Getting There!

Wrapping up Tempest has been slow going, but I can see light at the end of the tunnel for a first draft. One of the more interesting characters to emerge in this book is Tane Samuelson, Rafe and Cara's daughter, as per this tidbit:

“What? No sobbing? No begging?” Boru dragged Tane down the hallway by her arm, slowing just a bit when she stumbled to allow her to gather her skirts.

“Would it change anything if I begged?”

“Not a thing, m’dear.”

Tane huffed and gathered up more of her skirt, trying desperately to keep up with him. “Mama said you were a sadistic bastard.”

He laughed. “You mother wasn’t here long enough to make that assessment.”

“No, but I understand my grandmother was.” She gave him a baleful glare.

As soon as she said it, she wanted to call it back. A chilly wind blew down the hall, so cold she could see her breath.

He slowly turned, his eyes glowing red. “Be careful, Tane. Emara loved me.”

“Liar!” Tane twisted out of his hands and took a step back. “Women like her don’t love men like you! I know what you did. She hates you!”

He struck her with a closed fist, fast and hard, driving her into the stone wall behind her. She fell to her knees and went still, her breathing ragged as anger warred with fear inside her.

He crouched beside her. “You may look like your mother, but you’ve a bit of your father in you, haven’t you?”

The coppery taste of blood filled her mouth. She wiped at her split lip. “So what if I do?”

“Rafe Samuelson. Interesting man. I tried to have him killed several times, but the bastard had more lives than a cat and the luck to go with it. I want you to understand me, Tane. Your mother had value. Real value, unlike you and your mongrel blood. None of Àlainnshire’s princes have offered for you. Not a single one. I could’ve used Cara to forge a lucrative alliance with Strathmore, but your father stole her from me, just as Midhir stole Emara.” He tipped her chin up with a finger. “I want revenge, pretty girl. Your mother wants you. So…” Boru jerked her roughly to her feet. “I’m going to wait until she’s standing right in front of me to break your neck.”