Double Hearts Novels & Stories

The fourth Node was not a machine, nor was it a pool of lava; it was a localized, sentient storm trapped in a crystalline lattice that predated the birth of the moon. In the center of the highest, most ancient Isle, we found the Heart. It was a sphere of swirling white mist and jagged, sapphire lightning, suspended in a ring of floating, rune-carved pillars that seemed to hum at a frequency that resonated in the very marrow of my bones. The sound it made was a low, constant thrum—the heartbeat of the world's atmosphere.

At the same time that he rolled out of it’s way, Arya jumped on it’s back. It bucked around the room wildly, trying to throw her off. The deafening screech spewed out of its mouth. She dug in deeper with her claws. Her teeth tore into the leather in a frenzy, focusing her attack in that soft area behind the flaps. A red slow pulse emitted from just beneath a flap. ‘At the center of most creatures lies the heart.’ His mother’s words carried through the fog of war. He lunged at the heart. Tearing with his teeth, clawing with his razor sharp nails. He ripped through the hard leather and tore it’s heart out with his teeth.

"Seek the Heart, protect the Haven. But be warned, for the shadows of the past are not just memories. They live, they watch, and they hunger for the Heart's return." As the echoes of the Old One's voice faded away, we were left in stunned silence, the weight of our destiny pressing down on us. The lost Heart of the Haven was not just a relic; it was the key to the survival of our world. And somewhere, in the depths of the Veiled Haven or beyond, it awaited — as did the shadows that once sought its power. The race to find the Heart had begun, and with it, a journey that would challenge the very core of our bond and destiny.

“But what if I get my hopes up and then he breaks my heart? I’ve never been with anyone and I don’t think I want to carelessly risk everything for a’maybe’.” “As your therapist, you re right about not diving in when you haven’t fully healed from everything. You need to love yourself enough to be willing to take the risk of letting someone in enough for them to see your scars and help you heal.” I abruptly got up and started pacing about. “This doesn’t make sense, you want me to get my heart broken so you can keep making money from me. Is that is?” I spat. “Does my life interest you that much that the only help you can offer is one that will always benefit you?”

They began asking more questions. I replied, "Ashenford is a city everyone knows. But in today's world, we've lost something—love. What if we could create a platform for people to express their love for each other, as well as their pride for Ashenford or for the world? Imagine a broadcast where people can share their feelings, whether it’s telling their parents they love them, confessing to a partner, or just expressing gratitude for the city they call home. "This isn't just about changing the landscape. It's about bringing the people of Ashenford together and creating a more harmonious, beautiful future."

“You do?” Edgar asked. He looked at the young man before him, wondering what else he had under his sleeve. “How is that possible? The best poultice for the Heart is Baphomet’s Pearl. I doubt I need to explain its price. To make one is almost suicide too. The most it can do is improve the Heart’s power threefold…” he continued.

He rolled out of its way, Arya jumped on its back. It bucked around the room wildly, trying to throw her off. The deafening screech spewed out of its mouth. She dug in deeper with her claws. Her teeth tore into the leather in a frenzy, focusing her attack in that soft area behind the flaps. A slow red pulse emitted from just beneath a flap. ‘At the center of most creatures lies the heart.’ His mother’s words carried through the fog of war. He lunged at the heart. Tearing with his teeth, clawing with his razor-sharp nails. He ripped through the hard leather and tore its heart out with his teeth.

But. I was still hoping I guess, that we would be able to work it out. I couldn't hate him, even when I had every reason to. After all, he was the only man I had ever loved. And he was the only man I was going to love. Because the heart is a bitch, you can't make it understand by reasoning with it. It forgets all the hurt someone caused you, all the pain, all the misery. It only remembers those moments when someone made you breathless. Over and over, it just runs toward one person. And unfortunately for me, that one person was Landon.

Taking me to a world I had only read about. I could feel the love as his lips moved against mine softly. I could hear the promises in his steadily beating heart. I could see the dreams we could achieve as I closed my eyes, feeling myself disappear into a story that only ended in a happily ever after. And in this world of broken hearts, I had chosen his, to make it mine. And I had no intention of returning it ever.

Celeste (between Remy, Noah, and Brittany—smiling): “High school, high sync.” Locket thumped—six heartbeats + two new ones + forty-seven hellebores + valley frost.