A/N:It's been a month since I updated this story. I've been having a really rough few months and July was the crowning jewel of not-good in the real life department. to ease your fears, gentle reader, I will say this:

No, I am not dropping Hereafter.

I'm not dropping any of my other stories either.

Updates will happen as quickly as I can manage, but I can't promise an actual schedule. My personal slice of reality doesn't work that way.

But enough of that unhappy stuff! Read on!

If you like what you read here and want to support future chapters and other works, a link to my ko-fi account can be found in my profile. All proceeds go to keeping me functional as I type away at all hours.

As always (And slightly belatedly. I blame the insomnias.) My endless thanks to the following:

kt_valmiri for soundboarding and keeping me sane.

TheWyversWeaver for plot-pointing, story-boarding, and the spectacular art, as always.

Damlone, BlueberryandHoney for beta reading.

Cimar and Irual for helping me with my writer's block.

OnceNeverTwiceAlways for editing.

With special thanks to Lyrnx. Her art inspired the stalker Judy in the dream sequence. Look for another-wildehopps-blog on tumblr for more of her stuff.

Nick floated in dreams.

The enormity of fact that he was dreaming was lost on him. In his demi-lucid state, as with all somnolent theater, nothing made sense the way it did in the waking world. He saw many things. Images of the past, strange flights of fantasy, and a myriad of possibilities floated to the surface of his mind, only to vanish into smoke and nothing. In all the strange offerings from his subconscious, there was one constant theme: Judy.

In one moment, she was whole and hale as he had come to know her. The next, she was Fallen—weeping as she fell through the void with rotting, tattered wings. Again, she appeared. This time taken by Luxuria— crumpled and ruined from her "indoctrination" into the House. Next, she was a true demon—broken and mindless, baying for angelic blood on the fringe. Her claws and fangs dripped ichor and her fur matted with filth and gore. All horrible ends for the rabbit. Ends he had hoped to grant her.

The bitterness the images conjured in his mind confused him. Nick's mind roiled in discomfort, both at the images and the distress he felt. It did not make sense. It couldn't. The depths of his mind responded by offering him more pleasing possibilities.

Suddenly, she appeared as a Succubus, risen to the ranks of Hell and a scion of Lust. Flames danced around her in fetid yellows, greens, and blues. She wore little and was resplendent in her power. Her gaze spoke of promises that would wreck souls. Her form was liquid desire right down to her dainty little toes. She was lovely.

All faded to black and Judy returned again. This time, she was garbed in a dress of angel feathers and standing by the Obsidian Throne itself. She reached out to him and smiled with regal cruelty, beckoning him to his seat. His Queen in Hell.

Nick writhed.

He wanted this. This was his desire. For her to be his pet and pride—his right hand and most prized possession. He reached out to take her paw, but the tableau shimmered and changed.

Judy was dressed in a worn hoodie, shorts, and leggings. Her eyes were fever bright and seemed to stare through him to the bone. The smile she wore was nervous and hungry. The scent of blood and glee hung thick on the air around her, like sweat and desperation on a junkie. She was thin under the grime and mania—absent behind her eyes. She was missing something—more a broken mortal than a fallen and corrupted angel. She was lovely still—sweet and pitiable.

She was hurt. Broken, well and truly. Lost.

Nick's eyes shot open with a snarl on his lips. Possessiveness and a desire to defend what was his roiled through his blood. She was not so weak. He would not allow…. Reality crept into the fox's mind as the dream faded. He was confused by what he found in the waking world. Then he was afraid.

He was warm and comfortable. His arms were wrapped around something that was breathing contentedly. Something soft that smelled of lavender and sunlight and reeked of sex. Memories of the previous evening poured through him, and Nick was at war with himself. The need to understand what had happened slammed into his growing desire, leaving him crippled.

He wanted more.

The knowledge of how little time he had was petrifying. He only had until she fell at dawn to savor the angel in his bed. With the first light of the sun, her wings would putrefy and rot. Then, she would be sucked out of the world to fall for nine days to the gates of Hell and her damnation. Her purity would be lost. He could not allow that. Without her as she was, he would waste away.

Looking down at her, he smiled weakly.

The legends didn't even come close. I'll never have better.

It was a sobering thought in many ways. It was made worse by a series of realizations.

He had dreamed. He had slept. He had fallen asleep in the embrace of a female with her lips on his and dreamed of her. He'd dreamed.

