Thank you for kind comments and support this week. Usually we post scene by scene, but today we will do the whole chapter.
Hugh stepped out of the woods and started up the road to Baile. The old castle rose atop the low hill like some ancient fort built by a Norman knight intent on keeping all he surveyed clenched in his iron gauntlet. It had been born in England, then transported stone by stone to Kentucky and reassembled on a whim of a man with too much money. The Shift had restored its original purpose. It was both a fortified base and a symbol of power.
He once told Elara that the point of the castle wasn’t to hide within the walls but to be worthy of it. The man who controlled the castle controlled the lands around it.
He needed to be that man. Not because he wanted the headache but because maintaining control of their immediate surroundings was the only path to safety. They were too far from any regional authorities, and in the great scheme of things, his fighting force was laughably small. By the latest count he had 348 Iron Dogs. During his time as Roland’s warlord, he commanded 2,400 trained soldiers. Almost seven times what he had now.
The familiar rage shivered deep inside him, hot and angry. He had built the most elite force on the continent and Roland had dismantled it out of cowardice.
Hugh pushed it aside. He needed a cool head for what waited ahead.
Aberdine presented a problem. The small town controlled the only leyline point within twenty five miles. The magic current was the fastest and safest way to reach Lexington or any of the other cities, and Baile depended on trade. Herbs, cosmetics, medicine, all of that flowed out through the leyline and returned as cash and supplies. In the past, Aberdine proved less than cooperative, despite relying on Baile’s medical supplies and booze.
Given a choice, he would have done whatever he could to take charge of Aberdine. In the old days, when Roland’s magic seared all doubt, guilt, and compassion from his mind, he would’ve set the town on fire, built a fort on the ashes, and put a detachment of Iron Dogs into it.
Those days were behind him now. He was a different man, less powerful, without immortality or backing of Roland’s magic, but he had his freedom. It was hard won. He could still feel the void, swirling on the edge of his consciousness, ready to sink its teeth into him if he faltered.
He was also married and charged with defending about 5,000 civilians who depended on his protection and ability to negotiate. The fact that Aberdine sent someone over and asked to see him meant both would be required.
His lovely wife was waiting for him by the castle gates. She wore a light lilac dress today, and her white hair, gathered into a plait, wrapped around her head like a crown.
He’d half expected her to have been deep in negotiations with whoever Aberdine sent. For some reason, he was happy that she waited for him.
Hugh walked through the gates. She gave him a weary look.
“I heard we have guests,” he said.
“Nick Bishop and two others,” she said.
She looked like something had been eating at her. It bothered Hugh.
“Where are they?” he asked.
“Waiting inside.”
They started toward the keep, walking side by side. The bailey was crowded with people hurrying back and forth. A team of villagers hung fall garlands on the walls. Another trio had brought a cart filled with bright orange pumpkins and were now arguing over the most picturesque location to position it while an old pinto horse patiently waited for them to make up their minds. A gaggle of tweens carried baskets of chestnuts. The castle was getting ready for Harvest Day.
“What do you think they want?” Hugh asked.
“I don’t know, but Bishop’s arm is in a sling and the other two have bruises on their faces. Whatever it is, it can’t be good.”
Nick Bishop was Aberdine’s chief of police, National Guard Sergeant, and Wildlife Response Officer, all of which put him in charge of the same six people. He’d met Bishop during the battle of Aberdine. The man kept a cool head and was capable.
If Bishop had showed up, Aberdine had a problem. One that required an Iron Dog kind of solution. This wasn’t about herbs or beer. This was about violence.
Ah. “So it’s that kind of visit, then.”
Elara didn’t respond. She was walking fast, her gaze dark, her lips a thin firm line.
“The herbs?” he guessed.
“That too, but mostly it’s Aberdine.”
They entered the main keep and Elara turned left, down the hallway leading to the visitor room. He remembered it well. When he first came to Baile a few months ago, half-starved and only barely sane with the void gnawing on his soul, she’d put them in that room. And then she made them sit in there, smelling delicious bread baking in the kitchen for half an hour before she came to negotiate.
“What about Aberdine?”
“They sent their Chief of Police. They’re going to ask you for help. They’re going to expect you to take the Iron Dogs, leave the castle, go source alone knows where, and fight.”
“That’s what people usually want from me.”
She stopped and turned to him. “I don’t want you to go.”
Interesting. “I seem to remember a certain woman who demanded that I drop everything and take our troops to defend Aberdine not that long ago. And when I argued against it, she tried to shame me by pointing out that Aberdine was full of babies.”
She raised her head. “That was then and this is now.”
“I’m going to need a little more than that.”
Elara sighed. “Then Aberdine was about to be wiped off the face of the planet. You saved them because it was the right thing to do. But now, since Aberdine survived, they should have the decency to handle their own problems.”
“That depends on the type of problem. There will be times when Aberdine’s issues could become ours.”
“And that’s exactly what I don’t want. I don’t want you getting hurt, I don’t want any of our people getting hurt, and I don’t want to take in anymore of their people. I just want to celebrate Harvest Day in peace. I’ve had enough of blood and gore.”
Ah. He got it now. For him, blood and gore were business as usual. The battle with Nez, terrible as it had been, was just another fight. He’d had personal stakes in that one, and he’d almost died, but at the core he was a soldier. An enemy attacked, they fought, they won. Next.
Elara didn’t fight those kind of battles. She avoided them unless she was backed into a corner, which was why she and her people migrated from place to place until they found Baile. Any time they came in conflict with the locals, they picked up and moved on. She married him to break that cycle.
His prickly wife, as tough as she pretended to be, was scared.
“They’re here,” he said. “Let’s hear them out and then we can decide, together, if we’re going to do anything about it.”
She gave him a suspicious look.
“I promise you that if you really don’t want me to go, I won’t.”
She took a step forward, closing the distance between them, and put her hand on his forehead. Her fingers were cool and dry, and he had the absurd urge to take her hand and kiss it.
The swirling, writhing chaos spreading, engulfing him…
Nope.
“I don’t have a fever.”
She stepped back. “I’m not going to tell you what to do.”
“Noted.”
They looked at each other.
He raised his eyebrows at her. “Wait, are we acting like a married couple?”
“Oh, shut up.”
She turned and stomped down the hallway. He followed her.
The scent of freshly baked bread floated on the draft. He could practically taste the crispy crust.
“Loving couple in three, two….” He murmured.
“One,” she finished.
The doors of the visitor room stood wide open. He let her enter first and stepped inside behind her. The long rectangular room held an oversized table built with old wood. The Aberdine delegates, Bishop and the two other men, sat at the table, helping themselves to a platter of fresh bread, cheese, sausage, and fruit.
There was a subtle psychology at play here. She brought them in, she made them wait, she fed them. It wasn’t just hospitality. Elara was positioning Baile as the benefactor of Aberdine. There was something almost feudal about it. The lord and lady of the castle receiving vassals in need of assistance. If they chose to grant their ask, the relationship between Baile and Aberdine would be cemented. Not neighbors. Not equals. Protector and protected.
Hugh hid a smile. That’s my girl.
He couldn’t let all of that effort go to waste.
#
Hugh raised his large arms and gave Bishop a big toothy grin. “Bishop! It’s been too long!”
Elara almost winced. She should have been used to him by now, but his instant transformations still took her by surprise. A moment ago, in the hallway, he was quiet and serious, and he sounded sincere. And now he’d turned into a loud, affable, slightly oblivious bro host with the emotional depth of a wooden spoon.
Hugh squinted at the table. “Love, couldn’t we get the guys some beer?”
“Of course, honey.” She nodded at Natasha waiting in the other doorway.
Hugh landed in a chair and spread out. She stood next to him. The nervous energy inside her roiled. Sitting down wasn’t in her right that second. She could barely keep from pacing.
Hugh grabbed a bread roll, tore it in half, stuffed some cheese into it, and took a bite. “So, what are you guys doing here?”
Bishop gathered himself, as if preparing to jump over a pit studded with spikes. His left arm was in a sling and his face was bruised, his dark brown skin almost purple over his left cheek. The other two didn’t look much better.
The unease spun inside her like an animal with sharp claws. When Nez captured Hugh at the end of the battle, his vampires had dragged him to some old building in an abandoned town miles away. She had gone to get him, and when she tore into that building, she found him chained and bleeding. They had hung him by his arms, and his body looked battered beyond repair. They had beaten him to the very edge of death. When she wrapped her power around him, he was almost gone and she carried him, limp like a ragdoll, all the way back to Baile hoping against all odds that he would live. He was so strong, the strongest man she’d ever met, and she had felt his life slipping through her fingers. He could have been gone forever.
