Chapter 57

It was late the next morning. Bo lay on his side and he watched Jane sleep. Her eyes were closed and he studied her features for a long time, soaking in her image. It was a face he enjoyed waking up to each and every day. He was thankful for Jane's understanding nature. Lately, he had been treating her poorly and yet she forgave him every time. Bo was ashamed of himself and he knew if his parents were aware of his behavior they'd be disappointed.

He noticed that Jane's skin was beginning to tan. A small scar dashed across her left temple and he wondered how she had gotten it. Her long black lashes brushed against her full cheeks as she slept. Her hair was tousled lightly around her face and Bo couldn't resist brushing a strand of it back. A moment later Jane sucked in a deep breath and then slowly opened her eyes. She blinked a few times and then her warm green eyes met his.

"How long have you been awake?"

"Not long," Bo said quietly, and he brushed his fingertips along the curve of her jaw.

"Are we alright, Bo?"

Bo leaned his head back for a moment and he stared up at the ceiling with a loud sigh. When he returned his gaze to Jane's face he leaned in and kissed her lips.

"I love you."

Jane reached up and wrapped her arms around Bo's neck, drawing him closer. Their embrace deepened and her pulse raced as his hand traveled down her back to cup her butt. He pulled her closer, their bodies pressed together as they kissed.

Suddenly there was a knock at the door and they quickly pulled apart.

"Jane?"

Lynne's voice drifted through the door.

"Are you awake, Jane? Usually you're up by now. We're just wondering if Bo came back last night or if we have to go out and find him..."

Jane smiled slightly and planted a kiss on Bo's nose before rolling away from him. She got up from the bed and wandered over to the door. She opened it, revealing a freshly dressed Lynne in dark blue robes. Her hair had been brushed into a single braid and she smiled at Jane with a slightly tired expression. She opened her mouth to say something when he eyes drifted behind the girl and she spotted Bo still lying in bed.

"Oh good," Lynne continued softly. "Well, we're almost ready and ordered breakfast. No rush."

"We'll be right out."

Jane quietly shut the door and when she turned around Bo was now sitting on the edge of the bed. He sighed and rubbed his neck for a moment. Jane walked back over to him and he peered up at her when she drew close. He reached up and pulled her down by her waist so she was sitting on him. They kissed again, more softly this time, and Jane ran the palm of her hand along the back of his neck while the other cupped the side of his face.

After a few minutes, Jane abruptly pulled away and she stared into Bo's eyes. He stared back, and he wondered what was on her mind.

"Bo, do you accept the fact that I also have the voice?"

The Orc sighed, and he ran his hands along the curve of Jane's waist. He nodded.

"I have no choice."

"You do have a choice," Jane continued, her brows furrowed together. "I don't want you to resent it, I want you to accept me with an open heart."

"Can I... work on it?"

Bo struggled to get his thoughts out but Jane was patient. She silently watched as he opened and closed his mouth several times, trying to form a proper sentence.

"I... It... It took me so long to accept it even for myself. I just... need time."

"That's fine," Jane whispered. "I won't pressure you."

"Why are you so perfect?"

Jane laughed, and a smile spread across her face.

"Bo, I am not perfect..."

"It sure feels like it," Bo insisted. "Even when you're faced with a problem you don't hesitate to tackle it. You don't run away."

"I've barely done the things you've done, Bo. Crashing the Thalmor Embassy could be considered my first big accomplishment, and I was terrified. I thought about letting somebody else go so many times before that day because I was afraid of failing."

"You were incredible."

"You are incredible, Bo."

Bo pulled Jane into a tight hug. Eventually, they got up and Jane waited as Bo changed into a fresh tunic and then they made their way into the dining hall. The others were all seated at once of the wooden benches and were chatting lightly amongst themselves while waiting for breakfast.

Ahmon grinned as the couple approached. He patted Bo on the back as the Orc took a seat beside him.

"Hey, sleepy heads."

Bo smiled as Ahmon squeezed his shoulder and they were quickly distracted by the girl that came around with steaming plates of food. His stomach growled, and Bo realized he was quite hungry since he skipped dinner the night before. He tucked into his food with enthusiasm, occasionally glancing across the table at Jane. She happily worked through a bowl of porridge while chatting with Lynne about what provisions they'd need to purchase.

