ILONA ANDREWS

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Chapter 9 Part 1

Innkeeper Chronicles, Sweep of the Heart POST A COMMENT by

We are late, because of the copyedit of Ruby Fever. Sorry about that. We should finish early next week, so we can keep to the schedule a bit better.

Watching Gaston eat was like witnessing someone have a religious experience.

He cut a small piece off the duck leg, wielding his fork and knife with the elegance of a concert pianist, slipped it into his mouth, and chewed closing his eyes.  Behind Sean, who sat on the left, the entire kitchen staff waited with bated breath, including Orro.

“Divine,” Gaston said finally. “It is a multilayered symphony. The meat melts in your mouth, tender yet with a delightful texture, the skin is crisp yet delicate, an ode to all that is savory.  The hint of thyme is sublime, the trace of garlic is almost buttery in its smoothness, and I detect something else, something non-Terrestrial.  A touch of korran herb perhaps? Spring harvest, not fall.”

Orro’s quills trembled just a fraction.  If he had been a cat, he would’ve purred. “Indeed.”

“This is much more than a dish.  It is a memory.” Gaston smiled, displaying serrated teeth. “I shall treasure it, my friend.”

Orro gave a brisk nod and the chefs dispersed.

Some beings viewed food as fuel, some enjoyed it, and yet others were like Gaston.  Not simply fans but connoisseurs. Somehow the chefs could identify them by some hidden sixth sense and gave them special treatment. Gaston had been part of George’s retinue during the peace summit that ended the Nexus war and Sean’s contract with the Nuan Clan.  He and Orro formed a symbiotic bond.  The moment I told Orro that Sean went to get him, the entire kitchen snapped into the “VIP Imminent” mode. It was just Gaston’s luck that Orro’s prized duck, which he had worked on for three days, had finished cooking.

Gaston cut off another piece, speared a sliver of potato dusted with herbs, and chewed with obvious pleasure.

“Should we leave you two alone?” Sean asked.

“No need. It’s just so difficult to find good duck confit outside of the Solar system. I have had several variations on the theme, but none can compare.”

Gaston reached for his wine glass and took a sip. “And of course, the Malbec pairing is perfect. You are so fortunate.”

We were sitting in the Ocean Dining Room with the amber waves splashing past the balcony. After we terminated the call, Sean had gone to fetch Gaston, while I went to tell Orro that his favorite guest was coming. It took Sean over fifteen minutes to come back, which gave Orro enough time to plate and serve his masterpiece.  Fetching Gaston should’ve taken five minutes at most, so clearly an altercation with the female werewolf must’ve occurred.  Neither Sean nor Gaston had elaborated on it.

“I suppose I should start,” Gaston said, dabbing his lips with a napkin. “It all started in childhood, you see…”

The inn chimed. Another return visitor from Baha-char.

“Hold that thought.” I got up and stepped away.

I walked outside the dining room, folded space to save time, and reached for the door leading to the galactic bazar. It swung open revealing a terminally cute creature. He was just under four feet tall, with sandy fur, a fluffy tail, and the jeweled apron of a Merchant. He stood on his hind legs, holding his paw hands in front of him. He twitched his lynx ears, making the two golden hoops in his left ear clink, opened his blue eyes wide, and held out his arms.

“Dina!”

“Nuan Couki!” I bent down and hugged him. It was like squishing the world’s fluffiest fox.

“So formal,” he said.

“Well, I can’t call you Cookie now. You have two hoops in your ear.” Cookie’s rise through the ranks of the Nuan Clan was nothing short of meteoric.

“You can always call me Cookie,” he said. “I like it.”

“What can I do for you?”

Cookie narrowed his eyes into sly slits. “I have not seen you for so long. I miss my dear friends. I have come to spend time with you.”

“So Clan Nuan wants to expand to business with the Seven Star Dominion.”

Cookie’s eyes widened in shock. He clasped his hands to his chest. “How could we possibly, even if we wanted to? That’s Clan Sai territory. I am simply here on vacation. I work too hard. So hard.”

I leaned toward him and kept my voice low. “You’re turning into your uncle.”

He tapped his nose with one clawed finger. “You flatter me so. It’s no wonder I want to come and stay with you.”

I almost died of cuteness. That’s why other species underestimated the Merchants. They knew they were adorable, and they made the most of it. But no matter how cuddly Cookie looked, inside his furry chest beat the ruthless heart of a Merchant. Their species were assassins and poisoners, and when it suited their interests, they killed with unparalleled viciousness.

