Day 70 - Pre-Dawn
I hadn't slept. Again.
But this time it wasn't because of crisis management or defensive preparations. It was because I was hand-crafting something that mattered more than fortifications or weapons.
Seven spatial storage rings for my existing partners. Three more for the arachnae who'd been patiently (and not-so-patiently) waiting for me to officially acknowledge what everyone already knew.
The rings weren't actually rings in the traditional sense. Each one was a unique spatial anchor designed specifically for its wearer, a piece of jewelry that held their custom armor and weapons in dimensional storage, accessible instantly, while also serving as a physical symbol of commitment.
Wedding rings, basically. But useful.
Very me.
The enchantment work was delicate. Each spatial anchor had to be keyed to its owner's magical signature specifically. Had to be unbreakable. Had to be beautiful while remaining functional. Had to say "I love you and also here's practical equipment storage" simultaneously.
Mo appeared in the doorway around 5 AM, carrying coffee. "You didn't sleep again."
"I was working."
"You were obsessing." She set the coffee down, examined my work. "These are exquisite. The enchantment layering alone is masterwork. But Knox, you've been at this for sixteen hours straight."
"I wanted them perfect."
"They are perfect. You finished them four hours ago. Now you're just staring at them worrying they're not good enough." She touched my shoulder gently. "They're more than good enough. They're love made tangible through craft. That's always enough."
Through our bond, her certainty mixed with affection. She understood what I was doing, translating emotion into creation because words were hard.
"I'm officially committing to ten partners today," I said quietly. "That's insane. That's not how relationships work on Earth. That's... "
"That's how relationships work here. That's how your relationships work specifically." Mo turned me to face her. "Knox, you've been in committed relationships with seven of us for months. Today you're just making it official with symbolic gesture. And you're adding three more who've proven themselves worthy and whom you're already emotionally invested in. This isn't insane. This is you finally catching up to what your heart already decided."
"When did you get wise about emotions?"
"I've always been wise about emotions. I just express them through logistics and efficiency optimization." She smiled. "Now drink your coffee, clean yourself up, and prepare to give your partners beautiful symbolic gifts that will make them cry. I've already organized the schedule."
"Of course you have."
"Someone has to manage your romantic chaos."
Nyx - Shadow and Starlight
I found Nyx in our quarters, already awake, watching dawn break over Ashenhearth from the window. Her dragon eyes caught the light, reflecting it in ways that reminded me why I'd fallen for her in the first place.
"You didn't sleep," she said without turning.
"I was working on something."
"I know. I felt your focus through the bond all night." She turned, studied me. "What were you making?"
I pulled out her spatial anchor, not a ring, but a collar-style necklace in obsidian and gold, designed to rest at her throat in any form. The centerpiece was a shadow-dragon scale (one of hers that I'd kept), set in gold and inscribed with our bond-runes.
"This holds your armor and weapons in dimensional storage," I explained. "Keyed to your magical signature specifically. Thought-activated deployment. But it's also..." I paused, suddenly nervous. "It's also a wedding gift. Official commitment. If you'll have it."
Nyx stared at the necklace, her expression unreadable.
Through our bond, overwhelming emotion she was trying to control.
"Knox," she said quietly. "We're already soul-bonded. Already mated by dragon standards. This is..."
"This is me acknowledging that publicly and permanently. Not just dragon tradition. Not just soul-bond. But deliberate choice. I choose you. I want everyone to know I choose you." I held out the necklace. "Will you wear it?"
She took it with hands that trembled slightly... rare for someone as controlled as Nyx.
"You made this yourself. Hand-crafted every enchantment. Spent hours perfecting something I don't need because we're already bound more permanently than any symbol could represent."
"Yes."
"You're an idiot." She fastened the necklace around her throat, and it settled perfectly, black and gold against her scales, the shadow-dragon centerpiece pulsing with our shared magic. "A romantic, thoughtful, ridiculous idiot who somehow keeps finding new ways to show devotion."
"Is that a yes?"
"That's an 'I love you more than I have words for and this necklace is perfect and I'm going to cry now which is undignified for dragons.'" She pulled me close, and I felt tears on my shoulder. "Thank you, Knox. For seeing me. For choosing me. For making this even though you didn't have to."
"I wanted to."
"I know. That's why it matters." She kissed me, fierce and claiming and full of love that transcended any bond or symbol. "You're mine. I'm yours. Forever. The necklace just makes it official for everyone else to see."
