The Phouka smiled and kissed him then. He did feel truly blessed. This was a life no other Phouka had known. Freedom. Love. These were things he'd never even dreamed of. He knew his station and was happy in his simple mission. But everything had changed when he'd been charged with protecting Fin and Winter. It seemed so long ago now that he had come to the mortal realm. He still struggled to fit in, but the mortals were, on the whole, dismissive of his eccentricities. He was free from his bond of service and he could travel. Could love Winter. Could enjoy his life as he saw fit.

There were many moments when the truth of that was overwhelming and he clung to Winter for the security he craved.