This damned horse is going to be the death of me! Fae cussed under his breath as he tried for the fourth time to guide Destrier into a stall for the night. Said horse was proving to be every bit as stubborn and frustrating as Cami had stated on the day he was given the stallion. To date, the only thing that worked part of the time was bribery. But Fae wasn't fond of giving in to bad behavior and offering rewards simply to get a horse to cooperate.

After another five minutes of struggle, he managed to get the horse where the beast belonged and slammed the gate of the stall closed before Destrier tried to make a break for it. An escape artist, a horny bastard, and a stubborn jackass - all titles that Fae had whispered under his breath at one time or another regarding the creature. All the same, he was grateful to his 'little sister' and her boyfriend for getting their hands on such a large, handsome black stallion.

He whistled as he finished feeding the last of the horses. He did a final sweep around the stable to check for anything he missed before making his way back into the Tabantha Stables. The normal hubbub of the people bustling to prepare food and finish their chores before night fell offered a sense of normalcy that was slowly returning after the Upheaval.

Six weeks had passed since that fateful day, and Fae was thankful that he was far enough from Central Hyrule to avoid most of the stress and drama from everything that happened with the Upheaval. He'd had two weeks where he needed to be in Lookout Landing to gather the horses that bolted during the earthquake.

Then he had almost a month spent in Eldin Canyon, at the Foothill Stables, covering for the stable manager while he was in southern Hebra visiting his sister who'd just had a baby. The work itself went fairly smoothly. He had a consistent flow of customers, and opportunities to work with the horses. The one thing that kept him going was thoughts of the young woman he'd left in Tabantha. He was eager to go back to her. To get to know her better, in every sense of the word. And he would have stories to tell her.

He'd gotten in the night before, too late to want to wake Embyr, so he'd stayed the night at the inn before going straight to his shift. The counter was waiting - and so was a certain blonde, chatting with Beedle. She turned, and her face lit up before she ran over to hug him tightly.

"Welcome back! When did you get in? You should've woken me!"

"Good to be back. And it was almost three in the morning when I got in. I had to be here by six, so I figured we could both use some rest, and I'd see you at some point today. Got plans this afternoon?" Fae's eyes swept appreciatively over her body. She was wearing a dress similar to what she'd worn on the day they first met, but in a deep shade of crimson.

Em shook her head. "Nothing planned. I have to get a couple of medicinal herbs to add into my potion supply but that can be done while you're working so we don't have to spend time on it later. I should cook breakfast though! I'm sure you're hungry."

"I could eat," he admitted. "But lemme get back behind the counter so I'm ready when our customers arrive."

"Sounds good! I'll bring you food soon. Any preference?"

"Nope. Surprise me. I love everything you cook." Fae grinned and brushed a kiss on her cheek before leaning forward to whisper in her ear. "I hope that you can make time for me this afternoon. I've missed you, Em."

Her blush deepened but she smirked when he stepped back. "I think I can manage to clear my schedule to give you a little time. Don't count on it though. A girl's got priorities, you know."

A chuckle bubbled up from him and he shook his head. "Noted." He was still snickering under his breath when he got behind the counter and looked over the paperwork for the stable points system they were slowly establishing.

An hour later, she had a plate of omurice and fried wild greens for him, as well as the lingering kiss he'd considered claiming with the hug earlier.

"I missed you, Fae," she murmured while she hopped up onto the counter to sit next to him. She held her own portion in her lap and ate slowly while they conversed. "What's happened since you left? Where did you go? Do you have any fun adventures to share?"

Fae took his time finishing the bite in his mouth before he replied. "Well, first they sent me to Lookout Landing. After the Upheaval, they had quite a time trying to track down all the horses that bolted, among other things. So, I was there for a couple weeks. Then up by the Foothill Stables in Eldin Canyon for the last month. Few interesting things to share, but I'm more curious about what I missed here. You stayed outta trouble, right?"

