Sai Sahan was a noble and respectable man. He possessed a graceful ease and humour, hidden beneath the calm yet powerful disposition of a veteran warrior – which reminded Aneril of the Redguard who'd trained her in the ways of the Dragonknight decades ago. It was part of why Aneril liked the man so much, perhaps; but Sai himself tended to exude a certain charm while stroking his beard and mulling his thoughts aloud. That, and he had a stubborn, foolish streak which he shared in common with Aneril.

It was an observation of Vareysa's which Aneril had scoffed at; but as she watched Sai push himself to his feet with the slowness of one still in recovery, she was very much reminded of a certain someone who'd hobbled around with a bad knee, throwing herself into battle with Maormer invaders.

Looking away when Sai offered reassurance to Lyris, Aneril knelt before the tiger standing with her, blue eyes pleading for a chance to follow.

"Stay here with Varen. Like last time," Aneril reminded him, even when he snorted petulantly. "You're not coming with us, Shuri. It's dangerous."

A growl.

"I know you want to help, but you're still young. So you have to stay here, okay?"

"Stay, Shuri," Vareysa said. "Or no steaks for the whole week."

That did the trick – Shur'azan's eyes grew round, then he started huffing and puffing, drumming his front paws on the ground in a tantrum. Then he slunk away to Varen's campfire, where he spun in a circle and plopped himself down by the unlit pile of wood, curling up with his head stuck between his front legs – occasionally peeping back at his two elf companions.

Sighing, Aneril bent down to ruffle his head one last time, then went to join Vareysa where Tharn already stood waiting.

"I still think he's a mix," Vareysa muttered under her breath, raising an eyebrow when Aneril looked at her. "You know, between a Khajiit and a normal senche–?" Her words disappeared amid a short cackle, when Aneril nudged her forcefully in the ribs. "Admit it. He's too clever to be pure animal."

"I don't care to know." Aneril rolled her eyes, tugging on Vareysa's wrist when Sai and Lyris finally joined them as well.

Varen came forward, and with a flick of his staff conjured a portal, through which his companions walked to emerge in the arid weather of Hammerfell. Aneril glanced at the sand dunes around them, while Vareysa bent down to grab a handful of smooth sand and let it fall through her fingers. Sai took a deep breath and sighed in contentment, voicing his joy with this long-awaited return. The Valley of Blades was where Sai had been trained as a warrior, and where he'd entrusted his mentor with the key to finding the Amulet of Kings – an artifact called the Ring of Stendarr's Mercy.

Sai sucked in another breath and grinned. "Do you smell the scent of burning embers in the air? We may be in for a treat if Kasura is teaching the firewalk!"

As the party moved forward, Aneril cocked her head and drew a deep breath as well. Sai was right – the air carried a scent of burning embers. But something about it bothered her, and Aneril's nose twitched as she took another breath.

"Sai," Aneril spoke. Though the party didn't slow down, Sai turned his head to look at her. "I don't think…it's a firewalk."

"Hm?"

A third breath, and she was certain – there was a faint acidic tang to the air which left a gentle burn in her nostrils. "It's not fire. Not a normal fire. And there's something else. It smells…deeper. Not just skin, but charred flesh."

Aneril looked to Vareysa's concerned expression for help, but it wasn't needed when Sai's brows furrowed. Relief soothed her anxiety when Sai accepted her observation with a nod, and he led them towards the school at a jog. They stopped abruptly at the sight of ruined stone structures, and the school's grounds littered with bodies, all still smoking from recent destruction. Sai growled quietly at the sight and rushed into the school, calling his mentor's name.

Kasura was quick to answer, and even quicker to warn them of the massive, dragon-like Daedric titan circling above them. Sai barked at his mentor to take cover, while he drew weapons alongside his companions. The ground shook when the mighty titan landed, but they were unfazed and flew forward to engage it in battle, meeting head-on the thunderous lashes of claws and spiked tail, and the blistering burn of Daedric fire. Such a gigantic foe was formidable indeed, but between five capable combatants, it was eventually subdued – though Aneril suffered one pointed claw raking up the side of her face, as the titan thrashed in its last moments while Lyris hacked away at its skull.

Aneril hissed, blinded by the agony burning up her cheek, but she was aware of someone gripping onto her shoulders firmly, while Vareysa guided her hand up to the wound. Gathering magicka in her hand, Aneril cast the healing spell out of pure habit, and only stopped when pain no longer clouded her senses. Her hand was shaking, but she cast another spell at Vareysa's nod, and closed the sliver of a wound left on her face.

