The plan was simple.
Leave Solmere without anyone seeing them.
The journey would normally take nearly two months by carriage. With the tireless Shadow Bulls pulling them, they could make it in thirteen days. The portal network would have reduced that to just three, but using the portals meant passing through populated towns and potentially exposing their movements to Imperial spies.
For now, secrecy mattered more than speed.
Convince the Empire that Jax Darquebane was either dying or already dead.
And enjoy a quiet thirteen-day journey west.
Trying to keep things quiet, and unseen, they were traveling the old way, without portals.
Unfortunately, the plan had not accounted for Bunny's luggage.
"How many bags do you have?"
Jax stood in the forest behind the Darquebane Compound, staring at the collection of suitcases surrounding his second wife.
Bunny looked offended.
"Not that many."
Jax counted.
Then counted again.
"Bunny, I'm carrying six."
"Yes?"
"And you're carrying four."
"Yes?"
"That's ten."
"I'm aware."
"For a thirteen-day trip."
"That's just the trip there, Jax! We still have to visit Nyxian's family and come home!"
"How long are we staying?"
Bunny shrugged.
"I don't know. That's why I packed options."
Nyxian leaned against a nearby tree, enjoying the conversation immensely.
"Darling, how many of those bags contain shoes?"
Bunny's ears twitched.
"Um. Not many."
"Bunny."
"What?"
"How many?"
Bunny glanced at Jax.
Then at the six suitcases stacked around his arms.
"Well..."
"Bunny!"
"Okay! Maybe all the ones Jax is carrying."
Jax slowly looked down.
"Six suitcases of shoes?"
"They're not all shoes!"
Nyxian raised an eyebrow.
Bunny sighed.
"One has boots."
Llandra covered her mouth.
Zee turned away, her shoulders shaking.
Lexi made absolutely no attempt to hide her laughter.
Pixelle landed on top of the highest suitcase.
"I have a question."
Jax looked at her.
"Of course you do."
"How many feet do you have, Bunny?"
"Two!"
"Interesting. Because apparently you're preparing for thirty."
"Pixelle!"
Jax adjusted the luggage.
He wasn't struggling with the weight. His strength made that irrelevant.
The problem was that six suitcases had six different handles, and none of them had been designed for someone attempting to carry all six simultaneously through a forest.
A branch caught one.
Another struck a tree.
The third swung around and hit his leg.
Jax stopped.
Looked down.
Then looked at Bunny.
"Are you sure you need all of these?"
"Yes."
"Absolutely sure?"
"Yes."
"What if I offered to buy you new shoes when we get there?"
Bunny's ears shot upright.
"Really?"
Nyxian laughed.
"Congratulations, darling. You've just doubled the problem."
Jax sighed.
"Right. Forget I said that."
Their departure had required more planning than usual.
After meeting with Kat Virellyn at the Chronicle, they'd returned to the Compound through the usual entrances, behaving as though nothing unusual was happening.
Soren's people had already begun monitoring the surrounding streets.
Any Imperial informants still operating in Solmere would see exactly what the United Kingdom wanted them to see.
Nothing.
No public farewell.
No guards assembling for a journey.
No elaborate caravan departing through the gates.
Instead, Barb had quietly moved their traveling carriage to a secluded clearing near the forest lake where Jax had first encountered the women who would eventually become his family.
The Compound's backyard overlooked that same lake.
From there, a little over two miles of woodland separated them from their transportation.
Two miles of privacy.
Two miles of secrecy.
And, apparently, two miles of Bunny's footwear.
Jax maneuvered around another tree.
One suitcase swung sideways.
He caught it with his knee.
"Who designed these handles?"
Bunny smiled.
"They're very fashionable."
"That's not what I asked."
"But they are cute."
"That's what's most important."
By the time they reached the clearing, Jax had developed a newfound appreciation for luggage manufacturers who understood the concept of balance.
Barb stood beside the caravan, checking the harnesses attached to the Shadow Bulls.
She looked up.
Then stopped.
Her eyes moved from Jax's face to the mountain of luggage hanging from his arms.
Then to Bunny.
Then back to Jax.
"Having trouble?"
"Nope."
A suitcase slipped.
Jax caught it before it touched the ground.
Barb nodded.
"Of course not."
Bunny hurried forward.
"Barb! Look at the new bags I bought!"
"Very nice, sweetheart."
Barb watched Jax attempt to maneuver between two trees.
"Jax?"
"Yeah?"
"Why didn't you put those in your dimensional storage?"
Silence.
Absolute silence.
Jax stopped walking.
Looked at the suitcases.
Looked at Barb.
Then slowly closed his eyes.
I have dimensional storage.
I have been carrying six suitcases through the woods.
For two miles.
He opened his eyes.
"Because that would've been too easy."
Barb stared at him.
Then burst out laughing.
Nyxian doubled over.
Bunny looked genuinely concerned.
"Wait. We all could've done that!"
Pixelle landed on his shoulder.
"I think the System should deduct intelligence points."
"Don't give it ideas."
With a thought, the six suitcases disappeared.
Jax stretched his arms.
"Much better."
Bunny stepped closer.
