Lantern

He held the lantern above his head. Its glow spread golden, cutting through the darkness; fraying its edge; lighting up his writhing Lovely. He called them all his Lovelies. One by one, he fell in love; one by one, they turned away. One by one, he charmed them; one by one, they never stayed. But this last Lovely warmed to his courtliness; joined him at his side. She possessed him and broke the rules. No longer love struck, he bound her, gagged her and drove a blade through her heart, fancying himself her killer. ©kcasady2014