Sielaire stands at ease before the desk, waiting patiently while Ayrenn reads her report. She tries to keep her eyes level with the windows behind the Queen's chair, giving Ayrenn that modicum of respect and privacy, but this simple act has become so inexplicably difficult to perform. Despite her efforts, her gaze often falls upon Ayrenn's face – the amused quirk of her brows, the slight twitch of her lips, curved in a faint smile… Part of her wonders how the drab report is entertaining the Queen so, while Sielaire admires the soft angles of her countenance, remembers how smooth Ayrenn's skin feels beneath her fingers–
She catches herself with a quiet breath, raising her eyes to stare out the windows again, amid a surge of self-chastisement. She has only gotten more distracted the longer her affair with the Queen goes on; her heart beats quicker, her eyes tend to linger on Ayrenn when they're together. Her breath catches whenever the Queen meets her gaze, and her mind is scattered for a fleeting moment as she looks away to feign ignorance, flustered beneath a picture of composure.
It is irresponsible, and more importantly, dangerous. As one of the Queen's closest guards, she cannot afford to let her attention slip – not for a second, and most definitely not as often as she has slipped for the past few months. Sielaire has thought herself better than this – she is better than this, but that's before she ever knew the caress of Ayrenn's fingertips on her skin, the way Ayrenn's lips tease over her own, the dulcet murmur of her name in her ear…
"I see things have been going well," Ayrenn says out of the blue, and Sielaire nearly jumps out of her skin, startled out of her musings. "Less horse-related accidents in the Wings, hm? I see you're adapting as well as the Jade Dragoons."
Sielaire gives a smile. "Thank you, Your Majesty. There are still communication issues with the Bosmer and Khajiit recruits, but I suspect we'll sort it out easier, now that less soldiers are falling off their horses."
"Good to hear." The laugh is apparent in Ayrenn's tone. "But I see you've requested ponies for your soldiers as well?"
"Yes," Sielaire replies. "For my Bosmer troops. Most of our horses are so tall that they've had to jump on and off the horse's backs – something I'd prefer they not do. I've heard the Bosmer of Valenwood have a special breed of ponies trained specially for warfare, and I would like a few for my own troops."
"Ah, yes. I've seen them before." Ayrenn plucks a quill from her inkpot, and writes a separate request slip. "The Vinedusk Rangers use these ponies, and they can be quite terrifying in combat…even if they are rather short." She smiles up at Sielaire, adding the request form to the stack on her desk, which a clerk will collect at the end of the day. "I'll have King Camoran send us some of his finest. I'm sure he wouldn't mind."
"I–, that's not necessary." Sielaire's voice grows quieter when Ayrenn raises a brow. "But thank you."
Ayrenn chuckles, standing from her chair. "I want only the best for my own. Surely you know that by now?"
"I do," Sielaire replies, steeling herself with each step Ayrenn takes towards her. But her commitment to propriety wavers under the simple touch on her arm.
"You're so tense," Ayrenn observes, sliding her hand up Sielaire's unarmoured arm. "I would've thought you'd be comfortable with me by now."
"I am." She doesn't resist when Ayrenn tugs at her arms, and she walks two steps closer at the Queen's urging. Sielaire feels short of breath as she gazes into Ayrenn's crystal blue eyes.
"Really," Ayrenn murmurs. She slips her fingers through Sielaire's belt, and tugs her even closer, so they stand chest-to-chest. "Then kiss me."
Sielaire stares into her eyes longer, hesitation fading in a few heartbeats, and she leans in to press their lips together. Soft and chaste, and as always, Ayrenn's eyes bear a playful glint when Sielaire pulls back. Ayrenn threads her fingers through dark red tresses, then brings her lips to Sielaire's again – firmer, deeper, undeniable. Sielaire is swept away, helpless to do anything but bend to her lover's desire.
