No book is ever long enough for the Book Devouring Horde! House Andrews gifted us a little more.
This bonus scene is safe after Page 438, last scene of Chapter 40 of This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me
Lady Maggie.
Doran jogged up the steps to the curtain wall and passed through the keep tower’s wide-open gates. After the bright daylight, the interior was steeped in pleasantly cool shadows. Summer was coming and with it, Kair Toren’s heat. Not that the heat bothered him, but he missed the southern coast. The low hills of the Golden Valley ringed in terraced fields that curved like ribbons along the slopes. The turquoise waters of Ceter Lake, where the air smelled of flowers and blooming trees. The golden sand beaches, gently sloping into a warm ocean filled with bright fish flittering through the translucent depths.
Kair Toren had a rougher coast, the hills more rugged, the sea darker with a harsher surf. The city itself felt rougher too, unlike the idyllic white walls of Dilem. He’d been in this damn place for too long. He knew he was homesick, and she made it worse.
Doran passed through the tower and stepped out onto the terrace overlooking the Citadel Garden. A large table waited for him by the stone rail, offering a glittering glass pitcher of red wine, another of water, and two plain wooden cups. Merro Ridan sprawled in one of the two chairs, his mane of blond hair hanging loose, Doran’s formal breastplate resting on the ground next to him.
Ridan gave him a wave. The wine pitcher sitting on the table was a third empty.
Doran took the other chair and nodded at the wine. “Started early, I see.”
“It’s fucking hot, and your armor is heavy. Do you want me to pass out from the exhaustion?”
“Keep drinking and you might.”
Ridan rolled his eyes, picked up a jug of water and splashed some into his cup. “Better?”
“I’m looking out for you. Be grateful.”
“Oh, I always am.” Ridan took a long swig. “Are you going to tell me why I had to drop what I was doing and play dress up?”
“What were you doing?”
Ridan grimaced. “Having a chat with our Redeemer guest.”
Ah. That. “Anything?”
Ridan shook his head. “It’s a waste of time. I can apply pressure, but you can always tell when a man won’t break. We’re not getting anything out of that one. We can either cut his throat or cut him loose.”
Doran stretched his legs. Trying to gather information about the Order of the Redeemers had proved irritatingly difficult. He appreciated loyalty, expected and respected it, but fanatics grated on his nerves. The way Redeemers revered Silveren was unnatural. He might as well be one of the saints.
He couldn’t get a read on the man. Silveren was… slippery. He trailed the Second Prince like a morose shadow, avoiding attention, dodging conflicts, like he was made of smoke. Half of the time, you forgot he was in the room.
They had invited one of Silveren’s kardars over for a stay. He wasn’t a prisoner, but he’d been strongly encouraged to partake of their hospitality. The man proved savvy enough to understand what the invitation meant.
Like most Redeemers, he had a sordid past. In his former life, he’d been in charge of a fort, tasked with collecting taxes from the nearby domains, which he had embezzled. That by itself was enough of a crime, but he’d dipped into the garrison’s supplies, and when the raiders came, the fort fell. He’d barely escaped Sauven’s wrath and found a place in the Redeemer Tower.
As potential informants went, he seemed like a sure bet. Greedy. Opportunistic. Untroubled by honor. And yet nothing they’d offered him so far had moved him to break his loyalty to Silveren. He was steadfast.
Doran poured a splash of wine into his glass. Looking for informants wasn’t uncommon. Silveren and he were playing an old game, and they both knew the unspoken rules. Killing the Redeemer kardar would escalate things. There would be a time for that later. For now, he would keep it calm and civil.
“Cut him loose.”
Ridan nodded.
That’s what Doran had always liked about him. No matter the circumstances, Ridan always preferred an underhanded solution. Scheming came to him like breathing, and combined with a healthy appetite for violence, he made for a dangerous opponent. But he didn’t let his urges cloud his judgement. Ridan wasn’t conniving; he was shrewd and calculating, the kind of advisor who never lost sight of the big picture. They were rarely at odds.
Ridan studied him now. “Do you want me to try another one?”
Doran shook his head. “Not now. Silveren will be wary. We have time.”
Eventually, he would have to take the Redeemers on, but open warfare was never his first choice. He preferred to trap and contain, and in the case of an entire knight order, the most prudent course would be to remove them from the field. An expedition outside the borders, a long campaign somewhere far enough away, something to keep them busy…
Eventually an opportunity would present itself, and the old buzzard sitting on the throne trusted him enough to be swayed. At the right time, it wouldn’t take much. A word, a carefully planned encounter, and the Redeemers would be off, leaving him free to fight his private war.
