Once again, the brightness of the light was blinding and Vincent laying back against the downy earth, got his first view of a noon day sky. It was an intense shade of blue, with fluffy white clouds, and Vincent derived immense pleasure from the sight of it.
Overhead, from time to time, a bird would soar, its outstretched wings gliding upon a trade-wind, in effortless flight.
For how long he had been unconscious he did not know, neither did he know how far the raging wind had taken him. For long moments the spiralling, crazy action of the wind had been suffocating, but not frightening, before it had released him from its mighty grip, to come plunging down to the ground, with such a force that he was sure that he had died. And many hours later, upon opening his eyes, he had, at first believed, that the bright daylight was in actual fact, his accession into heaven.
Now as he turned his thoughts inward, re-living the entire episode in his mind, he realised that nothing would ever compare to such an experience, and that he had lived to tell the tale at all, was indeed a miracle, but he had not entirely survived it unscathed. Though everything appeared okay, it was when he tried to move that a searing pain ran the length of his spine, and although this caused him some anxiety, nothing felt like it were broken.
Suddenly, alongside his own heart, he felt another’s anxiety.
Catherine!
Struggling upright, Vincent winced from the pain in his back, but Catherine was nearby, and she was afraid, for him, and suddenly Vincent remembered his expectations and promises for the night ahead.
A night now passed and lost to them. Sadly, Vincent bowed his head. He’d had such plans for that night, and now, unexpectedly, he and Catherine had spent it apart. And he had planned so much with such detail.
Everything was to have been so perfect.
Devin had told him that there would be a four poster bed, and that the room would be lit with candles, to make him feel at home. There would be bowls of fresh fruit to savour and champaign on ice, and Vincent had visualised the whole scene in fine detail, and though nervous he would have been fuelled by an over-riding passion coupled with curiosity to experience all that Catherine so obviously offered. No more would he turn aside. No more would he call a halt when he felt his body beginning to shame him.
It was what Catherine wanted after all. Hadn’t she made that plain on so many occasions?
And now it was what he wanted too.
To hold her in his arms, to tighten his grip upon her. How he had longed to see the delight in her eyes when she first realised his intention. But wait! Hadn’t he informed her of it, just yesterday? Hadn’t he hinted at what might be?
Vincent shuddered. Oh yes, he had hinted, and Catherine had known. He had felt her response through the Bond, had known of her readiness to comply to his every whim. Vincent moaned softly at the memory, delighted by what might have been, dismayed by moments lost.
Bowing his head, Vincent hid behind his mane of hair, now set aflame by the sun’s brilliance. The soft down of hair upon his forearms exposed and golden by the light of day.
If he could have seen himself, he would have glorified at his appearance. His body a rich golden hue, enhanced by the sunshine, the taut muscles softly rippling beneath his clothing, the rich tawny mane that framed his beautiful leonine features, in all, his appearance reminiscent to that of some mythological god, one with which, if he had produced wings at his side to open and soar through the sky, one would not have been surprised.
His whole being produced an air of grace of movement, and beneath all that gold and light were those stunning azure eyes. Eyes that covered the secrets within, except they were secrets no more.
Now Vincent knew, despite what he had convinced himself of to the contrary, that he did want to love Catherine, and in the way that she had always wanted him to, and for once he allowed himself to feel how badly he wanted her. How badly he wanted to join his flesh with hers.
And he needed to know, oh so much, how that would feel. For suddenly, everything became so crystal clear in his mind, and he recognised everything for what it was. He and Catherine, united by a Bond, a bond that provided the missing link for which he had searched all of his life. Somewhere to belong. Someone to belong to.
Suddenly the sound of a twig cracking underfoot had Vincent’s awareness taking over, as desire ebbed away, until again his body started to respond, hardening in readiness as the Bond announced that it was Catherine’s approach, and Vincent was perturbed at her seeing him like this.
Whatever was he going to do? Though his thoughts of the past few moments had been positive ones, suddenly he was filled with fear. His body had betrayed him without conscious thought, just by her presence alone. It happened so often these days. Almost as if her very presence sparked a response from his body which he really had no control over, a response with which he now associated with that part of his body following the tracks of his heart, way before it had registered within his mind, it told him that Catherine was close by. And she was close now. That he did know
His betraying body was all the proof that he needed, for the tell-tale bulge beneath his jeans throbbed painfully.
