Relwing

  “All right, I have a link here in my on-site quarters,” Mistral said, walking to the door. She waited for Aurora as it slid open. Aurora followed along, and they moved to an elevator leading up to the Residential Guest area. Once they arrived, Mistral guided her to a room—the door slid open, revealing a rge but modestly furnished space.

  By Aurora’s estimate, it looked at least as big as the Ramses’ living room, though the decor was bnd: a pin bed, a simple desk, and a few chairs. Still, the walls and subtle accents bore Mistral’s signature hues, confirming it was her private quarters. Mistral crossed the room and opened an end table drawer, retrieving a small marble-sized sphere.

  “This is a link to my sanctum,” she expined. “I can open a path with this, but it’s a single-use spell—basically, a shortcut for when I’m tired.” Without further ado, she tossed the sphere onto the floor. As it shattered, the space filled with swirling snowfkes, a sudden gust whipping them in circles.

  Mistral took Aurora’s hands, and as the air grew colder, Aurora felt the chill recede wherever Mistral’s touch connected. The storm intensified for a moment, then Mistral inhaled sharply and blew, exerting her power to subdue it. The fkes slowed their frantic dance, and bit by bit, the familiar environment of Mistral’s sanctum coalesced around them.

  “And we’re back,” Mistral remarked as the final wisps of snow dissipated. “It’s still not the coziest pce, but feel free to sit by the fire and warm up.” She stretched wearily, then settled herself near the crackling fmes.

  Aurora chuckled, wide-eyed at her idol’s transformation from vigint professionalism to x casualness. She twirled once, still caught up in the swirling sensation as the st of the snow vanished. “That’s so amazing! Your teleportation magic is really something else!” Settling near the fire, she extended her wings to soak in the warmth before turning toward Mistral. “So… what did you want to talk about?”

  Mistral hesitated, as though bracing herself. “I have to admit something to you, Aurora. You may have seen fanfics on the Net about Bck Angel and me,” she said quietly.

  Aurora’s stomach fluttered at the mention. Rumors and fan theories had circuted for years suggesting some odd connection—beyond mere enmity—between Mistral and Bck Angel. She recalled reading too much of that gossip, a lot of it cringey and far-fetched.

  “It all has a basis in truth, I’m afraid,” Mistral said ftly.

  Aurora’s jaw dropped. A fling with a supervilin? Heat colored her cheeks. She couldn’t fathom how Mistral would want any association with Bck Angel. “I read the rumors, but I never believed them,” she confessed. “Some were so unfttering it made me mad. I got into arguments on message boards, defending your honor.”

  Mistral didn’t respond immediately, her gaze drifting toward the fire.

  “I… I see,” Aurora murmured, following Mistral’s line of sight. “I never imagined it could be true… I’ve seen more of Bck Angel than most, except maybe you, but the only side I know is… scheming, opportunistic…” She trailed off, wondering if Mistral had ever felt anything resembling love for the viliness.

  Aurora smiled wryly, trying to quell her jumbled thoughts. “But you said it’s not really her I’m seeing, right? More like a fragment feeding off my own darkness.”

  “It was not consensual,” Mistral said, her voice tense. “I was captured by Bck Angel at a time when she was testing corruption methods rather than outright destruction—trying her hand at turning people to her side, making them thralls. While I was imprisoned, she tried to seduce me—literally spellbound me. She used that on many captives.”

  Aurora recalled her earliest visions of Bck Angel, especially the unsettling first time she appeared unclothed. Although it hadn’t been overtly sexual, the undertone was impossible to miss. Perhaps it was part of the same twisted tactic: invoking vulnerability through forced intimacy.

  “Most of her victims were only temporarily swayed, but some became her permanent thralls,” Mistral went on. “In my case, I broke free and tricked her into believing her spell had worked, then defeated her. Pride was always her fatal fw—her ego blinded her to subtle traps. Now, that sounds neat and tidy, but after the fact, I found myself hypersensitive to her maniputions. That’s why I burst into your room like that. I was worried—for the world, and for you. I feared you were just an innocent young woman overtaken by her essence.”

