Suddenly, he was there. The unmistakable scent of cinnamon and nutmeg. His fingers twisted up in my hair. His lips racing across the flesh of my neck. Neither distance nor time mattered in this moment. My heart thundered in my chest. Tears slipped down my cheek. I knew he was only there for a few more heartbeats. It was our nightly ritual.
Then I realized he’d been here too long.
I wasn’t aware I’d been holding my breath until he held my face in his hands and begged, “Come with me…”
And I felt myself let go as I exhaled a final breath.
