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Intergalactic Bachelor Vote

Fun, Innkeeper Chronicles, Sweep of the Heart POST A COMMENT by

The citizens of the Dominion have had their say, now is the turn of the Book Devouring Horde!

In the ring today, 12 official candidates and one surprise crowd vote:

Name: Nycati of the Gaheas

Description: lithe, long limbs, long violet hair, androgynous, can melt a sapient mind

Harmony &: Artistic Beauty

Keywords: Psionic Elf

Name: Prysen Ol of the Kai

Description: lean beautiful male with silky blue hair, golden skin, and pink-colored irises

Harmony &: Teachings of ancient masters, logicians and philosophers

Keywords: Dignified wisdom

Name: Unessa Sybate of the Dushegubs

Description: statuesque, long golden hair, violet eyes, very in-your-face sexual

Harmony &:  Smothering the enemies

Keywords: Aggressive Dryad

Name: Bestata of House Meer

Description: syn armour, platinum blonde hair and equally pale skin, permanent sneer

Harmony &: Battle Tradition

Keywords: Vampire Knight

Name: Surkar of the otrokar

Description: tall, powerfully built, moves like a predator, wide shoulders straining armour

Harmony &: No harmony. Only bloody harvest of enemies!

Keywords: Brash warrior

Name: Cyanide of the Higgra

Description: feline, golden and white, with gums and tongue of Prussian Blue

Harmony &: Sound judgement

Keywords: Leopard-like

Name: Donkamin candidate

Description: 8 feet tall, pearlescent skin, vaguely humanoid shape, speaks with an upside down head

Harmony &: Scientific Exploration

Keywords: Creepy

Name: Amphie from Dominion1 (Team Smiles)

Description: taupe skin, big grey eyes, and soft dark grey hair in an asymmetric hairstyle

Harmony &: Unity

Keywords: Girl next door

Name: Pivor of the Murder Birds

Description: handsome stocky man, dark bronze skin and pale silver eyes, dark hair frosted with white.

Harmony &: Cooperation between species

Keywords: Handsome and smiley

Name: Ellenda from Dominion 2 (Team Frowns)

Description: an Uma like Kosandion’s mother, tall and muscled like a gymnast, natural grace, indigo skin

Harmony &: Progress

Keywords: Defiant

Name: Oond of the Oomboles

Description: Spectacular orange scales, looks painted with fire, 4 foot long, with tentacles under the chin

Harmony &: Urinary awareness

Keywords: Jazz fins

Name: Lady Wexyn of the Temple of Desire

Description: brunette, curvy and plump, very strong, temptation made flesh

Harmony &: No harmony. Would just love their offspring the best.

Keywords: Seductive and unpredictable

Name: Other of the Book Devouring Horde

Description: Do you want Kosandion to end up with Miralit, Karat, the female werewolf, Orata or even Dina? Do you think he has chemistry with the Kolinda sea serpent he watches from his balcony? Vote here and let us know in the comments!

Harmony &: Facts be damned!

Keywords: Crowd pick

Vote for your favorite candidate to be the Sovereign's spouse:

  • Lady Wexyn of the Temple of Desire (23%, 2,065 Votes)
  • Other of the BDH (14%, 1,255 Votes)
  • Cyanide of the Higgra (11%, 935 Votes)
  • Ellenda from Dominion 2 (9%, 755 Votes)
  • Nycati of the Gaheas (8%, 692 Votes)
  • Bestata of House Meer (7%, 656 Votes)
  • Prysen Ol of the Kai (7%, 643 Votes)
  • Amphie from Dominion 1 (5%, 466 Votes)
  • Oond of the Oomboles (5%, 431 Votes)
  • Pivor of the Murder Birds (4%, 369 Votes)
  • Surkar of the otrokar (4%, 348 Votes)
  • Unessa of the Dushegubs (2%, 160 Votes)
  • Donkamin Candidate (0%, 37 Votes)

Total Voters: 8,812

Loading ... Loading ...

Team Dark Horse, I see you in the comments waiting to say Caldenia. This is not a story about intergalactic incest, it will not be Caldenia *blows raspberry at Team Dark Horse*.

If you want to reread the candidate introduction chapter before you make up your mind, the relevant text is mainly Chapter 11 Part 1 and Part 2 or an in-depth delegation summary. If you want to reread everything so far, it’s all yours.

From Ilona: Mod R and I worked very hard on this poll. We did the best we could with stock images. Hope you enjoyed it! It will be coming back after each challenge.

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Comments

  3. Thanks for the images, they’ll help going forward. I’ll be checking in on this poll to see how the BDH votes!

    • I really appreciated the pretty photos of our a contestants. Thank you, I can better sort them out in my head.

      • +1 I find it harder to vote though, because some of the pics are awesome on their own. I may just skip the poll this time around until we’ve seen more of the contestants’ mad skillz. It would be wrong to vote for Lady Wexyn just because Resven annoys me (though I also appreciate her willingness to be underestimated).

        • Yeah, I had to re-read the contestants again. Thankfully, I have everyone straight in my head now. Yay!

        • Exactly!! She is no airhead. She is the ONLY being that Caldenia went to visit and threaten.

  6. I was already betting on Lady Karat. She did say in Sweep of the Blade that she thought love was insane. Never ever say that as a character in a book. Karma is always ready to strike you done for that foolishness.

    • I really like that idea, except that who would Maud’s non-Arland best friend be?

    • I kind of assume Karat was gay, to be honest…

      Then again, I’m rooting for one of the hot dudes to be the spouse, so maybe I’m just having a particularly gay day. That happens, sometimes.

    • Personally, I think Karat is going to fall for Dagorkun, which will make things very interesting indeed considering the long antagonistic history of the Otrokars and Holy Anocracy.

      And I voted for Lady Wexyn just because she was an underestimated agent of chaos and entropy. Next comes Miralitt; however, if not her, then the beautiful orange Oombole fish Oond. Can’t vote for the otrokar because that might make things difficult for the Khan & Khanum.

    • Same. I was also thinking the inn is building a branch to Maude and Helen so the inn could be a hub to visit her home easily.

