The workshop was quiet except for the soft hum of the crystals powering the lights. Morning sun filtered through the tall windows, catching dust motes that drifted in slow circles above the scattered tools. Metal shavings gleamed on the stone floor. Half-finished projects lined the shelves, each tagged and neatly arranged by Allyson the night before. The air smelled faintly of oil, steel, and the tea someone always seemed to bring me before I asked for it.

  My workbench sat in the corner where the light was best, cluttered with gears, coils, and sheets of parchment covered in sketches. The place felt lived-in, familiar. Mine.

  I sat at my workbench, examining the blueprints I had begun. It was a new weapon design. I tried to figure out how to design the magazine to hold at least twenty rounds. I remembered the days when I practiced at the gun range with different models. Allyson and Ava stood behind me.

  “If I put a spring just like the others, it will push the slugs upward into the receiver…” I mumbled. I needed to figure this out to get it right.

  A cup of tea appeared on the workbench beside me. “Thank you,” I said without looking up.

  I glanced down a moment later… and froze. This maid was barefoot.

  Are the maids always barefoot? I’m not sure.

  My eyes followed the curve of her calf up to her knee. Smooth skin. Elegant shape. Not something I usually notice this early in the morning, but it still catches my eye. And then the hem of a maid’s skirt came into view. Black fabric, trimmed with white lace. A classic French maid outfit. One we didn’t use in the tower. Ever. That should have been my first clue.

  I let my gaze move higher. The apron. The fitted bodice. The delicate white collar. And above all that, a silver tray held defensively in front of a very familiar chest, as if the maid thought she could hide behind it. My eyes met hers. Veronica.

  She peeked over the tray with the same shy look she gave me the first time she tried to flirt and almost tripped over her own boots. Her cheeks were already pink. The tray trembled slightly in her hands.

  “Good… morning,” she said, voice small behind the polished silver.

  I blinked slowly, taking in the outfit, the bare feet, the way she stood like she had rehearsed this moment a dozen times and still wasn’t sure she should be here.

  “Veronica,” I said softly. “You brought me tea?”

  She lowered the tray an inch, eyes darting away. “I… wanted to surprise you.”

  She had succeeded.

  From the edge of my stool, I spread my arms wide, grinning harder than I had in days. That was all it took. Veronica’s face lit up. She dropped the tray onto the nearest table and hurried straight into my arms. I caught her easily, wrapping my arms around her and pulling her close.

  She smelled amazing. Fresh. Soft. Like a spring morning drifting in on warm air. For a moment, the workshop, the blueprints, the half-built weapon, all of it faded away in the simple joy of holding her in my arms. She stayed in my arms for another heartbeat before stepping back, cheeks warm, eyes bright. Then she smoothed the front of the maid outfit with both hands and gave a small, shy twirl.

  “So… do you like it?” she asked.

  The skirt spun just enough for me to see more than she intended. Or maybe exactly what she wanted me to see. There were no panties under that outfit. My breath hitched for half a second, and she noticed, of course, she did, because her blush deepened.

  “Aria found it,” Veronica said quickly, flustered but proud. “The others said you’d… appreciate it. And it just happened to fit.” Of course they did. And of course it did.

  I let my eyes travel from her bare feet up the line of her legs, taking in every deliberate detail of the outfit, every bit of confidence she was trying so hard to hold on to.

  “Like it?” I said with a grin. “I love it.”

  Her shoulders relaxed, her smile widening, hopeful, relieved, and a little dangerous.

  “Really?” she asked softly.

  “Especially,” I said, lowering my voice, “the part they didn’t include.”

  That earned me a tiny gasp and an even deeper blush. Veronica bit her lip, suddenly unsure what to do with her hands as she stood there in that outfit, in my workshop, just for me.

  She stepped closer again, her voice barely above a whisper.

  “I… wanted to surprise you.”

  “You did,” I said, drawing her in. “You really did.”

  She didn’t hesitate this time. Veronica moved into my arms, and I wrapped my hands around her waist, pulling her gently against me. She slid her arms up around my neck and kissed me.

  Sweet. Warm. She tasted like candy.

  My hands drifted down from her waist, brushing the edge of her skirt before slipping beneath it. Veronica kissed me deeper as my palms found the soft curve of her shapely backside. Her breath caught, and she pressed closer, fingers tightening behind my neck.

  Everything about her, her scent, her warmth, the way she leaned into me, made it impossible to think of anything but her. Eventually, she pulled back, breath soft against my cheek.