“No harm can come to the Sovereign. If any unfortunate incident occurs, not even the bonds of friendship would save the guilty party. I mean it. If the Sovereign comes to any harm, I will lose my inn.”

Cookie’s face turned solemn. “I swear to you on my Grandmother’s heart that Clan Nuan will not harm the Sovereign.”

It was the strongest oath a Merchant could make. They revered their elderly and prayed to their ancestors.

The rules of hospitality dictated that I accept any guest that had not been banned. Furthermore, Clan Nuan and our family were bound by more than business. My sister was engaged to Arland, the Marshall of House Krahr. She and my niece were now on the planet belonging to House Krahr, and a few months ago, during an attempted invasion, Helen, my niece, had been poisoned. She lived because Nuan Cee gave her the antidote. Our family owed Clan Nuan a debt we could never hope to repay.

“Gertrude Hunt welcomes you, Honored Merchant.”

I bowed my head and invited him in with a sweep of my hand.

“We have been invited!” Cookie called out.

A pack of lees came running around the corner. They came in all shapes and sizes, decorated with veils, carrying things, and pushing a massive antigravity cart loaded to the brim with chests and bundles. One, two, three…seven, not including Cookie.

The lees danced about me, waving their paws.

“Greeting, Honored Innkeeper!”

“You smell like delicious duck, Honored Innkeeper!”

“Thank you for having us!”

Cookie grinned at me.

Well, I suppose that was to be expected.  Cookie had moved up in the world, and in Merchant Clans promotions came with bigger budgets and larger staff.

I widened the entrance and pulled the Merchant Rooms I had made for the summit out of storage. Here is hoping I wouldn’t regret this.

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Comments

        • BDH is in eternal competition to be the first comment and get the First badge, especially for Innkeeper serial posts hehe.

          It’s a game, probably safest not to overthink it 😉

      • lol…. I have never been this close before so I consider it a win anyway

        What a great piece…. teasing George’s marriage but I love Cookie and they dialogue between he and Dina was hilarious.

      • This is such a cool way to publish my favorite books!

        It’s like waiting for the cake to bake.

        It really doesn’t prevent you from rushing out to buy the book after having read it piecemeal.

    • And another hint about George’s wife! Hopefully we’ll get the rest of the story next chapter. Tease XD

        • Some of the BDH are driving for a certain person, and think the hint is that it is a story that begins when they were kids 🙂 .

          Some of the BDH have also read the Edge series.

          • thats true. we cant get enough of you so re reads and exploring to other published works of art are rituals of the addicted reader like myself. and i dont mind one bit.

          • Some of the BDH see whole cities when there’s but a twig. 😊 I really enjoyed the HA post a while back that was about one sentence followed by “Let the fun begin”. Referring to the BDH’s never ending speculation.

            Nice avatar, Mod R!

  5. And here I am looking at ads for Corned Beef for St. Paddy’s day! I’m so hungry right now.

    *wanders off to look at recipes for Irish Soda Bread*

    • Waitaminute… so Maud and Arland aren’t married yet? I thought they were going to be wed in a month.. six months ago.

      Why aren’t they married yet?!?

      This is Klaus’ fault, isn’t it…

  8. House Andrews is never late, the BDH will take what we can get when we get it and will be happy about it.

  10. I’ve been a vegetarian for 30 years, and I still want to taste that duck! Great description.

  12. Who cares about delicious duck!?! We need to know about George’s wife! (HA are such teases…)

  13. Glad to see Cookie is doing well are the incident with the gemstone!

    Hope the copyedit goes well!

  15. so good! and no apologies needed, this is an awesome gift and huge commitment of your time.

  16. I was refreshing and refreshing, then gave up to go do read something else for awhile… and lo and behold, posted + 10 comments already!

    Yay Clan Nuan!

    • I stayed up till 4am (Australian) fell asleep and an hour or so later and up comes the innkeeper.

      So sneaky with the interruptions but more drama makes for more fun.

  17. yummy duck and now cookie

    way to make a girl hungry.

    hugs and thank you for the chapter , hope life treats you right

  19. Well the comment from Gaston about “It all started in childhood, you see…” leads me to hope that the wife is Sofie/Lark

  20. I have been enjoying that warm feeling you get when you see old friends, with all the characters that have joined the fun in this book.

