16

Ancano had been delayed by the Dragonborn longer than he had wanted to be. He hoped Aya had waited for him. She'd been dressed in her furs. He'd gleaned nothing from the big Nord. He'd been polite but not forthcoming; he did not care for the civil war and he did not care about the Thalmor. He had made that clear from the on set. He was only concerned for the dragon threat that had been plaguing Skyrim for months.

There was no sign of Aya on his floor, and she was not in his bedroom (Detect Life told him so). He clenched his gloved fists and leaned against the wall outside his room. He would wait for her. Maybe she had been delayed. Colette could have found her and dragged her away. The teachers did spend a majority of time in these halls.

"I'm glad I got to see you," Aya murmured sleepily, her eyes closed. They were on their side, spooning; he still sported his robes, she was nude, her furs were scattered about their bodies. His dick, soft now, was still inside of her. His breathing was uncharacteristically laboured. His heavy arm was at her waist, she intertwined their fingers together. The room was almost pitch black now.

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you I was leaving," she said after a few moments, her fingers tightening on his, "I-I will be leaving again soon…" she sighed and blinked back tears, "It's not you, Ancano," she said quickly in the darkness, "This…" she swallowed and tried again, "You…" she muttered under her breath and chuckled at her own clumsiness. He was bound to know sooner or later, why was she hesitating? "I love you," she murmured, she quickly brought his gloved hand up so that she could kiss the back of it as he stiffened behind her, "Please don't say anything," she spoke hastily, confusing his tenseness for something else.

"I know you're worried Estormo is going to find out about us," she sighed, and blew out her breath as she continued, it was easier without him looking at her, "I'm gonna leave for a bit and draw his attention away from you," she licked her lips, "Thank you," her hand gripped his, "For being wonderful with me, you are wasted as a Thalmor…" she smiled, and blinked away the tears that appeared on her lashes. "I need to think about everything," she swallowed the lump in her throat, "Us. Estormo. The College."

Goosebumps broke out across her skin as he pressed feather light kisses against her shoulder. She swallowed and closed her eyes, "I'll come back," she gasped and then made to twist in his grasp. Her hand came up blindly to touch at his face before she moved up to press her lips against his lovingly, "I'll always come back to you," she breathed in his open mouth before she broke away from him.

She kept her back to him and touched the ground in an effort to find her furs. He released her and she could feel him arranging his robes before he got to his feet. He cast Magelight for her, unlocked the door and left the room without saying a word.

Aya gasped as the light blinded her temporarily and just noticed the door closing when she could see. She stared at the door for a moment, two tears rolling down her cheeks. She was hurt. He hadn't said a word to her. Not even good bye. She pulled her furs on and gathered her things.

She smirked sadly at herself. What exactly had she expected from her elf?

He'd willingly tainted himself. Gods be damned . He was the same as Ancano.

Estormo's fists clenched as he left the Hunter. The leather creaked and he pressed his lips together. His heart was hammering in chest as he descended the stairs to the second floor. His incredulous mind replaying the events of the last hour in his head.

He had been invisible in the Arcaneum, unseen by Ancano and anyone else, shadowing his Superior. He had overheard Ancano tell the hunter to meet him. He had followed and he'd had every gods be damned intention of cornering the hunter and forcing a confession from her. He'd taken a potion that regenerated his mana so that he could cast without draining himself.

She had surprised him. He had completely underestimated the relationship dynamic between her and Ancano. It had never occurred to him that she would physically attack him. He'd had no defense against her body or her roaming hands. She had stunned him and all he had been able to do is whimper pathetically like a cowed dog.

No one had ever touched him as boldly as she had, or claimed his mouth like they were starved for him like she had. And he… he had been rocked to his core, he'd returned her affections without thought of consequence, as if it were him she had really wanted. His cock twitched and he blushed beneath his hood. Estormo clenched his teeth together and stepped onto the landing of the teacher's area. He saw Ancano immediately, the latter straightened against the wall upon seeing him. Estormo wanted to laugh pitifully at himself.

Ancano didn't bat an eyelash as he opened the door to his room and bowed Estormo through. The Thalmor stood in the middle of the room and waited for Ancano quietly. It didn't take long for his Superior to stand before him, a bored expression on his face. He arched a white eyebrow.

"Tell me what is below Saarthal," Ancano invited, his gold eyes focused on him.

"I am not here to discuss Saarthal," Estormo gritted his teeth and cursed mentally as he felt his face flame. Ancano tilted his head and both eyebrows shot up, the bored expression did not waiver. Estormo pushed forward, "I know about the Hunter."

The silence was deafening. Estormo met Ancano's intent piercing gaze, he straightened beneath that withering glare. The stoic mask that Ancano usually sported was gone and Estormo caught a quick glimpse of fear. His Superior remained silent as the grave, his body completely still.

"She mistook me for you," Estormo spoke clearly and lowered his gaze, his voice was barely a whisper, "I won't be reporting you."

Ancano stiffened. It was a long moment before he talked and said one word, "Why?"

"She is leaving the College," Estormo explained, Ancano's eyes narrowed.

"What did she say to you?" He asked, the question sounded forced. Estormo heard the leather from the other Altmer's gloves creaking.

"She loves you," Estormo answered honestly and then raised his head to look at Ancano, "She doesn't know it was me that she…that she…" he trailed off and cursed as he blushed uncontrollably. Gods be damned.

Ancanon straightened and his eyes widened for a fraction of a second as he stared at the other Thalmor. "That she what?"

Estormo raised his head and looked at Ancano. "I envy you," he said simply, and continued with honesty, "if I knew she would choose me, I would fight you for her," he snorted, "but you already won," Estormo sighed and turned towards the door, "She said she would return," he added slowly, "She had to think about everything, including me," he took a deep breath but before he could say anything further Ancano interrupted him.

"You slept with Aya," the other Thalmor said, his eyes narrowing.

"Yes," Estormo confirmed, "and that is why I won't be reporting you." He didn't look over his shoulder as he opened the door, "I will return to Saarthal and report my findings as soon as I can."

"Estormo," Ancano stopped him before he left his room, he paused on the threshold, "Thank you."

He said nothing as he left Ancano's chambers and closed the door behind him. A soft gasp by the stairs caught his attention and he froze as the hunter was staring at him. The blood had drained from her face and he found himself blushing beneath his hood. He gazed at her as she glanced at the door behind him and then bolted like a hare down the stairs. Estormo watched her run and sighed heavily. He fixed his gloves and dusted his robes.

He had a tomb to explore.