Chapter 18

A Night to Remember

After Bishop rolled over and was snoring deeply, Rona sat at the desk and turned one of the tiny potions over in her hand. Her period had finally ended and this was it. Drink this and tomorrow she'd finally be free to safely lose her virginity.

She felt a twinge of excitement at the thought. She twisted the cork off and swallowed it in a single gulp. It tasted unexpectedly bitter.

She crawled in bed next to Bishop, pulling herself close to him and looking over the rippling muscles on his back which were accentuated by old scars on his body. There was an exceedingly long one that curved over his right shoulder blade, crossing his spine and settling at his left hip. It looked like it came from the swing of someone's blade, she speculated from his father, though he'd mentioned that one of his brothers was just as vicious as the cruel old man.

Rona wanted nothing more than to heal his pain. He held so much of it inside and when he let it out it was like blades cutting through his flesh all over again. Bishop hated it, but the more he did it the better he felt afterward, like finally dropping a thousand weights that bore down on him.

She still didn't know who Jules was, though she knew he was someone important that Bishop had cared for deeply and lost. It had been the last straw for him and he'd decided to live a life of seclusion and shut everyone out. Keep them out and they can't hurt you Ladyship, he'd said to her once, after an agonizing diatribe about his father's abuses.

As time went on she felt her love for him blossoming, growing stronger day by day. She hoped that someday he might feel the same and she knew that the path into his heart would be a difficult one, but if she never tried to reach him, he might never love her in return.

"You've been quiet, Ladyship," he said, drawing her from her thoughts as they rode steadily along the path from Windhelm to Whiterun. They'd finally left the frozen city behind them and returned to the lush forests in the south. A light breeze blew and the sounds of birds could be heard chirping all around, it was a wonderful change from all the snow. Bishop looked over at her, a sensual smile curved at his lips, "Got something on your mind?"

She smiled back at him and said, "Just glad to be out of Windhelm. The change of scenery is so nice." She took a deep breath, smelling the scent of pine and rain on the wind.

He looked out over the wild forests and agreed, "Yeah, I definitely prefer the woods over constant snow," they crossed a bridge, "Hey, let's spend the night out here. I'm not exactly thrilled to be going back to another city so soon."

She knew what he really had in mind, five days and today was the day. She was ready, she wanted this.

Bishop pulled off the road, guiding Whiskey through the trees as Karnwyr padded along following them. They came up to a clearing near a turn in the river, a waterfall flowing further west of them, feeding the streamlet.

They pulled their camping supplies out, setting up the tent and rolling out their bedrolls. Bishop went about collecting firewood while Rona created a makeshift hearth for their fire. When all was said and done Bishop invited her to come hunting with him. She was surprised realizing it was the first time he'd ever asked her to hunt with him. She was a trained mercenary, but was suddenly doubting her skills when seeking wild prey.

Bishop was an expert hunter, he'd been doing it his whole life out of a necessity to survive. He noticed her sudden anxiety and gave her a reassuring smile, "What, you can kill dragons but can't hunt deer?"

"I've never hunted before," she said sheepishly. Why did that feel so stupid to say?

"It's just like hunting bandits, Ladyship. Keep quiet, stalk your prey, and strike when the moment's right," he held a hand out to her, silently inviting her to come along. She took his hand and he pulled her along with him.

Rona looked on at him, a feeling of deep affection flooded her heart. He was welcoming her into his world, bringing her along with him to partake in a private ritual of his own making, something that only he and his wolf ever did together.

After walking a short distance Bishop stopped and showed her how he tracked deer by analyzing hoof prints and deer droppings determining how fresh they were. He showed her the foliage, bits of it chewed off in certain places but still green indicating their prey had trekked through recently.

It didn't take long before they came across a clearing with four deer, three females and a buck grazing on patches of alfalfa. Bishop held his tongue, maintaining utmost silence as he watched Karnwyr, his pack mate, sneak around the other side of the clearing through the brush. He slowly drew his bow from his back and glanced at Rona tapping on her arm, then her bow, indicating she should draw too.

