Ann danced, and she danced, and she danced. Rosalyn eventually tapped out, complaining about her feet, and Kat was quickly in her arms. Ann just needed to move after the talk with Olivia. Her mind was stuck on the woman’s words, like quicksand pulling her in. Finally, she broke her silence.

“Kat, am I a slut?”

Kat choked, sputtering while still dancing, the coughing turned into laughter. “The Hells did that come from, love?”

“Was talking to Olivia Forgold, and she was making allusions to me having more partners and you two not being enough. With Wendyl now being a thing, I kinda spiraled on the thought.”

“Well,” Kat said, taking the lead in the dance while Ann processed. “Ye sure don’t sleep around. Ye don’t cheat on me or Rosalyn. Sure, ye’re a bit more free with yer sexuality than most, but that’s a damn low bar. We do like to have sex way more often than normal people, but ye’re who ye are, so that’s a given. Dinnae if I’d call ye a slut, more of a… feck, what’s the word fer a woman who loves sex? Lusty? Amorous? Shite, there’s probably some fancypants word Bren knows fer it. Point is, ye’re not sleepin’ around. Ye have the decency tae try not tae get anyone else involved in our play, even if we’re usin’ magic tae hide stuff. Overall, I think most o’ this is prudes judgin’.”

“Half the hall are prudes, though?” Ann asked. She relaxed in Kat’s arms as the shorter woman spun her, letting her body move on its own.

“More or less,” Kat shrugged. “Know there’s a subset that’d be fine wit’ ye behind closed doors. Sounds like Olivia’s might be one o’ ‘em. Then there’re the types that’d be considered normal and think what we did is bad, but get it. Dinnae if any of the third type’d be here.”

“The ones that would ask to join?” Ann teased.

“Or invite us tae one o’ the parties Wendyl worked,” Kat giggled. “Shite sounded wild. Still, all sorts o’ depravity in the noble circles. Olivia throwin’ stones takes from her own foundation. Don’t let her bother ye too much or I’ll kick yer arse back intae shape.”

“So loving, my girlfriend,” Ann sighed, leaning down to rest her head on Kat’s shoulder. “This is nice, though. The dancing, the music, you? Even though I had to get into a fight tonight, I’ve been having a lot of fun.”

“Glad ye are,” Kat whispered back, deepening the embrace. “It’s been a better night than it’d be without ye. Still not comfortable wit’ this.”

“Neither is Rosalyn, and she seems to have made friends with that noble she danced with earlier.” Ann looked toward the high table to see Rosalyn talking animatedly with the man. He looked baffled and slightly nauseous but was still paying attention. The Druid had to be talking about Warped. “However long that lasts.”

“She talkin’ about her hobbies?”

“Well, dude has turned a weird shade of green, so I’m guessing she’s going over dissection.”

“She puts way too much detail intae scrapin’ and snappin’ bones,” Kat sighed. “Less detail is more fer conversation like this.”

“Yeah, but that wouldn’t be very Rosalyn, would it?”

“Nope. If I can’t see the feckin’ Warped in me mind while she’s talkin’ about it, she’s bein’ distracted. Ye see some o’ the work she’s put intae that journal? She had entire diagrams of the cube eggs we found in the last seed. Dimensions, descriptions of texture an’ resilience, guesses at incubation times and how many Warped could fit. Then there’re whole pages o’ theories on what actually lays the eggs. It’s damn impressive.”

“Zidane will be happy, no doubt. Still glad she found a mentor that sees the merit in her passion.”

“Same fer ye an’ Remmi,” Kat said, then spun Ann to arm’s length, hands still held, before pulling her back in. “Ye seem tae be gettin’ on better.”

“On one hand, yeah? She’s talking more, which is nice. Thinks I’m making real progress. Problem is that means she tries harder when we’re fighting, and holy shit she can hit.”

“Ye’re not even seein’ the half o’ it, either. Ye hear her name?”

“Yeah, Mulsfardottr. At a guess, daughter of Mulsfar?”

“Aye. It’s a title given tae those brought in by the Mulsfar. Remmi doesn’t talk about it much, but apparently she was an orphan and got adopted by a Mulsfar couple. When she came tae civilisation, it took Polaris tae reign her in and teach her not tae be a problem. Was fifteen years or so ago. I remember readin’ the papers on it. Apparently took out a block o’ buildings in Graven Keep durin’ the fight. Maybe more.”

