Watery sunlight filtered through the curtains, the hazy grey of just before dawn. Titus blinked his eyes open, finding himself face to face with a broad chest. Danas was sound asleep, his face buried in Titus's neck. Titus was wrapped up in him, their legs tangled, blankets thrown only half-way over.

Titus blinked at Danas's chest. They had both been fully clothed when they'd gone to bed, Titus insisting they not do anything for a while.

He slowly lifted the edge of the blanket, peering under, and confirmed his suspicions. Danas was naked.

Titus blushed furiously. He poked his shoulder. "Danas."

Danas stirred only to pull Titus closer.

Titus squeaked, his nose somehow fitting between Danas's pectorals. The scent of cold and elder berries wafted around him. "Danas, I have to meet the warriors."

"Shh, it can wait." One of Danas's hands moved down his spine to squeezed his backside.

Titus jumped, and jumped again at Danas's morning arousal poking his thigh. "You don't have clothes on."

He felt Danas grin against his ear. "No, it's more comfortable to sleep without them."

Titus sighed. "I have to get up. You have to get up. We both have duties-"

Titus squealed as Danas suddenly moved, flipping him onto his stomach to hover over him and peppering kisses on the back of his neck.

Titus groaned, Danas's hand still clutching the flesh of his ass. "Danas, I have… I have… ."

"Shh," Danas said again, moving to slide on hand beneath his shirt and one over his crotch. He hiked Titus against him, sitting up so Titus was almost in his lap, legs splayed and at his mercy.

"Give me your wings," Danas ordered, unzipping Titus's fly. "Now."

Titus shook his head. "No, Danas… ." He took hold of Danas's wrist, leaning his head back on his shoulder. "Stop."

Danas didn't, growling again to give him his wings. His hand shot out of Titus's hold and into his pants.

"Stop!" Titus shouted and his power exploded. Night shuddered through the room, blinding and unending and surged off the bed, frantically fixing his clothes. His eyes were blown wide as moons. "What the hell is wrong with you?"

Danas, his lower half obscured by the sheets, rubbed his face as the night slowly dispersed. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry, Titus."

"I'm going back to my rooms." How could he be so stupid? He should have expected nothing less.

Danas reached for his hand but Titus was already gone, vanishing without a trace.

The daybreak was indeed exquisit.

Aralayn sat on a crenelation, watching the sun slowly battle away the night. Her wings fluttered behind her, catching the faint breeze that tickled them. She was taking the morning off from training to greet her cousin who would be arriving in a few hours. Until then, though… .

She spotted a figured on the horizon. No-figures. At first she thought it might be a flock of birds, but as they came closer she saw they were Thesan's aerial cavalry-or at least part of it-out for training. They zoomed passed, close enough to nearly knock her off of her perch.

One of them, however, broke off from the others, swooping elegantly through the air. Illyrians didn't fly like that-didn't soar like dancers across a stage. They moved like warriors on a battlefield-like her father, harsh and wicked and rough.

The lone flyer landed gracefully on a crenelation beside her, sweeping his large wings behind him. "Hello." His accent was thick as butter, edged like a knife.

"Hello." Aralyn looked up at him, folding her own wings.

"You are Aralyn Archeron," he said, "I am in your training."

She smiled. "I hope you are enjoying it."

He sat down, tilting his golden face to the sky. His hair was cropped short military style, the tight deep brown curls seeming to soak up the rising light His eyes, she saw when he looked at her, where striking gold like the new dawn. "I have to admit, you are a good trainer, but I find your people's style brutal."

"It's supposed to be brutal-it serves its purpose."

"I suppose it does."

"Who, may I ask, are you?"

"Forgive me." He stood only to bow at her before settling back down. "I am Woodrin, most famously brother of Rihat. You can call me RIn."

"Rihat? Isn't that Thesan's-"

"Lover, yes, and General. Quite the shadow to live in."

Aralyn nodded her agreement. She knew a thing or two about shadows. "I'll be leaving you now, I have to get ready for training." It was a piss poor excuse-she was already in her leathers. She stood, dusting off nonexistent dust. "Should I look for you?"

"Only if you feel inclined to." Rin stood as well, full to the brim with diplomatic grace. "I'll admit that I could use your training. I am not the best at handling a sword."

"You're lucky then," she said with a wolf's smile. "Because I am."