Work-In-Progress Wednesdays – The Fantasy Nook

Work-In-Progress #42

This week’s Work-In-Progress is from a short story that I’ve been working on here and there between working on my novella When All Else Fails for the Open Novella Contest. It’s from Enlil’s Royal, a short story that will be going into a collection I’m planning to release next year.

~~~

ENLIL ROSE INTO the sky, the sparks dancing around him and the winds picking up. He opened his mouth in a soundless scream of triumph, spread his arms and unleashed the storm inside. They thought they could beat him down? They thought that because he was of a lower class than they were that they could treat him like scum? Well, they’d learn. Because this so-called slave was their downfall, the perfect storm to bring reform. The princess was his, and they had denied him to her simply because he didn’t look like the one they thought she was pledged to.

Lightning arced out of his fingertips, and the thunderheads blew from his mouth as he howled his victory. Below, houses went up in flames, and torrents of rain washed away whatever the flames didn’t touch. Then the rain put out the flames in the other areas too, and everything was enveloped in a maelstrom of wind, rain, and lightning with the thunder booming over it to provide the final beat on the drum that announced that death had come.

He stretched his arms out further, tipped his head back and laughed into the sky. This was power. This was freedom. They would learn, and they would suffer just as everyone they had touched with their corruption had. Just as he had. This storm, he himself, were only the beginning. The beginning of devastation.

Only his betrothed would escape. But if she scorned him? His fingers twitched, shooting off more sparks and another bolt of lightning. If she scorned him, he would make her suffer more than all of her subjects. She had no right to refuse destiny, no right to look down on him because fate hadn’t chosen a more worthy object for her affection. So, if she thought him unworthy, he would show her how wrong she was. The vessel that housed him might be a slave, but he was no slave. He was far more ancient and powerful than any of them. He was storm. He was thunder. And he was destruction incarnate. He would have his way.

They would hear him thunder, and they would regret awakening his wrath. The gate to the castle grated upward, and Enlil paused in meting out his anger on the village. He squinted at the rising grate and watched a tiny figure exit. He waited, trying to make out who the figure was. In the gloom of the storm, he could only see that it was a girl with a slender build and a sword strapped to her waist. She made her way straight for him, so he crossed his arms and waited for her to reach him. Was it Ashurina, the girl he’d started this over?

She drew closer, and he waited with bated breath. Finally, she stood before him, and the painful wait was over. It was the girl he’d been dreaming of and waiting for. She was here, all grown up and ready for him. Only, she wasn’t ready because her family hadn’t prepared her and had then refused him his due. They knew who she was, but still they denied him to her. Rage boiled in his veins, and lightning sparked at the tips of his fingers. He’d blow them to pieces. That would teach the people around here not to go back on their word to their gods. He’d tested them, and they’d failed. He’d given them a chance, and they hadn’t taken it.

“Princess.” He smiled at her.

She shivered, but her grip remained firm on her sword, and she didn’t give any other visible sign of distress. “Who are you?”

“Enlil. The destroyer.”

She bit her lip and tightened her grip on her sword. “Why are you here?”

“To repay them for the vow they broke.”

She shook her head. “You can’t destroy them.”

He took a step closer and grabbed her wrist. “I can do whatever I please, particularly with you, Princess.”

Another tiny shake of her head. “You can’t.”

He ground his teeth and narrowed his eyes at her, wondering if she’d really just said he couldn’t. “I’m capable enough, I assure you.”

A shudder traversed through her body, and she looked near tears. Yet, somehow, he didn’t want to relent. He wanted to punish her. They had denied him what was his. Someone had to pay. Killing them would be one way to exact the price, but would it send the message he wanted? He released Ashurina and crossed his arms with a frown. Maybe not. Perhaps it would be better if he made sure her parents knew she was suffering for their crimes. Perhaps he would only kill the king and leave the queen to bear the guilt of what she and her husband had done to their daughter. Their only baby girl. He grinned and took another step forward so that his chest almost brushed Ashurina’s. Making her pay sounded good. He’d make her see reality, and he would crush her in retribution.

She was his, and her presence here sealed the deal. He wouldn’t leave without her. She was his Chosen, and she would remain by his side, lending him the strength only a Chosen could give, until she passed from this realm to the afterlife. A strange sense of exhilaration sang inside, the prospect of shaping her into the perfect instrument for his revenge and the perfect vessel for his use driving the sensation to a peak. Yes, undoubtedly, she was his, and there would be no escape for her.

~~~

That’s it for this week’s work-in-progress Wednesday. What are you guys up to this week? Working on anything new for your own work-in-progress or reading anything interesting? Feel free to share!