Through our bond, absolute certainty and love so profound it made my chest ache.
Kas - Enthusiastic Violence and Tender Hearts
Kas was in the training yard, running morning drills. I watched her move, all power and enthusiasm and joy in physical expression. She made fighting look like dancing, violence like art.
She spotted me, grinned, and bounded over. "KNOX! You're up early! Want to spar?!"
"I want to give you something."
Her enthusiasm shifted immediately to curiosity. "A present?! I LOVE presents! What is it?!"
I pulled out her spatial anchor, a set of enchanted bracers in red-and-black metal, engraved with patterns that matched her oni markings. They'd hold her armor and weapons, but also serve as combat enhancement, amplifying her already impressive strength.
"These are for you. Custom made. They store your gear but also make you hit even harder." I paused. "They're also wedding bracers. Official commitment. If you want them."
Kas's expression cycled through surprise, joy, and then something softer, vulnerability she rarely showed.
"Knox," she said quietly. "You made me wedding jewelry. That's... that's really romantic."
"I tried."
"You succeeded." She slipped on the bracers, and they settled perfectly, red-black metal against her skin, runes glowing with her energy. She flexed, testing them. "They're perfect. They're beautiful. They're FUNCTIONAL. Knox, you made me romantic combat gear!"
"That's very you."
"That's why I love it!" She grabbed me, lifted me off my feet in an enthusiastic hug. "Knox, you're the BEST! You made me pretty things that also help me hit stuff! That's PERFECT!"
Through her bond, pure joy mixed with deep love. She felt seen, understood, valued for exactly who she was, enthusiastic violence and tender heart combined.
"Also," she added, setting me down but keeping me close. "Wedding bracers means you're committing officially. To me. To us. To forever."
"Yes."
"Good." She kissed me hard. "Because you're stuck with me now. Forever. No take-backs. You made official romantic gesture and I'm NEVER LETTING GO."
"I wouldn't want you to."
"GOOD! Because I wasn't asking!" She bounded back a step, admiring the bracers. "Can I test them in combat?! Please?! I want to punch things while wearing pretty wedding jewelry!"
"After I finish giving everyone else their gifts."
"FINE! But then PUNCHING!"
Yuzu - Elegance and Hidden Depths
I found Yuzu in her private chambers, reviewing intelligence reports. She looked up as I entered, setting aside her work with practiced grace.
"Knox. To what do I owe the pleasure of a personal visit?"
"I have something for you."
Her expression shifted to intrigued curiosity. "Oh? Do tell."
I pulled out her spatial anchor, an elegant fan-shaped hair ornament in silver and jade, designed to hold her formal fans (which were her weapons) in dimensional storage. Delicate metalwork concealed serious enchantment work.
"This holds your gear, but it's also a wedding gift. Official commitment. If you'll accept it."
Yuzu studied the ornament with professional appreciation, understanding the craftsmanship immediately. "This is exquisite. The metalwork alone is masterwork. The enchantments..." She looked up. "Knox, this is on par with imperial craft-masters. You made this?"
"With help from the dwarven metal-master. But yes, designed and primarily crafted by me."
"For me specifically. A wedding gift." She turned the ornament, watching light play across the jade. "You're officially proposing permanent commitment through gift-giving. Very traditional. Also very unexpected from someone who claims to be bad at romance."
"I'm learning."
"You're excelling." She moved closer, her usual seductive distance shifting to genuine intimacy. "Knox, I'm a spy. A manipulator. I've spent my life wearing masks, playing roles, keeping people at arm's length for professional reasons. You know this."
"I do."
"And you're still offering permanent commitment. Not despite what I am, but including it. Understanding that manipulation is professional tool, not personal behavior." She touched my face gently. "You see the real me. The strategist, the protector, the woman who uses seduction as weapon but saves genuine emotion for family. And you're choosing that. All of it."
"Yes."
She fastened the ornament in her hair, and it settled perfectly, elegant silver-jade against dark hair, subtle but beautiful. "Then I accept. Officially and permanently. You're mine, I'm yours, and anyone who threatens you will discover exactly how lethal a fan can be."
She kissed me... not her usual seductive performance, but genuine tender connection. Through her bond, barriers lowering, letting me feel the depth of emotion she usually kept controlled.
"Thank you," she whispered. "For seeing past the masks. For wanting the real me, not just the performance."
"Always."
Mo - Logic and Love
Mo was in her office, organizing something. She was always organizing something.