"Could you take these four too?"
Jax stared at her.
She smiled sweetly.
"Please?"
The remaining luggage vanished.
Nyxian slipped an arm around his waist.
"See, darling? Marriage is about learning from your mistakes."
Jax kissed the top of her head.
"Apparently mine was agreeing to carry luggage."
Bunny gasped.
"Jax!"
He grinned.
"Come on. Let's get out of here before somebody notices we're missing. Remember Barb, nobody saw us."
Barb gave him a knowing smile.
"What caravan?"
Jax grinned.
"Exactly."
She headed back toward Solmere while the others boarded, leaving the clearing as quietly as they'd arrived.
The caravan rolled west beneath the morning sun.
Behind them, Solmere continued its ordinary business.
Merchants opened their shops.
Adventurers visited the Guild.
Children hurried through the streets.
And somewhere in the city, a newspaper was being prepared that would convince an empire its greatest enemy might already be dead.
Jax had every confidence in Kat and Soren.
For now, his responsibility was simple.
Stay out of sight.
Let the deception unfold.
And accompany Nyxian home.
He settled into the dimensional space, sitting on the couch.
Across from him, Bunny was explaining to Lexi why different outfits required different shoes.
Pixelle had fallen asleep on a pillow.
Zee was reading in a corner.
Llandra was reviewing a map.
Nyxian sat beside Jax, one hand resting on his thigh.
A perfectly ordinary morning.
For approximately twelve minutes.
Then Nyxian climbed into his lap.
Jax looked up.
"Hello."
"Hello, darling."
She kissed him.
He kissed her back.
She smiled.
"Miss me?"
"You were sitting next to me."
"That wasn't the question."
"Terribly."
"Good answer."
She kissed him again.
Bunny glanced over.
"Are we doing that already?"
Nyxian looked at her.
"Doing what?"
"That."
"Affection?"
"You're sitting on him."
"Yes."
"We've only been traveling fifteen minutes."
Nyxian smiled.
"And?"
Bunny considered that.
"Fair point."
She moved toward Jax.
He raised a hand.
"One at a time, please. I'm not furniture."
Pixelle opened one eye.
"Debatable."
Jax pointed at her.
"I thought you were asleep."
"I was. Your romantic nonsense woke me."
Nyxian laughed and wrapped her arms around his neck.
Jax leaned back.
Well, this is shaping up to be a pleasant trip.
He had no idea.
Not the slightest idea.
Nyxian, meanwhile, was thinking about two women waiting at the end of the road.
Velmora Nightveil.
Her mother.
And Seralya Nightveil.
Her older sister.
Two of the most beautiful, seductive, shameless women she'd ever known.
Women who could walk into a room and have men fighting for the privilege of buying them a drink.
Women who had never needed to work particularly hard for attention.
And soon they would meet Jax.
Her Jax.
Nyxian tightened her arms around him.
Jax glanced down.
"Everything okay?"
"Perfect."
She kissed him again.
Absolutely perfect.
And it's staying that way.
By afternoon, the conversation had turned toward their destination.
"So," Bunny asked, "what's your homeland actually like?"
Nyxian stretched across the couch, her legs resting comfortably over Jax's lap.
"Beautiful. Decadent. A little dangerous. Excellent food. Wonderful music. Terrible gossip."
Pixelle perked up.
"Sounds like my kind of place."
"You'd fit right in."
"Do they have tiny people?"
"Not many."
"Then I'll be famous."
"You're already insufferable."
"Thank you."
Llandra glanced up from her map.
"How is the government organized?"
Nyxian smiled.
"Now there's a question only an elven princess would ask."
"Someone has to ask useful questions."
"Women hold most of the political authority. Succubi dominate the ruling families, the major trading houses, and the councils."
"And the incubi?" Zee asked.
"Respected. Valued. Quite influential in their own ways. They're not servants or second-class citizens, if that's what you're wondering."
"So it's a matriarchy," Llandra observed.
"Essentially. Women usually inherit leadership positions, although there are exceptions. An incubus can become wealthy, respected, and politically powerful. He simply doesn't begin with the same expectation of leadership."
Jax nodded thoughtfully.
"Interesting."
Nyxian looked at him.
"What?"
"Nothing. Just sounds like a different system of government."
She smiled.
"Darling, you are about to visit a country where powerful women make most of the decisions."
Jax glanced around the caravan.
At Llandra.
At Zee.
At Bunny.
At Lexi.
At Pixelle.
Then at the woman occupying most of his lap.
"How will I ever adjust?"
Llandra smiled.
"An excellent question."
Zee didn't look up from her book.
"I suspect he'll manage."
Nyxian laughed.
And for a while, she genuinely forgot what awaited them.
Then Bunny asked another question.
"What's your mother like?"
Nyxian's smile changed.
"Mother?"
"Yeah."
"Beautiful."
"Well, obviously."
"Very beautiful."
Bunny tilted her head.
"Okay?"
"She's confident. Powerful. Charming. Knows exactly what she wants and usually gets it."
"Sounds like you," Lexi observed.
Nyxian gave a little laugh.
"Not quite."
