Category: original fiction

The bed shifted as she got up, wrapped a robe around her and padded to the door, not turning on any lights. He hadn't slept yet, knowing there was a full moon tonight, knowing she would be drawn outside. He sighed and rolled over, but after a minute or two he rose also, needing to follow her, to make sure she was safe. He stopped and pulled on his blue cotton robe, but didn't bother with slippers. It was a warm summer night and the grass should still dry. The back door clicked shut, but she hadn't turned the garden lamp; there was no need, the yard was lit by the soft silverly moonlight. He watched as she glided across the grass and into the field beyond. He followed only to the edge of the yard, stopping in the shadow of a tree. He didn't want her to know he was awake too. She would feel guilty, worry about him, instead of taking this time...

The fairy landed atop the skull, the best place for telling stories near the village. A group gathered round, mostly her friends, ready to be entertained. She took her time settling in, oiled the delicate gears that controlled her wings, feeding her crow a crumb of bread she had picked up on the way. She knew that a few minutes delay in telling her story would only increase her the girls' anticipation, and by god did she have a tale to tell today. "Aye, so remember I was telling ye about the job up in Leven I heard about? So I went up there this mornin', just checking the place over, seeing how the land lies." The fairy dusted some dirt off her tophat and twisted a lock of hair around her finger, a nervous habit. She loved being the center of attention, but what she had seen had scared her. She needed to warn the others. "There was a whole line of folks, all...

His portrait stares at her, reminding her of the way he used to be, before. During the days that's all she has of him, his picture mocking her. She hears the servants whispering, gossiping over the reasons he's so often gone from their home. He's found another lover, he's spending all his time in the gambling dens, to even more outrageous suggestions, he's a spy for the queen, he's become a criminal. If they only knew, the truth is even more horrible than anything they could imagine. Seven days ago he woke her as he slipped into her chambers in the small hours. "Darling," he said as his hand glided down the side of her face and neck, stopping in the hollow at the base of my neck. His fingers, long and gentle, were cold, and his touch made her tremble with a fear she couldn't understand. "I found him." She looked up at him, confused by sleep. "Who?" "It's all true," was all he would say. She knew then, her mind clearing, the monster he...

The Swans Fayre stared in the mirror and adjusted the delicate silver band holding the purple stone in the middle of her forehead. It was the only thing she owned that had belonged to her mother. That evil woman had taken the rest of the jewelry and sold the gowns. And her father had just allowed it to happen. That had hurt more than anything: her father's powerlessness, a king who had no control even inside his own palace. And then he had sent them away, her brothers and her, made them live in that tiny cottage in the woods, only two servants to look after their needs. It had been so lonely and boring. She had missed the glamour of the court, the dances and dinners, the young courtiers flattering her, the knight who had given her the rose. She was strong enough to keep her eye on her step-mother, to keep her contained, if her father had only trusted her. But he...

Safe on the Beach "Leave me alone!" she had yelled, kicking out at him. He had held her wrist so tightly she would surely have a bruise by tomorrow. He had ripped her beautiful pink chiffon skirt. She screamed and struggled, but all his weight had been on top of her, holding her down on the sofa. She had left the party willingly enough, but that was not what she had had in mind. She had just wanted a break from the mass of people, a minute of quiet. She had been warned, though, keep your distance from Erik, but he had seemed nice and was so handsome. "Let me go!" A knock at the door interrupted him. He had quickly stood up at his father's voice, and she had fled, face burning, eyes to the floor. She ran down the first staircase she found, desperate to get away. Down and down the steps continued, until she slowed, not hearing any footsteps behind...

Tangled He opened his eyes, slowly. He legs ached, pain burned his shoulder, but everyone in his village knew the woods were full of dangerous creatures, and nothing attracted a predator quicker than sharp moves or loud noises. Still and quiet, he looked around, barely moving his head. At first all he saw was a blur of green and light, the sun was still shining bright and strong, not much time had passed. He smelled the familiar fresh cut wood as his gaze focusses on his axe buried in a trunk a couple of feet from him. He braced himself against the ground and pushed up, attempting to stand. Only then did he realize he was trapped. Thick vines twined round his arms, his legs, his chest. A tug drew his attention upward, past the gash he had made in the tree's bark, to a woman clinging in its branches, blending in with her pale dress and ash brown hair. She was...