Blue Waters

Alin Wong

Catherine awoke to almost total darkness. Most of the candles had burned out, the brazier was just warm ash. Though there was a slight chill to the air she was warmly wrapped in Vincent’s arms. His breath lightly fanned her cheek. Her heart was full of so much love for this incredible man; a man so different from other men, not only in appearance, though to her he was beautiful, but in his kindness, his gentleness, his power and strength, and his ability to love. She loved him so much and he was hers. Her husband. She brushed her lips softly across his.

His eyes opened slowly, a little confused. He touched her face with his fingertips, "Catherine?"

She smiled, "Good morning."

"I was dreaming," he whispered. He reached for her hand, brought it to his lips, felt the ring on her finger, saw the glint of gold on his own. Joy lighted his face. "Not a dream." His hand gripped hers tightly.

"Not a dream. We are married, together, truly together." She stretched luxuriously. "We have a brunch this morning with everyone."

"Not until ten." He nibbled on her neck.

"I don’t think I can move."

"I think I can stir up some tea or coffee if you prefer."

"Tea would be great."

He got out of bed gloriously naked, no longer shy in front of her. He threw on his black wool robe and lighted a few candles. From the outer chamber he brought in a tray with a teapot and cups, some fruit and muffins.

She watched him from the bed. This tall, powerful man with the long, tawny gold hair, incredibly blue eyes, the heart of a lion and the soul of a poet was her husband. To many his appearance was frightening with his deep set eyes, his rugged, feline face and sharp teeth. His hair covered, clawed hands could be deadly but when they touched her, held her in passion and tenderness her heart melted with love.

Vincent placed a tray on the bed. Catherine, his wife, his heart, his soul. "Last night’s food basket had a morning snack for us."

A big smile lit up her face, love and laughter sparkled from her green eyes. Glossy, warm brown hair, tousled from a night of lovemaking framed her face. "Good, I’m starved." She sat crossed legged on the bed and reached for a big muffin. Her robe gaped just enough to reveal one small creamy white breast.

He forced himself to pour the tea instead of reaching for her once again. They had the rest of their lives.

Catherine dressed in one of the new outfits Mary, Ruth Ann and the sewing group made for her. A cream wool dress with a soft, rose colored leather belt, a matching rose shawl and cream suede boots. Vincent dressed in a few of the new clothes the group had made for him including a new leather and suede vest of butter softness in shades of brown. She tucked her arm under his and they headed out to meet the crowd waiting for them.

 

There were almost as many people at the brunch as had been at their wedding. William had outdone himself again. The tables groaned with food.

"Mom, dad." JV ran over to greet them. Father stood talking to Devin and Jenny, Joe and Diana.

"It was a beautiful wedding," Jenny said.

Devin clapped Vincent on the back. "Well baby brother, did you let the lady get any sleep?" he teased.

Catherine blushed.

"Are you going on a honeymoon?" Diana asked.

"I’m taking Catherine deep Below. Maybe to the Crystal Caverns. We’ll head out tomorrow, follow the river and explore. There is a chamber I’ve stocked with supplies we can use as a home base."

They enjoyed the day with family and friends, promising to get in touch as soon as they returned. Back at their chamber JV had a present for them. "I made this for you," he said, hesitantly. It was a small photo album of their wedding. "Aunt Jenny gave me a Polaroid camera and I took some pictures. She helped me."

Catherine and Vincent looked through the album. There were pictures of them in the pony cart, a few of them dancing, cutting the cake and one of them kissing that JV knew they thought no one was watching at the time. He had given the camera to Jenny to snap one of him with his parents. "I love it," she hugged him.

"I never saw you," Vincent said, uneasily.

"You’re not mad are you, dad? I know you don’t like mirrors and stuff but you do have that wonderful painting of you and mom and the quilts mom made of you."

"You’re a good photographer JV. Thank you for preserving this wonderful day for us." He kissed the top of JV’s head. "But, it never leaves this place. Both of you promise me. No one else sees it."

"We promise." Catherine and JV hugged him.

"While we’re gone don’t give your grandfather a hard time. Have fun with Mouse." She held him close. "See you soon." JV, Jacob Vincent. Her son and Vincent’s.. He had her green eyes but Vincent’s tawny gold hair which he wore quite a bit shorter. He did not have his father’s powerful build yet but he would be tall.

Vincent put his arms around them both. Another dream come true for him, his family, together.

Vincent tucked the last of their things in the boat Devin had given them as a wedding present. Little bigger than a canoe, light weight, there was plenty of room for their supplies and the small cloth satchels Father had given them as a wedding present. He hefted Catherine’s bag. It didn’t feel like she over-packed, not by much anyway. He’d packed some special surprises too.

Catherine was excited. Except when Paracelcus had taken her captive, she had never been deeper than the inhabited part of the tunnels. Vincent hadn’t told her much about the trip. He wanted to surprise her. He told her to pack for warm and cold areas and for swimming for two weeks. He would take care of food and supplies. Some things he had already sent ahead.

