Corwin opened the double doors and stepped aside.
"Your accommodations, Lord Darquebane. Ladies."
Jax stepped inside and stopped.
"Well, this is nice."
Nice was an understatement.
The guest suite occupied an entire wing of the Nightveil estate. Tall windows overlooked moonlit gardens, while elegant furnishings surrounded a spacious sitting area. Several adjoining rooms offered privacy, and an enormous bed dominated the main chamber.
Bunny walked past Jax, took one look at the bed, and smiled.
"Oh, that's perfect!"
Pixelle flew across the room.
"There's a balcony!"
Lexi followed her.
"And look at the flowers!"
Llandra inspected the furnishings with an appreciative eye.
"Your mother has excellent taste, Nyxian."
"She certainly believes so," Nyxian replied.
Zee glanced toward the adjoining rooms.
"She's been very thoughtful about accommodating everyone."
Corwin inclined his head.
"Lady Velmora personally supervised the arrangements. She wished to ensure that none of you would be inconvenienced."
"Please thank her for us," Jax said.
"Of course, my lord. If you require anything, the servants' quarters are just beyond the eastern corridor."
He gestured toward a small bell beside the door.
"Simply ring, and someone will attend to you."
"Thank you, Corwin. You've been very helpful."
The older servant smiled.
"It is a pleasure to have Lady Nyxian home again."
He bowed and withdrew, closing the doors behind him.
The red-skinned incubus was the definition of the word gentleman.
Graceful and soft spoken.
For several moments, everyone explored the suite.
Bunny tested the mattress.
Pixelle investigated a decorative bowl of fruit.
Lexi admired the flowers.
Jax examined the balcony doors, then glanced toward Nyxian.
"Your mother certainly doesn't believe in doing things halfway."
Nyxian smiled.
"No. She never has."
She approached him and slipped her arms around his waist.
"Thank you for today, beloved."
"For what?"
"For surviving my family."
Jax laughed.
"Nyx, your mother's wonderful. Your sister's entertaining. They're both a little outrageous, but I can see how much they love you."
"A little outrageous?"
"Fine. Considerably outrageous."
"Better."
He kissed her forehead.
"And now I know where you get it."
Nyxian smiled against his chest.
"Careful, darling. I might take that as a compliment."
"It was one."
She looked up at him.
For a moment, the playful expression disappeared.
"I'm glad you're here."
"There's nowhere else I'd rather be."
Nyxian kissed him.
It was a gentle kiss, without her usual theatrical enthusiasm.
Then she rested her head against his chest.
Around them, the other women gradually finished exploring the room.
And something unusual happened.
Nobody seemed quite certain what to do next.
Bunny sat on the edge of the enormous bed, her ears shifting as she glanced around.
Zee began arranging a few personal belongings on a nearby table.
Llandra settled into a chair.
Lexi hovered beside Pixelle, whispering something neither seemed particularly eager to say aloud.
Jax noticed the change.
Normally, the Vixens would already be laughing, teasing one another, or making plans for the evening.
Instead, an awkward silence had settled over the suite.
He looked around.
"Okay. What's going on?"
"Nothing," Zee replied.
Jax raised an eyebrow.
"That was convincing," he said sarcastically.
Llandra folded her hands in her lap.
"We are guests in Nyxian's family home. I believe everyone is attempting to be respectful."
"Respectful?" Jax repeated.
Bunny nodded.
"We don't want to embarrass Nyxian."
Nyxian looked at her.
"Sweetheart, you've met my mother and sister. I assure you, embarrassment is not a familiar experience in this house."
"Still," Zee said, "we should be considerate."
Pixelle floated down from the ceiling.
"So..."
Everyone looked toward her.
"Are we avoiding iPoints tonight?"
Jax closed his eyes.
"Pixelle."
"What? I'm asking a perfectly reasonable question!"
Lexi covered her smile.
"She does have a point."
Zee sighed.
"We're in a house of succubi, Pixelle. They'll know the moment we begin."
Pixelle glanced toward the walls.