"I suppose so," she admitted. "I had a special request for a large batch of potions to be sent to Kakariko. Their potion maker is taking a bit of a break. The general store there paid a handsome deposit for the sets of bottles, so I'm set on rupees for a bit. I've got another cauldron clean and ready to create more stamina brews. I finished the painkillers, health potions, hearty potions, stealth potions, sun protection, and the last two batches I'll need are the contraceptives for those who don't use spells like I do, and the mighty potions."

Fae let out a whistle. "That's a lot. When's it all due?"

"A messenger will be here in two days with the final payment. Once that's settled, they'll collect the potions and transport them to Kakariko. They should be set for a while then." Embyr sighed and set her bowl aside. "It is a lot, but they gave me ten days to create it all. The biggest challenge was getting my hands on all the glass bottles. I had to send for a case from the glassblowers in Gerudo Town. It took two days for them to arrive, so that gave me basically a week to make all that I've done. I'm glad I'm down to the last two, well, three batches."

"Three?"

"Two kinds of contraceptives. There's the standard, preventative kind, and the emergency kind if you neglect to take the other and are not interested in conceiving," the blonde explained. "I've made both, but fortunately, with the spell that I cast on myself, unless I remove it, there's no chance of having a baby."

"Well, glad that you have no reason to be concerned about that after my last time here." Fae smirked at her as he set his bowl on top of hers. "I'd have hated to add that kind of stress and responsibility on your shoulders after your first time."

Embyr's face flushed darkly. "I… I appreciate that," she stammered. "Though depending on how you reacted, I might not have minded too much. Those couple days were magical."

"Magical, huh?" Fae chuckled. "Been called many things before, but that's a new one. I'll have to remember it."

"It's true though!" she protested. "It was some of the best memories I've had in recent memory."

"I believe you. And I fully intend to join you for making more when I'm done with my shift. I've got a few hours though, so maybe you can finish more of the potions while I'm working?" he suggested. "Can you use the fire out by the cooking pot?"

Em shook her head sadly. "No, I need the more controlled flames of my smaller fire, and the cauldrons I've got set up especially for things like this. If it was only for a couple of potions for myself or a few locals? I would in a heartbeat. But for the larger amounts of the brews that are supposed to be sold far from where I can give proper quality control and replace them if something goes wrong, I have to work where I'm fully equipped. I'm sorry."

"Don't worry about it. No need to apologize. I'll just come to you when I'm done with my shift. I'll bring some ingredients to cook for you tonight too, if you'd like."

"You don't have to do that!" she protested. "I'm perfectly happy cooking."

"What if I want to spoil you, Em?" He countered with a shrug. "I didn't get much time to do that when I was here last. And I dunno how long they'll have me here this time. I'm off tomorrow, but then I'm scheduled for another week, minimum."

"Then I won't protest, as long as it means that I get some time with you. You'll cook when you get to the house instead, yes?"

"Without hesitation." Fae grinned at her. "Do you have a backup in case we don't have the inclination for cooking?"

"I've got some leftovers from yesterday. Nothing fancy. Mushroom rice balls and some lump crab meat that I pulled outta the shell."

"Damn. Who needs to cook when you've got that waiting?"

"Does that mean that you've got something better in mind for spending the evening?" Em flirted. She leaned towards him, giving him an eyeful of her cleavage. "I'm all ears."

"Oh, I can think of something we'll enjoy." Fae's gaze lingered for just a moment on her breasts before returning to her face. "Good luck with your potions - and may the afternoon go swiftly for both of us."

"Goddess willing." She gave him a quick peck on the lips before hopping down, collecting the bowls and going to clean up her cooking mess.

Fae watched her go, sighing quietly to himself. She'd been on his mind a lot, and he couldn't deny the happiness that swelled in him when he was told he was needed back in Tabantha. The area was nice, but the company was better. The evening couldn't arrive soon enough.

Unfortunately for the redhead, business was slow, and in the absence of any tasks of note, he had very little to pass the time. So Fae reread the latest issues of The Rumor Mill, Lucky Clover Gazette, and The Hyrule Chronicles. Rumors of giant monsters roaming in the Depths. Investigations into supposed sightings of the Princess following her disappearance. And an interesting interview with Robbie about the loss of the Northern Akkala Tech Lab to the Yiga Clan. All of the focal points for the publications were interesting - to a point. But after reading through them three times each, Fae was more than a little bored.

