Artwork for podcast The Voice of Dog
“Solstice Gifts” by Royce Day
30th December 2024 • The Voice of Dog • Rob MacWolf and guests
00:00:00 00:18:34

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In the world of the Red Vixen Adventures, Melanie Lovejoy has a lot to live down, especially her treatment of her former slave, Alinadar. And the holidays are the best time to ask for forgiveness.

Today’s story is “Solstice Gifts” by Royce Day, who is the author of long running Red Vixen Adventures, and the upcoming novel Meeting Dominique, and you can find more of his stories on Amazon.com

Read by Sierra, Small Blue One.

thevoice.dog | Apple podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts

If you have a story you think would be a good fit, you can check out the requirements, fill out the submission template and get in touch with us.

https://thevoice.dog/episode/solstice-gifts-by-royce-day

Transcripts

Speaker:


You’re

Speaker:

listening

Speaker:

to

Speaker:

The

Speaker:

Voice

Speaker:

of

Speaker:

Dog.

Speaker:

This

Speaker:

is

Speaker:

Rob

Speaker:

MacWolf,

Speaker:

your

Speaker:

fellow

Speaker:

traveler,

Speaker:

and

Speaker:

Today’s

Speaker:

story

Speaker:

is “Solstice

Speaker:

Gifts”

Speaker:

by

Speaker:

Royce Day, who is

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

author

Speaker:

of

Speaker:

long

Speaker:

running

Speaker:

Red

Speaker:

Vixen

Speaker:

Adventures,

Speaker:

and

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

upcoming

Speaker:

novel

Speaker:

Meeting

Speaker:

Dominique, and

Speaker:

you

Speaker:

can

Speaker:

find

Speaker:

more

Speaker:

of

Speaker:

his

Speaker:

stories

Speaker:

on

Speaker:

Amazon.com

Read

Speaker:

by

Speaker:

Sierra,

Speaker:

Small

Speaker:

Blue

Speaker:

One.

Please

Speaker:

enjoy

“Solstice

Speaker:

Gifts"

Speaker:

by

Speaker:

Royce

Speaker:

Day

“The

Speaker:

Mother

Speaker:

Goddess

Speaker:

bless

Speaker:

Her

Speaker:

children

Speaker:

on

Speaker:

this day.

Speaker:

On

Speaker:

this darkest

Speaker:

day,

Speaker:

Winter

Speaker:

begins.

Speaker:

On

Speaker:

this

Speaker:

coldest

Speaker:

day

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

sun

Speaker:

hangs

Speaker:

low.

Speaker:

In

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

Cold

Speaker:

and

Speaker:

Dark

Speaker:

we

Speaker:

tremble, and

Speaker:

in

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

Cold

Speaker:

and

Speaker:

Dark

Speaker:

we

Speaker:

see

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

Mother

Speaker:

Goddess’

Speaker:

warming

Speaker:

fire,

Speaker:

and

Speaker:

know

Speaker:

that

Speaker:

She

Speaker:

and

Speaker:

it

Speaker:

preserve us,”

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

Countess

Speaker:

Matri

Speaker:

Darktail

Speaker:

intoned,

Speaker:

as

Speaker:

Melanie

Speaker:

watched

Speaker:

with

Speaker:

her

Speaker:

husband

Speaker:

Rolas

Speaker:

from

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

circle

Speaker:

of

Speaker:

witnesses

Speaker:

standing

Speaker:

around

Speaker:

her,

Speaker:

in

Speaker:

Darktail Manor’s holy arbor.
As

Speaker:

was

Speaker:

traditional

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

ceremony

Speaker:

was

Speaker:

held

Speaker:

in

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

pre-dawn

Speaker:

twilight,

Speaker:

witnesses

Speaker:

from

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

Houses

Speaker:

of

Speaker:

vassal

Speaker:

lords,

Speaker:

from

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

various

Speaker:

professions

Speaker:

of

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

Service

Speaker:

caste,

Speaker:

and

Speaker:

Commoners

Speaker:

both

Speaker:

notable

Speaker:

and

Speaker:

chosen

Speaker:

at

Speaker:

random,

Speaker:

all

Speaker:

watching

Speaker:

as

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

Countess

Speaker:

conducted

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

ceremony

Speaker:

in

Speaker:

nothing

Speaker:

more

Speaker:

than

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

fur

Speaker:

she

Speaker:

was

Speaker:

born

Speaker:

with,

Speaker:

demonstrating

Speaker:

both

Speaker:

her

Speaker:

piety

Speaker:

and

Speaker:

that

Speaker:

they

Speaker:

all

Speaker:

appeared

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

same

Speaker:

in

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

Mother

Speaker:

Goddess’ eyes.

Speaker:

It

Speaker:

made

Speaker:

Melanie

Speaker:

grateful

Speaker:

for

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

heavy

Speaker:

coat

Speaker:

she

Speaker:

wore

Speaker:

over

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

curve

Speaker:

of

Speaker:

her

Speaker:

gravid

Speaker:

belly.

“From

Speaker:

this

Speaker:

day

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

days

Speaker:

lengthen,

Speaker:

signalling

Speaker:

that

Speaker:

in

Speaker:

time

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

warmth

Speaker:

will

Speaker:

return,”

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

Countess

Speaker:

continued. “To

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

Mother

Speaker:

Goddess we give thanks, for the

Speaker:

changing of

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

seasons,

Speaker:

for

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

cycle

Speaker:

of

Speaker:

life,

Speaker:

death,

Speaker:

and

Speaker:

rebirth.

Speaker:

To

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

Mother Goddess we give thanks for

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

renewal

Speaker:

of

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

soil,

Speaker:

and

Speaker:

for

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

crops

Speaker:

that

Speaker:

grow

Speaker:

to

Speaker:

sustain

Speaker:

us

Speaker:

through

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

Cold

Speaker:

and

Speaker:

Dark.

Speaker:

To Mother

Speaker:

Goddess

Speaker:

we

Speaker:

give

Speaker:

thanks

Speaker:

for

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

gift

Speaker:

of

Speaker:

knowledge,

Speaker:

for

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

gift

Speaker:

of

Speaker:

curiosity,

Speaker:

and

Speaker:

for

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

gift

Speaker:

of

Speaker:

a

Speaker:

world

Speaker:

filled

Speaker:

with

Speaker:

wonders

Speaker:

for

Speaker:

us

Speaker:

to

Speaker:

discover.”