  She sighed, the memory weighing on her features. “When I first saw you transformed, though…” She paused, swallowing. “For weeks after I escaped her, I couldn’t stop thinking about her. At first, I chalked it up to the trauma, but after a good deal of introspection, I realized some part of me was… attracted to her. Not her power or the lure of evil—just… base, animal magnetism.”

  Mistral’s admission lingered in the sanctum’s hush, the fire crackling softly, each ember a tiny echo of her words.

  She took a deep breath and looked at Aurora. “I feel the same thing when I look at you, Aurora. That same attraction. Being able to compare her with you I know it had nothing to do with the color of her skin nor her wings, the sneer nor the ego. It’s probably Empyreans specifically. I-I want to be your friend, but it wouldn’t be fair not to tell you all this… that when I look at you, I think… improper things. It’s a feeling that ignores age. I’m six years your senior, perhaps it’s not much, and will be inconsequential a decade from now, but that’s enough to raise eyebrows while you’re legally a minor. But the path of heroism forces us to mature faster than our age might otherwise indicate. You’ve technically only started your journey, but your life has forced you to grow up sooner than others, like me. I felt like I was an adult at your age, fully ready for responsibility, and when I look at you I see an adult too. The…” She fell silent, clearly holding herself from rambling further.

  Aurora looked at her, blushing. Her mentor, her hero… was she saying she was attracted to her? Or was it that she was just attracted to Angel-types? That kind of fetishization couldn’t be healthy. And yet, just thinking that Mistral liked her, how she looked, maybe how she acted…

  And then there Aurora was, always having a huge crush on her.

  “I-is… so it’s not… my personality?” Aurora asked softly, fidgeting.

  Mistral smiled softly. “I didn’t love… I’m not in lust with Angels, if that’s what you’re asking. I mean… the resonation might have been that at first, but it wasn’t how you look that softened me towards you. It was you… who you are. You’re a rare person. You don’t hold anything back. Right from the start, you trusted me with everything you are. Your very family.”

  “T-this… It means… you… like me too?” Aurora asked, her heart beating quickly. “I-I’ve always…” She looked into Mistral’s eyes. “You can take me seriously? Knowing that underneath everything I’m just a fifteen-year-old transgender girl from San Isidro?” She started to squirm.

  Mistral silently siddled closer to Aurora and put a hand on hers, leaning over until their faces nearly touched. “You’re Aurora, not Bck Angel. As I said, I see your maturity, your spirit - or perhaps I should say, soul - not your age. It’s obvious that you like me. And on my side, I think it’s obvious that you make me smile. I haven’t smiled like this in a good long while… not even when I chat with Bombshell or the other Sentinels. Despite being blessed in so many ways, in my twenty-one years I haven’t had a lot to smile about ever since…”

  Aurora’s heart thudded in her chest and her cheeks became flushed. When Mistral’s lips neared to hers, she tingled. She wished she’d finish it and lean just a little more over.

  “I--I’m gd…” Aurora blushed, looking down. “I never thought…” She smiled gently. “Someone like me… that you would. It’s funny…” She ughed nervously. “I dressed up like you st year at the convention. I did the best I could with it, even though the costume wasn’t as good as other people’s, and… so… sooo…” She put her hands to her fming cheeks.

  “So I guess you enjoyed getting into my costume?” Mistral softly asked in a teasing voice.

  “Eh?” Aurora quickly looked up, only to see the semi-smug expression on her face. It was amused but warm, and her eyes were tched onto hers. This was kinda…

  While Aurora’s brain was trying to process the current situation, Mistral gestured, speaking in an unknown nguage. A lilting melody ced the foreign words, sending shivers down Aurora’s spine. A breeze wafted through the Sanctum, swirling around them in pyful eddies, and in that moment, her costume fell away, the fabric disintegrating like Autumn leaves drifting on the wind.

  Aurora’s breath hitched audibly. And there she sat, entirely naked. Her hair was still that ptinum blonde, catching the light in a way that seemed almost otherworldly, even the little tuft peeking out between her plump thighs, shimmering faintly. Mistral’s body was toned, yet soft, exuding both power and grace. The room felt warmer, the air itself heavy with a tension Aurora wasn’t sure she was prepared for—but desperately wanted to embrace.

