This was written for the challenge on the Where Words Grow discord server. The challenge, less than 400 words on Valentine’s Day in any way shape of form. This is my response, a couple in love, a ritual murder, and the ultimate sacrifice. Warnings for death, murder, general ick. I know this is off season, but I wasn’t allowed to post until the challenge was over so I decided Halloween month was the next best thing.
There was something powerful about standing over a man whose whole heart was in your hands. He had knelt before her, trusting her to take care of him, to do him no wrong, and she would have sooner tore out her own heart than betray him
She stepped into the ritual circle, blood still dripping warm between her fingers, and made the offering of her true love’s gift. She felt the power burning its way through her, more excruciating than anything she had ever experienced and knew that it was working.
As quickly as the pain had started, it was over, and in a flash her hands were empty. She collapsed to her knees, energy gone, and crawled to the still form of her lover. She placed her right hand over the hole in his chest, and the left over her still flat stomach. The end of his story had become the beginning of hers, a Valentine’s day gift of a life, and really could anything be more romantic.
Anne McSommers' Writing Nook 