Immortal Darkness (Phantom Diaries #3) Read Free

She’s been nothing but kind and generous and I couldn’t bring myself to just run out like a thief in the night.”
    “It could have been so easy for her to try to convince you to stay, to convince you to consider Aaron’s proposal.”
    “She’s wiser than that.”  While I praised her great understanding of my actions, my thoughts caught on her last words.
    “And she’s certainly smart enough to realize how your conflicting emotions may come to affect your future performances.”
    I pursed my lips into a doubtful grin.  Could Francoise be that cunning?  To avoid a confrontation simply to avoid a bad performance on my part?  I wasn’t really willing to believe that of her.
    “Do you feel prepared to get back to the stage?”
    “More than ever.  I think my time in Paris, my time away from New York and the Opera House has made me all the more appreciative of what great luck I have to be a part of such a great cast.”
    He squeezed my fingers.  “You are adorable.  Your humility and modesty never cease to amaze me.”
    My gaze drifted to the window and I looked out at the immensity of the clear blue sky that went on for an eternity.
    It wasn’t mere humility that kept me from seeing myself as the star of the show; the focal point of the opera.  Despite all the praise and adulation, a little part of me, perhaps small and insignificant, but persistent, returned all too often to remind me that I didn’t really deserve it all. I’d just been at the right place at the right time.
    Eric’s soft fingers over mine brought my attention back to him.  “You have a natural and raw talent, Annette.”
    “I simply inherited the voice I have,” I said simply.
    “Many are born with a natural talent, but few work to bring that talent to its full potential. I’ve watched you work, Annette, remember?  I’ve seen the hours of practice, of vocal exercises, of rehearsals.  Don’t kid yourself.  The fact that you hold such an important role is not a simple matter of luck.  You’ve worked hard to merit every word of praise you receive.”
    “You’re sweet,” I said.
    He shook his head.  “I’m honest.”
    “Sir,” David said as he made a quiet approach.  “Dinner should be ready within thirty minutes, but Chef Gerard invites you to tempt your taste buds with an appetizer.  If you’ll take your seats at the dining table, I’ll bring them out.”
    “We’ll be right there.”  Eric turned to me once David left.  “Chef Gerard has a magic touch when it comes to his pastry hors d’ouevres.”
    He led me toward the back of the plane and into a sumptuous and elegant dining room that could have rivaled the finest five star restaurant.  The table, draped in black, was set for two with elegant stemware and gleaming silver.  Three tall candles offered a soft glow of light in the otherwise dimly lit room while the delicate strings of a single violin filled the air.
    Like a true gentleman of yore, Eric pulled back my chair and waited for me to sit down before taking his own seat.  “I want this flight home to be a restoration of the Annette who first left New York,” he said.  “It is my goal to pamper you in every way possible.”
    “So I see.  I’d say so far you’ve succeeded.”
    As we tasted the chef’s tantalizing appetizers and then gorged ourselves on a feast of braised duck, steamed snow peas and glazed carrots, Eric steered the conversation to all that was trivial, comical and amusing; everything but Paris, Aaron and the troubles we’d left behind.
    I knew he had to have lingering questions about my relationship with Aaron, about my thoughts of his proposal, about my emotions, my confusion and my intentions…and I appreciated all the more the respect and space he offered with regards to it all.
    As our empty plates were cleared away and a delectable dessert of simple white cake with raspberry filling was brought out, Eric turned the conversation to the evening to come.
    “No doubt