She followed suit and they both nocked their arrows. Karnwyr hadn't made a move, though he was directly across from them on the other side, with just the deer between them. Bishop pursed his lips and gave a sharp whistle, the deer perked their heads up quickly as they looked around and when they made to sprint Karnwyr burst forth from the thicket rushing them. Two darted to either side, while the buck and a doe bound forward heading straight for Bishop and Rona.

Bishop released his arrow, it sped through the air and into the doe's hide, causing the deer to flounder, leaping up from the pain. Rona set her arrow loose and it split through the doe's neck. The animal bound away from them through the forest.

Rona grit her teeth and muttered, "Damn."

Bishop waved a hand, "Don't worry about it, it'll take a while, but it'll bleed out. If we catch up to it quick enough we can put the poor thing out of its misery," Karnwyr raced after the doe, barking madly. "Or Karnwyr will do it for us," he sighed, shrugging.

Rona followed him down through the clearing and into the forest. There was a trail of blood leading them to their prey. When they arrived Karnwyr was growling and gnawing into the deer's leg as it cried out miserably. Rona felt a twinge of regret. It seemed wrong to kill something so innocent.

Bishop clapped her on the shoulder and said, "There, there, Sweetness. It's all a part of survival, the natural cycle of life." He knelt over the doe and buried his dagger into its neck, swiftly ending its suffering then he began to dress the deer, showing her how to skin it, what to do about gutting it, which parts to leave and which to keep. He pointed to the leg Karnwyr was chewing on and said, "That part's got to go. I managed to teach him to quit going for the neck and the back to save the best parts."

He hacked off the leg, letting Karnwyr tear it the rest of the way and run off with it. Rona watched closely as he finished dressing the deer and she helped him wrap up the meat and carry it back to camp. Once there he pulled two of the best pieces out and skewered them to roast over the fire.

Rona sat nearby, humming lightly to herself, still lost in thought. Finally Bishop said, "So, what did you think?"

"About?"

"The hunt."

"Hmm," she smiled, "Seems like you and Hircine get along great. Sure you're not a werewolf?"

He laughed, his eyes flickering in the firelight, "Couldn't say. Have I ever ravaged you on the night of a full moon?"

"I can't recall if there was a full moon or not, but it seems like you've ravaged me every night now," she mused, thinking back on the last five days of hot, open mouthed kisses and his hands all over her body, all except the places she'd wanted most.

Bishop wet his lips, "So naive. You think that was ravaging?"

She blushed lightly and he chuckled, moving over to pull their cooked food off the skewers. Rona finished her meal quickly, eventually pushing it aside as the butterflies in her stomach were becoming too much to bear. Bishop growled, "Shouldn't waste food Ladyship." She tossed her remaining pieces to Karnwyr who caught them and tore into them quickly.

He scowled at her as she said, "Sorry, I'm just not very hungry."

He rolled his eyes at her and said, "Don't come crying to me when you're stomach's growling all night."

She stuck her tongue out at him and grabbed her lute. He said through a mouthful, "Mm, yeah, haven't heard you play in a while. I could use some entertainment."

Rona looked at him astonished, "I think that's the first time you've ever told me you wanted me to play."

"Ah, it's grown on me," he shrugged, throwing her a half smile.

She strummed her lute playing a light tune, though no words traced her lips this time. Butterflies abound in her stomach, she wasn't sure she could sing even if she'd wanted to. Bishop finished his meal and sounded disappointed, "Not going to share your lovely voice with me this evening?"

"I just can't think of a song to sing," she lied.

"Sure you can't," he drawled.

Something occurred to her suddenly and she asked, "Do you know any songs?"

"Me?" he furrowed his brows at her, "If you'll remember right I'm neither a poet nor a bard."

"That doesn't mean you don't know any songs. Did you ever sing when you were younger?"

He turned his gaze away from her, frowning. She bit her lower lip, realizing she'd touched a nerve there, still she was persistent, "I'd love to hear you sing. You have a strong, clear voice - which is good for singing."

She smiled at him as he turned back to face her. His expression was grim, almost mournful. Her smile fell and she said, "What is it?"

He breathed deeply, "I do know one song. I sang it a few times, when I was a kid. I sang it for...for my brother, when he was upset."

