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We woke before the morning sun rose into view, or so we thought; the skies were still too overcast for a clear look. I hoped the current drizzle was the worst we would face for the rest of the morning, but with the cliffside blocking sight of the oncoming weather, we couldn't tell, and we weren't keen on waiting the whole morning to find out--myself, least of all.

I wasn't about to take risks with my flight partner, or our commanding officers, but if we had an opening I wanted to take it. I argued that we should. Riane backed me completely, and I got the sense she, too, didn't want to delay our return home on account of a little water.

"Okay, here's the other one," Kaya said, placing her saddle in the alcove. She sized up Riane and Aneurin. "How have you done this without saddling them in the rain, Torio?"

"By saddling Riane in here, loading up everything, then mounting up outside right before takeoff," I answered. "It's not by the book if she's crouching, but she knows the straps well enough to tell if something's off, and it's better than flying with a wet back." Water under the saddle was uncomfortable and carried risk of infection if left for too long. I took my own survey of the tent and let out a slow breath. "Aneurin's not wrong, though. There may not be enough room even without bringing the gear in."

Kaya rubbed her chin and looked at the packs, then the rest of the tent. "Okay. There's a spare tarp in the camp gear, right? If you grab that, we'll have one of us stand outside and keep our partner covered, while the other pair saddles up inside."

Riane frowned. "And then you would bring the gear in afterwards?"

"No need to," Aneurin said. He gestured towards the outside. "Unless the storm stops entirely, the packs will get wet anyway. The waterproofing will protect the contents, and we can air them out when we stop for a break."

I sat back on my heels, and after mulling it over I turned to Riane. "Why didn't we ever think of that?"

Her wings shifted in a slight shrug. "At least we did not waste too much effort?"

"Fair enough." I put on the raincoat. "I'll grab the tarp, Riane and I will stand outside first. Although how are we going to keep it secure?"

Aneurin chuckled. "With difficulty, I presume." Kaya lightly bopped her fist on the top of his head, and he churred at her before addressing us again. "What about the tent?"

"It can stay up for a few days," I said. "We can't pack it away wet, so we'll worry about it when we get back."

It took a little work to keep the tarp from sliding or blowing off Riane's back, but we managed to make it work by tucking the sides under her wings, and once we were outside it held up well enough--or perhaps a little too well. The top of the tarp curled around her head and neck in an exaggerated fashion. It looked like an outrageously long collar, or like she was stuck in a tube.

She was not so amused, but I just couldn't take the sight seriously.

"I'm sorry, Ri," I managed to say between fits of laughter. "You _have_to see yourself."

Her eyes narrowed slightly. "Come now, Tor, making jokes at my expense?"

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I'll stop," I said, taking a few breaths. The trouble was, no matter how collected I got, the moment I looked at her again and imagined the tarp was some frilly, ruffled collar, I couldn't keep it in. It was the hardest I'd laughed in weeks, and it felt good--though I would have to apologize to her later, profusely and repeatedly.

"It is fine, Torio," she said in a too-sweet voice. "I am sure I will look less ridiculous in the tent. Alone, with you."

For all the lingering mirth, I had to swallow hard. 'Later' might end up being too late, and before I knew it Kaya was waving us over. The transfer of the tarp took only a few moments; Aneurin didn't need it if the saddle worked, but they might have needed room to make adjustments. For our part, Riane followed me into the tent, and I got on my hands and knees to pull her saddle out. I half expected her to do something while my back was turned, but I lifted the saddle out and onto her without issue. Most of the straps went on quickly and easily, save for the ones under her chest, which I had to bend down to get.

Or at least, I tried, but her forepaw found my thigh and pushed me to a kneeling position. Even crouching down she still loomed over me, and the look in her eyes was nothing short of predatory.

"Uh, hi?" I said in an oddly small voice. If I survived, I'd have to note she planned her payback at lightning speed.

"Hello," she purred, extending her wings to either side--both blocking the view from outside and closing me in. "I think a lesson is in order, hm?"

I gave her as level a gaze as I could. "Ri, I am sorry for laughing at you. I have it coming, but we don't really have time for anything, well... involved."

"Of course not, we must leave the tent in a couple minutes. Your apology is accepted." She nuzzled my cheek, then murmured, "Later, we shall be involved. Right now, I only need a simple promise."

