Mary did the best she could to keep her spirits up as her wedding day drew closer, but it was not an easy task. Her thoughts lingered on Michael, who had not visited with her since she had been ill. She wondered over his health and safety and if he was risking his life to help others.
When she could, she would sneak away to the woods and sit in the solitude of the trees and the blossoming spring growth. Spring was in full bloom. The trees and flowers were vibrant with color, the earth’s soil rich and ripe with plants.
Here amongst nature’s beauty she would settle, relax and sing a gentle tune. Her singing calmed her and brought her peace, and no one but the animals and birds could hear her.
She sat today, the spring air warm, the sweet scent of freshly bloomed flowers strong in the air, and her thoughts chaotic. In two days she would wed Decimus and be bound to him for life.
She had not thought to ask him where they would make their home and it concerned her. How would Michael visit with her if he did not know where she was? She thought to ask if she could visit with Reena and Brigid on occasion and then perhaps Michael could visit her there. She tended to believe, however, that Decimus would keep her isolated and that her life would be a solitary one.
The burden of her thoughts weighted her shoulders and she sat with her head drooped and her legs folded beneath her on the hard ground. She purposely wore her plain skirt and blouse, thinking this would probably be the last time she dressed simply.
It would be the last time she would simply be Mary.
In two days she would be wife to Decimus and lose her freedom.
Arms draped in black wrapped around her so quickly, yet gently, that she jumped.
“I have missed you,” Michael said, squeezing her back tightly to his chest.
Mary firmly grasped the arm wrapped around her waist. “I had so hoped you would come to me again. But it is selfish of me for you may be in danger.”
“Worry not,” he whispered, his shroud-covered face pressed next to hers. “They are led on a wild goose chase.”
“You have been well and safe, then?”
“And I will continue to be well and safe.”
“I wed in two days,” she said with sorrow. “And I know not where I will live.”
“Listen to me well, Mary,” he said with a firm gruffness. “I will always know your whereabouts and I will never be far from you.”
“You have no idea how your words relieve my worry.”
“And you,” he murmured, “have no idea how much I wish to make love to you.”
She sighed. “I had so hoped that we could love once more before I wed Decimus.”
“We can, we will, we must,” he said, turning her face to slip his lips over hers and kiss her with a contained passion that ached to be released. “There is a secluded spot a short distance from here, but you must—”
“Keep my eyes closed,” she said with a soft laugh. “But someday,” she warned with a poke to his arm, “I will discover your secret.”
She felt his body stiffen.
“God help us both, when you do.”
She turned in his arms. “I pray that God will help and that one day we will be together.”
They walked to an area draped with vines and tree branches that had formed a secluded hut. Michael spread the branches apart and she entered. It was small with only a dapple of light shining through, a perfect haven for them to make love.
He took her in his arms. “With us so near to the village, I do not think it wise that we disrobe.”
She understood the wisdom of his words, but she wanted so badly to feel the length of him against her.
“I know it disappoints you,” he said, his hand stroking her face. “But your safety comes first.”
“Your mask, at least?”
“Then I must—”
“Blindfold me.” She nodded. “I trust you, Michael, I always have and I always will.”
He gently covered her eyes with his cloth belt and tied it securely around the back of her head. She waited as he removed his mask and when his warm cheek pressed to her cool one, she sighed and draped her arms around his neck.
“You feel so very good.”
He was clean-shaven, not a stubble on his smooth face, and she did not want him to stop rubbing his cheek with hers. She did not however complain when his lips followed the path his cheek had begun. He kissed every inch of her face and her legs trembled from the anticipation of their joining.
He eased her to the ground and when she reached to slip her hand beneath his shroud, he grabbed her arm.