“Would you build a fire for us?” Veera asked gently, allowing her eyes to acclimate to the darkness within her home. Winters was standing in the doorway, likely doing the same, though it was clearly taking him longer. Her fur stood on end as she beheld his dark silhouette. It was fitting, she thought. He’d not been so closed off from her since the moment they’d met. Russell…

“Of course, just give me a moment so I can see a bit better?” His voice was tight and it set her on edge as he stepped tentatively towards the dry wood pile. Her heart raced beneath her ribs as every fiber of her being came alive. All of her hopes and desires, buried for years, awakened for weeks, seemed ready to burst forth from her. I don’t want to go back anymore. This is it. Tonight. I want him. She remained still as Winters moved throughout the small space, not wanting to get in his way. As he placed tinder and logs in the pit, she reflected on the day’s events. She smiled as she remembered how he’d greeted her that morning, the look on his face as he’d eaten breakfast, their laughter at the archery range. She thought about their talk with Zolta’s master and how Winters had taken off when he’d seen the young Cauthan floundering, how he’d waited so that Zolta would have someone to talk to when it was over. Then came the memories of his contest with Antoth, the fire in his eyes, the strength his body was capable of, the sounds he made, the way he smelled, the feel of his chest beneath her as she landed atop him. The heat slithered down into her abdomen, pooling deliciously in her womb. If there had been any doubt in her mind before today, it was gone. Winters was prime mate material, and her body refused to be denied. Her brain, which had restrained her baser instincts in the past as the two of them built their camaraderie, was now in agreement with those instincts. She stared down at him as he knelt by the fire, brief sparks from the flint lighting his face before they were overtaken by the faint red glow of burning tinder. The profile of his face was illuminated for her in the darkness. She found it, and the tortured look in his eyes, hauntingly attractive. Slowly, more of him came into view as the flames spread. Within moments her home was filled with heat and light. After taking Veera’s mug and placing them both under the bench against the wall, Winters joined her and they both sat next to one another in front of the blaze.

“So…what did you think of our festival?” Veera asked tentatively, crossing her arms and holding her elbows in her hands. She felt silly saying something like that when her mind was most definitely elsewhere, but she didn’t know how to start. Winters took it in stride.

“I had a really great time Veera, honestly. The food was amazingly fresh and I had plenty of fun making the rounds with you. Not to mention beating Antoth, that’s always a plus.” He smiled at her, though she noted something ever so slightly off, a tensing of muscle that wasn’t usually there.

“You really were amazing there.” She complimented him. “I don’t know if I’ve ever seen anyone that impressive.”

“You sure you’re not a little biased?” He asked coyly. Again, he seemed to be fighting with himself, straining. She found it hard to swallow as he tentatively began their flirtatious game again. It was becoming increasingly clear that neither of them was taking anything casually anymore. Were his light words some sort of misdirection? How Veera wished they could talk honestly, like they usually did. She tried.

“I may be a little biased, but I know what I felt watching you. Not just during the contest either. I’ve not…felt like this for many years Russell.” She reached between them to place a paw over his hand which was resting on the ground. He stiffened at her touch, something he’d not done in a long time. There was no doubt in her mind anymore. He was feeling everything that she was; all the nerves, all the anticipation. She wouldn’t have been surprised if lightning began spontaneously arcing between them.

“I…uh…thanks Veera. So…” His cheeks were red as he cast his eyes about, trying to think of a way out and kicking himself for cowardice at the same time. “When should I meet you tomorrow? Same time?” He asked cautiously, his eyes finally meeting hers. She saw fear in them. It hurt. She thought of winter, of her mother.

Be brave, my daughter.

“I don’t want you to meet me tomorrow.” Veera told him, breathing deeply to steady herself as he cast a look of confusion her way. “I want you to stay tonight. I want you to stay…with me.” A log popped in the fire, sending sparks up to join the stars. To her it sounded as loud as the gunshot at the river shrine. Winters was staring at her, fear in his eyes now joined by…something else. Something she couldn’t place. Determination perhaps? He closed his mouth and swallowed hard.

