Russet slept peacefully that night curled up around Eliki in his bed, murring occasionally in his sleep, but otherwise it was a restful, peaceful night's sleep and so when the morning sunlight shining over the roof tops shone through the curtained window of Eliki's bedroom the skunk turned over, falling deeper into the deep healing sleep that the power of the snowkittens had placed him under.

Eliki however stirred as the sun played across his face and soon he rose from the realm of dreams to stare, blinking the sleep from his eyes at the ceiling above his bed. He rolled onto his side and placed a paw across his skunk, holding him close to him and murring gently into his ear. The skunk stirred softly and mumbled under his breath as his eyes flickered open slightly and he smiled at the snowkitten.

"Eliki....kitty...love...you," and then he fell still again, sleeping away the horrors of the night before.

Eliki slipped from the bed carefully and wrapped his gown around himself as he let himself out onto the landing and padded down the stairs to the kitchen where his twin Leana was making herself a cup of tea. She turned at the sound of his paws padding across the kitchen floor and smiled at him.

"How is he?" she asked whispering in a soft tone, like furs were wont to do when they arose in the early morning.

"He is fine," Eliki said smiling softly, "I think the spell we cast has helped him, he had no nightmares and...." He cut off and blushed slightly.

"And he, what? You can tell me Ki."

"He told me he loved me...." He blushed again but was soon swamped as Leana gave him a bear hug.

"That was obvious Ki, we can all see just how much he cares for you," Leana said softly holding her twin to her, "now I really must be off to work, take care of him and speak to you later ok."

Eliki nodded and walked to the door with Leana, standing on the top step and waving after her as she walked down the street towards the Book shop she worked in.

Eliki waved at Mrs Gare over the street before going back inside and closing the door, he made his way into the kitchen again and set about making breakfast for himself and Russet. He was soon happily frying bacon and toasting some bread, and he put together some scrambled eggs and some hash browns as he knew how much Russet loved them. He began to sing quietly to himself as he prepared breakfast and stood by the oven looking out and up the hill behind the house at Leana's flower garden.

He turned at the sound of the kitchen door swinging shut and smiled as he saw Russet bearing down towards him, a dressing gown wrapped loosely around himself.

"Russet, morning how ar....." he began but got no further as he found himself pushed up against the worktop and the skunk's muzzle locked onto his as he kissed the snowkitten his paws wrapping around him and a soft murring permeating the room from both of them.

"I'm fine honey and thank you for helping me sleep I felt what you did," Russet said softly stepping back, smiling at Eliki who was blushing furiously. "Now do you want some help with breakfast?"

Eliki shook himself and smiled running a claw through the skunk's exposed black chest fur. "No you go sit at the table it is almost done. I'll bring it over in a moment."

Russet nodded and went to sit down at the kitchen table and watched the snowkitten as he moved about the room putting the finishing touches to his meal, though in truth the skunk's eyes were following Eliki's tail as it bobbed up and down behind him from where it was poking out of his own dressing gown.

After a couple of minutes Eliki brought two heavily loaded plates to the table and set them down, then a tea pot, plate of toast and various other breakfast items before sitting down in a chair next to Russet and smiling at him.

"Eat up Russet you need to recover your strength," the snowkitten said smiling as Russet picked up his cutlery and began to munch away at his breakfast.

Eliki watched the skunk eat for a moment, picking at his own food then reached out a paw to touch the skunk on the shoulder his paw lingering on his bath robe. The skunk stopped eating and turned to smile at Eliki, shifting to bring his paw up and take the snowmews in his own and hold it up against his cheek fur.

"Eliki?" Russet said softly smiling at the snowkitten a question in his eyes.

"Did you mean what you said earlier?" he asked quietly shuffling on his chair and blushing furiously.

"Yes Eliki," the skunk said smiling bringing the snowkitten's paw up to his muzzle and kissing it softly, "I do love you, I've gone and fallen for you my lovely kitty."

Eliki blushed more and mewed gently as Russet drew him close to him and kissed him gently running his paws along his back, "Russet..." He said softly smiling at the skunk and holding him close, "I love you too. I was so scared last night."

