travlbug

"Please sit down with me, Ameniu. I don’t like to eat alone and my wife, well…" Trouble in paradise? Manu may be looking to Ameniu to provide some companionship which is lacking in his marriage. (Just a thought.) “I don’t want you to be unhappy about being here. You could travel back to the shore and take a boat to your country.” Talk about an understanding owner! Manu is happy to have Ameniu as his servant but only if Ameniu wants to be with him. Otherwise, he's willing to free him. (Wow!) Yay! Communication has been reestablished with the 21st century! However, Phillip doesn't have a ticket home quite yet.... I love that the author has brought up dental hygiene in ancient Egypt: Depending on how hard he looks, Phillip might find some primitive attempts at toothpaste and mouthwash, but most folk had poor oral hygiene. (There were actually more cavities in the aristocracy, likely because they had more sweet items in their diet!) 🦷

I love the juxtaposition between the relationship of Emperor and Empress and the (growing) feelings between Kastan and Jihan. While Rushi's father, in taking the blame for treason, needs to be punished, Kiyan walks a tightrope. If he executes the father, then Rushi will be his enemy for life. If he spares the father, then he will appear weak. While banishment might be an option, the punishment may still be seen as unacceptably weak, and Kiyan's order that Rushi be sent to her quarters (so as not to observe the punishment) indicates that corporal punishment--possibly up to death--is about to be inflicted. While Rushi's motive was to help her second born come to power, she may have lost her father while gaining nothing for her son. (If Kiyan understands her motivation, he may be able to stem her enmity by giving Yija a powerful place in Kastan's army, and as uncle and nephew are alike, it may actually be a good fit.) A question: Kastan, Kiyan, and Kyra are all siblings. Yija is Yan's sibling. Why wouldn't Yija, as a matter of course, become the protector (for Yan) after Kastan? If Rashan becomes protector, and his progeny after him, then the protector becomes farther removed from the Emperor every generation, and this would not appear to be a sound strategy. That said, if Yija were going to become protector regardless, then Rushi would have had no reason to undermine Kastan. A pretty conundrum.

I suspected that Jihan, a consummate pragmatist, would have a simple, if not plain, workspace, so the carved desk is somewhat of a surprise: I guess that he is still a connoisseur of the finer things in life. So, Jihan has been hurt in love and feels that he will never have a partner. Perhaps his negative experiences are making him stupid (at least this once): "Why would Ishan want to do anything for Andiya? She was not Ishan's responsibility." Really, Jihan? Hmmm. Jihan finds Kastan's scar intriguing. And so it begins.... 😊 Poor Jihan: He can't even take a bath without being attacked. And his attackers--ghost warriors marked with an emblem suggesting involvement of the Empress' family. What will Kiyan do with the information that the attempt to sabotage Kastan's campaign may have come from his own household? Interesting.... While Jihan is a strategist, he is also audacious when he sees the need for immediate action (even if his plan almost gets him killed). Sui, that was one intense cup of tea!

Rashan's naivete is endearing. Despite being a prince, he is not full of himself or his station: He easily mixes with the boys at the inn, and he wishes to find a solution so that men don't have to steal to support their families. He also has a strong sense of right/responsibility and wants to provide Jihan with more formal thanks for saving his life. (I like this kid.) That Jihan retrospectively analyzes his second meeting with Kastan--and recognizes his error--is a tribute to his chess-player's mind and need to avoid future errors/mitigate any errors already made. His ability to think this way appears an excellent survival trait in an uncertain and dangerous world.

Jordan's shame is sad to see, especially when he has no reason to be ashamed. Letting his wolf out more is good advice. (Additionally, he couldn't be living in a better place to learn--by example--what being a wolf is all about.)

Ah, the Elves may have their spices, but Humans have Italian cooking! Guess who wins! 😁 So Luca resides in London: Do the other High Council members live in London or are they scattered around the world? Where does the High Council actually meet? Hmmm. So Luca is having a family gathering during Christmas (I love the idea of Vampires celebrating Christmas!) With a large number of important Vampires in one place, a hit by the Blood Army could be very effective. But no, I'm sure that Christmas will be peaceful....

When I see Yal fighting Victor, I'm thinking of Chris's potential (and Chris isn't even fighting yet with the magic of all four elements): He'll have to be ready if he has to fight the rogue Council members who are now with the Blood Army, and a confrontation is surely coming.

I never want to fight an elf.... Chris's ability to improvise a magical defense from knowing a few basics about water magic is more than merely impressive: He may have just invented a new fighting style. (He actually found a way to neutralize the advantage of invisibility!) I'm beginning to see him as worthy of being a Prince--and he also does dishes! 🥰

Oops. Posted in error. Sorry. 😅

Chris will have to learn to integrate his human and Elven halves--or if not integrate them, at least learn when human vs Elven behavior is appropriate: I love that Hashana is appalled that the Prince is washing dishes, but even though Chris indicates that he will continue to wash them in the Elven realm, he will find out very quickly that the Elves have their own ideas as to how he should act. Looking forward to the match between Victor and Yal!

