Sticking with continuing on from last week’s snippet from my wip, To Target the Heart.
For those of you catching up… Darshan and Hamish are a pair of thirty-something princes from two vastly different lands who have both never been in a relationship before.
Darshan is the spellster ambassador from the ginormous Udynea Empire sent to negotiate trade relations with Tirglas. Whereas Hamish is the third eldest child of the Tirglasian queen who has been kept on a tight leash by his mother.
The prior sentence was: [Darshan] wished he had an objective enough stance on the matter to answer that truthfully.
Darshan took hold of Hamish’s hands, coaxing the man to turn from the tower parapet. It wasn’t his choice to make alone, if at all. “I would understand if your preference is to remain as you are.” He wouldn’t be pleased, but he’d rather not begin at all than to prematurely part because he’d made life worse for Hamish. “You just have to say and that will be the last you hear of it from me. I am not in the habit of forcing those who decline the offer into my bed.” Not that he generally had to offer. Or even try that hard when looking for a little fun. Someone was always willing to lay with their vris Mhanek and they generally weren’t backwards in coming forwards about their intentions.
Hamish bit his lip, his mouth disappearing beneath his ruddy moustache as both it and his beard seemed to merge.
Don’t forget to check out the other excerpts at Weekend Writing Warriors, Snippet Sunday or Rainbow Snippets.
Having staved off the idea of marrying a woman for years, Prince Hamish finds himself forced to face its realities when he becomes the prize in a contest of arms. But one contestant promises a way out. Can they win against all the odds?
Aldrea Alien 
Sounds like he’s conflicted…
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He is.
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He’s being very reasonable. Maybe Hamish wishes he be a tad more pushy?
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Maybe.
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Very noble offer, but it seems like it’s putting Hamish in an impossible situation!
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Not yet.
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I’m very invested in your two characters and am really enjoying the story! Since you said this is a WIP, I feel like there’s a word missing here? “You just have to say…” should the sentence include the word ‘no’? My reader’s brain supplied the word and then that took me out of the flow, going back to reread the sentence. Something to ponder. Enjoyed the snippet of course!
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Ack, yes, there should be a ‘no’ there. Thank you for that. 🙂
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I wonder if this conversation will actually end here, or if it will keep going… 😉
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Oh, it keeps going. Not for much longer, though.
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I love the description of the beard and mustache.
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Thank you. 🙂
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Sounds like Darshan is trying to convince himself as much as Hamish.
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A little bit.
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I’m really glad Darshan put it to him like that – after last week I wasn’t sure if he would – it says a lot for his character that he realises it’s Hamish’s decision. They’re such fantastic characters I’m champing at the bit to hear their whole story! 🙂
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Thank you. 🙂
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I’m new to this hop, so I checked back on your last excerpt to catch up with these characters. I’m curious to see where this goes. Enjoyed the excerpts!
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Thank you and welcome! 🙂
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Aw, these two!
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😀
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I’m glad Darshan is giving him the chance to say no, not forcing him (by coaxing). Admirable. I feel Hamish’s indecision. Good job.
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Sounds like Hamish is a bit conflicted here
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Poor Hamish looks like he’s warring between heart and mind. Darshan seems like a decent guy though.
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