Sweet Misery…

He was still wrapped around her. Panic slowly coalesced in his gut. He was still holding her. In fact, she was blissfully cuddled into his chest, wrapped around him in somnolent peace. This was freakish. Such a degree of intimacy was alien for him. It disturbed him immensely. His discomfiture only grew as he realized that not only his arms, but his tail and wings were wrapped around her as they laid together on the bed.

Somehow, Nick contained the blind panic. Barely. He managed long enough to extricate himself from his cocoon without rousing his bedmate. Once they were separate and he'd gained a little distance, things only got worse. They were both a mess from their activities. All he wanted was to lick her clean and pleasure her again. The need was narcotic on its own and almost overwhelming. The strain to his self-control was frightening, but paled in comparison to the fact that her wings were out.

Nick stared slack-jawed at the sight. Her wings been hidden under his own, and, in his haste to escape, he hadn't paid attention to them. Now, he was flabbergasted. They were white. All four wings were a pure, radiant, opalescent white. There wasn't a shred of corruption on a single feather. No charring, or decay. Not even a speck of dust. There should have been something. Some sign. Even just a bit of grey or tarnish, but no.

It hurt not seeing the proof of her fall. For a reason he couldn't name, he wanted to see it. Just so he'd know. He'd heard there was a sign right from the first minute that Sin took hold in an angel. Clearly that was a lie.

He was pulled from his shocked stupor by Judy sighing and shifting gently in her sleep. He had to move.

Nick silently crept away from the bed and slipped off to the shower at a dead sprint. There was something cathartic about showers. He always seemed to think best when he was in one, and he desperately needed to think. He never slept with his conquests. He never showed affection. He never failed to stay awake until he was unknotted, so he could make his exit.

He never dreamed.

Dreams and memory were too intertwined for him to suffer either peaceably. Memories were suppressible֫—the ones he had, anyway. Dreams were not so simple. They were inescapable. And now, he had dreamed and not hurt for it.

Stepping into the spray of hot water, Nick set to scrubbing himself clean with a vengeance. The moment he was rinsed and dry, he had a mission. The key to all of this had to be somewhere in the tomes Finnick had stolen for him. It was time to hit the books.

Slowly, achingly slowly, Judy inched towards consciousness. She felt languid, despite her dreams. Conflicting visions of Nick had battered her mind through her rest. In one moment, he wore the raiment and mantle of the Holy Guards and stood at the right hand of the Celestial Throne awaiting her. The next, he was a colossal monstrosity striding across the land and stars, consuming and destroying world after world. That disparity and the feelings of euphoria and soreness that warred through her body left her somewhat discombobulated as her eyes flitted open. Her confusion deepened when she noticed she was alone.

Judy lifted her head to look around. "Nick?"

There was no response. Through the Bond, she felt a weak thread of focus and concern, which gave her pause. Nick was not a mammal inclined to uncertainty, so the fact that he was feeling such an alien emotion worried her. It also occurred to her that she no longer needed to hold the Bond open in order to sense her demon. Given how precipitously things had progressed, along with all the completely unexpected twists she'd experienced lately, Judy found herself merely taking note of the new fact and nothing more.

It didn't help that she felt like she was floating in her own skin. Judy was familiar with the terms "sex drunk", "sub-space", and "post-coital endorphin high" from her reading, but the understanding and the experience were very different beasts. It was obvious that she was not functioning at her full capacity. However, whatever it was that she was missing could wait. She flopped her head back against the soft pillow, sighing at her own complacency. It raised plenty of new implications, but she had enough to worry about. First and foremost on her list was Nick.

No, clothes first.

Whatever for?

Judy jumped in surprise at the mental intrusion and bolted upright. She immediately cringed at the soreness in her belly and between her legs. She felt Nick wince in sympathetic pain.

Ouch, Carrots. Feeling it this morning, are we?

Judy wanted to be annoyed, she really did. However, under the smarm, she heard the genuine concern in his voice. The renewing flush of endorphins she got from hearing his voice helped.

A little. It's fading.

Small blessings…

Judy snorted.

The Devil talking about blessings…. I keep expecting to get used to the irony.

I think you mean absurdity, sweetheart.

Both fit. Where are you?

Busy.

That isn't a place.

She felt his half-hearted eye-roll and smiled to herself.

Yes, yes. Be pleased. You can irritate me too now. I'll come to you.