Jax noticed the difference in her voice.
Not sadness.
Something closer to irritation.
"And your sister?" he asked.
Nyxian looked at him.
"Seralya?"
"Yeah."
"She's worse."
"Worse how?"
"Imagine me."
Jax smiled.
"All right."
"Now remove every remaining trace of restraint."
Jax considered that.
"Is that actually possible?"
Pixelle laughed.
"I want to meet her."
"No, you don't," Nyxian replied.
"Oh, I absolutely do."
Nyxian sat up.
"Seralya has never met a man she couldn't charm."
Jax shrugged.
"Good for her."
Nyxian studied his face.
Nothing.
No interest.
No curiosity beyond the ordinary.
That should have reassured her.
Instead, a troubling thought appeared.
He hasn't seen her yet.
She moved closer.
Jax automatically wrapped an arm around her.
Good.
Keep doing that.
That evening, Jax prepared dinner.
He had barely finished arranging the plates when Nyxian appeared beside him.
"Need help, darling?"
"Sure. Could you bring those vegetables over?"
"Of course."
She leaned across him to retrieve the bowl.
Very slowly.
Jax looked at her.
"Nyx?"
"Hmm?"
"The vegetables are on the other side."
"Oh."
She smiled.
"My mistake."
She kissed his cheek.
Jax returned to cooking.
A moment later, she leaned across him again.
"Now what?"
"Salt."
"It's right there."
"Is it?"
Her hand crossed his crotch.
"Nyxian."
"Yes, my beloved?"
"Are you deliberately reaching across me?"
She gave him an innocent smile.
"Would I do that?"
"Absolutely."
"Then you already know the answer."
Jax laughed.
"You're in a mood tonight."
"A very good mood."
"Apparently."
She slipped behind him and wrapped her arms around his waist.
"Do you like it?"
He turned enough to kiss her.
"Love it."
Nyxian smiled against his lips.
Good.
Behind them, Zee watched the exchange.
Then looked toward Llandra.
Llandra raised an eyebrow.
Neither said anything.
Not yet.
The next morning, Jax was halfway through his breakfast when Nyxian entered the dining area. She was the last to wake as she was the most aggressive participant in the previous nights escapades.
Completely naked.
He looked up.
"Morning, beautiful."
"Good morning, my beloved."
She leaned down, kissed him, and reached for a piece of toast.
Zee stopped chewing.
Llandra lowered her cup.
Bunny stared.
Lexi smiled.
Pixelle slowly turned in midair.
"Well."
Nyxian looked around.
"What?"
Zee cleared her throat.
"Nyxian. Where are your clothes?"
"In the bedroom."
"Why are they in the bedroom?"
"Because that's where I left them."
"Nyxian."
"What?"
"Why aren't you wearing them?"
Nyxian smiled.
"Jax likes seeing me naked."
Jax took another bite of breakfast.
True.
Llandra calmly set down her cup.
"Yes, but he saw you that way last night."
Nyxian looked genuinely puzzled.
"Why should I make him wait?"
Bunny nodded thoughtfully.
"That's actually a pretty good argument."
Zee turned toward her.
"Bunny."
"What?"
"You're not helping."
"I wasn't trying to."
Nyxian moved behind Jax and leaned across his shoulder.
"Darling, could you pass the jam?"
"Sure."
He reached for it.
Nyxian reached at the same time.
Her hand brushed his lap.
Jax paused.
Nyxian looked down.
"Oh! Sorry, darling. I suppose I wasn't reaching for the right thing."
Pixelle burst out laughing.
Jax looked at Nyxian.
Then at the jam.
Then back at Nyxian.
"The jam is on the table."
"I see that now."
"Right next to your hand."
"How convenient."
He handed her the jar.
"Here."
"Thank you, darling."
She kissed him.
Zee closed her eyes.
"Could we please have one normal breakfast?"
Nyxian considered that.
"Why?"
Llandra answered before Zee could.
"Because some of us would like to finish eating before the food gets cold."
"Then eat faster."
Bunny nearly choked on her toast.
Eventually, after considerable discussion, Nyxian agreed to put on some clothing.
She disappeared into the bedroom.
Zee exhaled.
"Thank you."
A minute later, Nyxian returned.
Wearing a skirt.
Nothing else.
Zee stared.
"Nyxian."
"What?"
"Your shirt."
"What about it?"
"You're not wearing one."
"You said I should put something on."
"A shirt!"
Nyxian glanced down.
"Oh."
She looked at Jax.
"Darling, do you mind?"
Jax opened his mouth.
Then looked at Zee.
Then at Nyxian.
"I feel like there's a correct answer here, and I'm not sure what it is."
Nyxian smiled.
"Jax says my boobs are his favorite."
Jax blinked.
"I've never said that."
Bunny glanced down at herself.
"Pretty sure mine are."
Everyone turned toward her.
Bunny shrugged.
"What? They're the biggest."
Nyxian considered that.
"Well, second favorite at least."
Jax set down his fork.
"I don't recall ranking anybody."
Pixelle grinned.
"Would you like to?"
"No."
"We could make a chart."
"Absolutely not."