"A promise of what?" I nearly flinched as one of her talons curled along my inner thigh, but the sharp end was folded in and not in danger of causing any damage. Yet.

"A simple promise," she echoed, her breath warm against my skin. It was absolutely deliberate on her part, and even knowing what was about to happen, the brush of her beak and the slow caress of her tongue along my ear sent a shiver down my spine. "That when we find a very private room back home, you will be mine for a night."

I licked my lips, and my hand went to her neck. "That doesn't sound so bad."

"Mm. You have not heard the full agreement," Riane whispered. "You will be mine, entirely, obeying every command. I intend to have you thoroughly pleasure me, and to tease you over and over until you are aching and begging me for release." The edge of her beak tickled over my neck, and every hair nearby stood on end. "If you are a very good male, and I am satisfied, then I will lift my tail for you, and my last order will be to rut me, again and again, hard enough that we will have trouble walking the next morning."

A soft groan caught in my throat. Something about her smooth, gently inflected, and wholly seductive tone encouraged my imagination to paint lurid pictures in my mind of every little detail she spoke of, or even hinted at. It didn't help that I was still pent up from our halted session of two mornings ago, leaving me on the verge of humping against her forepaw.

"Okay," I gasped. My fingers gripped her fur, as if trying to hold on. "Okay, I promise, I promise. Yours for a night." I breathed in, trying to ignore her scent. "It's a deal."

"Good," she said. Her beak trailed along my jawline as she withdrew. "I will hold you to your word, handsome."

"Count on it. Heh, I probably would have agreed to it anyway." I took a moment to rearrange things in my pants before I fastened the last strap. "On one condition, though." Now it was my turn to whisper in her ear. "You have to tell me where you learned to talk sexy like that."

Riane snickered. "Simple. It is like telling stories, except instead of a tale I offer a variety of pleasures. Your tongue is just as skilled." She folded her wings and looked down at her forelegs. "The saddle feels secure enough. We ought to test it outside."

"After you," I said, and followed her out. Thankfully, focusing on the business at hand meant my arousal didn't last long, so there wouldn't be any awkward bulges in my pants. "There was some trouble with one of the straps," I told Kaya and Aneurin. "We should still have time, though. It looks like the skies are clearing up."

Kaya nodded. "We just checked the tent's lines and took down the camp stove, so we should be ready to pack and mount up."

We were, and with the rain gone it took very little time to get our supplies loaded on our gryphons' saddles. Before long we were in the air, doing our best to get altitude--while the skies were indeed clearer, dark clouds still loomed to the east and scattered throughout the jagged peaks. The southward path remained open to us, and a second day of flying passed without incident.

---

We arrived at the second camp with daylight to spare, but even so, none of us spotted the gryphon in our campsite until we'd almost landed--it didn't help that the brown and gray feathers blended in with the ground. Kaya and I didn't dismount, and Aneurin stepped forward to greet our unexpected guest.

"Senior Aviate Perrin, Reconnaissance Wing. I bring message from Colonel Suman to Flight Marshals Kaya and Aneurin, Flight Lieutenants Torio and Riane," the gryphon said in an accented but unmistakably male voice. He stood at rigid attention; unsurprising, since Recon tended towards the most military-style discipline out of the Corps' three branches. "He meets you tomorrow at Frontier docks."

"Did he say why?" Kaya asked.

"No, ma'am. I am only to give the message of meeting, then return." He paused for a moment. "He spoke of changes in orders."

Riane and I exchanged a look. Did that mean the contract was changing?

"Then we shall meet him tomorrow," Aneurin said. "Inform the colonel we encountered a large storm at our first camp, but if the weather remains fair we expect to arrive on time." He looked at Riane and I for confirmation.

"Mid-afternoon, give or take," I said.

Perrin nodded. "Understood, sirs. Time remains for my travel before dark. Shall I deliver any further message?"

"That will be all, senior aviate," Aneurin said. "Dismissed."

He bowed, then walked to the end of camp and took off in a single leap. We watched him climb through the air, and I couldn't help but be a little impressed. He'd probably flown across the sea earlier in the day, and now he would spend a couple hours going back. Even without a rider, saddle, and packs, it was no small feat of endurance.

His message lingered in my mind long after he'd disappeared into the distance.

