The air smelled of old books, musty, like they had been sitting in a closed off room for years. There was also a dampness that permeated. Little sun shone through the canopies of the trees high above, each fighting with its neighbor for space and light. The light that made …

She'd felt the ground under the balls of her feet for days now. Then the heels. Her toes protruded into the air. The shoes slipped around, no longer providing easy purchase. She found herself clinging to the staff even more, although the ground was level. It might be summer …

The sun beat down remorselessly. There was no shelter. The only plants were no higher than a knee, stunted plants trying to claw their way through the black soil. A mountain cast its shadow over the hills, flows of magma glinting black at its peak. The air was dusty and …

Her enemy sprawled before her. Ruby paused to savor her moment of triumph. Scarlet, with muff astray and face contorted with fear, was at the end of her wand, at her mercy. The ruby at the tip gleamed harshly, taking in the light of the false stars above and turning …

Warm arms surrounded her. A scent followed. Ruby couldn't recognize it, but she knew it spoke to her of peace. The golden and silver light of the stars shone in front of her. Cora breathed easily in sleep. Her neck was slender and graceful, with merely a dull scar …

The walls of the tunnel were close around Ruby. She couldn't stand straight and roots brushed against her head like the arms of the dead, reaching for her so she could free them from their torment. Sometimes she had to edge sideways, the sides too close for her to …

Despite her privations, Ruby was stopped by what she saw. She had come out onto a ledge, high in the air. Land stretched to the horizon. She could see below terrain of all types.

There was something soft underneath her. Ruby couldn't remember the last time she'd woken to this level of comfort. A soft fluffy blanket lay over her. The sheets were as smooth as the silk dresses she could barely remember wearing. She heard the soft crackling and hissing of …

The next time she woke, she felt refreshed, almost purged of her struggles. Water was on the night stand, a wedge of lemon perched on the edge of the jug. She poured a cup and drank it greedily. Water spilled out of her mouth and trickled down her stomach. She …

Grabbing a robe, Ruby left the room to find the man. Curiously, she examined the rooms as she passed them. The owner enjoyed fine, rich jewel tones. There was a bedroom decorated in velvety emeralds that she wanted to sink into them. A sitting room, it must be for the …