(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

*****

AARYN

Elreth's head snapped up and she took a step back from him at the same time Aaryn turned to find his mother standing on the stairs, only halfway down, but able to see them both. Her hair was flat and dull, and her eyes were silvered with tears. He hadn't noticed so many lines on her face before, her face that was now pinched, but she stared at him—at them—with a sad smile and her chin trembled. She was dressed in a sagging, stretched tunic that barely covered her thighs. He hadn't seen her without pants or a long skirt on for years. When had she gotten so skinny?

"Mom?" he said surprised. "I was… I was going to bring you some soup."

"I remember when your father looked at me like that," she whispered, her eyes on Elreth, and Aaryn felt it like a punch to the gut.

"Don't think about him right now, Mom. I don't think it's a good idea."

"Aaryn…" she shook her head and looked down at her hands. "There's nothing in this world more beautiful than the True Mate's bond. You two are so blessed to have it, I just… I'm a little jealous, honestly." Her voice was hoarse and quiet. Elreth looked between her and him, a question in her eyes about stepping in. But she didn't speak, waiting for his lead. He was so utterly grateful. He hadn't talked to her recently about how to step carefully around his mother. She could find the oddest things hurtful. Elreth, with her bold ideas and brash smile, might stumble into dangerous territory with the very best of intentions.

He rubbed his hand down Elreth's back, then stepped forward. "Mom, it's a little cold. Why don't we get you a blanket? You could sit down here with us for a while?" Terrified as he was, seeing her up and out of the bed was a very, very good thing. He didn't want to give her an excuse to go back.

"I have soup," Elreth said quietly. "Aaryn said you like the mushroom, so I got some from the kitchen?"

His mother's eyes went wide with alarm, but then she looked down at herself, and then back at Elreth, and then to him as he approached, coming up the stairs.

When he reached her, offering his arm so she wouldn't fall, she put a hand to his face and whispered, "Thank you," then took his arm and followed him down.

For a moment he was elated. She was coming downstairs. She was messy and not properly dressed, but she was out of that bed. That was a very good thing. Even if she was shaky. Even if she looked like with the wrong pressure she would snap in half. At least she was moving and not sleeping.

He led her down to the couch and settled her with some cushions at her back, while Elreth found a throw rug and put it over her lap.

She took Elreth's hand for a moment and whispered something Aaryn didn't catch. Elreth blinked, but then squeezed her hand and said, "Thank you."

There was activity for a few minutes while Elreth brought her a tray for her lap while Aaryn went to her room to find a thick sweater to put around her shoulders. When he placed it over her, she turned her head up and gave him that sad smile again. "Thank you, son. You are very good to me. I love you."

"I love you too, Mom," he said, clearing his throat. "Now… can you eat?"

She sighed and looked down at the bowl Elreth had placed on the tray that rested on her knees. "I'll try, I guess," she said.

Aaryn joined her on the couch and Elreth took a chair on the other side of the small center table and they made small-talk with her while she sipped at the soup.

But she seemed to get more and more distracted, less and less interested in the soup the longer they sat there, until only Aaryn and Elreth were speaking, and she hadn't lifted the spoon in minutes.

"Mom? Mom? Are you sure you won't eat more?"

She shook her head, her eyes fixed on something across the room. "My stomach feels a little off. But it is lovely. Thank you. Put it aside, Perhaps I will have some tomorrow." But she sounded like she wasn't really thinking about her words, only making excuses.

Aaryn swallowed hard. As he took the tray and started for the kitchen, she sank back into the cushions of the couch, pulling her legs up and laying her head on the arm.

"Elreth?" she said, her voice faint.

"Yes?"

"Have you told the Elders yet? About Aaryn?"

Elreth glanced at him and he shrugged. Then she turned back to his mom. "We have a meeting with them tomorrow. We'll fill them in then and take their advice about how to announce it all publicly."

"I want you to know something," his mom said, her eyes almost closed. She didn't meet eyes with either of them, but she obviously spoke to Elreth.

"What's that?"

"The biggest barrier won't be Aaryn's disformation."

Elreth blinked. "I… what?"

"I want to apologize to you that I haven't been a better mother to him and been… stronger through all of this. And I want you to know I'll do anything to help you two. I am… After hearing you speak to him I have a joy in my heart tonight that I haven't felt since his father died."

"That's… well, thank you, Delarys," Elreth said quietly. Aaryn realized he was just standing there, watching them, but he was at a loss.

"You won't thank me in the end, but I want you to know, I stayed because he needed someone. He didn't have anyone, and he can't be alone. Don't… don't ever leave him alone, Elreth," his mother said, more fiercely than he'd heard her… well, ever.

A sliver of ice slid down his spine.

*** 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!