By Kristy McCaffrey
A death mask is a likeness of a deceased person’s face following death. Typically constructed of wax or plaster, the impression is made directly from the corpse.
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| Death Mask of King Tut |
In many cultures, a death mask was used during the funeral and was usually buried with the body. The Egyptians made them as part of the mummification process, the most famous being King Tut’s golden mask. They believed the death mask allowed the deceased person’s spirit to find its body in the afterlife.
Some African tribes believed a death mask imbued a wearer with the power of the dead. But in the Middle Ages, the practice became less of a spiritual link and more a way of preserving the dead. Death masks weren’t buried with the deceased but instead were used in funeral ceremonies and later kept in libraries, museums, and universities.
Famous death masks include Ludwig van Beethoven, Napoleon Bonaparte, Frederic Chopin, Oliver Cromwell, John Keats, Nikola Tesla, Mary Queen of Scots, and John Dillinger.
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| Death mask of Napoleon Bonaparte. |
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| Alleged death mask of Shakespeare. |
In Kristy’s story, BLUE SAGE, a death mask plays an important role.
AMAZON | Also available in Kindle Unlimited
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BLUE SAGE by Kristy McCaffrey
Archaeologist Audrey Driggs rolls off a mountain and lands at the feet of rugged cowboy Braden Delaney. Together, they’ll uncover a long-lost secret.
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Blue Sage Excerpt
Braden sat across from Audrey, a fire flaming between them,
holding the darkness at bay. They’d found a flat patch of land not far from the
spot where they’d discovered Blue and had set up a small tent and supplies.
Braden planned to sleep outside, and if Blue’s affectionate attentions were any
indication, he’d have plenty of warmth from the mutt. Not that snuggling
against Audrey didn’t have its merits, but he wondered if it was too soon to
make a move.
She’d seen him cry like a baby after all. So much for giving
an impression of strength and confidence. Damned if he hadn’t spilled his
emotions out like a broken water pump. But in some ways losing his dad had broken him.
The horses and Stevie were picketed nearby munching on oats
and grass, and Audrey had prepared peanut butter sandwiches for dinner. After
the days’ events, Braden had eaten four.
“What did you want to tell me?” he prompted, running a hand
along Blue’s back as the dog lay curled up against him.
Audrey crossed her legs and leaned forward, resting her
elbows on her knees. Bundled in her brightly-colored fleece, the garment seemed
to heighten the flush of her cheeks to a rosy glow. Although her hair was still
pulled back from her face, strands had escaped and framed the soft contours of
her cheeks, her eyes a deep blue-green in the flickering firelight.
Her only makeup was a sunburned nose and faint smudges of
dirt, and he watched her like a lovesick puppy.
When had it happened? When had he fallen for her?
He hoped she wasn’t about to tell him she had a boyfriend.
“This isn’t the first time I’ve been here,” she said. “When
I was nine, my dad took my sister and me for a weekend in the wilderness. I’m
fairly certain this is where we were. When you mentioned seeing a family here
years ago—I think it was us.”
That caught his attention. He laughed as he scratched behind
Blue’s ear, the dog in canine bliss. “I remember you. It was early in the
morning, and I was scouting around alone when I saw a dark-haired girl talking
to herself.” He grinned. “Then she did a dance.”
Audrey twisted her mouth, appearing self-conscious. She took
a deep breath. “Yeah, that was me. First, let me apologize for the fact that we
were on Delaney land. I’m sure my dad didn’t realize we’d crossed the boundary
between public and private lands.”
“You’re forgiven.”
She chewed on her lower lip. “So, you should know that as a
young child I was very sick.”
Copyright © 2017 K.
McCaffrey LLC
Kristy McCaffrey writes historical western romances set in the American southwest. She and her husband dwell in the Arizona desert with two chocolate labs named Ranger and Lily, and whichever of their four children that are in residence. Kristy believes life should be lived with curiosity, compassion, and gratitude, and one should never be far from the enthusiasm of a dog. She also likes sleeping-in, eating Mexican food, and doing yoga at home in her pajamas.
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