FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Welcome back, my lovely reader~

Did you know I wrote this over a week ago?

That's right, 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. Supporters 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!

Not everything is about Alice's chimera powers making everyone a horny mess. Sometimes there are those outside of the sphere of influence that have kept a hidden away secret.

When a mouse finally has the courage to say something she's held inside for centuries, will it lead to blossoming love or bitter heartbreak?

Let's jump right in!

--*--

Episode 6:

Jennifer: Confessions long overdue

"Oh, I'm elated to be getting back on the sea tomorrow night!" Sarnai called out with a hum, her tail wagging behind her as we paced through the halls of the Silverpaw estate, Katrina right next to her.

"I think it's amusing you still keep your yacht on this side of the country maintained, my lady." Jeremy grinned at Sarnai's obvious excitement.

"Naturally! Katrina has never helmed this ship and I'm eager to see the way she adapts!" The vixen folded her arms before stopping to glare back at the small mouse. "Also, how many times have I told you not to call me by that title? I'm your equal now, brother. Save that stuffy stuff for Lorelai!"

"Tch... please do not! Jeremy, we are all family here, let's just shelf the titles outright, alright?" I bleated out while walking, my arm linked with Ryders, the angel looking about curiously, this being his first visit to house Silverpaw.

Jennifer grinned at the angel before clearing her throat, "Ah, Ryder, it's not a fanciful place, but I'd be happy to give you a small tour later if you'd like!" Jeremy cut his dark eyes to his sister and I couldn't help but notice the small ever so faint nod they shared as if making sure they were on the same wavelength.

"That's very kind of you, lady Silverpaw. I'd be thrilled to tour your estate later, thank you for your hospitium!" He barked out and wagged his tail, keeping his large wings close to his back to not knock something over in the halls.

"Hm... yes. Will Val and Kylie be joining us tonight?" I asked the twins while trying to shake off the sneaking suspicion they were up to something. The reality was, no one knew those mice as well as I did, as I quite literally raised them from children.

"Val texted me a few hours ago saying they wouldn't be able to arrive until tomorrow. It seems they had some family business to attend prior," Jeremy told me matter-of-factly.

I scoffed at that, "Pah... most likely the only business he's attending is having another marathon with that eager lemur!"

"Well, your family is rather... sex-healthy, yes?" Ryder smiled down at me with an awkward grin. I snorted up at him but offered a small smile. He had always been rather eager, but once Alice got involved and churned her energy through him, well I was actually thankful he had other outlets, he'd probably never let me sleep otherwise.

Jennifer blinked at that statement and so did Jeremy, both seeming to hesitate in their stride, looking back at the angel. I couldn't blame them, they had been some of the first to know and even hear us. Ryder did get a little loud sometimes despite my efforts to keep him quiet during those days, still, I was getting an odd sensation off my mice tonight.

Your question brought me back to the present as I lifted my ears, Sarnai already answering you, "Yes, my child. We'll be having the storytelling on my yacht and I expect you to do your own fair share of work maintaining her. I and Katrina will have our hands full directing Kylie on matters."

"I'm eager to make you proud, my fox. I'll also do anything I can to help in your instruction of her." Katrina purred while holding the vixen's hand.

"Do not forget we are all capable of maintaining your ship... Captain," Jeremy called out playfully, Sarnai offering an approving grin as her personality shifted right there on the spot.

"Aye, that you are, my brother. I never could have asked for better mates when we sailed back in the day! Erm... night as it were!" She barked out a laugh as Ryder chuckled at the lingo.

"That's rather cute how you shifted to swashbuckler mode right on the spot, Sarnai." He mused as the Vixen showed him a grin.

"Cute was it? Don't you have enough tail to be flirting it up with, Celestial? Already got the mother, now want the daughter?" Sarnai barked out jovially as Ryder gave his own awkward bark.

"Wha?! No, Sarnai I was just being friendly, I didn't uh... I mean, you're a beautiful fox, just like Rachel, but uh-"

"Sarnai, stop picking on my lover, you already know he was just being friendly," I grumbled at my vixen who showed me a playful smile but nodded.

"Would Rachel grow jealous if you took another lover, Ryder?" Jeremy asked curiously, shifting the attention away.

Ryder tilted his head at that. "No no, Rachel is like all my lovers, she holds no resentment towards things. We all do as we please, as the love is clearly there, no need to reinforce it with monogamy which tends to be... dangerous, with long-lived ones such as us."

"It can work amongst our kind, but rarely. Harold and his wife Mino are successful enough with it. To my knowledge neither has ever strayed," I chimed in on the matter, but I was getting that vibe once more from my mice and finally spoke on it, "Why do you ask, brother? Finding MY angel-fox fetching? He does enjoy males as well you know."

"M-My Lady! T-that had nothing to do with it!" Jeremy stammered out awkwardly.

"Lorelai, why are you picking on him? Even I could tell his question wasn't laced with that kind of interest..." Ryder frowned at my response.

"Oh, can you now?" I scoffed and then stopped right there, folding my arms.

"Uhm... are you guys about to have a lovers quarrel?" Jennifer asked meekly.

Ryder frowned at my stance and opened his palms. "Lore? Uh... did I upset you, my ewe? I wasn't try-"

"No, I just don't like the tension in the air, something is amiss tonight." I showed my teeth and shot my gaze right to the two mice who stiffened their posture slightly. I cocked a brow and pushed my will out, making sure the twins were the only ones who received it. "You know I detest secrets and subterfuge don't I, children?"

"Y-Yes my lady!" The mice answered in perfect unison, both of them looking nervous and frowning.

"So out with it already!" I snarled out, but then perked my drooped ears as Ryder put a hand on my shoulder.

"C'mon, Lorelai... that's not really fair, is it?" Both of the mice bit their lower lips as the angel interrupting me eased my domination on them.

I gave him a fussy glare. You, Katrina, and Sarnai of course knew better than to argue with me when I was like this. Taking a deep breath, I composed myself. It wasn't that I was trying to be overbearing, but on the same hand, these two never kept things from me, so it left me concerned for them.

"I said what I said to you two, I'll have what you're scheming... If it is... dangerous or problem causing to the two of you." I snarled the stipulation as both of them looked upon one another and then shook their heads.

Jeremy rubbed his shoulder as he spoke out for them, "My lady, it is nothing of concern I assure you, just-"

"Then I am satisfied, let us continue!" I spat out pointedly. Letting them have the time to disengage from the subject.

--*--

Later that evening I found myself called to the main study and audience chamber of my mice, but only one greeted me there, Jennifer.

"My lady, thank you for coming to speak with me." She squeaked out with a small smile behind the desk, then hopped down off the elevated chair before moving over to me. She was one of the few females I could say I had a height advantage on, albeit a small one.

"It's not as if I weren't in the house already, my sister. Yes, you should be thankful for the grueling trek I endured to arrive before you." I offered her a playful grin to show this need not be a stuffy meeting.

She grinned at my words, then her gaze slipped into a more business-like one, but then shifted awkwardly as she looked away, rubbing her shoulder and biting her lower lip. I cupped her cheek and drew her gaze back to me, looking intently into her brown eyes. "What weighs on you, my sister? This is from before, yes?"

I heard her small gulp before she spoke out quietly, "Uh... You must understand something about I and my brother, my lady, we have been what we were since we were mundane. Like Sir Harold and Lady Mino, we have had one another and only one another for centuries, we do not have the influences of Alice within us that all of you do."

"I realize all of this, Jennifer, but why do you bring this to me now?" I stepped back and shifted my hands to my hips. "I'll not force you, but clearly you have something on your mind."

