My eyes linger on the pair before me, I strange tug and pull of emotions troubling my heart at the image they created together.

Held protectively in Lincoln's arms, Kalem lets his head fall back as a chorus of laughter escapes him, a smile so big resting on his lips that it encouraged mine to follow suit.

I couldn't see Lincoln's face from here, but the deep red wings at his back fluttered excitedly while Kalem laughed, chasing behind his joy with his own.

It didn't look as if a lost boy was being held by the man he gave all his trust too, Kalem didn't look scared or unsure of his surroundings in the slightest.

I didn't see a slave and his master, instead, I saw a young boy who was deeply in love, being held by a man who loved him just the same.

It was very simple, but that didn't stop my heart from swelling.

Ythene's charge was coming to an end.

"Aias," At Malcolm's call I immediately divert my attention solely to him.

That was all it took now, Malcolm's lips calling for me and within an instant, I lost any former train of thought as I focused on him.

It was disturbing... the power I'd let him construct over me.

"Yes," I answer as I look into his striking grey eyes.

Malcolm looked frightened and a little panicked as he fought with himself to get the right words out, his grip on my arm growing tighter with each step.

To his left, his incubus companion, Wequie, wore an expression of pure pleasure and budding mischief.

Though the incubus did have a habit of falling into these two categories all the times I'd seen him, I was sure now that that had something to do with Malcolm's worry

"Tell Wequie that he is not invited to ever join us in bed," Malcolm demands though he kept his tone respectful.

"That goes without saying," I reply with a small frown that quickly washes away all of Malcolm's worries.

In Ythene's realm, I'd had many lovers and many skilled partners to keep my bed warm at night. I, like most elves, was never one to shy away from the pleasures one could find in another, and more so, the pleasures to be found while indulging many.

However with Malcolm...

With Malcolm it was different. I wouldn't share my pisen.

"I was only teasing Malcolm," Wequie says lightly but Malcolm's eyes remained narrow as he studied his friend.

"You are being hopeful," He corrects and the incubus only shrugs in response. "But I'll never share Aias, never."

Raising my hand I gently stroke Malcolm's collar to soothe him. I'd infused the piece of jewellery with elven magic that strengthened the connection Malcolm and I had slowly kindled all one our own.

And it did its job now as Malcolm eased against me, letting the presence of my care seep into his skin to calm him.

The pair carry on their conversation and I listen in with one ear while I let my thoughts wander to the quickly approaching matters of my charge.

My time in this realm was speedily coming to an end, I may not be done my charge just yet but it wouldn't be too long now.

Lincoln and Malcolm were working hard to bring about their clan, and things were falling into place far faster than I'd imagined.

It was only the matter of killing the vampire they called Diablos and I expected that would be settled within a few months.

I only had mere months before I'd have to return to Ythene's realm. But there was still so much left to do.

I entertained the idea of staying on longer but quickly banished the thought. If I ignored their calls -which would come- they'd send someone to fetch me and the last thing I wanted was Babis' knowing eyes here on Earth.

He'd take one glance at Malcolm and know.

It would be safer to leave when my charge was completed. If I went without trouble, I'd be able to spin the events of my time on Earth to my liking without raising unnecessary suspicion.

Once that was handled, I'd return once I'd made the proper arrangements to keep Malcolm with me.

But even so, I still needed to teach Kalem how to mould another form for himself and ensure that he had full control of his elven gifts.

Then there was Malcolm. I could no better part from him than he could from me.

I'd realised that when he'd gone with Lincoln and Wequie to seek a physical start to their clan, and didn't wish to relive the distress that befell me when I was without my pisen.

My pisen... Ythene's mercy, they'd have my head at the palace for that.

"Is he usually this quiet?" I hear the incubus ask, "I know opposites attract and all that but yikes! Do you just talk to yourself most of the time Mal?"

"I speak when there's something worth saying," I say as I let my gaze fall into the small creature, "or when there's someone worth speaking to."

Malcolm snorts and Wequie laughs as well, he seemed like the type to not take anything to heart.

