Amid the clash of axes, maces, and clubs, two forces tore at the earth: those born of it, and those who came to claim it. As iron meets bones, a voice rises above the ruin, and a loud, enchanting aria is sung on the battlefield. Suddenly, the wounds of the weakened soldiers on foot are healed as the song fades. The same warriors are back on their feet, defending all fronts of the land that belongs to the Ki-Arattu tribe,...

The morning light slipped through thin curtains, the soft golden glow like fresh tea spilling over the edges of a cup. Something fresh in the ambience. I felt a quiet hush in my mind after a storm. There was no clutter, no rush in my mind. All I needed to write was a new chapter in my story, as I wished. My unfinished business with Sam seemed within my grasp. Confident, no confusion. I sat on the edge of her bed. I dragge...

“Will there be anything else, ma’am?” The bath attendant set a glass of wine on the bathtub tray table, eyes respectfully averted from the woman whose nakedness under the water was only barely concealed by a layer of fragrant dried eucalyptus leaves and flower petals. She took the glass and inhaled a rich bouquet with satisfaction. “No, thank you. That’ll be all for now.” She glanced at the attendant’s impassive face. He’...

As the car rumbled slowly to a halt, Nancy leaned over to the passenger seat where her son Tyler sat asleep. “We’re home, sweetie,” she whispered, stroking his face gently until his eyes opened. He’d never noticed himself drifting into slumber on the ride home, which was a surprise considering the news from the hospital. It was only yesterday that he had two unbroken arms, but life showed just how much one day can change...

A glossy black coating mirrored my face and reflected my disinterested expression back to me. I clasped the phone between my shoulder and chin as I continued to carefully paint my toenails. My boyfriend is on the other end and he’d been talking intermittently for several minutes, in that time my attention had drifted so far that I was now paying more attention to the pedicure I was giving to myself. He’s telling me what a...

He felt alive, like a man possessed by newfound confidence. His love for Elara was more vivid than ever, and his natural desire to protect and provide seemed supercharged. Yet, alongside this, he felt suddenly masterful and dominant. He was an accomplished academic with a successful career as a private equity manager, he was not a weak man but this was a new level of confidence and assertiveness he was experiencing. In th...

Jeni greeted the returning Devin and Reina as she was flipping her door sign from open to closed. “Welcome back, Young Patron, friend Reina.” “Good evening, Jeni. You seem more… upbeat. Did something nice happen today?” asked Devin, kicking his boots clean of snow. “This one and industrious Azalea have been strengthening the bond between friends.” “Oh? Always good to hear. How so?” Azalea dove at Devin’s chest, hugging hi...

Anna sank deeper into the warm, bubbly water, her long blonde hair cascading down her back like a golden waterfall. The warm glow of candles flickered softly while rose petals floating around her released their subtle scent into the air. It was the perfect oasis, and Anna felt her tension melting away with each passing moment. As she closed her eyes, she sensed movement behind her. She opened them to find Linda walking in...

Dear Brian, I am in Houston this week. I found love... at least for a few hours Tuesday night. A cute little Mexican girl, about twenty-two or twenty-three years old. She was at the bar all alone. I struck up a conversation with her in Spanish (yes, I am bilingual in addition to being bisexual). We spoke for about forty-five minutes. She told me her whole life story about how she left Juarez because it was so dangerous th...