“Alright everyone listen up!” Zee shouted, channeling her inner drill sergeant.

Eli glanced around the crowded portal room at his group. He stood next to Aria at the head of the group, watching the portal in front of them open with a whooshing sound. Behind her stood Lilly and Freya, and behind him stood Ziran and Sira. To his left stood Naz flanked by Drekka, Mirosha, and his orcish bodyguards. To his right were various castle staff including Minerva, the human cook Annette, several high elven guards, butlers, maids, and diplomatic staffers.

Zee started to pace back in forth in front of the group, speaking as she walked. “Each of you has been selected to do a role while we are in Serapenthra. We selected you because we think you’re the best at what you do. Prove us right.”

She stopped and pivoted, her eyes searching each one of the assembled group. “There will be many distractions while we’re there. We chose you because we think you’re going to be able to stay focused on the job no matter what. Prove us right.”

Finally, she moved to within inches of the portal before stopping and glancing at Eli. She smirked, then looked back at the rest of the group. “We don’t expect there to be trouble while we’re there, but trouble can always come in unexpected forms. We chose you because each of you knows how to keep calm under pressure. Prove us right.”

Without another word, she slipped into the portal. She was quickly followed by Naz and the orcish bodyguards, then the castle staff. Eli watched Freya, Lilly, Ziran, and Sira join them before turning to Minerva. “We’ll send someone to check in regularly with you, so just let us know if you need anything.”

“When you come home, the lights will be on and the house will be warm.” She assured him. “And I’ll let you know if I hear anything from Isla. Now go! Have fun at your party.”

With a grin he leaned in and kissed Minerva softly on the cheek, causing her to blush. Placing one hand on her hip he whispered in her ear. “And when I get back let’s talk about that date, okay?”

“Okay.” She whispered in reply, a broad smile spreading across her face.

His hand squeezed her hip gently before he returned to Aria’s side. She chuckled at the slightly flustered look on Minerva’s face, then took Eli’s hand in hers. Together, they walked towards the portal. Eli paused just before going in, examining the rippling azure surface before taking a deep breath out and stepping through, closing his eyes as he did.

They emerged a moment later in a Hightower family waystation on Earth. Eli couldn’t help but notice that this one had been specially prepared for their arrival – there were no overzealous security officers checking them for contraband or weapons. Instead, a trio of dark elves were moving through the group methodically, casting spells and referencing a clipboard of identifying photos as they did.

When they reached Aria and Eli they nodded respectfully before casting. Eli felt a strange weight pressing on him from all sides for a moment as he was enveloped in a purplish, almost-ultraviolet light. For that moment he felt like a pressurized canister being heated up – he was absorbing the mana from the spell, but instinctively knew he couldn’t discharge his mana because of the silence spell the elf was casting.

Thankfully, the inspection passed long before Eli’s mana reserves were full. The elf seemed satisfied he wasn’t wearing a disguise, and when she found his photo in the stack of papers on her clipboard her eyes went wide.

“Royal Blood, I apologize deeply for the inconvenience! It’s standard procedure that I-” She started nervously.

Eli waved off her apology. “You were doing your job, I get it. No special treatment for anyone.”

Another portal whooshed to life in front of them, and the elf spoke again in a whisper. “I would appreciate it if you would keep this incident from Queen Aratessa and Captain Shadowsong.”

“What incident?” Eli said with a wink and a smile before moving towards the portal.

This time, Eli and Aria were the first to enter. They stood at the head of their group, exhaling deeply as they entered the portal-

Only to feel a wall of humidity hit them the second they emerged on the other side.

Opening his eyes, Eli glanced around. They were standing on a sand beach, the water lapping softly behind them. The sun was beating high directly overhead, casting only short shadows. On either side of them there was a member of the Hightower family staff continuing to hold the portal open with their magic. Eli grimaced as he watched the sweat roll down their foreheads, now knowing exactly how difficult it could be.

As he and Aria moved forward to clear space around the small portal Eli saw a pair of lizardkin flanking a naga woman ahead of them. The lizardkin were wearing heavy metal armour, and each of them appeared to be carrying two-pronged pitchforks that were glowing with magical power.

