Chapter 53

Curing Curses and Meeting Mages

"We're really close to Winterhold," Bishop said as he held her still, "We could go see if Serlas found anything out about the Elder Scroll." She looked up into his face and he wiped her tears for her and pressed her bangs back out of her eyes, "Sound like a good idea?"

She really wanted to see her father. "Yes," she said, "I want to go there."

He gave her a warm smile and kissed her gently before pulling back and saying, "Now stop worrying your pretty little head about these things. We'll go to the tomb today and I can finally be... just a man..." He didn't sound terribly thrilled with the idea.

So she assured him, "I wouldn't want you any other way."

He sighed, "If you say so Ladyship."

They went back to the inn and informed Hadring that the dragon was dead. He was ecstatic and thanked them thoroughly, even offered a free breakfast for them all which they gladly took. Everyone ate and got packed up and ready to begin their hike over the mountains. They made sure to wrap the children in some warm, makeshift cloaks they pulled together with a few spare blankets Hadring was willing to part with.

They might've been nords, but even nords had their limits with the cold. Rona cast some resist frost on everyone in the party and they began their steep hike up the mountain towards Wayward Pass. Karnwyr lead the way ahead of everyone, as though he actually knew where they were going. It wasn't long before both Dagny and Frothar were complaining loudly about how tired their legs were. Even Nelkir was struggling, Rona could see it all over his face. So Farkas went over and scooped up both boys under his arms and Bishop handed his pack to Rona, giving it to her to carry. He knelt down and let Dagny climb up onto his back.

Rona smiled sweetly at him and he let a small smirk slip. She could tell the kids were starting to grow on him, though, of course, he'd never admit it. She did notice that he was good with children, probably because he had so many younger siblings of his own to look after while he was growing up. This made Rona feel all sorts of warm inside as the idea of having a family with him bubbled into her head suddenly. He'd be a good husband and father she thought.

Bishop was looking over at her as they hiked up and he asked, "Got something on your mind Lightfoot?"

She broke from her reverie and realized she was blushing slightly, which only made it worse. He laughed, guessing totally wrong about what was on her mind, "It's been on my mind lately too. The thought of your hips..." he trailed off remembering there was a little girl clutching his back and he said, "Ah, I'm sure you already know what's on my mind."

"Always," she laughed.

The trip through the mountains and around Alftand was relatively uneventful. They did see some bandits hanging around the ruins, which Karnwyr kindly alerted them to with his vicious growling and barking, but when they tried to threaten them Aela stepped forward and called out, "You fools really want to challenge six of the Companions and the Dragonborn?"

They looked at them all skeptically and Rona stepped forward and shouted, "YOL TOOR SHUL!" Blasting a full fire breath to the skies. The bandits yelped and dispersed immediately running in all directions. The group laughed and pressed on through the snowy tundra, not wanting to delay their trip with any more distractions.

Rona shivered something fierce as they neared the coastline. Bishop took his cloak off and passed it to her letting her throw it over herself for double the warmth. The tomb was across the water on a small island. The nord men each carried one of the children with them as they carefully crossed the flat icebergs that made a path to the island before setting them down again. Karnwyr managed just fine, hopping across the ice after them. Though he did skitter a few times and she was worried he'd fall in. Bishop assured her the wolf would be alright and said he'd jump in himself to save him if he had to.

They all stood over and looked down into the barrow where the wind was whipping through it and giving off an eerie howl. Dagny grasped at Bishop's side this time and said, "I'm scared, I don't want to go in there."

He looked down at her and said, "You're not going to, you're waiting out here with Athis."

Athis scoffed, "Me again!?"

Vilkas pat him on the shoulder, "Well, you're not a werewolf, so looks like you're stuck friend."

Athis held his hands out to Rona, "She's not a werewolf either! Why can't she stay!?"

"Are you kidding?" Aela laughed, "You want the one person who can wipe out an entire tomb with the sound of her voice to stay here and babysit?"

