The Bluffs

It came sooner than she thought it would. Or rather, it was said a four-and-a-half years after the start of their journey together in the ghettos of that godforsaken country, which to her, seemed like too little time. But she supposed she'd already known without having to be told. Why else would he always give her the bits of his dinner that she always wanted, or put his arm around her waist in his sleep, or smile at her. Not at her beauty, not at her power, but at her. C.C.

All the same, when they'd finished looking out over the bluff, and he took hold of her hands and looked down at her solemnly, she could barely keep herself from averting her gaze. There was just something about him that dulled the centuries' long ache in her soul.

"I love you," he said softly.

Her breath caught in her throat.

"I love you." And stepping closer, he kissed her forehead.

"My other half."

She closed her eyes as he gently kissed her left eyelid.

"My witch."

Her right.

"Forever and always."

Tilting her head down, she hid herself from him. Her hair falling around her face, she tried to swallow past the lump in her throat. Quietly clearing her throat, she tightly squeezed his hands.

"I heard you the first time," she muttered.

But when he tucked her hair behind her ear and raised her chin to meet his smile, and when he brushed away her tears, there were no biting words or complaints for him. And when he leaned down to ever so cautiously – slowly, so as not to scare her – kiss her, she let her eyes flutter closed and returned it with all the strength she could muster. It didn't matter that a mere handful of years ago, she'd have mocked a kiss on the bluffs, like some terribly sappy romance novel. But a handful of years ago, she hadn't had him by her side. A handful of years ago, she'd have been alone with her stone heart.

Lightly she touched his cheek as they reluctantly broke away. Their foreheads touching, they smiled giddily at one another, like schoolchildren, before he straightened to kiss her forehead and hold her tight. Closing her eyes, the witch leaned against him, at long last warm, as she embraced her warlock. The one she'd been waiting for. The one who granted her wish every day.

The one she loved.

I love you too.

Happy Valentine's Day