FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Welcome back, my lovely reader~

Being a writer is my dream job but it has full-time hours and doesn't pay the bills. I want to keep writing these stories for everyone to enjoy and your support on Patreon or Ko-Fi helps make that happen. Patrons even get to see stories a week early to avoid all that pesky waiting. I also appreciate non-financial support like faving, voting, and following me here or on Twitter. Thank you so much for your continued support! Please enjoy the episode.

And with that out of the way...

Welcome back, my lovely reader! Who's ready for some romance? Well, I know I am. Mushy fox love is on the horizon but there's also some more drama to come. Maybe we'll even see our lovely angel-fox show off some new abilities he didn't know he had!

Between you and me, I've wanted to give Rachel some romance of her own since I first wrote her, especially given the prominent role she played in Silverpaw, and now finally... FINALLY, I can rectify that situation!

Sexy cute love scene is a go! Let's jump right in!

--*--

Episode 4:

I loved you at first sight

I had reached out to Toroah to help me with a proper garment since I had seen the rabbit casually shift his attire at a whim. My hope was that he could make me something proper to wear, but he simply laughed, saying he was no tailor. It seemed all the items of clothing I saw him 'create', were actually in his wardrobe, he had just used enchantments to allow him to summon them. He wasn't creating armor and robes out of thin air, simply bringing them to himself.

With his encouragement to relax and be myself, I arrived at her door with a knot in my stomach, dressed in the nicest trousers and tunic I had, which was to say very casual ones. The only fancy clothing I owned was of military dress worn at special ceremonies.

My heart simultaneously was relieved to see her in something casual as well, but also pounded in my ears at the gown she wore. It was of silk and hugged her hips and chests, not perversely so, but certainly, it showed more of her figure than the uniform or apothecary robes I typically saw her in.

Her blue eyes seemed to sparkle with flecks of gold as she saw me looking her over, her cheeks growing darker as she held the door open. "Please, come inside. I've just finished dinner."

In all these years, I had never been in her chambers, neither of us wished to jeopardize our vows of knighthood. If I'm being truthful, I would have in a heartbeat, but I did not want to put her in that situation, as I knew she was very serious about her duty, like a certain lion I knew.

Stepping into her chambers, it of course smelled strongly of her, the gentle scent of the fox I'd been adoring for years. Her aroma was one I'd be able to pick out even in a huge crowd, a scent that even on its own could make my heart pound. No matter how dirty and sweaty we would get in training, I always found the smell of her enchanting.

"I'm not much of a cook, but I've prepared a simple stew and baked some fresh bread for us." The vixen gave me a gentle smile as she closed her door behind me, the sound of it clicking into place deafening as I realized the gravity of my situation. I was alone with her, for the first time in all these years, we were well and truly alone together.

"I'm sure it will be splendid! I- I apologize that I didn't think to bring something with me. I will happily cook a meal for you next time." I showed her a childish grin, my tail wagging harder than I would have liked as I tried to calm it, but it just kept going.

Rachel giggled at the display, then gave me a relaxed gaze. "Inviting me to your quarters next, Ryder? I'd be happy to join you for a dinner you prepared as well." She moved to me and rested a hand on my arm, leaning up slightly on her toes to casually push her mouth to my own in a kiss.

My ears lifted at the gesture, returning it without hesitation. My left hand moved to rest on her hip, my right pushing to her soft cheek, cupping it as our kiss deepened. It shocked me for a moment as her tongue pushed out, but I was eager to meet it, the embrace turning more intimate.

I heard a faint growl bubble up from her throat, my own joining before our arms flung around one another, the kiss growing desperate as I fully drank in the taste of her mouth, our tongues pressing together in playful exploration.

One of my hands pushed up into her soft platinum hair, moving to an ear and rubbing it gently while parting from her lips. I was quick to move down to her throat, kissing and tasting her. It was clear she had quickly drawn a bath and cleaned up as I had done, but I could still faintly taste the sweat of the day upon her, finding it intoxicating as I dragged my tongue along her flesh, feeling the thrum of her heart.

Rachel gave me an adorable giggle that made my heart leap, then playfully pushed back, breaking away from the suckling and nibbling I had been subjecting her throat to. "Ryder, what of the dinner I worked so hard upon? Surely you would not put my efforts to waste?" Her words came out in a surprisingly sensual tone, her eyes shifting to gold as they stared upon my own.

"You said to arrive with an appetite and I have, one I've been longing to sate for years," I growled the words and found both hands upon her hips, lifting her from her feet.

Rachel gave an excited yip as I pulled her from the floor, her legs wrapping around me as her arms were thrown around my neck. The Vixen pushed her mouth to my own in a desperate kiss, both her hands tangled into my own hair, rubbing curiously at the ears there.

I held her there, drinking in the taste I had longed for, my hands now having moved to rest on her backside. I felt her luscious tail wagging against my fingers, her own eagerness obvious. Her lips parted from mine with a soft huff, her nose pushing to my own as she panted out gently, "The door to the left, that is my sleeping chambers."

She didn't have to tell me twice and I quickly moved us in that direction, bumping the sturdy wooden door fully open. The bed-chamber was a simple one with a nightstand, a few tomes upon it, and a wardrobe that no doubt held her various clothing items. Her roof had a small skylight to let natural light in, with drapes that could be drawn over it, but since they were open, the room was brightly lit, which was fine by me.

We shared a few more hungry kisses before I laid her on the surprisingly soft mattress. The vixen showed me an excited grin as her wings spread over the bedding, but a little fear also showed in her eyes at the prospect of what we were about to do. "Ryder, you know you are very dear to me, yes?"

"The world for you, Rachel..." I snarled the words as I climbed over her, pushing my mouth to hers once more. The vixen yipped at my strong kiss and returned it, pushing hard against my lips as I laid over her, feeling her body pressed to my own at long last.

