The Ouroboros Cycle, Book One. G.D. Falksen
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cloth from what remained of her petticoats and wrapped them around Korbinian’s chest, binding the wound tightly. They would not be good for long, but at least the makeshift bandages would last until he could be returned to the house.
“Gustave,” Babette said, “you must return to the house. Tell them that there has been an animal attack. Fetch men, fetch a cart, and have them send for a doctor at once!”
“But Mademoiselle, I cannot leave you—” Gustave began.
“And I cannot leave him!” Babette snapped. “The dogs will protect me. Give me your shotgun if you think they are not enough.”
Gustave picked up the shotgun and hesitated. Babette snatched it from him and set it on her lap.
“Now go!” she shouted.
Gustave bowed his head, stood, and raced off in the direction of the house.
Babette’s head swam from the excitement. In the sudden calm, she felt herself falling into a swoon, and she knelt with her head down for a moment to steady herself.
“Babette, my love?” she heard Korbinian ask weakly.
She turned to him and looked into his eyes, smiling bravely. She could not lose him. It would be the death of her, she knew that now.
Touching his cheek, she said, “Be strong, my dearest. You must be strong. Help is coming. But you must keep your eyes open.”
Korbinian took her hand and pressed it to his lips.
“I could never look away from you, liebchen,” he said softly. “So long as you are here, I will never close my eyes.”
There was such pain and such determination in his voice that Babette felt tears wet her eyes.
“Liebchen,” Korbinian said, gasping for breath, “my love for you is such that I cannot describe it. I could die now content in knowing that you are safe.”
“You will not die!” Babette cried. “I forbid it!”
Korbinian smiled at her and took her hand. He kissed it gently and said, “Mademoiselle Babette Varanus, I have but one thing to ask of you.”
“What?” Babette asked.
Why had Korbinian suddenly used her proper name for the first time in months?
“If I live,” Korbinian said, struggling with his words, “I wish that you would give to me the greatest happiness that a man can ever know.”
He looked into her eyes and clutched her hand tightly.
“Babette, my darling, will you consent to be my wife?”
Babette’s breath caught in her throat. Such a thing had always been understood between them, but it was an unspoken understanding. Now, to hear the question asked in full.…
She wept freely with joy and kissed him. She could hardly speak, but there was only one word she needed to say—indeed, only one word she could say.
“Yes!”
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