More sex, more magic.

The rest of the afternoon was a blur of sex and discovery as Pan acquainted herself with her new magics. Her ability to tend and grow the local flora was a natural one, Kethaeros explained - innate but expanded. Her new manifestations were a direct reflection of Kethaeros - she could hide herself in plain sight (invisibility was not the same as disappearing, she was relieved to know), as well as see things that were hidden. Kethaeros taught her how to produce flashes of light or illusory sounds if she was ever spotted, and a technique for slipping out of someone's grasp if the need was truly dire.

With Kethaeros beside (or inside) her, manifesting her spells became almost as easy as breathing. For all that she drew from him, Kethaeros' spiritual energy seemed limitless, like scooping buckets of water out of the ocean. That was why she struggled so much when Mollina tried to teach her, she realized - she was never meant to do this alone.

It was dark now. The stars twinkled overhead, while fireflies danced around the clearing. The birds had long since finished their songs, leaving Pan with only the sounds of the bubbling creek and Kethaeros' steady breathing. Pan was sprawled out on top of him, lounging contentedly across his larger form. Sleep tugged at her mind.

"I should get back," she mumbled, eyes closed.

No. It is not safe for you to travel the woods at night. You know this.

Pan opened her eyes to meet his, only to find that his were closed as well. Even his third eye, which never even blinked, was closed in a sleepy expression. Pan smiled to herself. She brought her hand up to stroke the fur on his face.

"I didn't know Spirits got sleepy."

We don't, usually. And I am not tired, merely content.

"You could walk me back," she offered. "Or even whisk me there, the way you got us here."

I will. In the morning.

“So you are tired?"

One blue eye cracked open to look at her. She merely smiled up at him.

Is it so objectionable that I wish to keep you for the night?

Pan's heart fluttered. "No, but it wouldn't kill you to say it."

I thought my intentions were clear.

Pan rolled her eyes before shimmying herself up his torso to plant a kiss on his nose. This seemingly caught the Spirit off guard, for his ears pinned back and all three eyes went wide. Pan only smiled at him before settling back down, nuzzling her face in the thick fur around his neck.

"Sometimes a lady likes to hear it, that's all."

A deep sigh rumbled in his chest. She felt the tips of his claws tracing patterns across her back, drawing shivers up through her spine. Even after all the exertions of the day, her body reacted to his touch. The soreness had yet to settle in, but Pan was sure tomorrow would find it catching up with her. Suddenly a thought occurred, and Pan bolted upright.

"What if I get pregnant?" She asked.

Kethaeros' vulpine face split into that sly grin he was so fond of wearing.

Are you so eager for kits already? He asked. Then when Pan shot him a look: I tease, dearest one. No, you will not, at least not yet. There will be a time for that.

"Oh..." Pan settled back down, her face back in the crook of his neck. The silence hung between them before Pan added: "So it doesn't just happen?"

No. Your kind cannot hold our seed without preparation.

Pan frowned to herself. Anytime one of the witches had given birth, the babies seemed normal to her. Their community may be sustained by mating with Spirits, but Pan had always known them to be ordinary human babies. Though, babies were still incredibly rare, and they were always girls...

Do you want kits?

"Of course I do," she said.

Then you shall have them. Do not fret.

Pan could feel sleep encroaching. Even naked, the cool night air could not compete with Kethaeros' warmth. Before she could let herself fall however, she needed to know one thing.

"Keth... how do I find you again?" She asked. The low rumble in his chest betrayed no emotion that Pan could decipher.

I am never far from you. I could sense your aura from miles around. If you reach out to me, I will find you, and I will come to you. Your village is warded against my kind, but I will call to you and wait in the outskirts.

"You promise you'll be there?"

I swear it.

This was good enough. Sleepily she kissed at his jaw, before unconsciousness took her.