Chapter 5: The Talk

Sun's Dawn

Solitude

It was early morning, the twilight hours as the sun could be seen barely raising in the east, by the time Arya retired to her room after cleaning up the patio. She knew it would do her no good to pace around waiting for her cocky clanmate to pop up. Being too restless to do anything else, she went to her room she started repacking for the trip to Riften.

If she was being honest, there wasn't much to pack since she became a vampire all that time ago. Arya only had extra pair of dark gray, black and dark brown shirts and leather pants, her black boots, gauntlets, and her anahata sleeveless jacket/armor. And not to mention her Nightingale amulet that had some sort of subspace, carry-weight, storage enchantment that held her black and red Phoenix armor.

Besides the armor and clothes, she also had a few blood, magica, and stamina potions in case they were needed. And, of course, coin to pay for whatever few things she wanted… provided that she didn't relieve that person of their burdens that was. Her sword of Molag Bal was always sheathed on her unique modified sword belt strapped on her left hip, and the shortened Sanguine Rose tucked in a hold on the other side with a deadly daedric dagger beside it.

As she finished up her mental checklist and reorganized for the upcoming trip, she was interrupted by Jordis's yell.

"ARYA!"

The vampire was out the door and over the third story balcony like Coldharbor's fire was on her ass. As she landed she could not help but think how similar this was when she first got here days ago. Only this time she was greeted with a very flustered looking housecarl glaring at her, with a smug and very familiar looking vampire behind her.

"You need to do something about this whole sneaking around shit!" Jorids pointed at the Nightingale with an index figure while her other hand was on her hip. That was when Arya noticed what she was wearing.

"Uh, Jorids? You're- "

"Don't even try changing the subject! Do something about this, now!" Was all the shieldmaiden said as she pushed her way passed her to the stairs.

All she could do was watch her go and when Arya turned to look at the other vampire, she saw that while they had remained quite; they didn't lose their smug looking lopsided grin, fang and all.

"Awe, guess some just can't handle the full glory of my presences." Said the other in a smooth male voice as he gestured to himself.

"Oh? And I am to assume that was all?" Was the sly question as she slowly closed the distance between them with a smirk.

"Of course! You doubt me?" The he said with fake confusion.

"Not at all, I just know you, Edrius, andthat there's always more to it then you let on." Arya said as she got closer.

"Now that hurts." He put a hand to his chest mocking a wound that wasn't there.

"Does it?" he nods, "Well I guess I have to help with that now wont I?" She played along as she finally got close to him, placing a hand on his where it was on his chest, slipping the other one around him in a hug. He grins as she leans to his ear and softly says "I've missed you."

"Missed you too." Edrius turns his head to her, using his free arm to hug her back. "Though, it was only a few weeks. Getting soft on me, are you?"

"No, but I wanted to be there when you got back to the castle."

"Well you have me now, and all to yourself too. So, reports later, fun now." He said as his eyes lit up and promptly picked her up and headed to the stairs.

"Fine, reports later." Arya said with a laugh. "And not to mention I have to "do something about you" since you scared Jordis pretty good."

"Oh, by all means, do it." The male vampire playfully challenged. "I promise you; it'll be worth it after seeing her in her night clothes looking oh-so-fierce."

"Your such an ass." She laughed as they neared her room.

"Maybe, but not as big as yours babe."

"Oh, you are so getting it mister!"

"The only thing I'm getting is you." Was the remark as Edrius kicked the door closed behind him.

With bleary eyes fluttering open, Arya woke up later that day, she turn to look at the clock on the wall, showing that it was past six that night. She rolled back over to drape her left arm over Edrius's chest and leaned her head on the crook of his arm. 'Guess I did 'give it to him' to wear him out like that' she chuckled a bit as she looked him over.

Watching as his chest slowly rose and fell with each breath, he looked so peaceful when she caught him sound asleep like he was right now. His chin length light brown, almost dirty blonde, wavy-ish hair. And light stubble of facial hair to show a faint five o'clock shadow. But she knew that as much as he praised himself on his looks, and could be a bit full of himself, he was self-conscious about his scars.