Athis frowned and crossed his arms, "Well they'd be nice and safe, wouldn't they?"

"You saying they won't be safe with you?" Vilkas asked.

"Ah fine!" He threw a hand out, motioning for them to leave, "Just go already." They went down into the barrow opening and Athis leaned against a wall while Frothar and Dagny sat nearby. Bishop told Karnwyr to stay and the wolf curled up next to Dagny letting her scratch behind his ears. Nelkir however was right on the others heels, trying to follow them in.

Bishop put a hand out, stopping him, "And just where do you think you're going kid?"

"I can help!" He insisted.

Rona knelt down to his height. "You can help by staying here and protecting your brother and sister," she said.

"But-"

She stopped him, "Nelkir, it's really dangerous inside these barrows. We can't afford to keep an eye on ourselves and you too."

She gave him a serious look and he just sighed, letting his head drop, "Fine..."

He wandered back over to where his siblings sat and slouched down next to them.

Vilkas said, "Don't worry new blood, we'll finish up quickly and then we'll head off to Solitude and start your training. Next thing you know you'll be begging to get out these barrows."

Aela called to Athis holding her fingers up, "Count them Athis! One, two, three!"

"Yeah I heard yah," he grumbled.

They went inside, closing the doors behind them. Ahead of them in the center of a small rounded out cavern was a large statue of a bearded nord man with bulging muscles, he was wearing ancient Companion's armor. Rona assumed that it must have been a depiction of Ysgramor himself.

Vilkas pulled Wuuthrad from his back and stood before the statue. He placed the weapon into the hands of Ysgramor and a cavern door on the side of the room drew open.

Vilkas said, "This is the resting place of Ysgramor and his most trusted generals. Let's be careful."

They all moved in, Vilkas and Farkas leading the way, while Rona, Bishop and Aela lagged behind them. It wasn't long before the group was met with the Companion ghosts of old and attacked by them. The bow users started picking off the specters from afar while the brothers went in with their blades swinging.

As they continued moving through the tomb Rona looked over at Aela who had gone from her cheerful self over the last day to looking much more solemn. Rona wondered if she was actually considering giving up the beast blood. They'd gotten along fine until then, tolerating each other, but Rona hadn't really forgiven her for what she tried to do, or what she did to Bishop.

The group came up to another part of the tomb covered in thick spider's silk.

Farkas shuddered, "The big crawly ones..."

Vilkas raised a brow at him, "Never seen you afraid of frostbite spiders before."

Farkas said, "Ever since Dustman's Cairn they've been too much for me. I'm not proud of it but I think I'll sit this one out."

Rona let her hands go alight with fire and said, "I'll take care of it."

She stepped into the room and started igniting all the webs which immediately brought the creatures out of their holes. Bishop and Aela started picking them off with their bows while Rona cast a powerful blaze over them. Her destruction magic was certainly nothing close to her father's, but it was enough for this.

They continued on again, Vilkas and Farkas taking the lead with Bishop close behind the two. Aela walked alongside Rona and finally said, "I've been thinking about it," Rona glanced at her, Aela was still looking forward as she spoke, "Been thinking about what you said, that I should cleanse my blood. I just wish," she knit her brows together, "I want to spend eternity with them," she met Rona's gaze, "Do you understand?"

"I do," Rona said, "I wouldn't blame you if you kept the curse... or the gift or whatever you want to call it."

"I won't turn anyone else," she said, "I swear to you. I'll keep it under control."

Rona hadn't spoken to her at all about what she'd seen with the seer. She figured it wouldn't matter anyway because Aela had already made up her mind on the matter. She thought she'd try though, "Aela, I saw what happened that day."

Aela asked, "What day?"

"The day your mother died." Aela grasped Rona's arm, making her stop with her.

"How?"

"There's a seer that lives in Whiterun. I spoke with her and she showed me everything... well almost everything," she hesitated when she said, "Did you know it was Potema that possessed her?"

Aela looked away. That was a yes. Rona cocked her head slightly, "If you knew, then... why did you blame Claudia?"