She pushed a hand to her chest and I heard her heart starting to beat rather hard in my ears. "I uh..." With a snarl, she clenched her fists, her gaze growing harder as she practically glared at me with red eyes, but I knew it was in focus. "Listening to your tales, all the love behind them. I have kept something buried away for years, and I wish to ask your permission to bring it into the light!"

My eyes widened and for just a split-second, I felt like I was about to be confessed to, but then I realized, she was asking my permission so I dashed the thoughts, a bit of relief filling my heart. After all, these two were not just my siblings in the family, I raised them, and they were possibly the truest thing to children I'd ever have in my time. That also made her next statement all the harder to react to.

"Ah! I've harbored feelings for your angel, my lady! I have ever since he saved my brother and me on that fateful day!" She just spat the words out, then clenched her eyes shut, gritting her teeth as if I'd strike her for the words.

I pushed a hand to my mouth at the statement, I'll confess this did take me out of nowhere, but as I recalled Ryder's story and some of the responses I would see out of Jennifer when I spoke of him, I could see the pieces of the puzzle fitting that I never even knew was there.

"What... does your brother think of this?" I finally spoke out, resting a hand on her cheek as she blinked her red eyes open to look up at me, looking like the small scared child she was when I first found her on the streets centuries ago.

"I uh... spoke with him about it and he gave me his blessings, said he held no resentment... Said I should follow my heart and so long as I remained at his side, he was happy." She gave me a resolved nod before standing straight, her eyes clearing back to brown.

"You understand that... if you start down this road, it will change you, yes? Ryder has the same chimeric powers I do flowing through me, and you will get them, that will also spread them to your brother." I stepped back and leaned on the wall of the office, folding my arms and propping one boot against it. "You two have always been horny little mice, but it will grow more intense, you understand?"

Jennifer frowned at my words and shook her head in confusion. "My lady... I never assumed to lay with your angel, I simply wish to let my feelings be known, so that I may get this weight-"

I scoffed and bleated out a laugh before offering her a grin. "Jennifer, you silly girl, do you seriously think it will go that way? Do you think you will confess, get a hug, and you will part?" I showed her a knowing grin before continuing, "I've heard how eager you and Jeremy get, the moment he touches you, you will fling yourself into his arms."

"M-My lady! You speak of me as if I have no control!" She gave me a childish pout I'd not seen in several decades.

"Ha... you think I didn't smell you two in my own office or bed chambers when I returned from council business?" I watched her face grow paler at my words, her mouth gaping slightly.

"Uh huh... You two loved to mark your territory, but no matter how thoroughly you cleaned, I knew, but I did not punish or begrudge you two for your wiles." I lifted a hand to twirl a lock of my hair in a finger. "Ryder may do as he pleases, and you may do as you please, Jennifer. So long as you will not tarnish what you and your brother have, I shall not restrain you."

"Are you certain, my lady? I'd not sully your honor or what you have-"

"Honor? What does confessing one's love have to do with honor, my sister? Love cares not for honor or rules, love is mad. Love will make you tear the gates of hell open for that which is yours, but love will also allow you to turn your eye when that cherished one wishes another." I clenched my fist and showed a toothy grin, charcoal flames drifting off my knuckles.

She swallowed and nodded her head several times before I tilted my head to the side. "You have welled these feelings in your heart long enough, my sister. You were there with me in that battle for his freedom, and now I know, you fought to save him for more than just me. That does not make me any less grateful, in fact, it eases my soul to know."

"M-My lady... Lorelai..." She sniffled and I saw tears showing in her red eyes. I offered her a grin and spread my arms as the mouse threw herself into them.

"It is well and fine, my child... follow your heart, I am not upset and will support what you and Ryder sort out. Do you understand?" I whispered down into her rounded ears as she just nodded against my breasts while clinging to me, not fully crying, but clearly emotional in the moment.

--*--

My heart hadn't pounded in my chest this hard in some time, I don't think it had stopped beating since my meeting with Lorelai prior. I felt his presence, my wiry tail going rigid and my back growing stiff as I heard him land behind me with a flap of wings, feeling the small gust of air that followed.

"Lady Silverpaw, is it wise to speak with me at such a time? The sun will be rising within the hour." Ryder showed his concern immediately, as I had chosen a cliffside overlook to speak with him around half a mile from the manor. The ocean was angry below, but it tended to always be.

"Erm... it is of no concern, I can easily make it back to the house in just a matter of seconds if I need to, you are aware of our speed, yes?" I tried to keep my voice level and not stammer the words as I looked over my shoulder at the fox. The one that had saved our lives, the same one that had struck down the one that raped and murdered my best friend at the time.

"Yes, my apologies for questioning your speed, Lady Silverpaw. How may I help you?" He straightened right up, hands clasped before him as he tilted his head curiously.

"Uh... first and foremost, may I request you just call me by name... Ryder?" I turned to face him now, the difference in our height quite stark, he easily had two and a half heads, maybe three on me.

"Of course, Jennifer, is this not a family-related summons then?" He offered me a smile that made my heart pitter-patter harder and butterflies swarm in my stomach as I clenched my teeth.

"Y-yes... I mean no! It is uh... personal, yes. It's personal..." I spat the words out rapidly, rubbing my arm as my tail whipped behind me in the air.

Ryder frowned and put a hand on his chest, covering his rosary. "Jennifer, what troubles you? Have I somehow inadvertently upset you?"

"No! Not at all, Ryder!" I squeaked out and shot my gaze back to his, biting my lower lip as he looked upon me and tilted his head curiously once more. Why did everything he do look so damn cute, I couldn't think straight, I couldn't form the words no matter how hard I tried.

"I- uh... so all those years ago when you saved us..." I just started talking, I couldn't think I just had to say it, say it, and get it off my chest, it had been with me for so long and this felt like a dream to be telling him, that or a nightmare.

"Yeah, it was a really scary time for you guys, but I thank the gods I was able to save you, I wish I could have helped the others, if only I had known sooner..." He whispered and I saw him close his eyes while clutching his rosary, looking focused.

"A-Are you... praying?" I whispered.

He opened his eyes as I saw them shift back to blue, having looked golden for a moment. "Yes, for those I couldn't save, both from your family and the sinners of the church who fell from the light."

"But all of that was so long ago, Ryder..." I frowned at him. "Would it even matter now?"

"Indeed, but some may be in the cycle again, others may be seeking repentance even now, centuries later. I pray for those seeking forgiveness, and I pray for those that may be having another chance at happiness." He offered me a warm smile and my tail sprang back behind me at his earnest, pious words, looking every bit the divine knight in shining armor that saved me that day.

"T-thank you... I will hope for the same, but uh..." I offered him a small grin, putting a hand on my hip. "I'll leave the praying to you, I don't think mine will reach anyone."

He scoffed at that and put his hands on his own hip. "The divines care not if your heart does not beat naturally and you can't be in the sun, Jennifer. Any prayer that is made in earnest will reach them, that I truly believe and live by!"

I blinked a few times and shook my head. "D-Do you really think that's true?"

"I know it's true!" Ryder gave me a bright grin and my cheeks darkened to see him so intent but earnest in his words.

"Y-Yeah? Well... okay then!" I snarled out, not fully convinced, but I stood before a Paladin of heaven, who was I to question things?

With a sigh at how silly I felt, I clenched my hands together and closed my eyes, offering a prayer for the first time in centuries to whoever would listen to it. Ryder barked out as he called out to me, "J-Jennifer, hang on!"