  8. Thanks so much for the poll. You are too good to us!

    With a degree in political science, I am very curious what each of the “big asks” were from each delegation because that may sway my vote.

    Someone may be a great parental and DNA candidate but with an impossible “ask”.

  9. The Other option could be so interesting if it actually happened!!! Hehehe Can’t wait to see who is picked! I’m personally very fascinated with the idea of pink irises!

  10. Please leave Dina alone (just the off-hand mention in the poll gives me too much anxiety), but the female werewolf… I would love to see more happen with the weres. It could lead to soooo many interesting things…

    • She hasn’t displayed any common sense thus far. I’m curious what’s appealing.

      • This partnership as over a large domain. I don’t think the female wolf is up to par. I think a partner leadership includes some oomph or strength or sneaky wisdom to encourage the people to keep following their leadership.

    • So the Dominion covers a large area of space. If the female werewolf got picked perhaps she’d a planet for a new werewolf home world. 😁

    • +1 I think Dina is safe with Sean, but I’m voting for the female werewolf! If we got a second vote, it would have been Surkar of the Otrokar, followed by Lady Wexyn in third.

      Oh! Can we vote sometime for consolation titles? Like “Most Likely To Kill Your Enemies With Poison”, “Most Likely To Kill Your Enemies With Physical Violence”, “Best Dancer”, “Most In Harmony”, or “Most Likely To Assassinate The Leader “. 😄

      Thank you so much for the poll and the images! 😊

  11. Thanks muchly for the images. They really helped me visualize the large cast of candidates.

      • Mod R It’s in reference to the David Attenborough research ship from the uk. Boaty Mcboatface won in the public votes and they called the rib/tender on the ship that but named the ship David Attenborough

      • In a display of beautiful naivety British Antarctic Survey invited the British public to vote for the name of the new polar research vessel.

        The competition organisers failed to account for the whimsical, no, perverse sense of humour we have and the winning name was Boaty McBoatFace.

        The vessel was ultimately named RRS Sir David Attenborough and one of the ROVs is Boaty McBoatFace.

  14. Lady Wexyn of the Temple of Desire is BRAVE.
    She will need that and more, which is being camouflaged.

    • I think she is the assassin. . . Or the undercover agent whose in the mix to figure out who the assassin is.

  15. I’m really hoping Kosandian doesn’t end up with Karat or Surkar, because I would love to see a galactic Romeo/Julie type story with lots of heroic battles between Karat & Surkar, but with an HEA.

    • Are you sure you don’t mean Dagorkun? The otrokar observer we know from Sweep in Peace?
      It’s just that there have been *vibes* between them that the BDH has picked up (an euphemism for saying that Karakun ship has already sailed hehe)

      • Please assign me to the earliest available shift on the MSS Karakun. I will scrub the deck, hoist the sails, bring on the horizon, arrrr! This ship is where I pledge my services (as it already has my heart).

  16. I am hesitating between the murder dryad, the slenderman or the sea serpent. I think all three have the potential to make a very fun child.

    (Maybe I should choose the fourth option of making the kid have four parents?)

  17. This was lots of fun, thank you all your time creating this.

    Looking forward to the final result 😉

  19. The Higgra I voted for did better than I thought. I guess we all just love ourselves but cats 😉

  20. Wow nice pictures! It helps visualize the candidates better!

    Boaty MacBoatface has my vote too!! (Other) 😂

  21. The images certainly helped! I’m glad to see there is an alternate option because I REALLY think it should be Karat!

  22. I love the pictures.
    Please not Karat. Arland will not be happy if his favorite cousin goes away.

  24. Miralit would certainly serve both the Sovereign’s and the Dominion’s best interests, and would share that with any offspring- which she no doubt will, even if not a parent.
    But the female werewolf would make life easier for Dina…

    • Miralitt is the *dark horse* in this race… kinda like Rich Strike, at an amazing 80-1 odds 🙂 Karat and Dagorkun are a nice little side show, LOL. Gaston and Murder Birds candidate? Hee hee. After all, he’s part Gator…

  26. Ugh I was in a hurry and thought it was supposed to be a vote for who you want voted off. 🤦‍♀️

    • Were you one of the 5 people voting for the donkamins? I am morbidly fascinated/curious!!

  28. I think all of the candidates are a bit shady, but Karat wouldn’t be a good choice…she has a place in her own house and isn’t looking to have kids. I don’t want anything to come between Sean and Dina…they have worked too hard to get to where they are…besides she’s his mate…don’t mess with a werewolf’s mate. The female werewolf is a possibility but she may not be Able to form a bond. So maybe a mysterious contender we don’t know about yet?

    • Hi Kris,

      The Innkeeper world werewolves aren’t really subjected to “mate bond” and “werewolf mate” tropes as you may encounter in other popular romances 🙂 . The attraction between Sean and Dina is profound and formed on their shared experiences and interactions, not predestination. The female werewolf, like most other sentient beings, is capable of forming bonds if the context is right 🙂 .

  30. I think I’m a bit weird. Lady Wexyn seemed like the best choice because she’d be a great parent. She’s smart, cunning, & can put a smile on many faces with her actions. Let the Dominion teach the child to rule. Let Lady Wexyn teach it to live.🧐😁😋

    • Nope. Lady Wexyn is not what she seems, I tell you! Why will no one listen when I tell them to Beware, Beware! 🙂

    • Agree! My second choice would be Miralitt because she knows security as well as what’s involved in ruling.

    • My first impulse was Lady Wexyn because she’d be fun and not so full of herself. Or any more than she already is 😉 But then the meeting with Caldenia… Is Her Grace suspicious of Lady Wexyn (thinking of the threat to blow them all to smithereens) or conniving and cahooting with her. 🤔

      • If Caldenia is suspicious of her, she must be smart enough to be a major player, which makes her a great candidate

  31. Just came here to say this poll is literally AMAZING and completely made my day. So much fun! Thank you! 😊

  32. Love the pictures. They need to be part of the book-maybe appendix. So helpful to visualize. I know there is a curve ball coming at us from somewhere…………..