Speaker:

She

Speaker:

bowed

Speaker:

her

Speaker:

head, “To

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

Mother

Speaker:

Goddess

Speaker:

we

Speaker:

give

Speaker:

thanks,

Speaker:

for

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

love

Speaker:

of Her embrace,

Speaker:

to

Speaker:

Noble,

Speaker:

Servant,

Speaker:

and

Speaker:

Commoner,

Speaker:

who

Speaker:

are

Speaker:

all

Speaker:

equal

Speaker:

in

Speaker:

Her

Speaker:

eyes.

Speaker:

To

Speaker:

Her

Speaker:

for

Speaker:

all

Speaker:

things

Speaker:

we give

Speaker:

thanks.”

“We give thanks,”

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

witnesses

Speaker:

repeated.

At

Speaker:

that

Speaker:

moment,

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

curve

Speaker:

of

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

sun

Speaker:

began

Speaker:

to

Speaker:

rise

Speaker:

above

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

trees,

Speaker:

whether

Speaker:

fortuitously

Speaker:

or

Speaker:

simply

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

practiced

Speaker:

timing of Matri’s prayers,

Speaker:

Melanie

Speaker:

couldn’t

Speaker:

truly

Speaker:

say,

Speaker:

though

Speaker:

she

Speaker:

suspected

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

latter.

Speaker:

As

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

winter

Speaker:

light

Speaker:

began

Speaker:

to

Speaker:

illuminate

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

holy arbor, Lady Sallivera, Matri’s

Speaker:

firstborn (and

Speaker:

only)

Speaker:

daughter,

Speaker:

stepped

Speaker:

up

Speaker:

with

Speaker:

a

Speaker:

heavy

Speaker:

robe

Speaker:

in

Speaker:

her

Speaker:

arms,

Speaker:

helping

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

countess

Speaker:

slip

Speaker:

into

Speaker:

it

Speaker:

and

Speaker:

tie

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

sash

Speaker:

firmly.

Speaker:

In

Speaker:

a

Speaker:

more

Speaker:

normal

Speaker:

tone

Speaker:

of

Speaker:

voice

Speaker:

Matri

Speaker:

called

Speaker:

out

Speaker:

to

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

crowd, “Blessings

Speaker:

to

Speaker:

you all

Speaker:

this Solstice Day.

Speaker:

Breakfast will

Speaker:

be

Speaker:

served

Speaker:

in

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

ballroom.”

The

Speaker:

crowd

Speaker:

broke

Speaker:

up,

Speaker:

murmuring

Speaker:

to

Speaker:

themselves

Speaker:

as

Speaker:

they

Speaker:

headed

Speaker:

towards

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

Darktail

Speaker:

manor

Speaker:

house

Speaker:

and

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

promise

Speaker:

of

Speaker:

warm

Speaker:

tea

Speaker:

and

Speaker:

food.

Speaker:

Melanie

Speaker:

took

Speaker:

Rolas’

Speaker:

offered

Speaker:

arm,

Speaker:

stepping

Speaker:

forward

Speaker:

to

Speaker:

speak

Speaker:

to

Speaker:

Matri

Speaker:

briefly. “That

Speaker:

was

Speaker:

well

Speaker:

done,”

Speaker:

she

Speaker:

said.

“It

Speaker:

gets

Speaker:

easier

Speaker:

with

Speaker:

repetition,“

Speaker:

Matri

Speaker:

said

Speaker:

ruefully. “I

Speaker:

always

Speaker:

watched

Speaker:

old

Speaker:

Countess

Speaker:

Evelina

Speaker:

go

Speaker:

through

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

motions,

Speaker:

and

Speaker:

wondered

Speaker:

how

Speaker:

she

Speaker:

could

Speaker:

stand

Speaker:

being

Speaker:

naked

Speaker:

in

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

cold

Speaker:

this

Speaker:

early

Speaker:

in

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

morning.”

Speaker:

She

Speaker:

shook

Speaker:

her

Speaker:

head. “This

Speaker:

is

Speaker:

only

Speaker:

my

Speaker:

fourth

Speaker:

time

Speaker:

as a

Speaker:

Countess.

Speaker:

She

Speaker:

did

Speaker:

it

Speaker:

for

Speaker:

fifty

Speaker:

ceremonies

Speaker:

before

Speaker:

she was

Speaker:

stripped

Speaker:

of

Speaker:

her

Speaker:

title.

Speaker:

I

Speaker:

swear

Speaker:

I’m

Speaker:

going

Speaker:

to

Speaker:

go

Speaker:

for

Speaker:

twenty-five,

Speaker:

then

Speaker:

retire

Speaker:

and

Speaker:

hand it

Speaker:

over

Speaker:

to

Speaker:

Sallivera.”

“Well,

Speaker:

that

Speaker:

does

Speaker:

give

Speaker:

me

Speaker:

twenty-one

Speaker:

years

Speaker:

warning, “

Speaker:

Salli

Speaker:

said,

Speaker:

smiling

Speaker:

slightly

Speaker:

as

Speaker:

they

Speaker:

all

Speaker:

began

Speaker:

to

Speaker:

walk

Speaker:

towards

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

house.

Speaker:

Beside

Speaker:

Salli,

Speaker:

her

Speaker:

bodyguard

Speaker:

and lover Alinadar

Speaker:

kept

Speaker:

pace, their

Speaker:

paws

Speaker:

held

Speaker:

together tightly. The

Speaker:

smaller

Speaker:

and

Speaker:

younger

Speaker:

vixen

Speaker:

sported

Speaker:

a

Speaker:

white

Speaker:

ribbon

Speaker:

bound around her wrist,

Speaker:

in

Speaker:

a

Speaker:

pattern

Speaker:

matching

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

one

Speaker:

around

Speaker:

Salli’s

Speaker:

own,

Speaker:

displaying

Speaker:

their

Speaker:

commitment

Speaker:

to

Speaker:

one

Speaker:

another.

