I was thankful for the small reprieve I got in the form of a hot bath. Gods. I had felt so dirty. I desperately needed to wash off the feeling. I was covered in blood, dirt and sweat, but it truly did not compare to the way Thorn had handled me... As the water was drawn, I let out a deep sigh as my body lowered into the tub of hot water.
Sweet. Bliss.
I scrubbed every inch I could reach with vigor; some places were nearly raw. Dropping my head into the water I linger over the day's events.
In my drugged state, it felt as if my body wanted to slump to the ground and do nothing else, while my mind scattered into thoughts of getting out faster than anything... While the pale-as-death woman had tried her hand at interrogating me, I had heard a woman scream, a voice of pure terror that sounded on multiple accounts, wrong, and soon her screams faded into ragged sobs that echoed farther and farther away from my cell.
Even now, I felt the chains bite into my wrists as I pulled to go see, to go help, in whatever way I could. To no avail. That had me cursing in my fathers' tongue and again to the pale woman who came back. My body burned away at the poison slowly, maddeningly, as the walls of my cell closed in. I wanted to curl my hands into fists and punch right through them, yet I could barley manage to keep my head up.
I waited.
I hoped...
For what seemed like an eternity, and it wasn't until the pale woman's third visit had my patience drawing thin. The toxins in my body slurring my speech, but I had managed to deliver my threat, bare of any. She stalked off, as I grinded my teeth. That woman needs to quit pestering me about whatever she had been babbling on and on about, or her chances of getting my boot up her ass increased exponentially.
Then, as if to combat against my downward spiraling thoughts, he appeared.
Bishop.
My sight hazy as I tried to look up, barley managing to do it. I faintly recall telling him that the keys to my cell had walked away. He left my line of sight then was back a minute later. Then, he did something that I never thought he could do.
He broke me out of my cell.
The groan and crash of metal on stone rang in my ears, making me swallow hard.
I can name on one hand, all the things any man has ever done that has sparked desire in me. And seeing Bishop, craftily break my cell open, his strong arms making quick work of the heavy metal made my heart pick up it's sluggish pace and my body burned for a brief new reason... When he got knocked aside though, my mind cleared long enough to look at that pale woman who took a step right in my newly opened cell door and sneered down at my ranger.
Rage.
It blanketed me and had me, somehow, managing to get to my feet, my steps fumbling at first, then my legs were wrapped around her neck, and with a twist, I broke it. My body followed hers to the ground, my back absorbing most of the impact against the hard stone as my breath rushed out of my body.
That's gonna bruise.
I sigh and apply hair soap and scrub my fingers into my scalp. My back ached and no doubt sported a darker colour than the rest of me, assuring the thought from before rang true... Sinking my head back into the water I let out a sigh.
Then, he was there again.
I lift my head from the water and wring my hair out gently.
'Ladyship,' he called to me and crouched down to help me sit more comfortably. He had surrounded me, his warmth reaching out to my bones where his hands held my arms, his scent, leather and pine, soothed my nerves... I observed him as he undid my chains. Considering his body was practically folded around mine, I probably should have felt more than a little claustrophobic in this small cell... But I didn't. Hadn't.
I'd felt safe. Protected. Cosseted, even.
'Sweetness'... There was that term again... And damn. It stung my eyes when his hands cupped my face when he released me from my shackles. My hands found my wrists and rubbed the phantom sensation.
Then our talk when we left the cave, after he got us out... My hands paused in the absent-minded rubbing. It had all been a blur, moving so quick that my mind still reeled. And I felt unsure about what he had done, what he had said, what he would continue to do. I had left the cave feeling so… unsure... He had spoken so smoothly to Thorn that it left me feeling scrapped raw, even as I kept my face neutral. Pulling my body out of the bath with the remainder of my strength, I wrap myself in a towel and dry myself off. Pulling on a thin sleepshirt, I brush my hair and let it air dry as I sit on my bed. My clothes lay there, clean and folded, thanks to the bar owner. She had taken one look at our state, and given us a look each that spoke volumes.
Needless to say, I could tell that this was not her first-time seeing people like us return from that... monsters place... I had faintly overheard Bishop telling the woman that the 'sick bastard had been dealt with.' The older woman's eyes had widened as they filled with tears. She looked to the both of us and didn't charge us for our stay.
Bishop had paid for a few drinks to be sent to his room and after saying a quiet goodnight, retired early. His eyes having a calm look about them rather than his slightly frantic back and forth as he walked into his room, Karnwyr at his heels. Laying down on my bed, I sigh and my eyes drift closed.
'Are you well?'
I sigh into a smile as the gentle voice echoed in my mind.
'I'm hanging in there. Today has been… Very long.' I roll onto my side and pull my pillow closer. 'It's good to hear your voice, Kena.'
'It's good to be close to you again. Though I didn't mind resting with your companion for a while.'
'Oh? Get a peek inside that head of his, did you?' I asked and could have sworn I heard an amused snort.
'Hardly. He was a difficult read. And I couldn't seem to connect with him like I have with you. He was too... shaken.'
'Shaken?' I ask. I received a hum of agreement.
'I couldn't speak to him. I could only vaguely feel what he felt. The mix of emotions were very… complex to sift through.'
I swallow.
'I would never just… hand you over to someone like that. Or anyone for that matter.'
My breath stuttered slightly as his words echoed in my mind.
'You clearly don't know me at all if you honestly believe I would let anything happen to someone as important to me as you.'
I felt my body heat again, and it had nothing to do with the hot moisture in the air from my bath. He had tried to cover it up, but his admittance had me, for a lack of a better word, reeling, feeling joy and many other emotions I didn't know how to interpret. But his eyes. They said it all.
"And yet, you said nothing of the likes in return." I caught the teasing tone, but my cheeks did heat with embarrassment nonetheless.
'Shouldn't you be telling me that in doing so, could end in a bad result?! My mind was a mess of all different things.. and yet. I felt so relived to see him... So safe.'
'As you should.' Kena returned. There was a pause and for a moment, I thought that our discussion would have ended there. 'I am pleased that he found you so quickly. And the way he fought for you... I approve.'
Something in her words had my chest aching, and yet my heart fluttered.
"Me too." I say aloud and slip into a soft slumber.
I woke early in the morning, my body a little sore, but I felt decently rested. Sitting up, I hiss gently as I lay my feet on the cold floor. Stripping from my night clothes I pull on a clean set of my travels. Pulling my brush from my knapsack, I set to pulling my hair up as I walk out of my room. The empty inn had me letting out a relived sigh as I watched as the the owner finished wiping down the tables to then walk to the hearth to add more wood to the firepit in the center of the room. Pushing hair out of her eyes, she turned to face me, bowing her head forward in greeting.
"Morning ma'am." She greeted politely walking to the counter.
"Morning." I reply quietly. Looking to Bishop's room, I debate on knocking, and yet, I feel like he needs the rest more than I do. From how he reacted to getting here, explaining about Thorn, and the look on his face when Thorn had grabbed me... I shudder in memory as I sit at the bar.
"Can I get you anything, miss? Something to eat? Drink?"
