A month had gone by since Valdras left for Skaal Village. Michelle found herself pacing their room at the inn, wringing her hands. Her belly had become much more noticeable. It wasn't unusual for him to be gone this amount of time.

It was just unusual that her cousin was trapped with a wacko, and she was over 5 months pregnant.

A soft rapt came in the door. Probably Geldis again. He had taken it upon himself to look out for her since Valdras was gone. Her pregnancy had not been very difficult, but it wasn't easy either.

She opened the door. A cloaked woman stood on the other end, underneath she could make out the telltale signs of royal stitching.

"Serena!"

She embraced her friend, tears starting to fall.

A hand put soothing pressure on the back of her head. "I told you I would come."

Michelle pulled back, her tear tracks littered her cheeks. Serena gave her a toothy smile, red eyes glowed underneath the hood.

Ah, so she decided to remain a vampire after all.

The red eyes looked down, and narrowed. Serena put her hand on Michelle's swollen abdomen.

Michelle pulled her into the room and shut the door. Serena removed her cloak. The public would always be leery if vampires, even if she was part of the Dawnguard's ranks. She had to be careful not expose herself, even in remote areas, such as Raven Rock.

She eyed Michelle, putting her hands on her waist. "How far along?"

"A little over 5 months." Michelle sat down, putting both her hands on her stomach. A frown crossed her face.

Serena looked at the bed, and the bags in the corner.

"Where is Valdras?"

[-]

Valdras was kneeling in the snow, holding up Frea, as she wept openly over her father's mutilated corpse.

Blood mixed with black mucous seeped out of craters that littered his body. A look of agony etched into his face, eyes wide open, in terror.

The Hermaeus Mora had got what he wanted. He now expected to play him as a pawn against Miraak, reaping the benefits of the winner.

It was all a game. Lives had no meaning; they were worthless. To be discarded, once they served their purpose.

He thought back to Michelle. Could he keep risking her life, dragging her along on suicide missions, dealing with malevolent beings who cared nothing of their existence?

Would this be her one day, crying over his corpse.

Or the other way around?

His eyes darkened.