Parting from her lips my hands began to explore her body in earnest now, rubbing along her hips before grasping at the gown and starting to bring it up, slowly exposing her thighs to me. Her skin had a natural healthy tan to it like my own and my tail wagged eagerly behind me, her own brown one gently hitting the bed to her side in its own eager wag.

Rachel clenched her teeth, giving a whimper of embarrassment when the silk cleared her crotch, exposing her womanhood to me for the first time. She had the faintest show of platinum hair that was meticulously trim, her petals looking slightly dewy, showing her own lingering anticipation for this night.

"Ryder... D-do not look so intent- eep!" She barked out a soft yip as I wasted no time moving right in and shoving my mouth to her folds, desperate to taste the vixen that had eluded me for years.

"Such a... huff... vulgar... thing..." She panted out, her tail smacking the bedding harder, one of her hands tangling into my hair, grabbing an ear and pulling me closer. I let her hold me, circling my tongue eagerly against her sensitive pearl. I didn't care, I'd spend all night pleasing her, even if I got not one whit in return for the efforts, her sweet pants and beautiful moans were all I could ever want.

Her teeth clenched as I listened to her huffing and panting, her hips jerking more desperately as I kept stoking the fires within her higher. Her walls finally came down and the yowl of a moan she gave me made my heart sing. She cried my name out, then gave a relieved moan as her body went through the throes of it all.

"Ryder... huff... so long..." She panted the words with folded ears, her tongue showing slightly as her golden eyes looked distant.

"So long?" I growled the words as I rose and finished removing her gown, the vixen weakly lifting her arms, the rest of her body exposed to me. Her breasts were larger than I had expected, the robes having concealed them well over the years.

She saw me staring intently at them and weakly crossed her arms beneath them, pushing them out for me in a surprisingly lewd display, her peaks tight and dark against her naturally tanned flesh. "Yes, I've wanted you for so long... huff... you've no idea the nights I've thought about you, and the things I've done to myself while whispering your name..."

I had just finished taking my tunic off, then started untying my trousers at her words. I showed a shocked look at her confession and bit my lower lip. "Ha... is that so? I'm glad I wasn't the only one then."

She cut her eyes to mine, the gold shifting back to blue as her brow cocked and I watched her slide her hands down to her stomach, resting them there. "Truly? You played fantasies in your head of me while pleasing yourself?"

"You make it sound vulgar, Rachel." I barked the words out with a smile, tugging my trousers down as my length sprang forth from its confinement, my cheeks growing dark as I saw her stare intently upon it, seeing I was already dribbling a bit of pre from my tip for her.

"I suppose that makes me a vulgar vixen then, for I've done it many times while thinking of you." She clenched her jaws as she lifted and spread her knees, holding them with her hands. She gave me a desperate look, her tongue showing slightly in a pant. "No more... please Ryder, I'll simply go mad without you inside me!"

My tail furiously wagged as I quickly moved right over to her, moving between her legs and gripping her soft hips, pulling her slightly closer. She said she'd go mad, but I couldn't help myself, I had to see how desperate she was. I pushed my head right to her folds, watching her tense, then pushed it up towards her pearl, prodding and teasing it.

Rachel gave a simply adorable bark of protest, then glared at my teasing. "R-Ryder! Do not... ngh... tease me!"

I huffed and slipped my hands under her knees, taking the grip from her and holding her spread myself, rubbing my length back and forth, prodding at her little pearl while she writhed beneath me, her hips squirming. "But you're so beautiful with how you pant, I'll never get this first time again, so I'm going to relish it." I cooed the words playfully as she huffed and yipped at the teasing.

"I- I..." Her teeth clenched, her ears folding at my teasing, then her eyes blinked open, staring intently upon me with a whimper. "Do not make me beg... huff... I've seen the things you've wanted to do to me, so be a proper fox and do them!" The last of the words came out rather fussy, her brow furrowing as she gave me a pouting glare.

My teeth showed in a grin at her words, of course, I wouldn't keep teasing her after that display. I pressed the tip of my length right to her entrance, feeling her petals part as I slipped in. I felt her walls spread as my hips pushed forward, finally taking the fox I had been pining for, every inch sliding into her as she cried out happily.

I felt myself bump deep into her core and the vixen lolled her tongue, her walls clenching as her honey slicked my length from her giving in a second time just from my entry.

"Ngh... finally... oh gods... finally..." She panted the words as her hands reached up to grip my shoulders, holding against me as I started to move, pumping myself gently inside her while she stared into my eyes. "Take your, time... We will do it again and again, but let us relish our first."

My tail wagged against her bared feet as I nodded before leaning down, pushing my lips to her own once more. She wrapped her arms around my neck and I did the same to her, both of us hugging tightly while I laid over her, grinding my hips as my length stirred deep inside this fox whom I had wanted for so long.

I listened to her huff and pant against my mouth, then she broke the kiss and pushed a palm to my face, staring into my eyes as I ground and pushed against her deepest regions. "So deep... it feels like bliss... Ryder, I am by no means a fox that wears her heart upon my sleeve, but-"

"Yes... I know... I love you too, Rachel!" I growled the words, not even hesitating to confess them. Now that we were like this, now that she was in my arms and I was inside her, I had not a shred of doubt. I had loved her for years and there was no hesitation in my heart to tell her.

Her teeth showed in a proud grin at my confession, her breasts swaying in time to my thrusts while she clung to me. "Yes, we love one another... that's why it feels so good... ngh... I can feel you are growing eager, my... love."

I was chewing on my lower lip as I nodded, my strokes slowing and becoming a little more gentle as my knot had started to press against her entrance. I didn't want to rush this, I wanted to give her as much pleasure as I could.