Work-In-Progress Wednesdays #41

Featured Ariel Paiement

This selection comes from When All Else Fails, once again, since it’s all I’m really working on right now besides some short fiction pieces that I’m not really focusing on too heavily at the moment. So, without further ado, this week’s WIP selection!

~~~

VIV HURRIED ALONG the street to her house. If only she could’ve stayed to listen to Seb and Mr. H. But the two had been talking about Seb’s questions and God for at least two hours, and she’d needed to get home before they noticed she was missing. She really needed to move out. At twenty-two, it was more than time, and unlike the previous year, she wasn’t close to her family. She loved them, of course, but they didn’t understand her anymore, and she was forbidden to talk about anything that questioned the Supremacy.

She eased the door open with a heavy sigh. Yes, it was time to move on before she landed herself in any more trouble or made relations any more strained than they already were. She slipped inside and shut the door.

“Vivian.” Dane’s voice startled her. “Where are you coming from so early?”

Why was he up this early? She froze, her hand on the door knob still. “I went for a walk. I’m usually back before anyone wakes up. What are you doing up?” She turned to face him with a tight smile.

“You don’t take walks on Saturdays because you sleep in. The door’s system logs also don’t show any regular trips on Saturdays.” His jaw clenched. “But you know what they do show?”

He’d totally ignored her question. Clearly she couldn’t have a variation in her routine, but the same standard didn’t apply to him. She swallowed hard and shrugged. Why? Why was he snooping? He’d always been overprotective and a little too concerned with her for her comfort, but this? Had Mom and Dad put him up to it?

“You go out during quiet hours on Sunday mornings. Everyone, even law enforcement, spends those hours doing what good citizens do. Two hours of reading the Codex. Everyone but you, anyway. You get back just in time to avoid being caught.” Dane narrowed his eyes. “Whatever you’re up to stops now, Vivian. Before it’s too late.”

He knew, and he was furious. He never called her by her full name unless she’d really messed up. And as for his anger? That was written all over his face. He knew more than just that she wasn’t behaving like a good citizen. How though? Well, it didn’t matter. That he knew was all that did. Now she had to find a way out of this without lying to his face. “For real, Dane?” She rolled her eyes, but her heart thumped wildly against her breast. Dear God, please, let him drop it. “What do you think I am? Some sort of spy? I’m not up to anything.”

“Don’t dig the hole deeper. Don’t make me do something with what I know,” he murmured softly.

She shivered at the menacing tone and shoved her hands into her pockets. “You mean what you think you know.” Had he noticed her trembling? “I haven’t done anything.”

Dane chuckled and shook his head. “You’re not a good liar, and you’re not fooling me. Come. You should see something.”

She stared at him. “Since when did you decide I was a liar?”

And since when did her little brother act like this? He’d always been a little cool toward Seb, and she could see him doing this sort of thing with her best friend, but that was different. Dane didn’t like Seb because… She frowned. Because why? She’d always assumed it was because Dane didn’t like hearing things that contradicted the Supremacy. But with everything that had happened the last few days, could she really believe that? What if there was more to it?

He crossed his arms. “According to sub-section fifty-five of the Codex, humanity is selfish and acts in its own best interests, which is why we have the Codex and the Supremacy to keep us in line so we do not succumb to the evil inherent in us all. We have no basis for truth unless it suits us.” He stopped quoting the Codex with a frown. “You’ve proven that really well lately too.” He inclined his head toward his bedroom down the hall. “Now, are you going to come with me or do I need to make you?”

Maybe if she played the older sister card? “You want me to tell Mom and Dad you need to see a shrink, Dane? You’re acting crazier than normal, and if you don’t stop it, I’ll–“

“You won’t say anything. Mom and Dad are out of the house because they know I needed to talk to you about things. They’re not going to be here, so just quit acting like a five year old threatening to tattle. Acting like you’re not a mature adult isn’t going to get you out of anything.”

Her stomach roiled. So much for that ploy. Well, she hadn’t really expected it to work. Dane knew better. He knew her too well, and he always had. “Okay, fine… I’m not going to say anything to them. You already knew I wouldn’t though or you wouldn’t have been so rude at the door earlier.”

“Mom and Dad won’t shelter you from everything. Keep that in mind before you tick me off.”

She blinked. What? He acted like their parents would side with him over her. In what universe had that ever happened? She was their heir, and as such, they gave her more responsibility and trusted her way more than they did her irresponsible younger brother. “Hold on. Shelter me? Mom and Dad do not shelter me.”

Dane turned his back on her and headed for his room.

“Dane, wait! Explain.”

He didn’t answer her, and he didn’t turn to look at her, so she followed, her heart in her throat. Somehow, the sense of dread just grew with each step toward the bedroom until her heart was in her throat and her stomach had dropped to her toes. What could he possibly mean? Had he found her notes? Bile surged in her throat. She’d hidden them. No one should be able to find them.

They reached his room, and he held the door open for her. She shuffled over the threshold. The door clicked shut, and she stared at the bed where all her notes and files lay in neat piles. No. No, he couldn’t have these! How? She tensed and had to keep herself from turning to run. If she did that, Dane would stop her anyway.

His hands came to rest on her upper arms, holding her in place. As if she could’ve moved to start. She was frozen in indecision now, no longer fully functioning. “Now, Vivian,” he murmured gently against her temple. “I’m a lot of things, but stupid isn’t one of them. Maybe quit pretending you’re the stupid one, and we can talk this out as equals?”

She swallowed back tears. “I…” She couldn’t even get the words out past the lump in her throat. “I don’t know…”

“Shh… Shh…” His grip tightened on her arms. “Think very, very carefully before you lie to me, little girl. One slip that you’re one of the Diexebels, and poof. You end up in some freak accident or you vanish with a note that you couldn’t handle the pressure anymore. We wouldn’t want that, would we?”

Her parents would never, ever allow that. He had to be kidding. Her baby brother wouldn’t dare rat on her, would he? Was he really that brainwashed? Could she still deny this? No, probably not. “Come on, Dane. You wouldn’t really give me up to the Supremacy’s lackeys, would you? You’ve always said you value family more than anything.”

Dane spun her to face him and forced her to back up until her calves hit the bed. Then he pushed her down to sit between the stacks of papers with a tight smile. “I do, but that situation doesn’t apply here.”

~~~

Well, that’s it from me this week! What do you guys think? And what are all of you up to lately? If you want to, feel free to share in the comments below. I love hearing what everyone’s been working on or reading lately.

