Parabole by foggynite Fingers trail across my skin, sparking electric crackling energy in their wake. Tracing patterns of arcane lore up my spine and down the curve of my hip, the power flows from her to me. Bright hot red that melts the ice beneath my pale skin, that arcs between our flesh as she lays so close the heat from her body scorches me like fire. In these tangled sheets, in this room of hers decorated like a witch's altar, here I find my peace. As she drifts to slumber, I lay awake to listen to her breaths against my cheek. Fevered, sweaty bodies pressed close in lazy sensuality. This is my center. Rumpled sheets warm from sleep, the crack in the drapes where a ray of sun will get through. Her body vibrant and compact and comfortable laying next to mine. My fingers tangled in her soft strawberry curls. This is where the outside world ceases to exist. No Night World, no Circle Daybreak, no Wild Powers to protect. We come here and shed our roles as we shed our clothes. I can just be Nissa. She is never just Winnie to me. In my mind I see her bright, her full lips smiling, her snub nose crinkled in gaiety. Pale peach skin that tastes like sunlight. In my state of hazy sleep, I can remember just the way she tastes. Her body cries of wild, lush places. The spirit within her transcends her form and pulses against my fingertips. With her, I am not lamia. In her, with her, surrounding her, I am immortal. This world is a mere flicker as I caress her flesh, my nails leaving soft trails along her smooth belly. The darkness in my soul is drawn out by her hands and tongue and knowing smile. I find release in her embrace. She grounds me, binds me to this life yet pulls me out of time. I lose myself in her. The thought of losing her, of having her ripped away, is more than I can bear. She's waking now, her eyes flutter open like clouds revealing the sun in summer. Smiling, stretching like a satisfied cat, she reaches for me and I go willingly to my fate. She is my destiny. My life is hers to hold and I feel no pain in her arms. My veins sing a jubilant sonata to her soul, and I worship her with every breath. We are One. Without her, I am none. End.