'Okay gods or whoever is listening, I pray for the courage to tell this stupid dog I'm in love with him!' I thought furiously, Ryder's words only reaching me after I had already made the prayer.

I opened my eyes and blinked at him a few times, then frowned at his blank look. "W-What? Is it such a big deal?"

He gulped loudly and my eyes widened as I saw his whole posture change as he rubbed the back of his head. "Uh... Jennifer, I'm... a Paladin. You don't get much more divine than me, yeah?"

"W-Well yeah, so what?" I put my hands on my hips, then it dawned on me, I literally just offered a prayer, right in front of basically one of the gods' champions. I felt a shiver go up my spine and stammered out, "W-w-wait a second! Are you fu-fucking telling me you..."

His dark ears folded as he offered me a small smile before shrugging. "Uh... so, I guess you could say, your prayers were answered? B-but uh... not sure I can help with the courage part, ya know?"

I gave a loud squeak and shoved my hands over my face, turning away. "Oh gods, oh gods, oh gods... I can't believe it happened like this! Fuck!"

"So... can I ask why?" He called out as my tail sprang up along with my ears.

I pulled my hand from my face and awkwardly glanced back at him. "Uhm... R-Ryder... I... well I guess no need stressing it now, huh?"

"Nope, and I'm right here, Jennifer. I'm not running off or laughing at you. I'm here so..." He took a knee and gently placed a hand on my shoulder. "Talk to me?"

I was happy he touched me, but then my eyes widened as I squeaked out again, but this time in pain as I jumped back clutching my shoulder, hissing as I glared at him with tears in my eyes. Ryder blinked several times then it dawned on him what happened. "Holy... Oh my gods, Jennifer, I'm so sorry! It's uh... it's been so long since I've touched one of your kind that wasn't uh... influenced by Alice!"

"It's... it's okay, just... fuck... been a while since I had a divine burn." He moved over and I flinched as he grabbed my shoulder again. "R-Ryder!? Wh...y?" I perked my ears as the pain was just gone as if it never happened. I blinked as I saw him clearly touching me now, but no pain to be had, and what was there before, was a distant memory.

"So uh... yeah, if I focus my healing, I can keep from hurting you when we touch, and uh... I can even heal the wounds I caused or other ones. This is how Lorelai and I were able to uh... do things." He offered me a small grin before removing his hand to settle back, sitting on his knees so we were at eye level.

I gave a small nod and then smiled as I rubbed my own arm. "I knew this confession might hurt me, but I wasn't expecting that kind of pain from it." I laughed at myself as if that was the only thing I could think to do in this moment.

"Heh... that's a good one. I'm really sorry for hurting you, Jennifer, I hope you're not upset about it." He frowned and rested his hands on his knees.

"N-No, it was an accident, and you healed it, no big deal!" I clenched my teeth, feeling myself growing nervous again. On top of that, he was right here, right on me, and he smelled so good, better than I remembered.

"So... talk to me?" He smiled and tilted his head, again looking cuter than he had any right to be. The only thing that would make it worse is if-

I glanced around his side to see that silky-looking black tail wagging about. Of course, his tail was wagging... I rubbed my face and shivered before cracking a finger to look out at him, my eyes no doubt red now as my heart was pounding. "Uh... why are you so cute right now?! I can't think straight!"

Ryder lifted his ears at that and laughed. "Oh uh... sorry about that, here hang on!" He ruffled his hair up to make it look more sloppy, then looked at me with half his lip bit and one eye cocked wider than the other that was squinted. "Hoews thisss?" He hissed out through his half-open mouth.

My eyes widened at the absolutely ridiculous-looking sight of this divine knight making such a silly face and couldn't help but squeak out in a fit of giggles. I turned away and then looked back to see him just still there holding the face, snorting out another laugh as my tail coiled.

"Heh..." He quickly raked his fingers through his hair to bring it back to some sort of semblance and I peaked over at him with a small grin, seeing he was looking normal again and it was safe to turn around, might heart lighter feeling but still pounding at the sight of him.

"Okay... okay, I-" He quickly made the face again as I tried to get serious and I just snorted through my nose again before busting out in another laugh. "A-Asshole! Stop it! Ha ha!" I grinned and shoved at his shoulder, the angel giving me a playful smile, having no doubt seen me moving in and using his prayers.

"Alright, Alright, sorry Jen, I'll behave, so what's up?" He chuckled out and my ears perked at him just calling me, 'Jen'. I hated that, Jeremy knew he'd get punched in the face if he called me that while we were fighting, but for some reason, it didn't make me angry when he did it.

"Ah... heh... Yeah, I mean what can I say? I think I fell in love with you that time you saved us. Not just saved us but avenged my friend. Then you saw us safely on our way to our Lady. I knew in that moment, I had found someone that had a part of my heart that only my brother shared." I just laid it out there, blinking into his blue eyes, the fox just nodding.

"You know, us celestials, we have a problem, Jen. A well-documented problem I might add, not some outlying issue." I tilted my head curiously as he spoke and I realized my hands were still on his shoulders.

"Yeah? What's that?" I frowned as he drew just a little closer, biting my lower lip at his proximity.

"We sense emotions, we even harmonize with them if we match up with how the other being feels." He cut his eyes to me and offered a playful grin. "If you fall in love with a celestial and earnestly express it, we may start to reciprocate it. That's what they say anyway."

I squeaked out and blushed harder, feeling my nails dig into his shoulders as my heart pounded. "Ah... ah... S-so you're saying, you're not mad at my confession? You're not going to uh... reject me?"

A surprisingly deep growl bubbled up in his throat as his eyes grew sharper. "Reject you? Jennifer, I'm resisting the urge to kiss you right now..."

My eyes widened as I shuddered a little before moving my hand to his cheek, blinking into his blue eyes. "Y-You want to kiss me, Ryder?"

"Of course I do, how can I not after what you've said?" He growled again, his nose moving to touch my own as we were nearly there already.

"I- I..." My teeth showed in a snarl as I shook my head and just threw my arms around him, shoving my mouth to his own as he gave me a cute yip at the sudden kiss. His lips were so soft and then I felt his tongue come forth, my own happy to meet it. I couldn't help but groan as I finally got to taste my knight in shining armor, both my hands moving up into his hair, rubbing those large dark ears.

He broke away from my lips with a soft gasp and bit his lower lip, both our eyes meeting as I panted in his face, still rubbing at those large vulpine ears. "Erm... they're a bit sensitive, so careful with them, Jen..."

I nodded and bit my own lip as I kept rubbing them, then moved in, kissing along his jaw and throat, huffing against it as my tongue dragged up it, feeling the heavy thrum of his pulse. Of course, my mind went right there, even though I just wanted to kiss and smell him. Then I squeaked out as he tilted his head, offering his throat to me. "You may, if you desire it, my mouse."

My heart slammed into my throat as he called me his mouse, then my sharp teeth showed as my fingers dug into his hair and jerked him closer, snarling savagely. "Gods fucking yes I desire it!" I squeaked out and then drove forward, but I hesitated at the last moment, my sharp canines just pressing at his soft flesh as if my heart didn't want this to be a factor right now.

"Why do you hesitate? Isn't it something you want?" He leaned back and tilted his head as I bit my lower lip and shook my head.

"I... of course, I want that Ryder, it's what I am, it's what I crave but uh..." I hissed through my teeth as I rubbed my arm. "Come on... you know how that works... I start feeding, lose myself, then it's the hunger having all the time with you, not ... me?" I sighed and shook my head. "I've thought about you many many times, but never to feed upon."

"Ah, sorry for making it awkward for you, Jennifer." He straightened up and smiled at me again as I bit my lower lip, then he offered me a small smile. "So what sorts of things have you thought about with me?"