Never again.
Hugh frowned. “Wait a minute. Bishop, what happened to your arm? Have you guys been having fun without me?”
Fun? You ridiculous oaf. She almost clenched her fists and forced herself to smile instead. “Hugh, dear, maybe we should let them tell us why they’re here?”
“Oh, yes.” Hugh rearranged his face into a serious expression. “To what do we owe the pleasure?”
The two men with Bishop stopped eating. The Chief of Aberdine’s police cleared his throat.
“We’re being extorted.”
Her stomach dropped. She hated that, hated the anxiety and how it made her feel. It was so much simpler before, when Hugh was an irritating but necessary jackass she had to tolerate. Somehow he had become her jackass. And now they would try to drag him into their mess.
“Extorted by whom?” Hugh asked.
“The Drakes. Mercenaries from Indianapolis,” Bishop said.
“They came down from up north three weeks ago,” the man to Bishop’s left said. He was in his forties, broad and blond. “At first they asked if they could pitch their tents in the fallow field by the wall. Now they want us to put them up and feed them through the winter.”
“How many?” Hugh asked.
“Seventy to eighty people,” Bishop said. “They’re armed and trained. Apparently the other half of their outfit is on its way.”
Eighty people. Even if they minded themselves, Aberdine couldn’t support that. And they wouldn’t mind themselves. Aberdine didn’t have a police force strong enough to keep them in check. They would start to swagger. They would start to demand and take. There would be theft, there would be assaults and rape. Then there would be murder. Here, isolated in the Knobs, there line between mercenary and bandit was very faint.
“Have you petitioned Lexington?” Hugh asked.
Bishop nodded. “National Guard won’t come unless there is an incident. Right now, it’s just squatting. A civil matter. Non-violent.”
Elara knew exactly where Aberdine stood. She and her people had been in a standoff just like that more than once, when someone wanted them to leave. Somebody would have to die or be seriously injured before the authorities intervened, and it wasn’t worth it. Her people were precious. She had chosen again and again to just move on. But Aberdine didn’t have that option. Where would the whole town go with winter a month away?
They would have to rescue Aberdine. She saw it with crystal clarity, and she hated it. First, they couldn’t allow the Drakes to control the leyline. Second, they couldn’t permit Aberdine to turn into a mercenary town. Those places popped up from time to time, lawless settlements that drew every lowlife in the state until it became too much and either National Guard or DCI, Department of Criminal Investigations, busted them. If they let Aberdine devolve into that, sooner or later the mercenaries would start eyeing Baile. They would need space and a good defensible position, and the castle would prove too tempting.
All that aside, morally they couldn’t allow Aberdine’s people to be run off their own land. As Hugh pointed out, there were children in that town. Families. They didn’t deserve any of that.
A careful knock sounded through the room. Lamar paused in the doorway. Hugh waved him in without turning.
“Who is running the show?” Hugh asked.
“A man named Polansky,” Bishop answered.
“Calls himself the Falcon,” the dark-haired man to Bishop’s right said.
Lamar leaned to Hugh and murmured something in his ear. Hugh nodded.
“Ex-marine, big guy, always sunburned, looks like he bites bricks for a living?” Lamar asked.
“That’s the one.”
“I thought once you were a marine, you were always a marine?” Hugh said.
“They kicked him out,” Lamar said. “Conduct unbecoming.”
“Meaning?” Hugh asked.
“His definition of acceptable civilian casualties was too broad for the Corp.”
Hugh looked at the three men. All humor had disappeared from his face. His gaze was hard and heavy. “And what would you gentlemen like us to do about this unfortunate development?”
“We’ve been authorized by the town to pay you a substantial sum to help us resolve this crisis,” the blond man said.
A mistake, Elara thought. They should not have opened with that.
Bishop gave him a warning glance. The man clamped his mouth shut.
“We are not for hire,” Hugh said.
He spoke in an unhurried, almost lazy way, but the temperature in the room had dropped by about ten degrees.
The blond man paled.
“And if we were, you couldn’t afford us.”
Silence claimed the room, siting on the table between Hugh and the Aberdine men like a cement block.
Bishop cleared his throat again. “We know you’re not for hire. The money would be just to offset any costs.”
That was her cue. “We don’t need Aberdine’s help with that.”
Hugh reached for her hand, took it, and brushed his lips on her fingers.
Ridiculous. She’d make him pay later.
He was still holding her hand and showed no signs of letting go. “My wife is quite right, gentlemen. We are not destitute. We can cover our own costs.”
“We would be happy come to an agreement regarding our western woods,” the dark-haired man said.
She knew exactly what they were talking about. The land between Baile and Aberdine was almost all dense forest, but there was a stretch of meadows right near the property border, on Aberdine’s side. The meadows produced particularly good blueflower.
It was one of those plants that popped up after the Shift, nourished by magic. Blueflower provided relief from arthritis. They had tried to cultivate it before and failed. It could only be gathered in the wild and no matter how long they searched, they never found another spot on their own land. She had tried to license foraging rights, and Aberdine had turned her down cold. They hadn’t been pleasant about it, either.
It would be nice to have that plot. But there were bigger things in play. Aberdine always viewed them as unclean and lesser. There was a reason why they opened with the money. If they agreed to be hired, it would put Aberdine and Baile in employer and employee positions, with employer holding power. Now that that attempt failed, they were trying to bargain as equals.
No, this could not be a transaction. It had to be a favor. Aberdine had to owe them. That was the only way they would be secure.
High squeezed her hand gently. She looked at him and saw a silent question in his blue eyes. It almost killed her, but she gave him a tiny nod.
A hint of a smile tugged on the corner of his mouth.
“Do we need any more woods, love?” he asked.
“Not particularly.”
“You’ve tried to get foraging rights before,” the blond man said. He had to be their comptroller or something.
“I did. As I recall, Aberdine doesn’t want dirty, pagan witches in its woods. Isn’t that right?”
The delegation winced in unison.
“That was the old mayor,” the dark-haired man said. “He has left town. Aberdine does not condone that sort of small-minded prejudice.”
Since when?
“As I recall, we tried to help you before. We sent people to reinforce your magic wards, and you blocked their way and threw rocks at them,” she said mildly.
The delegation stared at her. At least they had the decency to look uncomfortable.
“We apologize,” the dark-haired man said.
“That’s very nice of you,” she told him. “I will let Sam know. He has a scar from the rock on his forehead. Your apology will be a great comfort.”
More silence.
“That was then, this is now,” Bishop said.
Hugh looked at her.
Don’t even think of saying anything.
“Look, I’ll level with you,” Bishop said. “We can’t get them out ourselves. We’ve tried.”
He pointed to his arm.
“They’ve stopped pretending to be polite. They’re going to start looting and pillaging next, and there’s not a damn thing we can do to stop them. Will you please help us?”
Silence stretched for a long moment.
Hugh grinned. “All you had to do was ask. Of course we’ll help you. After all, we’re neighbors, aren’t we, honey?”
“We are,” she said.
“There you have it. My wife is a very forgiving woman.”
He would leave right away. She could feel it. “Will you be back in time for dinner?” Go there, do your Hugh thing, and come right back.
He kissed her fingers again and gazed at her, his face a picture of adoring devotion. “Will you make me something delicious to eat, love?”
“Of course.” She had plenty of poisonous herbs left over…
Hugh rose to his full height. “Let’s go see about these mercenaries of yours.”
First?
Certified 🥇!
Thank you so much I really needed it today 💖
3rd 🙂
thanks Ilona & Gordon…….
Good luck on Maggie hopefully final round of edits
Hurray for HughDayyyyyyy!!!
Oooo…thank you so much! This helps waiting for whatever happens next….
Happy Hughday!
Thank you for this Friday treat! The ongoing tension in the Hugh Elara relationship is absolutely perfect. Cannot wait to read this, snippets and in great blocky book form.
+1! 🤗
Thank you.
Thank you. A thousand times, thank you.
Thanks for the wonderful start to our day!!! I hope your edits go swiftly and easily. =)
Thank you!!! I so needed this, it’s been A Week! Have a wonderful weekend!!
Yay!!