  Aurora swallowed hard, a bead of sweat trickling down her temple as she took in the sight before her with wide-open eyes. Her cheeks flushed so deeply she was certain she glowed like a lighthouse. Her lips parted slightly, but words failed her. For a moment, the entire world had shrunk to just the two of them. But drinking in this vision of superherodom could wait. She wanted her lips to touch Mistral’s now. This was beyond anything she could have ever imagined, so she quickly leaned forward and initiated the kiss.

  Their lips met in a soft collision, Aurora’s eagerness contrasting with Mistral’s practiced poise. Aurora’s heartbeat thundered in her ears as her wings fluttered involuntarily. As if in response to her need, her own clothes flew off her body like a cloud of fireflies scattering into the night, dissolving into tiny glowing embers. Her wings, now fully unfurled, radiated a soft golden light that danced across the room like firelight. She wrapped them around Mistral, their warmth enveloping them both in a cocoon of intimacy.

  Mistral joined the kiss lovingly even from the start, her lips moving with deliberate grace. Yet beneath the tenderness, there was something smoldering, a restrained hunger that sent a shiver through Aurora’s entire body. The way Mistral’s fingers brushed against the small of her back, trailing upward in slow, teasing circles, only deepened the intensity.

  Mistral broke the kiss after a long, lingering moment, her breath mingling with Aurora’s as she pulled back just enough to speak. Her voice was soft but carried a weight that made Aurora’s chest tighten. “Do you really want this, Aurora? Me?” She asked softly, her steamy breath caressing Aurora’s flushed face. Mistral’s hand moved up to cup her damp cheek, her thumb brushing against the edge of Aurora’s trembling lips as she leaned in to pce a featherlight kiss on her ear.

  Aurora sighed, the sound escaping her involuntarily as a wave of warmth spread through her. She blushed deeper and nodded, unable to find her voice at first. “I do… I want you,” she finally managed, her words nearly a whisper. She nuzzled into Mistral’s touch, her body instinctively leaning closer as Mistral’s lips continued their gentle assault on her sensitive ear, leaving it wet and tingling.

  “You’re so beautiful… your soul, your mind, this wonderful body,” Mistral whispered, her voice ced with awe as her lips trailed kisses along Aurora’s jawline. “I’ve been fighting this… these feelings all night… this warmth… the feel of your soft skin…” Her fingers danced over Aurora’s lower back, tracing delicate patterns that sent ripples of pleasure through her.

  Mistral’s lips brushed against Aurora’s ear once more as she spoke, her breath hot and tantalizing. “Shall I kiss you this time?” she asked, her voice barely above a breathy whisper.

  Aurora squirmed in pce, her body responding to the promise in Mistral’s words. Her wings tightened slightly around them, as if to pull them closer together. She almost purred, her voice trembling with anticipation. “Yes…” she said, her heart pounding so rapidly she feared it might burst. She waited, her entire body tense with longing.

  When Mistral’s lips pressed against hers again, it was with a slow, deliberate pressure that sent Aurora reeling. This kiss was different—not a shy meeting of lips, but a real adult’s kiss. Mistral’s tongue slid past Aurora’s lips, exploring her mouth with a confidence and sensuality that left Aurora breathless. The taste of her, sweet and intoxicating, was more than she’d ever imagined. She melted into it, her own inexperience overcome by sheer desire.

  “Mmmmnnn…” Aurora moaned softly into the kiss, her hands clutching at Mistral’s shoulders for support as her legs threatened to give out beneath her. The kiss deepened, becoming a dance of tongues and lips that left Aurora dizzy and desperate for more. When Mistral finally pulled away, Aurora was left panting, her body trembling as if she’d been struck by lightning. Her cheeks were flushed, her lips swollen, and her skin glistened with a fine sheen of sweat. She felt like a messy little angel-girl, undone by her hero’s touch.

  “I’m sorry if… if… I didn’t kiss well…” Aurora murmured, her voice small and uncertain as she looked down, embarrassed.

  Mistral giggled softly, the sound warm and reassuring. Her fingers stroked through Aurora’s hair, smoothing the wild strands. “I’ll guide you,” she said, her voice filled with gentle promise.

  And without hesitation, she began the lesson. Mistral leaned in, capturing Aurora’s lips once more, this time guiding her with subtle movements. Their lips moved in harmony, and Aurora eagerly followed Mistral’s lead, losing herself in the moment and the intoxicating warmth of her mentor’s embrace.

