Centuries earlier they found this place, a haven from their own kind who, fearful of the gift, burned or drowned innocents in their ignorance. They became a living #symphony with the fire fae, who shared the secret of the flames, until they saw a new foe rise, craving the magic of witches. #vss365

Folks said it wasn’t the insane laughter or the teeth that #spooked ‘em, it was the eyes. One blue, almost human, the other scarlet, brimming with malevolence and despair. They called him Red-Eye Malachi and if he found you alone on a dark night, no-one would ever find you again. #vss365

Nissa yawned, rubbing her eyes. Stretching tiny arms over her head, gossamer wings unfolded gently and she felt great #delight in the power returning. Rising winds lifted the fire fae’s flame red hair, filling her with ecstasy and long forgotten joy. Today, all she wanted to do was fly. #vss365

Fine filigree petals framed the warm amber heart of the elven daisy brooch. Inside, the silver-backed fae beetle woke, antennae twitching as he felt for Mercla’s mood. Satisfied, he flexed his delicate gauzy wings and slept, #dreaming of release from the oath of fealty that bound him. #vss365

Just because she’s beautiful! Happy #caturday ❤️❤️

Tangled hair intertwined with the matted beard, still wet from the blood of his last kill. He moved closer, clawed fingers gripping her throat as she gulped wildly for #air. Breathing in, he shuddered with pleasure, tasting her soul. She was dying, a flaccid doll, broken in his grasp. #vss365

Merry Christmas 🎄

Glut hopped nervously from foot to foot, wringing his hands in the irritating manner he adopted when bringing King bad news. Smugly he tried to look #humble and contrite but the corners of his mouth still lifted with barely concealed glee, knowing he was about to rid himself of the #Queene. #vss365

Walking through the dawn mists, the young standard bearer found his wooden stave, twisted and broken amongst the silent chaos of the dead. A corner of the once proud pennant, spattered with blood & #regret, still flapped gently in the breeze. Above the futile battlefield, the fire fae wept. #vss365

I don’t #recall her clearly, I was a child, and five centuries have dulled the memories but not the overwhelming sense of loss. I dream and often she comes to me, an ethereal being, smiling benevolently upon her half-human son, grown now, the scourge of demons and witches. #vss365

Fiery wings beat quickly, stirring the mists clinging stubbornly to the broken altar at the centre of the Flame Stones. Nissa watched proudly as dozens of young fire fae took flight. A hazy #memory, fragile and broken, danced through her mind. Then they were many, filling the open skies. #vss365

A serving boy ran through the dimly lit halls, shouting as he pushed past the guard. ‘My Lord, they are coming,’ he gasped, falling to his knees. Lord Kilgith pressed his Lady’s hand to his lips and the ghostly guardians of Emberwich fought their #last battle for the castle one more time. #vss365

The gnarled marker, once pointing east, had ‘Crossways Tavern’ branded across the ancient wood, now weathered & fading. Olive black climbers encircled its post, pulling it down towards the dusty road, shrouding the route. It didn’t #matter. You didn’t find Crossways unless it wanted you to. #vss365

Watching the world burn Tears in my eyes as pain spreads Must we never #learn? #haiku #vss365

Don’t get caught. The first lesson fire fae #learn. These words haunted me as my sister, scooped up in the large hand of a demon warrior, struggled to break free. He would use her now, meld her powerful essence with his spear and she would live only to power its mighty flame. #vss365

Nyrinore closed her eyes recalling the euphoric taste of dark magic coursing through her veins. Sorcery’s song called to her like the phantom ache of a missing limb, its confiscation physical pain. #Reality sliced her heart opening old wounds, her tortured mind fractured beyond repair. #vss365

Scarth touched her cheek. ‘I could remove it, of course, but it reminds me of who I am. People kept away when they saw the scar but the School of Wicca accepted my talent. Beauty was never an #issue. I never desired to make my way in the world because others saw me as beautiful.’ #vss365

