Bearclaw Valley could wrap up the sun, and protect the girls

for a time, astara forgot the dark jealousy that had crept into their lives.

when merrick's attention was turned upon her it was like the sun's joyous light dappling a terrible place --

and when his attention happened to turn away, it was as if the world had turned incredibly cold, and she saw the world for what it truly was.

ugly. fragmented.

they rolled, astara's grin wide and merrick's movements easy. free of trouble, for now.

he leapt for his blackbird, but she had darted away -- flitting through the bush in an old game of chase.