Reina hoped Jeni was in the lobby. It was a little spooky walking down the darkened hallway with the wind roaring outside. The sexscapades of earlier were still running through her mind. She was horny but unable to assuage herself easily or quickly. At least the cold air was helping to cool down her heated pussy.

Somewhere, a clock chimed midnight. It was later than she realized.

Peeking through the door into the foyer, Reina saw Jeni seated in front of the hearth, thoroughly absorbed in reading something. She tried to enter quietly to not startle her, a near impossibility given her size and hooves on the wooden floor.

"Jeni?"

Jeni marked where she'd been reading with a feather. "Good evening, sweet Reina."

"Are you alright?"

"This one is fine. She has been perusing this journal at empathetic Reina's behest."

"I didn't think you'd be gone for so long."

"This one does not mind. She is used to spending long hours in research and often loses track of time." Jeni motioned to the book on her lap. 

It was of slightly higher quality compared to others she'd seen during her shopping trips in Iceford. Stitched into its leather-bound cover was the title: Echoes of the Ancients: Chronicle I – Demi-Human Origins.

"This one has been enjoying herself perusing through a published copy of the diary relating to the legendary Squirme Mrs. Sven has loaned her.

"The first half of this volume delves into the findings of the author and his colleague, relating to the origin of demi-humans, their research, theories, and speculation. I am only now beginning the section related to Squirme.

"She was found in a porcelain vessel in the ruins of the original settlement of humans and demi-humans founded when they first arrived on these shores. The author goes on to say no other definitive information regarding her past was found, though he has written a lot about her behavior and personality, learning capacity, etc."

"How long ago was that?"

"Perhaps a few centuries."

"Were you able to find any clues as to why Azalea acted the way she did?"

“Not directly, but if this one could make an inference, it may have something to do with the author. This one suspects, by the anecdotes about size, their high libido, and general obstacles in regards to his physiology, that they are fae. This one thinks they may possibly be a pixie."

"So you believe they are related to Azalea in some way?"

"Since this one could only do a cursory skimming of the information,  further analysis is needed. This one will look into purchasing the book when she returns to Iceford."

"Thank you. I didn't mean for you to miss dinner over it. Here, it's cold, but I brought some leftovers we saved for you."

Jeni put the book down and regarded the two kabobs Reina proffered. She grabbed the handles with her talons and held them in front of the fire. "Cold food is not a concern given this one's current location."

Reina smiled. "Clever."

"This one thanks loving Reina for thinking about her physical needs."

"Of course! You're family."

Jeni motioned Reina to come closer.

Thinking that maybe the little owl wanted a hug, Reina leaned down and was instead given a kiss causing Reina's horniness, which had died down a little, to resurge.

Feeling Reina tense up, the owl girl noted, "This one is still unused to the mutual application of pressing lips with another. Did she not do it correctly?"

"No, no, you did. Sorry, I was just surprised.” 

She locked eyes with Jeni. She was similar to Azalea in her inquisitiveness but exceedingly more innocent than their wanton fairy – at least somewhat more innocent, remembering their first meeting. Her gaze trailed down to Jeni’s lips. They were delicate, defined, and slightly parted.

Thinking up an excuse, "Jeni... I think maybe you could still use a little practice. Would... would you like to do it again?"

"This one would."

Reina stooped down. Slightly more awkward than the first time, their lips met. This kiss lasted longer and was exceedingly more intimate. Reina chided herself that she shouldn't be doing this; it wasn't doing anything to alleviate her pussy's neediness – quite the opposite. On a more practical note, they should be in bed, especially since everyone arose rather early as was their habit.

Reina enjoyed kissing, though. It affirmed and reinforced the emotional bond she yearned for with those she cared about. In the past, she often shared many a sisterly kiss with the other females of her family’s herd.

The dynamic of one male to many females felt familiar and natural to her, but her current familial situation had one significant difference. The relationship between herself and Azalea was equal to that of Devin and herself. In a romantic sense, Azalea was also her herdmate.

That first kiss with Azalea drove that concept home. Azalea had deemed it the natural course of action and accepted it readily as if it were a given that this is what their relationship would be. She'd even shared a kiss with Mavis, though that one was born out of lustful dominance and her feeling that some reciprocation was needed for all of her teasing of her Herdmate. 

But this was a new concept to her, and she didn't know how to feel about it. Yet, now Jeni was behaving the same way. Or was she? Perhaps Jeni truly believed this was only kissing practice. The protracted length and earnestness, though, seemed to indicate otherwise. It could also be Jeni’s eagerness to reach her believed expectations.

