{"id":4663,"date":"2022-08-05T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-08-04T22:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/starlaarts.com\/?p=4663"},"modified":"2022-09-11T12:41:34","modified_gmt":"2022-09-11T03:11:34","slug":"august-2022-update","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/starlaarts.com\/index.php\/2022\/08\/05\/august-2022-update\/","title":{"rendered":"August 2022 Update"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"4663\" class=\"elementor elementor-4663\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-section-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-9158d0d elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"9158d0d\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-row\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-b58288c\" data-id=\"b58288c\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fc1655b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"fc1655b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-text-editor elementor-clearfix\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Undeniably Wrong<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Goes Live this Month!<\/span><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Check out the trailer below\u2026.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-156bc24 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"156bc24\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-row\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-c9d8ca2\" data-id=\"c9d8ca2\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fba3544 elementor-widget elementor-widget-video\" data-id=\"fba3544\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;youtube_url&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/youtu.be\\\/qswQkRa2ojw&quot;,&quot;video_type&quot;:&quot;youtube&quot;,&quot;controls&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"video.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-wrapper elementor-open-inline\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-video\"><\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-7984220 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"7984220\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-row\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-97c4cad\" data-id=\"97c4cad\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-de87ee6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"de87ee6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-text-editor elementor-clearfix\">\n\t\t\t\t<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/books2read.com\/UndeniablyWrong\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span id=\"docs-internal-guid-55adb45c-7fff-da94-5041-cdac0a33dcb5\" style=\"font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; white-space: pre-wrap;\">Pre-order now from leading book sellers<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-02906ad elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"02906ad\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-row\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-5a7c9bd\" data-id=\"5a7c9bd\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bb49cfc elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"bb49cfc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-text-editor elementor-clearfix\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your Invitation to Party<\/span><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Celebrate the release of <\/span><b><i>Undeniably Wrong<\/i><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> with games, giveaways, and guest authors. Guests joining us include:<\/span><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Karen Nappa<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Meg Bawden \/ M.D. Gregory<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Shilpa Suraj<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Chelle Pimblott<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Savannah Lynn<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">YD La Mar<br \/><\/span><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-fbf7363 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"fbf7363\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-row\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-1e0eaab\" data-id=\"1e0eaab\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4fd2555 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4fd2555\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-text-editor elementor-clearfix\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An Excerpt from Winter\u2019s Mother 1<\/span><\/h3><p style=\"text-align: center;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sixteen years following the events of <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Winter\u2019s Maiden 2<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Glancing at her reflection in the bedroom mirror, Alannah cringed. She studied her cotton unicorn pyjamas and felt the beginnings of a mid-life crisis set in. <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When did I trade in the black satin slips for these PJs? How am I only now noticing how frumpy I look these days?<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> With a bamboo brush and some concerted effort, she managed to tame her wild bed-hair. It had been another restless night.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The house was quiet when she made her way to the kitchen. The silence was unusual, but not alarming. Being a summer Saturday meant Liam was likely at the beach already, making the most of the surf. She turned on the coffee machine and looked across the open plan living space. Her daughter sat at the dining table, watching something on her laptop.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Neve was using headphones, which explained the lack of noise. But the sound of grinding coffee beans got her attention. \u2018Morning, Mum.\u2019<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2018Morning, hun. I didn\u2019t expect to see you up before me on a Saturday.\u2019<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2018You do realise it\u2019s nearly midday, right?\u2019<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2018Oh shit! Really?\u2019 Alannah looked at the old grandfather clock, which she had recently acquired from an antique auction. \u2018Damn. I guess I overslept. Did you get yourself some breakfast?\u2019<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Returning her attention to whatever YouTube had to offer, Neve shook her head.