Rising to his knees, Vincent winced again, noticing for the first time, that he had indeed sustained some injury after all. Vincent pulled his cloak more tightly about himself, and scanned the area, listening intently to his singing heart. Catherine was so close now, he could feel her heartbeat thudding painfully alongside his own, and turning, he saw her, there she was, at last, and oh! her beauty! Vincent gasped. With the sunlight in her hair, and the daylight turning her skin to ivory, Vincent had never seen such a vision of loveliness. and he was overwhelmed by the joy that flooded her entire being, as she ran the last few yards to where he was, flinging herself into his arms, and sobbing as though she might never stop.
“I’m here. Its all right. Everything is all right. Hush now.” Vincent rocked her, delighting in the scent of her, thrilling at holding her so tightly in his arms.
“Are you all right?” Catherine asked at last, pulling back a little, without releasing her hold on him, to scan his face.
“Yes, just a little bewildered.”
“There was a storm.” Catherine ventured.
“Yes.”
“And the horses bolted.”
“Yes.”
“And then, the wind...Oh Vincent!”
“There was nothing I could do Catherine. It just sucked me away. At first, I thought I might die.”
“That was my fear too. Oh Vincent, I have been so afraid. What was it like?”
“The tornado?”
“Yes. I couldn’t feel you, when I tried there was nothing but a swirling sensation, every time.”
“It was the most incredible experience of my life. Yes, I was terrified, but there were moments of utter exhilaration, at one point, I found myself upon my back just spinning, round and round, I could see clear up to a star filled sky, I was in a vortex, and I could feel dense matter all around me, it felt heavy, but inside it was light, so light that I could float. Near the centre for split seconds I was suspended in nothingness. I will never forget the experience ever.”
“That you lived to tell it is a miracle in itself.”
“Yes I know. I’ve wondered about that Catherine. I truly believed I survived it because you and I are connected, almost as if, you, were my anchor, keeping me alive.”
Catherine didn’t know what to say for a moment. She knew Vincent, if he truly believed that were so, then nothing she could say would convince him otherwise, besides in many respects she understood what he meant. Alone, they were only half a person, together they were as one. Apart, nothing could happen to either one of them, without it affecting the other the same way. If she lived, he lived, if she died, he died. It was as simple as that.
“Are you hurt Vincent” Catherine asked, as the thought hit her, surely he couldn’t have escaped totally unscathed.
“Yes. Until I reached the centre, my body twisted almost as if it were being wrung out by giant hands, and my back hurts, but I don’t believe anything is broken, just strained. But what about you, where are you injured?” Vincent had felt her wince, as a sharp pain caught her side.
“Its nothing, just bruises I think. Though Devin has badly sprained his ankle.”
Vincent nodded, of course, he’d seen him, “Where is he?”
“Back at the house. He couldn’t have walked this far.”
“Catherine, there’s something else isn’t there? Some other people are here. That man...”
“The man that tried to kill me, I haven’t seen him since the wind took him, have you?”
Vincent shook his head, “I think I may have killed him. I don’t understand, why was he trying to kill you?”
“A case of mistaken identity. His wife is here, with Devin, they are in love. Her name is Katherine with a K, her husband thought I was her, when he heard you call my name, at least that’s what we think happened, anyway.”
“So Devin and his Katherine are safe, together?”
“Yes.”
Vincent frowned, “Then who was the guy with the car?”
“That’s Glen, he works for Star Spangles, he attempted to come and warn us about the storm, but it outran him. He’s still here too.”
“So the only one missing is the woman’s husband?”
“Yes, and the horses.”
“The horses, they still haven’t been found?”
“No, but then I haven’t exactly looked for them, I was too anxious about you, oh Vincent, I am so happy that you are alive and well.”
Vincent drew her into the circle of his arms. It felt so good, just to hold her close like this, they drew comfort from one another, until the scent of her assaulted his senses. Once again, he felt the rising of his desire, and gently put her away from him, telling himself, not now, not here, as much as he wanted her.
For several moments they sat alongside one another in silence. It was so tranquil. The day so quiet, so magical. Being there together, beneath the sunshine. It was a dream come true.
