It’s the day for Tuesday Tales, with authors writing excerpts based on word or picture prompts. The word prompt this week is eighteen. My snippet is from a Highlander Romance featuring Torsten and a modern-day heroine, Lana. Visit all the talented authors of Tuesday Tales.
Lana took the brooch in her palm and stared. “It’s remarkable Delphine.” Obviously old, instead of the chilled temperature to be expected of metal, the piece was warm to the touch. “Did you have it by a heater or something?”
Her cousin eyed her quizzically. “No, in a jewelry box in a drawer. Why?”
“It feels quite warm in my palm, even though my skin is typically hotter than most people’s. Gran always said it was because my blood is from a line she called the olden way, fae or something. You know–that I have some kind of healing touch.” She rolled her eyes to let Delphine know what she thought of the idea.
Delphine extended a finger to touch the brooch again. “It feels cold to me. Maybe you do have the touch.”
Lana scoffed. “Not like that. The only true part is that I practice reiki and some other healing modalities.”
“Did your body temperature change when you started those?”
“Well, no. It’s always been warmer.”
“Then your grandmother may be right. How do we know she wasn’t?” Delphine set about packing a satchel of bottled water and munchies for later.
Lana shrugged and gazed admiringly at the brooch. An opaque green stone was set in the midst of ornate curlicues. She wiggled her hand. Where light hit it, she could see blues and even a yellow orange shade.
“You going to admire that all night?” Delphine inquired with a chuckle. “Oh, Iain.” She hurried to the costumed man entering the room and tipped her head up for a kiss. “Doesn’t he make a handsome laird?”
“Yes, he certainly does,” Lana agreed. “We’re almost ready, Iain. I’m afraid I got mesmerized by this brooch.” Taking care, she pulled a corner of the shawl to meet the opposite section on her shoulder. Removing the straight part of the brooch, which was a warrior’s hand holding a basket sword, she pinned the shawl.
“There’s a long story to that brooch,” Iain declared. “And a castle to boot.”
“A castle! I’d love to see that.”
“Of course,” Delphine agreed. “We can go while you’re here. Can’t we, Iain?”
He nodded agreeably. “It’s mostly ruins since the eighteen hundreds but still worth a visit.”
I hope you enjoyed the snippet based on the word prompt eighteen. Thanks for stopping by. Check out the other authors at Tuesday Tales.
Cheers & Happy Reading!
Flossie Benton Rogers, Conjuring the Magic with Spirited Stories
All rights reserved, copyright @ 2021 Flossie Benton Rogers
Another enticing snippet. This reader wants to know more.
Thanks, Loretta. I want to know more, too lol.
I love how her hot hand gives away she has powers! Such a great touch — no pun intended. Looking forward to more of this delightful tale.
Good one! I’m glad you are looking forward to more.
Interesting. Looking forward to learning how her touch and the brooch fit into the story. Well done. Sucked me right in.
I’m so glad the story sucked you in.
oooh, I love the direction this is taking. Can’t wait to read more. YEAH! Jillian
I’m so glad you love the direction the story is going.
Great snippet!
Thank you.
Ooh! I am intrigued about why the brooch is warm to her. And a castle! Can’t wait to see what happens! Great job!
I am glad it intrigued you. Brooches have a special connection to the past.
At first I wanted to whine….where’d your cozy mystery go???
Then I started reading and instantly forgave you. I love this one too. You convey times like this so wonderfully. GREAT scene!
I had to start a new one for NaNo! Hopefully they will both get finished.