She gave me a loving grin as she felt me slow and threw her arms around my neck once more, pushing her mouth to mine in a ravenous kiss. I was all too happy to return it, our tongues rolling together as my hips gently ground against her, but then I gave a soft gasp as I felt her legs lock tight around me and her body deftly twist.

Rachel rolled us right over as my back pushed to the bed. I blinked up upon her, shocked by the reversal, my wings splayed out on the bedding instead of her own now. The fox showed me a proud hungry grin as she sat up upon me fully, her fingertips resting on my abs, her wings fanning out from her back.

"Tell me again, Ryder. Profess your love for me while I make love to you, my fox." She sighed the words drunkenly as her hips circled and moved, grinding the tip of my length deep inside her, those ample breasts swaying gently.

My teeth grit at her words as I panted up at her, feeling the clench of her walls. "Ha... I love you, Rachel!" My ears folded and I couldn't help but whimper as she gave in, shuddering upon me as her honey slicked my length once more, slicking that knot pushing against her petals.

"Ohhhh I love you too, Ryder. So, so, muuuch..." She slurred the words, her brown tail wagging at my knees as she ground her hips, jerking them slightly while her breasts swayed in time to her movements. "Ha... that knot is getting pretty big... I've dreamed of the day you would be filling me with your love... don't hesitate, don't even think... please, love."

I panted in time to her movements, my chest rising and falling as her words slammed into my will to keep going. I couldn't do it, my body simply wouldn't deny her any longer. I heard her give an excited little gasp as I bucked my hips hard, forcing that knot past her entrance where it bloomed to full deep inside her, then I gave a sharp howl of a moan as her body claimed it's due.

The vixen folded her ears, her shining golden eyes closing as she jerked against me each time I erupted into her. I watched her wings fluff out hard, feeling her give in upon me one final time, her walls viciously squeezing and coaxing me for everything I had.

Her tongue lolled out slightly as the last of it filled her, then her wings folded, her mouth open slightly in a pant, showing the sharp little teeth within as her walls kept clenching for a few more moments, her eyes half-lidded, looking euphoric.

With a satisfied little groan, she collapsed right onto my chest, my arms hugging her tightly as she nuzzled me. My fingers trailed through her hair, brushing down and over the top of one of her folded wings. I could hear the soft happy growls in her throat as she leaned into me.

We stayed like that for several moments before she sighed out gently. "Ryder, I could feel your love for me as you came, so much... ngh... I love you too, I have for so long." She cooed the words, still nuzzling at my chest while I stroked her hair.

I felt a shiver roll down my spine at her words, holding her closer and kissing the top of her head, unable to find anything to say to the words. Of course, I loved her, I loved her with everything I was, and no words I could say would ever express that more than just holding her in this moment as tightly as I could.

She seemed to understand, satisfied with my embrace for several more moments before she finally lifted herself, moving in to give me another kiss while her body shifted against my knot still keeping us locked together. "Ngh..." She huffed out and looked down at where we were joined, then gave me a playful smile. "Tell me you love me."

I pushed a hand to her cheek, her skin slightly darker on the one cheek I was touching, from laying against my chest for several minutes. "I love you, I love you and always will, I have since the moment I laid eyes on you, and it just grew with each day."

Rachel giggled and gave my wrist a kiss before her eyes shined with flecks of gold dancing in them. "Okay, no need to lay it on that thick, Ryder."

"I- I'm serious!" I barked out and gave her a fussy look.

The vixen gave me a loving grin and moved in to nuzzle my nose a few times. "I know." She huffed and moved her hips a little, watching me wince, then rolled her eyes. "So uh... how long will this last? I still want us to have dinner together, I'm tired of hearing your stomach growl at me." Her teeth showed in a loving grin, her tail wagging against my knees.

"Ah, probably just a few more minutes, also I should calm down, that might help." I hummed the words and moved in, kissing her cheek a few times.

"Yes, calm down, I'm hungry too. You can have more of me later tonight you horndog!" She giggled the words and I blinked as I looked into her eyes.

"Wait, are you saying I can stay the night?" My ears perked excitedly at the prospect of it. Sex was one thing, but to sleep with her, to hold her in my arms in such an intimate and vulnerable way, it sounded like a dream.

She smiled at me, her eyes lazy looking, but they had shifted to golden as if she were reading how I felt about it. "Yes Ryder, stay with me, hold me. Make me feel safe in my fox's arms."

I gave an excited bark and bit my lower lip. "Huff... you keep talking like that, I think I'm going to have a rebound and we'll have to get another round in before dinner!"

The vixen gave me a laugh and wagged her tail. "Oh no, what will I doooo I might starve to death spending too much time on this handsome fooooxxx...." She strung the words out, dragging her nails down my chest, her hips already grinding against me playfully.

With an excited grin, I rolled her back over, growling down at her as my tail wagged, seeing her give me her own happy grin as I started to move, feeling my knot calm just enough to start pumping in her again. "That's it... now we're definitely going to have to wait on dinner..."

Rachel giggled, then lolled her tongue slightly, jerking with each push as she nodded a few times. "It's okay... I've got it on a very slow simmer, it won't get cold."

I moved in, pushing my mouth to hers, both of us wrapping our arms around one another, kissing deeply as my hips got right back to it, grinding against this fox I loved, feeling her own hips working in response as we started another bout of lovemaking.

--*--

Celestial Bishops:

The highest standard ranks within the celestial military; Bishops act as diplomats with other races during peace and war times. They are frequently the representation of the celestial presence to the mundane. If the military needs to reach out to the church it will usually be done by a Bishop. There is a single High Bishop and two regular Bishops within the ranks at any given time. The High Bishop will also act as arbiter during tribunals. The Bishop class is the only other rank aside from Initiate that requires a vow of celibacy.

