Cat Bruno's Blog
May 14, 2020
Throne of Night
It's finally here!
Pre-order for Throne of Night is now available, and the book will release May 20, 2020.
Please let me know what you think of the finale! Hope you all enjoy it as much as I do!
Happy Reading!
--Cat
Throne of Night
Pre-order for Throne of Night is now available, and the book will release May 20, 2020.
Please let me know what you think of the finale! Hope you all enjoy it as much as I do!
Happy Reading!
--Cat
Throne of Night
February 19, 2020
Final Stretch for Book Five
Book Five is nearly complete! Woo hoo! I have so much to say on it, but, for now, here is a little spoiler/chapter sampling. Enjoy and stay tuned for a longer blog post coming up.
************
Blood seeped anew from his wounds as Jarek weakened and his mage-spell unraveled. Even though the swelling had decreased around his eyes, he now only saw shades of black, which obscured his surroundings with a haze that further disorientated him. His feet were bare, as his stockings had been embedded in the mud and unknowingly discarded. Wearing only a tunic and leggings, both of which were in tatters, Jarek had little protection against the chill that the shadowed fog covered him with. If the Crows fared better, he did not notice, for he was half-asleep and unable to recover or fully wake as he was lugged along between them.
And so it remained until he was thrown against a cold, wet riverbank, forgotten and ignored.
Though he could not see or smell, Jarek could hear shouts and grunts around him, cackling and wings flapping as the Crows took flight. The sounds of war, he mused, as if the clanks and cries were a lullaby, and, soon, Jarek slept, unable to pull himself from the shadowed curse.
************
Blood seeped anew from his wounds as Jarek weakened and his mage-spell unraveled. Even though the swelling had decreased around his eyes, he now only saw shades of black, which obscured his surroundings with a haze that further disorientated him. His feet were bare, as his stockings had been embedded in the mud and unknowingly discarded. Wearing only a tunic and leggings, both of which were in tatters, Jarek had little protection against the chill that the shadowed fog covered him with. If the Crows fared better, he did not notice, for he was half-asleep and unable to recover or fully wake as he was lugged along between them.
And so it remained until he was thrown against a cold, wet riverbank, forgotten and ignored.
Though he could not see or smell, Jarek could hear shouts and grunts around him, cackling and wings flapping as the Crows took flight. The sounds of war, he mused, as if the clanks and cries were a lullaby, and, soon, Jarek slept, unable to pull himself from the shadowed curse.
January 21, 2020
Pathway of the Chosen, Book Five
Hello all!
Book Five is SO close to being complete, and I can't wait to share it with you.
Follow me over on my Facebook page for weekly updates, more sneak peeks, and the cover reveal!
www.facebook.com/catbrunoauthor/
Book Five is SO close to being complete, and I can't wait to share it with you.
Follow me over on my Facebook page for weekly updates, more sneak peeks, and the cover reveal!
www.facebook.com/catbrunoauthor/
October 18, 2019
Night Eternal
It was then that Syrsha reminded him that Luna herself might soon be hidden by the thickening mists. His laughter was not a kind or gentle sound as it split and burned the air between them, warming her skin with its fiery threat.
“You do not know her as I do. Even in her glow, she dwells among nightfall and dons it as a cape atop her glittering gown of stars. My touch only makes her tides stronger and her shine brighter.”
That her kin, those without Tribe blood, would perish under such darkness mattered not to him. His children, those born of his love for Luna, would inherit the lands that the mortals and mages would be forced to abandon. She, born of both worlds, would bear no ill effects. Yet, in his answer, Nox had offered her a clue, even if he did not realize it. That his shadows strengthened Luna’s secretive powers might be the mystery that Syrsha needed to solve. For she was kin to both gods, even if she had been forsaken by Luna.
Perhaps I have not been forgotten by the moon goddess, Syrsha suddenly decided and jumped from the bench.