Thank you for HughDay, and a whole chapter! We are a spoiled BDH 😊
You know how big brother is always listening? I’ve been getting adds and videos about yarn and crocheting and knitting! lol And, that makes me think of you.
Stay warm, do cozy things, eat and drink your favorites, and love each other. What else is the weekend for?
Blessed with a whole chapter. We are not worthy. Thank you!!! Loved it, like always. I enjoy Hugh and Elara’s dynamic so much.
Also, whoever finds the pictures for the posts, thank you 🙂 I appreciate the extra time you put into finding ones that fit each post. This one instantly transported me into the story.
Ilona makes the featured photos choices as well 🙂
+1 Everything. Is. Awesome.
Thank you so much!
Always such a treat! Thank you for sharing Hug and Elara with us. I do love their relationship and messy feelings!
Thank you!! Always makes my day better
thank you
Woo! Thanks. I needed this small bit of joy and laughter this morning
I just wanted to say that I am a university professor (physics) and I have a mechanical keyboard with Cherry MX Brown switches and custom key caps (cute flowers) and I understand and applaud your careful choice! Also: new chapter, squeeee!!!
This was so delightful. I love their interaction 💗💗💗👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
Have a great weekend.
Okay, the newly married are coupling and in public. So civil.
Can’t (bad BDH words) for the next chapter.
Thank you for the whole chapter, I feel so spoiled! Happy Friday to you!v🙂
Just keeps getting better and better!!!
Thanks for brightening our day.
They are both long term tactical thinkers. So interesting.
Ok, now I need to reread Iron and Magic. Kudos, on the continued redemption of Hugh. When Aunt Bea was killed and Kate was in the well, he was a truly despicable character in the series. The power of words is amazing.
Seconded. There may be other authors who could have done it, but how many would bother? This is virtuoso stuff.
+1!
Agreed and the Aunt B scene was a huge moment for my brain to process. In fact, my brain rejected the outcome for much longer than it should have been.
If you haven’t already, try the audio version of Iron Magic. The reader’s voice is wonderful. I hope he will be available to continue as Hugh😁
+1
Thank you so much for the snippet. I treasure these treats.
Thank you very much!
I wanted to say to Elara “don’t poison Hugh. If you do, you’ll have an one angry Preceptor on your hands.”
It will be interesting how Hugh will handle Aberdine’s issue. He can act as a good old boy while he stabs the other person with his sword or his knife. 🤔😉
Love the picture, so appropriate! Love the humor.
First, I’m so glad the outpouring of support made you feel better. You’ve earned and deserve all of it.🤗
Second, I don’t expect every Friday to be Hugh-day so thank you and for the extra treat of a whole chapter!
+1
Awesome chapter and thank you for the much needed break from the daily grind.
Yeah it’s wonderful thanks
…Plenty of poisonous herbs…” had me snorting my coffee. I needed that.
That was wonderful. Ilona and Gordon, you are too kind. I can smell the bread baking. I love to bake bread, and now I am making some this morning. I have a brother and his family in Texas. We also pray hold grid hold. Like Gordon, though, we were raised in the country, and he is always prepared with wood for the fireplace and has a gas stove. It is a mindset we all have. Be prepared for the worst and be happy when it doesn’t happen. My daughters used to laugh at me always being prepared for power outages. Since their father and I lived in small towns while they were growing up we never lost power for more than a few hours or a day or two. But then Katrina hit and we were without power for a week. And then a few years ago there was an ice storm and we were without power for about 4 days. That fireplace and gas stove requirement for a house before I buy it is no longer something my daughters make fun of.
Good luck on the edits. Thank you for sharing your wonderful stories with us.
Agree! I’ve had the which type of stove is better argument with friends and no one has a rebuttal to “I can still cook when the electric is out”. The unfortunate thing is my new stove’s oven cannot be lit without electricity. I never thought to check that when I went shopping.
During super storm sandy didn’t have power for 7 days. Baked chocolate chip cookies in my gas grill 😏
7 days in with no electricity during the hurricane season of no power, I was using the humble little charcoal grill to cook with the cast iron dutch oven, pans over the coals and foil. I was reminded slow food is good food, savory and delicious dishes can be made that way. Sweet potato baked in the coals. Corn on the cob roasted, veggies toasted…Biscuits in the dutch oven… my latest add is a small cast iron tea pot. Hot water, tea, etc over the coals… Battery powered fans to circulate air on the screened cover porch, an sleeping out side. Sadly the racket of all the generators around me made the ear plugs manditory. But falling asleep on the outdoor cot and waking to a gentle drizzle on me was something fabulous. I have enormous respect now for the pioneers.
My next house will have a wood stove, for this very reason. Not as the primary heat source, but you can’t beat it for inclement weather backup (assuming you have access to firewood). And while baking would be a stretch, it can handle anything a stovetop can. I’ve definitely been missing my wood stove in this house, much as I love it otherwise.
Yay! A whole chapter! 😀
Thank you, I appreciate it more that I can describe. You are the best!
I’m sitting in my reading nook, cackling like a madwoman, and my concerned husband is asking me why. It’s very difficult to explain the glorious snark of Hugh/Elara without backstory, and even more difficult to produce a short version for someone who hasn’t read HA except in blog posts. (His jam is military sci-fi.) Horde, feel my pain.
so true!
❤️
Oh that was wonderful! I love the manipulations together against Aberdine and internal debate in Alara. Masterfully done.
Wow!! That was so much fun! And the whole chapter! Thank you!
Two attacks on Baile or are the rogue Druids part of the Aberdine problem? So many questions! Hehehe. And such a nice glimpse into the changes in the relationship between Elara and Hugh. I’m seriously going to love this story as much as the first. I still remember how surprised I was at turning Hugh into a hero. Book one is a frequent re-listen for me.
love it! “slightly oblivious bro host with the emotional depth of a wooden spoon.” 🤣 Really cool to see Hugh and Elara working together. Thank you for the Chapter!!
Yep, that got a snort out of me.
Me too!!
Thank you so much for this! You guys are a light and it’s so nice to be able to get away to another world. Hope you don’t have any problems with the weather!
First of all, your chapter image, I want sooooo badly to experience that room in person!
Then YES! Aberdine becomes beholden to Baile. Right, fair, sensible. Vassal, liege-lands, whatever.
And perhaps, some of these Drake a$$es, have the potential to become Iron Dogs…maybe.
Friday is looking up! Temps got above freezing and a whole chapter of Hugh and Elara. Thanks!
What’s the ship name for Hugh and Elara? I don’t remember if the Horde came up with one after the first book. Elugh? Hara? Helara?
I don’t think we came up with a ship name for them.
Elugh sounds like igloo.
Helara sounds like hilarious.
Well, I guess both could work since we would have a hilarious igloo. 😀
It’s too late to ship. They are already married.
Good point. So, ship “that ship has sailed”?
Ship WHAT’S THE CHICKEN THING ABOUT?! , based on the most popular thing the readers say about them :DDDD
👍🤣
LOL!!!
Really. Not only do we have “why did the chicken cross the road?” and “which came first, the chicken or the egg?”, we now have, “what does Hugh want Elara to do with that chicken?”.
Um, he wants her to EAT a whole chicken. The real question is WHY does he want her to eat a whole chicken in one day? Seems like a lot of chicken to me. Maybe they have smaller chickens? Is she a vegetarian and he’s just try to torture her? Wouldn’t bacon b a better choice, if so? What point, exactly, is he making by getting her to eat a chicken? Is this related to her connection to whatever it is inside her? A god or something? Does it take the form of a giant white chicken, and that’s why she doesn’t want to eat chicken? Did she have a traumatic chicken related incident? So many questions…Mod R, do we know if this book will contain the answer to the chicken conundrum?
Thanks so much for our Hughday gift! It was a perfect fit!
Could it be she is PREGNANT?! Doesn’t Curran make a comment about Hugh having a brood of children in the Wilmington years?
Love, love these Friday snippets, HA you are so good to us !
What a great idea! Hughes and Elara, not quite a secure team, now forced to parent together. Yay!
I hope some of Hugh and Elara’s children are biological, but I sorta imagine them collecting wayward orphan kids the way Kate collects homicidal misfits.
I’ve always thought it was something child related, or fertility. Like as something ritually needed for them to have children.
I agree with all of that. Why would Elara ask Hugh if she should eat the bones too?