Work-in-Progress Wednesdays #40

Featured Ariel Paiement

This week’s WIP Wednesday comes from my ONC novel, again, since that’s mainly what I’m working on right now. This piece is from my most recent chapter.

~~~

He frowned. “Viv, hate to break it to you, but unless I’m going mad, nothing’s here. Is Mr. H meeting us here?”

She grinned. “Nope. Come on. We’ve got to go behind the buildings around this lot and under the fence. Follow me closely once we cross the fence line. The field’s an abandoned minefield, and only certain marked paths are safe.”

He sucked in a sharp breath. Wait for it… He’d ask the same things she had when one of the Deixebels had brought her here. He cleared his throat. “What do you mean abandoned minefield? They built this close to something that could blow everyone here sky-high?”

“Look around, Seb.”

He did as asked with a deepening frown.

“What do you see?”

“Run-down apartments that should have been condemned by now.”

“And who lives here, do you think?”

His gaze wandered around the space then returned to her, and understanding lit on his face then morphed to disgust. “All the people the government deemed unfit for a button or a good life. The ones they’d get rid of if they weren’t so useful for all the work no one else wants to do.”

“Precisely.” She headed across the lot, sidestepping debris and trash piles. “They’re citizens just like us, but no one cares if these people die. They’re all slotted for labor camps or execution based on age. But most people in their cozy two room apartments or big houses have no idea these people exist. No one respectable comes here. No one wants to risk ending up like them.”

He made a sound between a growl and a snort. “Are you serious? They just turn a blind eye?”

“You have to understand,” Viv said. “The people here live and die on the government’s whim. Too young to work? You live here with those who are too old for the labor camps or mines. Too old to do that either? You’re exterminated. Who would want to risk ending up like these people? There are rumors, of course, about this kind of thing happening to those who dissent, and even though no one says it, they’re scared they might end up that way.”

“And these people? Did they dissent?”

“No. Most were like you. Too outspoken for their own good, too freethinking. They didn’t dissent. They just questioned. But unfortunately for them, none of them were from the upper class. They were from the lower class.”

His lips pressed into a thin line, and he shook his head. “And they claim they take care of everyone.”

“They do. But some get taken care of in a very different kind of way than others.” She crossed her arms. “The Supreme Council believes they are gods, and gods hold life and death in their hands.”

He scowled. “How can anyone allow this?”

Her gaze fell on a young girl sitting in an alley, her belly distended and her eyes hollow. The girl seemed familiar, and then it struck her. This was the young woman from meeting last week that she’d seen giving her own share of bread away to another little girl even though she clearly needed it. Viv’s heart squeezed. If only she had a chip or two to give or even food if money wasn’t an option. She glanced down at her barely touched coffee. This was all she had, so it would have to do. She hurried over to the girl and knelt in front of her, ignoring Seb’s questioning stare. “What’s your name, sweetheart?”

The girl’s gaze fell on the coffee, and her face lit up with interest. But distrust still lurked in her eyes when she lifted her gaze to Viv’s. “Evia, Miss.”

Work-In-Progress Wednesdays #39

Featured Ariel Paiement

So those of you who follow me on social media know that I’ve been talking about my newest WIP a bit more now that it’s in full swing. I’m really excited about it! So, if you didn’t hear about it on social media, I’ll explain here.

The piece I’m working on for ONC (Wattpad’s Open Novella Contest) is the most sci-fi style piece I’ve done. It’s also the most unique in terms of its magic system and world. I did a live video on Facebook about the book’s behind-the-scenes last week on Thursday, and you guys can watch it here if you didn’t see it live.

At any rate, since it’s the only longer piece I’m working on right now (and will be until I finish and edit it before the end of April–I think that’s the length of the contest?), that’s what I’ll be sharing from for today!

~~~

SEBASTIAN STEPPED OFF the lift with a weary groan. The faces around him all held placid smiles, perfect images of the poise and tolerance society loved so much these days. Not that he had anything against it, per se, but the lengths some people went to… Well, there just ought to be a limit. He glanced at his watch. Ten minutes to make it to his mother’s. Ten minutes for something to go abominably wrong, knowing his luck. But, if he just avoided any situations that might require the use of his button, all would be well. As long as the button didn’t have to get involved, life was generally not too bad. Good, even, on occasion.

He shoved through the crowd, ignoring the sidelong glances people gave him. Seriously, didn’t any of them have more productive things to do besides standing in the way and glaring at anyone who wasn’t equally keen on that? Union workers. He shook his head with a snort and rushed out the door onto the bustling city streets of Winchester. Nine minutes now. Good thing McGayen Inc was located on the city outskirts. If he ran, he could make it to the family estate, maybe even on time for once.

“Seb?”

He sighed and turned back toward the building’s entrance. Scratch that. He’d be late, and this time he couldn’t blame it on a mishap with the button. Well, Mother liked Viv, so it would be forgiven if he was late.

“Good thing I caught you. Where are you going? Weren’t you going to leave work with me to meet Dane at the station?”

He frowned. Was he?

“Did you forget already?”

“Uh… No, no. Not exactly.” He wracked his brain and came up blank. “Okay… I guess I did.” He rubbed the back of his neck, careful to avoid the cold metal lump under his ear where his button resided.

She snorted and put her hands on her hips, an oddly petulant stance for Vivian McGayen, an accomplished business woman whose own reputation was only exceeded by her father’s. “You’re always forgetting things. Drinks after work. You promised, remember? We were going to head over to Featherweight, that new bar in town. The one with the specialty drinks?”

Oh, right. How had he managed to forget? Would his mother mind two extra people for dinner? He couldn’t cancel on either of them, so he’d have to find a solution. Fortunately, Mother would probably be thrilled to make room for Dane and Viv. She always cooked too much anyway. Just in case, she said. “Well, I guess we can still do it. But my mother scheduled dinner for tonight, and I can’t bail on her. Not after what happened with Dad last month, you know?”