"Hush kitty," the skunk said placing his paw on the kitten's muzzle. "I am safe now, you saved me and that is all that matters now." He hugged the snowkitten again and smiled happily, "Now let's finish breakfast."

Smiling happily and talking together the two furs finished their breakfast and then they loaded items into the dishwasher. Eliki turned after taking the last item off of Russet to find that the skunk was gone. He heard his paws pattering up the stairs and with a startled oath he ran out of the kitchen and up the stairs just in time to hear the bathroom door click shut and the bolt slide into place.

Eliki groaned and walked back downstairs to start the dishwasher as the sound of running water began to sound from inside the bathroom. "Always the same," he muttered though he had a smile on his muzzle as he made his way back upstairs, "but one day I'll beat him to it."

Eliki was making his way towards his room when the bathroom door clicked open and a cloud of steam wafted out filling the landing with its soft damp touch. The snowkitten mewed in surprise as he felt two paws grip his arms and draw him into the bathroom. The door clicked behind him and he blinked trying to see through the fog as he caught the scent of skunk as the paws stroke up his arms and next.

"I promised to share the bathroom with you one day kitty," he heard Russet murmur as he felt the soft touch of the skunk's tongue on his neck fur, then the steam wrapped around them both as the skunk drew the snowkitten in close to him murring happily.

An hour later Eliki and Russet were washed, dressed and getting ready to go out when the doorbell rang. Eliki hurried over to open it as Russet poked his nose around the doorframe from the living room. The door swung open to reveal Ailee standing on the doorstep. She nodded to Eliki before turning to Russet.

"I am hear to offer apologies for my brother's actions on behalf of the Shaylanii Clan of Phoenixbrook," she said solemnly crossing her paws and bowing low to Russet.

"There is no need for Clan Shaylanii to apologies they have acted with honour in their actions, you have my thanks Ailee ti Shaylanii," Russet said formally nodding his head to her. I Russet ti Nostor ei Vardenai hold Shaylanii blameless in all that occurred."

Ailee straightened and nodded once then smiled at Russet before turning and walking down the steps and back down the street. Eliki turned to face Russet and smiled.

"It seems you have appeased Ailee at least. How did you know the formal response to an apology?" he asked

"I read it in a book on snowkitten etiquette hon, now shouldn't we get going? I want to see this comic shop," Russet responded walking out onto the top step just as Andrina started to walk up them.

"Not before I've spoken to you, you don't," she said with a smile, as she walked up to stand beside him and smiled at Eliki. "You two and your sister are going to join me and Greg for dinner tonight over at my cottage, you will be there at six thirty or I'll come track you down. That ok with you two?" She said with a smile as she delivered her ultimatum.

Eliki chuckled and saluted. "Yes ma'am, Miss Andrina, we'll be there no worries about that." She nodded and grinned at Russet before jumping down the steps and heading off up the road waving back at them as she turned the corner.

"Well now that we have our orders from Miss Andrina let's get going," Russet said skipping down the steps and turning to wait for Eliki as he locked the door then followed. Russet took his paw and led his snowkitten up the road and into the Tunnel of Golden Song to show Eliki just what he had done to it a couple of days before. They walked along listening to the song amidst the glittering silver and blue light, paw in paw occasionally nodding and smiling at a passer-by. As they reached the centre of the tunnel they had to skirt around a group of school children and their teacher who was talking to them about the tunnel. They hurried out of the end of the tunnel into the market square, and Eliki led them over towards the entrance to Timeless Street and pointed out the store they were after. "The Eternal Flames - Comics and Paraphernalia"

Russet smiled and hurried over to peer in the front window before he headed for the door and let himself in. Eliki smiled and followed Russet inside and stopped in the door way, the skunk already had his arms full Graphic Novels, he dumped them on the counter in front of the rather bemused bear standing behind the counter and hurried over to a stand of porcelain figures of the Endless.

