed poured out of him to fill her. He gripped the sheets until his knuckles were white. His body shook as his hips jerked.

She let out a cry of pleasure as she fell back against the bed. Erik soon joined her as his sweaty body fell on top of her. Her hand came up as her fingers slid through his hair. Their breathing was labored and heavy. Erik buried his head in the crook of her neck. There was silence for the longest time as their heartbeats slowly came down.

Erik slowly lifted his head to look in Christine’s eyes. When he saw nothing but love staring back at him, a shy smile crossed his lips. He couldn’t stop the tears that filled his eyes. Christine reached up and wiped away one of them with her thumb. “Did I do something wrong?” She asked nervously.

“Never my love. I am just trying to understand what a m-“ When he saw the look in her eyes, he changed what he was going to say. “Man like me did to ever deserve you.”

“You had the courage to love me when you knew it others would think badly of it.” She whispered to him. “You never gave up on me. You came for me in the cemetery. That is why I love you.”

“I will always come for you. Always.” Erik swore as he lowered his head to kiss her. “I love you.”