Were they having that argument all the way to Atlanta, and Kate’s driveway was the end of the conversation/ argument? Was it a bet Elara lost? Hmmm….🤔
I’ve invested a slightly embarrassing amount of time in trying to figure that one out! I thought maybe chickens were sacred to the deity inhabiting Elara, and a surprising number of them are associated with chickens. I hadn’t even considered pregnancy (though I certainly am now!), and had chalked up Elara asking if she should eat the bones to the kind of general snippiness that happens when bickering with one’s spouse (not that I would ever do that with my husband, of course, lol).
YES! Yesyesyesyes. This is amazing. Thank you!!!
thank you so much for this treat!
best of luck on the Maggie edits. I hope you are satisfied and happy with the cover!
Loved it! It felt like meeting Hugh and Elara all over again. Made my day so much happier.
Thank you, this is great!
On a side note, just found this Instagram post denoting slavic creatures for every horoscope sign and it made me think of your work 😊
Maybe others would like it too, please remove link if I’m breaching rules here 👍🏻😅
https://www.instagram.com/p/DGT8-wmMzO4/?igsh=MTMyYTdpcXFqcjdocA==
I love that, it’s adorable! And true, I never let people sleep in peace 🤣
Whoop, neither do I! But… I thought a Mara was essentially a luck demon, so what is *that* all about?
You & me, tho. Definitely dark n dangerous 😉
thanks for sharing the post!
Uuuu, that was so much fun! apparently I “left home to live in the swamp” >snort<, I could see myself doing that, lol.
Love the BDH and the House of HA!
I’ll turn into a frog and keep you company. We can chalant on lily pads all day long.
Yay! Thank you, I love Hughday!
“And now he’d turned into a loud, affable, slightly oblivious bro host with the emotional depth of a wooden spoon.“
I laughed and had to reread this description to savor this wording. So good!
Another example of why you’re my favorite authors. 🩷
Thank you.
Perfection. I’m immersed in this story.
So wonderful. Thank you for this gift on Hughday
so good! love all the interesting developments. thank you very much!
Thank you thank you! This made my Friday so much happier! I’m very gruntled almost chalant.
Smiles,
lurve – thank you
The best Hughday ever!
This was a fun scene! I love the push and pull between Hugh and Elara and I appreciate you sharing them with us. While always hungry for your words, you have kept us very fed lately.
Stay warm (Those freezing temps should be out of Texas this weekend) and good luck on the next steps with Maggie.
I just love this couple!!! Thanks, House Andrews!!
Aberdine grovels. Nice.
I needed a treat. I’m restoring order after getting a new refrigerator. Somehow the kitchen chaos has spread to the whole house.
wowser!
Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!
I hoped for a snippet!!!
it was everything!!!!
Best ending for the week!!!
“Your apology will be a great comfort” is such a perfect line; I imagine I’ll be using it at some point. 😉
Thank you for such an awesome chapter and a great start to the weekend.
Thank you for this snippet from the 3rd snowiest city in the US (51 days out of the last 52)Rochester NY have a great weekend.
Oooh, is that the Rochester of garbage plate fame? 😁
Kudos! How in the world do you know about these things? I just googled it and it looks like you are correct.
Oooh! Yummy!
Many thanks for goodies on a *dreary* day.
yay!!!! what a delicious installment
I love Hugh day!😍 Thanks house andrews.
I vote we kill their leader and any idiots then train the rest as iron dogs. Hugh needs a bigger army.
Ditto!!
Being worthy of a castle seems difficult in a post-apocalyptic world – so it’s super enjoyable to see Elara and Hugh navigate it!
@Arezoo Glad I’m not the only one with the same thought. I feel like they’re setting the scene for recruitment – the Dogs took losses in Book 1 so it only makes sense to recruit and make up those numbers. It might be a case of kill the leaders/ idiots, force most to move along and take only the cream of the crop that could cut it as Dogs (to get to an even 360 Dogs total). Not sure how many mouths (that don’t add to their agricultural or economic output) Baile wants to feed. There is only so much it’s possible to salvage within travel distance.
Alternatively, it might be time for Hugh to train existing suitable Baile and Aberdine residents as an extended National Guard style militia – so they’re mostly farmers/ artisans etc but can still follow orders and supplement the Dogs effectively when needed. In Book 1 there were a lot of formidable Baile residents, but they weren’t exactly integrated with the Dogs in tactical terms when the siege was happening. Also, if Aberdine becomes a protected city affiliated with Baile, then they need to have some skin in the game!
Ooh! A whole chapter! You spoil us. And a whole load of ass-kicking coming up…
Thank you for the much needed escape!
Mwahahaha I love that Hugh and Elara are so very different and yet they play the game so well together. Now I’m going to sip my tea and write a work contract but I’m smiling while doing it. Thanks for making my morning brighter.
so. I want to clarify that mí rant won’t be about politics
it is a RANT
I work a very stressful job, high exigencies low salary.
very poor environment working conditions.
for once in all my time in that work I had a boss who was a líder. he teached, he leaded with example, he worked as hard or harder that what he asked of us. he made better the place where we work. he gave us tools to make our labour easier.
and then because he didn’t went with a corrupt system they sent him away.
not fired, but to work in a place at 190 miles from his home.
all that made me feel so so low, sad, angry, disappointed, all the bad feelings.
seen the chapter today changed the course of the whole week.
at least there’s a bright spot in a dreary depressing week.
it’s something to look forward to when there’s little
my most felt tank Yous
my most highest regards
from Argentina
Maia – I am glad that your spirit is being uplifted by this snippet. For me these scenes are like a ray of light and also I usually go to bed listening to an IA audio book. It is part of my „good sleep Hygiene“. Have you read the free story „Purpose“ on this site?The end always puts a huge smile on my face. Wishing you all the best in Argentina. Health, resiliance, love and good fortune. Warmly Tanja
Thanks Tanja!
Probably I have read it, but I have a Dory memory, so I probably search for it later, and enjoy it as if for the first time!
I was so on the negative range of feelings that I had to go for all innkeeper graphic audio and now I can function normally.
I’m very grateful for HA and all the fun, comfort and found family they provide.
actually in a much better mood after a marathon.
jeje
now to wait and let the storm pass
I feel you!
The very best bosses for us (below) don’t last so well because they don’t meet the expectations of those (above).
The ones I have cried most for are the ones who tried for both & ended up burning out 😭
I truly hope that your situation improves, and that your boss/ex-boss finds what he/she needs too! xxx
As always, thank you!
Thank you so much for giving us a full chapter! You are amazing in keeping the Horde extra fluffy.
Wahoo!! I love hughday!! Such a good installment, I love the banter between our loving couple. Thank you HA!!
You two are my favorite authors. I love the Huge series and wish you would make it into a longer series. Hugh’s turmoil is palpably real.
Take care of yourselves. I know everyone pushes you to produce more content, but if you don’t take care, there will be no more content.
Take time off, do fun things, crochet like a madwoman.
Thank you.
Haha! Go Hugh! Battle Ho!
Thanks. It’s been a rough week and this was a great pick me up. Can’t wait for other snippets.
This brings joy. so much joy.
Thank you!!
Wonderful!! Thank you!
Thank you. These Hughdays bring a light to my day. So glad to be part of the BDH!
Thank you for being so gracious and sharing!
I hope things continue to improve for you all
I’m ridiculously excited for the upcoming Hugh release 😃
Thank you – the chapter is perfect. It did bring a question to mind and if it’s already been answered my apologies and I’ll do the research to find. Hugh is no longer immortal because he’s lost Roland’s connection. But, by Kate Daniel’s 10 ( my apologies I don’t remember the right name for the right book) is he immortal due to Kate? If she sees him as brother, is that perception enough to cover him?
P*tience, padawan! 🙂
Edit : To the few people who have posted spoilers as a reply to this question : please stop. Your Horde colleagues with to appreciate the story as it develops.
ahhh Mod R…
ever so loving, invoking the “P” word 😉
can’t wait for the story to unfold….
My apologies, did not mean to invoke spoilers thought it was something already discussed.
With the kids having no school this week, I have lost all sense of time and didn’t realize it was Friday. My day became 1000% percent better when my husband poked his head out of his office to tell me it was Hughday.
I really want to throw an adult-sized temper tantrum and demand more because I love it all sooo much but I will be a respectable BDH member and contain myself to wait patiently for more. You make my world a better place with your stories, no matter which one it is ( My hubby and I truly love them all). Patience may well be a virtue but it’s one I struggle to implement when it comes your books.