Reina pulled her closer.

Regardless of Jeni’s reason, it might be safe to admit to herself that she could accept this way of structuring their family. And if this was the first kiss down that road with this little owl, she wanted to savor this memory as a special moment between them.

Jeni was the first to break the kiss. "This one should stop for now. She is worried about her egg hole wetting the chair."

Reina's heart skipped a beat. It was only natural that she, too, would get turned on with what they were doing. Her flushed, expressionless face, her quickened breath, and hearing her say that fueled Reina's fire at being able to turn little bird woman on. Still, she couldn’t bring herself to ask for more.

"Are you? I mean, yes, that would be embarrassing to explain later."

"This one would not mind continuing at a later date."

"For more practice, you mean?"

"If Reina's assessment of this one is that she needs more practice, then she will."

"I don't think… no, you may have the wrong idea. Um… Jeni, I was wondering what is our relationship to each other?"

"Is Reina not also this one's nestmate?"

"We are? Does that mean you love me the same way as Herdmate?"

Jeni nodded.

"And Azalea, too?"

"While relationships, in general, are something this one is still adjusting to, the familial love for empathetic Reina and spirited Azalea is growing in equal intensity as that for Nest-mate. Is that wrong?"

"No, of course not. I just wanted some assurance. I feel a little relieved knowing I wasn't the only one still getting used to things.”

"This one's world has expanded so much recently. She wants to experience further new and exciting things together."

Reina hugged the little harpy to her chest. "I love you, Jeni. You're very cute. You know that?"

Jeni fidgeted. She'd only ever felt flustered in certain social situations, but this was an entirely new emotion. Bashfulness? She didn't know what to do with it.

Reina giggled, "Sorry, I didn't mean to make you feel self-conscious."

"This one is equally surprised by her reaction."

"Oh? Is this the first time someone's called you cute? I'm happy I get to see a new side of you! I look forward to seeing more! For now, though, don't forget to eat."

Jeni brought the now hot skewer to her mouth and nibbled experimentally on the kebab.

After making short shrift of her food, she returned the book to its shelf, and the two quietly returned to their room. Devin, Azalea, and Zinni were already fast asleep.

Jeni put another log on the fire and crawled into bed to take her preferred place on Devin’s left, leaving Reina to claim the opposite side.

While Reina lay there, waiting for sleep to take her, she kept thinking about Jeni and how thankful she was to be able to share her concerns with her. Unfortunately, they didn't find a distinct answer to Azalea's behavior, but at least they had a clue to use for further research – something for her future self to worry about. 

She let out a sigh. The bed felt wonderful, a rare luxury she wasn't used to but would enjoy to its fullest. After a long day of pampering her body and the wonderfully restorative experience that came with it, she knew she would rest well. This was doubly so since forming a family with Devin and Azalea. Her prospects before their encounter had looked bleak.

Thinking back on the circumstances of their meeting, she chided herself. She acknowledged it was a monumentally foolish and irresponsible idea that would have risked her getting pregnant, yet it let her attract a herd mate.

Given how unlikely a scenario their meeting was, she would have called it fate if she believed in such nonsense.

Regardless, Azalea & Devin had given her hope, purpose, and, most importantly, love. The nightmares of that night long ago when her sister was stolen away no longer plagued her dreams. In fact, it'd been a while since she'd had any. At least, she didn't remember any when waking up.

Falling into a deep sleep, Reina's mind decided it was time to make up for lost time. Powered by the neglect of the desire she hadn't satisfied before bed, a menagerie of her past sexual exploits paraded themselves in her dreams.

----

Reina was the first to awaken at first light. She stretched her massive frame, feeling uncomfortably warm and… smothered? No, more like weighted down by something. She didn't usually sleep under blankets. They tended to be too small, and she didn't necessarily need them, but the unique accommodations they were enjoying afforded her an opportunity she might as well partake in.

Thinking it was the quilts, she pulled the covers back to reveal Jeni lying atop her, her wings spread out on either side. She was surprisingly light. Her heartbeat was slow and steady, and the slight rise of her body with each exhale overwhelmed Reina with a strong urge to cuddle. Turning slightly, she wrapped her arms around her and lovingly stroked the feathery head tufts.

Jeni must have been in the shallow sleep phase, for she began making soft warbling sounds in her throat.