Aela grit her teeth, "I didn't want to believe it. We all knew how crazy Claudia was and I was so angry, I just thought... my mind went to the worst you know? I mean, she nearly killed you as a pup, what was to stop her from killing Grella in cold blood?"

Rona said, "My mother neglected me, that's a bit different than actively killing someone... but you are right. It was her that delivered the finishing blow. She had to Aela. Potema took her body and was about to kill three innocent people, two of them were children."

Aela choked up a bit and said, "But why bring back just her heart?"

"She decapitated her," Rona said flatly.

Aela took a sharp breath and muttered, "Gods..."

"I think that she didn't want you to see it... so she brought back the most important part of her best friend. Her heart."

Aela had tears clinging to her lashes when she looked at Rona and immediately hugged her and said, "I'm so sorry Rona. I really am. I hope you can forgive me. I want your friendship back... I want us to be like sisters again, I really do..."

Rona sighed and pat her on the back. Bishop poked his head in and called, "You two coming or what?"

Aela sniffed and wiped at her eyes, "Yeah, we'll catch up!"

Rona gave her a kind smile and they pressed on together, catching up to the men. After several more battles with the Companion ghosts of old the group made it to their destination. They stepped into an open room with a large sconce sitting in the center of it and a spiral staircase off to the right.

Three ghostly figures stood at the fire, holding their hands to the warm light. One of them was Kodlak and as the other two turned Aela gasped loudly, "Skjor? Mother?"

They both smiled brightly at her and she steadily approached them.

Skjor stepped forward and held his ghostly hands to her face as a tear streamed down her cheek. She looked him over with love in her eyes and said, "You're here. You're both here."

Skjor said with an echoing and ethereal voice, "That we are. We seek the glory of Sovngarde."

"But why?" Aela looked on at them confused.

Grella stepped forward and said, "Hircine's Hunting Grounds are not what we were lead to believe my daughter. It is a cruel and torturous existence."

The rest of them approached and looked on at Kodlak who smiled warmly at them all and said, "Greetings Shield-Siblings. My fellow Harbingers and I have been waiting, warming ourselves here, trying to evade Hircine."

They looked around and Bishop said, "There's no one else here but you three."

Kodlak said, "You see only us because your hearts know us. I'd wager old Vignar could see half a dozen of my predecessors. And I see them all. The ones in Sovngarde. The ones trapped with me in Hircine's realm," then he addressed Bishop, "Do you have the witches' heads?"

Bishop pulled his pack off and rummaged through it, yanking out a dirty cloth. He opened it revealing the seven shriveled and putrid hagraven heads.

Kodlak nodded fervently, "You've brought honor to the name of the Companions. All of you. We won't soon forget it. Now, throw one of them into the fire. Skjor will go first and place his hands upon the head."

Skjor pulled away from Aela with ease. Being a spirit she could not hold onto him no matter how hard desperately she tried.

Bishop tossed one into the fire and watched as the flames turned an acid green until Skjor placed his hands upon the head and they returned to their warm orange and red.

"Prepare yourselves!" Kodlak cried as a very large wolf specter appeared, howling into existence. Everyone drew their swords and daggers. Bishop was sure to draw Brandr's old sword, in honor of Kodlak. They quickly killed the beast and Skjor seemed to breathe easier.

He said, "I can feel it. I'm free. He gave one look back at Aela and said, "I will see you in Sovngarde someday my love. I will wait for you."

Aela cried but nodded. Next Grella went and she whispered her goodbyes to Aela before vanishing completely. Vilkas and Farkas were next, at Kodlak's insistence. Then Bishop took his turn, his wolf was more vicious than the rest, almost as if it really did not want to go. He killed it himself though and seemed like a weight was lifted from him after it was gone.

Kodlak said, "And now you Aela."

She knit her brows together and Rona said, "You have no reason to hold onto it anymore Aela, Skjor and Grella have moved on to Sovngarde."

