Chapter 29

• The next morning sees I and Umber splashing around in the solar above one of the grand towers. What started off as stiff, rigid labour was now transformed to squeals of laughter and undiluted fun. I didn't believe I could have this much fun in my situation. Neither could Umber too from the looks of it.
• She looks like she hasn't laughed in years.
• Mid-day rolls in and after trimming the shrubs in the deserted east gardens, we lay on our backs in the tall grasses, looking up at the smiling sky. Once, I would have worried over the sun burning my face and leaving more freckles, now I couldn't find it in myself to care. I turn to my side. I laugh when a dragon fly flutters close to Umber's nose and she sneezes.