“Veera, that sort of thing is…a very big step in human courtship.” He said with remarkable control, trying to feel her out.

“Russell, do you honestly believe such an invitation has less significance among my people?” She asked pointedly, wondering how in Seil’s name he could be fighting her so hard after they’d spent such an easy and intimate day in one another’s company. He stood, breaking her hold on him.

“No, I don’t.” He admitted, looking into the flames as if they held the answers to his plight. She stood with him, a flash flood of fear passing through her as he began walking to the doorway where he’d left his vest.

“Russell! Don’t you dare walk away from me!” She yelled, placing herself between him and the door. He’d not moved to pick up his vest, yet. He was just staring at her. Her breathing was coming heavily now. “Why? What’s happening to you?!” She asked desperately, hearing the tears building in her voice.

“Veera.” He looked at the floor. “I don’t think I can do this.” She gasped as a sob wracked her lungs, covering her mouth with her hands.

“But…but I thought…how could?!”

“I know. I thought so too but…” He ran a hand through his hair and looked at the ceiling instead, unable to meet her tearful gaze. He knew it would break him. “I could only hurt you in the end.”

“W-what?” She whispered. Something in him seemed to have calmed slightly. He spoke to her in a low voice, full of self-loathing that seemed to have overridden his anxiety and dread.

“If I stayed, if we were mated, it would only harm you Veera.” She gripped either side of the doorframe with her hands, supporting herself as she trembled and creating a physical barrier to his passage.

“No, you’re wrong!” She shouted. Winters continued anyway.

“If my people find me I will have to leave. I’m a soldier. I have a duty to my people, and to many families back on Earth who lost a loved one here. I would have to leave.” He paused and wiped a tear from his eye. “I’d leave you here with nothing. You’d not be able to take another mate.” He met her eyes again and she saw pain, immense pain. “I’d be denying you a family Veera, the chance to be a mother. I’d take everything from you, not just your own future, but everything beyond that. It doesn’t matter how much I want to, I can’t-”

“STOP! You stop it right now!” Veera violently shook the tears from her eyes, voice rising. “Stop it you big, stupid, noble HUMAN!” She advanced on him, grabbing him by his upper arms and forcing him backwards. Winters, caught by surprise and unwilling to physically fight her, allowed himself to be pushed backward until the back of his legs made contact with the wooden frame of Veera’s bed. With a growl that summoned all of her emotional fury and physical strength, significant now that she’d regrown much of her muscle mass, she pushed hard, sending him back-first onto the bed of straw with a cry of surprise followed by a deep grunt as he landed. His legs bent at the knee, feet remaining just in contact with the floor. He looked up at her with wide eyes.

“Veera, what in the blazes are you-”

“Silence. I’m taking a page out of your book and fighting for what I want.” She hissed at him, unsheathing all of her claws. Her brown eyes burned with tears, firelight, and pain; pain that he knew he’d inflicted on her. It felt like a cold blade was stabbing into his gut. Eyes open and unwavering, he focused on her leg as she raised a foot and placed it on the bed between his legs, bringing her main talon to rest against his inner thigh. He winced as she pressed down, knowing his femoral artery wouldn’t be safe if she really dug in. Only his vest was Kevlar. “You said your piece Russell.” She told him, voice low and angry with betrayal. “Now you’re going to lay there and listen to me while I say mine. Do you understand?”

“Veera-” He tried meekly.

“Yes or no Russell!” She cried, unable to keep her emotions in check any longer.

“Yes.” He relented, raising his hands above his head in defeat. I guess after all of that, hearing her out is the least she deserves.

With a nod, Veera removed her talon from its precarious position. Sensing the passing of immediate danger, Winters propped himself up on his elbows, only to freeze as Veera clambered onto the bed and straddled him, her knees at his waist. She didn’t sit against him, choosing instead to remain upright, her knees bent at a ninety degree angle. The message was abundantly clear. She was in control; he was not to touch her.