Aela seemed to be doubting herself when Kodlak stepped to her side, leaving ghostly wisps behind him. He made to touch her shoulder and said, "Aela, I can sense your doubt within. You believe that you will not be strong enough without the blood, but I can assure you that you are. There is something else however... I wish to name you Harbinger of the Companions, but in order to do that, you must free our guild of this curse entirely. Break the chain and set us free."

"Harbinger?" Aela shook her head, looking overwhelmed suddenly, "I don't know if I can."

"You are a wise woman Aela, you are quite solitary too, though that will have to change. Can you take on this responsibility and guide the Companions?"

"I... I will. I accept," she said more strongly.

Kodlak looked at Bishop and said, "Throw it in."

Bishop tossed another head in and Aela looked at it for a moment, watching the green flames lick at it. She took a deep breath and grasped the head then, releasing her wolf spirit. Another tough one. Her spirit fiercer than the rest. They killed it and she took a step back before sitting down on some stone steps.

"It's like... lifting my head out of a fog," she said.

Kodlak nodded and said, "Last one lad."

Bishop tossed the final one in and Kodlak grasped it, releasing his wolf spirit. They destroyed it quickly, much easier than the others because Kodlak's spirit did not have such a deep hold on him. He sighed and said, "You have killed the beast and so slain the beast inside of me. I thank you for this gift. The other Harbingers remain trapped by Hircine though. Perhaps from Sovngarde, the rest of the heroes of old can aid me in their rescue. The Harrowing of the Hunting Grounds. It would be a battle of such triumph and perhaps someday, you'll join us in that battle. But for today, celebrate your victory my Shield-Siblings and lead the Companions to further glory!"

Everyone said their goodbyes to Kodlak, as his spirit faded away and Bishop muttered, "See you in Sovngarde old man."

The others started heading up the spiraling staircase to leave the tomb. Rona stood by Bishop and asked, "How do you feel?"

He looked at her and said, "Weaker. But... normal."

"I'm glad for it," she said, "I like you this way."

He sighed crossing his arms, "Guess it's better than before. At least I don't have the unending urge to mate with you anymore."

She scoffed loudly and made a face at him, "What?"

He laughed, "You have no idea Ladyship. You think I was horny before? Ugh... all I ever wanted to do was fuck. And I used to think you preoccupied too many of my thoughts before. Damn was I wrong."

She wrapped an arm around his waist and said, "Well see? It's good you're not a werewolf anymore!"

He wrapped his arm around her waist too and let it fall to her rear as he groped her ass. She scowled at him and said, "I thought you said you weren't horny anymore!"

"Pft. I never said that. I'm just not as horny as before."

She rolled her eyes at him, "Oh you're ridiculous!"

"And you my dear are getting it as soon as we are truly alone," he smirked at her salaciously.

The group made it outside and found the three children, Athis and Karnwyr all safe and sound, though Athis had completely nodded off. Aela gave the poor dunmer a piece of her mind for sleeping on the job and then informed him that she was the new Harbinger to his absolute horror.

Everyone was in better spirits and breathing easy once more. They all decided to head up to Winterhold together. The Companions would rent a carriage that would take them all the way to Solitude to save themselves and the children's feet the pain of walking (let alone their ears from the whining) on the three day trip. Rona and Bishop would stay behind to speak with Serlas before meeting up with them all again.

As they reached the tiny broken down hold, Rona noticed that it was being bombarded by a blizzard. She tried to clear the skies with her shout to no avail.

"They call it Winterhold for a reason, Ladyship," Bishop said with a shrug. He finished helping Dagny up into the carriage as the four Companions clambered in with them.

Nelkir called to Rona, "How long are you going to stay here?"

"Just a few days," she said, "My ata is up at the Mage's College, we need to see him for a bit, but as soon as we're done we'll catch up and see you all in Solitude."

"Okay," Nelkir sighed.

Vilkas clapped a hand to his shoulder and said, "Don't worry new blood. We've got your back. Once we get to Solitude we'll see about getting you a small sword that suits your size and get you trained up."