  22. As I said before, the gangs all here. Also note that nothing was said about George’s spouse. Very slick sidestep. Also lost the lady werewolf somewhere in translation. This situation could get rather complicated. Do hope that Wilmos survives long enough to be rescued. I suspect that the setup could last longer then the conclusion. As usual this segment was not long enough.

    • When are Arland and Maud getting married? Will it be in a short story, novella, or (please, please) a book? I’ve read everything HA has released to us and Maud’s story is my favorite.

  28. Oh, what a party this will be!!! The lees have arrived.

    So very much fun. I don’t have words enough.

    Thank you!!!

  29. D’awww! Orro and Gaston being food friends brings me so much joy!!!
    And Cookie is back!!! That’s so exciting, gotta get all the chaos critters around!

  30. I always love to try and guess what the chapter is going to be about based on the photo. I love Cookie! Can’t wait to see what shenanigans ensue.

    • I made cranberry and orange cookies last night, and feel very inspired right now munching on them hehe.

      • Did you use dried cranberries and did you plump them in orange juice first please? I made oatmeal raisin cookies last December and discovered that soaking the raisins in brandy for a week made them taste quite different! I don’t like oatmeal raisin cookies normally but these were really really good. I made a second batch for home. The rest went to work with my husband. You can use any oatmeal cookie recipe and add almost anything. Cranberry and orange cookies sound interesting. I also loved the story!

        • It was more of a dried cranberries and candied orange slices combo. I am a fan of fruit tasting sweets 🙂, fruit gummies, that sort of thing.
          They were chewy and sweet and tart, which was what I was after when I improvised the recipe.

          • You are welcome. I don’t like fruitcake but I have been making it for over 40 years. Other family members like it. I brandy both dried cherries and raisins for it in separate mason jars in the fridge for several weeks. The cherry brandy it makes is quite potent. One year I made too many raisins and put the extra into the oatmeal cookies. The raisins taste more like brandy than raisins and it cooks off in the oven. Happy baking!

        • There’s an Irish bread called tea brack where you soak the raisins in strong tea overnight before incorporating them. It’s fabulous.

  32. Hurray! I have the 47th post!

    It’s good to have allies coming out of the woodwork.

    What a setup!

  33. “Folded space to save time.” Nicely turned phrase!

    Looking forward to the next installment, and to see what mischief Cookie creates. Thank you!

      • Now I am picturing a series of fluffy squishy toys tied to story books, “Cookie Catches the Kitten”, “Cookie Sells a Fart Gun” , “Cookie hunts the Honey”.

        • I love the lees and I would totally buy little plushies with children’s books attached 😉. Also Orro.

          Thanks, as always, for the wonderful chapters. They make my day better!

          • Likewise! Reminds me of the “Little Endless” kids’ book, based on Neil Gaiman’s Sandman (decidedly not kid-friendly) graphic novels. (Delirium’s dog gets lost, is helped by the other Endless. Death is even cuter as a kid.) “Little Innkeeper” could really work!!

            And thanks for the gastronomic bonding and deadly squishmallow buddies. Just what I needed to brighten an unseasonably frigid day.

  34. Regarding your opening line, this is a gift. It arrived on Friday which is the day you asked us to look for it. There is no need for an apology because there was no offence. Instead allow me to offer you both my sincere gratitude for giving this gift when you were already so busy. Thank you so very much. The things you do for us make me feel that you appreciate us as readers and audience. It’s always nice to be acknowledged, so thank you again.

  35. Ah ha! I hoped we’d see Ciokie again. In addition to saving Helen, Dina owed Cookie a favor for the help negotiating with the muckrakes.

    Although waiting for the tale of George & Sophie’s HEA is hard!

    Good luck on RF edit!

    Question: when Sean kills all the soldiers during the drifan battle, I assume Gertrude Hunt absorbed the bodies. Did it get to absorb their magic even though they weren’t guests?

  36. Gaston. Yes! Cookie. Yes! Now all we need is the Khanum of the Hope Crushing Horde , Arland , Maud, Helen and some of the Krahr vampires, the Drifen and the Koo-ko and the whole gang will be here. Orro will be ecstatic with so many diverse dietary needs to cater for.

  37. I love these little clips of the story. It gives me something to look forward to on Friday. I’m amazed that the authors are able to get them out each week and look forward to the books release.
    Thank you for your efforts

  38. Cookie on vacation….. and such insulted feeling he got being accused of conspiring something 🙂

    • Well, given that Cookie’s cousin tried to kill Caldenia and nearly killed Dina…some caution is called for.

