Poem Afterglow Novels & Stories

He cleared his throat, "Do not stand at my grave and weep I am not there; I do not sleep. I am a hundred winds that blow, I am the diamond glints on snow, I am the sun on ripened grain, I am the gentle autumn rain. When you awaken in the morning’s hush I am the swift uplifting rush Of quiet birds in circled flight. I am the twinkling... stars that shine at night. Do not stand at my grave and cry, I am not there; I did not die." He looked at her, awaiting her remarks. "You tried, you really tried but you made some errors. It's not I ama hundred winds that blow, it's I am a thousand winds that blow. Again it's not I am the twinkling star that shine at night, it's I am the soft star..soft star

My breath catches. The glow begins to fade into the corner of the room, dissolving into tiny specks of soft light. Its last words reach me quietly. “Reward: peaceful life.”

The sounds of the party faded into a distant hum, until it felt like we were the only two people in the world. Late that night, the full moon spilled its silver light over us, a blessing from the Goddess herself. My new life had just begun.

I try to convince myself that I didn't know what he meant by that but it seems I know. And just like that, my lantern disappeared into the stars. The lanterns drifted higher, tiny flames trailing golden threads across the velvet sky. I lost sight of mine somewhere in the bloom of hundreds, but it didn’t matter. The moment was already carved into me like a scar I didn’t want to heal. Behind us, a hush settled over the garden, less reverent, more drowsy. The kind of hush that came after too much beauty, when the soul was too full to speak.

"Fran, midnight has arrived. You just need to die in this world, and you can go back." I picked up a sharp piece of glass and raised my hand, dragging the jagged edge across my artery. Finally, I was leaving this world where no one loved me. Everything was finally going to end.

The shared climax was breathtaking waves of golden-emerald light and fertile energy washing through existence, causing new World Trees to sprout and old wounds to bloom into beauty. In the fragrant, glowing aftermath, the group lay tangled among the flowers. Vespera nestled against my chest, her body glistening with cum and petal nectar. Draven held Sable close. Lorien and Wren rested entwined. Rook’s powerful arms sheltered the center. Vespera looked up with soft, blissful eyes. “The bloom never wilts… it only opens wider.” I smiled, kissing her nectar-sweet lips. “As it should be. Eternal growth through eternal pleasure.”

Then she rolled her body around the pillar to catch her breath. A quick glance up towards the glass ceiling told Larice that dawn was breaking. The clouds were gone, and the skies reached a bright red color, the bloodiest color she had ever seen in her life. The Phoenix Comet was in sight, flying above the heavens like a slow bird—with the orange flares as its tail. “The time has come at last,” the Emperor stomped the foot of the spear against the floor and cast out … —[Spear of Phlareus]—

I moved and looked at the view and noticed that the clouds turned orange and violet as the sun started to set. “It’s beautiful,” I complimented and Kyler’s embrace tightened on my waist, planting a small kiss on my shoulder. The changing colors of the clouds reflect the impermanence of life, urging me to appreciate the present and find solace. The sun will say goodbye, but it also tells me to wait because tomorrow will still come. ** “I had a great time.” I said when we entered his penthouse. We came home safe, and no Taylor shit came our way. I wonder if he knew where I was or if he was aware of Kyler’s properties where he might search for me?

The cacophony of battle fell silent in the wake of her radiance, a testament to the indomitable spirit that burned within her soul. And then, as swiftly as it had come, the brilliance faded into the ether, leaving behind a world bathed in the glow of newfound hope. Athena, her form aglow with the remnants of her power, stood resolute amidst the aftermath of her fury, her eyes blazing with the fire of determination, she witnessed the beasts falling down after being split into two. Just how she had aimed.

Vivian sat alone in the shadowed corner of the bar, watching strangers drift beneath the amber glow of the lights. She could not believe she had actually fallen for a rumor. “The real reason the Hayes and Carter families postponed the wedding? Sebastian’s ex was kidnapped. He’d rather call off the marriage than leave her to die.” One reckless sentence was all it took for her to book the first flight to Harbor City. Sebastian was the untouchable heir everyone admired—a fixture on the covers of financial magazines and the polished businessman delivering keynote speeches at charity galas. What could a man like him possibly be doing in a place like this? Vivian shook her head, set down her g