JV, Father and Mouse saw them off. "Mouse, you know where the Blue Water Cavern is if you need us for any emergency."

"Sure," He threw a small box in the boat. "For you and Catherine," he smiled.

JV threw rose petals over them. Vincent pushed the boat into the slow current, Catherine dipped in her oar. They were on their way.

 

They headed to the base of the waterfall, just close enough to feel the spray in their faces. Light from an unknown source shown all around the area. Vincent beached the boat in a clear area along the river bank.

"We can spend some time here, Catherine. William packed us a picnic basket lunch." He spread a thick blanket on the ground for them and opened the basket. They dined on fried chicken, coleslaw, rolls, fruit and wine.

Catherine leaned back against a large rock. "It is so peaceful and beautiful here by the falls, Vincent."

He laid his head on her lap and stretched out his long legs. "I thought you might like to see this side of the falls."

She played with his hair, twirling long golden strands around her fingers and drifted off to sleep. She awoke slowly, tried to shift but was weighted down. Vincent slept in her lap, his arm around her waist. She stroked her hand over his hair and down his face. He captured it, kissed her palm.

He got to his feet pulling her to him for a quick kiss. "We’d better head out. We have a ways to go to where I want to spend the night."

They packed up the basket for William to pick up, gathered the blanket and climbed in the boat. Not far from their picnic spot the river forked. Vincent took them down the right side passage, the water was calm, not difficult to paddle. Catherine placed a lighted lantern in the bow of the boat as the way got darker. Through the afternoon they paddled. The stone walls were high and dark and her arms were getting tired even though Vincent was doing most of the work.

He could read her like a book, "Not much further, Catherine." Shortly, he pointed the boat to shore and jumped out.

The clearing was quite cool, she was glad she brought the new blue wool cloak Mary and Ruth Ann had given her. It was also pitch black except for the beam of light from the lantern. She could see the faint outline of supplies against the rock wall.

Vincent brought the lantern from the boat and lighted two more he’d left on shore with the supplies.

"What can I do?" Catherine asked.

He pointed to one of the boxes. "That box has everything for dinner. If you want to open it, I’ll start a fire and get our things from the boat."

"I thought there could be no fires down here?"

"There are some areas where the smoke vents away, where we are deep enough underground that no trace of smoke appears Above. We are safe here and the places where we are going."

She spread the blanket from lunch near where Vincent was building a small fire. She shivered at the blackness surrounding them, sat. She looked up to see only blackness above them.

"Vincent!" She thought she’d gotten over her fear of the dark, but this darkness was so absolute.

He sensed her fear and instantly dropped to his knees beside her, put his arms around her. She was shaking. "Catherine," his voice was deep and reassuring. "I’m here."

"I feel so foolish."

"You’re cold, hungry, afraid."

"Not now, with your arms around me." Surprisingly, she was no longer afraid. His warmth and strength, the brightly burning fire gave her courage. She kissed his cheek, "I’m okay now. I’ll finish getting dinner."

The box contained thick beef stew in a stoneware bowl. She emptied it into the cast iron pot Vincent hung from a metal tripod over the fire. There were also fresh greens for a salad, fresh raspberry dressing, butter, milk and fruit for breakfast. All kept cold with a block of ice.

In another box she found bananas, hot and cold cereal, sugar, jam and a fresh loaf of homemade bread. To drink there was a bottle of red wine, juice, tea and coffee.

Vincent brought the rest of their things from the boat, including more blankets and a sleeping mat. He threw some cushions by the fire and gave Catherine two heavy pottery bowls. She filled them each with some of the bubbling hot stew, handed him one along with a thick slice of the bread she had toasted over the fire. They ate side by side next to the fire and sipped the red wine Vincent poured into embossed pewter wine goblets he had carefully packed.

"I feel much better," she said. "Warmer. Do you want the rest of the stew? There is a little left in the pot.

"I’ve had three helpings already."

"You did most of the paddling, you deserve it." She dished out the remaining stew, snagging a few carrots for herself. "How do we clean the pot?"

"I’ll clean it later." He leaned back against a cushion, stuffed, took a sip of wine.

"All we need now are some marshmallows," she sighed.

"Marshmallows?"

"With all the trips you take the kids on you’ve never made S’mores?"

"I don’t think so."

She nestled against him. "Too bad, the fire is perfect right now for toasting marshmallows. What’s in the box Mouse threw in the boat?"

"I don’t know. Here, open it."

The box was a little bigger than a shoe box. Catherine opened the end and laughed. "Mouse knows what a S’more is. You are in for a sweet surprise." She set out graham crackers and chocolate, toasted some marshmallows to a deep golden brown then put them all together like a sandwich. She passed a gooey treat to Vincent.

"Messy but good. Especially off your lips." He leaned over and licked the sweet mess from her mouth.

