Part 5

“No. Don’t.”

“I want you, Zoe. I’ve always wanted you. Everyone wants you. The world wants you. The world loves you. I love you. Always. Beautiful Zoe, that’s what you are,” Camille exhaled. At last, Zoe’s last defense melted into a tender exhale and acceptance, and warmth spilled throughout her soul like a soft waterfall.

“We can never be together.”

“We can. We are. We will. I have loved you for so long, and my mind has always been a temple to your beauty. I’ve seen your body so many times. I’ve been so desperate for you. I have wanted you for so many long years, ever since my body awakened. I would visit just to watch your beauty. I want you. I’ve always wanted you. I have always loved you.”

“What are you saying?” Zoe moaned.

“I saw your white panties, I saw your pink panties, and I saw your blue-laced panties. I saw down your T-shirts and up your skirts. I saw you whole when you came out of the shower in your bathrobe once. You leaned against the old armoire, and your robe opened like the heavenly gates. No one else in the room saw, but I did. I saw all that is you. I always saw all your beauty. You are so beautiful. You must know.”

“No. No, I never knew you saw.”

“I don’t believe you. Kiss me.”

Zoe leaned into Camille, and the shadows of grass stalks trembled under the moonlight as it poured over the world. Camille leaned into Zoe and Zoe leaned into Camille. The pressure of the plundering hands increased. Zoe shuddered and bit. Her fingers scraped against the ground, tufts ripping. She shuddered and gasped. Bewildered, wide eyes blinded by ecstasy stared into Camille’s eyes.

Something tore inside Zoe and birthed something unforeseen, and her toxin of ecstasy filled Camille’s bloodstream. Camille gasped but didn’t recede. She held Zoe tight and deep. Zoe held tight. They shuddered together in the trembling light, breath breaking into ragged moans.

When it was over, Zoe seized Camille’s shoulders and held her close as if to keep the world from tilting. Her breath came in ragged pulls. The tremors in their bodies had not stilled.

“You see what I am,” Zoe whispered, and shame flashed across her face.

Camille did not retreat. She lifted her gaze.

“You are a goddess, and I worship you. I worship your beauty and your scars. I want your ecstasy in my blood again and forever.”

The words settled between them. The night air moved against their damp skin. The earth beneath them smelled of salt, iron, and honey.

Zoe’s grip loosened. Her shoulders sagged. Her restless soul had calmed, giving in to love, and tears of joy poured over her face.

“You shouldn’t want this,” Zoe said softly.

“But I do. I have always searched for you not knowing you were always there, and now I’ve found you.”

Zoe slid her hands down Camille’s arms. She gently kissed Camille. Their breath mingled as one. Her panic dissipated into the ground of the temple, and warmth spilled throughout her soul.

“Take me, then,” Zoe whispered. “Before I change my mind. Before I decide I’m meant to stay buried here.”

Camille rose unsteadily, as if her legs were disconnected from her body. She drew Zoe up with her. They stood together in the moonlight, and together they stepped away from that holy ground that joined them, and walking toward the moon, they left the darkness behind them.