With that, Sai let go of Aneril, and together they followed Kasura into the ancestral crypt, where the Ring was kept among the honoured dead. By now, Aneril was ready to head back to Auridon and rest her aching head, but as they reached the stairs leading to an alcove above a ring of famous tombs, her dream of leisure was shattered by Mannimarco's projection. The Worm King's tongue dripped with taunts, before he wove a dark spell that raised the honoured dead from their tombs – to Sai and Kasura's distress.

From there, things spiraled into chaos. Aneril was given no time to even think, her body working on instinct as skeletons of legendary Redguard heroes rushed at them, one after another. Soon, her head was pounding, her body aching from bruises and cuts, her arms losing strength with each block and strike of her sword and shield. Even Vareysa grew exhausted from teleporting all over the confined battleground, and she was left meeting ancient blades and mauls with her daggers in direct combat.

The battle raged on for much too long, but Aneril felt a revitalising surge of adrenaline after shattering one undead's bones, sending them scattered over the dusty floor. Leaden limbs threatening to weigh her down, Aneril breathed deep and stood straight, turning around to find Vareysa – and her blood ran cold.

Red eyes stared back at her, wide in shock. Vareysa's lips parted, but only blood spilled forth in place of words, dripping onto the blade of the greatsword embedded in her torso. The thick metal tip jutting from her back was streaked with crimson.

"No!" Aneril cried, her body moving of its own volition.

Her legs pumped forward in a sprint while she gathered magicka in her forearm, where her shield hummed with energy. Just as the undead ripped its sword from Vareysa's body, Aneril rammed into its side, sending it flying across the floor. She paid it no heed, knowing her companions would take care of it, and instead grabbed Vareysa before she could collapse. Lowering her partner carefully to the ground, Aneril's heart thudded with a painful, anxious rhythm as her own armour became slick with Vareysa's blood. Fear shot through her body as she looked at the gaping wound just beneath Vareysa's chest, and pressed her shaking hands over the torn flesh.

"Hang on," Aneril rasped, growing colder when she realised Vareysa wasn't moving. "Please, just hang on."

She poured the last reserves of her magicka into the spell, enveloping Vareysa in golden light – which fell away too quickly. Despair crept into Aneril as she stared at the wound – still red and bleeding profusely. Then her bloodstained hands were swept away, Tharn kneeling beside Vareysa as he prepared to weave another healing spell.

"Prepare a bandage, and call on Varen," Tharn said, his hands coming alight with gold, though much too weak to set Aneril at ease. "I don't have much left. I can only keep her alive long enough for you to bring her to a healer."

Aneril nodded, desperately grabbing onto the thread of hope, while Lyris tore off a part of her own tunic. She waited for Tharn's spell to fade away, before wrapping Vareysa's middle firmly enough to staunch the rest of the bleeding. Vareysa's eyes fluttered open with a grimace, and Aneril bent down when she parted her lips.

"Legs…" Vareysa whispered, so peacefully she sounded halfway gone. "Can't…feel."

Oh no. No! The blade had speared right through her body – and must've injured her spine as well.

"Varen," Aneril called, voice rising an octave as she gathered Vareysa in her arms. "Varen!"

The portal burst to life, and Aneril quickly rose to her feet, fighting against the numerous pains in her own body as she threw herself back into Auridon. Adjusting Vareysa in her arms, Aneril didn't spare Varen a single glance before tearing out of the cave at a sprint – with Shur'azan close at her heels, the tiger having leapt to his feet at her reappearance.

"Rey," Aneril said as they emerged into the afternoon sunlight, and set off at a run towards Vulkhel Guard. "Rey, we're getting to a healer soon. Stay with me, alright? Please."

She spoke reassurances, but only to her own benefit. Vareysa didn't reply, and Aneril choked back a sob amid heavy pants.

They drew plenty of stares in the city, but Aneril didn't notice it in her single-minded focus. She burst through the healer's door, nearly throwing it off its hinges, and quickly set Vareysa down on the first empty bed she saw. Aneril had opened her mouth in a plea for help, but it wasn't needed – the healer called for her apprentice immediately, and the pair undressed Vareysa with clinical efficiency, examining her wounds before pouring a potent healing spell into their patient.