--*--

The stew and bread were wonderful when we finally got around to it that night. I felt a little guilty about things, Toroah and Ezekiel didn't get to see me much the following days outside of our assigned duties, as the two of us couldn't keep our paws off one another.

We spent nearly a week getting it out of our systems, but then again we had been keeping this fire smoldering since we were cadets, so there was a lot of time to catch up on. I didn't regret telling her I loved her, and she didn't seem to either. We exchanged the words of affection as if they had always been there, comfortable to say and hear.

I received a summons to Toroah's office on the day that would have been a week since Rachel and I started 'seeing' one another. The rabbit had a smug smile on his face, his hands folded at his desk as I entered.

"Sir." I gave a salute, then eased my stance as I saw him give me that cute little smile he always showed me when we were alone.

"Ryder, it's been over a week since you and I had any time together ourselves. Don't tell me you're regretting our little meeting the other day." Toroah showed his teeth in a grin, letting me know he wasn't serious with the words.

My tail wagged behind me as I offered him an apologetic smile. "That's not it. I love what we did, I blame Rachel, she's been keeping me very occupied lately."

"No doubt, I can smell her upon you even now." The rabbit leaned back in his chair and gave me a curious look. "Have you confessed to her already? You have the look of a fox in love."

I gave him a grin and rubbed the back of my head. "Yeah, I didn't even make it past the first night once we were together. I guess once we got to it, we just both realized it had been building up for years."

"You two were assigned together several times as Cadets, yes? You shared the tribulations of battle and duty together."

My arms folded as I thought back to those years. "Barely. We had dealt with a few vampires, but nothing we couldn't handle, especially together. She's much more competent of a soldier than me."

"Well, I've given you a week to bask, I think it's time we got back to work, Ryder." The rabbit rose from his desk, casually sauntering over to me, the tips of his wings dragging on the floor, his robes billowing out at his feet.

I gave a surprised look at his words. "You were giving me time with her, Toroah?"

"Of course, I also insisted to her Commander she gets a week of light duty as well. I told you before, I'll not impede upon your relationship, and I'll even help where I can." The rabbit smiled at my rapidly darkening cheeks.

"Toroah, sir... Thank you. I feel guilty to have neglected you these past-"

The rabbit silenced my apology with a quick kiss, his hand pushing to my cheek as he moved his mouth against my own. I felt a shiver roll up my spine at his touch, eagerly returning the gesture.

He kissed very differently than Rachel did. The vixen would throw her arms around me and recklessly shove her mouth to mine, desperate almost every time we kissed, probably due in large part to the years of stolen kisses we had to make. Toroah's kisses were controlled and graceful, they had the emotions behind them but were much more subdued.

Pulling away he gave a dramatic snap of his fingers, a large gate appearing behind him while I still stood there recovering from the kiss. "Make sure to have those wings ready for use." The rabbit called out casually as he simply fell back into the gate.

A few moments later I moved to the edge of where reality parted, realizing it was in the air, the land below stretching far into the distance. I stepped into the gate and straight into a freefall before snapping my wings out, moving into the fall before soaring back up and leveling off, giving them heavy beating flaps to keep myself airborne.

Toroah came to me, keeping enough distance so our wings didn't have a chance to interfere with one another. Like this, it was easy to see the size difference of his wings compared to mine. Even as a first, his wings looked like they easily had another foot of length, their body also much thicker and even the plumage of feathers looked larger and sturdier than my own.

I glanced beneath my feet, seeing the land stretching out before me, no signs of the ocean, only mountains, plains, and valleys. Looking back to the angel I tilted my head curiously. "Where are we right now?"

"We're currently right in the center of the content of Asia. Not far from where you ran into Lorelai the other day, actually." Toroah gave me a nod and I couldn't help but look to see the sun was dipping down on the western portion of the landmass, no doubt it was already dark hours beneath us.

"I wonder how the three of them are doing?" I rubbed my chin in thought.

"Would you like to find out?" Toroah offered me a grin.

"Can you find them, Tor?" I tilted my head curiously, my tail flicking about in the air.

"That is not within my power without performing a ritual spell, however... There is a reason I chose you as my first, and it is time for you to be brought up to speed as to that reasoning."

I gave a shocked looked and swallowed a lump in my throat. The idea of me being so different and special left me unsettled for some reason. Toroah gave me a knowing smile and shook his head.

"The Seraph reached out to me about you, Ryder they-"

I gave a shocked bark and clenched my fist. "What?! How does the Seraph know about me? I- I'm just a lowly soldier, sir!"

"You ask me questions I cannot answer, my love." Toroah gave me a playful grin, seeing the pet name disarmed me a little as I relaxed.

Satisfied with my silence he wagged a finger. "Ryder, you have a unique talent all your own. Once you've interacted with another, especially closely, you can focus and sense their location. From great distances like this, it may just be a pull or tug in a direction, but eventually, if you follow, you will grow close enough to sense them in earnest like you always could."

I frowned and shook my head. "If that's the case, why do I still have to look for you or Rachel at the citadel?"

"The whole of the citadel is covered in powerful enchantments that null any type of tracking short of being a seer. Why do you think the magi of the world have never found us?" Toroah gave an amused smile and then lifted his ears.

"Let me show you. I will go hide, and you seek me out. You have... five minutes to find me." The rabbit showed me a toothy grin then simply blinked out of sight, as if he had never been there, to begin with.

I just stood there in the air, flapping my wings, shaking my head at his dismissive attitude. He didn't even tell me how to do this supposed trick. With a growl I closed my eyes and focused my thoughts, I tuned out the howling wind in my ears, then thought about just Toroah. Of course, my mind drifted to that kiss, then to that last time I had him on the floor, then it bounced to that thump to my forehead I still needed to pay him back for.