Restraint falls from her like broken threads, and Sielaire circles an arm around Ayrenn's waist, kissing and nipping at her lips with a force that makes Ayrenn hum in approval. Ayrenn prods at Sielaire with the tip of her tongue, and Sielaire delves into her mouth without second thought, meeting Ayrenn in an eager re-acquaintance since their rendezvous just the night before. It has only been hours, yet Sielaire finds herself wanting Ayrenn all over again.
Her hands roam, feeling every inch of Ayrenn's body that she has lavished with kisses in the night, now separated from her by the softest layer of silk. Ayrenn groans in pleasure, slinging both arms around Sielaire's neck, and pulls her into one last kiss before allowing Sielaire to retreat, their breaths mixing together in pants.
"Stay," Ayrenn whispers, and Sielaire has already given in. "I don't think I can wait 'til night to see you again."
Sielaire opens her mouth, but finds herself speechless. She glances around at Ayrenn's office, and says with a smile, "Right here?"
Ayrenn matches her smile with a sly smirk. "Is that what you want? I was just thinking about wine," Ayrenn laughs. "And you said I was insatiable last night…"
"But you were," Sielaire teases, feeling indescribably soft under the warmth of Ayrenn's smile.
"Are you going to complain?" Ayrenn purrs, and kisses the sense from Sielaire's mind again. "Stay with me, Sielaire. Just take a break, have a drink. I want you to save some energy for tonight…"
Her ear twitches under Ayrenn's caress, and she leans her head into Ayrenn's touch, kissing her lover's palm. Sielaire looks back into Ayrenn's waiting gaze, heart squeezing with a certain tenderness. "Some wine would be nice."
"And how are your children, my dear Telaminye?" Ayrenn asks, smiling at the noblewoman two seats away from her. "I have heard plenty of praises about them, and I would love to hear more from you."
The lady bows her head graciously with a smile. "I am honoured, Your Majesty. They are doing very well, and have indeed accomplished much. My son is currently serving as an aide to a Sapiarch…"
Ayrenn listens politely, eyes bright with interest as she dines on the appetizer of thick, juicy scallops harvested from Auridon's waters. She has stayed in Firsthold for the past week, on a royal visit where the nobles of Auridon are given the chance to meet the Queen, either to build rapport or voice grievances that the monarch is expected to resolve. And, for the last six days, Ayrenn has heard her fill of grievances – chiefly about the influx of Bosmer and Khajiit since the Dominion was formed. It has given her frustration and headaches to no end, and Ayrenn is glad to finally sit the nobles down for a modest banquet, during which they will speak of no politics, just because the Queen is disinclined to mention it in the first place.
Still, by guiding the conversation towards a more personal, affectionate nature, Ayrenn is able to solve a problem of her own. Despite her return to the Blessed Isles over a year ago, the nobles are still split between supporting or opposing their Queen's vision and methods. Truth be told, most are still loyal to age-old Altmer traditions and dogma, and have trouble accepting the changes that Ayrenn has wrought. She suspects their old faiths and views will not change for a few centuries yet, but they don't have to; Ayrenn wishes to win her people's hearts, so they will trust her to make changes for the better, even if they cannot envision this future themselves. The first natural step is to build rapport – to ensure her people will listen, before they can be won over.
Ayrenn laughs when Telaminye recounts a humorous story involving her daughter's magical research, and the rest of the guests laugh along with her as their empty dishes are taken away, soon replaced by fragrant plates of cod and vegetables. Ayrenn waves away the servant who offers mushroom gravy for her fillet, and she sends him to fetch a small pot of butter sauce instead. Then she gestures for her guests to dig in first, and asks after another noble's family to keep the conversation flowing.
As the guests break into another round of laughter, the servant returns with the Queen's requested sauce, drizzling it over the piece of cod. As he bows away from the Queen, they're given pause when someone chokes audibly at the table. Ayrenn looks to the lord clutching at his throat, face turning a touch pale, as the servant hurries over to him. They can find no signs of choking, and the noble turns paler under their attention; Ayrenn squints and leans forward in her chair, noting the touch of black on the edges of the mer's lips.