"Umm..." I pause and rub sleep from my eyes. My body felt sluggish despite my rest. Absentmindedly I spoke aloud; "I could really go for some-", my mouth hang open at my unfinished thought as my hand drops while my gaze lands on the owner. "Do you have tea?" I ask. Her eyes widen as she dries her hands on her rag that she places in the string of her apron around her waist.
"Well... I know it's been a while, but I should think I have some round here somewhere." She says offhandedly as she looks around.
"What do you have?" I ask, eagerly sitting up. Gods, it had been so long since I had a cup of it.
"There´s more than one kind of tea?" She askes, meeting my gaze. I felt my body deflate a little. I blinked several times as my mind flooded with my aunt's collection back in Morrowind. Different days, different teas. She had had cupboards filled with it. The memory had me smiling.
"Yes, there is. Many, in fact."
"Like?" She drawls as she looks around her cupboards. I sit there for a moment as my tired mind set to thinking of the ones that I knew of.
"Let´s see... There's Akaviri Ceremonial Tea, Nordic Mountain, Prince Geldall, Khajiit Caravan, Gray Quarter, Orsinian Battle Brew, Sap Solution, Dremora Councillor, Golden Gryphon, Magister Vanus , Highland Efficacy Enhancer, Kahfee, Argonian Murkmuck, Phantasmal Tomb, Nordic Ice , Akaviri Transcendence and Colovian Crown." I finish and almost laugh at the woman's confused face.
"I... Uh... Did you make some of those up?" The woman asked and I had a soft chuckle leave my lips.
"No." I say quietly and clear my throat. "Whatever you have, is fine." I state and purchase some boiled egg treats. She pulls out a small jar and opens the lip and sniffs inside.
"Falkreath Stinger Tea. Made by the local herbalist in our village." She says bringing up a small pot to boil water over to the fire. I shrug and go about eating my breakfast, my mind slowly becoming busy with traveling plans. Tea. Gods. It's been perhaps a few weeks and yet, it felt like years to me. The door to the inn opened, sending a small chill in the air from the outside. Casting a glance over my shoulder, I watched as a slender figure fill the doorway as I chewed. My jaw paused as I see who walked in, a courier and I feel as though a spark hit me in the chest. Tea. My aunt. I send a quick glance to the roof, and smile as I reach into my bag and pull out a sheet of paper and my writing tools. Sometimes, the quiet voice of the world has its own way to send you signs. And this one, I took. I made quick work of my letter while the courier handed letters to the inns workers and settled into a seat for some refreshments. By the time he was ready to head out, I had my letter signed and sealed and in his bag, with a few coins for hastened delivery, I waved him goodbye and settled back into my seat. The door opened and closed again once more and the inn grew silent. Resuming my breakfast, I was thinking of all the things I had asked my aunt for in my letter when a small cup was placed in front of me, the liquid inside a dark green. I sigh, pleased, at the sight. Bringing the cup to my lips, I take a tentative sip and nearly wince. It was tepid, overly bitter and lacking in any flavour. Though it would in fact give me the kick of energy I needed to get the day started, I found myself eager to see if my aunt would grace me with her simple gifts.
"How it is?" The middle-aged woman asked, drawing my attention.
"It does the job." I say evenly, and push myself for another sip.
"I am not a big tea drinker, what does it taste like?" She asked and I hold back a pained moan.
"I suppose a little bitter. It's an acquired taste." I say, trying my best to be polite. She frowns at my words.
"I'm sorry. I am better with my ales and wine ma'am." She regretfully bows her head and I wave it off.
"It's fine. I can taste… thistle branches, elves ear and..." I smack my lips together. "I would say lavender." I place the cup to my lips and take another slow swallow, tilting my head back a little when I feel the skin on the back of my neck tingle in awareness.
"Morning, ladyship." His voice was low, rough with sleep and filled with amusement that had my stomach flipping a little. I look over my shoulder and give a small smile when he sits next to me.
"Morning, ranger." He looks well rested, his eyes clear and alert. His hair has me smiling more broadly. Flat in places and raised in others. I must resist the urge to run my hand in his hair to help sort it out.
"You may be the only woman I've ever met who orders tea at a tavern that serves ale, much less tell you what's in it." He teases and orders a few things for Karnwyr and himself.
"Yes, well," I said, with a supercilious look, "I'm not like other women, ranger." I state and he nods in agreement as he sets in on his breakfast when it is served to him.
"You could say that." He mutters around a bite of food. I roll my eyes at his jab.
"Besides," I add and turn to look at him as he sits beside me, "I may be in a tavern but it is still too early in the day to be drinking wine or ales." He snorted at my response, mumbling about how 'I was no fun in the mornings.' I rolled my eyes and finish my tea and set the cup aside. My aunt would have been proud at my manners.
"How can you tell?" He asks aloud, drawing my attention. I felt my brows pull downward as I felt the air of confusion hit me. He sips some water and after he swallows, he points to my discarded cup "What's in the tea? Had it before?" He asked, tearing a bit of bread apart as I shrugged.
"No. I was taught medicinal uses for plants, as well as other helpful uses for them. Learning their taste helps." I say casually as I toss my crust to Karnwyr.
He finished the last of his meal, and tosses a bite to Karnwyr who I think didn't even chew it. Just swallowed.
"Never liked drinking tea." Bishop states as we place money on the counter for our meals. Nodding in farewell, we set out back to Riverwood.
"Do you have a preference to taste?" I ask as we walk out of the town's gates. I hear him inhale gently, and looking to him, I see him thinking on that while he stares at me.
"Whatever gets it's intended job done." He says nonchalantly. I roll my eyes and lightly bump him with my shoulder.
"You can be a bit more specific than that." I prod and get a sigh.
"In the past, I leaned more towards the bitter tasting ones." He slaps a small branch out of his way as I step up on a trees root that was above ground level and balance one foot in front of the other as I walk along. I can feel his gaze on me with each passing step.
"I take it your tastes have changed?" I turn to face where he stood. He was a pace or two away from me, looking up at me with a sort of cool amusement.
"They have." His small admittance has me raising a brow.
"What? Bitter just doesn't do it for you anymore?" I tease, his mouth quirks upwards a little.
"You could say that." He steps towards me and pauses for a moment. "We could also say that I have had my fill of bitter to last me a while." His lips faulter.
"And what is your preference now?" I teeter a little on a trees knot and go to hop down only to see Bishop's hand held out to me, palm up, in offer to help me down. The drop wasn't far, and yet I found my hand clasping his. His fingers, calloused and strong hold tightly to mine, making mine tingle in awareness. I jump down and land with a small huff, and then I let out a small gasp when I am pulled to him, bringing us almost chest to chest.
"Sweet." He murmured lowly. His amber eyes lingering on mine then lower to my mouth.
"Just sweet?" I ask slowly. His eyes spark with mischief.
"No. I also like it when it… burns." His voice lowered, making my stomach flutter a little. I couldn't help but get the feeling that we were not talking about drink preferences anymore... His slow smirk made it a little more obvious. He was speaking in doubles... It made me raise a brow as I smiled in return. I could play this game too. In fact, I seemed to enjoy it.
