The wedding reception had barely ended before five women began preparing for a very long evening.
"Two kegs," Pixelle announced.
Zee looked up from the guest suite's doorway.
"Two?"
"One might not be enough."
"Pixelle, we're not hosting another reception."
"Of course not. We're having a quiet evening together."
Llandra glanced at the collection of pillows already piled on the enormous bed.
"That explains the provisions."
"Exactly."
Bunny emerged from the adjoining room carrying an armful of blankets.
"I found more!"
"Excellent!" Pixelle pointed toward the sitting area. "Put those over there. Lexi, did you find the snacks?"
"Corwin said the kitchen would send something up."
"Something?"
"I asked for pastries, fruit, cheese, bread, and whatever else they thought we'd enjoy."
Pixelle considered that.
"Acceptable."
Zee folded her arms.
"Are we seriously doing this?"
Four women looked at her.
"Doing what?" Bunny asked.
Zee gestured around the suite.
"This. Whatever this is."
"A girls' night," Lexi answered.
"With an unreasonable amount of preparation."
Pixelle grinned.
"Then why did you ask Corwin whether the Ice Unit was working?"
Zee glanced toward the elegant cabinet standing beside the refreshments table.
"Because warm Pixie Mead is dreadful."
"Exactly!"
"That doesn't mean I approve of whatever you're planning."
"We haven't planned anything."
Llandra raised an eyebrow.
"Pixelle, you asked for two kegs."
"Preparation is not planning."
Before Zee could answer, a knock sounded at the door.
Corwin entered with two attendants carrying a polished wooden keg and several covered trays.
"Your refreshments, ladies."
Behind them, another servant wheeled in a second keg.
Pixelle beamed.
"Corwin, you're a treasure."
"I shall inform the household that my value has been recognized, Lady Pixelle."
He directed the servants toward the Ice Unit.
The device was one of Eldrich's increasingly popular inventions, a compact enchanted cabinet capable of keeping food and beverages cold without ice or constant magical attention.
Jax had given several to the Nightveil family, both for their personal use and for their businesses.
Velmora had immediately recognized their commercial potential.
The staff had recognized something equally important.
Cold beer.
And the Vixens were already enthusiastic supporters of the technology.
Corwin inspected the unit, adjusted its temperature setting, and placed the first keg inside.
"Will there be anything else?"
"Privacy," Zee replied.
"Naturally, Lady Zephrial."
"And perhaps another tray of those little honey pastries," Bunny added.
Corwin inclined his head.
"Of course."
Pixelle waited until the door closed before turning toward Zee.
"Very thoughtful."
Zee narrowed her eyes.
"I know that smile."
"What smile?"
"The one that means you're about to become unbearable."
Llandra laughed as she removed the last of her wedding jewelry.
"Can we at least change before you two begin?"
That seemed reasonable to everyone.
Within minutes, the elegant bridesmaids who had spent the afternoon celebrating Nyxian's wedding were replaced by five women determined to be comfortable.
Bunny wore loose pajamas and had already claimed the largest blanket.
Lexi settled into a soft nightdress and began arranging pillows around one corner of the bed.
Llandra exchanged her formal gown for a comfortable tunic and trousers.
Pixelle chose an oversized shirt and shorts, then immediately appropriated a cushion nearly as large as she was in her smaller form.
Zee emerged wearing a loose sleeping outfit, carrying a bowl of fruit and a plate of pastries.
Pixelle looked at her.
"You're really committed to this privacy thing."
"I'm hungry."
"Of course."
Zee placed the snacks beside her preferred chair, arranged two pillows behind her back, and pulled a blanket over her legs.
Then she reached for an empty glass.
"I still think there's something rather inappropriate about all of this."
Llandra glanced toward her.
"About drinking?"
"About the notifications."
The room became momentarily quiet.
Then five familiar chimes sounded.
Ding!
Bunny's eyes brightened.
"Aww!"
She opened her System screen.
"Their first time together as husband and wife!"
Lexi smiled.
"That's sweet."
"It is," Bunny agreed.
Pixelle leaned back against her cushion.
"Well, that didn't take long."
"Pixelle," Zee warned.
"What? They're married!"
"That doesn't mean we need to discuss every notification."
"Then don't."
Zee opened her own screen.
"I wasn't going to."
She read the message.
Then closed it.
Pixelle said nothing.
Her smile was entirely sufficient.
Llandra took a glass from the table.