"Through those?"
"Not necessarily through the walls," Nyxian explained. "Our kind can sense intimate energy. Particularly when it's strong."
Bunny tilted her head.
"So they would know?"
"Certainly."
Bunny considered that.
Then her expression brightened.
"Well, doesn't that solve everything?"
Jax looked at her.
"What does?"
"We could show them!"
Silence.
Bunny smiled.
"How compatible you and Nyxian are!"
Zee slowly turned toward her.
"Bunny..."
"What? That's what her mother wanted to know."
Llandra pressed her lips together.
Pixelle grinned.
"She's not wrong."
Jax studied the six women gathered around him.
He understood what they were doing.
They loved Nyxian. They wanted her family to approve of the marriage. And after hearing Velmora explain how important compatibility was to a succubus, they were willing to go to extraordinary lengths to reassure her.
Even if those lengths were becoming increasingly ridiculous.
He shook his head.
"No."
Bunny blinked.
"No?"
"No. We're not doing anything to prove ourselves to anyone."
Pixelle folded her arms.
"Well, that's boring."
Jax smiled.
"Maybe. But it's the truth."
He moved toward the center of the room.
"Look, I understand why everyone's concerned. Nyxian wants her family's blessing. And I want that for her. I really do."
He glanced toward Nyxian.
"But we have nothing to prove."
The room grew quiet.
"Whether we're accepted by anyone else will never change what we have. We know the truth."
He looked around at the women who had become his family.
"I don't know how or why we found each other. Some days, I still can't believe how it all happened."
He smiled faintly.
"But somehow, it works."
Llandra's expression softened.
Zee stopped arranging her belongings.
Bunny watched him with complete attention.
"I've been given more than I ever could have imagined. Not because of my abilities, or my money, or anything I've accomplished."
He looked at Nyxian.
"Because of you."
Her violet eyes widened slightly.
"All of you," he continued. "You make everything worthwhile."
He reached for Nyxian's hand.
"If I have to marry you on the moon, or never have a ceremony at all, I'll be fine with that."
Nyxian stared at him.
"As long as my nights end with you, and my days begin with you, I'll be fine."
He squeezed her hand.
"And as for your nature..."
A small smile touched his lips.
"I think the universe will take care of that... naturally."
For several moments, nobody spoke.
Nyxian hadn't moved.
She was still standing where he'd left her, looking at him with an expression he couldn't quite read.
"Nyx?"
Then she pounced.
Jax caught her instinctively as she wrapped herself around him.
"NYX!"
She kissed him.
Pixelle threw both hands into the air.
"SO WE'RE NOT AVOIDING IPOINTS!"
And just like that, the awkwardness vanished.
The Vixens stopped worrying about the estate, the family traditions, and what anyone might think.
They had each other.
That was enough.
And the evening continued much as their evenings usually did.
With laughter.
Affection.
And considerably less concern for the acoustics of the Nightveil estate than anyone had originally intended.
Velmora Nightveil lay awake in her bed.
She hadn't planned to.
Normally, she slept quite well, even when her husband was away.
Tonight, however, she found herself staring at the ceiling.
Her husband and Seralya's had traveled together on business and weren't expected home until the following evening.
An ordinary inconvenience.
One she'd endured many times before.
But tonight felt different.
The estate was unusually alive with energy.
Velmora could sense it.
Not simply the presence of guests, or the warmth of family reunited.
Something far more distinctive.
The lingering essence of intimate affection.
And an extraordinary amount of it.
She turned onto her side.
"Oh, Nyxian."
A faint smile touched her lips.
Earlier that evening, she'd wondered whether Jax Darquebane was truly compatible with her daughter.
The Vixens had certainly offered their opinions.
Some more believable than others.
Velmora laughed softly.
Every time he walks into a room?
She shook her head.
Velmora stared into the darkness.
Oh, sweetheart.
Her expression softened.
You really have found someone special.
Then the atmosphere changed.
The energy flowing through the estate grew stronger.
Velmora closed her eyes.