“Vincent.” Catherine whispered. Vincent turned his blue eyes towards her, waiting for her to continue, “This place, its like my special place in the mountains, you know the one I wanted you to see with me?” Vincent nodded.
“And look Vincent. Just over there, can you see them?”
Vincent looked to the right of them, where about a hundred yards away a herd of deer grazed. Their soft muzzles buried in the sweet spring grass.
“Yes.” Vincent whispered, awed by the sight of them.
“Aren’t they beautiful?”
“Yes.” Vincent was mesmerised, but not only by the sight of the deer. Catherine’s happiness was washing through him, her joy at having him see everything she had dreamed of for so long, gave him such intense pleasure, and Vincent could not help adding, huskily, “but not as beautiful as you.”
Catherine turned, her gaze resting upon his, her heart hammering, as she drank in the beauty of being there with him.
Of sharing everything with him.
Like this.
Here with Vincent, in the sunshine, and remembering his promise of yesterday. Suddenly everything came back with lightening force, the way his words had made her feel, the need for him, it over-rode everything else, shut out every sound, every sight, everything, but for him.
As her breathing became laboured, Vincent felt it, and he wanted her so badly. His desire grew, knew no boundaries, her luscious inviting lips just inches from his own. For split seconds he fought it, yet he knew that the need of her own body matched the need of his, and with a strangled groan surrendered himself willingly. His breath shuddered through his length, and erupted in one long sigh of resignation, as he closed the gap between them, taking her sweet lips beneath his.
Catherine’s own exquisite sigh fanned his cheeks, and Vincent was encouraged to move his lips against hers. Together they kissed, at first with tender exploration, and then with a growing passion that neither could end.
Within her mind, Catherine saw fireworks explode. Flashing vibrant colours of star-burst. This was no ordinary kiss. Vincent’s delicious mouth devoured her, and Catherine leaned into his kiss, wanting only to drown in him.
Never had a kiss aroused her so. His mouth warm and unusually sensuous thrilled her to the core, and Catherine moaned softly, as she explored his upper cleft with the tip of her tongue, delighted when a gasp of pleasure erupted from his mouth against hers. She felt him shudder with longing, pulling her closer still, moulding his hardness against her.
Through their clothing she became aware of the hard, pulsating, length of him, and moaned softly, thrilled that he was at last letting her know how she had aroused him.
And slowly, with great care not to frighten him, Catherine dared her hands to explore, tugged gently at his clothing, yearning to feel the touch of skin against skin. She felt Vincent hesitate. “Please.” She whimpered, beneath his lips, and he relaxed. There was no going back now.
Catherine offered no resistance when his own large hands copied the movements of her own, searching for her, in fact she guided him, sighing with ecstasy as he placed the palm of his hand over the warmth of her breast. Vincent groaned, his breath coming in short sharp gasps, his mouth drawn to leaving the fullness of her lips, to travel down to the hollow of her throat, to lick and place demanding kisses on the pulse he found beating erratically, there. Until pushing her gently backwards, Vincent carefully laid her upon the soft grass, uncurling her legs from under her, placing his own body alongside in one swift synchronised movement.
Suddenly, Catherine’s hands were everywhere, and momentarily, Vincent hesitated, fearful of her rejection, but as her hands at last found their busy way beneath his layers of clothing and reached her objective, her gasp of delight urged him onwards in his exploration of her own body.
Though the night had long gone, all either of them could see, were glorious, shining stars focused firmly in their minds.
“I love you Vincent.” the words erupted from Catherine, rich with emotion, and Vincent sobbed with happiness, his own words lost to the moment, his own body yearning towards hers, the heat drenched passion filling him to his core.
Against her thigh she felt him, hard and hot, and wanted to release him desperately. To feel the silky length of him throbbing with life in her hands.
“I need you.” Catherine whimpered, as his hungry mouth sought her breast, “I need you now.” Catherine writhed beneath him, “Its been so long, Vincent please.”
“I have waited longer, my Catherine. All of my life in fact.”
“Then wait no longer. Vincent, I need you...” Catherine sobbed, her eyes hooded, “Now...please.”
“Catherine I want nothing more, but I don’t think I can...my back...” He shook his head with pained regret.
Instantly contrite, Catherine struggled to sit up, “Oh Vincent, I’m sorry, I forgot about that. I could massage it for you.”