Lexi leaned back in her chair.
"I'd be interested in seeing the results."
Zee looked toward the ceiling.
"Why do I bother?"
Nyxian slipped into Jax's lap.
"See? Everyone's having fun."
Jax wrapped an arm around her waist.
"Nyx, sweetheart, I love you."
She brightened.
"I love you too."
"But could we perhaps establish a minimum clothing requirement for breakfast?"
She considered that.
"How minimum?"
Jax looked toward Llandra.
"Help."
Llandra took another sip of tea.
"I'm staying out of this."
"Traitor."
Nyxian kissed him.
And just like that, he forgot what he'd been complaining about.
Across the table, Llandra exchanged another look with Zee.
This time, Lexi noticed.
Something was definitely going on.
The rest of the morning only made it more obvious.
Nyxian insisted on sitting beside Jax whenever he moved.
If he stood, she found a reason to stand.
If he sat, she settled beside him.
If he reached for something, she offered to get it.
Usually while finding some excuse to touch him.
At one point, Jax stood to retrieve a book from the shelf.
Nyxian appeared beside him.
"What are we doing?"
"Getting a book."
"Wonderful."
She wrapped her arms around him.
Jax looked down.
"Are you helping?"
"Emotionally."
"Ah."
He retrieved the book.
"Very useful."
"I thought so."
Later, he stepped outside to check the Shadow Bulls.
Nyxian followed.
"Going somewhere, darling?"
"Just checking the harnesses."
"I'll come."
"You don't have to."
"I know."
He smiled.
"All right."
She took his hand.
They walked together.
And when Jax leaned down to inspect one of the fittings, Nyxian bent beside him.
He glanced over.
"Everything okay?"
"Perfect."
"You're checking the other side?"
"Of course."
"There's nothing on that side."
Nyxian looked.
Then smiled.
"Well, now we know."
Jax laughed.
She's really enjoying this trip.
Llandra stood in the open doorway of the dimensional living quarters, watching Jax and Nyxian outside while remaining within earshot of the other Vixens.
"Something is wrong."
Bunny looked up.
"With the harness?"
"With Nyxian."
Pixelle floated closer.
"She's being Nyxian."
"No," Llandra said. "She's being more Nyxian than Nyxian."
Zee nodded.
"I noticed."
Lexi glanced outside.
Nyxian had just kissed Jax again.
Lexi smiled faintly.
"I think I know what's happening."
Llandra turned.
"Then perhaps we should talk to her."
They found their opportunity that afternoon.
Jax had stopped the caravan near a small stream and volunteered to prepare lunch while checking their supplies. He wanted to smoke enough meats for several days of travel, and doing so inside would smoke out the carriage.
The Vixens remained in the sitting room.
Nyxian lounged across one of the couches, finally wearing a complete outfit.
Although she had left several buttons undone.
Llandra sat across from her.
"Nyxian."
"Hmm?"
"What's going on?"
Nyxian smiled.
"We're traveling."
"You know what I mean."
"Do I?"
"Yes."
Nyxian looked toward Zee.
Zee raised an eyebrow.
Then toward Bunny.
Bunny smiled sympathetically.
Lexi folded her hands.
Pixelle settled on the back of a chair.
Nyxian sighed.
"Oh, don't all look at me like that."
Llandra's expression softened.
"Talk to us."
Nyxian glanced toward the dimensional door.
Her smile faded slightly.
"It's nothing."
"Nyx."
Nyxian looked back.
For a moment, she considered another joke.
Something outrageous.
Something that would make everyone laugh and change the subject.
But Llandra was watching her with that infuriatingly patient expression.
The one that said she wasn't going anywhere.
Nyxian exhaled.
"It's my mother."
Bunny tilted her head.
"What about her?"
"And Seralya."
Lexi nodded slowly.
"Ah."
Nyxian looked at her.
"Don't 'ah' me."
Lexi smiled.
"Then explain."
Nyxian stared at her hands.
"My mother is beautiful."
"We know," Llandra said.
"No. You don't."
She looked up.
"You haven't met her."
No one interrupted.
"She's the kind of woman who walks into a room and every man notices. Every single one. She doesn't even have to try."
Nyxian gave a small laugh.
"And Sera is worse. She knows exactly what to say, exactly how to move, exactly how to make someone feel like they're the only person in the world."
Bunny frowned.
"That sounds exhausting."
"It probably would be for anyone else. For them, it's effortless."
Nyxian looked toward the door again.
"Growing up, they were always the beautiful ones."
Zee leaned forward.
"Nyxian, you're beautiful."
"I know."
She said it automatically.
Then hesitated.
"I mean, I know I'm attractive. I'm a succubus. That's hardly unusual."
Llandra waited.
Nyxian's voice grew quieter.
"But Mother and Sera..."
She shook her head.
"They could have any man they wanted."
Pixelle folded her arms.
"Any man?"
"Practically."
"Even married ones?"
Nyxian gave her a look.
"Especially married ones."
Bunny's ears lowered.
"That's not very nice."
"They've never been particularly concerned about that."
Nyxian hesitated.
