ITL 171

[CourtneyLee]

I had a lot of and and and moments in this chapter. Here are a few:

“Gods have mercy,” someone said, softly, as if aroused and stricken.  An infinitely familiar voice, Selorin’s voice, and Bade ignored it, focused on Orinakin, on Orinakin’s pleasure, on the heat burning in his body.  If the royal family was going to be relentlessly casual about their sexual habits, then he was going to fuck his own husband in his own private apartment however, whenever, he liked.  He’d had sex in front of the queen last night.  Selorin could either watch or walk out.

            “What’ve I done to you?” Orinakin asked, breathless, riding Bade in steady rhythm, hips rolling fluidly.  “Where’s that delicious warmth of embarrassment?”

            “It’s just Selorin,” Bade said, sitting up, his hand sliding into Orinakin’s beautiful hair as he leaned up for a kiss.

What wonderful personal growth! I think I fell in love with Bade all over again. But poor Remin (even though he was kind of careless when he walked into Orinakin and Bade's apartment like that); I hope he recovers from that quickly. Maybe Ilanosa can give him a little nudge or something. Like toward his future husband.  

Everyone else looked dazed, too.  Desin had Norisa over one shoulder, Selorin had a scroll in hand, Anosanim was brushing Talin’s hair, and Orinakin was…  Orinakin looked really disoriented, actually, which was weird, because Orinakin never looked confused and was fantastic at catching up fast to whatever was going on.  But he was naked and kind of moaning breathily and sweaty and rock-hard.  His dick was completely erect and soaked in oil, and, yeah.  He’d clearly been fucking Bade one second ago, and was having trouble figuring out where Bade had gone.

            Remin had his head down and his eyes closed, his hand clutching one of his pendants.  He was praying, and he didn’t look up to see where he was.

            “Really?” Selorin asked, setting aside his scroll, pulling off a couple of his robes and shoving Orinakin into them.

            “It’s one of those days,” Orinakin muttered, shuddering.  “Shit, I can still hear him, I can still feel him.  Oh, shit,” and he groaned, gripping the arms of his chair.

            “Chocolate?” Rini suggested, poking through the drawers of his chair for treats.

            “Ah, vinga, ah!”  Orinakin groaned, his body tense, his-

            “Orinakin!” Selorin protested.  “That was new!”

Naughty , pulling from his husband like that. But Kudorin was totally sexy when he got all authoritative and telling his brothers exactly what to do. Kinda like when he went midieval on the plains chiefs. 

Completely enthralled by the soft, loving sound of Orinakin’s voice, by the way Orinakin’s gorgeous purple gaze drifted across Bade’s face as if learning him all over again, by the delicate stroking of Orinakin’s fingers over his cheekbone and along his jaw, by how incredibly close Orinakin was standing, by Orinakin’s romantic words, Bade felt as if he’d been fascinated, as if his heart were being seduced all over again.  Utterly charmed, he let Orinakin kiss him, moaning weakly as Orinakin’s tongue teased him into kissing back, his heart pounding as Orinakin’s fingers slowly worked open the laces at his chest.  He knew…he couldn’t…wasn’t there…mmm…  “Oh, oh, I love you,” he whispered, pressing closer.  Orinakin was the center of his world, the center of everything, and-

            “Vinga,” Orinakin breathed, fingers stealing through his hair, arm wrapping around him to hold him tight.

Then right after that...

“Do they know they’re married?”

            “You don’t mind if they borrow your bed, do you?”

            “Mmm.  No, not at all.”

            “I’m guessing that once you’re married, Xio Voe will mind.”

            “Yes…yes, he will.  But we’re not married, and it’s my bed, not his.”
........
“Seriously,” Selorin said.  “What’s wrong with them today?”

            Anikira chuckled.  “I didn’t see a single thing wrong with any of that.”

            “My wife’s lecherous tendencies aside,” Kudorin began.

            Anikira laughed, nudging him.  “Whose bed did you just send them to?  Theirs, or yours?”

            A hungry, wavering, desperate moan resounded from behind a closed door.

            “Theirs?” Kudorin guessed innocently.

            “Right,” Anikira said, raising her eyebrows with a grin.  “You prefer to have them fucking in your bed, and I’m the one with the problem.”

I just adore Anikira and Kudorin together.

I could go on, but suffice to say that my favorite part of this chapter was definitely Bade and Orinakin. I love seeing how perfect they are for each other, how passionate and in love and eager and attatched at the pelvis. It makes me all  inside.