She recognized the unmistakable warmth of a succubus whose needs were being met.
Not merely sustained.
Fulfilled.
Completely.
And there was Nyxian's voice.
Faint at first.
Then unmistakable.
Velmora opened her eyes.
"Oh, my."
She listened for another moment.
Then another.
A small laugh escaped her.
"Well, darling. I suppose that answers that question."
She turned toward the empty side of the bed.
For the first time that evening, she found herself wishing her husband had returned a day early.
It wasn't jealousy in any cruel sense.
She was delighted for Nyxian.
But the warmth drifting through the estate reminded her of what she was missing.
And after nearly two years away, her youngest daughter had returned home radiating more vitality than Velmora had ever seen.
She smiled into the darkness.
You've found your equal, sweetheart.
There would be no need for a trial.
She already knew.
Across the estate, Seralya Nightveil was having a similar evening.
She sat upright in bed, staring toward the wall.
"You have got to be kidding me."
The energy was unmistakable.
She could feel it everywhere.
Warm, vibrant, and astonishingly strong.
Seralya glanced toward the empty space beside her.
Then she pulled a pillow over her face.
"Oh, for the love of..."
She stopped.
Then laughed again.
"Mother is never going to let her live this down."
After several hours, the mansion finally grew quiet.
Velmora lay awake a little longer, smiling to herself.
Seralya finally settled beneath her blankets.
And somewhere in the guest wing, Nyxian Nightveil slept peacefully beside the man she'd chosen. He usually held her to his chest, but tonight she slept on his chest with her arms gripping him like a comfort pillow.
Neither Velmora nor Seralya had any doubts remaining.
The trial was over.
It simply hadn't been necessary to begin.
Jax was awake before sunrise.
Old habits.
Even in a mansion filled with beautiful women, he rarely slept as late as the others.
He slipped quietly from the enormous bed, dressed, and made his way downstairs.
The Nightveil kitchen was already busy.
Several cooks were preparing the morning meal, while servants moved between workstations carrying ingredients and utensils.
Jax paused in the doorway.
"Morning."
The nearest cook turned.
"My lord!"
Several others immediately straightened.
Jax raised a hand.
"Please don't do that."
The cook blinked.
"Do what, my lord?"
"Act like I'm about to inspect your military readiness."
A few uncertain smiles appeared.
Jax approached the nearest counter.
"Would you mind if I helped with breakfast?"
The head cook stared at him.
"Help?"
"Cook."
"Yourself?"
"That's generally how cooking works."
The man looked toward the other staff.
"Lord Darquebane, we would be honored to prepare anything you desire."
"That's very kind. But I actually enjoy cooking."
He glanced at the ingredients laid out across the counters.
"And I thought I might show you something we serve at my restaurants."
The head cook hesitated.
Then curiosity won.
"What did you have in mind?"
Jax smiled.
"Ever heard of a one-eyed Susan?"
The man frowned.
"Is she a person?"
Jax laughed.
"Not this one."
Within minutes, he'd found bread, eggs, butter, fruit preserves, and several familiar ingredients.
He demonstrated how to cut a circular hole in the center of a thick slice of bread.
"Don't throw these away," he said, setting the removed circles aside. "Toast them separately. They're excellent with butter and jam."
He placed the bread into a hot pan.
Then cracked an egg directly into the center.
The cooks leaned forward.
"You're cooking the egg inside the bread?"
"Exactly."
Jax adjusted the heat.
"The trick is getting the bread golden without overcooking the egg."
He showed them how to turn it carefully, keeping the yolk intact.
"Then we add a little butter, some fruit preserves, and whatever sides we have available."
One cook examined the finished example.
"That seems remarkably simple."
"Some of the best meals are."
Jax smiled.
"And once you know how to make it, you can change it however you like."
He gestured toward the sausage and bacon already being prepared.
"Those will work perfectly. Add fresh fruit, and we've got breakfast."
The first batch of food he made was for the cooks. At first they protested, but after Jax insisted, they eventually accepted.