Judy moved the sheet covering her and immediately recoiled. She was…she didn't have words to describe it. "Filthy" was the closest word her semi-clouded mind registered before flinching away. Filthy and warm. And growing warmer as the scents washed over her. Her own arousal mixed with the aroma of her demon's seed sent her nose twitching even as her heart rate climbed. The previous evening's activities came back to her in graphically vivid detail, leaving her reeling. She didn't realize her paw was wandering until one of her digits brushed her pearl, startling her.

If you start on that we'll get nothing done today.

Judy nodded by reflex and absently licked her finger.

For Misery's sake, rabbit…. I'd recommend a shower. I'll meet you when you're done.

Sounds like a good idea.

Unless you want me to join you…

You do and we'll get nothing done today, remember?

Touche, sweetheart.

The connection slipped closed again, but not fully. It merely reverted to where it had been when she'd woken up, She felt his amusement and distraction as he again settled into reading. She found it encouraging as she shimmied off the mattress and scampered to the bath. The hot water spray quickly dissipated some of the cobwebs in her mind, and she had a chance to think a little more clearly.

She was sore, a bit stiff and tender. That didn't exactly surprise her. New physical activities always worked muscles in new ways. What they'd done absolutely fell into the "new experiences" category and as for physical…. Judy giggled to herself and stretched, the heat was relaxing her and easing the soreness. She felt wonderful, right down to her whiskers.

Smiling to herself, she took a generous pull of bodywash from a bottle and lathered herself up. It was wonderfully satisfying to work the mess out of her fur, until she realized it was a golden opportunity for a tiny bit of payback. Judy slipped the Bond wide open, pulled up the most exciting, titillating memory from the night before, and slid per paw deftly between her own legs. She was rewarded with the feeling of Nick's fur standing on end and the knowledge that she'd stopped him cold mid-thought.

Bad, bad bunny….

Judy grinned and finished her shower.

By the time she traipsed out of the bath, she was feeling radiant. She felt in control. Strong and powerful. And then she saw Nick waiting across the Hall at the table where the coffee pot lived. The sense of power turned to hunger in an instant, and she was left breathless.

Nick felt the moment Judy walked into the Hall. His head snapped and their eyes met. He felt his pupils dilate and the Bond grow taut like a violin string. He was falling, or the world was falling away. He wasn't sure. The music was too strong—like a thousand symphonies singing the perfection embodied in her. It was the closest thing to the Music of Dawn he'd heard since he fell, and she was at its center.

Two things ruined the moment for him. One was masonry falling from the roof. The other was a strange pain that rolled through him. It was accompanied by a massive pulse of golden light like a heartbeat that bled through his skin and fur.

In the wake of the pain, he felt small paws on his chest. "Nick, what was that?"

"I'm not sure." He shook his head. "It's been happening lately."

"Since you met me?" Her nervous smile was achingly adorable.

Nick swallowed and shrugged. "More or less, but it doesn't worry me."

"How can you say that?" Judy asked in disbelief. "It's clearly painful. And since when was demonic power golden? And what on earth happened to the ceiling? Was that us?"

"I do believe it's called Resonance."

"I know what resonance is…" she retorted, shoving him gently. "Are you saying you and I are resonating?"

"Like I do with my armor and you do with your angelic butter knives, only on a…" Nick sifted through his mind for the words—"...much larger scale."

Judy cocked an unimpressed brow. "That's absurd."

"Welcome to Tuesday around here," Nick commented before casting his gaze over her. "But I'm surprised, Carrots. Aren't you forgetting something?"

"I am?"

He cleared his throat and smirked. "Two things. One I don't mind at all, but the other concerns me a bit."

Her expression went flat at his circumlocution. "Well, what could concern you so much in the face of your slow transformation into a demonic night light and the fact that we're resonating strongly enough to shake your Den to the roots?"

"You're naked." Nick waited until she reflexively snapped her wings around to cover her modesty before adding, "But those things are what concerns me."

"My wings…"

"Yes, those." He pointed over her head. "That too."

Her face was a rictus of dread. "The wager!"

"Is still intact."

"Wha—How?!" He couldn't help but think how cute she was when she was panicking—trying to keep her modesty and emphatically gesture at the same time. "With my wings and halo out, that's a full manifestation! Heaven forfeits!"

"You may want to hold off on that statement, Oh Heir to the Throne. Or you may do something you'll regret by accident," Nick cooed. "The Wager remains undamaged because my home isn't part of the world. It's a small bubble of reality I carved out between the Mortal Plane, Hell, and the Fringe. You can manifest here with no issue."

