Soul of a Dragon

by InMyMindsEyes

Serlina is thrown into an adventure in a world unknown to her. When everything she has ever known turned upside down, she must endure pain, loss, lust, power, magic, revenge and destiny. When she encounters a ranger who sparks her interest, making passions unknown rise, her life will never be the same. Some better. Some worse. Some language and smut in later chapters.

25. Wicked Dance Partners

I can't explain what it felt like to take Casavir's arm. I found myself waiting for Bishop to add something as we walked away, I don't know what, but I was waiting for it with every step. Casavir stood tall as we weaved in and around the last of the guests that lingered and the eyes that followed our leave had me feeling a strange pit in my stomach. One that had me casting a glance over my shoulder and struggle to catch one last glimpse of Bishop before we leave the inn and I can't help but nearly frown when his face is blocked out by one of the celebratory flags that are hung overhead.

"Have you forgotten something, milady?" Casavir's voice breaks my fleeting glance and I look back to him. I take a short breath and straighten with a smile and a shake of my head and that seems to be enough to not have him delving deeper on the subject as we walked.

Casavir held my arm, keeping his distance respectable and as we finally arrived, I let out a low whistle.

"Damn. You weren't kidding about the spectacle, were you?" I say softly under my breath.

He chuckled as he turned into the gilded gates that led up to a massive mansion on the top of a hill. Every window was lit. The windows looked like they were nearly on fire with dramatic flickering globes of light. Despite it being close to nightfall, I still almost had to shield my eyes from the light.

"What is this place?" I asked. My eyes were glued to it, but Casavir barely cast it a glance.

"A meeting place. The Blue Palace owns it. It was built several years ago for functions like this."

"Is there one in every territory?" I found myself asking and got a polite nod.

"Some places in Cyrodiil have several I believe."

"Huh." The gleam of the white walls caught the light from the fires. The effect was ghostly... A pale, shimmering monument to wealth and power. Bishop was right. I had walked right by it and hadn't spared it a glance earlier.

"Anything I need to know?" I asked rather belatedly. I was such feeling like a fish out of water at the moment. Why hadn't I asked when we were more than a few feet away?

He shook his head as he opened the large doors for us. "Just stay at my side, try not to mention the war, keep your manners quaint, and stay alert."

I gripped his elbow tighter when the expanse of the building met my eyes. "Yes, sir."

We entered the foyer and I had to smother my wide eye gawks into mere glances of disinterest. The space opened up into an enormous marble space. The exterior had given the impression that the mansion was like any other, built for living. Inside, it was clearly nothing but a big, public show off.

The chandelier above the center of the ballroom invited the eye upwards though, with its glittering sapphires catching the candlelight. I found myself staring at the room around me as Casavir walked a few steps towards the announcer and stopped behind a few other guests. Silks of vibrant reds hung in elegant arcs over every pale marble arch. Gold shimmered in accents along every pillar, every ridge on the stairs rail, the filling on the marble floor between each slab of stone. I almost scoffed. My people barely had coins to rub together and yet, I was walking on enough gold to feed my village thrice over back home.

Twin curving staircases led down to a lower level, which was already filled. The ground floor was equally filled to capacity. Even with my basic prior knowledge of the event and quick arrival, we were some of the tardiest. I didn't need to read minds to hear the reeling clicks of their brains, noting exactly who was here, exactly when they arrived, and whom they'd brought.

Hackles rose on my exposed neck. The eyes on us only took a fleeting record of the Paladin who stood by my side before they settled with much more interest on me. I was visually frisked up and down, side to side. I found myself feeling like I was back standing in front of the High Council once again. I stood straighter, welcoming their inventory. I would not cower from their deliberate subjugation. I would not only allow it; in fact I would haughtily ignore it. I didn't give a fuck about their high-and-mighty judgments. I wasn't here for them.

Still.

For the first time, I was grateful for the power that my voice held. Not that I would need to use it.

I hoped.

Following the red carpet that herded arriving guests, I glanced briefly from side to side, wondering if I might see anyone I recognized.

In the sea of strange faces, I wistfully remembered that many of the few people in this city I knew were nowhere to be seen. Gorron. Kasa-Jeen. The women from the shops. My eyes flicked to a woman who sat on a chair larger than the others and recognized the Jarl. But after a few more pass overs, I did my best not to frown.

Really, aside from the Jarl and Casavir, with whom I would say I had a passing acquaintances with, I knew no one else in the large room. The realization made me feel adrift and strikingly thoughtful. In a room full of those who embraced the Empire, I came to the realization that I had no solid allies here.

All the more reason to present a strong front. I stood even straighter as my eyes frequently glanced around and yet, I kept looking upwards to the chandelier. It certainly looked stunning. A little much, but still stunning. I wish I could pluck a colourful stone from it but it looked rather difficult to even reach without.. I almost frowned at the position it hung.

"How did they get that up there?" I ask aloud leaning towards Casavir's shoulder before glancing upwards to meet his blue eyes. "Ladders?" I frowned at chandelier and its position in the room. "Magic..?" I asked glancing back up to him and watched as the corners of his mouth ticked upwards in a polite smile and when he opened his mouth to say something, a man in front of us turned and looked over his shoulder at us. His dark skin and teeth that protruding from his bottom lip had me momentarily gapping. An Orc? Here?

"I'll tell you how," he offered sharply, "giant slave labour." He added before scoffing. "Damn Nord racists!" He stepped forward with his partner by his side. I must've had my mouth open for a second too long before I managed a very weak 'oh,' before closing it again. Words must've been spoken to them when the reached the man with a slip of paper in his hand.

"Sir, it is impolite to say such crude words such as 'damn' at the grand ball. We wouldn't want you upsetting more of the guests."

That was what he lingered on?

"What, that woman frowning at me?" The orc casted a small glance over his shoulder at us again. I made sure to keep my face impassive this time but my upwards tilt of my chin had him raising a brow. "Oh good golly gosh, I should apologize for making her crease her makeup!" He mocked.

He received some hushed words as they made their way downwards on the staircase. "Welcome to the grand ball! Next!" We followed suit and stepped further in until we stopped in front of a smartly dressed man with hair grown well past his collar that curled upwards at the ends with a quill and a huge parchment ledger. "Name?"

"Paladin Casavir, The Order of the Divines." My eyes slide sideways to look at him as he spoke. His voice vibrated along my skin and into my ears. It was an interesting sensation but it paled to how proud he looked when speaking his title. I flicked my eyes over to the man holding the ledger as his quill moved over the paper with a face of cool passivity.

"You were expected sooner, Paladin," he tutted without looking up.

His eyes almost narrowed in response. "Forgive my lateness. I needed to collect my companion for the evening." The man ticked off his name, then flicked his eyes towards me. Casavir, gestured towards me with his free hand and held his elbow out further, displaying me slightly. I gave a small polite smile in return, "My companion, as listed, would require being announced as such." The way he had stressed a few words had my stomach fluttering and not in a good way.

The mans eyes narrowed a little as he scribbled something beside my name while I gently pulled Casavir at the crook of his arm towards me.

"Announced?" I echoed and looked from the man holding the ledger to Casavir who didn't even glance my way, but stared at the man in front of us. The man pulled at his sleeve cuffs and cleared his throat and I could have sworn he minimally glared at Casavir before he took a quick deep breath in.

"Introducing to the lords, ladies, nobles of this ball!"

Oh god.

My eyes widened and my hand gripped Casavir for some type of control at the way his voice boomed all around us.

"Actually that not necessary." I try and look around to the sets of eyes that were turning our way.

"Presenting Sir Casavir and the one, the only," the announcer leaned over a little, a small smile pulling at his lips, "at least I hope there's only one or things will get interesting," he leaned away and finishing with a burst of volume

"DRAGONBORN!"

I flinched at his burst and cringed when many faces turned to face us. I can't help but look around and fight the urge to shrink away as I see them looking towards us and start to whisper amongst themselves. Looking back to the announcer I lean towards him.

"Actually, my name is-"

"Thank you." Casavir verbally cut me off and started to walk. Limply, I found myself following suit for about half a moment before I caught the way Casavir stood straighter and nodded in greeting to a few attendees as we walked farther in. Music still played, but the whispers could be heard. I wanted to drag my feet and hated the heat that started up in my face.

My fingers tightened on Casavir's arm with a force that made my hand tremble. He must've thought I was nervous rather than angry because his free hand lifted and settled atop mine that clutched his arm and gave it a comforting pat. My eyes lifted to Casavir who looked so pleased with himself that I had to resist the urge to kick him in his shin.

"Ready to mingle?" He asked tilting his head to the side.

"I don't know." My eyes lifted to his again. "Am I mingling as the Dragonborn or myself?" I asked tartly and watched his face remain politely blank.

"Are the two not one and the same?" He frowned slightly and I found myself wondering the same thing, even if but for a moment.

"I suppose you will find out." I return and feel myself sliding into a new mental place as he takes my silence as the end of the conversation, and that I don't know if I am grateful for. I suppose it would have been foolish to think that I would have been announced as myself.. But.. Looking at Casavir as he nodded and bowed his head as he looked around the room had me grinding my teeth. Bishop's words come back to me, about him wanting status.. I take a long inhale and let it out.

So much for just.. being me.

Foolish indeed.

A man in ebony armour walks arm in arm with a woman in a deep red dress towards us. Casavir bows his head and smiles warmly.

"Good evening, Commander."

"Evening, Casavir." He extends his arm and clasps Casavir's wrist in greeting. "I take it this is the woman who you spoke of earlier this day?" His dark eyes move to me as Casavir steps aside slightly.

"It is. May I present the Dragonborn?" He offers and looks to me with a small smile. I try to do the same though it feels tight. "Milady, this is Commander Tenigel Tanner." He gestures to him and he bows his head slightly in greeting.

"It's nice to meet you, Commander." I tilt my head in return. He looks at me for a second before looking to Casavir.

"Did you bring her here to give us a display of her supposed powers tonight, Casavir? Shouting like a dragon, was it?" His lack of addressing me directly had my eyes narrow just a little. "I hope you told her to keep her so called 'theatrics' to a minimum." I find my head leaning forward into, hopefully, his line of sight.

"Commander Tanner, was it?" I ask aloud and get three sets of eyes on me. He looks irked by the fact that I no doubt spoke out of turn and that has my lips turning up sweetly and raise my chin at him. "Just to clarify, I am here as a guest, not a source of entertainment. And it would be wise to remember that, and not speak to him as if he's my keeper." The woman in red regards me coolly and pulls the Commander towards the dancefloor when he doesn't respond to me but just gives a tight nod to Casavir before turning away.

We had made it about four steps before Casavir was leaning down to say something in my ear.

"I would greatly appreciate it if you would try to keep those outbursts to a minimum, milady." I pull away from his deep hypnotic voice and give him a baffled look of my own. "I would hate for you or I to be the recipient of harsh repercussions of your words from-"

My scoff drew him to a pause before I levelled him with a hard stare, but kept my face pleasant for any onlookers. "Casavir, I will not stand idly by while I am spoken down to, and as my accompaniment, I should hope that you would not consider how others think of you is a level above how one should treat a lady such as myself."

That has a moment of shame flash in his eyes before a few more guests join us, creating a semicircle.

"Dragonborn!" A woman joins us, probably in her early 50's, wrapped in many yards of fabric that make me inwardly wince at the thought of trying to go up or down the stairs. "You must be so honoured to be in the accompaniment of such a noble and upstanding man like our Paladin here." The way she smiled through her gushing words nearly make me roll my eyes. I knew when I saw or heard hollow complements. Even if they were dressed up.

"That's certainly one way of saying things." I say as I politely and watch as she takes a goblet from someone who is carrying a silver tray full of them.

"When I heard that he was bringing someone who is being called 'the Dragonborn', I must say, I was intrigued and looked into you."

"You must've had to work fast since he asked me only hours before." I supply and watch a coy smile grace her lips.

"I have many contacts that can work fast, but not many could come back to me with many details about you, specifically. Just tales of old, really."

"Is that so?" I frown a little. "I find that odd."

"How so?" She inquires, her head tilting slightly.

"I was in village a few days ago and there was a bard who had heard of my exploits and had started writing songs about it."

"And what are you saying, Dragonborn?" She snipped after taking a long drink of her own goblet. I kept my face passive as I tilted my head side to side in contemplation.

"I just can't help but think that perhaps you need better contacts."

"I see." She tsked, looking around to the other guests who had been occasionally looking in on our little snippet. "I feel horrible for not knowing anything that you have accomplished to raise a toast to you then." She dramatically sighed.

"Shame." She didn't seem to like the fact that I wasn't rising to her bait much. Her eyes flickered with a new light before a smile spread her dark painted lips.

"How about you make a toast then, in return for the honour to be his companion for the night and to be in the presence of all nobility in Skyrim?" She gestured to Casavir. "Surely that must be the most memorable things you have done in Skyrim so far."

"I don't think-"

"Everyone!" She called, looking around getting conversations to slow to a stop as she looked back to me, her hand upraised. "The lovely Dragonborn would like to say a few words for us." They didn't clap, no one cheered, hell, some didn't even bother to look our way, but many looked on and I resisted the urge to click my tongue at her.