“Well?” Ridan toasted him with a cup. “Don’t keep me in suspense. Who is she?”
Doran smiled at him. “I have found the one.”
Ridan blinked. “The one what?”
“The one I want.”
Ridan choked on his wine. “Will wonders never cease? Come on, give us more. Who is she? Which family?”
“I don’t know.”
Ridan set his cup down with some force. “What do you mean you don’t know?”
“I looked into her and found nothing. She’s hiding.”
Ridan’s eyes lit up. “She’s a mystery then. You never could resist a secret. What’s her name?”
“Maggie.”
Ridan frowned. “Odd name. Where is she from?”
“I don’t know. She speaks like she’s lived in Kair Toren all her life, with the best tutors and a proper education, but she isn’t from the city. If she was, she would know what I look like.”
“Of course she would. Perhaps she would have commissioned a drawing of you. Pinned to a wall above her bed so she could gaze upon it as she pleasured herself.”
Doran allowed himself a small smile.
“Is she even a noble? Can you at least tell that much?”
“She is. And from a prominent family.”
“Oh?”
“It’s the way she speaks. She looks you in the eye. She doesn’t fawn, preen, or second-guess herself.”
Ridan nodded. “She isn’t checking in her head whether her words align with her conduct lessons?”
“Yes. She was guarded but sure. Several days ago, I went to see her with Berengur, and she was exactly the same then.”
Ridan sighed. “Still looking for his long-lost brother?”
“Not anymore.”
Ridan glanced at him, surprised.
“She told him where Pelegrin has been, and why he chose to stay there.”
She had told Berengur a lot more than that. The way she’d spoken moved him. He’d kept turning her words over in his head on the way back to the Citadel.
“How would she know that?” Ridan demanded. “I’ve had people looking for Pelegrin for months. Nothing. Not a trace.”
“You said it yourself. She’s a mystery.”
“A mystery with access to a wide web of informants?” Ridan tapped his finger on the table for emphasis. “This worries me. Is she an imperial agent?”
“No.”
“What makes you so sure?”
“She doesn’t have the ruthlessness.” Doran recalled her limping and smiled again. “She is smart and sharp, but there is little pretense there. She’s genuine.”
Ridan groaned. “By the Aspects. She’s got her hooks in you. And what did this paragon of virtue ask in return for Pelegrin’s location?”
“Nothing.”
“That’s worse. She’s playing the long game. What did she want today?”
“She came to warn me. We have a man hunter.”
Ridan sat up straighter.
They had run across that type of predator in Dilem. It was a gruesome affair, savage enough for Doran to seek outside counsel. Fortunately, a priest of the Scholar in Dilem had made a study of man hunters. They were rare, afflicted with a particular sickness of the mind, often unable to distinguish between lust and murder. For them it was one and the same, and they chased the thrill of torture and death as if possessed. Sooner or later, they made mistakes and they got caught, but not before they’d reaped their bloody harvest.
“This one hunts knights,” Doran said.
“Shuhoven,” Ridan breathed. “Damn. I never liked that asshole, but he was good.”
“So is the hunter. He has magic, and it makes him faster. Eliarde is his next target.”
“According to your Lady Maggie?” Ridan leaned forward, no trace of humor on his face. “Let me guess, she warned you and asked for nothing in return? Does this not worry you? You have been baited, you have taken the hook, and now she will reel you in.”
“Don’t get ideas.”
“Let me kill her. It will be clean and quick. Think of what’s at stake. Of what we’ve worked for. Think of how high you’re aiming. Why would she show up now, when you are on the cusp of attaining your goals?”
Doran shook his head. “You’ll understand when you meet her. Merro, I mean it. No accidents. Not a hair on her head. She is mine.”
“Fuck me.” Ridan stared at him. “Of all the women you have had, why this one?”
He had enjoyed many women. Some were beautiful, some intelligent, ambitious, innocent, dangerous. But he’d never wanted to take any of them home. The game of seduction had grown stale ages ago, so much so that he could predict how things would end from the first conversation. Years had passed since any woman could hold his interest.
There was something about Maggie that pulled at him. They sat in the garden, talking, and he kept picturing her on the balcony in Ar-Vellen, with the sapphire blue sea behind her. He wanted to show the castle to her, to see her smile at him, to carry her off to his bed and have her until she was exhausted.
If she hadn’t left, he could’ve sat in that garden with her for hours. She was gone now, and the moment he had loaded her into a carriage, he’d realized he’d wanted her to stay. He would rather be talking to her now instead of Ridan, and it irked him that she wasn’t here.
He didn’t feel like explaining all of that, and Ridan wouldn’t understand it anyway.
