50 Ashs Story (1/2)

A lot of things he didn't know how to handle had happened tonight. Being dressed as a female was bad enough. Kissing someone for the first time in centuries and liking it more than he thought he would was even worse. But Ruby's tears took the cake.

He didn't understand why she was so upset. She had already run away from her uncle once before; what was the difference between doing it once as opposed to twice?

Was it because he kissed her? The thought wasn't a pleasant one but this might be his fault. She claimed it wasn't but she might hate him now. He couldn't bear that! Not when she was the only one left he cared about.

Then Ruby had to go and say she was crying because of everything. What did that even mean? That was about as vague a statement as one could possibly make.

Ash was reminded of something Jezebel had said. She asked him if he was going to take advantage of her power and he had been insulted by the insinuation. But the poor fairy probably was used to that sort of treatment and likely expected it from everyone she met.

That was a hard way to live. If she truly had never been able to trust anyone, her cry of ”everything” likely referred to her life as a whole.

He didn't know what he should do to make her feel better. Any assurances on his part that she could trust him would ring false based on her past experiences. He needed to tread lightly here.

An idea came to him about how to gain her trust. It was a two-way street after all.

”You asked me if I trusted you earlier and I said yes,” Ash said lightly. ”Do you mind if I share my story with you?”

Ruby sniffled and looked up at him in confusion from where her chin rested on her knees, hovering slightly above the rock. He decided to take that as a yes and launched into his tale of woe.

”You've probably wondered why I was on my own in a destroyed castle when you found me. Truth is, my old home was destroyed by the enemies I told you about. They're the largest and most powerful coven in North America. The Cromwells and Mayhews have had bad blood between them since before we even came to this country.

”My father died around that time, making me the new coven leader. It was never a role I wanted because I have always been fairly terrible at blood magic and had no desire to lead but I did it because I felt I had to.