Uzi was nowhere to be found. Eve’s head burned with aching. Her pregnancy had been rough. Uzi didn’t exactly want to join Amberbjorne, and Evangeline had had to explain this to Natalya’s daughter-and then Rue promptly drowned in the river.
Nobody knew how. Amberbjorne would never be the same without that vibrant child. Eve didn’t know who else knew about it, but she was still shedding tears. She felt as if she’d failed Nattie.
She felt pains rip through her and though she knew he wouldn’t hear her, she promptly cried, “Uzi!” Stumbling to the border, she sheltered herself in a copse of juniper.

fade in, fade out

Evangeline was soaked in sweat, and whether Uzi was there or not, she mumbled, “How about . . . Orpheus . . . and Elane?” She loved those two names. If Uzi wasn’t there, she would try to name the other boy and girl herself. If he so was, she would turn to him.

“Strange things did happen here, no stranger would it be.”