I was shocked at this, for it was as if he could hear my very thoughts. But that could not be. I had made very sure that my thoughts were only mine. Yet here Alexander was, guessing at them with surprising precision. Yes, how I wished to know him. I wished to know even one of the secrets he kept in those gold and white eyes.

<<I would need to drink from you. But I will not unless you desire it>>.

Was that all he needed? Permission to sink his fangs in once more? I was not afraid of a little bite, especially not since Milieu had nearly ripped my throat open in these very woods with the thick, wide trees as witnesses.

I held my wrist up for Alexander, but he wrapped his fingers around it and lowered my arm. <<Not this sort>>, he meant to me. <<I will have to go…deeper>>. He adjusted his shoulders, as if he was uncomfortable. <<I am not sure you have the time>>.

The time? I put my hands to my head, for time indeed was slipping from me, like a branch down the raging, unnamed river of my childhood. What ought I to be doing? Did I not have some urgent purpose before I sat down to rest and Alexander sat next to me?

I shook my head. I knew there were matters of great import for me to devote my attention toward, but they could not be more urgent that was before me now. A chance to know.

If it was not my wrist he wanted, then I would adjust. But how to discover what he meant, I did not know. I only nodded my head in my most universal and simplified manner of consent.

This was when the pyre, whose name must have been Alexander, put his hand to my cheek and pulled me in closer, his mouth making its home by pressing against mine. And then, with slow progression, his tongue parted my lips so that a deep and purposeful tasting of sorts ensued, though I could not say what it was I tasted besides sheer thrill itself.

It was as if every part of my human body—every freckle, every crease, every bend and turn of my skin—was awakened in slow waves by the inhale and exhale of longing.

My awareness of my surroundings began to dissipate, and this was so convincingly done that I thought I might fall, though I could not determine from where I would fall or where I would land. Alexander’s hand pressed firmly against my back, and I felt held once again, felt grounded and put back into place.