The occasional conversation peppered the late afternoon as the four of us relaxed--or in the gryphons' case, napped. All of us were a little tired thanks to the previous night's storm, and the next day we'd be taking the long flight over the water. Without rain to interrupt the cooking our dinner was a little heartier. The quiet gave me time to work through some of my thoughts.

Two new bodies in camp meant paying attention to our routines; without that, I might not have noticed my growing detachment. Riane was the best company I could ask for, but our debates and stories only went so far. We weren't exploring, or mapping, or otherwise actively working on an evolving project. We were taking the same satchel to the same place, then coming back, and even though three months wasn't all that long in the grand scheme, it felt like we'd been out here for years.

Little wonder I'd stopped seeing the butterflies.

Then there was the matter of having sex with my flight partner. Sure, we'd been close friends to start, but in the span of hours we'd gone from never seeing each other's privates all the way up to rutting on a mountaintop. We could call it curing frustration, tedium, whatever; we'd started our little adventure with a huge risk, and never stopped throwing caution to the wind, whether it be nearly missing a meeting with our replacements, or teasing in a weather tent.

Even now, I wanted nothing more than to be close to her in any way I could. That was part of the problem. We hadn't always waited until nightfall to get physical, and someone like Perrin could have flown into our camp to see Riane lift her tail for her rider, and welcome me into her hot, slick, feral embrace. How much more risk were we willing to brave for each other?

I already knew the answer, but I was almost afraid to think it.

"Hey." Kaya's voice jarred me out of my reflection. "I'm going for a little walk, is there anything I should steer clear of?"

"There's a couple steep embankments, but they're easy enough to avoid." I looked around the camp, then back at her. "Would you mind some company? I'm feeling a bit restless, myself."

"Not at all," she said, lending a hand to help me up. "Odd that Colonel Suman would meet us at the docks."

I rubbed the back of my head as we started walking. "He didn't mention an early meeting last week."

"Hm. Rank has its privileges, but in this case, I don't know much more than you do." We stepped into the sparse trees and brush of the foothills. Birdsong greeted us as we picked our way around a wedge-shaped boulder. "I guess we'll find out tomorrow."

"That's Frontier for you. It's an ongoing mystery. We've been there every week for the past three months and I still have very little idea why it exists," I said. "Though you'd probably know more about it."

"I probably do." Kaya gave me a wry grin. "But, I'm afraid I can't say. Not even what's inside these," she said, patting the satchel across her chest. "I can tell you these deliveries have been important."

"That's good. I figured the pay grade was a bit above your average long-distance, remote courier work to another continent," I said, and she laughed. "Guessing what Frontier does was mostly a way to pass the time anyway."

Her expression stayed warm. "Well, not to sound dismissive, but soon the two of you won't have to worry about it."

"Not to sound indolent," I replied, pulling a berry off a nearby bush, "but we're really looking forward to that." I glanced down at the small, light purple fruit. "Don't eat these, by the way."

"I've never seen them before." She leaned in closer and frowned. "Poisonous?"

I paused. "Actually, I have no idea. It's probably better to not find out." I tossed it down the slope of the hill. "Long story short, if the change is they're keeping you longer than four weeks, be warned, this route can drive you a little crazy."

The corner of her mouth turned up again. "Only a little?"

"Ouch." I tapped my fist over my heart. "When I get back to Lighthaven, I'll pass that along to the doctors. Maybe add it to our professional review. Flight Lieutenants Torio and Riane, more than a little crazy. Our superior officer said so, it has to be official."

She broke into laughter again, even as she shook her head. "Don't worry, your secret is safe with me." We cut across a dry creek bed and headed up the gentle slope of the next hill. "In seriousness, any big plans after you get back to the Empire?"

"That's another thing Riane and I had plenty of time to talk about. We'd probably need a year to get through the list, but if we had to choose? There are a few places in Lighthaven that could sufficiently pamper us both, some sights to see in other cities." I thought for a moment. "If there's enough time, we've always wanted to see Silvermere."

"It's a very interesting city, and a beautiful lake," Kaya replied. "Aneurin wants to go back just for the sunsets. What other cities did you have in mind?"

I ran through the list in my head. "Goldcrest, Shadowbrook, Brightlyn... most of the Empire's cities have something we haven't seen yet," I said. "Port Evermist is on the list too."

