“I can’t—”
“Ah, ah, ah…why, what, and most importantly, how?”
Arthur dropped his head. Being with Merlin, learning from his unorthodox methods, were draining at best. “I am required to perform again. I’m always required to do something or another for the people. Supposed to be my people as I am their king. But the tables are always turned. They are the true king and ruler where I am the servant, the populace, the people.”
Merlin sucked at his teeth then a grin spread across his face. In the darkness of a false night, Arthur focused on Merlin’s lips and bright teeth while the rest of Merlin’s body faded into the shroud. Arthur had succeeded in answering not only Merlin’s question but his own. Even though he had passed all the preliminary tests and even shown that he did, in fact, possess the ability to harden, he remained in Merlin’s realm because the problematic issue had yet to be solved. Why? Because up until that point, Arthur did not know the true complication. Why, what, how. It was the pressure. The stress and strain of trying to please a society that he did not feel was his own. His truth. His legacy, whatever that was, was not yet fulfilled because his life was on a false path. Just as younger, non-noble Arthur, he had yet to actually own his station in life. He was a false king. A mirage of a ruler. It was time for that to change. And only in that alteration would he be able to repair whatever was broken and truly succeed.
“Grand, Runt. You have figured out the predicament so now we shall work on the solution.”
*Snap*
“Now for a bit of good, old-fashioned merriment.”
Contributors
Zoe Adams: Zoe Adams is a graduate of Professional Writing, at The Grimsby Institute, through the University of Hull. She has always had an interest of horror, science-fiction, and other media. She has been writing professionally since 200, whereupon she first started her course, and has continued to push for a career since. Her novella, Best Served Chilled, was accepted by Crushing Hearts and Black Butterfly Publishing in January 2013.
Cecilia Clark: Cecilia Clark is a multi genre writer with short stories in thirty anthologies, some published, some pending and flash fiction in ezines, She sharpens her pen on 25 word or less competitions and wins every one she enters gaining prizes from pianos to movie tickets. Cecilia also has art in the published works of other writers. Her first love is fairy tales closely followed by SF, steam punk and fantasy though her tastes are eclectic and unlimited. She has dabbled in writing horror and crime fiction and is currently working on several projects involving both. She can be found at the usual e-hangouts.
K.C. Finn- K. C. Finn was born and raised in Cardiff, South Wales, where her love for storytelling grew at a precociously young age. After developing the medical condition M.E. / C.F.S., Kim turned to writing to escape the pressures of disabled living, only to become hooked on the incredible world of publishing.
Nicole Daffurn: Nicole’s love for the written word has seen her write many short stories and poems and then eventually moving on to tackle the bigger task of novel writing late in 2011. She has also completed her course in editing and is currently studying Journalism and looks forward to exploring the world of news media.
Leah D.W.: Leah D.W. lives in South Africa with her family and two beloved dogs. She was first published at the age of 21 and has several short stories in anthologies, two poems and loves to write paranormal romance novels. A proud bookworm and chocoholic, Leah is also pursuing a career in editing and loves to study Greek Mythology. When she isn’t writing like a mad woman high on coffee, she spends time with her friends usually drifting through bookstores and watching movies.
Jade Heart: Jade Heart loves stormy nights, loud music, and stories about lust and desire, which is why she writes adult and erotic romance.
Jeannette Joyal: Jeannette Joyal lives in North Carolina with her husband for the last 14 years. A proud mother of four daughters, one son and has also been blessed with six beautiful granddaughters who are the light of her life. She works for Hot Ink Press as Head of Strategic Marketing. She has recently tried her hand at writing and has completed a couple of poems. Both have now been published with Crushing Hearts. This has given her the encouragement to write some short stories.
Samantha Ketteman: Samantha Ketteman has resided in southern Illinois for 7 years, (though still claims to be an Alabama girl), with her husband and three crazy demon children. She started reading novels at a very young age and decided to write for herself. She is a caffeine addict, insomniac, and generally scatterbrained most of the time. When she’s not writing, she’s getting lost in her imagination. Novels are an escape from the harsh reality of a cantankerous teenage boy and two drama queen girls.