“Now please, Russell, listen to me.” She implored him, putting her claws away. He nodded. “You said a lot of things Russell, a lot of things you’ve clearly thought long and hard about, things that have been eating away at you. Did you ever stop to think that I might be thinking those same things too? Do you think I never considered what it would mean to be mated to you? Do you think I never thought about what would happen if you left me one day?” She was crying freely above him. Winters was too ashamed to reply. “You kept it all inside, didn’t you? I guess it shouldn’t be too much of a surprise to me, should it? It’s by far the biggest, stupidest, most noble thing you’ve done yet…my human.” She smiled down at him before shaking her head, her feathers undulating all the while as her emotions were given voice. “Those days are over Russell. We are partners, you and I. These burdens aren’t yours to bear alone. They are ours. Don’t you dare be selfish.”

“I…I’m sorry Veera.” Winters whispered, remaining unmoving below her. He thought her words alone might bury him. He could barely breathe.

“I know you are Russell. I could see it in your eyes the whole time. You thought hurting me now would be better than hurting me later. But that’s not how these things work, not with me. I want things, Russell. I want things from you…only from you.” She whispered as her tail flicked about softly behind her. “Do you feel the same way? Are there things you want from me? Only from me?” Winters thought his heart would crack his ribs with how hard it was beating as she spoke to him, her words so heavy with need he thought he would drown in them. He knew the answer clear as day. Under her assault, he couldn’t deny it to her any longer.

“Yes, I do feel that way. There are things I want, Veera.” She let out a sound somewhere between laughter and a sob.

“Then will you listen to me? Will you hear what I’d have of you?”

“I will.” He replied, breath catching in his chest as she leaned forward, resting her hands on his shoulders, holding herself just inches from him. He captured her scent again, that dusky, earthy aroma. He closed his eyes briefly to savor it, opening them again as Veera continued.

“I want you, Russell Winters. I don’t need you to take me to the temple of Meylith. I’m not asking you to throw me down and claim my maidenhood. I’m not asking you to make my belly full with child. I’m not asking you to forsake your people for me. But I am asking for you, Russell. I’m asking for you to take me for your own. I’m asking to take you for mine. I can be your girlfriend. I can be your mate. I can be whatever it is we want this to be so long as it is something real. So long as it is us. I want to be yours and I want you to be mine. The other day you said that life was too short. I’ve waited four years for something like this…for someone to want me the way I want them. I don’t want to wait another day.” Veera was breathing quicker with each proclamation as she watched the eyes of the man she yearned for grow wide with a new emotion, desire. “Every day I’ve been with you, from the very first, I’ve felt alive in ways I’ve not felt since I was a young girl and the world held only promise instead of sorrow. If you had to leave me one day, I would gladly trade every day from then until my last to have made the most of this time we have together. I know the other day I said maybe, that I might be willing to take that risk. No longer. I will. I want to take that risk with everything I am. Please?” She finished, resting her forehead against his and closing her eyes. He was so close, so warm; she could almost convince herself that he was hers.

“Feather kitten.” His words were soft in her ear, so lovely to her soul. “If you would have me, then I would have you.” And like that, he was.

“Russell!” She exclaimed, throwing her arms around him and burying her head into the wonderful space where his neck met his shoulder. His scent was strong there, as was his warmth. She could feel their rioting heartbeats. Shifting beneath her to support all his weight on one arm, Winters brought the other around her and clutched her to him, rubbing small circles over her back.

“Veera.” He breathed. As the fire crackled and danced, the two of them held together, feeling each other’s heartbeat calm and steady out, as if acclimating to one another. Veera slowly drew back after what felt like an eternity. There was something she desperately wanted to do.

“My human…I would dance for you.” She stroked the underside of his chin with a finger as his pupils dilated. He nodded, unable or unwilling to speak. Purring with contentment, she lifted her right leg over him and stepped onto the floor before turning away. Pushing all the extraneous thoughts from her mind she focused on two things, her burning desire for Winters and the primal understanding of her capabilities as a female. Placing one leg delicately and slowly in front of the other, she walked away from him until she drew even with the fire, her tail swaying in time with her steps, making sure his eyes flowed steadily up and down her profile along each tensed muscle and curve before traveling back again. She heard him shift on the bed. Turning slowly back to him, she saw he was sitting facing her, his elbows on his knees. The look in his pale blue eyes almost made her heart stop. His posture was reserved but there was no mistaking the intent in his gaze. His smoldering, animalistic desire traveled straight to her core where it exploded in liquid warmth. With a seductive flash of her teeth she glanced to the side, ensuring she understood just how much room she had to work with around the fire. Meeting his eyes again, she brought her hands to rest at her sides. “This is for you…and only for you.”

