Stories of the Night (Phantom of the Opera)

Chapter 8: Love Me

Erik slumps against me as the carriage rolls across the cobbled road.

I gently lower him down so that he lays across the seat, setting his head in my lap. I run my fingers through his hair, my heart shattered at this broken sight. A man that was once strong and fearless is now nothing but a shadow of himself.

"Erik," I ask softly. "What did they do to you?"

His eyes open a sliver and stare up at me. "Terrible things."

I shake my head, "Not anymore. I knew that plan wouldn't work. I felt like it was my fault you were sent there, it should have been me."

Erik gasps, "Kane, dear god no. You know that I would do anything to protect you, it's much better that I went." He cups my cheek in his hand. "You wouldn't have survived the lashes."

"They whipped you?" I ask in a whisper.

He nods, "But I'm alright. I am right here now."

The carriage stops in front of the Opera house and I help Erik out. I give him my cloak to hide his identity. His arm is wrapped around my shoulder as we walk up the steps of the opera house.

"I never thought I would see this place again." He mumbles as we walk through the doors.

He leads the way down to his dark home. The candles have burnt out and only shadows remain. I help him to the bed and then I go to light the candles again.

After the room is lit up with a warm glow, I take a cloth and wipe down the organ and blow the dust from the papers.

I glance back at Erik and smile. He sits in the same spot I left him, watching me clean. "That's better," I sigh and walk back to Erik.

"Are you alright?" I ask, setting my hand on his back, he winces. I frown and crawl up on to the bed behind him. "Take off your shirt." I whisper in his ear.

He slowly peals it off. "Oh Erik." I sigh. His back is littered with scars from the lashings. Some are fresh while others are older. "Do you have anything to treat these here?" I ask.

"In the drawer." He motions to a cabinet on the other side of the room.
I get up and go to it, finding bandages and an ointment to keep wounds from getting infected.

I walk back to Erik as I open the ointment. I take some on my fingers and spread it across his shoulders first. Slowly, I make my way down his back. He shivers slightly beneath my touch. Soon after I wrap the bandages around his back to protect the wounds.

I move around to sit next to him and glance up to his face. A look of pure bliss has settled across his features. He hasn't said a word since we entered to opera house, I have to wonder if he is alright.

"Erik?" I ask.

"You have no idea how much I missed you Kane." He says, turning to me. His fingertips gliding across my cheek.

"And I, you."

He bites his lip, looking as if he were about to ask me something, "You never told me if you felt the same after I..." He trails off, slightly embarrassed.

I gasp, "Oh I'm so sorry. I guess I had been so caught up in getting you out that I didn't think to reply."

He stares at me hopefully.

"Do you remember the story's I wrote you?" I ask.

He nods, "Every one of them."

"All of them were love stories for a reason. I wanted you to read between the lines and understand how I felt for you but I don't think you ever caught on." I sigh as I look away.

He gently turns my face back to his as he leans closer. Suddenly his lips are on mine. I kiss him back, trying to put all the love and passion I have for him in that single kiss. His arms wrap around me, bringing me closer as he deepens the kiss. Just as suddenly as his lips were on mine they are gone and now planting light kisses down my neck and across my collarbone.

I laugh softly, "Erik!"

He chuckles lightly as he presses another kiss to my lips and then pulls away. "Would you stay the night with me?" He asks.

I nod, "Gladly."

"Good, there are some nightgowns that may fit you in the wardrobe over there and you can change in the next room, if you like." He says.

I pick a long flowing off white one and quickly change in the next room. I walk back in and Erik's eyes are immediately on me.

"You look beautiful my love." He whispers.

I blush slightly. "Thank you."

I notice that he had moved and was now laying across the swan bed. I crawl up next to him, setting my head on his chest.

"I never thought I would love again after her." He whispers as he gently runs his fingers through my wavy light brown hair. "But such a beauty like you, how could I not fall in love with you? Kane, you helped me out of such a dark place."

"Every night you help me out of one." I whisper back. "I thought I would go insane without you. Every time I woke up his face would be there, just above me, snarling. And the rope, that wretched rope would be around my neck."

"You are safe here, I promise you. No one can harm you. Do you remember the love song I sang you to sleep with once?" He asks.

I nod and he starts to sing softly,

"No more talk of darkness
Forget these wide-eyed fears
I'm here, nothing can harm you
My words will warm and calm you
Let me be your freedom
Let daylight dry your tears
I'm here, with you, beside you
To guard you and to guide you."
He pauses waiting for me to sing the next part, I quickly realize that this song was originally a duet.

I sing quietly, suddenly afraid of what he will think of my voice,

"Say you'll love me every waking moment
Turn my head with talk of summer time
Say you need me with you now and always
Promise me that all you say is true
That's all I ask of you."

"You're voice is beautiful." He whispers before he begins to sing again,

"Let me be your shelter
Let me be your light
You're safe, no one will find you
Your fears are far behind you."

I take a breath,

"All I want is freedom
A world with no more night
And you, always beside me
To hold me and to hide me."

I sit up as he starts to sing again,

"Then say you'll share with me one love, one lifetime
Let me lead you from your solitude
Say you need me with you here, beside you
Anywhere you go, let me go too
Kane, that's all I ask of you."

"Say you'll share with me one love, one lifetime
Say the word and I will follow you."

I sing in a whisper.

"Share each day with me, each night, each morning."

We sing together.

"Say you love me." I whisper, my eyes locked onto his.

"You know I do." He whispers back, his hand grazing my cheek.

"Love me, that's all I ask of you." We whisper together as we lean closer. His lips meet mine. He kisses me desperately, holding my body against his. I cup his face in my hands, thumbs rubbing his cheek bones. I sigh softly against his lips, this is perfect.

He pulls away, resting his forehead against mine. "To think the song that broke my heart would mend it. I love you, Kane."

I nuzzle my nose against his, "I love you too, Erik."

I curl up as he lays us back down. I soon fall asleep pressed tightly to his chest.