  “It… took me a while to realize it, David,” Veronica said, lowering her head. “But I love you. I didn’t understand how someone like you would ever want me.”

  I lifted her chin with my hand and brought her eyes back to mine.

  “I love you too,” I said, and kissed her. She pulled back with her face bright red but smiling.

  “Well, my dear husband,” she said, releasing me, “you, Theresa, and Seraphina need to be at the council meeting in three hours. I refuse to be the reason you show up late…” She stepped back, paused deliberately. “Also, from Seraphina, if you are late, you will not be getting any of this tonight.”

  She gave a perfect little curtsy, the skirt lifting just enough to expose exactly what she wanted me to see. I couldn’t help the grin that spread across my face.

  Veronica turned, bent at the waist to pick up the tray, and gave me a very intentional view of her lovely backside. I never thought that curves could be so perfect. She looked over her shoulder with a smirk before leaving the room.

  I turned back to the blueprints with a sigh that was half longing, half amusement. One sip of lukewarm tea later, the flaw I’d been chasing for hours suddenly clicked into place. Sweet Veronica.

  “Allyson,” I said, eyes on another sheet of parchment, “could the fabricators in Vaelthorn start some projects?”

  “Yes, Master. They are idle at this time,” she said, stepping to my left. Ava moved to my right, both reviewing the layouts spread across the bench.

  I glanced at her. Ava had updated her appearance again, a loose-fitting white blouse and a black skirt with a slit up her left thigh. Blue pulses traced up and down her copper-toned skin as she studied the diagrams. Allyson, beside her, had done the same; the maroon skirt and white blouse complemented her faintly bluish complexion.

  “Master,” Ava asked, leaning forward for a closer look and revealing more of herself than I expected, “may I ask what these are? I recognize what engineers before us have built, but this… I do not understand.”

  “This one,” I said, lifting the barrel assembly drawing, “is the first part of a much bigger project. A rotating barrel assembly powered by a motor and a small power core. Once this spins properly, I’ll design the feed mechanism.”

  I tapped the blueprint with my finger.

  “It’s called a minigun. Think of my rifle, but instead of one shot at a time, it fires hundreds. I’m considering outfitting the combat golems with these. Might work. Might not. Work in progress.”

  “And this other one is a pistol,” I added, lifting the next sheet. “Based on a model from home called a Desert Eagle.”

  “Master… you worry me,” Ava said, still studying the designs. “It sounds like you came from a hostile world.”

  “No, not really,” I said. “We created weapons, yes, but also machines and tools you wouldn’t believe. We traveled everywhere across our world. And beyond.”

  “Beyond?” Allyson asked. “Like our engineers?”

  “I’m not sure,” I said. “We put people on our moon. When I arrived here, we already had dozens living there. They were what you would call here, healers, working on cures for illnesses, and other engineers creating new and exciting things. Also, we had missions heading to other planets in our solar system.”

  “On the moon?” Ava repeated. “That seems impossible. How could they get there?”

  “In ships like the Enterprise, but designed for space travel,” I said. “For engineers, nothing is impossible. The solution just hasn’t been found yet. So, Allyson, can these be constructed?”

  “Yes, Master. They will be started once we reach Vaelthorn,” she replied.

  “Thank you,” I said, standing and storing the drawings away.

  For a moment, the workshop fell quiet again. The crystals hummed. Tools clicked softly as the golems rearranged them. My tea had gone fully cold. I rested my hands on the edge of the workbench and thought about the blueprints in storage.

  A minigun. A Desert Eagle. A lever-action rifle. Weapons that didn’t belong in this world. Weapons that could turn a battlefield into dust in minutes if misused. Seraphina’s smile flashed in my mind. Veronica’s soft voice. Theresa’s steady confidence. My wives. My family. This tower. This city. I exhaled slowly.

  “Sometimes I forget how much power these things hold,” I murmured.

  Ava looked up from where she was sorting tools. “Master?”

  “These designs,” I said. “In my old world, they were tools. Dangerous, yes, but normal. Here… they could change entire kingdoms, end wars, or start them.”

  Allyson stepped a little closer. “Do they trouble you, Master?”

  “Yes,” I said honestly. “But not because they exist. Because of what they could do if they end up in the wrong hands. People here don’t understand what these weapons are capable of. Not yet.”

  Ava tilted her head. “Then why build them?”

