Author's Note: FelineFriend47 PM'd me about the song in this chapter being a perfect fit for how Sleet feels about Silvermist. I LOVE that song and agree, but I hadn't been able to figure out a scene that's the perfect fit. And then it dawned while sending a reply message that the scene is the song. I think it turned out so much better this way. :)

I think it was mentioned in one of the Milorian stories, but fairies in my stories are very happy, loving, and expressive creatures. It's not uncommon for mates to be intimate almost daily to physically express their affection. Do keep in mind that Sleet's race doesn't have happiness, love, or affection.

There were more fairies at the nightclub than usual for a Friday night. She held Sleet's hand as he paused and gave a look, as if asking if she really wanted to do this.

A soft pout met his exasperated look as she looked up from beneath her lashes. "Just for an hour. We haven't gone out for a while, and you haven't danced with me for weeks."

He sighed. "If any of my soldiers saw how you get me to do anything with that look, I'd never have an ounce of respect again," he grumbled and turned to head for the door.

Several drunk fairies stumbled out at the same moment, running into Sleet from the front as she ran into his back. He stumbled backwards and tripped over her.

An arm wrapped around as the world spun. She landed facedown on something slightly softer than the ground. She blinked down at Sleet in confusion, sprawled across his chest.

"I couldn't turn, untangle our feet, and catch you fast enough," he explained and brushed her hair away from her face. "Are you hurt?"

She shook her head and pushed herself up. "Are you?" Reaching down, she took his arm as he carefully sat up with a groan.

"I'm fine. Neverland, gonna feel that in the morning," he muttered and pushed himself up off little pinecones that he'd landed on.

Stepping behind him, she brushed off his back and lifted his tunic to inspect for injuries.

"It's fine. Let's go inside before bats see us." He took her hand and led the way inside.

Fairies parted like the sea for him as he headed for the bartender. Upon reaching a small open space at the counter, he put an arm around her and tucked her close to his side. "What do you want?" He leaned down near her ear but still had to talk loud over the dance music.

"Surprise me."

He studied her for a moment and then turned to the bartender. "A virgin strawberry daiquiri and a mug of honey nectar."

That was a drink he hadn't ordered before, and she had another craving for strawberries.

He set petals on the counter to pay and then leaned an elbow on it to wait, dropping his height to be almost eye level with her. He winked.

Whipping her head away as her cheeks flamed and a smile bloomed, she laced her fingers with his hand on her hip and scanned for Fawn or Rosetta. But, he apparently knew the trouble he caused because his glow around her heart flickered momentarily with happiness.

The bumble bee rider leader stood at the other end of the bar and quickly ducked her head and turned away.

Sleet's hand shifted. Glancing behind, she turned as he straightened and handed her a glass. Then his free hand took hers as he parted the crowd. He must've spotted Fawn and everyone because he seemed to have a destination.

Someone bumped into him, and he let go of her hand to catch the fairy who almost fell.

Another fairy cut between her and Sleet, and then a whole group did, carrying her along with them for a moment. And then Sleet was gone. Even though she came up to most fairies' chins, getting lost in a noisy crowd like this would make it hard to find him.

Someone touched her wing, and relief flooded that Sleet had found her. She spun around and came face-to-face with a stranger.

"Cool wing costume!" Then the stranger turned to resume dancing with his friends.

Being jostled through the crowd, she pushed and wiggled to the edge of the room against the wall. Fairies touched and complimented her wings, which would've been nice if they all didn't think they were fake. Or if being crammed into tight spaces didn't cause uncomfortable pressure on her wings. This is what it'd been like coming to the club on her own before meeting Sleet, so she'd always gone in with a friend.

Even jumping didn't give enough height to see where anyone was. And there wasn't enough room to open her wings and hover—or even blow everyone back to make room to hover.

"Everyone, stop!" she shouted with all her might.

But only the fairies closest seemed to hear, and they gave weird looks.

So she set her fingers to her lips and tried a loud whistle. The music swallowed it up.

She tried pushing through the crowd to at least get to the stage. But it was turning into a mosh pit, and getting squished was becoming a real possibility. There wasn't even enough room to raise her wing for Sleet to see and come.

"Everyone! Shut up!" A deep, rough voice boomed.

The entire place went silent, even the musicians.

A smile bloomed. Only Prince Charming would yell at a full room to shut up. "Sleet!" She tried jumping.

The sea of fairies parted seconds later, and Sleet emerged and set his hands on his hips. "How on earth did you get on the other side of the place? Found her!" he called. The music resumed. He picked her up under her bottom and carried her in one arm, with his other hand keeping her wing back so he could see where he was going.

She scowled down at him. "I don't need rescuing like a damsel in distress."

He glanced up with a cocked eyebrow. "You're sure about that?"

