Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors, the blog hop where a fun and diverse group of writers share excerpts in ten sentences or less from their published works or works-in-progress. I’ve been sharing from my new release, Gryffon Hall, an m/m fantasy inspired by Beauty and The Beast. In this scene, Wryler’s father informs him that he’s been betrothed to the notorious Lord Aeric Rouchet. Last week, Wryler found out that he’s to leave for Gryffon Hall three days hence. His father, who is entirely unsympathetic to Wrylers’ misgivings, is the speaker:
***
“Cheer up, Wryler. I don’t want my last image of you to be the one of muddled misery I see before me now. When you give me that baleful look, I can’t help but think of your mother.” He sighed, momentarily woeful, then rallied, slapping his hands together. “Let’s go, Cook, we’ve still got a house full of guests with aching heads–all ripe for a little lucrative conversation.”
With that, the two intruders departed, slamming the door behind them. Wryler stood motionless, listening to their fading boot stomps and the grating buzz of Amster’s snores.
Sent away into the wilderness, alone, to live out his days with a stranger. A barbarous stranger who battled monsters for a living. For most of Wryler’s life, Gryffon Hall had been held up as an example of power gone awry—a once great seat of power brought down by greed and black magic.
***
Fated to be born the useless fourth son of the Lord of Glimmerveen, Wryler dreams of getting married and escaping the rustic confines of his father’s castle. A wealthy merchant’s son seems to hold the key to Wryler’s safe if somewhat dreary future. However, the arrival of a mysterious stranger on the eve of Wryler’s betrothal sends his plans into disarray and Wryler finds himself traded off in marriage to one of the most notorious rogues in the land.
Is Lord Aeric Rouchet the scoundrel he appears to be, or is he something much worse? Separated from his family and thrust into a strange and dangerous new life at the foreboding Gryffon Hall, Wryler must unravel the secret of his husband’s shadowed life and defeat the curse which threatens not only his growing affection for the barbarian in his bed, but the lives of everyone the Lord of Gryffon Hall is sworn to protect.
Check out the great review on Diverse Reader.
Buy on Amazon
***
This post is part of an ongoing blog hop hosted by Weekend Writing Warriors. Every Sunday, participating authors post eight to ten sentences from a published work or perhaps their current work in progress. Then we hop to our fellow warriors’ blogs and check out all the fabulous fiction that’s happening! I heartily invite you to participate as a reader, writer, or both. It’s a great way to discover your next favorite book. Click here or use the address: http://www.wewriwa.com
Great snippet! I have a feeling Gryffon Hall will prove to be different than he believes. I hope so, for his sake.
LikeLike
Monster, black magic, greed… I hope it’s not all as terrible as he thinks.
LikeLike
I can see why he’d be worried about going to Gryffon Hall! Another excellent excerpt..
LikeLike
Great snippet. Tweeted.
LikeLike
This is what happens when you marry your children off to erstwhile enemies. You can’t blame Wryler for being upset and confused!
LikeLike
Do not marry your children to strangers. Oh No.
LikeLike
Oh my, that last paragraph makes it very understandable why Wryler is depressed and hurt by this new arrangement. He has a long way to come back, but I am sure that love can do it. 🙂
Wonderful writing, Alexis. The story’s voice is perfection. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Literally stunned speechless. Great job!
LikeLike
You’ve set up a great threat of future danger in the monsters. They hang over these proceedings like a dark cloud.
LikeLike
He feels at least a little for his son, I guess. But not much! Wryler is trapped for sure.
LikeLike
Nice! …well, not for Wryler. XD Great snippet!
LikeLike
I feel for his predicament. Very nice writing.
LikeLike
Can’t wait for him to meet his fiance. 🙂 I’m also dropping a link to my snippet; apparently the form didn’t submit my link! http://witandtravesty.com/weekend-writing-warriors-snippet-63/
LikeLike
Well that’s not cheerful, is it? Nice snippet. Makes me wonder what exactly fate has in store for him now.
LikeLike
Pingback: Weekend Writing Warriors ~ Not Even a Life | Alexis Duran