  33. This is SO helpful. Trying to decide if I can/should print this out for future reference.

    If/when the book goes to print, it will need a page like this. Like all those fantasy books with maps.

  34. Not a easy choice

    I would say not dina, not the knight from House Meer, not the female werwolve from the begining (can´t be good for any civiliation to have this female werewolf in the dna pool)

    From outside of the candidates Karat
    From the candidates i just know who i don´t want

    • House Andrews did manage to redeem Hugh in my eyes in the KD series, and I would have said that wasn’t possible.

      So I can’t say they would never convince me someone from House Meer is a good option… but ugh. Just ugh. I can’t even write a neutral opinion on their house. I just hate them.

  35. Votes murderous trees because I just want to see what House Andrews would do with that match. 😅

  36. I thought the images were excellent. They captured the descriptions really well for my mind’s eye.

  37. With Cookie and his posse of Merchants already having a foot in the door, I imagine that they would come up with a cunning strategy to insert their own candidate during one of the challenges. From a political viewpoint it would be an ideal match since the Merchants are ruthless, calculated and have weaponised their cuteness. This maken very adept in swaying the public opinion in their favor, something Kosandion and his advisors would probably be very quick to recognise?

  41. No, no, BDH, the authors worked too hard to create 12 (count ’em, twelve!) wonderful new species and we should honor their efforts by picking one of them. I voted for Cyanide because sound judgement will be serve the offspring and because his picture is the prettiest.

  43. I had to vote for the kitty. But I think a non-candidate (other BDH) is a good solution to the competition. Not Dina and not the female vampire.

  44. Thanks for the poll. You did an amazing job with the photos! I like Cyanide but think Lady Wexyn will win.

    • That’s pretty much where I am too. I won’t be sorry if Lady Wexyn wins though.

  45. Can we bring Adira of the Green Mountain from Sweep With Me as a candidate? She was amazing and it feels like she was Kosandion’s equal in terms of power and overall kickassness.

      • Undoubtedly she was the source of the “Space Yak” skein of yarn Dina gave to Officer Marais for his wife’s knitting stash!

  46. My favorite key word is Jazz fins, not my vote, but still…

    Also i agree with Donna above…Cyanide is the prettiest….

  48. “Harmony & facts be damned” is my favorite part of this whole post. I can’t stop chuckling.

  49. Either Miralet or Lady Wexyn

    I think Karat and Dagorkun are made for each other.
    😉

    • I think this would be amazing. Can you imagine Lady Ilemina’s response? Or Lord Soren’s, but when Arland sought counsel prior to proposing Maud, Lord Soren did approve of their controversial relationship. So if he tried to say anything about inappropriate, they’d have plenty of history to throw in his face. Lol I’m trying to decide which they’d rank as a “worse” idea – a human widow of an exiled knight from a relatively new house, or an Otrokar?

  50. Oh, I think Dina would have had a pretty good chance, but he is aware that she is not interested… and he is to clever to make an enemy of Turan Andin

  52. You totally outdid yourself with those images. SUPER WOW.

    I can’t pick! They are all so gorgeous. EVEN THE FISH and I was wondering how that was gonna work out before I read your previous post on lab procreation. I imagined Kosandion would have to drown to make that work. I kind of thought it would be funny if he ended up with a Dushegub, but the shenanigans pulled with trying to get out made me less reception. The whole smothering theme…yikes.

    Lady Wexyn is too easy a pick and too obviously naive. She’s got killer written all over her.

    I kind of like Amphie. Assuming these people are all telling the truth…ah, yes. That could be a problem.

  53. Thank you! This was so much fun. You did an incredible job finding the appropriate images. It really helped me visualize the competitors.

  55. Lady Wexyn because she will love her offspring.

    I await a shocker with Caldenia. Can we vote on that?
    She kills off evil choice,
    She once had a second of altruism that relates to killing her brother. shares secrets of each competitor that no one knew cause.. Caldenia.
    Caldenia turns on the BDH and lectures us on not writing the story!!!

  56. These descriptions are AWESOME. I love the key words. LOVE THEM. I’m also a fan of the “Harmony & . . .”

    The choices! I mean urinary awareness is good and who doesn’t appreciate the smothering of enemies and their bloody harvest? And I suppose a ruler might appreciate unity and progress and scientific exploration. But then melting sapient minds could come in handy. So many choices!

    Thanks for letting us play along.

  57. I chose Karat – family connections to Caldinia is too good of an opportunity to pass up!

  58. I forgot about Cyanide! I like the Oomboles, but I’ve gotta go team feline. 🙂

  60. I didn’t waste my vote, right? We’ll get to vote again as we get more details? I voted for jazz Dina, because, who wouldn’t. But that was just a fun throwaway vote. I’m thinking Lady Wexyn is strategically beautiful to hide her sharp mind. No to Karat, she’s got some UST with a member of the Soul Crushing Hoard and I’m here to ship it when they next meet.

  62. I voted for Lady Wexyn, but…. in my heart of hearts…

    I think it should be Gaston.

    We know they already have a little shark something or other in them (Caldenia’s teeth). We know that Kosandion loves the sea. And we know that Gaston is both a kick ass warrior AND and perfect diplomat. And Caldenia actually like Gaston.

    It would be a win-win in my book.

    • Yes!!! Totally agree: Gaston would be the perfect spouse, sovereign-husband and parent! He’s strong and smart, and he’s proven over and over again how protective he is of his people. Also: understated and not attention-hungry, so I assume he wouldn’t mind being with someone with that much power. And he’s kind of cute 😀

    • Oh. My. God! That is perfect! Heather, you are completely brilliant and even if the story doesn’t go that way I will always think,in a tiny place in the back of my mind, “But they would have been so good together!”

      Then the rest of the voices would point out that would probably make Gaston unavailable for more adventures for us to read about, so, no.

    • Oh … HOLY Urinary Awareness.

      I WAS team Miralit until I saw your vote.

      Now I’m both. 😂

      • So jumping on this ship! Except I already voted for the Mind Melter because such a useful skill… And they’re pretty 😍

    • I LOVE this!!! It never occurred to me, but every one of your points is a gem!! Also, with his close ties to the swamp people of his version of Earth, it feels additionally right.

