With more passion and confidence, I pressed further, making full contact with the soft petals of her perfect lips – even in her tranced state. Her kiss was warm, unlike the rest of her body, and I wanted to smile, but still couldn’t. I slid my other hand very gently under her back, making sure to be tender with the slightly battered lip. I had never intended harm for her, and if I could have only predicted this to happen, I would have kept her out of harm’s way. The man who was responsible, however, sealed his destiny when his hand touched her delicate skin. If he had known what she meant to me, I am certain she would have been left untouched, because no man alive would wish my wrath upon themselves. It didn’t matter now, though. Nothing concerned me now but her response.

She always had an instant reaction to our need for each other, and I was sure she could feel it now. I needed her more than I’d needed anything in my life. Just for her to open her eyes. Those beautiful, perceptive eyes. I lingered carefully, finally hearing a soft whimper. Pulling back with kind surprise, I looked straight into those eyes I had so desperately needed. She would be alright, and I could finally breathe again. The full breath of oxygen rejuvenated my own expression.

Images flooded through my mind of earlier days when I had caught her eye in the same curious way. Her soft, bouncing hair comforting the frame of her face. The way the sun could hit her perfectly, and ignore all others. The times she had turned to catch my stare. The way she said my name when no one was listening. I was filled with happiness once again at the sight of her opened gaze.

"I’m sorry," she whispered raggedly, obviously in response to putting herself in direct danger, but I hadn’t expected an apology. I covered her lips with my finger. Beaten and in poor condition, and yet the first words escaping her lips are an apology to me. I wasn’t sure how to respond. How do you tell a person how much you love them when you can’t even describe it to yourself, even upon vigorous effort?

I looked her in the eyes, the passion in them clear and precise.

"I will always love you," I teared up, unable to hold it back any longer. The confession poured out of me, just like the love I held for this woman. "I would die for you. I would run right through certain death and into the abyss just to touch you once more … I don’t care about any of this," I indicated around me before bringing my free hand back to her. "… Please … be with me … just … just be with me," I sobbed in slow breaths, no longer in control of anything but my true wishes. This was not about a decision, because it was never mine to make. This was about listening to my heart and letting it speak for itself.

I held her hand in mine, my other hand still holding her head up to mine. "Just know … this is your choice. I don’t want to have you because it’s my wish … I want to have you, to really be with you … because you wish it. You have your freedom. You’ve had it since the moment I laid eyes on you … I just couldn’t bear to see you leave. I’m sorry … I’m … I want you to be happy. I’ve always wanted that." Taking another deep breath, I brought my lips closer, watching the tears swell in her own eyes. I didn’t have much breath left, but the portion that left my lips was breathed onto hers. "… Be with me." More of a question that a command, and she knew exactly how I meant it.

She smiled faintly through her tears, and only one word escaped, replacing the constant chatter that usually accompanied her voice. "Yes."

And she carried me on.