Danners

What a satisfying end. Is it wrong to hope for a sequel?

Wait, we have to choose?! Hmph. I love them all for various reasons, especially the Verlorens, but if I have to choose, it's Wren morning, noon, and night. The little monster grew on me and now I can't imagine the series without him.

Wren is a cat! Omigod!

Y'know, it's interesting (and lovely) that, despite everyone's differences and their individual agendas, Wyn remains the common denominator. All the adults love him -- even Wren, for whom love is a foreign concept -- and each and every one of them will go to bat for him. I find it incredibly heartwarming. I hope Eon and Wren work out. Their f*cked up dynamic notwithstanding, they provide what the other needs without thinking about themselves and that's precious. Once they realize selflessness isn't weakness, they'll be great. Heh, and unlike Kalian, I totally want to see what happens when Loren and Suman pair up. You can't find a more Chaotic Neutral couple. What fun!

You're right: no one is perfect, and hurt people hurt people without consciously meaning to. We're all at the mercy of our pasts. It takes someone extraordinary (or much reflection) intervening to save us from ourselves. I cautiously hope that Jake can be that person for Nic but their relationship -- if there is one -- will undoubtedly be a rocky one. Meg totally tics the boxes of a sociopathic narcissist. I mean, the average teenager is marginally narcissistic because of all their raging hormones. Meg is willing to bully and/or manipulate Jake into keeping up appearances, which shows just how little she cares about him or anyone else. (Then again, socially obsessed Meg is less dangerous, so yeah, ten points to gryffinwhore! Hehe.) Anyway, kudos to you for these dynamic characters.

Meg, much like her father, is a sociopath but she's sloppy. Jake knows her game now. If he's smart, he can plan ahead and control the narrative when he decides to cut ties with her, which will doubly embarrass her. Bring Luke in and use the rugby team to spread rumors about her (lack of) character, and she'll have a hell of a time retaining any status. (I hate people like Meg.) I wish I could believe Nic but his anxiety and fear of commitment (stemming from his step-father and past homophobia, probably) will most likely keep him coming back to Arnie again and again. Knowing that he broke Arnie's heart in the past makes me feel bad for the guy. Arnie deserves better. I'm actually worried about Jake now. If Nic can use and abuse his ex-boyfriend with little to no guilt, what havoc is he going to wreak on someone wrestling with his sexuality? As for Jake, well -- good for him. Even if he wasn't somewhat fascinated by Nic, intervening in that sort of situation wins points in my book. He's a good guy and I'm glad he was able to put Bryan in his place. Not only that but he set an example for the other young men: there's no place for bullies in the locker room. Keep 'em coming, yo! No need to limit yourself to short chapters -- we live for the long ones!

Totally worth the wait. It's never too late for holiday cheer, especially when it involves such a beautiful happy ending.

This is so good! I think Gabe gave Ridley space in the end because a) he's a good boy and genuinely regrets the anguish his story caused and b) he understands that Ridley needs to pursue what he wants independently of what he thinks he should want. So far, Ridley's lived his life based on what he thinks his dad wanted for him, not what he himself wants. If he really and truly wants a relationship with Gabe, he needs to figure that out by himself. Again this is an instance of Gabe challenging Ridley, asking -- not demanding -- he step out of his comfort zone, out of the shadow of the expectations he's shouldered all this time. I hope Ridley rises to the challenge.

I love that they unabashedly seek physical comfort with one another. It affirms (and reaffirms) their bond and, given these new circumstances, it's what they both need.

I can't speak for anyone else but, if you ask me, they'd make a dynamic pair. For one -- and possibly the greatest one -- Gabe challenged Ridley without pushing him too hard. He got him to open up a little bit despite Ridley's best efforts to clam up, going so far as to call his bluff when the young man told him to get out. (Someone who can coax you out of your comfort zone is a keeper in my book!)

Do you, by chance, suffer from panic attacks, @Salander? Because I do and your descriptions of the storm brewing, the random trigger, and even the disturbing brilliance of the bathroom lights were spot on. Textbook even. I drove myself to the ER in the middle of the night because I thought I was having a heart attack, only to be told it was "just" a panic attack while hooked up to an EKG machine. Reading the first third of the chapter nearly triggered my own disorder (GAD is fun like that) and that's, I suppose, a testament to your writing. Nic going to Arnie for sex afterwards (and after his semi-confrontation with Amos) isn't a surprise. Looking for relief -- any kind of relief -- after an episode is perfectly normal, especially since he didn't get his shower at Luke's. His cousin really loves him, by the way. Luke must be one of those rare guys who accepts things as they are and does what he can to help out of the kindness of his heart.

I think Gabe will write about the mystery that is Ridley and how, despite being the best basketball player the school has seen in decades, no one really knows anything about him. Gabe seems like a smart cookie and more perceptive than most, which is what makes him a good journalist. A good journalist follows the story and, where "Riddles" is concerned, the story is that there isn't one (to the untrained eye). Then he's free to explore what makes Ridley so mysterious and flirt with the truths he knows without truly revealing any of them, furthering the young man's mystique. If ole Gabe plays his cards right, his feature could paint "Riddles" as the most interesting student on campus and poor Ridley's evasion . . . well . . .