"At least they're enjoying themselves."
"Nyxian certainly seemed eager to leave," Lexi observed.
Bunny laughed.
"She practically dragged Jax out of the reception."
"She'd been trying since the ceremony," Llandra said.
Pixelle raised her glass.
"To the happy couple!"
Everyone joined the toast.
Even Zee.
A few seconds later, another notification appeared.
Ding!
Pixelle looked up.
"Oh! They've moved to the kitchen."
Bunny blinked.
"Already?"
"Apparently."
Lexi glanced at the notification and giggled.
"Well, at least they're making use of the guesthouse."
Zee sighed.
"See? This is precisely what I'm talking about."
"What?" Pixelle asked.
"Knowing where they are. What they're doing. It's an invasion of privacy."
Llandra considered the argument.
"The System sends the notifications whether we ask for them or not."
"That doesn't mean we have to read them."
"True."
Pixelle looked toward Zee's screen.
"Then why is yours still open?"
Zee reached for a pastry.
"Because I haven't finished checking my other rewards."
"Naturally."
Lexi took a sip of Pixie Mead.
"Technically, it's Jax's System. If you have a complaint, perhaps you should take it up with him."
"That's actually a good point," Zee replied.
Pixelle looked interested.
"Should we?"
"No."
"Why not?"
"Because I'm not complaining about receiving iPoints."
"Ah."
Zee frowned.
"I'm complaining about the lack of discretion."
Llandra smiled.
"A reasonable distinction."
"Thank you."
"Although I don't recall you objecting when I received my first bonuses."
Zee paused.
Bunny brightened.
"Oh! I remember those!"
Llandra turned toward her.
"Do you?"
"Of course!"
Bunny laughed.
"Nyxian was hilarious!"
Llandra's smile faded slightly.
"What did Nyxian do?"
Bunny looked around at the others.
"Remember when she kept trying to show us what she thought was happening?"
Pixelle burst into laughter.
Lexi covered her mouth.
They weren't there, but were imagining what Nyxian would do to try and reenact.
Zee looked down into her drink.
Llandra slowly lowered her glass.
"Show you?"
Bunny nodded enthusiastically.
"She was acting everything out!"
Llandra stared.
"Everything?"
"Well, not everything. Sometimes she needed help."
Pixelle nearly spilled her drink.
Llandra closed her eyes.
"Please tell me she didn't use props."
Bunny hesitated.
It was a very unfortunate hesitation.
Llandra opened one eye.
"Bunny."
"She was very creative."
"Oh, gods."
Zee started laughing.
Llandra looked at her.
"You knew about this?"
Zee attempted to compose herself.
"I may have witnessed a demonstration."
"A demonstration?"
Pixelle was laughing too hard to answer.
Lexi buried her face in a pillow.
Llandra looked around the room, torn between horror and amusement.
"And none of you thought to tell me?"
Bunny looked genuinely confused.
"Why? You were having such a nice time."
That finished Pixelle.
She collapsed sideways onto her cushion, laughing.
Llandra stared at Bunny for several seconds.
Then, despite herself, she began laughing too.
"I suppose I should have expected that from Nyxian."
"You really should have," Zee agreed.
Another notification sounded.
Ding!
Pixelle recovered enough to glance at her screen.
"Oh, look. The living room."
Lexi looked toward the ceiling.
"That is a very large guesthouse."
"Not large enough, apparently," Pixelle replied.
Bunny giggled.
Zee reached for another pastry.
"I still maintain that private moments between spouses should remain private."
Llandra nodded.
"There's merit to that."
"Thank you."
"Although we're not actually watching anything."
"Exactly," Lexi added. "We're simply receiving information."
"Information we didn't request," Bunny said.
Pixelle held up her glass.
"But rewards we certainly appreciate."
Nobody disagreed.
That seemed to settle the matter for approximately thirty seconds.
Then Zee continued.
"I just think there's something special about being alone with Jax. Those moments belong to the people sharing them."
Llandra's expression softened.
"I understand what you mean."
"So do I," Lexi said.
Bunny nodded.
"Me too."
Pixelle considered the argument while adjusting the blanket over her legs.
"Fair enough."
Zee looked pleasantly surprised.
"Really?"
"Absolutely. A woman deserves her privacy."
"Thank you, Pixelle."
"You're welcome."
For a moment, the five women sat together in comfortable agreement.
Zee poured herself another glass of Pixie Mead.