"You taste pretty good too, Vincent."

Heat radiated from the fire, warming them. She lay with her cheek on his chest listening to the steady beat of his heart.

"Catherine?"

"Mmm."

"Are we dreaming?" He rolled over just enough to look at her face.

She lifted a hand, brushed the hair back off of his face, looked deep into his eyes. "I don’t know, Vincent. If we are, I don’t want to wake up."

He cupped her face in his hands, bent to kiss her. "I love you."

When their mouths met she pressed into him, slipped her hands under his shirt, ran her nails through the soft hair covering his chest.

They undressed each other and made love by the firelight. He threw more wood on the fire, covered them with the blankets and his cloak. They slept warm and safe in the arms of their dreams.

Vincent broke up the next day’s travel with frequent stops to stretch and rest. "We’ll be at our main camp before dinner time, Catherine."

Her shoulders were getting stiff, her arms sore. She knew Vincent didn’t really need her help paddling the boat but she didn’t want to be just a passenger. Her watch told her it was late afternoon when she saw a blue glow ahead.

"We’re coming up to Blue Water Cavern," Vincent said. The cavern was surprisingly large. Vincent brought the boat up onto a sandy shore and helped Catherine out. She looked around in awe. The soft light reflecting from the walls cast a blue glow over everything.

"Vincent, it’s beautiful. You discovered it?"

"Yes, about seven years ago. It has become a romantic vacation spot. Special requests have to be made before anyone can come. Then supplies are sent ahead or brought here. Ice blocks have to be brought down to protect the food." He showed her around. There was an area for cooking and food storage. The ice box was kept cold with the big blocks of ice he mentioned. Handmade wood furniture was covered with colorful patchwork cushions. The sleeping alcove had a large bed with a sea blue quilt of many fabrics. A dark curtain could be drawn to block out the light.

Catherine removed her cloak. "It’s quite warm here."

"Yes, there are thermal pools." He led her across the flat stones. "Here is the bathing pool., warm water flows through it continually." More cushions graced the area. "For swimming there is this large pool." He led her through a short tunnel to a naturally shaped deep blue lagoon. A few more handmade wood chairs and two chaises with multi colored cushions sat invitingly at the water’s edge. Also a mat to lie on.

"Let’s empty the boat and unpack. Then I’d love to take a bath." Catherine said.

When everything was unpacked, Vincent told her to enjoy the bath, he’d set up the campsite. She trailed her arm over his shoulders. "Join me."

She changed into a rose colored chenille robe then brought the bag with the toiletries and towels to the pool. She let the robe fall to the ground and stepped naked into the very warm water. Stone steps led down into the pool, a stone seat invited one to rest. When she sat the water just covered her shoulders. She leaned back and let the heat soak into her sore muscles.

Vincent joined her, easing his big frame into the water. "Ah," he sighed. He knew she was sore from paddling. He pulled her onto his lap, his fingers massaged her neck and shoulders. She leaned back into his hands, relaxing under his touch.

She turned to face him, sliding her arms around his neck. He slipped his hands through her wet hair, pulled her head back exposing the pulse beating in her neck. He pressed his lips to the beat, slid up to her mouth. Her lips parted, an invitation. Her mouth was wet and warm. Home.

He watched her climb the steps out of the bath, her body glistening in the soft light. "Stay awhile, Vincent. I’ll start dinner."

Catherine was waiting for him. The table was set, something spicy was heating over the small fire. She smiled at him and he felt a now familiar ache in his loins. Her hair was swept back, held with the crystal comb she’d worn for the wedding. Her gown, the color of starlight, fell in soft folds to her ankles leaving her shoulders bare. His pendant hung from a gold chain around her neck.

"Roses, our wedding roses, where did you hide them in the boat?" She reached out for the fragrant buds. "I saw a vase here somewhere. Would you fill it with water?"

"I want to kiss you first."

"All right." Her smile filled her face, her green eyes sparkled. "You look very handsome tonight." Like her, he had dressed for the evening. He wore her lion rose pin at the neck of his white lawn shirt. The ivory rose she had given him years ago rested in a suede bag tied with a leather cord around his neck.

She opened her arms, turned her face up to meet his. His arms crushed her to him, his kiss hard and urgent.

"Vincent, can you hear the music? Come, dance with me."

His arms encircled her. His body swayed with hers as they danced barefoot in the sand along the water’s edge.

After dinner he extended his hand. "The music is still playing, Catherine."

She rose into his arms, pressed her cheek against his and danced to the music playing in her heart.

As they swayed his blood leapt with love, with lust. Her mouth brushed silkily over his lips, her tongue stroked and danced with his. A new, a different hunger ate at him. His eyes burned a deeper, wilder blue when he lifted her in his arms and carried her to the bedroom alcove.