My eyes snapped open as I gave a shocked bark, realizing I felt something pulling at me. I looked down towards the earth below, feeling like something was guiding me. It was so hard to describe, but it was like being in water and having just a faint current surrounding you, something that would just gently pull you along if you didn't resist, but weak enough even treading water would halt it.

Snapping my wings out I dove, knowing if I only had five minutes, it'd take some time to get to the surface. As I followed the pull, it grew stronger until that faint current felt like a torrent of water, pushing my senses, and then soon enough I felt his energy and could see his location clearly.

My feet touched down on the earth, my wings folding along my back, the rabbit leaning up against the wall of a ruined building. Toroah showed me a toothy grin as he nodded. "Nice eyes."

I blinked at his words and looked confused. "What?"

The rabbit shook his head and simply waved a hand, a small gate opening that faced a smooth polished mirror. I looked in it and gave a shocked bark as I saw my eyes were mismatched, my right still blue, but my left a similar gold to how Rachels would get when she focused.

Curiously I closed my left eye, seeing Toroah for what he was, then switched, blinking my blue eye closed this time. I could still see the rabbit there, but I could see the aura of his energy with him, wisps of divinity drifting off his form. I glanced down at my own hands to see similar wisps of energy, then glanced around the small village, sensing the mundane energy from the villagers who were all in their beds asleep.

Growling I closed both eyes, shaking my head a few times to calm the new powers, feeling them fade before I opened my eyes and blinked a few times, seeing my vision was normal again.

"Good job, Ryder." Toroah kicked off the burned-out building he was leaning on and took a few paces away before snapping his wings out and taking off again.

I followed him back into the air as the rabbit stopped high over the village. "This was the area you described, yes?"

Processing it, I gave a nod, recognizing this was where the trio of vampires left after executing one of the four. "Yeah, now that I'm above it again, this was it."

Toroah gave a nod and snapped his wings out before soaring back into the sky, I gave chase and soon enough we were high above the landscape once again. The rabbit gave a shrug as he looked over the land. "Well... let's actually field test it now."

I frowned at the words and blinked a few times. "Uh... field test?"

The rabbit gave me a nod and lifted a finger. "Depending on their destination, it's only been a little over a week. Why not check in upon them?"

My eyes widened at his words and I gave him a deep frown. "Sir, you want me to go check up on the vampires that nearly killed me?"

"Yes." He nodded with a matter-of-fact tone in his voice.

I winced and shivered at the thought of the overwhelming power the ewe had demonstrated, then lifted my ears as I realized me thinking of her had made my powers kick in. I could feel a pull, faint like a small puff of wind at your ears, but I could feel it.

"Ha... looks like you're already on the trail my little hunting dog!" Toroah cooed the words and I showed my teeth in a growl at his playful words.

The rabbit smiled and gave a shrug. "Your task is to seek them out, Ryder. See how they fare, I am curious to see their progress."

"Sir, I don't see how this-"

"Just do as I say, Knight. It's an order." He snapped the words out, giving me a strong gaze.

I stiffened my tail and gave my wings a sharp flap as I saluted. "Sir, it will be as you command."

"They have over a week's head start, but you have the sky. A mountain that takes days to cross, you can assail in an hour. I've no doubt you will find them within half a day. I will reach out to your fox and tell her you will be busy with your task, so as she will not worry."

"Thank you, I know she would. Please do not tell her I'm going to find a brutally powerful vampire, she would be sick with worry."

"Nothing to fear, I have no concerns of her attacking you. You need not even speak with them, just see how they fare and return if you wish."

"So I should avoid contact, sir?" I lowered my hand from my chest, easing my salute.

"That is your decision to make, Ryder. You are a first and I trust your judgment."

I gave a nod and snapped my wings hard, flying high above the cloudline, knowing the further up I was, the more ground I'd cover. This felt foolhardy, like poking a primitive-bear that was sleeping, then again even the regular bears I had met in my time, would be pretty surly from being woken. Perhaps, it was a biological thing.

--*--

The Seraph:

Even the Archangels could tell you little of the Seraph. The Seraph is a being that represents the very will of the gods. They have no physical manifestation that has ever been presented, claiming the form would be too much for the minds of their viewer to gaze upon.

The Seraph is very hands-off in the matters of the angels, only requesting their presence in the most pressing of matters. Likewise, summoning the Seraph is very rare, the archangels only doing so when no other option is present. It is only possible to ascend to the rank of Paladin or Archangel, with the blessing of the Seraph.

--*--

Following the gentle pull, I was left with just my own thoughts as I flew. Of course, at first I was nervous about this whole thing, but Toroah was correct, she wasn't the type to just kill, and had the other she taken on been that way, no doubt the two of them would have left alone with two corpses left behind to burn.

My thoughts quickly turned to my current situation, with him and Rachel. Then they turned to the Seraph. Why did I have this newfound ability? I wasn't some destined soul for greatness, I didn't want that and I never did. I can't recall why my mundane soul chose this route, but I knew very clearly I never wanted to be some special being. I wanted to just do some good and be happy. I wanted to be with Rachel, Toroah, and Ezekiel. That was all I wanted was to be at peace and with those I loved.

The tug grew harder and my thoughts refocused on the task at hand, diving back into the clouds and moving closer to the surface of the land. They had cut a pretty quick pace all things considered, but given the closing winter months in this region of the world, I could understand why. They were no doubt heading for the large city still a few days travel for them.

I drew closer until I could sense their energy naturally, as I did that night I found them to begin with. Curiosity got the better of me and I drew closer still, I wanted to get a better look at this new vampire they had in tow.

