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Chapter 101
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The Birthright Series Chapter 102
I WAVED THE TWO OF them away when Loi asked if I wanted anything. It might only be mid-afternoon, but after all the laughing I'd done thanks to Sabyn's stories, I could feel the need to sleep creeping over me. Being sick was so frustrating! I wouldn't miss the extreme tiredness at all. Pushing out of the chair, I walked slowly to the bed and climbed in. The soft mattress and still warm sheets were horribly inviting, and I didn't even realize I'd fallen asleep until Audi hit me during her attempt to "sneak" on the bed, sometime in the night. Grumbling at the klutzy dog, I shuffled about until we were both comfortable, then promptly fell asleep.While Yakov worked hard that week at teaching me about the Council of Elion and my duties within it, I worked just as hard at distracting him, relaying certain tales Sabyn had told me, or gossip from Maeri. It worked the first few times and had the adviser doubled in laughter as he remembered the incidents he'd been privy to. I loved to make him
The Birthright Series Chapter 103
HIS ARM FELT NUMB; UNTIL he tried to move it, which brought on a sharp jolt of pain followed by the unpleasant tingle of pins and needles.Blinking, Alek tried to open his eyes, astonished at how hard it felt.Where am I?He stared at the ceiling above; this is the Royal Quarters, why am I here?Normally he slept in the Griffon Guard Quarters, along with the other men. Well, not Gredel of course and Rumal had been absent quite a bit lately.That's odd. Why does it feel like I'm missing something, he thought, pondering. A noise caught his attention, and he realized then why he couldn't feel that arm. Catherine lay curled beside him, the numb arm under her. He smiled in spite of the current confusion he felt and forcing his arm to work, carefully wrapped it around her and let his head fall back. He felt her mumble against his chest in her sleep and smiled again.A few seconds later he jolted with a gasp, his brain suddenly putting the pieces together. At that moment Cat woke.TH
The Birthright Series Chapter 104
'CAT. PAY ATTENTION.'Loushka's voice in my mind made me jolt awake, and more than one Council member frowned.'Thanks.' I thought, then struggled to catch up with the conversation until Loushka hissed some points. Once again, I felt supremely grateful that the Council Chambers were next to an external wall. On the other side of the wall sat Loushka, listening to the conversation via my mind; helping me to keep up with it and respond appropriately. I always hated meetings on Earth. Normally Alek and Sabyn would attend these meetings, but the guys left early this morning to go investigate an attack on a village, so I had to step in.The two weeks after Alek woke had been the busiest of my life, even compared to the month's training prior to the ball.A pang of envy hit. The girls are so lucky. While I sat stuck in this large, grand and stuffy room, listening to land complaints and international and national politics, the girls got to have weapons training. Artama instructed us today
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IN THE TRAINING ROOM THE sound of the wooden swords cracking together echoed sharply. Lieutenant Patel worked Loi hard, and sweat poured off her while they moved around the room. She threw her sword up to deflect a blow he aimed at her head, his sword slamming into hers and she wavered under the weight.'Yield to it!' Patel bellowed. 'Allow your attacker to over extend, it reveals their weakness.'Loi nodded and they backed apart to try again. This time when his sword crashed into hers, she relaxed her wrist, allowing the sword to flick back, and made to slam the pommel into his nose.Patel jerked his head to the side just in time and grinned. 'Excellent move, my Lady! Next time, go faster. If you catch me, then it's my own fault. And remember to bring your short sword up and under when you release your long sword like that. A quick thrust up and it'd be all over for your opponent.'Double swords might look pretty cool in the movies, but in reality, it was damn hard work. They cont
The Birthright Series Chapter 106
THE TRAINING SESSION HAD BEEN fantastic, and I hummed while walking the corridors of the castle. Ada had brought a pair of fitted, straight-leg pants and a shirt that laced down the front for me to wear. The pants made my legs look long and the fabric almost looked like black leather. They made me feel rather bad ass as I strode along. The shirt was the shade of green that Ada knew I loved and it highlighted my complexion and hair. It reminded me yet again of all those times I'd attributed my pale skin and red hair to my apparent Scottish ancestry. Here on Gar'nyse, it simply emphasized the similarities I bore to Queen Ariadwen. We shared the green eyes and pale skin and, according to Yakov, the red hair was a family trait on my father's side.Speak of the devil- I smiled at the adviser as he walked toward me. 'Yakov.'He swept me a low bow before answering. 'Your Highness.'I gave the required nod of acknowledgment and rolled my eyes.He laughed. 'Now you do promise that you only
The Birthright Series Chapter 107