"Thank you.." I look from Casavir, to the crowd around us and give my best smile I could manage. It wasn't until I caught that woman's smug face that had me straightening and putting my shoulder back. If she wanted a show.. Ill give her one. "Well, as a testament to our Paladin Casavir here's character and judge of thereof… He has chosen me to be his accompaniment for tonight's festivities. To say I am honoured.." I paused and momentarily struggled with what to say next, but with a small exhale, I met their gazes once more. "To say I am honoured would be an understatement of my own achievements and accomplishments, being past or present, so I will just simply say; you're welcome." I finish, my eyes not leaving that woman's gaze as she glares back to me. "Enjoy the festivities, everyone." I bow my head a little and pull on Casavir's arm. "Excuse me." I say and he lets me go.

I make it to the table where they have small servings of food on tiny silver platters and as I start a small sample plate for myself a woman slides up beside me and reaches for a goblet herself.

"Good evening." She drawls, her voice sounding different from the others I had been hearing most of my evening.

"Hello." I turn to give her room to fully reach.

"Princess Rosalie Milborne." She offers her hand, her face calm and pleasant. Slowly I return the gesture.

"I'm.." I catch myself pondering whether or not I should say my name or-

"The Dragonborn. Yes. I've heard." She sips her wine and looks over to Casavir who is talking to a noble in robes. She leans in and I can faintly smell her perfume. "So, you're the one who has taken our favourite paladin's arm?"

Oh sweet Z'en, here we go. "It would seem so."

"Has he finished showcasing you for a while?" He inquires. Her tone, however, I can't decide if it's teasing or not.

"Again, it would seem so."

"He's almost been scandalously keeping you close to his side." She whispers over the rim of her drink before she takes another sip while I can't help but lift a brow.

That was scandalous? "I wouldn't say that, he's been a good gentlemen." I admit and she has a secret smile pulling at her mouth that has me sending her a questioning look.

"Well, he isn't as noble as you might think." She whispers over the rim of her goblet.

"What do you mean?" I ask quietly so as to avoid any ears listening in. She glances around before leaning in towards me, talking more over her shoulder than anything.

"I heard that a maid who was cleaning his room found a… book under his bed." She supplied secretively. That had me giving her a blank look.

"A.. book?" I echo and watch as she takes a long sip of my wine.

"Mhm. About a certain.. Argonian Maid?" She returned and giggled when I nearly spit out my bread roll. Covering my mouth, I suppress my coughs that nearly transition into small laughter. Before I can say anything in return, she sees whom I would think is her partner and takes off for him with a trill.

I make my way away from the refreshments table, hearing conversation after conversation as I passed by. My eyes roamed the room, observing the collections of crowds when a sight stopped me cold.

Black robes that reached the floor. Gold trim that was so clean it glimmered in the light.. with a flipped collar.

My stomach dropped.

Thalmor. Aldemeri Dominion. Why would they be here? My breath caught when they looked over towards me and I could have sworn our eyes met. I started towards them but a pair of women walked in front of me loosing my sight on him.

"Why do we do this to ourselves every year?" One woman asks as they started towards a table to sit and eat. "I wear trousers everyday but here I am in a corset and skirt that's practically its own ballroom!"

My teeth grinded when I looked all around where I could have sworn he was, but no sign. Like a goddamn shadow. Cursing low under my breath, I keep trying to look for him when I hear;

"Did you see that scruffy-looking man skulking about the entrance earlier? He could have been a bandit!"

"He's obviously not nobility, though I will admit he is very nice to look at from afar." They giggle and I can't help but mentally picture Bishop, lingering around outside and a secret smile pulls at my own lips and an urge to go find a terrace or a door to be outside to see if he is around. Then again, he said he wouldn't be here. Finding Casavir once again, I shake my head when he looks at me quizzically.

"Shall we eat?" He gestures to the wide spread on the right side of the large doors. Damn, I didn't keep my plate from the- oh never mind. Though I had no appetite, I nodded and let him lead us to a table when I hear hurried footsteps in our direction.

"Milady, I have been looking for you."

I look around to see if they were talking to someone else but when they stopped in front of me, I glance to Casavir who returned my surprised look with one of his own before looking back to he messenger.

"Oh?"

"Yes. As Thane, one of our best warriors have been offered to protect you in your travels from our Jarl." He explains softly and I feel my back snap again.

"I already have a travel companion." I reply sharply and internally scold myself when he glances around the crowd around us. "Though I suppose I should meet them." I add more softly.

"I shall send them here when I find them." He says over his shoulder as he walks back towards the entryway doors before I can manage to dissuade him.

"You were looking at me in a way I found.. curious. I wished to inquire what brought upon such a state." Casavir asked as he tucked in my chair behind me when we sat down to eat.

"Oh, I uh, I was just informed that you have a certain taste for literature." I can't help the smile it gives me and judging from the thoughtful look on his face, he didn't immediately jump to what I was referring too. And that was alright. Servers brought plates to us and a plater of selected foods; from baked bread to garden vegetables that were gently roasted, drizzled in no doubt, ridiculously old balsamic vinegar. Mushroom soup, bitter greens with tomatoes the size of peas, rare roast beef sliced as thin as paper, cheese that melts on your tongue served with sweet blue grapes. Multiple selections of wine, the red I found was far to rich while the white was too dry to my taste. I found it hard to drink, but politely sipped. Glancing to the people around me, they seemed to be drinking it by cupful's. Though neither of which Casavir touched, as well as his grilled leeks. Even pushed them to the far side of his plate so they didn't touch his foods.

The servers, all young people dressed in white tunics move wordlessly to and from the table, keeping the platters and glasses full. We spoke of our favourite books, and though it was painful to not bring up, I avoided a certain collection. I had absently been poking at my food for a few minutes when he pointed to it.

"Something wrong with your meal?"

"No, no, its nothing like that. Its just the portions here are so different from.. where I grew up is all." I informed him as my plate was taken away by one of the servants who placed it on his tray.

"I thought that was just the appetizer." He admitted and I didn't even stop my small laugh from escaping me. I looked around and saw much of that food going to waste and sighed.

"I suppose its all going to go to waste since not everyone will eat much." I shook my head gently.

"Does that upset you?" He asked honestly and I shook my head no.

"Everywhere is different. But where I grew up, I was taught by those who were rooted in the land that we stood on, to think of those who, when they see their food to think of the fields, of the farmer's toil. To recall the songs they sang while they worked. Songs that brought peace and comfort to the mind, helped build the connections of faith and of respect for nature. And it was showcased best at our Harvest Festival, a most fun occasion of gratitude and giving, dancing and drinking. I suppose its much like this but less… Lace and silk." I admit and his smile in shared humor had me returning it. "But enough about food, or me. Tell me something about you. Something I don't already know"

He regards me in a way I can't determine, but after a small mental debate, he leans forward. "I have a good running with dice or cards." He admitted and I found myself going a little slack jaw.

"Paladin Casavir, you… gamble?" I teased acting aghast and watched his face go a generous shade of blush.

"Not often, but when I do, I seem to be more than unintentionally adept at it."

"I have never been good at gambling." I admit and for the next little while, I relaxed as we spoke of his occasional wins and losses. Changing my drink to water, I was leaning forward on my hand, listening to him, the sound of his voice making me linger on a few choice words.

"So you're telling me it's a simple matter of… probability and odds?" I let out a bemused chuckle as I sat back and cut my small dessert pie into sections before eating a small wedge. "I was worried there was some chance involved." I say after I swallow.

Casavir was looking relaxed himself, leaning back in his chair as he popped a berry into his mouth, his head tilting side to side in thought. "Well, only if you assume the player with the best hand wins."

"So that would be what you call 'bluffing'?" I ask and watch his blue eyes glimmer back at me as he cuts a wedge of cheese and places some on

"Indeed. You'll also know that in cards you never play your hand. You play the man across from you."

"And if you have no partner across from you?" I watched him lean his head to the side and shrug.

"Then you get a good read on someone from around the table and go from there."

"I see you haven't touched any of the deserts, would you like me to pass you any?"

"No thank you, milady. I do not like them." He said factually and I nearly dropped my fork.

"You don't like desserts?"

"I do not have much of a sweet tooth to be honest." I may have gapped at him and he casts me a shy chuckle. "I just prefer spicy to sweet."

"And leeks?"

"I don't like them when they are grilled. They are far to soft, like their wilted." My eyebrows rose and he just looked back at me and waved away the thought. "I just have preferences."

"Huh." I ate another bite and nearly sighed at the flavours. They had these little fruit tarts with some kind of thick cream that I was thinking of taking a few back for Bishop and Karnwyr. "So, when you are playing with your men, you're good at reading people? That's why you win?" I ask, eating the last of the pie.

"Yes, I am." He takes a long sip from his water glass and sets it down while they took my plate. "Which is why I've been able to detect a reoccurring undercurrent of sarcasm in your voice."

I couldn't help the smirk that lifted my lips. "I'm now assured this town is in good hands."

"Am I to understand that you had doubts beforehand?" He leaned back in his seat, his blue eyes darkening.

"Not at all. I just got the impression the Imperials were here risking hundreds of lives for what some might call diplomacy but now they have what some would call a 'spot of luck' in their midst." That had Casavir smirking into his glass of water. "What else can you surmise, Casavir?" I find myself asking before I can stop myself. His expression changes before setting the cup down and looking me over analytically.

"About you, milady?" His eyes ghosted over a few places on my face before locking with mine again. "I know you are not a full Altmer." I tilted my head to the side, intrigued. "You have the sharp eyes, but not as elongated, longer neck but your face is round, rather than oval. You also have something else, something I haven't seen in my years here."

That has me blinking a few times before I offered a nod. "You are right. Though I don't suppose you have seen many of my kind here. I come from Black Marsh." I supply.

"Home of the Argonians." He adds.

"And Kothringi." I add and watch his brows shoot upwards.

"I haven't heard of them for many years. I studied them when I was researching cures for illnesses."

"I am surprised you found anything at all." I sip water and set it down. "My father said we were a dying race."

He shrugs a little. "As it would seem. But from what I know is that, the Kothringi were creatures of action. In the pursuit of their goals they had indomitable determination. It is an admirable trait, but also an intimidating one."

That had me sending him a teasing smile. "I'll take that as a compliment rather than linger over the 'creature' bit. You wouldn't be scared of little ol' me now, would you, Paladin?"

He returns my smile with a polite one of his own. "Not of you, milady. But of your history."

My smile drops and I lean back. "I could say the same thing about yours."

"How so?"

Looking out amongst the crowd, my sights lingered on a few faces, their heritage easy to see or associate. "Most of Cyrodiil oppressed my fathers people, made them slaves in their homes. They fought for every inch that they now have."

"And yet they are, as you yourself have said, dying out."

I looked back to Casavir and met his blue eyes coldly. "Dying free is better then under someone's heel." I say quietly, remembering my fathers words. Casavir looks like he wants to say something but something catches his eyes over my shoulder and looks back to me.

"My lady, I apologize, I am being called by the Jarl." He doesn't have to point, but with a glance over my shoulder I just faintly make out the Jarl with a few armed guards by her side, standing in a black gown, simple but still elegant. Her day-to-day clothes no doubt hadn't allotted her many options for the typical mourning shade, but here, here she wore it with a heartbreaking elegance that had me sending her a sympathetic sigh. A perfect image of a broken queen if I ever saw one.

She really did remind me of my aunt but also.. in a bittersweet way, my mother.

"Not a problem, Casavir, I shall be here if you need me." He stands and with a polite bow starts towards the Jarl. I go for one of the cream tarts when I see a woman walking towards me, and thankfully she isn't dressed like the other attendees here. This woman was wearing full armour, a bulkier set, different from the ones that a female usually wore, but she moved well enough, weapons included and I instinctually clench my hands.

"Honour to you, I am Jordis the Sword Maiden." She stops a foot away from me and bows. Just over her shoulder I see the Jarl turn to talk to Casavir on the other end of the hall.. Jordis' eyes meet mine when she straightens, looking me over.

Her blonde hair was every hue from white-spun sun to golden browns, all married into long flowing locks that reached just past her armour-clad shoulders. Her eyes were the sweet hue of spring clover that stood out against her creamy skin. She couldn't have been that much taller than me, but she certainly was more leg than I was.

"A pleasure, Jordis. Please call me Serlina." I hold out one hand and catch her surprise when I return the solid clasp she gives me. "I hope that I can request that you call me by my name, not my title." I try persuading her and she seems to warm more, her face lightening in a smile.

"Of course. However, in places and situations like these," she gestures around us, "I will have to call you such. But outside of it, I shall be glade for the reprieve." I nod in understanding.

My smile was genuine and I relax a little. "I certainly will too." I point to myself. "Despite my current appearance, this isn't what I normally look like."

"I should hope not. I was told that you are also an adventurer and I doubt you would roam over Skyrim in that outfit." Her skeptical tone had me raising a brow at her.

"Hey, you don't know, maybe I like having flair." That earned a snort from her.

"I would be pleased to see you deliver on that image. Do you also prefer utensils for weapons?" Gesturing to my still clenched hand, I look to it and let it go, the knife clattering to the table with an exhale.

"Apologies." I set it down and dust off my hands. "And no, I don't. And as much as I would love to deliver on that, I unfortunately already have a companion. And not even the one I arrived with tonight." I point towards Casavir and watch as she turns and stills for a moment before she turns back to look at me once again, her expression losing some of its earlier amusement to have its place taken by something else. Apprehension, perhaps?