"Okay, so clearly I'm worth speaking to." Wequie declares with a happy cheer that causes Malcolm to roll his eyes. "But now that we've got you talking, why don't you tell us about life back home?" Wequie prompts with curious eyes. "Are there festivals like these? Do you dance around and sing music, or simply stare quietly at one another?"

"Oddly enough there is a faction which chooses to spend their time during festivals in an isolation space of silence." I reply which makes his eyes grow wide with a look of equal shock and horror. "Something tells me you wouldn't survive it for very long."

"I'd fucking kill myself," Wequie replies before he quickly corrects himself, "well, I'd try."

"What else happens in your festivals?" Malcolm prompts as he looks hopefully to me.

I hadn't given Malcolm much detail about my realm or myself for that matter, I'd only allowed him my affections.

It'd make it all easier if I couldn't return for him.

That was what I told myself when my distance made him upset and tore a rift between us. And yet I couldn't help but wish that Malcolm knew everything about me, as I did him so that he'd never be able to seek comfort in another.

The way I yearned to own every inch of Malcolm was unhealthy at the best of times, and at the worst...

"Our festivals are much the same," I say as I quickly glance around the open fields, "very cherry and free, almost whimsical. They usually tend to extend for a full day and are open to all."

"Open to all you say?" Wequie asks with raised brows, "does that mean it wouldn't be a problem for me to come and enjoy elven... festivities?"

I open my mouth to reply but Malcolm beats me to it, "no." He says sharply, "he means open to all elven creatures. Only elven creatures are allowed in their realm. No exceptions."

Malcolm's words were like a blade's slash across the chest, creating an open wound that let distress pour from my veins in an unstoppable rush.

"Malcolm," I start but my pisen was already unwinding himself from me, rushing forward to join Lincoln and Kalem with a smile that was too ready to be real.

I release a deep sigh while the large wings at my back finally stilled their insistent fluttering at Malcolm's absence.

"I take it Malcolm isn't too pleased about that little fact," Wequie says beside me, his expression a little softer now as he stayed in step with me.

"No," I reply tiredly.

"No exceptions at all?" Wequie presses hopefully.

I shake my head knowing Malcolm's ears were sharp.

When I don't say anything else, Wequie fills the silence the only way he knows how.

"Well, that sucks," Wequie announces with a huff. "I've always wanted to bang an elf. They're one of the seven species I haven't crossed off my list."

"That's very impressive," I reply with wide eyes.

Wequie nods appreciatively with brightening cheeks as he replies, "I'm very proud."

"Elves are pleasant bedmates," I allow which immediately makes his eyes light up with interest.

From my time on Earth and with the rat known as Lincoln, I was well aware that most supernatural species weren't too fond of the incubi. They thought the species practices to be crude and inappropriate at most times.

I, however, quite liked what I'd seen so far of the incubi through Wequie.

Elves were practical creatures and that did run over into our sexual appetite and appreciation for such affairs. We weren't secretive about the things that brought us pleasure and very vocal about it when prompted.

If anything, the way Wequie so easily spoke of his sexual interests reminded me of home.

"How so?" Wequie asks and I readily oblige.

"Most elves height start somewhere around six feet in their primal state, so the men are very well endowed." I start which makes Wequie moan longingly, I nod my agreement. "We nurture high stamina from birth, so sex can carry on for many of your realm's 'days' without pause."

"How many days are we talking here?" He asks with the gesture of his hand. "Say you were really pushing it, trying to set a record, how long could you go?"

I think on it for a moment, "I'd say ten but after eight I would think it would cease to be enjoyable."

"Okay, now I really want to fuck an elf!" Wequie declares which brings a smile to my lips. "Most species can't go for more than three days!"

I had a great deal of pride when it came to my people and that was not something I ever hid.

"Now the women," Wequie says with equal interest, "tell me everything you can."

Wequie and I easily fall into a conversation about the many different skills elven women harboured and how they aligned with those of the incubi.

The conversation naturally continued from there and though I kept an eye on my pisen, I enjoyed myself immensely while conversing with Wequie.

The elves in the palace would love him.