  63. My granddaughters helped me vote while doing homework. They voted “Grandma! We’re TRYING to do math. But we like the blue one.”

  64. I love this poll and the images were fantastic!
    Thank you for your hard work -this was awesome.

  65. Those key words were funny, especially the “urinary awareness” one. I laughed so hard my eyes watered to the point I couldn’t see anything. Also, the harmony &…were funny as well. Harmony & no harmony made me laugh and shake my head. 🙂

    As for Dina being one of the choices…I think you would have a very angry Turin Adin..ahem…Sean on your hands.

    Thanks for the poll.

  66. Wow

    Once again blow away by the photo selection

    Thank you so much for spending the time to select them

    The photos actually changed my early voting

  68. The stock images you found are spectacular! I think they are represent the characters well, but I think the images for Unessa and Surkar completely nail my own mental images.

    Maybe we could have a “who I would eliminate if this were ‘real’ and they weren’t intrinsic to the plot” option? (I’m looking at you, Lady W.!) 🙂

  69. First, “Harmony &..”. I loved that. Especially the “no harmony”.

    I went with Lady Wexyn because she’s a character and despite the act she’s putting on, I don’t think she’d be boring.

    That said, second choice was Team Frown; that is a beautiful picture and someone from his mom’s race? species? planet? would be a sentimental favorite.

    I wonder if there’s a way to do weighted polls in the blog, like some jurisdictions in the US are doing for political voting. I would have done Lady Wexyn #1, Team Frowns #2, and then either Prysen or Cyanide for #3.

  70. I feel like I should support Clan Nuan just becuase its Nuan Cee and Nuan COOKIE! Whom I adore, but I went with Nycati because I secretly harbor fantasies of melting the minds of a multitude of people. I mean that would be an awesome inherited ability and would make you very effective in battle should there be a war. Ultimate commander ability.

    Now I cant wait for tomorrow to come!

  71. I’m voting Foyt Team Girl next door. She has virtually no chance do naturally I’m going to stand behind her 100 percent.

    • She’s the Dominion’s favourite, 10 points ahead of second place!

      I’d say she has a pretty good chance if the Sovereign wants the happiness of the crowd hehe.

  72. I voted for the fishies. Kosandion does like an ocean view. My luck team jazz fins will be the assassins.

  73. Awesome! I like the images, helps with fixing the characters in my mind 😊
    Cyanide was not a stand-out for me in the story so far, but “Harmony & Sound Judgment”? Yeah, I know a _lot_ of rulers that could do with those traits!
    Plus, there’s totally an option there for a “here, kitty, kitty” situation 😉

  76. The female werewolf seems like a good choice, but really, whoever you choose doesn’t matter. It’s your book, your choice.

      • I’m not super sure on “stuck”, she has made her way to the Inn before 🙂

        But you’re right, Kosandion hasn’t met her…yet.

  79. Plot Twist: a character from the dimension of Kate Daniels! Or from Hidden Legacy! 😉

  84. No question in my mind. Cyanide of the Higgra. Anyone who’s lived with a cat would understand.

  85. Other of BDH: I’m torn between Gaston and Klaus as the potential spouse.

    Some really good points already made about Gaston being a protector, diplomat, and excellent fighter, and he might be called upon to guard Kosandion 24/7 with the assassination threat. BUT Klaus has an innkeeper upbringing plus Arbitrator experience. Yes, Klaus is shrouded in mystery currently, but he must be very savvy for George to think highly of him.

  89. Karat with someone she really wants to be with. Her father might not like Kosandion. (Besides, I want *my* future stepdaughter to be happy….still think her dad is a very attractive older vampire gentleman!!)

  90. Fun, fun, fun! The images were actually very enjoyable, too. I voted for Other, as I found myself hoping for Miralit, frankly, as the dark horse winning candidate. Otherwise, Lady Wexyn of course. I seriously want to upset Resven, hehe.

    Thanks!

  93. OMG I LOVE THIS POLL AND THE DESCRIPTION AND THE VOTING SO MUCH. May we represent the Dominion well!

  94. The kitty is pretty.
    It’s too early for me to have too much of an opinion, and like another commenter, I’m quite curious about the requests.
    So, kitty is pretty wins my vote.

  96. Karat! There’s a few reasons. We know more about her compared to the other candidates. Her connection via Arland & Maude lessens the risk of a wrench getting thrown into the rescue of Wilmos. She’s from a seemingly stable family and society. Given the vampire history with children, we know that she’d do a good job caring for and raising them. Her position in the House Krahr military, proves her organizational management skills. It would probably also please her parents and additionally, it could prove to be an important alliance.

  98. You did great on the images. The various eye, skin and hair colors are difficult to match with a viable on-line pallet.

  101. The images were great! Thanks for all that work. It was fun to see them al lined up like that. The visual impact made a difference. It was easier to weigh their qualities when they were more words on a page than when looking at smiling faces. That oombole is so very cute that I gave it more chance than I had before. I think it is the pout.

  102. I LOVE the pictures and summary! Thank you. That said…

    MIRALITT MIRALITTT MIRALITTTT MIRALITTTTT

  103. I cannot thank you all enough (Mod R you star) for allowing us to be part of this crazy party. Have cast my vote, now we shall see. ❤️

  104. I voted for Lady Wexyn even though the voice in the back of my head is muttering that House Andrews is never that obvious …

    • House Andrews is sometimes that obvious, but only when they twist the obvious to show something surprising underneath.

      And they’re already setting up Wexyn to be so much more than she seems.

  106. What a great poll! The picture were spot on, and once I saw Oond, I knew it was the one. This story is so much fun to read, you guys are rocking the story.

  107. This is awesome thank you so much for the photos as well. It will really help! Question will we get this poll after every elimination? So we can vote again if our choice was eliminated?

  108. I’m Team Karat, even though I felt sorry for Amphie and voted for her. (She’s too good for Kosandion.)And I’m a no to Lady Wexyn because Kosandion needs a companion who he finds important enough to want to earn their respect. So it’s Karat… With Team Frowns a close second.

