ElleRochelle

The sun is just over the tops of the trees by the time Tryan and I find our way back to the camp. “Can we go see Scarlet and Sunny?” I ask. Tryan smiles. “Sure.” He pulls me toward the direction of the stables. I hear Scarlet nicker before I even see her as we round a group of tents next to the stable. The stable is quite large, perhaps even bigger than the palace stables, and there is a very large pasture connected to it where several horses and cows and other various livestock graze. Scarlet stretches her neck out over the top of the fence and whinnies when she sees me. Sunny, who is grazing next to her, picks up

“I wish I could see you,” I whisper against Oliver’s chest. I hear him let out a deep sigh and feel him pull away. “You can,” he says softly, taking my hand in his. I feel him pull it up and place it atop his head. “Start here and picture it in your head.” I weave my fingers through his short hair. “What color is it?” “Light brown.” I run my hand down Oliver’s face, trying to picture every detail, every line. I feel a raised line on his skin just below the outside corner of his left eye. My fingers trace the long line down his cheek, over the corner of his mouth, unde

I awake with a start a short time before dawn. I can just barely see the first rays of sunlight brightening the sky. I am sweating and breathing hard but I don’t know why. I can’t remember what I dreamed about but I have to get some fresh air. I quickly change into my clothes and lay the nightgown across my bed and tip-toe out of the tent, careful not to wake Kaline and Kaya. I quietly make my way across the camp, saying hello to the few people bustling around, preparing for the day. I do some exploring, not really going anywhere in particular. Soon, I find myself at the river and a few feet away is a small waterfall with a larg

“Sleep well, Princess,” King Arden laughs, slamming the door to the cell and locking it. “You can’t do this! Let us out!” I scream, shaking the door with a clang. “It’s no use, Cecy. Don’t wear yourself out,” Brycen says from his spot against the wall. I walk over and kneel next to him, my eyes skimming over his body for any wounds. “Are you okay, Brycen? What has he done to you?” “I’m fine. Just worn out.” “Elaerya,” I hear a whisper from the cell next to ours. I rush over to the bars where Tryan is leaning up with his back toward me. I kne

Mykal knew it wasn’t healthy to let his mind steam in a pool of anger and hatred, but he couldn’t help it. Mykal couldn’t help blaming Scott for what happened. The more he let the hatred simmer, the hotter it got. Mykal wondered where Scott was. Probably at home, too ashamed to show his face here. Probably better for him…and us, Mykal thought. He didn’t know what he would do if he saw Scott right now. He didn’t think he could handle it. He didn’t even want to be at church right now, even if it was “what she would want.” He didn’t want to be anywhere right now. He wanted to go find

       Kaity knocked on the office door with a trembling hand and a few seconds later, a tall man wearing a white coat opened the door for them. “I’m glad you are all here,” said Dr. Marshall, motioning for them to sit down. “Doctor, is Jeremy alright?” asked Mrs. Meyers, her voice uneven. “Well, the extent of Jeremy’s physical injuries is minimal. He only broke his left arm.” Kaity let out a sigh of relief. Only a broken arm. It would heal. Then why are we talking to a brain doctor? she thought, an uneasy feeling creeping over her. “Now, I’m sure you are wondering why you&rs

    The ocean has always been my sanctuary. I’ve been on the water ever since my dad taught me how to surf when I was eight. Every morning, I get up early and trek out to the beach behind my house with my board to catch some early waves. There, on top of my board watching the most beautiful sunrise is my thinking place. The troubles and stresses of life can’t touch me out there on the water and that’s just the way I like it.    I’ve had a lot to think about, too, ever since Dad died. He was my rock, my best friend. He surfed too close to the jetties and got hit by a rogue wave. Mom didn’t let me surf for a whil

I’ve thought about death a lot these past couple of weeks. My own death. With this poison running through me, my death is the one thing that has consumed my mind. I’ve never really had a reason to consider the loss of someone I love. Except for my mother, of course, but she died before I even really knew what death was. So, when King Arden pulls out the syringe, filled with the same poison that has infected me, the full weight of what he plans on doing with it slams me in the chest. “NO!” I shout desperately. The corners of Arden’s lips curl up slightly in a smirk as he strides over to me. “You object, Pr

Tryan and I walk in silence for a few feet, keeping just inside the tree line of the large clearing. I can hear the river in the woods just on the other side of the trees. I sigh and wrap my arms around Tryan’s arm, resting my head on his shoulder. “This is nice,” I say, smiling. “It is.” “I wish we could just stay here. Like this. We could do it. I’m sure Elizabeth would love to have us.” Tryan halts us and gives me a funny look. “We couldn’t do that, Elaerya.” “Why not? Brycen is the eldest so he is the heir. We could live here.” “No we couldn’t