the final fate

	“I know,” Cavria said softly.  She looked down.  “But… I want to know I can.  I want to know I’m more powerful than my instincts.  You understand.  I want to know I could go forever without the thing I was built to crave.”

	“No, I don’t understand,” Axio said.  He reached over and took her hand, and she met his eyes.  Her pain faded a bit in surprise.  He had a most intense look on his face.  “But… I’ll help.  I’ll do whatever I can.  Your promise is your bond, I know.  I trust you.”

	Cavria’s own eyes misted up a bit.  “I… thanks, Axio.  Thank you.”

	“Any time, my friend.”  Axio released her hands.  “Should we stop being so physical, then?  I know you enjoy it when I give wing hugs.”

	“Well… we’ll call that my one indulgence,” Cavria said bashfully.  “I don’t think it’s the same as sex.  Certainly, I don’t want to stop.”

	He laughed.  “Fine.”  He leaned back against the tree and relaxed.  “I admit, I am glad you came to a decision.  I felt like I was baiting you along.”

	“No, no, heavens,” Cavria said at once.  “No, I just took what Luanea said a bit too far.  I thought I would be able to just walk away from my promise.  I only… oh, you know,” she said, looking back down.  “I never really thought about it.  I guess… I don’t know if… if I break one promise, will it be easier to break others?”

	“You deserve better.”

	“I certainly think so.  Maybe, someday… I can find a spell that turns me into a species I hate less,” Cavria said.  “But, for now… deprivation.”

	“I’m sorry,” Axio said, for lack of anything else to say.

	“Stop.”  Cavria looked back up.  “So… what about you?  I feel like I’m… well, cockblocking you, for lack of a better word.”

	Axio chuckled.  “No, it’s fine.  I’m not quite to the level of readiness I’d need to make sex with friends a part of my life, like the Eilistraeeans have.”

	“I only noticed that after the fact, sadly,” Cavria said.  An awkward quiet filled the space between them.  “Er… do you think you’ll ever marry?”

	“Gods, I hope so,” Axio said.  Cavria tited her head at his fervor.  “I want that.  Normalcy.  Love. Children.  I don’t want to be heaven’s shock trooper forever.  I love saving lives, all that, but… I want to settle down.”  He jerked a thumb at his silver-gold wings.  “I’ll never be normal now, but yes.  I’d like a wife, a home… put some kids in her tummy, retire.  Someday.”

	Cavria nodded.  “Good.  You deserve it.”

	“I’m mostly worried about parity,” Axio said.  “I mean… every woman I’ve spoken to, and most of the men, since my wings grew in… they’ve practically fallen over to kneel.  I’ll feel guilty if I court a woman like that, you know?  Like I’m taking advantage of them.”

	Cavria snorted.  “You?  Take advantage of a woman?  Don’t be thick, Axio, you’re more honorable than anybody I’ve ever met.”

	“I mean I’d give the impression.  I’m a public figure, I need to watch my conduct around others,” Axio protested.  “Of course I’d never force myself on a woman.”

	“Well, okay, I see what you mean.”  Cavria thought about that, then Axio saw her eyes sparkle with mischief.  “So what’s your flavor?”

	Axio stared.  “… Beg pardon?”

	“What kind of woman turns your gears?” Cavria asked impishly.

	Axio blushed and said something under his breath, avoiding her eyes.

	“Huh?  Speak up,” Cavria teased.

	Her angelic partner sighed.  “… Short hair and… endowment,” Axio muttered.  “I don’t know why.”

	“Oooh, that explains that,” Cavria said.  She flicked her short, black hair back over her shoulders and away from her remarkable chest.  “I thought you liked looking at me.”

	Axio flushed even redder.  “Cavria, please,” he said firmly.

	“You’re no fun.”