The hunting party's return to Etherevalis was met with fanfare that bordered on theatrical.
Banners unfurled from balconies.
Trumpets echoed through the city streets.
Flower petals drifted from upper terraces as citizens cheered the King's return.
Even King Thalorien looked upward in mild disbelief.
He leaned toward Jax as they rode through the main avenue.
"You should see the celebration they give me when I return from the privy after twenty minutes."
Jax nearly slipped from Gryph.
He doubled over laughing.
The King joined him, his laughter carrying down the avenue.
Heiron covered his mouth, shoulders shaking.
Several guards struggled to remain professional.
Only Legos looked genuinely confused.
He had organized the welcome.
He'd assumed this was exactly what his father would enjoy.
As realization slowly dawned...
He made a mental note.
Less trumpets next time.
They entered the palace courtyard.
Servants hurried to receive the horses.
Gryph lowered himself, allowing Jax to step gracefully to the ground before dissolving into shadow at a gentle pat on the neck.
The royal horses visibly relaxed.
Llandra reached Jax first.
She stopped herself from embracing him outright.
Barely.
The other Vixens followed close behind.
They had agreed to behave in public.
At least until after the wedding.
It remained an ongoing challenge.
Queen Lysara approached her husband with an amused smile.
"Welcome home, Your Majesty."
Her gaze drifted toward the game being unloaded.
"I trust the battle against those terrifying wyvern-fowl was suitably heroic."
The King chuckled.
"It was..."
His eyes wandered toward the enormous Ironhide Wyvern being lowered into the courtyard.
"...Until it wasn't."
Her eyebrow arched.
"So I see."
He stepped closer.
"I've decided something."
"Oh?"
"The next hunt..."
He looked at her for a long moment.
"...You're coming with me."
The courtyard noticeably quieted.
Lysara blinked.
"The next hunt won't be just for the men."
A slow smile spread across her face.
"Oh?"
"I've spent too many years following tradition."
He shook his head.
"I'd rather spend them making memories."
His eyes shifted toward Llandra.
"I'd like my daughter there as well."
Llandra's eyes widened.
"Father..."
Then he looked toward Jax.
"And if our future son insists on joining us..."
A grin tugged at his lips.
"...I suppose I'll allow it."
Jax laughed.
"How generous of you."
The King ignored him with exaggerated dignity.
"I also seem to remember there was once an archer who embarrassed me in front of half the royal court."
Lysara folded her arms.
"Once?"
"I was trying to protect your reputation."
"How thoughtful."
"I imagine you'll outshoot me again."
She stepped closer.
"I certainly intend to."
His smile became almost boyish.
"I was hoping you'd say that."
Before anyone realized what he intended...
He slipped an arm around her waist and kissed her.
Not a ceremonial kiss.
Not one performed for appearances.
A genuine kiss.
The courtyard fell completely silent.
When they finally separated, Lysara simply stared at him.
There was warmth in his eyes she hadn't seen in years.
Perhaps decades.
"You've changed," she whispered.
He smiled softly.
"No."
His gaze drifted toward Jax for only a heartbeat before returning to her.
"I simply remembered what I was missing."
Vaelrith stepped forward with the day's prizes.
The wyvern-fowl were presented first.
The kitchen staff responded with practiced enthusiasm.
"Oh, wonderful!"
"So much fresh game!"
Then the Spy Master produced the Ironhide Wyvern.
Gasps spread through the courtyard.
The beast was enormous.
Its iron-like scales caught the afternoon sunlight.
Its scarred body spoke of countless battles survived before finally meeting its end.
Now...
That was worthy of celebration.
"Jax has offered to oversee its preparation," Vaelrith announced.
Every cook in the courtyard turned toward the human.
Curiosity quickly replaced skepticism.
Anyone who inspired the King to return carrying a beast like this deserved at least a chance to explain himself.
Queen Lysara smiled toward her husband.
"I believe we have quite a bit to discuss."
"We do."
Together they disappeared into the palace.
Neither seemed particularly interested in discussing politics.
The Vixens quickly surrounded Jax.
"So," he asked with a grin, "what's the plan for tonight?"
Nyxian smiled mischievously.
"You forgot?"
Bunny folded her arms.
"You made a promise."
Llandra nodded.
"After dinner..."
"...we separate."
Jax blinked.
Then remembered.
The bachelor party.
The bachelorette party.
His bargain with Legos and Heiron.
He smiled.
"I suppose I did agree."
He embraced each of the women in turn before excusing himself toward the kitchens.
They watched him disappear through the servants' entrance.
Bunny smiled.
"Tomorrow."
Llandra nodded.
"Tomorrow."
The royal kitchens had expected assistance.
They had not expected a lesson.
Jax demonstrated how to break down the Ironhide Wyvern with clean, deliberate cuts.
He explained where toughness developed.
Which muscles benefited from slow cooking.
Which deserved quick, intense heat.
He seasoned the meat with confidence.
"Salt first," he explained.
"Let it rest."
"It draws moisture out before pulling it back into the meat."
One apprentice blinked.
"It... comes back?"
Jax smiled.
"With flavor."
The room fell silent.
Then everyone leaned closer.
He introduced precise temperature control.
Careful timing.
Fresh herbs.
Garlic.
Butter.
A quick sear after gentle cooking.
The first finished cut drew every member of the kitchen staff closer.
The head chef sampled it.
His eyes widened.
He immediately cut another piece.
Then another.
"...Again."
By late afternoon the entire kitchen buzzed with excitement.
Recipes were being copied.
Techniques debated.
Ideas exchanged.
Jax answered every question with enthusiasm.
That evening the dining hall shimmered with celebration.
Candles illuminated polished stone.
Music drifted softly through the room.
The Vixens entered together.
Elegant.
Radiant.
Each beautiful in her own way.
The nobles greeted them warmly.
King Thalorien and Queen Lysara entered moments later.
The King glanced toward the empty seat beside Llandra.
"Where is Jax?"
"Still in the kitchen," she answered.
"He refused to let the final course leave until he approved it."
The King laughed.
"Of course he did."
Moments later...
The great dining hall doors opened.
The aroma arrived first.
Rich.
Savory.
Warm.
Conversations immediately stopped.
Plates were placed before every guest.
Perfectly seared Ironhide Wyvern.
Fresh herbs.
Roasted vegetables.
Golden potatoes.
Steam curled upward from every plate.
The first bite was followed by complete silence.
Then...
A chorus of astonished voices.
"This is extraordinary."
"I've never tasted anything like this."
"The texture..."
"It melts."
Only then did Jax quietly enter the hall.
He slipped into the empty seat beside Llandra.
King Thalorien smiled across the table.
"You were right."
Jax looked up.
"The hunt was worth it."
Jax smiled.
"Fresh meat deserves respect."
The King nodded.
"It certainly received it."
The meal continued amid laughter and conversation.
Stories from the hunt were already growing more dramatic with every telling.
Each version somehow made the Ironhide Wyvern larger.
Vaelrith eventually stopped correcting anyone.
Some legends deserved embellishment.
As dessert was served, the King rose.
He lifted his glass.
"To tomorrow."
Every glass followed.
"To tomorrow."
Jax met Llandra's eyes across the candlelight.
One more night.
Then vows.
Then the beginning of the rest of their lives.