CHAPTER ELEVEN

As soon as Mary uttered her decision, the bonds holding back her Magic were broken. She felt an intense light-headedness as the Magic seemed to bubble up within her, spreading throughout her body. It was the most delicious feeling, seeming to continue forever, until it finally slowed, then stopped.

She opened her eyes, and saw the world for the first time.

For the first time since her infancy she saw colours in the way they were meant to be seen – more vibrant, almost as though they, too, were alive. She heard the Wind whispering to her, heard the Sunlight express its pleasure at her newly-rediscovered knowledge, saw the blue, blue sky seem to grow even bluer just for her.

And then she turned to Bert, her breath taken away as she looked at him.

When she first realised she loved him, she saw him as a man for the first time. But now... now, it was different. He was still a man, of course, but there was a handsomeness, a youth, that was present in his features now that had not been there since he returned from South Africa. It was as though the Boer War had never touched him. He smiled at her, the first real smile since this decision was forced upon her.

It was as though no-one else was present as Mary stepped closer to him, resting her hands on his chest. He kissed her forehead chastely, feeling a tingle ripple through him as his lips touched her skin.

'Goodbye, Mary,' the female member of the Council said, breaking the moment of silence that had stolen over the room.

Mary nodded, unable to speak, and slipped her hand into Bert's, leaving her mother's house, returning to his flat.

'Do you have to be back at the Bellamys tonight?' he asked her, his voice low.

She shook her head, a bubble of excitement welling up within her. 'No. The Bellamys are at Southwold this week, celebrating Miss Elizabeth's birthday.'

'Good,' he said, squeezing her hand as they continued to walk to his flat.

'I am handing in my notice when they return,' Mary continued, 'my mother has requested it. I have much to learn before I begin my duties.'

He nodded, his smile dimming as he was reminded of the conditions of her choice.

'But tonight...' she whispered, a smile gracing her face, 'tonight is our wedding night.'

He started slightly, then looked down at her. 'Mary, do you mean...'

She nodded. 'What is there to stop us anymore? Can we not take happiness in what we have so long desired? The Council has only said we may not marry – but as for the other... privileges of husband and wife – we may indulge in those.'

He laid a gentle hand on her cheek, looking down into her eyes.

'Are you certain, Mary?' he asked, relieved when she nodded.

'I have never been more certain of anything in my life.'

He beamed down at her, seizing her in his embrace, bringing his lips down to meet hers.

Mary would have gasped, had her lips not been occupied in other, more pleasant, tasks. The kiss was something incredibly new and arousing – her arms found their way around his waist, pressing her hips against his as the kiss continued. It seemed as though they reached the heavens, Magic meeting Magic for the first time, weaving an unbreakable bond between them.

Finally they broke apart, Mary clinging to him in order to remain upright.

'Mary,' he whispered, 'let's go home.'

She smiled, nodding her agreement, as a warm glow that had nothing to do with their kiss spread through her. Home... she had a home now.

***

It was another two hours before they returned to his flat, having stopped to purchase supper. They did not wish to be distracted later in the evening by hunger, and Bert did not believe he could restrain himself if they returned to his flat first.

But finally they did return, and Bert made sure to bolt the door firmly behind them as they entered. And then she was in his arms, kissing him desperately, her hands working frantically to undo the many buttons of his shirt.

His hands, too, were busy unlacing the bodice of her dress, slipping it off her shoulders as it loosened, then fell to the floor. His shirt quickly joined her dress without another thought.

He stepped back for a moment, taking in the way she looked – her soft skin perfectly smooth and unblemished, the rise of her breasts, the slenderness of her waist... he could not wait to divest her of the rest of her clothes, and, stepping forward again, he began the familiar task of assisting her with her corset.

It soon lay on the ground, along with the rest of her undergarments, and then, with an uncharacteristic burst of shyness, she blushed as his hungry eyes took in her appearance. He could not help but stare at her, gaping at the body that seemed almost beyond human perfection – the slender waist, the narrow hips, the long, long legs, the perfectly-shaped breasts – all of which had not yet been – would never be – touched by time. He felt rather inadequate standing in front of Mary, in front of this woman who looked beyond human imperfection.

'Mary,' he whispered, 'you're so beautiful.'

Her blush deepened as she looked at him, blue eyes meeting brown.

'I love you, Bert,' she whispered, moving into his embrace. 'I love you... and I want you.'

He swallowed nervously. 'Are you sure, Mary?' he asked her.

'I'm sure,' she said.

He nodded, allowing the last of his clothing to join hers on the floor, Mary watching with eager eyes.

And then he took her into his arms, skin meeting skin for the first time, she paused for a moment before tilting her face up to his for a kiss. She wanted to remember this, wanted always to remember the feel of her skin against his, the rhythm of his breathing, the complexity of his body... she looked up at him, lips meeting lips in a kiss far sweeter than any before.

She was dark like the night, and as Bert's bones seemed to burn with liquid fire, he sank back onto the bed, pulling Mary down on top of him. Her long, dark hair fell like a curtain around them, shielding them from the rest of the world.

Her eyes burned with desire, dark blue gazing into nearly-black eyes as she positioned herself above him. With a slight moan, she sank down on him, provoking a deep groan from her lover.

She paused for a moment in her movements, adjusting herself to the unusual sensation of being so intimately joined to another person. But she could not wait any longer – not as he ran his fingertips along her spine, causing her back to arch deliciously, not as he panted his desire to her, not as he gripped her hips tightly, encouraging her in her movements.

'Darling!' she cried out as he bucked his hips against her. 'Oh, darling, darling, darling...'

He slipped one hand to the junction of their bodies, his fingers feeling, caressing, provoking another moan from his lover. Her head fell back, revealing the whiteness of her throat, as her limbs tensed and a loud cry slipped from her rosy-red lips. She trembled, desire overwhelming her as she dug her fingernails into his chest, as the world seemed to spin. And then everything was upside-down as he flipped her onto her back, pumping into her earnestly, an animal groan releasing as he finally spilled into her.

The earth stopped spinning, and all was still. Her arm was thrown across him, couched snugly as she was against him, his arms holding her close.

He did not speak – neither did she. There was nothing to be said that couldn't wait – there was nothing to be said that had not been said in their actions.

As he pressed a gentle kiss of gratitude against her lips, she relaxed into his embrace. The slight pressure of her body against his said more than 'I love you' would ever say, and his protective embrace was the perfect response to her unsaid words.

The moon and stars shone down upon the two sleeping lovers, bathing them in their silvery glow. And as they slept, they watched over them, protecting them, loving them.