“It is reason enough that I want her.”
Ridan slumped in his chair. “I swear, you will put me into an early grave. Have you communicated your interest?”
“I hinted.”
“And?”
“She ran away.”
Ridan threw his arms up. “At last, there is justice in this world. The one woman you finally want doesn’t want you. I’ve changed my mind. I like her. Just a bit. Not enough to keep me from killing her…”
“Merro,” Doran sank some command into his voice.
Ridan grinned at him. “I got it, I got it. Not a hair on her head. Can I at least look into her? Is that allowed?”
“Yes. Find out what you can. Be discreet.”
Ridan put a hand on his heart. “When have I ever been otherwise?”
“I want to know who she belongs to, and where she comes from. Tell me as soon as you have something.”
Ridan beamed at him. “As you will, my lord.”
This was excellent and it really helps Doren come alive.
I’d really love to know what his thoughts were after he is told who her cousin is and they get into their amazing argument. I laughed too hard during that scene, especially when Maggie thought “I’ve always wanted to say this”.
Keep the scenes coming! Loving the book more on the 2nd read/listen via Audible.
Thank you!!! What an amazing treat! 💜
I devoured this POV and wondered if Ridan was the knight who accompanied Doran Arvel to Maggie’s the morning after the ball and saw Maggie kick Doran’s butt. Would he like her even more now that she’s proven she doesn’t want Doran? 😆
Oooh. I hadn’t thought of that! That definitely would be entertaining for Ridan🤣
Right? And maybe he’ll feel less like killing her.
That was great! 😂
He needs to learn a lesson and find himself someone else though. Maybe the taste if humble pie will help him see with a dfferent perspective.
I can see Ridan chuckling about it.
I don’t think this guy does humble. In fact, I’m convinced of it. 😆
And I have to say, I cheer every time she smacks him down when he doesn’t respect her no. 💪🔥
To be fair, it’s probably hard to stay humble when everyone’s been telling you how awesome you are your whole life. Maggie is no doubt very good for his character.
And a point in his favor: what attracted him to her initially was not her looks or the challenge, but the compassion and understanding she showed. I don’t see him with Maggie but he’s not irredeemable.
+1
Fair. He gets points for being attracted to her character.
I also think part of his attraction is because he sees how her intelligence and strength are an asset for his political ambitions. I agree with the others that he’s aiming for the throne.
And yeah, I don’t see him with Maggie either. She works so hard to do what’s best for all, to the point where she allows herself to be killed, and he’s focused on what’s best for him. The scope of her existence is so much bigger than his.
Am I the only one kind of cheering for Doran ?
I too am team sleepless, but worth noting that Doran was attracted (from the start) to her kindness, compassion! And intelligence: yea! 🙂
I am cheering for Doran, but I’m also cheering for his humbling. It is one of the reasons I want his love interest to be Isadau. I want his love interest to literally knock him on his self-righteous ass, which as powerful mage who isn’t interested in court politics, she can do.
The kingdom can only be saved if the powerful factions can unite under a common goal. I’m convinced Arvel is large piece of that puzzle. If he doesn’t learn how to play nice with Sol and Everard everyone will suffer.
Hearing an old Mac Davis song in my head:
Lord, it’s hard to be humble
When you’re perfect in every way.
I can’t wait to look in the mirror;
I get better looking each day!
To know me is to love me
I must be a hell of a man.
Oh Lord, it’s hard to be humble
But I’m doing the best that I can.
That’s all I remember off the top of my head, except for the lines:
I guess it has something to do with the way that I
Fill out these skintight blue jeans.
There were so many omg moments in this book. definitely rereading soon! Thank you.
This scene suggests that Silveren may be ensuring loyalty by a certain method…
Yeah. I totally thought that too!
maybe long time exposure to his “voice” magic stuff. or maybe he’s secretly the good guy??? massive plot twist 🤯
Ooh. Food for thought. That would totally be a plot twist worthy of this world, and let’s face it, not unprecedented by the Authorlords.. (cough) Hugh (cough) 😆
I’m resonating more though with him using his voice to make his knights loyal. But if that were the case, why was Matheo unaffected? Could he be immune? 🤔
The guy the Defenders “invited” for a chat seems to have been one of Silveren’s direct subordinates. Maybe he’s only whammying the people he has close contact with and not the whole order – similar to how Roland kept Hugh’s brain cooked with his power but left most others to serve him out of their own self interest. Or if it is the contracts then he’s saving them for just the people that have access to his secrets.
I doubt he’s the good guy but from how the first book has set things up I think its unlikely that the situation is completely black and white.