As though music had begun playing in her mind, Winters watched as Veera slowly moved her arms upward, dragging her hands up her thighs and over her hips before crossing them as they traversed her midriff, accentuating the flat and toned muscles under fur and fabric. Winters hissed as Veera’s hands continued their journey up her chest and above her head, stopping only when her arms were fully extended; hands crossed one over the other. For a moment she remained still before bending at the knee, slowly lowering her body toward the ground. As she went her legs parted, accentuating the curvature of her hips and thighs, though she made sure to stop before revealing anything under her dress. As she ascended once more, Winters felt his mind slowly going blank. His entire world consisted of heat, light, and Veera; the latter making an extraordinarily persuasive case that the art of seduction was universal. Veera allowed her left arm to fall until it was parallel to the ground and slightly curved inward, almost like a ballerina. Remaining stationary, she began moving her right hand in slow circles at the wrist. Once that motion had been established, she allowed her whole arm to join the movement. Veera slowly dipped her head backward, forming her back into a pleasing arch and presenting her chest to her human. She flared her crown feathers as she reversed and straightened her body once more. When she regained her center she allowed her upper body to join the motions of her arm. Shortly thereafter, she began moving her hips and tail as well, knowing that Winters had been, on occasion, observing that part of her anatomy.

“Holy fuck.” He cursed as she rolled and gyrated her hips and belly for him. Her body felt wonderfully responsive and limber, and she thanked the gods that she’d been able to put weight back on. It didn’t matter if he couldn’t give her children, she felt fertile, felt like a goddess, and if the slack jawed look he was giving her was any indication, he agreed. Satisfied that she had his attention, Veera added the final element of her dance, slowly turning her body clockwise as she moved, allowing the feathers of her left arm to trail behind her and emphasize the rotation. Everything clicked for her, each motion flowing together into one and she began her sultry dance around the fire, flames casting hauntingly beautiful shadows behind her. As she passed near Winters she picked up the sound of his breathing. It was gratifyingly rapid and heavy. Risking a peek, she met his eyes. In the dim light his pupils had widened to the point that it was hard to make out his irises, giving him a dark and possessive look that pierced her to the very center of her being. She didn’t just feel wanted, she felt divine, in control, lusted after. She felt beautiful.

Winters had signed up for many things when he joined the HEL. He’d known he’d end up in places no one had been before, see things no one had seen. He had never imagined anything like this. Veera’s body had him completely entranced. It was like the fire was the sun and her body the rotation of celestial forms through space. The fact that she was of another species was completely irrelevant. She was stunning, elegant, seductive. No qualifiers were needed, as his body’s reaction made clear. When she circled near him a fourth time, something deep within him compelled him to move. Summoning all his will, he broke the trance she’d cast on him and stood, catching her smoothly with an arm around her waist.

“You are…unbelievably beautiful.” He whispered huskily into her ear, earning a throaty purr in return.

“And yet you stopped me?” She asked teasingly, draping herself over him so that she could speak into his ear. He felt his arousal strain at her voice, knew she’d feel it too. Summoning every ounce of willpower he possessed, he decided against throwing her down on her bed and ravaging her. She’d given herself to him. There would be time. Something else was calling from inside him, something that demanded precedence, demanded that she be closer to him in more ways than just physically.

“I want to dance with you, the human way.” He requested. She drew back, keeping her arms linked around his shoulders. He smiled at her look of playful surprise.

“That sounds lovely.” She agreed. He slowly changed their stance, stepping away from her and placing his right hand on her back, just below the shoulder. His left hand took her right, holding her arm up and away from the body. She cocked her head, silently asking what would come next.