“Come, come!” She said, smiling invitingly.

She had skin the color of caramel and bright green eyes. Her black hair was tied up in an elaborate bun with beads and jewels hanging throughout. She wore what looked like a black bikini on top, and Eli couldn’t help but notice that her belly button was pierced with a ring. There was a gold chain looped through the ring that hung around her hips to either side.

“Princess Aria.” She said, bowing deeply to her. “My name is Vashti and I will be your guide and cultural liaison for the duration of your stay here.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you Vashti.” Aria replied, shaking her hand. “This is my fiancé, Eli Grayson.”

Eli shook her hand as well. “A pleasure.”

As the rest of the group began to emerge from the portal behind Eli, Vashti continued. “Normally we only get to see your parents at the Dragon’s Ball. We are honored that you have chosen to come this year.”

“Of course.” Aria replied, now in full ‘diplomat’ mode. “The Hightower family looks forward to continuing our long relationship with Serapenthra, as well as cementing new ties of friendship and commerce.”

The portal closed behind them once the last of their group was through. Vashti smiled, then nodded behind her. “Come. You are the last group to arrive, and we need to reach the hotel before the tide comes in.”

With that, she turned away from the group and began to lead them up a small rise. As they crested it, a building almost half a mile uphill came into view. It looked to be about 4 stories tall, with a slanted red tiled roof and beige stucco walls. It was surrounded by luscious palm trees and a perfectly manicured lawn that was dotted with flower gardens. To Eli, it looked like a Caribbean beach resort he’d visited once.

“Wow.” Eli said, admiring it for a moment.

“I’m glad you like it!” Vashti said with a smile. “It’s going to be your home for the next few days. We really should hurry though, unless you want to chance getting eaten!”

Eli furrowed his brow as he started after her. “What do you mean?”

“The tide is coming in and will submerge this entire area for the next 3 days. During that time, all manner of predatory sea creatures will take up residence here.”

“Ah.” Eli said, nodding. “Yeah, that doesn’t sound like fun.”

Vashti laughed as she continued undulating her snake body and moving across the sands. She struck up a conversation with Aria about the state of trade in the wider magical realms, during which Aria summoned Freya and Lilly to give additional perspectives. Content to let them talk shop for the duration of the walk, Eli slowed down enough to let Naz and Zee catch up to him.

“So I’m guessing that the choice to put the portal underwater has something to do with controlling the flow of lizardkin in and out of Serapenthra?”

Zee smiled approvingly. “You’ve been paying attention during our lessons on security. Yes, that’s right. This area is only accessible during certain days of the month, and even then it’s only for a few hours. The fact that neither naga nor lizardkin can swim means that most of the time, this area is quite well protected.”

“And in the times that it’s exposed?” Eli asked.

“We station a heavy guard presence, and we check every single guard leaving to make sure they’re not secretly a lizardkin.” Zee explained. “There are a few other protections as well, which I can tell you about later if you’re curious. Only our best guards get stationed here though – it’s a tough assignment.”

Eli nodded, thinking. “So how does someone like Vessara get out? Or Dr. Scalemore, for that matter?”

“The island over there is home to an embassy, where any lizardkin or naga wanting to leave has to produce identification and references in order to leave.” Zee said, pointing. “It’s a rigorous vetting process, and even once they’re approved they need to carry special identification with them at all times, as well as check in regularly in-person with a handler.”

“It sounds like parole.” Eli joked.

Zee cocked her head, then nodded. “That’s not a bad analogy, actually. When your magic lets you disguise yourself as someone else though, it tends to make people nervous – which is why we have to take so many precautions.”

“It’s also why we’re worried about unauthorized lizardkin getting out.” Naz added. “It either means they’ve breached our security here somehow, or set up another portal somewhere else on Serapenthra.”

Eli was so lost in his thoughts for the remainder of the walk that when his feet hit solid ground it was almost a surprise to him. He looked up to see that they’d reached the island, with bright green grass underneath. Turning around he saw that the tide was quickly closing in behind them, submerging the portal underneath the gently lapping waves.