"Knox. Right on schedule. I predicted you'd arrive at 7:47 AM. It's currently 7:46. Very consistent."
"You predicted my romantic gesture schedule?"
"I predicted your need to give everyone gifts sequentially before making public announcement. Logical progression." She set down her organizational charts. "What have you made for me?"
I pulled out her spatial anchor, a precisely engineered bracelet in copper and crystal, designed like miniature clockwork. It held her weapons platform and calculation tools, but also integrated with her analytical enchantments.
"This stores your gear and enhances your calculation speed by 23%. Also serves as wedding bracelet. Official commitment. If you accept."
Mo examined the bracelet with the focused attention she gave everything. "The engineering is elegant. The enchantment integration is optimal. The aesthetic choice of copper-and-crystal complements my magical signature perfectly." She looked up. "You calculated my preferences and designed accordingly. That's very you."
"Is that good?"
"That's perfect. Knox, I think in systems and optimization. Romance is difficult for me because emotions don't follow logical patterns. But this..." She touched the bracelet. "This is love expressed through optimization. You made me something that shows you understand how I think and value that rather than trying to change it."
"Why would I change it? You're brilliant exactly as you are."
She slipped on the bracelet, and her eyes widened slightly as the calculation enhancement activated. "Oh. Oh that's significant. Knox, this increases processing speed geometrically. I can run battlefield simulations 23% faster. That's..." She looked at me with unusual emotion. "That's you saying my analytical nature isn't flaw to overcome. It's strength to enhance. You want me to be more myself, not less."
"Exactly."
Mo hugged me, rare physical affection from someone who usually expressed love through acts of service. "I accept. Officially and permanently. You're my mate, my partner, and apparently the only person who thinks giving me calculation-enhancement jewelry is romantic."
"Is it romantic?"
"For me? Absolutely. You gave me optimized efficiency as love language. That's perfect." She pulled back, already analyzing. "I should update the family organizational charts to reflect official commitment status. Also schedule time for celebration. Also... "
"Mo."
"Yes?"
"Thank you for loving me enough to organize my chaos."
Her smile was soft and genuine. "Thank you for being chaos worth organizing."
Siraq - Strength and Gentleness
I found Siraq with the young refugees, teaching basic survival skills with patient firmness. She saw me, said something to the children, and approached with her characteristic steady calm.
"Knox. You have that look."
"What look?"
"The 'I made something and I'm nervous about giving it' look. What did you make?"
I pulled out her spatial anchor, a torc necklace in bronze and amber, designed for both human and bear forms. Heavy, substantial, beautiful in its strength. It held her war-claws and armor.
"This stores your gear, adapts to your transformations, and also serves as wedding torc. Official commitment. If you'll wear it."
Siraq took the torc, examining it with careful attention. "You made this to work in both forms. That's thoughtful. Most jewelry doesn't account for bear transformation."
"You transform frequently in combat. It needed to adapt."
"Because you were thinking about my needs. About what would make me more effective while also serving symbolic purpose." She fastened the torc around her neck, and it settled like it belonged there, bronze-amber against her skin, substantial but not heavy. "Knox, I'm matron. I protect. I lead. I make hard decisions about who to save when resources are limited. That's my role. My burden."
"I know."
"And you're offering to share that burden. Permanently. Not asking me to be less of a matron. Asking to stand beside me as I do what I must." She touched the torc. "This isn't just symbolic commitment. This is you saying you understand my responsibilities and choose them anyway. Choose me anyway. Weight and all."
"The weight is part of who you are. Why would I want that changed?"
She pulled me into a hug... a bear hug... bear-strength barely restrained, but gentle despite her power. "I accept. Officially and completely. You're mine. I'm yours. And anyone who threatens our family will face both of us together."
Through her bond, fierce protective love mixed with gratitude for being accepted in totality, strength and burden combined.
"Thank you," she rumbled. "For not asking me to be softer. For valuing the strength that comes with responsibility."
"Always."
Lira and Pip - Partnered Joy
The fairy pair found me together (they always moved together). Both were vibrating with barely-contained excitement.
"KNOX!" Lira zipped around my head. "Pip said you made something! Is it presents?! We love presents!"
"Are they SHINY?!" Pip demanded. "Presents should be SHINY!"
I pulled out their spatial anchors, matching sets of enchanted earrings in gold and moonstone, sized appropriately for fairy proportions. They held the girls' illusion fans and weapons, but more importantly, they were paired. Magically linked so the fairies would always know where each other was.
