Continuing on with WARRIOR OF THE NILE, to be released on September 16th, the goddess Nephthys has appeared to Khenet, Lady Tiya and the high priest. After a few preliminaries (including her answer to Khenet when he refused to kneel), she’s deciding whether Tiya is the right candidate for the mission. (Some creative editing and punctuation has occured LOL):
Smiling, Nephthys nodded, her unearthly beauty cold in the stark light as she said, “So far, acceptable. Now the true test – I must hide myself in your form.”
Eyes wide, Tiya recoiled a step, the priest standing up unbidden to offer a steadying hand. Whatever she’d expected, this clearly wasn’t part of it. Khenet sympathized – he’d found the concept appalling when Pharaoh had explained it earlier. I need to watch this closely. If the goddess can become Tiya, I need to know the signs so I’m not taken unaware on the journey.
One minute Nephthys was there, towering over the humans in the chamber, the next minute there was a swath of sparkling black mist where she’d been, the motes drifting in a lazy cloud to surround Tiya.
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I’m thinking next week I should jump ahead a bit, let Tiya say something! so far the excerpts have been all Pharaoh, Khenet and Nephthys.
And the blurb for WARRIOR OF THE NILE:
Egypt, 1500 BCE
Lady Tiya is bound to the service of the goddess Nephthys, who plans to sacrifice Tiya’s body to protect Egypt from an ancient terror. She embarks to meet her grim fate alone but for the hardened warrior Khenet, who is fated to die at her side. Tiya’s dreams of love and family now seem impossible, and Khenet, who is the last of his line, knows his culture will die with him. Struggling with the high cost of Nephthys’s demands, both resolve to remain loyal.
Neither expects the passion that flowers when Tiya’s quiet courage and ethereal beauty meet Khenet’s firm strength and resolve. On a boat down the Nile, their two lonely souls find in each other a reason to live. But time is short and trust elusive.
Without the willing sacrifice of Tiya and Khenet, a great evil will return to Egypt. How could the gods demand their deaths when they’ve only just begun to live?
I love the imagery, which you do so well to fit into an interesting story. I like how the Nephthys admits to needing to take on Tiya’s form.
Yes, I’m sure she’d rather not have to even pretend to be human, good point!
Great snippet. I absolutely love that closing bit. =D
This is beautifully written! I love the part about the motes surrounding her at the end. I can’t wait to read next week’s!
Agreed, this is so clear the scene just unfolds effortlessly. It helps me get absorbed in the characters that much easier, and your characters don’t disappoint.
Beautiful imagery! Loved this snippet!
Love the descriptions. Very creative. Well done, Veronica. 🙂
Lovely description. You make the scene so vivid.
That would definitely have thrown me off, as well. How can you accept a goddess in your form? What becomes of you? Great details and rising tension.
I love the magical imagery in the last paragraph.
I’d love to hear from Tiya next week! Great excerpt, Veronica! I love the mystery and magicality of the scene. Yes, I just made up that word but I kinda like it. 😉
Magicality suits you – excellent word!!!
Appreciating all the comments, thank you very much! I’ll find a snippet of Tiya next week, she’s been waiting and talked about long enough LOL.
So a goddess and a person share the same body?
Really enchanting imagery… I love the movement you capture in her transformation. Beautiful 🙂
Absolutely beautiful characterizaation of Khenet and his defensive, warrior personality with not wanting to be caught by surprise. Nicely done. Great 8
Wow, that would be so freaky, poor Tiya, I’m sure she didn’t realize she’d need to share her skin! I hope Nephthys treats her kindly! Loved this eight!
I can just imagine how Tiya felt. Fascinating excerpt!
This a complex story. Must have taken quite some plotting.
A lot of moving parts, yes!
I agree with Cara, but having read your work, I know that’s how you roll. LOL… Great snippet. Can’t wait to read it.
Thank you! 🙂
Great imagery and a scary moment.
Oh no! I can’t remember, did Tiya understand this was part of the plan? She knew she was willing to die, that the journey was going to be difficult, but allowing Nephtys to snatch and inhabit her body? I really hope Tiya is able to make it! This is very intense – thanks, Veronica! 🙂
Love the imagery. You put me right there! I’m enjoying your snippets! Release day is almost here!
Uh oh. This IS a wild twist I didn’t expect. Wonderful premise for the story, Veronica. I hope to read and review soon after the release. Please tweet @ me about the launch so I can retweet it for you. 🙂
Thank you very much, I’ll certainly do that!
Hold your breath! Hold your breath!
Ok, you officially cracked me up today LOL! I don’t think Nephthys would approve….
Beautiful writing as always. I hope we get to see some of Tiya’s reaction eventually.
Next week I WILL produce a Tiya excerpt, promise.
Ooo, love the black mist! And hiding in human form is so intriguing! Can’t wait to see what happens next. Great 8 🙂
Body possession? *shivers* Great snippet, Veronica!