Welcome to Tuesday Tales, where authors write weekly excerpts based on word and picture prompts. The prompt this week is angry. When you finish reading my snippet, make sure to visit all the talented authors of Tuesday Tales.
Her heart thudded in her ears. The giant was telling her to do something. His words sounded miles away. It was like someone reciting a disconnected list. She understood the individual words, but in her muddled state they didn’t form a pattern or meaning. Her mind floated. She tried to grasp onto a coherent thought. He had been chasing her. They had fallen. Dizziness threatened, sending her head swimming. Beneath her palm she became aware of a strong, steady beat. She pressed her palm into the flesh. The warm pulse above his collarbone seemed a lifeline. “Wh-what?” she finally managed to gasp.
His words reverberated beneath her hand. “The fall knocked the wind from ye. Calm yourself. Breathe small and shallow.”
Calm herself? When they had fallen off a mountain? She tried to follow his advice, concentrating on being here – now. Being alive. After a few moments, she pried open her eyes from their squeezed shut position. She lay prone on a ledge, the giant beneath her. The world swam, and she closed them again.
“Breathe.” It was a command.
There’s plenty of air all around, she assured her traumatized lungs. The man’s steely arms were tight around her, plastering her midriff to his huge body She patted his neck and lifted her head an inch from his chest to look into his eyes. “H–how can I, with you gripping me so?”
He relaxed his hold a fraction and made a scoffing sound deep in his throat. “Would ye have us both tumble off this wee ledge that saved our backsides? ‘Twill be a fine miracle if Lew is able to pull us up.”
He spoke casually, but pain threaded between the words. Was he hurt?
“Torsten!” a frantic voice shouted from above. “Where are ye? Can ye hear me?”
“Down here, Lew. St. Magnus Snag is making quite a hard bed.”
“God above. I thought ye were a goner for sure.”
“Nay.” The word broke in half with a grunt of pain, as Lana shifted to look upward. “Hold still, lass,” he bit out.
Anger radiated from Lew’s voice. “Are ye hurt? Is the lassie there, too? When I get my hands on her, she’ll wish she never went on such a romp with her heathen kin.”
I hope you enjoyed the snippet based on the word, angry. Thanks for stopping by. Check out the other excerpts at Tuesday Tales.
Cheers & Happy Reading!
Flossie Benton Rogers, Conjuring the Magic in Romance
All rights reserved, copyright @ 2022 Flossie Benton Rogers
Excellent scene. It was indeed lucky that there was a ledge, but I hope he isn’t badly injured.
This is what I get for remembering the steep mountain sides one has to drive on in Tennessee– scary!
Uh oh. She’s in for a tongue lashing, and I hope that’s all. Love your description. I can feel his heart beating, too, and the fear she’s feeling. It’s quite a heart-stopping experience. You put us right in the moment. Great job!
She is in an unusual situation for sure! We’ll see what happens.
Exciting!! Well done. In the history of the world, has anyone who has been told to calm doan actually done so? LOL! Great snippet this week as always. Jillian
Probably not. Sometimes the tone helps but def not the admonition!
Oh my, such a predicament they find themselves in. I’m on the edge of my seat wanting them to get safely out of their current state. Great scene!
They need to put on their thinking caps!
They’re in a pickle! I love his encouragement to breathe even though he is clearly hurt. Great job!
I love that saying– in a pickle!