"These store your gear, but they're also linked. You'll always be able to find each other, sense each other's status, communicate instantly." I paused. "They're wedding earrings. Official commitment. To both of you, as partners. If you accept."
Both fairies went completely still... rare for them.
Then Lira teared up. "You made us MATCHING jewelry. That's connected. So we're never apart."
"Because you understand we're partners," Pip added softly. "Not just married to you. Partners with each other who happen to also love you."
"Exactly."
They exchanged glances, some silent communication passing between them. Then both flew to me, hugging whatever they could reach (my face, mostly).
"We accept!" they said in unison. "Officially and forever and YES!"
They fastened the earrings, gold-moonstone catching light, the paired enchantments activating with soft glow. Both fairies gasped as the connection snapped into place.
"I can FEEL you!" Lira said to Pip.
"I can feel you too! This is AMAZING!"
"Knox, you gave us permanent connection! That's the most romantic thing EVER!"
Through both their bonds, overwhelming joy and love. They felt seen as the partnership they were, valued for their dynamic, honored with jewelry that reflected their reality.
"Thank you," they said together. "For understanding us. For loving us. For making us pretty connected things!"
"You're welcome. Try not to abuse the instant communication for pranks."
They grinned identical mischievous grins.
"We make NO PROMISES!"
Fair enough.
Lyria - Nervous Honesty and Healing Hearts
I found Lyria in the medical wing, organizing supplies with her characteristic controlled clumsiness. She'd gotten better at not breaking things, but she still knocked over a jar reaching for bandages.
"Knox! I'm sorry, I didn't hear you come in, and I knocked over the... oh no that was the EXPENSIVE ointment... " She was frantically trying to clean up while also explaining.
"Lyria. Breathe."
She stopped, took a breath. "Sorry. I'm nervous because you're here and you make me nervous in a GOOD way but also in a 'I say embarrassing things' way and... I'm doing it again."
"I brought you something."
That got her attention. Her multiple eyes focused on me with sudden intensity.
I pulled out her spatial anchor, a medical bracelet in silver and emerald, designed to look like healer's jewelry but holding her combat-healing gear and armor. The centerpiece was a healing crystal I'd personally enchanted to amplify her already impressive abilities.
"This stores your equipment and enhances your healing magic by 30%. But it's also..." I paused. "It's also a wedding bracelet. I'm asking you to join the family officially. Permanently. If you want that."
Lyria stared at the bracelet, her hands moving in nervous patterns.
"You're asking me to marry you. Officially. To join your family as a permanent partner. As wife."
"Yes."
"Even though I'm clumsy and say embarrassing things and accidentally tell you about my feelings constantly and... "
"Because of those things, not despite them. Lyria, your honesty is refreshing. Your clumsiness is endearing. Your passion for healing is inspiring. I don't want you to be different. I want you exactly as you are. Permanently."
She made a sound that was half-sob, half-laugh. "Knox, I've been falling for you since the moment I crashed into you and told you about your muscles. And you've been... " She gestured helplessly. "You've been courting me through medical equipment design and making sure I have everything I need to save lives and treating my disaster-nature like it's charming instead of annoying and... "
She took a shaky breath. "Yes. Absolutely yes. I want this. Want you. Want to be part of this family forever."
I slipped the bracelet onto her wrist, and it settled perfectly, silver-emerald against her carapace, the healing crystal pulsing with enhanced power.
Lyria flexed her fingers, feeling the amplification. "Oh. Oh that's significant. Knox, I can feel my magic resonating with this. I can heal 30% faster. That's... " She looked up with tears streaming. "You gave me the ability to save more lives as a wedding gift. That's the most ME thing anyone could give me."
"That's the point. I see you. All of you. The healer, the disaster, the woman who can't stop being honest about her feelings. And I love all of it."
She kissed me, clumsy and enthusiastic and perfect in its genuine emotion. "I love you too. So much. And I'm going to tell you that constantly because I can't NOT tell you things. And you're stuck with me now!"
"I want to be stuck with you."
"Good! Because I wasn't letting you escape anyway!" She was crying and laughing simultaneously. "Knox, I'm officially part of your family. I'm your WIFE. That's... I need to sit down."
"Are you okay?"
"I'm overwhelmed in the BEST way! Everything is perfect and emotional and I can't stop crying happy tears!" She fanned herself with multiple hands. "Give me a minute to process that I'm MARRIED to the most wonderful, thoughtful, ridiculous man in existence."
