Oh... I am BREATHLESS. I may just be over-excitable, but I literally had to get up and jump up and down a couple of times while reading this. You are a FANTASTIC writer!

I am in so much awe of how you come up with those amazing words that Dahl said to Evan's father and how Evan completed their feelings for each other by saying "this is where my heart belongs" cos it not only convinced Lord Tark but would have anybody who had a heart. Lovely, simply beautiful...you are an artist with your words.

Sweet like halloween candy...loved loved loved this chapter, Evan Shelby (sigh!)

While I'm reading this story, there's a lot I wanted to say. But I keep them all so I can give one hell of long review in the last chapter.

But now I forgot it all.

I am sorry for that. I am going to say whats on my mind now.

I LOVE THIS! Evan is so cute. Dahl is so lucky to have someone like him XD It's happy ending for everyone too! (well, except Vidar) I was kinda sad to read the last chapter, but wth, I can read it over and over again XD

Keep up the good work!

Wonderful! Absolutely wonderful!

The plot was well thought out and consistent, something some authors forget to keep.

Your writing style is magnificent! I actually got lost in the words and was able to share the characters emotions at times.

Even with the generous amount of love-making scene they stayed to the point and tasteful.

I've read quite a few of your stories and I must say, slash or not, they are well presented and quite professional, if writing is your true passion I suggest you find a career in it!

Hurrah! I love this story and was coming back to reread it when I realised that an epilogue had been posted. It is just as charming as the rest of the story. I hope the Shelby men are able to take in some orphans, since Dahl likes children so much. Perhaps a sequel someday?

Hey, well I just wanted to say that I really enjoyed reading your story... no actually I loved it so thank you very much for posting !

The plot and the characters were very well tought (especially the plot actually) and it made the reading only more enjoyable the only thing is that I found the action in the first chapters too slow but it got better pretty soon so all in all it was really good...

Once again thank you.

Elyah.

Oho, Alonzo's manipulative side revealed! He gets more and more intriguing by the chapter.

Again, I'm surprised by how, hm, stuck in neutral Vardon seems. He's discontent, but he's acting on it. Yet, at least.

For a king described not a few chapters ago as an arrogant man but an adequate king, Vidar is very narrow-minded and out-of-touch. The insight we get into Vardon this chapter is brilliant. I hadn't expected him to feel protective toward Dahl at all or to be so balanced a young man after growing up beneath his father's prejudices.

Oh, I love the worldbuilding in this chapter! The old cattle market in Friresta, Green River Crossing as a transit center, the desolate land as a result of the war (and Kurt the caravan driver's grumble of dissatisfaction) - you're very good with the background details. Not too much of it, just enough to set the scene and atmosphere.

"Joss' heart skipped several beats. "Lord Alonzo, if I do nothing but sleep on your floor, I will deem myself fortunate!"

"I was not planning to make you sleep on the floor, Mister Kimson," Alonzo replied with a faint smile."

I have to admit, my heart soared at this scene. My favorite thing in this whole story so far has been Joss' loud and unashamed reverence for the Lord Chamberlain, from the moment he met Evan and opened his mouth to start raving about the man. I've been waiting with bated breath to see more of Alonzo and what exactly inspires Joss' devotion, so this chapter was everything I was hoping for - it feels like MY dreams have true right alongside his!

Also, it's amazing that you spend the time to detail Dahl's battle plans. You must have drawn up a map of some sort? Dahl's last letter to Evan really resonates with me. "I feel as if I have spent my life wading through gore."

As I am sure you are WELL aware, this was fantastic, engaging tale that left me breathless several times - both with joy and anxiety. The ending was oh-so satisfying (both endings in fact). Evan's mother is a riot. *laughs*

I have to say I was hoping this would be the ending for Analise and Lasha. When he met her in the hallway I saw sparks and got really excited. I don't often feel like a fangirl, but I wanted to squeal for that one.

I was rather surprised at what Alanzo did to Vidar. It just... felt like it came out of left-field. You know, because he was so calculating, I sorta didn't believe it was happening at first. But then Vidar really was dead on the floor. *laughs* Obviously, you and he knew that too because of the retrospective look he had at it. He and Joss are fun.

So there again is what I love about your stories: how you can have so many different characters, so fleshed out and interesting, that you can weave all their stories together in one satisfying tale of intrigue and well-paced action. You are brilliant. Thank you for sharing!

Normally I wait until I've finished a completed piece to comment, but I just adored the end of this chapter. I liked Vardon immediately and seeing him gird up if you will was so very exciting! I can't wait to see what he does with and about his father. I suppose since I've started, I'll rave a little here too. I love Evan and Dahl as well. They're so wonderful. It was so sweet when Dahl offered his last name-something he already professed to dislike. That moment was so... powerful. Your writing didn't go into it, but I certainly sensed that Dahl was happy he had it to share with Ethan. For the record, Vidar is an ass. Cheers!

XD I LOVE THIS STORY!

at a time i was like if you killed Alonzo i would bite your head off ya didnt and im happy and Vardon's first child

Evan's big ole family, Evan running to the front, him becoming a surgeon

Excitement, drama and love :)

I discovered your stories on a whim, and I'm just so glad I did. I've read three of your stories so far, and this is my favorite yet. Plowering my way through this despite dry eyes and lack of sleep today was all worth it. I really loved how involved the plot was in the entire story, and how developed the entire cast was. As soon as I have time, I'll be reading through your remanding stories. Thank you for writing these.

Like the story very much, thank you for sharing :)