"Sounds like something I could be... interested in." I say, my voice sounded just a little breathless, making his eyes sharpen. I had to swallow a little hard.
"Is that so?" His brows rose a little.
"I would be willing to try it, sure" I admit and lean forward a little, getting my face inches from his. "I usually like it best when it wakes you up though." I admit and his eyes sharpen on my mouth. "Soft and slow, especially after a really long... rough... night." I lean my head back slowly closing my eyes and hum happily. "The way it heats up your body until everything just... Sings." I sigh deeply and open my eyes. "Really hits the spot." Returning my head back to its original position, I blink slowly. His eyes nearly make my mouth dry. They burn on mine, making me nearly tremble.
"And what does that… taste like?" The question is gravely, low and makes me shiver. His amber eyes never leave mine, and I felt my lungs stutter as I gently inhaled. Damn I needed…
I mentally shake my head. Tea. I'm thinking, or supposed to be thinking of tea! My aunt, no doubt could get it here in 4 days. 2 if she had her way. Focus.
"Well, I will tell you right now, it would have gone down a whole lot better than what I had this morning." I shrug. "But it's like you said earlier." I shrug. "It got the job done." I admit softly.
"Sounds like you need something that does a little more than 'gets the job done.'" His hand tightens on, mine and I became aware that he hasn't let it go since he helped me drop from the root...
"I think I do. But like you, I have a preferable taste." I am surprised I can keep my voice steady.
"Being?" He asks, drawing me closer to him and my heart kicks up, my body heats and melts into his a little.
"Sharp with cream." I admit and watch as his eyes move over my face before falling to my mouth again. I felt the tension between the two of us crackle. His head leans down to mine as his hand lets go of mine to trail up my arm to-
Several loud barks snap me out of the moment, making me turn my head to Karnwyr. I blink once, twice and look back to Bishop, who is regarding Karnwyr with sharp eyes and a face of irritation.
"We should get going." I murmur and move to step away. His hands tighten on mine, briefly making me pause. My eyes go to his hands, his arms then his shoulders, linger and finally, his face. Something intense passes over him while he looks at me, but for a reason beyond me, he shakes his head gently, as if in a 'never mind' manner and releases my hands. The sensation I felt a moment ago lingers as we move on. Faintly I hear Bishop scold Karnwyr behind me.
'That's twice now, you mangy wolf." He groans and follows along. "Ready to go and talk to what's-her name?" He calls out from behind and I supress the urge to roll my eyes. I turn around, keeping my pace while walking backwards.
"Delphine?" I ask and get a small nod from him. "And of course, I am!" I said exaggeratingly sweet.
"That so?" He asks, brow raised.
"It is so! Didn't you know she's my favourite?" I inform him and he scoffs.
"You make it sound like a real… party." He settles on and I almost laugh.
"Aw damn. Your right." I managed a look of mock pain. "I should have baked a cake. Might help everything go over a lot smoother." I say as if thinking on the matter. He sends me a look of confusion.
"Why make a cake though?"
"It's too help her." I smile at him.
"With what?"
"You know, with that pole up her ass."
He barks out a laugh.
I see Riverwood in the distance. Bishop gets us to stop so he can quickly run into the trading post to grab a few things and I catch sight of Hod and his wife. I smile and wave to him when he catches sight of me. His eyes move from me to one of the guards that are walking along the town's roads, then back to me. Without having to say a word, he bows his head and I feel a small pressure that I didn't know resided in my chest, lifted. I nod gently back as Bishop rejoins my side, and together we walk up the steps. Just as I am about to reach for the inn's handle, he steps in my way, blocking me. I look up at him, frowning.
"What are you doing?" I ask. He smirks at me and crosses his arms, saying nothing. I step sideways and he leans farther across the door, effectively blocking it from me. I look at him, almost exasperated. "Move it, Bishop!"
"Sooo, you still don't like to lip wrestle." He says smoothly and my mind grinds to a halt and sloooowly, my lips tilt upwards in a smile. Stepping close, I lean a shoulder against the frame of the door and lay a hand on his chest.
"Well I do. But not with just anyone." I say, batting my lashes at him. Pressing a little on his chest, I step closer and slowly, he straightens, his eyes heating as they stay on me. "And not this kind. But with you, I seem to like too." I admit and I could have sworn I heard him growl low in his throat. His mouth opens to say something as my opposite hand find the handle and opens the door, making him jerk to fix his footing. I laugh quietly as Karnwyr bounds inside and my eyes adjust to the dark tavern. I look around and see the lady of the hour herself, in the same armour we last saw her in 2 days ago, heading to her 'secret' room. I follow her into the wardrobe and down the flight of stairs.
"Am I the only one that feels like we should come out of another world when heading down here?" Bishop asks and I smother a chuckle.
"What, like, you'll find yourself falling face-first into a magical forest?"
"Wouldn't be a stretch to imagine." He says offhandedly.
"Pft. Yeah. And well see-" I think a moment "-fauns in red knitted scarves." I mutter sarcastically.
"Why knitted?"
"Because it's cold." I say, keeping my tone as if I am mockingly informing him of the obvious.
"What, is it winter there too?"
"You said forest, you didn't specify the weather." I shrug as I hit the landing into the basement.
"Specifics." He waves a hand in the air dismissively as he settles in on the wall, eyes landing on Delphine who looks over us. Our amused air leaving with her sharp cold gaze.
"It looks like you weren't followed." She says looking back up the stairs.
"Did you just get back here?" I blurt out, and she looked at me, bored as she rolls her eyes.
"Took me a while to get everything sorted out. But I managed to figured out how we're going to get you into the Thalmor Embassy."
"You found a way?" I asked aloud. I watched as her eyes squinted slightly at me in anger.
"Your surprised. Why?"
"That didn't take long." I say casually, and for some reason, my irritation from earlier creeped through that had me adding; "Just… It only took you nearly 3 days to just get back here. Did you have a head start to this plan of yours, or was it already sort of set in motion?" I muttered, my sarcasm coming in thick.
"I've been doing this a long time, remember? While the Thalmor's been looking for me, I've been watching them." She stated tensely then added "I found my way to the cave for the horn, didn't I?"
I nearly snorted. Nearly.
"We've been over that already Delphine. Anyone could have found that cave and stuck something under the doors. And I recall you didn't deny doing it." I huffed at the memory and crossed my arms. "But since it is still so fresh in our minds, we are going to move past this. Now, I take it from what you were saying earlier, as in this very day, that you are not coming."
"That would be a bad idea. I'd be too likely to attract the wrong kind of attention. But they don't know you at all, yet."
"That you know of." I mutter condescendingly. She frowns, and leans against the desk, hands over the map.
"What makes you say that?" She asks and I cannot help but roll my eyes.
"A little late to be asking those kinds of questions when you have already made your own assumptions, don't you think?" I ask and she straightens. She looks like she is about to say something when Bishop chimes in.
"Why not just fight our way in?"
"Firstly, it's not 'our.' It's her," She points to me, while she focused on him. "Secondly, even if you could survive, by the time you got inside, whatever documents they had would be long gone. We're there for information, remember?" She returned her gaze to me. "Trust me, I've been doing this for a long time. My way is better."