I couldn't help but squeak out and brush my fingers over my own lips, still tasting him there before I gave him a fussy glare. "Ryder... you're being kind of mean to me right now, you know this yes?"

"I'm just being playful, Jen. You'll have to get used to that if you want to spend time with me. I can't always be some stoic guardian." He offered me a childish grin, then my ears and tail sprang up as I frowned, seeing him stand up. Had I squandered my chance now, was he leaving?

"Ah... are you, going already, Ryder?" I whispered out, feeling like I may have missed the pace of the situation, maybe he really did just want things to go carnal and passionate, but I was worried he'd think less of me for just-

"I'm just worrying about that sunrise and you, Jen." He spoke out earnestly as I looked into the distance, the sky growing more orange and less blue by the second. He was right, I couldn't stay out here much longer, but I also didn't want to end our time together.

"Thank you for worrying about me, Ryder. Uhm..." I rubbed my arm and frowned. I didn't want to go back to the house, I wanted to spend time with him, and not have to hide in the shadows to do it, but what other options did I have?

"Hey... you wanna go on like... a little date with me?" He called out with a small grin.

"A... date? You want to go on... a date? With... me?" I pointed to myself, feeling a little silly at the questions.

"Yeah! I uh... hmm..." He folded his arms and thought about it for a moment, then perked his ears. "Hey! Silverpaw has a gate nearby, would you like to visit the Citadel? We could even say hi to a few of the angels you fought beside during that whole thing over helping me."

I blinked a few times and put a hand to my hip as I smiled. "You're wanting to take me to heaven, Ryder?"

"It's not like... Heaven per se, Jennifer. It's just like a city where all the celestials hang out, it's like our headquarters."

I nodded and looked at the horizon with a sigh, then looked back at him. "I've been told the whole place is bathed in light, wouldn't I just get killed upon entry?"

"Oh no, it's not that kind of light, you might get dizzy for a moment before I could get you some protection setup, but nothing super harmful, I promise... You... wanna go?" He showed me a grin, his wings spreading a little, and offered me his hand.

"Sure, Ryder... take me to Heaven for a date then." I scoffed back with a grin and put my palm in his, then gave a loud squeak as he drew me right against his chest. I cried out in utter shock, clinging to him hard as he just took off into the sky just like that.

"Crap crap crap! Don't fly too high or you're gonna make the sun come over the..." I gasped as we seemed to just slip into a gate, then I groaned, feeling dizzy as if I had a weight on my shoulders. We were on solid ground again and my eyes hurt, the whole area very bright as I took a knee, feeling like I was ready to throw up.

"Here here, take this, Jen. I had to be here at the Citadel to summon it." Ryder quickly thrust the handle of a small black parasol into my hand. The instant I touched it, I felt the nausea and crushing weight pass. I blinked up at him on my knees, seeing him bathed in sunlight for the first time.

As I composed myself I could see clearly his large wings shimmered in the light, flecks of gold in the feathers along with his dark hair. I'd noticed them before, but never realized how shiny they were. I gave a little labored grunt as I found my boots once more, slinging the parasol over my shoulder. "So... this isn't the real sun?"

"No, the citadel is bathed in light at all times, but it's the divine light similar to what we can summon." He explained and I frowned, having been on the receiving end of it a few times. Lorelai and company weren't the only ones that had their tribulations they had gone through, and me and brother had faced a few high-powered celestials ourselves over the years.

"Ah yes, well... this parasol will keep me safe then?" I cut my red eyes up to it, then back to the angel.

"Yes, you need not be under its shade, just holding it is sufficient. You could even fold it closed and tie it to your belt if you wish, just having it nearby will suffice." I nodded at his words and did just that, folding it and using the small loop at the end to feed it through my belt. I glanced up as I saw him intently watching me unbuckle my belt, then rehook it after feeding the folded parasol through it.

"Well well, I thought I sensed your presence return to the Citadel, brother," A deep boisterous voice filled the air as a moment later a very large angel landed beside us. I'd of course seen him before, he was there at the pivotal battle I participated in, Ezekiel.

"Oh, we have company?" He snarled and looked down upon me, easily twice my height, his eyes shifting to red as if trying to place me. I wasn't surprised, he had met many of our kind and that was a frantic time, to say the least.

After a moment he perked his ears and flicked his tail a few times. "Ah yes, Lady Silverpaw, uh... Jennifer wasn't it? Welcome to the Citadel, my sister."

I showed him a small grin, tucking some of my brown-blonde hair behind my ear to look up at him. "Thank you, brother, I trust you are well with your other family these days?" I shifted into my council voice, a part of me happy to have a fellow family member before me, even if he was adopted as it were.

"I am. I try to split my time between here and with my Bloodstone family, but being an Archangel, Citadel business keeps me close at hand usually." He chuckled and then rubbed his chin as he looked at me, then at Ryder, then back to me. "So, what brings you here?"

Ryder frowned as if he hadn't processed the ramifications of my meeting others before looking over at me. I simply gave him a nod to do as he pleased. He offered the lion a grin and shrugged. "Well, Ezzy... uh... Jennifer and I are on a date, and I wanted to show her around the Citadel, seeing as the sun was rising at her home."

The lion scoffed at the fox and grinned. "Ry... what am I gonna do with you, man?" He laughed and then met my eyes as he smirked. "I won't assume you don't already know this guy's track record, but if he disrespects you, sister, let me know and I'll pop him one." Ezekiel clenched his massive fist and winked at me as I grinned.

"Alright, brother, I'll be sure to remember that!" I squeaked out playfully as he turned from us.

"Hey, go check out Rajam's mead hall, better stuff than you'll ever find in the mundane world." He called out casually before just stepping into a gate and was gone.

I grinned and shook my head. "He forgets alcohol does nothing for my kind, eh?"

Ryder smiled and shook his head, "Doesn't do anything for him either now, but he still has a glass of mead every night."

"So... where to?" I looked up at him and showed my sharp teeth.

"Good question, it's not like the citadel is a tourist destination, I just was making an excuse to spend time with you!" Ryder barked out a laugh and I blushed at that, biting my lower lip.

"You... were making reasons to stay with me?" I stepped closer and gripped his hand, the fox quickly reacting and focusing his prayers no doubt.

"Yeah, I mean... you confessed how you felt, and I didn't want the sun to ruin things, but I also wanted to spend some time with you, so..." His fingers squeezed my own and I felt my heart thrum back into motion as he pulled me along. "Shall we just walk around and I'll show you some of the sites?"

"I'd like that, but uh... will anyone be upset with a vampire walking around out here?" I tilted my head.

"Alice and Lorelai constantly come to visit, and our people are enjoying a stronger peace than we've ever had. I'm sure a few holdouts might fuss, but they'd never openly accost you about it, Jen." He poked his nose up as he walked with me, and I couldn't help but blush, it felt like he was showing me off.

He spent the next hour or so casually walking the Citadel with me, showing me the historical buildings, some of the taverns, and even parts of the military compound. It was a very lovely place and seeing things bathed in sunlight, even if artificial, was still wondrous after having gone centuries without seeing things in such a way. Still, the most beautiful sight was seeing him in that light, his eyes just sparkled when he looked at me and my heart just stayed in motion the whole while.

"And now we're back at the courtyard where we began. It wasn't a long tour, but I hope you enjoyed it." He showed me a small grin as I offered my own.

"It was lovely, and I thank you for taking the time to show me, to... be with me." I had to avert my eyes from his at that, feeling my heart flutter again.