  I thought about that for a moment. “If something threatens the people I care about, I want the means to stop it. I still have six towers to find. The threats will persist no matter what,” I said.

  I hesitated, then added, “Back where I’m from, there was a story about a man who could climb walls and stop bullets with his reflexes. He learned the hard way that power doesn’t come alone. It brings responsibility.”

  Allyson inclined her head. “Then you understand the cost.”

  “I hope so. I am starting to realize that is why I have my wives and you two for,” I said, more to myself than to them. I stepped away from the workbench and glanced at the door, already thinking of Seraphina’s warning about the council meeting.

  “We should prepare to leave soon,” I said. “Something’s telling me that this is going to be a long day.”

  The council chamber was one of the oldest rooms in the tower, and I felt it the moment I stepped inside. The space was wide and tall, with the ceiling soaring high enough that my voice would have echoed, were it not for the thick carpets muffling the floor.

  A massive table dominated the center of the room. Carved from a single slab of darkthorn oak and polished smooth over generations, its surface bore faint runes that caught the light in gentle silver lines. Twelve high-backed chairs encircled it, each bearing the crest of a different province. The last time we were here, the table was buried under piles of paper and charts. Now it sat empty and ready.

  I lifted my eyes to the tall stained-glass windows along the eastern wall. The late-morning sun streamed through them, filling the room with shards of ruby, gold, and blue. Each window depicted a figure from the kingdom’s history, including warriors, mages, scholars, rulers, and heroes long gone, immortalized in vibrant glass. They watched over the room like silent witnesses. At our last meeting, the chamber had been dark, lit only by candles and the fire. With sunlight pouring in, the space felt completely different.

  At the far end of the room, a wide stone fireplace crackled with a steady flame. Orange light spread across the walls, softening the chill that always clung to the tower’s upper floors. The scent of burning pine drifted through the air, warm and grounding.

  General Kitch stood by the fire, warming his hands as he chatted with Arch Mage Veralt. They both looked relaxed, even smiling as they acknowledged us. I pulled out a chair for Seraphina, and she sat gracefully.

  Baron Winsket arrived a moment later with his entourage. I stayed on my feet beside my wife as Kitch approached.

  “David, how is everything?” he asked.

  “So far, all’s well,” I replied, shaking his hand. Veralt stepped away from his two assistants and approached with a smile, pulling out the chair next to mine.

  Then three more people entered the room. The moment I saw the first one, I recognized him, Bishop Renat. I frowned. Where was Bishop Verant?

  I leaned toward Veralt. “Renat? Where’s Verant?”

  “He’s been transferred. I believe Vaelthorn ruffled some feathers…That’s what I’ve heard…” Veralt began, but stopped as the King entered the chamber.

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

  I helped Seraphina rise, but King Theron saw us and raised a hand. “Please, sit, Seraphina.”

  Only after he took his seat did the rest of us settle into ours.

  “I do not have much time today, so, David, what are your findings?” King Theron asked.

  I stood. “Thank you, Your Majesty. I reviewed Baron Winsket’s information and calculated what I believe to be the best course of action based on the data.” I summoned a small stack of papers from storage. Several council members, even the Baron, were startled at the sight.

  “If I may,” I said, handing a packet to the King and passing the rest around the table. “This packet contains a summary, with the supporting data and projections behind it. In short: if you lower the tariffs on the items listed on page three, raise them on page four, and place a quota on the items on page five, the current economic levels can be maintained or improved.”

  I paused, letting them all catch up. “The goal isn’t to reduce revenue, it’s to stabilize or increase it. Once these adjustments are enacted, I recommend leaving them in place for at least six months to observe the trends before making further changes.”

  “Six months?” the King asked as he read through the summary. “Baron, see to it these changes go into effect. Earl Robertson, you will need to return in six months to determine whether… what did you call them… adjustments are needed?”

  “Yes, Sire. Six months is also the Princess’s celebration,” I said.

  He nodded. “Yes. It feels far away.” He frowned as he reached for the teacup that had just been placed before him. “Any questions?”

  “Yes,” Baron Winsket said, lifting the packet. “Not to imply anything improper, Prince David, but how did you produce all this?”

  “Hmm.” I retrieved another large stack of papers from storage. “I created data models and ran simulations to determine the best outcome. These are the resu…” I stopped mid-sentence. A word? A meaning? Or just a sudden thought? Whatever it was, it hit me hard enough to make me stiffen. Did he say Prince?