"I'll take one of each of these and their sigils as well oh and the die cast set of dice as well." Russet told the bear who looked shocked for a moment then nodded and hurried over to the store cupboard to locate the requested items.

"Russet? Honey?" Eliki said moving over to stand behind the skunk and embrace him, wrapping his arms around his waist. "What are you doing?"

Russet murred and leaned his head back on Eliki's chest, "I'm shopping hon, we do not have a decent comic shop in Vardenai or at least not one Marie will let me go into." The skunk replied.

"Marie? Who is Marie?" the snowkitten asked as Russet pulled another set of graphic novels off of the shelf and added them to the pile.

"You might find out one day hon, but I forbade her to come to Phoenixbrook with me so its wonderful to have some free time," Russet said looking around to see if he could spot anything else that he wanted. "I think that is all my good bear, ring it up and let's have the total," he said to the shop assistant as he scanned the last item through the till.

"That would be £256.37p sir..." he said trailing off as Russet took out his wallet and handed over a card. The bear took one look at the name, smiled and swiped it through the card reader.

"Can I have this delivered?" Russet asked eyeing the collection of bags on the counter as he signed the till receipt.

"Yes sir, where should we have them sent?" the bear asked as he handed Russet the receipt and his card back.

"Send them to 354 Riverside Boulevard with a note telling Trent to put them in the car," Russet said as he tucked his card and wallet away. "Oh and mention that they are fragile as well.

The bear nodded and made the note tucking it inside one of the bags as Russet led Eliki back outside, "Ok now honey let's go clothes shopping. If we are to have dinner with Andrina I want something new to wear," the skunk paused and hugged the snowkitten close kissing his nose, "And I want to buy you something special as well."

Eliki blushed under his fur and shuffled his foot paws, "Aww Russet you really don't have to buy me anything...." he said trailing off as he looked at the skunk.

Russet purred and hugged Eliki tighter whispering in his ears. "I know hon but I want to and its an excuse to see you seminaked while you try things on," he said smiling as he led Eliki down the street and towards the clothes shops that lined the other side of the street.

The two furs spent the rest of the morning in various clothes shops, trying on different outfits and laughing and joking together in the bright sunshine. As the clock tower was chiming the half past noon the two furs made their way to the bridge café where they met Logan who was waiting for them just outside.

"I'm glad you made it," Logan said smiling, "I was expecting you both half an hour ago for lunch, guess I was off." He smiled and hugged them both.

"You were waiting for us?" Russet said in surprise as he put his shopping bags down and hugged back. "Well aren't you the little mystic rabbit' he finished with a grin.

Logan stuck his tongue out at the skunk and opened the door to the café. "Not really that hard, I just asked Leana if she knew where I could find you both, she told me to try the bridge café at about noon, so here I am, come on let's get a table."

Smiling the three walked inside and settled down at a table, chattering happily to each other the three order some food and were just moving on to discuss the previous night's events when Logan's eyes went wide as he saw someone enter the café.

"Entei-rah! A laynt nahl bral, a laynt hay mi ven Phoenixbrook" he exclaimed in the language of the rabbits, leaping up and hurrying forwards to greet the brown furred rabbit who had walked in. He was dressed in loose blue tracksuit bottoms and a purple t-shirt, he had brown fur with a lighter brown muzzle and neck fur, but his head fur was a light blond colour. He turned and smiled at Logan in surprise before speaking.

Logan Ennion! Yenalt éveer-nyt, vahl-nyt!" he said hugging him and smiling into his eyes, "A lay hli business. Thli laynt fran ol rowfranil il u hlien ethsi léaoil. A laynt kethant meth il u mayor na hay os seth ol u Owsla mai layth dayn hli na val mon yayn mai."

Russet looked at Eliki over his drink and leaned over to whisper to him, "Who is that rabbit Eliki?"

"I'm not sure Russet, I'm not very good at Lapine myself....though I think rah is a title of some kind," he said looking over at the too with a puzzled frown.

Russet nodded and turned back to his sandwich but one ear was cocked in the direction of the rabbits as they spoke trying to discern whether he could understand anything they where saying.

