The vampire held her close,

so close that she could almost

pull this female flesh into her own,

surround her like a jacket,

become one from skin to bone,

nothing between them but

the slightest suggestion of

moonlight slivering in

through the wooden blinds

creating a blue haze

that covered her like a shroud

or a veil under which lay

secrets untouched,

saved for her wedding day

that in thirteen hours would have been

‘cept getting caught in the storm

that brought her to the vampire’s home,

soaked from the freak ice and snow

that fell where none should be,

and having only one bed,

brought the shivering creature

next to her beneath animal skins,

pressed close to her bosom

as she shared what was left

of her warmth to save

this lost soul sleeping in her arms,

nearer to death than she could

ever imagine,

breath touching bare shoulders

leading to the life line

where in vein attempt

the vampire fights to keep

her desire in check,

repressing fangs from their

full erection, thinking

castrated thoughts,

flaccid dreams to drown the fire

while counting the minutes until

the sun rises and  she can fall away

into her darkness once more and

send the maiden safely out the front door.