The bleeding stopped, and the wound disappeared, leaving only a red horizontal ridge below Vareysa's diaphragm, where the greatsword had impaled her. Aneril stared at her partner's peaceful, slumbering expression, but barely had time to breathe a sigh of relief when she felt a tug on her arm – a healer was trying to guide her into another cot. But Aneril refused to be moved, and they were forced to heal her injuries while she knelt beside Vareysa's bed.

After the healers were done, they offered Aneril a chair to sit by Vareysa, and it was there she kept vigil over her partner, stubbornly fighting the lethargy weighing down on her. She kept Vareysa's hand in hers, and could feel the first twitch of Vareysa's fingers when her partner stirred hours later. Aneril smiled when Vareysa gazed at her, heart squeezing as she pressed a kiss to Vareysa's knuckles, then her forehead.

"Feel better?" Aneril asked softly, stroking the top of her partner's hair.

Vareysa hummed, flatter than her usual jauntiness. "Much." She closed her eyes when Aneril rested their heads together. "Thanks, Anni."

She brought Vareysa back to the cave that night, carrying the mer in her arms despite Vareysa's protests. Aneril set Vareysa in their bedroll at the back of the cave, then forbade her from moving away. She brought Vareysa supper in bed, and tended to her every need before they fell asleep together, Aneril holding Vareysa securely in her arms.

Vareysa was confined to the cave for the next day as well – much to her chagrin – but she played along with Aneril's 'orders'…until she didn't. After spending a second night in Aneril's protective embrace, Vareysa jumped out of the bedroll in the morning, and declared her intention to head into the city. It drew panic from Aneril, who was then forced to accompany Vareysa into Vulkhel Guard, just to keep an eye on her. Healing spells were quite miraculous indeed, but Aneril knew from past experience that once-injuries would unravel after exerting too much stress on them…

Aneril blinked when fingers grasped her chin, and lifted her faraway gaze.

"Eyes up here, sweetheart," Vareysa said with a smirk.

A flush gathered about Aneril's collar when she realised she'd been staring – not necessarily at Vareysa's chest, but since the healed wound was just beneath…

The heat at her neck grew, then a simple touch on her cheek chased away her abashment. Aneril focused on the mer before her – then at the leather helmet that Vareysa held up.

"So? How about it?"

Mind still scattered, Aneril took a moment to piece a reply together. "What about it?"

"It's a helmet. For your head?" Vareysa frowned and looked her over in jest. "We'd better get you a new one before you suffer too many knocks to the skull…or get that pretty face all scratched up."

Aneril pouted, though her grumble disappeared under the touch to her cheek, where the titan's claw had nicked her. She started to lean forward when Vareysa drew her hand away.

"So?" Vareysa shook the helmet in her hands.

"Why this one?" Aneril eyed the ear pockets on top of the headgear, which was obviously made for Khajiit.

"Because your armour's already…all over the place." Vareysa gestured at Aneril's gear, which was an ensemble of mismatched Altmer and Bosmer styles. "Add this one into the mix, and you'll be a model Dominion soldier."

Aneril clicked her tongue, putting a grin on Vareysa's face. Thankfully, her partner didn't push on with her joke, and set down the Khajiit helmet in favour of a plain steel one.

"How about this?"

"Better…I guess."

Vareysa sighed at her lack of a strong opinion, but Aneril merely smiled as Vareysa paid for their acquisition, then shoved it into her pack. She didn't really take her eyes off Vareysa for the rest of their jaunt in Vulkhel Guard's market, just content to hold onto Vareysa's hand while her partner led them all over the place. It'd been a long time since Aneril felt this sort of…peace in companionship, and she was disinclined to break away from Vareysa just yet, even if she was fighting against a sensible urge to sit Vareysa down for a rest.

Still, while Vareysa was occupied at a weaponsmith's, looking for a replacement for her worn dagger, Aneril slipped away for a while when a thought struck. And when she returned, Vareysa was just moving away from the smithy, looking surprised that Aneril had disappeared without her noticing.

"Where were you–?" Vareysa's words died on her tongue, when her eyes fell on the silver ring Aneril held out to her. "I–"

Amused that Vareysa was speechless for once, Aneril said, "It's for you."

Vareysa's mouth worked in silence, before she found her voice again. "You…move pretty fast, Anni."

"Don't kid yourself." Aneril rolled her eyes, while a smirk grew on Vareysa's lips. "It's enchanted for protection. Leathers can only protect you so much, and I–" Her breath caught at the memory of Vareysa's blood coating her hands.

I nearly lost you.

"I…can't be there all the time, you know," Aneril finished lamely, feeling a little sheepish as she veered from the truth.