Speaker:

Though

Speaker:

Salli

Speaker:

had

Speaker:

not

Speaker:

been

Speaker:

shy

Speaker:

about

Speaker:

informing

Speaker:

all

Speaker:

and

Speaker:

sundry

Speaker:

of her

Speaker:

intent

Speaker:

to

Speaker:

marry

Speaker:

Ali,

Speaker:

it

Speaker:

was

Speaker:

only

Speaker:

recently

Speaker:

that

Speaker:

they

Speaker:

began

Speaker:

wearing

Speaker:

their

Speaker:

ribbons.

Speaker:

The

Speaker:

public

Speaker:

announcement

Speaker:

to

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

Council

Speaker:

of

Speaker:

Countesses

Speaker:

would

Speaker:

be

Speaker:

going

Speaker:

out

Speaker:

at

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

start of

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

calendar

Speaker:

year

Speaker:

in

Speaker:

a

Speaker:

few

Speaker:

weeks.

Speaker:

Assuming

Speaker:

no

Speaker:

one

Speaker:

in

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

Council

Speaker:

got

Speaker:

a

Speaker:

hair

Speaker:

up

Speaker:

their

Speaker:

Noble tail

Speaker:

holes,

Speaker:

Salli and Ali’s

Speaker:

wedding

Speaker:

would

Speaker:

likely

Speaker:

be

Speaker:

at

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

Summer

Speaker:

Equinox.

Speaker:

As

Speaker:

was

Speaker:

traditional,

Speaker:

it

Speaker:

was

Speaker:

conducted

Speaker:

as

Speaker:

part

Speaker:

of

Speaker:

that

Speaker:

season’s

Speaker:

observance,

Speaker:

with

Speaker:

Matri

Speaker:

acting

Speaker:

as

Speaker:

priestess,

Speaker:

in

Speaker:

her

Speaker:

capacity

Speaker:

as both

Speaker:

Salli’s

Speaker:

liege

Speaker:

lord

Speaker:

and

Speaker:

head of

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

Darktail

Speaker:

household.

Melanie

Speaker:

was

Speaker:

quite

Speaker:

happy

Speaker:

that

Speaker:

things

Speaker:

had

Speaker:

progressed

Speaker:

to

Speaker:

this

Speaker:

point.

Speaker:

After

Speaker:

a

Speaker:

rough

Speaker:

start,

Speaker:

Matri

Speaker:

had

Speaker:

finally

Speaker:

given

Speaker:

in to

Speaker:

Salli’s

Speaker:

demand

Speaker:

that

Speaker:

Ali

Speaker:

be

Speaker:

recognized

Speaker:

as

Speaker:

worthy

Speaker:

of

Speaker:

being her spouse. The countess had not been

Speaker:

keen

Speaker:

on

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

idea

Speaker:

at

Speaker:

first,

Speaker:

seeing

Speaker:

Ali

Speaker:

only

Speaker:

as

Speaker:

an

Speaker:

ex-pirate

Speaker:

and

Speaker:

convicted

Speaker:

criminal.

Speaker:

It

Speaker:

had

Speaker:

only

Speaker:

been

Speaker:

after

Speaker:

Ali

Speaker:

had

Speaker:

been

Speaker:

viciously

Speaker:

attacked

Speaker:

by

Speaker:

a

Speaker:

supposedly trustworthy member of House Darktails’

Speaker:

staff,

Speaker:

and

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

revelation

Speaker:

of

Speaker:

Melanie’s

Speaker:

own

Speaker:

criminal

Speaker:

career,

Speaker:

that

Speaker:

Matri

Speaker:

had

Speaker:

both

Speaker:

given

Speaker:

in

Speaker:

and

Speaker:

given

Speaker:

her

Speaker:

blessings

Speaker:

to

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

union.

It

Speaker:

had

Speaker:

not

Speaker:

helped

Speaker:

that

Speaker:

Melanie

Speaker:

herself,

Speaker:

in

Speaker:

her

Speaker:

guise

Speaker:

as

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

Red

Speaker:

Vixen,

Speaker:

Scourge

Speaker:

of

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

Spaceways ™,

Speaker:

had

Speaker:

been

Speaker:

Ali’s

Speaker:

commander

Speaker:

during

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

latter

Speaker:

half

Speaker:

of

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

younger

Speaker:

vixen’s

Speaker:

pirate

Speaker:

career,

Speaker:

when

Speaker:

Melanie

Speaker:

had

Speaker:

enslaved

Speaker:

her

Speaker:

in

Speaker:

an

Speaker:

attempt

Speaker:

give

Speaker:

her

Speaker:

stability

Speaker:

after

Speaker:

Ali’s

Speaker:

escape

Speaker:

from

Speaker:

her

Speaker:

first

Speaker:

captain,

Speaker:

Bloody

Speaker:

Margo.

Speaker:

The

Speaker:

revelation

Speaker:

had…

Speaker:

not

Speaker:

gone

Speaker:

over

Speaker:

well.

The guests

Speaker:

reached

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

ballroom,

Speaker:

and

Speaker:

everyone

Speaker:

began

Speaker:

lining

Speaker:

up

Speaker:

at

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

buffet

Speaker:

to

Speaker:

grab

Speaker:

a

Speaker:

plate

Speaker:

and

Speaker:

begin

Speaker:

eating.

Speaker:

After

Speaker:

enough

Speaker:

time

Speaker:

had

Speaker:

passed

Speaker:

for

Speaker:

everyone

Speaker:

to

Speaker:

have

Speaker:

eaten

Speaker:

their

Speaker:

fill

Speaker:

Matri

Speaker:

returned,

Speaker:

sitting

Speaker:

in

Speaker:

a

Speaker:

comfortable

Speaker:

chair

Speaker:

in

Speaker:

front

Speaker:

of

Speaker:

a

Speaker:

truly

Speaker:

enormous

Speaker:

pile

Speaker:

of

Speaker:

gifts.

Speaker:

In

Speaker:

reverse

Speaker:

order

Speaker:

of

Speaker:

rank,

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

guests

Speaker:

began

Speaker:

to

Speaker:

form a

Speaker:

receiving

Speaker:

line,

Speaker:

Matri

Speaker:

greeting

Speaker:

them

Speaker:

warmly

Speaker:

by

Speaker:

name,

Speaker:

while

Speaker:

Salli

Speaker:

and

Speaker:

Rolas

Speaker:

handed

Speaker:

over

Speaker:

colorfully

Speaker:

wrapped

Speaker:

boxes,

Speaker:

some

Speaker:

large,

Speaker:

some

Speaker:

small,

Speaker:

containing

Speaker:

gifts

Speaker:

for

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

honored

Speaker:

guests.

