http://slow.writerscafe.org/aliya%20bree%20hall The original writings of author allieverwanted en-us Copyright 2026 WritersCafe.org 1776344943 WritersCafe.org RSS Generator 15 "When you lose the ability to cry for what you've lost, you've lost the ability to love anything at all." ~The Warrior http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/aliya-bree-hall/805963/ Darby watched silently from the roof of Elmira High School at the students making their way to class. A year ago yesterday I left this world behind. It feels like decades. The school didn’t change much in the year that she was gone except the small plaque and tree dedicated to her. Other .. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/aliya-bree-hall/805960/ “So,” Kellen began the next morning, “I’ve decided what we’re going to do today.” He smiled, remembering a time when that was always a question Darby would ask. The world was so new to her. “And what’s that?” Darby asked, not taking her head.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/aliya-bree-hall/805959/ Darby pulled the silky black robe over her head, enjoying the way the fine fabric flowed over her body. She had always secretly admired the robes that the monarchs wore, and was in awe that it now belonged to her. I’ll never get used to being in this position. But she wasn’t thrille.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/aliya-bree-hall/805958/ Seth knew that the Dark Monarchs were coming, but not even that knowledge prepared him for actually seeing them together. I chose this for them. They were holding hands as they breezily walked through his kingdom wielding an unseen power that struck all his fey and left them cowering. Seth st.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/aliya-bree-hall/805957/ “Darby?” Philip asked her in a hushed voice. She looked up at him and his breath caught. “Yes?” He was stunned a moment. “Wow. . . Darby, look at yourself.” He handed her a mirror. She stared into her reflection with disbelief. This isn’t me. . . sh.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/aliya-bree-hall/805956/ When Kellen woke up Darby was still asleep on his chest. He tried not to disturb her as he gazed at her. Even sleeping her cheeks had a faint blush to them. An angel. He stroked her wings gently and she lifted her head slightly to look at him.  “Good morning, love,” he murmur.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/aliya-bree-hall/805952/ After a week of bed rest Darby was finally able to leave the dull hospital room. After the visit with both kings she spent most of her time alone, and although Seth did his best to visit for a couple of hours a day he had a kingdom to command. And after the disastrous first battle he had more on hi.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/aliya-bree-hall/805949/ “I think she’s starting to come around.” That was the first sentence that Darby was able to wrap her mind around through her comatose. Her eyelids fluttered open to see both kings staring at her. What a sight to wake up to. Kellen closed his eyes and mumbled in relief, &ld.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/aliya-bree-hall/805947/ Kellen knew it was up to him to stop the war. That if he didn’t his whole empire would die and time was ticking away. But there was still the question of how he was going to end the war. So, I love Darby. At most that makes everything all the more complicated. He had debated talking with .. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/aliya-bree-hall/805946/ Kellen approached the Light King confidently, not about to let his killer intimidate him. “Well, you’re early,” he noted, sitting on the temple floor beside him. Seth sighed, “No, you’re just late.” They didn’t say anything for a moment and Kellen tri.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/aliya-bree-hall/805942/ Seth turned to Anthony, “Make sure you send the letter to Kellen.” It was a solemn order but a mandatory one. Before the war begins the two kings must write a letter for their last requests. It was the winning king’s duty to make sure these orders followed through.  The D.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/aliya-bree-hall/805940/ “No!” Seth roared. “It’s a strategic idea,” Anthony reasoned. He shook his head, “I will not allow it.”  “Why don’t you ask her?” Anthony asked, “You know she’d love to do anything that would help you win.” &.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/aliya-bree-hall/805937/ “Where are you taking me?” Darby asked with a giggle as Seth opened the car door for her. “Someplace where we can be alone and forget about everything,” he replied with a smile. How could we forget? But she let it go, impressed that he was trying. The car ride was ar.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/aliya-bree-hall/805929/ Montana sat down on Darby’s bed and began the conversation with, “Well, how do you feel about all of this?” Darby sighed, “I don’t know how I’m supposed to feel.” “I didn’t ask how you were supposed to feel, I want to know what your emotion .. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/aliya-bree-hall/805921/ Seth surveyed his fey that had gathered around the kingdom. He could taste their eagerness which added to his nerves. He felt like he was sending them all to their deaths. He was aware that dark fey were heartless, and their lack of emotion would give them an edge over the light fey. But he also .. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/aliya-bree-hall/805917/ Even if Darby didn’t know what, she knew something was off in the Light Kingdom. She noticed Seth was unnerved by the energy also, even if he didn’t speak of it. “Seth, what’s going on?” She finally asked him, “Something doesn’t feel right.” &ldqu.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/aliya-bree-hall/805914/ “Sorus,” Seth spoke as he knelt down under the stained glass portrait depicting a brilliant sun. He lit the candle that symbolized the Light Empire, closing his eyes as he breathed in the soft scent that swirled within the smoke.  “What troubles you?” Sorus’ soo.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/aliya-bree-hall/805909/ Kellen sat down on his throne, enjoying being back at his kingdom. He was well aware that his fey could taste the pain that wrapped around him like a cloak but he was already a master at keeping his expression composed, no matter the circumstance. “Kellen,” Philip got his attention, &.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/aliya-bree-hall/805906/ Darby was grateful for Seth trying to help her through her hard time. And in return she was trying to make it easier on him; she didn’t cry in front of him anymore, only alone in his room. After a month it had become a routine for her, spending all day with Seth then cry herself to sleep at n.