Vareysa chuckled, then took the ring from Aneril, examining the runes inscribed on the inner surface. She slipped the ring onto her finger, then looked up at Aneril. "Thank you."

A faint smile curved Aneril's lips as well, her heart squeezing with tenderness when Vareysa tiptoed to peck her on the cheek. Then Vareysa swayed dangerously on the tips of her feet, and a hint of panic shot through Aneril as she grabbed Vareysa by the waist, holding her partner steady. Vareysa wore a bothered frown, rubbing at her temple as she clutched at Aneril's shoulder.

"Want to head back?" Aneril asked.

Vareysa drew a shaky breath, and nodded.

Aneril kept a close watch over Vareysa for the next few days – ready to catch her when she swayed on her feet, bringing her back to the healer's for more precautionary healing, and applying ointment to remove Vareysa's scar. Despite her attentions, the severity of Vareysa's wound had taken a toll on her body, and she still bore signs of lethargy through the days, which had led to Aneril's decision…and Vareysa's disbelieving stare in reply.

"You're kidding," Vareysa uttered, ready to start an argument by their bedroll, removed from their companions. "I'm fine, Anni! I was wounded, but it's healed now. I can fight."

"I don't want to take any chances."

"And you need the help. Mannimarco could track you to the Valley of Blades, what's to say he won't follow you to Sancre Tor?"

"We'll handle it. Rey," Aneril intoned when Vareysa started to argue again. "Stay here. With Shuri."

"Anni–"

"Please."

The quiet plea in Aneril's tone seemed to give Vareysa pause. She regarded Aneril with a slight frown, then let out a sigh. "Now I know why Shuri's so grumpy when we leave him behind."

Aneril's lips quirked in a wry smile, and she held still when Vareysa gave her a quick kiss.

"Good luck," Vareysa said. "I'll be waiting."

Nodding, Aneril nudged her cheek briefly, before taking a breath and moving to her companions. Varen conjured the portal to Sancre Tor as she approached, and Aneril walked through without a backward glance – determined to return in the flesh, when she next laid eyes on Vareysa.

Their mission in Sancre Tor was…tiring, to say the least. Mannimarco had spied their location, raising hordes of undead in a bid to slow them down, and seize the Amulet of Kings for himself. Aneril was pushed nearly to her limit as she'd been in the Valley, but was rewarded with the rush of victory when they fought into the Vault of Kings, and grabbed the Amulet from its pedestal. Mannimarco tried to thwart their escape, but Aneril's dread was soon replaced with a complicated sense of relief, when Molag Bal swooped in to rip his traitorous servant away.

The companions were left staring at one another in disbelief, reeling from the revelation and sudden death of Mannimarco's plot to replace his Daedric master, and the Prince's apparent disregard for them. But Varen's portal blinked to life then, bringing them back to their senses, and they hurried away to their safe hideout in Auridon – with the Amulet of Kings finally in their possession, after a year of searching.

Though Varen expressed relief at their successful recovery of the Amulet, the air about him grew heavy as well, while he mulled over the last steps to ending Molag Bal's ambition. It would be the most difficult distance to traverse, but he assured them with a wan smile that it would be some time before the end came to pass. Aneril nodded when Varen promised to contact her, then packed her bags and left the cave with Vareysa and Shur'azan, planning to lodge in Vulkhel Guard for a few nights before returning to the Queen's service.

As was her habit after accomplishing Varen's tasks – which could be demanding indeed – Aneril sought a semblance of normalcy in little day-to-day routines. Simple things, like rearranging the contents of her backpack, sharpening her well-worn blade, or just combing her hair smooth. It helped to distance her from the impending sense of doom, which had haunted her since she'd lost her soul. Aneril would often get absorbed in the task, so much that she didn't pay much attention to anything else – like Vareysa talking to her, for instance.

Only when fingers patted her cheek, did Aneril jerk her gaze up to look at Vareysa, who cocked a brow.

"You didn't hear what I said, did you?" Vareysa said, a knowing curve on her lips.

"Sorry," Aneril muttered. She lowered her gaze again, continuing to spread ointment over Vareysa's scar. "I'm listening now."

A huff. "Varen sounded pretty final, didn't he?"

Aneril cocked her head in thought. 'Do not hasten towards this final hour. Take the time to appreciate the things you have, the friends you have made, and the world that birthed you,' were Varen's parting words. A little dramatic, perhaps. But sobering nonetheless.