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Alannah took her fresh brew to the table and sat next to Neve. \u2018You know, if you want me and your father to show more leniency, you are gonna have to start behaving responsibly. That means looking after yourself more.\u2019<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2018Spare me the lectures, Mum. I get enough of those from Liam. Besides, I remembered to feed the cat.\u2019 Neve gestured at the ball of white fluff sleeping on the couch.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sighing, Alannah returned to the kitchen. She threw together some avocado and cheese toasted sandwiches. \u2018Here, eat this.\u2019 She put one of the plates beside Neve\u2019s laptop, then sat in front of her own computer.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sipping her coffee, she scrolled through her social feed. Not much engaged her foggy brain beyond some cat memes. She clicked like on a few and went to close her laptop when a news bulletin caught her attention.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2018Mum, can\u2014\u2019<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2018Wait a sec, hun. Come look at this.\u2019 She opened the live video feed and gasped at the aerial footage.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2018<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Victorian Government has declared a state of emergency. Melbourne residents flock from their homes amidst the city\u2019s collapse.<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2019<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2018Oh wow! Is that a volcano erupting?\u2019 Neve asked. \u2018It looks awesome!\u2019<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2018<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The dormant volcanoes erupting from part of the Newer Volcanic Province. This disaster follows a series of earth tremors. Experts claim the odds\u2014<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2019<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Alannah muted the sound. \u2018It\u2019s devastating is what it is. Don\u2019t forget I spent nine years of my life living in that city. I have friends there.\u2019<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Remorse filled Neve\u2019s bright green eyes. \u2018Shit! Sorry, Mum. Can you call to check if they\u2019re okay?\u2019<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2018Now\u2019s not a good time to be clogging up the phone towers over there. I hope they\u2019ve marked themselves as safe.\u2019 Alannah&#8217;s hands trembled as she clicked over to Melissa\u2019s profile. Nothing. She looked at Emma\u2019s and Cole\u2019s next. <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Damnit! <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">None of them had checked in.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2018Mum?\u2019<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2018Mm?\u2019 Alannah was too distracted to give Neve her full attention.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2018Is it okay if Cat and Fi come over for a bit?\u2019<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2018Yeah.\u2019<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Neve disappeared down the hall. Alannah switched between face-stalking her friends and watching updates on the disaster. The more she watched, the more uneasy she felt about the whole thing. The reports coming from the scientists only fed her suspicions. <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Why is a dormant volcano with such low odds of current activity erupting in such a prominent place? Could this be the work of dark mages?<\/span><\/i><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The issue warranted some investigation, so she sent a quick email to Kieran Lane, the High Magus of her state. She included a link to the newsflash with the question: <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Could this be dark magic?<\/span><\/i><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When Kieran did not reply within an hour, she grew impatient and rang him.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2018Yes, Councillor Winters?\u2019 His curt tone was typical, even after years of working with her.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2018Did you get my email, Your Honour?\u2019<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2018I did.\u2019<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2018And?\u2019<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A loud sigh crackled through the line. \u2018Why are you asking me about the goings on in another state? You know I don\u2019t have any jurisdiction over there.\u2019<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2018Are you not the least bit concerned for them?\u2019<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2018I sympathise, sure. But it\u2019s not like I can do anything. If High Magus Hanigan has need of us, I\u2019m sure he\u2019ll be in touch. Now if you don\u2019t mind, I am in the middle of something.\u2019<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2018Of course. Sorry to bother you.\u2019 Alannah hung up and flung her phone at the couch out of frustration. <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sixteen years on and I still haven\u2019t earned enough respect from the man.<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Then it struck her. <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If this volcano business is a dark magic conspiracy, they could hit South Australia. What if I can uncover such a plot and prevent devastation at our doorstep? <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Surely <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">doing so would raise Kieran\u2019s esteem.<\/span><\/i><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With newfound enthusiasm, Alannah dialled her friend Monique.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2018Hey girl, what\u2019s up? I hope Caitlin isn\u2019t causing you any grief.\u2019<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2018What?\u2019 Alannah remembered the girls were over and hanging out in Neve\u2019s room. \u2018Oh right. No, she\u2019s fine. Have you seen the news?\u2019<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2018No. Why? What\u2019s happened?\u2019 Monique\u2019s cheerful tone plummeted.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2018A volcano in Melbourne. It\u2019s all over social media, so you should check it out. But listen, I was hoping you could hack into your dad\u2019s work files. I need some contact details for the magic community in rural Victoria.\u2019<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2018You thinking foul play?