Anna Tan's Blog, page 63

#AtoZChallenge: The Princess and the Infinite Inglenook PLUS #IslandDeception Launch!

There was nothing Princess Inai loved more than a good book. The problem was that there was nowhere quiet enough for her to read.

The library had been the obvious choice, of course, but there were always servants wandering in and out, fetching a book for Mother, or for Father, or for one of her siblings. And if they weren’t fetching books, they were dusting the books, which usually set her off in a fit of coughing.

She tried reading in her room. After all, it was her room, her private space to...

#AtoZChallenge: The Princess and the Heroic Herring

Despite common opinion, a mermaid’s biggest threat wasn’t Ursula. Sure, Ursula roamed the waters and tricked unsuspecting merpeople into doing her bidding. Sure, there were the two eels that did her bidding, ensnaring merpeople with both body and words. But Ursula was a known enemy and therefore, whilst a threat, could be defeated. Princess Ariel had dealt with her, King Triton had defeated her. No, a mermaid’s biggest threat was sharks. Sharks big enough to eat you. Chase you down until you...

#AtoZChallenge: The Princess and the Ginormous Grape

Princess Gracelyn woke up with a thrill of excitement. It was the day of the county fair. Today, for the first time ever, she would be judging the Best Produce category at the fair! She bounced her way to the window, throwing it out and breathing in the fresh air. The skies were clear, but the wind was cold, sending a shiver down her spine.

Two hours later, having scarfed down breakfast, Princess Gracelyn was in her carriage, heading out to the fair. She pulled her grey greatcoat around her as...

#AtoZChallenge: The Princess and the Flamboyant Flamingo

It is generally well-known that flamingos can be very flamboyant creatures. Freda, however, was the most flamboyant of them all. Freda the Flamboyant Flamingo belonged to Princess Felicia. Said princess was now sitting on the edge of her bed, burying her face in her hands.

“What?” Freda snapped.

“You can’t. Really, you can’t.”

“What’s wrong with it?”

Princess Felicia groaned, raising her head. “It’s… too much.”

“No it’s not. It’s just a diamond necklace, and a ruby choker, emerald rings, plus thes...

#AtoZChallenge: The Princess and the Egalitarian Eel

The weirdest thing that Princess Emily ever experienced was the night she spoke to an Eel. Well, to be exact, it was the Eel that spoke to her in a sort of dream, but she was pretty much awake at that point of time, so it didn’t quite count as a real dream. Or maybe it was a waking dream, of the sort that is real in certain magical realms but not quite.

What happened was this:

Emily had gone to bed upset. The King, her father, had put his foot down and said that Emily would definitely not be ge...

#AtoZChallenge: The Princess and the Diamond Darkness

It was dark. Really dark. Princess Diana hugged her knees to herself. She wished that she were home. She wished it over and over again, praying to every god she knew, every spirit she’d ever heard of. Nothing happened. She sighed.

A scrape, a sliver of light, a clank. And then it was dark again. She scooted over cautiously and reached out to find a plate and a cup. Her kidnappers weren’t going to starve her then. She bit into the tuna sandwich with a tinge of relief. After eating and drinking,...

#AtoZChallenge: The Princess and the Charmed Chandelier

The chandelier was singing. Prince Paul could not believe it.

“This is straight out of the Beauty and the Beast, dude,” he said, folding his arms and trying to act cool.

Princess Carmen continued walking.

“Wait, wait up. Aren’t you amazed that the chandelier is singing?” He scrambled after her as she approached the opposite door.

“Him? He sings all the time. I’d be more amazed if he could shut up.” Her eyes flicked up with a glare at the Charmed Chandelier who was belting “Be Our Guest” at the to...

#AtoZChallenge: The Princess and the Blueberry Bane

Princess Barbara was a picky eater. The one thing she hated most in the world was blueberries. This proved to be a problem because there were blueberries in everything. There was blueberry jam for her toast, blueberry sauce with her meatballs and blueberry pie for dessert, and for teatime, besides blueberry tea (of course), there were blueberry donuts, blueberry snacks, blueberry biscuits, blueberry scones, blueberry danishes—anything that could use a little berry in it was stuffed full of bl...

#AtoZChallenge: The Princess and the Alabaster Admiral

The thing Amanda hated the most about being a princess was the fact that she would never be able to marry for love. Not that she was in love with anyone, just that she wouldn’t have the chance. Assuming she even met anyone worth falling in love with.

As it was, the only people she met were her maids (all female) and her guards (all old). Her family, including her extended cousins, didn’t count. They were family. Though if she remembered right, cousin Emily had married second cousin Roger. And...

#fridayflash: Jentayu's Tear (excerpt) from @InsigniaStories

The men screamed and pointed as he transformed back to his true form. His golden feathers blazed in the sun, his horn burning with pure fire; hot white, deep black, flickering blue. He spread his wings and took to the air, the force of each beat of his wings driving the little men to the ground.

“Fight me, Jentayu!” he screamed his challenge into the air.

Lighting flashed across the sky—and there she was before him. Her sleek blue-white feathers gleamed in the rain that now poured, her crest gl...