Carefully so she didn't wake him up, she slowly traced the one on his shoulder to a few on his chest. Her short but talon shaped, black and blood red tipped nails gliding over his skin. Feeling the relaxed, toned muscles on his lean built body. Ayra knew she practically dotted over Edrius, but she couldn't help it, not after all that had happened, and the hell her sire raised and put her through. She just wished that one day he would trust her enough to tell her what happened to get those scars. Only one time under the influence of some brandy and mead, did he say a tiny bit, that he was once a warrior.

Arya, coming from a family of legionaries and high-ranking hold guards, understood and did not push the subject anymore. She knew that some memories where too painful, horror filled, or too dark to talk about, and she respected his privacy. But that did not mean she liked the way Edrius would sometimes hesitate to take his shirt off, or the look in his eyes when he laid with her as she touched. At times even asking her if they bothered her, she would answer by taking the time to kiss each one.

Even as her thoughts drifted to her own that littered her back, she could sense a pair of eyes on her as she traced the last scar a little ways down from his belly button. Purposely causing him to chuckle a bit under her touch, for she knew that was his sensitive spot.

"Well, good evening to you too, Lovey." Edrius purred as he used his right hand to catch her wayward left one.

"Evening to you, Champ." Arya said looked him in the eyes. Out of everything about the cocky Volkihar, it was his amber and blood red eyes that caught her.

"Feeling playful, are we? One would think you would still be asleep after our little bout in the sheets." He jested as he leaned his head down to hers, touching foreheads.

"In the sheets? Babe, they weren't even on the bed." The young lord laughed.

"Guess I'm just that good." Was his teasing answer as he turned to roll over her where he was on top, fully looking her in the eyes.

"Oh defiantly. So good, in fact, that you're the one ready for round two?" Arya smirked has her only answer was a deep kiss.

"I'm on top this time, Lovey." Was the purred remark.

It was almost another hour till the young Vampire Lord could get her… lover? intended?... to let her get up. 'Urgh! He's a confusing one. Definitely getting that straightened out soon.' She thought as she walked down the stairs with her travel pack hanging on a shoulder. She was finally fully dressed in her modified Anataha/Guild armor. Only this time she had a dark brown pants and shirt instead of the gray-back ones.

She set her pack on the chair at the table by the door before going over to the dining room. Thankfully Jordis had her armor on this time and did hear her as she approached. That didn't, however, stop the small glare the blonde gave her as she sat down on the opposite end.

"So… How'd your day go?" Arya tried to start a conversation. Only to fail when she saw the look that was given to her.

"Just fine. You know, after the whole scare that it seems you vampires like to do all the sudden." Jordis said pointedly.

"Weeellllll, he won't do it again. I assure you."

"I'm not convened Miss Lovey Dovey. I might not have vampiric hearing but I assure you that I am definitely not deaf." The housecarl deadpanned. Knowing full well that Arya didn't 'do anything' about it but 'did someone' about it.

"Awe come on Jordis! It could not have been any worst then me scaring you and Matina."

"I just woke up and came downstairs to make some hot tea! Not to come face to face with another pair of glowing eyes! Not to mention it was still dark in the house!"

"Well, you should have put some clothes on at least. What would have happened if he were here to kidnap you? You would have been out in the wilds in your night clothes."

"Not, Funny!"

"NoT, FuNnY."

"Arya!"

"Ok. Ok! Calm down, I'm only joking woman."

"Don't you 'Woman' me- "

"Ladies! Ladies, your both pretty. No need to fight over little ole me." Edrius cut in as he came around the corner.

It took a lot for Arya to not put her head in her hands as she saw the smirking vampire make his way over. Jordis glaring right at him but not in a way that said she was still too mad or cause bodily harm.

As the nightingale watched the two bicker she looked to see where she left her crate of drinks from the previous night. There were still two things of Velvet Lechance's, and she fully intended to bring them with her when they stopped by Whiterun. 'Hopefully, Lydia won't mind too much. She'll have some company to shake up the boring routine.'

