It was dark by the time Kjoret finally reached Elden Root. Torchbugs flitted around, almost mirroring the stars in the sky above. She was worn out, sore from all the horseback traveling, and desperately wanted to bathe in something other than murky river water. The air inside the Altmer Embassy was cooler than the jungle outside, and for that, Kjoret was grateful. Quietly, she opened the wooden door to Queen Ayrenn's bedchambers, hoping to see her lover and not to wake her if she was asleep. She was greeted by… nothing. In the torchlight, she could see Ayrenn's desk was tidied, the study in the opposite corner was empty, and the bed had been made, but not yet slept in that evening. Kjoret figured the Queen was likely meeting with the Bosmer King or with her advisors. When she returned, Kjoret would be here. Until then, she decided to clean herself up and look presentable.

Two dividers provided privacy for a bathtub. She allowed the water to heat while she stripped out of her leather armor, leaving it on one of the dressers. Once the bath was steaming, she stepped in and sat, allowing the heat to relax her sore legs. She leaned back, sighing.


It wasn't long before Kjoret heard the door open and boots cross the floor. "Ayrenn? I've returned. Just back here washing up, I hope you don't mind."

"Kjor!" Ayrenn's voice sounded so sweet to Kjoret's ears after her time away. The Queen came between the dividers and approached Kjoret. "Oh, love, I'm glad to see you." One of Ayrenn's still armored hands turned Kjoret's head towards her and they met in a slow kiss. Kjoret smiled against her lover's lips. Ayrenn gazed lovingly at the Nord and said, "Let me change out of my armor and set down this paperwork, I'll be back."

After several minutes, there was the sound of a bench being moved across the floor and coming to rest behind the tub. Kjoret's eyes closed blissfully as she felt soft hands come from behind her and massage her shoulders. "Mmm, Ayrenn, I'm glad to be back… glad to be back here with you." Ayrenn planted a kiss on top of Kjoret's head.

"Relax, dearest. You feel tense… I'll help." Kjoret kept her eyes closed while her lover massaged knots out of her shoulders. A vial popped open and she smelled scented oil that reminded her faintly of oranges. Ayrenn's fingers worked their way gently through Kjoret's hair. She untangled knots and smoothed out Kjoret's brunette tresses, sometimes just playing with them as she went along. The smells, the massage, even just Ayrenn's presence calmed and relaxed Kjoret. Days' worth of traveling without much rest had exhausted her and she needed this.

Fingertips felt their way along Kjoret's jawline, then gently encouraged her to tilt her head up and back. Ayrenn met her for another slow kiss, this time allowing her tongue to slip by Kjoret's. When they finally parted, Kjoret's eyes met Ayrenn's. It was then she noticed that the Queen was undressed and had been since returning to the bathtub. "Ayrenn… you're…"

"Naked? So are you, Kjor!" The Queen teased.

"Beautiful. I was going to tell you how beautiful you are," Kjoret told her, drinking in the sight of the perfect Altmer woman… she had smooth, flawless skin, supple breasts, a toned stomach, and a tight, curved ass.

"Move forward and make room for Your Queen," Ayrenn pretended to command, having noticed how Kjoret looked at her. Ayrenn stepped her feet into the bath and sat, putting her legs on either side of Kjoret. "Lean back, love," and Kjoret did as she was told. She allowed herself to lean back against Ayrenn's body, loving the skin-on-skin contact they shared.

Resting her head back against Ayrenn's shoulder, she turned to kiss the Queen's neck. "Miss me, did you?"

"I'll show you how much I missed you, love, just be patient" Ayrenn replied seductively. Kjoret's heart pounded in her chest. Ayrenn was going to play coy and drag this out. She reached outside of the tub and retrieved a bar of fresh-smelling soap. Beginning near Kjoret's hips and stomach, she moved the soap in slow circles. Kjoret closed her eyes once again and allowed herself to relax as Ayrenn washed her.

After a time, fingertips graced over the smooth, shiny skin between Kjoret's breasts. Her eyes opened, and she found Ayrenn looking back down at her with almost a sad look. "Is this…" her voice trailed off, sounding pained.

"The scar," Kjoret finished the sentence. A jagged scar about the length of a finger decorated her sternum from where Mannimarco had stabbed her with his dagger. The memory was still fresh, having only been less than a year. Shackled and chained to a cold, metallic sacrificial table, she remembered the hideous curved blade. A sharp pain as the air was knocked out of her. A black soul gem held in his hand before the world went dark.

