(August 2021) READER SHOUT OUT: Thank you, from the bottom of my heart for the very, very generous gifts you gave in July. I am always a little embarrassed when readers give extra on top of paying for my content. I am truly humbled. I want to say a special thank you to these readers whose generosity made my jaw drop: DaoistDavPrw, PBMamaRae, Nessa52283, MoonGoddess21

*****

ELRETH

Elreth's head was pounding. Her throat was dry. Her tongue felt like it had swelled and her mouth tasted like a sewer.

Why, oh why, had she decided to drink last night?

She rolled over, groaning, and immediately ran into a warm, steel-hard body that growled. But before she could get her wits unscrambled, long, iron arms wrapped around her and gathered her in to a firm chest.

Aaryn. Aaryn was here in her bed. They had slept together here in the cave, and she hadn't even been able to enjoy it because she'd been drunk and weepy and holy shit she was a stupid female sometimes.

"Good morning," he rasped, his voice deep and husky from sleep.

She was close enough to him to hear it rumble in his chest. It made her shiver.

"It is morning, anyway," she croaked.

Aaryn chuckled and pulled her into his chest. She sighed happily when his arms closed around her, but kept her head pointed down, hoping he wouldn't smell her terrible breath.

"Somebody enjoyed the elderwine last night."

"I don't know what possessed me. I never get drunk!"

"That was evident to everyone who saw you stumbling after five glasses," he laughed. She would have slapped his chest, but her head was pounding too hard and she didn't want to move yet.

"I'm thirsty."

"And I am the world's best mate because I brought a large waterskin in last night for when you woke." He rolled away from her for a moment, reaching for it from the small platform next to the one they lay in together. "Please, my love, enjoy."

He was enjoying her discomfort far too much. But she was too dehydrated to tell him so, instead she snatched the waterskin out of his hand and sat up to soothe her dry mouth and clean some of the terrible taste from it.

A minute or two later she felt a little better. She replaced the cap on the waterskin, then dropped it to the side, holding her head in her hands as she tried to search through her fragmented memories of the night before.

"We went to the Weeping Tree?" she asked carefully.

Aaryn didn't laugh that time. "Yes," he said quietly, "we did." And he stroked her back as if she might need comfort.

She frowned. She remembered having an idea and rushing to do the thing before he got there, but what…

Oh, no.

Oh, NO.

"Aaryn," she started, barely louder than a whisper, mortified. "I am so sorry—"

"Don't be," he said. "I understand."

"I shouldn't have put that pressure on you."

"You were scared."

"Yes, but—"

"No, Elreth. Listen to me." He sat up too, the furs fall away from his chest so it was bared to her in the dim light. He took her hand away from her face and held it in his. She couldn't help noticing the way his shoulders flexed when he moved.

Shit, she was shameless.

"I was scared too," he said softly. "I still am. I don't know what's going to come today, but whatever it is, we'll meet it. You are the dominant, and I have your back. We can do this."

She turned to look up at him, her chest swelling with gratitude, when there was a sudden pounding then the door into the chamber swung open.

"Sire! Sire! You are called by the Elders to urgent Petition—"

It all happened so fast, all Elreth knew was that she screamed and yanked the furs up to cover herself, while Aaryn snarled and leaped out of the furs toward the male who immediately put himself to one knee, head down and arm across his chest.

"Please! Please! The Elders call you urgently. A formal petition. The Queen and her True Mate. Please! I do not come at my own call!"

Aaryn stood over the male, snarling, his shoulders heaving, while Elreth clutched the furs to her chest, panting as well.

"Okay, okay, everyone calm down," she said, when Aaryn twitched toward the male, who cowered at his feet.

"Get out," Aaryn snapped.

"She must come. I must return with news of her immediate arrival or they will send guards!"

"Guards?! What the hell?"

"A formal petition has been brought by the Equine tribe. They await you at the Elder's quarters for questioning.

"You have to got be fucking kidding me," Aaryn barked.

"I wish I were! Believe me!"

As Elreth's shock began to pass, an uneasy sinking feeling seeped in to replace it. "A formal petition?" she asked faintly.

"Yes, Sire," the male said, still keeping his eyes to the floor. "It was called at dawnlight. The elders are already gathered. Your presence is demanded for questioning."

Aaryn turned to catch her eye and she shook her head. "Okay," she said slowly. "Okay. And you have to return with me?"

"You and your mate. I can precede you only by minutes. If you do not show at the appointed time, the guards will be sent to arrest you."

Elreth rubbed her temples as Aaryn growled, but the male kept his hands open and visible, and remained in submission.

"I… need to dress," she said carefully, her cheeks heating. Aaryn glanced at her over his shoulder. "Wait outside this chamber just for a moment while I dress, then we will accompany you."

Aaryn signed 'are you certain?'

She widened her eyes at him. 'formal petition!'

He nodded and took a deep breath, then stepped back from the male to allow him room to move.

"Thank you, Sire," the male said quietly. "I will wait in the cave. I apologize for the disturbance but… I wanted to get to you quickly. I do not wish to see you arrested."

Aaryn blinked at that, but watched the male warily as he backed out of the bedchamber. Then closed the door behind him and turned to Elreth. "What the fuck is going on?"

"I have no idea," she sighed, pushing herself out of the furs. "But it sounds like we're about to find out."

*** URGENT INFO RE GOLDEN TICKETS -- STARTS TOMORROW! ***

This message was posted 17 August AFTER publication so you are not charged for the words:

The new App update which opens all of this up is supposed to land tomorrow (ish) so keep an eye out for it. We learned new details about the gift system. Please read below carefully and do NOT give multiple small gifts in the hopes of earning Golden Tickets. This new system does not work that way:

You can earn Golden Tickets in the following ways:

1. Spend over 300 coins in the previous month and earn 1 ticket. (So, all those small gifts will earn you a ticket for next month!)

2. Have a membership and earn 1 ticket each time the membership renews.

3. Buy a gift worth over 300 coins IN ONE PURCHASE for a book and THAT BOOK will automatically receive a golden ticket. (Big gifts, like a wand, or a crown, will give the book multiple tickets.)

4. Every 500 coins you spend on unlocking chapters or privilege tiers will earn you a new ticket to be given to the book of your choice.

THANK YOU for all your support. Once we have gotten through August and I can see what QUEEN needs in terms of tickets, I will provide a reward system for you to gain a mass release or other rewards in gratitude for your Golden Tickets! Watch this space!