They said their farewells and the carriage went off leaving behind the two of them and their wolf. Bishop sounded very perky when he said, "So! What do you say we stop by the inn and get a hot bath before meeting with Serlas?"

"That sounds great," she said as she took a quick whiff of herself. She was definitely a bit sour smelling from all the recent battles she'd been in.

As they approached the inn, with Karnwyr at their heels, a young breton man who was taking refuge under the porch looked her over hungrily. Rona hardly noticed. Bishop, however, definitely took note of it and was particularly annoyed when the blonde mage stepped right in front of her and said, "What is such a rose doing out here in the cold, my dear?"

Rona took one step backward and looked around at the wild blizzard and said, "Well, the only way to get to and from is by walking around outside, so here I am," she shrugged and with a light shiver said, "I would love to go inside now though, thank you."

The young mage seemed unfazed by her sarcastic reply as he took her hand in his and kissed it. Great, another one of these types, she rolled her eyes and listened to Bishop scoff loudly.

The mage said, "I am Darren, let me invite you into the Frozen Hearth where we can warm ourselves by the fire."

Bishop spoke up loudly and said, "Don't mind if we do. I could use a stiff drink not to mention a hot bath. You'll get that ready for us, won't yah?" Then he clicked his tongue and Rona withheld a laugh.

Darren looked utterly disgusted and he asked her, "Who is this flea-bitten ranger that follows you, my dear? To keep such dreadful company, sweet rose, is revulsive."

Bishop put his hands to his hips and cocked a brow at the mage, sneering, "Ah, but she likes me around, my little mage. Wanna know why? I can keep her warm at night. Now, be the good worthless little man that you are and go fetch me a drink."

Darren tried to sound more assertive as he said, "I am not speaking to you - you uncivilized ruffian! I am speaking to the lady!"

"Ah but I'm speaking to you, mageling and if you don't want to be the target of my next weapon's practice, then get lost."

Darren scoffed, "I can't believe such disrespect!" Then he looked to Rona again and said, "If you should like to join me in the Frozen Hearth, my dear, I'll be waiting. Please, leave this disgusting creature out here," then he winked at her and said, "I'll see you inside lovely rose."

They watched as Darren disappeared behind the door to the inn and Rona threw her head back and groaned, "Whyyy meee?"

Bishop smirked at her and threw an arm over her shoulder, "Because, Princess, you are one of the sexiest women alive. Don't worry though, I'll take care of the pest for you. Now let's get that drink and hot bath!"

She agreed, those last two things sounded wonderful, however she said, "Just ignore him Bishop, please? No fighting. I don't want to get kicked out of another inn"

"If I remember right, Ladyship, weren't you the reason we got kicked out of the last one? You know, when you shouted that bone head across the room?" She looked at him with half-lidded eyes and he grinned, leading her inside. Karnwyr plopped right down by the hearth fire and gave a wide yawn. Bishop went up to the counter and asked for some raw meat for the wolf and rented the bath which the innkeeper left to go prepare for them.

Rona persistently ignored the mage who saw her and was trying to get her attention by clearing his throat. Finally, he was bold enough to say, "Oh lovely rose! Over here!"

Bishop walked by Karnwyr and dropped two slabs of raw beef onto the floor next to him. The wolf immediately and happily tore into them from his cozy place by the fire. Then Bishop stepped over to Rona and said, "Want me to fix his nose for you?"

They took a seat at one of the tables, facing away from the mage. She raised a brow at him, "Fix his nose?"

He chuckled, "Because you don't exactly smell like a rose Ladyship," she shot him a dangerous glare and he clarified stumbling, "Ah, well, not after a fighting an army of Stormcloaks, a dragon and trekking through a tomb that is. That's what the bath is for... Okay, I'm just going to shut up now."

"Smart thinking ranger," she said sharply.

They heard Darren give another call to her and she thumped her head on the table and groaned again.

Bishop laughed at her then said, "I say we just kill him, that way you can make off with his coin before any other woman does."