"I understand." She looks over my shoulder and takes a small breath. "Then I shall await you at your house then, after I collect my belongings from the barracks, my Thane." She starts to bow once again but pauses when my brows furrow and I lean forward.

"I'm sorry, wait. My house? In Whiterun?" I ask and she frowns back at me.

"No, here in Solitude."

"I don't have a house here." I say slowly, my fingertips tapping on the table.

She frowns. "The Jarl said that the steward has been paid in full for a house in your name." She explained and her bright green eyes glance away towards some commotion before landing on me again.

"But- that… That can't be right. I didn't pay for anything."

"I heard it was through a collective group, some saying they were friends of yours." She offered, her tone softening as she spoke.

"I don't know who would-" I feel my mind begin to whirl as my eyes move from her face and found my sight looking to the band that played near the corner of the dance floor. Friends.. With a shocked gasp, I am glad I am sitting down. It would make sense.. only.. "They shouldn't have.. it must've cost a lot of money… I can't believe they.. oh sweet Z'en, I should pay them back." I rub my neck, absently.

Jordis looks like she wants to add something to it but a pair of gentleman walk past the table towards one of their own, their conversation rising in volume fractionally with each step.

"And since after years and years of lots of nothing, I would like to think that I am able to be a little… shall we say, adventurous." One said, his tone wavering a little. Glancing to Jordis, she looks back to me, her own blonde brows bouncing in intrigue. I lift my wine goblet to my lips to hide my smile at her confused expression.

"I should say so. If I was her I would be thankful for the interest. One might be worried that it was so quiet down there she could practically hear an echo." Now I spit my wine back into my cup as I sent a wide-eyed stare to Jordis who looked a little amused by the glimpse of the conversation that has passed us.

"That poor woman." Jordis mutters looking back to me.

"Hmm. I am a little concerned who would be anywhere near where I think they are speaking of, and shouting into the depts to see if there was one." That has her laughing soundly before covering her mouth with her hand when eyes glance to us. "I've been hearing the most interesting conversations while I have been here, Jordis. It's quite intriguing."

"Have you? I don't stay around these things long enough to linger and overhear."

"I have, the most recent one, I was just talking about gambling with the Paladin actually. From what he has told me is that he is unintentionally good at it. That and at reading people. He read me a little earlier and I will admit, I was surprised at what he could surmise about me without having to tell him a thing." That had her blinking hard and a small breath had her chest rise and fall.

"I find that hard to believe." Her eyes caste away from mine. "He doesn't read some people all that well." She ends quietly but before I can delve deeper, I am beaten to the punch.

"What is hard to believe?" Casavir's voice startled me since I didn't hear him approach, but the glimmer of a reaction from Jordis is what has my attention, that and the subtle way she manages to look up to him and glare.

"I was just hearing from my Thane that you were able to gather a few interesting tidbits about her life without her having to explain herself to you." Her tone has his brows lifting in shock or surprise but quick after, the mask is back on.

"Just a small bit of intuition, Jordis. Nothing more." He returns with a polite shrug but it's the first name basis that had me lifting my own brow at them.

"I take it you've met." It was a question but from the way they are looking at one another, it's more of a statement.

"Oh yes." Casavir says with a nod.

"We keep meeting." They say together, he keeping his face polite and calm, but hers held a little of an edge to it.

"How did you two originally meet?" I find myself asking looking between the two of them.

"I was here to help the Imperial army when I first met Jordis." He explains and she rolled her eyes.

"I was a new addition to the personal guard when the Jarl's husband was still alive."

"When her husband was killed, I along with a few of my men, helped give more protection for the Jarl." He turned his head back to Jordis. "Speaking of added protection, I was just speaking to the Jarl and was informed that I would be walking on patrol around the Dragonborn's new home." His blue eyes lift from her to me. "Simply to keep it from thieves and other wandering miscreants." He offers and I could swear I hear Jordis' teeth grind a little.

"Well, that's.. certainly interesting." I say glancing between the two of them.

Jordis shifts a little, and pushes her blonde hair out of her face when it falls into her eyeline. "Personally I don't think that would be necessary since I have just been told that my Thane doesn't need me to travel with her in her travels, so I am to be station in her home until she has need of it or myself." She leaned towards him a little. "So patrols will not be needed since you and I both know I am more than capable of handling this. I apologize if you are disappointed at not being needed." She straightened again but this time, Casavir regarded her with a heat in his face that had my brows rising minimally.

"I find it interesting that you no doubt think I would go out of my way to get a patrol route near or around the same place you have only just been posted in. Especially when you say you can take care of any task no matter how big, and think that I just asked for this because I have lingering doubts about your capabilities, if at all. You know I cannot or will not disregard a direct order from the Jarl even if I did or didn't." He returns, his voice becoming sterner. But if I didn't know my better, she looked just a little flustered. She however, doesn't backdown.

"I find it interesting that you think you know my mind. As well as it being interesting what you can surmise about someone who you've spent a few hours with. What about someone who you have known longer?" She inquires. "What can you tell about… say me?"

That has him gapping for a second before looking at me, almost for aid. I for one was enjoying watching them bicker back and forth. "I don't think that's- I'm not sure that that's- at least not at an event such as this." He turns his head to look around us and she scoffs. "Perhaps some other time." He wasn't angry per say, or appalled. No, after watching how he reacted when she stood up to him.. it made him.. nervous. I blinked, my eyes switching between the two of them. She made him nervous but in a way that I was wondering if I was correctly picking up on.

"I insist." She speaks softly but the challenge was implied.

"You in-insist?" He looks to me finally, like I was the final to make the decision and I can't help but hold up my hands in a 'go on' motion.

"The lady insists." I offer and watch as he shifts a little, looking at her for a moment. "Please, tell me about her. She is after all to protect my home.." I gently push and see a flicker of something in her eyes when she glances to me, perhaps thanks but its gone as fast as it arrived when she looks back to this man.

He softly sighs. "Jordis is very skilled in combat, strong, capable and very intellectually capable of making quick decisions." He swallowed after.

Alright, very clear, appraising and damn near clinical. I nod and look to her but she doesn't take her eyes off him. His words didn't seem to appease her curiosity. I hold up my hands, palms up. "You said capable twice. Anything else?" I asked, feeling amused by his momentary lack of comfortability. He pondered a minute before he tilted his head towards Jordis.

"Well, on and off the training grounds she thinks her beauty's a problem." He points out making her stare at him while my head leans slightly backwards as I digest his words. Whoa. Okay, change of pace.

"I'm sorry?" She sounds as dumbfounded as I probably looked.

"You worry you won't be taken seriously." He reiterates.

Jordis's calm face hardens slightly. "Which one can say of any woman with half a brain and an appealing face in war that is run by men." She counters and I hide my laugh by taking a sip of water from my goblet. Damn, I like her.

"True, but Jordis overcompensates by wearing slightly masculine clothing, being more aggressive than her female colleagues, which gives her a somewhat prickly demeanor and ironically enough, makes it less likely for her to be accepted and promoted by her male superiors, who mistake her insecurities for arrogance."

My mouth gapped a little at his words while I look to Jordis who eyes him up before shifting a little.

"How was that?" He asked to perhaps the both of us. I only nod while she looks like she wants to hit him. "Would you care to try and return the favour, if you think yourself capable?" He asks and I for a second, think he was intentionally goading her, turning his lack of comfortability towards her and for a long moment, I think she is going to say no, turn around and leave with her head held high but instead, she looks him over once, twice.

"If I'm capable?" She echoes tightly. Her green eyes darken a little before she relaxes her tense shoulders. "All right." I blinked and looked between him and her as she stepped up to him. He was taller than her by at least a foot and a half but he still took a small step back as green eyes focusing on the smaller fine details that some might've overlooked.

"By the make of both your dress suit and armour, you were accepted into a well-paid temple in Cyrodiil or wherever and actually think human beings dress like that. But you wear it with slight disdain..." She leans back and observes him before looking up into his face once again. "My guess is you didn't come from money… and your 'temple' friends never let you forget it. Which means you were at that place by some grace of someone else's charity, hence the chip on your shoulder. And since your first frontal thought is mostly presentation I will say that in any situation you are in, your first thought is how this can best benefit you, rather than seeing things as meaningful pursuits, even when the most obvious ones are right in front of you." She leans back a bit and pushes her hair out of her face once again. "I'd also wager that you were and are, either an only child or orphan, that's what I'd say you are."

I don't even need to mock surprise when he says nothing but the way his fingers tighten by his sides gets my attention.

"Oh, you are." She chuckles and shakes her head, pushing her hair out of her eyes. "I like this gambling thing of yours. And that makes perfect sense... Since many forces in Cyrodiil looks for maladjusted young men that give little thought to sacrificing others or themselves in order to protect what the Imperials believe in. You know… lonely types with easy attractive smiles and expensive armours. Steel, was it?"

"Indeed." His cheeks pinken a little as a small smile curves his lips. "You find my smile attractive?"

I would say that he means it as an almost… playful jibe, but the way her eyes widen slightly has us both see under the mask she has projected, and with a vulnerability that I am sure she doesn't mean to let slip; we both hear a singular word that makes the air go still.

"Beautiful." Her word seem to make his whole demeanor shift, like a weight was either place one him, or off him, I can't tell but the shock is apparent on his face.

"You've… never said so before.. I.. didn't think.." He looks like he's at a complete loss.

With a moment of dawning realization, Jordis seems like she herself can't believe she had actually said anything of the sort and with the both of them staring at eachother, pink in the face, she inhales sharply and turns to me, like I was a newfound safety net before she gave a small bow of her head.

"With that, I will take my leave and head to your home. Goodnight, my Thane." She lifts her head and I can't help but send her a look of shock, encouragement and curiosity when I glance from her to him again. She returns it with a trained look before looking up to Casavir once again. "Enjoy your festivities, Paladin. I hope you get what you truly desire at the end of the night." She doesn't bow but doesn't break eye contact with him.

He studies her for a second and with carefully slow deliberation, reaches out for her hand. She seems shocked but doesn't pull it away when he lifts it to his lips and gently kisses the top of her knuckles. His eyes had closed but when they open they are back on her. I hear the hitch in her breath before she tactfully pulls her hand out of his grasp, the tension is back between them but this time its charge is higher, and that has a muscle in his clean-shaven jaw ticks as he watched her turn on her heel and quickly walk away for a few strides before turning back to look at me.

"She's certainly quite a woman." I admit looking after she has left the ballroom.

"I can't help but… agree." His words are tight, almost uncertain. "Would you like to dance, or perhaps mingle some more?" He asks looking down to me. I look to the dancers and shake my head softly.

"I wouldn't mind mingling." The intensity of the ballroom has died down a bit and that makes me a feel a little more relaxed. He offers his arm offering me a polite smile and after wrapping my arm around his, we start to head towards the staircase. He doesn't say much but from looking at him, he looks greatly lost in thought. Baffled even. He nodded when someone called to him, but didn't leave my side.

Looking to Casavir, I found it… humanizing in a way.

The Paladin had layers.

He was a paladin, first. But he was also a fighter. He liked to uphold laws and his faith. Didn't drink.. He wasn't pristine though. He was unintentionally good at gambling. He dislikes sweets or leeks.. He read smut books. But the most intriguing thing was that he and Jordis seemed to have this… thing for heated bickering.. Added to the fact that he seemed oblivious to the way she reacting to him. But now and again.. leaning my head a little to change the way I looked to them, I could've sworn there was something heated in the way he'd watched her move now and again.

Spicy indeed.

I snorted to myself when I caught this faraway look on his face, his eyes kept glancing up towards the stairs now and again before they drifted around to the other faces around us before looking away to fall back on me. He looked like he was in an inner turmoil.

Maybe… he just needed a little push. "Casavir, can I just say something to you and I would appreciate it if you would just.. think on it a moment."

His eyes were a little guarded when they looked back to me. "Alright."

"You should be proud of your accomplishments. You're very lucky, more than most."

"Thank you, milady. I agree." He relaxed a little but the uncertainty in his eyes still lingered.

"Its just that.. When those have had a difficult time getting to where they are, sometimes the need for acknowledgment or validation can come across as vain or boastful." He doesn't say anything, but his eyes have gone a little wary again. "Tell me something, Paladin Casavir, if for some reason our words or actions from tonight take an unexpected turn, will that make all this," I gesture around us in a gentle sweep of the room "go away?"

"I don't know…" His striking blue eyes move around the room before settling back down to me once again. "I would imagine that would."

"Well.. If losing the approval of these stiff upper nobles who dance with boards up their backs is the worst of your worries.. Then maybe you could do with losing a few of them. That way it would help you remember what is truly… important." I look over the dancers, the lords who crowd around the wine table with goblets in their hands, the women, fluttering in pairs, no doubt continuing to gossip about Gods know what. "Take it from someone who lived happily with a modest life.. Titles, new or old are sometimes more a… hassle.. then a blessing." I glance around and for the first time all evening, have him see my face as I watch each and every person I can see whisper while looking in our direction. He does the same and I think he stands a little offput. "It becomes all you are.. Not a part of it." I sigh and turn my back to the nobles and face more towards the wall.

"I do not regret becoming a Paladin, milady, though I do find myself longing for…" His blue eyes move away from the ballroom, up and towards the doors, "another life. A simpler one."