He pulled off his shirt, undid the zipper of her dress, let it fall to her feet. She sensed a difference in him, a deeper, heightened awareness in herself. Her nails raked the golden hair on his chest on their way to the buttons of his pants

He lifted her in his arms and laid her on the bed. His mouth came down on hers, strong, fevered, hungry, urgent. He was ravenous. "Catherine, I can’t stand it. This fire burns in me."

She opened her arms, his skin was hot, his hands greedy. He wanted to touch her everywhere. He buried his face in the soft fragrant valley between her breasts. She gasped with every flick of his tongue.

Her hands raced over his skin as greedy as he. Her fingers merciless, stroking, kneading. He moaned in pleasure. They rolled on the bed, mouth fused to mouth, heated flesh melded to heated flesh. A wildness came over them. Her cries of pleasure aroused him more.

They had never been wild, never been totally free in their lovemaking. Soft, low rumbles started deep in Vincent’s chest. He raised himself up onto his arms, opened his mouth, bared his teeth and threw back his head. A great roar burst from him, another.

He moved suddenly, rolling Catherine to her stomach. His weight hit her, overwhelming her. His hot breath stirred her hair. For a moment he didn’t move, didn’t speak. She could feel his mental hesitation. Silken strands of their bond entwined, tightened around their hearts.

"Vincent," his name moaned so low she doubted he heard her.. He stuffed pillows under her for her comfort.

"Vincent," she whispered again, knowing he would never hurt her but, wondering what he planned to do.

"Shh, Catherine."

His long hair tickled her thighs and then his mouth was on her. His tongue stroked, his breath hot, he breathed softly on her. She went boneless, collapsing on the pillows. She couldn’t get enough air into her lungs. She wanted to hold him, take him into her, deep inside her.

. Every nerve ending was attuned to him. The soft hair of his chest slid across her back, his hands held her hips steady The steel band of his arm slid under her belly pulling her even closer than she thought they could go. Fireworks exploded behind her closed eyelids, her heart thundered in her chest Like a wild lion he set his teeth into the curve of her neck to hold her still as his hips plunged.

He collapsed on top of her, low rumbles still coming from his throat. He tried to catch his breath. "Catherine, what’s happening to me?" he whispered unsteadily. "If I hurt you, frightened you." She rolled, took his face in her hands, "You didn’t." She pulled his mouth to hers. "Again."

A deep, primitive need engulfed him. His hands, his mouth went wild over her, tasting her, touching her, exploring. Her body quivered, the pleasure building again. "Don’t stop," she gasped, her nails digging into his back.

His blood pounded harder and hotter. His vision blurred red. He plunged, a beast on fire. He felt her body convulse against him.

Her heart beat as if to escape its cage. She heard her own cry over his roars as she shattered inside. Roar after roar echoed off the walls as he emptied himself into her once again.

She clamped her mouth over the next roar, fearless of its intensity, the bared sharpness of his teeth. He was hers, all of him. All that he was, all he could be. She knew he would never hurt her. As tightly as he held her, his claws barely touched her skin, even lost in the throes of passion

He was exhausted, terrified. Catherine lay asleep curled against him. He slipped quietly from the bed, carefully covered her with the sheet. He went to the big lagoon, dove in. If he swam hard enough, long enough, he’d never be able to change what he had done to her. Ever since the day the darkness had come to him he knew it had been waiting inside of him. Waiting to return. There was no escaping the horror, the doom of a life without Catherine. A life she had shown him would have been beautiful. He’d return her to her life Above, today. Let her live it with JV and he would disappear. Forever.

Catherine awoke. She had no idea what time it was. She reached out for Vincent but he was not there. The bed was cold. She listened intently, thought she heard him swimming in the lagoon. A swim would feel great. She was a little stiff and sore from an incredible night of love. Wow. She’d never felt so wild, so free. She went to join Vincent.

She stood at the water’s edge watching him swim as if devils were after him. What was wrong? She closed her eyes. Last night she had thought she was beginning to feel through him a little of the bond he felt for her. She couldn’t read his mind but got a sense of what he was feeling. He was afraid of something. No, not afraid, terrified, devastated.

She slipped into the warm blue water. He didn’t see her. She reached out and grabbed him the next time he swam by. He looked at her in fear and shock.

"I thought you were asleep, Catherine."

"I’m awake now. Can I join you for a swim?"

"I think we should go back."

"Back? Where? Why was he not taking her in his arms, kissing her. She reached out to him, he pulled back, got out of the water. "Vincent, what’s wrong? Is there something wrong with JV, Father? Do you sense something?"

"No, not them."

"Me?"

He wouldn’t look at her. She got out of the pool, looked at him closely. She could see him withdrawing into himself. Temper flashed in her green eyes.

"Oh no you don’t." She poked his chest hard with her fingers. "We are married now. There will be no more secrets between us. Especially after last night. If you have a problem, you talk it out, with me."

He looked at her in horror. "You can talk of last night and not hate me?"

