The Romanov Oracle

by Molly Tullis

While memories of revolutions heavily focus on the fire and ash, let us not forget the humble spark. It’s the incendiary device that rips fabric from the seams, pulls hearts from their chests, and babes prematurely from their mothers.

There was a fire behind Anastasia's eyes that had been dimmed, while not yet extinguished, and she had the face of a woman silenced.

Fear had a way of being deathly quiet and stoic, sending chills and stealing breaths, but panic was loud. It was fast heartbeats and sweating palms.

They were each so blinded by their obsession to cover their scars that they couldn't see their injuries were the same.

Both looked for weaknesses in the other’s defenses when they simply could’ve handed over a key.

“Your worth isn’t defined by what you can do for others, either. You are not a weapon or a tool.