I was getting hungry by the time she came in, but waiting is nothing new for me. I have spent the better part of my life waiting on women. Still, I held my breath when she opened the door. I didn’t want her to know I was there, not yet anyway. She liked surprises, I knew, because I had seen her two days earlier with that silver piece in her hand. She had stood in the stable yard and twirled around and hummed to herself in happiness at the surprise. I hoped she would hum for me, too. In fact, I was counting on it.
I waited until she had slipped out of her cloak and settled herself on that squalid mattress she called her bed before I entered. At first she pretended to be asleep, but when she finally looked up, I could see that she recognized me. I was delighted. It is always a pleasure to be recognized, to be seen as you long to be seen, especially when so much time has passed. I smiled broadly to show her how happy she had made me.
Silly, idiotic girl. She started screaming then, turning her head from side to side to appeal to the others, as if they would help her, as if they could feel pity. I almost fancied one of them had whispered to another that they thought my choice was unworthy, but when I turned around they were all still silently looking on as I had found them.
I owed them something, too. They brought her to me, they put her in my path, and I repaid them by letting them watch. An audience is a powerful stimulus. But I would not let them comment. You see, it was only for me to determine worthiness. Only I could make the selection, only I knew why. No one else could understand.
I explained that to her, explained what she was destined for. I wish you could have seen the expression on her face. It was better than I could have imagined, more beautiful than any word-sharping poet could ever describe. I was overtaken with emotion and I lifted her to my breast and held her tight.
I admit that I cried. Don’t look so surprised. What would you have done in my place? It was a beautiful, magical moment. I showered my tears over her, cleansing her, and then I followed them with my lips. I dried them with my mouth, kissing her cheek, her jaw bone, her chin. With each kiss I could feel her excitement growing, feel her pulse quickening. I felt as though I could see the blood throbbing just beneath the skin, just out of sight. I heard her voice then, calling to me, singing out to me, begging me for succor, for mercy, for release. I looked up once to memorize the dear expression on her face.
And then I sank my teeth into her neck.
God it was good to be back.