Bunny settled deeper into her blankets.
Lexi reached for a honey pastry.
Llandra adjusted the pillow behind her back.
Pixelle pulled her snack bowl closer.
Then the System chimed.
Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding!
Five women stopped moving.
Five System screens opened.
Five pairs of eyes began reading.
For several seconds, nobody spoke.
Then, in perfect synchronization, all five leaned back into their comfortable seats.
"DAAAAAAMN!"
Silence returned.
A handful of nuts disappeared into Pixelle's mouth.
Bunny reached for another pastry.
Zee took a long drink of Pixie Mead.
Llandra quietly refilled her glass.
Lexi pulled her blanket a little higher.
The only sounds in the room were the occasional clink of glassware and the unmistakable crunch of snacks.
Five women continued studying their System screens.
They had enough refreshments to last the night.
And absolutely no intention of going to sleep.
Nyxian Darquebane opened her eyes.
For several moments, she didn't move.
Sunlight filtered through the curtains, illuminating the unfamiliar bedroom with a warm golden glow.
She could hear birds outside.
Somewhere beyond the windows, a gentle breeze rustled through the trees.
And beneath her, something wonderfully warm rose and fell with each slow breath.
Jax.
Her husband.
Nyxian smiled.
My husband.
She liked that.
She liked it very much.
Her head rested against his chest, her body draped comfortably across his. One of his arms encircled her, holding her close.
She glanced toward the window.
The sunlight was far too bright for early morning.
How late is it?
Probably approaching noon.
Ordinarily, Jax would have been awake for hours. He would have cooked breakfast, checked on something, or found some other productive use for his seemingly endless energy.
Yet he was still here.
Still holding her.
Still letting her sleep.
Nyxian closed her eyes again.
Her first night as Nyxian Darquebane had been...
She searched for a word.
Wonderful seemed inadequate.
Extraordinary didn't quite capture it.
A religious experience?
That was closer.
She wasn't certain whether a succubus could imprint on the same person more than once.
If it was possible, however, she was reasonably confident she'd accomplished it several times since the wedding.
She remembered laughter.
She remembered making promises that had sounded perfectly reasonable at the time.
She remembered discovering that some of her more imaginative ideas worked far better than she'd anticipated.
Others?
Well.
Some ideas were better left as ideas.
But that was part of the fun.
Jax had never made her feel foolish for wanting to try something new. Sometimes he laughed with her. Sometimes he surprised her. Sometimes she discovered that her supposedly limitless imagination had underestimated him.
And through it all, he'd been hers.
Completely.
There had been a time when Nyxian believed she understood happiness.
She had a loving family, wealth, freedom, beauty, and more admirers than she cared to count.
Her life had been wonderful.
Then she'd met a naked human bathing in a lake.
And everything had changed.
There was the life she'd known before Jax.
And the life she knew now.
She loved the people and memories from her old life, but she could no longer imagine returning to a world without him.
Not after discovering what it felt like to be loved exactly as she was.
Not after finding someone who could make her laugh, challenge her, indulge her wildest ideas, and still look at her as though she were the most precious woman alive.
How did I get so lucky?
Her eyes slowly focused.
Jax was looking down at her.
Smiling.
"Morning, beautiful."
Nyxian's heart melted.
"Beloved."
"Sleep well?"
She considered that.
"I believe so."
"You believe so?"
"I'm still evaluating the evidence."
Jax chuckled.
"Take your time."
She shifted slightly, then became aware of a rather important detail.
Her body was tired.
Not unpleasantly so.
But undeniably tired.
For a woman whose System-enhanced abilities had made her stronger, faster, and more resilient than she'd ever imagined possible, that was a remarkable discovery.
She frowned.
Wait.
She remembered making a declaration.
A very confident declaration.
Something about proving that even Jax Darquebane had limits.
Her eyes narrowed.
"Beloved."
"Yes?"
"I've decided something."
"Should I be worried?"
"Probably."
He smiled.
She lifted her head enough to look directly into his eyes.
"I will make you surrender during round six."
Jax blinked.
"Six?"
"Yes."
"Sweetheart, we're on eight."
Nyxian stared.
"Eight?"
"Eight."
She searched her memory.
The wedding.
The guesthouse.
The lamp.
The kitchen.
The living room.
The bedroom.
The bed...
Her eyes narrowed.
"Beloved."
"Yes?"
"What happened to six and seven?"