With a wry grin, Vincent shook his head, his blue eyes blazing with love, humour and desire, “I think I might need a little more than massage my Catherine, however, while my back is out of action, my hands and lips are not.” and just to demonstrate Vincent’s lips sought out her nipple, and sucked her gently there. Instantly, Catherine’s body bucked, as a spasm hit her with full force, and an orgasm ripped through her body, leaving Vincent momentarily stunned, as her body continued to twitch violently. He felt drained as her emotions subsided, taking him down with her.
“What did I do?” he whispered, his eyes dark pools of passion.
“You touched me.” Catherine croaked, highlighting with her hand, “Here, you touched me here.” she placed her fingers upon her nipple.
“I felt it.” Vincent was stunned, one touch was all it had taken, one touch of his hungry mouth to send her spinning.
Catherine looked at him with a bemused expression, her need quenched for the moment, telling him, “Here, let me show you how it feels.” and before he could refuse, Catherine lay him gently down upon the grass, and her busy little fingers were winding their hungry way through the fur of his chest, pulling aside clothing, until she reached her objective, located beneath a bed of tawny hair.
As Catherine flicked her fingertips across his nipple, Vincent squirmed as a flare of desire triggered his brain to send a jolt of electricity down to his groin, and when Catherine’s tongue followed the path her fingers had trod, he could no longer contain himself. A sensuous groan erupted from his mouth, as head thrown back, a mighty roar filled the air, as by the touch of her teasing lips, Catherine brought Vincent too, to orgasm.
“See?” Catherine cocked her head to one side, her eyes bright with love and humour, “That’s what you did to me too.” her gaze resting upon the wet patch quickly spreading across the front of his jeans. “You’d best remove them if you don’t want them to get any wetter.” she nodded, indicating her intent.
Vincent blushed. “Remove them?” He gulped.
“That’s what I said”, Catherine teased lightly, her hands continuing their exploration of his chest. The feel of silken fur against her finger tips was a delight all by itself.
To Vincent the feel of them there was making his head spin, as suddenly from out of nowhere, Catherine was driven by a need so wild that she could no longer contain herself.
The fierceness of her love stunned Vincent. ‘Where had that come from?’ One moment she was lazily teasing him, the next this rush of wild abandonment had seized her. Suddenly, every part of him exposed to her became a path to travel, to explore with her mouth and fingers, and Vincent was somewhat amazed and amused to hear a slight growl escape from Catherine’s throat. He chuckled, as somewhere at the back of his mind he heard himself whisper, ‘what have I unleashed?’
Catherine laughed at his reaction to her vocal expression to love him, “See what you do to me. Oh Vincent, I love you so much. I wish we could continue...” She stopped, looking down at him, as a sudden idea sprang to mind, “ I can make love to you!” her eyes begged him, “Please, you don’t have to do anything, just lie there, it won’t hurt your back, I’ll do all the work, please.”
Vincent couldn’t help himself, but suddenly he burst into nervous laughter, shaking his head from side to side, “holding her at arms length, “No my Catherine, I couldn’t let you do that. When we do this I want to be an active party to it, I have thought about it for far too long to not be involved in it now.” he added softly, a shy smile touching his mouth, and a slight blush infusing his cheeks.
Catherine’s eyes opened wide, and her face broke out into a joyous smile, “You have?” she was really surprised, “You have thought about this, about us, you and me together, making love?”
Vincent nodded, his chest heaving, as a fresh wave of desire flooded his senses, “Yes my Catherine, always I have dreamed, of this...”
“Oh Vincent!” Catherine flung herself down upon him, “ I can’t believe it. I mean I never gave up hoping, but to know that you had dreamed of us this way...” Her breath came in short sharp gasps, “Oh Vincent, what torture you must have put yourself through.”
“It hasn’t been easy.” he affirmed, the smile crinkling the corners of his eyes.
“And you won’t back down, change your mind, please don’t Vincent, I couldn’t bear it.”
“I won’t change my mind, my Catherine, I promise, but while my injured back has forced a halt to my loving you completely, perhaps we could use the time of my healing to organise our marriage.” he said the last in a hushed whisper, half of him wanting to say the words, the other half not knowing if he should.
