The things that inspire a story most of the time bear little resemblance to the finished product. I thought I’d share a scene that inspired a story I might be starting soon if I can get a few things hammered out. I call this Saving Magic, because it’s one of the things I know about the story and world. They have to save their world’s magic.
Cheli woke slowly. The heavy lethargy of deep sleep slowly began to fade. She noticed she was warm, very warm. It was a little odd. The last few days, she’d been almost uncomfortably cool in the mornings. Not that she expected it to be warm and cozy in a tent in the foothills of the mountains in fall. It was going to get cold before they could head home.
She opened her eyes and started as she saw a male face not too far from hers. She recognized the male. It was Ridge. He wasn’t supposed to be here.
His brown hair hung in tight braids and his face still bore the face paint the men had on almost every day she’d seen them. Then again, she hadn’t ever seen them when they were completely safe or comfortable. They hadn’t been in there home territory.
She had left the area with her brother and his men while they were away for two days. How had those men found them? Her brother and the other men had been careful about leaving a trail.
She blinked, hoping this a nightmare or figment of her imagination. No, still there. And luckily he was still asleep. She could slip out of the tent and go find out how in the hell her brother had let the men into her damn tent.
He and his twin, Gannon had been courting her; although, she hadn’t recognized it as courting until recently. They’d given her a few small gifts. A piece of fruit and a bracelet.
She hadn’t realized that accepting those gifts constituted an acceptance of their courtship, but this… She hadn’t expected this, especially when she’d thought she wouldn’t see them again.
She tried to get up, but couldn’t. It felt like something more substantial than blankets covered her. She glanced down and saw a wing draped across her. That wasn’t Ridge’s wing, because he was in full human form. She turned her head to the other side and saw a dark skinned gargoyle sprawled next to her.
That had to be Gannon, but she’d never seen him in this form. This wasn’t good. She should definitely get out of here, before they woke up. Since sitting and easing out from between them was out, she’d have to see if she could ease her way upward and from beneath the wing. She was lucky her movements hadn’t woken him already. She eased forward, pulling herself with only her arms.
She managed to get out from under the wing and to her feet. With a glance back, she hurried to get dressed and out before they noticed the difference. She left her shoes, because she wasn’t going far, just outside. Hopefully, she’d find her brother so she could yell at him for letting those two into her tent.
She looked around as soon as the flap fell back into place. She spotted her brother across the camp. He stood with one of Gannon and Ridge’s. Her eyes narrowed and she stalked over to him. She put her hands on her hips and glared up at her black haired brother.
“Seriously, you let them into my tent?” She tapped her foot as she waited for whatever answer he came up with.
“Let them? They arrived in the middle of the night and were in camp before the sentries even saw them. I was woken as they were settling in. They were already at your tent before I realized what was happening.” He scowled at her. “I told them to put up their own fucking tent. What was I supposed to do?”
“Get in front of them. Make enough noise to wake me.” She swept her hand wide. “Anything.”
Arms came around her and lifted her off her feet. “He would have had a few more bruises than the last time. I think he learned his lesson about getting between us.”
Ridge. Fuck, for such a big man, he was quiet on his feet.
“Come on. You do not want Gannon coming out here for you. We need to talk about you disappearing on us.” His lips brushed over her shoulder.
I hope you enjoyed it!
Happy Reading!
