The private dining chamber was smaller than Alex expected, no grand throne-hall spectacle, just a long oak table set near a wide hearth that crackled with fragrant cedar logs. Candles in iron holders cast warm pools of light across plates already heaped with roasted meats, spiced flatbreads, grilled vegetables glistening with oil, and bowls of dark berry compote. A pitcher of mulled wine sat steaming at the center.

 

The scent hit him first. Familiar. Not identical to anything from his world, but close enough that his chest tightened. Home. That’s what it smelled like.

 

Not his home exactly, no tavern-style pizza he would occasionally bring home after work, no smell of freshly homemade tortillas being flipped in a pan, but the feeling was the same: crowded voices, overlapping laughter, someone passing bread before anyone asked, Veyra’s younger brother sneaking a second piece of honeyed fruit when no one was looking. Alex sat beside Veyra, shoulder brushing hers, and felt the knot in his chest loosen just a little.

 

*This feeling…* He thought. *Hey, this moment right here…*

 

*Yeah,* the author replied—quieter than usual. *I might’ve… borrowed from my own memories. Sunday dinners on the South Side. Loud. Messy. Everyone is talking over everyone. Felt right for this moment.*

 

Alex glanced up at the ceiling, as if the voice lived there. *You didn’t have to.*

 

*Had to. Ever since you came to Kharzad, I’ve sensed – no, I know –  you might have felt homesick. On top of everyone fearing you and every situation I’ve thrown you into so far, it seemed only fitting to make you feel more welcomed in this world, albeit only in a sense. It may not be exactly your family, but in this moment, you can certainly pretend it is.*

 

*It doesn’t feel pretend. It feels genuine. Thank you.*

 

A small, almost shy pause from the author. *Good. And no problem.*

 

Veyra’s mother, Queen Lira, passed him a plate of charred lamb skewers. “Eat,” she said gently. “You look like you’ve been living on trail rations.”

 

Veyra chuckled. “That’s exactly what we have been eating.”

 

Alex took one, smiling despite himself. “Feels like forever since I had a real meal with people who wouldn’t judge me for my actions.”

 

The table laughed, soft, warm. Veyra’s younger brother, Toren, leaned forward. “Tell us about the road. Veyra said you fought bounty hunters. And bandits. And giant insects. And you even met the friendly trolls of the forest!”

 

Lira rolled her eyes fondly at her youngest. “Toren, let them eat first.”

 

“No, it’s okay,” Alex said. He looked around the table: king, queen, siblings —and felt something settle. “It was… quite fun, actually. Just the two of us. The scenery of the Mountains. The ambience of the Forests. The warmth of the Campfires. Monsters that wanted to eat us – tried to eat us. The usual.” He continued. “As for the trolls, Veyra did most of the talking. I can only stand there and try to figure out what in the world they were conversing about.”

 

Veyra’s lips curved. “He’s underselling it. We fought champion goblins – hordes of them. When I talked to the polite trolls, they kept on trying to barter for our gear. And exterminated horse-sized ants. He was fascinated by everything. Kept saying ‘back home we have ants and insects the size of my thumb.’”

 

“Hey, I couldn’t help it!” Alex was a shade of red, slightly embarrassed.

 

The table chuckled. Queen Lira tilted her head. “And this world of yours? Veyra tells me our Aetherra, which is what you call Earth over there, and your home place is nothing but giant towers.”

 

Alex shrugged, suddenly self-conscious. “It’s just… a city called Chicago. Big buildings, yes. Loud noises fill the streets. Everyone’s different—different skin, different languages, different food. Nobody cares as long as you keep moving. Kind of like here in Kharzad, well, without the big towers of course.”

 

King Kharos leaned back, swirling his wine. “Then perhaps you will feel at home here.”

 

Alex met with his eyes and then looked back at Veyra. “I already do.” Her tail wagged, almost wrapping around his leg.

 

A beat of quiet gratitude moved around the table.

 

Veyra’s hand found his on the table—a brief, warm squeeze. The duo couldn’t help but share identical smiles with their gentle gestures toward each other.

