Shadow Gate

"She picked out voices like threads from a multicolored shawl."

"She tasted the powerful scent of night-blooming pardom like cinnamon kisses on her lips."

"Fear rose off her like steam."

Everywhere color, dazzled, and the scent of blooming made the world sweet."

"Hands shaking, she filled the bowl and drank her fill, the water blazing into every part of her body."

"Twilight is a bridge between day and night."

"She spun slowly all the way around, because when beauty awes you, you must halt and try to catch your breath and your staggered heart."

"She spun slowly all the way around, because when beauty awes you, you must halt and try to catch your breath and your staggered heart."

Below, her dark belly rounded in a curve dimpled by the Mother's scar, her navel."

"Rising out of that gale, the white cloak of death smothered her in its wings."

"Marit swayed, struck by the hammer blow of his fear and grief."