Shuffling her wings and wringing her paws she ventured, "So, no apocalypse?"

Nick was impressed that Judy's pink ears and giddy smirk hadn't stopped her from pursuing her inquiry.

"Unless what we did last night qualifies as a revelation, no."

It was also pleasing that she didn't immediately shoot the idea down. The urge to preen at her unspoken agreement was quite strong. That was not so terribly unusual in itself, but the pride at seeing her satisfaction was another matter entirely.

Before he could pursue the foreign line of consideration, Judy derailed his train of thought. She returned her wings to their resting position on her back and interjected. "Hang on there, Slick. If we're outside the world and power doesn't matter, why do you keep your collar on? Doesn't it chafe to be bound like that?

"It does, but not thinking about it helps. Thanks for reminding me." He commented wryly while he dug at the offending adornment a bit. "To answer your question, I knew I'd have to go back to the world. Once it's on, it's easier to endure."

Then, he decided to have a little fun with her. Nick grinned rapaciously and leaned in, gently lifting the veil on his power. "Besides, are you telling me you want me at full strength? Unfettered? With nothing else to protect you? Incidentally, you're still naked." He laid it on thick—the full Incubus Rex. All power and dominion and dripping sex appeal right down to the tips of his whiskers.

He knew he was overwhelming her. Her eyes were huge, pupils dilated. Her breaths became deep and rapid. Her pulse quickened more with every syllable from his charmed lips. Even her ears were on the alert. The little angel's self-preservation had kicked in. There was a predator present, and she was trapped.

Nick did not expect her breathless, eager voice through the Bond.

Yes...

The glee of the moment bled off in an instant when another pulse of golden power rolled through him, dropping him to his knees. He shook his head and realized she was trying to prop him up by holding his chest. The last thing he'd expected was for her to come closer after his little stunt, but there she was. Naturally, at that moment the elevator at the end of the Hall screeched into life.

"Of course, they show up now..." Nick grumbled. "How can my luck be this unspeakably lousy? I'm the Devil! Shouldn't that count for something?"

Judy giggled at the fox's annoyance as she withdrew her paws and beat a hasty retreat to find clothing. She was grateful for the interruption. Relieved, actually. Another moment and she wouldn't have been able to keep her paws from wandering...and that didn't bother her nearly as much as it should have. Yes, she'd had sex for the first time. That did not mean she'd literally had her brains rutted out of her. That was a euphemism and to be taken as such. So, why was she having such a hard time focusing around him?

Leggings and a t-shirt were pulled on while a love song flitted through her head, and, suddenly, it made sense. A strong desire for closeness, her giddiness, the strange sense of completion in his presence…

The earth literally shaking under my feet when I looked at him…

It wasn't hard to figure out. In fact, Judy had to shake her head at how obvious it was in retrospect. Obvious and game changing. She might have found a way out. Relief flooded through her. The nagging worry she'd carried since she bound the fox was gone!

Rabbit, I swear…

Judy jumped.

What?

Stop.

Stop what?

Whatever it is you're doing. Every half-second your emotions cha—

Judy's mind slammed into overdrive. She stopped listening and focused on feeling what he was feeling. Tension, hunger, distraction, irritation, amusement—all directed at her. He was clearly only annoyed by proxy, but the majority was because of what she was feeling. He was focused on that more than his task.

Like that!

She realized he'd been talking, but she had missed all of it. He was playing at being put out. She decided to play back.

I'm sorry. What's the problem, exactly?

Nick sighed through the Bond and Judy smirked.

I am trying to make coffee and you're being—

Distracting…?

I'd hazard to say you're always distracting.

Flattery will get you into trouble, foxy.

Don't bait the incubus, darling. They're almost here and coffee's brewing.

With that he closed the link, and Judy bit her lip to hold back the grin. He'd called her "darling". A new pet name. The evidence was mounting. However, that did not equate to a sure thing. Her theory was still unverified. Fittingly, she had her litmus test ready to go. Come dawn's first light, she would know. It'd be as clear as black or white feathers. That sobering thought only lasted a moment as she collected herself.

She walked back towards the table where coffee and her fox were waiting, musing to herself.