In

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

ancient

Speaker:

past,

Speaker:

when

Speaker:

winters

Speaker:

were

Speaker:

more

Speaker:

uncertain,

Speaker:

and

Speaker:

survival

Speaker:

not

Speaker:

always

Speaker:

guaranteed,

Speaker:

this

Speaker:

winter

Speaker:

gift giving

Speaker:

had

Speaker:

a

Speaker:

very

Speaker:

practical

Speaker:

purpose.

Speaker:

The

Speaker:

largess

Speaker:

handed

Speaker:

out

Speaker:

by

Speaker:

one’s

Speaker:

ruling

Speaker:

Noble,

Speaker:

be

Speaker:

it

Speaker:

food,

Speaker:

clothing,

Speaker:

or

Speaker:

tools,

Speaker:

could

Speaker:

mean

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

difference

Speaker:

between a

Speaker:

family’s

Speaker:

survival

Speaker:

and

Speaker:

death.

Speaker:

In

Speaker:

more

Speaker:

modern

Speaker:

times

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

gifts

Speaker:

were, if

Speaker:

still

Speaker:

practical,

Speaker:

less

Speaker:

fraught

Speaker:

with

Speaker:

need,

Speaker:

still

Speaker:

keeping

Speaker:

part

Speaker:

of

Speaker:

their

Speaker:

original

Speaker:

purpose

Speaker:

in

Speaker:

strengthening

Speaker:

ties

Speaker:

between

Speaker:

Nobles

Speaker:

and

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

Miltary/Service

Speaker:

and

Speaker:

Commoner

Speaker:

subjects

Speaker:

they

Speaker:

ruled.

Speaker:

These

Speaker:

days

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

most

Speaker:

common

Speaker:

gifts

Speaker:

were

Speaker:

tools

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

recipient

Speaker:

required

Speaker:

for

Speaker:

their

Speaker:

work,

Speaker:

loan

Speaker:

forgiveness,

Speaker:

scholarships

Speaker:

for

Speaker:

students,

Speaker:

and

Speaker:

pardons

Speaker:

for

Speaker:

crimes

Speaker:

committed

Speaker:

under

Speaker:

House

Speaker:

Darktail

Speaker:

jurisdiction.

Speaker:

More

Speaker:

frivolous

Speaker:

gifts

Speaker:

such

Speaker:

as

Speaker:

toys

Speaker:

for

Speaker:

children (and

Speaker:

supposed

Speaker:

adults)

Speaker:

would

Speaker:

have

Speaker:

to

Speaker:

wait

Speaker:

for

Speaker:

birthdays

Speaker:

and

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

Summer

Speaker:

Solstice

Speaker:

celebration.

Melanie,

Speaker:

being

Speaker:

Rolas’

Speaker:

wife,

Speaker:

didn’t

Speaker:

get

Speaker:

a

Speaker:

gift,

Speaker:

she

Speaker:

helped

Speaker:

hand

Speaker:

them

Speaker:

out,

Speaker:

keeping

Speaker:

a

Speaker:

running

Speaker:

tally

Speaker:

on

Speaker:

her

Speaker:

palm

Speaker:

comp

Speaker:

as

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

pile

Speaker:

of

Speaker:

boxes

Speaker:

and

Speaker:

envelopes

Speaker:

were

Speaker:

handed

Speaker:

over.

Speaker:

By

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

time

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

final

Speaker:

recipient,

Speaker:

Lady

Speaker:

Aganatha

Speaker:

Highglider,

Speaker:

gratefully

Speaker:

accepted

Speaker:

a

Speaker:

Historical

Speaker:

Register

Speaker:

waiver

Speaker:

to

Speaker:

permit

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

old

Speaker:

Highgilder

Speaker:

Manor

Speaker:

to

Speaker:

be

Speaker:

demolished,

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

ballroom

Speaker:

was

Speaker:

near

Speaker:

empty

Speaker:

and

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

area

Speaker:

around

Speaker:

Matri’s

Speaker:

seat

Speaker:

was

Speaker:

bare,

Speaker:

every

Speaker:

gift

Speaker:

dispensed

Speaker:

and

Speaker:

accepted.

“Another

Speaker:

year

Speaker:

done,”

Speaker:

Matri

Speaker:

said,

Speaker:

standing

Speaker:

up

Speaker:

and

Speaker:

stretching

Speaker:

briefly. “Thank

Speaker:

you

Speaker:

Salli, and

Speaker:

thank

Speaker:

you

Speaker:

Melanie.

Speaker:

Now

Speaker:

to

Speaker:

get

Speaker:

breakfast

Speaker:

for

Speaker:

myself.”

Speaker:

She

Speaker:

took

Speaker:

her

Speaker:

husband’s

Speaker:

proffered

Speaker:

arm

Speaker:

and

Speaker:

headed

Speaker:

over

Speaker:

to

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

remains

Speaker:

of

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

buffet

Speaker:

table,

Speaker:

where

Speaker:

a

Speaker:

servant

Speaker:

was

Speaker:

already

Speaker:

filling

Speaker:

a

Speaker:

plate

Speaker:

for

Speaker:

her

Speaker:

from

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

leftovers.

“Almost

Speaker:

done,”

Speaker:

Melanie

Speaker:

said

Speaker:

softly.

Speaker:

She

Speaker:

nuzzled

Speaker:

Rolas

Speaker:

briefly,

Speaker:

then

Speaker:

headed

Speaker:

over

Speaker:

to

Speaker:

where

Speaker:

Salli

Speaker:

and

Speaker:

Ali

Speaker:

were

Speaker:

politely

Speaker:

arguing

Speaker:

over

Speaker:

which

Speaker:

of

Speaker:

them

Speaker:

got

Speaker:

to

Speaker:

be

Speaker:

noble

Speaker:

and

Speaker:

allow

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

other

Speaker:

to

Speaker:

eat

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

last

Speaker:

cream

Speaker:

cake. “Excuse

Speaker:

me,

Speaker:

Salli.