"Of course, I wanted to show you a nice time, Jen!" He barked out and then his ears perked as he snapped his jaws together and I watched his tail fluff out slightly. I frowned at his posture, seeing he suddenly was on edge.

"What troubles you, Ryder?" I asked, but had my answer right away as I felt the sudden presence of another angel behind me. My ears perked as I realized it was none other than Rachel, his lover.

"Ryder, I thought I sensed your presence, I didn't expect you back until-" The vixen perked her brown ears and looked down to see me standing there, I blinked up at her and then quickly composed myself, shifting into my council mentality.

"Lady Rachel, it's a pleasure to see you again." I put a hand on my hip, nodding at her.

"Ah... Lady Silverpaw, what brings you to the citadel? Are your brother and family well?" She also seemed to shift into a professional mentality before me.

"They are well, thank you for asking." I shifted my eyes to Ryder who looked surprisingly nervous about this particular exchange, then again I'd heard the stories about him and Rachel. I shifted a hand to my hip, my other brushing a lock of hair out of my eyes as I looked up at the Vixen. "As to why I'm here... may I shoot straight with you, Rachel?"

She tilted her head and I watched her eyes shift to gold before she nodded, "That'd be best, please."

I offered her a smile, I had heard about the whole 'seer' thing, and I knew there wouldn't be any beating around the bush with this. "Ryder saved me and my brother centuries ago, so you're most likely aware of, well..." I met her eyes, my own red as I huffed out, "I confessed my love for him, so now we are here, on a date as it were, seeing as the sun was rudely interrupting our time."

Rachel nodded her head and huffed out, "Ah, I see I see... Well, we are celestial and we do have that effect. You were... mundane at the time, correct?"

"I was, yes." I gave a nod.

"And you are how old if I may ask?" Rachel tilted her head, her eyes slowly returning to blue.

My tongue clicked in thought. "Uh... around six centuries give or take."

"My, such a long time to hold that flame to your heart. You must love Ryder very much, Jennifer." Rachel frowned and pushed a hand to her chest, clasping her rosary.

I couldn't help but bite my lip and frown at that. "Does it... upset you, Lady Rachel?"

The vixen lifted her ears and then shook her head with a smile. "Jennifer, my fox has another that loves him very much, why would this be cause for me to be angry? Life is so much better with love as my sister Gloria likes to say. No, my sister, I do not harbor any negative feelings over this."

My tension eased as I nodded slowly. "T-Thank you for that... One of the reasons I was afraid to say anything, was I didn't want to disrupt what he already had, you know?"

"No worries, Jennifer. So long as Ryder does not neglect me, or put our own time on hold for his other lovers, I am content." Rachel shifted her gaze to the other fox, folding her arms as her wings flapped a few times.

"Rachel... you know I'd never do that to you in a million years!" Ryder quickly barked out and stepped over to the other angel, I bit my lip as they pushed right into a kiss there before me, the vixen even clearly parting her lips to allow her tongue and his to tease for a few moments before pulling away.

"My apologies for the display, Jennifer, that was not a statement, just me eager for the fox whom I love." Rachel gave a small bow and smiled at me as nodded.

"It's... it's okay, Rachel. I understand and took no offense, Thank you for being so understanding about this!" I squeaked out quickly and offered a small bow to her, knowing keenly were she to put her foot down, this would all be over before it began.

"Well, love... enjoy your time with your cute little mouse." Rachel growled and then looked down at me. "Jennifer, come to call sometime, we will have tea and get to know one another." She frowned at her offer then nodded, "Ah, I will have a proper drink ready for you instead of tea actually, but the offer is extended all the same."

"Thank you, Rachel! I'll happily come to spend time with you, I need to get out of my house more often anyway." I eagerly returned the sentiment as the angel gave me a brilliant smile that made my heart thump once more, seeing the celestials just had that effect sometimes.

Ryder gave a small sigh of relief as he rubbed the back of his head. "I'm really sorry about that, I uh... wasn't sure how she'd handle it..."

"Yet you brought me here, knowing full well she was here? Ryder, were Rachel to have opposed this, I would have respected her wishes, you must understand I do not want to destabilize your life or be a source of theatrics."

"Thank you, Jennifer, I'm grateful for that, and even though it went well, I'm sorry you had to be suddenly thrust into that drama."

He bowed to me and I offered him a smile, reaching up to push a hand to his cheek. "Do not be so apologetic... it is fine, I promise." I rubbed under his chin as he looked up, then felt my fingers slip clear as he stood once more.

"Where to next then?" He spoke out conversationally.

I felt courage well up in me after having spent this time with him and knowing I wouldn't have an angry Archangel trying to smite me for liking her boyfriend. I met his eyes and spoke out pointedly, "You have a private chamber here, yes? Show it to me."

--*--

I stepped from the gate and looked around. The room was humble and simple for the most part. A large cleanly made bed, and a few ornamental tapestries hanging on the walls. There was a small dresser on one side of the room with various pictures adorning it in frames. I recognized most of the individuals including a picture of my lady cuddled up close to him, looking very happy and relaxed in his arms.

I picked the picture up and frowned as I looked upon it, then glanced back at the angel who looked a little nervous to have me alone in his room. Settling the frame back in place I turned to face him, stepping forward a few paces. "You know, I sought out council with my lady before speaking with you."

"Is that right?" Ryder took a knee so we'd be eye-level once more. "Why? If I may ask?"

"For the very reason, I'd have withdrawn had Rachel protested." I pushed my hand to his face, looking into his eyes as I bit my lower lip. "My lady... she loves you with everything she is, Ryder, I could never take that from her."

"You're such a kind mouse, Jennifer, it really makes me want to love you." He grinned at me and I blushed deeply and blinked several times.

"R-Ryder... just because I love you, you are not obligated to return it!" I squeaked out, my heart pounding as he drew closer, his lips brushing my own.

"Indeed, but you are certainly one, I think I could grow to love quite easily." My eyes widened at his words, but then my thoughts drifted away as he drew me into a kiss once more. My fingers curled into the robes he wore, returning the kiss as our tongues flicked and teased with one another eagerly.

After several heated moments of kissing, I parted and step back. "Ryder, will you draw that shade over your skylight so I might do away with the parasol? I saw how you intently stared upon my hips prior when I unbuckled." I cooed out as I reached for my jeans, then lifted my ears as his own hand stopped mine.

"The room is shielded, you will not feel the effects, now come here." He growled confidently as my heart leaped when his own hands grasped the front of my jeans, hips squirming as he unbuckled my belt, then deftly popped my button open and pulled the zipper clear, getting a glimpse of my crimson panties within.

"You... wish the lead, my angel? I happily give it if you do..." I groaned as he nodded and peeled my jeans clear, my hips coming into view as I kicked my boots off, then I squeaked as he gripped my hips and hefted me gently from the floor, setting me on the edge of his large bed.

I chewed on my lower lip as he went for my panties just like that, my dewy petals coming into view for the first male I'd ever let see them other than my brother. He said not a word as he scooped his hands up under my knees, spread me as I fell back to my palms, then his mouth was upon me.

My heart soared to feel this knight pleasing me, more than I ever felt I had deserved, then I gave a cute squeak as he huffed out and rolled his tongue, having discovered the small piercing in my pearl.

"Whoa... never seen one of these in person..." He gasped out as he intently looked upon me while I panted out and whimpered.

"R-Ryder... my knight... I am happy you approve of my jewelry but uh... I was right there so... please?" I panted out, looking down at him as he perked his ears and gave me an apologetic smile before moving back in.