"Before Jax, I didn't care. I preferred women most of the time anyway. Men weren't exactly something I worried about competing for."
Lexi smiled knowingly.
Nyxian glanced at her.
"Don't."
"I didn't say anything."
"You were thinking it."
"Quite fondly, actually."
That earned a small laugh.
Then Nyxian looked down again.
"But Jax is different."
The room quieted.
"He's mine."
She swallowed.
"He's the first man I've ever loved. Really loved."
Llandra's expression softened.
Nyxian continued.
"And now I'm taking him home to meet two women who have spent their entire lives getting whatever they want."
Zee understood first.
"You're afraid they'll try to seduce him."
Nyxian laughed without much humor.
"Try? They'll flirt with him before he gets through the door."
Bunny frowned.
"But Jax wouldn't..."
"I know."
Nyxian interrupted too quickly.
She closed her eyes.
"I know he loves me."
A pause.
"I just..."
Her voice faltered.
"What if he sees them and realizes he could have someone better?"
Silence settled over the room.
Nyxian looked away.
"There. I've said it. Happy?"
Llandra moved beside her.
"No."
Nyxian looked up.
"Because it hurts to hear you think so little of yourself."
Nyxian opened her mouth.
Llandra continued.
"Jax doesn't love you because you're the most beautiful woman in a room."
Nyxian looked down.
"He loves you because you're Nyxian."
Zee joined them.
"Your mother and sister may be beautiful. They may be able to attract any man they want. But attraction isn't love."
Nyxian remained quiet.
Zee took her hand.
"Jax loves your laughter. Your mischief. The way you challenge him. The way you make him smile when he's had a difficult day."
Bunny nodded.
"And the way you make everything fun."
Pixelle grinned.
"Even when nobody asked you to."
Nyxian managed a small smile.
Lexi moved closer.
"Nyx, you've seen the way he looks at you."
"Yes."
"Then you already know."
Nyxian sighed.
"Knowing something and believing it are two different things."
Llandra nodded.
"Sometimes."
She glanced toward the door.
Jax was still outside, now demonstrating something to the birds that wanted to listen.
"That man has faced dragons, armies, and an empire that wants him dead."
Bunny smiled.
"And he still gets excited when you walk into a room."
Zee squeezed Nyxian's hand.
"Your mother might attract his attention for a moment. She's your mother. Of course he'll notice her."
Nyxian grimaced.
"That doesn't help."
"But she'll never have what you have."
Nyxian looked at her.
"His heart."
Lexi nodded.
"Jax loves you. Not just your body. Not because of what happens in the bedroom. He loves everything about you."
Pixelle crossed her arms.
"And if somebody actually took you away from him, he'd probably burn the entire world down."
Llandra sighed.
"Unfortunately, she's probably right."
Bunny nodded enthusiastically.
"Oh, absolutely."
Zee looked toward Pixelle.
"Could we perhaps avoid encouraging planetary destruction?"
"I'm just saying."
Nyxian laughed.
A real laugh this time.
Llandra smiled.
"There she is."
Nyxian wiped at one eye.
"You're all ridiculous."
Bunny hugged her.
"You're one of us. That's part of the job."
For a moment, Nyxian simply sat surrounded by the women who had become her family.
She had spent so much of her life measuring herself against her mother and sister.
And somehow, without realizing it, she'd found people who didn't measure her against anyone.
Eventually, she exhaled.
"So..."
Zee raised an eyebrow.
"So?"
"You're saying I should stop coming to breakfast naked?"
Lexi answered immediately.
"Nobody said that."
Zee turned toward her.
"Lexi!"
Lexi shrugged.
"What? I'm allowed to enjoy breakfast."
Pixelle fell backward off the chair laughing.
Bunny covered her mouth.
Llandra shook her head.
Nyxian grinned.
"See? At least somebody appreciates me."
Lexi smiled.
"More than you know."
Zee sighed.
"You're all impossible."
And just like that, the tension broke.
Not completely.
Nyxian still knew what awaited them.
Her mother would flirt.
Her sister would flirt.
They would probably make outrageous comments about Jax before he'd even had a chance to introduce himself.
But now she knew something else.
She wouldn't be facing them alone.
When Jax returned, he found six women laughing.
That was usually a warning sign.
He looked around.
"What did I miss?"
"Nothing," Llandra said.
"Absolutely nothing," Zee agreed.
Bunny nodded vigorously.
"Nothing at all."
Pixelle grinned.
"Girl talk."
Jax looked at Lexi.
She smiled innocently.
He looked at Nyxian.
She stood, crossed the room, and wrapped her arms around him.
"Miss me, beloved?"
He laughed.
"I was gone forty minutes."
"That's a long time."
"Apparently."
She kissed him.
Jax kissed her back.
Then looked over her shoulder at the others.
"Seriously. What did I miss?"
Llandra picked up her book.
"Nothing you need to worry about."
Jax considered that.
That's never reassuring.
But Nyxian was smiling again.
Really smiling.
So he decided not to question it.
That evening, the conversation turned toward the marriage traditions of Nyxian's homeland.
They had gathered around the dining table after dinner, enjoying a bottle of wine Jax had brought from his collection.