Her heart fluttered, he was opening up, he was telling her things and she didn't even have to ask. She stayed quiet, listening, not wanting him to stop. But when he said nothing else and only stared into the fire thinking back to that place in time she said, "Can I hear it?"

He looked at her, his mouth twitched, "You really want to hear me sing that badly huh?"

A broad grin sprawled across her lips and she nodded.

Bishop sighed, crossing his arms - guard up - then pulling them apart - guard down, "Hmm..." he hummed, thinking before glancing back at her as she waited eagerly for him to sing to her. He chuckled softly and said, "Ah, I can't believe I'm about to do this... Only for you, Sweetness," he scoffed at himself and rolled his eyes sighing heavily, "Well...do you know the song, Heaven's Not Enough?"

She paused and thought for a moment then shook her head, "No, I've never heard of it before."

He raised his brows slightly and said, "Guess I'll have to give it a go without music then. No making fun of me for this either, if it's awful or I'm off key, you're not allowed to hold that over my head. And no telling one about this ever," he insisted.

She laughed, "On my honor! I will never speak of Bishop's bardliness to anyone!"

He chuckled lightly, then paused taking a deep breath and staring off into the fire before he sang one of the most painfully heartfelt songs Rona had ever heard in her life.

(The song is Heaven's Not Enough by Steve Conte)

"Heaven's not enough
If when you get there...
Just another blue
And heaven's not enough
You think you've found it
And it loses you

You've thought of all there is
But not enough
And it loses you in a cloud

"There", most everything is nothin'
That it seems
"Where" you see the things you only wanna see

I'd fly away
To a higher plane
To say words I resist
To float away
To sigh
To breathe... forget

And heaven's not enough
If when I'm there I don't remember you
And heaven does enough
You think you know it
And it uses you

I saw so many things
But like a dream...
Always losing me in a cloud

'cause I couldn't cry
'cause I turned away
Couldn't see the score
Didn't know the pain
Of leaving yesterday really far behind;
In another life
In another dream
By a different name
Gave it all away
For a memory
And a quiet life...
And I felt the face
Of a cold tonight
Still don't know the score
But I know the pain
Of leaving everything really far behind

And if I could cry
And if I could live what truth I did then take me there...

Heaven goodbye..."

Bishop's voice was strong and beautiful. He struggled slightly to keep the pacing and the tune, but otherwise sang with incredible passion. The lyrics poured out of him, they told his story in a way. When he finished he seemed deeply lost in thought, pressing a hand to the scars on his cheek before he whispered, nearly choking up, "Those words haven't crossed my lips since...since," he swallowed and looked at her, trembling slightly, "This scar, Torban gave me this for singing to Jules. For trying to quiet him every night after he beat our mother, or Jack or any of them. He caught me, comforting him - comforting my little brother and he swung his dagger into my face," Bishop's voice rose with rage, "You know what he said to me? As he carved a notch in my face, twisting the flesh from my body!? 'I'M NOT RAISING ANOTHER BITCH!'"

Rona felt her heart twist painfully in her chest as he lost himself in these horrible memories, she leapt up and ran to him, pulling him into her arms as he tried to push her away, "NO! Why Ladyship! Why do you want this!?"

She held his face in her hands and looked into his eyes, they sparkled with tears he'd held back for so long and still held for they wouldn't leave his eyes. He pleaded with her, "Why Rona, why do you want to know? It hurts too much, all of it. I swore I'd never speak of it again. But you reach in, pulling it out of me...why?"

"You can stop," she cried, "I'm sorry! I didn't want to hurt you Bishop. Please. I'll make you forget it all. Let me help you forget. Please..."

He stared deeply into her eyes then pulled her in fiercely, releasing his anguish, forgetting it all with a breathtaking kiss. The dam broke and they engulfed one another in their passions. She desperately pulled at his shirt, undoing the buckles as he slid his hands over her back and around her neck, twisting at the small button holding her dress in place. He yanked the top of her dress down and they pulled apart briefly to tear their tops off; Bishop casting his shirt aside as Rona threw her dress off and undid her bra allowing her supple breasts to fall free.