  39. Thank you so much for sharing this story – you are never late for posting a free story.

  40. As much as it is delightful to see Cooki again, I do wish we had more time to greet Gaston. Ah well time does not wait on Innkeepers

  41. Thank you so much for that hug of cuteness and warmth!! It was just what I needed today.

  43. Good heavens, this is old home week! I love Cookie! Thank you! I do hope we get to hear about the female werewolf at some point. Dying of curiosity!

    I’m so happy to hear that RF is proceeding along, I presume reasonably well. So looking forward to Aug, can’t really express how much.

    Have a great weekend! Spring break next week, yea!!

  44. While I look forward to getting the 411 on George — at least, I think I do; I’m reading these chapters through my fingers like a small child, I really do enjoy Gaston’s enjoyment. I sometimes wish I could enjoy it more literally — the food always sounds sooooo gooooood. Forget HelloFresh, Blue Apron, or the other various meal kit boxes, I want an InnKeeper meal kit.

  45. Thank you, thank you!

    This is shaping up to be a complete and utter delight. The Koo kos have made an appearance and now the Lees. And that’s not to mention the new characters, the female werewolf, the Sphinx and the Sovereign’s representatives.

    In her thoughts Dina neglected the fact that Nuan Cee went to battle and put himself at risk to save Helen during the the wedding. That’s the kind of debt that one simply cannot repay. It’s the warmth and generosity of that kind of relationship that makes your writing so very special.

    • I think it falls under “they saved Helen”, and the De Milles are eternally thankful 🙂.

  46. And they all came around the corner 🤣😅🤣😅. They are in so much trouble.. thaks for starting my weekend off right.

  50. Heh, Gaston and Orro, BF(ood)FF!

    Cookie! I love me some adorable, fluffy, cutthroat traders with hoops in their ears – Oooh-de-lah-lie!

    Thank you for the Friday sparkle. I hope you have a restful weekend.

  54. For some reason I always forget that it’s Friday. And also forget that Friday = new chapter. So I get a nice surprise when I remember! Today I had an “OOOO! New chapter!” And after that arm waving excitement “COOKIE’S BACK!”. Thank you HA!

  56. A delightful glimpse to make my weekend thoughts on the developing story rife with speculation, fueled as always by the great comments and insights of the BDH.
    Indeed, what a gift.

  57. Lolzzzz! You know in movies where the chick hikes up her skirt to get a lift and when the car stops 3 other people jumps out with suitcases? Go go Cookie!

    Thanks for the chapter!

  61. Thank you for another visit to The Inn 🙂

    ps
    It’s adorable that you’re apologizing for a slight delay to the Innkeeper installment because you were polishing up yet another bejeweled gift for us. Your heart is golden!

  62. I love it! I laughed out loud when Cookie showed up at the door. I can’t tell you, Ilona and Gordon, how much I love this ongoing saga.

  64. Cookie!

    So good to see him again. Please, please, find a way to work in the Fart Gun?

    Just for fun?

    TGIF! (Yes, I just had a glass of vino. It’s been one of *those* weeks.)

  65. Love, love, love this story! This world(s)! These people! Cannot WAIT for each morsel of goodness to be unfolded, each in its own time—divine!!! Thank you V so V much, Ilona and Gordon!💜🥰😁

  68. Y’all are wrong for this!! LOL!! You know what we’re waiting on.
    Anyway, in a total non sequitur, COOKIE!! I love Cookie!!

  72. So is there a difference in pronunciation of Couki vs Cookie, or is it more that they’re pronounced the same but a “you could hear the air quotes around the words” type of situation?

    • The difference was very obvious to me, probably because I speak languages more phonetical than English (most are lol). I have asked House Andrews 🙂

  74. Dear Cookie has returned. So far the Horde has not mentioned the favor Dina owes Cookie. I wonder if he will ask for that favor after something very devastating to or in the Inn happens?

    I believe Nuan Cee is still negotiating or planning for the future of the Space Station. Maude is needed there to make sure the lees don’t grab it all.

  77. Omg I havent had duck in for ever. I am headed out to my Caribbean restaurant now to get some curry duck. Sure it wont be as good as Orros but hey. It should stop the craving.

