Welcome to Tuesday Tales, powered by a small group of authors, where word prompts inspire passages in the books we’re writing. The word of the day is parade. This is from a work in progress, book 8 of the Wytchfae series, a paranormal fantasy romance entitled Silver’s Angel. It stars a supporting character from Lord of Fire and serves as her prequel. When you finish the passage, make sure to visit all the talented authors of Tuesday Tales.
Lucien Silver mopped his face, wound the towel into a tight cord, and lobbed it at the discard cart against the wall. He and Cody made their way out of the fitness pit and headed to a table on the portside lanai. “The sun is barely up. I’m not used to exercising first thing in the morning. Good workout though.” He reached out to issue a bro shove at his friend’s shoulder.
“Watch it!” Cody retorted. “I can already feel the soreness creeping in.”
“Okay, old man. Time for juice and coffee before we hit the showers. Or would you like me to buzz the trainer to give you a liniment rubdown?”
Cody scoffed and collapsed into a chair, crossing a sneakered foot over the opposite knee. “Coffee. I need about a gallon. Jump rope, can you believe it? That’s like from another lifetime, man.”
After a waiter had taken their orders, Lucien observed. “Back then it was fun. Keep at it, and you’ll be shipshape by the time this tug gets to the island.”
“Tug! Funny name for this fancy liner.” Cody glanced around at the pristine deck. “It’s high-class.
Lucien said, amused, “Oh yeah?” He nodded toward a parade of celebratory passengers dressed in colorful pirate costumes, apparently heading toward one of the bars for their first drink of the day.
Cody laughed. “They’re having a blast.”
Lucien grunted. “Wait until tomorrow morning when half of them are stuck in their cabins, sick.”
“A fifteen-drink a-day package will do that.” Cody paused and then asked, “You’re pissed that Hugo Waring came aboard, aren’t you?”
“That jerk,” Lucien snarled. When the waiter brought their order, he took a swallow of orange juice. That first sweet-tart sensation was always the best. It also soothed his parched throat. Next time he’d remember to have more than one bottle of water available. Eyeing Cody, he said, “About Waring, to be honest, I’m appreciative and pissed.”
Cody sighed heavily, coddling his coffee cup. “What’s new, Silver? You’re a conflicted guy.”
“Who would’ve thought–” Lucien broke off at the sight of Angel entering the Oasis platform a few yards away. She and several other women unrolled purple mats and appeared to be setting up for exercise. Her hair was pulled back into a ponytail, and her face glowed with a freshly scrubbed look. How could she look so good this early?
Thanks for stopping by. I hope you enjoyed the piece inspired by the word parade. If you haven’t done so already, check out the other excerpts at Tuesday Tales.
Cheers & Happy Reading!
Flossie Benton Rogers, Conjuring the Magic with Spirited Stories
All rights reserved, copyright @ 2025 Flossie Benton Rogers