"Hate you? Vincent I love you, with every molecule of my being. Why would I hate you? Making love with you last night was wonderful."

"Wonderful," he growled. "How could rape be wonderful?" He turned away from her.

"Rape! What are you talking about?" She placed her hand on his shoulder.

He turned and growled at her, startling her. He reached out to her, then pulled back his hands before she could take them. He stared at them in despair. He dropped to one of the chaises, let his head fall to his knees.

"Catherine, I have no words to say how sorry I am. I have a fear, a darkness, eating inside me. I’m terrified of what I am becoming. I fear I’m losing the beauty you see in me. I’m losing the struggle, the strength to fight the darkness, again. There’s no escaping my fate. I’ll return you to Above, let JV live with you."

"What nonsense is this? Return Above, with JV?" She could see he was in agony. Think Catherine, think. What was going through his head? She concentrated on this new bond she was feeling. Something connected to their love last night. How could he think his wild love was rape? Did he think he’d hurt her, like Lisa all those years ago? Forced himself on her?

She knelt before him, placed her hands on his face, forcing him to meet her eyes. Tears slid down his face. She chose her words carefully.

"Vincent, what we shared last night was not rape. How could you even think that. It was a man, a woman, both sharing something incredible, something loving, something beautiful."

He opened his mouth to contradict her.

"Let me finish. There are so many ways to make love, slow and gentle, strong and passionate, wild and free. We haven’t even touched on how many ways. Last night I think we were both wild and free. Why not? There is no one here to listen to us if we scream or roar when we make love. We have this beautiful place totally to ourselves. I have not told you this, but I’m beginning to feel our bond myself a little."

He looked at her, a question in his eyes. "You can feel the bond?"

"Not like you feel from me, but, I can pick up some of your feelings. Vincent, I think last night our bonds joined. Our love, our pleasure doubled. The bond heightened our feelings, our passion, our joy. Made us a little," she laughed, "well, very wild."

"Catherine, I was an animal, a beast."

"So was I. You think you hurt me, frightened me...like Lisa. Vincent, I am not a foolish, frightened teenager. I can love and be loved wildly."

She stood. She held her arms out to her sides, slowly turned in front of him. "Vincent, you put no marks on me. No slashes, no scratches, not even a nick when you bit my neck. I would expect a few nicks. You fared worse, I scratched your whole back with my nails." She touched his shoulder. "I even bit you. Don’t you know how much I love you? There is no part of you I do not love.

"Vincent, there is no darkness in you now. Who should know better than me? Even in your darkness you have never hurt me. Not even when you were in the darkest of the dark. If the darkness should ever return, do not turn from me. We can, we will, face it together. Together we can face anything. Promise me, anything, everything, together."

"Together, Catherine."

She opened her arms. "Once I told you to open your arms to gifts that were waiting for you. I am opening my arms to you. Will you come to them?"

He looked at her with unguarded love in his eyes. He rose and let her arms surround him with her love.

"Catherine, you have a way of making me face my fears, showing me that they are but shadows next to our love. How could I have been so blessed to have you love me."

"I love you with all of me. I’d do anything for you. You are stuck with me for the rest of our lives." She tapped her ring. "In sickness and in health, for better or worse. Forever, Vincent."

The flood of emotion all but drowned him. "Always, Catherine."

She lowered herself to the mat, drawing him with her. "Now, I want your hands on me." Need, deep and primal washed through her. She wanted more. More to give, more to take Gently he touched her cheek, trailed his fingertips down her throat. His hands skimmed her body with the lightest of touches. He’d never get enough of her. He crushed his mouth to hers. All of the hunger, the desire, the need he had for her stung him again. His blood raged to feel her hands hold him, bring him trembling to her, into her heat.

With a glorious burn in her blood, he drove her past reason. She clung to him, watched his glorious blue eyes blur. Love all but swamped her as he held nothing back, giving her his body, his mind, his spirit.

"Let’s swim." Vincent dove into the lagoon naked. Powerful muscles rippled with each stroke of his arms, kick of his feet. Catherine followed. She was a good swimmer but no match for him. The warm blue water washed away the remaining aches and pains in her body. She could taste the minerals on her lips. They swam and frolicked and laughed, free of the heartache and sorrow weighing on them earlier.

He pulled her under only to cover her mouth with his, not freeing it when they rose to the surface. He added a new layer to his personality, joker, prankster. He’d come up behind her and grab her, kiss her neck or tickle her, swim under her and toss her out of the water. She couldn’t out-swim him. She tried to catch him off guard, plotted all morning, but lost every time.

They came out of the water only to eat or sleep or make love on the cushions at the edge of the water.

"Catherine, can you hold your breath for a long time?"

"Why? Please don’t hold me under too long."

"Never, Catherine. There is a grotto I’d like to show you but we have to swim underwater through a tunnel to get there."

"Do you think I could make it? I can’t stay down as long as you."