"Nobody else has to be carried through here!"

He cracked a smile. "Nobody else is as little as you. Hush and pretend I'm being chivalrous. I can't carry you any other way through a crowd like this without your wings getting stepped on, and I don't trust that you won't be swallowed up again."

"I made it just fine for a hundred fifty years before you came around!"

Both of his eyebrows rose for a moment like a shrug. "Maybe I had to come around because you were going to need more rescuing."

"Ugh!" Crossing her arms over her chest, she looked away in disgust.

He set her down at the table with everyone seconds later.

"Ain't that the sweetest thing?" Rosetta sighed and elbowed Sled in the ribs. "You never rescue me."

Sled mumbled something into his glass that sounded like, "Everyone needs rescuing from your talking."

Sleet started coughing, as if he heard and tried to stifle a laugh.

"Where were you? We couldn't find you." Terence looked up from where he was sandwiched between Tink and Iridessa in the booth.

Sleet sat on the edge of the booth and pulled her down to sit on his knee since there wasn't enough room. It was almost a wonder that he didn't fall off. "She was over by the restrooms."

"Come here, baby. They need more room." Sled pulled Rosetta into his lap. She giggled.

Everyone scooted over, and Sleet slid her onto the seat and stood, leaning an arm on the tall booth.

"We can make more room," Vidia said.

"I'm fine." He smiled at her when she glanced up. "You can sit all by yourself like a big fairy," he teased low enough for no one else to overhear.

Except sitting in a small booth hurt her wings because they couldn't bend enough to accommodate. And it would be awkward to say anything to Sleet in front of everyone.

Within seconds, she started to squirm and lean forward and try to find a comfortable position while Fawn talked about something that happened with the squirrels. Looking over her shoulder, she met his eye, trying to figure out a way to tell him in private.

"Dewdrop? Are you alright?" His hand touched her shoulder and then jerked away, as if surprised by the pain. Then he caught her hand and pulled her up, taking the seat and setting her in his leg so her wings could hang off.

The pain ceased almost instantly.

"Tell me," he said against her ear. "I forgot you've said they can't bend like that." He stroked her hair down her back. "It's alright to talk to me about your wings."

She turned her head to look at him.

Concern wrinkled his brow. Sometimes he worried worse than a nervous rabbit, but he tried so hard to go against his nature and take care of her. He was a very good mate and spoiled her too much.

Holding his eye, she smiled and pecked a kiss on his cheek. "I love you."

A smile tugged his lips and he held her eye. "I love you, too."

"Here, I made too many." Tink pulled out a bag on the seat next to her and untied it. The leaf unfurled to reveal a bunch of chocolate chip cookies.

"Ooooh, yes!" Terence grabbed one.

"I love chocolate chip!" Rosetta grabbed one and fed Sled a bite.

Everyone took some. "Here, try one! Tink makes good chocolate chip cookies." Fawn pushed the sac closer.

Sleet eased his hand off the table into her lap and tensed the slightest bit.

He'd mentioned an allergy to chocolate and sweets, but he'd never said how bad. Maybe it was bad enough where even if she touched them and then him, he'd have a fatal reaction. "My stomach isn't feeling so well—I think too much honey nectar," he fibbed. "Do you want one?" He met her eyes, trying to telepathically say something.

"Come on, they're not poison." Fawn pressed one into her hand.

Holding it away from him, she leaned to his ear when Rosetta distracted everyone with a joke and whispered in Korean, "If I touch you, will you react?"

"Just a rash. We can't kiss for a few hours if you eat it, or my throat will swell up," he whispered in her ear. "Rosetta was watching. It looks suspicious if you don't eat one."

"Is that a new band?" She pointed at the stage.

Everyone turned to look.

She tossed the cookie over her shoulder.

"Hey! Ow!" Someone whined from a couple booths away.

Sleet snorted and quickly cleared his throat, trying to not laugh.

"That's the same band as every week," Sled frowned and they all turned back around.

"Oh. Are you playing tonight?"

He looked at Rosetta, who beamed at him. "What do ya say, babe? Should I play when the stage opens at nine?"

"Yes!" She practically collapsed on the table in a fake faint.

"You don't faint like that when I call you 'babe'," Sleet rumbled in her ear.

Pressing her lips together to not laugh, she kept her eyes ahead and gave a soft pinch to his thigh with her clean hand.

She bounced against his chest as he chuckled. "Take me to the washroom," she ordered loud enough for at least Fawn to hear.

"Right away, Your Highness." He easily lifted her off his lap and stood.

He leaned against a wall while she stood in a mile-long line for the female bathroom to wash her hand. He'd smile now and then.

A very pretty female approached him from behind and set a hand on his shoulder.

