“Tara, tell me the truth.” Marren says. She’s frustrated. Maybe frustrated isn’t the word. Defeated may be a better description of what she feels. “Is it enough to leave him? Is it enough that he just doesn’t care?”

Marren is pacing through Tara’s kitchen. It won’t be long before she wears a hole in the floor. Tara worries about her best friend. She hasn’t seen her this upset in a very long time...

A forgotten birthday

A missed anniversary

An overlooked achievement

A trust betrayed

Little things that lead a tiny cracks

Tiny cracks that lead to fractures, fractures that lead to breaks, breaks that lead to shatters

Shatters that lead to bloody fingers picking up pieces

Pieces that never quite fit back into place

Scar tissue fills in the spaces where the pieces no longer fit

It still beats b...

When I look up and see the billowing cloud of smoke on the horizon, tears are falling from my eyes before I can stop them. Hope flares in my chest.

My city has been under siege for over a fortnight. I’ve almost completely depleted my magic every day, trying any and everything I can to keep my people safe. There’s been more causalities than I will ever be able to forgive myself for. My father use...