"I guess," Aneril agreed, pulling down the hem of Vareysa's shirt. "But facing a Daedric Prince seems like a pretty final thing, doesn't it?"

"When you put it that way, yeah." Vareysa watched as Aneril wiped ointment from her fingers with a cloth. "So, since the end is coming… Any last words you want to tell me?"

Aneril glanced at her partner, a sudden swell of emotion taking her by surprise. But her mind drew a blank, as if avoiding that which needed to be said, and she settled for a dismissive huff instead. "Don't be silly."

She looked away to set the ointment bottle on the nightstand, but fingers clasped her chin gently, and guided her eyes back to Vareysa. She stared, waiting, then her eyes fluttered shut when Vareysa pulled her in for a kiss. Soft and patient, but it made Aneril's head spin all the same, wondering if it's…as heavy as she thought. Her gaze followed Vareysa when they parted, and she read the truth in her partner's eyes.

"Well, I have plenty to tell you." Vareysa slunk forward to sit in Aneril's lap. She traced the back of her fingers along Aneril's jaw, then cupped her face. "I like you. Everything about you, Aneril. You know that?" Vareysa whispered.

"I like the way you speak, that delicate way you laugh. How your hair feels between my fingers, how your damned beautiful eyes look at me. I love how strong you are, yet so soft underneath." Vareysa traced her bottom lip with a thumb. "The way you first kissed me…and every time after. Do you know what I'm saying, Anni?"

Aneril's lips parted, and though nothing came in her hesitation.

"Do you believe me?"

Her heart twisted unexpectedly, and Aneril's gaze flickered away. She glimpsed the tiger sleeping on the floor, but any thought of using Shuri to escape disappeared when Vareysa touched her cheek, drawing her attention. Aneril stared up at Vareysa, heart beating fast, then stopped when Vareysa hooked a finger onto the front drawstrings of her shirt.

"Maybe," Vareysa purred, close to her lips. "You need a little convincing?"

With a crooked smile, Vareysa pulled one end of the string lose. It wouldn't do anything, honestly – the drawstrings were mostly for show, only baring slightly more cleavage when they were removed. But as close as they were now, with Aneril hyper-aware of Vareysa's proximity, the puffs of breath on her skin…it was a deliberate cue, to be taken or rejected. And Aneril didn't turn away when Vareysa drew close, catching her lips in a kiss. Gentle, then insistent, taking as much as Aneril would give, and more.

Aneril groaned quietly when Vareysa slipped into her mouth with such seductive grace, that she was left needing more. She sought Vareysa's lips each time they parted, her growing desire slaked and stoked when Vareysa met her again, and again. Aneril lost herself in Vareysa's kisses, breathless yet unwilling to part from her lover. Her hands roamed up Vareysa's body, as lithe fingers explored her own; Aneril reveled in her lover's touch, now bold and unrestrained, and a soft moan escaped her lips when Vareysa tugged her head back, laying claim to her neck with lips and teeth.

She fancied feeling Vareysa's smile on her skin amid nibbles and kisses, before Vareysa lifted her head to catch Aneril in a deep kiss. Aneril tilted her head up – then gasped quietly in surprise when a hand landed on her chest, and pushed her roughly down to the bed. She caught sight of Vareysa's playful smirk.

"So submissive, hm?" Vareysa teased. "Don't want to put me in my place for once?"

Aneril wanted to laugh, but the thought sparked a need in her, and she growled, "Shut up."

She grabbed Vareysa's collar, and yanked her down for another kiss. Their lips collided with bruising intensity, but the dull ache did little to distract Aneril from Vareysa, whose hips had started grinding between her legs. She groaned into Vareysa's mouth again, then pushed Vareysa onto her back, parting from her lover's lips just long enough to see the bright glint in her eyes.

Vareysa's hands glided smoothly along her flesh, before they grabbed onto Aneril's shirt, and tugged them up over Aneril's head. She threw the shirt to the floor, breaths heavy as she ran both hands down Aneril's front, her lustful red eyes swallowed by black.

"Do you know how long I've wanted this?" Vareysa said.

"More than I care to know," Aneril replied, drawing a crooked grin from Vareysa. She smiled and bent down, lavishing her lover with kisses and caresses, relishing the way Vareysa clung onto her bare back. But she didn't get to enjoy the sensation long, as Vareysa growled beneath her, then grabbed onto Aneril and flipped themselves over again.