As the flames died, so our #number dwindled to those with heart enough to fight on. I would not fade and leave the Fire Realms to perish under the cruel neglect of our invaders. Ancient fae magic heals the land, the mortal seasons change, and I dance once again with my kind in the flames. #vss365

The spine-chilling legend of the Ebony Ironwood hid well the secret at its ancient heart. Dark elves dwelled peaceably with wood nymph, protecting the forest, keeping strangers away with sinister #myth and magic. It was a haven for scholars and learning that Cornon couldn’t wait to leave. #vss365

Scarth cleared her mind and focused, letting their turbulent #history wash away. She wouldn’t let her childhood define this moment and suppressed the desire for revenge. ‘She was a friend of yours once?’ Nissa asked, breaking the silence.Scarth didn’t reply. Nyrinore had never been a friend. #vss365

There is an art to betrayal, brother and you were neither subtle nor clever,’ an #unearthly voice breathed softly in Glut’s large ear. Waving a hand as if to brush Holic’s spectre away, the greenish hue of his sallow skin paled a little as bony fingers touched something solid in the dark. #vss365

Cirro grimaced as he read the Elvish words aloud, fearing what they would do. Brilliant white flames silently engulfed his tiny form, quickening the metamorphosis. From the ashes emerged a gauzy winged fae #beetle, scuttling into Lord Rhemzah’s waiting hand. #vss365

Spiralling tendrils of mist curled under the door, flowing through tiny cracks in the window glass, filling the room with the familiar smell of sulphur and #ash. Demons! Mercla had smelt their coming before. Hidden beneath her kirtle, the warm bodied insect inside the daisy brooch glowed. #vss365

They were #conspiring against him, he’d known for a while. The privileged lords of his Council schemed and plotted and Muluhm’s Demon Brotherhood was rising to shatter the tenuous peace fear had brought to the realm. Flexing a clawed hand, he snarled ... well he was ready. #vss365

Scarth Nox flowed through smoky air, wild red hair tangled and windblown. The healed symbol of the flames, seared pearly white on her left palm, tingled, an illuminating symbol of new power. Nissa had given her the #chance to make amends, a metamorphosis from outcast witch to Lady Firestorm. #vss365

Voluntary cuddles are the best ❤️

The drab winged creatures who dropped from the skies were nothing like her. She was neither witch nor harpy now and would never fit in. Her handsome face, wizened by bitterness, was gone but the lustrous pearl #wings, forged from the strands of her silver hair, were beautiful. #vss365

The inkwell shook, rocking back and forth, falling to shatter as it hit the stone floor. Escaping the glass, dark green venom sizzled and spat, travelling resolutely towards Glut. Holic’s ghostly #laugh echoed as the feathered quill flew like a quarrel, searching for its prey. #vss365

Nestled in a gossamer weave from the silver fae #spider, the obsidian gemstone glimmered softly at her approach. Shadow flames licked her skin as long elegant fingers reached in, lifting it reverently from the web. The shimmering arachnid, sensing magic, reluctantly released its charge. #vss365

When the spell touched her, Nyrinore thought she would go mad. Her long silvery hair became soft pearlescent feathers and previously perfect skin, grey and sallow. Cruelly, the #sapphire blue eyes, with their long silky lashes, remained unchanged, burning with malice at her reflection. #vss365

Embers of a dying sun blazed vibrant #crimson, transforming the lakes around King’s stronghold to blood. Mists wreathed the ancient walls, carried on warm winds like dragon’s breath, shrouding the still land abandoning the light. Fires danced as night prowlers began to wake. #vss365

Rubbing bony hands #together gleefully, the ugly sallow-skinned goblin smirked, overlarge ears twitching in wild anticipation. His exceptional talent for mischief and deceit would easily rid the Court of this usurper Queene. A foolish, frail human girl; he would eat her alive. #vss365 #Queene