I love this so much!
A whole chapter too!
Thank you so much you fluffy AL’s!
You always deliver something special. While immersing us in the story, you deepen the characters relationships, explain the political machinations, provide motive and meaning to their actions, build suspense, and surprise us with every unsuspected plot twist in thier magic fueled world. You are generous and genuinely appreciated. Thank you for your kindness and for this week’s chapter. You’re the best!
Thank you! It looks like Hugh will be a great book!
This story is off to an incredible start. I absolutely love this chapter. Thank you so much for making my Friday better.
You are very forgiving people to have received and read that comment, digested it and still produced a whole chapter. You are more forgiving than I think I would have been….
I hope you all have a lovely weekend!
Oh dear, going to die of curiosity now. Or maybe just start haunting the blog more frequently heh. Don’t take the nasties to heart, just ban them. They don’t deserve to be BDH members if they can’t be pleasant. My mother told me as a child, if you can’t say something nice, be silent. I will admit I’ve not always managed it, but I do try.
Happy Friday! Thanks for sharing so much words!
This line made me snort hot beverage through my nose!
“A moment ago, in the hallway, he was quiet and serious, and he sounded sincere. And now he’d turned into a loud, affable, slightly oblivious bro host with the emotional depth of a wooden spoon.”
I’m enjoying the Hugh/Elara show!
I loved that turn of phrase, too!! “the emotional depth of a wooden spoon” I’m going to find a place to use that in my life. 💜
Thanks! That was great!
THANK YOU!
I have been in virtual meetings all day and ending those only to find a WHOLE CHAPTER of Hugh on your site just made me so happy, even before I read it. It was excellent (as the writing from House Andrews always is). I am loving this book so much!
I wasn’t counting on getting any Hugh at all, and having a whole chapter was a super-good treat.
I love this so much! Thank you!
Yay for Hughday!!!!
Thank you for a lovely present.
Go, Hugh! Go, Alara! Auberdine…Yeah.
Thanks for the chapter! Just the thing to go with lunch on a cold winter’s day.
Thank you for the chapter, I really needed this today. (Though the conversations that Hugh, Sean, and Rogan could have over a beer at Gertrude Hunt could be fascinating). 😉
I love that idea!!!! I really enjoyed the discussion between Hugh and Elara vs. Rogan and Nevada over who is the best couple. Add Arland to the group and b grinning so big my face would split. PLEASE, pretty please!
I am wondering if some of the mercenaries will become part of the Iron Dogs. Aberdine need to have a small militia to help with law and order and having part of the Iron Dogs rotate into the village will help relations between Baile Nan’s Aberdine.
So good. really getting excited for this book
Thank you for such a great post (and a whole chapter at that…you love us, you really love us!) 😁
I love Hugh and Elara’s relationship: silently thinking um, shall we say ‘uncharitable’ thoughts about each other while simultaneously admiring each other and worrying and fretting over each other’s safety and well-being, all while immediately knowing exactly what each other is thinking and playing along. Perfect marriage!!! 😂🥰💕💕💕
+1
I’m so happy that we’re getting more Hugh! I do have a question about how we’re supposed to take these posts. I know that HA do edit as they go, but how final are these excerpts? Is it closer to Inkeeper, where the posts will be extremely similar to the final version, with a few small changes for clarity/streamlining? Or are we getting something closer to Maggie, which sounds like there will be significant changes between the first draft and what comes out next year?
I understand if the answer is TBD or that it’s a surprise, even if that means having to w*it. 😀
It is too early to tell. We will probably stop at about 30,000 words, because it will need a thorough edit but we do not expect significant changes from the plot line at this time.
squeeeeeeeee. thank you so much!
dziękuję ❤️
So good. Just so so good!
Thank you for all of your hard work. And your keyboard is adorable. I hope it’s fun and easy to use.
Hope all is going well with the Maggie edits. Can’t wait to see covers and such!!
Thank you!! I look forward to Fridays just for these.
Same.
“She had plenty of poisonous herbs left over…”
Laughing so hard, really. I just adore when the two of them play ‘happy loving couple.’ I’m gleefully jumping on every piece of Hugh and Elara you give us.
Thank you for the most delicious chapter! Hugh and Elara are such a perfectly matched power couple!! 📚
Hope your weather is improving – it’s a tad better here near Chicago, upper 20’s, and supposed to break the freezing mark this weekend. We shall see….
Thank you! I appreciate all that House Andrews does for us. You are loved. You are special. You are worthy.
THANK YOU!!
The way you weave these words is nothing short of a miracle to me, a person who can’t .
Wonderful❤️
Listen, I have a lot of book boyfriends, but Hugh will always be at the top of my list.
Thank you for this!!
Love it! Love it! Love it! Now I have a sudden craving to jump back into Kate’s World! The current book I’m reading has become forgettable! But wait, I need Hugh’s story! All of it! Beloved Overloads, I weep, but I await your gifts.
my new favorit saying:
“Wait, are we acting like a married couple?”
“Oh, shut up.”
😁😁😁 I can’t wait to use it with my husband
Thank you so much!
Much needed after this week.
Love it!
Thank you. Wonderful as always and very much needed and appreciated. You bring light to the world.
130th?
Love, love and more love for Hughday!
Blessings upon House Andrews! I needed that dopamine hit badly today. It has been a rough week and HughDay helps, plus it was a WHOLE Chapter!!! There may have been happy dancing involved when I saw that lol
BIIIIGGG grin! 😁 Love it!
I love Hughday! Thank you so much.
Many thank yous for the great chapter (hurrah us).
Smh at those Drakes mercenaries, guess they’re not so good at assessing the lay of the land, most unfortunate for them but fantastic entertainment for BDH.
It is never enough! Although to be honest you could post a whole book and we would still call for more 😉 You could also write one sentence and we would still be in the same level of anticipation. We are grateful for all that you do! Book Devouring Hoard 4EVA🥳🥳🥳
Woohoo! I remembered it’s Friday. Has anything been posted? yes!!
Happy Friday!
Thank you for this Hugh day! It hit the spot… I just loved it. Hope you have a good end of the week!
‘ahhhhhhhhhhhh’ the sigh of the book junkie getting her fix. And now I can face the weekend and do all the things!!
And to think this all started because of an April Fool’s post. Thank you so much
Thank you! So wonderful!! Fridays are the best day of the week
Sigh. What a marvelous way to end a week. Thank you.
Thank you for the Friday goodie!
Thank you!!! You all are the best for sharing your talents with all of us!!!
Every week you make my week! Thanks so much for the full chapter!!!
OMG… “She had plenty of poisonous herbs leftover.” I cannot tell you how many times in my 33yrs of marriage I’ve had that feeling! 😂
Thank you so much for the huge Hugh 🤗 hug.
Btw I finished a sewing project from my sewing II class, which was influenced by this blog. If not for HA, and the BDH, I may have never signed up. So when any of you think your words don’t matter they do. Thank you😊.
It’s the end of February, and I have a housebound., twitchy husband. If any poisonous herbs popped through the snow, I’d be tempted to . . ..
Congratulations on finishing your sewing project! 👏👏👏👏👏
Oh yes, thank you, needed that 🤓
The emotional depth of a wooden spoon!!! I really shouldn’t have read this at work, LOL. My coworker thinks I’m a loon for trying to smother my laughter while working library circulation desk!
Thank you! Having a Hughday is the highlight of my week 🙂
“the emotional depth of a wooden spoon” I love it!!!
But seriously, the growing relationship between Elara and Hugh is beautiful to see. Thank you for sharing your creative genius with us.
First I loved to hate him….but now I hate I love him lol
This was wonderful – I am locked in with this story!
Made my day, thankyou.
I’m having so much fun with this book! I love seeing their relationship development and the strategy!
Thank you for posting a whole chapter! It seems so decadent— like a great piece of chocolate 🤩
I love the interplay between Hugh and Elara. I hope you have a cozy and relaxing weekend.
thank you for sweet, smart, sassy, sexy Hugh!
I had a nice giggle at the last sentence.
Thank you. I am having one of those months and you lightened my load.
I am so excited for Hugh days. This is so good. I am looking forward to Maggie as well !
Thank you so much for this awesome full chapter. I find it so easy to fall back into this world. HA are such talented authors and are so kind to the Horde.
Fridays are looking so good when I can get more of Hugh, but this week was special. Thank you.
