Much of a Scar – Warrior Priest – #weekendwritingwarriors #sciencefictionromance

Good morning! It’s time for the WeWriWa blog hop during which writers share 8-10 sentences from one of their stories.

This excerpt from my science fiction romance, Warrior Priest, starts off where last week’s left off. Selena has convinced Jade to go swimming with her. Now she gets a little too close by inspecting his newest “brand,” a ritualistic scar given to him during a Ceremony of Honor.

Thank you for stopping by!

A strange, warm sensation started in the pit of his stomach, grew hotter, and spread lower.

“It seems to be healing well, considering you probably haven’t treated it.”

“I’ve used salve.”

“I have some that would heal you faster, but it also wouldn’t leave much of a scar, and I think that defeats the purpose.”

Her fingertips still rested against his skin.

“Yes, it would. Please don’t.” He caught her wrist to remove her hand from his arm, but that was even worse. Her water-slicked skin was soft and warm, her bones tiny in his hand.

That’s 9 sentences, but here’s a bit more, if you’d like to read it.

Protecting those weaker than himself was second nature to him. Like most warrior priests, it was a duty he enjoyed, which was why he’d joined the Order. This was a different feeling, though. He didn’t just want to protect her like the
members of this camp or other communities he’d defended. He wanted to shelter her against his body and feel her in the circle of his arms. He wanted—to move as far away from her as possible before these protective thoughts turned sinful.

Jade released her and waded deeper into the brook. He ducked under to rinse his hair. It felt good to have it free. The tight braid usually gave him a headache. He often envied Shayne for his bald head—though not for his excessive body hair. In this kind of weather, it must feel like a fur coat under his tunic.

When he surfaced, Selena swam toward him. Why couldn’t she just keep her distance? Again they stood facing each other in the brook. This time the water came to his mid-chest and up to her neck. A leaf was trapped in her hair, just above her delicately shaped ear.

“I didn’t mean to offend you,” she said.

He stared at her, unwilling to lie to ease her mind. She had no reason to touch him. No reason to flaunt her lithe, beautiful body in front of someone she knew had restrictions that didn’t apply to her.

“You’re angry,” she said.

“No.” Admitting anger meant revealing that she stirred him, and he wouldn’t give her any more ammo.

“You’re scowling.”

“I’m not.”

“You are. Your eyes are narrowed at me like this.” She squinted, scrunching her adorable face.

He tried not to smile, but he couldn’t help it.

 

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Warrior Priest

(Science Fiction Romance)

What happens when a warrior priest from a strict religion meets a free-spirited priestess from a new age commune?

Jade and Selena are as different as two people can be, but to facilitate an alliance between their worlds, they engage in a cultural exchange. With their galaxy in danger from a planet that wants to conquer or destroy all others, they realize the importance of their assignment, but it is difficult for a warrior priest and a nonviolent priestess to understand each other.

Selena is both attracted and appalled by his old school masculinity, and Jade is tempted to break his vow of celibacy until marriage due to his powerful desire for her. Will this unlikely pair not only find common ground, but unconditional love?

Warrior Priest is available for pre-order at  Amazon / Apple Books / Barnes & Noble / kobo /  Smashwords

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See you next week!

Read snippets from other authors in the Weekend Writing Warriors Blog hop here.

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