It was only a woman come to clean, who had somehow brought billows of purple smoke. Or maybe it was the candles. Two hundred candles, and by the time the wicks were burning low.
Author: joanspilman
Former teacher, writer of Appalachian Literature, short stories, and fantasy. Current publication, "This Will Never Stop" see Kirkus Reviews, Vol. LXXXXVII, NO. 22 Nov. 15, 2019. Also featured on booktrib, and Booklife. Has published a YA entitled "Sansablatt Head", and books for children under the general title of "The Waddling Dead". Received MFA from Wichita State University where she received the fellowship. Published in Southern Humanities Review, Short Story International, Carriage House Review,Willow Springs, Laurel Review and other literary magazines. Winner of George Garrett Prize for Best Prose, W.WashingtonU. Winner of Microkosmos Fiction Award, WSU. Winner of John Maier Award at Marshall University.
This Textured Darkness, #113
Elymas placed the goblet on the tray and rubbed his eyes with his fists. Had he seen a woman sporting three boars’ heads at the entrance doors?
“This Will Never Stop” from Silver Bottle, Episode 25
I wanted to cuddle the doll, but her eyes were now open and glittering with malice.
“This Will Never Stop”, Episode 24 from the novel, Silver Bottle
Such a lot of motion in a two-syllable word. A shyly sensual sound at a time when sex wasn’t talked about, except by married women on porches in the summer twilight, or wildly exaggerated by teenage girls.
This Textured Darkness, #112
The finest practitioners in Casoria hadn’t succeeded in curing Ranald. Elymas chuckled. He’d stood before them all and handed the King his nightly draught of poison.
“This Will Never Stop”, Episode 23 of the novel, Silver Bottle
She watches you. The blue of her eyes is no longer guileless; there are barriers inside this woman as high as mountains and, like the ocean, deeper than you think. Breathe easy. One hint of judgement and you’ve lost her.
This Textured Darkness, #111
A cheeky youth who, every time their eyes met, winked or flashed a suggestive smile. Running his tongue over his lips, Elymas, on impulse, offered to buy him. He hadn’t anticipated the rage.
Silver Bottle, Episode 22
I can’t bury my mother, so I’ll leave that silver bottle right where it is.
This Textured Darkness, #110
Tonight, he’d poisoned the High King as well as his annoying councilor, Fulcruchen. Rage had prompted him.
This Textured Darkness, #109
The fire tempted her. She felt as she had at the Hungry Rocks and wanted to bath in it like water. She took a step forward.