The nightingale honestly could not wait to see the other housecarl of her brother's. It's been five, almost six months since she last saw Lydia, and she wanted to see how her life was going since taking part time as a Companion.

"So. You two ready for the trip to Whiterun?" Jordis said, catching the nightingale's attention.

"Trip? What trip? You have me to pop your ass there in a flash." Edrius chipped in.

"Yes, but have we forgotten what happened last time you decided to pop in for a visit?" Asked the vampire lord with a knowing look. "You scared the guards shitless and it was a headache to cover up."

"I know, I know. Sire already scolded me enough as it is about it."

"I'm sure. So, to be on the safe side this time, you're going to teleport us at the bridge by the cross roads, and we'll walk to the gates from there."

"… Well at least we're walking by the meadery, could swing by and grab a few drinks? I think yes."

"Alcoholic."

"Says the one who is a Champion because she kept pace with a Prince." Smirked the young Volkihar.

"And don't you forget it." Arya said to him before turning back to the blonde housecarl, "But to answer your question Jordis, yes. We're ready and will be out of your hair in a few minutes."

"Alright. I'll see you off before I call it a night."

With that, the three of them got up from the dining room table. Arya headed to where she left her pack and saw that Edrius's bag was there too. She threw hers on her right shoulder and handed her love his. Only to play a game of Your It when he kept 'accidently' dropping said bag and scooted it back to her. She eventually won when Jordis sneaked attacked him with smack to the head.

Edrius took it like a champ and shook it off like it was no big deal, only grabbing his bag and hauling it on his left shoulder.

Arya shook her head as the trio make their way out the door, taking in the comfortable silence as they went. As they walked through the streets of Solitude, the nightingale took note of how quiet it was. Being the day after a holiday and a work night, she could understand. But that wasn't what was on her mind as she walked besides Edrius. She knew something was bothering him, the way he acted after carrying her to the room, and the way he was a tad quieter when joking.

Something was up, and she wanted to know what happened. 'Was it from the trip? What could have possible happened?' She thought, trying to figure it out, but stopped when they walked through the city's gate. They continued on until they rounded the corner to the horse stables, standing just inside the towers shadow from the moonlight.

"Well, it was fun while it lasted, but even my fun-loving self knows when a knight in night clothes needs her space."

"Edrius, I swear, if it wasn't for your one smart move in choice of women you would be an Empire lit candle!"

"Whoa now! Don't bring me into this, I'm not in it." Arya quickly said, throwing up her hands.

"No honey, I am. And technically she chose me, sooo." Edrius smirked.

"Why you-!"

"OK! I think it's time for us to go now." The vampire lord cut in, separating the two before they came to blows. "It was really good seeing you Jordis, I'll stop by sometime next week when I meet Tullius."

"Fine," the blonde said and pointed to the Volkihar before adding, "but that one does not pop back in the house!"

"Ok, he'll wait in the Winking Skeever then." Arya rolled her eyes, and one look to said companion proved that that was a not so good idea either.

With a grin that could light up a lighthouse, Edrius held out his right arm for Arya to grab like a gentleman would for a lady at a ball. But not able to resist getting the last word, he turned to Jordis before popping to the crossroads in Whiterun. "Don't miss me too much while we're gone, Knight in Night-Clothes."

And just like that, the two vampires where gone in a shadow 'pop' as they disappeared.

All Jordis could do was huff in irritation before making her way back to the city gates. Content for now that she had a week of her usual routine before she would see the pair again.

Arya

Whiterun hold

As the pair popped at the crossroads in Whiterun a minute later, Arya couldn't help but let out a frustrated growl. Even though the sun had gone down and it was nighttime, it was pouring down raining. In the pitch dark with rain hitting so hard it made it even harder to see, she could barely make out the post eight feet in front of them. The lantern long since extinguished and the faded signs pointing in the direction of different holds and cities.

"I say we make it to Breezehome before we get washed away, Lovey." Edrius said after a booming thunder shook the ground.

"More than likely a smart thing to do." The nightingale said throwing up her hood, "Let's go."