Speaker:

I

Speaker:

need

Speaker:

to

Speaker:

borrow

Speaker:

your

Speaker:

beloved

Speaker:

Ali’s

Speaker:

ear

Speaker:

for

Speaker:

a

Speaker:

moment,”

Speaker:

she

Speaker:

interrupted.

“I

Speaker:

win,”

Speaker:

Ali

Speaker:

said

Speaker:

cheerily, handing the cream

Speaker:

cake

Speaker:

over

Speaker:

to Salli.

Salli

Speaker:

opened

Speaker:

her

Speaker:

mouth

Speaker:

to

Speaker:

say

Speaker:

something,

Speaker:

probably

Speaker:

along

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

lines

Speaker:

of

Speaker:

Stay

Speaker:

away

Speaker:

from

Speaker:

my

Speaker:

beloved

Speaker:

you

Speaker:

damned

Speaker:

pirate,

Speaker:

but

Speaker:

apparently

Speaker:

thought

Speaker:

better

Speaker:

of

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

idea

Speaker:

and

Speaker:

just

Speaker:

said, “You win.

Speaker:

Hurry

Speaker:

back.”

Speaker:

She

Speaker:

bit

Speaker:

into

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

cream

Speaker:

cake

Speaker:

and

Speaker:

gave

Speaker:

Melanie

Speaker:

a

Speaker:

sharp

Speaker:

glare

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

moment

Speaker:

Ali’s

Speaker:

back

Speaker:

was

Speaker:

turned.

Melanie

Speaker:

ignored

Speaker:

it,

Speaker:

and

Speaker:

gestured

Speaker:

for

Speaker:

Ali

Speaker:

to

Speaker:

sit

Speaker:

beside

Speaker:

her

Speaker:

on

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

table

Speaker:

where

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

presents

Speaker:

had

Speaker:

been

Speaker:

piled. “Happy

Speaker:

Solstice,

Speaker:

Ali,”

Speaker:

she said.

“Happy Solstice, milady,”

Speaker:

Ali

Speaker:

answered

Speaker:

politely.

Speaker:

Her

Speaker:

ears

Speaker:

cocked

Speaker:

forward

Speaker:

in

Speaker:

curiosity. “Is

Speaker:

everything all right?”

“Almost,” Melanie said. “House Darktail

Speaker:

is

Speaker:

prosperous, the

Speaker:

colony

Speaker:

on

Speaker:

Greenholme is

Speaker:

expanding,

Speaker:

Rolas

Speaker:

is

Speaker:

fully

Speaker:

recovered

Speaker:

from

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

injuries

Speaker:

he

Speaker:

received

Speaker:

after

Speaker:

our

Speaker:

shipwreck,

Speaker:

and

Speaker:

your

Speaker:

petition

Speaker:

to

Speaker:

have

Speaker:

your

Speaker:

criminal

Speaker:

conviction

Speaker:

pardoned

Speaker:

seems

Speaker:

to

Speaker:

be

Speaker:

gaining

Speaker:

both

Speaker:

judicial

Speaker:

and

Speaker:

public

Speaker:

support.

Speaker:

The

Speaker:

past

Speaker:

few

Speaker:

months

Speaker:

have

Speaker:

been

Speaker:

remarkably

Speaker:

drama free,

Speaker:

Mother

Speaker:

Goddess

Speaker:

be

Speaker:

thanked.”

“Still, ‘almost?’”

Speaker:

Ali

Speaker:

prompted.

Speaker:

Melanie

Speaker:

let her

Speaker:

smile

Speaker:

widen a bit at

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

query.

Speaker:

Ali

Speaker:

had

Speaker:

rarely

Speaker:

questioned

Speaker:

statements

Speaker:

from

Speaker:

her

Speaker:

when

Speaker:

she’d

Speaker:

been

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

Red

Speaker:

Vixen.

Speaker:

It

Speaker:

was

Speaker:

good

Speaker:

that

Speaker:

she

Speaker:

was

Speaker:

growing

Speaker:

beyond

Speaker:

that,

Speaker:

and

Speaker:

not

Speaker:

merely

Speaker:

blindly

Speaker:

accepting

Speaker:

what

Speaker:

her

Speaker:

supposed

Speaker:

superiors

Speaker:

stated.

“Almost,”

Speaker:

Melanie

Speaker:

repeated.

Speaker:

She

Speaker:

let

Speaker:

her

Speaker:

paw

Speaker:

rub

Speaker:

across

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

curve

Speaker:

of

Speaker:

her

Speaker:

belly,

Speaker:

where

Speaker:

her

Speaker:

children

Speaker:

waited

Speaker:

for

Speaker:

their

Speaker:

time

Speaker:

to

Speaker:

come

Speaker:

out

Speaker:

into

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

world.

Speaker:

Another

Speaker:

three

Speaker:

weeks,

Speaker:

going

Speaker:

by

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

physician’s

Speaker:

estimate.

Speaker:

She

Speaker:

tried

Speaker:

not

Speaker:

to

Speaker:

think,

Speaker:

Not

Speaker:

soon

Speaker:

enough,

Speaker:

by

Speaker:

my

Speaker:

aching

Speaker:

footpads. “There

Speaker:

is

Speaker:

one

Speaker:

matter

Speaker:

that

Speaker:

remains

Speaker:

unsettled.”

Speaker:

She

Speaker:

drew

Speaker:

in

Speaker:

a

Speaker:

breath, “Between

Speaker:

us.”

Ali,

Speaker:

bless

Speaker:

her,

Speaker:

merely

Speaker:

cocked

Speaker:

her

Speaker:

head

Speaker:

in

Speaker:

confusion

Speaker:

and

Speaker:

said, “I don’t understand.”

Melanie tapped her claws on the table

Speaker:

in

Speaker:

a

Speaker:

brief

Speaker:

staccato. “I

Speaker:

never

Speaker:

apologized

Speaker:

for

Speaker:

enslaving

Speaker:

you.

Speaker:

Well,

Speaker:

I mean I have, to Salli and Rolas, repeatedly, but never

Speaker:

to

Speaker:

you.

Speaker:

I

Speaker:

owe

Speaker:

you

Speaker:

that

Speaker:

apology.”