He was grateful for his notebook and pencil as he settled into the chair. Maybe he could write something poetic for Embyr to read when he was with her. Was that too overdone and predictable? Sure, he thought it was romantic, but how many romantic gestures like that had he done for others? No, she deserved something different if he could come up with it.

His eye fell on his ocarina resting under the edge of the counter. She had enjoyed hearing him play when he was there before, but he hadn't prepared anything new. All he had was the collection he had learned and honed over the years. That would be something special. So he pulled out the instrument and began slowly working on his note sequence.

Three hours later, his shift replacement finally arrived, and Fae could breathe a sigh of relief. The boring part of the day was over. He grabbed the lightweight pack he traveled with from under the counter, shouldered the smaller satchel that contained the items he used the most, and left without a backwards glance.

The little village that had developed around the Tabantha Stable had a homey feel to it that reminded Fae of the Northern Akkala region where his parents had moved when he was a child. Homes, a small church and graveyard, and no shortage of livestock and farming to sustain themselves. The only differences that he immediately noticed were the lack of a market, which forced the residents to rely on Beedle or the traveling merchants to meet any needs they had beyond what they could grow for themselves.

Fae whistled to himself while he walked, periodically humming quietly when he was in out of the breath needed for creating the louder sound. He paused when thunder cracked overhead and he scowled up at the darkened clouds that had gathered. "Really?" he mumbled under his breath. "Hope it clears out quick."

A weird shiver ran down his spine, but he ignored it. WIth the storm overhead, the source could've been anything. No sense in dwelling on a one-off sensation.

He kicked off his boots on the couch, the sound alerting Embyr to his presence. By the time Fae had the door open, there was a blonde in his arms and almost knocking him off his feet. Warm lips slammed against his, greedily stealing kisses from him while she sighed in contentment.

He chuckled when she paused for breath and he brushed the hair away from her face. "I take it you missed me? I half-expected that you'd kiss me when you saw me earlier."

"No, I… At first I was surprised, but then I was afraid that if I kissed you like I wanted to, I wouldn't be letting you make it back to your shift. I'd be dragging you behind the barn and stealing your attention," she admitted with a giggle against his check. "I couldn't stop thinking about you all day."

"Well, I certainly won't complain about that. I've had you in mind since I left here. Was hoping it wouldn't be long before Hylia brought us back together. I admit, I got rather spoiled when I was here before." Fae nuzzled against her neck. "And I don't want to wait." He scooped her into his arms and carried her across the small house to the bedroom.

"I don't wanna wait either," she admitted, kissing every part of him that she could reach. "We can go slow later. I just need you, Fae. So badly."

He didn't hesitate. The moment her back hit the mattress, he was all over her. Her top was pulled down so he could free her breasts. Her skirt hiked up while he ground his hips against hers, humping each other to ensure that she was every bit as eager and ready for him as she could be. Her panties were damp, a sure sign that he didn't have to wait.

Embyr moaned and whined when he stepped back so he could undo his pants. But he didn't keep her waiting for long. With a slight tug to get her clothes aside, his aching cock was settling into her warm, welcoming pussy.

"Ahhhh! Gods, I missed this," she sighed. Her arms wrapped around his neck. "I dreamt of you every day - daydreams in the waking hours, and dreams when I closed my eyes. Thank you for coming back."

"I said I would, didn't I? We wanted to see if we wanted to make this work… with me being gone. What do you think, Em?"

"I think I missed you so much that I don't want us to be apart for long. I… Ahhh!" Her voice cut off when he started moving in earnest and focused his attention on her breasts simultaneously.

"Is something wrong?" Fae innocently asked. "You cut off what you were gonna say."

"I did. I…" she stammered once more. "I want to go with you when you leave this next time!"

His thrusts faltered and he fully paused to look her in the eye. "You serious, Em? You know the life I have. I can't promise we'll be back to your home for a bit once we head out. You'd be making potions on the road, at stables across Hyrule rather than your carefully curated fire here."

