Once upon a time, in a quaint little town, three sisters discovered an old attic in their grandmother's house. The attic was filled with dusty boxes, forgotten treasures, and an air of mystery. As they explored, they stumbled upon an ornate chest that seemed to glow faintly in the dim light.

Curiosity piqued, they opened the chest and found an array of strange and beautiful objects: shimmering crystals, ancient scrolls, and peculiar herbs. They soon realized that these were tools for practicing magic, a legacy left by their grandmother, who was rumored to be a powerful witch.

Excited by their discovery, the sisters decided to delve into the world of magic. Each sister had her own unique style; two of them were drawn to the natural elements, preferring spells that involved earth, air, fire, and water. The third sister, on the other hand, was fascinated by the stars and often sought wisdom from the cosmos.

Together, they spent countless afternoons in the attic, experimenting with potions and incantations. They learned to create shimmering protective charms, brew calming teas from herbs, and even communicate with the spirits of the attic. Their bond deepened as they shared their successes and failures, each spell weaving a stronger connection between them.

One day, while practicing a particularly tricky spell to summon a gentle breeze, they accidentally opened a portal to another realm. A swirl of colors enveloped them, and they found themselves in a magical land filled with vibrant creatures and enchanting landscapes. However, the portal was unstable, and they realized they needed to work together to return home.

Pooling their knowledge and skills, two of the sisters called upon the elements while the third sister reached out to the stars for guidance. They combined their magic, chanting incantations in harmony, creating a powerful spell that wove together earth and sky. The portal shimmered, stabilizing as they focused their energies.

With one final chant, the sisters stepped through the portal, landing safely back in the attic. Breathless but exhilarated, they looked at each other, knowing they had unlocked not just the magic of the attic, but also the strength of their sisterhood.

From that day forward, the Sisters of Three continued to explore their magical abilities, always remembering the adventure that had brought them closer together. The attic became their sacred space, filled with laughter, learning, and love—where they would always be sisters, witches, and partners in magic.

 

Once upon a time, in a realm where the ocean kissed the sky, there lived a sea goddess named Thalassa. She was known for her beauty, grace, and the deep connection she had with the waters. Her shimmering gown was woven from the finest strands of seaweed, and her hair flowed like waves, adorned with pearls and coral.

Thalassa ruled over the vast oceans, ensuring harmony among the creatures of the sea. However, she felt a profound loneliness, as her heart longed for companionship. One day, while wandering the shores, she discovered a pair of exquisite teardrop earrings washed ashore. They sparkled like the stars above and were said to be crafted from the essence of the ocean.

Intrigued, Thalassa picked them up and felt a strange warmth emanating from them. As she adorned herself with the earrings, she discovered that they granted her the ability to communicate with the creatures of the deep. She could hear their stories, their joys, and their sorrows. With this newfound power, she formed bonds with dolphins, turtles, and even the majestic whales.

However, the earrings held a secret. They were enchanted by a powerful sorceress who had once loved Thalassa from afar but was heartbroken when the goddess chose the ocean over her. The earrings were meant to allow Thalassa to feel the emotions of those who loved her, but they also amplified her loneliness.

As Thalassa listened to the tales of love and friendship from the sea creatures, she felt the weight of their longing and despair. She realized that her heart, once filled with solitude, now overflowed with emotions she had never experienced before. The earrings became both a blessing and a curse.

Determined to find a way to break the enchantment, Thalassa sought the wisdom of an ancient sea turtle, who told her that true love could lift the curse. Inspired, she ventured to the surface world, where she encountered a young sailor named Kael. He was brave and kind-hearted, often sailing the seas to help those in need.

As their paths intertwined, Thalassa and Kael forged a deep connection. They shared laughter, dreams, and stories of their worlds. With each moment spent together, the earrings glowed brighter, and Thalassa felt the loneliness begin to fade. She realized that love, in its purest form, had the power to heal.

One fateful evening, under a sky painted with hues of orange and purple, Thalassa and Kael stood on the shore. As the waves lapped at their feet, she revealed her true identity. Kael, awestruck, embraced her, promising to cherish her always. In that moment, the teardrop earrings shimmered with a brilliant light, and the enchantment was broken.

Thalassa's heart soared with joy, and she felt a profound sense of belonging. No longer a lonely goddess, she returned to the ocean, where she ruled with love and compassion. With Kael by her side, they bridged the gap between the sea and the land, fostering harmony between both worlds.

The teardrop earrings, now a symbol of their love, were placed in a sacred grotto, where they would shine forever, reminding all who gazed upon them of the power of love and connection. And so, Thalassa and Kael lived happily ever after, their hearts forever entwined like the tides of the ocean.

