Dr. John NYC

I’m glad Khonsu is not the total bastard/bitch that s/he has appeared to be until this chapter. Clearly, Khonsu has some atoning to do for being immature and petty before the rift, but the time since then, s/he has been “under the influence” — of who or what, we will be finding out in the week(s) to come. Thanks for an outstanding chapter — as well as a delightful-to-read primer (or reminder) of Middle Eastern mythology!

So, I just slowed down from reading chapter after chapter, and I wanted to share my appreciation for this story. I enjoy the new take on the Filipino mythology of people who can manipulate light. Like the others, I’m wondering who Travis is/was. My hypothesis is that it was Rory, whom Ryan now resembles, whose middle ( or frat, third, etc.) name could have been Travis. Well, now to see if the next chapter supports or refutes my hypothesis. ...& to see if Maria from the Philippines might know something more than the experts.

Being behind in reading and commentingn has one advantage: I don’t have to wait for chapter 2. But before I open it, however, I wanted to add one specific comment (in addition to sending “likes” & “agrees” to those folks who already posted, in particular about Graeme’s masterful balancing act of reintroducing old friends and introducing new ones). My comment is actually a “Thank You, @Graeme!” for the closing scene of Chapter One. What a marvelous affirmation & reaffirmation of the depth of Kevin’s feelings for Daphne—& the distance he has come in his own journey. It was truly an incredibly heartwarming and inspirational moment to wrap up our reintroduction to the Leopards—former and current—as well as their associated friends, family, and lovers. 👍🏽🤗

With this chapter, especially the end, and most importantly this last sentence: “Captain squeezed my neck. “On this ship? You are the most important thing to me.””, I hope that Kohen starts to believe the intensity & never ending nature of their bond. Stay tuned...

So, I’m late to the game, but perhaps my tardiness will bring this delicious story back to the sunshine so folks that missed it the first time around might discover it. I so appreciate why Kian has to go back to Raja Securities to rescue permanently the lives of those people he loves — & the soul of one Máster Assassin: himself. Nonetheless, my heart was cracking as I finished this chapter. I trust Sui to ensure a HEA ending, at least for most of the characters, but it did not prevent me from being saddened to the depths of my soul. That ability to wrap one up in the story to the point of forgetting the HEA is the power of Sui’s writing. Thank you, Sui! 🤗

I love this story! I probably haven’t said it before, so I wanted to start there, but the mixture of a variety of shifters, sexualities, and now shamans is totally captivating. I particularly like that, for some of them, sexuality is fluid, which I think would probably be true of a lot more people if society were less rigid in its need to categorize and were more supportive. Can’t wait to see what comes next!

Playing off the comments of @drpaladin, “...& from whom?” We now have another possible conspirator in Kekillill. For that matter, it could even be Deke, if the Trepharo is still at large — except that I would presume Kohen would have smelled him. At any rate, in Cia’s inimitable way, the tension on one front subsides as the tension on another front ramps up. Well done!

As I said in my comment the first time I read this story, I really hope, @Cia, that the ending means there is more to come for these three and their land. So much still to learn and so much more love to share!

One of the gifts that keep on giving is someone leaving a reaction about a comment from the past: it often prompts me to go look and remind myself about the story. So, thank you @Timothy M. for your reaction to my comment in the story, “Best-Solution”, by @Cia. It is such a delightful story! I immediately remembered how much I loved the characters, but I had forgotten just enough of the plot to make it doubly fun to read the story again. Plus, with the expanded reaction options, I could change my reactions to reflect better how much I enjoyed them. Now, on to the denouement!

Ok, so to be more precise, I marked my reaction as “Angry” but really it was as a substitute for “Frustrated” — as in frustrated with Drake. I can see Drake’s point of view, but with all of Jimmy’s patient support, I want to see Drake’s willingness to listen trending more in the right direction. Now that I’ve vented a bit, I should say I agree with Caz that Drake does need time to process everything. Furthermore, seeing another point of view when it hits so close to home is rarely easy — or fast. Also resonating with me was Gary’s comment about the intensity of the weekend being a necessary catalyst for Jimmy & Drake to resolve their issues. Clearly, Jimmy had tried to have the talk(s), but Drake was too closed off. Without all of this other drama, who knows how long it would have taken. Another wonderful story, Gary, and my current frustration is evidence of your skill. Kudos!