Viv nodded and pursed her lips. “We could move the night out to tomorrow if you wanted.”

“No, no. We’ve already done the planning. Not your fault I forgot. How about we head out after dinner at my mother’s? You two are welcome to join. It’d save me the chewing out for being late. Again.”

Viv laughed and played with an auburn curl. “Wouldn’t that be intruding, Seb? I don’t want to get in the way or stress your mother out. She’s got enough on her plate with your Dad running off like he did.”

“It wouldn’t be intruding. Having you there might actually cheer her up.”

“Then tell you what.” Viv smoothed her hands over her pencil skirt. “I’ll give Dane a call and tell him to meet us over there. Then we can just go together. It’ll be quicker than walking if I take you.”

He glanced at her button, easily visible just under her left ear. Easier, yes. But also so very humiliating. She had a working button that was useful, but he was stuck with the dud because some idiot bureaucrat screwed up his paperwork and someone else installed a reject instead of the real deal. Maybe he should be glad his worked at all, since it wasn’t supposed to, but considering the fact that using it only worked out maybe once in a hundred presses, he didn’t feel too bad about his irritation. And every time someone used theirs with no mishap, that irritation grew until he wanted to punch something or slink off into a hole to die of shame. At least no one pointed and laughed anymore. Openly, at least. “I can walk.”

She rolled her eyes. “Seb, grow up, would you? Accepting my offer to teleport both of us doesn’t make you a lesser man.”

“That’s not the problem.”

“Then what is? If your button has the better transportation method, we can use that.”

“That’s a low blow, Viv.” He turned his back on her. “You know it doesn’t. It doesn’t do anything right, and you know how I feel about others using their buttons out of pity for me. I’ll walk.”

She grabbed his arm and dragged him off to the side. People stared, but a short glare from him sent them scurrying, appalled and judgmental stares marring their lukewarm smiles. So much for tolerance of whatever anyone else did. Clearly, the motto “You do you” only applied when they were the ones being judged. Not a surprise. He’d seen it growing up, and it was no better now.

Viv squeezed his shoulders and brought his attention back to her. “The button—”

“Doesn’t define me?” He sighed and shrugged her off. “I know that. Never said it did. But it would be nice if I knew what I’d get when I pressed it. It would be nice if, for once, I had somewhere to fit in instead of being the freak show at every gathering.”

Viv grinned. “You know what you’ll get.”

Despite his restless, irritable mood, he smiled at that too. “Yeah, guess so. But knowing it’ll be random every time isn’t exactly the same as knowing what I’ll get.” He shoved his hands in his pockets and resumed his fast pace with a glance at his watch. Three minutes. Great. “Call your brother while you walk, then. Showing up with you only gains me five extra minutes to get there.”

“More like seven. Your mother adores me for some reason.” She pulled her phone out of her purse. “But you wouldn’t be late if—”

He raised a brow at her. “We discussed my feelings on charity.”

“More like you talked and I pretended to listen.”

He put a hand over his heart with an exaggerated wince. “That hurts my feelings.”

“Too bad.”

“How intolerant of you.” He wrinkled his nose. “I can’t believe you would be so inconsiderate of my feelings and my opinion.”

She threw her head back and laughed her rich, throaty laugh. Been a while since he’d heard it. It brought a warm feeling inside that partially chased off the bad feelings. This time, she didn’t even grace him with a response to his inanity. Both of them had a healthy respect for one another’s views on society’s belief in tolerance and social relevance. Neither of them really liked the way things were headed there, and that drew them together.

“Well, typical of you. You going to keep making fun of me? I’m still going to walk, so you can either join or go on ahead.”

“And tell your mother what?” She scoffed. “Your son invited me over, but he’s ten minutes away because he couldn’t get over his pride long enough to join me?”

“If you want.” He pinched the bridge of his nose and held back a laugh. “I don’t care what you tell her. You’ll come up with something, and I’ll see you in five minutes.”

“Suit yourself, then. I’ll try to spare you her wrath.” She gave him a saucy grin and wiggled her fingers in farewell before she disappeared, leaving him alone among the crowds on the sidewalk.

~~~

Hope you all enjoyed the opening scene of the book! This is in the raw since I haven’t done extensive editing on it yet, but I don’t expect the beginning to change too much unless I run into major issues with it later on.

Work-In-Progress Wednesdays #38

Featured Ariel Paiement

This week’s WIP Wednesday is the last one that will feature Pathway of the Moon since I’m on the last chapter and finishing it up. Enjoy!

~~~

WHEN LEO WALKED through the door of the cottage, Amadeira flung herself at him. He caught her and staggered back before he caught his balance and held her to him. They stood there in silence, and she looked over his shoulder to see Nadar lingering on the doorstep. She caught his gaze and looked at him, praying he’d have the answers she and Leo needed.

He dropped his gaze to the ground, regret twisting his features. Her heart sank. No answers then. She squeezed Leo closer and buried her face in his shoulder, the hot tears prickling at the corners of her eyes. Well, it had been too much to hope that the old world god would know when this kind of thing wasn’t documented anywhere. None of the books documented anything like it, and Bane’s diary said nothing on the matter. She’d checked it three times while waiting for Leo to return, but nothing had turned up.

Leo rubbed her back and pulled away with a sigh. “He didn’t have the answers, Deira.”

She bit her lip and lowered her head.

He cupped her face in both hands. “Hey, look at me.”

Her heart lurched at the raw emotion and affection in his words and his touch. She did as told and found hope warring with sadness on his face. Heart aching, she reached out to run her fingertips over the crease in his brow. “Tell me it’ll be okay?”