"You can't know what tastes great, if you don't try it yourself."
Soon, the kitchen was filled with the scent of toasted bread, sizzling meat, and warm fruit preserves.
The cooks began preparing their own versions.
Jax moved between them, offering suggestions and demonstrating techniques.
Before long, they were laughing and working together as though he'd been part of the kitchen staff for years.
That was when Velmora arrived.
"Oh, my."
Jax looked over his shoulder.
"Good morning, Lady Nightveil."
Velmora stood in the doorway.
Her long dark crimson hair fell loosely around her shoulders, and she wore a delicate lace-trimmed top with a pair of very short sleeping shorts. Her horns were fully out, curved around her hair.
Jax blinked.
Then immediately returned his attention to the pan.
Well, that's certainly casual.
Velmora inhaled appreciatively.
"I thought I smelled something exquisite."
Jax smiled.
"Something we serve at my restaurants. It's one of Nyxian's favorite breakfasts."
Velmora approached.
"Oh, no, darling."
He glanced toward her.
"It wasn't the food I smelled."
She smiled.
"It was the human cooking it."
Her seductive look, mixed with her attire, left very little to the imagination.
The egg slipped from Jax's spatula.
Splat.
It landed directly on the floor.
The entire kitchen fell silent.
Jax stared at the ruined egg.
Velmora looked down.
Then back at him.
"Oh, darling. I do hope the rest of breakfast didn't come from the floor too."
Jax closed his eyes.
Of course.
He looked toward the startled cooks.
"Sorry about that."
Two male servants immediately stepped forward with cleaning cloths.
Jax stopped them.
"No, no. I've got it."
"My lord, please," one protested.
"It's my mess."
He took a cloth, crouched, and cleaned the floor himself. He needed the distraction.
Velmora watched with growing amusement.
"You're full of surprises, aren't you?"
Jax glanced up.
"I can assure you that MOST of the food you'll eat from me hasn't been on the floor first."
Velmora burst into genuine laughter.
"Oh, darling!"
Even the cooks chuckled.
Jax finished cleaning, washed his hands, and returned to the counter.
"Now, where were we?"
Velmora settled onto a nearby stool.
"I believe you were explaining your remarkable talents."
"Right. Cooking."
He picked up another egg.
Focus on the egg, Jax.
Velmora watched him work.
Her violet eyes followed every movement.
Not with her usual playful curiosity.
Something more intense.
Jax noticed.
And very deliberately pretended he hadn't.
A few minutes later, Corwin entered the kitchen.
He stopped, inhaled, and smiled.
"My goodness. Something smells wonderful."
"Morning, Corwin," Jax said.
The servant surveyed the cooks working alongside their guest, then glanced toward Velmora.
"Judging by Lady Velmora's expression, I see she approves of your cooking."
Jax nearly dropped another egg.
He caught it just in time.
"Well," he said carefully, "I know quite a few cooking techniques. I hope she'll enjoy them."
Velmora's smile widened.
"Oh, I'm sure I would, darling."
Corwin nodded approvingly.
"Excellent."
Jax returned to his pan.
He has absolutely no idea.
Then another voice came from the doorway.
"What smells so wonderful in here?"
Seralya appeared.
She wore an oversized sleeping shirt that reached to the tops of her thighs, with very little beneath it that Jax cared to investigate. It was obvious she had nothing on under the shirt.
He glanced up.
Then looked away.
Succubi are the worst.
A moment later, he almost laughed.
Nyxian, now I know exactly where you get it.
Seralya stretched lazily. Jax accidentally caught a view of her almost non-existent underwear.
"Oh, that smells wonderful."
"Oh dear god," Jax replied, almost dropping the entire pan he was holding.
She approached the counter.
"What are we having?"
"Hopefully, him."
Seralya tilted her head. Her horns fully out and curling into her head.
"Is that what smells so good?"
"Yes."
Jax sighed.
"It's breakfast, Sera."
She laughed.
"You're adorable."
Velmora smiled from her stool.
"Isn't he?"
