Tuesday Tales: From the Word BERRIES

Welcome back. June seems to be behaving itself at least so far. I have mu yardword done for the year, and I’m looking forward to a quiet relaxing summer. This week, the authors of Tuesday tales are writing to the word prompt, BERRIES.

I’ve started a new book. The Bonds of Time is a paranormal/fantasy with a touch of time travel in dreams, and will be part of the Timeless Love Series. It’s got angels, demons, fairies, changelings and humans, of course. It’s a backburner book for me since I have others on the front burner, but I’ve decided to work on it just for you. So, without further ado…

At first glance, the man in the thin, nylon jacket and a New York Yankees’ ball cap and the woman in an olive coat trimmed in faux fur, an ivory knitted cap covering her head, seemed no different from anyone else admiring the ancient monoliths, but on closer inspection, something about them seemed out of place, and demanded a second glance.

Neither of them carried a camera or a tourist information pamphlet, and they walked along absorbed in one another rather than in the majesty of the stones surrounding them. The woman, an ageless beauty with regal elegance, seemed to glide gracefully along the pathway, while the older man trudged beside her as if he carried the weight of the world on his shoulders.

With her free hand, she pushed back the lock of platinum hair, and the only tress of its color in her tawney mane. The movement betrayed her agitation more clearly than any other action could have.

Other than her lips, the color of ripe berries, her complexion resembled the alabaster of ancient statuary.

“I’ve missed you, Garth, but for you to call me into this world now can only mean that something terrible has happened. Six months ago, when you reported to the Celestial Council, you claimed everything was under control, and that we would have at least five years to ensure her proper training; now, you say that she’s got to come home immediately. What’s caused this sudden change of heart? Don’t try to soften the blow, Garth. If you’re correct, we don’t have time for niceties.”

The man removed his hat and shook his grizzled mane. Taking a handkerchief from his pocket, he mopped his brow with an amazingly firm hand. Despite the coldness of the day, he perspired profusely.

“I’ve been in this form too long, I can’t control my body temperature, and it’s becoming noticeable. I need to return to Sanctuary, if only for a few days.”

“You’re prevaricating and stalling, husband.” Her voice filled with frustration. “You called me here; I want an answer now. What’s gone wrong?”

“They’ve found her, Lorna,” he answered his voice low, his tone remorseful.

She gasped. “Impossible!”

He shook his head. “I wouldn’t have believed it myself, but I saw it with my own eyes. The guardian sent to France to watch over her human parents is dead. He was brutally murdered by one of the seekers. I was called in as soon as the body was found. A residual scan of his remains showed that he’d given them vital information before he died.’

Don’t forget to check out the other Tuesday Tales.