Tanith’s Destiny Chapter 1 The Warlord’s castle, Geniang, in the country of Abdesta. Smack! Crack! Smack! The thwack of wood on wood echoed about the warm room. ‘Ouch!’ A girl threw down her staff and sat, sucking on her sore fingers. ‘Pay attention girl! Up, up! Get up!’ A small, slender girl of eight scowled at the tall, wiry man who glared back at her. She finally stood up and began to circle him again. Tall glass windows let the rays cast by the late ...

Gaelwyn watched her mother riding up ahead, the afternoon light playing on her dark hair, glancing off the jeweled coronet that hung heavy on her fair brow, and making golden patches in the hollows of her dark cloak. Gaelwyn thought that surely, her mother was the most beautiful woman in the world. Queen Sabraxa’s pale skin was hidden under the cloak; only her face, heavily coated in the lotions and potions that kept her translucent skin from burning, showed. Even so, Gaelwyn could tell her m...

Close your heart away in a little black box, Fasten all the little locks, Give into a quiet, overwhelming despair Sink into a world where you don't have to care. Let yourself drown in tears, You know the heartache won't ease throughout the years, Try to float away from here, Try to release the memories you held so dear. Grow the briars high around your enchanted castle That no hero could ever tackle, And while you dream your thousand year sleep away Just let your sadness end today. Watch you...

I thought it was done, I believed it was over, But how naïve I was To think this could be over. I thought peace had been made and I wouldn’t be tugged two ways again, I wouldn’t have to decide between two friends again. How silly I was to think that, To believe I could just be happy for once, Not to have my life complicated, To not be in pain or tears for once. This war never ended, It’s still going on, And I thought it could end, But it turns out I didn’t have any idea what was going on. Cau...

5 Things You Should Know About Me 1) My family is crazy. 2) I am addicted to the computer. 3) I’m crazy weird. 4) I often have huge, unrequited crushes on people. 5) I hate pain. 4 Facts About Me 1) My name is Stella-Marie Ashford. 2) I’m fifteen. 3) I have three siblings—two sisters and a brother. 4) My birthday is July 4th, 1992. 3 Things That Make Me Unique (at least to me!) 1) I have six best friends. 2) I’ve never gone out with anyone—or been asked out for that matter. 3) I read really f...

I watched the hands of fate cast the die on the smooth table of time. I watched the seasons change and yet I still remain the same. I saw the leaves change color as the dice rolled their deadly dance. I watched two hearts become one and yet I still remained the same. I saw the harsh winter winds blow, sweeping through the hearts and minds of those around it. I watched the hearts separate and go their separate ways. And yet, I still remained the same. I saw the promise of spring that brought n...

Chapter 2 Seven years later Fifteen year old Tanith plunged into the icy water, her sandy colored hair streaming out behind her. “Eeeeeeeeeeeeeek!” Everyone in a two mile radius heard her shout as she hit the frigid water. The men-at-arms on the castle walls chuckled. Caden rolled his eyes as he stumbled out of bed towards the wash basin. “Does she EVER learn?” Aliyane grinned as she brushed her hair. “I doubt it. I think she does it just to wake us up.” Caden snorted. “We’re already awake th...

Chapter 1 The Warlord’s castle: Geniang Smack! Crack! Smack! The thwack of wood on wood echoed about the warm room. “Ouch!” A girl threw down her staff and sat, sucking on her sore fingers. “Pay attention girl! Up, up! Get up!” A small, slender girl of eight scowled at the tall, wiry man who glared back at her. She finally got up and began to circle him again. The warm and sunny practice room had large glass windows—expensive for even a wealthy Warlord. The wooden floor was sanded and polish...

Chapter 1 The Warlord’s castle: Geniang Smack! Crack! Smack! The thwack of wood on wood echoed about the warm room. “Ouch!” A girl threw down her staff and sat, to suck her sore fingers. “Pay attention girl! Up, up! Get up!” A small, slender girl of eight scowled at the tall, wiry man who glared back at her. She finally got up and began to circle him again. The warm and sunny practice room had large glass windows—expensive for even a wealthy Warlord. The wooden floor was sanded and polished t...

The day we moved into the big house, I stared at my face in the mirror. Large hazel eyes looked back at me from a rounded face. A squat nose somehow fit in between the eyes and full red lips. My chin was rounded, although it jutted out somewhat. Glasses framed my eyes, the same color as my short layered honey blonde hair. As my lips curled up in a tentative smile, silver braces winked through. I clamped my lips shut and scowled at my reflection in the mirror. You would never be able to call m...