A fun way to sample new books and find new writers! Here’s the link to the Weekend Writing Warriors central page, so you can visit all the participants sharing excerpts today…
Continuing with the excerpts from MAGIC OF THE NILE =>This excerpt follows after last week’s,
when Tyema has returned to her office as the ceremonies are complete for the morning and the scribe was so pleased with himself that he’d denied Sahure’s request for an audience. I’m skipping some byplay between Tyema and Jemkhufu the scribe, who has “thoughts of advancement” in more ways than one, shall we say? The scribe finally goes to summon Sahure. Last week Sahure entered the office….this excerpt follows directly after Tyema’s thought that she couldn’t have waited until tomorrow:
Tyema remained regally seated in her chair with an effort, curling her fingers tight against the desire to touch him as she said, “I’m sure your business is urgent.”
“Indeed, I’m here at the command of Pharaoh, very pressing affairs.” He raised his eyebrows and gave a sideways glance at the scribe.
“You may go, Jemkhufu,” she said, following Sahure’s line of sight.
“But, my lady, what if notes need to be taken?” The scribe was startled, his eyes opening wide and his mouth hanging open. Tyema never met with anyone alone, other than the god Sobek, so she wasn’t surprised by Jemkhufu’s reaction. Swallowing hard, the scribe glared at Sahure while questioning her order for privacy again, “Are you sure you won’t need me?”
We’ll keep going with this scene for a while since Tyema and Sahure have some things to say to each other about her deception the night of the festival…and the scribe is still in the room as an interested observer right now.
As always, I love your comments and feedback. Although this is a published work, the input helps for the future novels…
Here’s the story blurb for MAGIC OF THE NILE:
The standalone sequel to Priestess of the Nile…picks up about fifteen years later and tells the tale of Tyema, who was the younger sister in Priestess of the Nile…
After a childhood spent scorned and ignored by her family because of her crippled foot, Tyema was magically healed then installed as the High Priestess of his temple by Sobek the Crocodile God. But Tyema is still haunted by her memories, scarred by the abuse she endured. Despite Sobek’s protection, as an adult she’s become a near recluse inside the temple grounds…
Until Captain Sahure arrives in her remote town, sent from Thebes on an urgent mission for Pharaoh, requiring High Priestess Tyema’s help. From that moment on, her quiet, safe life is upended in ways she never could have expected.
But after a whirlwind romance with Sahure, the two part as Pharaoh orders him to undertake another assignment on Egypt’s dangerous frontier, far from Tyema’s remote town.
Heart-broken, Tyema is ready to return to her life of loneliness, official duties and, now, regret. But the Crocodile God has other plans for his priestess: she must uncover the sorcerer who threatens Pharaoh’s life with black magic. Soon enough, Tyema finds herself thrown into the chaos of Pharoah’s court, neck deep in intrigue and danger. Just when she thinks she can’t take the pressures of a very public court life and her secret investigation for the Crocodile God any longer, Sahure re-enters the scene.
But is her former love there to help or to hinder? Can they resolve their differences and work together to find the dark sorcerer who threatens Pharaoh and Egypt? Will the love between a proud warrior and a shy priestess lead them to a future together?
Available at Amazon Barnes & Noble All Romance eBooks iTunes Google Play Books
That scribe is going to continue to question everything… and be in the way. Oy.
The scribe reminds me of Catherine de Burgh In Pride and Prejudice. He know what’s best for everyone. (He thinks.)
The scribe needs to remember he’s a scribe and she’s the boss. 🙂
I agree with what Gem said earlier, the scribe needs to remember his place. Humph!
Poor scribe just got his world rocked. ;D
Reblogged this on Illuminite Caliginosus.
Oh thank you very much!
Sounds like she has some “urgent” business in mind!
Well done.
That scribe better watch it; I’m guessing there are some pretty harsh repercussions for questioning what she tells him. Great snippet!
He’s just going to have to trust her judgment! Great eight!
Nothing is new under the sun and the world keeps spinning around. You capture a timeless scene so well. Thanks, Veronica.
That scribe makes me nervous. So glad you’re going to sharing more from this scene. Fab snippet.
You did a great job of portraying her tension. And yeah, that scribe needs to go on a long vacation. Great eight!
Seems like this scribe needs to be put in his place! And I’ll bet even if he leaves the room he won’t have gone far 🙂
This scribe is overstepping his bounds…I’m guessing she’ll put him in his place.
Wonderful snippet, looking forward to the next. 🙂
The scribe is not happy right now. LOL. Despite all his machinations, he did not get what he wanted.
Are you kidding me, dude? Shoo! 😀
This is one of the scenes that makes it clear how confining and regulated the high priestesshood can be . . .
That is one pushy scribe… Sounds like she’s lost a lot of the power and respect she *should* have, if she’s being questioned so blatantly.
That scribe needs his wings clipped. Nice scene.
From a slightly earlier section I skipped for excerpting (just before Sahure arrived), here were Tyema’s thoughts on the scribe:
“She probably needed to contact another temple and arrange a transfer of scribes before Jemkhufu crossed the line and said or did something she couldn’t ignore. Sobek would kill him and throw his ka to Ammit the Destroyer for breakfast if the scribe made advances to Tyema against her will. ”
I’m glad everyone is enjoying the story and next week I promise we’ll get to Sahure’s reaction to her masquerade on the first night they met.
Thanks for stopping by!
Okay, who’s the boss here? lol The scribe does question everything, doesn’t he? 🙂 Enjoyed the snippet!
Yes, the scribe has got to go! How will they ever spend some quality time with him there? 🙂 I think Tyema is up to the challenge! Nice snippet.
Great snippet. I cannot wait for them to be alone and to find out his response.
That scribe doesn’t need to stick around to ruin any potential romance!