“Io, think you can help me out?”

‘Of course sir.’ Io affirmed as a lovely slow waltz

on violin began to play. Veera gasped, momentarily taken aback at the unfamiliar, yet beautiful sounds. Within a couple measures she’d eased back into his hold, allowing the music to sweep through her. Winters gave her instructions.

“The step is simple. I’ll begin forward with my right foot. You mirror me, so back with your left. Then we move this way.” He slowly guided her along the first half of the box step, taking care not to move too fast. Veera, already warmed up, understood quickly, giving herself over to his guiding hands. A few iterations later she was gliding along with him, sighing contentedly as they looked into each other’s eyes instead of at the floor. “Would you like to add a bit?” Winters asked as Io continued the melody, repeating as necessary.

“Of course.” She smiled sweetly, touched at how the music and movement flowed together and united them. Her dance had been primal, lustful, and indulgent. Their steps now felt refined, loving, and somehow, more significant. Winters began rotating them as they stepped through the box, taking them on another orbit around the dancing fire in the center of the room. If there had been any lingering doubts in Veera’s mind about the wisdom of her choice, they were quickly dispelled as he turned them through space with poise and she flowed along with him. “This is beautiful.” She murmured, confident enough in her steps to draw close and rest her head on his shoulder. “I feel like I’m one with you.”

“I feel the same.” He murmured, dipping her ever so slightly as the final note played, the lust in his eyes now tempered into something unfathomable. It had been far too short. Veera’s heart burned for more.

“Again? I want to be close to you.” She told him, unafraid of the truth. He nodded.

“Think you can help us out once more Io?”

‘Absolutely. The two of you are wonderful.’ Io said happily, beginning another song

for them. This one threatened to sweep Veera away almost immediately as a wonderful new instrument began playing.

“What is this?” She asked as he pulled her body flush against his, his hands moving to her waist. “It sounds beautiful.”

“A piano. Maybe one day…” He began, holding her tightly.

“Please.” She asked for everything and nothing as they began to move in slow circles again around the fire, spinning as one, their movements less refined, more fluid. As they did so, the music swept them up and away, filling her heart with love and purpose. She could hear the swelling of strings now, a low drum, and a human choir. The sounds rushed through her, catching her breath in her lungs. She looked up into her human’s eyes, now resembling infinite pools. Were it not for his wonderful hold, she thought she would lose herself completely in the music. It was unlike anything she’d ever heard before and it was undoing her. She was crying, she wanted to laugh with delight. Every positive emotion she’d ever felt since meeting Winters was being drawn to the surface at once by the sound filling her being. His eyes held her through the crescendo…and it was over. As the piano let them down softly, she knew there was one thing, and only one thing, she wanted from her human right now. She hugged him tightly, feeling him respond in kind. Turning her face into his, she rubbed herself against him, nuzzling their cheeks as a delightful purr escaped her lips.

“Veera.” He whispered.

“Russell.” She replied, tilting her head and licking his cheek. It was small and chaste, but he seemed to understand exactly what had happened. As she withdrew to look at him again, he brought a hand up to the spot her tongue had caressed, touching it lightly. The smile he rewarded her with was everything she could have hoped to see on the face of the man she wanted. “Now…like a human?” She requested, her voice barely audible over the crackling fire. Winters said nothing, only nodding as he looked at her through lidded eyes. He removed his hand from his cheek and used it to cradle her own, placing the lightest of pressure on the underside of her muzzle to tilt her face into alignment, gazing down at her thin black lips. They were glossy and ever so slightly plump. There was no way he could deny her or his own desire. Closing his eyes, Winters leaned in and brought his lips into contact with hers. Veera’s eyes flew open and her diaphragm failed her for a moment before Winters withdrew, leaving arcs of electricity rioting across her lips.