“And now they’re friends? Seemed pretty friendly when I got introduced.”

“Sure are. An’ they’ve only gotten stronger because o’ it.”

“Damnit, now I want to see how strong that is,” Ann said, a wild grin spreading across her face. “Getting me all excited.”

“Ye think that’s not doin’ the same fer me? I want tae get tae that level. Shite, we might need tae get tae that level considerin’ our mission.”

“You’re gonna be able to lift buildings, babe,” Ann teased. “Count on it.”

“Damn right,” Kat laughed, flexing her arms. Ann gasped slightly as air was forced out of her lungs.

“We’re all gonna be monsters. Especially wit’ ye power levellin’ us. Our growth is already crazy. Multiple levels per Seed is insane.”

“Hoping our Goddess pops back in at some point. Could use some direction. I just feel like we’re spinning our wheels right now, waiting for something solid to grab on to. She never got us an answer from the learned ones,” Ann grumbled, using off names in case of eavesdroppers among the dancers. “Always thought Gods would be more put together. More omniscient.”

“That’ll be somethin’ tae talk tae her about,” Kat said. “She still givin’ ye signs an’ other stuff?”

“Yeah. Feelings, nudges, little whispers. Maybe that’s why I can hear Waheela even if I’m not introspecting. I’m used to listening for it? Or maybe Waheela is hijacking whatever method the Lady is using.”

“The bitch behaving?”

“For now,” Ann nodded. “She was really excited when I was fighting Biagio. Calling for blood and murder. Easy enough to ignore, but I could feel that bloodlust. How about your thing?”

“Still not sure if givin’ it a name is a good idea, but it’s been pokin’ at me just like ye,” Kat admitted. “Any situation I feel protective o’er, it’s pushin’ me tae go further. It’s subtle, but I get what ye’re sayin about the little feelin’s.”

“That’s good. At least it’s starting small enough we can adjust. I hope any others that show up are like that. What?”

Kat was giggling, then snorted before letting out a full laugh. “Starting out small? Lettin’ us adjust? Ann, come on. Ye’re doin’ that on purpose.”

“Oh my Gods, Kat, no!” Ann cried, slapping her girlfriend, who just grinned back at her. “I was not!”

Kat laughed more and pulled her into a kiss. “Ye’re amazin’.”

“No, you,” Ann grumbled into Kat’s mouth. Her resolve did not last long, and she melted into the soft lips.

They danced for a while like that, Kat’s dress swishing gently as they moved. The music continued to guide them as the night silently passed.

“My paws hurt,” Ann grumbled. “Sorry, I have to stop dancing. Maybe grab a chair.”

Without a word, Kat lifted Ann in her arms. Ann let out an undignified yelp, clutching her arms around the princess’s neck. It had to look ridiculous, the overlarge wolf girl being carried by her, albeit slightly, shorter girlfriend.

“This is silly,” Ann whispered.

“Nae, it’s the proper thing tae do fer me girl,” Kat said, lifting her chin proudly as she walked. “Remember, ye’re mine. Dragon don’t change shite about that opinion.”

“Nope. That’s one hundred percent pure Kat pride,” Ann giggled, nuzzling Kat’s neck. Then, playfully, she stuck her tongue out and licked up the side of Kat’s face.

“Ew, ye feckin’ mutt,” Kat yelped, depositing Ann into her seat a little rougher than she should have. “What was that fer?”

“Love you, also wanted a taste, but got mostly makeup,” Ann groaned, wiping her tongue with a napkin. “Bleeegh.”

“Ye saw Junia put it on, ye daft bitch,” Kat laughed. “But I love ye too.”

“She got you real good,” Rosalyn giggled. “How was the dance?”

“Worked out my energy, that’s for sure,” Ann said. “Let me think. So overall it was nice. Kat’s a big softie.”

“Well, duh,” Rosalyn smirked. “That’s why we love her. But what about this time?”

“The Forgold girl called me a slut, and I was trying to rationalise that I wasn’t one.”

“Cause ye’re not,” Kat huffed.

“Right,” Rosalyn agreed. “Just a ravenous beast in bed. With your girlfriends. And your other friend. Maybe a high priestess watching. I guess we are kinda adventurous, but weirdly exclusive at the same time?”