Most people were small compared to her, but Jeni felt especially so despite all the fluffy plumage. The sudden desire to protect her from any and all harm welled up from a long-forgotten memory of doing the same thing – a time long ago when she held her sister in a similar manner.

"I love you," whispered Reina.

Without opening her eyes, Jeni whispered, "This one also loves warm Reina and hopes she slept well."

"I did – exceptionally so," she whispered back, trying to suppress the memory of her dreams.

Jeni sniffed her. "This one has noticed uncomfortable Reina is still in such a state."

Before Reina could ask her what she meant, Jeni slid under the covers and burrowed her way toward the foot of the bed.

She watched the lump shuffle around until she bumped into her flank. Pushing underneath her hind leg, the little harpy pulled her knees up and suddenly groped Reina's udder, kneading and massaging the sensitive flesh with her adept three-toed feet. The feeling was pleasant enough until she added a feather. She didn't think it was Jeni's objective, but she was surprisingly ticklish down there and couldn’t stifle a laugh.

Not getting the reaction she was aiming for, Jeni switched feathers to one that was less stiff and fluffed out.

Reina hummed at the change of sensations. The grazing of the downy plumage on her tender flesh was undoubtedly a new sensation – one that would leave a double memory as Jeni then applied the same to the crease of her pussy.

Reina bit her lip, hoping for at least a little orgasm to take the edge off.

Jeni, having confirmed where Reina’s vulva was, soon replaced her wing with her tongue, parting the silky lips and nibbling up and down the velvety labia.

Reina buried her face into her pillow to keep her moans from waking up everyone. This was precisely what she has wanted and needed since last night. She wanted to reciprocate the pleasure and reached down to finger Jeni's cloaca, but that was out of reach. Instead, she groped her own chest.

She had a flashback to when she still lived with her parents. Since it wasn't possible for the leader of the herd to keep all the females satisfied all the time, it wasn't uncommon to wake up to the women licking and loving on one another, something that she personally hadn't participated in. Now that she had a new family, what Jeni was doing caused her feeling of inclusion to bloom, and it increased the love she had for her.

Jeni was doing a fantastic job, but she was still only just making out with her lower lips. Reina hoped she knew there were other parts of her that needed attention. Maybe she was sticking with what she knew she herself enjoyed, and this was akin to cloacal rimming?

This was Jeni's first time giving pleasure to a Whitehorn or any large demi-human. Different in taste from Aalea. Reina's flavor was much stronger and more heady, and because of her larger size, she had much more room in which to explore the intricacies of her pussy. In fact, if she remembered correctly, Whitehorn females’ genitals were upside down. This meant that fascinating little pleasure nub must be somewhere around… here!

Reina bit the pillow and bucked her hips as Jeni's tongue dug through her folds and brushed against her clit.

Jeni was making a mess out of her. What she lacked in the subtle intricacies that Azalea employed, she made up for by being thorough and very systematic. Occasionally, the harpy slurped upward, dipping her tongue into the Whitehorn’s honey-pot before returning to flicking her clit. If only she could push it out like centaur mares could. How amazing it must feel to have it sucked on directly.

Reina was failing at being quiet. Her pleasured mewlings stirred Azalea awake. The groggy fairy sat up and scratched her head. Locking eyes with Reina, the two stared silently at each other until Azalea noticed a lump moving at the foot of the bed. She glanced over to where Jeni normally slept, and her mind slowly put together what was going on. Shaking herself more fully awake, the fairy dove under the covers.

Reina held her breath for what she was expecting to be a significant uptick in pleasure, but disappointedly and surprisingly, Jeni stopped.

A little fairy head popped out a second later. "I'm sorry, my love, you were probably close to cumming, weren't you? If you can wait just a little longer, I need you good and desperate.”

"For what?" Reina gasped.

"I thought this morning might be a good time to do the affinity transfer and activate your crest. Right, Life-mate?"

"How'd you know I was awake?"

"Your breathing changed."

Azalea burst out laughing as Devin tickled her. "Such a perceptive little fairy. I don't have any objections if Reina doesn't."

"I suppose I'm ready."

"Great! And don't worry, you'll get to cum good and hard. In fact, it's required," Azalea explained with a naughty grin.

"This one, too, is willing to help," affirmed Jeni, still under the covers. 

She tumbled out a second later onto the floor. Hopping up, she dashed for the door and declared, "Though she needs a moment before we begin."

"Maybe she had to pee. Well, while she's gone, I'll explain how the affinity transfer works." Azalea flew to the middle of the room and twirled around. "Reina will stand here. Though I suppose she can be on her back if she wants to."