I shuddered and sighed in relief as his mouth started suckling at my spot once more, tongue showing as one of my hands, rubbed at his ears. "Gods yes... right there my knight... my angel... please... ngh... shift your tongue side to side, okay?" He did as I requested and my toes curled as I squeaked out, then my back arched as I cried out louder, feeling flung past my limit for the first time by another male that wasn't Jeremy.

His ears perked and tail wagged as he heard the joy he had brought me, my vision blurring for a moment from the intense release before I felt him ease back into the gentle laps of his tongue. "By the gods... I can't even think... it's so blissful, Ryder... I do not deserve this... I don't deserve-"

He put a finger to my lips to silence me, shaking his head. "Do not question what you are deserving of, my mouse... that is for the gods to decide, yes?" He offered me a loving grin as I nodded, then shifted to pop his fingertip into my maw, nipping it to finally get a few drops of that divine blood on my tongue.

"Ngh... hungry my mouse? You can have more than a few drops if you wish..." He growled lovingly before moving back down and I gasped against his finger, feeling him starting to lap and suckle upon me once more.

I clutched his hand with both of my own, whimpering and groaning as I supped from the wound, the divine blood making my toes curl as he kept the pressure up with his tongue, then after a few more skilled laps, he went side to side again in quick flicks as I parted from his finger, crying out in another squeaky moan as he made me crest once more for him.

"By... the ... gods..." I panted against his hand, whining as I felt him lap against my petals, then bit my lower lip as he climbed from the floor to stand over me. My heart pounded in my ears as I watched him pull the sash of his robe feel, revealing his strong shapely muscles, a much larger male than my brother to be sure.

"Scoot back on the bed, my mouse, and lose the shirt." He growled eagerly as I did what he said, bracing on my paws to move further back into his bed that smelled so heavily of him, but I also caught odors from my lady and various others. I didn't care though, in this moment he was mine and I hastily peeled my shirt and bra right off, throwing them to the side and biting my lower lip as my rounded perky breasts came into view.

He perked his ears at the view, seeing small silver bars in each of my nipples as my wiry pink tail smacked the mattress. "S-Sorry... I know they're not as large as my Lady's or some of the others you may lay with."

"Jennifer, they're beautiful, just like the rest of you, and they're quite ample for your size!" He growled as he climbed over me, his robes half hanging on him as I squeaked out when both his hands grasped them. "Ha... see... more than a handful to be sure..." He cooed and I gasped as he kneaded my chest, his thumbs going right to my peaks, curiously teasing the bars as I moaned for his touch.

"I still... can't believe you're here... touching me like this..." I panted up at him, giving a soft squeak as he pinched and tugged each bar. "Ha! C-Careful, Ryder... they're sensitive!"

"Yeah, in all the right ways it seems..." He growled down at me before finishing the job, his hands moving to fully disrobe, his large wings furling out fully as I gasped up at him, but then my eyes darted down, seeing his fully ready length, my jaw gapping slightly at the size of him, there was a big difference between a mouse and a fox after all.

"R-Ryder... that's uhm... seeing you at the ready like this, it makes me uh... nervous?" I couldn't help but awkwardly chuckle as I scooted back a little from him.

"Oh, don't worry my mouse, we'll figure it out!" He barked out and grasped my hips as I squeaked loudly, the world spinning for a moment as he took a seat and hefted me right into his lap. I bit my lower lip as he pushed my petals right up to the underside of his length that was jumping and dripping with precum.

"You're not much smaller than, Lorelai, so I'm sure we'll be fine, my mouse." He puffed out as he dug his nails into my hips, gently hefting me up and down, letting that jumping length rub against my pierced pearl as I panted up at him.

"A-Are you sure? It's rather... large compared to my- Eep!" I yelped out as he hefted me right up to his chest, my tail whipping about in panic as he lined that tapered head right to my entrance and started grinding.

"Only... nhg.. One way to find out, yeah?" He panted down into my rounded ears before I looked up at him, biting my lower lip and nodding rapidly, feeling him grinding, that head of his length starting to work its way in slowly but surely. I didn't care, I didn't care how bad it hurt, I needed him, I had to have my angel I'd longed to have for centuries now.

"Yes! Yes... Ryder, I'm yours, so use me if you have to!" I declared and set him with a fussy look as my own hips started shifting, determined to get his divine cock in me, then I lolled my tongue, ears drooped as I felt his head gain purchase at last, popping into me as I squeaked out.

"I'd never just use you, Jen... you're my precious mouse, and I'll make sure you also enjoy every... inch..." He growled confidently as I whined out, blinking up at him with red eyes as he slowly brought me down, spreading my tight walls with that length until I gave a throaty gasp, hearts practically feeling like they should be in my eyes as he somehow made it all fit.

"Gods... gods... I can feel your precum spilling into my womb, Ryder... ngh... you're throbbing so hard too!" I moan out and rocked my hips, whimpering as I felt him jump inside me.

"Fuck... fuck... Jen... G-give me a sec to get used to you, you're like...crushing me in there!" He groaned out and panted, one hand on my hip, his other cupping my face as we stared at one another.

I offered him a grin, my wiry tail wrapping around his own thick fluffy one, squeezing it as my hips kept rocking, shaking my head. "No way... ngh! I'm gonna keep moving, I wanna please my angel, my fox... R-right now... all mine!" I sighed out in declaration as I kept my hips grinding, forcing him to keep shifting as he moaned and shook his head.

"Jennifer... you're relentless, fuck..." He lolled his tongue, his large wings spreading as I grinned, my own eyes glittering red to see how much pleasure I was giving my knight.

"Ryder! I love you! I love you and I'll make you happy! S-so... don't think, just let me ride and please you, okay?!" I panted and dug my nails hard into his chest, wincing as he jumped hard while I shifted back and forth, my own mouse honey soaking his lap, our tails intertwined like mine and my brothers would do.

He nodded and kept a hand on my face, panting and whimpering at my clenching walls as I grinned proudly at him, my breasts swaying in time to my own movements, making his tapered tip kiss my core, more of his love spilling into me as I sighed happily, feeling another release crest through me, but not letting up on my movements.

I could feel it, I could feel that energy pouring into me, what Lorelai warned me about. I didn't care, I wanted him, I needed him, nothing mattered in this moment but me and my angel. I squeaked as he jumped once more, blink up at him as I ground my hips, feeling a bulge at my petals, his knot no doubt starting to show, a testament to how much he was enjoying my body.

"Ryder! T-Tell me it feels good, tell me I'm making you happy!" I squeaked out, slapping my hips hard down against his lap, forcing him to plunge in and out as I groan. It wasn't as if I wasn't immensely enjoying this as well, I'd longed for him for centuries after all.

"I do! I do... my mouse... my... J-Jennifer!" He snarled and shifted his hands to my hips, my own tongue showing as I panted up at him. I cried out happily as he wrenched the reins from me, holding me and started to pump up into me, desperate for his release as I moaned out.

"Yes! Yes! Fuck me, love me, take me my fox! Claim me as no one but my brother has ever done! I beg... of you!" I panted frantically as he pumped into me while I cried out in soft moans while my tail squeezed his own in a tight embrace and my walls crushed at his divine length.

"Gods above! J-Jennifer!" He cried my name out and I saw his eyes shift to gold before he brought me down with one mighty thrust to force that knot deep inside me. I saw stars in my red eyes as he knotted me for the first time, then I squeaked out in a loud throaty moan as I finally felt his fire pour into me.

"Yes! Fucking... yeeeesss... fill me with love my angel!" I cried out, sounding as mad and desperate for him as I felt, I had longed for this, fantasized over it for centuries and I was finally getting it. I waded into the depths of hell to help save this fox, and now he was claiming me at last.