"Thli lay nao-nyt!" Logan said outrage in his voice as he chattered softly in his natural language, "A laynt bral, ai laynt hrair hrarail ol hli?"

Russet missed the next few lines as the waitress came over and offered them a refill on their drinks, after she had gone all they caught was a few more words.

"Vao, Logan, A lay zayn yen il u Hlien, Meth il u mayor a Vardenai-rah, ar a layth kyhl na u meth mi." And with that the other rabbit turned around and quickly left the café.

Logan looked after the departing rabbit for a moment before he turned and sat down at the table again, he picked up his drink and was starring into it oblivious to the world. Eliki had to reach over and shake his shoulder to get his attention.

"What was all that about Logan?" The snowkitten asked with a worried frown on his muzzle.

Logan gave a start and looked up blinking, "Oh my warren was attacked by a marauding band of Wolves apparently, it is right out on the northern edge of the Forest Mists, it's a secluded and desolate place really, but it is secure and private."

"That is terrible Logan!" Eliki exclaimed putting his cup down with a bump, "is that what the other rabbit was telling you?"

Logan nodded and stared down at his cup, "That was Entei-rah the Prince of the warren he had come here to speak to the mayor to see if he could send some help done, I promised to speak with him for him, so that he could return to the warren, he is needed there." Logan stopped and looked over at Russet.

The skunk set his tea cup down on his saucer and nodded to Logan before standing up. "I'll speak to the mayor myself; the Forest of Mist is technically within the borders of Vardenai, I will not tolerate such an outrage against a peaceful colony like the Mist Warren." The skunk stood and moved to the till and settled the bill and with Logan and Eliki in tow he headed out of the café. Eliki hurried to catch up with him and touched his arm as he walked along.

"This sounds serious Russet," he said in a whisper, he glanced back at Logan who was starring at his feet dejectedly. Russet nodded and leaned down to whisper in the cat's ears.

"Yes, I had thought the packs of the Mist knew better then the bother the warren, this will send shockwaves across the country, public outrage and such things, I want to get some of the constabulary down there as quickly as possible if they have attacked once they will attack again." He stopped and looked back at Logan, "Stay with Logan will you, try and cheer him up while I speak with the Mayor."

Eliki nodded and dropped back to chatter at Logan as they walked up the steps and into the town hall. Russet asked Logan and Eliki to wait for him there and walked past the reception desk and into the interior of the building.

Nobody stopped or questioned him as he strode purposefully down the hallways of the City Hall, for no one ever stopped to question someone who looked as if they should be there. He walked into the antechamber before the Mayor's office and would have walked on in if his receptionist hadn't stopped him. The golden furred mouse jumped from her seat in surprise and glared at him.

"You cannot be in here sir, The Mayor does not wish to be disturbed during his luncheon!" she almost shouted at him.

"He will speak with the Duke of Vardenai my dear." And with that he walked past her astonished self and flung open the door to his office, the mouse sitting behind the desk looked up in surprise an angry retort ready on his lips, it died when he caught sight of the skunk standing in the door way.

"Duke Vardenai!" he exclaimed jumping to his feet, "I was not expecting to see you here, how may I help?"

The skunk smiled and walked over to stand before the mayor. "The Warren of Mists has been attacked by wolves, I just spoke to his Highness Entei-rah and he has asked me to approach you and ask if you will send aid to the warren." The mayor's eyes went wide in shock at these words but before he could reply the skunk carried on speaking. "I have already agreed to send in some of the Imperium Guard to watch over the warren, so it will be safe for you to send what aid is needed."

The mayor nodded his worried frown fading at these words. "That is good to hear, about the guards at least, I shall set up a party to go at once to offer aid, This is awful, who did this? Who would be foolish enough to think there would not be any retribution for such an act?"

Russet grimaced, "The wolves, they seem to think they can do anything they want these days." He stared at the mayor a frown on his muzzle. "Your agreement with the pack gives them free rein and a safety of non interference as long as they stay off Phoenixbrook land."

