Xyla Quest felt embarrassed at her own gullibility when she heard her explanation. “All right, then. Thank you for the invitation, Empress.”

The empress smiled kindly. “It’s been decided then. We will have a pleasantly long chat today. I’ll send you home after the meal, but you will forget everything that happened tonight once you return.

“I’ve also repaid the kindness you once shown to me, so we are both cleared of our debts.

“To be honest, I hope you will remember me, but there are heavenly rules to heed. I can’t keep breaking them by abusing my relationship with the emperor.

“Logically speaking, ordinary humans shouldn’t be allowed to come here, so you must forget your experiences here. It's the only way to protect the heavenly realm’s mystery,” she added.

Xyla nodded her comprehension. “All right, I can understand that.”

“Splendid!" the empress declared happily. "Come with me. I’ve already set the table.”

With the heavenly royalties leading the way, Xyla and Stanley Batton f