The Art of Not Dying

 A loud thud reverberates next to my ear as the blade of the knife sinks into the high back of my chair. Splinters fly, and the wood shudders under the blade's weight. I don’t flinch. Instead, I saw through another bite of steak.


“How was your day, darling? You look thirsty. Shall I pour you another glass?” my dear Annalise asks me. Her voice is sickeningly sweet as she rises from the table. 


“Oh, it was alright. Nothing too exciting. Though that merger I was telling you about is looking promising.” I reply as I hand her my glass to refill. “How was yours?”


“I had a wonderful day,” she coos in my ear as she hands me a glass of my favorite whiskey. “And it’s only getting better now that you’re home.”


I smile at her and take a long draw of the amber liquid. Relishing the burn as it travels down my throat and settles in my belly. I can see her watching me intently, though she’s pretending not to. I love the way she stares at me. Watching my every move. It’s one of her most endearing qualities. 


I take another sip of my drink before setting it down beside my empty plate. As I cut another bite of steak and pop it into my mouth, I see her face fall slightly. 


“My love, are you alright? Is there anything you need?” I ask earnestly, knowing full well that she is disappointed. I could still taste the bitter hint of almonds from my drink. 


She grabs my hand on the table and squeezes it gently. My heart melts for her at the gesture of love. 


“I was just thinking, wouldn’t it be nice to have a little weekend away? We could go camping and hike that trail through the canyon you mentioned?” She smiles at me as she makes this suggestion.


“How could I possibly say no to you?” I reply, my face splitting into a huge grin. 


I know exactly why she wants to hike at the edge of the canyon, but even the thought of the tumble I’m about to take can’t dampen my spirits. She remembered me talking about the canyon; she really does care for me.  


“I will have Braxton make all the arrangements. We will leave tomorrow morning.” 


I stand from my chair and approach hers. She stands to plant a soft, gentle kiss on my lips as her hands rest on my shoulders, quite close to my neck. I can feel the needling tip of her dagger right at my jugular vein. It must be hidden up her sleeve this time. She is getting both stealthier and bolder in her attempts. 


I gently hold her wrists and pull them from my neck. Bringing her hands to my lips, I see the dagger slide back into the sleeves of her dress. I press a kiss to the inside of each of her palms. 


She aims that smile at me again, blushing slightly. I can see the fire burning in her eyes. There’s a certain madness there that pulls me in and makes me want to get lost in her. 


I dip her into a passionate kiss, as a vase explodes on the shelf behind where I had just been standing. I can feel the moment she melts into my embrace, and it makes my heart skip a beat.  


I pull her upright again, both our faces flushed with passion. I can tell she is flustered by the way her eyes have gone wild. 


I begrudgingly leave our embrace and tell her, “I will be in my study if you need anything.” 


Giving her one last kiss on the forehead, I leave the room. I can feel her watching my every step as I walk away from her. My sweet wife tries so hard to end me. I know she wants my fortune all to herself. I just don’t have the heart to tell her that’s never going to happen. I love her so dearly, I can’t imagine breaking her heart by telling her I am immortal. She keeps trying. And I keep letting her. That’s love, isn’t it?

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