  “David, are you alright?” King Theron asked, concern flickering across his expression.

  “I’m sorry, Sire,” Seraphina said before I could answer. She patted my arm with a knowing smile. “My husband can get… very focused, and sometimes he doesn’t notice everything around him. It just takes him a moment to catch up.”

  I let out a breath and gave her a grateful look.

  “Apologies,” I said, turning back to the Baron. “Baron… did you say Prince?” I handed him the top section of the papers.

  “Yes,” Baron Winsket said as he accepted them. “You married the Princess. If I remember correctly, that is the proper title. Am I mistaken?”

  “No, Baron,” King Theron said, a quiet chuckle beneath his words. “David has simply realized it just now.”

  I smiled weakly, then forced myself to continue the presentation, just like teaching. Keep going through the distractions. I have a hard time with my title of Earl, and now I have a new one.

  “This is the model with the highest success rate. The rest…” I set the thick stack on the table. “…are the failed models. Several would have harmed the kingdom.”

  I returned the rejected simulations to storage. “You’re welcome to review the successful one if you’d like.” The Baron flipped through the pages, his eyes widening at the formulas.

  I leaned toward Seraphina. “Prince?”

  She leaned toward me as well, whispering, “Yes. It took you long enough to notice.” I shook my head and gave her a small smile.

  “Looks like magic,” Arch Mage Veralt said.

  “It’s simple transpolation and equity summarization…” I began, but Seraphina touched my arm. When I looked, she was smiling.

  “Sorry,” I corrected, “it’s math.” A few council members chuckled.

  “Anything from the Church?” the King asked, looking toward Bishop Renat. “I don’t see Bishop Verant. Is he well?”

  “Yes, Sire. He is fine. His term here has ended, and he has been transferred to Vaelthorn. I will handle his duties for the next three years.” Renat glared at me with a look very unlike Verant’s quiet respect. “There are no changes from the Church.”

  “Good. General Kitch?” the King asked.

  “Nothing new this week, Your Majesty. The Earl and General Robertson have concluded specialization training for our soldiers. Two of them showed promise and have been promoted to Royal Guards under the Earl, assigned to protect your daughter.”

  “Promising soldiers?” the King asked, glancing between Kitch and me.

  “Yes,” Kitch answered. I nodded.

  “Excellent. Arch Mage?”

  “No concerns, Your Majesty. The new year’s classes begin in three weeks, and students are already arriving.”

  “And that brings me to you, David.” The King looked directly at me.

  “Thank you, Sire. As you know, we leave for Vaelthorn shortly, and after that, Brakenreach.” I glanced around the table. “Your daughter will register and begin classes within the month, so we must get her there. I also have to address the fallout from that duel weeks ago…” The King’s expression shifted at the memory. “And we have business in the Earldom of Brakenreach,” I added, placing my hand lightly over Seraphina’s.

  He nodded. “Thank you, everyone. David, a moment? Thank you, everyone.” Everyone besides the King, Seraphina, and me stood and prepared to leave.

  “Yes, Sire.” Veralt leaned toward me before getting up.

  “When you have a moment before you leave, I have the items from the beasts,” he said, gesturing toward two mages by the fireplace. I nodded and turned back to the King, who sat at the table.

  Chairs slid back as the council members rose and began filing out. Soon it was just the King, Seraphina, and me.

  “Yes, Sire.” Veralt leaned toward me before standing.

  “Tea and refreshments for my guests,” he said, half request, half order.

  Once the door closed behind the servant, he settled into his chair, letting the crackle of the fire fill the silence for a heartbeat before speaking again.

  “Now then. David, Seraphina… what do you think of my daughter?”

  “She’s wonderful,” Seraphina said, accepting the teacup that was handed to her. “It took her a little while to warm up to us.”

  “Warm up?” He raised a brow, amused. “She’s like a wildfire around here.”

  “We’re a quiet bunch,” Seraphina said. “Evenings with us are usually reading and talking before bed.”

  “Quiet,” he repeated, laughing. “I need to see that someday.” His smile softened. “I’m glad she’s settling, though. Ever since her mother passed three years ago, she has changed. Hearing she’s opening up again… it means something.” His voice lowered. “The castle will feel empty without her.”

  He took a cookie from the platter, then looked at me more directly. “I know you will take care of her, David. She’s the last piece of her mother I have left.”