Jax looked genuinely surprised.
"You don't remember?"
"Obviously not!"
He thought for a moment.
"Well, six was when you had me tied up and decided to try that thing you'd always been afraid to attempt."
Nyxian stared at him.
"That thing?"
"Yes."
"Which thing?"
"The one you said probably wouldn't work."
She frowned.
"And?"
"It worked."
Her eyes widened.
"Really?"
"Spectacularly."
She studied him.
"How spectacularly?"
"You started flying."
Nyxian blinked.
"Flying?"
"Briefly."
She looked completely baffled.
Jax continued.
"Then seven was when you decided to try that other thing."
"What other thing?"
"The one you swore you'd never attempt again."
Nyxian went very still.
"Beloved..."
"Yes?"
"You're not talking about..."
"Pretty sure I am."
"The one I said was too intense?"
"That's the one."
"The one I said no mortal should ever experience twice?"
Jax nodded.
Nyxian stared at him in horror.
Then at the ceiling.
Then back at him.
Her gaze drifted toward the headboard.
And suddenly, she noticed something.
Jax's left arm was still secured to the bed.
She looked farther down.
So were his legs.
Nyxian slowly lifted her head.
"Beloved?"
"Yes?"
"Why are you still tied up?"
Jax glanced toward his left wrist.
"Oh. That."
"Yes. That."
"Well, you fell asleep."
Nyxian froze.
"I did?"
"Pretty thoroughly."
She looked at his right arm, the one holding her.
"Then how did you...?"
"I broke that restraint."
"Only that one?"
"I wanted to hold you."
Nyxian stared at him.
He continued casually.
"And I'd already damaged one corner of the bed. Didn't see any reason to break the others."
For several seconds, Nyxian said nothing.
Then the full realization struck.
I fell asleep.
I FELL ASLEEP FIRST!
She had spent the entire evening promising to exhaust him.
She had confidently announced that this would be a contest unlike anything he'd ever experienced.
And apparently, somewhere between rounds five and eight, she'd lost consciousness while her husband remained perfectly capable of continuing.
Oh, this is humiliating.
Not because she'd left him tied up.
That was hardly a concern.
Jax could have destroyed the entire guesthouse with a careless sneeze if he'd wanted to.
No, the humiliation was entirely competitive.
She'd lost.
Spectacularly.
And couldn't even remember the last two rounds.
Then she looked at his arm around her.
He'd broken one restraint because he wanted to hold her.
And left the others intact because he didn't want to damage her parents' furniture.
Her expression softened.
Oh, beloved.
You wonderful, considerate man.
You stayed like that all night just for me.
She nestled closer.
I almost feel guilty.
A pause.
Almost.
Jax brushed a strand of hair away from her face.
"Everything alright?"
Nyxian smiled sweetly.
"Perfectly."
"Good."
She kissed his chest.
Then lifted her head again.
"Now, about round eight..."
Jax laughed.
Eventually, hunger accomplished what several hours of sunlight had failed to do.
Nyxian's stomach growled.
Jax looked down.
"Was that you?"
"No."
"Really?"
"Clearly some dangerous creature outside."
"Sounds close."
"Very close."
Another growl answered.
Jax laughed.
"Come on. Let's get you fed."
Nyxian tightened her arms around him.
"Must we?"
"You need to eat."
"I have everything I need right here."
"Sweetheart, I'm flattered, but you can't live on affection alone."
She considered that.
"Have we tested this theory?"
"Not extensively enough for me to recommend it."
"Then perhaps we should continue our research."
Jax chuckled.
"Breakfast first."
Nyxian sighed dramatically.
"Very well. But only because I adore your cooking."
He looked toward the restraints.
"Mind helping me with these?"
She smiled.
"Of course, beloved."
A few moments later, Jax was free.
The remaining bedposts survived.
Barely.
The kitchen, unfortunately, had not escaped the previous evening quite so gracefully.
Jax surveyed the room.
A chair lay on its side.
Several decorative items had been displaced.
One cabinet door hung at an unfortunate angle.
And the kitchen table had acquired a new scratch that ran nearly its entire length.
Nyxian appeared beside him, looking entirely pleased with herself.
"Good morning, kitchen."
Jax glanced at her.
"You're awfully cheerful."
"Why wouldn't I be?"
He gestured toward the furniture.
"Just appreciating the scenery?"
"Exactly."
Jax shook his head, smiling.
