This was not the first night she had visited me.

The darkness veiled us as we descended to my world, her small frame following my command blindly.

Nothing of my world seemed to frighten her any more, a slight startle overcame her from moment to moment, but the foul air and claustrophobia that had tormented her before had sunk into her mind's normality.

I delighted in our evenings together.

Not only for the progress, oh such glorious progress it was, her voice like an uncut jewel that my attention and constant desire for improvement had created a sound to rival angels.

She also delighted in this change, her youthful tentativeness had melted away. Her confidence in her abilities and womanhood had soared.

I blamed myself for overindulgence.

My compliments of her had been too great. I had raised her head so high that now even her dearest teacher, who had been her only male companion had been swiftly outnumbered.

Fine beauty, gentleness and youth had replaced my putrid flesh, foul temper and withered frame. For years her outward appearance had attracted no such attention, she was a fine girl, no one could deny, but her childish figure and a delay in her change had left her behind those in her company.

But like a flower, the longer it takes to bloom, the finer it shall be.

A figure emerged that became an envy. Her clothes filled out, her face lost its girlish roundness and her eyes became hooks for any man who gazed upon her.

How could she not venture into love, drink of those waters and taste the joy and anticipation of a kiss, even a wedding night?

She deserved all this and more.

The entitlement of it, however, belonged to one man, myself.

She sang for me this night, only me.

Those golden chords gliding over each note, her passion and emotion pouring from each phrase.

Pleased with her work I let her sleep a while in my home. She always begged to remain with her teacher, but the temptation on my own soul was too great at times.

She would never give herself to me.

But with her knowledge or not, she already was bond to this man, broken and tortured as he was.

The thought of another taking her innocence, cupping her gentle breasts with their hands, kissing her skin.

Damn, damn, damn.

Thoughtless wretches, all of them.

Unworthy and ungrateful.

She would be used and tossed aside, left to seek love and never to receive it. Even her beloved Victome has wandering eyes. Once her virginity was his, he'd vanish like the rest.

Not I, not Erik.

I sat beside her on my bed, admiring her beauty that did not sleep like the rest of her.

How perfect would it be if she never had to leave me, I could watch her like this forever. Here she would remain pure and perfect, nothing to harm or taint her. My admiration for her could never cease, the only woman I ever loved would never have to leave me.

It would have to be soft, painless, gentle.

Yes.

No.

Yes, I must.

Her youth would never fade, an encapsulated immortalised beauty in my arms.

My own thin fingers twirled the curls of her hair, those soft blonde waves that I adored.

This was for her own good.

I took those golden locks and spun a web around her porcelain neck.

She almost awoke, giving a small whimper as my hands tightened their grasp.

I am quite sure she felt no pain.

In a moment she lay limp, the slight mark of my crime already fading into her skin.

She was to sleep here with me always.

I lay down beside her, intertwining our bodies as I wished.

Daring to look upon that face, I saw peace and no agony.

Those wishful eyes had kept their blue haze, soft and inviting.

Her love was mine forever.

My crime is hidden, no one can see us here, we can live in this darkness forever.

A search for her may commence, in which case I shall bury us both, deep deep in this darkness can we hide.

No one, not even her God will be able to find us.