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

Book Five: Escape Vo'ArumGreat Uncle Ilder lay on a high narrow table surrounded by flowers and shimmering white crystals. Mila watched as her grandparents made their way to the table, bending over his head, appearing to whisper to him before adding a crystal of their own to the table.Seated between her mama and papa, Mila straightened in anticipation when her grandparents nodded to Mama.'Let Mila go play,' Papa spoke the words without moving his lips.Her mama arched an eyebrow.'No!' Mila protested before a firm squeeze on the shoulder made her falter, voice dropping to a whisper.'Please, I want to put a crystal up too.''Come, Mila,' Mama released her shoulder, seizing her hand. 'This way.'All those in the room, her Mestarn relatives and DeNaga relatives, moved forward in a line to say their final farewells. Mila squirmed to watch as Mama, her hold on Mila's arm firm, guided her to the door.With an extended hand Mama pushed the door open, her gift a familiar soft bell

The floor of the manhole was grimy with dust and greasy. The moment Mila straightened up to move, she slipped, legs flicking out from under her.Her stocking clad foot connected with leather.'MILA!' Addy shrieked, hanging onto the edges of the manhole opening to peer in. 'You knocked the ball!'Mila sat up in time to see the brown leather ball rolling rapidly off, down into the darkness of the narrow space.'No, no, no!' Hands and feet slipping over the greased surface, she scrambled after it, hearing Addy call her name as she got further into the dark.The initial rush of excitement faded as the tunnel grew even darker until Mila couldn't see anything at all.She stopped, still on hands and knees, a pounding in her ears so loud she couldn't hear anything at first. The horrible sickening sensation passed and her hearing seemed to be normal again. The solid darkness terrified her. Frozen still, not sure what to do next, Mila whimpered, trying to resist tears, or at least resist p

Barely breathing, body stiff with tension, Mila forced herself to roll toward the vent. It was harder than it should be, as if that awful sound had stolen energy. Each rock she made sounded loud to her own ears, making her flinch each time, holding her breath.Neither of the DeNaga uncles moved the other still on lookout while Uncle Vidna rolled his shoulders and swung his arms, humming a tune Mila knew well. The familiar song was oddly comforting, helping to relax Mila just enough to push over and sit up in front of the vent.The sight before her made her head spin, stomach lurching.Uncle Jeran lay crumpled on the floor, face stone coloured, his mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water. His curled hands twitched, limbs jerking. His head jerked, those blue eyes she knew so well met hers for a single moment.Mila jerked away, hitting the back of the tunnel, her blood drained to her feet making her face prickle.'What was that?'The loud demand made her flinch, hunching

Safe in their quarters, Nanny set to stripping Mila's dress and stockings off and with a frown stripped off her knickers too.'Quick, quick, into the shower with you.'She caught Mila's hand, guiding her toward the bathroom.'But, Nanny,' Mila tried to protest, voice rising and falling with her exhaustion. 'Uncle, Nanny, Uncle.''Come on lovey, let's get you into the shower. There's nothing to be done, Great Uncle Ilder had been unwell for a long time. You remember that. He needed to pass on, to be reborn again strong and new. Stop crying now that's enough.' As she spoke Nanny pulled the cord to the bulbous shower head, starting the flow of water. She held Mila's hand tight, keeping her back from the scalding water that always came out first.'No, Nanny, Uncle Jeran. Poor Uncle Jeran.'Nanny at last looked down at Mila, her eyes wide. She laughed.'Silly girl! Uncle Jeran isn't due back for a couple more days, but he's fine. You know he's fine. We'd all have felt it otherwise.'