I love this! I love the way you explain in the story about Employer/Employee, buying them, etc. I must say, I’d probably be a serf, I don’t have those strategic thoughts. Love the thoughts of the “loving” married couple! This is so great! Thank you.
I live for Hugh days. 🥰 Thank you Ilona and Gordon.
I love them pretending to be deeply in love, while somehow actually being deeply in love just also deeply in annoyance!!
+1
Soooo yummy, thank you!!
Thank you so much for this. I love Hughday.
so good. waiting patiently ;-). Thank you so much!
I can’t wait for the next chapter .
Thank you.
Thank you very much!
Every little snippet and chapter (!) helps me.
A whole chapter? Hot damn! Thank you! Really loving this.
Thank yoooooooo!!! 😃😍🙏🙏🙏
thank you thank you
Thank you!
I love this book so much.
Thank you so much for the full chapter! Love and hugs from the BDH and best wishes on the edits!
Yay! Hughday <3
I loved it. It's like eating a very fancy chocolate.
Also, Elara's weariness resonates with me so much. When there is issue, after issue, after issue. Months go, you can't catch a break and always something happens.
Incredible! I love it. Thank you so much for Hugh-Day!!
I am so grateful for these snippets though they are making me greedy for the whole story. I love these two!!! Thank you so much for creating them!
Hooray hooray it’s Hugh day! I loved this update.
As an Indianapolis native I want to apologize on behalf of our mercenaries!
<3 love the entry, thank you guys as always for all the free goodies
Gah! I can’t wait!
Woot! We have been a good and fluffy horde and are rewarded! (Note to self: Keep being good and fluffy, keep bring good and fluffy…)
I want you to know that I have enjoyed these snippets soooooo much, I went back and re-read IRON AND MAGIC. I loved it all over again. I really need this book to come out soon!
Thank you so much!
Daughter’s birthday and Hughday=happy day!!!!!
Dow anybody of you know the Snickers comercial, when Somone is hungry and Not himself…? …and then become a Snickers and…oh He his himself !
the same i feel when i read a new Adrewsbook ore read on this Website…so thangs..
…im Not myself whitout somthing good to read….. Andrews….and im self again.
So sorry i mean to write .
He have a snikers to eat….Not someone….sorry can read but Not write english
Awww! Thank you, Chris! We are so glad!
I love your analogy here and fav commercial reference! Your English, while not perfect, is perfectly understandable and utterly charming.
(×)(×);
^
thanks
Dudebro Hugh always makes me cackle
“Dudebro” falling down laughing…
Aaaah, that was so satisfying. Thank you!
Thank you. It had been a roller coaster of a week and this was a nive treat.
nice treat not nive treat.
Thank you… enjoying Hugh and Elara so much
Loved this!! Thank you!
Joy joy joy! Whole chapter! I am going to LOVE this book! I have enjoyed the previous chapter parts shared but this chapter has the full sparkle! A groove has been gotten! Thanks!
💃💃💃💃💃💃💃
ty ty ty ty ty vvm!
🥳🎉🥳🎉🥳🎉🥳
Thank you so much! I love seeing more of the relationship between Elara & Hugh! You guys are the best!!!!!
Absolutely love Hughday!
(Doing a little happy dance)
Oh this is marvelous!
oooooo..
This question I have has bubbled to the surface again and I’m finally going to ask it. I live in Florida and was wondering what it’s like the world of Kate Daniels. How has magic affected the Everglades and is Florida Man an even more odd beast with the magic waves?
I am really enjoying this book. Thanks.
Q. You mentioned in the introduction that you usually publish a scene but this time would publish a full chapter. It made me wonder if, when planning a book, you explicitly plan for two scenes to a chapter, which seems to be your usual (though not always). Is it a thought out plan or just your natural writing rhythm?
All Hail Hugh! All Hail Hugh! All Hail Hugh!
All that don’t recognize his benevolence and majesty will fall! Plus, he’s hot!
Completely Unrelated-My son and I have this theory that Roland has figured out a way to get out of his magic prison. We see him walking around incognito, chuckling to himself over he “knows” he’s smarter than everyone else. He’s got some alert & travel method to get back in time for every visitor. We think it took him less than 6 months to figure out.
Thank you, thank you, thank you! You made today so much better. Peace and love to all of you.
Always grateful for your snippets! Thank you so very much! It’s been a brutal year so far, and we’re truly grateful.
Oh thank you so much. Bad day physically. Made me so happy
Thanks! It has been a very long week and I didn’t have time to read this chapter until this evening. Now I am finally relaxing. I know at some point you will stop posting snippets, so I am going to enjoy them while we have them! I hope the Maggie edits go smoothly and please take time for yourselves.
Thank you. It’s really nice to enjoy Hughday at the end of the week. Political ban followed.
Woohoo Hughday! Also Ilona Andrews’ books were a recent category on Trivia Time’s newest episode! So fun
Thank you! I truly enjoy your characters and stories so much. I always look forward to reading your work.
Thank goodness for Friday and Hughday. The chapter was wonderful and I thank you for it. Doing this (a snippit) takes away from your other writing activities and just living your life as normal as possible. I appreciate it very much. I believe that it is time to read Hugh #1 again. Looking forward to Maggie in the future. Take care of yourself and BE WELL.
Wonderful Hugh Day. Welcome close to this workweek when it’s been subzero weather in Wisconsin 💨 Grateful to House Andrews.
Thank you so much for the much needed distraction 😍
Thank you for such a lovely full chapter! I love seeing Hugh and Elara working together. Elara might hate it but they are naturals together!
*let’s go see about these mercenaries of yours” should be the opening line to the book jacket teaser. even if this isn’t crucial to the overall plot. it is such a a kickass hook. and so perfect for his character
Thank you so much for giving us an entire chapter, that was an unexpected treat! Am really enjoying hearing about what Hugh is up to 🙂
Thanks for the treat 🙂
Thankyou.. I’ve been trawling the web for another book to read but can’t find anything to compare..
waiting in anticipation as these little snippets are fuel for the soul….
Thank you. Tomorrow is election day in Germany and I am worried.
This delicious chapter helped immensely!
Thank you so much for the heads up on Amazon. My family have over 6 thousand books on Amazon, to lose them to an algorithm? Naturally House Andrews were the first saved!
Thank you both made me smile . Hugh Day is most welcome 🥰
Thank you both very much, an absolute wonderful read! I have read it three times. Looking forward to chapter 4,with much anticipation. Wishing you both a most enjoyable weekend. I love your humor, their love hate relationship. Their relationship has truly evolved . I love the dynamics.
Thank you
I love this so much! Many, many thanks, and I hope the weather breaks, the grid holds, and more people remember to be kind. Also, whenever Lamar speaks, I hear the delicious accent the audiobook narrator used for him. Perfect!
I had one forgotten Audible credit, that I just used to get the Iron and Magic audiobook because of your recommendation! I don’t know why I didn’t realize that IM had an audiobook version before??
Anyway, I have a 1.5 hour drive today I will be able to start it in peace. Bliss and thank you.
❤️
Love it. It is absolutely delightful! Cannot wait for chapter 4. Your talent is wonderful and I appreciate your sharing it with us.
Happiest Hughday as yet!!! My fingers are itching to turn the page and devour it. I am learning patience the hard way (hahahaha)! Thank you, so needed this. Keeping good thoughts and prayers for you and Gordan for your efforts and work on Maggie to be finished so that you may have some down time to relax and refresh.
Oh, this is lovely! Thank you!
I just reread Iron and Magic und I love this so much!!! Thank you 😍
Thank you for continuing to update this story. I look forward to reading a new installment every Friday (or as many Fridays as you can make it). Of all the fantasy authors I read, I find your stories the most original and imaginative. And I also like the characters you create, which never seem to repeat themselves from one book to another (unless, of course, it’s the same character, and even then, they evolve and grow with the story). I need both plot and characters in my books, and it’s rare to find authors who write both of them so well.
A whole chapter! Thank you, this definitely made my week a bit better.
Question, so we see here they put on a “happy couple face” for the guests. In Magic Triumphs were they acting as a happy couple or were they real and settled by then?
I guess we’ll have to w*it and see, won’t we 😅
Why did I know this would be the answer. Why did I still ask. I was hoping it wouldnt be spoilery. 🙃 😂😂😂😂😂🙃🙃🙃
I will do my best to be p*tient. Which really means my husband is going to have to listen to me re read the pages in Magic Triumphs and then this and see what he thinks 😂😂
Happy Hughday! Thank you so much for spreading happiness. I love that Elara was 1. Don’t go and don’t get hurt 2. I’ll feed you poison 🙂 so good!!!