Catherine stared at him, her green eyes dancing lights of joy, she held her breath, had he really just said that? “Are you asking me to...” her words trailed away, oh if only, she thought to herself, as he was nodding, “Yes, Catherine, if you truly believe you could live Below in my world, and if we are to be lovers...” oh, the way he said it, it made her skin tingle, “then I would be honoured if you would become my wife.”
Catherine flung herself at him once again, hugging him tighter and tighter, making him wince with pain, but in a strange way he found it welcoming, “Oh Vincent, yes, yes, I will, I will, oh thank you for asking me, thank you. I love you so much Vincent. To spend the rest of my life with you, is all I have ever dreamed. We’ll be so happy, Vincent, I just know we will.”
Vincent buried his face into her hair, drinking in the scent of her, he couldn’t believe he had asked, and he couldn’t believe she had accepted, his mind was in a whirl. Catherine was truly going to be his. His heart hammered with joy, “Yes, “ he told her, “I believe we shall. You know Catherine, when we came here, and Devin told me that this weekend, all my nightmares and dreams would be as one, I couldn’t understand, and not for one moment did I know, how could I have known, that either of them, the nightmare and the dream would have been covered so thoroughly. For this weekend has been my worst nightmare, yet in some glorified way, it has resulted in all my dreams coming true. I’m so happy that we came here Catherine, so glad that you arranged all this for me.”
“You knew didn’t you?” Catherine enquired, cocking her head to one side.
“Knew?” Vincent asked innocently.
“What I had planned for you, in bringing you here?”
Vincent grinned, “It was Father that knew.”
“Father!” Catherine exclaimed.
“As I remember it, he said, that he felt you had plans to seduce me.” Vincent laughed as Catherine blushed, not from Vincent knowing, but from Father guessing it. Vincent continued, “And Devin hinted as much. In fact it was Devin who made me face my fears and overcome them.”
“It was Devin’s whole idea to come here. We have a lot to thank him for.” Catherine told him sincerely. “Its just such a shame that everything has gone ghastly wrong as far as the entertainment was concerned.” Catherine felt really sad about that. The star spangled nightmare idea had really become a nightmare she would rather have lived without.
“Oh I wouldn’t say that.” Vincent told her huskily, trailing the tip of his claws up and down her arm, giving her goose-bumps. Catherine shuddered, his eyes were such an intense shade of blue, she felt mesmerised by them, felt herself drowning in them, and only vaguely heard him whisper, as he brought his lips back down to hers, “we can compensate, by making our own entertainment my Catherine,” before she surrendered herself willingly to that conception, and let herself drown in his arms.

Catherine had never seen the crystal cavern, and so it was a delight to be there at long last, alongside her handsome husband, who had chosen that this special trip to the place from where he had taken her crystal pendant, should become part of their honeymoon package.
Straightening up after her long journey through a perilous crawl-way, Catherine dusted herself down, thrilled when Vincent’s large hands took over from her own, smoothing the dust and grit away from her luscious curves, and making her breathing accelerate to the beat of her heart. Vincent’s eyes, dark pools of desire caught and held her own, and not for the first time that day, did Catherine feel herself melting at the delicious thought that they were at last, as one. Their marriage, not two days since, had been so beautiful, and Catherine had not yet come back down to earth. Still she floated dizzily somewhere up there with the star-burst, and had to keep pinching herself to test that all was real.
When Vincent was satisfied that all the dust and grime was gone from her clothing, still he continued the lazy exploration of her body, sending jolts of hot desire through Catherine’s body. She exhaled deeply, wanting him desperately, her limbs as molten fire, and had it not been for his steely grip steadying her, she would have surely fallen. Her legs seemed incapable of bearing her weight.
Looking up just briefly, Vincent became aware of their surroundings, though Catherine surmised he had known how close they were. He’d made this journey many times before, and that he had chosen this special place to consummate their marriage, came as no surprise to Catherine. It would be perfect. The memories as precious as the gemstones themselves.
Taking her elbow gently, Vincent reluctantly drew his gaze away from Catherine and all that she offered, and with deliberation put one foot in front of the other, with conscious effort, as his own legs became immobile. He had thought of little else on the journey down here, following behind Catherine, drinking in the sight of her, knowing as husband and wife that every thing was acceptable, and yearning for the moment when they would reach the crystal cavern and turn all their dreams into reality.