Her wings were proving to be unexpectedly useful. She'd been a bit surprised to see them after keeping them hidden for so long, but it did give her an opportunity to get the confirmation she needed. The look on his face would be worth the world if she was right. It was a monumental gamble, but so was everything she'd done since she'd met her fox. All she had to do was wait for dawn and let it play out. Either she would fall and accept her place as his willing plaything, or she would enjoy the floor show as he worked it all out. A mischievous grin spread across her face.

Sadly, she was unable to relish the possibility for long. Finnick had arrived, and, the moment he had a paw off the elevator, he was talking.

Nick's jaw hit the floor as his de facto assistant stepped off the elevator cart and boomed, "He spatchcocked you, didn't he?"

Judy choked out, "He what?"

"Finnick…" Nick's tone was an amused warning.

"What?" The imp looked around questioningly. "I just asked if you spatchcocked her."

"Finny…." Gazelle groaned behind her hoof. "You keep using that word…. I do not think it means what you think it means."

"What you mean, Zelle?"

"She means it's a cooking technique commonly used on small fowl." Nick scoffed and shook his head. "I may sound like a sex act, but it most certainly is not."

Finnick crossed his arms and frowned. "I call bullshit on that, Wilde."

"It's true, Finn," Nick muttered. "Let it go."

The pint-sized demon crossed his arms and snarled. "If spit-roasting is a euphemism, spatchcocking is too."

"And this day was going so well." Nick pinched the bridge of his muzzle. "Spit-roasting is a sex act. Spatchcocking is partial dismemberment. Nothing sexy about it outside of House Luxuria…. And maybe Gula."

Of course, the remaining innocent in the room had to ask, "What's spit-roasting?"

Before any further damage could be done, Nick said, "Ask Finnick to explain it once you get back to where you're staying. Trust me, you'll enjoy it," and made tracks for the table with Judy close at his heels, blushing furiously.

Unfortunately, Finnick's tenacity was acting up. "If I say spatchcock is a dirty euphemism, then it is."

Nick sighed, bracing himself against the table top. "And some wonder why I have no faith in demonkind."

Judy snickered.

"I'm a genius and you know it," the fennec retorted, coming up to the table with the other angel mincing along behind him.

"You're a functional moron at best." Nick flopped into a chair and poured himself some coffee. "Incidentally, I said midnight. You're late."

Finnick snorted and filled a cup for himself and another for the angel who sat notably close to him. "I value my life too much to interrupt your afterglow."

Judy joined them moments later, but only had eyes for the other angel. "How did you know?"

Gazelle blushed, fidgeting uncomfortably. "I didn't for sure until you said so just now. But by that standard the whole city knows, Lieutenant."

Judy's face was a picture of mortification. "How?!"

Finnick's laughter escaped his restraint. "Rabbit, when he got his foxy rocks off, it caused shockwave that crossed dimensional lines. Topside, they're calling it an earthquake. The news says it's a 5.2 on the Richter Scale with the epicenter somewhere in the Bayou. There's no fault line anywhere near the city. The science community is losing their shit because of it!"

"Oh, wonderful…" Nick grumbled into his cup. He knew where this was headed. His rabbit was about to go concerned-paragon on them and start worrying about…

Judy was instantly at full attention. "Was there any damage? Any injured?"

That.

Gazelle was quick to ease her fellow angel's fears. "No. There was minimal damage. But between the quake and the attack on the police, the city is a pressure cooker."

Nick couldn't stop himself. "This has become a very cuisine focused day, hasn't it?"

"Excuse me?" Judy responded incredulously. "We have a natural disaster in the city and you're making food jokes?"

"Well, we started the day off in a cuddle burrito," Nick chortled unabashedly. "And then we discussed the finer points of spatchcocking."

Gazelle muttered, "Can we never use that word again?"

He chuckled and ignored her, shifting in his seat. "Now, we're talking about cooking under pressure. Not exactly what I wanted to discuss, especially considering how hungry I am…"

To his astonishment, Judy ventured, "Um… What kind of hungry…?"

"If I say I want a stir fry and eggplant skewers would you be disappointed?"

"No…. Not much…" Judy fidgeted in her chair. "OK, yes!"

"Better." Nick smirked. "Does my little angel want a second helping?"

"We need to get you fed, so you'll get over the food-euphemism…"

"Of course. Rabbit stew sounds good to me."

"You aren't helping," Judy whined.

"Not in the job description."

Judy rolled her eyes, trying to force her smile down. "Come on, Nick…"

"On…in….", he quipped. "I'm good with either."

