Greetings as we move into spring and rejoice in the sun’s returning light and warmth. May valiant hearts with good intentions create a blessed spring for us all.
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 leaf. 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.
When she told him the name of the cocktail– Coffin Nail– Rhade didn’t exactly blanch. The muscles of his face went rigid. His smoldering eyes stilled into the faraway. He looked like someone had just walked over his grave. Words were uttered in a hollow voice quite different from his usual full hearted husky tones. “The final leaf of summer…”
Coldness hit her core, “What?”
He didn’t look at her or move, his attention still somewhere not of this world. Far away thunder rumbled from the east.
Resa touched his arm and demanded, “For God’s sake, what is it?”
He turned to her, blinked slowly, and then seemed to come back to himself. He waved it away. “Just an old Russian novel. Apparently the drink’s dour name brought it to mind.” He picked up both of the glasses she had filled, handing her one and then guided her toward the couch. They sat.
She sipped her drink and then placed the glass on a coaster. “Pushkin. Eugene Onigen. I suffered lit class, too. Why did you suddenly spout out a line from that poem?”
He took a long swallow, his eyes on her. She wondered if he even tasted the Scotch and amaretto concoction. As if reading her mind, he licked his lips appreciatively. “Potent and pleasing. The bitters and Drambuie create slightly more character than a Godfather. Well done.”
She allowed him to change the subject. “Your talents seem endless, war god. History, poetry, cocktails. What topics are you not up on?”
His smile didn’t quite reach his eyes, and she felt her emotions splay out to mirror whatever mood had overtaken him. She tightened her abdomen, reining in the solar plexus.
“I’m sure you had the same depth of schooling back in our world. Languages, philosophy, the trivium.”
One corner of her mouth quirked. “It wasn’t in school that I learned how to shake a cocktail. And I suspect it wasn’t there that you learned about Charon’s stand-in that hailed from New Orleans.”
“No, I met him on my travels. Met a lot of people before I took this job. Saw some things and took it all in.”
Her head tilted. “I recall your saying you had just returned from a long trip away, when you came to see Clotho that time.”
He nodded. “I had a question for her.”
“Did she give you an answer?”
“In a sphinx like manner.”
I hope you enjoyed the snippet based on the word prompt, leaf. 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
“In a sphinx like manner.”
That’s a great line! And another intriguing snippet, Flossie!
I’m glad you like the sphinx line. Thank you, Mae!
Loving this and the references to various mythologies. Well done.
Thanks, Susanne! My favorite subject– mythology.
Love their banter and the drink sounds delish! Yes, you don’t learn how to make cocktails in class, unless it’s bartending school. And your last line is a killer — as usual! Love it.
Thanks so much, Jean! I’m glad you enjoyed it.
Great snippet with some awesome banter!
Thank you!
What a name for a cocktail! PERFECT for your story. You always included the best pieces in your tales.
Thanks, Trisha. I thought it sounded “promising.”
I love the cryptic way that they discuss the drink among other things. It’s a great look at them together. Good job!
I enjoy them together. Thank you, Tricia.