There are three things that last: faith, hope and love, and the greatest of these is love. - I Corinthians 13:13
Last Chapter:
The Proposal
Gather the rose of love whilst yet is time. - Edmund Spenser
He took my hand as we walked on the sidewalk and we were quiet for awhile. The night sky above us sparkled with a blanket of diamonds and a few dipping down, disappearing into the atmosphere. As we turned the corner of the street, there was a park with a water fountain in the middle. The circular fountain contained a Greco-art statue of angels and demons, oddly enough, in a war of some kind.
The angels with their majestic wings spanning out to reach the skies, while the demons below, close to the base, surrounded the heavenly beings. The curves of their bodies featured hard muscled human beings. Though the demons had horns and hooves, while the angels wore long curly hair and robes that the artist managed to make it look like it swayed with the touch of wind.
"Pretty statue." I commented dryly. I could hear the rushing of the water; my senses reeled at the cool night air and his hand so warm on mine. He then took me aside and set me down to the nearest bench.
I laughed, "What is it now?" But I couldn't get anything more out of him, because he was getting down on his hands and knees. I gasped aloud and looked around, "Dante! This isn't the place…."
"Your scars, they're so part of you, so…" He leaned down and kissed them, softly. I blushed crimson and bit my lip. Then the realization struck me, "Dante! What are you about? Do you want me to stay behind in your next trip so that I won't get into danger? Is that it? And because I mostly refuse what you tell me, I always come along?"
"You got me, babe." He winked, stood up and scratched his head, whistled a bit and sighed, "The next mission is extremely dangerous. I can't have you come along with me. And I really don't want you and me having a face off. You know I can whip your cute little ass."
"Don't worry. Haven't I always allowed you to do what you want nowadays? I know my limitations." I dipped my head down and I felt that the night was nearly over, that all he wanted to tell me was that he would keep me safe from harm. That because I am human, I might get killed. He didn't know how vulnerable I felt inside as well as outside. Tears stung the back of my eyes and I looked away. How long were Dante and I going to last? As long as I lived? He'd probably survive, endure everything and me? I'm just a little human girl who came along one day to take his breath away.
"Come on, let's walk further, Lady, I want to show you something."
He held out his hand and I took it, my eyes flew to his, wondering at his "other" surprise. When we approached his motorcycle, he turned to me, encircled his hands around my waist and lifted me up to set me down on the front. I laughed, "Hey! We could have taken a taxi, you know? I mean I'm in this expensive gown!"
He chuckled in my ear as he set himself behind me, his breath hot on my neck, "Shhhh, you look so hot in front of me with your sparkling dress and that slit up the side that show off your hot legs."
"Now you're teasing!" I levelly gazed at him, "Because my legs have scars if you haven't noticed!"
Dante's voice lowered huskily, "It doesn't take away the beauty of your body."
I narrowed my eyes, "Ohhhh you." Then gritted my teeth playfully, trying to look angry, "You're so impossible!"
I allowed myself to lay my head on the strong curve of his shoulder and neck, enjoying the masculine scent of him. The wind whipped at us delightfully and I felt so free, so invulnerable when I was with him that I could feel the tears sting again at the back of my eyes. This time, I wasn't sad, I was so happy. Dante could only make me feel like that.
The feel of the motorcycle beneath us purred pleasantly and I felt something hard at the back of my behind that I blushed again, "Dante." I blushed, "For shame."
"Oh that," He chuckled in my ear and kissed my neck playfully. I turned to him, seeing that he kept his eyes focused on the road ahead while he rained small kisses along my skin.
When finally we arrived to the destination, he stopped the bike and before I could make myself jump out of the two wheeled vehicle, he lifted me up with two arms. I laughed, managing to snake my arms around his neck, "Dante! You're crazy!"
"You make me crazy!" he winked slyly at me.
"I doubt that." I lowered my gaze, "I think being crazy runs in your family."
"Yes, Lady, because Sparda men go crazy when they run into feisty pretty girls like you."
"Was your mother like me?" I asked without thinking.
"She had fire and soul….." He whispered, "Like you."
Feeling slightly uncomfortable at the very intimate moment, I laughed nervously, "Well, show me where you're taking me, I'm so impatient!"
We reached a bridge called the Endless ravine, and he crossed it with me in his arms. The water below us as silent as any smooth running river and as I looked ahead, I saw the shabby appearance of a small cabin.
"What is that?"
"It's where I want to ravish you."
"You're incorrigible. Ravish me? You know you can always ravish me at your Devil May Cry establishment."
"No, babe, this is special."
When he kicked open the door, there was furniture around the four cornered room. A four poster bed, a nightstand with a bowl of fruits and a pitcher of water and there was a small window with light colored curtains.
A furred white rug lay alongside the bed and there were candles on the floor unlit.
He set me down on the bed and took out a match from the nightstand to light the candles.
"This is where my father took my mother when he first proposed to her."
With this declaration, I was wide eyed and my heart was hammering loudly in my chest.
I gulped, "Really? Wow. That's wonderful news. I mean….wow." the last words were a whisper as he leaned down to me. His light blue eyes shimmered inside that candle-lit cabin, "I love you."
Dante saying he loved me? Never. I could never in a million years ever believe it. Were there tears in my eyes? God, don't make him make a joke out of this or I swear I'll get the nearest gun in my purse and shoot him between the eyes again.
"My mother was his lady, and now, I've finally found one of my own. My Lady."
Tears were running down my cheeks and I pushed them away with the back of my hand and as I reached to wipe away the other side, he stopped me by kissing my cheeks and held my stray hand away.
"SHhhhh, it's been forever since I've kissed you good." He rasped against my skin, grazing his lips alongside my neck, down to my collarbone, pulling away the dress so that he could cup my breasts.
I gasped as his hot hands roamed my body and when his lips collided with mine, he urged my tongue to play with his. Deepening the kiss, he pushed me down on the bed, whispering harshly, "My love for you…….Lady….."
"What?" I hoarsely whispered back, my arms snaked around his back and one glided up to touch the back of his silver hair, the scent of him driving me wild. My body was on fire as his pushed against mine gently.
His last words in the cabin before we consumed each other with our bodies were so faint I hardly heard them…..
"…is so divine."