  “I understand,” I said. “We’ll be back several times before summer, and I’ll remind her to write often. Weekly, if not more.”

  Seraphina nodded. “I write to my father a few times a week, and send little things I find along the road. It helps close the distance.” She smiled. “Aria and I were in the market yesterday. I found a candle stand I knew he’d love. I’ll take Theresa shopping in Brakenreach and help her do the same.”

  “Thank you,” he said quietly. The heaviness in his expression eased.

  He was about to continue when the door opened. Theresa bounded in, followed by an older woman.

  “Ah, there she is,” King Theron said with a grin.

  Theresa crossed the room and wrapped her father in a hug. “Father, it’s been too long. Are you terrifying my husband?”

  She dropped into the seat beside me, leaning against my shoulder.

  “Terrifying?” the King echoed. I reached for a cookie, only for it to vanish midair. Theresa was already biting into it, unbothered.

  “We were discussing the new economic schedule the Baron suggested,” the King said.

  “Economic?” Theresa groaned around the cookie. “Boring.”

  “Yes, well,” he said dryly, “it’s beyond me at times too. Fortunately, David has produced a schedule that should work far better than what we currently have.”

  “Our David,” she said proudly, then snatched the next cookie right out of my fingers. “I don’t doubt it. He’s brilliant.”

  Heat rose in my cheeks at her words. Theresa slipped her arm through mine, leaning in opposite Seraphina.

  “Jolene, come here, please,” she said, turning slightly. The older woman approached the group, shawl draped over her shoulders, grey hair neat and tidy.

  “This is Jolene Hortone, my maid,” Theresa said. “Jolene, this is my husband, David, and one of his wives, Seraphina.”

  Jolene bowed. “My lord, my lady. The princess has spoken so much of you.”

  “Jolene will be coming with me to Vaelthorn and the academy,” Theresa added. Then, with a small grin: “Oh… and Seraphina is his first wife. You know what that means?”

  “Yes, my lady,” Jolene said, bowing again.

  “Not to rush you,” I said, “but are you all packed? We’re planning on leaving later today.”

  “Yes, dear,” Theresa said. “Our things are being brought now. Can you store them, sweetie?”

  I nodded. Pack mule confirmed.

  “Sire, if I may, I need to see the Arch Mage,” I said, glancing toward the fireplace where Veralt and Kitch were speaking, Baron Winsket hovering nearby.

  The King nodded, then, to my surprise, stood up and followed Seraphina and me as we walked over to join them.

  I extended my hand as I approached the Arch Mage, and he clasped it warmly.

  “David, here are the items I promised you.”

  When he released me, he turned toward his assistants.

  “Samual,” he began.

  I clapped Samual on the shoulder. “Hey, you look good. Is the old man treating you well?”

  “Yes, my lord…” he started.

  “It’s David,” I interrupted. “At least for the people who went through those same disasters with me.”

  He flushed slightly. “Thank you, Prin… David. Arch Mage Veralt has… generously given me more work since my return.”

  Veralt snorted. “Young man, I have plenty more I could give you.”

  Samual looked mildly horrified. I laughed.

  “Samual, that’s how he says he respects you.”

  The Arch Mage grumbled under his breath but waved an assistant forward. One of the mages stepped to a crate on the floor and unlatched it.

  “This box contains the five cores and the feathers,” Veralt said.

  I crouched as the lid lifted. Five crystalline spheres rested inside, each larger than a man’s fist. Even before touching one, I could feel the energy thrumming through the air.

  “They’re huge…” I murmured, lifting one. It was heavier than it looked.

  “Yes. And I wished to ask if you’d consider selling one to us,” Veralt said.

  “How much are they worth to you?” I asked. I picked up the smallest, likely a griffin core, and examined the way light shimmered through it. Gently, I passed it to Seraphina.

  “It’s warm…” she whispered, cradling it carefully.

  “That one,” Veralt said, watching her reaction, “we would offer five hundred.”

  “Five hundred?” I stared at the other cores. “Hmm…” I paused watching the light of the core shine in Seraphina’s eyes.

  “Seven fifty,” he blurted before I finished considering.

  That took me back for a moment, and only then did I notice the King and General Kitch had stepped up beside us, watching intently.

  “Seven fifty sounds good,” I said, handing him the core. The King’s eyebrows shot up as he saw which core I’d sold.

  “And here, David,” Veralt said, pointing to another crate, “is your thirty million for the creatures.”