“Judgy bitch,” Ann muttered, rubbing her bruised ass. “Oh well, that’s done, and I’m hankering for some dessert. What’s the spread?”

“Fruit pastries, some cakes, little cakes, melted cheese over sweets, and chocolate somethin’?” Kat listed, looking over at the dessert table.

“Holy shit, did you say chocolate? Nope, shut up, gimme,” Ann gasped. “It’s been five thousand years without chocolate, and I need it.”

“Alright, shit,” Kat laughed. “Sweet tooth much?”

“What’s chocolate?” Rosalyn asked. “We mostly had honey or normal sugar sweets.”

“Ok, make that enough for both of us. Rosalyn, I love this stuff. It’s just… nothing like it. Sweet and kinda earthy? I don’t know how to explain it besides magic.”

“Hard tae get, too. Especially here. Have tae get it brought in from the south.”

“I was gonna ask,” Ann said as a servant strode off from the table.

“Aye. Some empire way down there that grows it. Think they have a Seed down there that grows the stuff year round. Still expensive tae get it delivered all that way.”

“How does that work?” Ann asked.

“Er…”

“I can answer that, if you don’t mind, sister,” Junia popped in. “Caravan and carriage are still the standard for long distance trade. Guards and merchants all travel along a mix of untamed wilderness and well-travelled roads. Hopefully, our rail system can be expanded to other nations, but that requires a large amount of trust from our neighbours, and the possibility of a Seed moving to block its path causes concern. It’s a headache my scribes and diplomats have been working on for years. Then you get into tax code, tariffs on goods, what happens if relations break down between nations? That’s when treaties get established and words are held to by the people and industry over the monarchies, which doesn’t always sit right with the ruling class. A diplomatic quagmire of complexity that keeps me busy as a nickmidge.”

“Sorry, nickmidge?” Ann asked.

“A little bug that lives in mines. They have entire nests and colonies and never stop moving. Busy little creatures live off something in nickel, so you know you’re close to a vein if you find a lot of them,” Krisnaal said, plopping back into her seat. “They’re pests , but a swarm can be inconvenient. Mines can shut down for a day or two while we deal with a nest. Real resistant to heat, so gas and other stuff I don’t care to learn about has to be brought in.”

“Thanks,” Ann nodded. “All your business for the night wrapped up? Didn’t see you on the dance floor.”

“Nah, not my place,” Krisnaal shrugged. “I’m the host, gotta entertain, which means talking to everyone and their estranged cousin, coordinating duels, and making sure messes are taken care of. Poorer folk see these things as parties, but they’re my busiest nights by far.”

“Even with all the business, this is still a dream,” Rosalyn sighed. “I danced until my feet were numb, in a beautiful dress, under sparkling lights, to pretty music. I’m going to remember this night forever.”

“I’m glad you’ve enjoyed it, Lady Losenska,” Krisnaal smiled, folding her broad arms in satisfaction. “Permit me some quiet, though. It has been a lot to deal with, and my mind grows weary.”

“No worries, thank you, as well,” Ann said as Krisnaal sat back in her chair.

The Bultrong woman just nodded in Ann’s direction, closing her eyes.

“Oh, chocolate!” Ann squealed as the servants returned. “Lucia, have you had any of this?”

“No?” the Thrundol responded from the other end of the table.

“Get your green ass over here and try some,” Ann demanded.

There were a couple slices of a cake, and melted chocolate in a thick drink. Ann took a sip and was assaulted by the old familiar flavour mixed with a warm spice. Sighing, she felt her whole body relax as the warm drink washed down her throat. “Yeaaaah, that’s the stuff. Traditional too, with spice.” She handed the cup to Lucia, who took a cautious sip.

“Rich. Mm! Spicy. Ow,” Lucia grumbled, handing the cup back. “Maybe cake better.”

“It’s so goooood,” Rosalyn moaned, taking her bite of cake, then a second in quick order. “You weren’t kidding, I love this stuff. Oh I could eat and eat it all up! No wonder all these rich folk get so fat with all this good food. I’d never stop eating.”

“Hey, ye callin’ me fat?” Kat laughed.

“No, but, well,” Rosalyn waved a hand over the guests, which did contain a fair amount of overweight people. “Hard work makes hard people. This is all soft work, so it makes soft people. Stands to reason, no?”