"I think so. If you hold on to me I can pull you faster through the water."

"Then I’ll try. I’d love to see the grotto."

He tied a piece of rope around his waist leaving a long end dangling. He had her take a few deep breaths before they dove.

She felt strange not seeing one fish in the clear blue water. She held the rope tightly as he sped through the water, his powerful legs kicking beside her. She kicked, trying to keep some of her weight free behind him. The tunnel was long and dark. Her lungs were ready to burst when he broke the surface pulling her up to the most beautiful sight she had ever seen. He swam to a flat rock rising above the water and helped her up.

She looked around in wonder. The ceiling was less than six feet above them. The walls glittered in every shade of blue from the lightest sky to deep night darkness. The water, glowing with its own light and peacefulness, slapped gently against the rock and walls.

"Vincent, it’s beautiful," she said in a hushed voice.

"Catherine, we are the first to ever see it. I found it while you were sleeping."

She took his hand in hers, kissed it and held it close to her breast. She looked around in wonder and delight. "For now it is just ours?"

"I may not tell anyone about it. That’s a long way to swim. I don’t want to have to send rescue parties down here." He put his arms around her, cupped her chin, kissed her softly. "Maybe I’ll keep it just for us."

She hugged him tightly, rested her cheek on his chest, sighed. With him she could stay there forever.

 

They took a few more days to enjoy the rest and relaxation of the pools, each other and the quiet. Catherine almost missed the sounds of banging pipes, the city.

Vincent organized the things they would need to take to the Crystal Cave while she swam. He told her they would be gone overnight and put together a lightweight pack for her to carry.

Suddenly he whirled, "Catherine!"

He ran to the pool; she wasn’t there. Her robe and book lay next to the cushions. He sensed she was somewhere in the lagoon. He dove in, cut through the water like a knife, his gaze skimming up and down the dark rocks. Terror hit him as he frantically searched for her.

She had wanted one more swim before they left for the Crystal Cave. She floated lazily on top of the water, then jack knifed and dove deeper, imagining she was a mermaid. What would Vincent think if she had a tail? She turned and pushed with her feet off the rocks. The force of her kick pushed one foot into a crevice were it wedged firmly. She didn’t panic at first. She wiggled and twisted her foot thinking it would come loose. She couldn’t free it. She had little air left in her lungs. Her last thought before she passed out was Vincent.

He found her on his third dive, suspended in the water, her hair floating in a halo around her face. Terror stabbed his heart. Her foot! He put his back against the ledge and pushed. Her foot slipped free but she didn’t move, she lay suspended in the water, eyes closed as if asleep. He put his arms around her and shot to the surface.

He laid her on the stone floor at the lagoon’s edge. He covered her mouth with his and breathed. "Breathe Catherine, breathe."

She took a breath, gagged, retched water convulsively, shook uncontrollably. He wrapped her in her robe and pulled her close.

Rocking her he kissed her face. "I thought I’d lost you."

"Don’t let go, Vincent. Hold me tight. I love you."

He carried her to the bed and laid her down. He examined her foot. It had a few scratches but was not swollen. He kissed it gently. He stripped her of her robe and wrapped her in a blanket. She continued shivering, whether from cold or shock he couldn’t tell. He removed his wet clothes, got into bed beside her and pulled her close to his warm body.

Her shivering subsided. Vincent’s body heat seeped deep, warming her. "Vincent, again you saved my life."

"What happened?"

She explained, "I wondered if you liked mermaids and how I’d look with a big fish tail."

He chuckled, "I’d love you whatever you were Catherine. No more swimming without me." He continued to hold her tightly her face pressed to his throat, his chin on top of her head.

He brought her dinner with some hot tea and got back into bed with her. He held her all night, never let her go, thanked God for protecting her. She curled against him and slept. When she woke his arms still held her close.

She felt much better in the morning but Vincent insisted that she rest.

"What about our trip to the Crystal Cave?"

"We can go tomorrow. We don’t have to keep to any schedule."

She wasn’t ready to go back in the lagoon. Her chest and throat still burned from throwing up all the water she had swallowed, but her foot felt fine.

She found Vincent double checking the supplies he wanted to carry. The tunnels would be much colder than their honeymoon oasis, he said. They would need warm clothes, sturdy boots and their cloaks.

"Can I help?" she asked.

He had two lanterns, sleeping bags, rope, tools, a First Aid kit and a heavy canvas bag with soft cloths for the crystals they would collect. "No thanks. We’ll pack the food you want tomorrow. There will be plenty of water and firewood where we’ll camp."

They got an early start the next morning. "Mouse will bring more food and supplies tomorrow. We’ll need to decide how much longer we’d like to stay," Vincent told her.

"I’d love to stay down here with you forever but I do miss JV. How about another few days, then the two to get home?"

"Whatever you wish, Catherine."