He leaned closer and rested his forehead against hers. “It’ll be okay, sweetheart. We’ll figure it all out, but we can’t find any of the answers here. We need to go.”

She sighed. “Are we going on the king’s orders or on our own?”

“On the king’s orders. His men are waiting for us at the Path. They gave us time to say goodbye to this place and grab whatever we needed to take with us.” His fingers tangled in her hair, holding her to him. “Did you pack?”

“Yes.”

“Good girl.” He pressed a kiss to her forehead and pulled away.

She blushed and stepped to the side. “Nadar, why don’t you come in and make yourself at home? Leo and I will grab the bags and be right back out.”

He glanced toward the small bedroom and kitchen barely visible from the doorway. Shrugging, he stepped inside and strolled to one of the couches, sprawling out there. His expression neutral, he scanned over the place dispassionately. She gave him a weak smile and hurried after Leo, who was already rummaging through things in the bedroom.

~~~

That’s it for this week! What are you guys up to? If any of you write on Wattpad, are you doing the Open Novella Contest this year? I’m doing it, and I’m really excited about it. I’ve already met the first 2,000 word-count milestone for it. If you guys are doing it too, I’d love to hear what you’re writing about! Feel free to share in the comments.

Work-In-Progress Wednesdays #37

Featured Ariel Paiement

This week, I finished up chapter fifty-nine of Pathway of the Moon. One more to go, and then it’s done and off to my list of works to edit (which currently consists of only that one piece and part of another, so it’s a short list of books for my own work, at least). I’m extremely excited about this (as I know I’ve said before), and this week’s work-in-progress comes from the most recent chapter.

~~~

Alrian glanced up at the Numahi. “Is this what we need to activate?”

She nodded. “It should be touch-activated. The one on our world was accessible to anyone in Sedra’s circle, but we couldn’t open it. She made sure of that.”

Brennan frowned. “You’re sure this is it? Is it even functional?”

“It is the record system. I’m sure of that, at least. But I don’t know if it will be functional or not. If it isn’t, the written records abandoned here should be enough. It’s written in an older dialect than what you use now, however.”

“Neither of us can read the dialect that far back.” Alrian leaned over and pressed her palm against the dark surface of the orb. “So, let’s hope this thing turns on and translates for us too.”

Just after she touched it, the orb began emitting a pale glow, which grew brighter until it became a piercing beam that scanned over her. What was it doing? Hopefully it wouldn’t kill her. She squeezed her eyes shut and stood still. If it was going to hurt her, it was too late to get out of the way. If she froze, maybe it wouldn’t hurt her? A tiny trill emitted from the glass orb, and she peeked at it. The beam dimmed back to a tolerable glow, and she opened her eyes fully.

“Records activated,” a robotic female voice chirped. “Please request an option from the navigation menu.”

She glanced at Brennan then back to the orb. “What are the options?”

Something whirred, and then the voice came back. “Review log files. View recordings. Enter a new log file. Record a new video file.” The voice spouted off a few more things she didn’t understand then said, “Please request an option from the navigation menu.”

Brennan’s brow wrinkled in confusion. “Umm… View recordings?” He glanced over at her. “What is a recording, anyway?”

The Numahi laughed. “A recording is simply a record that contains audio and sometimes visual that was taken down in the moment it happened. You can communicate using those devices that are programmed to one another, yes?”

She nodded.

“Well, this device is more sophisticated. It can capture that communication and save it.”

Alrian shifted from foot to foot. A device that could capture their words and faces? Didn’t really sound like it led anywhere good, but maybe it could be useful. After all, without that, they wouldn’t be able to activate this old thing and find out what was really going on. She sighed and crossed her arms as the device whirred once more and projected an image onto the table. She squinted down at it with a frown.

Brennan looked equally confused. He poked his finger through the glowing stretch, but the image only moved over his finger too. “What is this?”

The Numahi snickered. “I forget that your communications are primitive here. It’s what we call a holo.”

“How does it work? Magic?”

“No, not magic. Technology. But never mind how it works. You need to tell the device which video to play. If it’s like the ones back home, you can choose based on the dates on the bottom left corner of each still image. If you don’t see something interesting, you can tell the orb to scroll to the next set.”

Brennan looked over at her. “You ready?”

She sucked in a deep breath and nodded. “Let’s just start at the beginning.”

Brennan turned back to the video display. “Show us all the videos starting with Entry One, Year 0.”

The screen changed, and sound poured out into the room. What she heard in that first video made her stomach clench, and sweat beaded her forehead. The creature hadn’t been lying. Maybe it had lied about other things. Who knew? But it hadn’t been lying about this, and even minutes into the first video, she was ready to shut this whole thing down and run. Still, she couldn’t move, couldn’t flee. This had to be heard. The threat was still out there, and who knew what might happen if it found out they still existed? They could all end up in dire danger if the organization backing the odd experiment Sedra was describing on the recording had the power to help her create life itself. This organization played the part of a god, and they had no problem with doing even the profane. If they found Alcardia, everything would be lost.

~~~

That’s it for this week, everyone! Next week, I may have something from the final chapter to share. Then that’s it. No more excerpts from Pathway of the Moon for Work-In-Progress Wednesdays because it’ll be done. I’ll be moving on to new things.

Speaking of new things, I’m participating in Wattpad’s Open Novella Contest this year! I did this last year too, and Bane of Ashkarith was the result. (So everyone who has really like the book, you have that contest to thank. 🙂 They’ve got some pretty good prompts.) This year, my piece is shaping up to have more of a sci-fi feel, but I’m basing it around the prompt “If all else fails, throw a little magic at it.” I’m liking it so far, so you may be seeing some of that on this section of the blog through until April when the novella has to be finished.

Work-In-Progress Wednesdays #36

Featured Ariel Paiement

This week’s work-in-progress comes from Pathway of the Moon, mainly because that’s what I’ve been working on most lately. I’m getting so close to done, and I’m definitely feeling end-of-book jitters. More than usual, in fact, but I guess that’s to be expected since the book is way longer than anything I’ve ever done before. But, hey, I’m still excited to write the sequel, so that’s probably a good sign, I think.