Totally agree. It’s definitely not completely black and white.
And yeah, very possible he’s only targeting his inner circle.
But you’d think he’d also target Matheo because he’s not sure if Matheo’s faking his amnesia. Also Matheo farsees, so I would have expected him to cook Matheo so Matheo’d always tell him the truth.
If HA wants to redeem him, they can certainly manage that. But atm, he’s not a good guy.
Matheo may have some magic that renders him immune to the Exultant Call or whatever the Savaric voice thing is called. Or he may have been warned about it by his father, who had probably seen all the magics in action at one time or another. That would give him a chance to plan some ways to avoid it. Or he may have acquired some amulet or token against it. Plenty of options there.
Really, the Savaric mental issues are quite apparent in Silveren. This whole world is a big trauma factory.
So true. So many options available.
And yeah, I think he’s off his rocker too.
I think its got to be the magic. He may care a bit about the Redeemers, but in both timelines he f***ed them over. In the first he pushed all of those people genuinely trying to atone for their sin back into old habits. In this one, his treason IMO is bare minimum getting them sent on a long crusade well away from Rellas. The best I think about Silveren is that eventually after his revenge he finally looks up the destruction he wrought and feels remorse.
Ohhhh yes! House Andrews are so good to us!
Despite being Team Facts Are King, I had a notion that Arven was too good to be true….
I may spontaneously combust w*iting for the second book!
oooh love this. Makes me think that Doran might be a “surfer dude” likes Beaches, thinks he can calls dibs on a girl, relentlessly goes after the girl. At least that is the vibe I’m getting from him. I can’t wait for book 2!
I’m on my 3rd re-read
The Andrews have out done themselves with This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me! Their books keep getting better and better. I so enjoy their books!
thank you thank you thank you!!!! how’s book two going 😃
Just finished the reread.
There is was just too much for me pick up on it all the first time through.
I don’t even know if I got it all this time through.
I can honestly say the I loved it the first read through, and I really love and appreciate it even more now, so much depth and texture to all the connections and individuals.
A truly great read
Hahaha I love this. I wish we could get his reaction to him finding out ramond got to her first
I am truly, truly shocked. Yes, Maggie did say all the Great Families were so evil she wouldn’t trust any one of them to pass the salt, but that this man is not the straightforward, noble man he presents himself as but as conniving and manipulative as the rest is like having a bucket of ice water flung at me.
Dear House Andrews: I was impressed when you made the villainous Hugh into a tortured hero. But to make the Golden Knight into an ultra-clever schemer, even better at manipulating than the rest — I told Mr. Wife that you grow with each volume published, but this goes above and beyond mere growth. The complexities you have envisioned for This Kingdom’s two (or three) volumes has driven your writing to a new level entirely.
Thanks HA and Mod R! In the words of Luther VanDross “ neva too much, neva too much!”
Maggie is an amazing accomplishment. So appreciated.
Thank you!!! It is such a treat!!!
I keep rereading the book, since it’s release and I cannot put it down!!! I love everything you have published, bu6this one has a special place!!! Thank you again!!!
Please 🙏 🙏 🙏 🙏 keep the bonus scenes coming!!! They give us insight and understanding of the characters!!!! Love it!!!
this has to be the world where the Innkeeper Dad comes from right? Lots of swords and DeMarr?
on second reread. this is a fantssy masterpiece, with a grown-up intelligent woman for once. Hurrah!
There are no crossovers with other series 🙂.
Also, Gerard comes from Earth, Innkeeper Earth. Just a different time 🙂
Omg love … finish second reread …. Now need to re read all ilona Andrews books then back to Maggie
Thank you for Maggie! I devoted the last to her and her world. Now I am desperate for part II.
Thank you! I love the extra scenes! It really helps get a better understanding of the other character’s point of view. I’m on my fourth read through of Maggie and I can’t wait for more!
can we get a bonus a day until the next Maggie??? pretty please??? just so we can fluffily w*it…
thanks for this!!! 🙂
LOL, and when would they finish the next Maggie then? Scenes like this don’t write themselves.
Heck yeah! Appreciate the bonus 🙂
Thank you! This is excellent ( I hope you have a hundred more snippets). Your story is so absorbing I can’t get enough of it.
Yes! And she was complaining about how if she was in a REAL Portal fantasy she would have hot powerful men lining up to court her…. Be careful what you wish for…
🤣 +1
Swoon! All this “not a hair on her head” and “mine”. I like Arvel, so much, but Team Sleepless for the win. Hope Arvel gets own book (trying to look fluffy).
