#euphaire

She comes that night, despite the half-hearted barricade he left against the inside of the door.

Elrik opens his eyes in the dark. He cannot see her, but he can smell her: rotting meat with an edge of sweetness.

"Hello, husband."

He squeezes his eyes shut again, and he hears her laugh.

"Shall I join you, husband? Have you kept the sheets warm for me after all this time?"

A small, cold hand touches his face. Elrik shudders, but he does not pull back as she climbs into bed and lies beside him.