 

The king watched the gesture. A slow, knowing smile spread across his face. “You two are not subtle,” he said dryly.

 

Veyra flushed faint red under her gold skin. “Father.” She quickly removed her hand from Alex’s, feeling that warmth was leaving.

 

Queen Lira laughed softly. “Let them be, Kharos. They have earned a little peace. And perhaps some privacy too.”

 

Toren grinned wickedly. “Are you going to court her properly, Otherworlder? Or just keep punching kings?”

 

Alex couldn’t help but feel put on the spot with that sort of questioning. “I–uh–” He couldn’t find the appropriate words to speak with.

 

Veyra leaned toward Alex, voice low but loud enough for the table. “He already punched a king for me. I think that counts as courting.”

 

The table erupted in laughter—warm, approving. Even Kharos chuckled, shaking his head.

 

“I’m working on it,” Alex managed, face warm.

 

“Well, you do have a mean punch!” Kharos touched his gut, still feeling that ache from earlier. “I would expect nothing less for my approval!”

 

The mood stayed light, easy, and familiar. Alex answered every question about his Earth, more about Chicago, and his family. First time anyone has bothered to get to know him better since arriving here.

 

Eventually, the younger ones were sent to bed. The table quieted. Servants cleared plates. Only the king, queen, Veyra, and Alex remained.

 

The tone was set for something more serious as Alex spoke. “Valthar summoned me here,” he said. “Tell me, King, does Kharzad do the same? Summon others like me?”

 

Kharos leaned forward, voice lowered. “Otherworlders here?”

 

Alex nodded. Veyra’s tail did not flinch.

 

“We do not,” the king said firmly. “That forbidden art belonged to Valthar alone. When my scouts had reported that Valthar were performing rituals and using massive amounts of mana, we figured they were summoning something – a devil fiend or maybe even a fallen angel – but nothing prepared us for you, an Otherworlder. You're not the first, but certainly won't be the last.”

 

Alex exhaled. “Most certainly, I’ll be the last for a long time. I did end their government.”

 

“So, you were their destruction?” That question piqued the queen’s curiosity.

 

Alex looked at Veyra. She nodded, giving him approval. “Short answer, we had a difference of opinion; they wanted a genocide with a weapon of mass destruction, and I said otherwise. You can see how that conversation went down. It wasn’t pretty.”

 

The king and queen shared one expression, and that was shock. “Those Valthar fools, glad they got what they deserved, serves them right.” Kharos crossed his arms.

 

“To think they’d sink so low as to start an unnecessary war makes me sick.” Lira clutched her chest tightly. Veyra’s hand soon found her mother’s, offering comfort.

 

“Thanks to Alex, all of that has been dealt with. We really should be thanking you.” Veyra said softly.

 

The three draconoids stared at Alex. No fear, only a deeper expression, a sign of respect. “I, King Kharos, sincerely thank you, Alex. For stopping a catalyst of events that could’ve led to an all-out war.” The king placed a heavy hand on Alex’s shoulder.

 

“Speaking of Veyra,” Alex said, glancing at her — at the place on her neck where the collar had been. “Any idea who could’ve gotten the jump on her?”

 

“I’ve been meaning to ask that too,” Veyra murmured. “The last thing I remember is waking up in my dragon form… rage, chaos… nothing I could control.” She crossed her arms, shrinking slightly, embarrassment flickering across her face.

 

“You were lost to us for months,” Kharos said. “The day you disappeared, you were tracking a surge in trafficker activity.” He pulled a folded note from his belt and handed it to her. “Your last report placed you near the border. Soon after, scouts saw you in a trance, rampaging, before you vanished into the mountains.”

 

“The missing memories mean someone may have used powerful erasure magic,” Lira added quietly. “Someone skilled enough to hide every trace.”

 

Alex felt a cold anger settle in his chest. Not just mind-controlled, but her memories being manipulated like that, only strengthen his resolve to protect her.

