Transformation

Turning the corner, I finally found Elspeth, my betrothed.  Her fangs were growing even as the wounds on her throat were fading.  I was too late!  Her name meant 'consecrated by God', but instead she had been consecrated by his unholy blood.  I had only one choice. I loosened the lace at my throat and exposed my neck to her.  She smiled at me, a mixture of love, lust and something else...  triumph?  I threw my arms wide in welcome, and she came into my embrace.  I felt pain as her fangs were thrust into my flesh.  I held her tight as she took my blood, gulp after nourishing gulp. 

The next thing I knew, I was on the stone floor, although I felt no cold from it.  I was swallowing something.  I opened my eyes and saw her smiling down at me, her lips red with my blood.  I thine realized that I was holding on tightly to her arm, sucking on her bleeding wrist as if my life depended on it.  And my new life, the only life I could have with Elspeth, did depend on this.  At last I could drink no more, and let go of her.  She bent down to kiss me, and our blood intermingled as our kiss became more passionate.

"Oh, Tavish, my love, we are now truly wed.  Thank you for your loving wedding gift to me.  I hope that you don't have cause to regret my gift to you."

"Elspeth, all I ever wanted was to be your husband."

"And so you are, my love, even though our life will not be as we had planned."

"Just as long as we are together, my dearest, I will be happy."

Elspeth extended her hand to me and I got up off the floor.

"Come, my husband, let us get you fed, and then we will leave this place."

"And start our new life together.  Hmmm, I am starting to feel thirsty..."