"Are there rules in place to say you can't have other means in your life? Like a wife? Children? A dog?" I ask softly and watch a small pain cross his face.

"Not exactly.. I just.. never thought I could have them even if I did." He takes a long inhale and lets it out, looking back to me. "But the evening is growing late and doesn't need to be dampened by my regrets."

He doesn't say much after but a man who seems to have an uneven step comes up to us, goblet in hand.

"Lord Dandii, a pleasure to see you again sir." Casavir offers his hand and the Lord returns his hand with a small distained huff before barely touching his in a handshake.

"Paladin. I see you have made yourself quite comfortable here. And why shouldn't you have. Just look at all the beauty in this room. The chandeliers themselves are probably sapphires, the wine the blood of Talos himself, or at least it better be. It would almost make it worth the two thousand gold entrance fee!"

"The fee is to actually-"

"Keep out the common rabble, I know," he waves Casavir's words away, "but some are saying that its practically a shakedown. Krieg was telling me that there would be a buffet of Tamriel's finest, not tiny fruit."

"I'm sorry, Krieg?" I interject and don't like the way his grey eyes slink over my body, lingering on my chest. Clearing my throat, I get his eyes back up to me once again. "Krieg?" I echo once again.

"Oh, yes. My Squire." He gestures to a dunmer elf who was on his way over to where we were with a plate of collected foods. When he reaches our sides, he nods in greeting to Casavir before his red eyes move to me and widen substantially.

"Oh wow," his red eyes go to the ceiling, his smile showcasing his white teeth, "thank you Prince Clavicus, you old wish granter, you!" He looks back to me. "Dragonborn, I have always wanted to meet you! I grew up reading about the legends as a child!" He spoke so fast and with such enthusiasm that it reminded me of child a little. "Though I thought you'd be a Nord, with horns and.. well y'know…" I watch as he lifts his arms as if to flex the slender muscles I could faintly see under his tunic, "manlier." He says with heartfelt admittance.

"Women are also capable of doing courageous things, or are the legends specific to men only being spoken about?"

"No, they just spoke of the Dragonborn, but that's just what I pictured in my mind."

"Well, no doubt if I read your legends, I wouldn't have pictured me either. But regardless, I hope I live up to them." I start to move along with Casavir but he steps in my way to still me. "I'm sorry, did you need something?"

"No, well, yes- I mean- its just- there's always been something I wanted to know." His words fumbled

"Alright.. And that is?"

"What happens when you stub your toe?" He asks it so genuinely that for a moment, I think he's messing with me but instead.. "Like, do you just shout and whirlwind sprint to a door and get lost in a never-ending cycle?"

His question was so childlike that I couldn't help but smile, a soft giggle leaving my lips. Shaking my head I explain to him that that's not what happens, nor had it happened. He looked.. disappointed but he was soon carted away with his lord. I had been talking to him for a few minutes and now I couldn't see Casavir anywhere. He must've been called away again and didn't want to interrupt the conversation. Looking around as subtly as I could, I frowned when no sign of him came up. He was just here… I sigh and snag a small glass from one of the trays, my eyes continuing to scan the crowds, biting my bottom lip in thought.

Where..?

"I'm here, darling."

I nearly drop my drink when I hear it, and my breath catches on a gasp, my heart picks up and my chest warms as I turn around looking for the cause and for a moment, I think I was projecting, hearing things, then I see him walking down the staircase towards me. His gaze has the air in my chest feel heavy as I breathe.

"Bishop?" My voice sound like a breathless whisper, even to my ears. Oh my God.

He's here.

Glee filled me.

He's here!

But then my fractured mind got the better of me.

Why is he here?

But before I could think on it, my gaze passed over the dress suit he wore, and I all but swallowed my tongue. Everything else faded away until it was just him.

He looked… He looked…. Gods. I couldn't even comprehend how he looked. He looks over my face, his eyes shining.

"Don't mind if I cut in do you?" He asks, barely looking away from me but I frown and glance away and see that someone else was talking to me and yet, I hadn't heard them approach or even speak. I vaguely see him leave my line of sight but my eyes never waver from my ranger. He meets my gaze once again before standing a little straighter.

"May I have this dance?" He asks as he held his hand out, palm up, watching me with sharp eyes that called to me the longer I stared at them. He hadn't fully reached for me though… Instead, he was waiting to see if I reached for him completing the distance. Looking from his hand to his eyes, he watched me as my hand instinctually lifted upwards, my thumb rubbing against my fingertips. "If you don't want to, you don't have too."

My head kicked back into gear.

"It's not that I don't want to," I admit but I can't help not putting my hand in his and the warmth that surrounds my fingers when his hand closed around mine makes my heart skitter a little, "it's the fact that I… can't." My eyes find the floor and I resist the urge to kick at the polished ground. "I haven't danced all night because.. I don't know how." My eyes glance to the couples that moved in the center of the marble floor. "Not like that anyway."

"Its easy, I'll show you." His words had my head snapping up to look directly into his face while his hand tightened on mine and turned us towards the dance floor, several pairs dancing together already.

"Y-you'll show me? Wait y-you dance?" I had made it about five steps towards the dance floor before a sinking feeling hit me in my stomach. "Bishop! Bishop wait!" I harshly whispered while I resisted the strong urge to dig my heels into the floor and found no purchase when I tried too. I was waiting for the telltale sound of my shoes squeaking so I slowly made my way to the dancefloor along side him, my palms starting to sweat. "I can't do this." My eyes are wide and frantically looking around as he takes his place in front of me. I don't want more people to laugh and point.

"Well not that far away. We're going to have to get a little bit closer." His hand glides around me until he is gently holding my lower back, his thumb over the dip of my spine and pulls he towards him. I let out a small gasp when I feel that the chest down, I am flush against him. Solid to soft.

"I don't- I don't k-know the steps." I sputter out and a wicked gleam flashes in his eyes before he leans in.

"Don't worry about it. I'll lead." I can feel myself trembling as I look over his shoulder as the music starts to build. I see women giggling and some eyeing Bishop up and down with such hunger that it makes me squeeze his hand tighter. "Don't look at them. Hey." He gently shakes me so my eyes snap back to him. "Don't look at them. Keep your eyes on me." His voice glides over my skin, his breath warm. The heat that I find looking back to me has my breath stutter, but my shoulders drop. "That's it, sweetness." The look on his face as he murmurs those words makes my heart skitter in my ribs and for a moment, I genuinely fear it could be felt against his chest.

I couldn't say anything, not while I looked into those sharp amber eyes. I could have sworn my tongue was swelling and my skin was undecided in being either hot or cold. But where his skin touched me, the simple way his fingers lifted and trailed over my back made me shiver. He began to move us to the music, subtly telling me how to step, which direction and each time, he helped disguise when I fumbled or nearly tripped. When my eyes looked away when I heard the sounds of what I thought was laughter, he squeezed my hand tighter, held me closer and told me to look back to him. His shoulder was hard beneath my hand, his arms steady as he led me without hesitancy. He was a seriously… good dancer, his movements fluid but not showy. Sure and light-footed.

"You have the most amazingly expressive eyes." He spoke softly as we found our rhythm. "Have I ever told you that?" He asked and I couldn't help my sharp quick inhale then, as I released the breath, my throat tightening.

"No." The word was soft, barely spoken but I managed. "You never told me."

"More foolish of me. Your eyes are so intoxicating, sometimes, hazel, then green, but I like when they're a warm richly brown, and I always feel like I'm lost in them." He brushed the side of my face with his, tickling my cheek with his slight beard stubble, relishing the contact.

"I seem to be the one feeling lost being here." My fingers dug slightly into his shoulder. "I know what I am good at and-"

"It certainly isn't the waltz." He quipped making me let out a small nervous laugh as I stumbled a backwards step.

Looking over his shoulder, I focuses on the material he wore, almost counting the visible threads of the white filigree. He still held the faint scent of woodsmoke, leather and soap, it was comforting against all the scents that each person seemed to wear, how it drifted behind them when they walked. With him, it lingered. I stumbled another couple of steps.

"Don't overthink it, ladyship. Just feel."

And I did.

I felt his arms, solid and warm, heard the music; slow and sweet, saw his eyes looking back down to mine with a controlled heat that had my heart tumbling in my chest.

It left me feeling like I was back on a precipice once again, elevated and terrified at the same time, and it had nothing to do with the wine I'd sipped. A shaken breath had me looking away once again, my face feeling hot.

"Thought this wasn't your thing." I didn't mean it to come out as a jab, but for a last-ditch effort to push away from that cliff again, it held some bite to it.

"It isn't." His returned statement had me frowning.

"So then why are you here?"

He shrugged and turned so we spun gently. "I got bored."

"You're at a ball because you were bored?" I scoff glancing sideways at him. "I didn't think you would get dressed up to crash a ball."

"They wouldn't let me is without the 'proper attire' and I couldn't be here in my usual gear without raising suspicions now could I?" His eyes moved around the room. "Besides, I was craving another drink."

"I literally left you in an Inn. You couldn't have gotten one there?"

"I could have, but anyone who's anyone knows that they would have the best ale here."

"Their serving nothing but wine."

"I could make do."

"Your dodging the question."

"Had a feeling Casavir would still try and parade you around." His hand tightened around my own. "Not that you needed defending but from what you said earlier.." He tightly shook his head. "Couldn't have that."

"What I said?" I echoed, confusion ringing clear.

"Earlier you had said you wanted to be something your not." He recalled and I lifted my head till my eyes fell on his face. For a second, he had a lost in thought expression. "And that is something that had me thinking,"

"Oh no." I playfully drawl out and hold on tight when he spins us around again.

"Don't get smart with me." He spoke near my ear nearly drawing a shiver from me. "As I was saying, that if someone like you wanted a night where you were just in a woman in a dress… Then maybe.. I could just be a man at a ball who saw a beautiful woman and asked her to dance."

That had me looking into his face, my chest squeezing tight at the honest.. well almost bashful look he had. It was gone a moment later, but I had seen it. It had me feeling unsteady but I did have to swallow tightly.

"And you went through the trouble of getting dressed up, for…" I didn't need to finish the sentence, the way he looked to me told me I was right. He cleared his throat and the mask was back in place.

"These clothes are strangling me." He admitted but I had to give him credit for not pulling at his collar like I had seen many men do tonight. Instead I turned to angle away from the crowd as my hand lifted to the tie at his neck. "What are you-"

"Since you went through all this trouble for me, I should at least try to help you feel a little bit more comfortable." His eyes snapped to my hand and when my fingers finally landed on his necktie I met his eyes as I pulled it gently until it loosened just a little. "Then again," I casted my eyes down to where I could just see his neck again and nearly licked my lips as I worked the knot loose. "You would feel much better getting out of them and into something you-" His hand landed on mine, squeezing it when the tie came loose, opening up the lapels. I look upwards and swallow when his eyes burn back to me.

"I appreciate you helping relive me of some tight spaces, but I'm going to have to ask you to stop talking about getting undressed, while pulling on the clothes I'm wearing, princess." His voice is lowered, deep and husky and for a moment, couldn't figure out what he had meant. "Your just changing the spot." He says slowly, his voice deepening, as he pushed our hips together. I can't help the way my fingers tightened on the tie as heat fills my face when realization dawns on me, tie in hand I lower them once again as he directs us off the floor.

"Sorry I didn't think, I mean, I didn't mean to-" I wince and inwardly scold myself. I was in a ballroom with who knows how many onlookers and they would have seen me.. Oh Gods. Looking to Bishop I recognize the veiled hunger and my grip on the soft necktie tightens before I offer it back to him. He lifts his hand and when he takes it from me, he seems pleased and a secretive smile plays at the corners of his mouth.

"The things you do to me, woman." He chuckled low as pocketed the necktie while I couldn't help but manage a grin all my own.

"The things you do to me." I scoff shaking my head gently. "I swear, around you I just.." I swallow and lift a hand to my neck, trailing my fingers over the bare skin. "You make me stop thinking and make me overthink, its ridiculous." I manage a half laugh and push my hands absently down my puffy skirt.

"And you just-"

"Bishop!" Casavir's voice has me flinch a little as I turn to look over my shoulder as the small band changes instruments for their next song. "What are you doing here?"

"Why, I'm here to ensure that this beautiful woman that bards could sing about actually has a dance partner rather than someone who leaves her side for his own means." His eyes glare in warning as Casavir closes in, looking downright irritated. Bishop glares back when he stops just over a foot away and I get the sense that a fight could be brewing and the looks of the people around us looking in, I chew on my bottom lip before a thought hits me and step forward.

"Casavir," I try for his attention and get it after a moment. "I must thank you for bringing me to the ball, but the Jarl spoke to me earlier and voiced concerns about Jordis, my housecarl." I glance up at Bishop and see his eyes go from Casavir to me with a look that read 'another one?' and I tilted my head side to side before looking back at Casavir. "I would appreciate it if you would go check on her, speak to her, clear the air so you may work easier together. Or for other reasons you are mentally lingering on." My voice thrums with a hint of power and persuasion making him draw back and look thoughtful. When he blinks for a second, I see him reassess the two of us but the way he looks back to me, almost questioning if it was alright for him to leave.

I offer him a smile of encouragement and glance to the doors once again. He turns his head to look that way and I swear I see his cheeks pink up again and a small nervous nod has him starting towards the doors.