KASSIE STRETCHED HER STRIDE TO keep up with the others while they walked to the formal dining room. They rarely ate in the Great Hall for dinner anymore. Since Alek and Cat woke they had to entertain visiting dignitaries or nobles almost every night. It made the evenings interesting. Kassie enjoyed meeting new people and learning more about their new world. With only one rest day a week, she'd learned to make the most of these long dinners. Some of the people and creatures they met had been fascinating.Kassie glanced at Cat and smiled again. Sian's solution had been perfect. The deep red dress looked stunning on Cat and the splits on either side didn't mar the outfit at all, the glimpse of silk pants adding to the look. Cat clearly felt more comfortable, not fidgeting or pulling at the dress like she normally did on the way to dinner. It made Kassie grateful that she wasn't required to wear anything as dressy as that. A lovely knee length dress with a bolero jacket and flats, as no o
The Birthright Series Chapter 108
I HADN'T EXPECTED HER TO use her energy against me, and the blow that threw me into the door winded me. Loi stood in the middle of the floor, her face tense and fists ready at her sides.I scrambled to my feet and quickly unbuckled the dress, tossing it to the side, so I stood in the silk pants and undershirt; better than ruining the dress.She threw energy at me again. I easily deflected it, throwing her back on her ass. I felt a moment of vindication, which quickly shifted to shame. 'Laura. What the hell?'She staggered to her feet; her face creased with anger, arms shaking, and began to scream. 'What the HELL? What the hell is wrong with YOU?'CAT GAPED AND LOI CONTINUED, unable to stop once she started. 'You find out your parents are dead and DON'T MOURN. You find out you're a fucking princess and don't blink. What's WRONG with ME? What's wrong with you, CATHERINE!'The hysteria built within, fanning her words.'You were out of it for TWO MONTHS. I was TERRIFIED. You wake u
The Birthright Series Chapter 109
ALEK CAUGHT CAT BEFORE SHE could fall, and resisted the urge to give Laura a piece of his mind. It had been a hell of a day and the last thing he needed was to watch Cat being torn to strips by someone who should have been on her side.Sabyn shoved past him into the room and slammed the door. Raised voices were heard and the others in the corridor decided to leave them to it.'Cat?'She glanced up; the dark circles under both her eyes looked almost purple.'Alek.' She attempted a smile. 'How'd the day go? All sorted?'He grimaced and shrugged. 'No. But we'll discuss it tomorrow. Come on, dinners at my place. We'll see our visitors tomorrow night.'She nodded and walked with him. More than one person stared, and Alek suddenly realized she wore just her underclothes, barely decent. 'Cat! Where's your dress?'Cat blinked and looked down at herself. 'Oh. I took it off, so it wouldn't get damaged.'Again, he resisted making a comment, instead unclasping his cloak and swung it around
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Paiga gasped and Mila stiffened. A glimmer of annoyance flashed in Mama's eyes before she reached for Luca.'Yes, they have. But we won't. We're tied together. We will go in together and come out. You have to trust in us Luca. We need your energy too, please keep the right thoughts in your mind.'Luca swallowed, throat convulsing. He nodded. 'Yes, Aunty Dan'iss.''Listen up everyone!'Uncle Harlon's shout made Mila jolt.'Hush, Mila,' Papa joggled her in the sling. 'You're going to be fine, I'm right here.' He wrapped his arms around her. Heart pounding with nerves, Mila pressed her cheek to Papa's chest, listening as Uncle Harlon gave the instructions.A glimmer of eyes appeared by Papa and a moment later she felt the brief touch of Ery's hand to her head.'Bye Ery,' she whispered. The air within the cave started to hum with energy, all the adults calling theirs up. It made the space warm and comforting. Mila started to doze off.'Hold on,' Uncle Harlon called out. 'Here we
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The conversation seemed easy after that.Ery showed the girls' how to swallow the worms whole. Mila screwed her nose up, grabbing her arms and shaking her head. 'No, no, no!'Paiga tried it. With a grimace, both Mila and Ery watching close, she plucked a wriggling worm up then dropped it in her mouth. Her eyes squeezed shut as she gulped the worm down in one swallow.She opened her eyes and stared at Mila and Ery. 'It tasted good!''Really?''Yes, sweet.'Mila shook her head when Ery offered her the last one, motioning it to her. 'No, you have it.' The mushrooms were yum, and the sparks continued as you swallowed it. It was impressive on Ery with her fine almost translucent skin. Mila and Paiga gasped as the sparks flashed in her throat before another dim flash in her tummy. It made all three of them laugh, the two girls giggling away while Ery coughed her laughter.Next was the flesh and berries. Ery showed them how to peel a piece of flesh away from the main then mush the be
The Birthright Series Chapter 391
When the group came across a river, they stopped. After a careful taste test, dipping a crystal necklace in to check the quality, everyone was allowed to drink.Mila and Paiga wrinkled their noses at the odd smell. Like a cup of nellor left out for too long.'It won't hurt you, girls,' Papa said with a smile as he squatted to scoop water to his mouth. 'Drink up.'The two girls' sipped water from their cupped hands, giggling as it spilled out. The adults conversed as the two of them had fun flicking water at each other.An odd sound like a cough made Mila look up, Paiga too.Both girls gasped, stumbling back from the river.'Mila? What's wro-' Mama broke off as she looked up too.Uncle Harlon made a funning clicking noise.The strange looking person that clung to the ceiling with three others responded with clicks and whistles.Mama beckoned Mila and Paiga, and the two girls scampered to her side.'Mama, who are they?' Mila whispered, Paiga crowding close to hear the answer.