It took them a good ten minutes to jog down the roads to the city's gates, almost slipping and sliding many times as they went. The guards stationed at the gates didn't look all that thrilled at getting out of their little shelters to greet them. Both vampires made sure to dampen their eye color and show their once human ones with a little bit of illusion magic.

"Halt travelers, state your business before entering the city." The guard said in a firm but not unkind tone.

"We're here to visit a friend, Lydia. She's with the Companions." Arya answered.

The guard was quiet for a moment, even if it was just barely, the vampire lord saw the look on his face under the helmet he wore. As if he was contemplating whether or not they were telling the truth, or a threat.

"Alright, but if you cause trouble, you will be answering to the Jarl himself, understood?"

Arya nodded as she looked to Edrius, he too nodded and also noticed how the other guards had stiffened at her mentioning the Companions.

"Yes sir."

At that the guard seemed to have been satisfied and opened the thick wooden gates that had a stallion painted on them. The same one as shown on the banners for the city hold.

As Arya walked through the gates, she couldn't help but jog a bit faster to Breezehome, a few houses down from the smithy shop by the gates. She quickly slipped inside the front patio doors, glad to have finally been out of the rain as the roof above them took on the weather.

"Any longer babe and I would have melted." Was the smart remark from the cocky vampire.

"Didn't know you were made of sugar or I would have been a tad more concerned." Arya teased.

"Are you saying I can't be sweet or that you don't care?" He said, acting all shocked even though he was just teasing to rile her up.

"I think we might have two very different definitions of 'sweet', darling. And if I didn't care I would not have tried to speed up the conversation, by saying the minimum words possible."

"Yeah, your right about that, you do love playing with words." He said with a knowing look, smirking at her before it faded a bit, "But, I couldn't have been the only one who noticed how the others tensed."

Arya frowned at that. "No. I sensed it. I could smell their nervousness as well. We'll have to ask Lydia what that was all about."

"That's if she is home." He pointed to the windows," There's no lights, and it's awfully quiet for someone to be inside."

Arya walked to the door and knocked on it, thinking that maybe the housecarl was asleep a little earlier. An offbeat of four taps from a song, her way of announcing who was on the other side of the door. But there was no answer. 'I don't like this.' The young lord thought as she quietly walked to the nearest window and peaked in, but the curtains were shut.

But it didn't matter to her, she quickly switched to her vampiric eyesight, letting the beast within her out a tiny bit to heighten her senses. Her ears straining for any heart beats within, but none were heard and her vision didn't detect the red beats of a soul inside. Arya calmed her beast and cooled her blood but kept her night vision.

Quickly and carefully, she went over to the door, pulling out a lockpick and began to unlock the door. Within a few seconds she had the door open, Edrius crouching and slipped inside before her. Both stalking in the dark so silently that a mouse would cry.

Quickly making a sweep through the first half of the first floor till Edrius made his way up the stairs to check the second floor, Arya scouted out the rest of the first. She tip toed her way to the table that was pass the kitchen area when she saw a note sitting on the table.

Aldigar,

Will be home later tonight. Running on a late job.

~ Lydia

Arya slowly relaxed and straightened up, it was not as bad as she thought and was glad for it.

"Edrius, it's all clear, she left a note… Though it wasn't really for us."

A few moments later the other vampire hopped down from the stairs.

"Where should we put our packs? This pack horse is tired."

"On the chairs by the fireplace. Might as well light it up while you're at it." Arya said as she sat down at the table.

"Awe come on babe, don't want to surprise our host?" he mockingly pouted, putting both their packs down as he went to alight the fireplace.

"No. Two times is enough and I don't feel like starting any shit at the moment." She said as giving him a pointed look. "Besides, we still have a few things to discuss."

"Ahh, the Morrowind trip." He slowly walked over to where she sat, taking a seat on the other side. "But it's still technically your birthday, so can't the reports wait till tomorrow, Lovey?"

With a sigh she closed her eyes for a few moments.

"Lovey, I know your lord of the castle and have duties to tend to. But you don't have to shoulder everything." Edrius started in a rare serious tone, sliding a hand to cup hers across from him. "You can take a break every now and then."