"What. In. The. Oblivion. Was. That?" Bishop asks stepping up beside me as Casavir politely spoke in passing to several people before leaving the ball.

"Do you want the long or the short version?" I ask looking over to him. When he just sends me another confused look, I almost laugh. "Short version, I was given a housecarl. Her name is Jordis. She and Casavir had both history and attraction that was very.. interesting.. in a way."

"What attraction?"

I thought about it and nodded. "I'll tell you later."

"Well, if were going to be here any longer, than I need a drink."

"There's refreshments upstairs." I am now guiding us towards the marble staircase and when he offers his arm, I smile and take it. The whispers are back, from many around us, but never utter them aloud. When Bishop and I reach the table that still had a few glasses left, he frowns over his choices but somehow manages to find himself an ale. I reach for a goblet and still when he holds his bottle out to me and in silence, we click.

"I didn't think the paladin would have left as early as he did. It certainly a surprise."

"Well I should say so, ranger, since that makes two of us." A sultry voice had my skin bristling and turning to look over my shoulder. A tall lithe woman walked towards the two of us and when I fully looked at her, she reminded me of a slink panther wrapped in a deep crimson dress that stood out against her skin, a deep dark ebony, hair was braided tightly in several rows before ending in loose curls around her shoulders giving her half a mane, her brown eyes slinking their way up and down him like he was a meal, and she hadn't eaten in days.

"Lady Lontara." Bishop bit out. I knew that tone, that was the same one he had used for Aia.

"Bishop." She practically purred, eyes going over him. "I'm surprised you are at another one of these events. My Gods, you've barely changed a bit."

"I could say the same for you."

"Your not one for handing them out, so I will take the compliment." She toyed with her curls, smiling proudly. "Though I doubt you're surprised to see me. You honestly shouldn't be, you know how I like a good party. Many faces," she looks out to the crowd of dancers before looking back to him with a sultry smile, "as well as experiences to be had, if you recall."

"And some who want to experience, but will never get the chance too." He crossed his arms and gave her nothing but a blank stare.

"I'm not one for abandoning new things once I have an inkling for them." She purred back and I imagined her almost licking her lips at him.

"Maybe you should when the opposing 'experience' is not receptive." I say with a smile as she looks to me with a studied look. A flicker if irritation crosses her face when she looks between the two of us, but she hides it with a flourished picking up of a goblet from a walking servant and takes a paltry sip of its contents.

"And how do you know Bishop Twice Banished? Did you hire him for his services?" She asks, her head tilting quizzically, but my eyes flicked over to him. Twice… Banished? He doesn't blink, but does glance my way and before I can answer she sighs. "Well, I regardless of how you know him, we have history together that is unfinished." She looks back to me and grimaces. "Unfinished much like that dress you are wearing. I would be doing you a favour by saying that you look hideous in that dress." She looks over the rim of her goblet with a sneer. "I can't tell who made it for you, a seamstress or a hagraven." She taps a finger against her lips, pondering.

I glance down to my gown and run a hand down the fabric before looking back up to her.

"I will admit, that I do look a little ostentatious. But I do look greatly more appealing out of them." Her bored look has me wanting to grind my teeth, but I knew how to deal with these type of women. I let a small sly smile peek out before I shyly look towards Bishop. "In fact, Bishop helped me get out of one earlier today, and rather quickly." I catch his subtle surprise at my play on words and clear my throat. When I smile playfully back to him he returns it and leans towards me, his devilish grin making my cheeks heat.

"I would say the colour didn't suit you, but that would be an excuse." His voice lowered. "I had to get it off of you."

"It certainly was a…" I inhale slowly as I glance down to his belt to where his dagger's hilt was peeking out from his dress coat, "tight fit." The inuendo wasn't intentional but the secretive grin we both shared seemed to earn us each a glare. But the heat was back in his eyes when they stayed on me. "Then again, I am glad you were able to lend me a helping hand."

"For you, ladyship, I would be eager to offer it again and again. I certainly don't need you in all this fancy finery and you certainly don't need it. You and I both know that you don't need anyone's half assed compliments to command attention." He looks me over and lets out a long sigh. "Its too bad that Skyrim needs you as their savior. I would have found a thing or two you could help me with."

"You have said that I'm always eager to.. help when needed." This conversation was going places that I certainty hadn't intended but I couldn't seem to stop.

"You two are being… distasteful." She spit out and looked like she was going to toss her goblets contents at us and frankly I was pleased that she cut in when she did. Who knows how far it would have gone. "When you are bored with this woman, like the others, come find me when you want a worthwhile endeavor, Ranger. If memory serves you will have enough energy to spare."

The way he lets out a long low breath has me tensing a little. Jaw clenched, stiff shoulders and.. Angry defensive eyes.

I hadn't seen him like this since Riverwood, standing outside the inn. Cold and brutal.

"You wont have much when I am through with you though…" She trailed her goblet across her bottom lip and I felt a part of me want to reach out and grab her by the throat. I could swallow you whole." I stepped between her and Bishop, getting right in her line of sight. She certainly had height with her litheness, but I met her brown eyes with my own.

"He wont be coming back to find you because he'll be with me." I kept my voice, calm and even. "He's not a 'service' that you think your ass is entitled too. Nor is he a rich meal to be devoured by the likes of you, to then get passed around to get a good time." I took a step towards her, my eyes not leaving hers and saw the glimpse of apprehension. "The only thing distasteful in this place is your ignorance and disgusting behaviour. Don't talk about my ranger in such ways in or out of my presence again." My head tilted upwards when I felt Bishop step up behind me, his chest touching my shoulder. I didn't need to look at his face because I suppose what she saw, she didn't like and resulted in her slamming her goblet down with a huff and stalking away, her red skirts swinging. Many faces turned to watch her leave, some had no doubt been listening in and now the whispers started once again.

"It seems we have caused enough commotion. Shall we take our leave?" He asks but I can't help but feel a tug in my chest when I look to the dance floor then back to him once again. He's watching all around us, warily and I have to make an effort to let out a slow breath and turned to him. His face was hard until he looked back down to me. The tension was still there, but his eyes did soften just enough.

"Maybe.. After one more dance?" I don't know why I felt shy asking but he just smiled, took my hand and lead me out onto the dancefloor once again. He pulled me close once and without taking my eyes off his face, I let my body be lead, swayed around with the music. He grew more relaxed as we moved, his hands steady and sure.

Looking over his face, it wasn't hard to see the differences between Bishop and Casavir. One who looked roughened by the dark, and another who walked bathed in the light… My thought began to scatter, my steps falter and that got Bishop to glance down to me, brow furrowed a bit.

"You alright? You're all tensed up." His hand squeezed mine gently as we slowed our movements and I forced my shoulders to relax.

"Twice Banished?" I find myself whispering. He tenses and glances away, his calm face darkening but more with resign as he spins us, keeping me close as we swirl around the ballroom floor.

"A title they gave to me. Once for leaving Thorn's bandit crew. And the other was from leaving a court much like this when I was a ranger for nobles."

"Did she have something to do with you leaving?"

"In a way. She was interested in me, to keep it simple. And certainly voiced her suggestions of… sharing a bed. But the way she was almost demanded it.. Like it was part of the job, like I owed her and her high noble self a fucking service."

"No play on words intended?" I lightly joke and a scoff left him.

"Unintentionally." He sighed and shook his head. "I didn't want to be.. used.. She believed that all those who were under her station were good for just taking orders and giving her what she wanted.. I can be many things, Ladyship, but I refused to be held in that position. I was titled as Ranger of Nirn and that seemed to increase her propositions. When I had made enough money, I left. She was the one that had that second Banished added to my ledger when I flatly refused to lower myself to spend a moment longer in her presence and walked out of there. Banished me from her 'territory'. Pft.. Haven't been back since."

"I understand." I say softly. I understood all too well. Maybe it was what I said, but I felt his body relax under my hand again as we gently swayed to the music. No one bothered us again, at least, not that I was aware of. My eyed drooped slightly as the day started to catch up with me and I had the feeling a yawn was coming.

"We should.. go." I manage after lifting my head to meet his eyes which flicked down to them before meeting my eyes once again before he silently nodded.

When we got out of the ballroom, I took a long and deep breath of the open air, clear of perfumes and other scents. I was grateful for the open air, since it helped keep the tired feeling at bay. While we walked, I told him about my conversations from earlier in the evening, the more I spoke and the farther away from the ball we got, the better he looked. When I told him about my toast to Casavir, the laugh that rang out of him had me smiling in return. His eyes were no longer hard and angry, his shoulder relaxed.

He gave me a look that had his eyes glimmering with barely contained mirth, "that 'your welcome line,'" he didn't even bother to hide his low chuckle. "that was fucking gold."

"Thank you. I'm proud I thought of it at the time." I sigh and look to the houses as we walked by. "I suppose I should say that I think I have a house here." Bishop stops walking to look to me, a little shocked.

"A house? When did that happen?"

"I honestly don't know, but remind me to find my friends at the bards college and… I don't know whether to hurt em, or pay them back." I run a hand over my face.

"Where is it?" He askes and I reach into the small silk bag that I was given and pull out a small map and a key. Looking it over, I point to a few houses down the way from us. "Convenient." He shrugs. "I wouldn't say no, but Karnwyr is still at the inn. I should go back and get him."

"I totally forgot about him!" I cover my mouth with my hand, a small twinge of guilt hitting me. "Your right, we can't leave him alone."

"He'll be alright, don't you worry, ladyship." I start to put the key away but Bishop slows us down as we near Proudspire Manor.

"We could still check it out." He offers, looking over to me.

"I don't even know if it has furnishings." I look back to him and let out a small sigh. "Would.. You mind?' I ask and he shrugs.

"Up to you, ladyship." He says softly and I feel torn, my teeth pulling my bottom lip between my teeth in thought.. "Come on." He gestures for me to walk towards the house.

"Oh- we don't have to-"

"We're here, might as well." He gestures for me to walk on and I feel a small blip of giddiness fill me as I walk up the steps and I struggle to find the keyhole since it was so dark. I was still feeling the door when warm orange light flickered in from behind me as Bishop set a lit lantern on its hook that was embedded in the stone wall. I send him a thankful smile and using the long key, opened the house and stepped in.

It was spacious, I had to give it that. Sparce furnishings though. A few chairs, a cooking pot in what looked like the kitchen. I doubted there would be more furniture further in the house. It looked clean. The walls stood firm, the window frames strong, glass triple glazed and whole. All in all, it looked nice. The only give-away was the odour, well, that and the dust. It was musty and dry, but nothing opening the doors and windows couldn't solve. A spring clean, some fresh flowers, perhaps the house would enjoy the luxury of company.

"Decent space." Bishop commented as he looked around the walls.

"Decent. I could fit four of my childhood homes in here alone." I sigh and look out one of the windows. "There's a patio." I say as I walk through the open space. "Best place for stargazing." I say as I look through the window.

"You think you'd do it often?" He asked as he walked around absently, his fingers going over the stone and rubbing away the dust that collected on them.

"I would try since I do it only rarely nowadays. Little wine, a few sweet treats." I let out a pleased hum at the thought and turn back to him. "Few luxuries I am able to find these days."

"Any others?" He inquires walking towards me. I ponder that thought until he gets close to me again. After tonight… My mind wanders to Delphine and the tales of being a Dragonborn…

"I.. don't think I have time for them." I admit slowly looking out to the patio. "Not with everything that's been going on. My.. priorities have shifted as of late. As they always seem to." His finger goes under my chin to turn my head to face him again. His amber eyes flinting over my face before sighing. Almost like he was disappointed.

"What?"

"Green." He says after looking over my face again.

"I'm.. what? I don't follow." He just looks at me, eyes calm before something in my chest flutters again. He starts to speak but stops, his head turning away, like he was listening intensely.

"Wait, do you hear that?" He asks, and tilts his head towards the patio doors, his fingers near my lips. His eyes shifted from playful to sharp and attentive. I held my breath and listened instantly. I was going to say that I didn't hear anything when raised voices caught my ear.

"You know what?" There was a long pause. "Despite what the Jarl might think, I don't need your help in keeping guard of this place. Add to the fact, that I don't want you here." I nearly gasped. Jordis!

"Why not?" That voice had both of us looking to eachother. I moved to one of the windows and caught sight of a pale blue tunic. Gasping a little, I turn to Bishop.

'It's Casavir!' I mouth and wave him over. He frowns and walks slowly towards me and the window.

"Because I think you are strange. And I don't want someone like you here-"

"Someone who is, what, a paladin?" He counters stepping into view of the window frame.

"Someone who makes me… uncomfortable, that's what." She returned. That had Bishop straightening, reaching for the blade on his hip. I could only put a hand on his arm to keep him from bolting out the door.

"I am sorry if I make you feel like that, that was not my intention." He stepped towards her, and even with the dirty window, his face did seem worried. "I promise not to do it anymore, whatever it is, that I do, that makes you uncomfortable I-"

Jordis stomped a foot and jabbed a finger into his chest. "That's it, your doing it again!"

"Doing- what- how?" He sounded flabbergasted.

"That nice, er- persuasive, talking thing that you do." She huffed, her hands waving gently and stepped back away from him.

"Persuasive- Jordis I don't know what you are trying to get at but-"

She let out a tired groan. "It doesn't matter."