"I fucking..." He clenched his teeth, his gold eyes rolling up as I sighed proudly, my walls crushing him as I milked the last thick gush of his love into me, then my fox gave me a cute little yip and collapsed back into the pillows.

"Ha... ha... so much... so much of your love... I love you, gods..." I licked my lips, humming at feeling all of his heat inside me, proud, drunk, and sated for my angel. The euphoria turned to fatigue and I collapsed atop him, sighing happily as I felt him draw me close with an arm.

"That was... Gods, Jen... I can't even think..." He panted into my ears and I nuzzled his chest, sighing happily, feeling warm in his embrace.

"Do not think, my angel... hold me, let me drink this moment in, for we will never have our first again, and I wish to savor it." I puffed against his strong chest.

"Ngh... now you sound like Lorelai or Alice... alright, Jen... you're safe in my arms, so rest, I'll be here when you wake up." He puffed into my ears as I nodded and sighed again before letting my torpor take me, happy to sleep in my angel's safe embrace.

--*--

He was there when I awoke, my body naturally rising to wake as the night fell in the area, even if there was no darkness here. I had trouble processing everything for a moment as I stared at his peaceful face. We had sex, I told him I loved him, the first male I'd said or done such things with aside from Jeremy in all my life.

Lorelai warned I'd be tainted, but I didn't feel anything different inside me, then again, perhaps it took years to start to feel such things. After all, Alice was the core cause of it, Ryder and the others just had diluted versions of her natural abilities.

I stayed in his arms for a while, just enjoying his warmth and watching his peaceful face while he slept. He truly did look like an innocent puppy would, despite the lewd things he'd done to me hours ago.

Feeling restless, I climbed from his bed and dressed. My mind was still whirling so I wanted to walk and think a bit. I bound the parasol to my belt, deciding I'd explore the citadel at 'night'.

Just as mundane tended to do, the evening hours were devoid of most activity, a few lingering citizens coming and going, most giving me curious gazes but not wanting to talk to the strange vampire in their city.

"Look at that one, just brazenly walking around like they own the place. Ever since the Commander's sorted that treaty..."

"Yeah, tell me about it. I wonder if some of them will want to just move up here, they're barely more than mundane."

I frowned as my rounded ear flicked, easily hearing the gossip of a few passing cadets. It was clear the mistrust was alive and well, along with the prejudice. I didn't want to cause a scene as I was a guest though, so I just kept walking as if I hadn't heard them.

After nearly an hour of looking around, I found myself in a large square within the city. Nary a soul was about and I hardly had time to react as I quickly withdrew my shortswords at my side, spinning on a heel with them crossed, my sharp teeth flashing as the maroon blades clashed with the divine rapier.

The swing was an upward one and it lifted me right off my boots as I sailed back several yards before landing gracefully, setting my blades as my tail whipped about. Of course, I recognized her instantly, the snow-white wolf standing there with her blade drawn, her teeth showing in a challenging grin.

"Well well... if it isn't Lady Silverpaw... What are you doing skulking around the town all alone smelling like you just rode my boyfriend into unconsciousness?" Charlotte flicked her rapier a few times, her tail wagging excitedly.

"Well, as you said, I rode him into unconsciousness, so I had no escort. Also, it's hardly skulking if I'm out in the open, offering to keep me company, Paladin?" I hissed out as I blinked out of the sight, the wolf giving an approving bark as flashes of maroon and divine silver clashed.

I didn't try to bare strength against her, I'd be insane to, so I just kept a flurry of strikes up, the angel backpedaling as she stayed on the full defensive, not chancing a counter with my size and speed.

"Pretty... good!" She barked out then one of my blows hit a screen of light as I hissed through my teeth, juking back as her reaper pierced forward, just biting into my cheek to draw blood and offer me the burn that followed.

I leaped back in a few quick hops before snarling. "Using your Paladin tricks to keep up, wolf?"

"You're too fast if I don't, yeah?" Charlotte gave me a haughty grin as she set her rapier and lunged forward again. I snapped my teeth together and met her charge, shifting to juke to the side as she brought the blade forward.

She barked out as I shoved right up against her chest, hissing from the burn of touching her but managing to flip around her shoulder, using my small size to grab one wing to hold on as the wolf tried to spin around. Hissing again through the burn I shoved the edge of my maroon blade to her throat.

"There! Fuck!" I spat out and leaped off her shaking my hand that had gripped her wing, though a lot of me was feeling those burns now since I practically had climbed on top of her.

"Heh... so fast, or am I still rusty?" Charlotte sheathed the rapier and offered her hand. "Come here, I'll heal those burns. Ryder showed me his little trick shortly after I got back."

I gave her a skeptical look but sheathed my shortswords and walked over, gripping her hand. Sure enough, there was no pain and within moments, the burn and aches were gone. I stepped back and clenched my hand that had gripped her wing, then looked back at her.

"Interesting way to say hi." My hands moved to my hips.

"At least you'll never be bored around me, eh Jennifer?" She showed me a haughty smile and folded her arms. "Seriously though... You really fucked him, didn't you?"

I squeaked out and blushed at the brazen words, then rubbed the back of my head. "Uh... yeah I did, we rivals now or some shit over it?"

"Rivals? Nah not at all, I just find it amusing. Was it like... a flight of fancy or something more?" She tilted her head curiously.

"I've been in love with Ryder for centuries, I assure you it wasn't some bootie call." I scoffed and pushed a hand to my chest, feeling my heart beat to life from its stillness as I thought about him.

"Did you act on it or did he?" She followed up with another question.

"I did. I'd have said something sooner but we only recently clawed the two of you out of literal Hell." I fired back with another smirk.

"Hey and I appreciate that, I really do." Charlotte frowned and growled as she clenched her fists. "But you were so damn fast and wiery. We need to have another point!"

"Give me a break, Charlotte, Ryder wore my ass out and I've not had a decent meal in a few days. You pick another fight I might just collapse!" I stomped my foot and folded my own arms, giving her a half-hearted glare.

"Heh... sorry about that, Jennifer. You want a sip?" She offered her own wrist with a grin.

"Just for you to want to pick a fight afterward? I think I'll stay hungry. I'm not really in a fighting mood. You can rematch with me some other time if that point is going to weigh on you."

"Oh, it will! I hate getting bested, but I'm impressed too! You're just a vampire right? I mean... uh... that sounds kind of mean, but I mean compared to the stuff Alice does to the others, ya know?" She rubbed the back of her head, trying to not come off as too rude.

I sighed and nodded. "No I get it, but my brother is the diplomat between us, I'm the muscle as it were. Training isn't just my job, it's my hobby too, Charlotte. That's what I do, I train, I fight, and prepare for the nights my family needs me."

"How noble, so you like fighting huh?" She showed me a childish grin.

"Are you trying to segue back into another sparring match?" My arms folded again as I glared at the wolf that loomed over me.

"Sorry, I just... I'm the same way really. I train every day, next to flying, my sword in hand is when I feel most at peace." Charlotte hummed and scratched her cheek. "That or when I'm with Ryder or Alicia."

"Alicia? Do you mean Alice?" I of course had heard the tales even if I wasn't present for every telling.

"Heh... yeah, Alice. Old habits I guess." Charlotte shrugged.

"All three Paladin's rolling around in the sheets together, I bet that's a bit of a mess!" I gave a laugh as the wolf offered me a grin.

"It's a lot of fun to be sure! Have you ever had multiple partners at once, Jennifer?" The wolf asked me curiously.