Sleet visibly tensed but didn't move. He mumbled something and kept eye contact with her, but he didn't look happy.

The female simply smiled and stepped around to face him.

He broke eye contact and glared at the female, the look so ice cold that even she grew uncomfortable at this distance.

It seemed to give the female pause because she stopped mid-reach for his arm.

She said something that made his face contort into a snarl.

In the blink of an eye, the female was spun around and her hands pinned behind her with her drink glass smashed on the floor. Sleet pressed a hand to the back of her neck to keep her bent over as he stormed toward the front doors with her. He said something to a guard and handed the female over.

Several fairies stared at him.

Her heart pounded. Was it a spy for the Alamur? Sleet's glow around her heart pulsed with anger.

Came back and must've felt her worry. He just shook his head.

What would make him be that rough?

He came over, and she stepped to the side of the line for a little bit of privacy. "She had nothing to do with them, don't worry."

"Did you arrest her?"

He nodded but glanced away like he was uncomfortable.

When he didn't volunteer further information, she bit her lip and turned to go back in line.

"She was drunk and said some inappropriate things. When I said I had a mate and to go away, she insulted you personally."

A frown tugged. "Oh. I don't even know her."

He shrugged. "I arrested her for public overimbibbing and propositioning an officer."

She cracked a smile. "I don't think there's a law for propositioning because fairies don't usually do it."

But he simply looked disinterested. "I just made it."

"Only the Queen can make laws," she giggled.

"Whoops." He didn't seem to care.

Shaking her head, she smiled. "I think you were a little rough with her."

"I think I should get a medal for my restraint," he drawled. "Get back in line before you lose your place." He spun on his heel to go back to his post, done talking about that female.

Another minute passed and a female in one of the bartender aprons approached him from the side.

"What?!" He roared and spun.

The poor thing startled hard and almost dropped the drink. She held out a mug and pointed back at Tink and the others at the table. They waved.

He relaxed, and it look liked he even apologized to the poor waitress. His glow was a bit brighter from her fear.

After five more minutes, he started to look bored and made a stupid face when she looked.

She burst out laughing.

Then he looked around for a moment, as if nothing had happened. When he glanced over again, he made another face.

A laugh so loud burst out just as the bands went silent to switch out. Several fairies turned to look at her.

Sleet made a melodramatic, horrified face. She doubled over and crossed her legs from laughing so hard. The bathroom door opened, and she dove inside.

Sled's voice came through the door over the microphone. "It's open request night. Ladies, come give your song requests. Rosetta, the first song is for you, baby."

A wistful sigh escaped. If only Sleet didn't hate dancing so much. He didn't have any rhythm being an Alamur and all, but he never denied when she asked for a dance or two.

When she opened the door, he wasn't leaning against the wall anymore. He didn't seem to be anywhere. What if he'd started having an allergic reaction? But just as the worry hit, he emerged from the crowd in the direction of the stage. Butterflies replaced the knot in her stomach.

As soon as he got close enough, she curled her arms around his neck and pulled him down for a long kiss.

He pulled her close and didn't hold back.

When she broke the kiss to come up for air, he smiled and kept his arms around her. "What was that for?"

She shrugged. "Because I love you."

"I love you. Come." He kept a firm grip on her hand and parted the crowd back to the table.

Sled and Rosetta were gone, so Sleet slid in next to Tink so she could have the end seat for her wings to hang off the edge.

"Rosetta is being his groupie," Terence called over the rock music and pointed to where Sled played on stage.

Sled dropped to his knees at the edge. He must be playing in front of Rosetta again.

"Ugh, those two make me sick," Vidia groaned and took a long drink of her martini.

Sleet glanced down at her and gave a private smile.

"Yeah, they're constantly staring at each other all the time," Tink snorted.

"He just loves her a lot," Terence said.

"Sleet doesn't act all stupid like that with Silvermist," Iridessa pointed out.

Fawn laughed. "Sleet is a giant bunny when it comes to her."

He finally broke eye contact and his cheeks turned slightly red.

"And can scare away bad guys with a look." She linked her arm through his and rested her head against his shoulder.

"A male should dote on his mate," he growled.

Everyone looked a little nervous of his growl.

With a giggle, she tilted her head up and he obliged with a kiss.

"Let's leave these woebegones and dance, dewdrop."

Her head popped up. "Really?"

He nodded and led the way to the dance floor just as Sled finished the rock song.

"This one is for Dewdrop," Sled announced. "I Don't Dance by Lee Brice."

A shocked, delighted gasp escaped and she covered her mouth just as Sleet turned around with a smile and took her in his arms.

It was a song not heard before, but it brought tears to her eyes. It was about a male who never expected to settle down and was out of his element being in love, but would do anything for his mate and follow her anywhere. It was as if Sleet had written this song about his love for her.