Being celestials we had supernatural vision that could even put a hawk to shame. However, I still had to get close enough to see them and I flinched when I was within range and Lorelai jerked her gaze straight to me as if seeing me in the pitch-black sky even though I was still nearly a mile off.

The third they had taken on was a fox like the male that had been with her previously. She had long black hair that perfectly matched the ears and tail she sported. Her naturally tan skin seemed to contrast with the fox next to her whose skin had been fairer. I could tell they had already started to grow a bond by how closely they were riding together.

Lorelai spoke out to them, pointed in the distance and after a few moments of debate, the two foxes continued on, while the sheep remained behind, the male of the two looking back at her a few times with concern. Once they were out of sight, she hopped off her primitive-horse and strode directly towards me, then folded her arms, staring right at me, as if she were waiting.

The smart thing to do would have been to turn and go home. However, I had come all the way here and she had seen me. I certainly didn't want to give her some idea that I would be causing problems. Also, something in me wanted to talk to her again. Swallowing down the ball of fear in my chest, I snapped my wings hard and soared into the sky before circling once and landing several yards from her, keeping my hands in view so she saw I wasn't armed.

The ewe showed her sharp teeth in a show of annoyance, putting a finger to her cheek as her head tilted. "Ryder, wasn't it? Why do you shadow me and my siblings?"

I offered her an apologetic bow. "I apologize for interrupting your trek, I was ordered to simply check upon you, see how your travel fared."

"To what ends, celestial?" Lorelai shifted her stance to a more guarded one, a hand resting on the pommel of one of her blades. "If you mean harm to my family, I assure you I'll take more than a taste of your blood this time."

I showed my teeth in a snarl and drew my longsword, the sheep lifting her ears and starting to withdraw her own blade before she cocked a brow as she watched me cast the sword into the grass. "We both know the difference in our abilities, Lorelai. I come in peace with no agenda. This was merely a field test."

She snapped the half of her blade back into its scabbard and started walking towards me, a curious look in her eyes at my display. "A field test you say? Explain yourself, now."

My teeth snapped together, feeling her will slam into my very soul. It wasn't a request and she expected an answer, even as I struggled to fight against the demand. She watched me stiffen my posture as she advanced on me all the same, even as I had shown my intent.

"I told you to answer me, angel," She snarled the words as she casually picked my sword up from the ground, the wrapping on the grip keeping it from burning her.

She heard me give a defiant bark before shaking my head and giving her a weak grin, a crooked sneer of a smirk showing as I struggled against her domination. "Can I, get... a please?"

Lorelai looked shocked, then I saw her sharp teeth show in a genuinely amused grin as if she enjoyed my words. The sheep sauntered over to me, swaying her hips in a lazy strut as she flicked my longsword in her small hand expertly, then I barked out as she shoved the point to my neck, letting it rest on my throat.

"I quite enjoy your display of defiance, I count on one hand the times I've seen it in my centuries of life," She cooed the words, her brown eyes now blood red, her teeth looking larger, sharper, and even more imposing. "I also quite enjoyed that taste I had of you last time, it burned going down, but worth the pain."

My teeth clenched hard at her words, my heart pounding in my ears as I felt my own divine blade gently pressing into my flesh, but not enough to break the skin. Lorelai gave me a look, a ravenous look, and for a moment I questioned if I had just ended myself, she stared upon me with a hunger I'd only seen in the maddest of vampires I had brought down.

The blade moved down my throat, then I barked as she stepped forward and drove the tip of it back into my scabbard at my hip. She had to rise up on her toes to meet my eyes as I felt the blade slide back home as she puffed out into my face, "I'll have the details on this, field test you speak of, now. If, you, please."

Her red eyes lingered upon my own before she stepped back. I felt my own feet stumble back a few paces, knees shaking as my heart started to calm. My hand pushed to my chest, frowning before I explained to her what was going on, my power, and my assignment. One would say I shouldn't have volunteered so much information, but frankly, her will didn't give me much choice now that I think back on it.

"Fascinating. This makes you terribly dangerous to me and my family though, Ryder. You confess that you are a bloodhound that could track us and when my people only survive by staying hidden from your kind. Well, I think you understand the predicament this puts us in, yes?" The ewe set me with a cold look, resting a hand on the grip of one of her blade once more.

I say it again, I'm no coward, and I'd die a second time for my cause, but in that moment I felt fear grip me hard, not for myself, but for what it would do to Rachel and Toroah if I didn't return. My teeth clenched and I lifted my chin, offering as much of a dignified huff as I could towards the sheep. "I understand your concern, but you must realize, I mean no ill will towards your people, so long as they are not of the mindless variety that kills our flock."

She snapped her teeth together in a hiss. "I detest that term, use a different one in my presence!"

"Our followers," I growled back, folding my arms.

"You are a strange one, I like that you resist my will, and I do believe your words, but... You are a soldier, Ryder and if you are given orders, you will follow them. What rank are you?"

"I am Knight class first, a personal auxiliary unit under command of Archangel Toroah." I spat the words out proudly, unwilling to whimper or show weakness even if this were going to be the end of things.

"Toroah, I have heard the name." The sheep muttered and seemed to be plucking her thoughts. "Yes, second only to Ichiro I believe, then Samantha. Hmm... then there was Hagen, Charlotte, and finally Raphael. Yes?"

I shook my head in response. "It's not been made public knowledge, but in a show of respect that this is a civil meeting, Raphael was slain during the crusade wars."

Lorelai looked shocked at the confession and then folded her arms, giving me a nod. "Ah yes, a messy sort of business that was."

"Did you participate?" I tilted my head curiously.

"I did not. I knew it was a fool's errand. A few of our elders felt they were capable on their own, refusing to band together. All of them wanted the glory and all of them met the fate they so richly deserved."

