Goodie

Great chapter. I'm beginning to wonder if Ysabels demon is from programming through drugs or witchery, She touched on those thoughts when fighting to regain her human side. Perhaps if so, she can break supposed programming and regain her full self Thoughts of her love for her children seem to be keys to helping her overcome the demonic influence and distancing herself from suspect influences like Marcus and his people could also help. I still think Yago is the culprit behind her condition. He may have had acces to people like Marcus in his territories and gained some knowledge of such mysteries. We also get another hint that he has at some time done something terrible to Talia to make her fear and distrust him. Perhaps he has tried to do something similar with her. Adrian took Lucas' rejection quite well, at least on the surface. Luca still isn't prepared to accept his feelings for Eamon. spouting duty and loyalty to his friends as excuses. I almost cringed with embarrassment for him when he offered to help Adrian find a replacement. Now where oh where can we find a young Nabian noble? Perhaps with all the walking Adrian will be doing looking around, he may need to stop in somewhere to get his shoes fixed.

I'm pleased to see Alex is still with us, obviously wouldn't be much of a story without him. Looking forward to seeing what prompted Jared not to go through with the assassination. Sending poor Mikhail into the lair of that vicious witch Jezebel....how mean. Would be fun though, I'm sure he wouldn't put up with any of her nonsense. The biggest concern is what does Yago want. We finally get to meet Kade. I'm still leaning toward him being a promising prospect for Adrian. drpaladin touched on a really good point about us not knowing much about Lucas' background. Could he be the lost child of some important Ironian family? The story continues to intrigue and delight. Looking forward to the further adventures of the Di Coteau family and friends.

Awwww that would have been cruel if I didn't have the third book to go straight into. Before I take a peek I'm going to guess that Jared won't do anything, whether by choice or maybe something happens to prevent it. I really hope he will come to realise that Alex grand vision will benefit Ironia as well. He seems the sort who would put the future well being of his country above personal vengeance. Also I would hope the fact Alex risked his own life to save him would make him think he at least owed Alex a personal life debt. Talia was noticably absent. I'm assuming General Orr took his valuable hostage with him when he fled. This was another brilliant piece of work. The setting, the characters ( especially the nasty ones ), the action,drama,love and loss. All the ingredients to make this a great read which I've thoroughly enjoyed. Thank you for all the work you've put into this and I hope you keep up with writing, you certainly have a gift for it. On to book three.

Ouch, sending a finger suggests Orr means business. He may not kill Talia but there are plenty of other body parts to choose from. Alex will need to act quickly, the longer he's tied up beseiging the wallfort, the more vulnerable his position becomes. Hopefully he can capture the keep without sacrificing Talia. Yeah I know, not asking for much. Poor Luca. It really shouldn't be a hard decision. I don't think he ever really loved Adrian and is only finding himself in this current bind on account of his impulsive gut reaction to Eamons earlier barb. I do believe he cares for Adrian as a close friend and doesn't want to hurt or dissappoint him. Somehow, I don't think he would. Adrian has admitted guessing the feelings between Eamon and Luca and would understand. I'm just trying to think who we could hook him up with. What about Kade? A Nabian noble, in hiding. He'd be safe in Illyard.

Damn, that wasn't supposed to happen. Now Orr has a valuable hostage, this will put a serious dent in Alex plans. And he was doing so well with that trap he laid for Orrs' troops. So well in fact that poor Carlisle almost rode right into it. I hope they enjoy their reunion, it's been a while and I'm sure they have lots of catching up, they certainly didn't waste too much time. Jezebel did her job. It would have been too much to expect her to at least give Du Vance an honorable death. I hope when her time comes it won't be quick.

Marcus people are way scary and probably good to have on side. Looks like they will follow Ysabel, or rather the demon, with dedication and devotion. A fanatical enemy unafraid of death is extremely dangerous. I'm thrilled at the arrival of Carl. Guess he got his way in the end despite Chamberlins' objections. Can't wait for the reunion with Alex.I was just thinking if Talia succeeds in her mission, there may not be a battle, so that may scuttle Jareds' assassination plans. Hopefully.