“Again?” She asked. And again her human said nothing, this time taking her face in both hands and planting his lips firmly on hers. She was ready and closed her eyes, savoring the feeling of him. His lips were just as he was, kind and gentle, but also firm and strong. After what felt like an eon, he lessened the pressure, only to bring his lips into contact again, this time keeping them in motion. Veera felt her body go limp as he moved one hand to her lower back, holding her in place. He wasn’t trying to eat her, but his lips had become demanding, hungry. They were moving against hers, making tiny wet sounds that set her mind ablaze. She didn’t know what to do, how to react. Sensing her momentary trepidation Winters withdrew, looking into her eyes and searching for her reply.

“Again.” She requested, throwing her arms around his neck and moaning as he crashed his lips into hers. This time she tried to mimic his actions, opening her mouth ever so slightly to loosen and soften her own lips. As she joined him in this new ‘dance’, she was rewarded with a husky groan of his own for her efforts, a sound that stirred something in the pit of her stomach. Whatever this human method of nuzzling was, it was beyond delightful. Winters had begun angling his head to one side and then the other, taking his time to enjoy her lips before moving. She responded, performing the complimentary motions and allowing their lips to dance together. Where his first kiss had sent sparks flying along her skin, his ministrations now had her entire body alight. Her talons dug into the floor and her back arched, pressing her body into his. He responded to her, holding her tightly, commanding her mouth’s attention. Her feathers were fluttering and waving as each kiss came and went, light touches followed by powerful and commanding strokes, then soft brushing side to side. Oh the things this human could do with just his lips!

“Again!” Veera demanded hungrily, pushing him back to the bed and collapsing on top of him. He didn’t lose his hold once, moving both hands to her back as she straddled him, running his fingers through her fur and ensuring her lips wouldn’t leave his; not that she had any intention of doing so. Their breathing was coming heavily now as their lips clashed again and again. “Gods, Russell.” Veera moaned, her breath hot on his skin. His reply was to sieze her lips anew before extending his tongue and swiping it over them, eliciting a startled gasp from Veera. Oh my…what was that?! She could barely form coherent thoughts as his tongue began stroking her lips along with his own. Her vision was going white. It was almost…

“Too much…” She managed to breathe, barely. He stopped immediately at her words, withdrawing the pressure of his lips agonizingly slowly until he could see into her eyes again. His face was flushed, his hair mussed and unruly. His chest heaved with shallow breaths. He looked absolutely perfect.

“Veera…” He lifted himself with his core to claim her lips in a final, chaste kiss, soothing the sensory overload he’d bestowed upon her moments before. “That was amazing.”

“You mean it?” She asked, lowering herself onto him as they brought all their limbs fully onto the bed, Winters lying flat on his back. After a moment of adjustment she snuggled up to his left side, using her proximity to his heart to indulge in its soothing rhythm.

“I do mean it, feather kitten.”

“I’m not too…inexperienced?” She barely managed in a whisper. She knew he’d been mated before and there she was, slowing them down long before any clothing even came off.

“You’re perfect Veera.” He reassured her, bringing his left arm up to scratch the base of her ears. She mewled happily and rubbed herself against him.

“So are you, you sensual, wonderful, noble human.” She cooed.

“I definitely like the sound of that.” He chuckled, shifting his legs slightly to get comfortable. The straw bedding wasn’t an issue for him. He was about to sleep lying down, for a full night, with a remarkable woman in his arms. As far as Winters was concerned, he’d found a little piece of heaven out in the darkness. Veera’s purring soothed him as a sudden wave of fatigue washed over them. Emotionally and physically it had been a long day. As he drifted off, she murmured a question.

“Russell, what was that we just did?”

“That was kissing Veera. And I very much enjoyed doing it with you.”

‘That…would be incorrect.’ Io insisted, appearing in Winters’ visor in a set of green panties and a white tank top. She was sitting on the floor, her legs splayed out to either side. Her hair could only be described as post-coital. ‘That was the hottest moment of my life.’ Absolute silence reigned for a long moment. Winters thought his brow would ascend into his hair as he looked down his chest at Veera. Before long, it was too much to take and the new couple burst into laughter and mirth. As they finally calmed the fire began its final burn, the light slowly fading from the room. When darkness covered them, Winters and Veera nodded off peacefully, worries of the past and future cast aside in favor of the warmth and comfort of the present.