Author’s Note: With gratitude to Crowmama for the amazing inspiration! The artwork that this story is based on was a Winterfest Online 2026 Treasure Hunt “prize” and is posted on Crowmama’s amazing site An Ever-Fixed Mark, and included here with permission.

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She awoke with a fluttering of eyelashes. The morning light was bright, as if her curtains were pulled back or the doors to her balcony were open.

As it turned out, both were true.

But the sight that greeted her was much more glorious than the cityscape revealed…more, even, than the brilliance of the day.

Vincent…lying beside her, his head on a pillow, his arms tucked beneath it.

Vincent…his hair cascading in disarray.

Vincent…a smile on his face, in his eyes…

Vincent…bare shouldered, a sheet covering him somewhere south of his ribcage.

Wonderful memories flooded her mind.

“Good morning!” She could feel her sleepy smile grow broader as she took him in, capturing the moment.

“It is.” He reached over to brush away a curl that strayed across her forehead.

“It was a good evening, too.” She caught his hand and drew it to her lips.

“And an excellent midnight and beyond.” His hand grasped hers and he repeated her gesture, then snuggled it against his pillow, holding it loosely…but close.

“How did you feel, waking Above?”

His smile stretched wider. “You assume I’ve slept?”

Sudden worry made her frown. “You couldn’t sleep?”

A deep chuckle eased her mind.

“I’ve fought it for hours. I didn’t want to waste a moment of…this.” He bent to her hand and brushed her fingers with his lips once again, his gaze never leaving hers.

“Now I’m sorry I fell asleep.” She stifled a yawn, then added, “But I couldn’t help it. You wore me out.” Her smile returned.

“I would apologize…but I don’t feel the slightest bit sorry.”

Her lips twitched to hold in her laughter at his comment. A smug Vincent was an unusual and splendid thing to behold.

“For that I am truly glad. And for the way we spent much of the past night…I am truly grateful.” She half-rose and leaned over to him as he half-turned to welcome her into his arms.

Their kisses were gentle, playful things as they settled together in a languid embrace. But the sweetness of the moment didn’t last long. A spark shot through their Bond, and suddenly the playfulness became much, much more. Their passions kindled quickly, igniting a firestorm of need – as if their night of lovemaking had been only a prelude. Desire swirled deep within them, their insatiable yearning for each other barely contained.

Coming together again was glorious, a conflagration and an epiphany. It was all too much…and not enough. All carnal need…and like the deepest prayer. They gave in to each other, gave all to each other, gave up for good the constraints that had held them apart for far too long. All over again, as if for the first time.

In the aftermath of their loving, they rested their foreheads together as the frantic beating of their hearts subsided. Then they favored each other with more kisses…which became gentle and playful once more.

Eventually, Catherine lay on her own pillow, reveling in the wonderful newness of having him in her bed. He rested once more on his stomach, clutching his pillow, blue eyes sleepily regarding her. Gradually he succumbed to his fatigue, his eyelids drifting closed. His breathing became steady…tranquil.

She lay there, not yet willing to follow him into slumber, just watching him sleep.

The breeze played with the silken curtains. The sun blazed in the heavens.

Catherine smiled, content.