  110. Wow, thank you so much!
    And I love the pictures. Of course, they can’t match completely, but they give the idea and the tone!

  111. The pictures were incredibly helpful. I almost voted for Unessa before I talked myself out of anything that would help the murdertrees agenda.

    So I voted for Lady Wexyn because I think she has the depth needed underneath all her acting to be an effective mother to children being raised in the public eye.

    And I want to see what her shenanigans are all about. 😉

  114. I just have to say that the images are spectacular!! Definitely influenced my vote a little. Nycati – they (pronoun?) are just stunning.

    But the Jazz Finns, oh my! I used to have show quality Betta fish many years ago, and you definitely met my idea of the Oombole. Pardon spelling.

    Thank you for all the hard work with this ❤️❤️

  118. I have been thinking of Lady Wexyn as an assassin. After all, she is sponsored by the Merchants who do the too-cute-to-be assassins so well. Also, anyone who can balance that much weight in ornaments while looking cute and curvy has some serious muscles. She might bring some great skills to the match, but genetics for the children seems uncertain.

  119. While I want to be Team “Here kitty kitty ” Team Psionic Elves was too appealing. Outstanding job with the descriptions. I do have the feeling that Dina will save the Letero and after it is broadcast the dominion will start voting for her.

  120. Karat gets my vote! All the qualities and a whole lot more! She is a firecracker!

    • I think she would be wasted on Konsandion. Also, I thought she had her eye on an Ohtrakar.

  122. Had to go for Cyanide. What can I say, gorgeous kitty, plus with 5 of the 6 ends being pointy has ample defenses & presumably purrs in a very harmonic way:)

  124. I would not mind seeing a non candidate that Konsandion has up his sleeve for a dramatic turn and ratings. But I cant wait to see what tricks and traps caldenia employs to showcase those that are not worthy. Lol.

    • Hey Sami,

      The poll is embedded in the article, please scroll all the way past the pictures 🙂

      Here is a screenshot that hopefully helps.

  127. That’s not really how I imagined the Otrocar look based on the descriptions we ghet before. I can not choose them on that basis.

    • Hi Gudrun,

      These are not commissioned pictures or art made specifically for the descriptions of the characters. Stock images can be found on online stock platforms and can be licensed for specific uses https://www.stockphotosecrets.com/questions-answers/what-are-stock-images.html .

      Ilona did a wonderful job choosing and altering when possible, and I also tried my best to select close enough characters. But they cannot be exactly true to the description of the characters, as they are original creations of House Andrews.

      Thank you for your understanding 🙂

  128. The photos were nice. I voted for the fish. Although the tiger was attractive, too.

  129. I wanted to vote for Lady Wexyn, but she’s a little too obviously “all wrong so must be right”.

    Team Miralit!

    • +1 Miralitt!! She’s the dark horse. Close to Kosandion, knows all the terraine and what’s up and not up, got smarts aplenty … her tag? Harmony & Discretion / Valor

  131. Choices, choices. And tough ones. So I went with theKitty Kat but I wouldn’t be sad if the BDH Other won. NOT karat bc she needs to be shipped with the Otrokar Heir. And NOT Dina bc, Jeezeloueeze! She’s already with Sean.

    Question: where is Mrs. Marais? Not that I expect her to win but it would be interesting.

    And I agree with whoever said Lady Wexan has hidden assassin depths.

  133. Internet fans are asked to vote in an opinion poll about a relationship match, and the top three results are 1)The obvious favorite, 2) The non-canon ‘ship, and 3) A cat. Sounds about right, lol.

  134. Love the images. Must have taken hours and hours to put that together ❤️
    Thank you for the fun 😊

  135. My problem with Lady Wexyn is I think she is actually way smart and I have a bias against smart people who play stupid. Also, the very nature of desire makes her a professional chameleon which means you will never know if you are seeing the real person or a reflection of what they know you want to see. That may not matter to Kosandion. It would to me.

    Finally — “Of course. I will love them most of all, Your Majesty. They would be my favorite.” When I first read it I wondered if she meant favorite of all her children.

  136. Team Gaston all the way!! He would be a fierce protector, a wise teacher, a loyal partner, and a patient parent. Plus the baby might have his awesome thoas teeth!

  137. Also, selfishly, I want the killer trees to make it through this round because they are entertaining. Unless the eliminated candidates get to stay until the end, even though they are out of the running?

    • How could the Dominion people seeing all those delicious dishes day after day NOT fall in love with Orro? Being able to detect poison in ridiculously low quantities would be a very valuable trait to pick up for a child who is likely to face at least one assassination attempt.
      Quills as a means of self defense on top of that is just icing.

      • But can you imagine what the ✨ dramatics ✨ would do to the collective empathy 😂

        • Maybe that’s why the Merchant clans are sponsoring – the sale of restorative and calming teas would go through the roof 😉

        • All those type of shows THRIVE on drama. That is what gets the ratings!

          Plus in politics, a flare for drama over inconsequential things that lets you hide … less inconsequential things is a whole reason on its own! Orro wouldn’t be so calculating but a political machine like Kosandion would be all over it.

  139. Wow, Cyanide is surprisingly popular. I, personally, like her (as crazy cat lady), Lady Wexyn (as the likely choice and a breath of chaos), and Nycati (elves are awesome).

    Unsurprisingly, the Donkamin and the murderous dryad are at the bottom.

  140. I voted for Pivor. Wouldn’t trust him as far as I could throw him, but he is truly fine looking.

  143. Ilona and Mod R, you did an amazing job putting this poll together! The pics and summaries are awesome!

    I’ve been Team Wexyn from the get go and I’m sticking with her. 😁

  144. Loved the images! Thank you so much. Loved getting a chance to vote. I don’t know why, but every time I read “murder birds,” I can’t help but laugh. They have my vote!

  148. That was fabulous 🥰 thank you both for your time, it’s very much appreciated oh so very very much

  149. I saw a lot of comments about Dagorkun and Karat…
    I am really looking forward to what will be happening to Karat!
    She is such an amazing, strong charakter. It would be very sad if she was the sidenote in someone else’s story. Please nooo 🥺

    And whoever Kosandion will end up – I am looking forward to unexpected, fun and shocking turns and revelations in our future! 😱☺️

  151. Gaston – a spy, a gentleman of adventure, occasional assassin, and future spouse of the Sovereign!

      • Thank you so much for this! Makes recovering from COVID much easier.