Bunny was particularly curious.
"So how does your family decide whether somebody is good enough to marry you?"
Nyxian swirled her wine.
"There's a ritual."
Jax looked up.
"Of course there is."
Llandra smiled.
"Most royal and noble families have traditions."
"Yes," Nyxian replied. "But ours are a little more... personal."
Jax set down his glass.
"Define personal."
Nyxian smiled.
"The family evaluates whether a prospective partner is suitable."
"Suitable how?"
"Strength. Character. Compatibility. The ability to provide for a family."
"Reasonable so far."
"And whether they're suitable to produce future offspring."
Jax paused.
"That's rather specific."
"We are succubi, darling."
"Right."
Nyxian continued.
"Historically, the evaluation could involve intimate compatibility."
Jax looked at her.
"With whom?"
Nyxian took a drink.
"Members of the family."
Silence.
Jax slowly set down his glass.
"Define members."
Nyxian smiled sweetly.
"My mother traditionally has the final say."
Jax stared.
"Your mother?"
"Essentially."
"And your sister?"
"She'll have opinions."
"About me?"
"About every inch of you."
Zee took a sip of wine.
"That's a lot of inches."
Jax turned toward her.
"What?"
Nyxian smiled.
"And that's a lot of opinions she'll be having."
Bunny snorted.
Lexi covered her mouth.
Pixelle nearly dropped her glass.
Jax looked between Zee and Nyxian.
Then slowly leaned back.
"I walked into that."
Llandra nodded.
"Quite thoroughly."
Zee smiled into her wine.
Jax pointed at her.
"You too?"
"What?"
"You're supposed to be the responsible one."
"I am."
"That was not responsible."
"I was merely making an observation."
Nyxian laughed.
Jax rubbed his forehead.
"Wonderful. My healer has joined the conspiracy."
Pixelle raised her glass.
"Welcome to the family, Zee."
"I was already in the family."
"Now you're officially corrupted."
Jax looked toward Nyxian.
"All right. Seriously. Are you telling me your mother expects to sleep with me?"
Nyxian's smile faded slightly.
"She might."
"And your sister?"
"She might have expectations too."
Jax considered that.
Then shook his head.
"No."
Nyxian blinked.
"No?"
"No."
"But the tradition..."
"Nyx, I'm happy to meet your family. I'm happy to respect their customs. I'll even participate in reasonable trials."
He took her hand.
"But I'm not sleeping with your mother or sister to prove I'm worthy of you."
Nyxian stared at him.
He smiled.
"If your mother wants to know whether I love you, I'll tell her."
Bunny nodded.
"And if she wants proof?"
Jax shrugged.
"She can watch us for five minutes."
Pixelle grinned.
"Or listen through the wall."
"Pixelle."
"What? I'm being practical."
Nyxian laughed.
And something inside her loosened.
Just a little.
Jax wasn't even considering the possibility.
To him, it wasn't a difficult decision.
It wasn't a sacrifice.
It wasn't a temptation he needed to overcome.
It was simply something he didn't want.
Because he wanted her.
Nyxian leaned forward and kissed him.
"Thank you, darling."
Jax smiled.
"For what?"
"Being you."
He kissed her again.
"Anytime. I try to be me, whenever I can."
Nyxian smiled again.
Bunny raised her hand.
Jax looked at her.
"Yes?"
"I have a question."
"Of course you do."
Bunny looked toward Nyxian.
Then back at Jax.
"If you did participate in the ritual..."
Nyxian narrowed her eyes.
"Bunny."
"I'm just asking."
"About what?"
Bunny hesitated.
"Would we still get iPoints?"
Silence.
Jax stared.
Zee slowly turned.
Llandra blinked.
Lexi tilted her head.
Pixelle's eyes widened.
"Oh."
Nyxian looked horrified.
"That's your question?"
Bunny shrugged.
"I'm thinking long-term."
Pixelle floated higher.
"Actually, that's an excellent question."
"No, it isn't!" Nyxian protested.
Lexi leaned forward.
"Well, technically, if the System recognizes the relationship..."
Zee frowned thoughtfully.
"Would it recognize someone outside our established group?"
Llandra considered that.
"The System has surprised us before."
Jax looked around the table.
"Unbelievable."
Bunny nodded.
"Exactly. We should probably test it."
"No!" Nyxian shouted.
Everyone looked at her.
She folded her arms.
"Nobody is testing anything with my mother or sister."
Pixelle grinned.
"Technically, he's our husband too."
"NOT HELPING!"
Jax leaned back.
"I'm sitting here discussing a deeply personal cultural tradition, and you're all theory-crafting stat gains."
Bunny shrugged.
"Well, we already know you're good at the other part."
Nyxian pointed at her.
"That is not the point!"
Pixelle floated toward Jax.
"I mean, from a purely scientific perspective..."
"No."
"We could learn a lot."
"No."
"Potentially discover a hidden System mechanic."
"No."
"Maybe unlock a new skill."
Jax stared at her.
"Pixelle."
"Yes?"
"You're enjoying this."
"Immensely."
Nyxian leaned against Jax and wrapped both arms around him.