Nox did not appear as she crept toward the eastern edge of the shadows. Nor did the Crows. Syrsha made her way outside without anyone noticing as she draped herself in a mist of onyx. The shadows heeded her call without effort, opening a path and quickly closing behind to offer concealment. She walked on, although none could see her tread or hear her footfall. In near total darkness, Syrsha moved east as she searched for Luna. Her only hint that she neared was a lightening of the fog, and, when she finally spotted a sliver shining silver above, Syrsha stopped.
“You do not know her as I do. Even in her glow, she dwells among nightfall and dons it as a cape atop her glittering gown of stars. My touch only makes her tides stronger and her shine brighter.”
That her kin, those without Tribe blood, would perish under such darkness mattered not to him. His children, those born of his love for Luna, would inherit the lands that the mortals and mages would be forced to abandon. She, born of both worlds, would bear no ill effects. Yet, in his answer, Nox had offered her a clue, even if he did not realize it. That his shadows strengthened Luna’s secretive powers might be the mystery that Syrsha needed to solve. For she was kin to both gods, even if she had been forsaken by Luna.
Perhaps I have not been forgotten by the moon goddess, Syrsha suddenly decided and jumped from the bench.
Nox did not appear as she crept toward the eastern edge of the shadows. Nor did the Crows. Syrsha made her way outside without anyone noticing as she draped herself in a mist of onyx. The shadows heeded her call without effort, opening a path and quickly closing behind to offer concealment. She walked on, although none could see her tread or hear her footfall. In near total darkness, Syrsha moved east as she searched for Luna. Her only hint that she neared was a lightening of the fog, and, when she finally spotted a sliver shining silver above, Syrsha stopped.
July 8, 2019
Facebook Page
Hello! The long days of summer have invigorated me, and book five is moving swiftly. Each week, I post a few updates on my Facebook page, so I wanted to link to that page here:
https://www.facebook.com/catbrunoauthor
Come say hi and check out how the Pathway of the Chosen series is wrapping up!
Happy Reading!
-Cat
https://www.facebook.com/catbrunoauthor
Come say hi and check out how the Pathway of the Chosen series is wrapping up!
Happy Reading!
-Cat
June 12, 2019
Book Five Update
Here are two snippets from Book Five
*Title to be released soon*
Opening chapter, opening paragraph:
Atop his head the crown sat heavy, although in truth its golden filigrees weighed less than the ivory mug steaming between his fingers. Viktar insisted that he drink the rancid tea, which smelled of dirt and iron and tasted the same. Blood tea, his cousin had named it and proclaimed it a Tiannese cure for many ailments. When Jarek argued that he was as hale as ever, the man shrugged and refilled the mug until the dawn-colored petals painted along the interior disappeared behind the rising, shadowy liquid. The splashing of the darkened water echoed loudly across the nearly empty throne room, which had been cleared of everything except the oversized table. The once-splendid room, packed with silver-edged furnishings, now lay bare, for Jarek desired to glance upon nothing that had once been his uncle’s.
Midway bit:
As his anger grew, so did the gray clouds overhead, until the sun disappeared as if night dawned.
“–––– is as much a weapon as I am. As I have always been. Without both of us, Cordisia would be cinder and ash. A land of shadows and everlasting night. Do not question me again on what choices I make to save this world, one that I do not need to survive.”
“Syrsha!” he yelled as she walked away. When he reached for her, she turned and faced him with blue-black eyes that only faded once Jarek lay sprawled against uneven stones. A surge of wind had struck him near to his throat, forcing him backward before gusting once more and knocking him to the ground.
As he scrambled to his feet, Otieno returned.
“Leave her. If you want any lands to rule, you will allow her to fight. At any cost.”
*Title to be released soon*
Opening chapter, opening paragraph:
Atop his head the crown sat heavy, although in truth its golden filigrees weighed less than the ivory mug steaming between his fingers. Viktar insisted that he drink the rancid tea, which smelled of dirt and iron and tasted the same. Blood tea, his cousin had named it and proclaimed it a Tiannese cure for many ailments. When Jarek argued that he was as hale as ever, the man shrugged and refilled the mug until the dawn-colored petals painted along the interior disappeared behind the rising, shadowy liquid. The splashing of the darkened water echoed loudly across the nearly empty throne room, which had been cleared of everything except the oversized table. The once-splendid room, packed with silver-edged furnishings, now lay bare, for Jarek desired to glance upon nothing that had once been his uncle’s.