"No. Ryder is only the second male I've ever had," I answered pointedly.

"Hey uh... your other lover, it's your uhm..." She trailed off and rubbed her shoulder.

"My brother, yes. We've been like that since we were mundane, and the fascination of trying to rationalize it to others has long since faded."

"No, I was just making conversation. I can see the appeal I think." Charlotte gave me a shrug.

"Oh do you now?" I cocked a brow at her words.

"Well, sure! I mean who would know you better? I've met so many twins in my existence and most of them are very close." The angel gave me a reassuring nod.

"Yeah? Well, thanks for not going into a lecture or something. I know you angels are good at that." I snorted and eased my stance.

"Heh... I like you, you're strong and cute. Wanna have a go with me and Ryder together sometime?" Charlotte just barked the offer out as my ears and tail perked, feeling my cheeks darken.

"Whu- Y-You hardly even know me, wolf! Look, just because I helped haul your tail out of purgatory doesn't mean it was for seedy intentions! I still had to shore up every ounce of my courage to even talk to that dumb fox!" I felt heat creeping into my voice as my heart pounded faster in my chest.

"Yeah? But I love it when someone can keep up with me in a fight, and we already have Ryder in common. So why not?" She offered me a haughty smirk.

"Tch...That is hardly correlated to having sex, Charlotte." I grumbled at her and wondered why my heart was pounding, was this what Lorelai talked about?

The white wolf gave me a smirk as if she knew she'd already planted the seed. "Is that right? Sex isn't so complicated, do you not like girls, Jennifer?"

"I don't fucking know! I deeply love Sarnai and Lorelai, I would die for them! That doesn't mean I want to fuck them though, it's never even crossed my-" I shoved my hand to my mouth, my brain whirling with thoughts of what Lorelai sounded like with Ryder, and the times I'd heard Sarnai with Elias.

"You look like you're thinking about it now though!" She barked at me with an amused grin.

"Shut up. You're starting to piss me off, wolf!" I snarled and thrust a finger at her, my eyes red.

Her huge wings spread as she crooked a finger, her own teeth showing and her eyes golden. "You wanna do something about it, little mousey? I'll even channel the healing so I don't burn y-"

"Charlotte, stop goading our guest into conflict with you." A smooth rich voice called out as I eased my stance, seeing Toroah just step forth with that same lazy smile he always sported, the gate closing behind him. My eyes widened as I perceived him, I mean to say, actually paid attention to him as more than just some dumb angel. He was really pretty now that I thought about it, just as handsome and lovely to behold as Elias was.

Elias? When did I pine for my former lord? I shoved a hand to my head, snarling at myself as if to push the irritating thoughts away. Totoah grumbled at Charlotte as he shook his head. "Sister, can you go so I can explain things to her?"

"Trying to take my new mouse already, Tor?" The wolf offered a smug grin at me.

"That's it, fuck the confusion in my head, I'm going to kick your ass for that one," I growled and snapped my teeth together, drawing my swords, the wolf barking excitedly as her rapier came forth.

"Ladies, please, can we not?" Toroah stepped between us as I glared up at him, the large wolf offering a savage snarl at his intervention.

"Tor! Don't act like you're higher rank than me!" Charlotte barked out.

"It was a request not an order, Char!" Toroah scoffed back with his own glare.

"You two about to have a lovers quarrel or something?" I grumbled as I slid the shortswords back into their sheathes. Both the rabbit and wolf flinched at my words as I cocked a brow. "What? I hit a nerve or something?"

"We're exes, have been for a while now," Charlotte grumbled out in a matter-of-fact tone.

"Really? The way Toroah's eyes softened and how your tail wagged as he appeared, I'd have thought otherwise." I drolled out with a lazy look in my gaze. I'd heard the stories, and I knew exactly what they were, but you don't survive for six centuries without having a good skill at subterfuge, especially when you tend to always be the smallest thing around.

Both the angels frowned at one another, their eyes averted as I snorted and walked right between the two of them. "Hmph... my deal with Ryder aside, maybe you should deal with the irons you already have in the fire, before you start chasing my tail, Charlotte. I'm no succubus like Alice, but even I can see you two have some unresolved issues." I cast my eyes up to the wolf, then over to the rabbit before stalking off.

Toroah called out a moment later, "Ah... don't you want me to explain what's going on with how you're feeling, Jenn-"

"I'll go talk to Alice, she is part of my court after all, you two should sort your own selves out before you worry about what's going on in my headspace." I fired back as I looked over my shoulder but kept walking, leaving the two angels behind to make a beeline back to Ryder's chambers, I'd had enough playing cupid for the night.

--*--

Alice pushed a hand to her chin as she leaned against the small rail of the yacht. "You had an eventful night, didn't you, Jennifer?"

The mouse sighed and gripped the railing next to her, looking out over the dark waters, having recalled the tale to all of us as part of the nightly storytelling, at Ryder's encouragement. Toroah and Charlotte weren't present of course.

"Alice, I do think you should take Jennifer aside and explain things. You would know better than any of us what to help her expect going forward." I lifted a finger as I gave the rabbit a hard look. "And I do mean, explain things in earnest, don't just pounce my mouse and work things out as you have a tendency to do!"

She offered a bright grin and ran her fingertips through her hair. "My love, you think I can't control myself around such a cute mouse?" Alice shifted her eyes to Jennifers, the red coming into them as she cooed out, "A rather cute mouse I've always thought was fetching, her and her brother both..." Her gaze shot over to the other mouse, looking equally hungry.

Jeremy coughed out at that and awkwardly rubbed the back of his head. "Uh... T-thanks Alice, didn't know you saw us as-"

"Ngh... How about I explain things with both of you, never been with twins before." The rabbit cooed out as she gripped Jennifer's hand, then grabbed Jeremy's both the mice springing their tails up.

"Gods damn it, Alice!" I snarled out.

"It's okay, Lorelai! Isn't that right, my mice," Alice cooed out in a dreamy voice.

"Of course, it is, Mistress!" They both responded in unison, clutching her hand with their own, looking drunk and grinning.

"Alice... Knock that off, now." Sarnai growled at her, a look in her eyes like she didn't appreciate the symbolism behind this gesture.

"Well, once you've been soul bound to a succubus, some habits die hard." Alice showed her sharp teeth and both mice gave a little shudder as they seemed to snap out of the compulsion but kept clutching to her hands. Alice offered them both a smile, "Sorry about that, my brother and sister."

Jennifer hesitated before clearing her throat, "Woah... that was intense..."

"It felt like we were talking for a while, how long has it been?" Jeremy asked.

"Just a couple of seconds, long enough for me to get scolded," Alice cooed out again, still happily holding their hands in her own.

"Ah, playing dream therapist again, Alice?" Val finally called out, giving a nod. "I thought that's what you were doing." He looked to Sarnai and then to Lorelai. "She wasn't dominating them, they were just on autopilot as it were, so when she spoke to them, they responded in reality like that, as that was the imprint left on them from past... events."

"That's right, we talked about things, Jeremy and Jennifer are clearly aware of how things are gonna go moving forward." Alice grinned at Jeremy and puffed out hotly, "Sister's gonna get more active, hope you're ready... but once I'm finished with the two of you, you'll be just as eager, my mouse."

Both the twins gave shy smiles, their wiry tails flicking about, wagging as dogs would. I gave a groan and rolled my eyes. "Just when I thought this damn family couldn't get any more debaucherous..."

---

If you enjoyed 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.

Did you enjoy the story? Feel free to feed my caffeine addiction with a tip! Ko-Fi.

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.