The flustered Cursori interrupted. "Oh Heavens help us…"

Nick turned to look at the angel in the room who had just invoked the Heavens with an even gaze.

She had the decency to look abashed. "Sorry."

Nick waved a paw, summoning a Coin. He flicked it into movement across his knuckles before replying calmly. "Think nothing of it."

That got Finnick's attention. "Wilde, what's up with you? You've flayed mammals alive for less."

"Maybe. I've risen above such petty concerns."

"Or you've got bigger ones. Whatever you're up against topside is bad news considering the jobs you've had me do." The imp's eyes narrowed shrewdly. "And you're about to lose your backup, aren't you?"

The cat was out of the bag. Judy knew without having to look that the others were looking at her. The imminent falling of an angel was not something to be taken lightly. Nick appeared impassive. Finnick was waiting on his boss' cue for how he should react. It was the Cursori who looked ill at the prospect.

It only took a moment for the fennec demon to lose patience. "When is it supposed to happen?"

"Angels fall with dawn's first light." Gazelle's voice was harsh and strained. "Don't you know that?"

Finnick shrugged, unimpressed, but oddly tense. His eyes flicked to the Cursori for a moment. "I didn't have a reason to care till now. How long until sunrise?"

"A minute or so." Judy's unexpectedly light response surprised everyone. She tried to conceal her smile behind a paw.

Finnick turned to the red fox and asked, "We're good here, yeah? The Choir won't reach us?"

Nick raised an eyebrow at the lesser demon's familiar tone. "We're in the company of two angels, imp. What do you think?"

"But you're the Devil!"

"Uncrowned. And that doesn't matter." Nick sighed, his attention elsewhere. "Laws of Creation…."

Finnick slapped the table in frustration. "Oh, bullshit!"

Nick shrugged. "Take it up with the Master of Canticles, or the Metatron if you like."

Judy noticed a shift in his demeanor. There was less substance in the humor and more distraction in his mind. She could feel it. It made her regret her decision to keep her suspicions a secret, but that was better than getting their hopes up only for her to fall anyway. Besides, this way she'd have proof against which he couldn't argue. She had to be patient. She didn't do patience very well. Keeping her foot from thumping was becoming a challenge. A long sigh escaped her lips at the prospect of another fifty seconds of waiting.

Gazelle must have taken that to mean Judy was resigned to her fate and stood. "If you'll excuse me, I'll wait somewhere else. I can't watch this."

Judy fixed the ungulate with a hard stare and put a little iron into her voice. "Sit down Cursori and bear witness. It is your duty."

The ungulant's expression was pained. "Lieutenant?"

Judy smiled wanly and intoned, "Strength in numbers unto the Gates."

The rumanid nodded and sat down again, closer to Finnick, and Judy was sure her hoof was gripping the imp's paw for comfort. It amused Judy to see the little fox struggle not to give them away. She knew. She knew Nick was aware of it too, but the greater demon's attention was split.

He was readying himself to leap into the void to find her. A platinum Coin was already spinning across his knuckles. It warmed her heart to know he wasn't about to wait, despite having nine whole days to find her, the power to manipulate time, and a complete knowledge of her destination. The poor fox deserved a reward. All she needed to know was if his preparations were superfluous or necessary.

The seconds ticked by. Nick was prepared, but his readiness was small comfort. It did nothing to lessen the anticipation as he felt the power of dawn growing on the horizon. For all his work and the achievement he'd earned, he found himself dreading the end of the angel. It was a strange, unwelcome feeling.

Dawn came with its usual fanfare, bringing the renewal and benediction of the heavens to Creation with it—exposing sin and cleansing the land. When it rolled through the Den, the largely expected happened. Finnick cringed, writhing in pain, and Gazelle sheltered him under her wings. Nick's eyes pinched closed in mild discomfort—though less than the day before, he noted. It was an excuse to not look. He couldn't bring himself to look.

When his eyes opened, he didn't see a rabbit in pain under the force of the celestial choir. No rotting wings. No wings at all. She was smiling. As he watched, her smile grew to a grin and she burst into laughter. He couldn't believe his eyes. He couldn't even make himself blink.

Confirmation. He needed confirmation.

Nick's paw closed over his angel's. He placed two paw pads on her bangles and frantically spit the Words that removed her binding bracelets, forcing a full manifestation. Confusion mounted. The Words should have hurt, like all Divine speech on a demonic tongue, but it only stung instead of filling his mouth and throat with searing pain. That worry was blown away however, by Judy manifesting in her full glory. Four glorious wings and a golden halo. There wasn't a spot of corruption.