Arya opened her eyes, staring straight into his. "I know, but some things I can't brush off just for the sake of a break. But, alright. You can tell me the report tomorrow."

"Glad you see it my way Lovey." The Volkihar smiled a bit, trying to lighten up the mood as the shadows danced around them from the fire.

"But there is one thing we need to talk about." The nightingale said as she looked at him with a little hesitation. She didn't want to ruin the mood, but they really needed to discuss this. Even if Arya truly did not know if she really wanted to find out the answers to her question, but she had to know. Had to know if the past two years and odd months were a lie. To know if all she did was hurt herself in the end, by letting someone in her heart. If her choice was worth it.

Seeing the look on her face, Edrius had an idea as to what the conversation they were about to have. And he too was unsure if they should have it. He wasn't blind, even as arrogant, cocky, and young, he could see when someone had feelings for him. But he knew that a relationship wasn't for him, he liked his womanizing ways and has been that way since he was in his late teens and given the dark gift later at twenty-five. It's been two hundred and fifty-three years since that day, and he hasn't changed one bit, but after laying eyes on a certain progeny of the late Lord Harkon, that changed.

What first started out as a simple flirting and comments here and there, he soon found out that the vampire standing before him wouldn't be wooed like all the others. Normally he would shrug and walk away to the next lady to give attention to without any more thoughts on it, but for some reason he found himself knocking on her door a few nights later. If it weren't for him asking Stalf beforehand who the 'new chick' was he probably would have had his ass handed to him that night. And a good thing he asked too, for he soon found out not only who her sire was, but what had happened three weeks prior. Stalf warned him and told him about the Redwater Den fight, that if it wasn't for her mercy, he and Salonia Caelia wouldn't be there talking and laughing with the clan.

Edrius would have joked about losing to a girl if it was not for the look both vampires gave him. It wasn't until Orthjolf, his sire, stopped him and told him to watch it, that not only was Arya the sole progeny of Lord Harkon, but the currant Champion of their Prince, Molag Bal.

The grin he had worn throughout the conversation was wiped off his face like someone had slapped him. Not only where the members of the clan sitting around him, telling him stories of some of her achievements, but also the looks on their faces with an attitude towards this 'Arya' was surprising. Where he was curious and wanted to know more about her, it sounded like many of the others had mixed feelings from a bit of fear to outright hate. This only increased his puzzlement more.

It was almost a week later that he finally got to talk to Arya and found out a little more about her. While it was only a small trip to the far southern border of Haafingar, to find ancient remains of a powerful vampire or something, he had them travel there. He had yet to reveal his power to the reserved light brown/golden blonde vampire and wanted to keep it that way.

She was a quiet and very guarded individual, but she soon started talking to him more once he gave her the notion of actually being accepted. Something, he found out later, was hard for her. And he had a pretty good idea that Serana was the only friend Arya had for the first few months till she met him. And the womanizer soon couldn't keep away from the younger vampire. Whatever it was about the nightingale, he couldn't understand why he got along with her and why he kept going back. Especially when she was the first female he ever tried being friends with, let alone any form of a… relationship? 'oh gods.'

With a soft sigh, Edruis nodded slightly. Not just from the memories of what she told him, but in acknowledgement to her statement. "One question."

"Edrius, don't – "

"I'm not. I promise I'm not trying to dance around the subject." He reassured her. Knowing just how guarded she was of her emotions, in fear that she would get hurt if she let them out or seen as weak. He sensed this was going to be very emotional and both weren't used to showing it. Or ready for it for that matter.

When he saw her relax a bit and nodded for him to continue, he took a steady breath. He was not good at talking around things, preferring the blunt way instead of beating around the bush, or lighting up the mood with jokes, and that's why they got along so well. But outright asking could prove to be the wrong way to go. So, he tried his best.

"Well, Lovey. It's your birthday." Edrius stated as he watched her reaction.

"Yes, I think we accomplished this a few times today." Arya said a little confused, unsure where he was going with this.

"You would have been twenty-five today…" He continued as he subconsciously started rubbing his thumb over her knuckles, remembering his twenty-fifth year.