  After this kiss, she pulled Aurora’s face up against her more-than-wonderful-looking breasts. Aurora let out a tiny, involuntary gasp as the warmth and softness enveloped her cheeks. Her arms instinctively wrapped around Mistral’s waist, holding her close as if afraid the moment might slip away.

  Aurora couldn’t help nuzzling between them, deliriously happy. Mistral’s breasts! She closed her eyes, feeling the perfect, velvety smoothness against her skin. The faint scent of vender filled her senses, intoxicating and calming all at once.

  She nuzzled and cuddled and rubbed with a blushing giggle, her voice muffled. “Mmmm… they’re so soft and pretty…” Her words came out as a dreamy murmur. She peeked up cutely at Mistral’s face from between them with a little red face, her eyes sparkling with a mix of awe and adoration. “I…. I like you… Mistral.” She giggled, her voice tinged with both excitement and nervousness. “I want to see so much more…”

  Mistral’s ughter was a soft, musical sound, full of warmth and amusement. Her hands brushed through Aurora’s hair, lingering for a moment to cradle the back of her head gently. “You’re so adorable when you’re like this,” she said, her tone teasing yet affectionate.

  Mistral stood gracefully, her ptinum blonde hair rippling like liquid light as she moved. With a pyful glint in her eye, she struck a dramatic pose, one hand on her hip and the other raised as if commanding an unseen audience. “Behold!” she said with mock grandeur before transitioning into a pyful pirouette. The motion was fluid, almost hypnotic, as she spun and turned, giving Aurora a full view of her stunning form.

  Aurora’s breath hitched as she watched, her eyes tracing every curve and line of Mistral’s body. She was firm in all the right pces, soft and curvy in others; her figure was nothing short of perfection. Aurora’s wings fluttered slightly as if mirroring her excitement, and a tiny giggle escaped her lips. “You’re so beautiful,” she murmured, almost to herself, unable to tear her eyes away.

  When Mistral finished her little dispy, she leaned down with a mischievous smile, pressing a gentle kiss to Aurora’s forehead. The tenderness of the gesture made Aurora’s heart flutter. “Seen enough of the merchandise?” she asked, a pyful wink punctuating her words.

  “Never!” Aurora blurted out, her voice a mix of awe and longing. A tiny trail of drool glistened at the corner of her mouth, and she hastily wiped it away with the back of her hand, blushing furiously.

  Mistral’s ughter rang out again, this time with a sultry edge. She stepped closer, her arm sliding around Aurora’s waist to pull her in. Their bodies pressed together, the warmth between them growing as Mistral tilted her head down and captured Aurora’s lips in a kiss. This one was deeper, more intense, and filled with a passion that left no room for doubt.

  Aurora melted into the embrace, her hands clutching at Mistral’s back as her wings wrapped protectively around them both. The world outside the sanctum seemed to disappear, leaving only the two of them in their shared heat and desire. They were well and truly beyond the point of no return, not that either wanted that.

  Aurora let out a long, contented sigh, her body still tingling with warmth. Her breath was soft, her heartbeat steadying as she nestled closer against Mistral, feeling the comforting weight of her presence. Everything felt different now—lighter, freer, like a part of her she hadn’t fully known was finally whole.

  “Nhhh… w-wow…” Aurora murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. She blinked up at Mistral, her face still flushed, a gentle, dreamy smile on her lips.

  Mistral chuckled, brushing a few golden strands of hair away from Aurora’s face. “That good, huh?” she teased, her voice low and affectionate.

  Aurora buried her face against Mistral’s shoulder, suddenly bashful. “I—I never even… um… you know, thought about this kind of thing before.” She hesitated, her fingers absentmindedly tracing circles against Mistral’s arm. “I mean, I always kinda figured it’d feel… weird, somehow. I just never really… tried.” Her words were soft, uncertain. “But with you, I didn’t even have to think about it. It just… happened.”

  Mistral’s smirk softened into something more tender. She tilted Aurora’s chin up with a gentle touch, gazing into her eyes. “I’m honored to be your first, then,” she murmured. “And I’m gd it made you happy.”

  Aurora’s smile widened, her cheeks still radiating heat. “More than happy… It was amazing.” She fidgeted slightly, then ughed softly. “Way more than I ever imagined it could be.”

