A/N: This story is a sequel to my other Elder Scrolls story, A New Dawn. If you haven't read that, I recommend you do so, since it deals with the important details of Akiseta and Serana's relationship, as well as details about Akiseta, her life and who she is. The context will be needed for this story.
Akiseta often enjoyed quiet mornings. Most mornings, she would linger in bed for a little while, enjoying the quiet, and the pleasant company. She looked at Serana, who was nestled into her arms, still asleep. Akiseta smiled at the sleeping vampire.
'Hard to believe it's been a year since we ended the prophecy.' She thought to herself.
More correctly, it had been a bit after a year, since they'd gotten past a second winter together, and were now in their second spring.
Life had resumed more or less to normal after Harkon was defeated. Akiseta resumed her work with the Companions, as well as a few jobs for the College, and few here and there things in the rest of Skyrim.
There were a times when life seemed a little dull. After all, despite the danger, the journey they had to take to stop Harkon had led them to some amazing things. The Soul Cairn was still unnerving, but it was still an interesting place. Thousands of years of souls were there. Plus her dragon friend, Durnehviir.
And there was the hidden vale where Gelebor resided. The place was almost like another world, beautiful and untouched by the rest of the world. They went to visit from time to time.
However, having a peaceful life far outweighed any dullness or boredom that sank in. For the past year, they had been enjoying a life not wrought with danger. Just them, and Lucia, living happily in the city of Whiterun. What more could be asked for?
Akiseta carefully shifted around, and started to move to get up. A moment later, she was caught by surprise when she found herself pinned to the bed. Serana laid out on top of her, resting her arms just underneath her breasts.
"I thought you were sleeping." Akiseta said, looking up at the vampire.
"I was just enjoying the morning. Now, would you like to tell me what you were doing?"
"I was getting up."
Serana shook her head. "No."
"No?"
"No. You are staying right here with me."
The attempt Akiseta made to speak was lost when Serana leaned down to kiss her. The vampire's lips were as soft as ever, and her skin was pleasingly cool. Serana slid her hands up Akiseta's torso, and after reaching her shoulders, slid them down her arms until she reached her hands, where she interlocked their fingers.
"I would like to stay, iluukai." Akiseta said as she pulled back from the kiss. "But I have to get up."
"Why?"
"You know why. I have to help my Shield-Siblings with their weapons. Eorlund had been laid up since his injury, and none of them can work a forge properly."
"Since your job as Harbinger is to give council and advice, maybe you should advice them to be a bit easier on their weapons."
Akiseta chuckled. "Right. I'll tell them to slay a few less trolls so my uxith-beeko can keep me in bed longer."
"Perfect."
Serana pressed another kiss to her lips. The feel of the vampire's lips and skin, and the taste of her tongue made it hard for Akiseta want to get up. The idea of spending more time in bed with her lover was appealing, even more so if the kissing led to more.
"You're making this difficult, iluukai," Akiseta murmured in between kisses.
"That's the point."
"Serana, let me up."
"Hmm.. no. If you want to get up, then I guess we'll finally get to see which of us is stronger."
Akiseta knew she and Serana were both strong in their own rights. Akiseta was Dragonborn, and a werewolf, and Serana was a pure-blooded vampire. They often playfully teased each other about who was stronger.
"I'd hate to have to hurt your Nord and vampire pride by besting you, love." Akiseta teased.
Serana playfully glared at her. She was probably going to pay for that remark later, with any luck.
"Ever so modest, aren't you, Aki?"
"That's one of the things you know you love about me. Come on, iluukai. I really do have to get up. It's important."
Letting out a defeated sigh, Serana relented. She reluctantly shifted off of Akiseta. She kept one of their hands joined, running her thumb along the back of Akiseta's hand, tracing her primary and secondary scales.
Aside from the scales on the bridge of her nose, all of which were wine red, the primary scales o the rest of her body were a deep shade of black. Her secondary scales. which were smaller, and placed slightly under her primary scales, were a deep purple, and gave her body a sort of midnight sky coloring, as Serana liked to say.
"One of these mornings, I'm keeping you all to myself." Serana insisted.
Akiseta smiled. "I look forward to it, iluukai."
She kissed Serana on the cheek, then got out of bed and found herself some clothes to wear. Then she gathered up her bag, and headed outside and for the Skyforge.
Akiseta swore she could still feel a part of Kodlak's spirit in the Skyforge. It made her feel close to him as she worked. The forge burned strong and hot. Akiseta wiped sweat from her brow, and placed the item she's been working on in the water to cool.
She paused a moment to gaze at her reflection. The three scars on the right side of her face, and the blue roots tattooed on the left stood out amongst her dragon-like facial structure, as did her white feathers and curled horns. Her right horn had finally finished growing back about five months after it had been broken.
Aside from them were the brand-like burn marks. Caused by the steel-silver restraints Harkon had imprisoned her in, they were nearly as black as her scales, a charcoal-like color.
In the year since defeating Harkon, the chain-shaped burn marks rested on her face, wrapping around her snout and making lines along her cheeks and nose. They mostly stood out against the red scales on her nose. Wrist iron burn marks wrapped around her wrists and ankles.