"Well, let's see what survived."
The pantry was mercifully intact.
So was the Ice Unit.
And the food Velmora had thoughtfully stocked for their stay.
Jax gathered eggs, bread, fruit, and several other ingredients.
Nyxian watched him move around the kitchen with undisguised admiration.
"Beloved?"
"Yes?"
"Have I told you how handsome you are?"
"Once or twice."
"How fortunate I am?"
"A few times."
"How much I love you?"
Jax turned toward her.
"No. I don't think ever. You should probably say that one," Jax teased.
Nyxian smiled.
"Ok, Someday, I'll say that one."
He leaned over and kissed her.
"Love you too, beautiful."
She watched him return to preparing breakfast.
For a moment, the mischievous expression faded.
This was something she'd never anticipated when she first met him.
Not the excitement.
Not the adventures.
Not even the impossible things he could accomplish.
This.
A quiet morning in a slightly damaged kitchen.
Her husband cooking breakfast while she watched.
No audience.
No performance.
Nothing to prove.
Just happiness.
Nyxian rested her chin in her hand.
I could get used to this.
Then Jax placed a plate in front of her.
Cheesecake French toast.
Fresh fruit.
And a carefully arranged smiley face. Complete with caramelized bacon as the mouth.
She looked at the plate.
Then at him.
"Beloved."
"Yes?"
"You are the best."
"I'm probably above average."
She smiled.
"Nothing about you is average."
Nyxian picked up her fork. She took a bite that was drastically too large for her her mouth. She savored the taste, and repeated, but this time with a mouth full of food.
"Nothing."
The rest of their first full day passed without anything resembling a schedule.
They ate when they were hungry.
Rested when they felt like resting.
Talked about the wedding, their families, and the adventures waiting for them when they returned to the United Kingdoms.
Nyxian delighted in recounting the moment she'd jumped into Jax's arms during the ceremony.
"Did you see Mother's face?"
"I was a little distracted."
"By what?"
"My bride."
Nyxian smiled.
"An understandable distraction."
She also wanted to know whether he'd enjoyed her vows.
"Every word."
"Even the part about finding you naked in a lake?"
"Especially that part."
She laughed.
"Good. I worked very hard on those vows."
"I could tell."
"And you were wonderful, beloved."
"Thank you."
She leaned against him.
"When you said you never wanted me to change..."
Jax looked at her.
She smiled softly.
"That meant more than you know."
He wrapped an arm around her.
"I meant it."
"I know."
For a while, they sat together in comfortable silence.
Then Nyxian looked toward the bedroom.
"Beloved?"
"Yes?"
"I've had an idea."
Jax followed her gaze.
"Should I be concerned about the furniture?"
"Probably."
He sighed.
Nyxian laughed and pulled him to his feet.
Somewhere in the guesthouse, another piece of furniture began contemplating its future.
By the second day, Jax decided they should spend at least a little time outdoors.
Nyxian initially objected.
"Why?"
"Because there's a beautiful lake outside."
"We have a perfectly beautiful bedroom inside."
"True."
"And an enormous bed."
"Also true."
"Although perhaps not quite as enormous as it was yesterday."
Jax laughed.
"Come on. You'll like it."
Nyxian considered him.
"Will there be food?"
"Yes."
"Drinks?"
"Of course."
"Music?"
"I brought the iRock."
Her eyes brightened.
"Now you're negotiating."
The lake lay beyond a quiet stretch of the Nightveil estate, surrounded by trees and a secluded sandy shoreline.
Velmora had arranged for the area to remain private throughout the honeymoon.
Two comfortable lounge chairs waited beneath a broad canopy, along with a small table, fresh towels, and a basket of food.
Jax placed the iRock on the table.
The enchanted stone began playing soft music.
Nyxian settled into one of the chairs and accepted a chilled glass of Fairy Cider.
She looked around.
The water shimmered in the afternoon sunlight.
A gentle breeze moved through the trees.
There were no servants hovering nearby.
No guests.
No responsibilities.
Just the two of them.
Nyxian took a sip.
"Beloved?"
"Yes?"
"This is lovely."
Jax smiled.
"Told you."
She leaned back.
For several minutes, they enjoyed the quiet.
Jax watched the water.
Nyxian watched Jax.
Eventually, she spoke.
"Do you ever think about how strange our lives have become?"
"All the time."
"Two years ago, I was perfectly content causing trouble in Moondrip."