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/aliya-bree-hall/805903/ Kellen punched the wall into his knuckles began to bleed. He cursed as he wiped the blood on the kitchen towel. Gone. I let her leave. Tears began to burn in his eyes. But what else was I supposed to do? She made me weak. It’s better for my empire that she left. But is it better for me?.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/aliya-bree-hall/805900/ Darby just stared at him, not comprehending what he had just said. He has to be lying. It can’t be true. She took a breath before saying, “Kellen, I love you.” He was hurt, but no other emotion was on his stolid face, “Please don’t say that,” he murmured... http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/aliya-bree-hall/805898/ Kellen chuckled as he guessed, “You’ve come up with a new thing to do today, haven’t you?” “Actually, yeah. I want you to take me to the Dark Kingdom.” His smile faded. Who told her? Then he notice that Philip was looking down guiltily. I never should&r.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/aliya-bree-hall/805895/ “Why do you have to go?” Darby asked as Kellen pull on his floor length robe over his head, the one he wore only when he was dealing with the Dark Empire as king. His midnight blue wings dissolved instantly through the fabric. “I need to go deal with some things. I’ll be g.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/aliya-bree-hall/805893/ “What are you doing?” Kellen laughed as Darby pulled him outside. He was curious to see where she was taking him, the only thing she had said to him was to put on something nicer, they were going out. Her secrecy was torture, and for the life of him he couldn’t figure out what she.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/aliya-bree-hall/805890/ Kellen scowled at the faerie, “I don’t care that David was your lover. He wasn’t a very dedicated one if he’s trying to sleep with other faeries.” “Can’t you at least hold a funeral?” The small blond light faerie sobbed, “I understand that as .. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/aliya-bree-hall/805888/ Darby was conscious enough to feel the wet towel patted down on her skin. Her eyelids fluttered open and she saw Kellen sitting beside her on the bed. She tried to sit up but her head throbbed in pain. He gently forced her back down, “Don’t move, it’s only going to hurt.”.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/aliya-bree-hall/805885/      “If you don’t want me to go, I won’t,” Darby told him. “It’s not up to me, if it was then we’d both miss it. But alas,” Kellen explained surlily. She was confused but didn’t press him with anymore questions. &ldquo.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/aliya-bree-hall/805876/ Darby heard voices and that pulled her from her sleep. She sat up and moaned, her head was pounding and she saw empty liquor bottles littered all around the room. Did we drink all of those? She got up from off the floor, her dress from last night still clinging to her skin. And found Kellen ar.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/aliya-bree-hall/805871/ “Vegas?” Darby laughed, “You took me to Vegas?” He grinned, “I figured you’d want to get away for awhile.” “What brought this on? Does it have anything to do with Seth and the light faeries?” “No,” he lied, knowing she wouldn&r.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/aliya-bree-hall/805870/ Seth gave the faerie a questioning look, “And why should this information interest me?” “It doesn’t seem strange to you that a light faerie is being protected by the Dark King’s guards?” The faerie raised an eyebrow. Anthony slipped forward, “Seth, woul.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/aliya-bree-hall/805868/ Darby was confused at why Kellen was so silent on the way back to the flat. After the funeral he took her around town so she could shop for things to replace what she had to leave behind. The whole time he seemed preoccupied. “Kellen, are you okay?” It took him a moment before he r.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/aliya-bree-hall/805862/ Darby sat down on the couch in Kellen’s flat. He took her back to his place when she almost fell asleep while he was talking to her.  “Oh no,” he shook his head, “I get the couch. You have the bed.” “I couldn’t, I’m a guest. It’s your b.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/aliya-bree-hall/805860/ When Darby woke up she was calm. She could now focus on what she needed to do and evaluate her choices. The one thing she did know, though, was it wouldn’t be safe for her to be in daylight with wings.  Where can I go that would be safe? She was also hungry, but not for food, that id.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/aliya-bree-hall/805856/ Darby glanced at herself in a mirror. She was starting to embrace the darkened bruises, they weren’t looking to be going away any time soon and she was starting to get used to it. And it was starting to show. She strode up the steps of the school confidently. She was tired of keeping her he.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/aliya-bree-hall/805854/ “Darby,” Mom stopped her on her way out the door, “what happened to your face? How did you get all the bruises? You weren’t in a fight, were you?” “I’m fine, Mom, and no, I didn’t get in a fight. I think I just ran into something and didn’t kn.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/aliya-bree-hall/805851/ Seth paced back and forth. He knew he had a decision to make, as much as he didn’t want to make it. He closed his eyes when he answered, “Cremate the body. We’ll spread the ashes at the Temple of Eclipse in a week or so, make it a celebration of life.” The faerie who gave .. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/aliya-bree-hall/805846/ The Dark King was bored. And hungry. Just as he had suspected, when the fey found out about the last transformed faerie that was all they seemed to talk about. No drama, no gossip, nothing that would satisfy his cravings. He had to resort to finding food outside his kingdom, but even then everyo.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/aliya-bree-hall/805843/ Darby awoke to Christopher throwing a pillow at her head. She groaned as she rolled over to look at him. “Happy Birthday, eighteen year old,” Christopher grinned, jumping down on her bed. “Go away,” she grumbled, propping herself up on her elbows so she could see the t.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/aliya-bree-hall/805841/ “Darby, come down here. I want you to watch something!” Dad yelled up the stairs, from his chair in the living room. Darby groaned. She knew exactly what this was going to be about. What have the fey done now?  But she still went downstairs and sat down on the couch. She list.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/aliya-bree-hall/805836/ Darby Antonella was chosen. Forcing her into the faerie world where she’s caught up in a storm of love, jealousy, and war between two kings. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/aliya-bree-hall/805827/