Those who are working against Darion and Tolrek, commit another act to hurt the couple, in Vaironian Tides, Chapter 29. Here’s an excerpt:
As Tolrek escorted his mother to his car, he surreptitiously looked around the perimeter of her house, spotting the agents that had been assigned to protect her. They’d all been made aware of his decision to take his mother in public, something that rarely happened.
I thought I’d give an update about where the current stories are heading. Balance and Vaironian Tides are winding down, while The Architect’s Guardian has a significant way to go. I’m still determining if the first two stories will have sequels but I’m 80% sure that AG will have one. I’d imagined it as a series. Armando Medina’s awakening to his powers and his relationship with Izdahl are just the start of what happens, in the universe where the AG takes place.
Armando reveals his most traumatic experience to Izdahl. Then, they decide what will be the next step for their relationship, in The Architect’s Guardian, Chapter 34. Here’s a portion:
Izdahl led Armando up the stairs and ran a bath for his lover, soothing him and then letting him rest. When Armando had fallen asleep, Izdahl stepped out onto the balcony, wondering if it wasn’t time to begin asking more questions about what had happened to Armando’s parents and who was ultimately accountable. The issue remained a festering wound in Nitelge and Human cultures, still used by some as a reason for why the two groups should not interact.
Kouta and Ryuu are excited about their decision to attend Ryuu’s movie premiere together. However, there are hurdles in Balance, Chapter 28. Here’s a bit:
Kouta knew that Ryuu was waiting for an answer. Still, it wasn’t about a simple yes or no. They had appeared in public together but the premiere would be on a grander scale. Plus, Ryuu was often annoyed about being in the news. Attending the premier with him would remove any lingering questions about their status. They were likely to get many questions. Now, with such an important prospect in front of him, Kouta wasn’t sure he wanted that kind of scrutiny. However, the more confident part of him finally helped him find his voice.
Darion learns that Tolrek and a few others have been acting on his behalf in Vaironian Tides, Chapter 28. Here’s an excerpt:
They’d set about gathering information, putting the pieces together. They’d enlisted a variety of resources; having Fei review a multitude of communications for clues to Meric’s whereabouts, using the state-of-the-art surveillance equipment Tezza and Reya had provided, accepting Makdan’s financial support to pay informants and directing Halsam to make sure that Tolrek was aware of the proceedings, while he was still fighting Ersha.
Izdahl and Armando are recovering from a painful conversation. After arguing about the status of their relationship, they’ve been pondering their last discussion in their posts titled Frustation! and Blindsided. Read their thoughts under their sections from The Characters Say…
Armando is preparing himself to be more revealing with Izdahl than he has ever been.
Izdahl and Armando have a candid conversation about Izdahl’s frustrations with their relationship in The Architect’s Guardian, Chapter 33. Here’s a portion:
“I get your damn point!” Armando snapped. “You can be so impossible! You take me from zero to furious in a matter of seconds. I guess I’ll leave you alone. I wouldn’t want to embarrass you, especially on Amasi property.”
After being apart due to the war with Ersha, Tolrek is able to see Darion again in Vaironian Tides, Chapter 27. Here’s an excerpt:
Tolrek had requested special permission to take leave from his duties. No matter how much Darion tried to shut him out, he was determined to check on his lover’s health. However, Darion was refusing even to look at him.
Kouta and Ryuu wrestle with the increased media attention to their relationship in Balance, Chapter 27. Here’s a bit:
They had stayed up late, arguing about some recent trouble with the tabloids. Well, Ryuu had considered it trouble; Kouta hadn’t. Ryuu continued to be more private, especially since he believed their relationship wasn’t widely accepted. Kouta, on the other hand, had stopped caring as much about those circumstances and sometimes liked to push boundaries. Two days ago, he’d kissed Ryuu while they were in public. They’d been returning from a movie and Ryuu had made a joke that had caused Kouta to laugh. Enamored by the charming expression on his lover’s face, Kouta hadn’t thought twice about pressing his mouth to Ryuu’s. Pictures of the moment had appeared in the entertainment news the following day.
Armando reacts to Xersa’s expectations of him, with surprising results in The Architect’s Guardian, Chapter 32. Here’s a portion:
Armando was well into his tirade, before he realized how cold the room had gone. He was puzzled when he could see his breath puffing into the air. If Izdahl had been there, he could have warned his lover. Xersa’s anger had hit one of its deepest levels. It had been in this same range when she’d telekinetically slammed Syrik against the wall, scaring her oldest grandchild for life. Fighting to retain her composure, she turned away from the architect. As the room grew even colder, Armando began to shiver. His teeth chattered and frost appeared on his hair, eyebrows and eyelashes.