        Agreed! Gaston! He is descended from royalty, well educated, well spoken (even in High Galactic),well versed in sculdugery, a former Arbitrator (lots of connections there), and he knows how to play to the emotions of the crowd.

        Karat and Dagorkun… Mwahahah… It would through their respective families into fits, but I LOVE it!I’m

        Lady Wexyn – Sean and Dina need to keep an extra close eye on her – possible assassin?

        Maybe I am just being distrustful, but the candidate for Team Smiles has me concerned, too. Why can’t Dina remember her name?

        With so much talk about Caldenia being trapped, does she have a plan to clear her bounties?

        I am so excited to see what House Andrews comes up with!

    • Oh, Gaston, forgot about him! Everyone else in his universe gets married to royalty, why not him?

  152. Loved it! Thank you very, very much!

    Amazing pictures 🙂 It was easier to remember the candidates, but so far I didn’t feel anything special toward them, so… I voted for “other” 🙂

  153. I wasn’t thinking Dina until you suggested it, but now I can’t see any other possible solution, which includes a couple of chapters of intergalactic diplomacy while she tries to say no…

  154. I would really like Karat to get her story, sooooo LOL at the same time i don’t know if she could be happy there….

  155. Lady Wexyn because she said will love her child unconditionally. That’s the most important qualification for a parent. She’s also the contentious one who focuses the reader’s attention in a way that the others don’t.

  156. I sort of like Unessa. But she’s not an advisable match, I would say. I’m going for other of the BDH

  157. LOVE the images you chose for each candidate! Also, Massive giggling happened on my part when reading about Team Dark Horse.

  160. Hello,
    “Would just love their offspring the best.” was the reason.
    Tchau

  161. The pictures are great. I was going to pick Surkar but I can’t go past Jazz Fins, er Oond.

  162. We have to keep the Dushegubs! Seriously no one else is curious about their night time activities? On the bachelor they are what I would call a producer’s pick to keep the entertainment value up.

  163. I could never vote karat because I hope she hits it off with dagorkun. 😂😂.

  164. I am once again amazed at all the loving details you give to BDH. So enjoyable and the comments are icing on the cake. Thank you so much for all your efforts HA and Mod R!!

  165. I wish you would have let us vote for our top 3. To Lady Wexyn I would have added Prysen Ol of the Kai and 3rd Nycati.

  166. This poll: a fabulous idea fabulously executed! Thanks so much for the entertainment lagniappe.

  167. Ooh! Pictures of the candidates. Thank you so much Ilona and Mod R!! Love the snow leopard.

  168. OK, I did have Karat in mind at first, but what if Kosandion morphs into a sea creature?

    If I were going for a serious answer, after reading over The candidates and thinking about the position of the ruler of the dominion I had to choose someone who would be a good strong influence on both child and mate.

    After -all the influence over the mind of the ruler of the dominion could cause a whole people to go to war if instigated.

    On the other hand, it would be fabulous to see Cyanide of the Higgra as the mate.

    I agree with others who commented that it would be great if house Meer and the Otrokar got together. Maybe there will be multiple pairings once the mate is chosen.

    I would invite Ellenda from Dominion 2, Pivor of the Murder Birds, and Prysen Ol of the Kai over for tea…or what ever.

    I can’t remember if we get a description of Kosandion. Need to reread. (Oh heavens 😉)

    • We get a description of Kosandion in Chapter 10 (Part 2) https://www.ilona-andrews.com/2022/chapter-10-part-2-2/ (Rereads are still always encouraged 😀 )

      “The trumpets blew a triumphant note. A man appeared at the entrance. His elegant white robe hugged his tall, muscular frame, its intricate embroidery luminescing weakly with pale gold. His skin was the darkest shade of black, with a shocking blue undertone as if someone had carved him out of onyx and dusted his cheekbones with sapphire powder. His hair, cut down to almost stubble, was shaped with almost microscopic precision, and it shone with white, like swirls of the first frost on a window. His face was intelligent and long, his dark eyes bottomless, and when he strode into the room, there was no doubt that it and everything within it was his to command.”

  169. Not that this isn’t fun, but what happened to rescuing Wilmos—is this some how related to his kidnapping and the corruption of the adhals?

    • Hi Sbond,

      Yes, this is all related to Wilmos’ rescue.

      The only (relatively) safe way to reach Karron and save Wilmos is under the control of the Dominion. Dina and Sean are hosting the Sovereign’s spouse search event in exchange for access to the gate- this may refresh your memory 🙂 https://www.ilona-andrews.com/2022/chapter-6-part-1/ .

      We just received an update on Wilmos’ kidnapping in last week’s chapter https://www.ilona-andrews.com/2022/chapter-13/

      • I know why they agreed to host; is the actual chosen marriage partner relevant to the kidnapping, Wilmos or the corrupted Adhal? Or is the kidnapping a plotline being used to bracket the main tale of partner choosing?

  171. Lady Wexyn. I retired from a long career wrestling with the US federal bureaucracy. I can smell when a fix is in.

    Whatever else happens do not let Bestata marry Surkar!

  173. Your pictures are amazing! It is clear that you guys put so much effort into it!!! Thank you for spoiling us!!!

  175. Too hard! I feel like I don’t know any of them well enough (including Kosandion but excepting the aggressive dryad 😂) to make a choice yet. That said, Lady Wexyn seems the obvious choice? A free-wheeling and charismatic candidate that’s got not-so-hidden crafty (but not malicious?) depths. That said, I’m pretty sure Kosandion has other purposes for holding this event in this particular inn. I’m just interested to see whether he’ll ever personally care all that much about the competition results.

    Beautiful poll! 👍 Thanks for letting us in on the action!

  176. I chose Lady Wexyn–she seems the perfect opposite of an arrogant, over-the-top male like Kosandion. And I don’t see her agreeing to any heir-making in any but the old-fashioned way. So take that, Mr. Fancy-Pants!