Poor Jezebel....not. Knew she wouldn't react well to her "promotion". If she thought about it, this could be an opportunity. The Du Vance region is only poor because the old general kept it that way so noone else would want it thus making himself 'safe'. She could make something of it but then that would involve using her brain for something other than scheming and conniving. I didn't think Adrian would stay but then realised he couldn't go home without his betrothed. Guess I also didn't give him enough credit to want to remain at Lucas' side.Now I just hope he doesn't wind up getting killed, Have to say Alex played him brilliantly. Was a bit mean but then all is fair in love and war and Alex got him on both. Excellent chapter.

Even the best laid plans can't account for blind dumb luck. Talias' mission just became even more dangerous. I too was a little surprised that Alex knew nothing about the armed citizens. The expense alone of having to arm and equip those people should have come into question. Likewise I too can only assume the distractions of war and missing his husband. I assume Adrian will still be leaving which means Luca and Eamon will be left alone and perhaps have some time to talk things out.

I too am happy to see Eamon trying to make good use of his dark training. I think I heard or read somewhere that other senses become enhanced to compensate for the lost one. Without his sight Eamon may become very adept and very useful if he can fine tune his new skill set. I still question Lucas reluctance to just go off with Adrian and start his new life. I really think he has to do a bit of honest soul searching and make a decision. He can't just keep stringing Adrian along. He should either commit to his decision to marry the guy or call it off. I just feel with all his procrastinating his heart isn't really in it and in fairness to Adrian he should quit being so wishy washy. Easy for me to say, I'm not the one caught between two cute guys.

Being completely oblivious of the fact that he no longer has control of Monciet, Alex is unaware he has a dangerous enemy at his back. I'm guessing he's aware of the "bureaucratic tie-up" delaying help from Tomacia and he's right to be a little anxious about that. Talias' plan seems to be the most decisive move they are taking atm, her success will help their cause immensely. As much as I dread Jezebel being made general, with any luck it may go some way toward taming her, though knowing her she'd probably feel slighted at being given generalship of such a poor region. I wonder if some of Lucas' reluctance to be with Adrian is because he may still harbour some lingering feelings for Eamon. Speaking of, the fact he was seen headed to the training ring suggests he is coming out of his slump and looking to sort himself out. The stroy is moving along nicely with plenty to keep us guessing and hoping. Loving it.

I'm hoping that Talias' words have sparked Eamon to action, though I'm not really sure what he could do. It's so hard because in this little love triangle I like Eamon, Luca and Adrian and I don't want to see either hurt, but someone is going to lose out here. Should come as no surprise that both Jezebel and now Marion are actually ignoring and twisting Almanitas' counsel and continuing to plot against Alex. Their tunnel vision prevents them from seeing the error of their ways. Jezebel is just a freak who I hate. Marion I don't hate, she's just a victim of grief over her losses and I can understand her motives.

Looks like Carlisle is picking up some of the more assertive traits of the Nabians. To dismiss and openly warn against an opinion that doesn't agree with his is more a Nabian reaction. The Tomacians should be cautious. From a practical perspective, marching north to support Alex leaves them vulnerable in the south, where Yago has his stronghold. Wouldn't surprise me if Yago saw this as the perfect opprtunity to take Tomacia while his allies kept Alex forces busy. Ysabel being able to assert more control over her demon has her coming across as a much more reasonable person. I hope this doesn't weaken her. Trying to reason with Yago, dangerous. As much as her demon is scary, when they eventually go to war it may come in handy. Raises the moral dilemma of whether or not it is justified to make use of some of our most terrible weapons.

Wow, is there at least one other decent Di Coteau in this fudged up family. Devan really did get the brains. Little wonder he became so paranoid after that. Yago, hope he gets his. I know every story is meant to have an arch villain. Yours seems to be full of them.

Butcher56 raises a good point. That fact Luca was looking directly at Eamon when he made his decision to accept Adrians' proposal suggests to me it was meant as a barb and not because he had any genuine desire to wed Adrian. Well they've both done it to themselves and they'll just have to live with that. That may not be long for Eamon. Since he only bothers to get up for Luca, he doesn't really have anything now. As for the vote. Tosser. Does this mean we now do it Ysabel's way and just take over? Better yet why don't they all just take their regions, separate from Nabia, join to Tomasia making that kingdom larger and stronger, then when Carl is king they can both rule the new Tomacia together. Did I mention Yago is a tosser?

