Title: Surrender
Series: The Ferryman + The Flame #1
By: Rhiannon Paille
Published: October 2nd, 2012 by Createspace
Blurb
How far would you go to save everything you ever loved?
Kaliel was warned about her love for the Ferryman. One day
he will marry the land and leave Avristar forever. She doesn't listen, and
because of what she is-- a Flame-- one of nine apocalyptic weapons, she sparks
a war. In a desperate attempt to save her home and her love, Kaliel tries to
awaken Avred, not knowing she may have to make the ultimate sacrifice.
Excerpt
She didn’t wake up as the dream faded away, however, she
felt her eyes open, the scene around her completely changed.
His eyes were different; one
shone gold, the other a rich brown. She traced the patterns in the irises,
noting their intricate architecture. There was something about him she
recognized, but all she could concentrate on were those eyes. A gold band wrapped
around his forehead, a headdress attached to it, golden snakes hanging off it.
It resembled a chandelier, aside from its obvious use as a crown. He had olive
skin and a narrow nose. His mouth was drawn up in a bright smile. His warm hand
was on her shoulder. She tried to tear her gaze away from him. Something begged
her to look at the sun, but her eyes were locked to his. Nausea kicked in and
her heart raced.
Something is wrong! she
thought.
Kaliel tried to move, but his
grip and his focus on her sharpened. His eyes pleaded with her, imploring her
not to look up. She closed her eyes; there was no way she could let it go. She
felt the chalice in the other hand. There was water in it. She had drawn this
scene over and over in her journal. She fought to lift her head to look at the
sky.
“We have fulfilled our
purpose.” His voice was even and calm. She feared that he caused the reasons
for her distress.
“What purpose?” she asked.
“The war is over,” he said.
Why would that scare her? She
fought to gain control of her emotions, but her knees buckled and heat rose up
around her feet. It burned, sending pain shooting into her torso. She cried out
and tried to pry her eyes open.
“Relax, my love. It will be
over soon,” he said.
“Krishani?”
“Nay, they call me the
Ferryman.”
“What?”
She tried to fight, but the
fire was intense. It wrapped around her body, threatening to crush her insides
with its intense heat. There was something else, though, a barrier between
herself and the heat, a shield. She felt the violet aura surrounding her. It
spiked off the edges of her body in its own wisps of flames, protecting her
from the final axe of destruction.
“And you are the Flame.” There
was no compassion in his voice.
The flames engulfed her face
in their fury and she forced herself to look up. Smoke covered the sky.
Flame-laced pieces of molten rock rained down on them. She gasped and tried to
fight it, but with his hand on her shoulder, and his eyes on her, they seemed
lost in their own world. She looked at him, his body engulfed in flames, only
his mismatched eyes staring into hers through the waves of heat. “It’s over.”
His smile faded as fire licked away his flesh.
“Kaliel!” A new voice.
“Kaliel!”
Her eyes opened. She was
drenched in sweat, her body trembling uncontrollably.
“What did you see?” Mallorn
demanded.
She put a hand to her head,
trying to shake away the horrendous images that stung. Her mouth moved, trying
to form words, but her tongue was dry and her throat was scratchy. She longed
for water. The waters. She needed to go to the lake. She pushed the covers
aside and shook her head. She refused to explain what she saw, anything to keep
him from knowing her dark secrets.
“I can’t stay here,” she said
as her feet found the ground.
Mallorn had his hand on her
arm, but she wrenched it away and ran out of the cabin into the night.
Playlist
Can you share the playlist you listened to while writing
‘Surrender’ with us?
Once again we’re really digging deep because Surrender was
finished in 2009, then rewritten once in 2010, and again in 2011 and was then
edited a lot and in 2012 I added some deleted scenes, illustrations, a map, and
an alternate ending (for fun)
1. Caught Myself - Paramore
I listened to this song on repeat while finishing the first
draft of the last part of Surrender. I’m always about the lyrics and the
cadence of a song, this one had what I needed to finish the book.
2. Setting Sun - Eskimo Joe
Again, I was looking for songs at the time that could help
me plow into the emotions of my characters. So this song was great for that.
3. My Number - Tegan and Sara
All time favorite Indie Rock Duo. I love their older stuff
because of how raw and original it was.
4. Satellite Heart - Anya Marina
I suppose the whole Twilight Soundtrack was being played
around this time but the songs on this soundtrack were amazing because of the
Indie Rock quality to them and the fact that the movie was considered an Indie
Film so really just a great time for this to come out for me.
5. Holy Toledo - Crystal Bowersox
I loved this girl when she was on American Idol because damn
could she sing. So of course I downloaded her songs and made constant patronage
to them while writing.