Through her presence, overwhelming joy mixed with the slightly panicked happiness of getting everything she wanted simultaneously.
"Take your time."
"Thank you for being patient with my emotional disaster self."
"Thank you for being emotional disaster self. Makes life more interesting."
Velara - Cautious Acceptance and Hidden Vulnerability
I found Velara in the library, surrounded by necromantic texts. She looked up as I entered, her multiple eyes assessing me carefully.
"Knox. You have that determined expression you get when you're about to do something significant."
"Is it that obvious?"
"I've learned to read you. It's professionally useful and personally interesting." She set aside her book. "What brings you here?"
I pulled out her spatial anchor, a ring (actual ring this time) in dark silver and violet crystal, designed to look scholarly and elegant. It held her necromantic implements and combat gear, but also had protective enchantments specifically against the persecution she'd faced her whole life.
"This stores your equipment and has protections against divine detection and persecution attempts. But it's also a wedding ring. I'm asking you to join the family officially. To trust me with permanent commitment. If you're willing."
Velara studied the ring with her characteristic careful assessment. "You built in protections against the Empire's detection magic. Anti-persecution enchantments. Knox, this isn't just symbolic jewelry. This is practical protection that acknowledges my vulnerability while offering defense."
"Yes."
"You're not asking me to hide my necromancy. You're asking me to be openly myself while having tools to avoid persecution." She looked up, and I saw vulnerability she rarely showed. "Most people ask necromancers to hide. To suppress. To be ashamed. You're offering protection without demanding concealment."
"You shouldn't have to hide. You should be safe being exactly who you are."
She was quiet for a long moment, examining the ring, processing emotion she usually kept controlled.
"Knox, I've spent my entire life hiding. Expecting rejection. Preparing for persecution. Love has always been theoretical for me... something other people experienced while I remained safely isolated." Her voice was soft but steady. "And then you appeared. Chaotic, ridiculous, demon chimera who adopts orphans and recruits Crystal Spiders and treats necromancy like it's just another magical discipline worth studying."
"It is just another magical discipline."
"To you, yes. To me, it's been identity and curse combined. The thing that makes me special and marks me for death." She slipped on the ring, and the protections activated with soft violet glow. "And you've given me jewelry that says 'I see the curse and I'm actively defending you against it.' That's..."
She took a breath. "That's love expressed through understanding vulnerability and offering practical protection. That's incredibly intimate."
"Is that a yes?"
"That's a 'I'm terrified and grateful and overwhelmed and absolutely accepting.'" She stood, moved closer. "Knox, I'm not good at emotional expression. I think in theory and analysis. But I need you to understand... this ring, this commitment, it's not just romantic gesture to me. It's safety. It's acceptance. It's permission to stop hiding."
"You never had to hide with me."
"I know. That's why this matters." She kissed me, careful and deliberate, but with deep emotion behind the control. "I accept. Officially and permanently. I'm yours. You're mine. And anyone who threatens either of us will discover necromancy has VERY creative defensive applications."
Through her presence, barriers finally lowering completely. Fear mixing with hope, caution mixing with trust. She was choosing vulnerability, choosing to believe in permanent safety.
"Thank you," she whispered. "For seeing me. For protecting me. For wanting me despite, or perhaps because of, what I am."
"Always."
Thessia - Confident Understanding and Leadership Acceptance
Thessia found me before I could find her. She approached with her characteristic confidence, studying me with knowing eyes.
"Knox. You've been giving gifts all morning. I felt the emotional resonance through the fortress." She smiled slightly. "I assume I'm last?"
"Saved the best for last?"
"Saved the most patient for last. Smart prioritization." She settled across from me, composed and waiting. "What have you made for me?"
I pulled out her spatial anchor, a commander's circlet in dark iron and ruby, designed to look like leadership regalia while holding her weapons and armor. But more than that, it had integrated communication enchantments that would let her coordinate defenders more effectively.
"This stores your gear and enhances your ability to command and coordinate multiple units simultaneously. But it's also a wedding circlet. I'm asking you to lead this family, not just romantically, but actually lead. Command. Make decisions. Be the general you've always been. Officially and permanently. If you accept."
Thessia examined the circlet with professional appreciation, understanding immediately what I was offering.
"You're not just proposing romantic commitment. You're offering me actual leadership position within your family structure. Recognition of my skills and experience as commander, not just partner."
