Only they knew of their secret haven, hidden away from the prying eyes of the world.
As the final rays of the departing sun caressed the western horizon, the whirlwind of desire that swept through Lucian and Shauntal mere moments earlier had now given way to a tranquil bliss. Bodies still humming with the remnants of their love's ardent expression, they lay sated in each other's arms, basking in the afterglow of their shared passion.
With misty eyes, Lucian peered out the gauzy window. The tempestuous storm had mostly subsided, revealing a stunning panorama of nature's magnificence. Far beyond, rolling waves of sapphire and emerald converged in harmony, each crest adorned with a frothy lace of sea foam, while nearer to him, stately palm trees, Drenched by the rain, swayed to the rhythm of the wind, their fronds whispering secrets in hushed tones. Each occasional rumble of thunder was a distant reminder of the storm's ferocity, flinging droplets of crystal rain against the shimmering sands of the shoreline. The scene was truly sublime.
Shauntal, snuggled comfortably against Lucian's side, stirred gently. He studied her countenance as she dreamily gazed out at the beach through half-closed lids, lashes brushing her cheek, placidity etched onto her features.
How lucky I am to call this beautiful woman beside me eternally mine, Lucian thought to himself, for she was indeed beautiful in every sense of the word—physically, intellectually, spiritually. He was certain there was no one in this World he would rather share his life with. His eyes shifted down to her left hand, clasped delicately in his own, where upon her ring finger a golden band shone, the ring that symbolized their absolute devotion to each other.
"Oh, I almost forgot!"
Shauntal's exclamation immediately shattered Lucian's contemplation. He pivoted towards her with rapt attention, magnetized by the force of her alluring gaze. Her eyes shone with an otherworldly brilliance, illuminating her face with a vibrant and ruddy glow that suffused her cheeks with a roseate bloom. A corresponding grin spread across Lucian's face as he basked in the pure joy that twinkled in her starry eyes.
With a tender move, she leaned into him, leaving a warm kiss on his cheek, before her whispered words fluttered into his ear, "Happy Valentine's Day, Lucian."
Lucian planted a kiss on her forehead in return, nestling his face in her silken hair as he did. "And to you, my dear-" he murmured, before his words were smothered by the fervent press of her lips against his. In the aftermath of their lovemaking, Shauntal clung to him with renewed energy, fingers twining through his hair, lips still locked against his own.
They remained like this, lost in their own thoughts, each only dimly aware of the other as the cool nighttime breeze gently caressed their heated skin. Then, gradually, the intensity of their passion abated, until they settled into a state of contentment, the rhythmic crash of the waves a soothing background to their synchronized breaths.
At last, they gently released their hold on each other, eyes meeting in silent understanding. Shauntal then reached beside the bed, where both their glasses and one of her miniature notebooks sat on a small table. She gracefully flipped through it before tearing out a page, offering it to her beloved with a smile. "Here. I wrote this for you."
Lucian gratefully accepted his proffered gift. All went still as he read.
To bask in twilight's glow with thee
Arms draped about one another
Thy voice a murmur low
And soft as starlit dew
With gleaming eyes and tender smile
At last, I am at peace.
Nevermore will I be alone
Beneath this darkening sky.
For as the world turns,
And life goes on,
Here
There is only us.
upon finishing the poem, Lucian carefully set it aside, His focus now on Shauntal's pleased expression. With the utmost care, he Grassfed her hands, cradling them within his own, before slowly turning them so that her palms were pressed intimately against his beating heart. Then, eyes locked on hers, he spoke.
"Shauntal, my darling, there is not a single soul in this world whom I would entrust with the acuity of my mind, the sanctity of my heart, the essence of my soul. That is, not a single soul but you. So let The world turn, let life go on—it all matters not. For beneath this darkening sky..." he cast a fleeting glance out the window, taking in the wondrous view of the dusk-kissed shoreline, where the ocean churned and thrashed against the sand, its expanse reaching out towards the boundless horizon, before returning his attention to his beloved authoress once more. "...As you've succinctly worded it: there is only us."
Hearing her own verse uttered so genuinely, so wholeheartedly, Shauntal's eyes sparkled in wonderment of her lover. In the silence, she struggled to find words that could equal the magnitude of his heartfelt declaration, for she knew in her heart she felt the same, as strongly and purely as he had spoken it. But perhaps, she mused, spoken words were unnecessary; her poem, written for him and him alone, conveyed all that needed to be said.
Lucian need not a glimpse into Shauntal's thoughts to know the unconditional love she felt for him; she had beautifully expressed it through the medium she knew best. His heart, too, knew the love of Shauntal's instinctively, as it always had, always would. He could not have been more steadfast in his devotion to the one person on this earth whose mere existence occupied every part of himself, tangible and intangible; whose brilliant mind was a kaleidoscope of linguistic splendor, overflowing with an abundance of words to chronicle the story of their everlasting love; whose heart and soul he would deeply cherish as long as the Earth kept spinning—for they, muse and authoress, mind-reader and ghost-writer, two elite individuals in all aspects of being, were betrothed to one another for all eternity.