The walk back to the main chambers was one of the longest Vincent had ever traveled. Through the bond he could feel Catherine's anticipation and anxiousness. He knew she had something to tell him, but it was hard to imagine what. While Catherine appeared to everyone else to be sedate and calm, he knew she was impulsive and sometimes reckless; not thinking of her own life as she rushed ahead to help those she loved. Her surprises were always creative and tended to catch him off guard.
Instead of taking the left turn back onto the family wing, he continued straight, down a rarely used short cut to his own chambers. Hesitating for an instant, he noticed the privacy lantern was lit at the end of the corridor. Shaking his head in puzzlement, he pulled aside the heavy curtain and moved his large frame silently into the expanse of richly decorated room.
Catherine lay stretched out in a chair, a book in hand and a smile on her face.
"What are you reading, dearest?"
"Poetry. Idylls of the King by Tennyson."
"Read it to me." He began to stroke her leg.
"All right. I love this poem and for some reason, it seemed appropriate for my mood. I have something to tell you, Vincent."
"I know, I could sense it. And there was that delightful dinner tonight. But read first, please. I want to know what made you smile." He had begun to play his fingernails over her kneecap.
"In Love, If Love be Love, If Love be ours
Faith and unfaithful can ne'er be equal powers,
Unfaith in aught is want of faith in all.
It is the little rift within the lute
That by and by will make the music mute,
And ever widening, slowly silence all.
The little rift within the lovers' lute
Or little pitted speck in garner'd fruit,
That rotting inward, slowly molders all.
It is not worth the keeping:
Let it go.
But shall it? Answer darling,
Answer no.
And trust me not at all or all in all."
Vincent cocked his head questioningly. "How, love, does this fit our situation? What strange, wonderful idea could possibly be brewing in your mind that it should manifest itself into a poem about the dangers of love and the risk of surrendering to that love?"
"Sit, Vincent, and I will tell you all. Here, come and rest you head in my lap so that I may run my fingers through your hair."
He crossed the expanse of the room in smooth stride and sat on the floor at the foot of Catherine's chair. Reclining back, he rested his forearms on her knees and sank his heavy head onto her awaiting hands. Kneading her fingers into his skull, she caressed his golden locks through her fingers and began.
"Dinner tonight was a very special event. I wanted to share it with you. That will be the last meal I am to ever eat in that apartment because tomorrow I plan to start my move Below."
"But Catherine, what about…?"
"Dearest, you must let me finish. I am unhappy with my life right now. I want many things that I have only recently worked up the courage to go after. I want to be your wife, Vincent. I want to wake up day after day in your bed, never having to worry about when I will be able to sneak a few moments. I want to know that when you are finished with your activities for the day, your mind is filled with the assurance that I will be waiting with open arms for your safe return. I want your children to grow safe in my belly. I want a constant, Vincent. I want you to marry me."
"Catherine…"
"Say yes, Vincent!"
"Yes my love, I will be your husband. I will return to our chamber night after night knowing that you will be there, I will wake up each morning with you in my arms, and I will do my best, if it is possible, to give you strong, healthy children. Because my life will never be truly complete unless you are by my side. I was going to wait a little longer before I asked you to permanently tie yourself to me, but I was wrong, Catherine, so wrong, because you were ready long before I was and I'm sorry. Thank you for making me see it. I love you so much."
Catherine moved in to raise a hand to his cheek. Resting it there, she stood on her toes and kissed his eyelids, his forehead, finally letting her lips gently caress his awaiting lips. Slowly and tenderly their mouths moved completely in synch with each other. Through the Bind, Vincent felt her emotions soar and he deepened the kiss, running his tongue along her upper lip, urging her to open her mouth. Dipping his tongue in, he tentatively swept along her tongue, being mindful of his sharp canines, raking them along it.
Moaning aloud, she thrashed wildly and fell back onto the tremendous bed, pulling his whole weight down with her.
Landing squarely between her legs, he buried his head in her neck, teasing her throat with tongue and lips. Over her whole body he roamed, bringing her to the edge of completion then hurdling her over as he took her body.
When they finally collapsed together into a deep, much needed slumber, arms curled on bodies and legs entwined, they dreamed of each other and a lifetime together.