"I'll stand."

"That's fine. What's important is we can touch your crest. Life-mate and I could do it alone, but since we have Jeni, we'll each share one-third of our affinity with Reina. The hard part is matching the pace of each other, so I'll be singing or humming or something to help us remain synchronized.

"Can I ask a question?"

"As many as you want, my large lover."

"What does a crest feel like?"

"When it's off, you don’t feel anything. When it's on, it differs with each person in intensity, but generally, when it's active and idle, it's like a heavy warmth around your belly. If it's working hard, well, you're most likely aroused. It feels hotter and sorta has a light thrumming sensation, though that changes depending on the crest. My deep focus crest doesn't feel like anything, but my siphon crest, at the moment where it's doing its thing, makes my orgasms so much stronger but at the cost of feeling much more exhausted.” 

“It's interesting we can do this for people born without affinity.” Mused Devin.

"Every person is born with a capacity for it. Some just don't have or produce any."

"So everyone has a well inside them, but some are dry?"

"Exactly, or in your case, you had to dig a little deeper."

"How do we know Reina doesn't have any?"

Reina answered, "I was tested when I was younger."

"If her container is empty, couldn't she just drink a tincture?"

Azalea smiled. "Do you have one, life-mate?"

"No..."

"Even if she were to drink it straight from the source, her body wouldn't know what to do with it and would just digest it."

Devin understood. "So with a crest, it'll get absorbed after it breaks down and enters her body."

Azalea nodded. "Do you know what a water clock is?"

"I've heard of them but never seen one."

"It’s usually a bowl with multiple holes going down one side and rings inside the bowl. You can use the hole or the rings to measure time with the draining of water from the bowl.

“As I said, everyone has a vessel to hold affinity. A crest is like the gears that tell the clock what to do, when, how fast, etc. As a side note, just how some of the gears are layered, with some behind others, that's how multiple crests work. Different gears have different functions, but they are all part of the whole."

Devin expressed it in his words, "Put another way, Reina's well is dry, and we are putting affinity in her to prime her pump as it were, and since she's never used her pump, her orgasm would be like de-rusting it?"

"Not the sexiest analogy but whatever makes sense to you, Life-mate. After we're done, Reina can feast on our cummies as much as she needs to keep these beauties producing milk!" Azalea kissed her udders. 

"Well, since Jeni isn't back yet, Zinni, do you want to help me warm up?"  she suggested while holding her hands out to the other fairy.

---

Jeni did indeed need to use the restroom, but her primary reason for leaving was to acquire the egg-shaped stone she'd masturbated with at the mud pool. 

Transferring affinity required one to be aroused. She was sure she could have asked anyone to help her, but they wouldn't have been able to mimic the same addicting sensation she wanted. The sensation was too good to pass up. She doubted she'd find another nearly perfectly shaped stone like that one.

After emptying her bladder, she went in search of Rosalind. Instead, she found Chantrelle doing her morning chores.

"This one wonders if she could borrow one of the rocks from the mud pool to aid with a transfer of affinity for crest activation."

"Hmm? I don't know what any of that means, but you need a rock? Sure, go ahead. Careful not to slip."

Thanking the dutiful daughter, Jeni rushed to the hot springs. Clayrissa wasn't there… not awake in any case. A little disappointed, she grabbed the rock and returned to their room.

Devin was stoking the fire while Reina was looking out the window. Nearby,  on the bed, the fae were licking each other out.

"Welcome back, Jeni!" chirped Azalea, wiping her mouth. "Hey, that's the rock from yesterday!"

"This one needed it for preparatory work before the transfer. It's the perfect size for this one’s egg-hole.” Setting the rock on the floor, she held the pointier end up, squatted down, and commenced grinding against it.

"I assume you know how the transfer works."

"This one does, though she has never performed it herself." 

“Do you need a moment to get ready?”

“Proceed. This one will be ready momentarily.”

"Okay! Reina, whenever you're ready to take the place of honor. Life-mate, if you could kneel under our big beauty here and put your hand on this corner of her crest, and if Jeni could do the same to the other side, I'll place mine here on the bottom.

"As I mentioned before, it's going to be important we are synchronized, so I'm going to chant, and hopefully, we can use that to stay equal."

"This is exciting!” cheered Zinni. "I'll go over here so I'm out of your way."

"No, you're not," Azalea countered.

"I'm not?"

"You're going to be participating."

"I am? But I don't have any affinity."