Thank you for spoiling us, Author Lords or should we call them Author Knights now 🙂
Now for Ramond’s POV, please.
+1 for Ramond POV
Holygawd! My brain just made the connection!
A long, long time ago,in a blog post far away, there was a Maggie and a dragon, flying. I think it was your first ever mention of her.
So is she going to steal a dragon?
I believe you may be confusing Maggie and Puffles 🙂. Different works.
still holding out hope for Puffles
+1!!
+1
“Are you SURE?” Said Team Facts Be Damned. “Shucks!”
This is awesome. Can’t wait for the next book! Thank you 🙂
LOL. So Maggie has the flock of ridiculously handsome men vying for her favor. Two would be exclusive lovers and one “favorite cousin”. I rather like Solentine. Arvel is someone I would like to trip up just for fun. I’m sure Maggie will continue to do so. The Sleepless Duke I’d give a fairly wide berth.Sushi could bunk on my bed anytime. Nothing like a good guardian vermin.Just leave the fish on the floor.
Oooo, interesting perspective. 🙂
I’m waiting a bit, for a reread. I’m hoping that I’ll have forgotten enough details to make it sufficiently rewarding. 😀
Thanks for this excerpt from the perspective of Doran. It is helpful to hear what he is thinking. I loved the book, the world building, all the descriptions, and most of all the characters. They feel real to me and somehow that I am apart of their world cheering them on. Thank you for all the long hours of hard work you put into this it is very much appreciated. I look forward to hearing more about how Maggie and company help Rellas.
Great scene! I wish it could have stayed in the book, I had a completely different take on the character from the book, sort of a vainglorious big muscle flexer. I can see now he is much twistier. I love getting these bonus scenes after the fact. i have to admit i pouted a bit when HA said they could not post scenes as they wrote them because of Tor but bonus scenes after the fact is better in a way, there is context and it interests me in rereading the book. I hope these can be collected and kept on the website or maybe HA can do a directors cut type book with all these scenes reinserted. Thanks very much for this great bit of writing!
It is a bonus scene that was never a part of the book. It is a gift for you. 🙂
So grateful for your gifts!! this adds so much to my understanding of Arvel
Im not sure if HOA have talked about it before, but I’ve often been curious about whether your Alternate/Bonus POVs are things that stem from notes you already have about characters when developing the main story arc (that you later expand on), or whether it’s a complete spin-off trajectory of a side character’s backstory/motivations that HOA only considers after the story is completed.
Or perhaps a combination of both.
Question: Can someone confirm the timeline of this conversation???
SPOILER
Is it after the first “official” encounter, after Maggie forwarned him about Dame Eliarde, or after the second one and the “heroic rescue ” from the Knights Guard???
After re-reading it, Arvel, didn’t first introduce himself to Maggie, because he thought she knew who he was. After all , all Kair Toren knows the Golden Knight.
After she demonstrated lack of knowledge, then he proceeded with ” Lord Bellen” !!!!
Thoughts??
Now, you’ve made me think.
I’m fairly sure this scene is after the 1st official encounter where she warns him about Dame Elliarde. I believe this because she sees Ridan from a distance, dressed in Arvel’s armour and coming down the stairs. And in this bonus scene, he’s sitting with Arvel’s armour beside him.
But Arvel arranged his whole plan before she meets him face to face for the first time. He ropes in Ridan and Knight Felidor to help him.
How did he know she wouldn’t recognize him? 🤔
See my answer below, but to expand.
Arvel routinely attends events in Kair Toren and when he doesn’t, Berengur goes in his stead. Neither of them recognized Maggie, which meant she wasn’t moving in the same circles as Arvel and likely wouldn’t know him by sight.
He was pretty sure that his deception would work. If she had recognized him, he would’ve just hand-waved it with some vague excuse.
Arvel is one of the most dangerous people in Rellas. 🙂
Thank you for sharing this! 🙏💜
Which is part of why I would so cherish being his sunshine and safe harbour.
🥰💕💕
Not scared off a bit. 🤗
“… one of the most dangerous people in Rellas”
Wow, that’s a high bar! 😂
—————
It’s like, when one of the most powerful and spirited horses in the field comes running up to you, and lets you spend time with him. 🥰💕💕
This is after the arrow scene, when Maggie comes to warn Arvel about the Butcher.
Arvel was reasonably sure that she did not know who he was, because he didn’t recognize her and did not recall ever seeing her at any of the events in Kair Toren. Arvel pays attention to new faces. 🙂
And sleeps with all the pretty ones?? 🤣🤣🤣
Thank you!!!! You explaining that Arvel is so dangerous, brings things into a different light!!!
