Dance of Ciprahn

Chapter Seventeen

T finally stirs. Cass has been watching him like a hawk the whole time. She had screamed at the staff to get a doctor and berated everybody — wanting him to get the best care. Apparently the prince had become very dehydrated and got heat stroke after being outside all day. He was used to being indoors and the high temperatures made him pass out. Not eating anything all day didn't help either. She squeezes his hand. He scans the room with a sleepy little smile. Suddenly he sits up in alarm. "What the hell?" That made Cass smile. 

He has a cute little accent that made even swear words sound endearing. Sometimes it reminds her of Fez from That 70s Show. They soon bring T up to speed. He looks at his hands embarrassed that he passed out from the heat. "Hey it's okay! It happens to a lot of people." She bends over and whispers in his ear. "I love you too." T looks at her wide-eyed with a face as red as a ripe tomato. His mouth opens as if he was going to say something and his eyes dart around nervously. Finally he looks down at his hands and he fights off a slight smile. Cass notices though and she smiles in return. T's eyes catch hers and he quickly glances away quickly but he can't contain the smile that spreads across his face. His hand gets really sweaty in hers. They remain there together awkwardly and lovingly. The nurse can't help but crack a knowing grin. The doctor and the rest excuse themselves and give them space. 

"Hey," says Cass. "Hey," says T. They both burst out laughing. Oh my god it actually happened I told her I loved her. I love her! And she loves me! Cass reaches down and gives him a gentle hug resting her head against him. She hears his slow gentle heartbeat. She hears it rise in tempo and beat rapidly. She smiles at that. They remain like this for what seems like forever. T says softly "dance with me." Cass looks at him. "Dance with me," he repeats. "I'm okay. Honestly. They pumped enough IV fluids into me to drown a fish. Come." Gently Cass helps him to his feet and takes his left hand in her right and places her right hand on his shoulder. She smells the Ciprahn grass on him, and the dirt and sunlight of the courtyard fields. He smells like nature and warmth. She loves his smell. Not wanting to push him too much after he had just been hospitalized they dance slowly together in a slow circle gently swaying back and forth. It's like those awkward high-school dances that you see. They draw each other close and feel one another's movements. T feels so warm and soft. She feels her heart quicken. 

She wants to draw him close, so close. Once she feels his embrace she never wants to let go. She never wants to let him go. He was hers and nobody else's. She would fight off anyone who would dare take him away from her. She would cross the depths of Hades for him. She always wants to be by his side — to laugh with his friends and protect him from his enemies. It is like falling. It happens little by little then all at once. When you are in love. She draws him even closer not daring to let go. She has already lost him once. He had passed out when they were out having a picnic together! How could he do that to her! She would never forgive him if he died on her! Nope, not going to happen. Not on her watch. Cass would keep him safe if it was the last thing she did. She and T against the world. Their love could overcome anything. They continued dancing there in the hospital lobby. But to them it was as if it was the world stage. This was the most important place in the world. T pulled her close to him. 

"I do love you, you know. It wasn't the heat stroke talking." This time it was Cass who cried. Two love tears escaped from her left eye. She would've slapped him if she didn't love him so much. She told herself she would never forgive any boy who made her cry. But for him, maybe she would make an exception. She smiles, and they dance and dance as if it was the last night on earth. They loved each other and nothing else seemed to matter. More weeks pass and they seem like only a few days because of the love they feel for each other. They explore the palace grounds — with the omnipresent guards skulking like wraiths in the background. They play hide and seek in the celestial terrace, dance on the moonlight balconies overlooking the sea and ate shy'ez oysters along the citadels. They gaze lovingly into each other's eyes and told one another their deepest secrets and dreams.

 They are inseparable like yin and yang, light and dark a penultimate duality. They make love in the King's' Field of Orchids and swam in the Grand River. They drink deeply of the dregs of love and bath in the crystal waters of bliss and tranquility. Their souls are knit like silken cloth and their spirits join as moons with stars. They couldn't believe that love could feel like this, that they could be so happy. It seems as if all their dreams have come true. Day and night, the fruition of all things, man joins woman as they complete each others' souls. They dance, and laugh, and make love and live. For them there seems no greater joy. Eternal spring. Endless summer. The burning gulf of sunlight is unquenchable and the deep wells of love insurmountable. Eve finds Adam again in paradise regained, no foul serpent to besmirch the riches of love. They are one, they are young, they are happy. Totally in love.