"Won't need it. You are going to be the one to jump-start Reina's crest."

"But I'm terrible at jumping!"

"Reina's body is going to need to orgasm to soak up the affinity as well as activate her crest."

"So I just make her cum?" Zinni grinned.

"Yes, but only when I say so. So keep edging her till then."

"I'll do my best!"

Reina took a deep breath. 

"Life-mate, Jeni, here we go. Just a little affinity at first.”

Azalea began chanting strange words, or maybe they were made up. Either way, she painted the air with her tinkling voice. Human, harpy, and fairy all concentrated, dipping their minds into their affinic pools and spiraling them up through their limbs.

"A little more, Life-mate. Jeni, a smidge less."

At first, Reina felt nothing except for the two pairs of hands and a pair of wings lightly pressing on her belly. Gradually, though, she became aware of a hollowness inside. Something that, while empty, she couldn’t sense, but now it was filling up...

Zinni got distracted for several moments before remembering she had a job. Steeling herself, she flew in front of Reina. Excuse me, Mrs. Reina, I'm going to pleasure you now.” 

“Aren't you sweet! You didn't need to ask. I heard Azalea.”

"I just wanted to confirm."

"Thank you."

Zinni flittered to Reina's rump. ’Hmm, where to start? Those… what would she call them? Udders? Crotch-boobs? Uubies?... would probably feel good, but that pussy is too inviting. Think, Zinni. How would you pleasure something a hundred times bigger than you? Well, she's a girl, so maybe she likes what I like when I touch myself.’

Zinni pushed Reina's tail out of the way and spread the drenched lips. ’No clit? Oh wait, that might be it.’ She dragged her hands to the scrunched bottom of Reina's vulva. ‘There you are – all swollen and ready for me!’

The round, hidden nub was still engorged from Jeni’s earlier attention. With an introductory kiss, Zinni drew small circles around the throbbing pleasure button. Sometimes tapping it gently, or lightly flicking it. ‘Those are nice sounds she’s making. Seems like she liked that, but this is gonna be very tiring if I have to fly while I do this. If only I was bigger and had a penis. Well, a giant penis! That's a pretty big hole. Wait! What if I become a penis!? Not literally, but with my body, it's probably the fourth-best thing! Maybe even third!'

Zinni hung onto Reina's tail. Bending her knees, she placed her feet at the entrance to the cavernous entrance and pushed in, wriggling and spreading the gooey pink curtains of Reina's vagina until she slid in all the way up to her arms.  

'Goodness, it’s hot and slick in here.' She wiggled her toes. 'And long! I can't feel the bottom. Welp, time to get to work!' Flipping over onto her belly, Zinni peeled the bottom of Reina’s pussy lips apart and proceeded to wash her clit with the Whitehorn's own juices making it all slick, like a raccoon girl would with a tasty morsel.  

Reina didn't know how to feel about having Zinni inside her, but she wasn't going to protest. She needed stimulation, any kind. She was worried about losing control of her vaginal contractions and squeezing the wriggly fairy too hard. Zinni was driving her to almost unmanageable levels of horniness but didn't seem to be concerned, though.

Thankfully, she wasn't immediately seeking the spots that made her whimper and shiver as Azalea often did. She wanted to cum so bad, but if she were supposed to wait until her crest was full, she wouldn't have been able to hold out.

Through the waves of pleasure, Reina sensed a foreign warmth emanating from the three pairs of hands and wings pressing on her stomach. More than just body heat, it felt vibrant and full of life as it trickled into her from three separate streams.

The strange thing called affinity filling her crest was infused with the essence of her family but not in a way she could perceive with her outward senses. It was almost like a… smell? No, a feeling? Maybe emotional flavor best explained it. 

She could just barely identify the distinctiveness of each person. Azalea's was gleeful and spontaneous, Jeni's was curious and trusting, and Devin's was calm and steadfast.

The flavors weren't strong, merely the barest hint of their uniqueness, and it didn't affect her emotions. The exception was one common emotion shared among the three – desire, a rich lust that fueled her own.

Azalea stopped chanting momentarily.  "You're doing wonderful, my love."

"Is everything going smoothly?" asked Devin.

Azalea nodded. "I think so. Jeni?"

"This one detects no abnormalities."

"Just hold on a little longer. You're almost full," Azalea encouraged.

The warmth in Reina’s belly continued to increase and expand outward. Unbeknownst to her, the edges of her crest were lighting up with the dimmest glow that spiraled inward toward the center and occasionally flickered at odd intervals.