I wanted to point out that I had INSIDE knowledge of how the Thalmor worked. That I had YEARS of learning their secrets and skills but I still didn't know how this woman would react. And plus, I was curious to see just how 'thought out' this went.
"Alright. So, what is your plan? How do I infiltrate the Thalmor Embassy?"
She droned on about the information on this plan of hers, I was listening… At the more important bits. Like; contact Wood elf name Malborn, meet in Solitude, Winking Skeever and after a few days, meet at the stables. You know, the essentials. Bishop shifted to my side, and I joined him preferring to stand where he continued to lean as he let out a long breath, showing that he was bored. I sent him a sideways glance.
"Enjoying yourself, ranger?" I asked quietly, listening at the more important intervals and nodding when it seemed appropriate.
"Oh yeah." He exaggerated his approval. "Just love listening to this woman ramble on and on. You?" His amber eyes sparkled with humor when they shifted sideways to me. I shrugged and crossed my arms across my chest, each hand holding an elbow each.
"Not as much as you are it seems." I nodded absently at Delphine when she kept going. I leaned my head closer to him, keeping my voice low. "Wish I brought a book or something to keep my hands busy."
"Anything in particular?" He asked and I almost smile.
"Always was a fan of 'A Game at Dinner.'" I shrug at his slightly surprised look. "What? I like a good spy book here or there." He nods and lifts his hand to cover his mouth, giving the illusion that he was still listening and not talking. Gods, this woman spoke a lot.
"Explains the lockpicking." I hide a nudge I give him with my elbow by shifting my weight on my feet.
Delphine still talks on.
"At least I read." I mumble and he looks at me with hurt eyes.
"At least you can read." He whispers harshly. I look to him with wide eyes, my shock and immediate guilt flooding me.
"You can't read?" I ask, my voice a broken whisper. We stare at eachother for a moment too long before his eyes warm and his mouth tilt upwards in a mocking smile.
"Of course, I can read, woman." He chuckled when I time a slap to his shoulder when Delphine looks down at the map on her table. "Last book I read was called the Song of Hrormir." He adds quickly. I start to respond when Delphine asks;
"Any questions?" She glances between the two of us and for a moment, I am back in my tutors classroom, learning about material I did not care for and caught being asked a question when I wasn't paying attention.
"This contact of yours? You're sure she can trust him?" Bishop asks, taking the pressure off me. She looks to him and gives a tight nod.
"Don't worry about Malborn. He's not a dangerous character like you." She says with, what looks like, a small smirk. It has me glaring a little. Added to her after comment about her and the contact hating the Thalmor… That still had me feeling a little irked.
"Then I am sure he is going to have a wonderful time meeting me." I say with a tense smile. She looks to me and opens her mouth when the sound of chairs being scrapped along the floor above us and raised voices. Delphine sighs and goes to a trunk beside us and grabs her tavern clothes.
"While you are out there, I still have to keep face as the owner of this place. If at least, a little longer." She says offhandedly and walks towards the door.
"Understandable." I nod a little. "I'll see you in Solitude after I meet Malborn." She looks at me for a moment too long and another table sound to have moved again. She shakes her head and starts up the stairs.
"Sounds good. Be careful." And she starts up the stairs. "We will be needing you soon."
"Is it my good looks you need, or my winning smile?" I ask sarcastically and I could have sworn that I heard Bishop laugh behind me. The sound of her feet retreating upstairs are what we are left with.
I sigh and rub my eyelids with my fingers. That woman just... Put me in a mood, one that I don't know when exactly I slipped into, but it was beginning to piss me off. I couldn't help but hope that this Malborn, saw in me what she couldn't. And I was sincerely looking forward to the reactions. Dropping my hand to my side I start in after her to head up the stairs when Bishop calls out.
"Ladyship, a word, if you please?" I look back to him and can't help but snap out.
"No." I say shortly, making his eyes widen slightly.
"What, you angry with me? We could talk about it." He holds his hands out at his sides, hands open towards me in a gesture of peace. I sigh and feel a twinge of guilt. Maybe he was concerned with meeting this wood elf as I was beginning too. I was lost in thought when I found that he had stepped close to me. "Or I could just find a different way to get your undivided attention." His voice lowers and it slides over me, drawing my gaze to him. "That's better." He says smoothly. His eyes lower a bit then lift back to mine. "Though I do have to say, you wouldn't be doing much talking if I did. Neither would I but I know it would be worth it."
He was looking at me so intensely that I feel the tension from earlier return, like it had never left, and it landed in the center of my stomach.
And yet, my mind was flip flopping back and forth with the idea of maybe seeing someone from my past at this... collection, I settled on, of powerful people. What if-
"Ladyship." It was stern and a little scolding. It managed to snap me out of my thoughts. My eyes snapped back to him, regaining their lost focus.
"You can talk, but I didn't say I'll listen." I mutter sharply. His face remained calm and yet, I had to close my eyes and let out a sigh. There it was again. The irritation. The anger. He was not the cause of it.
'Stop verbally hitting him Serlina.' Kena sighed into my head, making me almost jolt. So, she picked up on it too. Damn.
'Don't have to tell me twice. I know.' I mentally lectured myself.
"Umm. I'm sorry, I w-was lost in thought... you wanted to talk?" I step towards him as he nods in agreement.
"Yes, if you can find the time between your dates with dragons and soon to be, wood elves."
"I'm listening." I say, giving him my full attention and notice his eyes go to the table behind me.
"First, I'll distract you from the whole Delphine debacle." He smirks and points to the table. "How close where you to pinning her down to the table again?" His words, somehow, had me smirking.
"Liked that bit, did you?" I ask and he closes his eyes while nodding in approval.
"Enjoyed watching you do it." He hummed and opened his eyes. "Just like I would enjoy watching you do that to all the prissy bastards your going to have to deal with." He ended the sentence there, but I think we both heard the unspoken word that would have followed:
Alone.
"What do you make of this whole thing that she was spouting on about"? I ask. He said he would distract me but it seems that we just circled back to it. Although, I didn't feel angry or anxious about it anymore.
"It's a gamble." Bishop states as Karnwyr rubbed his muzzle against my leg making me lift a hand to scratch his ears. He whined happily then pulled away, shaking his head then proceeded to race up the stairs, no doubt to hunt for food. "I'm not sure if it's the time or the place for one, but… it should be interesting. Wish I could watch." He smirked.
"Is that what you're going to do?" I asked as he eased forward from the wall, walking towards me with a slow predators grace. I took a step backwards, then another till I felt my back against the table. "Watch me?" I ask and he nods.
"I don't intend to take my eyes off you—on a professional level—until you have to leave it, without a doubt. And when you do... I will not take my eyes off Delphine until you are back in sight again." He admitted adamantly. I had, in mock seriousness, nodded at his 'professional' quip. Then felt a sliver of heat fill my stomach when he closed more of the distance.
"Fair enough." I say and my chest tightens when he moved in just a little closer, just a fraction till our bodies brushed. My gaze skims down, lingers. His mouth was definitely tempting—dangerous and very close. His eyes, for a moment, held a faraway glint to them. Like his mind had done the same thing mine had earlier. Wandered... "Something on your mind?" I asked. His eyes moved from their faraway place to land hard on me, as his mouth tilted up in a smile.