Jax focused on the pan.
I have faced dragons.
He carefully turned a slice of bread.
I've defeated Rootzilla.
He transferred the finished breakfast to a plate.
And somehow, this is more complicated.
Seralya took a seat beside her mother.
For several minutes, both women watched him cook with hungry eyes.
Closely.
Very closely.
Jax tried to ignore it.
The cooks tried to ignore it.
Corwin, who apparently remained blissfully unaware of anything unusual, began arranging the dining room for breakfast.
Eventually, the Vixens began arriving.
Llandra appeared first, followed by Zee and Lexi.
Bunny came downstairs a few minutes later, looking delighted by the smell of breakfast.
Pixelle arrived in her full-sized form, dressed and ready to enjoy a proper meal.
She and Lexi discovered that eating at their larger sizes was considerably more satisfying when Jax was cooking.
"Oh, that smells amazing!"
Jax smiled.
"Morning, ladies."
Bunny hurried toward him.
"Is that the bread with the egg in the middle?"
"Sure is."
She grinned.
"My favorite!"
"I thought everything I cooked was your favorite."
"Some favorites are better than others."
"Fair enough."
Llandra approached the table.
She greeted Velmora and Seralya politely.
Then paused.
Her eyes moved toward Velmora's clothing.
Then Seralya's.
Then toward the way both women were watching Jax.
Llandra's expression tightened slightly.
Zee noticed almost immediately.
She glanced toward the two succubi.
Then toward Jax.
Then back again.
"They seem really focused."
"Yes," Llandra replied carefully. "They certainly do."
Llandra tried to position herself between them and their line of sight to Jax.
Both women moved at the same time leaning the same way around her.
Velmora smiled at Jax.
"Darling, would you mind bringing me another one of those?"
"Of course."
"And perhaps you could explain the technique again?"
"Certainly."
Seralya leaned forward.
"I'd like to taste you too."
Jax glanced between them. Not even catching the innuendo of Sera.
"There's really not much to it."
"Oh, I'm sure there's more than enough to keep us entertained," Seralya replied.
Jax stared at his pan.
I'm going to need more eggs.
That was when Nyxian entered.
She was dressed for the day, her red hair neatly arranged, and she looked considerably more relaxed than she had the previous evening.
"Good morning, everyone."
"Morning, beautiful," Jax called.
Nyxian smiled.
Then she saw her mother.
Her sister.
Their clothing.
Their horns.
And the way they were looking at her husband.
She stopped.
Her eyes widened.
"Oh, NO!"
Everyone turned.
Velmora blinked.
"Darling?"
Nyxian marched directly toward her.
"Outside."
Seralya frowned.
"What?"
"Both of you. Outside. Now."
Velmora looked genuinely confused.
"Sweetheart, we've only just sat down."
Nyxian took her mother's hand.
Then her sister's.
"NOW!"
Before either could protest, she pulled them from their chairs and marched toward the garden doors. Her increased strength made the task effortless.
Jax stood behind the counter, spatula in hand.
"What did I do?"
"NOTHING, BELOVED!"
The doors opened.
The three women disappeared into the gardens.
The doors closed.
Silence.
Pixelle looked toward Jax.
"Well, breakfast is going great."
Outside, Nyxian guided her mother and sister away from the house.
The morning air was cool and fresh.
A gentle breeze moved through the gardens, carrying the scent of flowering vines and damp earth.
Velmora looked at her daughter.
"Nyxian, darling, what is the meaning of this?"
Nyxian stopped beside a fountain.
She released their hands and crossed her arms.
"Mother. Sera. Look at yourselves."
Seralya glanced down.
"What about us?"
"You're wearing your nightclothes to breakfast!"
Velmora looked at her own outfit.
"Well, yes. I haven't dressed for the day."
"Mother!"
"What?"
Nyxian stared at her.
Then at Seralya.
Then she closed her eyes.
"Oh, for the love of..."
She took a breath.
"How long have Father and your husband been gone?" looking back and forth between both women.
Velmora blinked.