By the time we'd reached the so-called 'ice-rink', Wequie looked completely rejuvenated as he went bouncing over to the rest of the group.

I follow after and take myself to Malcolm who doesn't reject my approach though he still appeared a little upset.

I rack my brain for one of the practices of this realm that would help soothe our troubled waters. I had to frequently remind myself that here actions went a lot farther than words.

Which was I still found to be absurd. Words, when truthfully spoken, should always get the job done.

Turning Malcolm's head towards me, I grip his jaw and kiss him.

I didn't often kiss Malcolm in front of others, each time I made a public claiming of him only made my mental and physical hold on him grow stronger so I tried to avoid doing it. However, when my pisen was upset I could hardly stop myself when I knew how much it pleased him.

Malcolm came easily, turning his body to face me before he presses himself into me with a muffled groan. Tightening the fingers I'd locked around his jaw, I tilt my head and delve my tongue deeper inside Malcolm's welcoming mouth. As my magic begins to swirl around us, Malcolm shivers violently which only strengthens my resolve to have more of him. I swipe my tongue across his lips and deepen the kiss when Lincoln makes a purposefully noisy groan of discomfort.

Anything that upset that particular vermin was always rewarding so I ignore Lincoln and smile against my Pisen's lips when he starts grinding into me, too turned on to be concerned with his whimpers.

When I pull away from Malcolm, I keep my arm around him and don't pull away, even when Kalem was smiling so giddily at the pair of us.

"It's like you're out to torture me," Lincoln says in his usual flat tone.

It still perplexed me that someone as joyous as Kalem was content with the stiff vampire.

"If I was out to torture you, I'd do a lot more than just kiss Malcolm," I reply before I let my hand slide over Malcolm's hardening cock, "something like this."

Malcolm jumps in surprise but doesn't pull away from me, he only looks down at my possessive fingers while Wequie cheers widely. Kalem bit his lip to stop a smile from taking his heating cheeks and to my pleasure, Lincoln looked slightly ill.

I hadn't forgotten how he'd made Malcolm believe that I found fault with his skin, perhaps taking his friend so publically would be his punishment.

Yes, I liked the sound of that.

"I really like Aias guys," Wequie announces with a massive grin, "like a lot."

"Of course you do," Lincoln mutters before he pointedly turns to face the arena of skating pixies. "Now how about we remember why we came here in the first place."

I keep my hands on Malcolm while we all look to the upward spiral of ice.

Held up by what I could only assume to be magic was several large slices of ice that climbed higher and higher into the sky like steps. They were all relatively closed, by placed randomly above the largest slice which was on the surface. With sharp blades to the bottom of their shoes, the pixies moved on the ice with a fluidity that was truly captivating. They mostly skated in circles while some moved faster, severing through the others to perform the most exciting tricks.

There was a ramp in the centre that I didn't understand the purpose of until one determined pixie when skating towards the thing with as much speed as it could build up. Its wings slowly unfurled from its back and began to flutter as the pixie went up the ramp, the moment its feet were in the air, its wings took over and he went flying towards the next slice of ice.

"Wow!" Kalem exclaims as he jumps up and down and applauds for the pixie who was long gone.

"Wow indeed," Lincoln replies and to my disgust, he sounded mildly excited.

Before today, I'd never heard of 'ice skating', it was not something that was done in my realm as far as I knew but depending on how things went here, it may soon be.

"They're giving shoes over there," Wequie says with a pointed finger before he takes off towards it with his wings. Lincoln and Kalem follow and I let Malcolm pull me after them.

"Have you don't this... skating before?" I ask Malcolm wearily as I watch another pixie go up in the air from the ramp.

"Many times," Malcolm replies with a sure smile, "it's a lot of fun. Though I've never seen ice this clear for skating."

I nod once and keep my eyes off the rink for now. Instead, I look to Malcolm and feel a smile tugging on my lips when my eyes land on the fluffy ears he'd put on himself before he'd forced a pair onto me.

They were ridiculous and we looked foolish, but I'd be sure to put them somewhere safe when we left the festivities.