~~~

THE CEREMONY WAS finally here, and it didn’t quite seem real. She stood at the front of the small chapel with her hands in Leo’s, and for the first time, it slowly started to sink in. She would be his Bond when this finished. Really, truly, his. A small tremor zipped down her spine. Before today, she’d dreamed of this moment and spent hours fantasizing about it. It wasn’t everything she’d dreamed of. But it was everything she really needed.

Anyone who mattered even a little sat in the rustic pews and watched the two of them as they placed their interlocked hands over the bowl of clear, fresh water on the altar. In the old days, this would have been done in a large pool of water for larger chapels or at a stream for chapels without the ability to furnish the pool. Now, they kept the symbol without the actual ancient tradition. She stared into the clear water. A symbol not only of the purity of their intentions today but also a sign of the clarity and transparency that was to characterize their lives as Bonds.

The presiding minister stepped forward and wrapped a leafy length of vine around their hands to show the way their lives would be bound to each other’s, and she smiled. The words of the ceremony barely registered. Didn’t matter anyway. She knew that she could pledge herself to the man standing across from her with no doubts or reservations.

He squeezed her hands with a smile of his own, and she knew he wasn’t paying close attention to the droning of the minister either. She blushed and lowered her head. Her mind drifted toward the other ways they’d become Bonded after the ceremony. They’d been holding back on it for long enough, and finally, the waiting would end. No more interruptions or people keeping them apart. If anyone tried to get in the way of her Bonding night, she couldn’t be held responsible for what she’d do. Her entire body was ready to combust with a single touch from him, and the gentle pressure he was putting on her hands felt like a silent promise.

And then the minister was asking her for her vows, and she resurfaced just in time to recite them. If she was being honest, she doubted she’d remember much about this part of the ceremony. It already felt like a blur, and she hadn’t even finished going through it yet. Years from now, her Bond’s expression and the love shining in his eyes would probably be all she remembered. That thought didn’t bother her nearly as much as she’d expected it to, though. Really, Leo and her new family was all that mattered. The ceremony was a formality to allow the Bonding magic to unite their ashtras. Nothing more.

The priest kept droning on for a few more minutes, and Leo rolled his eyes. She glanced out across the crowd and caught a smirk on Brennan’s face. At least one person had caught onto their impatience. A bubble of laughter welled up inside her, but she squashed it. Laughing now would be highly inappropriate. Leo looked like he couldn’t decide if he wanted to rush the priest or laugh about how stuffy the man sounded. Well, they were in this together then. Just like they would be in everything else from now on.

Finally, the priest said the only words Leo had been waiting for this entire ceremony. The moment he had permission from the priest, he dipped her back and covered her mouth with his. No chaste, polite peck for him. He had to devour her lips like a man dying of thirst. She clutched his broad shoulders for balance, knowing this was only a small taste of what she’d get later. Her cheeks heated, but she liked that he wasn’t shy about declaring his affections even if Nadar did cough when the kiss went on a little too long. He finally let her come up for air, but his dark gaze whispered promises for the minute he got her back to his room. She shivered and didn’t let go of his shoulders as his gaze swallowed her whole.

~~~

Well, that’s all for this week, everyone! What are you guys working on? Anything you’re finding fun and exciting? For those of you who don’t write, what are you reading? Feel free to share in the comments!

Work-In-Progress Wednesday #35

Featured Ariel Paiement

This week’s work-in-progress is a small bit from a short dystopian romance story I started. Enjoy!

~~~

Something snapped in the distance, and she lifted a finger to her lips. The sweep was happening. They’d have to be absolutely still and silent if they didn’t want to be caught. Luckily, her companion stayed quiet and didn’t move. A light flashed overhead, and the crackle of the energy field washed over her skin. When neither of them moved, the beam continued on its way in moments, and she sagged back against the wall in relief.

“What was that?”

“The reason they don’t need guards for the exterior of this building. As for your other question, that’s something I’d rather answer well away from this place. If my father catches me here again, he’s likely to sell me off to the whore houses directly or to enslave me to one of his own masters.” She grabbed the stranger’s wrist and ignored the strange wash of warmth that cascaded through her at the contact.

He didn’t protest, and she dragged him out of the bushes, darting toward the fence. “Hurry. There’s not much time before the next sweep. They always come in pairs.”

The man picked up the pace. To the left, she could hear the hum and snap that foretold the approach of the field. She bolted for the hole just behind her new acquaintance, and together they scrambled underneath it. On the other side, they lay on the ground side-by-side, and Eltara stared up at the stars while she regained her breath.

“Alright, explain. What’s with the weird beam, why was it so easy to get past the fence, and why would your own father ever sell you into slavery?”

Well, he just had to ask all the hard questions, didn’t he? “The beam of light is an invention they created about ten years ago to eliminate the need for guards outside this complex. Too inefficient to patrol, I guess. It will send out an alarm signal to my father, the head of the Mors Animi, and to all the guards inside the building, if it finds any trace of human movement. The program is designed to ignore the usual animals that lurk about the building at night. If either of us had moved or made a noise while the wave passed over us, we would’ve been caught.”

“Good thing I stayed quiet then.” He groaned. “You’re lucky I didn’t ask another question. I wanted to.”

