Last week, we left little Kes with the blankets pulled over his head, as Zelera tries as patiently as she can to tell him a story so he'll go to sleep. Let's see if she can get more than a word or two out? He he he. If you need to refresh your memory here's a link to last week's eight.
“Now, this
Prince had a brother, a very selfish
ugly brother. The brother tricked the King, and
pretended to be better at magic, better at studying, better at making people
listen. He was a cheater,” she seethed.
Kes
peered over the blanket. “He
cheated? Did he use his magic to cheat?”
“Yes,
he used his magic to cheat. Didn’t I
just say that?”
I suspect she is seething at Kes, not the ugly brother of the story, but you might make it clearer.
ReplyDeleteThanks Sue Ann, I'll think about what I want there...I think she's already peeved with Kes, and this "story" gets her all riled up too. I think she's seething at both.
DeleteHah, she's a subtle one. Good stuff.
ReplyDeleteShe's never been known for her subtlety.
DeleteZelera has a lot of anger there. LOL :)
ReplyDeleteShe's been carrying around a lot of baggage for many years.
DeleteI'm always smiling when I finish reading your 8, Millie! I can picture this scene--nicely done (again)!
ReplyDeleteThank you. I totally love my scenes with Kes and Zelera, they just flowed so nicely : )
DeleteWhat a way to get a young ones interest, but the strength of her words make me suspect real truth behind the words. Lovely 8. :)
ReplyDeleteShe's trying so hard to pass herself off as a caring aunt, but she sure doesn't get the whole way to go about it.
DeleteLOL The dialogue between these two has been priceless!
ReplyDeleteGlad you've been enjoying.
DeleteBedtime stories that appear to be rooted in truth always make for a good time. I love the curiosity of Kes and I pick on Zelera's impatience and even a bit of anger, possible from the story she's sharing. I definitely want to read more. Great snippet!
ReplyDeleteThanks Stephanie, Kes is great at pushing her buttons.
DeleteI can just see her there almost spitting out her words, determined to share her truth!
ReplyDeleteThe veins are bulging : ) It's like watching the temp rise on the thermometer...how long till it'll reach the top and then burst?
DeleteLOL...I so love these 8. He's testing her patience like any kid would do and maybe it's just me, but I think she sorta likes it.
ReplyDeleteShe doesn't know what's hit her yet...you might be right...
DeleteShe's clearly being fair and unbiased, here. Carry on. :D
ReplyDeleteHa, your comment elicited a chuckle. : )
DeleteTruth wrapped in fiction. What a hoot. She needs anger management big time. Meanwhile you've got something going on-a battle of wits between the boy Kes and his mean auntie. Delightful.
ReplyDeleteThank you Charmaine, she's a very huffy lady...Kes may just teach her some lessons over time...we'll see.
DeleteHave I told you how much I like Zelera? She's such a vividly drawn, sharp-edged and interesting character.
ReplyDeleteThank you. She grows up quite a bit in this story...it's fun to watch her evolution. In the lirst book, Return of the Crown, she is pure evil, but she told me she thought I was being a little too severe and wanted a bit of a reprisal...sort of.
DeleteWhat would be the point of having magical skills and not using them once in a while to cheat? Great snippet Millie.
ReplyDeleteHeaven knows Zelera is a cheater : )
DeleteI'm getting more and more interested in Zelera and her story. Kes is the perfect foil for her.
ReplyDeleteZelera is becoming more dimensional in this book, I'm glad she's making a connection with people. Even the villains need a bit of love ; )
DeleteHe's such a believable young child! That's just the kind of thing some of my nursery campers in the last two years would've said.
ReplyDeleteI love the way children act and talk. I'm glad he resonates. I think he's a bit of all my girls in one way or another : )
DeleteAgain, I love the characters. They are very unique but also believable. Great snippet :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Victoria.
DeleteThis story is taking some unexpected turns,which is always fun for the readers. The two characters seem so real to me - great 8!
ReplyDeleteThanks, glad they are coming across as real : )
DeleteYour characterization is amazing, Millie. I can just picture Zelera's sour expression when she says that last line. To me, she's clearly talking about something that really happened to her, and I think that's a great way to let readers in on her motivation. I always smile when I read your excerpts, too :)
ReplyDeleteAw, I'm so glad you are enjoying. I love to laugh and have a good time, I'm glad that is sort of infused into the writing and comes across so clearly. Smiles are always good, well, unless Zelera is smiling at you, and then maybe, not so much!
DeleteI get the sense that the meanie aunt is this 'prince,' and she feels cheated out of the crown. So now she's going to do something about it.
ReplyDeleteZelera seems to have lost a bit of her edge in this week's snippet. I like the impatience she displays towards the end of the snippet but somehow I don't see her as trying to be patient. Kes is still so adorable. Yes, I do wonder about the truth of the bedtime story.
ReplyDeleteFun snippet - nice bit of tension.
ReplyDeleteCome on Kes, pay attention. I wonder where Zelera is going with this story.
ReplyDeleteWonderful interaction, as always. Sounds like the story has something to do with her...
ReplyDeleteMore, more! I want to know what happens in that story and how it's related to Zelera. Great snippet Millie!
ReplyDelete