Libérée Délivrée -(Phantom of the Opera fanfiction)

Chapter Thirteen

"The... Foreigner? wishes to speak with you, milady," announced the servant, puzzled over the name he was given to speak. Quietly exiting the room, the Foreigner went in.

"Lady Christine," the mysterious stranger said reverently as he took hold of her hand to kiss it. Christine, astonished at seeing him again, just stood there.

"It is Lady Moreau to you." A firmly cool voice behind him. The foreigner turned around to face the voice. As soon as he saw who it was, he relaxed and replied,

"Hello to you, too, Erik. Or should I say Lord Moreau? Quite a title and fort for the king's adopted son."

"Charming to meet you. Would you like to introduce me, milord?" Christine asked Erik sweetly, trying to break the tension. He just growled and was about to reply when...

"It seems, my dear lady, you have married a man who left his friend to his death."

"Indeed I did not! I believed you were dead when your house blew apart!" Erik said, his temper rising at the mere thought of abandoning someone to their death.

What on earth?! Christine thought it wise not to comment on that note. "My dear sir, I know fully well the person I married. His faults are many, but so are yours, are they not?" 

She added, with a pleasant smile, "To name several; unforgiving, arrogant, and not knowing the limits of your privileges. The latter being especially considered right about now."

A retort on the tip of his tongue, the man closed his mouth when he saw Erik's cautioning eyes. Erik wondered which faults she was considering when she spoke of his. Of course, he could name a few in her as well, but he was pleased at how she defended him somewhat.

"Nadir, I do hope  you did not come here to insult me or my wife," putting on his Dark Knight tone.

"So, what in bloody hell are you doing here?"

"Well, aside from the reason of leaving me to burn inside my house, I since have discovered that there has been a threat against you, and presumably your wife-" Nadir gave Christine a hard look, "-that we both thought was destroyed years ago. Vladimir has gathered a new crew to come and----"

As Christine listened intently to the conversation, Erik stood there in disbelief as Nadir finished his statement. Then he stopped.

"Wait a minute. Have you told her?" Nadir questioned. How could have Erik not told his wife? She has to have known...

"Told her wha-- Oh, umm, yes, I have." Erik recovered quickly.

"About what?"

"One of my greatest enemies, Christine." Erik still was shocked that the person he thought he had killed in years ago was now still alive. "He killed two of the King's knights, my friends, and I sought justice and went after him. I thought I finished him when my men and I attacked his camp, however, war is never certain."  

Christine stood there, puzzled. Why did Nadir act like it was such an important event, then? Erik quickly glanced at her as if to say, I'll tell you more later. Please, don't ask anything.

"Well, I hope you never have to bear any trial like that again." She said to him.

"Thank you." Erik said, his voice speaking volumes.

                                                                                            <3<3<3

Erik looked at Christine as she stood next him looking out the window, watching Nadir leave the front gate. She looked beautiful; her hair was pinned up, some of her unruly dark curls escaping her pins. The dress, a simple blue, and he noticed that when given a choice, she never wore the extravagant clothes he had ordered for her. 

He sighed. Admittingly, she must be curious over why that he never talked about his life. But she seemed... so different. So unlike any other woman he had ever met. Not very pressuring or demanding him but somewhat quiet and content... unless, of course, she was angry. He smiled at that thought, then he said.

"Don't trust Nadir, Christine."

"Why in ever would I? I don't even know Nadir well enough. Besides, I still don't know how he found out so much about my family and I. " Christine assured him. Under her breath, she whispered, "Besides it took me a while to trust you." 

She smiled, but noticed that Erik was to preoccupied with his thoughts.  She asked, "Do you really believe this man would come to Winterford and strike you here?"

"Maybe." Erik debated whether or not to kiss her, but settled on kissing her cheek. "Either way my enemy desires me dead and will see that you are too. Just be careful and say nothing to anyone of this." He felt very protective of Christine, even... loving? He sighed. This was not part of their marriage agreement. 

"Erik?" Christine asked softly.

"Yes?"

"Why is this figure so important?" She wanted to know what he knew, what this evil man knew, even what Nadir knew.

"To put it simply, he was the one that caused me to wear this mask." He gestured to the mask covering his face.

"May... may I see?" Christine asked, not wanting to pressure him, but wanting to know what caused so much pain and hurt to the man she loved... Loved? Not loved, it was too soon for love. Married, that what she meant.

Erik stood there, thinking. Should he, or should he not? Would she leave him if she saw it? No, she wasn't that shallow... he hoped. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity contemplating, he nodded ever so slowly.

Christine gently put her finger underneath the mask, and lifted it.