"Oh, something is always on my mind and usually involves you naked, anytime, anywhere." I felt my lips part a little as I gapped at his words where he kept his face amusingly calm. "What? You asked." He looks at me amused, even if his gaze heats my blood. I feel like this is still something to distract me again from Delphine. The thought had my back straightening a little.
"That's hilarious ranger. What's your next line?" I raise a brow at him and his own raises.
"Think I was joking?" He asks and I find myself sputtering for a moment.
"Y-you were talking about distractions, and I-I didn't-" I take a sharp breath and steel myself. "Are you serious? Or are you just toying with me? If so, it's not funny." I cross my arms over my chest, making him back up a step. I rub at my eyes again and when I am ready, drop my hand to look back at him again. His flirtatious smirk has dropped and his face is a little sterner.
"Alright enough distraction's." He straightens to his full height. "We both know exactly what I'm talking about. I'm done playing your little words games. And let me be very clear; I'm serious as the dead, princess." He steps close again, and I feel his heat through my sleeves. "I see something I want; someone... and that someone happens to be you."
What?
I blink a few times and still feel like I missed the beginning and middle of one of his thoughts.
I sent him a skeptical look.
"Hmm... I thought you said I wasn't your type…" I try to shrug nonchalantly even as I recall and deal with the slight sting from his words.
"Does it matter? We haven't exactly hidden how we feel." And here I was thinking that our attraction was a one-off thing. It wasn't like he had kissed me again since the tower... Not to say that there hadn't been opportunities to do so.. Both he or I had walked away even if I had stewed about it...
"You really think of me that way?!" My throat tightened, and my chest felt like my heart was going to burst from it's confinements, but that only earns him pointing a finger at me.
"Don't play coy with me, we're past that." I feel my mouth open and for a moment I gap like a fish out of water before I have the decent thought to snap it shut. He watched and his brows shoot up towards his hairline.
"You're that surprised?" He asks and for a moment he looks like he's about to say I'm bluffing but I can't hide the surprise on my face. He must see that it's genuine, even as I look away as heat fills my face from my embarrassment. Although I don't have a damn thing to be embarrassed about.
Like sure. I've flirted and bantered… But no one had ever made me want to lose myself in it all. No one but… My eyes glance back to him and his eyes are lingering on me, gentle but the simmering heat there was unmistakable. "I think of you in many ways, ladyship. If you don't know that yet, I have... other ways of making it perfectly clear." His smile is back and I slowly shake my head in disbelief.
"I don't... I can't make sense of it." I whisper and I hear him scoff gently.
"What'll it take then? Communicating through dance? Singing like the brain-dead bard?" He asks tensely, his eyes sharpening and it has my fists clenching. Again, with Alec. "Because in that case, forget it." His eyes softened after a moment, as a thought came to him. "Though if you mean dancing naked, princess, that you can possibly get me to agree to."
Do not think of his naked body. Do not think of him naked. Or us. Naked... Together.
Focus!
"Oh, for the love of… Ugh really?" I squeezed my eyes shut and shook the thoughts that started in from my mind.
"I'd be willing to say yes to the love of anything if it got your body against mine. Besides, do I look like I'm joking? Yes, really. Don't stand there and pretend you don't feel the same."
Feel.
What I felt was a potent mixture of many things. Confusion, irritation, shock, awe and... arousal. My mind was screaming at me that my feelings wouldn't get the job done. That they made this... whatever this was between us, dangerous and difficult. It was also screaming at me that he was saying this because he just wanted me in a bed. Him... And me. Hot and sweaty. Hands and lips… The thought did make my stomach flutter. But he didn't just want sex. He had said that, shown that on more than one occasion. Proved it. Even if his words were a little bit direct at this very moment.
My mind was a mess. And he, was at the center, along with all the other conflicting parts of me.
"You look like you need more convincing. So, screw the 'lines' and let me show you instead." He leaned forward, making me lean back a little, my eyes widening and my breath hitched. One of his hands landed on the table beside me, caging me in on one side, while he dipped his head a little lower, hovered near mine. "I don't know about you, but I never did like to waste my time on words when actions speak so much louder."
I tried to think, to consider the consequences of muddling this up. I should be thinking of any and all ways this plan of Delphine's could go sideways, if it hadn't in some way, already had. I had to think of ways the Thalmor would let me go unnoticed. I had to deal with it, and not push the problem away. I had to work it out in my mind. I wanted to be prepared. I couldn't afford distractions like this. Like him. I could pretend that it was nothing but playful banter, harmless flirting... Could lie to myself that that's all it was? Is?
But…
There were times when needs, desire, and lust simply overpowered logic. And right now, I couldn't pretend. He had put me in a proverbial corner and laid the truth thick and heavy between us at our feet. And right this second, I couldn't. Not with him looking at me like that. I couldn't take my eyes off his lips. Nervously, I licked my own.
"Hell," I was able to breath out when he cupped the back of my neck and dragged me up to my toes as he crushed his mouth to mine.
Sweet. Mercy.
Hungry and fierce and mindless. His mouth was hot, and it was hard, and it was almost heavenly as he crushed down to devour mine. I gave in to it, gave all to it, a moment's madness where body ruled mind and blood roared over reason.
And the thrill snapped through me like a whip, sharp, painful, and with a quick, shocking burn. It had me wrapping my arms around his torso, my hands gripping his clothes to the point of pain in my knuckles.
"Gods," His breath was harsh, like mine. Almost reflexively, I felt his hand dig into the table before he jerked it away and banding around my body, clutching me to him so tight I felt some of my air leave my lips. He dragged a hand through my ponytail, wrapped it round his hand, fisted it there and pulled, tilting my head back, then proceeded to lean towards me, making my body tilt until I started to shake from the strain of the angle. I let out a small breathless moan when his hips pressed into mine which earned me a a deep growl from his chest as his hands dropped to my hips, lifted me and fully laid me over the table, pinning me with his weight.
Wait.
Table?
The thought made a brief presence before slipping away when my eyes opened and landed on his. I was going to say... something, then my mouth felt dry when I saw him leaning over me. No, in fact, like my body had an agenda all it's own, I found myself reaching up, one hand tangling in his hair, nails biting into scalp, the other sliding down his back, while our legs tangled together, one of his between mine, the other outside, keeping his footing on the stone floor.
Our lips met again, our tongues battling for dominance even as his hands moved over my arms, over my waist, over my thighs and wrapped around behind my knee, pulling my leg to lift almost wrap around his hip.
'Don't lose yourself completely.' The warning blasted through my mind. 'Enjoy, but stay focused.'
"Can't," I managed, but my arms wound around him, banded around him until it seemed his heart wasn't merely thundering against mine but inside mine. My moan was a rumble of desperate, delirious pleasure that sounded in my throat exactly where his teeth nipped, then scraped, then dug greedily into flesh. It made my legs weak and my stomach clench deliciously.