Whether because the process was slow or because her mind was racing, she was growing desperate. She was more turned on than at any other time she had ever experienced. She was shivering and needed release so badly. With all the mental edging through the night and the three's affinity pouring into her, she was nearing her limit.

Zinni imagined it would have been roomier inside such a big girl, but while she was small enough to fit, even with her wings folded close to her back, that was about the extent of it. Any excess movement was severely limited. 'While I'm in here, I wonder if she has a… what do people call it… G-spot? What did it stand for again? Girl spot? Great spot? Whatever. If her insides are as topsy-turvy as the outside, then it should be somewhere under me.'

While she fumbled around, she couldn't help but make comparisons. Unlike her own tiny hole, filled with little pleated bumps, and Azalea's, with irregular zig-zagging grooves, Reina's was quite smooth and fleshy. Whenever she pressed against the walls of the glistening pink tunnel, fluid seeped out around her hand.

'This little rough patch feels different.' Pressing down on the area produced an immediate two-fold reaction – a deep, sonorous moan and a sudden clenching. 'I know the feeling. Wish I could touch mine right now!'

"Alright, Zinni, we are just about there." 

"Ready and able anytime, Azalea!"

"Now!"

Having been holding back, Zinni attacked Reina's G-spot with fervor. It was an awkward angle to reach with one hand for very long. There was little to no purchase or leverage, so she switched to using her knees. Pulling her legs up, she pressed and slid forward, feeling like a caterpillar-girl, having to use her entire body in such a way. Fortunately for someone as unathletic as her, she wouldn't have to do it for long.

Reina came almost immediately, but the intensity she hoped for didn't happen right away. The body-spasming goodness was quite literally drawn away by her crest. What felt warm before now became hot. The heat traced through the lines of Azalea's drawing until the crest fully activated for the first time, crackling with potential.

"There it goes!" Azalea exclaimed excitedly. “I'm turning mine on, too!” She focused, lighting up her own crest but with less dramatics than Reina's.

Reina was having trouble keeping up with all the rapid changes. The heat raced forward and back, settling in her breasts and udder where it dissipated, leaving a dull throbbing that ached for a few moments before melting away. That led to a resurging of follow-up orgasms.

Having used up what was seemingly needed by her crest, she was free to enjoy all proceeding pleasure thereafter. The unexpected climax Reina craved exploded through her.

She cried out as her desperate body was finally satiated. Worried her legs would buckle and she'd collapse on everyone, she grabbed the canopy bed's post. She was a drooly, moany mess, but she wanted more.

Thankfully, Zinni wasn't letting up. Even though she was partially submerged in a pool of love juice as each climax bore down around her, no one told her to stop. So she was determined to milk as many orgasms out of this Whitehorn as she could.

"We can stop now, Jeni, Life-mate."

As her family sat back to admire their efforts, Reina came extensively, her crest happily pulsing with a steady but vigorously glowing pink light prompting and fooled her body into thinking it was time to start producing milk.

Azalea commented, "You have very precise control over your affinity, Jeni."

"This one was complimented previously for such a talent when she was at academy."

"Are you feeling alright, Life-mate?"

"A little fatigued."

"For someone who's expanding your affinity like this for the first time, it was probably a bit much right away," Azalea remarked. "How do you feel, Reina?"

"Overwhelmed." Without elaborating further, Reina unsteadily stepped over everyone and collapsed onto the bed with Zinni still inside her.

"That good, huh? You catch your breath. Where's Zinni?"

"Mmmmphur."

Jeni held Reina's tail to the side. "Clever Zinni has made herself into a tool of pleasure." 

Azalea laughed. "Well, look at you! That's something I never thought of doing. How was it?"

"An experience I won't soon forget… like sleeping wrapped in a hot, soggy blanket that's constantly hugging you."

"Maybe I should try it sometime in the future. What do you think, Reina?"

Reina cracked an eye open without emotion.

"Right, a future conversation. Anyway, you did wonderful, my love! I'm happy everything went smoothly!"

"Here, Reina, have some water." 

“Thank you, Herdmate.”

"Um, as cozy as it is in here, could I have a little help getting out, please?" groaned Zinni.

"Of course!" Azalea grabbed Zinni's hand and pulled. "She really doesn't want to let you go." Placing her feet on both sides of Reina's vulva, she used both hands and pulled harder. With some straining and squelching, she rent Zinni free. 