  Mistral chuckled, stroking Aurora’s hair in slow, soothing motions. “You gave me more than I could have dreamed of, too,” she admitted. “And I don’t just mean tonight.” Her fingers traced the edge of Aurora’s cheek, a thoughtful look settling in her expression. “You reminded me of the good things in the world. The things worth protecting.”

  Aurora felt her heart swell at those words. She curled up closer, letting out a happy little sigh. “You make me feel like I’m part of something bigger,” she whispered. “Like I belong.”

  Mistral kissed the top of her head, lingering there. “You do belong, Aurora.” She exhaled softly. “And I meant what I said earlier. You don’t have to go home right away if you don’t want to.”

  Aurora peeked up at her, eyes glimmering with curiosity. “Really?”

  Mistral smirked. “If you’d rather, I can open a portal and drop you back in your bedroom, safe and sound.” She paused, brushing a slow circle against Aurora’s shoulder. “But… if you’d like to stay, my apartment is a lot cozier than this Sanctum. And… I wouldn’t mind the company.”

  Aurora bit her lip, then grinned. “I’d love to stay.”

  Aurora felt like she was floating, warmth radiating between them as they y close together. Her heart was still racing, her breathing unsteady, her body tingling with an unfamiliar but undeniably exhirating sensation. She had never felt anything like this before—this closeness, this raw, unfiltered connection with another person.

  She curled up against Mistral, her wings draping over them like a soft cocoon. "Wow…" she breathed, her voice barely above a whisper.

  Mistral chuckled softly, brushing Aurora’s silver-blonde hair back with gentle fingers. “You’re incredible, Aurora,” she murmured. “I never expected… this. But I wouldn’t change it for anything.”

  Aurora felt a deep warmth settle in her chest. She tilted her head up to meet Mistral’s gaze, a shy but beaming smile forming. "I never thought…" she hesitated, fidgeting slightly, "someone like me… that you would." She let out a small, nervous ugh. "I’ve been following your exploits for so long, watching you from afar. And now… now I'm here with you."

  Mistral arched an amused brow. “You didn’t seem to mind getting an up close view.” she teased, smirking pyfully.

  Aurora’s face flushed even deeper. “T-that's not what I meant!” She pouted, covering her face with her hands, before giggling. “Okay, maybe a little.”

  Mistral let out a soft ugh, her fingers tracing zy circles on Aurora’s back. “You always speak your mind, don’t you?” she mused. "I like that about you."

  Aurora swallowed, gathering her courage. “Mistral… are we… um…” She squirmed, her voice barely above a whisper. “G-girlfriends?”

  Mistral blinked, then slowly smiled, brushing a thumb across the back of Aurora’s hand. “Our power dynamic being so lopsided and where we each are in life - professionally, academically and emotionally - are obstacles, but I think we could work on those things,” she admitted. “It would be long-distance, but… yes.” Her expression softened, her touch lingering as she squeezed Aurora’s hand lightly. “I’d like that.”

  Aurora’s heart nearly exploded in her chest. She practically vibrated with happiness, biting her lip to contain the ridiculous grin spreading across her face. “Really?”

  “Really,” Mistral confirmed.

  Aurora unched forward, wrapping her arms around Mistral in a tight embrace. “I-I’m so happy! You have no idea!” she squeaked.

  Mistral chuckled, holding her close. “You’re adorable.”

  After a moment, she sighed contentedly. “But as much as I love the ambiance and spiritual feel of my Sanctum, it’s not exactly the coziest pce to spend the night. We’ll switch to my apartment. It’s much warmer, and I have a rather spoiled cat who will probably demand your attention.”

  Aurora gasped. “You have a cat? I love cats! What’s their name?”

  “You’ll find out soon enough,” Mistral replied with a small smirk. “And by the way he’s very picky about who he likes, so you’d better bring your A-game.”

  Aurora puffed up proudly. “I accept the challenge! Also… I could use some snacks,” she admitted, ughing.

  Mistral stood, stretching before offering Aurora her hand. “Then let’s go.” They both climbed to their feet and with a gesture, Mistral opened another swirling portal before them. It felt like stepping into a dream, one Aurora never wanted to wake up from.