"Get the healer, quick!" Ayrenn commands the servant, who bows and rushes towards the door. "Everyone, leave your plates–"
She is cut off when Telaminye slumps forward onto the table with an audible thud, her head knocking over a glass of wine, staining the white tablecloth red. The first noble slumps in his chair as well, seemingly unconscious, and he's soon joined by the rest of the guests, one after another.
Catching the lady who slumps in the seat adjacent to hers, Ayrenn holds two fingers under the mer's nose – and can feel no breath. The victim's complexion is sickly pale, and there's that same touch of black on her lips. Blood draining from her face, Ayrenn places the lady on the table and rises from her seat, praying that the lightness in her head is due to adrenaline, not poison.
"Get the guards, now!"
Sielaire is just walking back to the barracks at the end of the day, stretching her stiff neck and shoulders, when she catches sight of the First Auridon Marines marching up to the castle with all haste. She frowns and jogs after them, wondering if there's an emergency – when she runs across Urcelmo, who's barking orders at his soldiers impatiently.
Urcelmo notices her as his troops scatter, and a hint of relief crosses his features. He moves towards her and speaks before she has to ask. "All the Queen's dinner guests are dead – poison, we suspect. And the assassin might be gone. I'm gathering my soldiers to secure the city, but half of them have been sent to Skywatch this morning," he growls, irritated. "I need you to stay with the Queen while I muster our forces."
Sielaire's heart drops at the news. "Take my Wings as well – they can comb the outskirts much faster. Send them to Skywatch and Vulkhel Guard if need be – search every dock on the island."
Urcelmo nods, and they part without farewell. Sielaire makes for the castle at double-time, and soon arrives at the dining hall, where Ayrenn is pacing by the head of the table with jagged steps. Sielaire makes straight for the Queen, her hand rising automatically to clasp Ayrenn's – but she stops herself halfway, and jerks it back to her chest in an awkward salute. Ayrenn, who has reached out as well, drops her hand and curls it into a fist.
"Your Majesty. It's not safe for you here," Sielaire says, glancing at the bodies slumped on the table, and the few laid out on the floor, being examined by healers. "We should move you to secure location."
"I am not leaving," Ayrenn snaps at her, frowning deeper as her anger rears its head. "I will not leave until this matter is dealt with."
Indignation rises in Sielaire as she takes a step forward, but she stops before arguing with the Queen in public. Her eyes catch the brief, shaky exhale through Ayrenn's lips, and the wringing of her fingers as the Queen looks to her dead subjects. "Your Majesty," Sielaire says gently. "There is no guarantee the perpetrator will be caught today. It would be wise to move you somewhere else."
"Battlereeve–"
What's sure to be a chide is cut off when Razum-dar enters the dining hall, though with none of his usual ease. He bows his head to Ayrenn in greeting, and reports, "The Eyes have secured the castle, and we have detained the kitchen staff for investigation. We have cleared the library in the eastern tower for you, Your Majesty. This one suggests that you stay there until this…crisis is over."
Ayrenn narrows her eyes at Razum-dar's suggestion – it sounded more like an order. When her displeasure is known, Raz does the same as Sie, softening his tone. "Raz understands that you'd like to deal with the criminal yourself. But until we can catch them, there is nothing you can do, but wait. And Raz thinks you need to wait in safety."
He is serious, sincere – a rarity, as far as Sielaire knows. Ayrenn stares at him, then turns her gaze to the bodies again. She closes her eyes, and lets out a quiet sigh. "Very well."
Razum-dar smiles and bows gracefully, gesturing for them to follow him. Ayrenn keeps close to his heels, while Sielaire walks behind the Queen, hand hovering close to the hilt of her sword. They reach the empty library safely, its corridor lined with guards – and if Sielaire knows Razum-dar well enough, there are Eyes patrolling the rooftops as well.