"It appears it does if you are acting like-" He stopped, turning away and looked like he was irritated. Jordis slinked back a little.

"Like what?"

"Like a fool." He threw at her and looked uneasy when she flinched a little. "You try so hard for recognitions that-"

"That!" She drew herself up and pointed at him with a newfound venom that had me raising my brow. "Is hilarious coming from you." She snapped and started for the door.

"What, you think yourself better than me?" He asked and looked like he was going to take a step back when she turned and started back for him.

She got within his arms reach and looked like she was going to hit him but was stopped short when his hands landed on her waist to halt her approach. Her chest lifted and fell as she breathed and stayed like that for a moment before she pulled away, splitting them apart abruptly. Casavir's blue eyes practically glowed in the dark as he took several steadying breaths while looking at her.

"You are always looking higher.. Instead of looking around and finding content with what's around you, with what's… in front of you." That had Casavir straighten but the look on his face was one of thought. He started to speak but she held up a hand and pointed away from her. "Don't. Forget it. Just go." Her arm dropped limply by her side. "I'm tired of hearing how everything in your life wasn't and isn't good enough.." She wrapped her arms around her midsection, her face becoming hidden by her hair. "Including me." That had him looking taken aback as she turned towards the door and used her own key to unlock it.

I moved away from the window and moved myself towards the staircase off to her left dragging Bishop with me.. She must've been in a state to not notice nothing sliding or clicking with the key because the door swung open and closed firmly behind her. Her eyes shut, blond hair sticking to her cheeks and when she took a breath and opened her eyes, looking over the room before her and found me a moment later.

"Ser-," Her eyes flickered to Bishop, "My Thane." She cleared her throat. "Forgive me, I didn't think you would… be here tonight." She looked away, her hair falling in front of her eyes.

"I decided to stop by and look around. Jordis, this is Bishop. My traveling companion." He just lifts a brow at her but hasn't taken his eyes off the window while she nods in greeting. "I was wondering if the reaction between the two of you, and it seems my suspicions were right." I say softly but cross my arms, my face scolding. "And you looked to me like I was sniffing skooma."

"I'm sorry." She said quietly. "For.. letting you be.. mistaken. Or not explaining myself. Or our.. history." She stood straight, pushing her hair out of her face and meeting my gaze when I walked closer. I said nothing but watched her closely and watch her shift from foot to foot before heading to the what looked to be the kitchen area, carrying her small cloth bag that no doubt held her possessions.. "I met Casavir when I was entered into the Jarl's service. There was something about him that.. intrigued me. Drew me in." Her face lifted, her eyes taking on a distant look as they lingered over the door. I didn't stop her, even though I didn't ask her to explain herself. "He was… the way he spoke to the other men was different from the way he talked to me." She sighed and shook her head.

"That's because you are different to me." Casavir stated closing the door behind him and stepped into the house. My mouth opened in shock as he casted a quick glance to us before looking back to her. I saw the way his face reddened, but he pushed onwards. "I was going to say that since I have known you, you have been a light in this dark world that I… wasn't expecting. A light that I thought I had to fight being drawn to." He looked to me and smiled, bittersweetly then looked back to Jordis who looked several shades red and shocked.

"Casavir.. I.." She clasped her hand, her thumb absently trailing over her knuckles.. Her prolonged pause had Casavir looking down to the stone floor.

"Excuse me. Perhaps I have.. let my feelings cloud my judgment." He turns to go and Jordis rushes forward a few steps.

"Don't go!" Her words rushed out and had him stilling. "Please." Her eyes flicked beseechingly to me and I gapped. What was she looking at me like that for. It wasn't like I could command for anything to happen.

"Let's head out, ladyship." That has our heads turning to Bishop who makes his way back downstairs and towards me. "We should give them some… space to… talk things out." Bishop says slowly, and going with it, I start to head towards the door.

"Ill be in touch, Jordis." I call over my shoulder. Bishop passes me heading towards Jordis after a quick look to Casavir. Stopping by the door, I am about a foot away from Casavir when I look back to Bishop, he says something to her, keeping his voice low that had her eyes widening just enough before he turned and strided to my side.

I looked back to Casavir and Jordis. Feet apart but the way they didn't look away from one another… I clear my throat and turn to leave after Bishop opens the door, leading us out.

"Until we meet again, Casavir." I looked back to Jordis who was now heading upstairs, with her small bag giving us space to talk alone.

"Farewell, until our next meeting, my lady. Thank you for the wonderful evening. You were a very insightful companion." Nodding I step out the door but pause when his large hand gently clasps my forearm to halt me. I hear Bishop step close behind me but he doesn't look to him. He just keeps his dark blue eyes on me. "Whatever you choose to do, milady, know that I will be here, to protect her with my very last breath." He had started speaking to me, but his blue eyes had slipped back to where Jordis had disappeared..

I follow where his eyes had gone and a teasing smile curls my lips. "Enjoy the rest of your night." I lean in a little when he lets go of my arm. "Thoroughly." My laugh rings out when his face reddens as he straightens up. I close the door and with a nod, Bishop and I start back towards the inn. We made it about ten paces from the house when the sound of a small ruckus sounded from the upper level that had us turning to face the manor. Like furniture was being tossed or moved aside very quickly. Clicking my tongue to the roof of my mouth I glance to Bishop with his blank expression back on his face.

"Don't look at me, I'm not going back in there." I hear him chuckle behind me.

"Told you his mask would break sooner or later." He calls offhandedly when we start to head back to the inn. I can't help but roll my eyes.

"Even knights have needs. He just needed a push in the right direction." I say as we continue along. "Perhaps when a little tension has been relived, he could be more agreeable to you."

"Not a chance, ladyship. I don't care what pent up sexual frustrations he and Jordis might work out, but I will never, and I mean NEVER, find that fucking paladin agreeable." The venom was back in his words and I inwardly sighed.

"To each their own."

"I will say," he says after we walk a few more feet with the inns sign in sight, "I'm kinda thankful he didn't break for you."

"He had his sights on someone else."

"Who'd have thought." Bishop muttered. "I hope for Jordis' sake that he has a vague clue as to what to do."

The gossip from earlier has me unintentionally giggling until I found myself bending over into full laughter.

"I must be missing something." Bishop muttered as I held my sides.

"I wouldn't worry for Jordis, ranger. He's read books." I finish with a smile and found myself laughing a little more at Bishops confused face. "Don't worry about it."

"I wont need to." There was that devilish smile again. Looping an arm around my waist as we walked, he pulled me into his side. "Looks like your all mine tonight." Even with the chill in the air, I found heat radiating off of him and leaned closer, my head almost resting on his shoulder.

A small chuckle left me before a yawn surprised us both. Covering my mouth with the back of my hand, my eyes flutter a little. "Sorry." I say after I drop my hand.

"Ball took it out of you, huh?" That has me slowing down a little as I think about it. The whole days was.. weighing on me. Not to mention the prospect of what Delphine was talking about.

"This whole days been a lot." I admit, resisting the urge to rub my eyes. He chuckles low and shakes his head. When we walked back into the inn and thankfully this time, it wasn't as crowded as when we arrived or left. Now, it was quiet. Even the bartender was nowhere to be seen so it must've been later than it felt. Our room was just the way we had left it, only Karnwyr was sleeping on the rug under the table. Leaning over while Bishop started to shed his overcoat, I pulled off my boots before padding over to him.

I knelt down, and watched Karnwyr blink awake when he caught my scent and look to me with sleepy eyes. His tail wagged, though slow. Scratching between his ears earns me a tired but happy huff before his eyes fluttered closed again. Standing up, I head to my bag and pull out my clothes to change into, my fingers lingering over my swords that rested under the bag where I had left them. Gripping a handle, they gave me a comfort I had been missing all night.

"You need help getting out of that one too, ladyship?" Bishops voice was teasing as he knelt down to scratch Karnwyr much like I had a moment ago Chuckling, I shook my head.

"I've got this one handled." I glanced over my shoulder. He hadn't moved but his eyes were lingering on me. "Unless you just want to watch me do it?" My words were jesting but his hands slowed to still in Karnwyr's fur.

He said not a word, but his body language changed. I saw it happen and my breath nearly ceased in my chest. He slowly let Karnwyr go and rose slowly, my one eye that could see him from my over shoulder position tracked him. He didn't move towards me or move away. He just looked like a predator, his chest rising and falling slowly. A woman I didn't know, one who had hidden inside of me for a long time, stood up, emboldened by the look in his eyes.

With a single shoulder shrug and a soft hum, I turned back to the table as my hands lifted to my head. My hair was first, taking out the pins until I gently shake it out of its braided coil; my hair falling back down, the pressure leaving from the crown of my head. I heard a deep rumble from behind me and felt my skin heat. I didn't turn, couldn't manage it. Instead I loosely cast the pins aside on the table next to my things, then my arms went behind me as the tips of my fingers found the ribbons at my waist and pulled until I felt the bow go lax. Pulling at tie until I felt the corset section loosen enough, I pulled the singular ribbon loose, the long silky material sliding out of the anchoring clasps fluidly. The scars on my back had always make me nervous of anyone seeing my body, but after wrapping the ribbon several times around my wrist, I rotated my shoulders, enjoying the movement and slowed to still when I heard the faint sound of a groan meet my ears when I dropped the long ribbon to the table beside me. My heart was beating faster, making my hands tremble a little but I wouldn't let it slow me.

My long sigh was slow and grateful from the lack of restrictions but came back in a rush when I left Bishop step up right behind me, my bare back barely grazing his clothed chest, felt his hot breath over my bare shoulder and trembled.

"You… Temptress." He stressed the last word, his voice rough and low. My skin felt hot and yet, he hadn't touched me. I could almost feel his lips on my skin, sweet gods I can't help when my eyes flutter shut when I hear him take a long inhale. "Sure you don't need help getting out of this?" He drawls, his lips grazing over my skin. I stopped breathing. I could almost feel his stubble against the delicate skin of my neck.

"I.. don't know?"

"Is that a question?" He chuckled against my skin and a new shiver ran over me.

"You make it hard to think." I open my eyes and look at the clothes laying on the table. "But I do need.. to change."

A low groan from him had a shiver pulled from me. "Alright. Then you should get some rest." He nipped at my shoulder, earning a gasp from me before he moved away. I felt.. colder without him close by. Looking back over my shoulder he gives me a slow once over before he winks and slides the partition over. Swallowing tightly, I turn back to the table. The sound of my dress hitting the floor earned a pained mumble from the other side of the partition. My body hummed even as I redressed in my regular clothes. I needed to get back to feeling more like me.

"It feels good to be back in my own clothes again." I admit smoothing my palms over my thighs as I walk around the partition. Bishop was sitting on the bed, back in his usual attire, working on putting on his boots. How the hell did he get dressed so quickly.. So quietly? "Feels good to no longer be in a room filled with too many eyes." I admit softly.

"That's… just it." He lifted from the bed after his boots were on. Karnwyr gave him a sleepy side eye before they slowly closed again. "It drove me insane putting up with all their crap, and I was there for… fuck too long, while you seemed to do it with a level head. And if one of those perfumed nobles had gotten their hands on you, even once.." He scoffed, shaking his head, like the idea still irked him a little and set the dark dress coat aside over a chair. He couldn't have been there for more than 2 hours, but still…

"I wasn't dancing with anyone, and if I had been coerced into doing so, I think I would have been… fine."

"Ha! Trust me, dancing is far from innocent with any man." He shook his head and reached for his armoured coat. "I didn't like how they were looking at you." He admits but something in the way he said it had me glancing to the dress that I had thrown over the partition with a frown.

"Not saying that you didn't look…" He trails off but clears his throat, glancing away from me when I look back to him.. "I'm just saying that it isn't something I had imagined you in, but no one could keep their eyes off you." He stepped closer until we were about a foot away. "Especially mine." His eyes held mine, searching as they latched on to something deep within me and we're slowly drawing it out and I… I couldn't hide..

I was losing the fight. And before I felt the thrill of it, it terrified me to the core.

"I uh.. Thank you?" I turn to grab a cloth from the table beside the wash bowl and rub at my eyes until I was sure the powder was off. "You didn't look to bad yourself, ranger." I say tossing the cloth aside before turning back to him.

"Don't expect too see me like that again, ladyship, but for the look on your face…" His eyes lingered on my face, a small smile pulling at his mouth. He lifted a hand to hold my cheek, his palm warm against my face, I was momentarily distracted when his thumb gently moving over my cheekbone. "it was worth it." He finished honestly with such sincerity that I felt my eyes burn a little and blamed it on my need for sleep. My throat tightened as the ground under me became unsteady once again and found myself closing my eyes, leaning into his palm, my hand lifting to hold it to me, as if he would unknowingly help to find my center.

"I'd prefer you in leather anyway." I say softly after a long minute. When my eyes open, he has an expression I can't place… Like I had unintentionally hit him over the head somehow but when my brows furrow, its gone. His hand drops from my face before he turns away.

"Anything else?" He asked in what sounded like good humor but his shoulders were tense. Why would he be tense? Chewing on my bottom lip, I head to the bed and sigh as I lift my feet to completely lay down. When my head connects to the pillow, I feel the day press down on me and could swear the bed was going to swallow me whole. I cover my mouth in as a yawn escaped from me.