“Good. ‘Cause I don’t think I want that mouth on anybody else’s dick but mine.” The closest thing to a compliment he's ever received from Neil and it's high praise indeed. In fact, that may be the sweetest thing he's ever said to West. Ha ha ha! With that first out of the way, why do I anticipate West being pulled into restrooms and empty classrooms at random intervals to service his crush? (Neil strikes me as the "thrill of discovery" kind of guy.) Oh, and speaking of being discovered: West better guard that camera and memory card like Smeagol did the One ring. Slap Kaspar away from using his computer, hissing "My precioussssss!" Also, as if it needed to be said, that was hot as f*ck and totally worth the wait.

Go, Essell, go!

The next chapter cannot come soon enough.

Okay, I'm a little late to the game but I'm shocked the defense attorney (solicitor) hasn't demanded the judge recuse himself. He is clearly biased and not impartial; he has his own agenda. The judge is not allowed to influence the jury, which he clearly is. In the States this wouldn't fly and, even if Liam is convicted, an immediate appeal would be filed. Mrs. Stewart-Graham also missed her chance by not putting Liam on the stand. The prosecution's questions would have opened the door for Liam to speak on being bullied and given her the opportunity to recall previous witnesses and add new ones. Additionally, the judge striking Liam's testimony would've proved bias and achieved a mistrial at the very least. My heart breaks for this poor boy.

This chapter was illuminating. You confirmed my impressions of Suman and yet added to his mystery. He's still utterly intriguing and I can't quite pin down his loyalty, but I believe he cares about the children of his kingdom. He's connected to those who cannot defend themselves -- perhaps unwillingly, but the bond is there. I'm not surprised Loren clocked Suman's manipulation after he'd been the target of it. Noy only is he smart and quick-witted, he is perceptive to the point it could be construed as a flaw. He grew up in the royal court, where being painfully self-aware is a boon. It also explains why he was utterly gutted by Amaris: he allowed himself to be blindsided by someone he should've been able to trust implicitly. Loren's attraction to Suman isn't completely surprising. The man is a kindred spirit of sorts: an abused and ignored member of the royal family who defied his station by becoming a deadly combatant and a treasure trove of court intrigue. Hell, if I were Loren, I'd be equally turned on and disturbed by my erection. Rah remains the perfect envoy. She disappears into the background (for the most part) and only applies her influence and opinion when necessary. Likewise, I have to applaud Talon's intervention. If only every spouse was so willing to drop everything and come to their partner's aid. Gosh, your characters are complex. Even Sumerion, whom I wistfully imagine desperately clutching his bowels after Suman (or maybe Loren) has eviscerated the tyrant.

I almost feel bad for Suman. Given his childhood trauma and his oddly sonographic memory (is that a thing?), he was bound to end up damaged. That being said, I think Kalian was half-right about why Suman hasn't killed his uncle. It isn't that he's too weak to do it, it's that this ongoing plot is the only purpose he's ever known. He needs to hate Sumerion. (If I were him, I'd settle for driving him crazy with phantom sounds until the emperor doesn't know the difference between reality and delusion and ends up a drooling sack of flesh whose few coherent moments I'd fill with utter terror.) I'm glad Kalian finally showed him who he is really dealing with. It's a truth someone with Suman's upbringing wouldn't necessarily understand without a demonstration: those with true power only exercise it when they must. Are you really working on two stories at once?!

I can see West getting between them, physically if necessary. The blonde may end up catching an errant elbow, but that alone would snap Kaspar and Neil out of their respective rages. Neither boy wants West hurt.

I don't know, sub-sonics and infrasound can make a person incredibly suggestable, even completely hypnotize them. If Suman can do that, he can include himself in pretty much any discussion. I'm not saying he did that or he's capable of that level of control over sound, just that it's possible. How he ended up seated at the table wasn't stated. I assume he was included because the other envoys were also invited, perhaps in the interest of transparency, but we don't know for sure.

With what we've seen of his powers, Suman could easily manipulate his way in or coerce an invitation out of any of the Council members. By completely unnerving anyone who would question his presence, he avoided close scrutiny. In fact, as soon as Loren challenged his character, he pushed the man into violence that pulled everyone's attention. A sneaky snake's gonna sneak, but maybe he did it just to find out if he could -- y'know, test the proverbial waters.

I don't think Suman told the whole truth about his ability to manipulate emotions. That, or he's only aware of making people angry. I do think some of it is instinctual but the man has more control and a broader range than he let on. He amplified the unease of the Council members and I'll bet he did it on purpose because he enjoys making others uncomfortable. He did the same with Loren's anger. And Talon -- he definitely influenced Talon by muting his distrust and making him friendlier. Why Kalian hasn't been hit, I can only guess. Could be that Suman actually likes him or, less positive, thinks him weak and easily swayed already. I hope it's the former. Also, and it's weird to say, but I really don't think Suman would be against a good, old-fashioned grudge f*ck from Loren. This series is so good!

I have fingers, toes, arms, legs, and eyes crossed this doesn't go sideways.