Spirit Caller’s Tea flowed freely. Besides Nox, Aria, and her father, the event had two other attendees with a Sigil of Immunity. Ever since the Terrastalia affair, Nox had abstained from the beverage, but it was an important and joyous evening, so he indulged. His newly betrothed had continued to consume the intoxicant but not recreationally. Aria had a tutor to guide her during her spirit walks and had also enrolled in the relevant courses. Now that Bi Xi had opened her to the spiritual realm, there was no closing of the connection. She needed to master the art of spirit walking to safeguard herself from future attacks or astral abductions.

More than a handful of guests had guessed the event’s purpose, or someone in the know leaked the information. Nox and Aria received engagement presents alongside congratulations as they went around the room, greeting guests and thanking them for attending the pleasant evening.

“I expected you to be too busy to attend tonight, Councilman Banerjee,” Nox said, shaking the Daksinsthani man’s hand. Since he oversaw the city’s finances, all industry, and business, the pair met at least once a month. He ensured Nox kept his promise of the custom tax deal. During his visits, the man also enjoyed free treatments at the bath and meals at the brasserie.

“How could I not attend when half the council is here?” The older man asked, nodding at Dean Oleg and Dean Woodson on the other side of the room, the pair stood talking to Sapna. He handed Aria a bouquet, who passed it to a serving girl following with a trolley covered in flowers and Nox an envelope. “It occurred to me that despite your current success and wealth, you haven’t yet graced my humble establishment with your presence or gold. That’s an open invitation to every auction and show. The card will ensure you or your representative may enter without hassle, and if you inform us of your attendance plans in advance, my people will arrange a private box for you and your guests.”

“Thank you, Councilman,” Aria said. “I think Nox is concerned I’ll drain his wallet. So, he’s avoided all of your art and antique auctions.”

“Well, we have a day dedicated to relics, artifacts, and ancient tomes coming up. I certainly hope the pair of you will attend.” Utpal Banerjee bowed to Aria and kissed her hand. “You look lovely tonight, Lady Edelweiss. I hope to see more of you. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I smell crab tarts.”

“Lovely man.” Aria waited until he was out of earshot before speaking. “You should really set aside some funds to spend at the auction house. Just a minor appearance and meager purchase will go a long way.”

“Perhaps after we have more floor space available for renting,” Nox stated. “Art and antiques, though valuable, don’t feel like good investments. I’d rather pour gold into refurbishments and property upgrades. Although, relics and artifacts might just get me through the door.”

“You might just find what you need.” Aria nodded as the pair put on their best smiles again for another set of wellwishers.

Much to Nox’s delight, Aria had arranged canapes and finger foods for the engagement party. Servers attended to guests sitting at tables and took food orders. Trolleys laden with a variety of elegant feast and banquet-worthy food also moved around the room, giving diners options for more substantial meals. The couple had too many social obligations to sit down, so they indulged in the snacks as they moved around the room, sipping their intoxicating tea and putting on their best faces. Nox’s cheeks hurt from smiling, and he could feel his tolerance for social interactions draining, but his lovely partner’s presence made it bearable.

The Oakhearts found him again. He received a stiff congratulations from Wilson while Annabell appeared awkward. Lord Oakheart gave them a gift from all three of them. It was an Imperium alchemy manual and a collection of scrolls written by tribal shamans from the Arctic Wastes and Alkebulan—the wild lands to the south of the eastern nations of Han and Nihon. The couple thanked him for the present and the crates of wine he provided for the event. Lord Oakheart also gave them an open invitation to his estate to explore his family’s private library. It had rare and ancient texts, tomes, and spell manuals that the family treasured over all else. The generous gifts and offers came with an ulterior motive, and the man didn’t try to hide his intentions.

The evening’s most generous gift came from Queen Lydia Mercer. Half a dozen uniformed men and women marched in with a wrapped painting.

“I know there is still a lot of hurt, but I’d like to think we’ve made a lot of breakthroughs over the last couple of years,” she told the couple as she removed the coverings. “This is a present intended for Nox, but I hope you’ll enjoy it, too.”

When she snapped her fingers, the woman leading the porters removed the covering, revealing the painting of a clipper-class airship. It was the vessel the real Lillin Grey’s parents once operated, and Nox rode to Sundarshahar the night of the godfall.

“That will look lovely in the suite,” Aria stated. “We’ve been meaning to get some art for the lounge.”

“It’s beautiful,” Nox said, at a loss for words. “I have fond memories of the vessel.” He turned to his betrothed. “Father and I used it for our excursions to passing towns, ruins, and places of power.”

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“I’m aware,” Queen Lydia Mercer said. “Which is why I had the vessel refurbished and updated to the latest specifications. It has no room for cargo, but it is perhaps the fastest airship on the continent right now. I hope you’ll use it to visit me once in a while.”

Nox’s mouth fell open. His fiance had a similar expression when he glanced at her. “Do you mean the Greywing is now mine?”

His mother nodded as she sheepishly stood on tiptoes, leaned towards Nox, and kissed his forehead. “And this is your crew. I sensed you were unhappy about what happened to Ratra’s Bow. Louis came up with the idea. We thought the Greywing might help you relive some memories and feel closer to Pallav.”