Victoria Kinnaird: Victoria Kinnaird is 27 years old and lives in Glasgow, Scotland. She graduated from the University of Strathclyde in 2009 with a Bachelor of the Arts degree in Journalism, Creative Writing and English Lit. Victoria has been writing since she was 15 years old. She loves rock music, and 11 of her tattoos are related to bands that she loves!
Sinead MacDughlas: Sinead MacDughlas will tell you she breathes music and bleeds words. Those who know her well, will tell you that those words are likely highly caffeinated. Born and raised in Ontario, Sin is a proud Canadian whose plots often take place in her home province. She now lives in a small town, north of Toronto, with her hard-working husband, two children, and a black, medium-haired cat who thinks she is his pet. Sinead loves to receive feedback from her readers, and encourages them to seek her out on any of her social profiles.
Stephen T. De Marino: Stephen T. De Marino was raised by a hippie and an attack pilot, which may explain his chaotic nature. A football coach for 25 years, he now exploring his softer side. Currently living in the wilds of Northern California (Yes, the REAL Northern California, not SF) he is working on his first full length novel which he promised his darling wife that he would one day finish. (There have been many, many false starts.) He has been published in 13 Tales of the Paranormal, Gridiron Strategies, American Football Monthly, and several poetry e-zines under the pen name Kakavian.
Lexi Ostrow:Lexi has been a writer ever since the second grade in some form or another. Getting her degree in creative writing and her master’s in journalism she couldn’t wait to get a chance to put her fantasies down on paper. Her debut novel, Torn Between Two Worlds is something that was simmering in her mind since middle school and she’s so grateful to put it out into the literary world. From paranormal romance to thriller there isn’t a genre she doesn’t love to spend her time reading or writing.
Jennifer Raygoza: Jennifer Raygoza lives in Corona, California with her husband and children. She developed a love for writing poetry at the young age of twelve. She did not want to become a writer when she was young. She had dreams of becoming a Marriage Counselor and majored in Psychology when she was older. Although that dream did not work out she still councils relationship advice to friends and family. In 2013 she published her first book called The Guardians. Originally it was a story written for fun, and out of curiosity was self published.
Lillian MacKenzie Rhine: Lillian MacKenzie Rhine (“Lilly Mac”) writes in several genres ranging from paranormal to historical. She believes that the possibilities of creation should not be limited to just one category, but one should allow the story and characters to dictate where the journey leads. Being a beta reader for several years has allowed her to write her material with the reader in mind which gives her books a more realistic and relatable approach.
Pyxi Rose: Pyxi Rose is a single mom, writer, lover of all things literary. She lives in the PA Mountains, but her heart and soul will always be in North Carolina. She has a wonderfully weird little boy named Wander Stone that keeps her on her toes. She has a few series out like The Taghairm Chronicles, a darker paranormal series about Scottish Oracles and a NA fantasy trilogy called Saving Babylon which is a little more adult and it focuses on angels/demons.
Andrea L. Staum: Andrea L. Staum is author of the Dragonchild
Lore series and The Attic’s Secret Novella. She is also a contributor to a wide variety of anthologies in numerous genres. She is a trained motorcycle mechanic, an amateur house renovator, and a record keeper for the characters in her mind. She resides in South Central Wisconsin with her husband and three cats.
Catherine Stovall: Catherine Stovall is the author of many fiction works in the horror, steampunk, paranormal, fantasy, dark fantasy, and YA genres. She is also the editor and a contributor to several anthologies produced by Crushing Hearts and Black Butterfly Publishing, Vamptasy Publishing, and Steamworks Ink.
Catherine is a fearless creature who surrounds herself with the joys of life both in and out of her fictional worlds. She lives in Southeast Missouri with her husband, three children, and pets. When not writing, she spends her time riding motorcycles, wearing elaborate hats, and genuinely enjoying the oddities in life.
N.C. Thomas: Born and bred in Glasgow, Scotland N C’s two passions are reading and writing. She has a Master of the Arts Degree in Classics which makes her qualified to go to the cinema to see movies related to her degree and say things like “No, that is not what happened at all!” and, with a deep sigh, “Wow my degree really is cool…” Books are her passion and she vows there is not a genre.
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