CHAPTER THIRTY
Tangihanga - Funeral, WeepingHana sat beneath the canopy of the marae with the rest of Logan’s family as the visiting mourners waited for their invitation to step onto the marae. She hung near the back with the other women, the males forming their barrier of protection against any potential visiting enemy. An ancient ritual enforced by time and practice, they re-enacted it every time they held an event. Her British heritage squirmed beneath the rituals of Māoridom and she’d never felt more alien. Phoenix wriggled on the bench beside her and the delicate wreath of woven kawakawa leaves tilted on her dark curls. Hana reached out to take her hand and Phoenix pursed her lips and plopped her fingers into the open palm. She frowned at the coded maternal message to sit still. The