Yet now that they were so close, Vincent found his legs as lead, taking considerable effort to walk forwards, not through fear anymore, but through some kind of craving that made him want to hold back the moment. Catherine understood, yet her needs were more intense. It had been a long time, and she had waited for Vincent, knowing without a doubt that it would happen between them one day, and prepared to wait rather than satisfy her needs with someone else along the way. She loved Vincent more than life, and that they were now husband and wife, she found almost impossible to comprehend, and suddenly found the irresistible need to sit down and run through the past years leading up to this moment and Catherine held on to Vincent’s arm, “Wait”, she told him, as he made to duck beneath the final outcrop of rock leading to the cavern. Already Catherine could see the brilliant dancing light’s from the facets bouncing off the damp rock just ahead.
“What is it, my Catherine?” Vincent drew back, coming to stand beside her, a few fears chasing through his mind, “Have you doubts?” He wouldn’t have been surprised if she had. He still had grave misgivings about the union, even though she had insisted on more than one occasion that he was her life.
“Never!” Catherine replied, stunning him with the sharpness of her reply, it held emotions with which all doubts in his mind were chased away. “I love you Vincent, I belong to you now, I would never change my mind on anything I have promised you.” Catherine slipped herself into his arms, hugging him, drinking in the scent of him, letting him fill her entire being, oh, how she loved him.
Vincent prompted, “Then what is it?”
“Can we sit here a few moments.” Catherine asked, almost shyly.
Vincent nodded, sliding himself down a rocky wall, and offering her his hand to follow him down to nestle between his long legs. He drew her closer as she sat down, gathering her close against him, burying his face into her hair, filling his lungs with the scent of her.
“I love you Vincent,” Catherine reiterated.
Vincent remained silent, a soft shiver passed over him, he became wary.
“Its nothing Vincent. Don’t be afraid,” Catherine noticed his fears, “I just want to talk. I don’t know why, but somehow it seems awfully important that we seal our past before embarking upon the future. Can we just talk about how we met, through all the days we have shared since, up to the present, that’s all?”
A warm glow rippled through Vincent, “Yes.” he replied, relieved. “I probably have thanked you Vincent, for saving my life that night, but Vincent, there is more to it than that. You not only saved me, but you changed me, brought out from me all the good that was lurking somewhere, but which my world had suffocated long ago. I think perhaps I lost those qualities when my mother died. The happy life that she wished for me would never have come to be Vincent, without the revival of those qualities. I would never have found them but for you, and so happiness would have remained elusive to me, for ever.”
Vincent swallowed hard, tears be-dimming his eyes, yet he remained silent, sensing that though she said they would talk, she would in fact, do all the talking, and he the listening. He felt the need in her to empty herself in this way, an almost cleansing, healing need to rid herself of the toxins of the world above for all time.
“When I left you that day at the threshold, when I asked, Vincent what can I say to you, there was only one thing I wanted to say to you, as silly as it may have sounded at that time. Looking back I would have spared myself a lot of heartache, if only I had listened to my heart at that moment.
Vincent I have never told you this, perhaps because through all the years we were together I never felt it again, till now. Now I recognise the emotion as it was then, because now I can feel it again.”
Catherine was silent for a few moments, awaiting a response, but there was none. She twisted in his lap, so she could see his eyes, just to make sure he hadn’t fallen asleep, as if he could!
Catherine smiled, noticing his eyes, startling blue and penetrating, almost as if he had known the exact content of her words before they were spoken. Catherine was drawn to his lips, and a shudder passed through her. She might be able to contain herself from loving him, but kissing him was one of the joys she had come to know well these past few weeks, and could not stop herself from taking advantage of that now. Placing her lips to his, Catherine was jubilant at the feel of his instant response, a shudder travelling through his limbs, a groan escaping his mouth, his hands, so gentle yet so strong, tightening around her drawing her to him, as if her kiss was the very essence of his life.
“God, I love you Vincent,” Catherine dragged herself away from his arms to search his face, her throat tightening by the love that she felt, “And I want you so much.” she shuddered, her breathing slow and deliberate, her gaze holding his. “Say something?” she teased, a smile crinkling the corners of her mouth.