Ah, we know that it’s true love in the making when a woman acknowledges her man’s jackassedness with somewhat exasperated affection.
And, Hugh checking in about the Blueflower field, before proceeding with their mutually-beneficial “helpful neighbour” strategy was SO respectful of her evaluation of their community’s best interests.
Squeeee!
Thank you for sharing. 🙂
Delicious
Ooooh, this is getting good! Sending positive energy for Maggie edits.
‘ slightly oblivious bro host with the emotional depth of a wooden spoon.’ 😂❣️
And…thank you so much!
Delicious. Thank you. I usually wait for the book but I loved the first book and I am so drawn to this story.
I’m the same, I never read the chapters online, like for Inkeeper, and just wait for the book. But I can’t help it when it comes to Hugh. I am drawn like a moth to the flame!!! I absolutely love Hugh and Elara’s story. I really look forward to hearing more of it and seeing where their lives go. My favorite series!!
OMG!! Thank you so much for posting Hugh. This had made a little bit of light during an otherwise dark and crappy week. Thanks House Andrews!! I can’t wait for the book to come out (no rush or pressure, of course). 🙂
I was too busy at work yesterday to read this and it nearly ended me. Naturally, I had to read it twice this morning. Thank you for letting us have sneaky peeks!
Oooo I just got the shivers!
IA at their best! I hope you can get Steve West for the audiobook 🤣 I can hear his voice “Loving couple in three, two….”
Thank you for the chapter!
Happy Hughday!
Thank you for Hughday! I look forward to this all week ❤️
I love Hugh Day! Thank you for sharing!! It brightened my day!
Thank you so very much. A very Happy Hughday indeed! !
Thanks for a whole chapter! Wonder if the Drakes have the Druid that’s causing the harvest to wither? If it’s a Druid that’s causing it. IA is such a genius at plot twists that they always have me guessing. Love it!
Wonderful !!!
I have really disliked Hugh for years. He has been cruel and such a bad guy.Now I read these snippets and am liking him. How do you magical people do this? Am I going to have to break down and read the first Hugh book? Thank you both for your varied and excellent story telling!!
I very very highly recommend reading Huge 1 (and anything else Ilona Andrews that you may have missed out on.) Reading the April 1 post that started it all may help convince you.
I had a very bad night. Things are going to continue to be rough for a good bit. Slept maybe four hours. So lovely to find a Hughday post in my email this morning! Than you.
Hope things get better
This was great – I can’t wait to read the whole thing! You are amazing authors. I love how you bring the characters to life.
This was like the best chicane ever made! So delicious, and one piece is never enough! So happy there’s more to come. Thank you!!!!
Thank you so much! I squealed like a piggy in truffles, and devoured the chapter, just like said piggy, lol. February has been another long year so far, and your books and sneak peaks shed so much light for me! I cannot thank you enough for the comfort and light and laughter. Hugs and hope for peace and wellness for all.
This was like the best chocolate cake ever made! So delicious, and one piece is never enough! So happy there’s more to come. Thank you!!!!
Thank you, from the bottom of my weary, scarred heart. At least we have Hugh and Elara. <3
AWESOME!!!!! I love the Elara/Hugh word play. This reminds me so much of how my husband and I bantered. Thank you! I needed that this week! I miss him so much!
Thank you so much for sharing your writing via the blog – it’s fun to read in a serialized format – and not giving up on us as fans. I appreciate your interactions and your writing. The Friday writing (Innkeeper, Hugh, Maggie, ideas etc…) is an appreciated spot of joy in a standard week much less now. I am not normally a commenter but the keyboard post was amazing, I love your knitting / yarn posts and I hope that expressing my gratitude and delight can replace the negative comments of others. Sincerely – Melissa
I love love love that we get to hear the inner dialog/perspective of both Elara and Hugh.
I don’t think it’s a coincidence the Drakes showed up in the neighborhood.
It would be consistent with Roland’s MO to “suggest” or incentive that move.
More magic, mystery, and mayhem to come! The BDH are a very fortunate fan group. Thank you so very much.
Thank you!!! This made my day 🙂
SO good! Thank you.
Thank you!!! Wonderful as always!
the snippits are getting more & more interesting. Thanks for posting them!
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you. Well that was so enjoyable
So happy to get a nice treat! Can’t wait to hear this series on GraphicAudio. Thanks for clueing me into this audio option. I have listened to the whole Innkeeper series and loved the voice actors. I especially like Maude and Dina’s soft Texas accents. Going back through Kate’s books now. I love that I can “read” and knit at the same time!
“More, More, More!” ummmm I mean, Thank you very much for this wondrous morsel of bardic expression.
Such a treat to start Caturday with. Two cats snuggled next to me and a wonderful snippet of story to get the imagination going. Thank you.
I am already looking forward to the fight. Current life makes it easy to want to see (mentally at least) bad guys pummeled.
This is fabulous – thanks!
And we are off and running….
THANK YOU! so good.
Thank you! Hugh Day is the perfect ending of the week for me.
I loved it! I wish I could pop over to audible and buy the dramatized version right now!!! You made my day – again.
So good, so welcome. This is fantastic. Thanks!
More Hugh. Thank you. I missed this yesterday (Friday). It has made my weekend. I hope your week goes well.
Thank you thank you thank you!
when it rains, it POURS! thank you for this treat!!!
Thank you! Love Hugh day, you are the best!
Thank you!! Friday was just another day until I saw the newest post. Hurray for Hugh day!
Loving it, thank you! 💖
My road to p*tience is sometimes making myself forget about a thing while I am w*iting. That’s what happened this week. What a delight to be reminded that another Hughday has arrived!
I love how the relationship between these two is winding its way between chemistry, anger, resentment, support, sacrifice, budding trust, and grudging respect. The way Hugh and Elara think alike in terms of how to present Baile to external entities (like Aberdine) and what a good act they have going is fascinating.
I like the comparison between withdrawal from alcohol and the loss of Roland’s magical presence. As recovery is a daily challenge, so is navigating life with that void hanging over his shoulder. Very interesting.
Thank you for sharing this wonderful story and brightening my day!
love it! thank you
Loooooooove it 🩵🩵🩵
Thanks
Yummy! Yummy Hugh deliciousness….
oh yeah all is right in the world hee hee, even with mt. spur threating to erupt, mini quakes going on, the day is better with a little snippet from THE AUTHORLORDS lol
Thanks for giving us a full chapter! Hugh Day is another reason to look forward to Fridays!
The byplay & interactions between Hugh and Elara always make me giddy, especially knowing these stories came as a result of an April Fool’s Fay joke.
Thank you so, so much, Ilona and Gordon! I needed this after the last week of teaching and stuff I have had . . . Delicious, relaxing, and oh so encouraging, to say nothing of a total delight!!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Thank you for HughDay!
We are so spoiled! This is truly wonderful with lol too! So entertaining!
Thank you
Thank you and
Thank you!!!!😊
Thank you for spoiling us with HughDay treats! Loved it!
Brilliant! Simply brilliant! Now I understand negotiating better. Way to go Hugh!!!
Ahhh, so lovely! A full chapter Hughday! There are so many things I love about this! The build up to the ask, the spoken and unspoken back and forth between Hugh and Elara… So delightful!
When I read this part:
He raised his eyebrows at her. “Wait, are we acting like a married couple?”
“Oh, shut up.”
She turned and stomped down the hallway. He followed her.
I can see the smile in his eyes as he follows her!
As others have mentioned, the details just make it so delightful, like a fine wine or chocolate!
Thanks so much HA! Despite the Maggie edits you find time to slip us a full chapter. I appreciate it so much and don’t expect it will happen every Friday, but whenever Hughday happens I am grateful.
I hope the weather has warmed up for you. We are out of the cold into the wet and wind, not my favorite!
I’ve passed a new learning curve with my crocheting so I’m happily moving along on that. Good luck on your current projects and Maggie edits!
I might have to reread the chapter again before I go back to cleaning the bedroom (we lost the roku remote, still haven’t found it! That’s one way to clean the bedroom from top to bottom!). I’ve only read it 3 times! I like to savor it!
Hugh-gasm! I can hardly wait! Thank you for giving us Friday fixes!
