Welcome to Tuesday Tales, where you’ll find entertaining excerpts from a group of hard-working writers. You can enjoy stories and see works in progress unfold. Once a month, instead of word prompts, we each select a picture prompt from among an available group. I chose one depicting gravestones to use in an excerpt from my historical Fae fantasy. Make sure to visit all the talented authors of Tuesday Tales.
The sweet scent of woodbine filled my nostrils. I knew what was coming and clenched my hands in a kind of fever. Practice, effort, and maybe a lucky star or two had converged for me in the past few days. Beside me, Ellette squeezed my arm and then stilled as we waited for the announcement. Up until a few moments ago, the mood of our Fae Clan had been wild and joyous, with everyone laughing and talking at once. Now we were all agape and breathless.
Like white star fire, Delphine’s hair dazzled beneath the full face of the moon. When she spoke animatedly, as during arguments or debates, to my mind it looked like sparks of lightning arrowing from head to knee. When she stood motionless, though, as now, her hair graced a regal form with all the deep seated magic of faeryland.
Her clear voice was as solemn as I’d ever heard it as she addressed our Fae Clan. “We approach the midnight hour, three moons before the rise of the Centennial Star. As the space between worlds grows thin, I sense the yearnings throughout time. Feel the passions of the ancient blood. Hear the children’s voices lilt in joy. Destiny has spoken. Acceptance is bestowed.”
She motioned for Ellette and me to step forward. “The choosing is complete. As blood Guardians of the House of Wycliffe, our Clan has sworn to safeguard that noble family.”
She touched Ellette’s cheek. “Ellette will serve as the White Rose.” She touched my cheek. “Breena will serve as the Red Rose. Together they will make the dangerous journey to the earth realm. If destiny commands, both Roses will emerge victorious in the land of humans. By the ancient blood bond, the White Rose will enter into the House of Wycliffe as a human woman, marry the son, and bear children to maintain the bond between us.”
Delphine gestured toward the Endless Forest. “The Red Rose will guide the White Rose through precarious travails, including the Great Haunt of ancestral gravestones. She will serve and protect the union of the White Rose so that our Clan may maintain its soul and the House of Wycliffe its good fortune and sovereignty. Each doing a part, the Roses will work to entwine the threads of life. For as long as the blood bond is renewed at the fated time of the Centennial Star, so do both Clan and House remain blessed.”
I hope you enjoyed the snippet based on the picture prompt gravestones. Thanks for stopping by. Read the other amazing excerpts at Tuesday Tales.
Happy Reading!
Flossie Benton Rogers, Conjuring the Magic with Spirited Stories
All rights reserved, copyright @ 2020 Flossie Benton Rogers
Not sure who got the best job here. Can’t wait to read more. Well done.
I’m looking forward to seeing what happens, too. Thanks, Susanne!
Wow! That’s quite a scene – laying out the challenges ahead. Well done.
Thank you, Jean!
I love the imagery of her words as she tells them what their mission is. I can’t wait to read more!
I’m glad you love the imagery and want to read more. Thanks, Tricia!
I want to read more. Was there a wee bit of resentment from Breena that Ellette seemed to have gotten the better end of the blessing?
Glad you want to read more! Since we are limited in words, I couldn’t put in Breena’s prior thoughts and actions.
Beautiful writing – as usual! You are a master.
I love graveyards and cemeteries. In tomorrow’s TT post, that I just scheduled a few hours ago, I used a cemetery picture too.
Thanks so much for your supportive encouragement, Trisha! It means a lot.
Very serene scene! Cannot wait for more.
Thanks so much, Cathy.
Wow! That was so lovely. I am enchanted. Jillian
How wonderful that you are enchanged. Thank you, Jillian!