Chapter 5

{Author's note: This chapter is a bit shorter, my apologies. I can feel the inspiration dwindling. Real life is demanding my attention, and I feel like I'm just writing for my own entertainment. If y'all are enjoying this, drop a review, and it may spark some motivation for me. Thank you for understanding.}

When they woke, she was still in his arms. She lay there for some time, thinking. Amanis was doing the same. He eventually got out of bed, realizing with some amount of shame that he needed to change and bathe. He wasn't in control of those functions when he was asleep, of course. He was barely in control whilst awake.

Inuel also rose, hearing him casting spells for water and heat behind the vanity screen.

Fair is fair.

She peeked.

Biting her lip, she quickly looked away. She was definitely not expecting that. She dressed in her usual work tunic and left.

He had looked… too good. It was scandalous, the thoughts her glimpse was evoking. She took several deep, calming breaths, clearing her mind, and went to start cooking a proper Bosmeri breakfast.

About halfway through her preparations, Amanis emerged, freshly washed and groomed, wearing his Argonian getup.

"What are you making?" he asked as he padded barefoot into the open-air kitchen.

"What do you think? We're in Valenwood. It'll be meat for bread and wine, morning noon and night."

He chuckled, pointing an accusatory finger at her pantry shelves.

"You savage! I see vegetables, fruits, and leafy greens. Naughty, naughty."

She barked laughter, setting a plate down and returning to the fire.

"Right, well, don't tell anyone. I have a guilty addiction to salads. Oooh." She wiggled her fingers mockingly.

He laughed lightly, then moved closer.

Looking at her, silhouetted against the fire, he couldn't hold back any more. Now was as good a time as any

Inuel gasped as he slid his arms around her middle, then kissed her neck like a lover.

"It's breakfast, and here I am. I keep my promises…" he murmured into her ear.

Inuel pulled away, perhaps a bit slower than she should have.

"What are you doing, Amanis?" Her tone was low, careful.

He reached for her again, eyes downcast.

Why was it so difficult to just tell her the truth?

"You didn't mind it last night…"

She shoved past him, carrying a pan, setting it angrily on the table. "Last night, I was drunk! We both were. And it was just for show. Neither of us wants issue with the Altmer-"

"You didn't mind it on Elitlaya, either." he replied softly.

That voice… without the forced cockney accent, she finally recognized it.

"No… no, you said-" she stepped back, looking him in the eyes. His expression was sincere… haunted.

"You said the escorts make sure no two of the same house couple."

"And that's still true."

"Then it's impossible that… that you… that I…"

He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Well, that's just it. You're not technically from my house."

"But I was adopted…"

She backed away, sat heavily on a chair, bumping the table. A loose gear was knocked onto the floor. It rolled, making a loud, metallic rattle in the quiet room.

"It was you…"

She touched her face, eyes wide with shock.

"Of course it was you."

"Yeah… and you have no idea how it's been killing me not to say anything."

"Why didn't you? It's been… it's been days. You saw me crying… why did you wait?"

Amanis was shocked. It took him several moments to speak.

"You're alright with this?"

She suddenly rushed to him, throwing her arms around his middle, pressing her face into his chest.

"I'm not of your house, remember? Besides… that night… you knew… you could have stopped…"

He chuckled, stroking her hair. "And leave you unsatisfied? I'm a gentleman. I'd never."

She hit him half-heartedly. "You knew it was me."

"I did, halfway. I think you knew the minute I… started… On some level, at least. You fought me… just like you always do…"

She lifted her head to look up at him. He wore an expression she'd never seen on his face. Longing. A different kind of love.

"How long?"

The expression broke and he smirked.

"You want another look? Wait a bit, I'll need my trousers off-"

She hit him harder. "How long have you been in love with me?"

His smile withered. He had no words to respond.

Inuel stood apart from him, staring at the floor. Bombarded by a thousand emotions, she grasped at her hair, grimacing. She growled, storming to the door, grabbing a bottle of fortified mazte as she left.

Amanis sighed heavily, sinking into a chair. He looked to the tiny white gryphon chick who had been watching them from the corner. It blinked its huge blue eyes, cocking its head quizzically.

"I'll be holding her hair back, later, just you see. And not in the nice way, either."


Amanis pushed the door hanging aside cautiously, peeking in. Inuel was sitting in her hammock, swigging from her bottle. She pointedly stared at a wall, refusing to look at him as he sat beside her.

She huffed, face petulant, then spoke as if their argument hadn't paused.

"By the way, you lied to me! Don't think I forgot. You said you didn't participate!"

He sighed, rubbing his face, hands making a rasping sound against his dark red stubble.

"Yes, I lied. Based on how you're reacting now, how do you think it would have gone had I told you the truth immediately?"

She looked away, sniffling, taking another swig.

"You were giving me time to fall in love with you."

He was speechless for a few moments. He hadn't thought of it that way… but wasn't that what had happened?

"It wasn't my intent."

"Then what was your intent?"

He exhaled heavily, taking the bottle from her and drinking.

"I wanted to keep my promise."

"Even if it meant I thought you… he… had broken it? Even if it meant breaking my heart?"

"Innie, your heart would have broken either way."

They sat in silence for a time, passing the bottle back and forth.

"And in answer to your previous question," he said, passing the bottle, "I've been in love with you since just before our… my... parents died."

She looked up at him, startled, then looked hurt.

"That's not fair. They were my parents, too."

She drank deeply, looking at the floor.

"That long."

"Yes. Well… I've been fighting it. A lot happened, around that time. We drifted apart. We had very different paths, you and I."

"And now?"

"And now… I can't see myself going back to that life. I plan on keeping my promise."

Her eyes welled with tears as she looked up at him.

"Even though that promise was asked of who I believed to be a stranger? Someone not of our… augh. It never was my house. I have no house." She slumped, stoppering the bottle and setting it aside.

Amanis slid from the hammock and knelt before her, taking her hands in his.

"It could be. If you want."

Inuel's eyes grew wide, darting between their hands and his face.

"Wh… what?"

He kissed her hand, looking up at her with the most sincere expression she'd ever seen him make.

"I want it to be your house, as well. If you'll have me."