Wow, so many people went out of their way to cheer me up. I'm really touched. And in honor of that, I'm posting a little snippet from White Road.

WARNING TO ANYONE WHO HASN'T READ SHADOWS RETURN YET: THIS CONTAINS A MAJOR SPOILER!!

You've been warned.


Dying—even for just a little while— took a lot out of a person. Alec flicked another playing card at the basket Seregil had left at the foot of his bed. It overshot, fluttering out of sight to join its unlucky predecessors on the floor beyond. Others lay scattered across the thick down counterpane. He was halfway through the deck all ready and only five had hit their mark. He took a long sip of the medicinal broth Mydri kept bringing him. Fortunately it tasted like good rich lamb soup, with some sort of herb mixed in that he didn't recognize. Liking his medicine made life a bit easier; he was still nervous around Seregil's formidable older sister.
He set the cup back on the table by the bed and flicked another card.
Another miss. It was embarrassing.

''' And please don't inadverdantly give away the spoiler if you respond. Thanks!