\u2019 Monique was always more astute than her father, the High Magus.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2018Yeah. Your dad\u2019s too stubborn to look into it, so I need to use some back channels to check it out.\u2019<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2018I\u2019ll see what I can do.\u2019<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2018Thanks.\u2019 After signing off, Alannah returned to checking on her friends. A little relief washed over her when she found Emma\u2019s update declaring she was fine and out of the danger zone. She continued to wait for news from the other two.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">#<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2018Well, there goes my plan to fly under the radar.\u2019 Brendan huffed as he stuffed his phone back in his pocket. Zipping his small carry-on case closed, he became thankful for the decision to pack light.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2018What do you mean?\u2019 asked Caleb.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2018My flight got cancelled; something about a volcano in Melbourne spewing too much ash into the air. Now I need to magiport there, which sucks \u2019cause I\u2019m not keen for High Magus Kieran to know I\u2019m in town.\u2019<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Caleb\u2019s big, dark, soulful eyes looked so pretty when they grew wide with surprise. \u2018A volcano in Melbourne? Are you for real?\u2019<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2018Yup.\u2019<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Grabbing his own phone, Caleb became engrossed in footage of the volcano erupting. \u2018I didn\u2019t even know we had active volcanoes in Australia, let alone under cities.\u2019<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2018Hmph. We should have paid more attention in school.\u2019<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sardonic eyes peered over the small screen in Caleb\u2019s hands. \u2018You were the one playing hooky all the time. I kept my head down and got the work done.\u2019<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2018That\u2019s right.\u2019 Brendan cast wistful thoughts back to their youth. Stalking around the bed, he backed Caleb up against the wall. \u2018I\u2019d almost forgotten you were a nerd back then. Hm, I wonder&#8230; would I have noticed your beauty sooner if you hadn\u2019t buried your head in books so often.\u2019 He brought a hand up to Caleb\u2019s face, tucking a strand of long, black hair behind one of his pointy ears. The proximity aroused them both, their dicks tenting against each other.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The pitch of Caleb\u2019s voice lowered. \u2018Perhaps, but then I would have been nothing more than a distraction, a passing fad like all the girls you used back then.\u2019<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2018Touch\u00e9. Instead, your timing was perfect. You were like my life raft in a sea of despair.\u2019 Brendan drew Caleb\u2019s lips into a deep, passionate kiss. When the calendar alarm on his phone sounded, he groaned as he pulled back. After silencing the damn thing, his gaze returned to Caleb\u2019s mouth. Subconsciously, Brendan grazed the pad of his thumb along the bottom lip. \u2018Gods I\u2019m gonna miss these sweet lips.\u2019<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Caleb\u2019s mouth curled into a mischievous smile. \u2018Jacob has pretty soft lips.\u2019<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2018You sly fox,\u2019 Brendan laughed. \u2018You never told me the pair of you hooked up.\u2019<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2018Sure I did. I told you about all the times I partied with him whenever I paid our hometown a visit.\u2019<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2018You told me about the gangbangs, but you never related the details of being intimate with <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">him<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u2019<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2018My bad,\u2019 Caleb replied with a wry smile. \u2018I figured you\u2019d assume we fucked.\u2019<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Brendan drilled into Caleb\u2019s soul with a stern expression. \u2018You know I don\u2019t like it when you leave me guessing. When I ask for details, I want <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">everything<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. The who, the where, and most definitely the how. I am going to have to punish you for such insubordination.\u2019<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A slight moan escaped Caleb\u2019s lips as his eyes darkened with lust.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With a wicked grin, Brendan stepped back, breaking all body contact. \u2018I can see how much you want me right now, Thornsy. But you see, punishment is never about what <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">you<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> want.\u2019<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Caleb\u2019s eyes lowered. \u2018Of course. I\u2019m sorry for offending you, Sir. What is my punishment?\u2019<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Seeing his submissive stance sent signals southward and tested Brendan\u2019s willpower. It would have been too easy to dish out a few lashings and take him then and there. But what he had in mind would be more fun in the long run, and it would give Caleb time to reflect upon his actions. \u2018No intentional sexual release until I return home. You will not touch yourself and you will not initiate intimate contact with anyone else while I am away. I\u2019ll let Bridey know the deal too, so she won\u2019t let you get off.\u2019<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Caleb gasped.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2018What\u2019s wrong, Thornsy? Are you afraid of a little celibacy?\u2019<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2018Not afraid, more\u2026 frustrated. I can\u2019t remember the last time I went so long.\u2019<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Closing the distance, Brendan reached inside Caleb\u2019s pants and gripped his erection. Then he leaned in to press his lips to Caleb\u2019s ear. \u2018If you think this is frustration, how do you think you will feel in two weeks?\u2019<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2018Ah Gods!\u2019 Caleb gritted his teeth against the torture of Brendan\u2019s teasing touch.