Solentine Dagarra. Bastard son of a hero margrave, secret head of the Shears, devoted older brother, cousin, and son. Urbane, charming, ruthless. Noble by day, assassin by night, effortless thirst trap on all occasions.
Favorite quote: “Nothing is more annoying than a man who doesn’t have the decency to die after he’s murdered.”
It is said that the male lead belongs to the heroine.* Solentine is not the male lead. He belongs to everyone.
Artwork by Helena Elias
*The Romance of Tiger and Rose, cdrama.
Large files ahead. Click the images to view the artwork in detail.
A small snippet from Solentine’s short story.
A wiry woman charged Sol, swinging a short sword. He leaned back, and the point of her blade fanned his face, cutting only air. He spun past her, stabbing and slashing. She fell, and he kept moving. A tall dark-haired fighter blocked his way. Sol stabbed him twice, once in the kidney and then in the stomach, rupturing the bowels, and kicked his leading leg out from under him. The third man, in his thirties, with his red hair tied back, dropped his club and raised his hands. Sol pointed his left dagger at the wall, where the small man lay, crumpled on the floor. The man obeyed and ran there.
The last remaining fighter swung a long slender blade, drawing an elaborate pattern around himself. Southeastern style. The man was in his mid-twenties, athletic and light on his feet. A pricy haircut, a decent sword. A small medallion embossed with a white sword hung around his neck. Fador had hired himself a mercenary duelist.
The mercenary cut the air with a flourish. “I am Derrein of Garver. I have never lost a fight to the death.”
“I would imagine so,” Sol said. “Or we wouldn’t be having this conversation, would we?”
“Whom do I have the honor of …”
Sol struck. Derrein saw the attack coming but wasn’t fast enough. Sol’s right dagger slid into his side, lacerating the liver. The mercenary stumbled away, clutching at the red stain spreading through his tunic.
Sol pointed at the door. Derrein fled. If he made it to a healer in time, he’d have a chance to recover, though his ego likely never would.
Promotion, we do it:
Ooo loved the snippet! A really nice start to the day, I must say. Thanks!!
Love this snippet
Channeling Princess Bride???
‘Never go in against a Sicilian when death is on the line!'”
Counting down the days! This is my first ever pre-order: that’s how excited I am!
Thank you for snippet. I have pre ordered a hardcopy of book, but I want one of the UK hardcopy versions. They are beautiful.
I am so excited! I was wondering if I could get confirmation that the Imagine Books Shop edition is signed? I know it said it was on the blog but it didn’t on the post in their Facebook group. I am planning on pre-ordering but would love a signed copy!
The Imagine Books editions are signed 🙂
awesome, thank you so much!
Never lost a fight to the death, really? Thank you, Captain Obvious! So sorry I don’t have an *eyeroll* big enough for you.
Snippet on a Tuesday: unexpected in the very best way. Thank you!
What, pray tell, is a “Thirst Trap”? I’m not hip to it.
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/thirst-trap 🙂
Allow me to elucidate:
First, know that thirst= horniness.
A thirst trap happens when a hottie with a body uses their assets to garner fame or money.
No, not necessarily 🙂. You can post thirst traps just for one person. It just means aiming for the sexual type of interest.
It’s used tongue in cheek here to highlight the fact that Solentine is scorching. 🙂
I am so glad he is ours. He is so skilled and gorgeous to boot!
Thank you for the surprise Tuesday snippet.
5 weeks left before we get another precious. Woo-hoo! 🤸🥳
wow
good morning to you too
Y’all are not fair. Snippets are a double edged treat !! Because now, I want more (of the book, not of Sol specifically…. no really… seriously…)
oooh 😍 very nice and deadly too ☺️
Getting excited now, I’ve bought every format so This Kingdom will be at my finger tips when I feel the urge 🤭
thank you for the Snippet and piccy