The

Speaker:

younger

Speaker:

vixen

Speaker:

was

Speaker:

shaking

Speaker:

her

Speaker:

head. “You

Speaker:

don’t

Speaker:

have

Speaker:

to

Speaker:

apologize…”

She

Speaker:

cut

Speaker:

Ali

Speaker:

off. “Yes,

Speaker:

I

Speaker:

do.

Speaker:

Ali, you

Speaker:

were

Speaker:

my slave

Speaker:

for

Speaker:

ten

Speaker:

years.

Speaker:

Ten

Speaker:

years

Speaker:

where

Speaker:

I

Speaker:

could

Speaker:

have

Speaker:

brought

Speaker:

you

Speaker:

back

Speaker:

to

Speaker:

Foxen

Speaker:

Prime

Speaker:

to

Speaker:

get

Speaker:

proper

Speaker:

mental

Speaker:

and

Speaker:

physical

Speaker:

assistance.

Speaker:

Ten

Speaker:

years

Speaker:

where

Speaker:

you

Speaker:

could

Speaker:

have

Speaker:

been

Speaker:

reconnecting

Speaker:

with

Speaker:

your

Speaker:

surviving

Speaker:

family,

Speaker:

instead

Speaker:

of

Speaker:

that

Speaker:

mad

Speaker:

scramble

Speaker:

two years

Speaker:

back

Speaker:

where

Speaker:

your

Speaker:

brother

Speaker:

Lu

Speaker:

finally

Speaker:

found

Speaker:

you.

“I

Speaker:

was

Speaker:

crazy

Speaker:

back

Speaker:

then,”

Speaker:

Ali

Speaker:

protested. “Being

Speaker:

your

Speaker:

slave

Speaker:

helped

Speaker:

me

Speaker:

find

Speaker:

my

Speaker:

balance,

Speaker:

let

Speaker:

me

Speaker:

become

Speaker:

a

Speaker:

civilized

Speaker:

person

Speaker:

again.”

“Maybe,”

Speaker:

Melanie

Speaker:

said, “but

Speaker:

keeping

Speaker:

you

Speaker:

as

Speaker:

my

Speaker:

slave

Speaker:

was

Speaker:

unconscionable.

Speaker:

So

Speaker:

today,

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

Mother’s

Speaker:

holiest

Speaker:

day,

Speaker:

I

Speaker:

beg

Speaker:

your

Speaker:

forgiveness

Speaker:

for

Speaker:

my

Speaker:

error,

Speaker:

Alinadar

Speaker:

Blacksailor.”

Ali’s ears

Speaker:

heated

Speaker:

up,

Speaker:

but she

Speaker:

only

Speaker:

said, “Accepted,

Speaker:

milady.”

“Thank

Speaker:

you,

Speaker:

Ali.”

Speaker:

Melanie

Speaker:

smiled

Speaker:

and

Speaker:

drew

Speaker:

out a

Speaker:

datacard

Speaker:

from

Speaker:

her

Speaker:

pocket, a

Speaker:

little

Speaker:

red

Speaker:

ribbon

Speaker:

wrapped

Speaker:

around

Speaker:

it. “This

Speaker:

is

Speaker:

for

Speaker:

you

Speaker:

as

Speaker:

well. Your own Solstice gift.”

Ali took

Speaker:

it reluctantly,

Speaker:

untying

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

ribbon

Speaker:

and

Speaker:

turning

Speaker:

it

Speaker:

over

Speaker:

in her palm. “What

Speaker:

is

Speaker:

it?”

Speaker:

she

Speaker:

asked.

“Account

Speaker:

data

Speaker:

and

Speaker:

passcodes

Speaker:

for

Speaker:

a

Speaker:

fund

Speaker:

transfer.

Speaker:

It

Speaker:

occurred

Speaker:

to

Speaker:

me

Speaker:

some time

Speaker:

ago

Speaker:

that,

Speaker:

as

Speaker:

my

Speaker:

slave,

Speaker:

I

Speaker:

never

Speaker:

actually

Speaker:

paid

Speaker:

you

Speaker:

anything

Speaker:

while

Speaker:

you

Speaker:

worked

Speaker:

for

Speaker:

me,

Speaker:

beyond

Speaker:

an

Speaker:

account

Speaker:

for

Speaker:

expenses,”

Speaker:

Melanie

Speaker:

told

Speaker:

her. “You

Speaker:

never

Speaker:

received

Speaker:

a

Speaker:

share

Speaker:

from

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

Scarlet

Speaker:

Claw’s

Speaker:

raids

Speaker:

either.”

“I

Speaker:

mostly

Speaker:

did

Speaker:

bodyguard

Speaker:

and

Speaker:

recce work for you,

Speaker:

milady,” Ali

Speaker:

protested.

“Which

Speaker:

I

Speaker:

never

Speaker:

paid

Speaker:

you

Speaker:

for,”

Speaker:

Melanie

Speaker:

pointed

Speaker:

out.

“I

Speaker:

was

Speaker:

your

Speaker:

slave.

Speaker:

It’d have

Speaker:

looked awfully

Speaker:

funny

Speaker:

if

Speaker:

you

Speaker:

did.

Speaker:

Anyway,

Speaker:

Lady

Speaker:

Salli

Speaker:

pays

Speaker:

me

Speaker:

for

Speaker:

my

Speaker:

work

Speaker:

now,

Speaker:

and

Speaker:

I

Speaker:

live

Speaker:

with

Speaker:

her

Speaker:

already,

Speaker:

so

Speaker:

it’s

Speaker:

more

Speaker:

than

Speaker:

enough.”

Melanie

Speaker:

rubbed

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

bridge

Speaker:

of

Speaker:

her

Speaker:

muzzle

Speaker:

briefly. “Just

Speaker:

activate it, Ali.

Speaker:

Please?”

Ali

Speaker:

shrugged

Speaker:

and

Speaker:

pressed

Speaker:

her

Speaker:

thumb

Speaker:

pad

Speaker:

to

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

card’s security

Speaker:

reader,

Speaker:

and

Speaker:

it

Speaker:

displayed

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

account

Speaker:

balance

Speaker:

on

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

surface.

