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.

Lucien brushed her lips with the pad of his thumb.  He leaned in, kissing the places he'd just touched.  He recounted countless days filled with uncertainty dreading the return of her parents.  He'd willed himself to believe that love would conquer all; and it would--but not this way.  Lucien wanted a relationship based on love, not desperation.  He’d waited this long, hoping to find the right girl, and when he had, he'd been prepared to do whatever it would take to marry her.  He was willing to take a leap of faith, flying by the seat of his pants.  But he wasn't prepared to disgrace the woman that he loved; even if it meant not losing her.

He held her close, and flinched when he said...

“Ona...we can’t.  I just can’t do what you’re asking.”

He felt her bodies rapid jerks.  She was crying, and he rocked her while saying...

“Honey...do you trust me.”

He’d asked her this before and in the past, she’d acquiesced, giving him her assurance that she did.  He felt the slow rise and fall of her head as she nodded her response.  He said...

“You’ll stay here with me tonight.  But before you go to sleep, I want you to call your parents.  They’ll rest better knowing that you’re not out on the streets, or held up at the Children’s Center.”

She sniffled when she said...

“I’ll call them...and I know what they’re going to say.”

He waited, then she said...

“I will be instructed to meet them at the dock.”

“Fine...that’s exactly what we’ll do.  I’ll go with you to the dock, and we’ll force your parent’s to see reason.”

“You don’t understand Lucien.”

By now, he had a pretty decent picture and he had accepted that the odds wouldn’t be in his favor.  More than likely, her parent’s would treat him the way Sahara had described.  They would pity him, therefore their exchange would be nothing more than Samaritan politeness.  He was pretty sure that Ona’s parents would urge her to return to their commune, and as she’d explained to him, out of devotion, she would fall in line, dutifully following their instructions.  But he had an ace up his sleeve.  The one thing that her parent’s wouldn’t count on.   Lucien had something far stronger than allegiances, or a lifetime governed by Creeds.

He said...

“Ona...will you marry me?”

Ona jerked back, then her eyes lowered, taking in the band that encircled her wrist.  Her lids raised, and she felt a rapid flow of hot tears.  Her lips spread wide in a smile that warmed her cheeks.  She nodded, while saying...

“Yes...I accept your intentions.  I will be betrothed to you.”

Ona reached up, wrapping her arms tightly around his neck, then she drew him into a passionate kiss.  Lucien pulled her head close, weaving his fingers between strands of her hair.  What more could he ask for; nothing he supposed.  He couldn’t imagine his life without Ona; he’d be a broken man.  When Ona moaned, in her whimper he heard so many things.  Fulfillment.  Yearning desire.  Promises kept, and chances worth taking.  He didn’t know what tomorrow would bring, but he was certain of one thing.  Making love would have been easy--but being in love had complicated things.  And love was the reason that he damn well wouldn’t allow anyone to stand in their way.  Not Geff, not her brothers or her parents.  He would have Ona as his wife, come hell or high water.  He would have her, and no one could prevent that from happening.