"And now?"
"Now I cause trouble across several kingdoms."
Jax laughed.
"That's certainly progress."
"Isn't it?"
She smiled.
"And I have you."
He reached over and took her hand.
"That you do."
Nyxian studied their joined hands.
"Sometimes I wonder what would have happened if I'd gone to that lake a little earlier. Or a little later."
"Probably would've missed me."
"Exactly."
She squeezed his hand.
"An entire lifetime could have passed without us ever meeting."
Jax considered that.
"Good thing you found me, then."
"Very good."
She smiled.
"Although I still maintain that you were deliberately trying to attract attention."
"I was taking a bath."
"Naked."
"That's generally how baths work."
Nyxian laughed.
"Beloved, you are impossible."
"You're the one who approached the naked stranger."
"And what an excellent decision that turned out to be."
She raised her glass.
"To excellent decisions."
Jax touched his glass to hers.
"To excellent decisions."
They drank.
For a while, Nyxian was content simply to rest beside him.
She listened to the music, watched the sunlight move across the water, and enjoyed the unfamiliar pleasure of doing absolutely nothing.
Eventually, she turned toward Jax.
"Beloved?"
"Yes?"
"There's no rule saying every quiet afternoon must remain quiet."
He laughed.
"No, I suppose there isn't."
She rose from her chair and sat on top of him.
Their drinks remained on the table.
The iRock continued playing.
And the peaceful lakeshore enjoyed a considerably less peaceful afternoon.
They returned to the main estate on the third day.
Nyxian spent most of the carriage ride curled against Jax, enjoying the gentle motion and the comfortable warmth of his embrace.
She had recovered considerably since the morning.
Her pride, however, remained somewhat bruised.
Not that she intended to admit it.
When the carriage stopped, Jax helped her down.
Nyxian looked toward the estate.
"Home."
"Ready to see everyone?"
"Absolutely!"
Her smile widened.
"I have so much to tell them."
Jax raised an eyebrow.
"I'm sure you do."
She kissed his cheek.
"Don't worry, beloved. I'll be discreet."
He looked at her.
She looked at him.
They both laughed.
Inside, the Vixens were gathered in one of the sitting rooms.
Llandra was reading.
Zee and Lexi were talking quietly.
Bunny was enjoying a pastry.
Pixelle sat curled in a chair, looking suspiciously innocent.
The moment Nyxian entered, everyone looked up.
"Nyxian!" Bunny exclaimed.
She hurried over and embraced her.
"Welcome back!"
Nyxian laughed.
"Thank you, darling!"
The others rose to greet her.
There were hugs, kisses, and affectionate congratulations.
Nyxian beamed.
She had missed them.
Even after only two days.
Llandra smiled.
"Did you enjoy your honeymoon?"
Nyxian's eyes brightened.
"Oh, Llandra. You have no idea."
"Really?"
"Absolutely none."
Llandra nodded thoughtfully.
"Well, I'm glad you had a pleasant time."
Nyxian blinked.
Pleasant?
Zee approached.
"Was the guesthouse comfortable?"
Nyxian smiled.
"Very comfortable."
"Wonderful."
"Although..."
Zee waited.
Nyxian leaned closer.
"Did you see what happened during the second hour?"
Zee looked puzzled.
"Second hour?"
"Yes!"
"Of what?"
Nyxian stared.
Pixelle turned away, pressing her lips together.
Nyxian looked toward Lexi.
"Surely you saw the notifications."
Lexi tilted her head.
"Notifications?"
Nyxian blinked.
"Yes. The System notifications."
"Oh."
Lexi glanced toward the others.
"I don't think I checked mine very much."
Nyxian's smile faltered.
"You didn't?"
"We were rather tired after the wedding," Zee explained.
"Yes," Llandra agreed. "Long day."
Bunny nodded.
"I went to bed."
Nyxian stared at her.
"You went to bed?"
"Eventually."
"But..."
She looked around the room.
"Surely someone saw the later notifications."
Pixelle gave her an apologetic smile.
"Sorry, Nyx. We had a quiet evening."
Nyxian looked genuinely wounded.
"A quiet evening?"
"Very quiet," Llandra confirmed.
Nyxian's eyes widened.
"But what about the fourth hour?"
Nobody answered.
"The fourth hour, darling! When we tried the..."
She stopped herself.
Then looked desperately toward Zee.
"Surely you saw that one!"