"Please do not take your eyes off the Queen, Battlereeve," Razum-dar says as Ayrenn enters the library.
Sielaire nods and follows after the Queen, closing the door behind her. She casts a ward over the door, then does the same for the windows, before turning back to Ayrenn. The Queen stands stiffly by the writing desk, eyes fixed on the floor in a blank stare, but she looks up at Sielaire's approach and forces a smile.
"Lucky me," Ayrenn utters, her usual levity dying with the smile that fades away quickly. She holds the back of a hand to her mouth, and Sielaire notices the slight tremble in her fingers.
Taking a step forward, Sielaire asks, "Do you feel well?"
"No." Ayrenn huffs in exasperation when Sielaire moves closer in alarm. "I'm fine. I just…" Her voice fades away, and she throws her hands up, starting to pace about the library. "I'm used to direct attempts on my life. I've fought off countless assassins even before I returned to Summerset. But to have an entire party die in front of me?"
Ayrenn slams her fist against a shelf, though the heavy wood barely rattles under the impact. She squeezes her eyes shut, shaking her head as a weak, helpless laugh escapes her. "It was so close. I could've died with them, not knowing what had happened."
She covers her face with a hand, and Sielaire reaches for her, clasping her arm gently. Guiding Ayrenn around to face her, Sielaire pulls her into a firm embrace, and Ayrenn leans into her gladly. Sielaire feels fingers digging into the thick fabric of her uniform, and Ayrenn's trembling breath against her neck.
"Stay with me, Sie," Ayrenn whispers. "Stay with me. Please."
"I'm not leaving you," Sielaire reassures her, rubbing her back soothingly. "You're safe here. I'll keep you safe."
Only hours later does Razum-dar show up to give the all-clear. They haven't caught the assassin yet, but the castle is well-protected by both guards and spies, and any suspect character can scarcely approach the Queen without alerting at least five people. He gives his preliminary report to Ayrenn – including the discovery that the poison was in the mushroom gravy, which all the guests have tasted, except the Queen. Ayrenn had been saved simply by her dislike for mushrooms, Razum-dar points out, and he smiles when Ayrenn's lips quirk faintly at his little ploy.
He personally escorts the Queen back to her quarters, and that is where he leaves her, while Sielaire continues to stay by Ayrenn's side for the rest of the night. Since Sielaire is still dressed in her uniform, she has to borrow a pair of shirt and pants from Ayrenn's wardrobe. They're a little short – the pants barely covers her ankles, and the shirt exposes her midriff when she lifts her arms, but it's still comfortable. She notices Ayrenn's appreciative gaze as she climbs into bed, and wears a small smile as she kisses Ayrenn's forehead.
Though Ayrenn snuggles up to her, Sielaire has no intention of sleeping. She drapes a protective arm over Ayrenn, stroking her lover's hair as she waits for the Queen to fall asleep. It takes a long while – Ayrenn is still troubled by the day's events, and Sielaire has to reassure her each time she opens her eyes, lulling her into a sense of security so she can relax again.
When Ayrenn finally breathes that familiar snort in sleep, Sielaire glances at her and smiles. She stays in place a little longer, stroking Ayrenn's back with her fingers. Once she's certain Ayrenn is fast asleep, Sielaire pries herself away and rises from the bed. The stone floor is chill against her feet, and she welcomes it, hopping on the spot to get her blood pumping, so she wouldn't fall to nighttime lethargy. Sielaire glances back at Ayrenn, the sight of the sleeping mer soothing her senses, and she sets herself on a rhythmic pace around the room – a guard's patrol around her Queen.
The hours pass slowly, but surely. Sielaire doesn't stop – when the day's exhaustion starts to set in, a glance back at Ayrenn's slumbering form is enough to send her back on guard with renewed vigour. But halfway through the third hour, Ayrenn stirs in bed, reaching for the empty spot that Sielaire has left. At the murmur of her name, Sielaire stops her pacing and moves to the bed, sitting beside Ayrenn.