  Behind me, Baron Winsket made a slight choking noise. I didn’t blame him.

  “So,” King Theron said with a grin, “I’m glad you can afford my daughter’s education.”

  I quickly packed away the money and the items.

  “Yes, her tastes are expensive,” Seraphina teased.

  Veralt handed me a pouch. “And this is the payment for the core… seven hundred and fifty.”

  It was heavier than expected. I opened it and frowned at the gleaming silver coins inside. I pulled one out.

  “What’s this?” I asked, showing it to Seraphina.

  “That’s a mithril coin,” she breathed, taking it from me. “Very rare. I’ve never seen one before.”

  “Same. What’s it worth?”

  “A thousand gold,” General Kitch said flatly.

  I almost dropped the pouch. Seven hundred mithril coins. Seven… hundred.

  Seraphina slid the coin into her pouch. “Put the others away. I’ll keep this one for our baby.” Her grin told me I had no say in the matter.

  “Right… Of course.” The scope of the wealth made my head spin. I steadied myself. “Arch Mage, what are your plans for the core?”

  “Cores of this size can potentially hold mana,” Veralt said. “But we have never secured one intact to test.”

  “I see.” I reached into storage and produced a much larger sphere. “Here… would you check this out too?” The mage stumbled back a step.

  “A… troll core,” I explained. “From our northern expedition.”

  Veralt reached for it cautiously, hands trembling. “David… you know how valuable this is?”

  “If I remember correctly, Prince Ajax said somewhere between five and ten million. Something like that.”

  General Kitch chuckled. “I recall that. Rendered the boy speechless.”

  “My son? Speechless?” the King snorted. “A first.”

  “Arch Mage, I know you can’t take it without proper payment,” I said. “But two million is fine. I need to save for a child, after all. It seems that in the next few weeks, I may have another…” Veralt laughed, relief flooding his features. “You gave me those books. I’d say this more than evens it.”

  “Now,” I added, “if you need more cores, just ask. I have a few besides the ones you’ve seen.”

  “More?” the King repeated.

  “Yes…” I closed my eyes and counted. “Two hundred and thirty-four cores.. Twenty troll cores. In my personal storage, that’s on me, not counting what I have in the tower’s vaults. And then there’s this one…”

  I pulled a large wooden crate from storage and set it on the table. Strange symbols and measurements marked the sides.

  “What language is this?” Veralt murmured.

  “Engineering notation,” I said. “It gives location found, weight, size, like cataloging artifacts. I’m going to store these in the vaults in the Vaelthorn Tower when we get there. But, since I have it now, take a look at this…” Everyone instinctively stepped back as I opened the lid, everyone except Seraphina and Theresa, who stood behind me with absolute trust.

  “This,” I said, lifting a glowing crystal roughly the size of a bowling ball, “if what is written on the crate is correct, is a dragon core. An ancient dragon at that.”

  The chamber fell silent.

  Veralt reached out, fingertips brushing the surface as if touching a relic of legend. His breath caught.

  “It’s… beautiful. David… how?” I held the core for a moment so everyone could see the swirling rainbow of light it emitted. Then I slowly and carefully lowered it back into the crate. The crate was stored away again, but just as quickly, I pulled another out.

  “From the Vaults,” I explained. “Just another item stored away there.” I lifted a crimson plate from the box and held it up.

  Veralt stared. “Is this… what I think it is?”

  The King stepped closer. “It’s light. But… something else…”

  “A scale from a red dragon,” I said. I returned the crate to storage. “I have several. Haven’t decided what to use them for yet.”

  “Several?” the King sputtered. “Do you know what that’s worth?”

  “Didn’t Prince Ajax choke when he saw it, General?” I asked.

  “He choked harder when he saw the rest,” Kitch said. “All hundred of them.”

  “Hundred…” Veralt whispered.

  “And several gold, white, and strangely blue ones. Interestingly, only one black scale. Are there gold dragons?” I asked.

  “Only in myths,” Veralt murmured, still staring at the scale in Mage Samual’s hands. “But apparently you enjoy overturning myths.”

  “Arch Mage, I have a request,” I said. “We’ll be back before summer and again for the Princess’s celebration. Could you keep that scale for me? Study it. See what it could be used for. Maybe, we can build something out of them…”

  “I can’t take…”

  “You’re not,” I said. “You’re holding it for the Citadel. Temporary custody.”

  Veralt’s composure finally broke. Instead of shaking my hand, he pulled me into a tight, grateful hug.