  80. Haha Cookie has his own Merchant gang now! And the George teaser! And the description of Gaston eating!! Here’s betting he and Caldenia get on like a house on fire….. errrr….. there’s the teeth, the love of intrigue and the gastrointestinal ecstasies

  84. Thank you for this very fun chapter! I really needed this today.
    (Two Dr. appointments this week – sigh – “walk to school, uphill both ways, in the snow” kind of week….)
    📚💖📚💖📚💖

  85. Thank you, Ilona Andrews for the snippet post. Hilarious. Let the intrigue begin.

  86. Thanks for posting! These chapters make Fridays even more awesome.

    Now I want some poultry for dinner. 🙂

  87. You just HAD to post this during Great Lent, didn’t you? Duck isn’t a Lenten food by ANY stretch of imagination.

    • The Church did at one time qualify beaver meat as fish for Lent, so keeping my hopes up for you hehe. Ducks swim, after all 😉

  90. OMG I just had duck for the first time a week ago. And while it wasn’t Orro level duck, it was amazing!

    Thank You! It is cold and three days rainy grey and did I say cold?… I needed this.

  91. Yay for Couki!! His negotiating skills (who could forget the sandal!) may be needed later.

    It’s not late if it shows up on Friday. Pardon me for mangling an old movie quote, but the BDH means never having to say you’re sorry. 🥰

  93. The chefs waiting with bated breath, love that and can’t wait for the food yet to come.
    Also love that Gertrude Hunt continues to be such a popular vacation destination for overworked Merchants and Marshalls.
    Thank you for the gift in the middle of edits.

  95. Late or not, we appreciate your hard work. How can I complain when I am so anxiously awaiting the book? Thank you again. Gaston has hidden depths, I see…

  96. Yeah! I love Cookie!! In this crazy world, your touch of whimsey, humanity and humor is a balm.

  99. I do not care if there is an actual plot. Just reading an update on Gaston, Cookie, and First scholar Theck is enough. I forced my husband to admire the artwork of the Koo-koo leader. Again. I bought a kindle of silver shark last night despite owning Kinsman universe. Because I love Meli the most of all the characters.
    Thanks.

    • Oops. Fav of all of kinsman characters, not whole Ilona Andrews pantheon.
      I bounced fav to fav with each new episode, and the pure truth is Ilona and Gordon are the Heros of each series.

  100. BTW, the best meal I have ever eaten started with foie gras, perfectly toasted and buttered baguette and curry ice cream, followed by Pan Roasted Breast and Confit Leg of Duck with Grand Marnier jus, savory bread pudding with sausage, walnuts, cranberries and goat cheese, served with snap peas- it is a memory I will cherish to my grave. Gaston is such a great character, he overcame so much horror and heartbreak, I hope to see him shine.

  101. Oh, you teases!! I was expecting to have my curiosity about Goerge’s marriage satisfied, now I have to wait again, you are not killing me, but I still feel the pain, I have no patience, Fridays are fantastic even when they come on Saturday, Thank you for brightening a dim week. Thank you ☺️

  102. I’m loving this story so much. The best part is the incorporation of characters from earlier works. It just made me smile when when Cookie made his appearance.

    • Nuan Cee is the the Head of Clan Nuan. He is beyond (above?) hoops, his status regalia is his necklace of blue jewels 🙂

  105. SQUEEEEEEEE!!!
    Cookie!!! Jay! and a lot of cheering!!!
    That twitching of the lynx ears! (There is a video of perfectly rotating serval-ears in the net! That came to mind instantly!!!)
    So vividly perfect pictures in every word! I love it!!!
    Thank you so much for a perfect after-ten-hour-work-day-homecoming!
    Love from Switzerland!
    Inga

  107. So if there’s only one dessert left, who would Orro serve it to: Tony or Gaston? Or Dina out of loyalty.

    I imagine Gaston could still eat Tony under the table given his Thoas(?) DNA.

    • Hehe, I think the bigger problem we would face is Orro only having one dessert 😅

      • Too true. Spot on, as always, Mod R.

        I still have your Gaston “be our guest” lyrics running through my head.

  108. Thank you.

    Today I had a bunch of fecal matter dumped on our household concerning our foster children.

    Reading this gives me a break.

  109. The fact that Cookie swore such an oath without well defined time limit is nothing short of terrifying.
    It can only mean he knows they won’t have to harm the Sovereign(!)