PS: by the way, Micah’s comment about the make out session looking “kinda hot” did make me wonder how much his comment was just teasing and how much was his true, unfiltered thought. Maybe their suite is gayer than they thought...

Ditto to all the comments about loving the different roles in the relationship. I also want to applaud Micah & Logan for their responses. They treated Declan & Bailey the same way suite mates who are friends would do if one of them had been female: Logan & Micah teased them unmercifully. That’s equality! 🏳️‍🌈

I’m enjoying reading so much that I get caught up and move to the next chapter before leaving a comment. Sorry, Stellar—that’s what happens when you write such an engrossing story. I, too, was excited to see that the dragon is also a boy (& the Seeress also a dragon). Similar to some others, my first thought was “Yes! Torsten is going to have a dragon boyfriend.” Then, “...but which one?” (I’m guessing Theo is also going to be a dragon.) Maybe the red & gold dragon will prefer Lucy? Wait a minute: that is way too straightforward for Stellar. Even briefly considering a ménage à trois (or à quatre?) seemed too straightforward. Of course, Torsten may well be a dragon, too. After all, his grandfather was a member of the Order, and from his stature in the Order, he could well have been a dragon. So, now I’ll just have to read some more. Thanks, Stellar!

“Fasten your seatbelts, it's going to be a bumpy night!” We just shifted into passing gear: go Cia!

A bit subtle but nonetheless a cliffhanger. I say a bit subtle because like others, I was racking my brain trying to remember if we’d heard of Trepharo previously. As I don’t think so, it felt ominous indeed. I did not get an ominous feel about Sardella; for me, she seemed alien bot not obviously a problem for Kohen. Also, I interpreted “her get” as she had young ones in her body in some form or another, so not going down made complete sense. Now, the fact that others (possibly Trepharo?) didn’t go down to the planet does make me wonder: Hmmmm...

I do wonder how much Sr. told Jr. in terms of Christopher‘s preferences and how much Jr. learned from his investigation. Clearly there is more about Christopher’s & Gregory’s initial encounter to learn.

But then, we wouldn’t get this painful but delightful story and a chance to Gregory-bash until he becomes a real human being—of which, I might add, there are glimmers of hope.

Just to clarify: I was not angry with you or the story per se — just with the Gregory character for blackmailing the Butler. Even that will likely change in the future if my prediction of some kind of relationship between the two comes to pass. I think that the violence shown so far is pretty common especially when there is an economic or class difference of this magnitude. Not that I like or approve of it, but it is reality.

...& what other paranormals might they find to help them — & perhaps become part of their new family??? (Thank goodness they have Fran!)

Speaking of character development, I keep wondering about Simon’s life before becoming a vampire & how he knows how to set multiple kinds of traps, skin & cook a dear in a cave, etc. Of course, the only wondering does not detract from the delight each time I see a new chapter appear.

Ya dun good for CJ, Carlos. I won’t say more to avoid any spoilers for people still working their way through the series, pero ¡muy bien hecho!

I agree with the consensus: the pace is good as presented. If something had happened, it would certainly have changed the arc of the story. Of course, you could always do an alternate universe version where something does happen so that we can do a side-by-side comparison for a more informed decision. 😉

To continue the thoughts already expressed, like and trust not only take time but also events that transmute fear, pain, & distrust into like and trust—and, if they are lucky, into love, whether of friends, brothers, or lovers. Still to come is the meeting with Tistan’s former paramour. Will Tistan‘s feelings toward him continue to evolve? Will Aaru help him in their meeting? What does the voice of his sister mean? It certainly feels like more than fever dreams. All in good time as the muse moves you, gor mu. Thanks for sharing your story with us!

So, I wonder if Simon is going to be rewarded or punished now that Kitryn is having a hissing fit...😱

Such a lovely, gently moving forward chapter , and then that granddaddy of a cliffhanger! Only coal for you... 😉