Originally, I only had Blythe stay for her sweet blood. As time went on, I felt a magnet in my heart pulling me toward her. It was different from the thirst for blood... though at the time I hadn't known it.

Or rather, I had to deny it. The idea of being attracted to a mortal seemed preposterous to me. Not to mention the taboo that my love interest was a woman.

I couldn't bring myself to feel the same way towards men. This had never happened with any of my male slaves. That's when I knew- I couldn't love anyone else. It had to be her.

Blythe wasn't afraid of me. Nor did she appear angered or sad. She performed her duties as a slave quite well; letting me drink from her neck when I needed it.

She'd gotten so accustomed to it, that she barely ever flinched when I pierced her flesh. She'd simply stare off into the distance, admiring the ocean outside the glass window.

Blythe would smile on these occasions, and at the time I did not know why. I only wished she'd fixate her look on me, and not on the view behind my mansion.

Perhaps she dreamed of leaving. I would talk to her, but she always seemed so distant. I slowly became aware that these romantic feelings were one-sided.

My heart broke when I discovered she'd escaped on the first night of December.

I cried on my vanity. What had I done wrong? I was overwhelmingly absorbed in my own emotions to recognize that she desired freedom.

My cat jumped onto the vanity and rubbed its furry face against my own in an attempt to sooth me.

I embraced her and wiped my tears away.

"What do you suppose I do?" I whispered.

The black cat stepped off the vanity and jumped onto the open window ledge.

"Follow her, you say?"

She nodded in response. I obeyed.

I ran out into the cold forest. Snow had not fallen yet, for the grass was visibly dark green and wet.

I knew I'd catch up to her. Vampires are naturally and extremely agile.

As I ran, I wondered how she got out. I couldn't fathom how. In that instant, I could not even concentrate on the question for fear of losing her.

Her scent led me to a field devoid of trees. I hid behind a tree closest to that field.

To my relief, she didn't run any further. Instead, she stopped to catch her breath.

Just as I was about to step away from the dark trees, I heard footsteps and a deep voice call out.

I swiftly took cover in the secure shadows of the dim forest and observed as a young man walked up to Blythe.

My eyes widened in fear. I prepared to unleash my fangs. I'd kill him if he hurt her.

Except, I wouldn't have to. It was Blythe who ran up to him first. I watched as she threw her arms around him. He almost lost his balance, but hugged her even harder. I heard far off whimpers and what seemed like relieved laughter.

A tear slid down my cheek as Blythe held his face and kissed him. I covered my mouth with both hands to suppress a cry of agony. I'd never felt like this before either.

A snowflake landed on the grass in front of me before melting back into a drop of water.

Is this what love is? Is it a beautiful emotion in the shape of a snowflake; complex in all its ways? It is wondrously magical to see it dance down from the heavens and through the air. But in the end, the once beautiful image shatters and melts into the soil. It returns to its original state: water. That's all it ever was; frozen water. That's all she ever was: a mortal.

How mindless of me to attach myself to a mere mortal. No, never again. If I could, I'd rip my heart out of my chest to end this horrible aching pain.

I turned on my heels, clutching my chest. I did not want to bear witness to any more of it. Just before I set off, I accidentally stepped on a fallen branch. It split in half, echoing from the forest and out into the field. I tensed up and shot a quick glance behind me.

The field was already covered in soft patches of white. On top of it stood Blythe and her despicable lover, trying to peer into the forest. However, they were much too far to see me.

It was thanks to my supernatural speed that I managed to escape that night.