The mayor nodded sadly, "It was the only way to get them to stop attacking the town and its outlying regions."

"That's ok, you did what you had to do to safeguard your town, but they have no such agreement with me, and Vardenai does not take kindly to her citizens being attacked. The forest of Mists and its inhabitants are our citizens and we will make them pay" he indicated a silver phone on the desk. "Can I use your direct link to La Vane?" The skunk picked up the handset at the mayors nod and pressed the only button on it, after a couple of seconds it was answered and a female voice spoke.

"Ah good Helene, its me Russet... listen I need a platoon of the Imperium Guard sent to the Warren of Mists immediately," There was silence from the other end of the line for a moment or two then the voice replied, "Your grace? Of course your grace I'll see to it at once, I wasn't expecting you to use this line,"

"That's ok Helene, this is an emergency, I'm using the mayor's phone, the wolf pack that operates out of lower Dunne fjord is responsible, if they show themselves the guard have permission to defend themselves and our citizens.

"Yes sir, I will carry out your orders at once sir," the voice replied,

"Very good, speak to you soon Helene," and with that the skunk put down the phone. He thanked the mayor and quickly left the room. He met Eliki and Logan in the front room and informed Logan that help was on its way, the rabbit thanked him and excused himself saying he wanted to go out to the warren himself.

"Ok take care Logan, come see us as soon as you get back," Eliki called after him as the rabbit hurried down the steps of the Town Hall, "Well that was certainly unexpected." He muttered to himself but smiled as the skunk slipped a paw around his arm and held him close.

"Indeed but it is over with now, come along kitty, it has been dealt with, there is no point worrying about it, now where else do you want to take me?" the skunk asked nuzzling the cat's neck fur happily.

Eliki shivered at the touch of his lover's nose on his soft sensitive neck fur and smiled at the skunk, "Well we could go to the garden centre just along the south bank of the river from here, that's a really nice place to go for a wander, then we can head home and get ready for dinner at Andrina's."

Russet agreed and the two furs set off through the town, weaving their way along narrow alleys and cobble stoned streets until they stood outside a long, low, glass building. The inside of the glass pains was steamed up and misty hiding what was inside from sight but there where large patches of green and flashes of colour which suggested that what was inside was well worth taking a look at.

"Oooh now this place looks interesting kitty," The skunk exclaimed his previous serious mood having evaporated as they made their way through the town. "Can we go in Eliki? Can we?"

Eliki chuckles smiling at the skunk, "You're like a big kid Russet, of course we can go in and have a look, come on," he opened the gate and started to walk up the path between rows of blooming tulips.

"I'm not a donkey," Russet piped up smiling as he followed the snowkitten, "I'm a skunk and don't you forget it honey,"

Eliki just laughed and led them inside, they wandered between rows of plants some in bloom, some just starting to poke up from between the soil, they saw trees of every kind lining the huge greenhouse. It was misty in parts, humid and damp and after about five minutes of walking among the plants their fur was damp and glittering with dew drops as the water in the air settled on them. There were very few furs inside the garden centre and after about fifteen minutes of strolling around Russet pulled Eliki in close to him and sank down on a bench with the cat next to him.

"It is really hot in here kitty," the skunk said running a paw through his fur and shaking it watching the droplets fall to the ground, "I guess they have to keep it like this for the plants?"

Eliki nodded smiling at the skunk, "Yup, I love walking around in here but after a while it does get a bit too much, shall we head out and go home? Drop off our stuff, have a shower and such before we go to Andrina's?"

Russet nodded and stood up shaking his head fur, "Good idea Ki, let get....." he trailed off as a fur walked past the end of the next aisle and with a shout headed after them. "Trukkle, what are you doing here?" he called loudly.

The fur stuck his head around the corner and blinked, Eliki hurried up behind the skunk and took a good look at the young orange furred rat standing before them. He was wearing jeans and a T-shirt though they clung to him damply just like Russet and Eliki's clothes did, damp from all the water in the humid air, he was also carrying a tray full of seedlings.

