#FreeviewFriday #MakeBelieve Part 3

Welcome to Freview Friday!

Today I’m sharing another snippet of my story, Sacrificial Oath, from J. Taylor Publishing’s Make Believe Anthology which releases December 3^rd.

Part 1 can be found HERE & Part 2 HERE if you missed them!

A fresh wave of fear surged through her. “What oath?”

“I never expected ….” Another sob tore from his lips.

She wiped a tear with her thumb and tried for an assuring smile. “Tell me, Father.”

“I made an oath to the Goddess.” Chest heaving, he struggled to continue. “In an exchange for survival and victory, I promised t—to sacrifice the first virgin who emerged from the gates upon our return.”

Cold overtook Alesuela.

“I have given my word,” her father cried, “to our blessed Goddess.”

Darkness shrouded Alesuela’s mind, and she slumped to the ground.

Dun dun dun dun …. 

As J.A. Belfield has said, any and all are welcome to join her in this weekly shenanigan. HOWEVER, if you do so, she URGE syou to keep the shared snippets short and sweet. Mine (like hers) will be a maximum of TEN (10) sentences. To help identification of these posts, we’ll be hashtagging them (for Twitter purposes) as #FreeviewFriday. Feel free to knick said hashtag for your own Freeview Friday posts. Hope you’ll join us!

#FreeviewFriday #MakeBelieve Part 2

Welcome to Freview Friday!

Today I’m sharing another snippet from my story, Sacrificial Oath, from J. Taylor Publishing’s Make Believe Anthology which releases December 3^rd.

Missed the first installment? Click HERE.

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Alesuela knelt before her father and cupped his cheeks in her palms. “What is it ?”

He clenched his eyes shut. “Not her,” he said. “Not my only daughter.”

“Father, you’re scaring me.”

Amant grasped her wrists and met her gaze.

The unusual display of sorrow constricted Alesuela’s throat. She forced herself to draw breath. “Please, tell me,” she whispered.

“Oath. I—I gave an oath.”

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Until next time ….

As J.A. Belfield has said, any and all are welcome to join her in this weekly shenanigan. HOWEVER, if you do so, she URGE syou to keep the shared snippets short and sweet. Mine (like hers) will be a maximum of TEN (10) sentences. To help identification of these posts, we’ll be hashtagging them (for Twitter purposes) as #FreeviewFriday. Feel free to knick said hashtag for your own Freeview Friday posts. Hope you’ll join us!

#FreeviewFriday #MakeBelieve Part 1

Welcome to my debut Freeview Friday! Thanks J.A.Belfield for this awesome idea.

Today I’m sharing a snippet from my story, Sacrificial Oath, from J. Taylor Publishing’s Make Believe Anthology which releases December 3^rd.

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“Father!” Alesuela called out, knowing he would be displeased with her for leaving the palace grounds. “Father!” she cried again, recognizing the dark-haired man leading the army.

Clinking armor and creaking leather stopped as the Sovereign of Vecina held up a fist.

Alesuela’s steps slowed when her father’s face became visible through the settling dust. “Father?”

“Beloved Goddess,” Amant gasped, his stubbled cheeks ashen, “anyone but her.” He dismounted, started toward Alesuela and fell to his knees.

The earlier sense of dread flooded over her . She took a hesitant step forward. “Father, please … are you alright?”

He didn’t answer but held his head in his hands, moaning.

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Hope you enjoyed it! Be sure to stop back next week for the next tasty morsel.

As J.A. Belfield has said, any and all are welcome to join her in this weekly shenanigan. HOWEVER, if you do so, she URGE syou to keep the shared snippets short and sweet. Mine (like hers) will be a maximum of TEN (10) sentences. To help identification of these posts, we’ll be hashtagging them (for Twitter purposes) as #FreeviewFriday. Feel free to knick said hashtag for your own Freeview Friday posts. Hope you’ll join us!

Make Believe Excerpts Released Today!

You've seen the pretties ...

Now how 'bout a little teaser??? Here's the beginning of Sacrificial Oath, by little old me.

Enjoy!





Alesuela’s knees ached, but she didn’t dare cease her prayers. Father had to return. He had to.

Blessed Goddess, bring him home safely. Please.

Continuing with her supplication, she lit another candle as she had vowed to do with each sunrise. Alesuela shifted on the woolen rug. A drip flowed down the taper’s side, pooling on top of three month’s worth of hardened wax.

Her beloved father, Amant, Sovereign of Vecina, sent weekly reports of the war’s progress—of small defeats and battles won. Although her intended, Lord Pedre Ashin, also rode at the army’s front, Alesuela’s thoughts rarely lingered on the younger man. No anticipation stirred in Alesuela’s breast over the postponed wedding, for Pedre never treated her with anything other than indifference.

Hands clasped, Alesuela lifted her gaze to the window above her chamber’s gilded shrine. The opening framed a picturesque view of the snowcapped Craesor Mountain where the Goddess dwelt. Looming in the east, the crater-topped peak blocked the summer’s rising sun. Scarlet smeared the sky, and the sweet scent of red poppies from her flower garden below drifted in on a dry breeze.

Red poppies. Death.

A shudder rippled through Alesuela.

He can’t be dead. Blessed Goddess, I am not yet ready to be Vecina’s Sovereign.

Dread wrapped Alesuela in its cold embrace.

So whatcha think? I'd LOVE to know.  
*biting fingernails*

Swing by Goodreads HERE & add it to your to-read list!