"Oh? I can give you some suggestions." An impish smirk crossed her face. "And I know someone who wants to see you again."

I frowned. "I've only been there once, and only for half a week." The pieces started clicking a moment later. "Oh. I think I know who you mean."

"If you're thinking Lillian, you're right! You made a very good impression on her."

"Lillian, yes." I glanced sidelong at her, entirely unsure how a flight marshal would know about my time with an old flame--of sorts. "With respect... I have to ask, do you know her, or is there something I should know about?"

She stopped walking and held her hands up. "Let me drop ranks completely, here, so there's no professional misunderstandings. Lillian and I were good friends growing up, and we still write to each other at least once or twice a week. She told me about a certain flight lieutenant who stood up to her martinet of a brother, and taught her a few things about slipping away without him noticing."

I should have made the connection sooner given Kaya's family background, but merchants and investors weren't always a close group.

"So," she continued, "I couldn't help but remember your name. I don't usually let my personal life affect my judgment at work--though in this case, I'd say it's yet another recommendation for you." She brushed back a strand of hair. "So, as a friend of a friend, thank you."

I nodded and inclined my head. "You're welcome, and I'm glad I could help." A smile came unbidden to my face. "How has she been?"

"Not too well," Kaya muttered. "She's currently fighting her brother for control of the estate."

"Still? I thought she was building a pretty solid case against him."

"Still." We cut around a thicket of short, crooked trees. "He has ears in high places, and now he's starting to seriously mismanage the family funds. Maybe it's sabotage, maybe he's just that bone-headed, but either way she may not have much left if she does win."

I could only shake my head. "Next time you write, pass along my best wishes."

She tapped a finger to her chin. "Depending on your plans after the contract's done, maybe you could pass them along yourself? I'm sure she'd be happy to see you again."

"I don't know," I said, then backtracked. "Maybe. As a friend." I doubted I could have said it any more awkwardly, and she arched an eyebrow.

"Complications elsewhere? I don't mean to pry," she said, "but if you want to talk, the ranks are still dropped."

"I... maybe," I said, trying to pick my words very carefully. One wrong slip and everything could be in jeopardy. "You've been in the Corps a while. If... well, I'm having feelings for someone, but I don't know if contract-chasing will make it too hard to commit. It's just-." I stopped, and shrugged. There was no other way to put it.

"I think I take your meaning." She looked into my eyes. "Do you love her or him?"

"Her," I said. "And I don't know if 'love' is the right word, not yet. I just..."

"Okay. You don't know if you want to put your heart into it, so to speak, but this woman is special. Is that about right?" she asked, and I nodded--it was close enough. "My best advice is to put whatever fears you have aside, and ask yourself if being with her would be the happiest path for both of you. Everything else can be worked around, it just takes open, honest communication. Sound good?"

"It does," I said, feeling some of the knots fade away. "Heh. I have everything else figured out, but it's always the one you least expect, right?"

"More or less! I'm glad I could help." We started walking again. "I have to admit, I've never been in a relationship, so I'm mostly going by what I've seen and heard."

"Really?"

She shrugged. "Love, intimacy--they're wonderful to see in others, but it's never interested me. Aneurin sometimes courts a gryphon that catches his eye, but he's not into romance either. It's fine, though. We're both quite devoted to our work and to each other, and we've come a long way without it being an issue."

I couldn't really imagine having no attraction to others, but if it worked for her, I had no room to judge. "Whatever keeps you happy, right?"

"Right!" She beamed. "No harm in taking a little pride for one's accomplishments. Speaking of which, the two of you shouldn't get too comfortable."

"In a, uh, good way?" I asked, a little thrown off by the switch in subject.

"A very good way!" Her smile didn't fade in the slightest. "I mentioned the Veteran's Council meetings yesterday. Your names came up. We were all pretty impressed you'd stayed twice the length of the original contract."

I started to shrug. "I don't think it was that-"

She held up a hand. "Hold on. A little pride, remember? We're usually chasing contracts in the Empire itself, and some of us have grown a little too attached to our cushy posts. The two of you have spent three months without seeing so much as a hamlet, and you've been constantly flying one of the longest, toughest routes we've got." She raised her brow and cocked her head ever so slightly. "Sounds a little better in context?"