The table bit into my back, my fingers bit into his hips as I dragged him closer. Oh, Gods, I wanted contact, friction, more. I found his mouth with mine again, plunged blindly into the next kiss. Just one more, I promised myself, meeting, matching his reckless demand. My name was a murmur on his lips, and I felt something deep in me clench at the sound of his voice. The way it was rough and low had my breath catching. His hands moved from my hips to my ribs, up and over my breasts. The subtle squeeze one received had my breath stutter as it was accompanied by a press forward of his hips into mine. It was so much... I felt a shot of alarm ring out in my body.
Too much.
I manage to pull my mouth from his, my breath burning my lungs as I pull his weight off me as best I can.
"Bishop." I call out and almost wince at the sound of my voice. "Bishop." His hands slowed. My slowly rising fear had drifted into my voice. I swallow hard and I tried again and was more pleased with the sound this time. "Bishop!" Firmer, if but a little. He lifted his head enough to fix his eyes on mine.
Sweet Gods and Deadra alike…
My body burned and I nearly sighed in displeasure when he shifted his weight. His eyes a heated pool of gold. His rumble in his chest had me aching, the tip of his tongue tracing his lips, where mine had been.
"Mmm not bad at all, for a start. I say we do that again, and finish what I started." He leaned forward and slowly, I felt a jolt of realization hit me in my chest hard, but not as hard as the one that knocked me in my mind so hard, I thought it metaphorically knocked some teeth loose.
I was wrapped around him like tavern whore, all but gyrating on a goddamn table!
All at once, my logic speeds up and caught me by my ankles.
What. Was. I. Doing?!
This wasn't me! This wasn't who I was and this certainly wasn't the time to be pawing at eachother and- I look down at the state of us. Our bodies tangled together... I gave some mental thanks that I hadn't had him between my thighs. If Delphine were to walk in right now… The thought had me leaning back, shock, embarrassment and a hint of anger, mostly at myself.
"Wait, Bishop, hang on." I mutter a few phrases in my fathers tongue as I hear the state of my voice. I was breathless and sounded wanton even to my own ears. I clear my throat and swallow. My hand lets go of his back and even as it trembled, gently pressed to his chest. "Could you, back up? Give me space?" His eyes sharpened on me, his brows furrowed and slowly, he moved back enough for me to rise from the table to sit up slightly.
"What's the matter, sweetness?" Gods. His voice. The way he asked had my stomach flipping. Rough but still... gentle.
No! Don't linger on that. Or him. Or his nickname for me.
Someone had to move, I decided. To break that contact. I managed to sit up enough, untangle my legs from his, slide over and drop to the floor.
Oblivion, my legs were unsteady. My body ached in more ways than one. Embarrassment being the ringer as my mind was slowly coming back. I let out a shaky breath as I closed my eyes, lifted a hand to hold him off when I heard his boots slide along the stone floor.
"I liked it but I think we should…" I trail off and start to fix my words. Instead of 'we,' it should be 'I,' but before the words leave my dry mouth, he cuts in with a slow smirk.
"What, take it slow?" He asked and I feel the words I am meaning to say stick in my throat.
Slow wasn't the problem. I shouldn't be doing this at all! I didn't even know where to go from here! Not to say that I was ashamed of anything, but I just... Couldn't right now. I wasn't even in the right mindset. Though, a few more minutes of his kisses and his electric touches and I sure as rain would have been. If his mouth was that good on mine, what would it be like on other parts of my body?
GODDAMMIT, FOCUS!
It was honestly hard to do while the image of him pressing himself against me was still fresh. I ran a hand over my face and let out a long sigh.
"I will admit that whether it be fast or slow isn't what the pressing issue that I have here." That's not where my concern was, though I had plenty to go around.
"Then what is?" He asked, his brows raised and steps towards me. I couldn't help but take a notch of pride to see that his breathing was still uneven. "Is this about..." He trailed off and for a moment, looked disgusted with himself. I felt myself frown at his change in moods. "Is this about Thorn? Are my hands bringing back.. thoughts of him?" He asked.
My heart cracked and ached. This. Darling. Man.
"No!" I held up my hands in a sign of comfort. Stepping to him, I tentatively placed my hands on either side of his face, my thumbs gently moving back and forth over his days growth of stubble. "No that's not it at all." His eyes had lost their heat. Instead, they looked cold and angry. I wanted that sharpness gone. "I wasn't thinking about that at all when you kissed me." It hadn't even been a thought in my mind. But it had been in his. He nodded tightly and lifted his own to rub at my shoulders.
"Then what's stopping us?" He asked and I nearly scoffed at the broad spectrum of answers that I had for him. I dropped my hands and glanced around.
"Well, first being that this isn't the time, the place." I gestured to what was around us and his eyes flicked back and forth. He nodded as he understood what I was getting at. "Or for the fact that we have to get going before someone walks in on us. I may tolerate Delphine but I sure as hell ain't up for a floor show." Something dark flashed in his eyes for a second.
"I see what your saying. I'd hate to have anyone see you before I get the chance to."
"I don't think we-" Crashes of furniture falling over, a loud canine bark sounding out had us looking at eachother. Karnwyr was getting into trouble and now was a good time as any to get a move on. Reaching up, my hands find my tail had been loosened in our moment of… lack of reason. Turning on my heel, I gesture to the door "We'll continue this conversation later." I say and start up the stairs.
"Oh, we will defiantly finish this." He says following me after a second. God. His voice was so deep, heavy from arousal that it made me tremble.
"You call that a start? I hope your finish is better than that." I say over my shoulder before I can help it and I mentally smack myself. Why did I say that?! I hear his footsteps faulter for a moment before my wrist is snagged and I am caged between the wall and him.
"Is that a challenge?" His eyes glint dangerously, his body humming and making me want to pull him back down to me. But the voices just beyond keep me from doing anything. "Because a hunter loves a challenge, sweetness. Let's see how many times I can make you finish before I do." He pressed close. "If I can track for miles without getting tired, I can certainly go all night long, princess." His words are proud and I feel liquid pool low in response.
"Is the knowledge of how long you can go from experience?" I ask and the thought of him being naked and straining with a woman for that long has my stomach burn for a whole new reason. My fingers twitch for my blade, even as I lecture myself that it should not matter. And it didn't. Doesn't. I'm overthinking this when I shouldn't.
"I'll admit, I've never stayed with a woman for the whole night." He admits, leaning close again. I feel the air in my lungs stutter a little. "But with you, I would need all night." His eyes rake down my body and I burn anew. "Even then, it wouldn't be enough time." I feel heat in my cheeks.
This. Is not. The. Time.
Striving for neutrality I frown a little in thought. "I say…" I look upwards and off to the side, as if thinking of an apt way to say this. "Nice try." I settle on and felt a spark of glee when his eyes narrowed wickedly in challenge.
"Try, huh?" He scoffed and slowly lowered his arms till they were back down at his sides.
"Yeah. I figured 'keep dreaming' might have been a little too snide." I shrug and finish climbing the flight of stairs.
"And dream I do." He calls from behind me. "Patience is just one of a hunter's many virtues."
"Noble thing to have."