Too soaked to fly, Zinni tumbled onto the bed, and a steady trickle of fluids, previously blocked by her body, splashed onto her head.

Devin dabbed at Zinni with a cloth. "You fae certainly don’t mind getting messy.” 

"It was so much fun though! But I'm beat. Hey, Azalea, do you think we could have a little, you know, before breakfast?"

Azalea followed her gaze and smiled. "Well, considering the rest of us haven't cum this morning, and with Life-mate semi-hard, it's probably a strong yes."

Unable to say no to them, Devin was tackled by the two hungry fae who dragged him over to the bed, bent on milking him for their favorite treat.

Tired but happy, Reina watched the festivities while basking in her after-orgasm glow. She rolled onto her side, and she could just make out the edges of her crest pulsing with a gentle glow. The Whitehorn was amazed at the thought of what was happening to her body and a little excited at the prospect of producing milk to help her family.

—

After the events of the morning, while everyone was cleaning up, Devin queried his mate, "Your chanting, Azalea, did you make that up, or was it a language?"

"Well, life-mate, it was..."

Zinni raised her hand. "I know, I know! It’s old fae. Only very old elders still know it."

"You're right! But… wait, why did I know how to speak it?" Azalea was visibly confused.

"Maybe you heard it from someone once?”

"Perhaps… but I would remember if I did, I would think."

"Perhaps when you were little?" Zinni added.

"As far as I remember, I don't think I was ever around anyone that old, and I don't think Mom could speak it."

Zinni wanted to ask the obvious next question of whether her father did, but she knew better.

"So fae have their own language?" asked Devin.

"Yes, though most only speak human nowadays."

"Do you know what you were chanting?”

"No, but it just felt natural, as if that was the way I should say it. Strange. Well, a worry for another day. Important thing is it worked to keep us all unified during the transfer." 

"And I got to experience what it was like to be a penis!"

Azalea laughed. "That you did. Not something too many people can say."

"And you felt almost just as good," complimented Reina.

"Do Leanan Sidhe have their own language?"

"Not really, though there used to be a, I don't know what'd you call it… dialect or slang… used by the younger fae."

"Can you understand this, Azalea?" Zinni said something at a pitch so high it didn't seem possible to achieve with vocal cords.

"I can! I'm gonna be a little rusty speaking it, though." Azalea answered with high-pitched noises of her own but more slowly. The two fae conversed for a moment, their voices like little ethereal bells responding to each other.

"That's all I can do. It's hard on my voice" said Zinni, rubbing her throat.

"Ya, the little I picked up when I stayed with you is definitely lacking."

A knock on the door signaled breakfast. This time, it was served in the main room, allowing everyone to eat and converse. 

Zinni was strangely quiet throughout the meal. Azalea noticed, but she would wait to see if Zinni brought up whatever was bothering her on her own accord. 

After breakfast, Rosalind went to the front desk to do paperwork while her daughters cleared the table. Reina and Jeni went to their room to change and prepare to leave while Devin went outside to untarp the sleigh and get Reina’s harness ready. 

Azalea was already packed; she didn’t bring in much to begin with. She was still sitting at the table with Zinni when a schlicum crawled over to her. She hadn’t paid much attention to them after their initial encounter, but she had spotted a few here and there during their stay. Apparently, they were allowed to roam freely when not in use.

This schlicum was smaller than many others she’d seen around the premises. Scooping it up, it barely filled her hands. She poked it, and it formed a finger-like appendage and poked her back. “Such a mysterious little creature. I wonder if you’re the same one I met yesterday.” 

She tried to put it down, but it wrapped around her hand. “Don’t want to leave just yet? Do you like me that much? Or maybe you like warm things. You do feel cold.”

“Azaaaaalea!” Zinni leaned over and pawed at her friend. "I don't want you to leave again!"

Azalea set the schlicum on her shoulder, smiled, held her friend's hands, and squeezed them. "So that's what's been bothering you? Wouldn’t you miss your home?”

“A little…” 

“Hmm, I suppose it'll be a long time to be sitting around here till spring. Here’s an idea! Maybe you can ride with Jeni and stay in Iceford till it's warmer.” 

"Really?!? I can go with you? My newfound adventurous life isn't coming to an end just yet?"

“Well, we are going to Merport because of Life-mate’s business and Jeni’s returning to Iceford, but we’ll return in a few days.”

“Why couldn’t I go with you?”

“I recall you saying you didn’t exactly arrive here very prepared for winter.”

“That's true, I didn’t. I’ll go ask her then!” 