"Russet, its good to see you, I didn't expect to run into you here in Phoenixbrook." The rat said smiling as Russet stopped to smile at him,

"Well I wasn't expecting to see you Ratty, what are you doing here?" the skunk asked with a baffled look on his muzzle.

"Shopping, I had an idea what to do with that empty flower bed in the front gardens of the castle," he chattered wrinkling his nose and his whiskers as he spoke. "So I thought I'd come here, you can always get everything here."

Russet nodded and snagged Eliki to him, "Trukkle this is Eliki the friend I mentioned I was coming to see, Eliki this is Trukkle he is in charge of the gardens of my places of residence."

Eliki and Trukkle exchanged hellos and then the three chatted together though it was mainly Trukkle and Eliki exchanging information on Russet and making the skunk blush, and eventually he grabbed Eliki and covered his mouth with his paw. "Right that's enough of that kitty," he growled at the cat but he just giggled and batted the skunk with his tail.

"Just being friendly dear, anyway it was nice to met you Trukkle but we need to get going we have to go home and get ready to go out to dinner. We will meet again I am sure." He said grinning at the skunk happily.

Trukkle said his goodbyes and vanished into the mist of the greenhouse and the skunk and snowkitten made their exit back outside into the cool afternoon air. They made their way back through the town along the riverside, arm in arm and watching the boats sail past as they made their way up and down the river. They soon turned off and strolled through the tunnel back to Apple Avenue listening to the mysterious song. When they got home they showered and changed for the evening and then went downstairs to greet Leana as she arrived home from work.

Leana wandered in and glowered at them both then saying nothing she swept up the stairs and into the bathroom, Eliki just shrugged and sat down on the sofa and turned on the TV. About an hour later Leana returned back down the stairs, refreshed and wearing a long evening gown complete with gloves and a matching bag.

"Bad day at work sis?" Eliki asked with a smile as he helped her into her coat.

"Less chatter kitten and get a move on or we will be late for Andrina's dinner and I don't want all her hard work going to waste."

So moving swiftly down the street the trio made their way across town to the market square where they caught a bus to Andrina's street, and half an hour later they were knocking on the door of her cottage. The door was opened by Andrina wearing a stunning evening dress in a riot of pastel colours, and she ushered them inside and sat them down at the table in the kitchen. The four chattered back and forth as Andrina poured drinks and tinkered with things around the oven.

"So is Greg bringing anyone with him Andrina?" Eliki asked at one point as he helped himself to the bread rolls, pointedly ignoring Leana's stare of disapproval.

"He said he was bringing his boyfriend with him," Andrina almost gushed as she related the gossip. "Apparently they have been seeing each other for four months now but this is his first time in Phoenixbrook, he has been here all week."

"Oh really?" Leana said sitting forward interested now, "He never said anything at the restaurant the other night, that cheeky otter."

Andrina was about to make a reply when a knock sounded at the door, she hurried to answer it, ushered Greg in and took his coat and hat, and then proceeded to take the coat, hat and scarf from the other creature following him. It was another otter dressed in a dark blue jumper and trousers.

"Everyone, you already know Greg but this is his Boyfriend...." Andrina began her introductions but got no further as Russet suddenly sat up right and almost choked on his wine.

"Trent! You're Greg's boyfriend," the skunk exclaimed starring at his chauffeur in surprise. "Well I must say keeping secrets from the boss is not on my good otter."

Trent shuffled his foot paws and grinned at the skunk sheepishly. "Your grace evening I didn't realise you would be here." He seemed awfully embarrassed.

"Well you are welcome Trent, and how many times do I have to tell you, call me Russet when we are in an informal gathering like this one." Russet said smiling and making room next to him for Trent and Greg to sit down at the table. "We are all friends here."