He immediately cupped his rough hands to them exploring them recklessly and buried his face in her neck planting deep, biting kisses all over her nape and down her chest. She leaned into him, running her hands up and over his back, digging her nails across his skin as she moaned from the tingling sensation trailing up and down her chest.

Bishop looked up at her, desire burning in his eyes and he traced his hands over her arms, grasping her shoulders and drawing her in for another kiss. His tongue exploring her mouth while she straddled him. His groin found hers and pressed against her through their remaining clothes. She moaned eagerly each time he forced his hardness against her.

She couldn't take it anymore. Her body was trembling with anticipation and he seemed to sense it. He pulled away from her to stand and undid his belt, dropping his trousers and pulling off his underwear to reveal his fully hardened manhood. He was so erect that it nearly pressed against his abdomen, the tip of it glistening with wetness in the firelight. She admired his body, tanned and toned to perfection, marked with the scars of battle. Dark hair traveled from his arms and chest down to his groin and further on across his legs. His masculinity was intoxicating and the way he looked at her, with warm amber eyes and a wolfish grin made her tremble with need.

Rona also stood, pulling her panties off as she did so and drawing up to him, running her hands up and over her soft creamy curves, accentuating her beauty with a gentle turn of her head allowing her hair to rest around her shoulders. Her long lashes fluttered over her intense green eyes and her full lips parted slightly. Bishop grasped her, wrapping his strong arms around her shoulders and pressed his hard member against her stomach as they kissed again. Her hands explored his body, feeling over his sculpted abdomen before reaching further down to touch his hardness. He gasped under her mouth at the feel of her soft hands touching him where he ached most and he instinctively pulled her over to their bedrolls.

He dropped down, taking her with him and laying her on her back. He ran his hands over every soft curve and bump on her body, stopping only to tenderly play with her nipples as she continued stroking his shaft. Each moaning and groaning loudly into the chill wind.

His fingers moved slowly down her belly, touching over her most sensitive spot. He teased her there endlessly, making her whimper frantically before he slid two fingers into her entrance. She was so wet that they went in with ease. He pressed all the right spots inside, spreading her with his fingers and moving them skillfully in and out wanting to hear her cry out for more.

"Bishop," she begged, saying his name over and over," Bishop - oh! Please!"

He growled deeply, "Tell me what you need."

He was going to make her say it, make her plead. She whimpered desperately, "Bishop! I need... I need you!"

Satisfied with her response he pulled his slick fingers from her, but instead of positioning himself between her legs and taking the dominant role, as she'd expected, he laid back and pulled her up on top of him, catching her by surprise. She gasped as she felt his shaft nestle between her dripping folds but not entering her. He rocked his hips back and forth gently kneading his penis against her swollen nub. She moaned, feeling like she was going out of her mind. Finally she couldn't wait any longer and pushed herself up, positioning the tip of his member with the entrance of her slit. He grasped her hips and whispered, "Take it slow. Go at your own pace."

His eyes burned into her own as she pressed herself downward, taking him inside of herself. She cried out and he groaned as she pushed herself further and further until she had his full length buried inside her quivering tunnel. The pain was mild compared to the indescribable wave of pleasure she felt having him there. She moved, sliding him out slightly, then pressed down again. Her rhythm sped up as she rode him, his pleasured groans spurring her on more.

She was panting and moaning to her heart's content while Bishop yearned for more of her and lost control suddenly sitting up and rolling her over onto her back. He grasped her legs, spreading them far apart and thrust into her tightness. The speed and pace of his pounding was too much for her. She screamed, feeling her ecstasy peaking, crying out his name out as he groaned heavily, "Come for me Rona! Come!" and he buried himself as deep as possible, releasing a bloom of warmth inside her. She shook with writhing pleasure as she felt him climax, her own orgasm reaching a fevered pitch and when it was over, he toppled over to the side of her, clutching at her bosom, trying to hold on still. Their chests heaved, breathless and exhausted.

Rona didn't think she would ever move again, all the energy drained from her being and replaced with euphoria and deep satisfaction. She slowly looked over at Bishop who was utterly spent, his eyes closed and a faint smile playing at his lips. She reached out to him, searching for his closeness and he turned on his side pulling her against his body. She buried her face in his chest and prayed that this feeling would never end.