Sorry, I missed posting
last week due to a mild case of covid and other stuff. Since my current wip is
word-skimpy, I’ll keep posting from my latest novel, Stung by the Cobra. It’s a
scifi/fantasy adventure and romance with sprinkle of Hindu mythology.
Zennia is attending a
reception to honor Domina Allia, the new ruler of the planet. Events at this
reception give background and foreshadow the rest of the story.
You can read my
previous excerpt here: https://auroraspringer.blogspot.com/2022/08/domina-allia-speaks-excerpt-from-cobra.html
We last saw Commander
Nagari stationed at the base of the dais where his spouse, vain and cruel Domina
Allia, sat on her throne.
I’ve jumped over
Zennia’s conversation with her friend the librarian to focus on the main
characters.
Glancing toward the dais, Zennia noted a smile on Allia’s cruel
visage. She lounged in the throne, her arms hanging by her sides. A courtier
and two scantily-clad native boys were kissing and caressing her bare arms and
beringed fingers. Zennia suppressed a stab of revulsion at her overt depravity.
Why couldn’t the deviant princess be satisfied with her consort? But Nagari had
disappeared from his station at the foot of the dais. He must hate this abuse
of his wedded state.
Somebody touched Zennia’s shoulder.
She swung around to find Nagari, his intense gaze focused on
her.
“Curator Shan Zennia,” he said, “do you dance?”
Ten
lines and a few more:
“Is that an invitation?” She arched her eyebrows.
He blinked his bloodshot eyes and managed a wry smile. “I wish
to talk with you. We can dance if you like.”
Shrugging one shoulder, she said, “I don’t dance. Though I’ll be
happy to talk with you, Commander Nagari.”
He winced, unmistakably distressed by the mention of his
military title.
SciFi mystery. Interstellar spy befriends enemy commander in a tragic tale with a happy ending.
Shan Zennia, Senior Curator of the Archives of Galactic Culture on Lumos, plays a dangerous double role as a researcher and a spy for Solarian Intelligence. She embarks on a new mission to observe the spring festival on Harappi, a planet recently conquered by the ambitious Emperor and now governed by his niece, Domina Allia.
Zennia finds unexpected mysteries on the planet, including intelligent animals and the enigmatic Nagari. Once a victorious commander in the Emperor’s space fleet and nicknamed the Cobra, he was forced to abandon his military career when Allia claimed him as her consort. Her abusive treatment has driven him to the brink of madness.
Intrigued by the ex-commander and aware of his value as a source of information on the enemy, Zennia agrees to meet him during the festival of rebirth. Opposing forces clash at the height of the celebrations, catalyzing deadly violence. Can Nagari and Zennia survive the chaos and win a new and happier life?
The ebook is discounted by 50c at PayHip
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I’ll be happy to reply to your comments.
You can listen to an example of the AI-narration on my YouTube channel at https://youtu.be/DZQ-CyX0In0
The first book in this new series is free for the next month.
Captured by the Hawk Spaceships crash across the galaxy when thief Grey Kay tangles with notorious pirate Black Hawk.
FREE at Amazon iBooks Kobo B&N GooglePlay PayHip
The Lady is Blue, Book 1 of Atrapako on Eden, is also free.
Scaly aliens crash on the remote planet of Eden. They mean to dominate the humans. Can Dr. Lucy Stannis save the colony and reignite her dubious friendship with the alien captain?
FREE at: Direct Amazon iBooks Kobo B&N GooglePlay Other
Please return to http://wewriwa.blogspot.com/ to sample the works of the other writers.
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Find a catalog of my published stories HERE.
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You paint a great visual of the Domina. I was worried for Shan when he asked her to dance. I don't think she wants to catch the attention of the Domina.
ReplyDeleteThe Domina attention seems to be elsewhere. lol
DeleteWhy is he distressed by his title. Interesting scene.
ReplyDeleteHope you're feeling better !
Thanks, I am feeling better. Zennia picks up on his distress, and although she doesn't understand why until later at the reception.
DeleteShe's pushing distance between them, a move that might backfire on her. Glad you're up and about again!!
ReplyDeleteZennia is cool, calm and rational by training.
DeleteI caught an instant vibe between the two of them. Hope no one else does. Great snippet! Tweeted.
ReplyDeleteYes. Zennia in her role as a spy hopes to gain information from him. But, she finds him intriguing.
DeleteI hope that deviant ruler doesn't see them talking. I don't think she's anyone to anger.
ReplyDeleteNo, she's a cruel tyrant.
DeleteHe asked her to dance - good sign. She said no - interesting. Tweeted.
ReplyDeleteHe really wants to talk with her, maybe more!
DeleteGood to hear that you are on the mend. It seems that Nagari sees Shan as a potential ally. I imagine this could put her in a tricky position.
ReplyDeleteShe has her own schemes involving him.
Delete