Vincent drew a deep breath, and Catherine waited, expecting words, thrilling when he expelled the breath in a long ragged sigh, wriggling his body harder against her, and thrilling her with his obvious arousal. Actions, on this occasion, definitely spoke louder than words. Catherine giggled, watching as his eyes smouldered, and he swallowed with difficulty, a smile touching his mouth, yet unable to give voice to words. The effect she had upon him had rendered him speechless.
“I’m sorry my darling.” Catherine hugged him tight, “Is it that bad, we can go on if you like?”
Vincent shook his head, as words finally came, “Finish what you were saying first, my Catherine.” Catherine shivered at his endearment, the way he said it, his deep, husky voice filled with longing, set her soul aflame.
“This”, Catherine encompassed everything with her arms outstretched, “All this, everything, your family, but especially you Vincent, are mine, yet I could have spared myself and you so much, had I of told you at that time, that time at the threshold, the very first time that you took me back, that in here, Vincent,” Catherine gestured to her heart, “I could feel you, as you could feel me.”
Vincent’s eyes widened with surprise, “The Bond manifested itself within you too?” he was incredulous.
Catherine nodded, “I didn’t know then what it was, I felt strange, almost mystical, alongside my own heart there was the racing of another. When I put my arms around you, it accelerated. I knew then how I felt against you, I didn’t understand it, couldn’t grasp a name for it, but when you came to me eight months later, it had gone, and I couldn’t retrieve it until the day you asked me to marry you. Why was that Vincent do you know?”
Vincent looked down, unable to meet her steady gaze, but Catherine would have none of it. Dipping her head, she locked onto his gaze from a lower position, “Vincent?” she queried.
“My fears...” Vincent began, “They blocked the connection your end. When first we met, the Bond was new to the both of us. You could not grasp its significance, especially after the anaesthetic you underwent to heal your face, but me, I understood, and learned to trust in and accept our connection, though I fought it constantly, believing that you should not be tied to me in any way at all, and especially know how I felt about you.”
Catherine nodded, “I thought as much. Since the feeling has returned, I’ve analysed the reasons for its loss, and that is what I came up with. Yet now, it is back, I feel everything Vincent, your doubts, your love, your passion, Vincent...”Catherine hesitated, but Vincent waited patiently for her to continue, though he longed to ask why. “Vincent”, she began again, “When we make love...” Vincent drew in a sharp breath, his body responding instantly, and Catherine hesitated, licking her suddenly dry lips, she had to say this, had to know, “It affects the mind Vincent. Not only the body, but the mind too. Its unbelievable Vincent, you almost feel as though you are flying off to some distant land as high as the stars themselves...” Catherine hesitated again, somewhat embarrassed, it wasn’t her intention to elaborate on her past experiences, rather to help him understand how the joining of their bodies could be mind exploding.
“If via the Bond Vincent, you can feel all my emotions and I can feel yours, would we not damage one another’s minds?”
Vincent had not thought of this aspect before. In all the time he had desired her, he had been most afraid that either his physical size or his other self would injure her, never their connection.
Yet suddenly, as Catherine brought her fears out into the open, so too came the solution, “No!” Catherine exclaimed joyfully, “We wouldn’t, would we?” she turned happy eyes to his, “When I feel you here,” she pointed to her heart, “And when you feel me, one over-rides the other. That is, either I know myself as the strongest and you quietly beside me, or depending on the higher emotion, I feel you stronger than me. So it doesn’t matter, one will drown out the other.” Catherine hugged him happily, but Vincent wasn’t so sure.
He swallowed, the unaccustomed words of this conversation sticking in his throat, “When we....make love...Catherine,” he breathed deeply, his body going between spasms of arousal throughout the conversation, “Perhaps both our minds will be highly stimulated, perhaps it would be as you feared after all.”
Catherine nodded, slowly, “Perhaps, or perhaps we can learn to close off our connection in that way until we have established the act, and learn together how to control its intensity?”
Vincent laughed out loud, “Catherine.” He whispered, tracing his clawed fingertips up and down her naked arm, “Come my love, my bride, it is time, I think, to put this theory to the test.” Vincent scrambled to his feet, pulling her up behind him, “If you are ready?” he gazed down at her, Catherine nodded, not a doubt left in her mind, taking the hand he offered, and squeezing it tightly, “Yes husband, lead the way.” She told him tenderly, picking up the pace as he ducked beneath the final outcrop of tunnel leading into the crystal cavern.