Vareysa's chest heaved with need, her hair tousled from Aneril's hands. She looked down at Aneril's captivated expression, and her lips curved in a knowing smile as she took the hem of her own shirt, pulling it slowly up and over her head. She tossed the shirt away carelessly, eyes locked with Aneril's as she pulled off her bra as well.

"Don't be nervous, Anni," Vareysa crooned, grazing a finger over her lips when she swallowed. "I'll be gentle."

She leaned down to kiss Aneril softly, twining their fingers together. "Do you know what they say about Dunmer women?" Vareysa asked, voice lilted in that playful tone.

"Maybe," Aneril breathed.

"Well," Vareysa whispered huskily. "Let's see how true they are, shall we?"

They didn't fall asleep after reaching satisfaction together. Aneril herself could hardly slip into her dreams, not when her heart was still beating fast from leftover adrenaline, mind whirling with all the ways Vareysa had unraveled her with expert touches and…

She took a breath at the memory, and would've blushed if she hadn't also learnt how loud and shameless Vareysa could be, while seeking completion at her lover's hands. So wild and unabashed; Aneril had found herself admiring Vareysa's brazen display of pleasure, while her lover cried into her mouth, hips bucking into Aneril's hand.

Gods… Aneril closed her eyes, reminding herself to breathe again. Keep it up and you'll suffocate yourself.

She huffed at the thought, then turned her head to find Vareysa still gazing at her with half-lidded eyes. Aneril smiled back at her lover, but said nothing; she laid still as Vareysa's fingers continued to roam over her skin, slowing whenever she traced a scar, as if committing it to memory. Vareysa didn't ask the stories behind them, and Aneril was content not to tell, choosing to bask in simple intimacy for now.

Vareysa's motions were soothing, and Aneril was soon lulled into a peaceful doze, her eyes falling shut as fingers roamed down, then up her body. Aneril followed in her mind the haphazard path Vareysa's fingers set – then froze imperceptibly when Vareysa trailed down her left bicep, to the nicks on her inner forearm. Taking steady breaths, Aneril kept a picture of calm as Vareysa's fingertips grazed over the scars. She tried to let the moment pass, but unease threatened to turn her stomach, and she closed her fingers over Vareysa's wrist.

Red eyes flickered to hers, but Aneril kept her face straight, giving nothing away. Though it seemed Vareysa understood, as she smiled in silent apology, and pressed Aneril's hand to her mouth. Aneril accepted the kiss, but worried she'd made Vareysa uncomfortable. So she led her hand down in reciprocation, trailing her fingers to the prominent scar on Vareysa's chest – an 'X' over her heart.

"How'd you get this?" Aneril asked, a question she'd had for a long time.

"Funny story." Vareysa wore an easy smile. "I was hunting down the leader of a cult of Namira back home. I was doing great…until I got captured, drugged, and chained to their altar."

Aneril blanched. "How is that funny?"

"Cause I escaped?" Vareysa chuckled. "Well, maybe not so funny. But you get my point."

"Not really," Aneril sighed, inching closer to drape an arm over her. "How did you escape?"

"I woke up when my target was making the first cut on me." Vareysa traced one diagonal line. "Mostly for show while he said his prayers and stuff. I struggled against the shackles until he made the second cut on me – a deeper one, damn painful. But before he could carve my heart out, I managed to snap the rusted chains, grab his knife and stab his neck with it."

Aneril nodded slowly. "Sounds like you did well."

"Very well. Thought I wasn't gonna survive after that. But his cult scarpered off when I killed him, and I was free to crawl out into the wilderness with my chest cut open."

"Then how'd you survive?"

"Someone found me." Vareysa shrugged. "Too bad she wasn't a mage, though. Or else the scar wouldn't be this bad."

"At least it's a good excuse to tell your 'funny' story."

Vareysa laughed, knocking their heads together. "You make it sound like I go around showing my chest to everyone."

"Don't you?" Aneril said, lips curved in a crooked smile.

"Only to people I like, Anni. Remember?"

A simple reminder, yet it made her feel so soft inside. "Yeah."

Vareysa sighed fondly, then shifted close to give her a kiss. "I love you, Anni. Just in case I wasn't clear enough."

It was an odd sensation – to reel from a confession so confidently spoken, and to feel a need to speak the same truth that never left her throat. Aneril gazed longer at Vareysa, who smiled and slung an arm over her as well, closing her eyes to fall asleep in a mutual embrace. A reassurance offered so simply, and Aneril nestled up to Vareysa with her heart at ease.