Andrina swept back to the table at that point, back in her element as hostess and began serving up dinner. She served up a first course of little grilled fish in a lemon and herb sauce with a salmon paste, following swiftly by a main course of lentils and stir fried vegetables served with a crisp well done steak. Andrina then followed up with a glass of home made raspberry ice cream covered in sugar and elderberry sauce, ever dish was served with a compliment of wines and by the end of the meal the group of friends where asides from being a tad light headed more friendly and happy with each other company. Once the meal had been cleared away the group retired to the front living room to lounge and sit around the crackling fire place and chat and talk together, laughing and playing as only a group of close friends can.

Time passed as it is want to do and the clock chimed away the hours until with a start the group realised that it was half an hour past the tenth hour and that if they where going to have any hope of getting back to their homes they would have to leave soon. Andrina however would not hear of it she insisted that they all stay the night, Greg and Trent could have the fold out bed in the living room and Russet and Eliki could use the spare bedroom. When asked where Leana would be staying by a joking Greg they all got the reply.

"In my bed where she belongs of course, where else would my girlfriend stay?" She hiccuped and placed a paw over her muzzle blushing as she realised what she had said.

There was a silence of several moments broken by Eliki's whooping cry of congratulations and him hugging Leana and Andrina close together, the others joined in with their congratulations and cheers and another bottle of wine was opened to celebrate. An hour later Andrina and Leana retired to their host's bedroom to sleep as they both had work in the morning leaving Trent, Greg, Russet and Eliki alone in the living room to set up the otter's bed. After struggling with it for some time they finally had the bed unfolded and the sheets and blankets on it.

"There we are you two, sleep well and we will see you in the morning but his snowmew is bushed and ready to sleep."

"Awe come on you two, stay up a bit longer," Greg said pulling out a deck of cards. "We could have a game of strip poker." He grinned at Russet whose ears had pricked up at that, " What do you say to that Skunk? You game?"

"Greg you can't ask the Grand Duke of Vardenai that!" Trent exclaimed horrified by the idea, "You can't ask my boss to get naked with me in the same room."

Russet just chuckled and sat down on the bed, "Deal otter," He grinned at Trent, "What can I say Otters are cute and I want to see this one in his undies," the skunk grinned and smiled at Eliki who was edging nervously towards the door. Russet caught his tail in his paw and reeled him in. "I do not think you are going anywhere Snowmew, you're in now," he chuckled as Eliki tried to protest but he was silenced by Greg handing him his cards and Trent sat down, surrendering and joining them in.

For the fifty minutes they played at cards, Trent and Eliki were losing badly and their clothes where leaving with each hands, between Greg and Russet it was a competition, each one battling to the last to win the hand. Eliki and Trent were soon out, sitting naked and curled up next to their respective partners slightly embarrassed at being naked in front of the others. Russet and Greg battled on long and hard until at last they where both in their underwear and nothing else, the cards where dealt by Eliki and the last round opened up and at the end the cards where turned, there was pause then Russet grinned.

"Get them off Greg I win," the skunk said with a wide grin on his muzzle, Greg grumbled but lost the Speedos quickly leaving himself lounging naked next to his boyfriend, long lithe and muscular otter form , white and brown and really quite pleasant to view. "Nice," was all Russet said with a twinkle in his eyes as he gathered up his clothes. "Keep hold of him Trent." And with that he started towards the spare bedroom with Eliki.

"Hey don't I get to see then?" Greg called out sounding a bit upset,

The skunk swished his tail and grinned at the otter, "Next time you'll have to win Greg, maybe when you next come down to La Vane you might get lucky." And with that the two furs disappeared into the spare bedroom to sleep.

Greg chuckled and turned to pull Trent close to him as they crawled under the covers on the fold out sofa bed, "Next time remind me to rig the deck Trent, I owe that duke some payback." Trent just chuckled and nuzzled in close to his otter and quietly they drifted off to sleep.

Soon the entire cottage was quiet except the ticking of a clock and the crackling as the last embers of the fire settled down and died out, all was peaceful and calm in the cottage of the snowkitten Andrina and the magic and power of the kittens of the snow embraced the three couples and tied them together in ways that none of them could fathom and it ways that would support and sustain them in the years to come, but that is a story for another time, for now we shall let them sleep until the sun rises once more and this magical week must come to an end.