Despite the conditions outside, things were going well.

We were finally eating good food, sleeping well, and I even got to take a bath. They were public and of questionable hygiene until I asked them to change the water. Then, it became a pleasant thermal bath. They even had special soaps and bubble mixtures.

I supervised the propaganda efforts we were about to engage in. The printing press would take time, but Kent's scribes were quick enough to produce a few batches of leaflets to deliver, and I consulted with both him and the priests to craft the most efficient and subversive messages.

The content of our leaflets reflected certain specific topics. One was fomenting mistrust in Virna. We'd undermine him, pointing out his flaws and that he was basically selling off the country to the evil Hath-Aman. That he'd manipulated and attempted to murder Malor.

This was a heavy accusation and true in every instance.

Another leaflet was a tirade about Hath-Aman, showing atrocities done in the east, including wiping out people who rejected them, kidnapping children, and, of course, evil rituals to acquire magical power. Also true, and good enough to incite a moral panic.

As for the third, it concerned King Malor. He himself was there while we wrote the template.

He was alive, no doubt; he'd managed to escape and was building an army in the west, so we'd add a little misdirection to protect our own safety. We'd continue to reaffirm that Malor was loyal to the elves and to the Church.

Then, I proceeded to direct the construction of sky lanterns, testing a handful of them. Directing them would be the difficult part, as we'd have to rely on the wind, and they could probably be blown off course and fly higher than we'd expected. Crossbows were considered, and we'd have Kent's knights test them for success.

Kent and his fellow courtiers routinely went back to the city and took part in the court, bringing back important reports. He publicly recommitted to Virna's cause, expressing outrage at the elves, while in the meantime, trying to distract the court with what had happened to his section of the palace.

All of which gave me enough time to visit my future wives.

"Welcome back, my lover," Lariel said, facing me with a grin, a palette in her left hand and a tiny paintbrush in her right. It moved deftly across a horizontal canvas, set up on a large easel.

"Lariel! How's your painting going?"

"See for yourself."

I moved forward, avoiding the set of paints she'd placed on the floor, of all places. I watched from behind her shoulders.

"Incredible."

I was too flattered. This was not supposed to be a portrait, a tradition they probably didn't really have. It depicted me, wearing elven armor, holding a sword in my right hand, a horde of elves behind me, all of them in perfect rank, holding their spears upright.

It didn't show, however, who I was fighting.

It was a masterpiece, although I could see that this was only her sketch and not the full picture. She'd laid down the basic colors but hadn't added details or paintings. Even then, her abilities were incredible.

"Do you like it?"

"It's glorious."

She giggled. "I'm thinking, if we ever come across a palace, I'd like to decorate it like this. Maybe these topics are a bit too personal. But perhaps something more... ancient? Like Arthamium. I'd like to create some murals about him, I mean, you.

"I like this kind of battle-themed artwork. It's, of course, what's important for courtrooms and castles, and temples and stuff. But, well, this thought might be kind of silly coming from me. But what about artwork depicting a romantic scene?"

Her face turned a deep red. "You mean sex? I don't think that's appropriate for a castle."

"Not necessarily," I replied. "Just, like, two lovers embracing each other."

She cleared her throat.

“That’s left to my personal sketchbook.” She winked at me. “I’ll show them to you one day. And then, we can enact them.”

She leaned in, rubbing her hand against my leg, closing in.

“Why don’t we enact them now?” I said, leaning in and placing a hand around her hips. She moved forward, straddling me, humming softly and giving me a seductive glance.

At that moment, the door opened abruptly.

"My love!" Alynna exclaimed, leaping forward.

"Oh, Alynna," Lariel said, straightening up. "Good to see you. I thought it was still my turn."

"Well, it's about to be noon, and we've got to spread our time evenly. I think I should get more time with him because you're doing it with him, and I'm not."

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“You’d like to take another horse ride?” I asked. I enjoyed spending time with her, of course, but the most important things were out of reach.

"We should enjoy ourselves and have fun, and keep the tension alive, you know? You won’t believe this, though. I’ve got an excellent idea you’re gonna love.”

"What is it?"

Alynna joined both her hands excitedly. "I want you to teach me your amazing wrestling techniques."

Lariel chuckled softly, leaning against the wall with a smirk. "Are you sure, Alynna? It’s not exactly the most romantic pre-wedding activity."

Alynna crossed her arms, determination sparkling in her eyes. “Are you kidding? It's the most romantic thing ever! Imagine, my future husband and I in a passionate dance of strategy and skill, rolling around like two love-struck wolves grappling for dominance!"

I blinked.

I'd never heard of jiu jitsu being described that way. Unless it was to make fun of a perceived homoerotic subtext, which was also funny.

"It's the closest thing to getting our bodies tangled in passion!” Alynna exclaimed, standing on her tiptoes. “Let's go, my warrior husband."

Alynna clung to my arms. "Come on. Before lunch! If not, we'll be too full to roll around freely."

I let out a pleased sigh but took a casual look at this gorgeous creature.

I should've been nervous about the wedding.

This was the wackiest thing that's ever happened to me. I’d have a divorce. I should’ve been reluctant, but hell, why not? I was living in a fantasy world, with a lot of crazy things to deal with, and none of them were divorce bills.

But when I looked into the eyes of this amazing woman—those excited eyes, and everything that she carried with her—I was sold on the idea. I wasn't nervous at all. She wasn't nervous. If anything, she was overexcited.