"Yes, I know." The nightingale slowly said, not quite understanding.

"Babe," he sighed, trying but failing to find the right words and decided to just go with it, "Lovey… do… do you regret becoming a vampire?"

The question stopped Arya from any and all thoughts. This was not something she saw coming, at all.

"What?" Was the dumbfounded reply.

"Do you regret becoming a vampire?" He slowly asked again. Hoping she didn't take it the wrong way.

"Why are you asking me this?" The young lord almost fearfully asked.

"Lovey, trust me, it's nothing bad, I just want to know."

"But why? What did I- "

"Nothing." The Volkihar cut her off before she asked that question. "You did nothing wrong. I promise. I just want to know that you are not doing all of this 'just because', or that you feel like you 'have to', or just to make everyone happy."

"But I do 'have to', I'm the Lord of the castle now, and it is my job. And yes, I try to make everyone happy, I am not my sire. I do not lead like that." She said, almost growling at the end.

"I know you aren't, Arya. Your way is so much better, even if it will take a bit more time for some of the others to get used to it. But that's not what I mean."

"Then what do you mean? Because I'm not picking up what your putting down."

"I don't want you to regret becoming a vampire because of the responsibilities. Because of what is expected of you. The possibilities of the other clans challenging you. And the possible hardships to come." Edrius said honestly.

Arya was quiet for a long moment. "If you mean 'hardships to come' to our current standing of our, what to call it, courting? Even though we act as if we are already in a relationship? But yet both of us are hesitant to act on it."

"Are we?"

"Yes!" She exclaimed. "A night of passion, and the trust of closeness in a friendship, is not the same as a relationship. We haven't even officially announced that we were courting!"

"I don't see why we have to!" He said as he got up to walk over by the chairs of the fireplace. In truth he did see but didn't really want to acknowledge it. His womanizing ways were going to bite him one day, and it seemed like that day was drawing closer.

"Edruis, please." Arya softly said as she watched him sit down, facing the fire. "Do you not truly see it? The way other women look at you but only for lust, not love, and I can't quite do anything? They do not see you the way I do. I cannot claim you if you do not show that you're interested back."

Closing his eyes, he said, "I am interested, do not think that I'm not. I just… I…. can't."

"Can't what?" Tears where forming in the young lord's eyes, her wall crumbling but still trying to hold strong.

"You know relationships aren't for me – "

"And you think I don't think the same? After the hell of my mortal years, the hell Harkon gave me, the insults other 'Pure-Bloods' said, and the harsh command your sire gave you to stay away. I get it. It was not an easy road to get here, the way we were hurt by others before, and I doubt the insults will stop. But if this was all just an adventure or a huge lead on, please let me know."

"This was not a lead on," the Volkihar turned to her, hurt that she would think that, but not shocked after looking back on it. "I promise I'm not leading you on. I promise I'm not using you either, Arya. I… I do have feelings for you, and I'm sorry if I don't say it, but I do. You know I have never been with a woman for this long, or anyone for more than a night or two. You know this."

"Then why can't you say that you love me back? Is it really that hard? Over two years, I've said it three separate times, but you never said it back, just a slight acknowledgment. I understand that one night, all those moons ago, was just going to be a 'romp in the sheets', but even you have to admit that you felt something. I was not the only one."

The tears in the nightingale's eyes at this point were practically blinding her, threating to fall, but she wouldn't let them. "I love you. I do not just 'have feelings for you'. I truly love you." She said whole heartedly, her heart beating almost painfully with the amount of emotion she put into those words.

By then, Arya had gotten up from her spot at the table and walked over to where Edrius sat, but before she could do anything, he grabbed her in his arms. Lost for words as she curled up in his lap, he felt her shudder as she buried her head in his neck, hiding her face. Her wall crumbling as emotions ran through it like a charging force. And Edrius couldn't help but feel upset for seeing the proud, confident, young lord silently crying in his arms.