"Yes. You led a caravan for five years. Kept hundreds alive through impossible circumstances. You understand strategy, logistics, and making hard decisions. We need that. I need that. And I'm asking you to bring all of it... the commander, the strategist, the woman who's seen too much but keeps leading anyway... into this family permanently."
She was quiet, processing. Then she smiled, genuine and warm.
"Knox, do you understand what you're offering? True leadership position means I'll second-guess your decisions when I think you're wrong. Challenge your strategies. Push back when needed. I won't be decorative partner who agrees with everything."
"I'm counting on it. I need people who'll tell me when I'm being an idiot. You've already been doing that. I'm just making it official."
"And you're doing it with jewelry that enhances my command abilities. Because you want me to be MORE of who I am, not less." She fastened the circlet, and it settled like crown, dark iron-ruby against her carapace, the communication enchantments activating with subtle red glow. "This is perfect. Functional, beautiful, and symbolic of genuine partnership rather than subordination."
"Equal partners. Different strengths. Combined leadership."
"Exactly." She pulled me close, her confidence absolute. "I accept. Officially, permanently, and with full understanding that you're getting both romantic partner and co-commander who will absolutely argue with you when necessary."
"Perfect."
She kissed me, confident and claiming, expressing certainty rather than asking permission. "You're mine. I'm yours. And together we're going to lead this impossible family through impossible odds."
Through her presence, satisfaction and determination. She felt recognized, valued for her full capabilities, trusted with actual responsibility rather than symbolic position.
"Thank you," she said quietly. "For seeing the commander and wanting her, not just the woman. For understanding they're inseparable and valuing both."
"Always."
Public Announcement - Family Expansion Official
By noon, word had spread that something significant was happening. The entire fortress had gathered in the main hall, partners, children, refugees, dwarven guests, monster allies, everyone.
I stood with my ten partners, seven existing, three new. All wearing their spatial anchors, all radiating various levels of emotion ranging from Kas's enthusiastic joy to Velara's cautious happiness to Nyx's possessive pride.
"So," I said, addressing the assembled fortress. "I've officially expanded the family. Again. I know everyone's keeping count, but for the record: ten partners is apparently my limit. Maybe. Probably. We'll see."
Laughter rippled through the crowd.
"In all seriousness... " I looked at my partners. "These ten incredible women have chosen to build something unprecedented with me. A family that transcends species, a home that welcomes everyone, a society that says labels don't matter as much as character. I'm honored. I'm terrified. And I'm absolutely committed to making this work."
"PAPA'S MARRIED TO EVEN MORE PEOPLE!" Dewdrop announced, flying circles around everyone. "This is GREAT! More family means more people to love Papa!"
"And more people for Papa to stress about protecting," Aranyx added with teenage dry wit. "Which means he'll sleep even less. Great planning, Papa."
"I'm working on the sleep thing."
"You're working on EVERYTHING thing! That's the PROBLEM!"
Through both daughters' bonds, love mixed with exasperation. They understood I was taking on more responsibility, but also that I was building something worth the cost.
Grimhild approached, studying the assembled partners with professional assessment. "Ten wives. You're building entire clan worth of family structure. This is very dwarf approach to relationship building."
"Is it?"
"Aye. We value strength in numbers, diversity in skills, unified purpose. You've married healer, scholar, commander, warriors, strategists, and support specialists. That's strategic clan formation." She nodded approvingly. "Properly dwarf-minded. I'm proud of my adopted son."
"GRAND-MOM GRIMHILD APPROVES!" Dewdrop translated unnecessarily. "That means it's OFFICIAL official!"
The celebration that followed was chaotic and warm. Partners bonding with new sisters-wives, the three arachnae being welcomed fully into the existing dynamic, everyone adjusting to the expanded family structure.
I watched it all, feeling overwhelming gratitude mixed with terror.
Ten partners. Two daughters. An entire fortress of refugees counting on me. Monster allies expecting proper habitat. Dwarven craftmasters offering expertise. The Empire preparing overwhelming force.
Absolutely insane.
But looking at my expanded family, at Lyria laughing with Mo about medical logistics, at Velara discussing magic theory with the kids, at Thessia already coordinating with Yuzu about defensive improvements, at all of them integrating seamlessly into the chaos...
Insane was working out pretty well.
Through all the bonds, love and determination and the absolute certainty that whatever came next, we'd face it together.