And yeah, the announcement thing was pretty cool, too. 

[SilverMoon28]

Oh my gods, I loved this chapter.

lmfao, at Orinakin bieng literally pulled *out* of Bade.  I love how much they still crave each other, that's just awesome in every way.

Poor poor poor Remin.  Seriously, poor Remin.  I feel so bad for him, it's not even funny.  *hugs him tightly*  Ilanosa needs to reward him soon.

Rini and T'rin by the river... 

Vade being embarassed about being in an orgy in front the Anikira lmao.  I'm sure she didn't even think about it.

Kay, I need to make a banner before I go to the airport.

Vani

[Mountie]

I was amazed with how much Talin has changed? grown?  What is the word I am seeking?  I am reading chapter 30 concurrently with the new one and the way that Talin acts with Ritek is so very different from what we have seen before, almost playful, almost carefree but yet so burdened.  It is like he is struggling to tilt his world back into some semblance of normalacy but a different normalacy.  Maybe this is slightly more like Talin was BH (before Hitari) but since we didn't know him back then the bahaviour seems new.  Anosanim really is his rock.

              He liked the way Ritek was watching Anosanim, attentive, appreciative, the way a connoisseur eyed a great work of art.  He tugged at the sheet again, exposing Ritek’s big, soft dick.  “Oops,” he murmured, brushing his knuckles against Ritek’s firm lower abdomen.

            “Oh, honestly,” Anosanim muttered; Talin could almost hear him rolling his eyes.  “Indulge yourself if you must, but do it quickly.  Really, do you think that Orinakin’s rolling around a bed with Bade right now?”

  Yes

And what do the I don't know about Ritiek people think about his actions with Anosanim in this chapter?  I felt very comfortable with Ritek in this chapter.  I like how he treats Anosanim and I like how he treats Talin.  I like how open he is with them both and how he supports Talin in his way.  I am getting more drawn into the Ritek camp and barring anything catastrophic happening, I can see Anosanim waking up one morning to realize that Ritek is the ONE!  There are many ways to fall in love and the way that Bade and Orinakin did it is one way, the way Kudorin and Xoe Voe did it is another way and the way that Anosanim and Ritek could do it is yet another.  They all result in a deep and abiding love.  The journey there is just different.

I'm with Courtney and Vani on the Bade and Orinakin action in this chapter.  It is like they are newlyweds; extremely hot for each other.  It was absolutely delightful spending this time with them, knowing they are as passionately in love as they were that day in Satatunin when Orikakin convinced Bade to marry him.  I especially liked this part and the part that Courtney quoted.

           “Nngghh,” Orinakin groaned, covering his eyes with his hand, spreading his thighs.  “Come here, come here, do it, please.”

            “We can’t,” Bade protested, but he was already moving across the couch.  “We have to go, Kudorin needs you,” but he was already crawling into Orinakin’s lap, skin against skin, heat against heat, kissing Orinakin’s mouth.  Orinakin welcomed him like neglected soil drinking in water, their bodies already moving together, their mouths mating in a familiar dance.  Without words, Orinakin began to ask, to need, and Bade moved into place, hungry, giving.

They were perfect together from the beginning.  A real meeting of soulmates.  Allowing Orinakin to always hear Bades thoughts was a perfect thing for the gods to do, they are two halves to a whole.  Didn't you just completely melt like 20 times during the chapter because of Bade and Orinakin.  I sure did.  The whole discussion about what Bade had given to Orinakin what Orinakin said about the tadjka just had me in a puddle of goo.  I need to go and see if anyone ever started a topic on all Bade's cute Nosupolin sayings.  

Wasn't Vade just too Nosupolin worrying that he had fucked and been fucked by bela's in front of Anikira the night before?  I agree Vani, I am sure she didn't give it a second thought.  I could feel the remorse and embarassment rolling off him.  Good thing that Kudorin sent Tasun to drag him out.  I was laughing the whole time she was dragging him.  Then Bades comments about selling some of the stones in Kudorin's engagement necklace to buy a small poor nation had me chuckling again.  I laughed a lot in this chapter, it was a joyous festive chapter.

Of course the weighty things were important too, how Talin felt about Anosanim taking the lead in the relationship department, Remin worrying about preparing the priests and being exposed to sex again.  Bade was right.   He has every right to have sex with his husband in their apartment and if Remin walks in then that truly isn't his fault.  To bad Remin can't have some too.    I wonder if this helps or hinders the move to get Remin to snuggle with Bade. 