Nyrinore stepped from the tower, letting herself fall. She knew no fear, #violet eyes filled with self pity and regret. The ground was closer now and her thoughts turned to Scarth. Anger burned so brightly, an innate desire for revenge making her open the beautiful silvery wings and fly. #vss365

Nyrinore’s sharp eyes studied the rat until curiosity guided it within reach of her razor-sharp talons. He squealed as she speared him, breaking his neck with one twist, pointed fangs crunching bone as she fed. #Tears stung her pain-filled eyes. How she hated this thing she had become. #vss365

‘My ... my lord, you cannot #promise to exchange the prisoner. He ... he is dead.' Lord Zoiran’s one eye looked contemptuously at the trembling soldier, seeing the fear etched across his battle scarred face. 'Of course he is dead. I killed him last night. But they don’t know that.’ #vss365

He was late but she could hear the staccato clip of hoofs on the marble floor outside the room. Toying with a chess piece from the game, feeling the smooth #onyx with its sharp edges, she squeezed. Blood ran through her fingers, slowly dripping to the board. The piece she held was the King. #vss365

Lots of bees in the garden today 😁

This running lark is exhausting 

Teobar placed her cup on the table. ‘Will you remove the spell one day?’ She asked the witch. Scarth hesitated but a #moment. ‘No. I don’t regret what I did, only why Nyrinore made it necessary.’ Teobar nodded. ‘I met her once.She was beautiful.’ Scarth snorted, ‘On the outside maybe.’ #vss365

Out now! Little Voices - A collection of fantasy stories where the characters share their magical, occasionally dark, often humorous tales. www.amazon.com/Little-Voices/dp/B0DVQ3CXPK All formats. #Booksky #writingcommunity #readers #kindleunlimited #kindle #readingcommunity #fantasy #newbook

Watch me, mum. Getting fitter by the day! 😆

They conspired against him, he’d known for a while. The overfed privileged lords of his Council schemed and plotted as Muluhm’s Demon Brotherhood was rising to shatter the tenuous peace fear had brought to the #realm. He flexed a clawed hand, a low growl rumbling. Well, he was ready. #vss365

Black blood flowed down the right side of his face, mingling with the rain. The long #slash mocked a healed scar on his left cheek. A huge rent in his mail shirt, where a fire spear severed the metal links, gaped open. Laughing, Kiarch traced the wound, licking the blood from his fingers. #vss365

Elice straightened turning away and blinking back tears she refused to #shed. She was Queene and Lord Rhemzah had taught her duty above all things. That was then. Now, torn between love and a promise, it wasn’t so easy and whatever she did, it would end with all three of them broken. #vss365

When the rains come they are as fire, burning our #skin, forcing us inside. From the shelter of the cave I watch the night skies, illuminated by myriad arcing lights, causing the death of our world as they fall. I wonder, not for the first time, how something so beautiful can kill. #vss365

‘Witchcraft is not about eye of newt and toe of frog, girl, it’s about blood.’ Nyrinore snapped. ‘Ancient rites of dark magic demand payment, now hold out your hand.’ Slowly Hepza uncurled her clenched fist, offering a palm to the harpy. Long talons raked across dark #skin, sealing her fate. #vss365

It was the stunning emerald green of her eyes, flecked with gold, that set her apart. Add a #small, delicate frame & she fooled them into believing she needed their protection. It was their purse she wanted. Her knife slit their throats & the coin mounted up, but those eyes kept them coming. #vss365

Once these ancient bones danced in the halls of my father’s castle, proud ghosts of our ancestors watching the emergence of their latest swan. Cruel fate saw the castle and my dreams descend to rubble. The punishment for my father’s defiance, a marriage to #someone I could never love. #vss365

Mercla’s tiny fist punched the taller demon, who placed a huge hand on her head to #stop her getting closer. His brother grabbed the child, putting a hand over her mouth, telling her to keep quiet. Mercla bit down hard. Tonzach laughed as Kasrus dropped her, vowing he would roast the vixen. #vss365