Akiseta had spent a lot of time recovering from the torture she'd endured in Castle Volkihar. It had been the most traumatic experience of her entire life. The hardest part of recovery had been to look at the burns, and not feel shame or humiliation.
Thankfully, she'd had Lucia and Serana to help her through it.
"Working hard, Aki?" Aela asked, coming over.
"Have I done much else the past several days?"
Akiseta had been hard at work at the Skyforge the past several days. She'd done a lot of smithing projects over the years, but this one was more important than all of them, and it had to be perfect.
"Does Serana still think you're working on our weapons?"
"Yes. She said you all need to be easier on them."
A pang of guilt persisted inside Akiseta for lying to Serana about what she was really working on. But she had to keep the real project a secret from her, until the time was right.
"So, how is it coming along?" Aela asked. "I'm eager to see it."
"It's finally finished, actually." Akiseta replied. She used the tongs to carefully pull the item out of the water, and placed it in her palm.
It was a gold ring, shimmering as the light from the forge reflected on the surface of it. Placed along the ring were three flawless amethysts.
"I'm not much of a jewelry woman myself, but that ring is absolutely beautiful." Aela said, admiring the ring.
"Thank you. I wanted to make sure it was perfect."
The symbolism of the ring was deeply rooted in her people's culture. While Akiseta herself wasn't very devout to the Hist, it was still a part of her life. And the traditional Argonian proposal custom seemed much more personal than asking for a lover's hand with an Amulet of Mara.
"So, you're really going to propose, then?" Aela asked, leaning against the wall.
"Of course I am." Akiseta frowned. "Why do you say it like that?"
"I don't mean anything by it. It's just that you were with your other lover a lot longer, and you never proposed to her."
Akiseta knew her relationship with Thari-Na had been a few years longer than her relationship with Serana. But there were a number of differences. She and Thari had been deek-beekos from very young ages, and their relationship has grown from that. There had been no need to rush a proposal, since the two had assumed they were meant to be mates.
Akiseta had intended to make a proposal band for Thari-Na. But after her parents were killed, things became strained. And when Akiseta wanted to leave Black Marsh, Thari-Na wanted to stay. And the relationship had ended. Akiseta had learned that Thari-Na found a new mate, and she herself had one as well.
Falling in love with Serana was one of the best thing to ever happen in her life. Their love had developed during a journey of danger and wonder, and even now still seemed to grow. And Akiseta had felt the time was right to celebrate their love, and be properly united as mates.
Akiseta looked at the ring. "You... you don't think it's too soon, do you?" She asked Aela, feeling doubt start to creep into her mind.
"Oh, no. Not at all, Aki. Look, I have never seen you as happy as you are since you've been with her. You two are, if I may say, perfect together. If it feels like the right time to ask for her hand, then you should."
Akiseta smiled. "Then that's what I'm going to do."
"Oh, before you do, I have something for you." Aela reached into her pocket, and pulled out a folded letter. "A courier dropped this off for you."
Akiseta took the letter, and opened it up to read it.
"Akiseta, it has been some time since we've been able to talk. I hope this letter finds you well. I hate to pull you away from your life, but something has come up. I can't say much in writing, in case this letter doesn't make it to you. I ask that you come to Mistveil Keep as soon as you are able to. -Jarl Laila Law-Giver."
Akiseta looked over the letter again, frowning. For Laila to pen such a letter herself, but exclude details for fear other's eyes could see them, was concerning.
"That doesn't sound good." Aela said, voicing Akiseta's concerns.
"No, it doesn't." Akiseta sighed. "This sounds urgent, so I better get going."
"Be safe out there, Aki."
"I will be."
Akiseta walked away from the forge, slipping the ring into her pocket. Her proposal would have to wait.
Walking into Breezehome, Akiseta found Serana and Lucia at the table, playing a card game. Kit sat on the floor by Lucia.
Lucia looked over at Akiseta, and beamed. "Good morning, Mama. Want to play with us?"
"Now now, Lucia. You know your mother sucks at cards." Serana said, looking over at Akiseta with a smile.
Akiseta narrowed her eyes at the vampire, then looked over at Lucia. "I'm sorry, my little flower, but I have to go."
"Go?" Lucia and Serana asked in unison.
"Yes. I just got a letter, from Jarl Laila."
"What did she say she wanted?" Serana questioned, walking over.
"She didn't give much details. She just said that something came up, and she was fearful of putting it in writing."
"That doesn't sound good." Lucia said coming over with Kit in tow.
"No, it doesn't. And since she's asking for me personally, it must be serious. So I need to get to Riften as soon as possible."
"Would you like me to go with?" Serana asked.
"I would love your company, iluukai. But you did promise Lucia a magic lesson."
"Yeah, you did." Lucia chimed in.
"I know. I just.. I'm a little worried."
"Don't be. I'll be fine. I promise. And I'll be back before you know it."
"Alright."
Akiseta pulled Serana into a soft kiss, then crouched to give Lucia a hug, kissing her cheek. After heading out of the city, Akiseta summoned Arvak. The skeletal horse pranced around in a circle, then stood still.
Akiseta climbed into the saddle. After making sure the ring was still safely in her pocket, she flicked his chain, and started for Riften.