"That's to be seen." I say quietly and a solid yawn hits me hard.. "Gods I feel tired."

"Dancing will do that too you." He muttered as my eyes drooped low, feeling like stones were connected to them.

"I like dancing.. with you." I murmur as I breathed in, and out.

"As did I." He returned. Though I didn't see him, I could hear him moving around the room. I heard the shuffling of what I think were his clothes before it fell silent. "Did you mean what you said back there?" He asked breaking the silence. I hummed, the sound coming out questioningly. "When Lady Lontara was speaking to us."

My mind flickers back to that woman on the prowl and I barely have enough energy to grind my teeth. Shifting to get comfortable, I manage to mumble out a soft "Yes, every… word." Before the comfort of my surroundings lulled me into a dreamless sleep.

---

I woke to the sound of hushed whispers, my eyes cracking open to come face to face with the dark eyes of a wolf. Karnwyr's head lay on his front paws, a few inches from me, his tail starting to thump rhythmically on the bed when my eyes focused on him. A soft amused huff left my nose as my hand lifted to his head to scratch at his neck limp. He sort of crawled towards me, his claws digging into the blankets and nearly down my face as he stretched his legs before he stood up with a bark. Moaning against the sound I yawned, gently pushing his muzzle away as I scratched my head before lifting up. Frowning I look around. The sky was barely lit with early morning light, the other side of the bed was bare, Bishop nowhere to be seen. The wolf looked from me to the door, an impatient huff left him.

Okay, so he was close by. Throwing the covers off me, I stood and frowned when my hair fell all around me in tangled waves. Shit. I groaned and started towards my bag for my brush. I didn't have the energy to re-braid it before I fell asleep. I winced a few times as I brushed out the tangles before I heard voiced growing closer to the room. Karnwyr sat on his hind legs, staring at the door with a vengeance before he stood up once again when it swung open. In walked Bishop, casting an irritated look on his face before turning to look at the bed with a frown, before he looked to his left and settled on me. His hair was damp, like he'd showered recently. How long had he'd been up?

"I was beginning to wonder where you were." I say softly, my voice sounding a little throaty from sleep as I run the brush through before my hands slowed. "Good morning, Bishop."

"Morning, ladyship." His eyes softened, his shoulders relaxed before he walked to the opposite side of the room, and there sitting on a stray were the teapots I had used the day before, steam rising from the spouts, small plate of breakfast foods accompanying them.

Each thing I noticed, my heart clenched, flipped then stumbled.

"I figured I'd return the favor…" He gestured to it with a wave of his hand and the air in my lungs stuttered to a halt. I looked from the try to him and he gives me a tight shrug, like he was shy about the fact that he brought me breakfast. Sweet gods.. I set my brush down and started towards him, not even thinking about the reason why. Heat filled his eyes quickly and had him straightening up before a snarl rang out when the door opened again, stilling my stride when a familiar face poked in..

"Delphine." I say almost with a gasp. "Ah, good- good morning.." I say evenly. She looks me over and opens the door a little more. "I thought we were to meet you at the farm just out of town." I swallow.

"We are. I got here earlier than intended but when you didn't show, I figured you would be staying in this place after Malborn got word to me. We'll talk more there; I can't stay here long. Neither can you. Thalmor are deep in the Imperials pockets. Be sure to hurry."

Thalmor. The ball. A chunk of panic hit me before I could process it, and lifted my hand out to her. "W-wait, hold on a minute."

She looks at me and with an irked look, she scowls. "This is no time for cold feet. I've put everything in your hands here, not least Malborn's life. Now do whatever it is you need to do, and let's get going before we miss our chance!"

With that she closed the door. Her footsteps echoing against the wood. Do what I needed to do. Or what I was supposed to do?

"Guess its time to get back to.. reality." With a sigh, I grab an apple and debate throwing it at Delphine while she walks out of the inn, but instead I gingerly take it from the tray and start back towards my weapons, biting into it. "Thank you for breakfast." I say as I start to put on my swords. Bishop doesn't say much but he silently goes and picked up his bow and quiver I say as I turn to him. His guarded face is back and I can't help but wish it wasn't. "You alright?"

"Yeah.. Sure." He didn't say much more as we got ready. When I was tying up my hair in its usual braided tail, he sighs when I meet him at our door.

"What?" I inquire and he just shakes his head.

"Nothing.. I just.. I like when your hairs down." Another ping of tightness hits my chest as we head out and I have a hard time to smother it. It was just past dawn when we walked out of the inn, the sun barely starting to peek over the thin clouds. I don't know how late we got in, but I did feel decently rested.

I was barely awake but now, with each step, I felt a horrible pit in my stomach. The farm came into view quicker than I would have liked, and Delphine even less so. Leaning against a carriage, she caught sight of us and lifted.

"Have you given Malborn the gear you want to smuggle into the embassy?" She called out to us and with a tense huff, I nod.

"Yes, Malborn's all set."

Delphine nods though she does look at my swords with a frown, like she was upset that I didn't at least have one missing from sight. "Good. I have your invitation to the party. But the only way you're going to get past the guards is if they really believe you're an invited guest. Which means you need to look the part, and not be armed to the teeth." She reached over to the carriage and picked up a small stack of clothes while I gave Bishop a sideways glance to him and shook my head. Look the part. All I had to do was stop slouching when I walked and spit more at my 'lesser' races and I wouldn't need any new clothes. "Here, put this on." She places them in my arms when I slowly hold them out. "When you're ready, I'll keep the rest of your gear safe until you get back. You'll only have what Malborn smuggled in for you, plus whatever you can pick up inside. You can get changed over in there.." She jerked her head over to where there looked to be a small alcove on the farm where, by the sounds of it, the wheat was grinded down.

"There's no door." Bishop pointed out, a little tensely.

Delphine scowled. "No one cares if she's naked for a few seconds."

"I care." We say united and for a second, I just look to him but he doesn't take his eyes of Delphine. Looking between the two of us, she reluctantly sighs.

"Then you can be the door. I'll wait here." With that, Delphine leans against the carriage, her eyes on the road. My head reeled as I started to the stone mill. For all the planning that Delphine was doing, she didn't seem to look at me and see the hitch in this. I was partially Thalmor. And they knew their own and the rest. Looking around the farm, I don't see any farmhands. Perhaps they don't get up this early in the day? I scoffed. I don't even know what time it was. As the fears and apprehensions rose in my mind, I decided my concern about the time was not going to be one of them. The alcove was a decent tuck away, and spacious enough for me to set the fine clothes down. Bishop filled the doorway and turned to face outside.

As I started to undress, I couldn't help but mourn at the difference last night and today felt like. I kick off my shoes. Why was I doing this? I scoff and pull my pants off, kicking them away. Why was I even following through with Delphine's so-called plan? Her plan is so ass backwards because she doesn't trust the Thalmor- yet I am a High Elf! I drop my shirt and lift the fine clothes. She can't even tell… Oh hell. Maybe my mixed blood gave me that advantage.

Mixed blood. Mutt. Slaves spawn. Tainted blood… The words from my years with them roiled through me as I pulled the robes over my body. It was like a long gown, this one feeling more like a box than the one I wore last night. The sleeves were far to long and the shoes were horrible to stand in. If I had a mirror, I probably looked a great deal like… What they thought I was. God, I was going to be ousted. I just knew it. I was going to be seen, just like I had been then and the whole thing would be blown apart. Did she even put my name on the list, or the invitation for that matter? I hadn't thought to check.

Oh sweet Z'en. I couldn't help the panicked laugh that escaped me as I ran a hand over the top of my head,

"Fucking.. Shit."

"What's up, ladyship?" Bishop called over his shoulder.

Pushing my panic down, I manage a pathetic "I look ridiculous." Before he turns around and looks me over.

"You look fine." He stated it so confidently that I couldn't help but raise a brow and an arm. The length of the sleeve was longer than my fingertips my at least a few inches. He looked to the end of the sleeve and laughed when I flicked my arm around, making the end of the material flop around. He just chuckled low in his throat and shook his head, leaning in the archway. "Again, you look fine."

That's not how I saw myself. How they will see me. "I get the sense, Bishop, that I could wear a sack and you'd still stare." I huffed as I tried to walk around in the shoes on.

The chuckle that leaves him while he leans against the stone archway has me looking over my shoulder to him.

"Well, I can't deny that true. If it ever comes down to it though, go without it."

"I'd rather try to keep my dignity."

"Ill try not to mock your 'delicate sensibilities'."

"I am far from delicate, but my sensibilities are ingrained in me, so your light mockery would have no purchase. And what's wrong with having a little dignity?"

"I think clothes… dignity.. both are better on the floor."

"Alright." I nodded. "If that's the case, then I would change the situation, that way I can see where your sensibilities are."

"Meaning?"

"If I was without clothes and other people, being men, saw me.. How would that make you feel?"

"I'd rather not think about that."

"Well I would rather think about that than think about…" My throat constricted again, my heart pickin up its pace.

"Think about what?" He steps in, his face worried as I try to calm my breathing. Looking back, He whistled to Karnwyr and points to the door, Without missing a beat, the wolf trot over and plants himself in the center of the doorway, looing out onto the farm just as he had done. "Talk to me, ladyship, What's going on in there?"

Laying a hand on the wall, I cover my eyes and take a few deep breaths, trying to calm down but the sound of my unsteady inhales could be heard above the grinding sound of stone on stone. Dropping my hand, I look down at the ground and inwardly scold myself.

"I just.. I can't.." I couldn't even form sentences, my body shaking. "I can't go back to feeling like that again."

"Like what?"

"Like…" I looked to the grind stone, the wheat that was almost a fine powder by now. "In the beginning, they made me feel like my entire being was a waste of energy and space. They made me feel like I was in an overly crowded room and needed to shrink myself up so I wouldn't bother anybody. I would walk around feeling horrible and worthlessly tolerated only because I looked like my mother." I inhaled, labored and unsteady. "My one saving grace." I shook my head. "But even then. My blood was dirty. Mud, they called it. Because they considered my father a savage. When I got tired of being dismissed and unheard because of my father, I, in their terms started 'acting up'. I called it standing up for myself and what I believed in." I laughed, bitterly. "I made it, begrudgingly to them, higher in ranks. But when they had enough on me, I was… exiled."

"Exiled?" He echoed, pushing off the stone. His shocked expression makes my stomach churn and look away. "That's why.. When I told you about me being banished… You didn't judge me."

"It would be a little hypocritical if I had, now wouldn't it?" I scoff.

"Then don't think about what they have said."

"I can't help but think about it, and the more I think about it, the more I don't want to think about it. And here I am, about to walk headfirst back into a smaller pool of it and I can't help but get the feeling that when they see me.. Its over. Just like that." I snap my fingers.

"Then what do you want?" He asked stepping in. "Do you want to call it quits and leave?" He asked. I didn't know how to answer.. I didn't know if I even wanted to answer. It took a second or two but my head shook no. "Do you want to tell Delphine she's an idiot for not seeing things when she should have?" That had my lips almost quirk upwards in a smirk but I still shook my head no. "Do you-"

"I want to stop thinking for a minute so I can get my thoughts in better order!" I snapped out.

"And how would you do that?" He inquired. "You going to meditate?"

He asked a solid question. I had usually gone out and stargazed when I felt like this. My thoughts could have been as many as the stars but after a time, they always settled into a line, one solution coming not long after the last. It was the solitude, the quiet and the slow breathing that helped. But…

"No.. I don't have time." I have never sounded for frustrated to my own ears as I do right now. "Im stressing myself out, I know but.. I just.. I need to just take a moment to get my mind off it, gather the strength I need and just.." I blow out a breath. Bishop watches me, his brow furrowed before walking to my side.

"Then here." His hands lift and I watch as he goes to the ring that he wore and pulls it off his index finger and holds it out to me. "I want you to take this." My heart clenches in my chest for a whole different reason.

"Your.. ring?" I have to rip my eyes off of it and look back up to him, softly shaking my head. "I can't.. take this."

His brows slant downwards. "Why not? Its not much use to me."

"I figured it was important to you. I mean.. I've never seen you take it off." I say slowly. swallowing.

"True." He admits looking it over between his fingers. A smirk pulls at his lips for a moment. "I got this made for me not long after I left Thorne's group." He glances to it between his fingers, a thoughtful look on his face. "Every time I look at it, I'm reminded of what I left behind to be... better." He looked back to me. "I recall all the shit I put up with.. All the grief I went through.. Everything I lost." He nonchalantly shrugs but I caught the dark look over his face before it dissipated.. "Since Delphine didn't get me a goddamn invite, I figure you can take some of my strength with you." Extending his hand, offered freely and extended his hand to hold it out to me. "Not that you'll need it." That had me looking up to him. "Because you're going to be fine." And yet, he held it out to me, earnestly.

Swallowing past the tightness in my throat, I found my hand lifting, trembling just slightly as I took it from him. I hadn't had the chance of looking at it up closely, but I almost laughed when I put it over my index finger, the ring a decent size larger than my finger. The band was silver, that I had no doubt, but the wear was apparent. It left little doubt in my mind that he had worn this for years. The small nicks and scratches added to the small wolf face that just protruded out of the band. I slipped it off my index and moved it to my middle finger and found myself relived when it managed to fit, just enough. I straightened my hand out to look at it before his hand took mine, eyes on my fingers, a distant look on his face, but a small smirk on his lips.

