Cane23

Safe to say this wasn't how the Duke of Lothar pictured his "jump on the throne" campaign ending!

Just to let you know, this was my 150th review on GA!

The romance is blossoming... but is it the calm before the storm?

Anton being the "erbe" (heir) makes me wonder - heir to whom... or what?! The burgundy sweater and fluffy slippers? His Dark Eminence can certainly be casual, at least in appearance. 😁 It was funny when Bastien asked, "Do you like me, or are you usually like this?" As if a young, healthy, horny man would need any special preparation or stimulation... 😁

The First Crusade is over, and Darien and Wylan are finally living peacefully in their castle in Vexin... Or are they? As Duke Haskal himself would say, he'd rather face the entire Fatimid army again than deal with the high politics of the European courts. The stakes are high, and the main prize is young Atreus, Darien's son. The kings of Frankia and England, ambitious dukes, religious fanatics, and even a witch all see Atreus as a piece on the board that could shape the future of the kingdom - and each of them wants to turn him into their puppet. But Atreus is a Haskal, his father's son. The former kitchen rat and proud heir to the duke is about to do what Haskals do best - earn the loyalty of his men and forge new alliances. God help Europe - Team Squire 2 is coming!

...and the boys need something to do while Atreus is busy with his marital duties! 😁

If they didn't...there's no better moment to invent it... because it is AWESOME..., isn't it... 😁

To quote Darien - It's not like that! 😂

Someone at the bank might be making a secret deal with Yoders...🤔

I'll miss this series...

Rather sterile. AI deliberately avoids words like "cock" and "fuck" - I suppose it has policies about using explicit language. As someone else mentioned, AI is a useful tool and can certainly be helpful, but authors should remain human.

Epic chapter. The ending is heartbreaking -politically realistic and probably in the best interests of Vixen and Frankia. Still, it leaves so many young hearts broken. Casimir, Atreus, and Cecily will likely have to make a similar choice to the one Loyd, Julian, and Libbet made. Hopefully, Cecily is wise enough to do it without the older generation having to intervene. As for Tomas... yes, he looked rather pathetic in that scene, but I think it sealed his destiny. Stripped of his illusions, like all the Vineguard boys before him, he can finally find his true...chosen family.

I'll quote my 85-year-old relative: "There are no old people here, dear!" 😁

You're amazing! I apologize if anything from my side made you feel pressured or caused you stress!

Amazing writing. It seems that the more information we get, the more things are revealed - and the less we actually know. Even Taggert and Bert speak in puzzles. They eventually understand each other perfectly, while we're still left wondering what lies beneath their conversation. It's as if ranch owners share their own universal language.

When did this happen? 👆 First was this moment: Then Tomas went to Atreus - Atreus is astonished...Cas is suffocating...Wylan hides in church-find the blade-the spell is over, rebellion started, Atreus wakes up and refuses Tomas' offer...Tomas devastated...Val shakes him... Did Tomas speak with Lothar again somewhere in between?! Or he just assumes that, since he didn't accomplish his father's task, he is banished?

Hakon & Bram? I had to go back to Book 3 to check their names! 😁

I was a bit confused by the timeline because of how the previous chapter ended. At first, I thought this chapter was set before Ateus' fight. I also didn't quite understand. Casimir's jealousy after the way the last scene in the previous chapter played out. And Tomas seemed so defeated here - I assume he met with his father in his tent afterward?

Oh...OH...a big mama Val... 😲

Friends' support is important, but I think Tomas also needs to talk to someone older - a father figure. The other boys each had that kind of conversation at some point with Wylan and/or Darien. Tomas desperately needs a positive, healthy male role model and someone he can see as a trusted authority.

Is Marty just being jealous... or am I reading too much into it?

Beutifuly said...and beautifully written...both 'mature content' and 'learning. Their connection is so natural - love, passion and lust all build slowly until the fireworks.

Atreus the Magnificent...too bad Ashot...or even Ishan couldn't see it. As for the Tomas, I'm looking forward to seeing who will heal his broken heart. Nevertheless, he should be aware of one thing... no matter his feelings, he didn't "do it" for Atreus - ultimately, he "did it" for himself.