The First Kill

The First Kill
The days passed in a haze of stolen moments and whispered promises, each encounter between Ashlynn and Ares leaving her breathless and yearning for more. Her heart ached with the weight of her secret, the burden of hiding her true feelings from the world.

But on a day before she was to return to Ghysem, she realized something was amiss. Her monthly blood flow had not come, and a subtle queasiness had taken up residence in her stomach. Her heart pounded as she sought out Ares, her feet carrying her to his chambers with a sense of urgency.

She found him poring over maps and documents, his brow furrowed in concentration. The scent of parchment and ink filled the air, transporting her to a world of ancient tales and forgotten lore. He looked up as she entered, a smile lighting up his face, illuminating the room.

"Ashlynn," he said, standing and crossing the room to embrace her. His arms wrapped around her, warm and reassuring, holding her close as if he'd never let her go.

"What brings you here?" he asked, his voice low and soothing, like a gentle breeze on a summer's day.

She hesitated, searching his eyes for any hint of doubt. The sunlight streaming through the window highlighted the flecks of gold in his irises, making them sparkle like stars.

"Ares, I... I have something important to tell you," she said, her voice barely above a whisper, her words trembling like leaves.

His smile faded slightly, replaced by a look of concern, his brow furrowing into deep lines.

"What is it, my love?" he asked, his brow furrowed, his eyes locked onto hers.

She took a deep breath, the air filling her lungs, her chest rising.

"I have not had my monthly blood flow," she said, her heart racing, her pulse pounding.

For a moment, he just stared at her, the weight of her words sinking in. Then, a broad smile broke across his face, spreading like wildfire.

"That's wonderful news!" he exclaimed, his voice filled with joy. "We are to have a child!"

"I can't be certain, it is just one month's blood flow I have not had," she cautioned.

"I know it is our child coming to us soon," he said with conviction, his eyes shining.

His joy was infectious, but Ashlynn couldn't shake the gnawing fear in her heart, the dread that had been lurking in the shadows.

"But Ares, what will we do? I cannot return to Ghysem with a child that isn't my husband's," she said, her voice laced with worry.

Ares cupped her face in his hands, his eyes filled with determination.

"You will stay here, with me. We will not let you go back until our child is born. We will find a way to make this work," he said.

Ashlynn nodded, relieved by his resolve.

She sent messages back to Ghysem, making excuses to her husband about why she had to extend her stay. Weeks turned into months, and her belly grew round.

But fate had a way of catching up with you. One evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a golden glow over the landscape, her husband, Lord Asher, paid an unexpected visit.

Ashlynn's heart sank as she saw him standing in the doorway, his eyes widening with the realization of her condition.

"How could you?" he whispered, his voice filled with betrayal and anger.

"You... you whore!" he spat.

Before she could respond, he lunged at her, his hand stroking her cheek. Tears blurred her vision.

"You've shamed me, Ashlynn! You've shamed our name!" he shouted, hitting her mercilessly. "It could have been any other man but you chose for it to be someone from the south?"

"Asher please," she begged. "I did not mean for this to happen."

"Whose child is it?" Lord Asher asked, his eyes blazing angrily. "It is their king is it not? I've heard the rumours, Ashlynn"
"I would rather kill you than for this to get out," he screamed hitting her head against the table. She saw stars for a split second as she yelped in pain. 

In a desperate bid to protect herself and her unborn child, Ashlynn's hand found a knife on the nearby table. Its metal gleamed in the fading light, its edge sharp enough to slice through the tension.

Without thinking, she plunged it into his side. The blade sank deep, and Asher's eyes widened in shock. He staggered back, clutching his side as blood poured from the wound. His face paled.

"You... you'll pay for this," he whispered in a hoarse voice and she loved the sound of it. He was at her mercy.

She plunged the knife deeper. Lord Asher's words turned to gurgles. His body crumpled to the floor.

Ashlynn stood over him, the knife still clutched in her trembling hand. She could not believe she had done something as brutal as that. 

It was her first kill.

As the adrenaline subsided and her heart rate reduced, a strange sense of joy and satisfaction washed over her. She felt a dark thrill at the sight of her husband's lifeless body and she wished she could do it all over again. Watch him struggle all over. 

The forest beyond the cottage called to her. It was a perfect place to hide her crime.

The trees loomed, their branches creaked, The air was thick with the scent of pine and damp earth.

Ashlynn dragged Asher's body, through the underbrush. Thorns scratched her but she didn't mind. Leaves rustled beneath her feet, giving a satisfying crunch. The moon cast long eerie shadows on the forest floor.

Ashlynn found a sturdy tree very far away from the cottage. She did not want it traced to her and she wanted it to take months before his dead body was found. Hopefully, some wild creatures would eat him.

She hoisted Asher's body up into the tree. The rope dug into his flesh.

The tree seemed to swallow him whole.

Pulling off the black veil she wore, she tied it around his wrist. 

"Till death do us part."