"Several days."
"And when are they returning?"
"Tomorrow evening, assuming their business concludes on schedule."
Nyxian nodded slowly.
"Of course."
Seralya frowned.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
Nyxian gestured toward their tops.
"You can cut glass with those!"
Velmora opened her mouth.
Then stopped.
She inhaled.
Slowly.
Her expression changed.
"Oh."
Seralya looked her own chest then at her mother's.
Then back at Nyxian.
"Ohhh."
Nyxian folded her arms.
"Exactly."
For several moments, neither woman spoke.
The breeze moved through the gardens.
The farther they stood from the house, the more the overwhelming warmth began to fade.
Velmora closed her eyes.
Her shoulders relaxed. Moments before, she was willing to jump Jax, whether anyone watched her or not.
Seralya let out a slow breath, feeling the same feelings leave her body.
"Well."
Nyxian raised an eyebrow. She noticed both of their horns shrinking to normal.
"Well?"
Seralya glanced toward the mansion.
"That explains a few things."
"Several things," Nyxian corrected.
Velmora stepped closer and touched Nyxian's cheek.
"You know we'd never interfere with your happiness."
Nyxian sighed.
"I know."
"But making him uncomfortable is still allowed, right?"
Nyxian closed her eyes.
"Unfortunately, I suspect there's nothing I can do to stop that."
Velmora laughed.
"Now you're being sensible."
Nyxian looked toward the house.
The cool air had done its work.
Her mother and sister seemed entirely themselves again.
Still flirtatious.
Still outrageous.
But no longer distracted by the lingering energy.
"All right," she said. "Let's go back inside."
Seralya smiled.
"Wonderful. I'm starving."
Nyxian pointed toward their clothing.
Seralya looked down.
"Oh, my."
"Change."
Velmora smiled.
"Very well, sweetheart."
They started toward the mansion.
When the three women returned to the dining room, Jax was setting some new plates on the table.
He looked up.
"Everything okay?"
"Perfectly fine, darling," Velmora replied.
Seralya smiled.
"Wonderful, actually."
Nyxian gave them both a warning look.
Jax glanced between them.
"Should I ask?"
"No," Nyxian said.
"Good. Wasn't planning to."
Velmora inhaled appreciatively.
"Oh, that really does smell delicious."
Seralya nodded.
"Much better than I expected."
Jax smiled.
"Thank you. There's plenty for everyone."
Velmora glanced toward her daughter.
"We're going upstairs to change, sweetheart. We'll be back shortly."
"Thank you, Mother."
Seralya winked at Jax.
"Don't eat everything before we return."
"I'll do my best."
The two women departed.
Jax watched them go.
Then turned toward Nyxian.
"What just happened?"
Nyxian took a seat beside him.
"Succubus biology."
Jax stared.
"That explains absolutely nothing."
Zee smiled.
"Actually, I believe I understand."
Jax shook his head.
He had come to terms that he will never understand the Nightveil women.
By the time Velmora and Seralya returned, everyone had begun eating.
Both women were now dressed in elegant daytime clothing.
Velmora wore a flowing violet gown, while Seralya had chosen a fitted dark dress that complemented her figure without causing Jax to question whether he should avert his eyes.
They greeted everyone cheerfully and took their seats.
Velmora tasted the one-eyed Susan. It was slathered in a type of strawberry jelly.
She paused.
Then took another bite.
"Oh, darling."
Jax smiled.
"Good?"
"This is wonderful!"
Seralya tried hers.
"Mother, this is delicious."
Bunny nodded enthusiastically.
"I told you!"
Velmora examined the toast.
"And you simply cook the egg inside the bread?"
"That's the basic idea."
"Marvelous."
She looked toward the kitchen staff.
"You must learn this."
The head cook smiled.
"Lord Darquebane has already been teaching us, my lady."
Velmora looked delighted.
"Wonderful!"
Jax shook his head.
"It's a simple recipe. I'm sure they'll improve on it."
The head cook looked genuinely pleased.
For a while, breakfast proceeded peacefully.