Midway bit:
As his anger grew, so did the gray clouds overhead, until the sun disappeared as if night dawned.
“–––– is as much a weapon as I am. As I have always been. Without both of us, Cordisia would be cinder and ash. A land of shadows and everlasting night. Do not question me again on what choices I make to save this world, one that I do not need to survive.”
“Syrsha!” he yelled as she walked away. When he reached for her, she turned and faced him with blue-black eyes that only faded once Jarek lay sprawled against uneven stones. A surge of wind had struck him near to his throat, forcing him backward before gusting once more and knocking him to the ground.
As he scrambled to his feet, Otieno returned.
“Leave her. If you want any lands to rule, you will allow her to fight. At any cost.”
February 21, 2019
More from Book Five, Spoilers removed and redacted
“Are you safe, daughter?”
“I am well, mother,” Syrsha lied.
“And the others?”
Her mother asked of the High Lord without mentioning his name.
“My father lay near death for moons, but has recently woken. He will not walk again, yet he lives.”
“You cannot tell me more.”
“I will answer as best as I can. Some moons past, I suffered an injury that caused me to forget all that had once been. What is it that you wish to know?”
“Come near and let me examine the injury!” her mother ordered as she threw the blanket to the floor.
“It has long healed. I am not here in flesh and must return soon.”
“You say that I will know the man once I meet him?"
“Aye. He is but a boy when you meet him. And our history a tangled one, as much has been since the gods took notice of you, mother.”
“Do you love this man?”
The query was a simple one, one that many mothers would ask. The answer, however, would never be so simple and Syrsha struggled to find words to explain her relationship with Jarek.
“I cannot remember,” she muttered. “But I trust him, even now, and that tells me much.”
“Visit again, daughter."
By the time Syrsha woke, she sobbed against the sharp needles, lying on her side just as she had found her mother. {Redacted} knelt beside her and hurriedly wiped the juniper stain from her arms with a dampened cloth.
“Of any, she deserved her fate the least,” Syrsha whimpered. “This was never her game and never her choice.”
Neither man spoke.
“I will kill Nox for that alone.”
{Redacted} offered her the stained cotton strip, and she wiped her face dry.
“I am well, mother,” Syrsha lied.
“And the others?”
Her mother asked of the High Lord without mentioning his name.
“My father lay near death for moons, but has recently woken. He will not walk again, yet he lives.”
“You cannot tell me more.”
“I will answer as best as I can. Some moons past, I suffered an injury that caused me to forget all that had once been. What is it that you wish to know?”
“Come near and let me examine the injury!” her mother ordered as she threw the blanket to the floor.
“It has long healed. I am not here in flesh and must return soon.”
“You say that I will know the man once I meet him?"
“Aye. He is but a boy when you meet him. And our history a tangled one, as much has been since the gods took notice of you, mother.”
“Do you love this man?”
The query was a simple one, one that many mothers would ask. The answer, however, would never be so simple and Syrsha struggled to find words to explain her relationship with Jarek.
“I cannot remember,” she muttered. “But I trust him, even now, and that tells me much.”
“Visit again, daughter."
By the time Syrsha woke, she sobbed against the sharp needles, lying on her side just as she had found her mother. {Redacted} knelt beside her and hurriedly wiped the juniper stain from her arms with a dampened cloth.
“Of any, she deserved her fate the least,” Syrsha whimpered. “This was never her game and never her choice.”
Neither man spoke.
“I will kill Nox for that alone.”
{Redacted} offered her the stained cotton strip, and she wiped her face dry.
January 3, 2019
Book Five Preview
Cat Bruno
Jarek + Syrsha
*Star-crossed and Shadow-kissed*
As the group made their way back to the Grand Palace, Jarek walked at Syrsha’s side, unable to hide that he wanted to speak with her.
