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This is from a WIP, with the placeholder name of “Bluebeard,” very loosely based on that fairy tale. Every year on the Winter Solstice, a sorcerer takes a sixteen-year-old girl as his bride, divorcing her and exiling her before he takes a new bride the next year.
Summary: The sorcerer Aamir “Mire” has married the narrator, Gwyn, spelled them into his tower, and she’s not adjusting so well to being cooped up.
“I could hear you traipsing up and down the stairs, opening and closing doors,” he said. “Don’t you ever sit down?”
“I did!” I had tried three separate times to read a novel I’d chosen from his library, eaten lunch, stared at my journal in the unsuccessful attempt to add to the three sentences from yesterday’s entry, and watched a cloud drift across the slice of sky I could see from my sitting room.
He frowned at me, his yellow-green eyes fixed on mine, studying me in silence.
After a few moments, I shifted my feet, and after a few more, crossed my arms.
“You’re going to drive me crazy.” He strode out of the room, and paused at the door. “Well?”
I followed.
* * *
This story is very loosely based on Bluebeard. The sorcerer is cursed, and the brides are caught up in the curse, though the nearby villagers don’t know how or why. He keeps the kingdom safe with his magic, and his brides tie him to a land he couldn’t otherwise protect. There are other ways to do this tying–but his curse demands a bride.
caitlinsternwrites 
I get a feeling that it will be just the right sort of crazy to get him out of his very deep rut! Brilliant visuals, I could see the body language.
Eventually, with much drama along the way. 🙂
I love their subtle sparring! This is going to be the one to break the spell… Great excerpt, Caitlin. 🙂
I’m plotting some less subtle sparring down the line. I figure the tension will break their tempers eventually!
Great punchy dialogue. The story line is fascinating too.
Thanks. 🙂
Love your writing style, Caitlin. Great excerpt.
Glad you enjoyed it!
How I love this story. The build up is wonderful
They’ve got a year (or so) can’t ramp up the tension too fast, right?
I like her, love how she can’t just sit still and do nothing. Can’t wait to see how he plans to keep her busy. Excellent excerpt!
It’s going to be difficult, but at least it’s a pretty big tower.
Yes, I can see boredom being an issue here. Sounds like he might find her something interesting to do!
He’ll need a few interesting things, I think–I’m brainstorming them right now. Because the embroidery, dancing, painting, etc. of his previous brides will not do.
Great little story – I love how it starts with the opening and closing of doors. And ends with “following”.
I really like your narrator. She seems very real and sympathetic!
What a dreary existence she has. It’s enough to drive one nuts.
Ha! Love it, she’s driving him crazy? Such a cute scene, love his yellow-green eyes also.
She’s different and he likes it.
I’m enjoying the snippets. Love to know how he’s going to keep her busy.
I haven’t quite decided yet, but I have ideas. 🙂
She is definitely getting under his skin… this is going to be fun to watch (read)
Yeah, he’s having some difficulties.