"Lead Me In to Darkness" by Christy N. Kassler

Lead Me In to Darkness

The woods struck a chord in her wild, ancient tune as she traveled under her cloak of midnight. She reached out and grabbed his hand as they approached the grove. As nervous as she was, she would never let him know. Somehow, though, she felt as if he already knew because he caressed the hand enclosed in his fist lovingly. She smiled at him, and could barely see when he returned it.

She was arrayed in a robe of silver stars that sparkled in the darkness. The moon reflected the light of her raiment and made her glitter as she walked. The forest was dark as they entered it. The alcove of trees overhead blotted out the moonlight. She did not care; she found all the light she ever cared to find in his eyes.

“Are you ready?” he whispered.

“I am.” she replied.

She glanced in his direction and was still awed by his presence as she was on the night they had met. The wispy nightshade of his hair was stirring gently in the breeze. His eyes, darker than the blackest night, burned with an inextinguishable fire. He was pale, like a statue cut of fine ivory. His long tapered fingers were outstretched as he touched her moistened face. He looked into her eyes and they both felt the same feeling that had united them when they fell in love.

“Lead me.” she whispered.

They were waiting. Their breath hung like ghosts in the frosty air. They bowed as she walked by, reverence and wonder written plainly on their faces.

“My people,” he called into the darkness, “behold your queen!”

The awaiting mass chanted a shadow song as he lifted up her hand. She looked at him and knew this one night was worth a thousand days. Her crown gleamed in the torchlight that illuminated the grove. They smiled at each other, and as he unfolded his wings she gripped his hand tighter. Before she knew it, they were aloft, flying towards the freedom of a million stars.