"Yeah, it does." I glanced back in the camp's direction. "Riane deserves most of the credit, though. She's the one doing the flying."

"True, but it's a partnership, and we're seeing a lot of potential from this team. Keep it up and the two of you will be going places." Kaya gently clapped her hand on my shoulder. "No pressure, of course."

"Of course," I said, chuckling. "Riane and I were planning to talk about our career plans after we get back home. I'm fairly sure we're with the Corps for the long haul, but now we'll be giving it extra thought. Thank you."

"That's good! We need all the rising stars we can get." We started picking our way across the rockier ground back to camp, stopping every now and again as Kaya took in the sights; the Dagger Reaches didn't have the most beautiful sights, but it wasn't an entirely desolate wasteland, either. It was refreshing to remember my own reactions to some of the more striking features by watching her expressions and exclamations.

The sun was inching towards the horizon when we tiptoed back into camp--Riane was still asleep. Aneurin quietly went to relieve himself in the woods while Kaya and I cleaned out the dinner's dishes. "The skies look pretty clear," she murmured. "Will it hold for the night?"

"It should," I whispered back. Between the two of us, the work was done in little more than a minute. "Thanks again, for all the advice. It really helped. Anything else before I check on Ri?"

"You're welcome, and I'm glad to hear it." She took the cleaned bowls from me and smiled. "I'll take care of these if you go take care of your partner."

I nodded and made my way over to her curled form. When I crouched down, her eye opened and focused on me, barely. "Hey, everything's fine," I whispered. "Go back to sleep."

She made a soft noise in her throat, and her eyelid slowly fell closed again as her breathing resumed its slow, deep rhythm. She looked peaceful in sleep, but somehow still kept an air of grace and power, like a mantle around her feathered shoulders.

Riane was definitely the most beautiful individual I'd ever had the privilege of knowing.

I sat there for a short while, slowly petting over her head, just behind her ears and down her neck, at least until Aneurin returned from his business. The last minutes of light saw Kaya and I setting up our bedrolls, and soon all four of us were sound asleep.

---

The skies remained quite clear through our long flight over the sea separating Ethana and Isiram. I'd always enjoyed the salty scent on the air, but this week, it was especially invigorating. The end was finally in sight, even though we still had a ways to travel before we were through.

After reaching the mainland of the southern continent, we descended towards the small harbor in good time, even as we had to weave through a flock of gulls. A three-masted ship was docked and unloading supplies. Our last camp was still a couple hours away, and Frontier a couple hours beyond that--overland, it took two days for caravans to bring goods from the harbor to the outpost.

For a typical run we would stop for a short rest, meal, and resupply before taking to the air again. Instead, we were escorted to a makeshift command tent after landing. Kaya, Aneurin, Riane, and I assembled in a semicircle in front of a small desk; Kaya and I were still flushed from the heat of the sun warring with the cool wind, and our flight partners were a little cramped for space even in the wide room, but we were otherwise no worse for wear.

Colonel Suman walked in on the other side of the desk after a few moments. "I'm glad all of you could make it. My apologies for the short notice change in plans."

Kaya inclined her head. "It's good to finally meet you in person, colonel."

He bowed. "The same to you, flight marshals. We've seen some heavy storms the past few days." His gaze turned to Riane and I. "I trust your flight was safe?"

"The storms did give us trouble our first night, but we have avoided them since," Riane said. "Senior Aviate Perrin passed along your message to meet with us."

"Good." He clasped his hands behind his back. "Frontier's purpose has just changed, including our supply needs. The message satchels are no longer needed." His gaze fell on Riane and myself, and the slightest of smiles touched his eyes. "The contract officially closes at the last delivery, which is right now. Unless your commanding officers have other plans, there's space for both of you aboard the Chandra's Delight. The ship is departing later today for Morwyn."

The contract was over. Our time in the wilds was over. Riane and I looked at each other with wide-eyed disbelief, then relaxed relief as the realization struck.

We were finally going home.

The colonel turned to Kaya and Aneurin. "I believe the two of you may already suspect what has changed. It is my understanding you'll be returning with me to Frontier for further briefing."

They exchanged a look. "That is correct," Aneurin said. "Aside from brief Corps business to discuss, we have no further orders for the flight lieutenants."