So looking forward to other tidbits!!
Thank you!
I cannot speak fully without spoilers
But…its kind of like princess bride in that it has Everything, only more of it. I know, it’s a chronic BDH thing
… but please let there be a sequel, and soon. Meanwhile, re-listening to Inheritance. I like Maggie and her story, but i think Ada is my favorite.
Oh wow,
after my reread something was bothering the back of my brain.
I do like Arvel much better after this post but I also don’t think he is aware of what he has done if I understand something correctly…
I went back to chapter 36 where Maggie explains how the invites to the joedurar are handed out.
Let’s say that 25 are handed out to every major household. Arvel received those 25 and gave one to Maggie. During the altercation between Maggie and Eliarde it came out Eliarde did not have an invitation, she came to the joedurar anyway, after all-who would keep her out.
When she was watching Arvel dance with Maggie her expression was more then angry or annoyed, it was “shell shocked.”
I think Arvel gave Maggie her invitation, and Eliarde knows it, and all hell will break lose in book two.
Care to discuss?
I think Eliarde had an invite, they were just insulting her by implying she didn’t have one and had to sneak in. I think someone was bumped from the Arvel list so he could give one to Maggie, but Eliarde too prominent, not to mention single and eligible to be skipped.
I do think Eliarde will make herself a problem for Maggie in Book 2. The shock is that Arvel not only passed her over for a dance, but that he went out of his way to personally invite some nobody and then make a big production of asking her to dance.
+1
Eliarde is a Silver Eagle, meaning she is Sauven’s elite knight. She did not need an invitation. 🙂
Yikes, Ilona is wearing her tricksy horns, this means thinking about what was written is possibly in order, (also really overthinking maybe)
So Eliarde does not need an invitation, however needing and wanting one are two very different things.
Julie Vee, who managed to get a copy early because she is a writer (I ended up getting all her books), had written in the blog that Maggie was six stars and the horde wasn’t ready.
I completely agree.
This book is extraordinary.
Incredibly well crafted, and introducing just the beginning of an epic number of original anchor characters with just enough information to give us a starting point for the evolution of book two and three…or more maybe?
As each book unfolds instances in book one will have ramifications.
Will this instance cause Eliarde to hesitate, or turn against her Lord at a pivotal moment, or will she stay a true knight and overcome her baser side.
The hord is very lucky, the ride has just begun.
Thank you for the unexpected treat, love it!!!
Thank you so much for the extra goodness.
I love this book and am on my first reread.
“I’m looking for a man in armor, 6’5″, blue eyes….” love that description it lives rent free in my head all day long! Thanks for the snippet can not wait to see what other goodies fall out of Mod R’s stash! Also meeting HA on Sat in Baltimore was amazing and Jeanine Frost!! Love my signed copies they also signed my BDH yarn bag and Sweatshirt!! I wish I had bought inheritance to have it signed too. But i got a sushi bookplate sticker for that one! Heading back to my 3rd reread, I had just passed this chapter in the Audio book, which Im loving the narrator. Thanks Mod R and HA for the bonus scene!
OMG. I tried to read as slowly as I could to bask in this new world…swoon. HA – you are absolutely the best!
Amazing! I absolutely love this book and this snippet looking into Doran’s mind is a treat. It explains the ball etc. Thank you for this
Sending my love and admiration to house Andrews and Mod R
Wonderful. Thank you!
Thank you so much. I think you are correct, I am insatiable with your writing! 💕🦖
Loved the book!!! It took me SIX DAYS to read because I am slow to take in all the new world building for a series (had to keep re-reading scenes to make sure I didn’t miss any details). I cannot wait for the next book.
Snippet was awesome also. I love the additional details you are sharing with the BDH.
Now to find the time to start the first re-reading…..guess my TBR list will keep growing.
Oh I just love him, bless his heart. Can’t wait for his entire world to get upturned by some unsuspecting, unsuitable woman who is NOT Maggie, and but for him to still be wrapped enough around Maggie’s finger to become a strong ally. Also, he is SO PRETTY. Helena’s artwork is DIVINE.
Is there a place to go to speculate about LaTour in the blog?
I don’t know if I missed a possible thread about where to go if you have thought about how he knew enough to write the books, why he wrote them, why he was even on earth.
Has that been broached?
Yes, you can use the spoiler thread here https://ilona-andrews.com/blog/happy-birthday-to-this-kingdom-will-not-kill-me-and-spoiler-thread/
Roughly 40% is about who the author is 🙂
Thank you!
Hope you are a rested.
I just reread the this great snippet gift from HA.
Arvel is already at the top of the food chain of the eight families. It is stated that he is invincible and powerful beyond belief.
