“ Here lies my love…” the realization came all so soon, and she collapsed upon the earthen ground, oblivious to the sienna waters staining her pearl coloured satin gown. “This cannot be! I felt his breath! His kiss…” her words revealed in spite of herself the pain that clawed at her chest. “It was cold as ice.” In a daze she recalled the night she had met the sad eyed beauty. “His eyes, his touch, so cold, i thought…” She looked down at the mound. “ I thought it was the night air” Above her the trees slept, their silver branches intertwined in the moonlight. She sat alone in the shadow of the two great lovers. Slowly running her fingers over the fading inscription upon the marble tomb. Here lies the tomb of Sylvan Ventro, may his love live on forever…
“My Sylvan,” she rose to touch the grey carved angel that stood guardian over the grave of her love. Still and silent it listened to her tears. Suddenly she was not alone. “Sylvan!” she gasped. A dark figuer stood obscured in the shadow of the angel. “Please,” she gasped, “Sylvan, please tell me that this is a cruel dream! Tell me that this angel is no more real than the impossibilities of my dreams!” She ran from the protection of the angel to Sylvan. He held her, ignoring her hands and face stained with mud. “ Here,” he said, handing her a small crystal vial holding crimson fluid. “ Drink this, and be with me forever.” “How?” her small tear-stained face was questioning as she reached for the vial. “I can no longer stay with the living.” Sylvan whispered, his voice blending with the forest leaves rustling in the winds. “ In this cemetary lies my past. No longer can i enjoy my existence here.” Her eyes darkened as realization seeped into them. A poison as red as her blood. “Drink.” urged Sylvan.” What does this world hold for you? Your future is with me. Your only happiness came from my love.” She gazed into his eyes but could not see them in the shadows. He was right. She slowly removed the top of the crystal vial, and the small bottle to her lips. Sylvan held her close as she drank the fluid. Slowly the poison flowed in her veins. Her passing was painless. Sylvan made sure of it. He lifted her lifeless body and placed it into the arms of the marble angel. The angels solemb face did not move. “ I will see you again, my love,” Sylvan whispered. Beneath her body, he layed a small marble stone. Inscribed were the words Here lies Bethany, beloved by all, her love eternal, may her spirit never die…
~Falyn