Silver-gray eyes shone with determination. "I mean every word. I'm willing to do what it takes if it means getting to be with you. I realized how much I want you in my life. I can make potions anywhere I have the supplies, if I'm careful."

"Then I won't argue. I'd be thrilled to have you with me." Fae kissed her fiercely, redoubling his efforts to stir her pleasure and draw out her sounds of bliss. The responsiveness of the woman sharing his bed was intoxicating. He couldn't stop craving her.

Em cried out and tightened around him. "Oh, gods, Fae!"

He chuckled into her shoulder and kept his pace steady to prolong her release. Only when he was certain she was completely satisfied did he allow himself to speed up to reach that final pinnacle to trigger his own orgasm. He moaned her name and panted when the heat of his pleasure coursed through his body.

"I could do this all day," Em murmured while she snuggled against him. "You're just too good for me."

"No such thing, Em. Gotta lavish a fiery goddess with all my adoration." He lazily kissed her and slowly caught his breath. "It ain't the same when you're used to having sex regularly and then go back to celibacy for a while. My hand got quite a workout, lemme tell you."

"Awwww. Well, I'm not going to require you to use your hands to pleasure yourself anymore - unless you WANT to." Em giggled against his chest, and sighed in contentment. "If you don't mind me saying that or demanding your attention at times."

"I welcome it." A warm feeling settled in his chest, but was quickly disrupted by his stomach growling. He laughed and kissed the top of her head. "I think we better eat something."

"Good point. We can cook tomorrow. I know I've got plenty of leftovers for us tonight."

"And let's be honest: your cooking is better than mine. I've got a few things I make well, but I've never had anything dubious from you," Fae praised, earning a blush from the blonde in his arms.

"Oh, you wouldn't want to have seen my attempt at salmon meuniere then. It was awful. I burnt part of the fish when it stuck to the pan, and the other half of the ingredients were nearly raw." Em made a face as she rolled out of bed, discarding her panties entirely while gesturing for him to follow to the kitchen.

He tucked himself back into his pants and complied, watching as she withdrew the food. Rain pattered on the roof outside and a small fire crackled in the fireplace, completing the welcoming, homey feel within the cabin.

She stood in the middle of her kitchen with the containers of leftovers in hand, indecision written all over her face.

"What is it?"

"Well, I usually eat these cold. And I could put the crab mixed into something else, or we can just have it atop the rice balls. What do you think?"

"I'm good with just having it on top of the rice. I ain't picky, and I'm hungry," he replied, taking one of the containers from her. "C'mon. Let's just eat and not overthink it."

"I think I can do that." Em joined him at the table but chose not to sit until she had poured two large glasses of fresh spring water. "They haven't told you how long you're back again for, have they? You said something about a week earlier though?"

"At least a week, maybe more. I can't be here too long though. They've got a guy at the Woodland Stables who wants an extended vacation, and the manager promised him that break before his son, the main coverage person, broke his leg in some stupid shield-surfing accident off one of the steeper cliffs near the stable."

"That sounds awful! Did he not have any potions to take for it or something?" Em asked.

"No, they're 'naturalists' and don't believe in medicine of any sort. So the teen's gonna have a broken leg and some nasty bruising for a while. His choice, though." Fae shrugged it off. "Woodland's not so bad. I like that area. Far better than Hebra. I ain't much of a fan of the snow."

"Do you have a favorite?"

He leaned back in his seat and chewed thoughtfully. "Not that I know of. I like most of them. Hebra's the only one I'm not super fond of because of the snow. I can tolerate it well enough at first but after a couple days, I'm yearning for warmer weather again."

"I can't say that I relate," Em said with a faint laugh. She gazed down at her remaining food, her voice becoming softer. "I've never ventured that far north. Or really too far away from Tabantha. I've gone to Rito Village for supplies, and then Serenne to make deliveries but nothing more. It was cold in Rito Village, more than I was prepared for. Fortunately one of the women took pity on me and gave me a coat to wear. I tried to pay her but she refused. Said it was the least she could do to welcome me to the region. She was super sweet."

A strange sensation washed over Fae just then. He could almost feel his blood warming under his skin, and his lightning scar burned deep within the flesh. He closed his eyes and focused on his breathing. The pain under the scar was new, unlike anything he'd felt since it had healed from the initial injury.

