stories about magic
-
Customer Enquiries Part Two (The Emperor, Major Arcana Series) by Francesca Astraea
From Ernest Bezzina (bezzinasemporium@outlook.com) To Mandy King (mandyk1968@gmail.com) 28th July, 8:03am. Dear Mandy, Thank you so much for your email and my sincerest apologies for the delayed response. I have only had email set up for a few months and am still learning how to use it. I believe we have some items… Continue reading
-
Customer Enquiries Part One (The Emperor, Major Arcana Series) by Francesca Astraea
From Mandy King (mandyk1968@gmail.com) To Ernest Bezzina (bezzinasemporium@outlook.com) Subject 75th Birthday Gift Enquiry 15th July, 10:02am. Dear Bezzina’s Emporium, My name is Mandy King, I was given your email address by a friend of a friend. I am looking for a gift for my mother’s seventy-fifth birthday, and I believe you may be able… Continue reading
-
Help Wanted (The Moon, Major Arcana Series) by Francesca Astraea
Bethanie had been meaning to visit Bezzina’s Emporium of Magical Artefacts and Antiquities her entire year at university. Typically, she only managed it on her final day in Southend, when her bags were packed and she knew it was now or never. The trip was a little gift to herself, a ‘congratulations for surviving this… Continue reading
-
The Statue of Laurel Cottage Part One (Strength, Major Arcana Series) by Francesca Astraea
When estate agents tried to sell Laurel Cottage, they mentioned the six bedrooms, the floor-to-ceiling windows and surprisingly sustainable heating costs. And, of course, the irony of such an old, grand, gated house being called a cottage. They did not mention the garden. When perspective buyers visited, encouraged by the relatively low price and desirable… Continue reading
-
The Queen of Stormhaven (a Three Kingdoms story) by Francesca Astraea
Oh, you’re looking for a short story set in the world ofThe Princess and the Dragon and Other Stories About Unlikely Heroes? You find it, along with the rest of the book, on Amazon, Kobo, Barnes and Noble and various other retail and library services. BUY AND/OR BORROW HERE Continue reading
-
The Copse Part Two (The Wheel of Fortune, Major Arcana Series) by Francesca Astraea
Read Part One here. Her phone rang. Yanni’s number. ‘Carla?’ Not Yanni’s voice. ‘J—James?’ ‘Hiya.’ It took two train stations for Carla to respond. The phone line was still open. ‘Is it really…’ Now she could hear Yanni on the other end, talking excitedly. ‘It’s really him, Carla. When’s your train coming… Continue reading
-
The Copse Part One (The Wheel of Fortune, Major Arcana Series) by Francesca Astraea
Year One They met in a café in Convent Garden. Neither of them could afford it, but it was busy enough that they wouldn’t be overheard, with a high enough staff turnover that they were unlikely to be remembered next year, and it was well established enough that it wasn’t likely to close any time… Continue reading
-
Unexpected Treasures (The Star, Major Arcana Series) by Francesca Astraea
Note: contains themes of depression and suicidal feelings. It wasn’t hope he was looking for when he stepped into Bezzina’s Emporium of Magical Artefacts and Antiquities, it was oblivion. He could have taken a more conventional route, but convention was one of the reasons he felt so low, so if he was doing this, he… Continue reading
-
Just Desserts (Justice, Major Arcana Series) by Francesca Astraea
If asked, tourists leaving the Sweet Memories Family Run Pâtisserie and Ice Cream Parlour in Carnaby Street would usually describe their experience as magical. Sometimes they would use compound phrases like absolutely fabulous. Occasionally they would enumerate on past experiences or make comparisons: it reminded me of my grandmother’s kitchen. Or I rather feel this place… Continue reading
No generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) was used in the creation of any of my prose or visual or audible media. I expressly forbid any organisation, person or entity from using my work for generative-AI training.