"He's mine."
Bunny smiled.
"Ours."
Nyxian looked at her.
Bunny held up her hands.
"Right. Yours too."
Jax kissed Nyxian's forehead.
"How about we agree that nobody needs to test anything?"
Zee nodded.
"A sensible conclusion."
Pixelle sighed dramatically.
"Science suffers another tragic defeat."
Lexi laughed.
"There's always tomorrow."
Nyxian pointed at her.
"After I get it tonight, you are getting it twice as bad."
Lexi smiled innocently.
"Don't tempt me with a good time."
Jax looked around the table.
Then raised his glass.
"To surviving family traditions."
Llandra lifted hers.
"To surviving Nyxian's family traditions."
Bunny grinned.
"To iPoints."
" BUNNY!"
The caravan erupted in laughter.
Later that night, Jax stood beside the caravan, watching the stars.
The countryside was quiet.
The Shadow Bulls stood motionless nearby, awaiting their next command. They could have continued pulling the caravan without stopping, but their passengers had decided to enjoy the evening.
Behind him, warm light spilled through the windows.
He heard the door open.
Nyxian stepped outside.
This time, fully dressed.
He smiled.
"Well, that's a surprise."
She raised an eyebrow.
"What is?"
"Clothes."
Nyxian laughed.
"Would you prefer I remove them?"
"I'm debating that."
"Why?"
"Because I'm trying to enjoy the stars."
She stepped beside him.
"Darling, I assure you I can compete with the stars."
Jax turned toward her.
"You always have and always will with me."
That caught her off guard.
Only for a moment.
Then she smiled.
"Flatterer."
"Truth."
He slipped an arm around her waist.
She leaned into him.
For a while, they simply watched the night sky.
Then Nyxian spoke.
"Are you nervous?"
"About meeting your family?"
"Yes."
Jax considered that.
"A little."
She looked up.
"Really?"
"Sure. Meeting the in-laws is always interesting."
Nyxian laughed.
"Interesting?"
"Your mother apparently wants to evaluate my reproductive qualifications. I'd say interesting is a reasonable description."
She laughed harder.
Jax smiled.
"But I'm looking forward to meeting them. I want them to see how happy you make me."
"Why do you like me that much?"
"Because you're my family. I think I imprinted on you long before you imprinted on me."
Nyxian looked at him. Her horns grew.
"Goddess, I love you."
Jax smiled.
"Good. Because I don't think your mother offers refunds."
Nyxian burst out laughing.
"Darling, you have no idea what you've gotten yourself into."
"Probably not."
"Mother will have questions."
"I'm sure."
"Sera will have even more."
Jax grinned.
"Then I suppose I'd better prepare some answers."
"Oh, darling. Some of her questions won't have answers."
"That sounds encouraging."
Nyxian shook her head, still smiling.
"You're impossible."
He kissed her lips.
"Learned from the best."
Nyxian rested her head against his chest.
For a moment, she thought about telling him everything.
About the comparisons.
About growing up beside Velmora and Seralya.
About the fear that one look at them might change how he saw her.
But the words wouldn't come.
And Jax, blissfully unaware of the battle raging inside her imagination, simply held her.
He wasn't comparing her to anyone.
He wasn't wondering whether someone better waited at the end of the road.
He was thinking about how fortunate he was to have her in his arms.
Nyxian closed her eyes.
He loves me.
She knew that.
She really did.
But somewhere deep inside, a younger version of herself still remembered being the daughter who wasn't quite as dazzling as her mother.
The sister who wasn't quite as irresistible as Seralya.
The woman who had spent years believing she would never be anyone's first choice.
Jax kissed her hair.
"You okay?"
She smiled.
"Perfect."
"Good."
He looked toward the caravan.
"Want to head inside?"
Nyxian glanced up.
"Beloved?"
"Yeah?"
"Would you like me to help you conserve water?"
Jax blinked.
"What?"
She smiled wickedly.
"We could take a shower together."
He considered that.
Then grinned.
"Very environmentally responsible."
"I thought so."
He took her hand.
"Let's save the planet."
The third morning began with a minor disagreement.
Nyxian wanted to sit on Jax's lap during breakfast.
Bunny had arrived first.
"I was here!"
Nyxian folded her arms.
"I need him."
Bunny looked up.
"For what?"
"Emotional support."
Bunny considered that.
Then looked at Jax.
"Can you support both of us?"
Jax stared at them.
"I'm beginning to think I should've bought a bigger chair."
Pixelle floated overhead.
"Or a throne."
Lexi nodded.
"That would solve several problems."
Llandra smiled.
"Until someone decided the throne needed to be larger."
Zee looked up from her tea.
"Could we perhaps finish breakfast before discussing furniture?"
Nyxian settled beside Jax instead.
For approximately thirty seconds.
Then she leaned against him.
Then placed her legs across his lap.
Then kissed his cheek.
Jax smiled.
"Comfortable?"
"Very."
Bunny looked at them.
"I still think we need a bigger chair."
Jax sighed.
"I'll add it to the list."
The morning continued in much the same fashion.
Nyxian remained affectionate.
Possessive.
Playful.