"Fae? Are you okay?" His lover's soft voice reminded him that he wasn't alone.

"Huh? Oh. Yeah, I'm fine. Just a momentary chill. Probably from the mention of the cold." Fae flashed her a reassuring smile and tried to ignore the pain that lingered in the back of his neck, shoulder, and arm. No need to worry her.

Embyr didn't look convinced but she didn't press him about it. "When you leave again, I'm coming with you, even if I don't know how long we'll be gone. I'll find someone in the village here to take care of my garden and ensure it's not too dusty inside."

"It'll be nice to have a traveling partner. We'll have to figure out something to do for your potions though. Relying on having the cooking pot free at the stables won't work for what you need. And if you're with me, you won't need to be earning rupees if you don't want to but–"

"But I can't sit on my hands and do nothing! You don't have to provide for me. I can take care of myself!" Em interrupted with a pout. "I've been supporting myself for quite some time. I can cover my own expenses."

"Would you let me finish?!" The pain he felt manifested through his tone. Hurt flashed across her face before she could hide it, and Fae immediately winced. "Sorry… didn't mean to snap. Was trying to say that you don't have to earn them since I've got a pretty little nest egg to support anything we might need, but since you hate being idle, you'll need a way to keep doing what you love."

She was quiet for a moment before letting out a faint sigh. "Alright. I'm sorry I got defensive. You're not obligated to take care of me. I know you want to, and I appreciate that, but I also like having my independence and feeling like I can contribute to this too, beyond just cooking and sex." Her cheeks flushed at the words but it didn't stop her from saying it.

"You'll have it. Just let me spoil you some too, alright?" The pain was getting worse, and Fae was growing restless. He needed a change of scenery. Clear his head and hopefully distract from the odd sensation so he wouldn't need a potion. If he didn't know better… No. It was nothing like the symptoms he'd had before. "Let's go for a walk," he said suddenly.

Em blinked while she finished her last riceball. "But it's raining. Even if it's slowing now, won't we be soaked pretty quickly?"

"Oh, c'mon. Don't tell me you've never walked and danced in the rain." He took her hand and squeezed it tightly. "C'mon, Em."

"A-alright." She let him lead her to the door and onto the porch.

The rain had indeed slowed to a faint drizzle, and a wind was starting to kick up and clear the clouds away. Fae dropped her hand and ran off the porch barefoot, ignoring her faint cry of protest. He shrugged off his shirt and discarded it on the ground without a care. Heat coursed through his body and his scar tingled, as if filled with lightning itself.

"Come join me, Em! It's exhilarating!" He beckoned her with two fingers.

"What's going on, Fae? You're acting weird."

His eyes hungrily swept over her body when his blonde lover gingerly stepped off the porch. Even with a look of confusion, she was still breathtakingly stunning, and the distraction was taking his mind off the strange sensation growing stronger by the moment. He stalked towards her, bent on pulling her in for a kiss. Gods, she was beautiful!

That was his second-to-last coherent thought before his vision blurred and his mind grew hazy. The heat coursing in his veins surged stronger and he let out a gasp of relief.

"Fae? What's going on?!" Embyr's voice reached his ears from a great distance.

His eyes met hers as he finally realized what was happening, and he dropped his head as he whispered, "Whatever happens next: please forgive me, Em."

From a dozen paces away, Embyr covered her mouth while she watched her boyfriend's strange behavior and appearance. Fae's lightning scars were now radiating in an odd aura of gold and a sickening shade of magenta. His words brought a chill down her spine while she frantically tried to comprehend his meaning. Then his eyes closed, and when they reopened, the chocolate brown she knew and loved was gone. In their place was a deep, menacing shade of burgundy.

"Embyr," Fae sing-songed, his voice nearly an octave lower than usual. "Come here. The moon is full, and I have a gift for you."

Her gaze inadvertently lifted to the sky in time to see the clouds clear around a giant, rising blood moon. And the red glow reflected in her lover's eyes.

"That gift is ME!"

Her feet were rooted to the spot when Fae lunged towards her.