Speaker:

When

Speaker:

she

Speaker:

read

Speaker:

it,

Speaker:

Ali’s

Speaker:

ears

Speaker:

went

Speaker:

flat

Speaker:

and

Speaker:

her

Speaker:

eyes

Speaker:

widened

Speaker:

in

Speaker:

shock. “What…

Speaker:

That

Speaker:

can’t

Speaker:

be

Speaker:

right!”

“Ten

Speaker:

years of raiding, 1/120th of total

Speaker:

crew

Speaker:

share,

Speaker:

with

Speaker:

interest

Speaker:

compounded

Speaker:

against

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

average

Speaker:

yearly

Speaker:

rise

Speaker:

of

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

General

Speaker:

Stock

Speaker:

Index,”

Speaker:

Melanie

Speaker:

told

Speaker:

her. “I

Speaker:

know

Speaker:

my accounting,

Speaker:

Alinadar,

Speaker:

that’s

Speaker:

what you’re owed. Actually, that’s a fraction of what

Speaker:

you’re

Speaker:

owed,

Speaker:

but

Speaker:

I

Speaker:

can

Speaker:

only

Speaker:

compensate

Speaker:

you

Speaker:

materially.

Speaker:

Emotional

Speaker:

accounting

Speaker:

is

Speaker:

not

Speaker:

one

Speaker:

of

Speaker:

my

Speaker:

abilities.”

“I…

Speaker:

I… I’m….” Ali

Speaker:

stumbled,

Speaker:

still staring

Speaker:

at

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

datacard.

“You’re

Speaker:

rich,

Speaker:

Ali,”

Speaker:

Melanie

Speaker:

finished

Speaker:

for her. “Not

Speaker:

as

Speaker:

rich as a

Speaker:

Countess’

Speaker:

Heir,

Speaker:

but

Speaker:

far

Speaker:

more

Speaker:

than

Speaker:

your

Speaker:

average

Speaker:

Commoner.

Speaker:

You

Speaker:

can

Speaker:

do

Speaker:

whatever

Speaker:

you

Speaker:

like

Speaker:

with

Speaker:

it,

Speaker:

though

Speaker:

if

Speaker:

you

Speaker:

want

Speaker:

investment

Speaker:

advice

Speaker:

I

Speaker:

can

Speaker:

make

Speaker:

suggestions.”

“I,

Speaker:

er, I’ll

Speaker:

have

Speaker:

to

Speaker:

think

Speaker:

about

Speaker:

it,” Ali

Speaker:

said

Speaker:

uncertainly.

Salli

Speaker:

approached

Speaker:

from

Speaker:

across

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

room,

Speaker:

apparently

Speaker:

giving

Speaker:

up

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

pretense

Speaker:

of

Speaker:

not

Speaker:

watching

Speaker:

Melanie

Speaker:

and

Speaker:

Ali’s

Speaker:

conversation

Speaker:

when

Speaker:

she’d

Speaker:

seen

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

look

Speaker:

of

Speaker:

shock

Speaker:

on

Speaker:

Ali’s

Speaker:

face. “Mel,

Speaker:

what

Speaker:

have

Speaker:

you

Speaker:

done

Speaker:

now?”

Speaker:

she

Speaker:

demanded.

“Er,

Speaker:

gave

Speaker:

me my

Speaker:

back

Speaker:

pay,” Ali

Speaker:

provided,

Speaker:

still

Speaker:

gaping

Speaker:

at

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

card.

Speaker:

She

Speaker:

blinked

Speaker:

and

Speaker:

finally

Speaker:

looked

Speaker:

up,

Speaker:

adding, “And

Speaker:

apologized

Speaker:

for

Speaker:

enslaving

Speaker:

me.”

Speaker:

She

Speaker:

handed

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

card

Speaker:

over

Speaker:

to

Speaker:

Salli to

Speaker:

look

Speaker:

at.

“Oh,”

Speaker:

Salli

Speaker:

said,

Speaker:

her

Speaker:

anger

Speaker:

deflating as

Speaker:

she

Speaker:

saw

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

sum. “That’s

Speaker:

an...

Speaker:

impressive

Speaker:

amount.”

Speaker:

Her head

Speaker:

tilted

Speaker:

slightly,

Speaker:

working

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

maths

Speaker:

out

Speaker:

in

Speaker:

her

Speaker:

head. “Actually,

Speaker:

I

Speaker:

think

Speaker:

you

Speaker:

could

Speaker:

buy

Speaker:

our

Speaker:

old

Speaker:

produce

Speaker:

freighter

Speaker:

with

Speaker:

that

Speaker:

much

Speaker:

money.

Speaker:

In

Speaker:

brand

Speaker:

new

Speaker:

condition.”

“There’s

Speaker:

a

Speaker:

thought,”

Speaker:

Melanie

Speaker:

said,

Speaker:

smirking

Speaker:

slightly. “If

Speaker:

you

Speaker:

ever

Speaker:

want

Speaker:

to

Speaker:

get

Speaker:

back

Speaker:

into

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

piracy

Speaker:

business…”

“Melanie,”

Speaker:

Salli

Speaker:

growled.

She

Speaker:

rolled

Speaker:

her eyes

Speaker:

at

Speaker:

her

Speaker:

sister-in-law. “I’m

Speaker:

joking.

Speaker:

You

Speaker:

really

Speaker:

need

Speaker:

to

Speaker:

get

Speaker:

a

Speaker:

sense

Speaker:

of

Speaker:

humor,

Speaker:

Salli.”

Salli

Speaker:

did

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

open-her-mouth-think-about-it-close-her-mouth

Speaker:

thing

Speaker:

again,

Speaker:

then

Speaker:

finally

Speaker:

said, “Thank

Speaker:

you,

Speaker:

Melanie,

Speaker:

for

Speaker:

this

Speaker:

gift

Speaker:

to

Speaker:

Ali.

Speaker:

Both

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

money

Speaker:

and

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

apology.”

“What

Speaker:

Salli

Speaker:

said,”

Speaker:

Ali

Speaker:

agreed. “Though to

Speaker:

be

Speaker:

honest,

Speaker:

you

Speaker:

still

Speaker:

haven’t

Speaker:

given

Speaker:

me

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

thing

Speaker:

I

Speaker:

really

Speaker:

wanted

Speaker:

when

Speaker:

I

Speaker:

worked

Speaker:

for

Speaker:

you.”

