~~~****~~Almost done, NaNoWriMos! May your writing be swift and your goal met!~~****~~~
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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, they sparred with wooden swords, and she got a lucky shot–she’s currently trying to see the damage.
His wolf-green eyes met mine, and I was suddenly aware of how close we were to each other.
I blushed, but refused to look away. “Please let me help.”
“I don’t need it.” He released me, and pushed to his feet, wincing as he did so. I stayed on the floor, watching as he walked out the door.
“That could have gone better.” Picking up both swords, I returned them to their places. Worried I might run into the sorcerer if I went exploring again, I curled up on the floor where I could peer out the window, and studied the bit of sky I could see.
* * *
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 
He’s gone to lick his wounds and think. She is one smart cookie. Love this story, so original.
She didn’t actually unnerve him on purpose, which is why it was so effective. He hasn’t had someone genuinely care about him for a long time.
Glad you’re enjoying it! 🙂
I keep forgetting she is only sixteen. My guess is that he hasn’t. Nice ebb and flow of tension Caitlin. Really enjoying these snippets.
It wasn’t so far in the past that sixteen year old girls got married all the time. I thought about making her older, but if she were, say 19 when divorced, she’d actually be ‘on the shelf.’
Thanks!
I was married at 20. My mum was married at 18. And my Dad’s mum was married at 16 with step children. Thank goodness times have changed.
I agree. The longer life spans from a few hundred years ago are nice, too.
Hey, I was married at 20, as well. Not to you, though.
I know a few people who married at 20, as well. It’s not that unusual in the South.
Uh-oh, sounds like she got him good. Possibly in more than one way. Loving this story so much.
I’ll leave that up to your imagination. 😉
Thank you!
How like an older man to go off to lick his wounds alone. LOL. I am very interested to see how their relationship plays out.
He’s a bit of a grumpy old man on the inside, even if he’s still young on the outside. 🙂
I think he’s finally getting the idea she’s not the typical disposable bride. Very nice image of her looking at the sky.
Yep, and he’s not much enjoying the revelation. Poor Gwyn doesn’t like being trapped inside.
I really resonate with your heroine and how calm and collected she is. Another excellent excerpt!
She’s calm now, but she was a bit panicked earlier. But she moved on from it, which is what’s important! 🙂
Well yes, that certainly could have gone better..and now that his pride has been hurt, I wonder what will come of it next time he shows up!! Really loving their interactions.
This is as far as I got before NaNoWriMo, but there will be more sparring, and awkward dinners, and tons of fun. 🙂
My grandmother was married at 15. My mom at 19. I was married at 23. My girls are 28 and 24 and still single. How times have changed. lol Loved the sparring. She definitely isn’t what he expected.
Indeed they have!
And no, Gwyn’s not at all what he expects, and he’s thrown by it!
I’m definitely starting to see the romance develop here. Wonderful work, as always. I’m loving this story! 🙂
Falling in love isn’t easy sometimes. 😉
Glad to hear it!
I believe he just might decide to keep this bride.
Maybe. 😉
I think they have an interesting relationship. She’s holding her own, that’s for sure.
It’s a tough start, but she’s working on it.
I’m on Team Gwyn -you go girl!
It seems to me that he is afraid of losing some kind of control if he lets her get too close. Very interesting story and I am enjoying the ride.
You’re right, he is. 😉
I’m so enticed with this scene. Can’t wait to read the new snippet. 🙂
This particular bit insisted on being written as I was trying to sleep. It can’t wait, either. 😉