Initially, Nox only started speaking to his mother again so she’d release Mou. Then, their interactions continued because of the alchemical baths. Somewhere along the way, the pair had started to get along. Yet he warily kept her at arm’s length. Getting over the past was easier said than done. But now, as the magnitude of her gift, the thought and work behind it sunk in, Nox struggled to hold back his tears. He threw his arms around Queen Mercer and hugged her tightly. She appeared shell-shocked for a moment but then embraced him, too, and he felt his shoulder dampen as she sobbed quietly.

The public setting didn’t let the embrace continue for long. Aria hugged the woman, too. Then Queen Mercer excused herself as her usually collected demeanor fell apart. Meanwhile, Nox stood speechless for a moment, staring at the painting and crew.

“I feel horrible about not directly inviting her to the party,” Aria whispered. “Or telling her what it was for.”

“Me, too,” Nox said. “I think we’ll need to make proper room in our lives for her now. For years, I wondered what had happened to the Greywing. Mother wouldn’t speak about it, and I was sure she had it salvaged for parts.”

“She played it smart,” Sapna said. Dean Oleg hovered close behind her. “I guess you’ll have to let the shrew into your lives now. Can we give you your present now? I can’t wait any longer?”

“A present?” Nox raised an eyebrow. Sapna Ratra didn’t come across as the gift giving kind. “I wasn’t expecting much after all you did for my arm. It’s really not necessary—”

“Hush, now.” She waved dismissively and beckoned Oleg forward. He carried an ornate, lacquered wooden box. “I know we haven’t been in each other’s lives for long. This is the first time I’ve had anything close to a home or proper personal workshop since my teens, and that’s all thanks to you, Nox. Its also given me the opportunity to find a partner, so I want to show you my appreciation.”

“It took us several months to track the relic down, and securing it for you was no easy feat,” Dean Oleg said, running his fingers across the top of the box. Magic circles and crisscrossing runescripts lit up, covering almost every inch of the box. Then the cube blossomed like a flower, revealing a mana-gem-encrusted bangle within. “This might just help you solve your issues?”

“What is it?” Nox asked, picking up the rune-etched piece of jewelry. He had never seen spellwork of the kind. He didn’t recognize a good deal of the runes either.

“A spatial storage device,” Sapna answered. “There aren’t many going around that create and maintain pocket dimensions instead of just linking to a vault or physical storage area. I was hoping you and I could work on it together to isolate the spatial runes. It will help you weave proper spells for your planet. Perhaps Oleg and I can bring back the art of creating such artifacts, too.”

“Thank you,” Nox said, showing Aria the gift. He tried hugging the woman, too, but she fended off his attempts. Instead, she patted his head like a person would do their dog. “This will certainly help unlock my star’s secrets.”

“You better not break it, Nox Ratra.” Sapna’s eyes narrowed, and it didn’t sound like she was joking. “I spent a year’s worth of my personal earnings on the relic. Just to be clear, I’m not gifting it to you but the experience of studying it with me and perhaps learning a thing or two.”

“I understand, Sapna. I’ll try my best not to wreck it.”

Dean Oleg laughed. His date did not.

The evening grew less socially draining as Nox consumed more Spirit Caller’s Tea, and the greetings section of the event passed. He danced with his wife-to-be and then reunited with his friends. The Woodsons, Joey, Annabelle, Pudge, his date, and a couple of others ended up sitting in the Galleria’s gardens, chatting, drinking, and snacking.

When Ingrid and April found them, Nox instructed the pair which guests to track and eavesdrop on. He ensured Utpal Banerjee and Lord Oakheart had permanent tails. Their instructions were provided silently and away from all other ears. Only Aria was privy to their instructions.

“Have you picked a date?” Annabelle asked when she found herself and Nox standing side by side and not a part of any other conversation.

“Perhaps in six to ten months,” he answered. “We’re not in a rush, but Baron Edelweiss isn’t fond of his daughter living with a man outside of wedlock. Despite the contraceptive, he worries I might get her pregnant. At the same time, I think he’s hoping I won’t keep him waiting for a grandchild for long.”

“What does your fiance have to say on the matter?”

“She wants to be married and be almost done with having children before she turns thirty. My goals haven’t changed. Current circumstances have delayed them, but they’re still the same. Aria doesn’t want me going on any suicidal quests without leaving an heir for the barony and my little empire.”

“Lady Edelweiss is a pragmatic woman. Perhaps more pragmatic than me. The pair of you make a good couple. I’m happy for you, Nox.”

“How are things going with Wilson?” he asked. “Will the pair of you tie the knot any time soon?”

Annabelle smiled sheepishly. “It's in the works.”

Nox sensed she wasn’t comfortable discussing the matter with him. In fact, he noticed an air of coldness between Annabelle and her new partner. Nox didn’t press the matter and was just glad that he and she could be friends now without any bad blood or hurt feelings. However, he still struggled to be comfortable around Wilson and was glad she had left him with her father.