A/N: What the hell, it's only been like 8 years. Behold, what the pandemic has wrought.

So, just as an explanation… this is not a new chapter just yet. If anyone is still cares about this story, I've been working the past year to finish it before I made this announcement, but Shades of Grey will continue, as well as Time After Time. For people who have clicked on this and have no idea what this story is, don't waste your time now, because I'm replacing most of the last 10 chapters with entirely new material. The reason why I left this series is because I was so unhappy with it and got burned out. Now that I've had some distance, I put it back on the road I wanted it on, and that meant gouging some content and writing a lot more.

Also, some of my old readers might notice that my old stories (as in Oaths, A Dark Promise ect.) are gone. They're going to stay gone, I'm afraid. I view Oaths as my first baby steps into writing Shades, so my favorite moments will be included here now.

I have to go back and edit the previous chapters, fix HWY, fix my profile, and do a ton of stuff before I get on a regular schedule again, so expect the first new chapter of Shades on April 6th. I hope some of you are still around to look forward to it. And I hope some new readers may garner interest in the series as well.

And since the site insists on new content when posting, I will give you this snippet of future chapters. Behold, Elissa vs. Anora:

"I've ruled this country for five years—"

"And in all that time, you've done nothing to secure its bloodline." Elissa saw the narrowing of Anora's eyes, that anyone would dare speak to her that way, but she'd had enough of Ferelden's nobility and royalty and everyone else for one evening and didn't care. "Don't. Don't talk down to me. I was raised to this just as thoroughly as you were. When you didn't provide an heir, your next responsibility was to get Alistair out of the Chantry and legitimize him." She crossed her arms. "You're going to have to make a stronger argument than that to convince me to back your claim and let this country tear my best friend apart in front of the entire Landsmeet."

"And so I will." Anora gave her a small, cold smile. "You would obviously prefer to keep Alistair to yourself. Yet the moment you name him king, he'll be forced to marry and provide a legitimate heir, as you so thoughtfully pointed out." Elissa remained silent, unable to refute that. "So, give him to me. If he has to be shoved into the arms of another woman, wouldn't you rather it was someone you already had an agreement with? I would have no objections to your… situation… given you at least practice discretion."

Etiquette be damned. "How very generous the leaders of this country are. You're the second person today to propose allowing me to remain as my lovers' whore."

Anora frowned. "I am suggesting that you remain as his mistress. This is how politics are made, and if you prefer, it is a stipulation that I require, not an offer. Forgetting for a moment that I simply do not understand Alistair and have very little patience for him, he also happens to be an exact likeness of my recently dead husband, if you recall. I have no interest in being the only woman in his life."

The thought screamed for rebellion in her mind, and yet…

"I'll… I'll think about it."

Elissa couldn't believe she had agreed to that much as she rushed back to her own quarters, blind to her surroundings as she made her way to the doors that would lead her to the small, private balcony and finally allow her to breathe. Alistair would provide her with a good life in Anora's arrangement, of that she had no doubt. He would always be hers, would favor her above Anora in all the years they were together.

And then what? Discretion had very little influence in court, except to serve as a token of respect for the betrayed spouse. Everyone would know. They would treat her as a queen to her face in order to gain his favor, and smirk behind her back. She would never be anything more than the silly girl who let him lift her skirts when they were young.

Was that what she wanted? To reduce the Cousland name to nothing more than part of the king's harem?

She couldn't do it, no matter how much the realization was killing her.

The die had been cast—no point now in snatching it back and pretending she hadn't thrown. She laughed to herself, dark and shaking as she shoved a hand through her hair. "But what about another throw?" She looked up at the clear, cold sky with its vibrant stars. "What do you say? Winner takes all?"

The Maker offered no response.