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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–wandering around and asking questions.
He showed me how to sprint from one side of the room to the other, pushing off the wall to help me turn. “Faster! Again!”
A snap of command rang in his voice, and I found myself obeying until I was dripping in sweat, my legs trembling.
“Over here,” he herded me to the larger second cabinet, opening it to reveal a variety of different sized shelves, and an assortment of objects perfectly fit into each one. He grabbed a rolled rug and shoved it at me.
My fingers closed around it just before he let go, and I followed him to the center of the room.
“Lay it flat here, then sit.”
I paused at his tone, which had veered from commanding to condescending, but I knelt on the rug.
* * *
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 
Why is she running? Just for exercise?
Gwyn is a very active young woman. Up until a week ago, she was riding, hunting, and/or walking outside pretty much every day of her life. Now she’s trapped in a tower for a year. If she doesn’t do something, she might burst.
Oh please tell me that carpet flies!! I’m in. Happy Holidays Caitlin!
Not *this* carpet, no. 😉
Happy Holidays to you, too!
I hope she gets to rest on the carpet after all that running. 🙂 I enjoyed reading and look forward to more.
Eventually. The sorcerer is trying to tire her out, a little like a personal trainer.
A rug on the floor. Hmm. Sounds sexy. Caitlin you are a wonder with your snippets.
I tried to imagine her stretching on a stone floor, and it made me hurt just thinking of it. So I gave her the closest thing to an exercise mat I could. 🙂
My first thought was the same as Nancy’s. My second was to wonder what you really had on your mind. Looking forward to finding out. Excellent snippet as always Caitlin
There will be a magic carpet at some point. There has to be, I think, for my inner child’s sake.
But it won’t be this rug, sadly.
I’m not getting a good feeling from this rug, exactly. He seems too commanding and if this is based on Bluebeard, it doesn’t bode well for his bride, now does it? Can’t wait for the next snippet!
It is *loosely* based on Bluebeard. I will not be murdering characters.
Or at least, the sorcerer isn’t going to murder Gwyn.
Magic carpet? The question remains, in a good or bad way? You keep adding such cool twists to this story!
This particular rug, though I had to cut any description, is a little small for a magic carpet. You’d probably fall off.
Glad you’re enjoying!
OK now what – yoga??? Always an intriguing snippet from you and I love this story!
Something very like yoga, because this is a fantasy world, and I can steal what I like. 😉
Well, he’s finally learned he can’t just ignore her. Hope he comes up with something more fun than sprints.
He’s already suggested a more personal exercise. She shot him down.
And I’m going to have to do some research to figure out exercise you can do inside, in a fantasy world.
I’m trusting she keeps all her wits about her and doesn’t let down her guard. I’m also wondering if that could be a magical carpet.
She’s pretty smart and guarded, but she’ll have to take a leap sometime.
Not this carpet. I promise.
(Unless I change my mind.)
The wizard has gone from domineering to condescending. It sounds like she’s making progress with him.
Some progress will be made, and then lost. 😉
He may be fighting the attraction but she is occupying an awful lot of his time and effort.
She is, isn’t she?;)
So he’s trying to tucker her out by making her run off some of that extra energy. I’m curious to know what he wants her to do with the rug.
This is her third day of marriage, so if she’s this wound up so soon… yeah, he’s trying to figure out a way to get her calmer.
The rug is my ‘cheat’ for an exercise mat, because stone floors… ouch.
Always so intrigued by your excerpts, Caitlin. Very curious to see how their relationship continues to develop. 🙂
I’ve been working on this sporadically, so I’m not sure on the details… but you can be sure I’ll torture the both of them!
Rather full of himself. I bet she’ll surprise him with her determination.
Oh, yes, she will. 😀
Oh, so many questions Caitlin. It seems she’s due fro a revolt, but is his magic strong enough to subdue her? Or is it something else? And when she knelt instead of sitting on the rug, was that a way to protest his condescension?
Great writing, as always. 🙂
She’s not quite ready for a revolt yet. But she’ll get there.
And yes, I’m glad you caught that. It’s a small protest.
I can’t wait to see what he is going to show her. Very nice.
I post on (my) Sunday, so it’s already up. 🙂