The comment is made:
“Think of what’s at stake. Of what we’ve worked for. Think of how high you’re aiming. Why would she show up now, when you are on the cusp of attaining your goals.”
Just how high is he aiming?
Is there yet another side to Arvel we haven’t met yet, one that is disgusted with the abuses from the current royal family?
Probably not, I never get these right, proven by my last guess…🙄
I believe its Maggie who states that the only higher Arvel could go is the throne, so this definitely is new information. I suppose it was slightly foreshadowed when Maggie reflects that despite Arvel’s asserts he would always stand by the obey, he bounced against orders after things go to shit. Before the snippet though, I thought it took the turn of public opinion and the horrors Sauren lets Hreban enact for him to go “F*** this, I’m out!” and head off to halt the Crimson Empire. This snippet proves his loyalty to the crown, if it ever existed, has already been lost.
The only real question here is how much of his planned coup is for “good of the realm” reasons and how much is for personal power reasons. Is he planning to kill Inhan, and that’s why he wants the Redeemers out of the way, because he assumes Silveren would use his knights to protect him. If Inhan proves worthy would Arvel be satisfied with ousting Sauren and Kiel?
That’s really interesting.
What do we really know about Kiel?
he is the spare in “heir and a spare.”
We have not met him, we know he has been shadowed by Silveren for years, most likely deeply influenced by him unless he has the ability to block his “voice” somehow.
In essence we know almost nothing about him.
He is one of those figures waiting just off stage for book 2.
Maggie does an assessment on Kiel. He’s charming, good with weapons, but he does not inspire loyalty. He uses people and they know it. He sounds a lot like Maude’s first husband in Innkeeper. He apparently screws up every shaky foundation the King builds up around him. It’s one of the major reason the King wants Ramond dead. He’s everything Kiel is not. It’s also heavily implied that Inhan would be murdered either by Kiel or the King if he tried to be anything other the womanizing, arts patronizing, unimpressive spare. Inhan also thinks Silveren is his friend, but he was way wrong about that.
I’m super interested that Galiene was able to enter a relationship with Inhan so fast. It makes me wonder if she didn’t frame it as a platonic business proposal. She gets his protection from Hreban and he gets hers. Inhan’s survival hinges on no one going “Maybe he should by King next instead of Kiel!” If he seems besotted by a common born sex worker, it doesn’t exactly scream rightful heir material. Still would be interesting if they both catch feelings.
yet another trope has made it to the story! the Golden knight/goddess that is secretly ambitious and underhanded. it matches nicely with our misunderstood scary dark lord. we can never go wrong with a story from House Andrews
Maggie actually ponders about their similarities in the book. “Violent isolationist” and “Golden Knight” do the exact same thing when things get bad. They are not that different, the Kingdom’s narrative just frames them differently. I feel that’s going to be conversation with Arvel in the future. Arvel is going to need to stop believing his own press and hop off the high horse!
I like this Chapter and found it made a stronger bridge/connection. I’m surprised it was removed. Thank you for sharing!
This is not a deleted scene that was removed. Our clue is that it’s not Maggie POV, like the rest of the book 🙂
As the article says, it’s a bonus scene. It was written just for us.
So, who do we have to beg to have this scene as an extra in the Graphic Audio release? Because even though I want all the extra scenes in there, I think that this particular scene gives information about characters that Maggie can’t know at this point
If and when a GA adaptation will be optioned, I will make a note that there are extras the fans would like to hear 🙂
😊🙏
k but I need to know when the next book is coming out. like when is it. I need it sooner then next year guys.
I really like doran as a second option, to really show how ramond is better.
Thank you so much for this gift! I’ve read Maggie twice now and this scene is a great addition! Arvel is too used to women simping over him that he can’t imagine Maggie won’t eventually do the same. But to get an inside look into Arvel and his ambitions is such a treat! More please!
Love this! And nope! Can’t get enough Maggie!!!! I’m in the 3rd re-read😂
Ok- I want to ship Arvel and Galiene or Isadau. Spin offs books! What about Clover? She can be amazing in her own right! I love Sol! Give him a book! Are we going to redeem Silveren? Can he have some major mojo redemption arc? The current king & co are evil too so….
It was such a great book. Thanks for the extra scene.
Thank you for this snippet!
“What makes you so sure?”
“She doesn’t have the ruthlessness.” Doran recalled her limping and smiled”
I burst out laughing at that part because my brain immediately jumped to the scene of Maggie hitting the butcher on the head.
Hmm, so Hidan is a very close friend of Doran’s. Could he be the one who dies in the tragedy Maggie mentions in the book?