She laughed and lifted her head, "Right, because you're so good at hiding bodies. Ugh... I need some wine."

"There will be plenty down in the bath," he said.

"Drinking in a bath?" That seemed odd to her for some reason.

He rubbed her back tenderly, "I did say I was going to have my way with you the minute we're alone, didn't I?"

Her cheeks flushed hotly and she whispered, "In public!?"

"Didn't I promise we'd do that a while back too?" He snickered, "It's not public though. Just a nice private room we can have all to ourselves... although, you might want to try and be quiet or your voice will carry up the stairs." He glanced back at the mage and said, "You know what? Forget being quiet. I'm going to make you howl Ladyship."

It was an incredibly embarrassing thought, but also very sexy. The idea of fooling around together in a bath in a nearly public place made her feel hot. The innkeeper came over and informed them that their bath was ready and the two of them hurried down the stairs together into the cellar, ignoring the blonde mage's peeved expression as they went. In fact, Rona was positive that Bishop threw him a triumphant look before disappearing down the stairs.

The cellar was full of shelves, though they were mostly empty save for a few scarce things here and there. Considering the town was in shambles, Rona figured they didn't get much business.

Behind the shelving, much like the bath in Solitude, was the entryway to a small room with a stone tub inside. They went in and Bishop drew the curtain down, blocking any view of them. It was relatively private, though with no door he was right that any loud noises would easily carry up to the inn above.

The tub was full of hot water which had a light steam drifting off of it. Along the walls were shelves with a few soaps, tonics and towels. There were several candles too which Rona lit with her magic. Bishop was already eagerly stripping down and he hung his clothes up on a wall hook and turned right around to give her a view of his perfectly erect manhood. He had his hands to his hips and cocked an eyebrow at her, "I'm all yours Ladyship," he said salaciously, then took a step toward her, standing right in front of her. He reached around to help her slip out of her own clothes as he whispered seductively, "And you're all mine."

She felt her dress drop to her feet and his hands quickly roaming for the clasp on her bra, setting her breasts free. He growled low as he leaned down towards her chest, bringing his face to them and cupping them easily in his large hands, "I've been missing these."

He immediately buried his face in her chest, pressing her breasts together against himself. It felt nice, but it also amused her. She'd never understand why men were so enthralled with women's breasts and having them pressed to their faces. Might have been some kind of primitive need she thought.

She ran her fingers through his hair as he got his fill of touching, cupping, stroking and sucking them. She had to fight back her low moans when he started tenderly pulling on her nipples and she quickly said, "Let's get in the bath, I want to wash up first."

He looked up at her from his position between her cleavage before reluctantly pulling away, "If you say so Ladyship. Though I like your smell, not as powerful as before, but still very intoxicating."

Her face burned at the comment and she slipped her panties off and went over to browse the small selection of soaps and tonics. She picked a pair of lighter flowery ones for herself and some more rugged smelling ones for Bishop.

He settled into the bath with a deep sigh and she passed him the soap and tonic she'd chosen for him before climbing in herself and sitting down next to him. He sniffed the soap and said, "Not too bad," but then looked at the tonic and said, "I don't use that gunk."

She frowned, "Well you should! It'll make your hair nice and silky smooth."

He rolled his eyes, "My hair is just fine with a good rinse."

"Sure it is," she said as she leaned over to pick at a few leaves and some twigs snagged in his strands.

She showed them to him and he said, "What? Those would have come out with a good rinse!"

She scoffed at him and started washing herself and he did the same, though his eyes would not stop wandering all over her as she gently cleaned herself. Rona took the flowery tonic and scrubbed her hair with it before she dunked her head under the water to rinse it off. She came up across from him and leaned back against the edge of the bath, sighing and relaxing.

It was nice to get away from all the troubles Whiterun had brought them. Finally, they were far, far away from that place and enjoying the quiet of being somewhere else for once. She looked over at him, their eyes meeting. And to be alone with him. Truly alone - no kids, no Companions and no damn dragons.