“My powers aren’t shackled here in the Lower Streets, Jarek.”
“Do you think to threaten me?” he laughed without amusement.
“A warning, no more than that.”
“Blaidd,” Jarek cried out, “Take the girl to the palace. Your cousin and I will be along shortly.”
When the Tribesman wavered, Syrsha nodded in his direction with a silent assurance that no harm would come to the king.
Once he was far enough away for her words to be unheard, she sighed, “How strange that my own kin worries for your safety over my own.”
“Do not presume a fight where there is none, Syrsha. Blaidd has been a friend to me, but even that would not cause him to betray you or the Wolves.”
Silence was her only answer as the two of them slowly walked along the piers. As Jarek strolled, the sea slapped louder at the wooden docks, until Syrsha realized the waters reflected his mood.
“You fear me.”
“No.”
“The sea exposes your lie,” she laughed coldly.
When he grabbed her arms and pulled her to his chest, Syrsha’s blood burned and her senses sharpened. His mouth smelled of ale, his neck of salt, his tunic of sweat. And she could hear the waves pound harder, banging like drums upon the piers. Beneath his fingers, her skin cooled, until she shivered against him. Only the flames of her birthright could warm her against such a threat, but Syrsha struggled to ignore the blaze. Even now, she did not seek to harm him.
“You should release me,” she breathed.
“I am not afraid of you, Syrsha. In truth, I have loved you even as my skin burned beneath your touch.”
“And now? How can you love that which you do not know?”
“Perhaps I wait for the day when you remember.”
“That day will not come. Even with the Dark God’s defeat, I will not be free from his punishment.”
“Then I will wait for you to love me anew.”
If Syrsha thought to protest, she could not as Jarek kissed her when her lips parted to speak. Far from her home and the reach of one more powerful than them both, Syrsha welcomed the ice that misted across her arms.
Jarek + Syrsha
*Star-crossed and Shadow-kissed*
As the group made their way back to the Grand Palace, Jarek walked at Syrsha’s side, unable to hide that he wanted to speak with her.
“My powers aren’t shackled here in the Lower Streets, Jarek.”
“Do you think to threaten me?” he laughed without amusement.
“A warning, no more than that.”
“Blaidd,” Jarek cried out, “Take the girl to the palace. Your cousin and I will be along shortly.”
When the Tribesman wavered, Syrsha nodded in his direction with a silent assurance that no harm would come to the king.
Once he was far enough away for her words to be unheard, she sighed, “How strange that my own kin worries for your safety over my own.”
“Do not presume a fight where there is none, Syrsha. Blaidd has been a friend to me, but even that would not cause him to betray you or the Wolves.”
Silence was her only answer as the two of them slowly walked along the piers. As Jarek strolled, the sea slapped louder at the wooden docks, until Syrsha realized the waters reflected his mood.
“You fear me.”
“No.”
“The sea exposes your lie,” she laughed coldly.
When he grabbed her arms and pulled her to his chest, Syrsha’s blood burned and her senses sharpened. His mouth smelled of ale, his neck of salt, his tunic of sweat. And she could hear the waves pound harder, banging like drums upon the piers. Beneath his fingers, her skin cooled, until she shivered against him. Only the flames of her birthright could warm her against such a threat, but Syrsha struggled to ignore the blaze. Even now, she did not seek to harm him.
“You should release me,” she breathed.
“I am not afraid of you, Syrsha. In truth, I have loved you even as my skin burned beneath your touch.”
“And now? How can you love that which you do not know?”
“Perhaps I wait for the day when you remember.”
“That day will not come. Even with the Dark God’s defeat, I will not be free from his punishment.”
“Then I will wait for you to love me anew.”
If Syrsha thought to protest, she could not as Jarek kissed her when her lips parted to speak. Far from her home and the reach of one more powerful than them both, Syrsha welcomed the ice that misted across her arms.