“Oh,

Speaker:

what’s

Speaker:

that?”

Speaker:

Melanie

Speaker:

asked.

Speaker:

Then

Speaker:

she

Speaker:

realized

Speaker:

what

Speaker:

it

Speaker:

had

Speaker:

to

Speaker:

be, and her ears turned bright red. “I

Speaker:

think Salli

Speaker:

would

Speaker:

object

Speaker:

to

Speaker:

that.”

“Ali is

Speaker:

her

Speaker:

own

Speaker:

person,”

Speaker:

Salli interjected. She allowed

Speaker:

a

Speaker:

rare

Speaker:

smirk to cross

Speaker:

her

Speaker:

face. “Whatever

Speaker:

she

Speaker:

wants,

Speaker:

she

Speaker:

can

Speaker:

have.

Speaker:

Even

Speaker:

that.”

“Thank

Speaker:

you,”

Speaker:

Ali

Speaker:

said.

Speaker:

Then

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

little

Speaker:

bodyguard

Speaker:

vixen

Speaker:

reached

Speaker:

up

Speaker:

to

Speaker:

wrap

Speaker:

her

Speaker:

arms

Speaker:

around

Speaker:

Melanie’s

Speaker:

neck,

Speaker:

and

Speaker:

plant

Speaker:

a

Speaker:

deep

Speaker:

kiss

Speaker:

in

Speaker:

her

Speaker:

muzzle,

Speaker:

Melanie,

Speaker:

who

Speaker:

had

Speaker:

never

Speaker:

kissed

Speaker:

a

Speaker:

vixen

Speaker:

like

Speaker:

this

Speaker:

since

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

usual

Speaker:

childish

Speaker:

experiments

Speaker:

in

Speaker:

finishing

Speaker:

school,

Speaker:

let

Speaker:

Ali

Speaker:

take

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

lead,

Speaker:

as

Speaker:

she

Speaker:

explored Melanie’s mouth with her tongue, their bodies

Speaker:

pressed

Speaker:

tightly

Speaker:

together.

When

Speaker:

Ali

Speaker:

finally

Speaker:

released

Speaker:

her,

Speaker:

Melanie

Speaker:

licked

Speaker:

her

Speaker:

muzzle

Speaker:

briefly

Speaker:

and

Speaker:

asked, “Was

Speaker:

it

Speaker:

worth

Speaker:

waiting

Speaker:

for?”

Ali

Speaker:

seemed

Speaker:

to

Speaker:

consider

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

question

Speaker:

very

Speaker:

seriously,

Speaker:

then

Speaker:

held

Speaker:

her

Speaker:

paw out to make a

Speaker:

little “eh”

Speaker:

waggle,

Speaker:

before

Speaker:

bursting

Speaker:

out

Speaker:

in

Speaker:

a

Speaker:

giggle. “Worth it, Lady Melanie. But I

Speaker:

prefer

Speaker:

Salli’s

Speaker:

kisses

Speaker:

I

Speaker:

think.”

“As

Speaker:

you

Speaker:

will.”

Speaker:

Melanie

Speaker:

smiled,

Speaker:

gave

Speaker:

Ali

Speaker:

a

Speaker:

buss

Speaker:

on

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

cheek,

Speaker:

and

Speaker:

then

Speaker:

headed

Speaker:

back

Speaker:

to

Speaker:

Rolas,

Speaker:

who had

Speaker:

been

Speaker:

watching

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

whole

Speaker:

play

Speaker:

with

Speaker:

increasing

Speaker:

bemusement

Speaker:

from

Speaker:

across

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

room.

“What

Speaker:

was

Speaker:

that

Speaker:

all

Speaker:

about?”

Speaker:

he

Speaker:

asked,

Speaker:

as

Speaker:

she

Speaker:

slipped

Speaker:

her

Speaker:

arm

Speaker:

around

Speaker:

his

Speaker:

waist.

“Just

Speaker:

giving

Speaker:

Ali

Speaker:

a

Speaker:

long delayed

Speaker:

Solstice

Speaker:

gift,”

Speaker:

she

Speaker:

said.

Speaker:

Together

Speaker:

they

Speaker:

began

Speaker:

walking

Speaker:

out

Speaker:

of

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

ballroom

Speaker:

and to

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

front

Speaker:

portico

Speaker:

to

Speaker:

head for

Speaker:

home.

“What,

Speaker:

that back

Speaker:

pay

Speaker:

thing

Speaker:

you’d

Speaker:

been

Speaker:

talking

Speaker:

about?”

“Something

Speaker:

like

Speaker:

that.”

Speaker:

Melanie

Speaker:

grinned,

Speaker:

giving

Speaker:

Rolas’ waist a possessive squeeze. “Just

Speaker:

don’t

Speaker:

get

Speaker:

any

Speaker:

ideas

Speaker:

if

Speaker:

she

Speaker:

goes

Speaker:

back

Speaker:

to

Speaker:

her

Speaker:

old

Speaker:

career.

Speaker:

You’re

Speaker:

my

Speaker:

cabin

Speaker:

boy.”

Rolas

Speaker:

just laughed

Speaker:

and

Speaker:

shook

Speaker:

his

Speaker:

head,

Speaker:

and

Speaker:

they

Speaker:

walked

Speaker:

together

Speaker:

out

Speaker:

into

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

chill

Speaker:

of

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

winter

Speaker:

morning.

This

Speaker:

was “Solstice

Speaker:

Gifts

Speaker:

by

Speaker:

Royce

Speaker:

Day,

Speaker:

read

Speaker:

for

Speaker:

you

Speaker:

by

Speaker:

Sierra,

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

Small

Speaker:

Blue

Speaker:

One.

Speaker:

You

Speaker:

can

Speaker:

find

Speaker:

more

Speaker:

stories

Speaker:

on

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

web

Speaker:

at thevoice.dog, or find the show

Speaker:

wherever

Speaker:

you

Speaker:

get

Speaker:

your

Speaker:

podcasts.

Speaker:

Happy

Speaker:

Holidays,

Speaker:

and

Speaker:

Thank

Speaker:

you

Speaker:

for

Speaker:

listening

Speaker:

to

Speaker:

The

Speaker:

Voice

Speaker:

of

Speaker:

Dog.

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