  177. I honestly voted for Bestata because I kind of enjoy the drama that would develop that Dina, Sean and Caldenia will likely have to continue dealing with them after this for no other reason than Bestata is, in her mind at least, Maude’s best friend. That might not be a great reason, but it would be fun for us.

    • Bestata is the candidate from House Meer 🙂 . House Meer are the sworn enemies of House Krahr and not at all fans of humans. Her and Maud are not friends of any description, sorry 🙂

      Karat, Arland’s cousin, and the vampire observer is who I think you are referring to :). She is not one of the contestants.

  181. Hear me out, he ends up with one of the kitchen workers. Yes, they fought for the honor to cool, but they also fought for the chance to see him just one more time…. Maybe they had a chance encounter once long ago.

    I’m still holding out for Dagorkun and Karat to be a thing.

    Also, this index helped 1000% for keeping everyone straight. +1 to a back of book character index.

  184. This is brilliant, and so much fun! Thank you for doing this….I love the illustrations! 😁

  185. Kosandion is at Gertrude Hunt to select Orro.

    The determination, dedicatio, honor and loyalty required to become a Red Cleaver Chef and make it thru his fall are most excellent qualities to pass on. And the possibility of a child who can cook.

  188. Just noticed one thing… Team Frown has a candidate named EllendA, which is one letter changed from ellende. Ellende is misery in Dutch. So team frown has misery? LOL

  192. Unfortunately can only vote for 1

    Wish there was a easy web site poll option for creating a ranking of the contestants instead of just one vote

    I am almost more interested in who BDH considers the least deserving choice and who is their second favorite choice

  193. Oooo! I hadn’t even thought of the werewolf winning! That would be a nice bow tie on that so If Team Dark Horse gets broken out into individuals, I’d totally vote for her.
    Thank you for letting us have a voice in this!

  194. There is yet insufficient information. The behind the scenes political intrigue regarding Caledonia’s role seems essential to making an optimal choice. The 3 challenges will undoubtedly reveal more clues.

    I like the sea monster. Perhaps, a little direct communication between it and the groom would be interesting.

    • Think of this as the first impression vote 😉

      The poll will come back after each challenge, wand every time we will have more and more info to go on. The fun is to track the public opinion evolution!

  195. I vote Miralitt. She has a sense of humor. No one should have to spend their life with someone who doesn’t have a sense of humor. (Maybe other candidates have a sense of humor, too. Her’s stands out so far.)

  196. Delighted to say that I am one of only 18 people to vote for the creepy Donkamin, we are holding down a firm 0% of the vote. High five for everyone voting for creepy scientific exploration.

  200. Team dark horse, thank you for the laughs. I am partial to Surkar of the Otrokar. Toddlers running through my mind yelling “Bam Bam Smash!”. Prime political material. Nice of BDH to favor lady Wexyn, give the old guy a “go out a bang ” candidate. Only she’s my favorite for the assassin. Smh can’t wait to see what the Authors come up with.

  202. Thank you so much, Ilona and Mod R, your hard work is very much appreciated, this is soooo much fun :)))))

  204. So much fun getting to toss our votes out there with the rest of the Dominion!! Thanks for the hard work pulling this together!

  205. I voted for the fish (Oond). I think Kosandion’s affinity for the sea could make for a happy pairing.

    I have a sneaking suspicion that there is more to the assassination plot that got Caldenia exiled. I wonder if Caldenia and Kosandion were in in it together or if she covered for him. Maybe she was framed? I’m not sure why but I feel like Kosandion secretly likes his aunt. I would have expected a more extreme reaction to seeing her again.

  206. As much as I want to pull for lady werewolf, I can’t resist a goal like Harmony and urinary awareness. Oond all the way!

  208. I’m curious how the poll will change after every challenge
    Right now there are a few candidates that we know (relatively) a lot about like Lady Wexyn and others not so much but other than that there are a few candidates that I don’t like and would not choose, some of the thus far more invisible candidates might yet be interresting

  210. Ellendra for first choice, Lady Wexyn for second choice. Can’t decide between the two.

  211. You guys did a great job choosing stock art! Nothing beats the fabulous artists you work with formally, but these images are pretty awesome to highlight the candidates and help us keep them straight – thanks!

  212. Of course I voted for Wexyn. But my SECOND choice would be Ellenda the Uma. Possibly influenced by the selected stock image, but I very much like the Uma response to colonization.

  213. Hello! Fun post:) I’m wondering if anyone is having a similar experience with receiving blog posts? I received the blog about 23 hours after it was actually posted. I’m just happy to read the blog, but am curious as to the time lag.

    • Hi Jaye,

      You’re talking about the newsletter email 🙂. The blog is available on the website for everyone with a working internet connection as soon as it is posted. The newsletter has a time delay as it gets delivered to thousands across the world.

  215. I really want Lady Karat and the Otrokar heir to fall in love! So much drama and fun!

    I also NEED Kosandian to be happy with his choice. And for the choice to be happy with him.

    And for Caldenia to approve the choice.

  218. Lady Wexyn gave the best answer. I parent should care more about their child than political harmony.

  219. When I read “stock photos” I was amazed, as, aside from slight coloring differences, I thought “Wow – how much did they spend on those photoshoots?”

    I voted for Nycati, because when I just went down the list, almost all the others just brought up a simple “No.” And I’ve decided (on no evidence whatever other than the contrariness of tropes) that Amphie is probably the assassin.

    I flatly don’t want House Meer to gain any galactic advantage whatever, and something similar goes for the southern Otrakars. Marrying a fish might be funny, but the gains would seem to be rather nebulous. The Donkamins, the Dushegubs and the Murder Birds are just too negative. Lady Wexyn … has this enormous question mark hanging over her head, just because Calendia knows her mother.

    If I was voting for a BDH Other, I have to say that whoever suggested Gaston had some brilliant logic going for them. I like it!

  220. I voted for Ellendra. I feel like her biggest downside is that she’s Uma like his mom, and that might be a problem because it’s not bringing in a spouse from another culture.