  111. I’m a bit confused. Tony was supposed to stay and help Dina and Sean, but he was nowhere to be found when Orro served the duck. (That boy does like to eat!) Where is our local Ad-Hal? I hope he’s okay.

  113. Gods…I love Fridays when I can dive into the Innskeeper world. What a blessing HA is to us!

  115. I love Nuan Couki 🥰 All that scheming and ambition and ruthlessness in one darling package.

  116. No need to apologize. I am personally humbled that you give us freebies in the first place. Thanks so much! I had just sat down to eat when I found this beautiful nugget! Certainly made my supper of Beef and Broccoli from the freezer (brand kahiki, I believe). It is pretty good too. Anyway, loved so much Gaston’s story and so want to hear his story of the past!!!

    • We first met Gaston in Bayou Moon (Book #2 of The Edge series) you get some of his back-story there.

      • I think Lora meant the story he just started 😉 – “It all started in childhood…”

  118. Now I am craving duck. I can’t get duck confit at the moment but I can make do with Chinese roast duck 🙂

  119. Note that while Cookie readily swore not to harm the Sovereign, there are any number of attendees he made no such promises about, though one hopes he will steer clear of Caldenia.

    • No, I can’t say I agree. He swore that none of his clan would harm the Sovereign. His oath covers his entire clan. That would also mean that neither he nor anyone in his clan would conspire with others or participate in any way with any others to harm the Sovereign.

      • I was referring to other possible victims, not to the members of his clan. If Clan Nuan is supporting a particular spousal candidate, other candidates or their retinues might be targets. I wouldn’t mind seeing a lees vs. trees cage match.

    • I come from a family of chefs and cooks. We’ve had those taste judgements often. That scene brought back delicious memories, and one or two spectacular failures. Thank you and Gaston for that.

      I was wondering when Clan Nuan would show up seeing as they are backing a bridal prospect. I was delighted to have Nuan Cookie join the party.
      He promised to not harm the Sovereign only. I would be concerned for the marriage prospects not backed by Clan Nuan.

      As usual thank House Andrews for this and all they do. Thank the BDH ( of which I am a proud member) for the kibitzing.

  120. I am laughing in delight and nearly dying of cuteness! You spoil us so! First Scholar, Gaston, now Cookie and the Lee’s of Clan Nuan. I love Fridays! ❤️ ❤❤

  122. It is Friday. I open the blog and there is new treasure waiting along with a (to me) completely unnecessary apology. Thank you for this gift. It is appreciated.

  123. “It all started in childhood….” This chapter was such a tease! I love that Orro has a staff that can share his pride over Gaston enjoying his food, and I loved seeing Cookie again, thank you! 🙂

  125. I’m Laughing OUT LOUD!! Your word pictures are so excellent, incomparable as well as perfectly exquisite!! Thank you so much for brightening my heart.

  128. Ooh Cookie, he is so fluffy and cute. The lees are such a fun addition (they are so sweetly sneaky). It just gets better and better!!

  130. I love your description of food that Orro creates. Have you tried all the dishes or is it from watching a lot of cooking shows?

  131. How exciting, cookie’s back. 💜

    Are there any pictures? I think my brain has created a cute creature, I’m hoping I got it right.

    Fantastic gift as always , thank you both.

  132. The first part had me drooling, ha ha. And Cookie! What a lovely way to start the weekend, many thanks 🙂

  133. Eeek, it’s amazing!

    Is there a recipe for the duck? I absolutely have to get some out of the freezer.

  134. A brilliant chapter thank you.
    Love Nuan Couki and the Lees
    … as the Merchats and their assassin/hidden side came up- it brought to mind one of my other favourite characters from my other favourite author to mind -Ena Mercant.
    Now in my head I’ve got a whole cross over between House Andrews Inn keeper world and Nalini Singhs psy-changlings world with the (in my head) related merchants and Mercants (what’s a missing H between family) and them being the secrete power behind the universe… one with in your face cute fluffyness that couldn’t possibly be a power… And the other with quiet hidden dignity tea and a gun which it don’t see comming.

  136. Love it!! Thank you!

    Although was I the only one who went “Noooooooo” when the George marriage story was interrupted 😀

  143. …..And today the world’s groceries and restaurants are all wondering why suddenly everyone is putting in an order for duck. The power of IA’s influence on the BDH 😂😂 Thank you for this chapter. It was definitely a treat and I almost felt that hug with Cookie (something I really needed today).