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2018Will you be good for me Caleb?\u2019<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2018Y-yes Sir,\u2019 he replied with a shaky voice.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2018Good man. Now I want my goodbye kiss.\u2019 Embracing Caleb, Brendan kissed him with ardent fervour. Their passion rivalled anything Hollywood ever put on the big screen. He walked out sporting a massive smile and the boner to match. At least he could use magic to control the latter, although he didn\u2019t have time to hide it before finding Bridey in the parlour.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">She glanced at his situation and grinned. \u2018Oh dear. Has my brother left you unsatisfied?\u2019<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2018Quite the reverse, I assure you.\u2019 He dropped his case beside the chaise longue and straddled her lap. \u2018At least I can do something about mine, unlike Caleb. I have forbidden him from seeking relief for the next two weeks. Can I rely on you to police him for me?\u2019<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2018Certainly, Sir.\u2019<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2018Thank you, Bry.\u2019 The farewell kiss he shared with Bridey was much more savage, like a pride lion with his lioness. By the time he left, Brendan considered the merit of Caleb\u2019s suggestion: seeking out Jacob might prove necessary. The pickings in Gaeilge Shores were slimmer after the Council had exiled him. He was not even sure if Bianca would welcome him back in her bed.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-d907cfa elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"d907cfa\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-row\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-93afef8\" data-id=\"93afef8\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b03737f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"b03737f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-text-editor elementor-clearfix\">\n\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a9 2022 L. Starla.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-1e1c545 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"1e1c545\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-row\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-f4da32d\" data-id=\"f4da32d\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-74a2660 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"74a2660\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-text-editor elementor-clearfix\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ARC Readers Wanted!<\/span><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Would you like a FREE, early access copy of <\/span><b><i>Winter\u2019s Mother 1<\/i><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in exchange for your honest review? If so, please join L. Starla\u2019s Street Team as an ARC reader. Copies are available now, plus you can also request free copies of previous books in the series if you need to catch up with the story so far.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-a432cbc elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"a432cbc\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-row\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-81721ed\" data-id=\"81721ed\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-377ca42 elementor-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"377ca42\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"https:\/\/mailchi.mp\/c9afa4667f45\/l-starlas-arc-team-signup\" target=\"_blank\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\"> Become an ARC Reader<\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-c9b9936 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"c9b9936\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-row\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-82ea0db\" data-id=\"82ea0db\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2cf886c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2cf886c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-text-editor elementor-clearfix\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Upcoming Events<\/span><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Don\u2019t miss this month\u2019s web panel! I will be talking to three guest authors about forbidden love and taboo romance. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/starlaarts.com\/index.php\/event\/august-2022-web-panel-forbidden-love-taboo-romance\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Learn more\u2026<\/span><\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ddcdb3e elementor-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"ddcdb3e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"https:\/\/starlaarts.com\/index.php\/events\/\" target=\"_blank\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">L. Starla\u2019s Calendar<\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Undeniably Wrong Goes Live this Month! Check out the trailer below\u2026. https:\/\/youtu.be\/qswQkRa2ojw Pre-order now from leading book sellers Your Invitation to Party Celebrate the release of Undeniably Wrong with games, &hellip;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"> <a class=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/starlaarts.com\/index.php\/2022\/08\/05\/august-2022-update\/\"> <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">August 2022 Update<\/span> Read More &raquo;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[11,79],"tags":[9],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/starlaarts.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4663"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/starlaarts.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/starlaarts.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starlaarts.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starlaarts.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4663"}],"version-history":[{"count":28,"href":"https:\/\/starlaarts.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4663\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4764,"href":"https:\/\/starlaarts.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4663\/revisions\/4764"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/starlaarts.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4663"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starlaarts.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4663"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starlaarts.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4663"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}