Wordsmith Wednesday #5

 The objective: Show us a scene from your current project. It can be creepy, adventurous, romantic, etc. Just a snippet to let readers see what they're in for!

The guidelines:
 * Must be from a current work-in-progress (WIP). Nothing already published.
 * You may choose from any section of the manuscript, but be mindful not to include spoilers.
 * Keep it clean and YA audience friendly, please. No erotica.
 * Stay under 300 words or about one page. It can be as little as a few lines if you prefer. We just want to give readers a chance to see everyone's selection. 
 * Link back to Chirenjenzie so we can enjoy others' work as well!
 * Include the guidelines in your post.

This is from my historical romance, The Contessa, which is a fun little piece I've been working on when The Heart of the Ancients gets too intense. 

Here's the opening scene. Enjoy!

She sat alone amidst the spinsters and the plain, but anyone who cared to notice could see that she didn’t belong.  Her head was downcast, hiding her heart-shaped face and dainty nose. Her creamy complexion, which could easily drink in the sun’s rays, was buried beneath layers of silk. Even her rich, mahogany hair stayed tucked away under a lace cap. Yes, Tess was beautiful … an elegant rose disguised as a wallflower, and she wanted to keep it that way.

Still, even though she loved anonymity, she longed to be needed ... to feel protected. She had never had either, really. But despite her inner yearning, Tess knew no one would take interest in her. Aside from the complications of her past, years of secrecy and loneliness had left her terribly shy.

The quadrille ended and the musicians stood to take a break. Couples floated from the dance floor, most of them heading to the refreshment room or the balcony for a breath of fresh air.   

Tess took one last look at the crystal chandeliers, their candles drooping after hours of service. It truly was one of the loveliest balls of the season. As the couples cleared the floor, she spotted a tall gentleman across the way. His white cravat and black jacket complimented the thick mahogany hair and fair complexion perfectly. His tall frame and broad shoulders accented his trim waist. Tess sighed, admiring his physique. Once … just once … what she would give to be held in strong arms and whirled around the dance floor.  

Wordsmith Wednesday Teaser #1

 Welcome to our first official Wordsmith Wednesday! It's a meme created by the writers of Chirenjenzie to highlight teasers from author's up and coming works. We'd love it if you'd join us! Here are the guidelines: 

* Post must be from a current work-in-progress (WIP). Nothing already published.
* You may choose from any section of the manuscript, but be mindful not to include spoilers.
* Keep it clean and YA audience friendly, please. No erotica.
* Stay under 300 words or about one page. It can be as little as a few lines if you prefer. We just want to give readers a chance to see everyone's selection.
* Link back to Chirenjenzie so we can enjoy others' work as well!
* Include the guidelines in your post.

And now on to a little teaser from the third book in the Kailmeyra series, The Heart of the Ancients.  Enjoy!

Rena stormed across the room. Rumpled, tired, and looking more than a little grumpy, she flopped down in the chair and took a long drink from her goblet, setting it down with a decided thump. 

“Having a good day?” I asked. She aggressively exhaled, her eyes stayed fixed on the group across the way. 

“That’s the last time I help Tark and Weylin with the recruits.” Her normally graceful brows lowered in two sharp lines. “Tark asked if I would put the new warriors through their paces by using my little gift.”  As the Keeper of the Field, Rena could call on the land to help defend, if needed. Her abilities had saved our hides several times over. 

I turned in my chair to face her. “What happened?” 

Her scowl became more pronounced. “At first, all was well. The terrain responded to my call, and I had the young ones contained with vine and loam. And then he showed up.” She jerked her head toward Weylin. “It seems his practice with you has given him insight to exploit my weaknesses as well. And apparently your mate,” her voice went up as she emphasized her words, “has given Weylin permission to test not only you but all the keepers as well.” 

I glanced across the room. The fact that Rena referred to Gavin as anything other than the prince should have offended him. As it was, he rubbed his cheek in a poor attempt to hide his smile. 

“So what did you do?”

“What do you think?” she grumbled. “I lost my concentration, the young warriors charged, and I was overrun.” She glared across the room once more. Tark purposefully avoided her gaze, but Weylin openly grinned.

“Don’t worry.” I patted her hand. “Next time, we’ll work together and pummel Weylin to dust.”

Rena’s jasper brown eyes glittered at the thought. “I would love nothing more.”