Venom Blog Tour (Venomous Excerpt)

I'm super excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for Venom. It's a historical YA romance/adventure/mystery that is just...oh so good....

As a part of the blog tour, Fiona wrote a short story entitled Venomous. Each tour stop has an excerpt. Follow the tour and read the whole story! 

Venomous

A Secrets of the Eternal Rose short story

By Fiona Paul

The year is 1600 and the streets of Venice, Italy are ripe with intrigue and danger. In this introduction to the world of Venom, eighteen-year-old Mariabella has recently elevated herself from the rank of common prostitute to the status of courtesan, a respected high-class escort for those men in Venetian society who can afford them. Mariabella steps out to attend a party on the arm of her powerful new patron, certain that the night will be filled with glamour, secrets, and adventure.

If you missed the last part of the story, check it out on Rainy Day Ramblings. 

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            I turn to Joseph. “They were entertaining,” I say.

            He shakes his head, a bemused smile on his face. “I find you entertaining, Mariabella. But you’ll go further in this world if you learn to play nice.”

            I make a mock offended face. “I’m sure I don’t know what you mean. Was I just supposed to let those women insult me?”

             “They’re just envious of your beauty and youth.” His dark eyes trail over my entire body. Excitement moves through me, the exhilarating feeling of knowing that someone who could have almost anyone wants me.

            “Did you know them?” I blurt out, before I can stop myself. “I mean, were you...with them?” I raise my eyebrows meaningfully.   

            “Probably at some point.” He smiles. “Who can remember? Come on. It’s time for you to dance with me.”

            Were this any other man, I would think he was being evasive. But someone as powerful as Joseph has no need to hide things, not from me, anyway. He leads me into the dancers, all of us blending into the rhythm like raindrops falling into a canal. Smooth. Effortless.

            “I suppose someday you’ll forget all about me too,” I say, giving him my best sultry little pout. I expect him to make a joke or tell me I’m unforgettable.

            Instead he shrugs. “Why not enjoy tonight instead of worrying about the future? A lot of young women would kill to be chosen for a party like this.”

            Chosen. Again, I think of the old woman cawing about how I was marked. Distracted, I step forward when I should be stepping backward and nearly squash Joseph’s right foot. He raises an eyebrow but doesn’t comment. Blushing, I murmur something about how much wine I’ve drunk, even though I’ve only had a few sips and I’m not even sure what happened to my glass. I do my best to put the old woman and the other courtesans out of my mind. So what if Joseph will replace me someday? I might have my fill of him first and walk away before he can even do so.

              I lift my chin and pull him in close. “Will I be accompanying you back to your palazzo later?”

            Out of the corner of my eye, I see Batista watching me. He’s dancing with a gray-haired woman whose teal dress hangs loosely on her gaunt frame. She’s probably a widow, or perhaps her husband is too busy drinking to dance. It strikes me as charming, Batista’s willingness to entertain complete strangers even though he’s not much for dancing.

            “I have to meet with some friends later,” Joseph says. “Perhaps you could visit tomorrow afternoon instead?”

            I nod, wondering exactly what sort of gathering takes place late at night after everyone has been drinking. I cannot ask, though. It isn’t my place. “I look forward to it,” I say.  My eyes gravitate back to Batista and I wish I hadn’t refused his offer to meet later. Suddenly I could do with the attentions of a man who won’t forget me the instant he finds something younger or prettier to play with.

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For the next part of the story, visit Cover Analysis on Monday 10/15. 

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Venom comes out October 30, 2012. Come back tomorrow to see my review of Venom (hint: I thought it was FABULOUS!)