One thing's for sure: with Elves in a room, you never need air freshener! 😁

"Word vermin"--I'm still laughing! 😂

A warm, fuzzy chapter. I love it! 😊

I don't recall Chris previously revealing himself to be gay to either Yal or Patri, but when he discusses it this chapter, he has the King chuckling (considering the context). There are no recriminations. While Chris remains worried if his confession to being part Elf will be believed, I do not share his concern: Victor and August, amongst others, clearly think that his speed is unusual (Victor to the point where he wants to perform lab tests on Chris), and I wonder if anyone picked up on the magic he cast during his bout with August. Victor is also aware that Chris spoke the Elven language to receive his pendant. That said, having the King Elf confirm his story couldn't hurt. 🤗

Victor is formidable, but even Victor would be fearful going against his sire. Further, all the High Council Vampires are at least as impressive, and the Blood Army has three Vampires of this caliber. Vampire politics aside, the chapter is an excellent reminder of what Victor et al are facing. Chris, you wimp, are you really going to go through lab testing rather than tell your lover the truth? You're a Prince, so start acting like one!

"The moment Henry gave us the signal to begin, Raymond disappeared in front of me, he was almost leaving after images from his wake, I was warned beforehand that he’s faster than Henry but I did not expect this!" How can Chris match this sort of speed and still be accepted as human by his loved ones? (I can see Victor pulling him aside for a little chat in the near future.) Chris is going to have to reveal the truth--and soon.

The Blood Army seeks to force Vampires back to feeding on humans (the good old days), which would be catastrophic for the humans and supernaturals alike: If this isn't a job for S̶e̶c̶t̶i̶o̶n̶ ̶3̶1̶ Stratos, I don't know what would be, and I hope that the High Council realizes that the fate of the supernatural world may hang in the balance. While the Vampires could request that the humans send in the National Guard or army troops to protect the NuBlood creation and distribution centers, this action might not be effective against supernatural fighters and could result in exposure of the supernatural population. On the other hand, a certain half-Elven Prince is getting stronger by the day. (Are we sure that there are no prophecies about an upcoming war and a savior Prince? 😅) Third in line to the Elven throne, but a gay outsider (with a Vampire boyfriend) who does not necessarily even wish to live in the Elven realm (I love the way that Yal and Grandfather automatically assume that Chris will want to live with them): Chris's loyalties are certain to be tested.

Nice to see Tobias enjoying his life with a loving uncle, loving boyfriend, new home, and the hockey academy, not to mention a bit of get-back at his stepfather. Of course, there's going to be trouble! If Addison wants to make trouble for Mitchell and Tobias, all he has to do is call Child Protection Services and allege an "unnatural" relationship between uncle and nephew (such a stunt would be right up his alley). CPS would then be forced to perform an investigation. Addison wouldn't even be at risk, as his name would not be disclosed as the complainant (even if we know it's him). I can think of several other scenarios for trouble , but I guess we'll have to wait and see. (I hate waiting! Aaauurrggghh!)

One day, during the lunch hour at my high school, several of the Asian kids turned up bald: They told the rest of us that they just finished filming a pilot for what turned out to be Kung Fu. No skull caps for the kids! When you see the Shaolin temple children, they really are shaved bald! I love the music room. (I want one!) "...I will be making a few changes with work, so I can be home when you get home from school each day..." Mitchell shows himself by his deeds to be a loving uncle: He disrupts/ changes his professional life to be there for his nephew. ❤

Yal joined in our conversation and stated, “How about I come with you then?, they have to see a real elf to believe you...." Is Yal suggesting that Chris is not a "real" elf? 😉 (Just kidding, but his choice of words could have been better. ) 21st century elves--the mind boggles! It would be fascinating to see what human inventions the elves have adopted and how they've adapted them. (Intellectual property lawyers, get ready for a bonanza! 😂) Previously, when Victor read the minds of the vampires who attacked his party, he said, “Apparently they’ve started to move...." Now, Dianne says, "[The symbol] of the Blood Army, Victor, they’re on the move Victor, this is bad.” And Victor's response: “Shit” I was right. Victor has been aware of the Blood Army's involvement ever since their "hit" on his group and his interrogation of the perps. If they tried to knock off Victor, I wonder if they also intend to "hit" the other governors--destabilize the vampire government--as they destabilize the vampire food supply. And if a vampire can't get his Nublood and no longer has the government to back him.... Interesting that the Elven Prince is coming into his own just as the Blood Army is about to strike.

Ah, the lion wants to run with the wolf: For Leo, it's August in winter. 😊

The Elves have been hiding for a couple of centuries, but it wouldn't surprise me if Victor suddenly remembers that Elves have a floral fragrance--just like his boyfriend has! Coupled with his boyfriend's superhuman speed, Victor will put 2+2 together and come up with Elves! I can hear it now: In the near future, Victor will say, "Chris, is there something you want to tell me?" And I have to wonder how Chris will respond (especially if the cat is already out of the bag!).

I love Quokka's chapters that include a guided tour--I always feel like I'm there! And I'm glad that Mitchell didn't forget the piano! (When I inherited the family baby grand, I used a special moving company dedicated solely to the transport of pianos.)

First, if the big ol' pile they're already living in is OK for 3 people, I see no reason for Uncle Mitchell to feel, quite suddenly, that it is too large for two (in fact, Xavier and Mitchell bought the place for only two people to begin with). Second, even if Mitchell decided to turn the place into a bed and breakfast, he could have elected to keep a suite of rooms for Tobias and himself, though admittedly they'll get more privacy by switching to the penthouse. (Mitchell may no longer want to live in a mansion with beautiful gardens, but I'm more than willing to take his place! 😂) Of course, if school is downstairs, Tobias won't have to travel very far to get there (which he may appreciate--or not! 😂😂😂).

Wow, Tobias is assertive/proactive in letting his uncle know that he won't tolerate any more fighting between the adults: It's worth noting that his ability to state his concerns shows a comfort level missing when he was living with his mom and step-pig. Thus, there's still a qualitative difference between his old living arrangements and the new: His uncle cares and listens.