(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

She'd never seen Aaryn look so… unhinged. As if the mere idea might bring him to that glorious wave that had rushed through her body like a forest fire, eating every other thought and sensation, until she'd lain there, gasping, skin prickling, blinking herself back to reality.

Neither of them moved.

Aaryn swallowed. "Are you sure?"

She almost laughed, but he looked so serious. Then she blinked. It wasn't serious. His face… he was… afraid? She put her free hand to his face and stroked his cheek and even when he kissed her palm, he seemed so frightened to hope it sent a spear to her heart.

Had the others he'd been with never wanted to let him have that?

She pulled herself up to take his lips and he groaned into her mouth. And even though she was completely inexperienced, for a moment she felt confident—not only did she want to do this, she wanted to never see that look on his face again.

Aaryn needed to be as certain of her as she was of him.

Pushing him back so he rolled to the side, she rolled with him onto her elbow so she leaned over him and could see his whole body. "I'm certain," she whispered, leaning up to take his mouth, letting her tongue tickle his. "Tell me what makes you shiver."

He plunged his hands into her hair and held her there, his kiss desperate and his breath tearing out of his throat.

For a short time they kissed, Elreth leaned over his chest and marveled at how his entire body reacted anytime she touched or brushed him. But she was clueless about how to pleasure him, and knew that was only teasing him. He was beginning to sweat again, so soon she pushed up, leaning on one hand, and took him in her fist.

He immediately tensed, his jaw going hard and twitching—but not the way it did when he was angry. This was the tension of restraint, as if he held himself back.

Then she slid her hand up then down, just once, and he made a strangled noise in his throat and his mouth dropped open.

"Is that what you like?" she asked again quietly, suddenly a little shy.

"Y-yes, Elreth. That's… that's exactly what I like," he said, swallowing. Then he pulled one arm up under his head, propping so he could look down his own body at where she gripped him and gave a tiny moan. She did it again and his entire body jolted. "Slower," he gasped. "At least for now… slower."

She started stroking him, fascinated by how completely his body seemed consumed with such a simple touch. Unlike her he kept his eyes open, taking a great deal of interest in watching what she did. Then he brought one hand up to her breast while she stroked him and he groaned. "A little faster," he gasped. She did as he asked and his mouth dropped open.

Elreth was surprised to find her own desire climbing, watching him so consumed. Becoming breathless herself, she leaned closer, taking his mouth with hers and kissing him deeply. When she pushed back up to watch him again, his body had begun to twitch with each stroke and he was pushing into her hand.

"E-Elreth, holy shit," he bit his lip and flicked her nipple with his thumb, which made her gasp. "Can you… can you turn toward me more and… and lean on your arm so… so your breasts are pushed together?"

Swallowing back an embarrassed giggle, she did as he asked and his jaw went slack, his eyes glazed, but snapped between watching her stroke him, and looking at her breasts while he stroked them.

Elreth's breath came faster and he pulled her into another kiss, harsh and demanding. She stroked him faster and he began to arch, swearing under his breath, but holding her there, close and plunging into her mouth with his tongue with every other stroke.

"Oh, shit, oh… ELRETH!" He bellowed and his entire body arched. She was surprised when he suddenly snapped his body away from her, out of her grip, turning his back as his body convulsed, his breath shuddering in waves of what had to be pleasure… but looked strange.

She stared, unmoving, uncertain what to do when he slumped, his back to her. He breathed heavily, gasping, his beautiful shoulders heaving.

"Aaryn… are you okay? Did I do it wrong?" she murmured, putting one hand to his shoulder.

"Oh, fuck, no, Elreth. Sorry." He rolled back to face her and pulled her down so they were facing each other, and he kissed her, slow and deep, his body still trembling. "That was incredible. I can't believe you're so willing to just be here with me," he said roughly. "I'm still… I'm still trying to believe this is happening."

She pulled him in and buried her face in his neck while he stroked her hair. "I hate that you feel like you're… I don't know, what is it Aaryn? It's like one minute you're Alpha and confident and beautiful. And the next you're… you're looking at me like you might scare me away."

He went very still. She kissed his neck and pressed into him. "Who hurt you?" she whispered.

Aaryn huffed and it turned into a cough. His fingers were shaking when he pulled her in. She didn't think they had been a moment ago.

"Aaryn?" she asked when he didn't answer.

"It wasn't anyone in particular," he said finally, but she could feel the tension in him. "It was just… I'm disformed, so… females… they're either curious or scared. Sometimes they… sometimes they weren't even interested in me. Others decided it wasn't worth it in the end. I don't know. It's not a big deal."

Rage flared in her chest. She pushed up onto her elbow and met his eyes. He watched her warily.

"Wait… are you saying they'd make the signals then… what? Change their minds?"

"Sometimes."

Elreth's mouth fell open. "Aaryn, I can't believe they did that to you! Who was it?!"

"Hey, hey, calm down. It doesn't matter anymore."

"It matters if it makes you think I don't want you. Aaryn, I burn for you, do you get that? I don't know what you did to me, but… but I'd do this right now if I didn't know you were right about getting the elders help. And… and I'm never going to decide—you're amazing to me. You're incredible. Please don't ever look like that again."

"Like what?"

"Like you think you aren't good enough."

He took a deep breath and cupped her face with both hands. "El, the pure truth is, I'm not good enough for you—but that's okay. You love me anyway. You're making me the happiest male alive. I can't wait until we walk the Flames and Smoke. I'm just… I'm just blown away by all this, that's all. Give me some time to process."

She leaned in and kissed him softly, then pulled back to meet his eyes. "You should tell me their names," she whispered, then kissed him again. "I could have them hung from the trees as punishment." It was an ancient punishment the Anima had used to shame traitors. Those that lived through it were shunned afterwards and banished from the Tree City. "Then we'll see who's not worthy of who."

Aaryn shook his head, but he was smiling finally. "You're the most beautiful, fierce female I've ever met, El," he whispered. She beamed. "Remind me never to piss you off."

She slapped him on the shoulder, and he laughed, but he pulled her into a searing kiss that made her wonder how soon they could do these things again.

*** 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!