Zee shook her head.
"I'm afraid not."
Nyxian looked toward Bunny.
Bunny took another bite of pastry.
"Did you earn us some iPoints?"
Nyxian stared at her.
"Some?"
Bunny nodded.
"That was nice of you."
Nyxian's mouth opened.
Closed.
Opened again.
"But..."
She looked around the room.
"None of you saw?"
Five women maintained expressions of perfect innocence.
Nyxian's shoulders slowly dropped.
"Oh."
Her voice had become very small.
"I thought..."
She swallowed.
"I thought you'd all..."
That was as far as she got.
Pixelle broke first.
"Oh, sweetheart!"
She launched herself out of her chair and wrapped Nyxian in a hug.
"We're joking!"
Nyxian froze.
"What?"
Zee started laughing.
Llandra shook her head, smiling.
Bunny threw her arms around Nyxian from the other side.
"We saw everything!"
"Well," Lexi corrected gently, "everything the notifications told us."
Nyxian stared at them.
Then her eyes widened.
"You..."
Pixelle grinned.
"Every. Single. Notification."
Nyxian looked toward Zee.
Zee smiled.
Llandra laughed.
"We had quite a lovely evening."
Bunny nodded enthusiastically.
"We had snacks!"
"And Pixie Mead," Lexi added.
"Lots of Pixie Mead," Pixelle confirmed.
Nyxian stared at them for another moment.
Then burst into laughter.
"You horrible women!"
They surrounded her with hugs and kisses.
"We love you," Bunny said.
Nyxian laughed harder.
"I love you too!"
Pixelle leaned closer.
"And for the record..."
Nyxian looked at her.
Pixelle grinned.
"That fourth-hour notification?"
Nyxian's smile became positively radiant.
"You saw it?"
"Oh, we saw it."
Llandra shook her head.
"Every one of us."
Zee smiled into her drink.
Nyxian looked delighted.
"I knew you'd appreciate that!"
"Appreciate?" Pixelle laughed. "We nearly ran out of snacks!"
The room erupted in laughter.
Nyxian threw her arms around the nearest two women.
"Oh, I missed you all!"
A voice sounded from the doorway.
"Missed what?"
Everyone turned.
Seralya stood just inside the room, looking curious.
"What's all this about notifications?"
Nyxian froze.
Then smiled brightly.
"Sera!"
Her sister raised an eyebrow.
"Nyxian."
"We're just catching up."
"Apparently."
Sera glanced around at the five women, all of whom had suddenly become remarkably interested in their drinks, books, or pastries.
"What notifications?"
Nyxian considered the question.
Then smiled sweetly.
"Oh, you know how close we all are."
"Yes..."
"We share everything."
Sera looked at her.
Then at the others.
Then back at Nyxian.
A long silence followed.
"I see."
Nyxian beamed.
"Wonderful!"
Sera studied her sister for another moment.
She wasn't entirely certain what she'd just been told.
But she was becoming increasingly confident that she didn't want to know anything more.
"Well," she said carefully, "Mother wanted to know whether you enjoyed the guesthouse."
Nyxian smiled.
"Oh, we loved it!"
"Wonderful. She'll be delighted."
From somewhere behind her, footsteps approached.
Jax entered carrying a heavy leather sack.
Velmora appeared beside Seralya.
"Ah! There you are, darling!"
Nyxian hurried over and embraced her mother.
"Mother!"
Velmora kissed her cheek.
"Did you have a wonderful honeymoon?"
"The best!"
"I'm so pleased."
Jax approached the nearby counter.
Without ceremony, he placed the heavy sack upon it.
THUD.
Velmora looked down.
Then up at Jax.
"Beloved son-in-law?"
Jax smiled.
"Vel, I wanted to thank you for letting us use the guesthouse."
"Of course, darling. Anything for my daughter."
"And I wanted to leave you something for the repairs."
Velmora blinked.
"Repairs?"
Jax nodded toward the sack.
"That should cover the damage. Or let you rebuild it from scratch."
Seralya stared.
"Rebuild?"
Velmora looked from Jax to Nyxian.
Nyxian smiled innocently.
"What?"
Sera turned back toward Jax.
"How much damage could you possibly have done in two days?"
Jax considered the question.
Then shrugged.
"Well, the foundation's fine..."
He paused.
"I think."
Velmora's eyes widened.
Jax gave her a reassuring smile.
"Have it checked out before you rebuild."