Greetings as April begins!
This is Tuesday Tales, where authors write weekly excerpts based on word or picture prompts. I hope our efforts provide some entertaining moments for you. The word prompt this week is careful. I continue with Soul Weaver featuring Resa, younger sister of the Fates, and war god Rhade. When you finish reading my snippet, make sure to visit all the talented authors of Tuesday Tales.
Resa longed to inquire what question he had asked her powerful, forbidding sister. Instead of giving in to her itchy curiosity, she flashed a commiserating eye roll. “Typical of Clotho. I suspect the Sphinx was patterned after her– way back when the spring equinox was in Virgo instead of Aries.”
His eyes crinkled, the gold flecks churning. “Careful now. Clotho and not the Lady of Heaven?”
“Let me rephrase that before someone”—her eyes flicked skyward, and then dramatically down toward the Underworld—“takes offense. I suspect that Clotho’s secretive nature may have influenced the depiction of the famous lion woman.”
He laughed outright, one low, guttural sound as if he were rusty at it.
Her stomach tingled at that glimpse of mirth. She moved a fraction closer, reaching for her drink but keeping her gaze on him. He was full of contradictions tonight, seemingly determined to be sociable but obviously under some sort of pressure. What in the world was weighing on him? If she tread carefully, maybe he would be forthcoming with her. “I remember being surprised that Clotho granted you an audience that day.”
“You were there?”
“Yes, I was clever at listening around corners back then. My sisters never shared what was going on with me.”
He stiffened. “You heard us?”
“No. I didn’t mean that.” She stumbled over the words in an effort to correct the wrong impression. “All their quarters were sacrosanct. I only saw you arrive and be led in.”
He picked up his glass, relaxing a fraction. “Why didn’t you say hello afterward? You were the only one around those digs that ever had a smile for me. You were half the reason I hung around in those days.”
“Now that’s a crock, war god. You were there to see Craneia.”
“Old news. She was pretty, and willing, but there was always something about you, Resa. You call Clotho secretive. I’m willing to bet those soulful eyes of yours hold as many secrets as your sister’s. Mysteries I’d be interested to know.” He reached over and threaded a lock of her hair between his forefinger and thumb.
Their eyes locked. The air crackled between them. For the first time they seemed on equal footing, woman and man, never mind their crazy families and duties to the world.
I hope you enjoyed the snippet based on the word prompt, careful. Thanks for stopping by. Check out the other excerpts at Tuesday Tales.
Cheers & Happy Reading!
Flossie Benton Rogers, Conjuring the Magic with Spirited Stories
All rights reserved, copyright @ 2022 Flossie Benton Rogers
That was great, Flossie. Plenty of underlying simmering heat in their exchange.
Love me some simmering heat! Thanks for picking that up, Mae.
Loved that scene. So much mystery yet to be uncovered and a little sexual tension to boot. Well done.
Yes, she doesn’t have a clue yet as to what Rhade is trying to do.
Whew! Great excerpt! So much sexual tension in such a short passage and all of it understated. I love it!
Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting, Kathy!
Awesome. Love the tension between them and the way she confessed to having been around to see him before. Jillian
Thank you. They are fun to learn about to me.
Thank you! I really enjoy these two, Resa and Rhade.
Great job! You’re wonderful in many genres, but this one you own!
Aww, that is so kind of you to say. The PNR is special to me.
No! Don’t stop there. I need to know what happens between them. Great job!
More later, hopefully. Thanks so much!