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Chapter 354
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The Birthright Series Chapter 355
WITH SHUDDERING RELIEF, I FELT them find their own grip on the ledge.Opening my eyes, I stared down to see them standing on the very edge, arms wrapped around each other, their eyes wide as they watched the shingle shoal roaring around them.The centaurs edged their way along the path as far as they could then with the only two lengths of rope we'd brought, tied them together, lowering it to the two on the ledge. While they helped Rashid and Leseach back to the path, I raised the energy sphere with the ardwyr up, bringing it up to rest gently beside me. Releasing the sphere, but keeping a hold of the creature with my energy, I bent while making soothing noises like I would have for Audi. The poor animal looked terrified, huddled within its fur, ears flat back against its wide skull as it whimpered. It crouched low then crept to me, huddling against my legs. I sat, legs spread with it tucked close, cuddling my arms into the dense fur while still making the soothing noises, cooing and
The Birthright Series Chapter 356
SIAN.Sian grumbled in her sleep, rolling over with a huff.Sianny! Wake up.'Cat,' Sian muttered, still half asleep. 'Stuff off.'SIANNY!'Wha' Sian flailed, arms connecting with something solid.'OW!''Oh honey! I'm sorry!' Daron had a hand over his eye as he squinted at her out the other. 'Any reason for thumping me?'A giggle slipped out as she scrambled across to kiss his forehead and brow. 'You said another woman's name.''What!?'She couldn't hold it together, laughter escaping at his horrified expression.SIANNY!'All right already!' Sian half bellowed, straight at Daron's astonished face. 'What the HELL do you want, Catherine?'Shaking his head, Daron flopped back to his pillow as Sian tucked the covers around her waist, sitting cross legged as she linked with her friend's energy.What is it? You just made me belt Daron.Oh, I'm sorry! Apologize for me?I will. Now what is it?I need you to come pick us up.Sian shook her head in confused annoyance. Serious
The Birthright Series Chapter 357
IN THE GOOD HALF-HOUR it took to scrub out all the dirt and grime from my skin and hair, Sian, Loi, Ada, and Elena achieved plenty. By the time I stepped out to dry my hair, Leseach having used the shower in Loi's quarters, they'd packed everything I would need plus the enormous list of items Kassie apparently needed.It made all the stuff I, a Queen, needed look pitiful in comparison.As I exited my quarters and re-entered the common area of the other quarters, a harried looking Ada rushed past with her arms full of fabric, pieces slipping off to the ground. I stooped to grab them up, hurrying after her as Sian and Loi emerged from Kassie's quarters lugging a small trunk between them.'Let's go!' Loi grunted the words as they manhandled the luggage.We made our way awkwardly down the stairs, met half way down the turret by Elena who regarded Loi and Sian as they panted away with a perplexed expression.'Girls,' she said in the manner of a reprimanding school teacher. 'Did we forg
The Birthright Series Chapter 358
IT THREW ME, MY HEAD snapping back in time to see others laughing at something, and I joined in, the laughter hysterical in my mind. Hands pressed tightly between my thighs, my mind went to pieces at that expression.I didn't want to even voice the thought to myself, but- but- I flicked another glance his way.Those eyes, oh those eyes!They creased in affection.I jerked my gaze down, staring at my legs as a shuddering gasp rang through my body.'Lovey!' Kassie's mother squeezed my shoulder. 'Are you okay?'Most at the table gave me only the slightest of glances, tactfully continuing their conversations. Feeling dazed, the sounds and smells not helping, I managed to shake my head at her.'No,' I dipped my head again with a gasp of a sigh, just resisting tears. 'I'm sorry, you'll have to excuse me, my head is killing me.'Leseach started to stand as I did but I shook my head, forcing a smile. 'Don't worry, it's just a headache, I haven't been in such heat for so long!' I en
The Birthright Series Chapter 359
HE'D WOKEN IN THE EARLY hours, stretched his limbs out and found her cocooned in the covers. It took some careful detangling before he managed to avail just enough cloth to cover himself.At least we don't have to get up early, he thought, relaxing back into sleep, Cat cuddled next to him.'GUYS!' Pounding on the door caused Alek to sit bolt upright, arms flailing, mind ready for action.'WHAT?' he bellowed.'Wedding breakfast in ten minutes! Don't be late!' Feet pounded on down the hallway.'Holy bejezus,' Cat said in a stunned tone, sitting up, clutching a sheet to her chest, blinking like a startled owl.Feeling just as bewildered at the abrupt wake-up call, Alek nodded then questioned. 'Wedding breakfast?'Cat, still blinking but looking a little more alert, nodded. 'Hmmm, Kassie has us tied up all day.'Scrubbing a hand over his face, Alek stretched his arms up and out with a groan. He felt movement across the bed behind him then two slim hands slid around his back to his
The Birthright Series Chapter 360
'ONE HOUR!' THE SHOUT AND thumping on the door made him jerk up, heart pounding while he muttered an expletive under his breath. Cat jerked awake with his movement, peering around slit eyed.'What?' The question was lost in a yawn.'An hour to go.''ONE HOUR!' She sat bolt upright, shunting herself to the edge of the bed before crouching for shoes.Thoroughly confused Alek climbed off the bed too. 'Kitten? Why the rush?''Make-up in Kassie's room,' Cat said hurriedly while stripping her dress off.'You need to be naked?!' The confusion only grew.Cat gave a laugh while bent over the trunk of clothes, withdrawing with a robe in hand. 'No, love. I need a robe. You get dressed, I'll be back in time to get dressed and then we'll go.' She zipped back to his side, tiptoeing to kiss his mouth then dashed out of the room.Now he felt her excitement, but again different to the excitement of their wedding. Perhaps because it's not ours? Maybe it's easier to enjoy then? Alek pondered that
The Birthright Series Chapter 361
DISCUSSING THE DAY ON THEIR way to the room, Alek asked. 'Is it what you would have wanted?'Cat glanced at him sharply, eyebrows drawing close as she squeezed his arm. 'I loved our day, it was,' she gave a laugh. 'Out of this world. So different to what I might have imagined.''But you would have liked something like this?' Alek pursued, opening the door and stepping aside for her to enter. The room was lovely and cool, a refreshing change to the thick humid night air.Cat paused in the middle of the room, head tilted as she considered it. 'Honestly, I'd have liked something even simpler.''Simpler!?'She laughed at his astonished question. 'Al, my Earth parents, while they love each other dearly, had a relationship I would never want. Always fighting like cats and dogs. Doing the stupid silent treatment or snide comments. It convinced me fairly early on that soul-mates didn't exist. So, I never really thought about getting married. But from seeing what other friends did, I knew
The Birthright Series Chapter 362
WE WALKED THROUGH THE HOUSE and out past the tents, still in place and being enjoyed by some of the wedding guests. They clearly hadn't been invited to whatever we were up to, watching us with surprised expressions.Keeping a brisk pace that made me hold the skirt of my dress up to keep the slight train off the green spread of ground cover, we made our way around then past where the ceremony had taken place yesterday. Twisting to glance at the girls, both wearing beautiful dresses that I knew I'd seen somewhere before, Sian in a draped halter neck of soft blue and Loi in deep red, a fun full skirted but knee-length gown that reminded me again of a flamenco dancers dress. It made me wonder if my gown had been a last-minute panic, realizing someone hadn't packed another for me.Sabyn continued leading us around, moving into a grove of trees towards a massive draping willow tree.I pulled at his arm, making him stop in surprise as I paused to admire the sight. The graceful boughs of ti
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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
The Birthright Series Chapter 392
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