As increasingly ridiculous but increasingly capable family.
Evening - Private Moments
Later, after the public celebration died down, I found myself alone with all ten partners in our expanded private quarters (which Mo had efficiently reorganized to accommodate everyone).
"So," Nyx said, breaking the comfortable silence. "Ten partners. How does it feel?"
"Terrifying and perfect simultaneously."
"That's very you," Kas laughed. "Everything is terrifying and perfect!"
"Also accurate assessment of our family structure," Mo observed. "Unprecedented and functional despite all statistical probability suggesting it shouldn't work."
"It works because Knox makes it work," Thessia said. "Through sheer stubborn determination and refusal to accept 'impossible' as answer."
"Also because we're all remarkable people who chose each other," Yuzu added. "Knox facilitated, but we're all actively building this."
"Speaking of building," Lyria interjected nervously-excitedly, "can we talk about how Knox gave us WEDDING GIFTS that were ALSO optimized equipment?! Because that's simultaneously romantic and practical and very confusing emotionally!"
"That's Knox's love language," Siraq said warmly. "He shows emotion through creation. Through making things that help people he loves be more themselves."
"It's remarkably consistent," Velara agreed. "Every gift, every gesture, every design choice, it all says 'I see you and I want to enhance what makes you unique.' That's deeper than words."
Through all the bonds, overwhelming love and acceptance and the chaotic joy of family that actually worked despite, or because of, its unconventional structure.
"I love all of you," I said simply. "In different ways, for different reasons, but completely. And I'm terrified of failing you."
"You won't," they said in unison (which was slightly creepy but also touching).
"But if you do," Nyx continued, "we'll adapt. That's what family does. We adjust, compensate, support each other through failures and successes alike."
"Besides," Kas added, "you're Knox. You'll probably succeed through ridiculous improvisation and somehow make it look planned."
"That's not reassuring."
"It's accurate though!"
Fair point.
The Kids Get Gifts Too... You thought I forgot.
The next morning, both daughters appeared at my workshop looking determined.
"Papa," Aranyx said seriously. "You made everyone else custom equipment. And wedding gifts. We're not asking for wedding gifts because that's WEIRD. But we noticed everyone has cool gear and we're still training with basic stuff."
"And we're your DAUGHTERS!" Dewdrop added. "We should have special gear too! Not because we're spoiled! Because we're FAMILY!"
They had a point.
"You're right. I've been so focused on combat equipment for everyone else, I neglected training gear for you two."
"SO WE GET SPECIAL GEAR?!" both asked simultaneously.
"You get age-appropriate training equipment. Emphasis on training and appropriate."
"GOOD ENOUGH!"
I pulled out what I'd actually already been working on (because of course I had):
For Aranyx: A training harness that would help her coordinate all eight legs while providing safety dampening if she fell or miscalculated. Plus a practice staff that could channel her emerging chimera magic safely without risk of explosive accidents.
For Dewdrop: Flight-training gear that included enhanced safety wings (magical constructs that would catch her if she fell), plus a small practice weapon that was sized appropriately and couldn't actually hurt anyone.
"These are TRAINING only," I emphasized. "Not combat gear. You're not fighting in any actual battles."
"But Papa... " Aranyx started.
"Non-negotiable. You're teenagers. Your job is learning and growing safely. When you're older and properly trained, we'll discuss combat roles. Until then, training gear only."
Through both their bonds, disappointment mixed with understanding. They knew I was protecting them, even if they didn't love it.
"Fine," Aranyx agreed. "Training gear is still cool. Thank you, Papa."
"Thank you Papa Knox!" Dewdrop hugged my face. "Even if you're being overprotective! We still love you!"
"Love you too. Now go practice with your new gear. Safely."
"SAFE PRACTICE!" they chorused, already racing off to test their equipment.
Through the bonds, I felt my partners' approval. I was protecting the kids while still giving them tools to develop their abilities. Balancing safety with growth.
Parenting was complicated.
But I was getting better at it.
Maybe.
[SEVEN WEEKS UNTIL ASSAULT]
[TEN PARTNERS: OFFICIALLY COMMITTED]
[SPATIAL STORAGE RINGS: DISTRIBUTED]
[FAMILY: EXPANDED AND UNIFIED]
[KIDS: EQUIPPED APPROPRIATELY]
[KNOX: MORE OPENLY AFFECTIONATE]
[DWARVES: STILL AMUSED BY EVERYTHING] ]