n

n

nELRETH

nShe didn't even bother keeping her footsteps quiet on the trail. If Aaryn was out there, watching, she wanted him to know where she was. Just in case he came back.

nOr maybe he was back at her cave already? Waiting for her?

nShe picked up her pace, but she wasn't even halfway across the meadow outside the royal cave when she heard heavy footsteps behind her.

nHer heart thrilled as she turned… to find her father walking towards her in the dark. Eyeing her warily.

nHe was out of his feast clothes and just in his leather trousers. She didn't want to think about what he'd been doing in the hour since she'd seen him, or why he was still up.

n

"Are you okay, Elreth?

" he asked quietly, the moonlight cutting shadows under his jaw and cheekbones.

"Interesting night.

"

nApparently this was the night she was seeing people with new eyes. She stared at him, and had a sudden glimpse of why her mother always smiled when she saw him.

nShe knew he was handsome—even now. Her friends had only stopped giggling about him in the past couple years, and she suspected they'd really only stopped doing it in front of her. Reth Orstas Hyrehryn was what her mother called a heartthrob.

nThe humans had strange phrases, but that was one Elreth now knew was very appropriate. Except, not about her father.

nEw.

nBut she smiled at him and something inside her gave a little. She knew he was strong. The strongest, in fact. But when she looked at him, all she saw was her dad.

n

"Elreth?

" he said, coming to a stop in front of her.

"Are you… did you talk to Aaryn?

"

nShe nodded, swallowing and swallowing.

nShe was almost twenty years old.

nShe was Queen.

nShe was far too old to fall into her father's arms and blubber like a cub.

nBut when he stepped right up, his massive shoulders hiding her from the rest of the world, that was exactly what she wanted to do.

n

"El?

" he murmured, his forehead lined with worry.

nShe looked away from him to get herself together, and blew out a breath.

"Yes, we talked.

"

n

"And?

"

n

"And I don't want to talk about it.

"

nHer father raised a skeptical eyebrow.

"I smell a story.

"

n

"I don't want to tell it. Not to you.

"

n

"Why not?

"

n

"Because it's even more embarrassing to tell you.

"

n

"Ah. Your pride, Elreth. I warned you—

"

n

"I gave the signals, Dad, and he said no. Now, do you want to continue this conversation about your eldest daughter mating a disformed wolf?

" She expected him to be stunned. And probably roaring angry.

nShe did not expect a shrug, and a calm,

"Yes, actually, I do.

"

nHer mouth dropped open.

"Do you understand what I just said, Dad? I said I gave him the signals. Aaryn. My best friend. I offered to mate with him. The act. It.

"

n

"And my guess is he very much wanted to do that, but chose not to for reasons that you don't understand?

"

nShe gaped at him.

"You knew? How he felt? You knew that?

"

n

"Elreth, sweetheart. Everyone knew that. He's been in love with you for years.

"

nShe couldn't breathe.

"THEN WHY DIDN'T YOU SAY ANYTHING?

"

n

"Believe me, I wanted to. Watching him ache for you, and you just being clueless was about as much fun as having my tail on fire.

"

n

"Dad, seriously?

"

n

"Seriously.

"

nShe swallowed.

"Who else knows?

"

n

"Everyone,

" he said baldly.

nSomething inside her shriveled up.

"You can't mean that.

"

n

"I do, sweetie. I'm sorry. But… for those of us who know the signs, it was… very obvious.

"

nShe turned away from him for a moment, staring at the mountainside above her home, overwhelmed with embarrassment, and fear, and anger, and… She didn't even know what.

n

"Well, I guess I have even more to be embarrassed about tomorrow then,

" she said between her teeth.

"I can't believe you didn't tell me.

"

n

"Your mother thought it would be better if you learned—or worked it out—yourself.

"

nShe whipped back around to face him, cursing the tenderness on his face when she was feeling fragile and weak.

"Yeah, much better. I just made a complete fool of myself because I had no idea what I was walking into and…

"

n

"He said no?

"

n

"He said no. And he left.

"

n

"Was he aroused?

"

n

"Ew! Dad! You are so gross sometimes!

"

nReth chuckled, but his amusement faded quickly.

"You are your mother's daughter in this, Elreth. What males and females do together when they love… it isn't embarrassing. It isn't shameful. It's wonderful. The most fulfilling a relationship can be when it's… balanced. I've been praying you'd find that with Aaryn for years.

"

n

"Well, apparently the Creator said no,

" she snarled.

nReth folded his arms.

"Did he say why he was saying no? It seems to me that he has wanted this for a very long time. If he said no… he must have had a reason?

"

n

"He said no because he said I didn't want him, I wanted

"this

".

" She put air quotes around the word.

nReth nodded.

"Your mother is much wiser than I sometimes give her credit for. Tell me, Elreth, did you try to dominate him?

"

n

"What? No!

"

nHe arched one eyebrow and she folded her arms.

"I am not describing the things I did with a male to my father.

"

n

"Why not? I can offer you better advice than any male your own age—trust me, they have yet a lot to learn, most of them. Plus, I will be honest with you. I have no need to prove myself to you. Who would be better to shed light on this for you?

"

n

"Dad! I can't… Ew!

"

n

"El,

" he said softly, gently.

"Grow up.

"

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

nThe 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:

nYou can earn Golden Tickets in the following ways:

n1. 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!)

n2. Have a membership and earn 1 ticket each time the membership renews.

n3. 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.)

n4. 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.

nTHANK 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!

n