Ever since the rumors started about them in the castle, a night here and there of him sneaking in her chamber late hours of the day to see her. The other clan members have taken to talking and insulting how a 'vampire of her status and blood' has eyes for a 'thinblood like him'. Or his favorite, 'he's only in it to raise in ranks'. Like he cared about his rank or status in the clan. Of course, none where bold or stupid enough to say it to her face, but that didn't mean she didn't know of it. Not to mention some of the other clans who still had pure bloods also stuck their noses at her. He could not do or say anything about it.

Even with all his boasting, narcissistic attitude, and cockiness, Edrius didn't like seeing the one woman that captured his heart like this. He didn't like seeing her upset but knew that she held far too much in that bottle for her own good. She cared, too much in his mind, even if she hid it or showed it in small portions. But he saw a side of her that no one else did, even her own brother and sister.

He waited a good long moment for her to calm down and collect herself before he reached in his pocket. He thought that maybe now would be the best time instead of waiting any longer.

"I wanted to wait on the reports till tomorrow because I didn't want to ruin this moment with work crap. But when you pushed for that 'serious conversation', I guess it kinda does not matter anyways."

All he felt was a tiny nod on his neck and heard a sigh. When the silence drew out and nothing was said he continued.

"Well, Lovey. I do have something to show you if you're up for it." Edrius said as he pulled out a small pouch, he placed it in her hands as she glanced down at it. "I got it while on the trip, I want you to have it."

Arya opened the pouch and turned it over for the tiny content to drop in her left hand. What she saw made her eyes go wide.

"A promise ring. I know it's not exactly what we want. But I am trying, though a tad bit slow, even for vampire terms. Happy Birthday, Lovey."

All the nightingale could do was stare at the ring that sat in her palm, at lost for words. Before she promptly turned around and hugged him as she kissed him. Edrius for his part couldn't quite do anything considering that she was on his lap but wrapped his arms around her.

After a moment, Arya took a look at the ring that was given. It was like nothing she ever seen before, an elegant crafted but fierce looking ring. It was black as night and smooth Ebony with two smaller rubies on either side of a bigger one in the middle. But then it hit her, the ring itself and where it came from could only mean one thing.

Looking up at him all he could do was grin back at her, knowing her train of thought. "Yes Lovey, the Aundae clan accepts the offer and trade deals. That is my report. We'll save the more important parts for tomorrow."

"Edrius, that's good to hear. The ring?"

"As a token of the agreement. But I thought it was fitting as a promise ring. Your promise ring, Arya. Although it was going to be a surprise later on. But I hope you like it."

"I do. It is very fitting." Arya said as she placed the ring on the ring finger of her right hand.

"Lord Atherdil calls it 'Shadow's Eye'. A one of a kind vampiric ring, crafted like no other. Its power varies upon the wearer."

"Thank you, Edrius. I really do appreciate it." She said as looked him in the eyes.

"I know you do. And I do love you too, my Dark Queen. Please don't doubt yourself, the courtship, or the feelings I have for you. For they are very real." He meant it has he touched heads with her. Basking in the single light from the fire.

If only he had known what his words could have meant for what was to come.

What seemed like only moments actually was a good few hours since the start of the conversation to the end. It wasn't until the sound of a lock turning that drew both Volkihar vampire's attention. Watching as a tired looking dark-haired figure stepped through the doors, soaking wet from the rain that still poured outside.

Lydia for the most part, was a bit surprised at the two figures sitting by the fire that was most definitely not lit when she left. Looking back and forth and truly too damn tried to care at that moment. "Thank you for the forewarning. Not like I don't live here." She said as she walked by the couple.

"Say, we could have – "

"Not up for your shit Edrius. Don't start. And if you two wake me up, I'm going to be pissed."

And with that Lydia marched up the stairs without another word, only a dull sent was smelt by the nightingale. Leaving both vampires in the dark.

Author's Note

Wow! It has been a long time since I updated this story... Whoops. But I did get in a Dragon Age kick and started drafting up my notes and ideas. I had that story floating around for years, since 2013, and decided to start writing it. However, I do try to not let lack or reviews discourage me or my writing, feedback would be greatly appreciated, but I never asked for any in the past.

I will be writing a side story about Edrius's and Arya's first meeting... I'm honestly excited to post it.