Thank you. Loved it
Thank you for the relief from the turmoil crashing on my head. I live to escape reality sometimes and I frequently reread all your books so anything new is a delight.
ive been trying ti not read hugh 1 blown out of the water. and next fridayoooo bad guy is a bad marine… my uncle was a Royal Marine he was a bad ass but sooo gentle with 3 yar old me .this is going to be gooooood
feeling so spoiled!
Thank you!
Long time lurker, first time posting. Hello and thank you from Camano Island, Washington. Truly there is nothing cozier than waking up on a rainy, blustery Saturday morning, and curling up in my chair by the window to enjoy my first cup of coffee and a chapter from you! (Plus, my husband roasts our own coffee beans, so the coffee is always percent and delish!)
Yay! We celebrate Hughday on both sides of Island County. Greetings to the Camano Island Horde from the Whidbey Island Horde. Stay cozy! <3
Fabulous!
I love their relationship so much.
A heartfelt thank you.
This was wonderful. You made my day! Thank you so much.
Curses upon HA and their insidious Hughday ploy. Here I am with dozens of books on my list waiting to be read and instead I had to spend most of the day rereading Iron and Magic.
I think (hope) I speak for al of BDH when I say with all sinverity,
“Damn..Y’all write so very well, what a great chapter..!)
I have no idea what comments they were but glad you’re feeling better. I would like to say, if people are pressuring you for chapters please know that you don’t have to release anything at all. Your health and wellbeing and more important than this. It’s nice to have hughday, but we’re all human and need to put on our own oxygen mask before we can help another.
That said comment on the actual chapter… interesting to see Hugh has some cosmic-being induced ptsd lol. Very understandable tho. Curious to see how it plays out!!
Every chapter here I tell myself I’m going to do the thing and just wait for the whole book to come out and not spoil myself. But I just find I have no damn willpower when it comes to this series! First two sentences and it’s like bam— transported directly into hughuniverse haha
Thanks so much for an entire chapter considering how busy you both are!
It was a stressful week so I appreciate it even more.
Hurray It’s Hugh Day and Caturday! Thank you, I needed this boost and I really appreciate your kindness!
Love it!!!! Thank you❤️
You are the only authors that can grab me and pull me in so deeply in less than a chapter that I forget about the real world around me. Once again I have been so into Hugh when the chapter ended it was like hey what happened, Huhhh, what!
Always love your books I go back and listen to them at least every year if not more. I just want you to know how much I appreciate your writing.
You have amazing minds. I wish we were neighbors!
Thank you
Ahh so lovely what a treat
Thank you. A simple thank you doesn’t really express my gratitude for your generosity in sharing your work like this. But it’s pretty much all I’ve got. Thank you.
soooo goood!
And in three, two, one…I’m back with Alana and Hugh. Fully invested. Many, many thanks 😊
Thank you!!
I love Hughday! I actually read Iron and Magic before I knew about the rest of the series. Now, I have all of the ebooks, a few of the audiobooks and all of the Graphic Audiobooks for the series – and a persistent soft spot for Hugh.
This snippet was so wonderfully long! Thank you!
Just wanted to say thank you. I’m surprised how much I’m enjoying this duology. It’s so weird. I really didn’t like Hugh before and now I’m rooting for him. Well done you.
Unrelated question I hope you’ll answer some day: I’m rereading Hidden Legacy. For those of us unfamiliar, what is a Texas tan? (Google was no help. I don’t think you mean a tarantula.)
“In Texas, you tan and you just keep it going throughout the year, get a little bit darker in summer, a little bit lighter in winter. You never lose it- this is not my natural color, I’m really pale naturally.”
Answer from Ilona during the Ruby Fever Q&A with the authors, which you can read here https://ilona-andrews.com/blog/ruby-fever-spoilerific-qa/. Basically a permanent, baked-in tan 🙂
Important question: Is this a preview of the actual novel that you will be publishing and selling? I ask because I am one of those weirdos who would rather wait for the book/ebook, rather than read the serial. 🙂
Yes, these are chapters of the first draft of the novel 🙂
Hello,
Delicious and poisonous… more, please!!
Go do your Hugh thing
lol
This was really good. I’m feeling like you’re hitting your stride with the story. Hugh feels like Hugh, Elara feels like Elara, and the stakes feel real. Go go GO!
Torture! Snippets are torture. I love and hate them. I need more lol
I got to read this chapter after a very busy and tiring weekend, this is a wonderful treat thank you
Firstly, I’m so very sorry about your week last week, and hope the weekend made up for it!
Secondly, wow! Thank you for all the keyboard info! Though I don’t think my husband is very happy with either of us….
Thirdly, thank you for still sharing Hughday
Woo-who!
Awesome chapter.
Just a sidetrack note here — beware the tangent! — no, really, it could happen!
ODD line of thought (OLOT): My dog drools relentlessly when I break out the “dog cookie” treat jar… pull the lid off and “Bam!” puddles of drool on the floor deep enough to fish in.
As much as I want to drool over these sweet, sweet, “reader cookies”, I’d better not do that here… mostly because my iPad would short out and then I’d miss the next bit. And THAT, truly, would be a shame.
Looking forward to more Hugh II.
(Did you just hear a bell? Maybe I’ll invest in a bib…)
So! Next Hugh-day, then?
Cheers!
(Thank you for sharing!)
In case you haven’t heard it from anyone else lately, you guys are the best!
just catching up with Hughsday on Monday, thank you for the whole chapter. it’s great. now imaging all of the scenarios on how they will deal with this batch of mercenaries:)
I heard the weather got milder again. hope that you didn’t have to use any of your preparations for power outages while waiting it out
Love the secret language of a married couple. One look can carry so many words… ^.^
Thank you.
Thank you for the chapter! I really enjoyed reading it. Good luck with your week.
Hugh and Elara. **Chef’s Kiss**
This by no means is to pressure you at all.
But I have to say… this section and Hugh’s and Elera’s story has been helping me keep my sanity. As my lively hood is up in the air (working for the gov) and all the stress of the unknown, stepping back in to this world with new adventures has been such a breath of fresh air and the escapism I love about your books. Thank you so much for all your hard work.
Thank you. This has been a rough weekend, and I’ve read the Hughday episodes every day to help me through. I’m going back to read the book now.
Thank you, you writing always helps me get through stressful times
I do so love the back and forth between Hugh and Elara! They are both dangerous and intelligent and the only thing more entertaining than them throwing verbal salvos at each other is them joining forces against someone else!
Wonderful! These snippets always make the day better! Can’t wait for the book!
I’m a Hughaphile. I just love the colour and language of these chapters, I can hear their voices as I read. So good, thank you.
I don’t comment often, but I am loving Hugh Day. I just did a relisten of Iron & Magic which then prompted me to start a relisten of the Kate Daniels series. I’m so pumped for Hugh 2’s release and so hoping Steve West does the audio release. His Hugh is perfection. Thank you so much for your boundless imagination, your creativity and the dogged determination that drives you to put it all out there for our entertainment. You are so very much appreciated.
Great chapter! Takes my mind off the man who thinks he’s king!
I love this so much that I might die of delight.
Thank you!
First time commenter (I think) … just wanted to say thank you for HughDays. I loved booked one and seeing snippets is a happy pop on crappy days. ❤️
+1 👍🏽
Dear HA, thank you so much for this chapter! Thank you for carving out the time and energy! I really hope your health issues are improving!
I normally don’t say much just try and wait patiently for whatever you give us next.
But as a person with her own health issues, I know it’s not always easy to say no and then do too much…
So a very very big thank you!
Thank you for this whole chapter dear AuthorLords… it’s been a difficult week… and this was something that made me smile. Priceless…
Thank you 🙏🏾
Yaaaassss!!! I’ve been savouring this over the last few days.
Mmmm, mmmmm, MMM!
Thank you for making my week better.
Love it! Thank you for a few minutes of relief from the world I have to live in.
Man I love these two. Thx. Wow, void is just there waiting. Side effect for loss of controlling magic of Roland? Yuck. Can’t help seeing the eyes of Mr.Hugh Laurie. Yep, this is my Hugh in my imagination.
Absolutely love Hugh and Elara thank you
Thank you for Hug(h) day.
Life is a bit tough at our house at the moment. Just found this and having something to look forward to whenever you publish is awesome !!!
THANK YOU !
love it can’t wait to buy the book I have them all
Thank you, thank you, thank you! I only read this bit now and it made my day!