And what’s the problem with these second-in-commands that everyone’s talking about killing poor Maggie? Leave my girl alone!!!
I’m completely in love with these bonus scenes, thank you so much Ilona and Gordon… soooo, are we going to have one with Ramond?
I’m sorry, but was there another scene of a second in command wanting to kill Maggie besides this one? Just checking if I missed it 🙁
Well…I’m not sure Sol counts as a second in command to RE, but they have very similar conversation after the BIG REVEAL.
I love how Merro first response is the same as Solentine : someone too good to be true ? let’s kill them quickly 😁
So I’ve read TKWNKM twice and read this POV twice and now I want to know with whom is the private war that Doran mentions. It’s not the Redeemers as he wants them out of the way before he continues with the private war. And I also want to know what are these goals that he’s worked so hard towards and is so close to achieving.
Enquiring minds want to know and will have to w**t until book 2… or maybe even book 3? Being chalant while I read/listen together for another round of TKWNKM.😘
It certainly looks like he’s going for the throne, since they are taking about him aiming high, and as Maggie says, that’s the only higher spot he can go. I think he wants the Redeemer out, because Silveren appears to be close with Inhan, and Arvel’s assumption would be that in the event of civil war the Redeemers would side with the Sauvics.
Arvel is giving Cárcel Escalante from Broken Ring and I love it.
I agree 🥺
and I am getting echoes of Sherwood Smith 🙂 Ivendred, Lasvas and the golden Deis, and the lovely Crown/Court Duel duology set 🙂 Vidanric, that’s who!
I need a Sleepless Duke POV so bad!! Please! Let me inside that man’s head 😅 I loved this scene though, it shows how much more there is to discover about all the other players
This is giving me late bloomer ML vibes.
I’ve read from the comments how they start to dislike Doran because of this POV but I have to disagree.
I don’t believe that Mrs Ilona gave us this sneak peek of his POV for the readers to have more reasons to dislike him especially as a bonus content.
I feel this would be unfair for a character who doesn’t have much screentime in the first book. But it seems we’ll be seeing him more in the next book.
Could this be a mini bait for the readers to decide our feelings for him?
Or a possible plot twist we’re not expecting?
I’ve read stories from isekai manhuas where the ‘arrogant and domineering’ MC has a soft spot and there’s more to him than meets the eye especially when its between him and the FMC.
I’d like to be objective about this as its too early to root who the real MMC is.
My take is just that its too risky to give a bonus content of one of the MCs only to paint him as unlikeable and suspicious. It would ruin the thrill of the whole series. An unpopular opinion for me, I will be rooting for him in the next book given that out of all the MCs, Ilona gave us a bonus content of him and I believe there should be a reason why 😉.
Thank you for this and am excited for the next book!
I know it’s probably not what everyone else agrees on, but I prefer Doran’s honesty and possessiveness and think it would be more intriguing and less cliche if him and Maggie evolved their relationship instead of the Sleepless Duke. He immediately sensed her worth from ONE CONVERSATION AND this is while knowing NOTHING about her ability to prophecy or resurrect….the Duke knew and saw her as a weapon, THEN a possible MISTRESS…sooo😅sorry, I REALLY want it to be him.
But I do agree the Duke is hot in his own way, but it just kind of felt cliche and I get the ick from dishonesty and manipulative relationships. I prefer Doran TESTING her knowledge of who he is, and the fact he NEVER lied to her, and almost immediately proposed marriage *SWOON* 🤣
Oooh. This book was so satisfying! I loved it. And I love this was a long big story! And how it kept building up.
I screamed with the ending. I did not thought IA will pull a cliffhanger on us 😄😄 That was so mean! ❤️
Love this!
I’m neck deep in home renovations and caretaking my elderly father whose dementia is worsening quickly, so I am late to the party.
I LOVE this present! Thank you for giving us further insight into Doran and his motivations.
I sympathize. I’m having to sell my mother’s house and my house and buy a house that will work for the 2 of us, before she looses too much ground to Alzheimer’s. These books give me a break.
OMG, how delicious! I was wondering about Arvel and how he was pressuring Maggie. This tells me more.
I am so curious as to exactly what they have been working so hard for and how high is he aiming … O_O
I am looking forward to when “Lord Bellen” learns who killed the “man hunter”.
My deepest sympathies for you. Alzheimer’s is a horrible disease the way it steals the one you love away from you. Please remember to take care of yourself in this time, and get care giver breaks now and again. My friend did this for her Mom and she lives with no regrets knowing she did all she could do. You won’t be burden by any regrets. Hugs.