He looked into her eyes as he took her right hand in his and set her other near his shoulder. And he began to waltz.

Everyone melted away, with him as the sun and center of her world. Her heart followed him up to the clouds.

Every step came perfectly timed, every turn a graceful movement. This wasn't the same male who blundered across the dance floor with two left feet, just like in the song.

He must've sensed her about to burst with happiness because he smiled in that way he did when speaking through his heart.

The music slowed and faded, as if the song was about to end. He spun her into his arms and stilled, his eye on her lips almost touching his.

Someone whistled.

And then the music swelled and he swept her away again. This time, there was a freedom in him, as if his heart rather than his head led his feet. His arms held strong and safe, and his steps were swift and confident. His glow around her heart warmed as he spun her in circles, whisking her through the clouds.

The song ended, and he brought them to a stop, his body pressed close and breathing slightly fast like hers.

As the last note faded away, he lowered his head.

Her heart took off and eyes began to flutter closed as she tilted her head back for his kiss.

Applause exploded, breaking the spell.

He startled and glanced around, as if forgetting about the audience.

Fairies were gathered around the dance floor, having made space for the waltz. Some of them whispered and pointed at her wings. She wasn't supposed to be a spectacle. He hadn't even thought about it that fairies might watch. She'd be self-conscious and—

A small arm wrapped around his neck and jerked him down. Silvermist met him with a passionate kiss.

He held her tight, burying his fingers in her silky hair to cup the back of her head and kiss her deeply. Passion burned so intense that he would've willingly given himself over to be consumed in her flames.

By the time she let go, the next song played and everyone crowded the floor again.

She beamed, the same desire reflecting in her eyes.

His mouth crushed down on hers again, seriously debating whisking her home right this moment.

Someone bumped into them, breaking the kiss.

A shy smile touched her lips, clearly sensing in his glow around her heart how much his sugar was on fire. She took his hand and followed him to the edge of the dance floor.

"Where did you learn to dance like that?" she called over the music.

He pulled her into a corner that was a bit buffered from the acoustics. When he leaned a hand against the wall near her head and shifted his weight to one leg in order to lean in closer, she gave a delightfully bashful smile. "It may or may not have involved the General during lunch breaks for two months, and then once his toes stopped being trampled, it may have involved Gliss."

His beautiful dewdrop threw her head back and laughed, probably imagining the Winter Army's two most manly males awkwardly blundering through a waltz. Then she rewarded his efforts with another marvelous kiss.

"They're going to think you took me outside and were naughty, if we don't go back now."

A low growl of desire vibrated in his chest. "That sounds very tempting, dewdrop." He leaned in and nibbled her neck, his voice growing husky with desire.

"Sleet," she giggled.

"I need you, Silver," he breathed, his chest almost heaving as he kissed her sensitive ear. "In the sky, like the night we were mated." He set her hand over his heart and his fingers gently bit into her soft hips.

She grew breathless. "Vigorous, just like that night," she panted and turned her head to capture his mouth, giving a soft bite to his lip.

"Neverland, don't do that. We won't make it outside," he gasped.

Then she darted under his arm and gave a come-and-get-me smile.

He shot after her.

Minutes later, He led the way back to the table.

"There you are! Where'd ya go?" Rosetta asked.

Silvermist still had rosy cheeks and glanced at him.

"She was a little warm, so we sat outside for a minute," he answered.

"Where did you learn to dance like that?" Tink asked. "Terence, you need to go learn."

"Yeah, that was really good," Fawn added.

Clearing his throat, he eased into the booth and laced his fingers with Silvermist's under the table. "If I told you, I'd have to kill you."

They all paled, but Silvermist laughed.

"It's a joke," she giggled.

They relaxed—a little.

Silvermist rested her head against his shoulder again, seeming tired. After a few minutes, he leaned down and said against her ear, "Should we go home?"

She nodded, her eyelids starting to droop even though it wasn't even ten o'clock.

Once outside, he scooped her up.

"I'm so tired today," she sighed and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Do you need to sleep in a tree tonight?" She rested her head against his shoulder and closed her eyes.

"You need good sleep."

"I'm so tired I could sleep anywhere."

"Are you certain?"

She nodded and then her head bobbed as she fell asleep.

He laid her in bed at home and gathered blankets and pillows so she'd be comfortable. Then he set them up on a wood platform with short walls that he'd built in a tree near the cabin. This was safer than a tree branch so she wouldn't roll off during the night. Then he brought her up and tucked her in.

She stirred as he laid down on top of the blankets beside her. "Sleet?"

"I'm right here." He slid his arm under her head as a pillow. She always slept better if he held her. And he was starting to sleep better that way, too.

"Love you."

"I love you, dewdrop."