The feast finally came to an end well after midnight.
Musicians packed away their instruments.
Servants quietly collected empty glasses.
The palace slowly settled into the comfortable silence that followed a successful celebration.
Queen Lysara slipped her arm through King Thalorien's as they started toward the royal wing.
She looked years younger than she had that morning.
"I haven't laughed this much in... I don't even remember."
Thalorien smiled.
"I do."
She looked at him curiously.
"The Rainbow Forest."
She stopped walking.
"The storm?"
"The storm."
A smile slowly spread across her face.
"We were separated from everyone for two nights."
"We were."
She looked up at him with a familiar sparkle in her eyes.
"I feel a little like I did back then."
Thalorien raised an eyebrow.
"...Oh?"
She gave him the look.
His eyes widened in immediate understanding.
"...Oh."
She looped her arm through his more firmly.
"I think Their Majesties should retire for the evening."
The King cleared his throat, struggling to maintain royal composure.
"I believe... that is an excellent state decision."
Several nearby servants exchanged knowing smiles while pretending they hadn't heard a word.
As the royal couple disappeared down the corridor, Queen Lysara's laughter echoed softly behind them.
For the first time in many years...
The palace didn't feel burdened by crowns.
It felt like home.
The Vixens lingered behind with Jax.
Nyxian somehow still had another glass of Pixie Mead in her hand.
"Dawn."
The elven woman looked over cautiously.
"...Yes?"
"You've had responsible fun all night."
"I have."
"Come have irresponsible fun."
Dawn laughed.
"I need to remain dignified."
Nyxian looked down.
Immediately stumbled over absolutely nothing.
Recovered.
Then proudly pointed at herself.
"I can be dignified."
A pause.
"...With you."
Dawn folded her arms.
"I can't be seen looking disheveled."
Nyxian leaned closer with an exaggerated whisper.
"We can always find a back room where nobody sees just how disheveled I make you."
Dawn stared at her for a long moment.
"...No."
"No?"
"No."
"I can't."
"I won't."
Nyxian nodded solemnly.
"I'm going to count that as a 'maybe later.'"
She blew Dawn a dramatic kiss.
Dawn rolled her eyes as she walked away.
But once Nyxian couldn't see her anymore...
A small smile escaped.
She is unbelievably cute.
Llandra caught it.
Their eyes met.
Llandra simply smiled knowingly.
She said nothing.
She didn't need to.
Within half an hour...
The palace had become wonderfully quiet.
Or so everyone believed.
A pair of young guards rounded the corridor leading toward the guest suites.
One stopped walking.
"...Did you hear something?"
His partner listened.
For a moment...
Nothing.
Then—
A shrieking voice echoed through the stone.
"Oh, hell yeah!"
The two guards stared at one another.
"...Perhaps they're playing cards."
His partner slowly nodded.
"...Very enthusiastic cards."
They continued their patrol.
Twenty minutes later...
Two maids paused outside a linen closet.
A guttural moan drifted down the hallway.
Then another voice.
"I love you!"
Immediately followed by several others.
"We love you too!"
The younger maid smiled.
"...That's actually adorable."
The older maid nodded.
"It really is."
Another half hour passed.
The palace had nearly fallen asleep.
Then—
"Oh, MY... GODDESS!"
Every bird nesting beneath the palace roof exploded into flight.
A heartbeat later came another delighted shout.
"I LOVE PIXIE MEAD!"
Several servants froze where they stood.
One elderly butler looked toward the ceiling.
"...I'm fairly certain that was Lady Nyxian."
Another servant sighed.
"I reached that conclusion as well."
Farther down the hall...
A young married noblewoman looked toward her husband.
"...They're still awake?"
He listened for several seconds.
"...Apparently."
"It's been over an hour."
"...Apparently."
She tilted her head thoughtfully.
"...Do you suppose they're dancing?"
Another burst of screams echoed through the corridor.
Her husband looked toward the ceiling.
"...Not anymore."
Nearly two hours later...
Silence.
Complete silence.
One exhausted guard leaned against the wall.
"I think they're finally asleep."
His partner smiled with relief.
"I was beginning to think we'd hear them until sunrise."
Thirty seconds passed.
Then—
"Oh yeah... right there!"
The shout echoed through the marble corridors.
Both guards closed their eyes.
One slowly slid his helmet down over his face.
"...Well."
His partner sighed.
"There will be no sleep tonight."
By the time the palace finally settled once more...
Everyone within earshot had reached exactly the same conclusion.
Whatever adventures Jax Darquebane and the Vixens shared...
They approached them with remarkable enthusiasm.
And somewhere in the royal wing...
King Thalorien looked toward the ceiling.
Then toward Queen Lysara.
"...I'm beginning to understand why they're all so cheerful."
Lysara laughed into his shoulder.
"So am I."
Outside, the moon drifted quietly over Etherevalis.
Inside...
The palace added one more story to the legends it would tell for generations.