Tuesday Tales is a weekly blog featuring diverse authors who post excerpts from their WIPs based on word and picture prompts. Today’s prompt is ring, and the snippet is from a work in progress temporarily called by the heroine’s name, Shale. Please visit the other fabulous authors at Tuesday Tales.
She stopped and leaned toward him, her shoulders tight with the tension of the past few moments. The moonlight licked over the high planes of his cheekbones, and she had trouble keeping her breath even. “What is it you want from me, Mr. Zarek?”
“I want you to call me Nick, or Nicholai if you insist on formality.”
She emitted a rasping huff. “What is the point? Instead of the quiet dinner I had envisioned, we are tromping through the woods in the middle of the night, heading god knows where, searching for god knows what.”
“Is that why you are breathing fire at me, because you thought we were going on a date?”
A wave of heat surged into her cheeks. Sputtering, she sought to backtrack. “No way…not in the…I simply…” She broke off, pressing her lips into a thin line. With a dismissive wave of her arms, she marched away from him.
In a microsecond a warm hand clamped around her elbow.
She shook off his touch. When she turned on him with nostrils flaring, he held up a conciliatory palm. “One moment please. Hear me out.”
She crossed her arms, glaring at him. “Well?”
“We are both after a similar objective, correct? I seek knowledge of the queen’s activities once she abandoned the throne, and you want to ease her spirit to find its eternal rest. Is this not true?”
“Yes, but I don’t see what this wild goose chase will accomplish.”
He took a step closer, and his shadow enveloped her like a cloak.
She shivered.
With a warm finger, he lifted her chin, and his tone softened. “Why not combine our forces? We both have something the other needs.”
Her whisper matched his. “What are we looking for out here?”
“Something rare, but not impossible to find. We search for a mage portal, oftentimes inaccurately characterized as a fairy ring.”
“W-why?”
His breath hovered over her forehead. “Tell me, Ms. Delaney, does your passion for travel extend to visiting eighth century Northumbria?”
Thanks so much for stopping by. Please visit the other fabulous 
authors at Tuesday Tales.
Cheers & Happy Reading!
Flossie Benton Rogers, Conjuring the Magic with Paranormal Fantasy Romance
These snippets are wonderful, Flossie. I’m already growing attached to the characters from the several excerpts you’ve shared. Clever use of the word “ring” and that is a gorgeous picture prompt! A most intriguing story in the works!
Mae, thank you! I look forward to delving into Shale and Nicholai’s story more as time goes on.
Wow! Shale’s story gets more and more thrilling. Traveling to eighth century? Let’s go!
Wouldn’t that be exciting, Carmen?
Wow…so much captured in a little scene! I’m curious to see where this goes…love the play of it not being a date, but yet…
Thank you, Sarah!
Oh my, 8th century Northumbria. I hope the girl has some warm undies, she surely will need them there. I love the use of the fairy rings. I wonder if this pair will find what they seek?
You’re right, Daisy, she better have something to keep her warm.
Wonderful scene!
Thanks, Vicki!
I love the way you put words together!!
That’s so nice of you, Kathleen!
8th century Northumbria … interesting! Another great snippet.
Let’s go, Iris!
Wonderfully evocative language brought me right into the scene. Perfect weaving of the plot and the budding chemistry between these two. Now I need to know where that portal is and what they will find there. Well done, great scene!
Thanks a million, Jean!
I want to read more! Nice scene.
Aw, thank you, Jeanine!
Wonderful scene. Can’t wait to read what comes next.
Thanks, Karen!
I love time travel and fairy rings too.
Glad to hear we have that in common, Morgan.
Way to go on a unique take on the word ring. I love it and would love, love to come upon a fairy ring myself.
Oh wouldn’t that be exquisite, Jillian?