Now that they’d reached the island Eli could truly appreciate the extravagance. Golden statues of dragons, lizardkin, and naga dotted the island, each of them almost 10 feet tall. Pristine swimming pools were flanked by what looked like deck chairs and umbrellas – many of which were occupied by all manner of magical creatures. Glancing around, Eli noticed that the pronged pitchforks of their lizardkin guards had stopped glowing – a sign that at some point they’d crossed into the area that was covered by spell disrupters.

“That’s odd.” Eli said.

“What’s odd?” Zee questioned.

“The spell disrupters are active, but I don’t feel it.”

“Were you expecting to?” She asked.

“Well, when the dark elf back in the waystation cast a silence spell on me, I felt it. This is basically the same spell, isn’t it?”

Zee furrowed her brow then nodded. “That is odd. Maybe it has to do with it being an enchanted item? Or the fact that the spell was directed at you instead of being cast over a wide area?”

Before they could come up with any more theories, Vashti addressed the group. “The hotel is laid out in the shape of a wheel.” She explained. “The hub is where you’ll find the main ballroom, and many of the events over the next few days will be held there. Each of the 23 spokes of the wheel are a wing for guests – we’re heading to your wing now. The rim of the wheel houses our staff, kitchens, and all other facilities required over the next few days.”

She stopped in front of a door, opening it for them before turning back to the group. “Now, I know I don’t need to remind you of this but I will anyways. Violence is strictly prohibited on hotel grounds, as is tampering with the spell disrupters. This is for your own safety as well as the safety of the rest of our guests. Believe me when I say that you do not want to violate this rule.”

She adjusted her posture, then continued. “Now, with that unpleasantness dealt with, this is your wing for the next few days. If you need anything at all or have any questions, my number can be found in the welcome package on the table in the main kitchen. Please, enjoy your stay!”

Furrowing his brow, Eli pulled out his phone and checked for service. Huh. Full bars. Interesting.

Seeing the look on his face, Aria grinned. “We helped them set up internet access to this island alone. It was a big project a few years back. Now come on, Minerva sent our clothes in advance so I want to change into my bikini and lay out by our pool before the party gets going.”

“Remind me to thank Minerva later.” Eli said, grinning at the thought of his elven princess in a bikini.

They entered the suite together to find it was just as opulent as the rest of the resort. There were more gaudy gold statues of dragons, lizardkin, and naga placed on the main floor – just smaller than the ones outside, and in different poses. Annette immediately set up shop in the kitchen on the main floor and proceeded to start making food for them.

As they moved through the next few floors, the rest of their retinue began to take up residence in the various bedrooms they found – the orc bodyguards on the 2^nd floor, the Hightower family staff and retainers on the 3^rd floor. Eli wandered among them and made sure everyone was comfortable before heading up to the top floor where he knew he’d be staying with the rest of his harem.

It was stunning. On one end of the suite there was a set of bedrooms with what looked like the most comfortable beds Eli had ever seen, covered by far too many throw pillows. On the other there was a set of plush couches and chairs arranged in a sitting area to overlook the patio. As he glanced outside he saw that they had a rooftop pool area – one that was already in use by Lilly and Naz, both of whom had stripped down to their underwear and jumped into the cool water while Zee watched from a patio chair. He grinned as he watched them splash each other for a few moments before glancing out at the view of the palm trees and the ocean from the patio.

A soft hand on his side broke him out of his thoughts, and he turned to see Aria had changed into a bright blue 2-piece bikini that barely contained her breasts. Not only that, Freya was right behind her wearing a matching pink bikini. He kissed them both before allowing himself to be led outside to another patio chair.

“Relax love.” Aria said, gently pushing him into the chair and plopping a beach bag onto the ground next to him. “We’re going to have a long night ahead of us and there’s nothing you need to be doing right now. Just take a few minutes to enjoy the sun.”

As she said it, Zee pulled off her guard uniform and stripped down to her underwear. Pulling a bottle of sunscreen from the bag, she squirted some onto her hands before spreading it liberally across his body. He leaned back as she massaged it into his skin, feeling the knots in his muscles come completely undone.