It was late morning, and Emerald LaVerte wished she could stay abed, but life and polite society awaited her. She sighed and looked out the window. A bird alit on a low hanging branch, cocked its speckled head and whistled a sprightly tune to cheer the girl.
“Oh little bird,” smiled Emerald. “You’re a dear little thing, aren’t you? How nice it is to be reminded of all the little joys in life. But please, don’t stay here on my account. Fly! Fly freely, and let my heart soar with you!”
Without a moment’s hesitation, the little bird took off into the sky, twirling in a figure eight, singing a merry song, interrupted quickly by the great cry of a falcon, which swooped up from nowhere and crushed the little bird in its mighty talons.
Emerald’s breath caught in her throat, a ready tear frozen in her eye. From next door came a shout.
“Emerald, are you home?” Juniper’s voice shook with excitement. “How do you like my new peregrine? He’s absolutely vicious!”
Emerald closed the shutters and went back to bed.