Rosalind re-entered the room just in time to hold the door open for the excited fae.

“She certainly has a fire lit under her.”

“She’s gonna leave with us. Thank you for taking care of her when she first arrived.”

“Of course. She was a joy to have around.”

At that moment, the front door opened. Devin kicked the snow from his boots on the porch and stepped in. 

“Life-mate, this might seem sudden, but I've come to a decision."

"Oh?" 

"I want to take this little guy with us.” Azalea grabbed the schlicum from off her shoulder and held it out.

"You want a pet? Can they even be pets? Is Mrs. Sven ok with that?"

"It's fine with me. They aren't really ours; we don't own them. I believe I mentioned before we borrow their expertise and release them back into the wild. If she wants one, go ahead."

"Yay! You hear that little guy! Welcome to the family!” Azalea squished it close to her chest. It instinctively sensed potential food nearby and probed the flap hanging down across her breast, trying to find her nipple. “Hey, there’s nothing in there yet. I’ll let you later if you just want something to suck on. We are gonna have so much fun together!”

"Is it a lot of work?" queried Devin, turning to Rosalind.

"No more than taking care of any other living thing, I suppose… perhaps easier. You don't have to walk them or really do much outside of feeding them. Though they do seem to like cuddling when they get to know you."

The hallway door opened. In walked Reina and Jeni, with Zinni sitting on the owl girl’s shoulder. “She said yes, Azalea!”

“Perfect! You’re gonna be so amazed by Iceford!”

“I can’t wait!”

Azalea looked her friend over. "What are you wearing?"

"It was a gift from Mrs Sven's daughters." Zinni hugged a delicately crocheted pink handkerchief close about her.

"A lovely gift, though we'll have to get you some proper winter clothes. Fortunately, Suvi knows just who to ask," interjected Reina.

Zinni commented with confusion, "I don't know what a Suvi is, but I wouldn't say no to something warmer."

"Improperly bundled Zinni should be warm here." Jeni held open the bag strapped to the front of her chest.

Diving in, Zinni righted herself. "Spacious!"

"This might be a good time to bring up this one’s physical fortitude, and now that the experiment is over, she has hopefully proven to Nest-mate she is hearty enough for long travel."

"It's not that I wanted to disprove you, I just wanted to make sure. I'm proud of you and how hard you trained," commended Devin.

“So she’s coming with us when we go south?” Reina checked.

“I still feel she’d be safer staying behind, but other than that, I can’t think of any excuse.”

Jeni flapped her wings excitedly. “This one is overjoyed to travel with her new family and see the world. In the present, though, this one is also a little anxious to see how friends Suvi and Ky are doing. This one should make it home within the day if there is an advantageous tailwind."

“Azalea, you have a little, uh, something on your shoulder.”

“I do, Reina. Say hello to our newest companion! Don’t worry! I'll be sure to keep him away from you until you are comfortable enough to see how cute and squishy he actually is.”

“Doubtful,” Reina grumped.

"Alright, Jeni, safe flying! We'll see you when we return in a few days." Devin hugged her tightly.

She returned the hug. "This one will yearn away the hours till we are reunited, Nest-mate!"

Feeling a light patting, he responded, "Yes, Zinni?"

"Thank you for everything, Mr. Life-mate, sir, especially for, um, my first time, I suppose." She shook Devin's finger.

"I'm glad you had fun."

"And you, Mrs. Whitehorn, it was fun getting to know you – inside and out."

"Likewise, Zinni, and thank you for helping me activate my crest."

"You're welcome! Even though I can't see it, I bet it's beautiful, like you!"

"We could give you one, too, maybe one day?"

"Nah, I don't really see a need for one. Thank you, though, Azalea."

"Jeni, a moment please." Azalea flew up and whispered in her ear, "If she gets bored or becomes a handful, encourage her to draw advertisements or something for your business."

Spreading her wings, Jeni did a few test flaps. She pushed her goggles over her eyes, ran a short distance, and took off, gaining altitude until she was above the treeline. Circling once, she aimed herself southwest and disappeared from sight.

"And now it's our turn. Thank you, Mrs. Sven, and to your daughters for a wonderful time," Devin affirmed.

"We are delighted you all enjoyed yourself and hope to see you again."

"I don't know when, but we surely will one day!"

"Please tell your friends and acquaintances about us."

"We definitely will. Ready, Reina?"

"I am Herd-mate." With a shudder, the sleigh set off. Its merry bells tinkled as the trio disappeared into the misty morning air.