    But her key word description is Defiant! How could I not love that? And she comes from fierce people who defied colonization.

    As for her speech, progress aligns very well with harmony. What’s the point of harmony if you’re just going to stay stagnant?

    And lastly – she’s not a crowd favorite because she’s defiant and proud. From the little we know of her home world, she has every reason to be proud. And I always have a soft spot for defiant people/characters.

    Oh. And she’s absolutely gorgeous. I didn’t include that as a factor when I was deciding who to vote for, but she’s so beautiful.

  221. I am gratified I was not the only one to vote for Nycati of the Gaheas. I was particularly drawn to the description first off. The idea of being androgynous lets me accept the otherwise strange choices presented to the groom. No one expects a love match but with Nycati it is, to my imagination, more than possible.

  222. Kolinda sea serpent 😂 I voted Bestata, but it was a difficult decision 🤣

    • I don’t expect Bestata to win though 🤔 Prysen or Nycata perhaps? Lady Wexyn is too teatrical.

  223. This was wonderful, the pictures were outstanding. Great job on setting up an easy to use/understand poll.

  225. My vote goes to a former guest. I don’t remember her name but she was a human that had gobs of magic and ended up dueling her evil uncle. She ate comfort food that Otro couldn’t recreate because it was fast food.

  226. Just when I think, ok – this is the most fun I’ve ever had reading a serial you make it better. Love the voting. The stock photos were a really nice touch. Thanks for adding some joy to my week. ❤️

  227. House Andrews, Mod R, you are the best… The pictures are great, and the poll! Such a great gift! thank you fo spoiling us so much and give so many people the chance to come together around something they love!

  230. The thought you have given to the characters and found images to represent! It’s marvellous

    I love how wonderful this series is turning out to be.
    And my hopeful candidate is Gaston.

    Kosandion needs someone who can be unpredictable and has powerfull familial instincts.

  232. Thanks so much for doing this poll and the ones to come. I feel even more pulled into the innkeeper world and invested in the outcome.
    I voted for Cyanide of Higgra because of Sound Judgement and liking the idea of a nonhuman type candidate.
    I am also drawn to Lady Wexyn and Nycati. Also intrigued by the murder birds candidate!
    Looking forward to learning more about the candidates and having the twists and turns revealed!
    Loved the stock photos you picked!

  233. Would a triad be possible? The theme is unity and who is more unified in this whole situation than Dina and Sean together? Those two with Kosandion could be amazing!

  234. Honestly? I think it would be a funny twist if he chose Gaston.

    Completely unexpected, and he’s from a unique species they likely haven’t seen–aside from Gaston himself.

  236. Dear House Andrews and Moderator R, this is amazing! Thank you very much😊 I wish you all a wonderful weekend.

  240. Wow – so impressed. Well done, and thank you for the images and for the chance to vote.

  242. Are we sure Caldenia is not Kosandian’s birth mother or really over protective Aunt?
    Maybe the murder of his father was Caldenia’s way of insuring Kosandian took the throne….

  244. My vote is for the female werewolf who was shadowing Shawn. She needs a mate. Why not give her an outstanding opportunity.

  245. It would be just perfect if Kosandion actually ended up with someone who matched him, an equal, not solely someone who would be a great parent for his child. Here’s to a HEA for Kosandion!

  246. My vote would be Karat. She’d make sure their child could defend her/himself. She certainly seems a even match for Kosandion and what an interesting story with all kinds of hurdles to overcome. Hmmm…

  249. I’m so in love with the couple ♥️”Gorvar and Beast”♥️ I hope that at the end of the story they stay together and have lots of puppies 😍 cute and fearless, positive thoughts and fingers crossed 😊
    Possible couples Gaston and that werewolf, Karat and Dagorkun (shipp of the century), Jack and Miralitt (if he still shows up, well he needs a strong pair, a formidable warrior but with a sense of humor, to get out of the bubble of loneliness that he put himself 🤭😂), Unessa and Bestata (because they have similar personalities and match a lot, attractive, aggressive and haughty), ♥️Surkar and Nycati♥️(it would be so cool to see this developing because their different personalities would meet, O Nycati is so beautiful! surreal beauty! almost divine!) the wondrous elf and the relentless, statuesque, fierce warrior!

  250. I love this poll. Thank you very much for it. I’m all for Miralit and Kosandion, just to annoy Resven. Although I also love the idea of Gaston winning his heart.
    I also ship Karat and Dagorkun. But really: has any of you ever thought about how furious House Meer will be, if Karat is voted???? For that reason alone it might be worth it 😜

  252. Thank you! Job well done on the survey!

    I voted but I definitely need more information to pick a real match…and then I will probably be way off base again 😉 ha

  254. So much fun! Thanks for the likenesses. I like Karat for this one. I want a female who is strong and compassionate. Karat is a great fighter. I like a woman who can cut, shoot, sock, and cuss you out.

  256. Caldenia warned Lady Wexyn for a reason. I don’t think warning was a blessing to marry her nephew.

  258. So fuuuuuuun !! We get to vote too ! 🤭🤭🤭🤭
    Loving this new book héhé, loving the pictures, story / intrigue, characters, quizz, etc. 🤭

  261. Such great art! Love the Oond the Oombole fire fish the most, but not sure about the Harmony and Urinary awareness bit. Smiley face. Dushegubs and Donkamin are very strange & don’t seem very trustworthy. Of course, Lady Wexyn could be all pixels and not at all what she appears, but I figure at least she has some training in the arts! Love this Bachelor Vote!

  263. So I voted for Wexyn, because she is clearly more than she portrays herself to be and that’s fun, but then I remembered a teaser comment about the woman from Costco making a re-appearance in the series… Can I change my vote to her?! Harmony and Don’t Mess With Texas!

  264. How did I miss this? If it is not too late, my vote is for Cyanide, mostly because I love kitties.

    • Hey Ona,

      The vote is closed atm, but it will come back after each of the 3 challenges 🙂, so opportunity is not lost!

  266. Nycati: I don’t know about blowing my mind but he can blow on my Kuddy Kay any time he wants. Oh! Not for me… well, I need more information.

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