Bishop stood up suddenly, the lower half of his body came up with him, water dripping around his midriff and his substantial package was still very ready and eager to go. He leaned over her, pressing his hands on the rim of the bath on either side of her head. His aching need literally right in front of her face.

She glanced up at him and he smirked, "All clean Ladyship... though maybe you can do a quick once over for me? With your mouth?" He chuckled slightly and she grinned at him.

She was getting better at this and he knew it. She decided not to hold back at all, lighting her finger with that special spell he liked so much and touching her tongue with it and feeling it travel up the back of her throat. Just seeing her do so made him twitch and groan lightly.

She leaned forward, grasping his shaft with one hand and cupping his soft and heavy testicles with the other. He'd shown her how to take care with that part of him, gentle, not hard. If she was going to be rough, she was to do that only to his throbbing member.

She teased him at first, hovering her lips to the tip of him as she stroked hard and massaged his scrotum. She could feel him twitching with each passing moment. Then she let her lips touch him, running them softly over the head and slowly down his length taking him into her mouth. She started out slow at first and only going halfway, enjoying listening to him gasp and groan heavily as she pleasured him with her lips and tongue. She felt him growing thicker with every stroke and to really drive him wild she took her hands and grasped his rear, pushing him forward, before taking him all the way to the base, allowing his cock to slide partway down her throat.

Bishop let out a deep gasping groan of pleasure and unable to stop himself, seized her hair with one hand and started to thrust himself into her mouth. His hips steadily rolled against her as she took him and ran her tongue over every ridge and crevice on his rigid manhood. His groans of pleasure and tight grasp on her head really made her aroused. It felt so damn good to make him feel good.

He was panting heavily and probably nearing his climax with the way he so forcefully throat fucked her. Although her throat was numb she started to develop an ache in her jaw and was relieved when he stopped suddenly and pulled out, strands of saliva going with his lap. He settled back into the water, chest heaving and breathed, "Too good. Too close. Not ready to come yet. I don't want this to be over."

She wiped at her mouth, with her own chest heaving and face flushed red and she gave him a deep look of yearning. Her own arousal was at its peak already, just from pleasuring him. He was still taking a minute to calm down with some slow and steady breaths, but she couldn't wait anymore. She practically leapt onto him, straddling his waist and pressing her chest to his. She felt his penis rubbing against her lower lips and she started to kiss him up and down the neck, biting tenderly as she went.

Bishop released more pleasured groans and grasped her ass with one hand and the back of her head with another, pulling her face to his. They gave each other a longing look before he pressed his lips to hers and kissed her slowly and deeply, taking his tongue and meeting hers with it, running it over the inside of her mouth, tasting each other.

He began to roll his hips slowly, rubbing himself against her, searching for the opening. She pulled back and gasped as she felt him pressing there, against her slit, the water once again washing away some of their lubrication, but he eased himself in. His hands traveled to her hips and he pressed her downward, making her slip and wrap tightly around his cock. They both let out deep moans as he felt her gripping him and she enjoyed the feeling of him filling her. The sound echoed through the room and Rona blushed fiercely and covered her mouth.

Bishop got a devilish look in his eye and started to buck up into her, harder and faster, making her yelp. She wrapped her arms around his neck and buried her face in the crook of his shoulder and bit him sharply, trying to stop her screams. He just groaned again, enjoying it and whispered, "It's only natural to want to do these things Ladyship, to feel this way. Let it out, sing me a song."

She murmured against his skin, still trying to hold back as he kept his pace up, rubbing her in all the right ways, making her lose her senses so that all she wanted was to enjoy this wonderful pleasure he gave her, damn the noise! She breathed into his ear then, ready to let herself give in, wanting to really scream. Her pleas came desperately from her lips as she said, "Fuck me Bishop. I need you to fuck me!"