"It fits you better." His thumb circles the head of the wolf, his expression thoughtful before he looks back to me.

"Thank you." I say on a whisper, the unsteady feeling coming back to me once again, the edge of something unknown making me trepidations. Licking my dry lips I watched his eyes sweep down to my face again and first time since I have known him, I find my arms sliding up his chest until I have my hands going over his shoulders to cup his neck, while lifting up onto my toes to pull him down until my lips meet his. I initiated it this time.

There was a small inhale from him, shocked or surprised, that had me smiling, as my lips parted just enough to tentatively run the tip of my tongue between the seam of his lips before my teeth gently nipped at his bottom lip.

I watched his eyes change, saw them sharpen with before his arms banding around me, pulling me tightly to him as his mouth slanting over mine taking control of the kiss; a deep groan vibrated in his chest under my hands and just like the times he kissed me, my mind goes blank and just fills with one thing.

"Bishop." I moan against his lips, and felt the raging beat of his heart against my chest. I was vaguely aware of movement, and then I felt the stone wall against my back. I was pressed full-body against him, achingly aware of every hot, hard inch of him. A flicker of my earlier panic poked its head out, making me pull my mouth from his, resting my head on the stone behind me. His breathing was as rough as my own, ragged; he was fighting to draw in air as he ran his nose down my jawline and tucked his face into my neck.

"Close your eyes," he coaxes. "Don't think about anything, nothing but this moment. Me. You. This." He lifts his head from me a few inches so he can look into my face, the hungry fierce look on his had me nearly moan. "I won't hurt you, ladyship."

"I—I know you won't," I somehow manage to whisper back.

"Do you?"

Looking into his eyes I find myself answering without hesitation.

"Yes."

"Good." His hips presses into me, earning a moans from me, the pressure making my legs tremble as they slide apart to accommodate him and arched closer.

"More." I somehow manage, even as my voice sounds far to breathless to my own ears as my hands move over him, feeling his body flex under my hands and his armour.

"You sure?" His voice was rough, low and guttural. Leaning my head back, I opened my eyes to look up at him, licking my lips.

"Please." That's all I managed before his answering groan has him swooping back down to crash his mouth to mine. My senses became focused on nothing else but each fiery, rapturous tug of his hot mouth as he releases his tight hold on my hips to run his open hands down my hips, down my legs before grabbing the material and lifting until it's bunched loosely around my waist. With one hand he holds the material there while his free hand eased slowly, teasingly down my outer thigh before starting back up my inner thigh. I whimpered, my fingers dragging roughly over his shoulders, trying to find purchase. I'd never been touched there, and yet, I didn't feel the urge to hide. I didn't feel shy. I felt.. wanton.

"You feel so damn good," he says, his fingers traveling up and over my underclothes, his hand stopping as it reached just above my hips, his thumb moving back and forth over the top of the slender band. He's stroking me slowly and with so much control. "Soft," he lowered his head till his lips grazed my shoulder again, softly inhaling. "and sweet."

"Bishop, please." Begging was so not beneath me as his fingers slid under the band before slowly sliding down still his hand cupped me, the air in my lungs stuttering a little when he parted the intimate lips, his touch too slow, almost taunting as I arched, searching, aching for more.

"Fuck," he groaned into my neck. "So fucking wet." A low rumble vibrated in his chest, the primitive sound sending goose bumps racing across my skin. The pad of his finger rubbed against the clenched entrance; he ignored the desperate motion of my hips as I instinctually fought to catch his finger so it would slip inside, but each time, he held it out of reach. "So responsive," he whispered, the tips of two fingers now rubbing against my entrance, gliding smoothly.

I panted. "More like tormented. You're tormenting me, Bishop."

He nodded, laughing as his fingers found my entrance. "Just returning the favour from last night." From me undressing. The reminder had me chuckling before the sound died- disintegrated really, when a single finger slid inside.

"Oh, fuck." His voice was guttural in my ear and the sound that left me was breathless gasp as my muscles clenched around him. "Gods your tight, sweetness. Wet and tight." I grabbed the back of his neck with one hand while the other held onto his bicep while his voice rolled over me, through me making me clench. "I can feel all of this."

I moaned again, his voice pulling me down, making me shiver as a storm brewed inside me.

It felt so good, so damned good. It was.. thrilling and terrifying.

Then he began thrusting. He moved deeper and deeper, adding a second finger, and I arched my back, my mouth hung open, unable to get a full sound out. My fingers had never been able to reach quite as he was.

His mouth found my throat, moving down. With his free hand he pulled my robes out of the way, stretching it at the neck so his mouth could find my collar bone, growling, no doubt upset at the fact that he couldn't get lower. So was I, if I were honest..

His fingers kept going, curling now and again, hitting a spot that had me drag my hand down his arm, reaching down, grabbing his wrist, but I didn't stop him. I couldn't. I just wanted more. I took his groan as an approving one when I hissed in a breath when he curled his fingers again. I moved with him, and as his teeth nipped at my collar bone and tongue ran up my neck until his growl rang in one ear, I cried out. His mouth was on mine instantly, smothering it, and I could only stand there, captive to what he was doing to me.

Pressing his palm flat against me, he touched my throbbing bundle of nerves with the pad of his thumb and began to massage it in slow, expertly soft circles. Everything in my core tightened and clenched, sucking him deeper. Opening my eyes, I looked at him from under heavy eyelids. His smile was both wicked and delighted, and it made my chest tight. "I've wanted to feel you come on my fingers, imagined it. Dreamt about it." My sex rippled around his stroking fingers, the rawness of his words pushing me farther, coiling me tighter.

My free hand moved to one of the buckled of his top armour before he shook his head and grabbed my hand, pinning it above my head.

"I want to touch you." I say and nearly whine when his head shakes 'no' again, like the thought alone had to leave his mind. "Why not?"

"If we were alone, sweetness, I would have you completely naked." His eyes moved down to look at his hand that was hidden by the robes as he moved them smoothly in and out of me. "My mouth would be there instead, tasting you." He groaned, his grip tightened on my hand, his head tilting forward till the top of his head nearly touched my chest. "God I want to taste you. But if I did.. I wouldn't stop. I wouldn't be able to." His head lifted. "Same as if you started to undress me." He got right in my face, his mouth grazing mine. "You wouldn't be going anywhere. I'd make sure you wouldn't be able to walk without feeling me." I whimpered. "You know that, don't you?"

"I.. do now." I breathed, pushing my chest into his hand that clutched my breast over my fine clothes. "Please, Bishop." My chest heaved as the words left me, "Its.. too much." I ended on a whimper as his fingers curled in me.

"Shh...I've got you." The pad of his thumb rubbed in gentle circles.

His speed increased, the pressure now building with an intensity that my whole body shook. Fingers curling in his hair and the top belted tie of his armour, I held on tightly. I thrust back to him, panting for air, as flames burned through my system, licking across my and attacking the rapidly rising sensitivity of my clit and the aching depths between my thighs. My eyes fluttered open and his eyes were the first thing I saw, locked on me with such heat I felt my chest tighten. He was breathing hard, too. His face was flushed with lust. For me. When I'd done nothing more than respond helplessly to him.

I wanted that release.

I wanted it now.

God, if I had to wait I worried I might not survive it.

"What's taking you so long?"

Delphine.

Fuck… Delphine.. My eyes flickered over his shoulder to where I could just barely see the archway before Bishop leaned into my line of sight.

"Give her a minute!" Bishop called out over his shoulder while I held onto him. "She's coming!" His mouth was back to hovering over mine. "Eyes on me, sweetness." he ordered roughly against my ear. "Look into my eyes when you come for me." He lifted just enough to have his nose almost graze mine.

"Bishop." My voice trembled, lust and maybe even a touch or apprehension. The build was too intense.

"Let go, sweetness.. I got you." With one more press of his thumb and curl of his fingers, he captured my mouth as I climaxed with a heady cry, my grip white-knuckled on him as my hips pumped onto his hand, my gaze locked to his, unable to look away, riveted by the fierce masculine triumph that flared in his eyes as he watched me fall apart, holding my gaze when I would've closed my eyes. My body sagged against the wall; my breathing slowed down as the residual spasms of my core radiated outwards as his fingers slipped out of me. I moaned, my eyes fluttering a little at the feeling, my mind far beyond shame or shyness, as my head lolled a little on a sigh.

Bishop's forehead came to rest on mine and when I managed to look up to him, he grinned down even while his eyes still burned with need. Mine must've looked glazed. I was still trying to catch my breath. I felt frenzied and sweaty, all at the same time.

He ran a hand down my arm. "You okay?" I could hear the amusement in his voice.

That had me blink at him. A few times before his question fully registered. "You ask me now? After that?" God, my throat felt dry.. "Do I look okay?"

"You look…flustered.. relaxed." His nose dragged over mine, a low growl leaving him. "Fuckable." He ended with a soft groan.

"I should certainly hope so." I half laughed and when I tried to straighten I found that leg muscles unable to work with me.. "Sweet Z'en I can't feel my legs." That has him leaning his head back and laughing, the sound warming my chest as my face heated.

"Well, ladyship.. You're good for a mans ego."

I grinned through my soft laughter, and then his mouth caught mine again, soft and sweet. Sighing he lifts his face from mine and when I feel like my legs are more… solid underneath me I nodded slowly, still slightly dazed until my eyes lowered until they came to rest on his waist. I could see the outline of his erection and my breath hitched.

My hands reached for his waist only to be caught and stilled back at my sides. His mouth lifted from mine and I must've had a confused expression on my face.

"What about you?" I asked looking down to his hips before my mouth goes dry when my eyes rest on the outline of his erection.

"This was about you." This isn't about him getting off? He kisses me and takes the pout right off my lips. Lifting his face from mine, I can't help licking my lips. He lets out a groan that makes me shiver again. "Don't make that face.. you'll tempt me to lose my damn sense. Like I said before, sweetness.. If you had even tried to start undressing me, all bets would have been off and you would have gotten nowhere." He takes my face in his hands and lift so I look fully up at him. "This was just a taste, princess." I start to speak but stop when he lifts his hand to his mouth and sucks on his fingers. My skin goes hot as I watch him and barely manage to swallow when he hums, low in his throat. "For now. You gotta come back for us to finish what we started." He leans in towards me again. "And you will come back."

I nod before I rest my head against his chest and breathe him in. The hum of the orgasm is still floating through my body, and I don't want it to stop.

"By your word and my will."

"Alright." He stepped back after he slowly lowered my robe back down till my legs were covered again. "You head out first."

"Are you-"

"I'm sure, ladyship. Don't worry, I'll be right behind ya. Just gotta calm down a little." He looked uncomfortable but he was breathing slow and steady when I nodded and started out.. I on the other hand, felt.. Light. Relaxed. Until my thighs trembled and I nearly had to cover my face when I saw Delphine look my way. Her expression didn't change, but I couldn't help but feel like I was exposed, even ran a hand over my hair and down the clothes I was given making sure everything was in place.

"I'm ready." I call, as I finishing fixing my hair.

"Hmm. I guess that will have to do. You should pass for a real guest, at least until you open your mouth." Her eyes look me over from head to toe before honing in on my hands. "Ring doesn't work with your clothes. Give it here." She stated and started forward, hand out. My left hand tightened into a fist. "Don't worry, it will all be waiting for you when you get back."

"The ring stays." My tone was deadly and gave her pause. "No discussion."

"Fine." She sighs and with that, I hand over my travel bag, but I turn to Bishop with my swords in hand. I have a hard time looking at him, and the smug look on his face doesn't make it easy on me. Clearing my throat, I hold them out to him.

"I want you to look after these." He looks me over before casting a glance to Delphine before he looks back to me. He steps up, and wraps them under his arm. "I don't trust her with them." I murmur low.

"I'll keep 'em safe."

"And I'll keep the rest of your gear safe."

"Right." I blow out a breath before bending down to give Karnwyr a scratch under his chin before straightening and hopping in the carriage.

"Just make sure you get back out of there alive; with the information we need." Delphine enunciates and I just nod. "Good luck."

"I'll see you soon, ladyship." He says softly after Delphine starts heading out. The driver climbs up and jostles the reigns, starting us on our journey

"Bet on it, ranger!" I call back. I hear Karnwyr bark just before the carriage turns onto a separate road, stone blocking them from my sight.

With a sigh, I call to the driver to get an estimate on time and he says we have a few hours until we get there.

That was more than enough time to get a plan in my mind together, and to prepare for the worst. Bracing my elbows on my knees, I enclosed my left fist with my right hand on top. Bishops ring glinting in the light making my stomach flip and my heart to stumble in my chest. Bringing Bishops ring to my lips, I take in the strength it represented.

It certainly would help with the startling fact that... I think I steadily falling in love with that ranger.

---

AN:

Hello Romancers!

Its been.. Whoof.. far to long since I posted in this story and for that, you have my sincerest apologies. This chapter went longer than I had planned, but to be honest, I didn't want to break it into two different chapters. If you make it too the end, I hope you can understand why… Hehe he..

But keeping my word, I made this chapter a little… steamy. And to be honest, its what made writing this chapter a little harder for me since this is my first attempt at it. So if you have thoughts, please… leave a review.

Hope you all are doing okay, and will hopefully get a new chapter out sooner than this one.

Until then, stay romancing!

-IMME