As the emerald liquid spilled from the shattered relic onto the palace floor and the whispers of kings long dead surged into life. Dark clouds gathered instantly above the castle, casting an ominous shadow over the once beautiful land.

The once vibrant skies now mirrored the turmoil that brewed within the castle walls, the air grew thick with tension as the ancient curse unfolded it’s wrath upon...

Today was the day I was going to die, it seemed like everyone in the ball room knew it too. I had been born into slavery.

I could remember the last day I was ever happy, I was only five,playing in a field of dandelions when the people took my parents away and I was put into young forced Labor day after day somewhere far far away.

“Get me some food!” My owner barks, “hey slave girl.” The boy smir...

In the heart of the Kingdom of Veridion, nestled atop the craggy peaks of Mount Grimfrost, stood the ancient Castle Aethelhelm. Its stone walls, blackened by time, whispered tales of glory and despair. The castle was a fortress of secrets, a place where the veil between the living and the dead was perilously thin.

Every year, on the night of the winter solstice, a grand feast was held within its ...

“Silly maid,” Chamber Lady Ara yelled at me as I tried to sneak towards the exit door, “the King is waiting for the food to be served! Go!”

I nodded and made my way out to the crowd of guests. I should have known not to be hopeful. Everyone here was a person of interest. Everyone had a reason to be here. Everyone had a fair chance of dying tonight.

It was ten minutes till midnight. I had to es...

My palms sweat and I was fidgeting with my hands. I stood in the dimly lit ballroom while people danced and showed little to no concern about the events happening later tonight. The clock still ticked down though, 11:25, 11:26, 11:27 but still no one showed any fear. But it could be any of them.

Aaron found me in the crowd and hurried over. “Ava, this isn’t good. I can’t lose you. You’re my best ...

I was coming home from the market when I saw it. The letter. It did not look like anything from the valley, too fancy, formal, and frightening. The envelope was a creamy off white, with a blood red ribbon tied around it, and a stamp the same color bearing the kings emblem, the swam. I picked it up, shifting the ingredients to my other arm. I prayed that it was sent to the wrong address, maybe for ...

It could be anyone. That’s all I know as I step into the golden room filled with dazzling people and ornate decor. The sound of music instantly fills my ears and I can’t help but think about what this night could mean. It could be any one of us.

I see my friends, The Ladies of the West Court. I see the Lords of the High Castle all chatting in rows. The King and his wife lounge in their seats as ...

A word of warning: this tells the story of my death. Now, I know just what you’re thinking. “But Lune! How are you telling this story if you’re _dead_?”

Well, I would explain, but I think it’d be better if I just told you the story.

If you were to take a left turn at the beginning of the road, you would end up in the forest. Play your cards right, and you might survive the night. If you fi...

I roamed the ballroom, saying hello and dancing with handsome strangers. This year I was told that the target you be marked by the white rose pinned to his pocket.

Many young men offered to dance and I danced with them all. While some I did show interest in, all I was concerned about was finding the person with a cream rose.

I watched the clock as the hours ticked on. A quarter to midnight, I spo...

The New Year’s Eve ball was swiftly approaching. For generations, we had held it in order to keep the peace between the physical world and the spiritual world. It was an occasion that was both anticipated and feared (but mostly feared), for as part of keeping the peace, a sacrifice had to be given. Envelopes were delivered at random to every home in the kingdom. If you received a letter written in...