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Chapter Six
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Sweet Music of the Night Chapter Seven
Noelle could barely contain his excitement as he changed into fresh practice clothing. The black material was close fitting as it showed his lean form and toned legs. His fingers shook, making it harder to pull on the soft shoes. This was the moment he had dreamed of. Perhaps the role was not quite what he had imagined. Most of the reveries had been of noble princes and mystical creatures. Not a bold God.He took a breath and closed his eyes, trying to calm his beating heart and quell the churning nerves. And the concern that Alexandre would overshadow him. The man's ego gave a violent passion to his portrayals of evil, misunderstood it might be. He would need all his skills to hold a candle to him."I can read up on the myths; the library will almost certainly have something. Although I daresay, it will be abridged. These myths are often less than wholesome."The powers that be were not fond of anything they deemed heresy or debauched. Harsh penalties would apply to anyone who was f
Sweet Music of the Night Chapter Eight
The moon hung low in the blue velvet sky. The soft, shimmering rays billowed down and crept from the high-set windows, trailing like silver ivy over the dark theatre. There couldn't be a finer spotlight. Noelle tentatively stepped onto the stage and looked around. The auditorium was silent. Empty. Nothing but a moth moved in the air, fluttering hopelessly as it searched for an escape.For a moment, he wondered if he had imagined his prior encounter. One of those lucid, maddening dreams that one heard of. Just as he was about to step back, truly believing he was going insane, the low, doleful notes of a violin danced into the air. Julian was perched on the arm of a chair in the circle. His lilac eyes sparkled like the stars but stared at a world only he saw as his bow ran masterfully over the strings. "I thought you must have been a dream," Noelle whispered, his voice seeming louder in the empty theatre. "I'm still not sure if you're not." "Most would have called me a nightmare,
Sweet Music of the Night Chapter Nine
With Julian's voice and music ringing in his ears, Noelle threw himself into rehearsals. He read the myths with gusto, finding he enjoyed them more than he thought. Once or twice, he felt Alexandre glare at him—a cold bitterness shimmering in his eyes like moonlight on a mirror. His expression lifted when Noelle met his gaze—melting into a smile, albeit feigned, and he turned away to check his reflection. But the tension still radiated, even if it didn't mar his performance. If Karl had noticed, he didn't comment. Envy and criticism between his dancers was commonplace, and he had little time for it. As long as he didn't have to deal with a repeat 'accident.' As he watched the pair, he found his eyes riveted by Noelle. His heart jumped into his throat more than once.Even though his technique was not as precise, his leaps not quite as fluid, one couldn't take his eyes from him. And for a split second, he wished he had done more. But that revelation was soon pushed aside. He did
Sweet Music of the Night Chapter Ten
The next few days passed in a whirlwind of activity. No one, least of all Noelle, had a chance to catch their breath. With a new creation came new hassles: costumes, fittings, scenery. The list continued, and while Karl was resigned to using items from previous performances, it didn't make it any easier.And his temper remained taut and ready to snap. "For God's sake! I thought you were supposed to be the image of graceful spirits!" Karl's voice echoed across the stage. "You look like ungainly trolls! You are supposed to float, to fly!" He flapped his hands as if attempting to take off himself as he stormed to adjust the arm of one of the nervous women. "I'm in no mood for games!" Noelle flexed his foot backstage, glancing uneasily at Alexandre. The older dancer took it all in his stride, well accustomed to Karl's meltdowns.He noticed him looking his way and shrugged. "He's like this until opening night. Then, after the first good review, he calms down. I suppose you've never b
Sweet Music of the Night Chapter Eleven
Darkness, sweet and soothingI do not dread your call.Into sleep or into deathInto your arms, I'll fall.Within your hold, I feel no painAll the world will slumber deepBut I'll beware the lies that never ceaseAnd pray for dreams you can keep.Noelle awoke sometime later, finding himself lying on the chaise in one of the offices. The sun seeped through the high window, burning his eyes and highlighting the dust floating aimlessly in the air.He rubbed his temples, trying to ease the ache that split his head in two,"So, you've come around at last!"Noelle peered through his fingers to see the slender outline of the ballet mistress. She was a stern woman with sharp eyes that missed nothing and set in a face that looked like skin on a skull, her cheekbones stretching the lined skin to the maximum.The dancers held her in high regard, her career one of the finest in the theatre. But it was a respect marred with trepidation and awe. One with such a history was someone who didn't appr
Sweet Music of the Night Chapter Twelve
Under Julian's watchful eyes, Noelle felt himself grow. His body felt lighter; his heart felt more open. Emotions he'd never experienced tore through his soul and radiated in his movements.Even Karl took notice, and his attention slowly moved from simple corrections to entirely focusing on nurturing the budding seed he saw.A mighty oak that could stand the test of time was beginning to break free.Alexandre leaned against the barre, sweat glistening on his temple, and watched impassively as Noelle repeated a section of his solo.A shiver of envy overtook the chill of the cooling moisture as he observed a rival he hadn't recognised.'Think of it as a good thing,' he thought, reaching for a towel to mop his brow. 'Challenges spur you and make you stronger. He might somehow equal me, but I will not allow him to surpass me.' He held back a chuckle. 'These are useful feelings for this ballet too. But I can't let them sully my own talent and hold me back.'Being pleased for him was a hard
Sweet Music of the Night Chapter Thirteen
"Will you be watching the performance?" Julian paused, the bow resting elegantly on the fragile strings, looking towards Noelle with his enigmatic smile. "Of course. I have many places where I sit and contemplate or watch the performances. The last great one, however, was the touring company from London. Their Aida was magnificent." Noelle stretched. His muscles became tense even with a short pause. There was a distinct chill in the air, and it bit into the flesh sharply. Even concentrating on the warm notes that evoked the heady air of Egypt didn't help. "I remember. I was an understudy for one of the dancers they used. I did perform in the matinee. Granted, it was not much, but it was an experience to see. They are returning in the Autumn with Rigoletto, but I don't think male dancers are required for that." "Possibly not. I seem to recall that one focuses more on male debauchery, so women would be the focal point," Julian's eyes lifted slowly. "Although, that is not always t
Sweet Music of the Night Prologue
The fire burned violently and horrified onlookers watched as debris fell from the roof and narrowly missed the firefighters, desperately trying to quell the blaze. The screams of those still trapped behind the wall of the inferno would be etched into their minds forever. Hidden in the shadows of the alley a pair of violet eyes watched the scene with indifference. To him, it was almost poetic justice when he thought over his time there. He recalled it with bitterness. Despite the solace he found in the music that surrounded his mother's career and the enchantment of watching the stories unfold without words, the lack of magic in his real world still stung. He'd never called his mother 'mother.' She was always Aunt or Carlotta. He was supposed to be her ward after all. Disguising her indiscretion of spreading her legs before marriage.She still hadn't learned. Flirting and trying to seduce the ballet master who was twice her age, to push for bigger and better roles. She was a bea
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- Sweet Music of the Night Chapter Thirteen
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- Sweet Music of the Night Chapter Nine
- Sweet Music of the Night Chapter Eight
- Sweet Music of the Night Chapter Seven
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