A Vision from the 1880sDesiree glanced at the reflection of the black-clad maid standing behind her in the mirror. "That will be all, Flora. Tell Mother I'll be down shortly ( Read more... )

He was a farm boy before he was a prince. Then he was an adventurer. Then he was The Chosen One who could lift the curse. Then he was the princess' fiancé. Then he was her groom. Then, finally, he was a prince ( Read more... )

This Is Why I Won't Be Commenting or Responding to Comments Next WeekTraveling in late January from North Carolina is always a crapshoot. You never, ever know what to expect. Even the Old Farmer's Almanac can't predict NC weather, especially now that we're in the throes of climate change. Take now for example. Since late last week we've been in the ( Read more... )

Gabe McAdams & the Canada GooseGabe McAdams almost pranced down the road towards Statesville. All his self-confidence returned as soon as he was out of reach of the Salisbury Witch's spells. So he had to trade a bag of beans for a cow? No problem. He was the greatest salesman the world had ever seen. These country hicks didn't stand a chance ( Read more... )

The Cat Who Is OverI thought I was going to achieve a goal this year but due to circumstances outside of my control I had to move the goalposts. It's been a quest over thirty years in the making and I've had to end it sooner than I thought ( Read more... )

Tru Thinks in North PointIt was late autumn in North Point. Snow clouds hung heavy over the city, making the brightly painted houses look even brighter. In an exclusive district of the city near the college an elf looked out the window of one of those houses. He watched the traffic on the street for a few minutes, then walked back to the fireplace ( Read more... )

The Future Is UncertainRagna waited until the rest of the family had gathered around the fire before she came into the main room. She tried to come in as quietly as possible but she couldn't stop her crutches from thumping. Oddny paused in her reading until she had settled down in her chair ( Read more... )

Gabe McAdams and the Salisbury Witch

A man in a loud green checked suit and matching bowler had walked merrily up the road, swinging his carpet bag in time with the tune he was humming to himself. He was in a fantastic mood. A brand new town lay before him...well, not brand new; Salisbury had been around for over a century, but he hadn't been ( Read more... )

RespiteEvery human who's ever lived has had the same best friend: their immune system. It's been protecting us from disease and healing what slipped through since life began. But for some of us, the immune system is our greatest enemy ( Read more... )

One, Two Princes Kneel Before YouThe King of the East had an extraordinarily beautiful daughter. People claimed she was the most beautiful woman who ever lived. Poets wasted reams of paper writing odes to her, musicians wore out reeds and strings playing countless songs about her, painters used up all their paints trying to capture her beauty on ( Read more... )