With a week and a day ‘til the December 2nd release of the “The Sun’s Rival (Book Five of The Wilderhark Tales)” – (although, BIG HONKING NEWS, the Kindle e-book is now available for pre-order, whee-ha!) – here’s a peek at what’s coming in the novella – as well as a chance to win one of Wilderhark artist Yana Naumova’s gorgeous bookmarks!
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“Enjoy the clear skies while you can,” the voice he despised above all others spoke from behind him. “It won’t last forever.”
“Nothing does,” said Lumónd – in a considerable act of self-will, keeping the sudden tension in his jaw out of his voice. He cast a cool glance over his shoulder. “You’re up late, brother. Is it for no reason other than to follow me?”
His brother advanced ‘til they stood side by side, then took just one step more. Lumónd couldn’t even be certain whether the show of dominance was done deliberately, or if it was simply Raeóryn being Raeóryn.
“I expect we’re both here with the same motive,” said the golden king. “Room to breathe.”
Then you ought to have stayed inside, Lumónd thought frostily. For the two of them together, there was never room enough.
If Raeóryn felt the same way, he refused to show it – only inhaled long and deep, then released the air in a satisfied ahhh. “The day went well,” he observed.
Lumónd nodded, conceding the statement’s truth. The princess and her parents had responded favorably, as of course no one had ever doubted they would; not with his dazzlingly charming brother doing most of the talking. On occasion, the conversation drew onto the verge of turning in a precarious direction. Raeóryn’s aforementioned dazzle had deflected most of it. When necessary, Lumónd had discreetly taken care of the rest – particularly during dinner, at about which time he could see his brother’s naturally persuasive energy begin to fade.
If all went as hoped, everything would be made known soon enough, with no more need for secrets. Until then, best to keep quiet certain… irrelevancies. For now, Princess Laraspur would remain in the dark.
Laraspur. Lumónd closed his eyes, his mind’s eye gazing upon the sleeping princess. Her hair tumbled across her pillow, framing the pale circle of her peaceful face in the moonlight. His heart trembled at the very sight of her.
“Stop that.”
Raeóryn delivered the command like a backhand. Lumónd held unflinching.
“Why?” He slid his eyes around to point at his brother behind lashes raised only partway. His mouth’s corners curled upward, defiant. “Just because you can’t?”
“Because,” said Raeóryn, his gaze hot enough to blister, “she is not yours.”
“Nor is she yours.”
A dismissive sniff of a breath. “Don’t let’s play games, little brother. We both know there is no question—”
“Oh, none at all,” Lumónd said bitterly. “There never is, with you. Everything in your world is so perfectly ordered. Dawn in the east and dusk in the west. Spring follows winter, and summer, spring. And given a choice between you and me, certainly no young woman in possession of her senses would choose me.”
“And we will assume,” said Raeóryn, in patronizing tones, “that Princess Laraspur is in possession of her senses and shall remain so, will we not?”
Lumónd refused to dignify that with a response.
Raeóryn tipped his head back, contemplative gaze on the patterns of stars overheard. “I do wonder,” he mused, “why you even bothered to come here.”
With a shake of the head like a shrug, he turned on his heel and departed, leaving Lumónd alone with the empty night.
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I dunno, guys – looking at that utterly stunning Lumónd bookmark, there might be someone out there willing to choose him over their senses. (*coughs* *volunteers as tribute* *coughs*) And as of now, that author-signed bookmark is up for grabs. I’ll tell you how to win it, after a quick word from an advance reader on why they love “The Sun’s Rival”, as quoted from Goodreads*:
“I adore how [Shipley combines] fantasy, adventure and romance into a story I can’t put down. I have read all the Wilderhawk Tales and each one is better than the last.” – Kim Matura
*Speaking of Goodreads, I’ve got another giveaway going on over there. (Does my mad generosity have no end?!) From here ‘til Release Day, enter to win one of five beautiful paperbacks of “The Sun’s Rival”! …or order it now. Either’s awesome. ^_^
And now, the question of the day: What choice(s) have you made in spite of sense, and how’d that work out for you? ^^
Answer below, and one commenter (chosen at random one week from today) shall win the prize. Good luck to all entrants, and here’s counting down the days until “Sun’s Rival”s release!
Ever On Word 
HOLY CRAAAAAAAP!!!! My senses just freaking flew out the window.
The brother kings of Welken have a way of doing that to a person. I’ve found it helps somewhat if you don’t gaze upon them long or directly. But who’s got the sense to do that?
#ThisGirl #SoNot #ICant
So I’ve been wracking my brain to answer yesterday’s question, but I’m pretty much set in my sensible ways. However, I am considering putting all of my eggs in one basket and only applying to the one grad school I REALLLLLLY want to go to, even though everyone says “That’s nuts, you can’t just apply to ONE school!” I feel pretty confident about my chances of getting in, (they only accept about 16 students per semester) and I don’t think I really WANT to go anywhere else. I’m very seriously considering throwing sense to the wind. I’ll let you know how it goes. 😛
Ooh, bold! And I’d say there is some sense to not investing a lot of time/money into something you don’t actually want. Here’s hoping your #1 school has the good sense to accept you!
The thing is, I have to go to grad school SOMEWHERE. I can’t just not go if I don’t get in where I want to. You’re supposed to apply at a few fallback schools where you could go in case you don’t get accepted at your #1. I’d be taking a huge gamble only applying one place, because if I don’t get in I’ll have to go somewhere else the next time round AND I’ll be a semester behind. It’s either taking a leap of faith or shooting yourself in the foot. 😛
Oh, dear me. *shrinks away from the alien world of academia*
For the record, I only applied to one school, and it worked out. If it feels good, it feels good. 😉
Let’s see… Moving out was pretty senseless. I didn’t exactly have the funds, or a clear idea of what I was doing.
That’ll pretty much be me when I move out. *laughs in the face of ill-advised adulthood*
Congrats, Miranda! You’ve won the Lumónd bookmark! I’ll get it in the mail for you later today. ^_^
Hm…I had a hard time with this one. I don’t do too many risks…I guess the best I’ve got right now is that I went skydiving and recruited some friends/coworkers. It turned out pretty awesome. 😀
Skydiving, eh? Not sure I’d have the guts for that! Too much worst-case scenario imagination. X)