"I'm sorry, dear," Ayrenn said gently. "Come and let us forget our troubles." She rose and stepped out of the bathtub, grabbing towels for both herself and Kjoret. Once the pair dried off, Ayrenn took the towels and cast them aside on the floor. Her hands guided Kjoret's hips forward to meet her own. Kjoret's hands moved up Ayrenn's back as they kissed. When they parted to breathe, the Queen held out her hand, which Kjoret gladly took, and led them to the bed.

Kjoret had her back to the bed before Ayrenn gently laid her down. She crawled on top of the Nord, allowing her weight to press their bodies together. She nibbled at her neck and swirled a thumb around one of Kjoret's nipples, feeling it harden. Kjoret gasped, "Ayrenn…" She didn't know what she wanted to say. Maybe she only wanted to say her lover's name.

Blue eyes met blue eyes in the dim torchlight, before fluttering closed as their lips met again. Kjoret's tongue slipped inside Ayrenn's mouth. She tasted like summertime, her lips bringing the whole island of Summerset with them. Warm sunlight streaming between red leaves. A soft and salty breeze. Waves lapping at the shoreline. Kjoret buried her hands in Ayrenn's hair, one of them finding their way to a lovely pointed ear.

One of Ayrenn's knees worked its way between Kjoret's legs and nudged them apart. Soft hands trailed down her body and over her hipbone, leaving goosebumps in their wake. A hand ran along Kjoret's inner thigh as Ayrenn switched to tender neck kisses.

A groan escaped Kjoret. "Shor's bones, Ayrenn!"

"What Kjor?" She asked in a sweet, sultry tone while meeting Kjoret's gaze.

A sigh, followed by a husky, "I… need you." Ayrenn seemed pleased. She needed loyal agents and friends after seemingly so many had betrayed her. Despite being the Queen, some of her own people didn't approve of her or want her as ruler. Right in front of her was someone who was most loyal and loving. Someone who she needed, but who also needed her in return.

She watched Kjoret's face change as she slid a finger into her wet folds. Her mouth opened in a moan, which Ayrenn covered with her own mouth. As she stroked, Kjoret's hips rose to meet her hand. She sped up her rhythm, loving the feel of fingernails running across her back.

"Oh, Kjor," Ayrenn whispered against her lips, "You're irresistible… so… tight."

"Dirty words… coming from… a Queen," Kjoret managed between Ayrenn's thrusts.

"Tsh!" She added a second finger and curled them slightly. Kjoret's breath hitched and she couldn't seem to form words, all she could do was arch her back and wrap a leg around her lover's waist. Hands urged Ayrenn's head up from Kjoret's neck and pulled her into a desperate kiss. Warmth filled Ayrenn's body. She loved this woman. With a renewed vigor she slid her fingers in deep, massaging that sweet spot in the Nord. Her thumb flicked over Kjoret's clit.

"Fuck-" Kjoret called out, eyes half-lidded. Ayrenn moved to take a breast into her mouth, and one of Kjoret's hands held her there. Her thumb continued its ministrations as she forced a deep thrust into Kjoret. "…Renn!" was all that her lover managed as she was pushed over the edge. Muscles tightened around Ayrenn's fingers. Hips raised off the mattress. Her back arched.

Ayrenn's rhythm slowed, guiding Kjoret down slowly from her release. Clenched muscles relaxed and allowed Ayrenn to remove herself from within Kjoret. She allowed her lover to catch her breath before rewarding her with a gentle kiss. "About time we did this," Ayrenn joked.

"Mm, I'm glad we did, dear."

"I love you. And I love when you call me endearing names." That earned an eye roll from Kjoret.

"Well, I love you too, Renn," Kjoret emphasized, and kissed Ayrenn, still smirking.

"I think I especially love that one. Reminds me of some Nord in the throes of passion." Another eye roll. Her fingers drew lazy circles over Kjoret's back as the couple laid together, both still in a happy, blissful state. A pleasant silence followed before Ayrenn continued, "I'm not sure what will happen at the ratification ceremony tomorrow. I'm not nervous, but uncertainty is something I haven't faced since becoming Queen. Everything I do now is planned out ahead of time. You know, while this wasn't… planned… it was something I was certain about, no matter what happens tomorrow."

"The people of the Dominion will recognize you as their leader tomorrow, love," Kjoret replied and nuzzled closer. "Of that, I am certain."

Ayrenn kissed the top of Kjoret's head, loving the reassurance and confidence she had supplied. Tonight, she wrapped her arms around Kjoret, wanting to hold her forever, to protect her and repay her for everything she had sacrificed over the years.