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With that entertainment gone, Mila went back to focusing on her feet. Pull one knee high while keeping balance and drop it. Each step seemed to make her head go lower. But she kept going, with Mama and Papa pulling her along. Finally, after what felt like hours and hours, Uncle Gydon said they could stop.'Take your rest, I'll be waking you in an hour to keep guard,' he motioned an uncle. 'Then you take an hour watch and wake the next. You get five hours rest. Make the most of it.'Papa and Mama and several other adults had bags with clothing. It all got pulled out and spread around the group, trying to provide a little warmth and comfort. Mila curled up between her parents, her head against Papa's chest. It seemed so cold and strange she didn't think she could sleep.Then she closed her eyes.'Mila, lovey, wake up.'Mila stirred at Mama's voice and the gentle touch of her hand on her back. She sat up with a jaw-splitting yawn. Blinking, she peered around in confusion.'Mama, a
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The air smelled cold, and something else, something Mila found familiar but out of place.'Mama,' she whispered. 'What's that smell?''What smell, lovey?''It smells like,' Mila paused, considering. 'It smells like the kitchen, when cook has fresh rabbits.'Mama didn't say anything but she looked at Papa.'I smell it,' said another voice from within the circle.'Me too.''Carrion?''Perhaps. The scent will carry when the air is still.'Not understanding what "carrion" meant, but glad that the adults appeared to have solved the smell, Mila relaxed a little, nose wrinkling at the sharp edge of that scent.Minutes ticked by as they covered good ground.'We're close,' said the man leading them. A screech flashed past overhead, the group twisting, following the sound.A man shouted.Mila's head snapped in the direction of the shout, just in time to glimpse the man's boots vanishing as something, something with enormous black wings, snatched him up!Shrieks of terror rang out
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Everyone moved. It surprised Mila how many people were here, but so many seemed to be missing too. Mama took her hand. On her other side was her younger cousin Paiga. Normally she annoyed Mila, with all the questions she asked, but the scared expression in her eyes reminded Mila of Addy. She offered her other hand to Paiga, who took it with a tentative smile.The group began to walk.Mila hadn't realized until now how tired she was. She stumbled over the riverbed the rocks stubbing her toes as she held Paiga and Mama's hands. It made tears run down her cheeks, but she didn't stop. On and on, picking her feet up, tripping, Mama's hand stopping her from falling. Paiga tripped and Mila managed to hold her arm high enough to stop her cousin from hitting the stones.'Thanks, Mila,' Paiga sounded like she felt. Ready to cry. So very tired.Around them the adults talked. Mila listened.'Where do we go?''The hidden caves. We can keep underground nearly all the way to the coast.''The
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Papa's energy sparked in alarm then Mama's too. Mila twisted to stare back at the way the sounds came from and spotted a bobbing light. Torch light.Mama and Papa kept low and began to move again, almost crawling. Mila crunched up against Papa's back, squinting at first then kept her head down to avoid the lower branches.The sounds of those approaching grew. Papa moved faster, Mama right behind. They scooted up higher, scrambling, and tucked against cold stone. Not a moment later the torches bobbed past, following the track they'd been on.The bobbing lights moved closer then away, and closer again. The voices, questioning but too quiet to make out the words, sounded near.Crouched against the narrow stone ledge, Papa and Mama held hands. The soft touch of their energy surrounded all three of them.The bobbing lights came closer, close enough that Mila saw the faces of those who held them. Five DeNaga men, armed with swords, axes, and clubs.Mila shivered at the sight of the
The Birthright Series Chapter 386
Now the puzzle looked a third smaller than when she'd stared, but instead of one beginning point to work from there were three. She regarded the three pieces while chewing on the inside of her cheek. Two circular and one rectangle. The rectangle had a large circular opening, about the size of the smaller circle. Mila focused on the larger circle and turned it around, looking for the switch. It looked different to the previous circles she'd worked with, the markings running out from the centre like a starburst. One line caught her eye. With a finger Mila traced down it then jolted when something clicked. She froze. Heart pounding in her ears, she watched the circle break apart, opening at all the lines of the starburst. With another click it moved into motion, each piece folding down on itself and merging with the next. A moment later a tiny gold ball like had been in the first puzzle piece hung before her eyes.Excitement ran through Mila when she realized how the pieces went togeth
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An array of squeals, bells, rattles and shrieks rang out. Face white Papa reached for them as something flashed out from amongst the lock trap, winding around his leg, wrenching him off his feet as it wound back in the blink of an eye.Mama gripped Mila tighter, her voice breaking on a note of despair, 'ZAYCK!'In the centre of the ceiling held by his ankles, hung Papa.Mama's energy holding Mila clutched even tighter as Mama set her on the ground then stood and reached out with both hands toward the lock, her energy glowing. Mila stared, waiting to see what happened.Mama stretched her energy out, probing gently.It touched the first puzzle piece. A clattering of chimes and screeches rang out, sparks flying.In the centre of the room, jerking like a fish caught on a line, Papa made an awful shriek.Mila dropped, hugging her knees to her forehead, stomach and mind sick from that sound.Papa was the bravest, strongest man in the world.He couldn't be caught, be hurting.Who wo