"Ladyship, I'm a lot of things. But I sure as hell ain't… noble." He trails off when we walk into a crowded tavern, people slurring and shouting at the ruckus around them. Delphine was speaking to a young man who had a few kegs by his side which teetered when Karnwyr darted around, chomping food in his mouth. I cast a glance to Bishop who watches the wolf zoom around, his eyes following the wolf fondly. Then they land on me again and I gesture to the chaos in front of us.
"Call your wolf to heel, Bishop. We're heading out." I push forward and get bumped a few times by the time I hear a long whistle ring out.
"Karnwyr. Let's go you silly mutt." The tone was strong, but the words held a slight degree of affection. "At least we won't have to feed you for a while since you seemed to have scrapped them bare." Pushing the door open, we start out to Whiterun.
"He got what he wanted, no doubt." A full belly, I thought to myself as we stalk down the wooden stairs.
"No shame in going out and taking what you want."
"By any means necessary?" I ask over my shoulder, my brow quirked upwards. "He caused quite a stir in there."
"He's a wolf, princess. Can't fault him for his true nature." I didn't even need to look at him to know it was spoken with a shrug.
"No, but even wild animals can know and understand control."
"You mean to tell me you've never taken what you wanted?" He asked and I frowned.
"I have exceptional rational thinking and control." Except when it comes to using it when his mouth was on me. Then it was absoluty nowhere to be seen.
"So I've seen." He murmured behind me. And I hear his amused tone.
"Besides, what I want has little to matter with what's going on right now." I say confidently.
"Well, let's say right now, it does." His stride matches my own, even if I have to speed up to match his.
"A wolf's wants are different from my own." I say, casting him a glance and his eyes narrow on mine.
"Wants are wants, Ladyship, regardless of species." I nod my head, considering what he said.
"Very true. But I was taught it's wrong to want things that are not necessarily needed." I say as I kick a rock. I hear a scoff beside me.
"You're evading the question." He stated simply and I grinded my teeth and turned my head to fully look at him.
"I am not evading." I say defensively.
"Yes, you are." He says calmly and I briefly think of shoving him.
"No, I'm not, because this matter of discussion isn't up to discuss."
"And why not?"
"Because we- I- have more pressing matters to think about. And what I want, is to get them sorted out." A little harsh, but the words were still the truth. In the distance, I could see the farms near Whiterun.
"You can say that all you want, ladyship. Even if it is to try to convince yourself. It's alright." He lifted his hands in a gesture in peace when I pointed a glare at him. He drew his bow and notched an arrow and followed the trail of a buck in the distance. "You'll want me soon enough." He wandered off to the right, and released an arrow before I could counter it with some form of denial but the words die in my mouth as I watched him move. The ache that formed between my legs did nothing to help.
I wasn't afraid of if wanted him. I was afraid by how much I already did..
Walking to Whiterun was easier, the terrain familiar. All the way, I chose to think about the party Delphine had talked about. If they were anything like the ones in Morrowind, I let out a breath as irritation flooded my mind briefly. Nothing but hand shaking and groveling to the Elders who simply looked around and found things to dissect and sneer in disgust at.
I had gone to two in my time there and every minute was charged with the fear that they would see that I had simply wanted to fit in, and tear it apart. But I had been younger then… more foolish too. Well... I spare a glance to Bishop who walked beside me with Karnwyr between us, foolish in different ways, I thought to myself.
"Do you mind getting us a ride? I need to drop a few things off at Breezehome." I say pointing a thumb to the gates. He looks at the town's wall and then back to me. His gaze is hard and unreadable for a moment before he crosses his arms.
"No." It was so stern that I blinked in shock.
"No?" I echo.
"If you will wait a few minutes, I'll come with you." His eyes looked around, landed on the carriage, yet no rider was seen nearby. I however was looking at him like he just sprouted a second head.
"That's not necessary. I can manage by myself." I say, my brows pulling downward as a frown.
"Good for you. I'm still coming with you." His tone was getting on my nerves.
"Really? I'll only be a few minutes." I try another approach and I only get a somewhat angry glare.
"I've heard that before." He caught sight of the driver by the stables, talking to a man sitting in the shade.
"What is it with you?" I ask frowning and put my hands on my hips. He looks me up and down then he starts to walk away, without a word, towards the driver. I let out an exasperated groan and head up towards the gates. I probably make it about 6 paces when an arrow lands deep in the dirt in-front of me, making me let out a yelp as I draw my sword partially. I turn to Bishop who stood, bow drawn, string still vibrating, glaring at me. "Are you kidding me?!" I shout as I bend and pull the arrow loose from the dirt and stalk towards him. "What in the name of- why are you shooting at me?!" I throw his arrow at him and it his his shoulder. He didn't even bat an eye even as he brushed off the dirt that was left on his arm.
"Just.. wait a minute." He said sternly and I wanted to stomp on his foot.
"Give me one reason why I should." I challenge and he straightens to his full height over me. My eyes level with his chin, making me tilt my head back slightly to meet his hard gaze.
"How's this for one? Last time I let you out of my sight you got yourself kidnapped." He says with a dark tone that has me fumbling back a step. I caught the way his hands fisted by his sides and how his eyes couldn't meet mine for a second.
It was true. He hadn't left my side, besides to sleep. We had given eachother space to sleep and collect ourselves… but he had stayed close. Almost within reaching distance, now that I think about it.
"You make it sound like I went out to find someone to do it." I frown a little.
"I wasn't with you." He growls and I hear the sound of leather on leather. My eyes flicked downward to his hands which tightened then relaxed.
"And you won't be with me in a few days while I go to a meeting with the Thalmor."
"Don't remind me." He scowls.
"Then me going into a town, where I have more pull because of my weird title I'll remind you, should be a breeze." I say, poking a finger in his chest in challenge. He looks at me hard, then lets out a sigh.
"Stubborn woman." He mutters as he stalks away to the carriage driver.
"Worry wart." I call back and head to my house. Alone.
Unlocking my door, I sigh at the sight of Lydia standing by the cooking spit, stirring a pot that hold a nice aroma. She stands straight when she hears the door open and bows a little in greeting.
"Hello Lydia." I greet and set my things down.
"Hello my lady. How have your travels been?" She asks and I am pleased that she remembers our conversation about her dropping the 'Thane' in our conversations.
"They are never dull, that's for sure." I head up the stairs and unload on things I have collected.
"Where is your companion? The one with the wolf?" She asks, glancing to the door as I walk back down the stairs.
"Bishop?" I offer and she nods. I smile at my newly won verbal jest and shrug. "He's preparing our carriage ride. We leave for Solitude for a few days..." I say as I walk to the fire and watch the flames for a moment. Solitude. I had an odd sensation about the upcoming days, even as the thought of seeing my mothers kin settled over me like a steel coat.
"Something troubles you, my lady?" She asks softly and I regard her solemnly.
"Nothing that I should bore you with." I try for a soft smile and it feels rusty on my face.
"Is there anything I can do to ease your mind?" She asks and I think a moment. Smiling to myself I recall my letter.
"I hopefully will be receiving packages in the mail from my extended family. I have put this house to be the recipient of them. If you could be so kind as to put them in safe places, I shall be ever so thankful." I say with a hopeful smile and receive one in turn.