Hadeaux was very fortunate. His slur would have suggested Alex was submissive and therefore weak, probably one of the worst possible Nabian insults. To speak out thus in front of the other generals and guests, he's very lucky all he got was banishment. I was also wondering why Talia had so much fear of her uncle Yago. I'm so torn as well over what choice Luca will make. He's endured so much and has risen higher than he could have ever hoped for based on good fortune and his own hard work. Seems there's going to be winners and losers here. So long as Luca is happy I can live with whatever choice he makes.

That was an interesting little titbit about Damien. I wonder how he managed to lose control of his troops and how he is able to maintain control of his territory without any men? Eamon is on a dangerous downhill slope, I just hope Luca with his abilities to read people can recognise this and help him. I've also been wondering what the papers are in the hidden compartment of the desk. They were alluded to a couple of times, on both occasions they got a brief glimpse but no chance to actually read them.

Had me worried there for a sec, thought you had some devious plan in mind to kill off Eamon. I hope finally they will take some action to remove that dangerous and troublesome bitch Jezebel. I hope his Nabian pride doesn't kick in and leave Eamon feeling that he is of now use anymore and not worth living. Hopefully this tragedy will bring him and Luca closer. I would still love to see them together but then I wonder who that would leave for Adrian, I had thought Talia but that was before I realised Adrian was looking for a male companion, Gosh,choices,choices.

That was such a sad but sweet parting, ysabel is such a complex character. I'd keep a very close eye on her in case she decides to follow her own agenda anyway and slaughter the other generals.

I wonder why if Jezebel is not welcome in her home would she send her to the Clarion estate? I'm relieved Marion has decided to hold off on taking any action for now. Sir Jared and all Ironia should be really concerned about any hint of a possible alliance between Nabia and Tomacia, it would make Ironia very vulnerable.

Probably the only good thing about the summit is that it will be held at Alex stronghold.

Machiavelli I believe. Hopefully Alex returns in time for the summit, if not, I'm sure Luca will be able to handle things. Alex might be a little tied up dealing with his psycho mother. Part of the success of his plan relied on her support, her reaction to the news suggests it may not be forthcoming. If I'd been able to put my two cents in earlier when this was being written, I might have tried steering Luca and Eamon together, then Adrian meeting Talia and falling for her. I will see which way you went with this.

I kind of feel for Marion. Watching her family slaughtered, then being wedded and abused by her Nabian husband. I can understand her directing her anger and hate at Alex. And regardless of whether Alex has changed and wants to also bring about change to Nabius, doesn't really undo the pain and suffering he has brought to Marion through his actions.I hope her and her cousin fail in their bid for vengeance, but I do understand where she is coming from. I too would have been interested in who sent the assassin and more importantly, who was the target. With a crossbow he would have only been able to target one. Now they are wed looking forward to seeing how this news is received back home. Speaking of home, the demon Ysabel is on the rampage again slaughtering her own people. Well I guess that's what happens when you take a murdering psycho and make her a general, reap what you sow.

Great chapter. Jezebel being her nasty self and plotting against her own family. And is Ysabel taking her new army to make war on Devons' troops? I'm not sure who to root for out of Eamon or Adrian. Just a thought, Adrian only thinks Luca is some kind of noble holding stewardship over Alex manse. Once the truth comes out he is only really in service to Alex as an advisor, would he be even allowed to marry him?

Firstly yay for Luka. I wonder if Eamon always had good intentions, but unfortunately Lukas' warped perceptions after years of rape and degradation, just made him come across as seeming creepy. Maybe he just got so used to "that look in their eyes" being associated to those who just wanted to use him and never considered it could also come from someone who might actually care about him. Don't want to get too excited about this because there's still the Illjard prince to consider. He could make a valuable addition to the alliance. One tiny flaw in Alex plans. He's relying on his name and expecting the automatic support of his uncles, etc. Not sure I would stake my entire future on the fact that I might be related to any of those nutters. If he was so confident of their support, why then did he feel the need to sneak through his uncles' lands?

Good chapter. Getting a closer insight into Tomacian society was very eye opening for me as well as the Nabians. As enlightened as they appear to be though, they are not above a little political assassination. I'm sure they have their vices too, but they certainly seem more civilized than the savage Nabians. Mind you, how they react to Carls' news should be interesting.