  145. Loved it Bring back Cookie is suck a nice touch can’t wait to see what mischief will ensue.

  146. Gaston and Cookie! Such fun ahead. Thank you.

    A question about the image: it usually relates to the chapter, but looks to me like diamonds on a bed of gold. Is it a reference to the Merchant clan, or am I not seeing it correctly? And if not, what is it, please?

  147. “no matter how cuddly Cookie looked, inside his furry chest beat the ruthless heart of a Merchant. Their species were assassins and poisoners, and when it suited their interests, they killed with unparalleled viciousness.” Sounds a bit like Hanuman, Master of the universe and Spirit Panther who rule this household –

  149. Crying 😭. Gaston! We need his story. Thank you for the description of deliciousness and for our dose of cute 🥰

  151. Love, love The Innkeeper Chronicles. This is my second favorite series, bar none, after Kate Daniels. The others are good but Ilona, you and your husband excel at world building and the Innkeeper Chronicles reflect that. Thank you for revisiting this series💕

  152. Ooo, duck. Really, really good duck. I love it, but fail miserable at producing it, never better than pretty good. Gaston’s description had me in vicarious ecstasy. And then you brought in my very favorite furry, manipulative fox/merchant/assassin, Cookie. My cup overfloweth. I’m going to re-read this all day. Thanks so much.

  154. I have duck legs in the freezer. Now I am looking up duck confit recipes.

    Couki gets away with a lot because of the cuteness factor. I wonder what his goals are.

    Reading about Cladenia’s reaction to the summit keeps me wondering which post will reveal her reaction.

  155. I so love the way you weave a story with threads and references to earlier stories and full of characters your fans have come to love. In what seems like a very dark and frightening world right now, thank you for your great work that lets me (and your other fans) escape!

  156. Oh boy!! Nuan Couki (Cookie) is back, and he brought an entourage with him. So glad to see him again! 🤩

    Though this was short, it was as good as always. Gaston is probably one of the last characters you would expect to be a gourmand, so it comes as a pleasant surprise, as does the bond he shares with Orro. Gaston’s ability to identify what exactly went into Orro’s duck masterpiece shows us that he is no pretender. It is so enjoyable to discover new things about these delightful characters! I was also pleased, but not suprised, to see the Nuan Couki has had a meteoric rise within the clan. It demonstrates Nuan Cee’s business acumen that he sent Cookie to conduct whatever business clan Nuan wants to conduct with the Seven Star Dominion (hope I got that name correct), as Dina has a sentimental tenderness for Cookie. Who wouldn’t?!

    Thank you again for this brightness at the end of yet another rather trying week. Your writing lifts my spirits, and I have a soft spot in my heart for it, similar to Dina’s for Cookie. 🙂

    • Our gentleman of adventure was always shown enjoying a special relationship with Orro and his creations 😉:

      Behind us Gaston and Orro carried on a quiet conversation. The window was open and the sound of their voices carried to us.

      Andrews, Ilona. Sweep in Peace, The Innkeeper Chronicles 2. NYLA publishing, 2015. Sweep in Peace. Kindle edition, page 78.

      They go on to discuss food symbolism, the intricacies of ingredient expression and French cuisine. His gourmet background is not such a surprise 😊

  160. I was thinking about this the other day, what does Caldenia’s room (or suite, whatever would fit her status, I guess) look like?

    Tastefully elegant? Or does she prefer comfortable, yet practical in private?

  162. One of the great things about Inn Keeper is that such a great variety of wonderful diverse characters can come into play!

  165. Wonderful, and it came to lift me out of sadness for a brief time. My favorite cousin is in Hospice.

  166. Big smiles, we get both Gaston, the gentleman of adventure, and Cookie with a quick cuddle with Dina this morning !!! Swooning here …. and, trembling here, is this a hint that Gaston and Caldenia might have a common interest to bring them together … smiles …

  167. The torture! Our werewolf battle is off-screen, the George story hangs in the air, only the beauty of Orro’s cooking and the fluffy cuteness of Cookie keep me from shaking my computer to see if more words come out.

    Y’all are great. Thank you for writing for us even when you have edits and stress and pain.

  169. A new intriguing episode – just leaving me wanting more! Glad to see the merchants back and Gaston. I’m so hooked already!

  170. Yay cookie!! Always happy to have the lees in the story 🙂 I can’t even imagine what a love story between them would look like haha.