"That is interesting to be sure. They certainly gave my kind enough trouble, had they banded together-"

"We wouldn't be having this conversation, yes." Lorelai sighed and rolled her eyes. "You are interesting, and I can see you are truthful in your approach. I do not wish to kill you Ryder, but you represent a great threat to my people as we attempt to recover."

"Consider this, Lorelai. I could have taken flight several times throughout this conversation." I growled the words in response to her worries.

"And consider I could handily leap into the sky, drag you to the earth and smash your face into the mountainside! Do not assume me slow-witted or dull in my reflexes, Ryder!" The sheep snarled the words jabbing her finger into my chest. My tunic was slightly unbuttoned at the collar, her fingertip burning as it pushed against me, a small curl of smoke coming forth from her touching my divine body before she withdrew it.

"Are you alright?" I tilted my head curiously.

The sheep shook her hand a few times. "I have not touched one of your kind with my flesh in some time, I forgot the-"

I reached out and gripped her hand, the sheep lifting her ears, shocked it wasn't burning now and looking confused, her mouth gapped slightly, showing the large sharp teeth. Of course, I was channeling my prayers like Toroah had taught me, so as long as I focused, she would not feel the burn from my touch.

The finger was badly injured as if she had pushed it to a freshly forged blade that hadn't been quenched yet. I watched her eyes widen in disbelief as I healed the wound. I released her hand and she stared upon her finger in shock, then settled her red eyes upon me. "What was that?"

"A little trick, Toroah taught me. If I'm focusing my energies, I can not only heal you but prevent the injuries to you from touching my flesh." In truth, I wasn't aware that my healing prevented the pain, but I rolled with this new knowledge to appear more earnest in my approach.

Lorelai furrowed her brow, looking to her finger, then me several times before sighing and putting a hand to her hip. "This doesn't change the problem we-"

I snarled and jerked open my tunic and bared my throat. "Then be done with it if you must. You've made it clear I can't stop you, nor will I be able to reason with you. I'd have it done with, rather than sit here protracting it."

"I commend your resolve and pride in your final moments." Lorelai showed me a hungry grin and then she pushed me to the ground, straddling my lap as her hands grabbed my open tunic, jerking me closer as her mouth opened wide.

"Use your little trick so I do not burn myself!" She snarled the words, her eyes flaring brightly and her will slammed into my own. I didn't even bother resisting it as I did so, then the vampire hissed out victoriously and I yipped out as I felt her teeth pierce my flesh.

I had read about the euphoria of an embrace, that it was like a drug and once a vampire was feeding in earnest from you, there was no getting away. I felt her drink from me, closing my eyes tightly, offering a silent apology to Rachel, Toroah, and Ezekiel that I'd not be coming back to them.

She ground her hips in my lap, her body obviously enjoying the divine blood, then the sheep pulled from me after several gulps, dragging her bloody tongue over my wound, the flesh stitching itself back together even more rapidly from her lick.

Her hands pushed to my chest as I hit the grass, her hips still grinding slightly, clearly feeling out the response my body had given during the feeding, her large breasts plainly obvious in her top now as she looked down upon me, her tongue showing slightly, her bloody eyes shining in the moonlight. "Oh, that is nice... I do fancy the taste of you, little angel-foooox..."

She hissed the words as I bit my lower lip, realizing I was still alive, even as she kept grinding her soft curvy hips, clearly teasing herself as much as me with the motion. "G-Glad you d-do... I guess?"

Lorelai licked her bloody lips and gave a frustrated sigh, then leaned back, her teeth showing in a bemused grin as she pushed the full weight of herself down upon my lap. "I have a proposal for you, little angel-fox."

Swallowing the lump in my throat, I met her eyes, trying to ignore her swaying breasts and persistent hips. "Ah, I'm listening..."

"Are you? You look upon me like you are ravenous for my body, even though you already stink of sex, the scent of another fox by my guess." Lorelai hummed the words, giving me a somewhat playful smile that reminded me of Toroah for some reason.

"W-well you were just giving me love bites and grinding upon my manhood, what did you expect me to do?" I barked the words out as playfully as I could muster, given the situation.

The sheep blinked at me a few times then gave an earnest laugh that mixed with a cute sounding bleat that made my heart pound. Her eyes softened slightly and she shook her head, her curls bouncing at her small horns. "You are interesting... I like you."

I gave an awkward laugh and bit my lower lip. "W-well... I mean, I could have left earlier when you spotted me, but for some reason, I wanted to see you again, wanted to talk to you. I guess that means I like you too, Lorelai."

She gave me a childish grin, then huffed as she looked down at where she was pressed up against me. "The way you smell and taste... If I didn't have to get back to those two..." Sighing the words, she climbed from my lap with some hesitation, smiling at the large bulge in my trousers before offering me her hand.

I made sure to focus my prayers of healing before grasping her smaller palm, feeling her easily heft me up. The euphoria still lingered in me and I wobbled slightly on my feet.

Lorelai pushed her hands to my hips, holding me steady for a moment as I braced on her shoulder, huffing out as the sensation eased slightly. Once I felt stable I halted my prayers and stepped back, my cheeks dark as I looked upon the small curvy sheep that had just been riding on me.

A little bit of heat filled her cheeks as she awkwardly looked away. "Look... divine blood, it has effects on me, do not think me some easy female, Ryder."

I shook my head with a frown. "No, I didn't at all, Lorelai."

"You are too sweet, I think... yes, I do not want you to go away." The sheep offered me a playful grin, showing her still slightly bloody teeth in a grin.

"Did you come to this decision before or after you were drinking from me and grinding on me?" I gave her a playful grin, wagging my tail.

