21 was a big age on the Outside, Melinda had heard. Not so much here. And the daily routine still had to go on as usual; even more than usual, maybe, thanks to the heavy snow that was still ever present. That being said, the day hadn't been bad - in fact, far from it. Working for the Suit was an honor that she enjoyed on all days ( Read more... )

The last few weeks while the Borders have been down, there's been a slowly mounting feeling of oppression settling in over the Deck. Everyone tense, everyone on edge, everyone telling themselves and each other it'll be fine. She's noticed, of course. Even the kids have been reacting, acting out or up for it. The wild get wilder, and the quiet get ( Read more... )

Every year on December 15th, Rachel has ordered flowers from one of the more discreet florists. Every year for twenty-one years, she has taken these flowers to the cemetery despite hell or high water. Every year for twenty-one years, Rachel has celebrated her switch to the Diamonds by visiting the graves of the ones she's lost.

And even with the ( Read more... )

This seemed easier when she was a spectator ( Read more... )

It's been a busy few days: Zoe got engaged and asked Sophie to be her maid of honor. Her Majesty Rachel's home at last and looking better than Sophie had ever dared hope. The physical restoration of the library is nearly complete. To top things off, she'd finally ironed out all the travel arrangements for the surprise trip to France this coming ( Read more... )

24 is supposed to be a Good Year. A completely, utterly Special Year. In some ways, it is. In some ways, it wrecks a bigger hole in his heart than 16 or 18 had ( Read more... )

Melinda is hardly a new face around Diamond Castle. For twenty years, she's been living with her mother in the Castle itself as her father serves at the Outposts. For fifteen years, she's been going to school in the Deck, though in the past two years after graduating, she has switched to online college courses. And she's been a capable member of ( Read more... )