 MIRA

Dawn found Mira standing in front of the Queen of Darkness, sitting on her throne in the Land of the Fae. Glancing at her, she couldn’t help but admire the raw beauty and power the Queen exuded. As always, she appeared to wear a crown that came straight from the stars. Her gown twinkled like the heavens themselves.

Mira loved the Queen. She was like a mother to her. She loved her like that mother. And the Queen loved her like a daughter. They had formed a powerful bond between them. She didn’t like that she would have to upset her now.

The effect of the Queen on her throne was powerful—breathtaking really. She inspired a kind of awe, but also fear that, as always, had the desired ability to capture her subject’s attention and keep them in a type of suspended cocoon.

Yes, Mira nearly smiled, cocoon was the correct word, if that was where the Black Widow kept her prey while she waited for her feast. As she glanced around, once more, she was caught by the rapture of the audience as they stared at their beloved Queen.

They loved their Queen as much as she did. And Mira got away with more than most with her. She did. She just never forgot to respect her power—and she wasn’t about to start now.

Coming forward, Mira walked calmly across the white marble floors surrounded by the tall marble columns, until she reached the bottom of the steps where she stood at the foot of the throne of the Queen of Darkness. Mira often wondered if they’d made her throne of glass, perhaps even of solid diamond.

Mira gave her a genuine warm smile, giving her a deep curtsy. “I hope I’ve found you well.” 

The Queen returned her smile but didn’t move from her great, shimmering throne. “Did you come to bother me about your friend, as well?” she asked.

Arching one brow, Mira grinned. “I take it that her friends have made a case for her?”

The Queen sat, ramrod still, as regal as ever. She gave Mira a cool look, through stormy-colored eyes, fringed in black, spiked lashes.

Fighting the urge to sigh, Mira had to work to keep her face from betraying her feelings, which were, right now, on the verge of annoyance. “And how did you receive them?” she prompted.

The Queen of Darkness got up from her throne, coming forward and kissing Mira’s cheek. Mira had long ago realized the Queen had grown fond of her—apparently because of her spunky nature. She hoped she still adored that trait about her.

“That depends,” the Queen answered.

Surprised, Mira gazed at her. She hadn’t expected the Queen to be open to this—not at all. But she had to try. “On what?” she asked, trying to keep the excitement out of her voice.

The Queen drew back, her stance imposing. “On whether you want to annoy me,” she said.

At this, Mira held her tongue—trying to get her temper under control. “I’ll be honest with you,” she said. “I find the fact that Sophia must hide away and live without her daughter,” she eyed the Queen, meeting her eyes boldly, “appalling,” she said.

The Queen’s deep-blue gaze narrowed on her. “Careful, child,” she said. Then, she tilted her head. “Okay, she said. “How so?”

Mira blinked, then took a deep breath. “Because no one should have to avoid their daughter, or their home, just because a prince can’t take no for an answer.” She refrained from sucking in her breath after her little speech. It took all her will, but she drew in a deep breath—quietly.

The Queen threw back her head and laughed. “Is this why you’ve been hiding her away?” she said when she got her laughter under control. “Why didn’t you just say so, before?”

Mira closed her eyes. She was too afraid to feel any real relief. She didn’t trust the Queen’s reaction. This was too easy. “Because he’s your son,” she said.

The Queen’s icy-blue eyes turned stormy, and Mira held her breath. She’d been right not to trust her mood.

“That is correct,” she said. “He is my son.” She looked away. “And because I think of you as a daughter, I will take your words into consideration.” Her gaze narrowed on her. “But, at this moment, I would suggest that you leave the Land of the Fae,” the Queen lifted her gaze, her eyes sparkling like hard diamonds, “until I send for you.”

Struck, Mira sucked in her breath. The Queen’s tone had the effect of ten lashes. Bending deeply at the waist, she took her leave. She wanted to say something, but what? She couldn’t say she was sorry for what she’d said. Telling her that would have been a lie. The Fae didn’t lie. So, instead, she quickly left, returning to where Roman waited for her.

He took her back through his doorway. She could raise and lower the veil herself—but she needed Roman for how far she’d come. She didn’t relax until he’d brought her through the doorway to her home. There, she collapsed on the bed, where Micah found her an hour later.

He pulled her into his arms, brushing her long, dark hair out of her face. “I came as soon as I felt you,” he said. “What is it?” he asked.

She stared into his exotic, midnight eyes. “I may have gone too far with the Queen of Darkness,” she said.

He smiled at her tenderly. “We’ve thought so, before,” he said. “But she loves you. She will forgive you.”

Eyes filling with unshed tears, Mira shook her head. “I don’t think so,” she said. “Not this time.”

He frowned at her. “Well, if that’s the case, we’ll do our best to repair it.” He pulled her into his arms. “We can only do what we can do,” he said.

She wrapped her arms around his, hugging him close to her. It felt right to be there. So she just lay there, absorbing his comfort—and she wept.