The hunting party's return to Etherevalis was met with fanfare that bordered on theatrical.
Banners unfurled from balconies.
Trumpets sounded.
Petals rained from upper terraces.
To Jax—and even to the King—it felt wildly disproportionate for a morning hunt.
The King leaned slightly toward Jax as they rode through the cheering crowds.
"You should see the celebration they give me when I return from the toilet after twenty minutes."
Jax nearly slid off Steed.
He doubled over laughing.
The King joined him, laughter echoing down the stone corridor of the main avenue.
Heiron heard the remark and covered his mouth, shoulders shaking.
Legos, however, blinked in confusion.
He had arranged the celebration.
He thought this was what his father wanted.
The realization dawned slowly.
Perhaps… less trumpets next time.
They dismounted within the courtyard.
Nyxian dismissed Steed in a ripple of shadow before it could unsettle the royal horses further.
Llandra was the first to reach Jax.
She didn't leap into his arms—but it was close.
The other Vixens approached more carefully.
They were trying, this week, to keep public displays measured before the wedding.
Trying.
The Queen approached her husband.
"Welcome back, Your Majesty," she said smoothly. "I assume the battle against those vicious pheasants was grueling."
The King grinned.
"I've decided this will be a monthly tradition."
Her eyebrow lifted.
"Really."
"Yes. If you think you're still capable of keeping up. I'd hate to have to carry you through the forest."
A shot fired.
She smiled slowly.
"If Your Majesty doesn't mind being outshone… again… I would be delighted."
Memory flashed in his eyes.
The Queen in leather armor.
Bow drawn.
The best archer in the kingdom.
His smile turned almost boyish.
"I would expect nothing less."
Then, emboldened by something that had been missing for years, he pulled her into a kiss.
Not polite.
Not ceremonial.
A real one.
The courtyard went silent.
The Queen's breath caught.
It had been decades since he had kissed her like that.
There was youth in him now.
Fire.
She felt it.
And she wanted it.
Vaelrith and the guards stepped forward to present the hunt's rewards.
First came the fowl.
The kitchen staff responded with theatrical enthusiasm.
"Oh, wonderful!"
"So much material!"
They knew they would need additional meat for a true feast.
But they played their part.
Then Vaelrith summoned the wyvern.
Gasps rippled through the courtyard.
The C-Rank beast was massive.
Scaled. Muscular. Impressive.
Now that—
That was worth celebrating.
"Jax will oversee the preparation," Vaelrith announced calmly.
The cooks turned toward the human.
He was going to teach them how to cook wyvern?
Their smiles were polite.
Skeptical.
The Queen cleared her throat.
"The King and I have much to discuss regarding today's… decisions."
It sounded like a reprimand.
It was not.
The King caught her look.
He understood perfectly.
They departed quickly.
---
Jax found himself surrounded by the Vixens.
"So," he asked, "what's tonight's plan?"
Nyxian grinned mischievously.
"You forget?"
Bunny folded her arms.
"You made a deal."
Llandra smiled softly.
"After dinner, we separate."
Jax blinked.
Ah.
The bachelor and bachelorette parties.
His bargain with Legos and Heiron.
They host him.
They stand beside him at the wedding.
All because they lost to Llandra.
He hugged each girl in turn.
Quick.
Stolen.
Nyxian lingered.
Grabbed him.
Almost refused to release him.
"Behave," he whispered.
"I can't," she answered.
Then he turned toward the kitchen staff to help them prepare.
Nyxian's hand still firmly on his rear as we started to walk away.
The four Vixens watched that man walk away with complete lust in their eyes.
---
The royal kitchen staff did not expect to be educated that afternoon.
Within minutes, they realized they were.
Jax broke down the wyvern into clean, controlled cuts.
He salted the meat deliberately.
"Let it rest," he explained. "The salt draws moisture out, then pulls it back in. Tenderizes it."
They listened now.
Curious.
Respectful.
He introduced a low-temperature water bath technique.
Carefully controlled heat.
Sealed preparation.
Then—
A fast sear to crisp the exterior.
Herb blends from Solmere.
Aromatic oils.
Timing.
Precision.
By the time the first cutlet finished, the head chef stared at it like a holy relic.
When they tasted it—
Silence.
Then disbelief.
By evening, the entire kitchen was buzzing.
---
The Vixens entered the dining hall dressed for celebration.
Light fabrics.
Elegant cuts.
Bunny and Nyxian did not shy from presentation.
Llandra and Zee were more restrained—but not by much.
It was a festive night.
Seats filled quickly.
Nobles murmured.
The King and Queen entered last.
But something was missing.
The King looked toward Llandra.
"Where is Jax?"
"He's ensuring the meal is perfect," she answered.
Moments later—
The doors opened.
The aroma entered first.
Rich.
Savory.
Layered.
Better than anything they'd smelled earlier.
Plates were set.
Wyvern fillets.
Perfectly seared.
Juices locked inside.
Herb crust glistening.
The first bite stunned the room.
Murmurs.
Then raves.
"This is incredible."
"The texture—"
"It melts."
Jax entered quietly after the first wave was served.
He took his seat beside Llandra.
The King studied him.
"You were right," he said. "This was worth the hunt."
Jax smiled.
"Fresh meat deserves respect."
The Queen glanced between the two men.
There was understanding there now.
Not ceremony.
Not obligation.
Something earned.
Dinner flowed with warmth and laughter.
No tension.
No jealousy.
Only anticipation.
Because everyone knew—
After this meal—
The night would divide.
The brothers would claim Jax.
The women would claim Llandra.
Old traditions.
New bonds.
And somewhere in the castle corridors—
Two parties were about to begin.
The King raised his glass.
"To tomorrow."
"To tomorrow," the hall echoed.
Jax met Llandra's eyes next to him.
One more night.
Then vows.
Then everything changes.