Did I hesitate or regret my decision? Not at all. It was exciting.

"Let's go," she said, grabbing me by my hand.

"Have fun, love-struck otters," Lariel said, waving us goodbye as I walked with Alynna down to the end of the stairs.

"What room did you set apart?" I asked.

"The gardens, of course. What more than the beautiful caress of nature for our wolfish nature?" She gasped, a finger on her lips.

"Cool," I said. "Alright, but give me a few minutes to change. I won’t train in these pajamas."

I went back to my room, looking over my clothes. There was not a lot of variety, and not enough clothes to make training easier or comfortable. Elven trousers seemed good enough for riding but didn't feel comfortable enough to roll around in. I guessed they would do. Much better than the noblemen's tight-fitting trousers. What I'd worn on top—I guessed shirtless would do, so I kept my white linen shirt on at least until we reached the gardens.

We moved from the main yard in the center of the castle to a section of well-trimmed grass, gardeners with shears and machete-like blades working on the side. She was standing there, a grin on her face, and her high ponytail had changed into a tight braid that hung to her side. She was wearing the usual silk. Just looking at how it curled around her hips, at the cut that showed most of her long, muscular legs, and the cleavage—it all gave me a reaction.

This was definitely not a professional nor ordinary jiu-jitsu session.

Rolling with women, I had to keep it professional and not let any intrusive thoughts win. But this woman was something else. This sparring session was something else.

"Alright," I said, having undone the buttons of my shirt and folding it, then placing it on the stone wall.

Her hands rested on her hips, her spine tilting to the side.

"So, my future husband, I would like to know more about your secret fighting style. But first of all, I'd like you to know that I am well-versed in the traditional wrestling of my people."

"I'm interested in seeing it."

She shrugged. "I'm not as good at headlocks and submissions, but we're really good at taking people down and pinning them on their backs. But since we're to become lovers, let's add a little twist."

"I'm all ears."

"A point is earned with a kiss. If I initiate the kiss, I earn a point."

"Uh," I said, ruffling my hair. "I'm excited."

Alynna laughed, stepping closer to me, her playful grin softening into something almost mischievous. "Good. You should be." She raised her arms, palms open, beckoning me to start. "Show me what you've got, my love."

I dropped into a loose stance, one foot forward, hands ready. “Just remember: my style, jiu-jitsu, isn’t about brute strength. It’s about—”

“Leverage and technique, I’ve seen it,” she interrupted, lunging forward before I could finish. She was fast, but I easily sidestepped, catching her wrist, doing an armdrag, and using her momentum against her. She stumbled but twisted, trying to reach for my chest.

“Not bad,” I said, pivoting to pull her into a controlled hold. “But you’re over-committing. Watch—”

Before I could demonstrate, she ducked low, swept her leg behind mine, and toppled me backward onto the grass. The air rushed out of my lungs as I landed, her weight pressing me down.

“Oh, was that over-committing?” she teased, pinning my wrists above my head. Her grin was triumphant as she leaned down, her face hovering inches above mine.

I couldn’t help but laugh, even as my heart raced. “Alright, point to you.”

“Not yet,” she said, her voice low as she pressed a soft kiss to my cheek. “Now it’s a point.”

I shook my head, laughing as she sat back. “Fine, but don’t get cocky. I was just warming up.”

She rolled her shoulders, her braid slipping over one shoulder as she got back into position. “Let’s see what happens when you stop holding back, then.”

This time, I moved first, feinting left before slipping behind her. My arms wrapped around her waist in a fluid motion, pulling her off balance. She gasped, kicking out as I swept her legs from under her, bringing her gently to the ground. Before she could recover, I maneuvered into a controlling position, pinning her with practiced ease.

Her eyes widened as she looked up at me, a mix of surprise and begrudging admiration. “Well, that’s… unfairly smooth.”

“Jiu-jitsu, remember?” I said, leaning in. “Leverage and technique.” I kissed her lips quickly and grinned. “Point to me.”

She scowled, but her laughter broke through almost immediately. “Alright, you win this one. But don’t get comfortable, lover boy.” She twisted beneath me with surprising agility, slipping free of my grip and springing to her feet.

The next few rounds blurred into a chaotic, playful blend of laughter, strategic maneuvers, and stolen kisses. Alynna’s wrestling style was all power and audacity, trying to gain control of my upper back, charging headlong with wild sweeps and dramatic throws.

At one point, she caught me off guard with a tackle, knocking us both into the grass. “Pinned again,” she declared, her hands on my shoulders.

“I’m letting you win,” I teased, sweeping her by bridging my hips and turning my weight to roll us over until I was on top again. “See? Leverage.”

“Leverage this,” she shot back, looping her arms around my neck and pulling me down for a bold kiss. “Point to me!”

By the time Lariel wandered back into the garden, carrying a tray with wine vases, we were both sprawled on the grass, breathless and laughing.

“Love-struck wolves indeed,” Lariel quipped, shaking her head. “You two are absolutely ridiculous.”

“Ridiculously in love,” Alynna corrected, reaching over to grab my hand. She grinned at me, her cheeks flushed and her braid coming loose. “And ridiculously powerful. Why don’t you join us?”

“It looks like fun,” she replied, leaving the drinks she had brought and prancing over the grass, throwing herself at me.