Xoe Voe and Kudorin chatting about how the world would react to their engagement was enlightening.  I think it forshadows some interesting political tensions that could arrise.  I wonder how the Sultan of Lorbain will react?  I wonder if this is going to make Orinakins job easier or harder with the Sultan.  Thank goodness Jonas is there to lead.   The reactions from Anorians to the announcement is going to be interesting to watch and Kudorin and Xoe Voe will need to work through this for a while before everyone embraces the idea of them marrying.  Talins reaction to Kudorin's request then command that Talin share his portraits of Xoe Voe and make them public may lead to some friction.  That was really hard for Talin to agree to.  I could see why Kudorin had to make it a command.  They are going to have to break through Talin's reluctance about his art and if Kudorin has to push, then all the better for Kudorin to push.  My heart still breaks for Talin though.

I am hoping that we get to spend the day with Rini and T'rin next chapter.  I know my heart is going to break for them both and I will be almost as sad as Rini is when T'rin goes home.  But T'rin has a nation to unite and Rini has a lot of growing up to do.  I think the separation will do them good, in a way.  I can't wait to see what will happen when Rini makes it too the plains finally.  What a wonderful relationship Rini has developed with T'rin and what a wonderfully strong foundation for him to have to strengthen himself with as he moves forward being the gods gift to humankind.

And a lovely ending to the chapter with Xoe Voe and Kudorin. More love.    Thanks Matthew for the wonderful chapter.

Have a safe trip Vani, I can't wait to see what you have chosen to banner from this one.

[anaskee]

                       

How long had he known Hitari?  How long had they been in love?  How far should they be, by now?  Engaged.  If they hadn’t fucked up the first time, maybe even married.  And here he was, alone, single, his future stretching out before him, empty.

Everyone else was happy.  In love.  Committed.  Part of a healthy relationship.  And he, who’d been so far ahead, who’d been through so much, who knew about love and relationships and what it took to make it work and how hard it could be to lose it all, who knew more about that than any of them, he was alone.  Like it had never happened.  Like Hitari had never existed at all.

It was easier when he pretended that Hitari had never been.  When he simply removed Hitari from his history.

It was easier to switch roles.  To be the single one, snuggling up to Anosanim’s boyfriend when he was in the mood for intimacy, turning to belas when he wanted to get off.  To let Anosanim do all of the work of a relationship.  Maybe it was Anosanim’s turn now.

Talin had taken his turn.  Taken it, and lost.

Talin just breaks my heart.   Oh, and from this chapter, I guess Hitari's trial will be finished before Kudorin and Xio Voe get married.  I pity the guy who'll finally deserve Talin.  He'll probably feel that making pigs fly is easier than cracking the walls Talin built around his heart.  But I can imagine how amazing it would be for that guy to try, and succeed.

And what do the I don't know about Ritiek people think about his actions with Anosanim in this chapter?  

I was thinking about this when reading.  I have to admit Ritek's been amazing in this chapter but what I really noticed is that  Anosanim's feelings for him has really deepened.  Remember in the beginning when Ritek's just a guy who gives Anosanim a good time?  Now, he's so much more.  Still, I'm not 100% convinced. 

“As king, hosting duties are mine,” Xio Voe said.  “I’ll find an adequate chef.”

“You’ll just hire a Jacacean,” Anosukinom argued.  “I want an Anorian.”

“You won’t find one.  Adjust your expectations.  I’ll hire an Ilaeian, if that suits you better.”

 Anosukinom sighed.  “I suppose we have more pressing matters to attend to.”

“Yes,” Xio Voe said.  “Locating a cook is not my immediate priority.”

This is an absolute, total speculation on my part but I can't help jumping up and down and pointing to this and thinking, "They are talking about Remin's husband!!!"

[CourtneyLee]

                       

“As king, hosting duties are mine,” Xio Voe said.  “I’ll find an adequate chef.”

“You’ll just hire a Jacacean,” Anosukinom argued.  “I want an Anorian.”

“You won’t find one.  Adjust your expectations.  I’ll hire an Ilaeian, if that suits you better.”

 Anosukinom sighed.  “I suppose we have more pressing matters to attend to.”

“Yes,” Xio Voe said.  “Locating a cook is not my immediate priority.”

This is an absolute, total speculation on my part but I can't help jumping up and down and pointing to this and thinking, "They are talking about Remin's husband!!!"