“I guess,” Kat said. “Though Junia’s anythin’ but chubby. Always a stick, aren’t ye, sis?”

“Not all of us can be built like bulls,” Junia sniffed. “I watch what I eat for a reason. It has been recorded that attractive people are more likely to be looked upon with favour in negotiations. My looks are as much a tool as anything else. That being said, I will indulge.” Junia’s slender hand pulled a saucer over with a small cut of cake on it.

“Hey, bein’ built like this lets me eat whatever the feck I want,” Kat retorted. “As long as I keep active, I’m smokin’.”

“It is difficult to keep that active when needing to go over records, ledgers, and reports all day,” Junia sighed, taking a bite. “In some ways I envy your freedom, sister.”

“Not like I gave Mum or Dad any choice,” Kat said flatly. “Ye remember I was supposed tae be locked up in one o’ the temples? Trainin’ tae be an acolyte?”

“I remember the fights you got into at the Illdall temple. I remember the long discussions Mother and Father had when you were sent to your room. You fought for your freedom and won it.”

“Literally, sometimes. Mum tested me, ye know?”

“I was aware, yes. I was also aware how much you two fought over what to do with yourself. Kat, I love you, but your head is as dense as the rest of you. Usually to your detriment.”

“Eh, snagged these two,” Kat said, pulling in Rosalyn and Ann. “Not tae mention makin’ friends wit’ Bren an’ all the madness that’s come from that. Figure followin’ me own heart’s been the best choice I’ve made so far.”

“Said like a woman with way too much freedom. I guess I should not complain as much, considering I do enjoy my station. I do wonder how Somnal is holding up in Indelholm.”

“He’s the second prince, yeah?” Ann asked.

“Aye, that’s me big brother,” Kat nodded. “He’s an idiot.”

“Katlyn, just because he wants to test limits doesn’t mean he’s foolish. Much in the way you are not for following your goals.”

“Aye, but creatin’ life? That kind o’ magic’s the stuff o’ the Gods. That’s one religious thing I’ll agree with. No way people should be trusted with that shite outside what our bodies can do normally.”

“Now you’ve got me interested,” Ann said. “What kind of life are we talking about?”

“It’s nonsense theory,” Kat waved her off. “Somnal thinks there’s a way tae figure out what makes a soul, then fabricate it in a machine. He’s been workin’ on it fer, what, twenty years?”

“Almost thirty,” Junia corrected.

“With nothin’ tae show fer it. Swear he should just focus on somethin’ like that project tae help with livin’ up north. Much better use o’ his time.”

“You’re being hypocritical, Kat,” Rosalyn said, flicking a piece of chocolate at the princess.

“Not hypocritical tae call out an exercise in futility. Just don’t want him tae waste his life on somethin’ that’ll never happen, ye know?”

“I kinda get it,” Ann shrugged. “My brothers and sisters made choices I thought were stupid. It’s a thing.”

“Mistress, it is time,” a servant whispered to Krisnaal. The woman’s eyes snapped open, nodding to the man. “Alright. Time to wrap all this up. You all are welcome to spend the night if you wish, as always, but I am far past done with the rest.”

Krisnaal stood and raised a hand. The loud echo of the announcer’s cane silenced the guests as the broad woman cleared her throat.

“Lords and Ladies of Korvas, it was my pleasure to host you tonight. An eventful ball, to be sure, but one that comes to a close. I want to thank you all, friends, for your presence, company, and consideration. Now, I must bid you farewell. May you be successful in your ventures, and may you stay in the Mountain’s shadow. For Korvas!”

“For Korvas!” the crowd returned, raising glasses, goblets, and cups.

“I’m retiring,” Krisnaal said flatly. “Let the servants know if you want to speak with me, otherwise, I bid you a good night. Junia, don’t be too much a stranger. Kat, been great seeing you again, as well as Bren.”

“Farewell,” Junia smiled politely. “I will try to write more frequently.” Krisnaal just huffed a laugh back at her friend.

Bren stood and bowed, hand across his stomach in an almost butlery fashion.

“As said, a pleasure to meet you, Annita and Rosalyn. This will not be the last time we meet. I have a feeling about you all. Anyway, off to some well-earned rest, for the morrow brings more work.”

“So,” Kat said, giving everyone still at the table a grin. “After party?