Prologue
Red satin. It was her favorite. She could marvel in its rich, deep, seductive folds all day. In a way, it all fit. Red was the color of blood, of life, of passion. Those were hers. And satin. Smooth, flawless, elegant, royal. Those qualities were hers, too. Drusilla was a lady, and a lady should always have satin. Red satin.
xxx
The sky was illuminated with the scarce light from the setting sun. A pinkish orange glow occupied the lower half of the sky, while the dark blue night settled in at the top. In between the two there was a layer of bloodred. Drusilla watched the middle divider with a smile on her pale face. Her eyes scrutinized the horizon so intently, and with a longing hunger.
Her black lace dress hugged her small waist, reminding her of the hands that used to hold her. But the corset was nothing compared the hard, binding fingers. Nothing could compare to that feeling. Dru felt lost. Reaching up with one long, slender finger, she felt her cheeks. Scars raised the skin in large ridges, leaving only a few inches of smooth skin left. She let her fingers travel to her lips, where she could feel the fangs pressing against the inside of her mouth. Kisses. She had kissed so many times with those lips, but there was only one who truly deserved it. Oh, how she missed him so. She ached to be with him again, her wicked Spike, her William.
As day faded into night, Drusilla closed her eyes delicately and let herself be lost to the world. But as she exited one world, she entered another. She was seeing something. A smile pulled the corners of her mouth upward, the first movement in more than ten minutes. She let the vision take her.
"Dru," Spike's tone was dry as he slowly walked toward her. "It's been too long, pet." He reached her in a few long strides, sweeping his arm around her waist and clenching her small body to his side. Dru remembered this feeling, this intimacy, and she wanted it back.
"Spike," She breathed. It felt so good to have him back, to have his arms around her. "My Spike." She closed her eyes and sighed, reveling in the glory of his return. After a while she turned to face him and their eyes met, sharing a silent bond.
"Hungry, pet?" He grinned.
"More than ever. Miss Edith would like a tea party. Maybe we can bring one home to share?" She was smiling giddily, a wicked glint in her eyes.
"There'll be plenty to go around." Spike slung his arm over her slim shoulders and lit a cigarette.
"Goody." Dru clapped, leaning against him as they walked out the door.
As it all ended, Drusilla found herself staring at a hopelessly black sky. It hadn't been a vision, just a dream. She could tell. It was all gone, Spike was gone, love was gone. Everything was black, not a star in sight.
When sunrise came, it would be her last. She was already gone.