They walked in the tunnels awhile before putting on their cloaks. The passages were dark. Vincent led the way with one of the lanterns. Catherine carried a second lantern. Her backpack was quite light. She suspected Vincent was carrying most of the supplies.

Shortly after a lunch stop Vincent stopped in a small dark cavern. "We can leave our supplies here. The Crystal Cave is only another hour from here. We can explore, then come back here."

"Vincent, does no one live down here?"

"We’re quite deep Catherine. No one has wanted to distance themselves in this section. I’m sure you’ve noticed how quiet it is down here. No pipes. Few people want to be totally away from any form of communication. There are very few chambers suitable to live in. There are warmer chambers east of here. I think only Narcissa and I have explored this area. She found the cave many years ago but didn’t want to live there."

"You love to explore, don’t you."

"It’s a thrill to discover unchartered territory. I’m a good map maker. I’ve taken JV exploring but not to the Crystal Cavern."

"We’re here, Catherine. We have to climb up and through that opening." He pointed to a bright opening in the stone above them. "There are easy footholds. You go first, I’ll be right behind you."

She had no trouble climbing the eight foot wall. She stopped in awe. "Vincent, it’s as beautiful as the grotto." The whole cavern was crystals of every shape and size, from grains of sand to boulders. "What? How?"

"A scientific mystery, I’m sure." he said. "Be careful. A lot of the crystals are very sharp. I’ve brought soft cloths for you to wrap whatever you’d like."

She walked around the large chamber, circling in wonder, carefully touching and exploring.

He spotted a beautiful multifaceted crystal, he tucked it into his pocket for Catherine. He'd have Mouse polish it for her. It was just big enough to reflect the candlelight by their bed

She was like a child in a candy shop. Her eyes sparkled when she picked up a found treasure. She found a piece with shadows and particles inside; she felt, when polished, it might look like a lion with a rose hid inside. She wrapped it and hid it in her bag. The rest she brought to Vincent.

"I think these will make nice gifts for Father and our friends." She put a handful of different shapes and colors in his palms. She showed him a few larger pieces with interesting shapes. "This one is perfect for JV. Look at all its facets" She looked at him, chewing her lip, hesitating to ask.

He smiled at her. "What is it, Catherine?"

"I found a piece for us, but you carry so much, Vincent."

"Show me."

It was just over six inches tall. "If we polish it carefully it could look like us embracing. It would look beautiful in our chamber."

He kissed her upturned face, wrapped the crystal in a piece of wool and put it in his bag. "I can handle it, Catherine. Anything else you like?"

"I won’t look at another piece," she promised. "Someday, please bring me back."

"I will," he kissed her again.

He helped her out of the chamber. They headed back to where they would spend the night. He made a fire big enough to keep out the cold and darkness, slept with her tucked close in his arms.

Mouse was at the Blue Water Cavern when they returned.

"Brought food, letters, supplies," he said.

Catherine hugged him. "Stay for dinner, Mouse."

"Can’t. Have to get back."

They gave him letters for JV and Father. "We’ll be back in four days. Tell Father and JV," Vincent told him. "Sure you wouldn’t like a swim before you go back?"

"No suit."

"You don’t need a suit," Vincent teased him.

"I won’t look, Mouse," Catherine laughed.

"No, go now," Mouse blushed.

"Mouse, we are teasing. I’ll lend you a suit if you’d like to swim," Vincent said, throwing his arm around Mouse. He led him to the bedroom, "I did teach you how to swim, remember."

Catherine read the letter from JV. He missed them and hoped they were having a good time. Alisa had taken a group of children to the Museum of Natural History and would be taking a group to the zoo. She could hear Mouse laughing with Vincent in the lagoon.

She looked through the supplies and put dinner together for the three of them. It was nice of William to prepare cooked meals for her to choose from so she wouldn’t have to do much cooking on her honeymoon.

Vincent and Mouse returned, their hair dripping. "Dinner is ready. Mouse, you have to stay," she begged.

Mouse saw the food set out on the table. "Okay good, okay fine. I’ll stay."

They could not convince him to stay the night. He hugged them both. "Too new married. Don’t need Mouse on honeymoon. See you in four days."

Vincent and Catherine watched him row his small boat out of sight.

"He’s my best friend Catherine, ever since I found him hiding in the tunnels, living on the edge of the community."

"He’d do anything for you."

"For us."

"This is our last day, Catherine. I’d like to take you back to the grotto."

"I’d like to go, but…."

"You have to get back in the lagoon."

"Yes," she murmured.

"I won’t let anything happen to you." He reached for her hand. "Do you trust me to keep you safe, not let anything happen to you?"

"Yes. I trust you, Vincent."

He cupped her cheek with his hand, laid his lips on hers, soft, warm, enticing. "I love you, Catherine."

"I know, Vincent," she said softly. She laid her hand on his bare chest over his heart. "And I love you. I’ll come."

