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Chapter 311
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The Birthright Series Chapter 312
'SO, DWAYNE?''Daron.''Yes- Daron. You seem familiar to me.' The Duke turned from leading the way through the hallways to cast his eye on Daron.'Oh?' Daron raised his eyebrows, keeping his face neutral and tone bland. He'd been damn sure the Duke had recognized him on arrival but he wasn't about to let the man corner him. 'Have you been in the South before?''Yes. On our way to Jenviet's castle.' Daron kept the bland tone in place.'Oh! Oh yes, of course. How did that all go?' The Duke faltered for an instant.'Well. Wouldn't be here otherwise.''Yes. Of course. Well done! And here, this will be your room,' the Duke gestured a door and the servant hurrying along behind them dashed forward to open it.'We'll see you at dinner then. You can tell us all about it.' The Duke gave Daron a wide insincere smile before turning and walking back the way they'd come. The servant who'd opened the door scrambled after the Duke, knocking Daron's arm.Watching after the man vanish around
The Birthright Series Chapter 313
'MRP!' LUCKY LET OUT A lazy protest as Kassie lifted her, warm and limp, from her lap and draped her back on the seat where she'd been sitting.'Sorry sweetie, I can hear them coming,' Kassie ran a soothing hand over the cat's dense fur. A sleepy purr rumbled beneath her hand in response. With a smile Kassie left Lucky to it. Easing the door open to the bedroom she shared with Rumal at his family's estate on Delanta, she peered down the spacious corridor, natural light from the wide tinted skylights in the roof filtered down with a soft golden hue. An instant later Rumal rounded the corner, causing a beaming smile to spread on Kassie's face. She clenched her jaw to keep the smile when she spied Llylinne's gray and silver curls on his other side. Moving out from the doorway she caught their attention. Llylinne's brown eyes lit with delight making that annoying sensation of guilt rise again.In a motion more suited to Vecina, Rumal's little sister, Llylinne darted ahead of Rumal, eyes
The Birthright Series Chapter 314
RUMAL STRETCHED OUT HIS OTHER arm, still stroking the gelding's neck, rubbing beneath the mane where it could get itchy. The horse pressed into the massage, finally relaxed enough to enjoy it.'Does your energy work on animals too?' Kassie asked quietly as she snuggled against his side, both arms around his waist in a tight hug. He folded his arm around her as he nodded.'Hmm. Very useful when you're in the business of breaking horses.'She smiled, relaxing against him while watching the gelding. They stood that way for a while before he asked, 'How's mother?'She made a restless motion with her head, a short smile.'Good. Needy. I feel bad, it really messed her up.''It's not easy to lose a child, not in that manner.'Kassie burrowed her face into his shirt, nodding. Her voice came out muffled.'No.''You're doing really well with her,' Rumal said, hugging her again. 'Very patient.' She hugged him tighter.He looked down on her mass of curls, waiting. Eventually she pulled
The Birthright Series Chapter 315
LOI HURRIED ALONG THE CORRIDOR toward the Council Chambers. Outside the door Leseach stood patiently, her ardwyr alongside with Audrey standing shoulder to shoulder with it. The dog had decided the ardwyr was its newest best friend. The ardwyr put up with Audi's enthusiasm but couldn't be convinced to not try eating the jybois', so the tiny crimson animals stayed with Vesbel.Watching her approach Leseach inclined her head at Loi. She wore a new outfit, a design that suited both Elena and her. Fabric from the most north of Elion, the lands under the protection of House Tor'del, had been used to create a high collared, open backed vest. With her naturally higher body temperature and thick skin Leseach couldn't tolerate being too covered up, but her position as personal bodyguard to Cat, and her unique status of gifted Northerner meant her clothing had to show her status. From the front the vest looked like a heavily embroidered wide scarf, draped around her neck and over each breast, t
The Birthright Series Chapter 316
SIAN EXCHANGED A GLANCE WITH Kassie as Loi detailed her time with her mother and siblings. Cat listened with a slight turn to her head, smiling as Loi laughed delightedly about her little sister and a ride they'd taken together, though she'd plainly heard the story before. When Loi finished, with both her and Kassie chiming in appropriately, Sian turned to Cat.'What's with this outfit? I haven't seen this before?'A tired but pleased smile spread across Cat's face and she nodded at Loi.'Loi's mum inspired the first idea, then I worked with Elena and Ada to make sure it was fitting and unique enough that no one else could claim favour.'The notion bemused Sian. 'Is that such an issue?''Apparently.''Well you did a good job. I love it.' The wide necked tunic had fitted sleeves and fit Cat snugly about the torso to just above true waist where it gently moved out to skim over her hips. It came down to mid-calf, split from the waist down and revealed slim almost tight, fitting pant
The Birthright Series Chapter 317
IT TOOK KASSIE A MOMENT to realize she stood in the ballroom that connected to the throne room. The walls dividing the two rooms had been opened up to create what normally felt like a massive space.Not that it feels small now, she thought while slowly turning on the spot; just wholly foreign.Vesbel, Kassie presumed, had designed the room to feel like you moved through various outdoor scenes. Each scene fit around the various gifts and attendants stood by them. Cat and Alek moved forward, leading the winged guests to a set that Mhelyn indicated.Kassie hung back, Sian at her side, wanting to take her time exploring the opulent space. The path meandered in a lazy S style, back and forth past the displays. Kassie and Sian inched their way along the glittering dark path that Vesbel had lined with unpolished white stones.The first stop was a beautiful tree that had no pot, instead its sprawling root system stretched across the floor, with no dirt about it at all, while its canopy spr
The Birthright Series Chapter 318
LOI SQUEEZED UP TIGHT BEHIND Sian and Kass as Sian seized both door handles, putting her weight on them and pressed down on the handles then shoved.The doors swung open.They all sucked a breath in, staring in breathless admiration.A giggle from behind made them twist back to see Cat and Leseach, the Northerner finally wearing a genuine smile, both looking delighted at the expressions the three wore.Before them was a large open area, clearly a communal space, with comfy looking couches and seats. Nothing like the formal stiff feeling furniture elsewhere in the castle.A laugh that finished in a half gasp slipped out Loi's mouth as she regarded the space.There was so much to admire!Beautiful bookshelves in a medium shade of wood filled the spaces on the outer walls that were divided by sets of double doors, spaced quite far apart. Loi counted two door sets on either side and went to ask Cat something before she realized.'Oh! You guys don't have space here.'Cat laughed th
The Birthright Series Chapter 319
RUMAL LEANED AGAINST THE DOORJAMB, watching with pleasure as Kassie gasped and exclaimed over every inch of their enormous apartment. Though he'd known the new space would be larger, he hadn't realized just how much larger. Now in one of the two guest rooms Kassie examined a beautifully carved cabinet that fastened to one of the walls from floor to ceiling.'Is it drawers?' she asked with a perplexed frown, her lips pursing as she regarded it again.Not saying anything Rumal reached out, hooking the hand-hold at the top, and pulled back. With the slightest sound of hinges working, the two deep bunk beds opened.'Wow!' Kassie shrieked. 'Look at that! Oh my lordee, those are gorgeous!'He snorted in amusement, in the last hour alone he'd heard 'oh my lordee' more often than in the entire time he'd known Kass.She scrambled into the bottom bunk, looking around it on her hands and knees, a delighted smile firm in place.'C'mon, hop in!'With a laugh Rumal climbed in, throwing an arm
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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.
The Birthright Series Chapter 390
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
The Birthright Series Chapter 389
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
The Birthright Series Chapter 388
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
The Birthright Series Chapter 387
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
The Birthright Series Chapter 385
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