His mind reeled. "What?! How?!"

The rabbit's grin turned cheeky.

It took him a moment to cough up the words. "You knew?!"

"Yes and no." Her smile grew sweet. "I didn't know for certain until now, but I'm not surprised."

"Wha—how?!"

Judy hopped onto the table and sat on the edge so she could stand eye to eye with him. He felt her force the Bond open, smothering his confusion with her delight. He felt everything she did. His eyes bugged. Language was suddenly too much for him.

She smiled and caressed his cheek. "You gave it away last night, Nick. How you took care of me before yourself and made sure I was safe and acting voluntarily…. It doesn't take a genius to figure it out."

Nick balked. "What in Madness are you talking about?"

Her smile turned smug. "You'll figure it out."

"Excuse me?" He retorted, struggling to find his mental footing. He did not like having the rug taken out from under him.

"See, I did my research on you when I first spotted you. There wasn't a lot to go on, so I decided to play it safe." Judy shrugged and grinned. "Lust was my weakness. I needed to protect myself in case my little plan went bad."

Nick snorted. "Which it did."

"Exactly. Good thing I studied Lust beforehand," she replied with a self-satisfied grin. "There are three kinds of intercourse."

Nick was only mildly surprised she'd done her diligence. It was only to be expected from such a devoted individual. However, her forthrightness on such a topic was…out of character for her, or so he would have said. It was clear things were changing.

Brushing off the distraction, Nick groused sarcastically, "Could we call it something less sexy, please? I hear copulation is a good one."

Judy continued unphased, "There's 'fucking', which is the most selfish. It's all about scratching your own itch. The second is 'sex' which is about the fun of it. Good for destressing, having fun. Basically it's recreation. Pleasure for the sake of pleasure. I think it goes 'Ars artis gratia', or something like that."

"Congratulations on getting some latin right."

Judy nodded, acknowledging the backhanded compliment and he continued.

"I am aware sex can be art," Nick snapped, unsettled. "I'm a master at it. But that isn't your point, is it?"

Judy met his eyes and held them. "The third is the least selfish."

"Yes. 'Lovemaking'," he said with a shudder. "The one that is, by definition, not a sin."

Her smile grew. "Uh-huh!"

Nick blinked. "Are you claiming we made love?"

Judy bounced in place and chimed, "Yep!"

"Impossible," he scoffed.

Judy leaned in so their faces were bare inches apart. "You were millimeters from climaxing the entire time. You refused to give in until I got mine. In spades."

Nick blinked and stammered. He looked to the other two mammals at the table, but they were no help. Finnick was trying to grin and gape at the same time, while Gazelle was blushing and trying to hide behind her hooves. He felt his anxiety intensify.

Finally, he blurted, "Well yes. Hardly worth it for you to fall for a bad lay."

"That isn't something a demon would say. Once any other incubus got the green light, it'd be 'two pumps and watch the pigeon fall', right?" Nick couldn't reply, despite his jaw working desperately. "Yet you held off for hours, pulled out all the stops to make it special for me."

"Ye—" he sputtered.

She leaned in further, pressing her advantage. "Your focus wasn't on yourself OR the act. It was on your partner."

He finally found his voice. "Now, hold on a second!"

She pressed on before he could continue."And the last thing you did before we passed out in each other's arms was kiss. I initiated it, but only as a last hurrah before I saw Hell. You kissed me back like we were drowning." Her finger landed square on his nose, pinning his attention. "That wasn't fucking. It wasn't sex. It was rough and a little kinky if my reading is accurate, but we made love. And that means..."

"No..." Nick's voice was a hollow croak.

Her finger followed the line of his jaw up to his cheek, where her paw nestled into his fur. "Do I need to say it?"

"It can't be."

"You're in love." With those words, she pulled him in for a hard kiss and, with a little wing-flutter for emphasis, she added, "Don't worry. It's mutual. Has to be to keep these wings heaven fresh."

Judy hopped off the table and strutted away. "I'll get the books. It looks like you need a minute." She punctuated the statement with a saucy hip wiggle and tail flick.

Nick was rendered fully speechless until Finnick's crooning voice cut through the deafening silence. "She hustled you!" Laughter boomed out of the little imp. "She hustled you good!"