An Oath of Death

The wind howled outside, twirling the wind chimes hanging by the window. A frail woman laid on the worn couch, pale as milk. Her blue eyes were transfixed on the metal chimes that were barely hanging on to life, much like her own situation. The only difference was she wasn't alone and the wind was her own doing. 

"Please drink it," Kevin begged, holding a blood bag in his hand. He kneeled next to her, parting her greying hair. 

"I won't."

"Please. Dalilah, you need to drink something."

"I made a promise. And I won't break my promise."

Kevin sighed. "Why do you have to be so difficult?"

"You knew I was difficult when you married me."

"But this is so excessive. It's not like you're going around town draining everybody. I'm giving you my blood."

She sat up. "And I told you I won't drink it."

"Why did you make that vow? You at least owe me that."

"No, I don't."

Kevin shot to his feet and stomped on the ground. "Dammit woman! I won't let you starve yourself to death!"

Dalilah did not react outwardly to his sudden outburst. His face had tears running down and his eyes were piercing. She knew time was running out for her and he could sense it as well. Her heart ached, torn between her husband and her bond. She couldn't satisfy both, but he wasn't going to back down without an answer.

"Fine," Dalilah said. Kevin tossed her the blood bag and she let it land on her stomach. "I'll tell you why I won't drink your blood."

His scowl appeared in an instant, but he said nothing, letting her have the floor. 

"Do you remember that night you passed out–"

"You aren't serious? I didn't pass out because of that. I was dehydrated. You can't blame yourself for that," Kevin said, ready to argue her point.

"No. The problem was I loved your blood. More than I thought I could. It was like drinking your very essence. Your loving soul and your tender heart."

"Yesh, next your gonna say it was better than sex." Dalilah didn't say anything, causing his jaw to drop. "What?"

She laughed. Dalilah found it amazing how her man could go from crying to petrified in seconds. There was a temptation to let his mouth stay there a little longer, but he needed some reassurance. "I know. It's that good. And that was the problem. I don't think the next time I will be able to say no to more. So I deny myself. Because I love you."

"You can have more. I just don't want you to die."

"I would rather die than kill you because I couldn't control myself."

"And I can't watch you kill yourself because you won't drink a little blood bag. It's not like you're getting it straight from the tap."

Dalilah couldn't help but chuckle. The image of him as a human beer keg was amusing to her. He put his face up to hers, making it all she could see.

"You understand, though. Don't you?" she asked.

"I do." He pressed his lips to hers, letting his passion take hold. 

She kissed him back and he took his shot, pushing his lip against her fangs, cutting him. She tried to pull away, but he did not let her get away, allowing his blood to drip into her. The thunder from outside shook the house and her eyes rolled back into her head, savoring the warm, metallic taste. 

He felt his face drain of blood and her fangs digging deeper into his lip. Life was coming back to her and with it her enthusiasm for more blood. His body was no longer his as she rolled off the couch and pinned him to the floor. He moaned in pain, trying to tell her to stop, but she needed a more forceful approach. Kevin dropped his arms to his side and rolled her over, plunging his thumbs into her wrists. Delilah released him, blood dripping from his mouth. 

"You feeling better?" Kevin said, licking his lips. 

"Why did you do that!"

"You weren't seeing reason."

"I could have killed you. I felt myself losing control."

"If you didn't drink something, you were going to die. I refuse to let you die."

"It was my choice," she struggled under his grip, but he held her down.

"And I don't get a say? Did you even think how your death would affect me?"

She stopped fighting. He was right. She hadn't. Kevin did what he did for her and it wasn't lost on her. He loved her. His chest heaved up and down, tired from their wrestling match. Delilah hated what she did, enjoying what she promised would never happen again, but at least she was alive. And for now, that had to be enough. 

"You're right… I didn't… I'm sorry," Delilah said.

Kevin let her go. "Apology accepted. Now drink up the rest of that blood bag. You need to regain your strength."

"Only if you promise never to do that again."

"Deal. Now get to it. And if you're good, we'll play a game of parcheesi."

Delilah laughed. "Really? Your gonna treat me like a child."

"If the shoe fits–"

She punched him in the shoulder. "Go get me a straw then. If your gonna treat me like a child, I'm going to act like one."

"Whatever you say, dear."