Chapter 15 – Phase Aftermath

"Glory to the Foresworn!" – Quote, Foresworn

Serana yawned as she woke up, feeling looser than she had in a while. She almost hated herself for feeling so happy, but still she smiled her fingers lacing through the soft sabre cat furs used as a pillow. She sighed happily for the warmth at her back, and around her middle section. The soft furs surrounding her were the softest and the most luxurious she had ever felt, it wasn't the quality of them. As quality went these furs were old leather, brittle and harsh, but something about them made her feel completely at home.

She ran her left hand out through the fur as she rolled onto her stomach, intensely aware of the furs suddenly clinging to her exposed rump and breasts. She was shocked as she moaned again, she was cold with the slight reoccurring breaths of air that hit her neck, she sighed and rolled to face the air, eyes still closed. She suddenly stopped her happiness, replaced with shock at the heaviness around her hips, warm, detailed heaviness. Serana opened her eyes slowly, hands gathered at her chest as she gaped in shock staring straight into the face of Tai.

She felt her brow tensed and jaw open as she paused. Why was she in bed with Tai? She then gaped further, a slow blush creeping into her face as she ran her hand down her front, memories flooding her as she almost whimpered, she wasn't sure why. Her eyes now focused on Tai in a different light.

His face was adorable, his nose crinkled slightly with a little upper lip curl that made him look like a sleeping wolf cub, heart wrenchingly cute but unmistakably dangerous. Her eyes froze on his lips, her urge there but should she? She wondered how to act after this, would Tai be the same? Should she be more affectionate to him now? Was it expected? She couldn't help but smile as Tai mumbled something, his nose twitching as his brow moved like lightning. Serana sighed; she knew what she wanted to do.

Gently she raised her right hand to his chin and placed it there, moving her head across the tiny space parting them as her lips just pecked his, her eyes closed. She then pulled her head back slightly opening her eyes slowly, still waking from the dream; her hand was still on his chin as his eyes opened weakly.

"Morning" she whispered, the nerves in her face unmistakable. Tai simply smiled, his arm around her tightening, pulling her tightly against him as his body yawned, his smile never faded but in truth seemed to shine. He kissed her forehead; Serana closed her eyes happily as he whispered back.

"Morning"

Serana laughed then growled, tittering between amusement and irritation. Tai stood, amusement in his own face as he watched Serana struggling with her corset, the leather refusing to string up. Tai sighed as Serana again dropped the corset, the red shirt flailing wide again as Serana growled. Tai blinked, aware of how close the shirt came to been useless for the purpose of concealment. Tai sighed, walking to her as he gently placed his hands at her side feeling the flinch from Serana before she relaxed, Tai's hands on the lace as he slowly did it up.

She leaned back into him as he kissed her neck softly; she rolled her head aside to offer her neck to him. Tai kissed her a few more times then blew a raspberry; his lips and stubble tickled Serana as she chuckled. Instantly curling up. Somehow Tai continued doing the corset off as Serana's laughter died down.

"Tai?"

"Serana?" Tai added his quirky tone, Serana sighed sadly.

"Am I pretty?" her tone was so sad. Tai's hands froze in shock; