He said...
“Feel better?”
She nodded, because words still escaped her. Ona had never defied her parents, her Sect or the Creeds. She’d never considered action that went contrary to her Samaritan roots and to her, these events had gone far beyond her comprehension. She felt as if she’d been living a dream. Surreal or not; she had to regain control because by now, she was certain that her absence had been discovered.
Ona closed her eyes, because she couldn’t stomach the humiliation she’d heaped on her parents. They deserved so much better.
She raised her eyes, and when she looked at Lucien, her confusion doubled.
She said...
“I’m sorry.”
Lucien crossed the room, joining her at the foot of his bed.
“What do you have to apologize for?”
“Allowing you to become involved with me. I shouldn’t have done that. I blame myself for breaking that Creed.”
“Ona...I am not a Samaritan and you don’t have to apologize for anything because we haven’t done anything wrong. I love you...and the fact that you’ve risked everything to be here with me now; that says to me that you must love me as well.”
She sniffled, and she watched his hand when he placed her’s on his lap. He said...
“What happened tonight? Did you argue with your parents? Did they tell you to leave...because of me?”
“No. There was no argument. Well...that isn’t quite true. My brother Caleb...he was upset.”
Lucien frowned but not for the reason’s most would suspect. In fact, he hadn’t been shocked when he learned about Caleb’s behavior. He also surmised that more than likely, Caleb’s anger didn’t explain Ona’s presence, because her behavior was way out of bounds, and was contrary to Samaritan reasoning. In the past, she’d practically set her watch, using the ferry schedules like most people rely on Atomic Clocks. There was more to this tale, so he asked...
“Ona...why are you here?”
He was beyond thrilled that she’d come to him, but he needed to know what the cost had been. What had she perceived to be so unbearable that her only choice was to resort to drastic measures?
Ona said....
“My parents do not know that I am here. I left because...I had no choice. I...I cannot marry Geff...and I cannot marry you.”
“Ona, I agree with you; you can’t marry Geff, and I don’t want you to marry him, because I want you to be with me.”
“But how?” she said. Tears rolled down red cheeks.
“Ona, the time has come for me to talk to your parents. There has to be a way. Maybe, if they knew me...perhaps they could come to accept me and...”
Ona’s head shook violently, when she said...
“No, no, no... It doesn’t work that way. They would never accept you. You aren’t Geff.”
“Sweetheart.”
Lucien didn’t have all the answers, but he wanted to relieve her torment, and he would do whatever she asked of him.
“Tell me what to do baby. You tell me...and I’ll do it. I love you Ona...and I’ll do whatever it takes; as long as it means that you won’t give in by marrying Geff. Tell me that you won’t marry him Ona...and I’ll do whatever you ask.”
Her voice cracked when she said...
“Lucien...if I return to my Sect, I’ll come face to face with what I’ve done. When I see my parents, I’ll have to confront the way that I’ve disgraced them.”
“What about Geff? Will you be forced to speak to him? And will he still want you to marry him, after what you’ve done?”
“Geff will marry me because he has accepted my parent’s blessing; and when I return home, I won’t be strong enough to decline his offer, because I’ll know that my refusal of marriage will disgrace my parents as well as my brothers. There’s no way out for me now...I’ll have to marry Geff.”
“Ona...you don’t have to marry him. You can say no...and if your parents love you, they will understand.”
“No...you don’t understand. If I go back...”
“If?” he said, and suddenly he began to comprehend.
“Ona...do you want to go back? Do you want to return to your Sect?”
“Yes...I do...but I cannot.”
“Sweetie...you can stay here with me. You don’t have to go back. We can call your parents and tell them that you’re all right. We can meet them tomorrow and discuss this. Honey, we can meet them wherever they want.”
He pulled her into his arms, when he said...
“I’m sure, after we’ve had time to talk, they’ll understand.”
“No, they won’t. My parents will request that I return with them...and I will.”
“But....” he said, and he pulled back to stare into her eyes. “You just said that...” Lucien tried to recall what she’d said and he wondered if he’d misunderstood. Had she come simply to tell him that she could never be his? Did she risk all, simply to tell him that she was being forced to marry Geff?
Ona bit her lower lip, and he strained to hear her because her voice was a breathy whisper.
“I must be disgraced. I must take the shame upon myself. It’s the only way.”
“Ona...” Lucien didn’t particularly care to hear her speak in those terms. He said... “Honey, call your parents now. Get them on the phone, and we’ll figure this out.”
“I must be disgraced Lucien. If I’m disgraced...then I cannot return to my Sect.”
He looked at her, and his expression was the definition of perplexed.
“Honey...what are you trying to say?”
“You must deflower me.”
His brows knitted into a frown, and he didn’t linger on her words. From the start, he’d always known about her innocence; Ona was an unfolded flower--and he’d made every effort to keep her that way. Nevertheless, she was suggesting the unthinkable and the idea went against every moral bone in his body. He released his hold, unfolding their embrace and when he spoke, resolve laced every word.
“No. Absolutely not. I won’t do that Ona. Not for the reasons you’re suggesting.”
“It’s the only way Lucien and I want you to do it. I want you--and it’s the only way that I can make that happen.”
His lips pursed but before he could collect his thoughts, Ona said...
“You must take me...because we love each other. And...if you refuse me...” She couldn’t fathom her choice. She couldn’t believe that she’d been brave enough to make the suggestion. She reached out taking his hand into her own, then she drew from her well of confidence, choosing her words with care.
“I have loved you even though I knew that our love was forbidden. I nurtured our relationship, even though I knew that my parents would never give their blessing. I left my home, refusing to attend a dinner party, where Geff would propose to me, in the presence of both of our families. I am here...in your home,--alone, unaccompanied by a member of my Sect or my family.”
Ona’s eyes fixed him with an earnest expression, when she said...
“I have done these things--and still, there is one offense that remains to be done. I must give myself to you--and you must take me. Lucien...it is the only way. If I lose my innocence--the offense will demand that my Sect expel me.”
“Ona...you don’t know what you’re saying. You don’t know what you’re asking of me. I love you and I can never accept that taking your virginity is the only way we can be together”
His brows knitted, affirming his unyielding stance; he couldn’t consider her proposal. There were too many pitfalls to number, and he had to help her see this. He wouldn’t deny that he wanted her, because he did; but he’d envisioned something far less shameful than the offering she was suggesting. He’d planned to say this, when he felt her body leaning towards him. Her fingers trembled when she grasped hold of his shirt, fisting the fabric in her hand. She pressed a light kiss on his lips, and her mouth beheld a sweet taste. He felt a catch in his throat, and he warred with his brain to protest the absurdity of her maneuvering; but he didn’t. He forced his objections to the rear of his brain, because it was easier that way. He wanted to allow himself to get caught up in the heat of their madness--and he did. Who was he to defy her logic. Who was he to debate a Creed that he didn’t recognize or believe in. But he believed in himself, and he believed in Ona. He believed in hope, and doing right by her. He believed that he would hate himself if they made love, without seeking another way. He broke their kiss, trying desperately to calm the lower half of his body. Their breaths were rapid and he pulled her close, wanting more than anything to keep her wrapped in his arms. He searched for reason, knowing full well that he had to consider the obvious. Take me. That’s what her request amounted to. Take me. A simple request and stated so easily. She'd said the words, but he knew that this action involved more than the loss of her virginity. Making love would mean more then deflowering her or denying another man that esteemed privilege. In most religions, the loss of purity outside of marriage is viewed as an immoral act but in Ona’s case, her shame would be the least of her sorrows. If he were to believe her, giving herself to him would usher in expulsion from her Sect and excommunication from her family. She'd told him that she wanted him, and this would mean the denouncement of her Creed. She'd said the words, making it sound straightforward and easy for him--but it wasn't and he knew this.