  173. OMG Cookie and Gaston are back! I cannot tell you how thrilled this makes me! This is so much fun, thank you both!
    Cannot wait til Ruby Fever comes out and Catalina gets to unleash her total “badassery!” And those black wings!

  176. Thank you! I didn’t know how much needed this! Thank you for the joyful surprises popping up with the koo kous, George and crew and now Cookie! This is just awesome!

  177. Has anyone submitted drawings for characters/races/settings? Because I would love to see what HA thinks the lees look like.

  179. Thank you!

    As a person that loves food and also went to culinary school (nothing famous though), I really enjoy your descriptions of food! I can taste it in my head and it’s always delicious! After reading about passion cones, I went down a rabbit hole trying to find a recipe. Do you base most of your food off of actual dishes, like duck confit, or do you like to invent the dishes when you can? 😊

  180. Thank you. Reading these snippets which include both the KoKos and the Lees makes my day just a little bit brighter. Who will do the audio for this book when published? Apologize if this has already been answered, but I seldom read the messages, BDH duties call.

    • Hey Melissa,

      The narrator will likely be Natalie Naudus, as for the past couple of Innkeeper books 🙂

  182. No worries. Don’t stress. Great writing will always be waited on patiently and OMG, y’all and Gaston delivered!!! Thank you!!!!!

  188. As a foodie, I had been waiting for Orro’s gastronomic moment. He’s been unusually subdued, so now I’m eagerly awaiting his infamous drama-queen outburst.

    Added with a dose of Nuan Cookie cuteness and my day is set. 😁

  189. Yay! I think about your Innkeeper world all of the time and was thrilled to find these posts! Reading this has brought joy to me and to many others, I’m sure. Team Andrews, you are such talented writers and so generous to your fans! Your Innkeeper books are my favorite. I CANNOT WAIT to read the next installment!

    Most Sincerely,
    B&B from Texas

  191. I used to be in such a space that, your stories were desperately needed. On time or I freaked. I hope that you never saw that from any comment I ever made. You guys work so hard and produce so much. It seems as if all this dote-ing? Could beat you down on the odd occasion. Live long and prosper. Wishing you the best.

  192. Thank you for all the chapters! Somehow I missed 3 of them so I got to sit down and read them all at once! I know this isn’t your bread and butter which makes it even more special that you keep writing them for us. I truly appreciate you two. This is one of my all time favorite series!

  194. I love Couki but interrupting Gaston with him hopefully about to expand on George’s marriage… arrgh! Hehehe… oh well, there’s more chapter, let alone more book, coming.

    • By the way… did House Andrews ever post a picture for the lees? I feel the need for a fuzzy cute little bipedal fox with lynx ears picture!

  198. So, this an an unrelated comment to the innkeepers. I love the innkeepers, don’t get me wrong, and I read every week, but all my comments on it would be “this is amazing, I love it”. And appreciation is good, and I want House Address to know they’re amazing authors and I can’t get over how grateful I am that they do the innkeepers in this way, but I also have an unrelated question and was hoping someone would help.

    I’ve recently re-read the Hidden Legacy books, and I have a distinct memory of reading a snippet or a story set after Emerald Blaze where the family find a house they want to buy, and they’re looking around it, there’s a place for Bern and Leon, there’s a main house, there’s a little cottage, where Allesandro has left a dead body on the kitchen table. I’ve looked around the blog, and can’t find it. Was it a spoiler or deleted scene from the new book? Did I dream it? If it’s real, is there a link to it? I’m hoping someone has better searching skills than me and can find it, if possible?

  199. Thank you so much for all that you write and the hours of enjoyment you have given me. I can’t wait to read and listen to more. I’m currently listening to Sweep in Peace for the 4th time and it’s like coming home to a dear friend.

    Bring on Gaston and Cookie! 🙂

  200. this is getting more interesting with ever chapter you release. this is going to be one hell of a conference

  201. Dear Andrews family
    I love this series (and the other ones). I have just reread KD. Thank you for writing it. I can’t wait until I can get the book.
    I hope you are all well.
    Kind wishes
    Katja

  205. Wonderful chapter! The drama! Gaston is a born storyteller. I love getting these updates every week. This has been the first time I’ve been able to post a comment. For some reason the comment section would not pop up. All well…here we are now. Thanks so much.

  206. Sorry, thought that photo was for my image not the comment! 🙄 This is my sweet boy, Rider.

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