  “David, my boy,” he said, his voice thick with wonder, “you are impossible. And I cannot wait for your return… to see whatever else you drag out of the unknown.” He paused, then waved a hand as if remembering something important. “Before I forget, I do have a present for the mage we spoke of.”

  The arch mage gestured to the earth mage standing nearby. She stepped forward and offered me a carefully wrapped bundle. I accepted it with both hands.

  “This is a proper robe for her,” Veralt said. “For a true Arch Mage.”

  I glanced at Seraphina. “You know what this will do to her.”

  “She’ll cry,” Seraphina said softly. “Especially knowing it came from you.”

  Veralt smiled, pride plain on his face. “All I can say is that she earned it. I only hope I live long enough to see her wearing it.”

  “I’ll ask if she’ll come with us in the spring,” I said. “When we return.” Seraphina nodded her agreement.

  “Samual,” Veralt said, turning to his assistant, “it seems that in the spring, we’ll be meeting a true Arch Mage.” Mage Samual blinked, clearly caught off guard.

  “We’ll have some tales to share then as well,” I said, glancing toward the King, who stood by the fireplace warming his hands. “Gentlemen, we should spend some time with His Majesty. We’ll catch up again in a few months. Dinner will be on me.” Both the Arch Mage and General Kitch chuckled.

  I shook their hands, then pulled each of them into a brief embrace. “Take care of yourselves.” Seraphina offered her own warm farewells before falling into step beside me as we joined the King.

  “Theresa, I have a question,” Seraphina said, glancing at me before looking back at the Princess and her father. “Has Jolene taken an oath to keep our secrets?”

  Theresa blinked, thinking. “Well… she swore an oath to be my personal maid. That was a few years ago.”

  “So, no,” I said.

  “You don’t need to be that blunt, David.” She tried to pout, but even she knew I was right.

  “I won’t let her come with us if she doesn’t take one,” I said.

  “But David, she’s my maid…” Theresa started, then sighed. “Fine.”

  She crossed the room to where Jolene stood near the pile of luggage that had come in while we looked at the dragon scale.

  I turned back to the King. “I’m sorry, Your Majesty. Some things I can’t bend on.”

  “I understand,” he said. “Honestly, I’m shocked she agreed so quickly. I expected an hour of arguing.” He chuckled. “She’s changed since meeting you and your wives.”

  I nodded, remembering the nights she’d curled against me, warm and soft and trusting.

  “So, David…” My name snapped me out of it.

  “Yes, Sire?”

  “What’s next?”

  “We have a family dinner tonight. After that, we’ll head out. We should reach our tower in about four days.”

  “Four days?” He rubbed his chin. “Half the time of the other airships. Remarkable.”

  An arm slipped around my waist. Theresa had returned, her maid in tow.

  “She agreed to the oath,” Theresa said. “But she has questions.”

  “Does she want her answers before or after she swears?” Seraphina asked, eyeing Jolene.

  “After,” Theresa said, motioning her forward.

  Jolene stepped close and bowed. “Thank you, my lord, for this opportunity.” Then she knelt and recited her oath, different from the guards’ version, but just as solemn.

  “I stand before Stellaria and give my word.

  During my time as royal maid to Princess Theresa, I will see, hear, and witness matters meant only for the throne.

  I will keep those matters close, speak of them to no one, and protect them as I protect the crown.

  I will not reveal any information entrusted to me during my duties.

  I will act with loyalty, discipline, and honor, and I will hold this oath for as long as my duty binds me.

  By the light of Stellaria, I pledge this truth.”

  “Jolene,” Seraphina said as the older woman rose, “my sister Theresa has spoken a great deal about you. Welcome.” She offered her hand, then leaned close enough for Jolene alone to hear. “David doesn’t like people kneeling for him.” Jolene smiled and nodded.

  “Your Majesty,” I said, turning back to the King, “I believe it’s time for us to depart.”

  I reached out to shake his hand, but he pulled me into a tight embrace.

  “David… take care of these women.”

  “I will,” I said. “And I’ll make sure Theresa writes at least once a week.”

  The King’s eyes glistened as he released me. Seraphina hugged him next before joining me by the luggage. With a snap of thought, I pulled every trunk and crate into storage, then reached for Seraphina’s hand.

  Theresa hugged her father one more time, then walked toward us, quiet and composed. When she reached us, I brushed a tear from her cheek.