"Oh, Sie. I thought you'd left," Ayrenn mumbles, taking a deep breath as she wakes even further. She blinks up at the battlereeve, cogs slowly turning in her head. "Have you slept at all?"
"No."
"You need some rest."
"I'm fine, Ayrenn," Sielaire says, catching the hand that reaches up for her. "Don't worry about me, and get more sleep yourself, alright?"
Ayrenn gives a lazy smile, and pushes herself up with a heavy sigh. "I don't feel like it." She rests her head in a hand, squeezing her eyes shut. Then she lifts her gaze, looking Sielaire over. "But you must be tired. You've been on duty since the night before."
"I know. But I can't rest unless I know you're safe." Sielaire holds Ayrenn's hand to her chest, feeling herself grow weak under Ayrenn's soft gaze. I am afraid, she wants to say, I am afraid of losing you. But she chooses to smile instead, when Ayrenn kisses her.
"Thank you," Ayrenn says, quickly planting another kiss on Sielaire's lips. Then she looks about the room, cocking her head. "Since neither of us can sleep…I have an idea."
Ayrenn retrieves a chess set she'd found in the room's cabinet, and she places it on the coffee table, beside the hearth which Sielaire lights with a simple bolt of fire. They play in silence, occasionally broken by a yawn or the tap of a glass piece on ornate wood, until Ayrenn finally remembers that chess makes her sleepy. Sielaire laughs at the revelation, and is more than glad to embrace Ayrenn, who has scooted into her arms.
They recline in the sofa and pass the time with idle chatter – mostly from Ayrenn, while Sielaire listens and shares a thought or two. Minutes tick by, and the conversation slows as Ayrenn grows sleepier, eventually coming to a stop when Ayrenn falls asleep with her head nestled up to Sielaire's.
Sielaire stares into the fire, running her fingertips along Ayrenn's arm. Moments like these are…uncommon when she is alone with Ayrenn. Most of their rendezvous have been about sex, and though their need for each other has cooled since the first heated months of their affair, Sielaire still feels that magnetic pull towards Ayrenn, and she knows the desire is mutual.
It's quite ridiculous, Sielaire thinks, this attraction to the Queen. This is hardly the first fling Sielaire's been involved with, but gods, this is the first one where she feels like an untried youth, hardly able to keep her hands off her lover at the slightest lewd suggestion. Ayrenn is fun, to be sure – exciting even, given her status and her refusal to be bound by the shackles of her station. The Queen wants her battlereeve, damn the consequences, and Sielaire cannot help but be swept along with Ayrenn's desires as well.
She does wonder, though, if she has gone too far. Sielaire's heart thuds an anxious beat when she recalls walking into the dining hall, where Ayrenn is the only one at the table left standing. It had taken all of her willpower not to sweep the Queen into her arms, to feel Ayrenn's warmth and know that she's okay. Sielaire cares for her, perhaps deeper than a mere guard should feel, but she cannot fathom disengaging herself from Ayrenn, not where they currently stand.
But where do they stand?
Sielaire heaves a sharp sigh, then freezes when Ayrenn stirs at the movement. She gives Ayrenn a gentle squeeze in her arms, then reaches down to twine their fingers together. Ayrenn's fingers curl lightly over Sielaire's, before she settles back into her lover and drifts off to sleep again.
Moments pass in silence, and when Ayrenn starts snoring softly, Sielaire closes her eyes for the first time that night. She exhales slowly, pushing extraneous thoughts from her mind. Ayrenn is alive and well, sleeping peacefully in her arms – this is all she needs to know, for now.
A/N: Been thinking about Raison and how much of their relationship was glossed over due to timeskips. I'll probably fill in the gaps with future chapters...
Haven't been able to reply to comments here on FF, so thank you so much, you who are reading this!