Thanks to Alexandra Semushina for permission to share this stunning visual prompt!
Hurin was struck motionless when
he saw the lady walking along the rocky shore. She was the most beautiful
person he had ever seen. Her long red hair tumbled in curls and waves down to
her waist, and her bright red gown had drapes and fancy lace from her neck all
the way to the ground. The skirt was so long, it trailed behind her as she
walked. But what made him stare was her parasol. It was on fire. She twirled it
in lazy circles above her head. And then a bit of fire plopped down on her
hand. She lifted it to her mouth and ate it, smiling like it was a delicious
treat.
The lady looked up and saw Hurin
staring at her. Her smile didn’t change as she glided toward him. He wanted to
move, to run away, but his feet were rooted in the ground and he could not
move.
“Handsome boy. What’s your name?”
she asked. Her voice felt like a smooth touch against his skin. Huron shivered
and shook his head. He didn’t want to tell her, but before he could stop it, he
blurted out his name. His eyes widened and he tried again to turn, to run away.
She reached out and ran a finger down his cheek. He was afraid her touch would
burn, but her skin was cool against his. She tipped his face up to hers.
“Hurin, come with me,” she said.
“I don’t want to,” he said, and
he blushed furiously. He couldn’t seem to stop the words, the truth.
Her laugh was like chiming bells,
and she took his hand and laid it on her arm. Hurin wanted to run in the other direction,
but his feet started walking next to her. He looked up at the flaming parasol.
She glanced up and said, “Why don’t you want to walk with me, beautiful Hurin?”
“I’m afraid,” he whispered. A bit
of fire dropped on her arm next to his hand, but she didn’t’ seem to notice. He
stared and saw that it didn’t burn her dress. It fizzled and disappeared while
he watched.
Her voice caressed him again.
“Why are you afraid, Hurin?”
He looked up at her, and her eyes
were full of kindness. He couldn’t remember why he was afraid.
“What am I, Hurin?” she asked
softly.
“A fire eater,” he whispered. But
he wasn’t afraid anymore.
“Yes, that’s right,” she
whispered back. The flames dropped from her parasol all around them. Hurin
watched one fall on his hand, and she reached over to scoop it up on her
finger. She held it to his lips. “Taste it, Hurin. It’s delicious.”
He couldn’t stop himself. He
leaned forward and licked the fire from her finger. It didn’t burn his mouth.
It felt soft and warm and bubbly on his tongue. He swallowed and felt it trail
down his throat into his belly. He laughed, and she laughed with him. She
slipped her arm around his waist and hugged him close as they walked along the
rocky shore.
Dogs in house:
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Houdini, Maize, Malachi
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Music:
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Bach, Passacaglia and Fugue in C Minor
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Time writing:
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April word count:
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Prompt: Lady of Fire
ReplyDeleteShe stood on the clifftop, lady of fire, blazing like the sunset. I gripped the rail of the ship, nearly losing my hat over the side.
"See there!" I cried.
The first mate turned his head my way and frowned, his lips pursed, as if to say, _Silly_little_boy_. But I didn't care. Young fop, madman, call me what they will. I could see her. I had seen her each night since the second this journey, a fiery pillar at dusk.
_Come_to_me._
I raised my attention to the coast again. Her lips opened; her delicate, flaming hand floated up to touch daintily at her chin. I could see her face like it was right before me, for all that she stood yards upon yards away.
_Come_to_me._
I leaned, desiring to follow her command. But the sea lay between us. I reached a hand out. She laughed, silence in flames. Then she extinguished, as she had each night previous, when the sun touched the horizon. Now the only fire was that of the sky and clouds.
I sank down and rested my forehead on the rail. My breath caught in sorrow. Lady of fire, I missed her already.
Very poetic! I like it. The drama and mystery - is she real or is her imagining her? Will he get to go to her? Will she destroy him? Will he find nothing? Good beginning!
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