October 19, 2018
May 7, 2018
More from Book Five
The midday sun wore a thin layer of clouds like a shroud, tucked behind them as if a shy damsel. Golden rays streaked through, and the great cat lay on his side and greeted them with a welcoming yawn. Syrsha envied the beast’s comfort, for she dared not relax as he did. Even under a high sun, the Dark God flourished. The tales of his strength waning at dawn had been exaggerated, and although he might be weaker, his power was one that none could match. And he was near, close enough that her blood stung with desire and her life pulse thumped fast. The feeling was not unpleasant, but Syrsha could not revel in it. If she did, too many would suffer. And many named themselves as allies.
“What of your promise to spar with me?” a drum-like voice called out, pulling her from her thoughts.
“Careful, Banso, Fio is not chained,” she answered while reaching for the great cat’s chain-linked collar.
Her words forced the Bear to stop hard.
“No man can woo you with that beast at your side,” Banso grumbled.
Syrsha laughed, as he had expected no doubt. The Tribesman made no attempts to disguise his intentions, but he had come when she needed him a moon before, and that was enough to tolerate his repeated advances.
“Tie him to that tree before I get near,” he half-begged.
With a sigh, Syrsha did as he asked, mostly because she was bored and a fight with the oversized man offered a bit of fun.
“No weapons,” she told him moments later.
His laughter sounded like thunder, but far less threatening and surprisingly tempting.
“An invitation to battle you with only my hands as sword sounds just right,” Banso teased.
Syrsha did not expect the Bear to play fair and was ready for him as he lunged at her legs. More than twice her size and stronger than any else in the camp, he was a real challenge. Yet she leaped over his attempt, and his hands slapped together in empty defeat. From her vantage point, she was able to tug at his tunic, a woolen and misshapen thing that unraveled between her fingers, which played to Banso’s favor as the shirt tore in half and allowed him to escape.
“Come, now, my queen. You need only ask and I will disrobe.”
The man was rarely serious, despite his girth, and it often irritated Lord Ursano, who preferred his heir to act accordingly. Across much of his chest, black hairs curled, covering nearly all of his skin. She doubted he trimmed them, although his beard had been newly shaped and framed a handsome, broad face. It was no secret that Banso desired Syrsha as wife, and although rare for the Tribes to mate in such a way, it would be a celebrated union. That union, she figured, was why he had offered aid. Alliances were never given freely, or so the mage Aldric had warned her.
“What of your promise to spar with me?” a drum-like voice called out, pulling her from her thoughts.
“Careful, Banso, Fio is not chained,” she answered while reaching for the great cat’s chain-linked collar.
Her words forced the Bear to stop hard.
“No man can woo you with that beast at your side,” Banso grumbled.
Syrsha laughed, as he had expected no doubt. The Tribesman made no attempts to disguise his intentions, but he had come when she needed him a moon before, and that was enough to tolerate his repeated advances.
“Tie him to that tree before I get near,” he half-begged.
With a sigh, Syrsha did as he asked, mostly because she was bored and a fight with the oversized man offered a bit of fun.
“No weapons,” she told him moments later.
His laughter sounded like thunder, but far less threatening and surprisingly tempting.
“An invitation to battle you with only my hands as sword sounds just right,” Banso teased.
Syrsha did not expect the Bear to play fair and was ready for him as he lunged at her legs. More than twice her size and stronger than any else in the camp, he was a real challenge. Yet she leaped over his attempt, and his hands slapped together in empty defeat. From her vantage point, she was able to tug at his tunic, a woolen and misshapen thing that unraveled between her fingers, which played to Banso’s favor as the shirt tore in half and allowed him to escape.
“Come, now, my queen. You need only ask and I will disrobe.”
The man was rarely serious, despite his girth, and it often irritated Lord Ursano, who preferred his heir to act accordingly. Across much of his chest, black hairs curled, covering nearly all of his skin. She doubted he trimmed them, although his beard had been newly shaped and framed a handsome, broad face. It was no secret that Banso desired Syrsha as wife, and although rare for the Tribes to mate in such a way, it would be a celebrated union. That union, she figured, was why he had offered aid. Alliances were never given freely, or so the mage Aldric had warned her.