"I don't think we should stop in Whiterun," Lynne mused quietly, and Jane nodded. "There's too much unrest."

"If we can get enough food supplies here I think we can skip it."

"Let's do that, then."

The pair finished their breakfast and then they disappeared to hunt down food supplies. Nara and Ahmon chatted quietly and then she also left to go help, Jane and Lynne, leaving the men alone at the bench. Naz tossed back the rest of his water and let out a sigh. He wiped the sleeve of his tunic across his mouth and he eyed Bo with a somber expression.

"You might as well just say it," Bo grumbled.

"Say what?"

"What you're dying to say to me."

"You need to get it together, Bo."

"I know."

"If you know, then we are you behaving like this?"

"I'm never going to be exactly what you want me to be, Naz."

Bo clasped his hands together and he stared at Naz with a stormy expression. The older Orc leaned forward as well, but he wasn't angry. He cared deeply about Bo and it troubled him to know that his friend was struggling.

"Bo, what can we do to help put your mind at ease?"

"I don't know," Bo sighed, and he shrugged. "I don't think there's anything you can do."

"What were you so upset about with Jane?"

Bo glanced over at Ahmon, who smiled.

"She is probably thrilled to have the same gift as you."

"I know and... that frightens me."

"Why?"

"Because," Bo huffed, and he ran his hand through his hair with a frustrated sigh. "I can't say with certainty but I have this feeling that I'm going to have to fight Alduin to the bloody death. I just know it. I dream about it almost every night... and if Jane were included in that..."

"She could die anyway, Bo. We could all die a million different ways. You can't let that haunt you."

"I know. I'm trying. I'm trying ."

"Okay," Ahmon responded quickly, and he patted Bo's back. "Just don't push us away, alright? It's too late now, we're all in this with you."

Bo silently nodded. They sat around the bench for a few more minutes before returning to their rooms to gather their belongings. A few minutes later Jane returned with her portion of the food supplies. She focused on neatly stuffing the items into their satchels while Bo quickly washed up and got his armor on. When he was ready he helped Jane into her armor and they double checked their packs before joining the others by the stables.

"Do we have enough to bypass Whiterun?" He inquired, and Jane nodded.

"Yep. We can stick to this road. We have more than enough to make it to Riverwood."

"Good."

The mood was considerably lighter that morning. Everybody chatted about random things while they rode down the main road towards Riften. Bo rested his chin against Jane's shoulder and he rubbed her thighs while they rode. Jane was relieved. She knew Bo needed time to accept her as a Dragonborn and so she didn't try to push the subject. She was eager to learn words of power and use her Thu'um but she knew it wouldn't happen right away and she was alright with it.

The party made good time, as usual. Traveling with horses proved to be an efficient mode of transportation that Bo had grown used to. He appreciated his strong brown steed, who effortlessly carried him and Jane all across Skyrim.

Days turned into weeks as Bo and his companions traveled tirelessly towards Riften. There were few Inns along the way and they stopped briefly in Riverwood to resupply before moving on. Time was of the essence. They had no idea if the Esbern would even be in Riften, and if he was the Thalmor were also after him. It was critical that Bo reached him first if he believed Delphine when she told him that Esbern would have more answers about the Dragons returning.

Over the course of a month, Bo slowly began to return to his normal self. The more time that passed the more he came to accept the fact that Jane had the voice. He laughed at Ahmon's silly jokes and chatted with his friends around the fire at night. Once in the privacy of their tent he made love to Jane as often as he could, and with great enthusiasm.

Bo tried to keep himself occupied at all times. If his mind was idle it turned to poison and he would start thinking about dark things that soured his mood. Jane noticed when he went quiet, but she could often soothe him with a smothering of kisses of a sweet comment. But there was always a darkness in the back of his mind and it never went away. It was a darkness that threatened to consume him whole, and he knew it was the Dragon who was black as night with blood red eyes. As long as Alduin was alive his mind would never be at ease.