He tied the rope around his waist , kissed her and dove into the water. She took a deep breath and followed him. The warm water caressed her skin, soothing her fears. She swam a few laps warming her muscles, building her courage, then nodded to him.

They took a few deep breaths and dove. She clung to the rope and surfaced in the grotto. It was as beautiful as before. Vincent helped her onto the flat rock.

"Thank you, Vincent." Long, wet, strands of tawny gold framed his face. His eyes gleamed a brighter blue in the grotto’s light, burned with a deep love. Lips, warm and tender claimed hers.

"I’ll miss all this beauty and peacefulness."

"We’ll always have our love Catherine, wherever we are."

That night, the last night of their honeymoon, she’d be glamorous for her husband. She smoothed her skin with fragrant body cream and touched her throat, the valley between her breasts, her shoulders with perfume to tease Vincent’s senses. She slipped on the skimpiest, sexiest panties she’d ever bought, dropped the starlight gown over her head. She’d probably break her neck but strapped on the high heeled sandals she had tucked into her bag. She even painted her toenails a deep rose. The crystal comb swept back her hair and Vincent’s pendant sparkled against her skin.

She stepped out of the bedroom, there was a bowl of fresh roses from Mouse, champagne was chilling by the table in a stoneware pot. He was grilling something delicious over the fire. He wore a fine lawn shirt with ruffles cascading down the front, the lion rose pin she had given him fastened at his throat. Dark blue slacks, a soft leather belt and black boots finished his outfit. The small leather pouch that held her rose hung from its long cord around his neck.

"Vincent, everything is lovely."

"Not as lovely as you Catherine." He came to her, brushed her shoulder with his lips. " Since you came into my life, whole worlds have opened for me. I dreamed a dream of love. That dream has come true. You’ve changed my life. Become my life."

"Vincent, you opened yourself to me. Showed me a fairy tale. Now we can have that happily ever after ending."

They sipped the golden liquid, ate the grilled steak and vegetables and finished teasingly with fresh strawberries and cream.

She leaned back against the cushions, put a rose in her hair, her eyes gleamed a rich green. "Kiss me Vincent."

He showed her a soft side of passion. His mouth teased and tormented in feather light kisses. He raised her foot, slowly unfastened the strap and removed her sandal. He pressed his lips to her rosy toes, her instep, glided to her ankle. He trailed his fingers up her calf, watching her face.

Her lips parted in a sigh. She was floating. He removed her other sandal, his mouth repeating its soft trail over her foot, up her leg. She lifted a hand, threaded her fingers through his hair. Oh, how she loved his hair. Wet, wild, or free as a lion’s mane or combed to some semblance of order as it was now.

Her hands went to the ties of his belt, slowly untied each knot and pulled it from his waist. She brought her fingers to his neck, removed the pin, unfastened the knot and kissed his throat. Taking her time she opened his shirt, pressed butterfly kisses to his heated flesh. Her hands slid slowly up his chest to his shoulders, clasped around his neck.

With Catherine he could be what he was and she understood him, cherished him, loved him. With easy, effortless strength, he lifted her against his chest, carried her to the bedroom alcove. Gently, he set her on her feet before him. She barely felt the zipper slide, the dress fall. He ran his fingers up her bare spine. She swayed toward him, pressed her lips to his throat.

His shirt joined her dress on the floor. Her fingers slid into the waistband of his slacks, pushed them down. He kicked them aside. She let her hands roam, testing muscle, exploring flesh. Desire. She could feel it on him, taste it. It shimmered through her.

He laid her on the bed, eased the rose from her hair. Tracing it lightly across her face and down her throat, his lips followed making her shiver. He skimmed the soft velvety petals over her breast, with his tongue he tasted them and her.

He watched emotion flit across her face, her eyes blur, as he trailed the rose down her body, her hip, to her knee, His warm fingers slipped the wisp of lace from her body. Her lips parted on a sigh. She was still floating. She almost erupted right then from the pleasure that flooded her. "I love you, Vincent."

"Catherine," he said softly. He kissed her deeply He held himself quiet and deep for a moment longer before withdrawing a little from this deepest, intimate oneness of their bodies. He shuddered, he couldn’t hold back anymore and with a deep throated groan, he threw back his head and bared his teeth. His neck corded as his body began to convulse.

Animal cries tore from her throat as she shattered. He roared her name, she growled an answer. Hearts pounded in unison against their confining cages. Time was endless as was their love.

She knew she would have this leap of heart, this pounding pulse, every time he touched her, kissed her, for the rest of her life.

Vincent rolled taking Catherine on top of him. "Catherine, you growled," he said in wonder.

"Me? You’re kidding."

"I distinctly heard you growl." He pressed a kiss to her shoulder.

"Wow." Her eyes sparkled. She tried to growl again but uttered more of a purr. She rubbed her cheek against the soft hair on his chest and purred again. "I love you so much."

"And I you, Catherine. And I you, for all eternity."