Austin had tried his hardest, that he knew without a shadow of a doubt. The life of a ruler was plagued with difficult choices. But worst of all were the realities no one knew.

"A shadow comes to swallow your kingdom. Before your reign has ended you shall see your home in flames."

So said the teller. Austin knew what must be done.

The safety of his people was paramount, they looked to him for...

In the public eye, mother was fine. She shared her stories with her adoring public, laughing at the tropes that she just couldn't resist. But that wasn't her.

Behind closed doors she was paranoid, convinced someone was following her. I was so glad to be away from her when I finally moved out, now that moment floods me with gilt.

Page after page I flicked through her stories, again and again. S...