And thoroughly determined to remind Jax exactly how much he enjoyed being married to her.
But something had changed.
She laughed more easily.
She joined the others' games.
She teased Pixelle.
She argued with Bunny over which desserts should be served at dinner.
She even allowed Jax to spend an entire hour reading without climbing into his lap.
An impressive achievement.
And so it continued.
For the next ten days, Nyxian's campaign to win the heart of a man she'd already won showed absolutely no signs of slowing down.
The other Vixens knew exactly what Nyxian was doing.
Jax, however, remained blissfully unaware.
As far as he was concerned, his wife had simply discovered a renewed enthusiasm for married life.
He wasn't about to complain.
If anything, she became more creative.
Jax found himself subjected to an endless parade of kisses, affectionate ambushes, suspiciously accidental touches, and increasingly imaginative excuses for spending time in his lap.
He wasn't entirely sure what had inspired this sudden escalation.
But after thirteen days of being thoroughly adored by his beautiful succubus wife, he'd reached one undeniable conclusion.
They really needed to travel more often.
By the afternoon of the thirteenth day, the landscape began to change.
With their destination approaching, the group left the spacious dimensional living quarters and settled into the smaller, physical carriage. After nearly two weeks of traveling, everyone wanted a chance to see Nyxian's homeland with their own eyes.
The forests grew denser.
The roads narrowed.
Ancient stone markers appeared along the route, their surfaces engraved with symbols Jax couldn't recognize.
Nyxian recognized every one.
She sat forward.
"We're getting close."
Jax looked up.
"Already?"
"Another hour, perhaps."
Bunny moved toward the window.
"Really?"
Nyxian nodded.
"Those markers define the old boundaries."
Llandra studied them.
"Interesting craftsmanship."
"Very old. Some predate the current ruling houses."
The caravan passed beneath towering trees whose branches formed a natural canopy overhead.
Strange flowers bloomed along the roadside.
Some glowed faintly.
Others seemed to turn toward the passing carriage.
Pixelle pressed herself against the window.
"Oh, I like those."
Nyxian smiled.
"Don't touch the purple ones."
Pixelle froze.
"Why?"
"They bite."
Pixelle stared.
"Flowers bite?"
"Some do."
"How hard?"
"Hard enough."
Pixelle slowly backed away from the window.
"I no longer like those."
The road curved.
Ahead, the forest began to open.
And beyond it, nestled between dark hills and silver-leaved trees, rose the first buildings of Moondrip.
Elegant towers.
Curving rooftops.
Balconies draped in flowering vines.
Warm lanterns glimmering beneath the afternoon sky.
The architecture was unlike anything Jax had seen in Solmere.
Graceful.
Extravagant.
Beautiful.
And distinctly designed by people who considered ordinary modesty a suggestion rather than a requirement.
Bunny pressed her face closer to the window.
"Wow."
Zee smiled.
"It's beautiful."
Llandra nodded.
"Very."
Lexi studied the distant buildings.
"I can see why you speak so fondly of it."
Nyxian looked toward home.
For a moment, she forgot her worries.
The familiar rooftops.
The winding streets.
The hills she'd explored as a child.
The distant tower where she'd once hidden from her tutors.
She smiled.
A genuine, unguarded smile.
Jax noticed.
"There she is."
Nyxian looked at him.
"What?"
He gestured toward the town.
"You look happy."
She glanced back.
"I am."
He took her hand.
"Good."
For a moment, she simply watched him.
Then her thoughts returned to Velmora.
To Seralya.
To the way they'd undoubtedly look at him.
The compliments.
The teasing.
The shameless flirting.
She narrowed her eyes.
You can look, Mother.
You can flirt, Sera.
But this one is mine.
Nyxian leaned over and kissed Jax.
He smiled against her lips.
"What's that for?"
"Nothing."
"Nothing?"
"Just reminding you."
"Of what?"
She smiled.
"That I love you."
Jax wrapped an arm around her.
"Love you too. You are my world."
Across the carriage, Llandra exchanged a knowing glance with Zee.
Bunny grinned.
Lexi smiled.
Pixelle rubbed her tiny hands together.
The Vixens had made a decision.
They were going to support Nyxian.
Whatever happened.
Whatever her mother said.
Whatever her sister tried.
They would make absolutely certain the Nightveil family understood how much Jax adored their daughter.
And if that required a little exaggeration...
Well.
They were a remarkably creative group of women.
Jax glanced around.
He recognized those expressions.
He'd seen them before.
Usually immediately before something went terribly wrong.
"Why is everyone smiling like that?"
"Nothing," Llandra said.
"Absolutely nothing," Zee agreed.
Bunny nodded.
"Nothing at all."
Pixelle grinned.
"You're going to have so much fun."
Jax looked at Nyxian.
She smiled sweetly.
He looked back at the others.
I'm in danger.
The caravan continued toward Moondrip.
Toward a mother and sister who had no idea what was coming.
Toward a family reunion that promised to be anything but ordinary.
And toward a trial Jax Darquebane had no intention of taking.
Unfortunately for him...
The women in his life had already decided to make things interesting.
Very interesting.