"Before, during, and after. I was desperate to think of a solution before you even bared your throat. Still, you offered and I couldn't resist, not after that teasing drop I had a week past." The sheep gave me a cute haughty look, poking her nose up slightly. I think I realized I had a type at that point because when she poked her nose up looking smug I wanted to just pounce upon her and taste her in my own way.

She looked upon me, as if acknowledging my hungry gaze, then composed herself. "You are familiar with the ramifications that come when giving one's word, yes?"

I frowned at her and pushed a hand to my chest. "Are you familiar with those ramifications for my kind, Lorelai?"

"I am. You break your word, you die." She gave me a half-lidded gaze, moving a hand up to toy with a springy coil of her hair near her horns.

My head shook as I swallowed and met her eyes directly. "So what's your proposition then?"

"A simple one. You may only seek me or a member of my court out for peaceful endeavors and it must be of your own volition. No member of your hierarchy may command you to seek us out."

I bit my lower lip at the pretense of the terms. Looking away I folded my arms. "Lorelai, just striking that deal could cost me my life, depending on what the higher-ups in my group think of it."

The look she gave me was a sad one as she shook her head. "Not striking it will most assuredly cost you it. I like you, Ryder, you seem like a good sort, the first I can say that about with your kind, but understand I am a matriarch first and an individual second. I'll not jeopardize my loved ones, no matter the price."

"Loved ones... such an odd thing to hear from a vampire," I growled the words, registering them as a strange statement, but one I sympathized with.

"Yes, Ryder. We feel love, friendship, and the gambit of emotions you no doubt feel. Greed, envy, hate... lust." She gave me a small smile at the last word.

I blushed at her smile, then gave a resigned sigh. "It would appear I've no choice in the matter. What you ask is of no threat to my own kind, so at worst, I'm simply delaying my execution, huh?"

"I truly wish I didn't have to put you in such a position. Do you regret speaking with me now that I have fed from you and trapped you in this situation?" She folded her own arms, making her breasts push out a little more prominently as her head curiously tilted.

Seeing her stature made my heart beat a little harder and I showed my teeth in a grin. "I'd be daft to say I didn't regret it, but I suppose that makes me as such because I do not. I wanted to see you again, and-" I trailed off, looking away awkwardly.

"And what?" The question wasn't demanded and I could hear the curiosity in her voice.

"I enjoyed it, seeing you again, talking to you, and... you feeding on me. It was intoxicating, I felt sorrow at thinking I'd never see Rachel again, but I took solace in at least thinking I'd die in pleasure, in your arms..."

"Ah, is that the fox I smell upon you? It is a good thing I did not pursue the carnal desire that came with the feeding then, she would be upset I am sure." Lorelai gave me a haughty grin, her small fluff of tail flicking behind her.

"I'm not sure... She isn't the jealous type, she knows my love is hers." I gave a shrug and returned to the situation at hand. "You've my word, Lorelai. I will only seek you and your family out under peaceful intentions, and only upon my own decision."

She gave a satisfied smile. "Thank you, Ryder, I kn-"

"But!" I thrust a finger out, giving her a stern look. "Only, your family. The greater whole of your kind is still a threat to me and mine. My word will also only hold true as long as we are at peace. If your family strikes out at me, Toroah, Rachel, or the one known as Ezekiel, my word is voided."

The sheep looked furious at my terms but then eased her stance as I narrowed the subjects down. She rubbed her chin in thought, knowing this was very much a contract. "So you will only give your word under those terms? You are haughty for a fox with so little at the bargaining table."

"My potential friendship and support are not to be taken lightly Lorelai. I can be a boon as well as a threat and the day may come you need me. Keep that in mind before you consider your answer. Regardless, those are my loved ones, and I'll not see them in jeopardy over my own tail. I'm sure you understand my position as well."

The ewe rolled her eyes and nodded. "I cannot argue with your logic, Ryder. I agree and you have my word as well, go in peace and I hope I will see you again, know if those fools put you to the sword, I'll find a way to make them pay for it."

I grinned and put a hand to my chest. "Already so protective of me, Lorelai?"

The ewe gave me a level gaze and huffed out pointedly, "You are lovely to look upon and you taste good, it would be a shame to not see you again."

My heart started thumping in my ears again and I looked away, feeling my cheeks darken. "Heh... is that a stipulation to our contract? Should I try to seek you out and let you feed upon me from time to time?"

"If you wouldn't mind." The sheep tilted her head upwards, turning her back on me as I saw her fluff of tail was hiked upwards. "It need not be a sexual thing either, I can reign in the carnal desires, I've not laid with another in over a century, so it is an easy thing to control. I do think I would enjoy your company in general, you are not a mindless sod like most of your ilk."

I grinned at her tail and haughty display, feeling my own tail wag as I took a step back. "I find you terribly interesting as well, Lorelai. If they don't butcher me, I'll try to see you again. If they do-" I frowned as I realized I wasn't out of the woods yet. "Well, just remember those names, that is my only request."

She gave me a nod as I took to the air, seeing the ewe watch me looking down on her out of the corner of her eye, they were brown once more. I gave her profile a good long look, enjoying the view of the haughty little sheep before I snapped my wings and launched back into the night sky.

---

I hope you've enjoyed this episode, my lovely reader!

I'm not going to lie, I kick my tail writing these! A single episode can take me twelve to fifteen hours or longer to make after conception, writing, editing, and proofreading! If you enjoy this, support me, please? It doesn't have to be financial either, just share my stuff and get my name out there. Vote, Fave, Comment, offer feedback, anything. Thank you, and as always, I'm nothing without your support!

If you enjoyed this and want to keep up with me, you can find me on Twitter@stargazer_g

Want to talk about my work with me or others that like it? I've got a discord for that!

If you want to support my creation of more writing, check out myPatreon page! You can even get episodes a week early there.