Hooked on Imprisoned in Stone, Year's End, #MFRWHooks

Snippits from Imprisoned in Stone have revealed magic and jealousy, danger and rescue. Although it is a dark fantasy, there is also romance. 

To set the stage, Year's End is time for celebrating new beginnings. It is a time of parties and dances. Even in the backwoods glen of the fighting wizard, Tralin, they will celebrate. But who will be Maerva's partner? Colwynn or Gareth? And how are they dressed, she wondered? The answer to the second question follows:

Excerpt:

Maerva twisted the last ringlet of dark hair into place and pinned it into a knot at the nape of her neck. Deft movements interwove the midnight blue ribbons into place and laced up the deep jade green vest. Giving it a tug, she lifted her arms and twirled to make sure the garment did not impede her movement. The ankle-length skirt flowed in a gray shimmer reminiscent of storm-tossed waves. Tonight would be her first year-end celebration away from home as an adult, and she planned to dance the night away. For the first time, she would not have to share the evening with her cousins and older sisters. In fact, the dress she wore was the first new garment she had ever owned. Satisfied she was as ready as she would ever be, she gave one final glance in the mirror and headed downstairs to the kitchen.

Tralin looked up from the fireplace where steam escaped from a pair of covered pots. Light sparkled off the gold embroidery on the hem of her burgundy dress and the amber stone hung around her neck. “You look beautiful, my dear. Gareth and Colwynn took the rest of the food over to the barn. I checked the preparations myself. Between the linen cover on the workbench and the pillows on the bales of straw, the place looks more like a king’s hall than a home for animals.” She shrugged and gave a wry smile. “Rascal promised not to eat all the cookies before we got there.”

Maerva chortled. “He does like his treats. That one would empty the entire root cellar if we let him. Speaking of which, we had better hurry and join the others. If Rascal doesn’t eat everything in sight, Gareth and Colwynn might.” Wrapping a hot pan in toweling, she picked it up and led the way outside. Her voice lifted in a traditional carol. Tralin picked up the melody in a carefree lilt. Their frozen breaths wafted skyward in the moonlight.

True to Tralin’s description, the building they entered bore little resemblance to the stable she had cleaned out just that morning. The men were as changed as the barn.

For the past week, Maerva had wondered what colors Gareth and Colwynn would be wearing, and if her dress would complement or conflict. A single glance answered what the men refused to divulge despite her questioning. Instead of their usual rough spun shirts and leather breeches, both wore finery worthy of a royal court. Colwynn had chosen a light blue long-sleeve shirt and a deep contrasting shade of the same color for his matching pants and vest. Gareth’s clothes were hues of hunter green. Even their scuffed boots shone.

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Four paths--one destiny. With the power to bind souls and control all magic in the balance.

Imprisoned in Stone--available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Kobo and elsewhere. Excerpts, a free read of the first chapter, and buy links available here.