OMG, I think you're right. I totally got chills when you said that. 

Something else I just thought of: Vade and Bade's completely opposite reactions to having sex in front of Anikira. It makes me wonder how different they'll grow before (yes, I'm going to treat this as a when, not an if) Vade and Selorin get together and Vade gets used to things like royal family orgies.

[Mountie]

This is an absolute, total speculation on my part but I can't help jumping up and down and pointing to this and thinking, "They are talking about Remin's husband!!!"

I squee'd when I read this!!!  It could be, it really could be    A deeply religious, sexy as a bela, Illian Chef.    With Remin's schedule and the chef creating Jacacean masterpieces of cuinary excellance I wonder when they will have time to make out in that supply room?

[anaskee]

With Remin's schedule and the chef creating Jacacean masterpieces of cuinary excellance I wonder when they will have time to make out in that supply room?

With Remin being so deprived, you can bet your a$$ Remin will make time!  They will master the art of food sex. 

[Mountie]

I can see a small room off the kitchen being furnished for Remin's snack breaks.

[Dena]

And what do the I don't know about Ritiek people think about his actions with Anosanim in this chapter?

I still don't like him/trust him.  He doesn't engage me enough to want him for Anosanim, or a whole book about him and Anosanim.  But I'm starting to feel guilty for feeling that way.  lol

I loved Tasum pulling Vade out of his room, and poor, poor Remin.  Oh man that boy needs to get laid. 

[Mountie]

I agree... Remin's HEA needs to happen really really quickly.  That poor Prince.  I cringe each time he has to pull himself back from tha abyss.

So Dean and anaskee, in your eyes Ritek still has to prove himself.  What do you think it will take for this to happen?  Or have we all had our fingers burned by Hitari?  And any wiff of unsavory behaviour is going to make us not want our Princes associating with a boyfreind that could be beyond redemption?  Is redemption possible?  Is being too slick and perfect a character flaw?

[Dena]

So Dena and anaskee, in your eyes Ritek still has to prove himself.  What do you think it will take for this to happen?  Or have we all had our fingers burned by Hitari?  And any wiff of unsavory behaviour is going to make us not want our Princes associating with a boyfreind that could be beyond redemption?  Is redemption possible?  Is being too slick and perfect a character flaw?

I don't know that redemption is impossible, or that he even has to prove himself to me.  He's done nothing to disprove himself or redeem himself from.  I think my opinion is based on the fact that he's TOO slick and perfect.  I tend to distrust that. 

But beyond that, I'm just not very interested in him.  Xio Voe, Bade, even Hitari and the more prominent belas - I want to know more about them, hear their thoughts and prospectives, understand where they come from.  I find myself just not particularly interested in knowing more about Ritek yet.  Perhaps that will change, and Matthew is excellent at investing us in characters who play long term roles.  So the fact that I'm NOT already invested just makes me suspect he's not sticking around.  BUT if he does stick around, I have faith Matthew will hook me in.  He always does.

[Mountie]

That is an excellent point regarding the fact that as of yet we have never heard Ritek's POV, whereas we have heard both Bades and Xoe Voe's POV.  I do not think we ever heard Hitari's either.  But we have heard Vades but not Tiko's.    This gives me hope that Vade is indeed a husband to one of the siblings Selorin and we will see a HEA with Vade.

[anaskee]

I have to agree with everything Dena said.  Because we don't know Ritek's POV, it's hard to fully trust his actions.  Yes, we've been burned by Hitari but that's not it for me.  Even before the betrayal, I don't really like Ritek.  I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop.  If it's too good to be true....

And any wiff of unsavory behaviour is going to make us not want our Princes associating with a boyfreind that could be beyond redemption? 

I actually like the flaws, it's what makes characters real and interesting for me.  Look at Xio Voe and how far he's come because of his love for Kudorin. 

[LilacMajesty]

Unfortunately, I believe that Anosanim is going to have to go through a similar situation to what Talin did.  So yeah, I keep expecting something ugly from Ritek.

[CourtneyLee]

Though I don't mind Ritek, I am like Dena in that I'm mostly disinterested in him. He doesn't do it for me the way Xio Voe and Bade do, I guess. I don't see him as Anosanim's future husband, so I'm not invested in him at all. I do think he's good for Anosanim right now, though, and I'm all right with him sticking around for a bit longer.

