Page 86 of Angel's Fall

“You look lovely, my dear,” Louise said with a sad expression. “You’ll be wonderful. I’ll leave you to it.” With a quiet nod from Christine and a sidelong glare at Raoul, the costumer left.

“Alone at last,” Raoul chuckled. “Do you need to practice or warm up your voice? I confess I’ve never really considered the mechanics of all this.”

“I don’t sing until Act Three.” Christine’s eyes were now on the great mirror that Raoul had seen her disappear into before. Did she know its secret? Could she make it work? Why did she look like she was ready to cry again when they were so close?

“I can’t do this,” Christine whimpered, and Raoul could see she was trembling. “I don’t want to do this! It feels wrong.”

“It’s only one last performance, a gift to him along with his life,” Raoul countered, pulling Christine into his arms. She did not resist, but she made no movement to embrace him in turn.

“And then another and another,” she muttered. “A hundred, then a thousand performances, day after day, as your wife. I cannot do that. I cannot pretend every day that I am anything but his...”

“Don’t say that!” Raoul protested, reminding himself that, even now, his love was fighting the influence of a demon. “I know you are filled with pity for that wretched thing, but you must remember what he is and the evil he has done to you. When you are in the light of our new life, you will be free. We can love one another as we were always meant to.”

“Raoul, please, why won’t you ever listen?” Christine whined, and Raoul caught her chin with his finger. She was so lovely in her maiden’s costume, her hair ornamented with pearls and white silk flowers, her sweet lips rouged red.

“Do you remember our first kiss? Under the apple tree at the edge of that old farm. You had blossoms in your hair then too. I said you were the most perfect thing I’d ever seen and you blushed, just like now.”

“Raoul...”

“And you asked if I wanted to kiss you and you giggled, like the girl you were. I was dead serious when I said yes, and that I did not take a kiss lightly. I wouldn’t kiss a girl I did not intend to marry. You frowned, and then I kissed you...”

“I remember.” Christine’s face was so sad it broke Raoul’s heart.

“I still mean it.” Raoul claimed her mouth. She was modest as she returned the kiss, letting him be the one to part her lips with his tongue and seek her. A good girl, despite all that had been done to her, assuring Raoul more than ever that she was ready to be his. God, he hoped Erik was watching, seeing what it meant for a true gentleman to show his love. Christine pulled away, hiding her face shyly.

“I’m sorry, I—”

“You cannot know how much I want you,” Raoul went on, sighing as he pulled her close. “I wish I could have you tonight. Or right now even—” Christine pushed away, looking at Raoul in pure shock at such a suggestion. “You are to be my wife. It would not be wrong.”

A knock at the door cut him off.

“Anyone there?” Philippe’s voice called before he entered. Christine turned away immediately and took a seat at her vanity, resolutely reapplying makeup to her lips and avoiding the gaze of the men.

“Is everything prepared?” Raoul asked pointedly, trying to hide his frustration.

“It is.” Philippe looked between Raoul and Christine. “Are you ready?”

“We are,” Raoul answered with a smile.

“Is he there?” Christine asked, turning to meet Philippe’s eyes. The hesitation in his brother’s face made Raoul worry that Philippe was about to ruin the whole plan.

“He is,” Philippe finally replied. “In his box. Hidden so he will not draw attention. Waiting to hear you one last time.”

“Tell him I’m sorry,” Christine whispered.

Philippe once again looked to Raoul before nodding in the affirmative. “I will.”

“Come, Christine, it’s time,” Raoul commanded, hoping to avoid more tears. His fiancée rose and left the dressing room with the two men following after her.

“I hope you know what you’re doing,” Philippe muttered. “I don’t want to have to be the one to save your foolish hide again.”

“When have you ever saved me?”

“Exactly. I’m shit at it, so don’t make me,” Philippe said and turned away.

Christine was looking towards the stage, her back stiff and straight.

“I’ll get out of your way now.” Raoul received only the briefest nod in acknowledgement.

---