It's odd, when I'm really into writing for a WIP I find that the words don't come in other forums. I have been working hard on a new WIP and filling in the breaks for Immortal Machinations. Unfortunately, that leaves me, well, speechless when it comes to other things. Still, I have to say that I am loving both of these WIPs so being a bit quiet in other forums is only temporary.
I CANNOT WAIT to share these pieces!!! Immortal Machinations should be ready to go by Imaginarium in September, that is my goal and I think the perfect forum to release it. The other WIP is going to have to remain a big secret but I am SOOOO pleased with it. Completely outside the realm of what I've written up until now - in every possible way.
Anyway, I am unbelievably excited to share these new things with you so I will drop in a little snippet from Immortal Machinations...whatever could Dorian be up to??
Pardon the rough draft quality....
They turned left and just as
Katerina said there were two hulking sentries flanking the largest doorway Dorian
had ever seen. Even the massive sentries
were dwarfed by the stone columns bracing the door frame. As they approached the guards, Dorian was
awed by their size. He was not a small
man, one of the tallest in his village, but these men were more than a head
taller than Dorian and thrice as broad.
Each wore a long black robe with wide hoods covering all but the tips of
their noses. In their hands, the men
held longswords, blade down and palms resting on the hilts. They nodded at Dorian as he approached the
threshold, their ragged breathing the only sound until they stepped into the
room.
Easily as large as the work room
he’d seen earlier but twice as tall. The
ceiling was rounded and covered in paintings depicting a night sky. It seemed to move, to swirl and pulse with
the beat of the music. Dorian tried to
take it all in, eyes flitting from one thing to the next, fountains at either
side and an enormous black marble hearth at the far end of the room. Square tables were set about the room, each
with plush chairs and extravagant place settings. People were milling about in small groups,
laughing and talking with such gaiety.
At the far end of the room some people were dancing near a set of
instruments that seemed to be playing themselves. Dorian chanced a glance at Katerina but she
remained stoic, glancing about as if not seeing a thing though he knew she was
seeing everything.
“They are enchanted.” Katerina’s lips barely moved as she breathed
the answer to his unspoken question.
“Ah, Dorian, you have made it.”
The cool baritone set Dorian’s teeth on edge.
Katerina pressed his arm lightly
giving the appearance that they were turning in unison. Dorian immediately recognized Edward as the
silent half of the pair in front of him.
A head shorter than his apparent partner, Edward seemed nothing more
than an ornament this evening. The
taller man spoke again, his words measured and precise. “Please, allow me to introduce myself, I am
Constantine. It is a pleasure to finally
meet you in person.” Constantine
inclined his head slightly. He wore gold
brocade and fur with heavy jewelry offsetting his deeply tanned skin and jet
black hair.
On instinct, Dorian bowed his head
slightly lower before responding, “Thank you for your invitation, this
evening.”
Constantine cracked a half smile
and arched one very defined eyebrow. His
eyes flashed golden as if reflecting his robes.
“You have either been taught some manners or you are more adaptable than
we thought. Which is it?”
“I could not say, my lord. I was not certain that my response was
appropriate.” Dorian spoke honestly as
if he could not lie if he’d wanted to.
A chilling laugh broke from
Constantine’s mouth. “Truly, you are a
delight, Dorian. I look forward to
watching you evolve.” He waved a hand
toward the festivities, “Please, enjoy yourself this evening and we will talk
again soon.” Constantine offered one
last grin before drifting away with Edward in tow.
“Well done, Dorian.” Katerina’s whispers barely just registered in
Dorian’s ear before Constantine’s place was taken by a short, squat, balding
man.
“Greetings, Dorian.” The man bobbed his head though it was
difficult to notice given the girth of his neck and chins. “I am Lord Reginald and this,” he gestured
with fat, heavily jeweled, sausage-like fingers toward a young woman less than
half his age standing just behind him, “is my wife, Lady Isolde.” The young woman curtseyed and it was then
that Dorian noticed her to be in a delicate state. Though she attempted to hide it with the
folds of her elaborate emerald robes, Lady Isolde was clearly well into her
confinement period. Dorian had delivered
enough babes into this world to know how close the Lady was to term and at her
size it would not likely be an easy delivery.
Still, the lovely young girl glowed, cheeks rouged to a lovely pink
offsetting a pair of brilliant blue eyes and golden blonde hair. Lord Reginald was very wealthy to have such a
bride. Katerina squeezed his elbow
lightly spurring Dorian to respond.
“A pleasure to meet you, my
Lord.” He bowed formally to Lady Isolde,
“and my Lady. You are ravishing.”
Lord Reginald beamed even wider,
his pudgy face flaring red. “We expect
great things from you, Dorian, great things indeed. I understand you were somewhat of a physician
for your village for a time.”
Dorian nodded, “I was called upon
at times, my Lord. But I was never
formally educated in medicine.”
“Would you wish to be educated in
medicine?” Lady Isolde’s voice was
little more than a whisper but her eyes shone brightly and with such curiosity
that Dorian realized she was a bright girl, far brighter than her husband.
“Aye, my lady. If it were possible, I would be educated in
all manners of science.” Dorian tipped
his head toward her.
Lady Isolde tugged at her
husband’s arm, “My Lord, can we see that Dorian be granted a tutor so that he
may master the practice of medicine?”
She spoke so sweetly, batting her eyes at Lord Reginald.
The plump Lord patted his wife’s
hand, “would that please you, my Lady?”
He did not wait for her response but turned his face toward Dorian, “I
will see to it that you be given everything necessary to study medicine
provided you continue to do what is asked of you. Do you accept?”
Dorian nodded but before he could say more, a
rather voluptuous woman pushed in front of Lord Reginald, “You are taking too
much time with our guest, my Lord. You
must share with the rest of us.” The new
arrival towered over Lord Reginald and Lady Isolde, her curves seemingly poured
into her shimmering sapphire ball gown. She
trained her eyes on Dorian, nearly standing eye to eye with him, “welcome to
our family, Dorian. I am Rohesia but you
may call me Lady Ro. This is my consort,
Galen.”Lady Ro pulled her partner close
to her, edging Lord Reginald and his wife completely out of Dorian’s vantage
point. Galen inclined his head stiffly
toward Dorian, his eyes flicking about the room never seeming to stop on anything
for more than a moment. “Darling, you
are simply stunning.” Lady Ro purred at him and Dorian noted that her eyes had
a very feline appearance that was exaggerated by thick charcoal lining her lids
and extending to points at the corners.
She leaned in close to him, “We supernaturals must stay close; I am not
like them anymore than you are, my friend.
They seek to own us, to keep us all leashed like beasts. Do what you must but be wary of gifts; they
seldom come without strings attached and at times, heavy iron manacles.” Lady Rohesia backed away, speaking in an
exaggerated voice once more, “Come, Galen, I need wine.” She winked at Dorian and almost imperceptibly
dipped her head in acknowledgement of Katerina.
