The Demon's Child and the Phantom

Chapter 8

Rosella's POV:

I was somewhat excited to go back to the opera house today. Daroga had promised to take me down the see Phantom again, as long Phantom was not in a cross mood. Though my sleep had been riddled with guilt over having touched him when I shouldn't have, I was in dire need of hearing him play the piano again. I was waiting with Daroga at the edge of the black lake, listening to the sound of the boat coming closer.

"Phantom was not expecting you back so soon Mademoiselle."

"I will come and fetch her when it is time for us to leave, or I suppose you can show her up to my office when you two are tired of one another."

"It will be done Daroga."

I listened to the sound of Daroga's footsteps disappearing, and I force myself to look up at the Phantom. I see curiosity and the lingering anger swirling in his golden eyes. He offers me his hand, and though I know it will only cause me to feel guilt over touching him later, I can't help but take it as he helps me into the boat.


Phantom's POV:

She looks at me and then slowly takes my hand before a ghost of smile graces her lips as she looks at me. I stare at her hand in mine again wondering how can she bare to even touch it let alone hold it so tightly in hers. A look of guilt crosses her face as I stare at our hands before her face become as unchanging as stone.

I help her into the boat and climb in after her, looking at the beautiful creature that wanted to be around this hideous creature of the night as I began rowing. She doesn't look up at me or at the water, instead she focuses on the bottom of the boat just as she did last time, and I'm left wondering if she is frightened of the water. The thought alone is enough to make me paddle faster as the lair comes in sight. As soon as the boat was secured to the stone pathway, I climbed out and held out a hand to help her out.

I saw her tense as my hand came near her and my heart plummeted in my chest. I should have known she would be fearful of my touch, my loathsome disgusting touch. Who wouldn't be afraid to have me touch them. I see her look up at me and watch as she reaches out for my hand, attempting a smile at me as she takes it into her own precious hand. I expected her to let go as soon as her feet were on the shore but instead she held tightly to it as I led us to the living room area of the lair. She finally let go of it and I step away from this angel in my hell with a sigh leaving my lips as I leave her side.


Rosella's POV:

I tense for a moment as I see the Phantom's hand come towards me, my body expecting a hit but none comes. I glance up and see how his face has fallen, with misery now filling his golden eyes. I feel my heart break at how he must think I fear him, but I don't not really. I take his hand tightly in mine and try to smile at him, as he helps me out of the boat and into his lair again. He guides me to the living room area and I hold tightly to his hand, until I feel as if I must let go. I hear him let out a struggling sigh as he steps away from me.

"You've known Daroga a long time I wonder?"

"No, not long at all."

"How is it you two met then?"

"He bought me from my last owners."

"Bought you?"

"Yes Monsieur."

I hear him turn back toward me and take a few cautious steps. I force myself to look up at him as he extends his arm as if I'm meant to follow him. I pause for a few seconds, still feeling guilty over how I reacted with him, and reach out to take his hand in mine instead. His hand is large with long fingers, covered in a smooth black leather glove, but powerful and quick I am sure. He stares at my hand in his for a few seconds, almost in shock, until he leads me to a small black colored divan and offers me a seat while taking the chair across from it.

I sit down and glance up only to see that we're sitting in front of a mirror. I slide over on the divan until I'm no longer in the reflection before looking at him again. The curious look is in his eyes again as he leans forward on his hands and stares into my eyes again. I find it hard to focus on my thoughts as I stare into those golden circles and find myself having to break eye contact every few minutes. I take in his appearance again as I stare, and I realize that the only skin that I can see is his neck and the left side of his face.

The funny thing is that I don't feel the need to look at the floor with him though I catch myself doing it anyway. Honestly, I just seem to get lost in his eyes. I think about what his hand felt like in mine again and the guilt starts to consume me again. I shouldn't have touched that beautiful man, no one should have to touch the demon's child. Especially not an angel of music such as he.