"Good," Suman said. "I believe they've truly earned a break." He gestured towards us. "The four of you can settle your affairs before we meet again. I will finalize travel arrangements aboard the_Delight_. By tomorrow you should be close enough to the Empire to fly inland."

We both bowed to him. "Thank you, colonel," I said. "It's been an honor."

"We did not meet often," Riane added, "but my sentiments are the same."

"The honor was mine." He bowed again. "Farewell to both of you." With that, he turned and stepped out of the tent.

Kaya gave us a thumbs-up. "How does it feel to be free a few days early?"

Riane's ears relaxed backwards, and her tail slowly swished back and forth. "A most pleasant surprise." She tilted her head. "But, you mentioned Corps business?"

"We did. There are two things," Kaya said, her tone becoming more formal than our previous conversations. She pulled a letter out of her jacket. "First, your new orders. You're to return to Lighthaven at convenient speed--unofficially, take your time--and take at least four weeks of leave unless the administration says otherwise." It was double the amount we'd expected--fitting, for double the time spent in the wilds. "Aside from concerns of body and mind, the two of you have earned it."

"Thank you," I said. The letter was small and sealed with wax. I wondered if this had been approved in advance, or if she had taken our previous night's conversation into consideration. "And the second?"

Aneurin's beak parted as he chuckled. "If you return from leave as you are, you will be out of uniform."

I frowned, and Riane tilted her head. "I do not follow you meaning," she said.

Kaya reached into one of the packs on Aneurin's saddle and pulled out two small bags. "The Eyrie will supply the new insignia for your dress uniform and flight outfit. This should hold you over until then." She opened the bags and placed a pair of silver pins in my hand. Each had two vertical bars over a pair of wings, and Riane's had larger fasteners to put them on her saddle.

Aneurin chirped in approval. "Congratulations on your promotions, flight captains."

I wanted to close my hand and never let them go, but I found myself still holding them out. "We're honored, don't get me wrong," I said, sharing a look with my partner. "But we haven't been flight partners for two years yet. Isn't this a little early to be promoted again?"

"See," Kaya said as she elbowed Aneurin, "I told you they'd notice. Technically, you've both been part of the Corps for over two years, and you're only a month away from the flight partner anniversary, correct? Either way, by the time you return to active duty it won't be an issue."

Aneurin nudged her with the edge of his wing in return, then regarded us. "The promotion was chosen part for your excellent service record, and part for remaining on this contract above and beyond your assigned terms. Both of you have proven yourselves more than qualified."

My heart soared as I replaced the pins on my jacket's collar.

"Thank you both," Riane said, and I nodded in agreement. "We are honored to have shared camp with you, even if only for a brief time."

"The pleasure was ours," Kaya replied. "Now, the two of you had better get unloaded and on that ship. I'm sure you don't want to spend any more time here than necessary." We shared one last laugh. "Anyway. Best fortunes for your return and leave." Her eyes met mine. "And a simple solution to any complications."

I dipped my head. "Much appreciated. Safe travels to you also."

After wrapping up our goodbyes, Riane and I exited the tent and made our way to the quartermaster's office to turn in most of our packs. We left with only the tools and supplies we'd brought from the Empire. A guide appeared to take us to the ship not long after that.

The_Chandra's Delight_ was a rather impressive vessel. She could carry any mix of troops or cargo, according to the young man leading us, and I could see a short array of catapults and ballistae on the top deck. A side cargo hold had seen its contents offloaded to Frontier; rather than leave Riane on deck or in the animal holdings, the crew had converted it to a makeshift quarters for both of us. I couldn't tell if the faint scent of salt was from the seas or the previous contents of the room. It was still large enough to comfortably accommodate both of us, and they'd even strung a hammock between two walls.

All we had left to do was settle next to each other and wait to set sail. We'd been promoted, relieved early, and given extra leave. Things were finally looking up--or at least, most of them.

A few minutes after our journey across the waves had begun, I sat bolt upright and looked at Riane. "We forgot to tell them about the tent. We never took it down."

Her laugh rang out along the wooden walls around us. "I am sure they will take care of it sooner or later," she said, and nuzzled my ear with her beak. "It is no longer our concern, my dear Torio."

I reached my hand up to scratch around her ear. Even after all our time spent together, I still loved the sound of her purr. "Yes, you're right. We've worried about that route for far too long. It's time to move on."