“Yes, well, good thing you didn’t. We’d probably both end up dead or hooked up to the machine in there, our minds being drained into whatever abysmal reality my father chooses to torment us.”

~~~

I hope you guys enjoyed this! What are you guys reading or writing these days? I’m always happy to hear about it, and I’m currently open to new book suggestions, particularly if they’re ones you guys might like to see reviewed on The Fantasy Nook. (To be considered for review, the books do need to be some genre of fantasy, and they can’t be erotica. I have a few younger readers and would like to avoid creating an unsafe or inappropriate environment for them, so I don’t review that sort of stuff.)

If you want to share, you can do so in the comments or, for book suggestions, feel free to shoot me an email if that’s more your cup of tea! Until next week, happy writing and reading, everyone!

Work-In-Progress #34

Featured Ariel Paiement

This week’s work-in-progress is from Pathway of the Moon. It’s almost finished with just four chapters to go, and I’m beginning the setup for the sequel. This piece is part of my most recent chapter.

~~~

He caught a rustle of movement in the bushes, and a small, furry creature hopped out of the bushes. It stared at him with bright red eyes before scampering back under cover. He stared after it. Nothing back home had fur that white. He dropped to a knee and peered under the bushes. Whatever it had been it was gone. He pressed a palm into the feathery grass beneath him and paused. How was it this green? How was any of this so vibrant?

Something tickled inside his head. He frowned. How could the inside of his head tickle? The fluttering sensation danced on the fringes of his consciousness, and he shook his head, trying to clear it. Still, it didn’t dissipate. He glanced around him. Was some magic at work here? There. Some faint whisper of sound echoed on the fringes of his awareness, and it sounded like words. He strained to hear whatever was in the background. Was someone else here watching him? His head ached and pulsed, and then the whisper clarified to a normal tone. People were talking, and they sounded close. How could that be? And how was it they spoke his dialect of Wyrdhan? He sprang to his feet and slipped into the brush and woodland to wait behind a tree for them to come out from their hiding place. Whoever was here, they didn’t seem interested in coming out with him around. He fixed his attention on the clearing and listened.

The Path opened, a female voice chimed past the general buzz assailing him.

I know. I felt him. This time, a man answered. He opened it.

The female hummed in response. Yes. The Cursed will be happy, I’m sure.

They already sent an emissary through when the Path first opened.

Has it made contact?

Not with him. The man huffed. But with those who will bring him, yes.

That’s a good thing, Laur. Why does it bother you?

So, the man was Laur. But why were they talking about him, and how did they know who he was? Perhaps they just thought he was someone he wasn’t. That had to be it.

You know why, Nim. Don’t pretend you can’t see it.

I see feelings and intent, Laur. Not private thoughts. The woman, Nim, sounded annoyed now.

Leo crossed his arms and tipped his head back against the tree trunk. Why hadn’t they shown up yet? Unless… Unless he wasn’t truly hearing them. He’d heard of people who could hear thoughts. But that made no sense. These two were holding a conversation, so he wasn’t hearing thoughts. It just wasn’t possible. But how could he be hearing them if they weren’t here? He frowned and edged out of the woods, calling on his shadows. More voices joined the chatter, but none of them spoke to Nim or Laur. He ran a hand through his hair. This world clearly had more going on than they’d thought, and it seemed like his was connected somehow. Maybe?

He listened for Nim or Laur. For a minute, he couldn’t find them. Then their voices returned, louder this time. Did that mean they were closer now? He waited for any noise to indicate someone’s approach. Nothing. So, he waited and listened.

We should check the portal. Nim this time with her melodic voice.

You think he’s still around? Let me guess, you want a glimpse of the fabled Son of Shadows. Is that it, Nim?

Leo swallowed hard. They were talking about him. How? How could they know who he was and what he was? It shouldn’t be possible.

Don’t mock me, Laur. You know how long we’ve waited. Just because you’re not happy doesn’t mean I can’t be.

Yes, yes, I know. We’ve waited ever since she brought the First to us. But it was never our vendetta. We shouldn’t have to fight. His presence will stir up the Cursed and get us all killed. If we leave it be, the Cursed–“

Will eventually tear us apart, Nim interrupted. We need him. He’s the only way, and the Aura wants him here.

A branch crackled.

Leo melted into the woods and shadows.

Two people emerged from the opposite side of the clearing. One was clearly female. Nim, perhaps? Eyes almost too large for her face perched above a pert nose. Those eyes turned on him and changed from yellow to a brilliant emerald hue of green. Her silver hair swayed as she stepped closer, and Leo stared. Despite a releatively human appearance, she had something distinctly inhuman about her. Maybe in the way she moved?

He is still here.

He stiffened. Where had the voice come from? The woman’s lips hadn’t moved at all. With bated breath, he waited. Until they left, he couldn’t go home, and he didn’t want to be found either. Then, he would have to fight. He certainly wouldn’t let them take him away from this place. Not when it was his only way home.

Laur peered in the direction Nim was starting, his eyes an electric blue that pierced into Leo. I don’t see him. And I don’t feel him anymore.

He is here, Nim insisted. But he will fight if we engage him.

Just let him be, Nim. Maybe he won’t return.

He will. He reeks of curiosity. And when he does, I will greet him with the hospitality he deserves. She turned away and walked past Laur, brushing shoulders with him. You will too, so you’d better start practicing.

