Elaina J. Davidson's Blog, page 100
August 4, 2023
August 3, 2023
ECHO: Autumn of the Dragon
So, head's up! Currently writing Echo's story (Echayn Valla) in my spare time (don't have too much of that!). I'm hoping to have it done by Christmas (fingers crossed). You met Echo in Farochin (Ancient Terra 2) and this takes us further, beyond the events that ended Ancient Terra.
Planning 4 books in the Seasons Series. The graphic below is of mock up covers, without the extras :)
New cover for HOUSE OF VALLA
Decision made! Here's the new cover for House of Valla 😍 with a few added tweaks. I'll be uploading this weekend.
August 2, 2023
August 1, 2023
July 31, 2023
Which cover grabs your attention?
I'm thinking of changing House of Valla's cover. Usually I don't put people on my covers because I prefer to allow the reader's imagination to create the characters' features, but maybe for this one?
July 30, 2023
Chapter 10: Ethereal Musician
Alayna lives as a recluse in the giant redwood forest far fromprying eyes. When intruders break into her home with the intention of robbingand using her, a man with vivid green eyes becomes an unlikely saviour. Theinstant they see each other their fates are sealed. Ben and Alayna have thekind of attraction that reeks of a celestial mandate.
She realises what Ben truly is, but he’s too young to knowhis real self. She sends him away to discover his destiny, telling him to playthe music able to move stars, and awaits his return. Their attraction, though,is so visceral and overwhelming that Ben comes back again and again, each time findingit harder to leave the only woman who has ignited his soul.
Alayna feels it too, because Ben possesses a kiss able tobreak worlds. His green eyes are an ethereal magnificence amid the redwoods,lighting the way for love, music, dreams and destiny to mark their paths, butsuch a connection has a price.
Ten
A VIOLIN RESTED in its case on her desk.
Ben stopped dead when hesaw it.
His heart had thunderedduring the night and his blood had raced. Every emotion hidden and unknown hadsurfaced until flesh was soul and time was as ancient and unknowable as the cosmos.She emptied him from the inside out and then she remade him.
That quickening was nowas nothing as to what assaulted every sense he possessed.
A violin.
Music.
In the filtered light ofthis new day, he approached it as if it was a viper. Already his hand reachedto take possession. The contradiction between thought and action createdtheories of chaos in his mind.
The desired object wasin his hands.
This was a work of art,an instrument lovingly crafted.
An ache grew in his gut.
Alayna paid a lot of moneyfor this. Why?
“To hear you play,” shewhispered behind him.
He did not move. Hesimply stared at what he held in his hands. The ache sought release.
“You know yourself now…”
“Do I?” he croaked.
“You have a fair ideaand it will become clearer as you move forward.”
He swallowed. “So?” Butthose answers were of less importance to the growing pressure within him.
“Knowing means leaving,Ben. You returned to understand that … and to accept it. You must go forward,never back.”
Her hands were on hisshoulders, warm through the thin shirt he’s shrugged on to stave off some ofthe chill. He took great comfort from her touch, now. Every word she spoke wasonly truth. This was finally relief.
“We have an agesdifference that won’t hold up in this society,” she murmured.
He turned then. “Ages?” he said, his gaze intent.
She did not blink. “Yes.Ages.”
“How old are you?” Thewords tore from him. Suspicion could now become fact.
Even now she wouldn’tgive him that. No lies, but not straightforward fact either. “Too old. Veryold. We are old souls both.”
She intended to leavehim with only his suspicions. She intended to keep to the rumor of what soulswere capable of.
He dug deeper. “How oldam I? I do not mean my soul.”
Alayna blinked. “Thatwould be the real question, wouldn’t it?”
And that answered it forhim.
Smiling then, he liftedthe violin to his shoulder, tucked it under his chin, sensing the knots unravelinginside. Already notes floated into his blood.
“And you want to hear meplay before I hit the long road.”
Her sigh settled overhim like a warm blanket. “It will be your final gift to me.”
He lifted the bow. Itsettled whisper soft onto the strings. Fingers found the right chordsautomatically. This he knew; this washis true self.
The first angelic notesoared, and every bird in the forest fell silent to listen.
Tears coursed freelyover Alayna’s cheeks.
Worlds far, far, awayknitted back together as the flows of energy flew along the musical curves ofcreation itself.
It was her final gift tohim as well.