"Agreed," she murmured. Her breath washed over my neck and cheek. "We do have better things to concern ourselves with."

"Mm. I wouldn't mind concerning myself with you for a while." I didn't need to look to know she'd grinned. The walls of the hold were likely too thin to block out louder sounds, and the door only had a simple bolt. It wasn't worth the risk of getting caught.

Still, I could dream.

"Much as I want you to tell me more," Riane said, "I must ask in seriousness: would our relations with each other be cause for concern?" Her brow was furrowed, and I waited while she gathered her thoughts. "I do not mean in the ways we have already discussed. Our friendship is tested and true. Our partnership is stronger than ever. It is clear we strongly desire each other." She ruffled her wings. "My question is, how will these aspects evolve over time?"

"I think I've come to the same question, Riane," I said. "Where do we go from here?"

"Exactly," she said. "At the end of last week, we agreed to seek each other for intimacy when needed. I did not think one of us finding another partner would be an issue. Then you told me about the explorer you met at Daggermouth, and I began having my own doubts. I looked at Aneurin, a fine male, but even if he were available, I had little interest in mating with him. I thought of other males, even ones I might fantasize of, but even the perfect ones had at least one flaw." She circled her wing around me. "They are not you, Torio."

I ran my fingers over her crest feathers and looked into her eyes. "You remember that story I told you a couple weeks ago, about Lillian?" She nodded, and I continued. "Kaya said she'd wanted to see me again. I had the same thought: she's lovely, but she's not you, either. Honestly, I don't think I could find any better than the partner I have right in front of me."

"Nor could I find a more worthy companion, in any sense of the term, than you." We moved together in a close embrace, and I felt the rumble of her purr more than I heard it. "Are we ready for a more official courtship?"

"I think we've reached that step," I said, placing my other hand over her forepaw. "It feels right. I've never really wanted to settle down, to give up freedom, even in my choice of bed partners. With you... with you, it's different. Even if it's not easy, even if we have to work harder than ever to stay close, I want to make it worth every moment."

"Then it is settled," she said. "We will take this path as mates, and even if others learn of and judge our choices, they cannot change our feelings for one another."

"Not now or ever. I look forward to sharing many more experiences with you, Riane. And not just the physical ones."

She softly laughed and dipped her head. "The same with you, my mate."

"My mate," I echoed. The connection we'd formed together pulled us closer, ever closer, until we were almost touching again. After a long moment, we both closed the gap, my lips touching her beak; it was warm, more leathery than hard, and while I'd felt it many times before with my hands, this was a very new sensation. At first I thought she wanted to kiss, but she kept nuzzling me, and given our differences I followed her lead.

Her other wing closed around me, bringing us closer and blocking out the rest of the world. It wasn't quite the romantic embrace I had expected, but I had no complaints. We shared our warmth and our breath, hands and paws slowly moving across the other's body, and a soft, contented croon filled my ears as I sighed into her feathers.

We weren't going to indulge our passions, I didn't know when we could find the time and place, and there was always the risk of discovery. I wanted to say it didn't matter, that our bond--our love--could overcome anything, but that was tempting fate. Still, the more we held and caressed each other, the more I held hope for something I'd never dreamed possible.

Maybe, for all our differences, we did have a future together.

---

END PART FOUR

Strange Lands, Secret Lovers will continue with "In Fine Feather."

=*=*=

This whole story was originally intended to be a two-parter. I know you're supposed to write for yourself and all that, but seeing people touched by the characters and world I've created is an indescribable feeling. Thank you so very much for making the choice to read my work, and I'm especially grateful to those who've faved, voted, and commented through every installment. Had I the power to send you gryphon(ess) hugs, I would. <3

If you've followed my journals or guessed from the above: this is the conclusion of the "Feathers with Benefits" quartet, but not the story as a whole. With a new promotion comes new responsibilities, and the partners may find themselves in another role when their leave is up. There are a good portion of same-gender flight partners, too. Who knows what could happen? ;)

To forestall questions: Kaya wasn't lying or covering up a relationship with Aneurin. That was the original plan, but it didn't affect enough to be worthwhile, and their current standing reflects that not all flight partners are intimately involved--which will be a potential conflict down the road.

As always, more info will be posted when it comes, and in the meantime you can follow me on Twitter @ResoluteRL. Thank you again, you wonderful people!

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