 

Kharos nodded. “The same person who collared my daughter may have tampered with your mind as well.” He paused, jaw tightening. “We’ve only begun to search. Spies. Old records. Whispers from border clans. This ‘master’ is careful — too careful. But we will find him. And when we do, I will inform you both immediately. Veyra has unfinished business. I will not stand in her way.”

 

Veyra’s hand tightened around Alex’s. “Thank you, Father. Thank you, Mother.”

 

Kharos nodded. Then a small smile returned. “In the meantime, I invite you, Alex, to join our adventurers’ guild here in Kharzad. Take quests. Explore. Kill time with my daughter.” He glanced at Veyra with open amusement. “I do not mind how much time you spend together.”

 

Alex blinked. “You’re… really okay with that?”

 

“I trust my daughter’s judgment,” Kharos said simply. “And after today's display of your strength and resolve, I trust yours.”

 

Alex swallowed. Veyra’s tail twirled around his leg once more. “Thank you.”

 

The king rose, and so did the queen. “Rest tonight. Tomorrow, Veyra will help you register. And we’ll continue our hunt for that one that dared lay a hand on my daughter.”

 

He paused at the door, looking back at Alex. “You remind me of myself at your age,” he said quietly. “Be careful who you trust… but trust her.”

 

He left with the queen, leaving Alex and Veyra alone by the dying fire.

 

Alex stared into the flames. *Thanks for bringing a bit of home into this world.* He talked to the other voice in his head.

 

*You’re welcome,* the author replied. *Family dinner, like the one you had, always meant a lot to me. So, I’m glad you feel the same way about it.*

 

Alex’s throat tightened. *Thanks. And double thanks for not making this more dramatic than it would have been.*

 

*It’s the least I can do. But dramatic is just beginning,” the author said, in the most cryptic way. *Expect a lot more to come.*

 

*And there it is.” Alex groaned.

 

Veyra leaned against his shoulder. “Are you okay?” she asked softly.

 

“Yeah,” he said. “As okay as I can be. And you?”

 

“I feel the same way.” She smiled—small, real.

 

They sat in the quiet, fire crackling, two people who had found something rare in a world that wanted them dead.

 

A home. And each other.

 

Alex waited until Veyra stepped away to speak with a servant about rooms.

 

Then he leaned back, staring into the embers.

 

*Okay, cards on the table,* he thought. *The ‘master’ guy or whatever he, she is. You know who it is. Or what it is. Spill.*

 

The author’s voice came back, amused. *Too early to be asking me that, buddy.*

 

*Come on. We’re in Kharzad now. King’s got spies. Veyra’s got unfinished business. Give me something. A hint. A name. Anything.* Alex sounded desperate, like a kid trying to skip towards the end of a book.

 

*Spoilers.* The author replied.

 

*Seriously?* Alex groaned.

 

*Dead serious. Some things have to unfold naturally. You’ll get there when the story’s ready. Just do what’s next on the agenda, and we’ll go from there. Promise.* The author said.

 

*You’re killing me here. But I digress, I guess.* Alex scratched his head, defeated.

 

*Patience, Alex. Good stories take time. And you’re welcome for the dinner scene again. I even gave you extra breadsticks in spirit.*

 

Alex groaned aloud. “Yeah, yeah, whatever, dude.”

 

Veyra turned back, eyebrow raised. “Talking to the voice again?”

 

“Yeah,” he muttered. “He’s being difficult.”

 

“Teasing you again? He really must care for you then.” She sat beside him again, closer this time.

 

“Well, in his sick twisted way, you’re right.” Alex sighed, defeated. “I guess even for a pencil writing prick, he does care enough for me. He has given me a second chance.”

 

“I can only thank him for letting us have a chance to meet.” She smiled at him, adding to the grateful things he’s been given.

 

Alex looked at her—really looked. The firelight danced in her crimson eyes. “Yeah, yeah, he did,” he said softly. *Can’t give him too much credit for that.*

 

*HEY I HEARD THAT!*

 

They stayed like that until the logs burned low. Tomorrow would bring quests, spies, and shadows. But tonight… tonight was enough.