Serana let out a soft, relaxed sigh. The night was not yet over, and she was nestled comfortably in Akiseta's arms.
They were in their room at the Winking Skeever, cuddling after some much needed intimacy. Akiseta had been asleep for some time, her arms holding her lover close. Her chest, bare and warm, was pressed against Serana's back, and the vampire felt every breath her lover took.
Serana was not sure why she lingered in this awakeness. The night had been relaxing, comforting, and satisfying for her just as much as it was for Akiseta. Yet, she remained awake as her sweet Argonian drifted off.
The recent events had been hard on them both. But Serana knew it was harder for Akiseta. The burden of ending the war rested precariously on her shoulders. It was an intimidating situation, and would break anyone.
But Akiseta remained strong. She lifted the weight upon her, held it as she walked on this dangerous path.
Serana admired Akiseta's bravery. It was something she had noticed about Akiseta when they first met, and she saw the depths of it as they went on their journey. Akiseta has risked her life to save all of Skyrim, and Tamriel, twice over. And she was going to do the same again.
Serana knew Akiseta was tired, and scared. But Akiseta pushed on, and held her head high through the troubles. She was strong. Stronger than Serana felt she was herself.
'She has faced many fears, and willingly faces many more. But me...' Serana shook her head. 'It's not the same. She understands that. I can't... I can't do it. I can't face it... face him.'
The memories starting toeivade her mind frightened her so, and she shut her eyes, trying not to tremble and wake up her lover.
'Over four thousand years, and I'm still tormented. One horrifying moment, and it still holds my life..'
Serana knew it would haunt her forever. Her body might have healed, but her mind never would. Her very soul was scarred. There was no recovering from that. Serana knew that, and so did Akiseta. And yet...
Akiseta didn't want much out of life. She wanted peace. She wanted to spend her days in Whiterun, with her friends, her daughter, and her lover. Her family.
Family.
Serana's own family had been broken. With Akiseta and Lucia, she had a new family, one that was real, and whole. Akiseta had given her a life she could never had dreamed of. And Serana couldn't give her the one thing Akiseta had asked her for.
"I'm afraid... There's only one way to give her what she wants. And it frightens me. But... I need to be brave, for her. And myself. I can free myself of a burden I never asked for."
Filled with a new sense of determination, Serana carefully slipped out of Akiseta's arms. She got dressed and went over to the desk. She quietly opened it and pulled out a piece of parchment. She picked up a quill and dipped it in ink. Bringing it to the paper, she wrote a note to explain to Akiseta that she had left.
Leaving the note on the desk, Serana approached the window some. She opened it a bit, feeling a soft, warm breeze. She cast a look at her lover, then looked again out the window. Taking a deep breath, she transformed into a bat, for the first time in years.
Her bat form didn't have many uses, but it would prove useful now. She could leave the city unnoticed.
She crawled out the window, and looked at the sky. The sun would be rising soon, so she would travel as far as she could before it greeted the day. She lifted herself off the windowsill, and headed away from Solitude.
Akiseta felt a strange cold. She woke up, blinking her eyes slowly. Daylight filled her room, and she was snuggled into the blanket. And she was alone.
Sitting up, she looked around. Serana wasn't in the bed, or anywhere else in the room. Confused, and worried, she got out of the bed, wrapping herself in a silk robe. She examined the room, and found a note on the desk, written in Serana's hand.
"My love. Our journey has been long, and perilous, and exciting and wonderful. You have given me a life I could have never dreamed of. I want to give you something, something special. I will return when I have set things right. It may be a bit of time before we can see each other again. After your council, wait for me where warmth blossomed our love. -Serana.
Akiseta furrowed her brow in confusion. "She left? Without telling me? Why? What is she doing?"
Akiseta shook her head. "I trust you, my love. Be safe."
She dressed herself, and left the room. She had a lot of work to do.