I saw you by moonlight last night.

I understand now.

It was the dead of night, but the moon shone brightly, bathing the courtyard in pale silver. You were there, as you always are. I stood to the side, watching.

They warned me. They knew, but they wouldn't explain. And so I went, and I saw.

I never knew such beauty existed. You were there, in your gown of white and gold, weeping softly. Your hair, like strands of pure gold, stirred to a wind that was not there. You did not face me, but I could picture your emerald eyes glistening with your tears, and they too were beautiful.

A cloud passed overhead, and the silver disappeared. I nearly wept at the loss of the sight of your beauty. But the cloud passed, and you were bathed once more in liquid silver. And as I stared, the light shifted to illuminate me as well, though you did not see me.

I did not understand the warnings. I saw only you, the ultimate beauty. I saw no reason to fear, until it showed its face.

It too was beautiful, though its beauty was less solid, less real. It seemed to form from the silver light, wrapping tendrils about your wonderful body. It appeared so slowly that I did not notice it ensnaring me gently in ropes of silver light.

Its touch was gentle, almost a caress. I grew sleepy, feeling the urge to stay forever in its gentle embrace. You did not seem to notice, and that pulled me away from its deadly kiss. It jerked back, and I almost called it back to me.

I did not though, and it writhed in anger. It continued to surround you with its silver tendrils, cocooning you as if you were an insect larva ready to mature. I tried to cry out, to stop it, but it filled my lungs with silver light that was more liquid than light, and I could not breathe.

And then you were completely surrounded by ribbons of silver light. You began to glow, the light quickly becoming bright and overwhelming the moonlight. It was as if a newborn star was housed in your body. The silver light enveloping your body dissolved at the touch of the warm light emanating from your body, and the courtyard was bathed in a golden glow.

It reached for me, with what seemed to be its last strength. It enveloped me, caressing me gently, and trying to enter me. But I felt revulsion at its touch, having seen your light, and I stepped forward to be bathed in the warm golden glow.

It hissed at me, the first noise, as it disappeared.

It hissed, and I understood

All those who warn against you. All those who sneer, or turn away when you pass. They all have seen the light, but they did not step forward, did they?

And so, behind the fakely cheerful smiles, I see it. I can see that they know. I am unlike them.

Now, here we are, surrounded by them. It stares at us from behind their eyes, but they are unable to do anything as I approach you from across the hall, bow, and kiss your hand. In their eyes, I should be dead, yet I live. You look up at me questioningly.

Milady, may I have this dance?