He sprang into action at those words, splashing bathwater as he lifted her, still holding her against him and she wrapped her legs around his waist to steady herself. She looked at him quite stunned as he held her, standing upright and he growled low, "You are light as a damn feather woman." He slid his hands down her rear, grasping her firmly and started doing something new that she'd yet to experience with him. He began to lift her up and down, slamming her hard against his groin while he continued to thrust into her. She felt him hitting bottom, as he often did, but it was different like this. It was sexy, erotic and overwhelming and she couldn't stop her voice from slipping free. Her heavy moans, pleasured whimpers and overall loud mewling most certainly ran up the stairs and entertained or annoyed whoever was above. And she didn't care. She wanted him so bad, more and more of him, over and over again.

Finally, she felt her whole body start to shudder with that aching need, ready to utterly submit to him and take his seed within. Her mind wandered off to his mention of mating back in the barrow, that's what this was. Unrestrained, lust filled animalistic fucking. The thought itself sent her careening over the edge and she felt an electrifying shock shudder up her spine that traveled over her entire body as her swollen nub ran up against his abdomen with each forceful thrust. She let out a deep, heavy moan as her tunnel convulsed rapidly and she cried, "I'm coming Bishop! I'm coming!"

That was his cue and he too grunted hard and pushed himself all the way into her, releasing a hot warmth into her belly that made her feel completely content. It felt like he'd never stop sending wave after wave of pulsing warmth into her and then his heavy groans finally ended and he held her for what seemed like a minute or more, panting into her ear while she clung to him, not wanting to let go. Then he slowly settled back into the warm water, both shaking all over still. She loosened her grasp and leaned back, looking into his smiling face and he tipped her chin up, giving her a sweet kiss.

She fell away from his lap and they both cleaned themselves off in the water again, which was rather convenient. Bishop threw his arms up over the rim of the tub while Rona curled up next to him, leaning her head to his chest. He said, "I will never get tired of doing this with you. You know, you're getting better and better every time."

She smirked, "Well I did learn from the best."

He laughed, "You flatter me Ladyship."

She had so many plans in mind for Solitude with him. She kept thinking of that huge bed and the privacy of the home. She remembered seeing a lingerie section at The Jewel and made a mental note to stop by there and pick up a few new things. Once they left Winterhold they'd have about three more weeks to themselves before their date with the Thalmor. She was going to make the most of it and enjoy her time with him for a change, maybe even take a long break from all the mercenary work and dragon slaying, she hoped.

The two of them took a bit longer in the bath and actually enjoyed some of the wine before their hands and feet got too pruned and they finally got out and got dressed. Rona stood in front of the stairs leading out of the cellar and felt her modesty coming back in full force. Her face was beet red, she could feel it. Bishop chuckled at her and said, "Come on Ladyship. Time to take the walk of shame and don't worry, I'm sure it's still snowing outside, so we'll cool those cheeks off in no time."

They trudged up the stairs and found that the inn was mostly empty, to her relief, save for a few older gentlemen sitting by sipping their mugs and Karnwyr who was snoozing near the hearth fire. The innkeeper stared at the two of them and Rona turned her burning face away, trying to avoid his gaze as Bishop walked up to the bar and tossed a small coin purse onto the counter and smiled wryly saying, "The bath was great, here's a tip since you may have a bit of a mess to clean up."

The innkeeper, a blonde nord man just threw him a disgruntled look. Rona hurried out the door and into the snow, evading the lecherous stares of the old men, some of whom chuckled loudly at her back. Bishop met her outside, with Karnwyr following along and threw his hands to his hips. They looked up through the blinding blizzard at the enormous Mage's College, which may as well have been a castle precariously standing up on a snowy mountain with only a thin pathway leading to it. She'd never been there. Her father refused to take her and for good reason too. Magic was extremely dangerous especially in the hands of students trying their damndest to learn how to use it properly. Not to mention all the ones that liked to experiment with it and try new and volatile things.

Rona took a deep breath and with her two favorite companions at her side, began her steady trudge through the blizzard towards one of their last hopes. She prayed that Serlas would have news about the Elder Scroll.