The conversation turned to Moondrip, the estate, and the places Nyxian had loved as a child.
Seralya offered several stories that Nyxian immediately disputed.
Velmora corrected both of them.
Jax listened with a smile.
Then Velmora set down her fork.
"Now, darling. There's something we should discuss."
Nyxian glanced up.
"Mother?"
"The trial."
The table grew quiet.
Nyxian's expression tightened.
Jax looked toward Velmora.
"All right."
Velmora smiled.
"We've decided it won't be necessary."
Nyxian blinked.
"Really?"
Nyxian looked between them.
"But... the tradition?"
"Traditions exist for a reason," Velmora replied. "And this particular tradition was intended to ensure that a succubus chose a compatible partner."
She glanced toward Jax.
"And I believe we have sufficient evidence."
Nyxian's cheeks turned pink.
"Mother..."
"Oh, sweetheart, don't be embarrassed."
Seralya grinned.
"Yes, little sister. You were very convincing."
"Sera!"
Jax looked between them.
"Am I missing something?"
"Yes," Nyxian replied immediately.
"Would I be happier not knowing?"
"Probably."
"Then I'll leave it alone."
Velmora laughed, as Jax walked away back to the kitchen area.
"Wise man."
She reached across the table and took Nyxian's hand.
"Now! We can focus on the wedding!"
Seralya immediately brightened.
"Finally!"
Nyxian looked between them.
"Oh, no."
Velmora ignored her.
"We have the gardens, of course. The southern courtyard would be beautiful, particularly at sunset."
Seralya nodded.
"And the ballroom for the reception."
"Naturally."
"We could decorate the entire entrance with moonflowers."
"An excellent idea!"
Nyxian raised a hand.
"Mother?"
"And the musicians," Velmora continued. "We'll need to contact the family orchestra."
"Mother."
"Perhaps a special dinner afterward. Something elegant but not overly formal."
"Mother!"
Velmora turned.
"Yes, sweetheart?"
Nyxian sighed.
"I was actually thinking we might hold the wedding in Solmere."
Silence.
Velmora blinked.
"Solmere?"
Nyxian nodded.
"It's where we've made our home. We have friends there, and people who've become very important to us."
Velmora considered that.
"Well, of course, darling. I understand."
Seralya looked disappointed.
"But the estate would be perfect."
"It would," Nyxian agreed. "I'm not saying it wouldn't."
Jax listened for a moment.
Then he cleared his throat.
"There's one complication."
Everyone turned toward him.
"If we hold a large public wedding in Solmere, there's more than a chance the Empire will discover I'm not dead."
Velmora blinked.
"Oh, darling. Why do they think you're dead?"
Jax smiled faintly.
"Long story."
Velmora tilted her head.
Seralya leaned forward.
"You're pretending to be dead?"
"Not exactly."
"It's complicated."
Velmora considered the information.
Then her expression brightened.
"Oh, sweetheart!"
Jax looked at her.
"Yes?"
"You should stay here for the next month or two. Really sell it!"
Jax stared.
Then he looked toward Seralya.
She was smiling.
Then toward Nyxian.
She was trying very hard not to laugh.
He looked back at Velmora.
"That sounds more dangerous than facing the Empire."
Seralya burst out laughing.
Velmora placed a hand over her heart.
"Darling! You wound me!"
Nyxian finally gave up and laughed.
"Oh, beloved."
Jax shook his head.
"I'm beginning to understand why you warned me."
Velmora smiled sweetly.
"Well, I suppose we can discuss the options before making any final decisions."
Seralya nodded.
"But I still think the gardens would be perfect."
Nyxian sighed.
"After all, we have three days. Plenty of time."
Jax looked around the table.
Three days.
A wedding to arrange.
Future in-laws who apparently wanted him to remain in their home for two months.
He glanced toward Nyxian.
She smiled at him.
Beautiful.
Mischievous.
Completely happy.
Jax smiled back.
Surviving the Nightveil family was turning out to be one of his greatest challenges yet.