"You have my word." She bows her head and goes back to stirring the pot. I nearly leave when my hand pauses on the handle.
"Lydia?"
"Yes, my lady?" She regards me with calm attention.
"Do you have family of your own?" I found myself asking and she looks taken aback by my question. "I apologize if my question is too personal." I start but she slowly shakes her head.
"It's quite alright." She taps the side of the pot with the spoon, making the room fill with the gentle pings of metal. "My family took ill when I was a small child and died not long after." She said softly, and I felt my heart ache in understanding.
"I'm sorry for your loss." I say honestly and she nods in thanks.
"I would say the same for you." She says quietly and I feel the floor shift under my feet.
"I have never said-" I swallow tightly and her grey eyes meet mine with calm understanding. "How do you-"
"You needn't have too." She pushes a stray lock of hair that falls into her eyes. "I wear the same look." She rests the spoon on the pot. "When I see children playing with their families, it makes me think of my mother and father. And sometimes, it aches." She breathes deeply then lets it out in a rush. "You look like someone who aches." Here eyes regard me a moment. "For more than one reason." Her voice held both seriousness and a teasing tone that I found myself raising a brow at her.
"Is this another... observation you have seen?" I ask and the corner of her lips tilt upwards.
"From the lingering looks you and your companion have shared while you visited... I should say so." She smiles wholeheartedly then as quick as it appeared it dropped, like her warming gaze. "Forgive me my lady. I speak out of turn and with familiarity that was never given to me." I, for some reason let out a laugh. I step to her and frown slightly when she flinches.
"Lydia." I say softly and her gaze stays on the floor. I lift a hand and lay it on her shoulder and let it rest there for a time and slowly her eyes lift to mine again. "I would very much like to speak to you as I would a friend, rather than a... person of my charge. I will never feel comfortable with that." I watch her eyes widen.
"But... I have been given to you-" She flounders to explain and I lift my hand in a cut off gesture.
"You are not property to me, Lydia." I snap and feel a stab of guilt when she flinches again. My father would turn over on his funeral pyre if he heard this conversation. My ear was ringing, despite not having a father to cuff me upside my head.
"I do not understand." She says quietly and I glance to the door and can't help but think that Bishop was all but pacing waiting for me. I look back to Lydia and search for the right words.
"My father was a... housecarl… of a sort." I say quietly and walk to a seat close to the fire. "For his youth he was constantly being commanded to do things that was not in his wishes." My eyes never left the flickering flames as I recalled a few of his telling's. "He was told to beat children who spilt wine on a visitor by accident, commanded to protect those who were undeserving of protection and was beaten when he acted against those who had given him orders." I explain tightly. "He was miserable, for countless years…" Until he met my mother… "That's not a life I would wish on anyone to live. Including you."
"I am sorry your father didn't enjoy his station." She said it so honestly that I faintly heard a set of teeth grinding.
"You can dress it up any which way you want, but the term they had for people like my father, or even yourself, is different than here."
"Which is?" She asked and my head lifted to hers.
"Fetchers. Slaves." I clarified and her eyes went wide.
"I am not your slave!" Her voice rang out and I found myself smiling.
"Good. Because I wouldn't want you to be. And since we have cleared that up." I rose to my feet. "We shall start anew since we shall be seeing eachother often, we may as well continue to drop the formalities."
"I would like that as well. But..." Her eyes went to the door, lingered and rested back on me. "If we are seen together... To not address you as I should..." She explained gently and I slowly nodded.
"Alright. You need not fear of being reprimanded. In fact, you have my permission to hold me in the highest regard that I can grant you. I would like it if we could be friends." I felt shy for a moment as I shrugged a little. "I certainly could use one. And should anyone have any qualms about it, they may direct themselves to me." I say with the authority my title held. And yet, Lydia looked like she was… relived. I extended my arm, my hand held out, fully open in a form of greeting my fathers people often did. My mothers kind was always dialed back. Taught that tight lipped responses and very little physical contact was more courteous. It looked stiff, even after years of living with them.
She regarded it for a moment before her hand clasped my forearm and her shy smile she gave me in return had me feeling joyous.
"My name is Serlina. I come from Black Marsh and I am pleased to meet you." I offer and she smiles in kind.
"My name is Lydia. I was born in Skyrim, Dawnstar to be specific and I am honoured to meet you as well." I tighten my grip for a second then release her hand.
"I wish we could continue our conversation and learn more about eachother but I am afraid my time is up. I should go, before Bishop comes storming in." I say with an exaggerated eye roll.
"We wouldn't want that. Even if him a little put off would be quite a sight to see. If you don't mind me saying." She says carefully and I find myself regarding her slyly.
"I don't. I can admit the thought is somewhat appealing."
"He certainly is an appealing man. I can see why you enjoy traveling with him." She says with a teasing smile.
"Oh, you do, do you?" I ask as I walk to the door.
"I may be a woman who is living a sort of recluse life right now, but I certainly am not blind." She says, her smile growing and I let out a laugh as I push open the door.
"I look forward to our next conversation Lydia. Send word anytime." I gesture to the paper on the end table and I catch the gentle nod farewell.
"I definitely will, my friend." She calls as the door closes and with a lighter heart, I walk to the gates and out, only to laugh at Karnwyr who stands and zips around by my feet, nearly making me trip. I turn around a corner of the city walls and laugh again.
He wasn't pacing, but was indeed tapping his fingers quite fast on the side of the carriage. When he caught sight of me and Karnwyr, he stopped his tapping and slowly, a grin lifted his lips as his brows furrowed curiously.
"What's with that look?" He called as we closed in. I shrugged nonchalantly as I watched as he climbed into the carriage and smirked when Karnwyr took a running leap into the carriage, his claws scratching along the wood as he slid in. I was worried the step and Karnwyr's chest would have met horribly, but he cleared it. I will never admit that it had made me hold my breath in suspense.
"Climb in back. We'll be off." The driver called to me and I hum in agreement. I was momentarily stunned when a large gloved hand was held out to me to help me into the carriage. I look at it, then to the Bishop who smiles warmly at me.
"If I didn't know any better, ranger, I would say that you missed me." I tease as I take his hand. His grip is solid and warm as he helps me into our ride.
"I wouldn't go that far. Just hate waiting around, that's all." Taking my seat, I breath in through my nose and detect the faintest hint of rain. "You gonna tell me what had you smiling like that?" He asks as the wheels start turning. The apprehension that I could feel was steadily approaching again was deterred slightly by a newfound fact.
"I just made a new friend." And I smile anew and turn my gaze to the road.
To Solitude.
Hey everyone!
Happy New Year!
The holidays have been hectic for me to write, work and visit family, but nonetheless, I have managed to put out another chapter.
Things are really heating up between our leading lady and our ranger! Don't worry guys, more is sure to follow. And, if I have my way, soon. Don't be afraid to let me know what you guys think, questions you might have and even ideas you would like to see in chapters! I cannot tell you how much it excites me to see reviews and to hear what you guys think!
I didn't think you guys would be with me for this long and I appreciate you guys already, so so much!
Next chapter is already in the making! So hopefully it will be out soon!
Until then,
Keep Romancing!
-IMME.