(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

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AARYN

Aaryn stayed the night at Gar's in the spare bedroom, and woke late after being awake most of the night. His eyes were bleary and puffy, and he still didn't have any appetite. But his first thought was that tonight he would finally be with Elreth, totally, completely. Tonight they would walk the Rite of the Flames and Smoke. Tonight they would complete the bond.

Tonight their lives together would begin.

He leapt out bed and had to stifle the mating call—and a cheer. He still had many hours to go. He was going to have to pace himself.

When he got downstairs in Gar's Tree House—which was almost identical to Elreth's old house that her parents now used, with a wide open Great Room downstairs that had dining, kitchen, and living, then stairs that climbed the back, rounded wall of the hollowed out tree to the next level where the bedrooms were.

Neither of the royal trees had been hollowed out for a third level because Gar and Elreth didn't have a trade when they were built.

Gar was in the kitchen when Aaryn walked downstairs. Another surprise. Gar usually slept until early afternoon.

"Morning, soon-to-be-brother," Gar said cheerfully. Standing in the kitchen in just his leathers, his broad back flexing as he flipped something on the fire-drawn stove that smelled delicious. "Did you sleep at all?"

"Not a lot, but that's okay," Aaryn replied. "What are you making?"

"I've got sausage and toast and fruit. Do you want some?"

"Maybe, I'm not—"

The front door swung open and Reth's massive form filled the bright morning sunlight with a dark, looming silhouette.

Third surprise of the morning. Aaryn's brows popped up. Reth rarely visited Gar's house. Gar even more rarely invited him to.

Aaryn looked back and forth between them as he greeted Reth. Gar didn't turn around, but he did call a hello over his shoulder. He didn't sound surprised. Was this part of the mating day plan?

The older man grunted. "Finally, something normal," he muttered.

Aaryn lifted a single eyebrow. Reth being at Gar's house for breakfast wasn't normal. But he decided it wouldn't be wise to point out. "What's going on?"

Reth rubbed his face. "My mate has turned into a flighty little girl. My daughter has turned into a weeping mess. And there are several other women running back and forth between our Tree and the cave, always flustered and looking for something that they had their hands on yesterday. One of them asked to use my hair to practice a twist before she tried it on Elia. I had to get out before I started growing teats."

Aaryn choked, but Gar threw back his head and let himself laugh. "I would give my left testicle to have seen that!"

Reth glared at his son, but then looked sheepish. "Anyway, what are you two doing this morning? Please say I can join you because if I don't hide I'm going to be forced to… help."

Aaryn sniggered, but opened his hand to the room. "You're welcome to hide here. I have to go see my mom later, but other than that, I'm really just waiting. The more distraction, the better as far as I'm concerned."

Reth winked at him, and Aaryn was reminded of the conversation they'd had the night before. The memory made his throat pinch again, but he swallowed it down and headed over to the kitchen to see what Gar was doing.

"Where did you learn to cook?" he asked a minute later as he watched Gar flipping sausages, and tossing fruit in sugar.

"The females are very generous with their advice when you tell them you want to learn," Gar grinned. "And they usually very impressed, as well."

Aaryn rolled his eyes. "I'll ask Elreth if I need to know anything."

Reth laughed. "Good luck."

"Elreth could burn water," Gar chortled. "You should be glad the market exists, or you'd waste away to nothing."

"Then how much she's always got cookies and stuff around?"

"Because her mother makes them and gives them to her," Reth growled. "Accept your lot, Aaryn. If you want good food, go to the market, or visit my Tree."

Aaryn smiled. "Your tree… it sounds so weird."

"You're telling me."

Gar chimed in and they both got distracted, teasing him, until before Aaryn knew it an hour had passed, he'd eaten breakfast, and they were all sitting in the living room, nursing full bellies.

Aaryn hadn't missed that whenever things got quiet, Reth went as twitchy and uncomfortable as Aaryn himself.

When Gar left to use the bathing room, he turned to his father in law. "What's wrong?" he asked quietly. "You seem tense. Is it Elia? Or Elreth? Or both?"

"Both," Reth muttered, "But honestly, my mate concerns me more than yours."

"I'm sorry, again, Reth, for putting you in that—"

"Don't get started, that's not what today is about. And besides, I needed to know. She's just the one who should have told me. Knowing she's held that away from me all these years… something is different. Something is changed that I thought could never change and I don't know how to get it back. Listen to me, Aaryn: Never lie to your mate. Never. It only ends in pain."

Aaryn opened his mouth to reply, but Gar stalked back into the room and plopped down on the couch next to him.

"This day is going to be hella tense and boring if we don't do something about it," he said.

Aaryn blew out a breath. "Like what?"

"We need a drink." Gar immediately got back up from the couch and headed for a small cabinet under the window.

Aaryn shook his head. He remembered Elreth's warning about not drinking with Gar today. "I don't think so, not for me. But you enjoy yourself."

Gar snorted. "I will. Don't you worry. Did you want one, Dad?"

Reth blinked as if he'd forgotten where he was, then turned to look at his son.

Gar stood there, a wineskin in one hand, a tumbler in the other, waiting to hear what his father would say.

In Anima, taking a drink with your former enemies was used to symbolize a truce. Clearly Reth made the connection—and Aaryn had a hunch Gar did as well, the way he stared at his father so intently.

"Sure, I'll have one," Reth said casually. "But don't try to keep up with me. You aren't bigger than me yet, Son."

Gar snorted and shook his head as he poured. "Whatever, Dad."

*****

Two hours later, Aaryn sat back and watched the father and son pair demonstrate why everyone had called Gar "The Little King" since he'd been small.

The resemblance between them was stunning when both their guards were down. Which was unavoidable as they both worked quite intently on getting drunk.

Aaryn was slightly concerned about the ceremony tonight, but he figured if they drank the early afternoon away, then he could get them sobered up in time for dark, when the Rite would begin.

He just prayed neither of them were needed by the females before then. Otherwise this could get messy. But he smiled to himself. It was nice to see the two of them not jumping down each other's throats. Something had shifted in Gar this week. Whatever made him go to the disformed meeting with Elreth had obviously got him thinking about making peace with his dad, as well.

He made a mental note to ask his friend—his brother—when things had settled down. But in the meantime, he would just let the two of them enjoy themselves, while he sat back and prayed for his mate. He hoped her day was going as easily as his.

*** 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!