I'm unsure as to whose heart will be broken, Ritek's or Anosanim's, but it's going to be one of them because the two ways I can see their relationship ending are 1) Ritek does something shitty, like cheat on Anosanim, in which case Talin and Desin will roast him, and 2) Ritek presses for their relationship to become permanent and Anosanim admits that he loves Ritek, but isn't IN love with him, and Ritek will be crushed.

I'm hoping for the latter, but wouldn't be totally surprised by the former.

[Mountie]

I like Ritek because he is so good to Anosadim.  He is an excellent boyfreind for him.  But you are all correct, he is not the perfect man for Anosadim because it would be nice for Anosadim to have wonderfully passionate relationship, one where he is head over heels in love.  I can see them getting engaged and going to Remin and Remin nixing it because they aren't right for each other or Xoe Voe stepping in and telling Anosadim he doesn't see Ilanosa's threads around them.  I would hate to see Anosadim being heartbroken by Ritek cheating on him.  I can see Ritek pushing for an engagement and Anosadim telling him no, exactly like CourtneyLee suggested.

[Dena]

I think that's the crux of it to me to - Anosanim LOVES Talin.  He adores Bade/Vade.  He gushes over everyone.  I think Anosanim in love would act differently than he does with Ritek now.  He appreciates him.  He loves sex with him.  He cares about him and maybe loves him because Anosanim has a huge heart and loves everyone.  But he doesn't strike me as a man in love.  And I think in the end it will come down to him realizing it.  I also think that Anosanim has seen the kind of pain Talin went through with love, and he gives his heart and love away freely to family - but when it comes to personal relationships, I don't think he invests all that well or easily.  He keeps that last little wall to protect himself - and Talin.  I think a big part of Anosanim refuses to be in love until Talin is in love and happy with it.  He puts everyone else before himself.  He wouldn't WANT a happily ever after sort of love unless Talin had it already.  And I think Talin knows it.

Ritek is great for Anosanim now, but I don't think he's the one who's meant to break down that last wall and make Anosanim really fall for him.  I can see the Ritek pushing for more, and Anosanim rejecting it too.

I think that the moon-festival night where we saw Ritek come see Anosanim, and Rini and T'rin contrasted on the same night was almost a mirror effect.  Showing us two relationships with different dynamics.  Perhaps two relationships destined to end, for different reasons, though that may just be me over analyzing and assuming

[Mountie]

I agree with you Dena.  The festival chapter does indeed show that.  I do not beleive that T'rin and Rini are destined but I do believe that their relationship is a very important one for both of them.  Particularily Rini, as he is growing up and cementing his role in this dynasty.  It is horrendously important to T'rin as well.  He knows what he must do for his people and for bringing peace and unity to the Plains.  He does deserve to have one great love in his life to inspire and the memories of to last his lifetime.  Though they never may be together, I believe that T'rin and Rini will have deep and abiding freindship that will last the rest of their lives.

I also think that Anosadim will hold back until Talin is happily settled.  I think Anosadim knows that Talin will need to have another anchor in his life before he can devote the emotional energy to his partner so he is not divided between the two.  They will still be emotionally close, he and Talin, but they will have a bit of space to fit their own partners and each other in.  I don't think it is assuming and overanalyzing.

[anaskee]

I do not beleive that T'rin and Rini are destined but I do believe that their relationship is a very important one for both of them. 

For me, I think it's gonna be T'rin and Rini til the end.  Both of them together just feels right for me.  I could see Rini living in the plains with T'rin.  I don't know about the possible other wives, though.

[Mountie]

But then again the litmus test of being able to hear any of the story from T'rin's POV hasn't been passed.  But that could come later.   I'd love to have Rini and T'rin get together.  There is a lot of time till Rin's HEA happens.

[LilacMajesty]

We've seen a bit of T'rin's story in The Warrior's Tale.

[Mountie]

Yes we have.   I need to read that one again.  I just read A Painter's Tale, A Brothers Tale and A Princes Tale over the last couple of days.  We often get other POV's in the shorts from people who are not any of the main stories HEA's.  They are a wonderful additions to the main story but aren't a part of the main one.  The one I read that had me  was Royal Greetings.  The first time I read it most of the innuendo's went completely over my head.  So this second time I read it I really got a huge kick out of it.

[Mountie]

I just finished A Warrior's Tale  I must say it has greater meaning to me now than it did when I first read it.  I read all the shorts after the first read through of ITL but now I have read it threee times and know the story better I think some of them are even more important to my understanding.  A Warrior's Tale really makes T'rin and Rini's relationship and story much richer.