Laur’s nose wrinkled, and his eyes flashed a flat gray before returning to blue. Nothing more came from him, and Leo watched until the alien turned and walked away. Then he slumped to the ground beside his tree. What had that been?

~~~

That’s it for this week! What are you guys working on or reading these days? Feel free to share in the comments!

Work-In-Progress Wednesdays #34

Featured Ariel Paiement

This is a sneak peek at a short story I’m working on for a short story collection that I hope to publish in 2021. I know, a while out, but I like to get a head start so I can make sure everything is finished on schedule. Anyway, this one is about Enlil, a storm god in an alternate universe who has kidnapped a princess who is supposed to be his Chosen, the one to keep him steady and complete him. Things are…not working out as planned. (But really, when do they ever, right?)

~~~

ENLIL watched Nunael from across the table. She wouldn’t lift her gaze from her food, and they had already passed most of the meal dancing around any real conversation. In fact, she had spent most of her words on avoiding any conversation with him at all. He hadn’t envisioned things going like this. His Chosen was supposed to obey and to adore him, and he was to love and to protect her. Had the ring chosen wrong this time? In his long lifetime, it never had. Still, this mulish, raven-haired slip of a woman wasn’t anything like the others the ring had chosen in the previous millenium. He tightened his grip on his cutlery. He’d been happy with all of the previous Chosen. What was the ring doing? Changing up a working system was madness. He frowned down at the ring, and the ruby set into the intricate metal band stared back, winking in the light. He looked up at the girl again.

She picked at her food with a groan. “Why do you insist on staring at me?”

His scowl deepened. “Why do you insist on giving me a headache?”

She snorted. “I’m not a telepath, so I can’t possibly give you a headache.”

“You most certainly can. There are ways to do it without using any magic, and you certainly have managed it in the short time since you came here.”

“Since you kidnapped me, you mean.” She returned to picking at her food, and candlelight flickered over her high cheekbones.

“You came willingly.”

“I came because I had to.”

“You still chose to come. And is it really that miserable here? Have I hurt you in any way?”

“Not yet.”

His grip on the silverware turned vise-like, and shocks flickered over his forearms. He forced himself to take a deep breath and to calm down. “I’m not going to. Do you know what a Chosen is?”

“An individual sacrifices to a god to act as a consort and a tie between mortal and immortal.” She pushed her plate away. “How is this relevant?”

“You are my vessel’s chosen.”

She sat back and slumped down in her chair with a huff of breath. Disbelief, judging by the expression on her elfen features. “Your vessel’s chosen?”

“The Chosen are picked by the ancestors of the deity.”

She frowned at that but didn’t ask the question that was obvious on her face.

He answered anyway. “We’re not really immortal. But it takes someone or something as strong as we are to kill us.”

“And if you aren’t killed?”

“We live for a long time.”

She stared out at the torch-lit courtyard below their window. “How old are you, then?”

“Old enough. You?”

“Eighteen.” She still didn’t look at him.

He watched her, curiosity warring with irritation. This was the least intractable she’d been so far. But even now, she looked for an escape from his presence. “You know you’re stuck here, right? Stuck in this palace with me…”

Her golden eyes finally shifted to him. Still, she didn’t answer, and stubbornness glinted in that shadowed gaze.

He stood and stalked over to her, pulling her to her feet. “You can’t go. Ever.”

Her gaze lowered, shut him out and blocked his words. “So you have said.”

What would it take for her to get it? He yanked her into his arms and caged her in his embrace. “I mean it. Until you and I are Bound and become one, this place will not let you leave.”

She tore from his grip with a mournful, angered cry. “You lie!”

“I don’t.” He crossed his arms. “Test it if you like. But you’ll only prove me right, Princess. Save us both the trouble and accept your fate.”

“Never.” She spun on her heel and fled out the door, her dress fluttering around her ankles.

He watched her go before shoving his hands into his pockets and following behind her. She rushed down the hall to the grand staircase. There, she paused and looked back. Her gaze caught on him, and she froze for a moment. Then she took off again, all but tumbling down the stairs in her haste. He didn’t rush. Why do that when he didn’t need to? She’d see soon enough.

They ended up in the gardens on the border of the castle’s wall. She stepped out of the gate in the wall, and Enlil waited by the burbling fountain. Moments later, she reappeared beside him, stumbling a bit. A confused whimper escaped her, and he steadied her. She tore her arm from his grip and sank to the grass surrounding his fountain. Her tiny frame trembled. “Go away! You won, so just leave me alone.”

He chewed on his inner cheek and crouched down beside her. “I’m sorry.”

“What for?”

He didn’t know. He just felt terrible about the pain she was in, and he wanted to alleviate it. He reached out to take her hand then pulled back. She wouldn’t welcome his touch. Not right now.

She kept her face turned away from him. “This is your fault. You’re not really sorry for anything. You just feel guilty.”

He wanted to be angry with her, but she was right. He didn’t know what he was sorry for, and he did feel guilty. It was, in some ways, his fault. But not entirely. He stood and glared down at the ring on his ring finger. The ring had chosen her, not him. The ring had decided this headstrong, unsubmissive, and angry woman would be the best match for him. He tore the infernal thing off his finger and threw it into the grass. “If I had my way, I never would have brought you here at all. You’re not what I need, and you’re not what I was hoping for.”

She laughed bitterly. “Then go away! Leave me be. I don’t want you either, so I guess that makes us even. At least we can agree on that.”

He shook his head with a sneer and stalked off. Cursed ring and its wretched judgment. Next time, he’d rather be damned for eternity in the fiery pits of Aratroth’s furnace than let the ring pick another ill-matched, ill-mannered wench. He’d choose his own woman next time, and his ancestors could just suck it up and deal with it. He could make his own decisions.

~~~

Well, that’s it for now, everyone! Hope you guys enjoyed. What are you working on? If you’d like, you can share it in the comments below! I’d love to hear from everyone.