It took quite a while to find the right size skates for everyone when the pixies didn't recognise any of the sizing options Malcolm and Wequie offered, and Wequie offered a lot. At one point, too excited to wait any longer, Kalem climbed onto the surface and stretched out his foot, offering it be measured so that he could go 'skate with the pretty pixies'.

It was shameful to say that that was what got the job done.

Now Malcolm was helping me to the closest entrance same as Lincoln did with Kalem, Wequie far ahead of us all as he skated effortlessly like a spell brought to life. Each time he passed us by, he made sure to take a new pose while he snickered to himself.

Once I'm settled at the entrance, Malcolm slides onto the ice before quickly circling with waiting hands to take mine. I look down at the smooth ice and then the blades I was meant to use on it, the whole ordeal hardly seemed safe, but Malcolm was doing it and so were hundreds of pixies. So I force my head back up and look to Malcolm who I find waiting for me with a small smile.

I take his hands and take a step out.

Unbalanced. Close to death. Regretful. Just a few ways to describe how I felt the moment I put my full weight on the slippy surface.

"Try to balance yourself, don't lean forward too much," Malcolm says as he tries to push me up gently. I try, I really do, but we were somehow moving now and that made the wings to my back flap frantically behind me. "Tuck your wings away."

"Those things have a mind of there own," I reply through my quick breathes as I stare at the floor, trying my hardest to stop putting so much weight on Malcolm.

"It's pushing us out so you have to stop," Malcolm says and when I look up I find him trying hard to swallow a laugh. I scowl and Malcolm quickly tightens his hands around mind before I could snatch them away. "Master, you just need to relax."

"I can't relax when I'm about to fall," I reply sharply but Malcolm only smiles as he begins tugging me forth. My legs shake as they move reluctantly, I didn't dare lift them from the floor as I let Malcolm drag me forward.

"You're not going to fall, I've got you," Malcolm promises as he forces me to stand upwards instead of crunched over as I had been. A screech escapes me and Malcolm kisses me before curses could follow. He pulls away with a happy grin, and keeps my body up as he comes to my side. "We'll take it slow."

"I'm trusting you, Malcolm," I say through clenched teeth.

"I know, Master. " Malcolm whispers, sounding giddy at the prospect alone.

Malcolm and I take it slow as promised, completing the first oscillation of the bottom rink at a ukiel's pace but we made it without falling despite Lincoln's childish taunts. I didn't feel nearly as embarrassed when not too far behind me was Kalem struggling to take the ice for the first time, though he was taking a far different approach than I was.

Kalem had left Lincoln's supportive hold after the first few minutes and taken the ice for himself. He'd fallen and kept falling but got up each time with a big smile and took to the ice again. He was improving slowly, but I wasn't keen on becoming so acquainted with the ice myself, so I stuck with my Pisen's instructions.

It wasn't long before I could skate without Malcolm's hand in mine, but he was always there when I wobbled or almost met my fall. He stuck close and smiled proudly as we began skating side by side a little faster.

"You're doing it!" He cheers happily as we circle one corner smoothly, "you're doing it Aias."

His excitement was contagious. I smile and take his hand again, I didn't need it but I just wanted to feel him. Malcolm seemed to sense that because his eyes melted with affection as he squeezed my hand and pulled me on with him.

"You've gotten it," Wequie comments as he joins us suddenly, skating in front of us without glancing back, yet somehow he managed to swivel around any he almost came into contact with. "Does this mean we can take the ramp now?"

"I think we'll need a little longer," I reply and Wequie pouts before he looks around, "I'll see if Lincoln will try it with me."

Skating off towards Lincoln, we watch as Wequie chats to Kalem and Lincoln who both nodded furiously only a few seconds afterwards.

"Let's stop for a moment, I want to see this," Malcolm says as he leads us to one of the exits. We pull off the ice and find a free spot against the rink to watch as Lincoln, Wequie and Kalem circled the ice and slowly gained speed.

"You can join them if you wish," I say to Malcolm as I look to him for a moment, "I'll be fine waiting if you do."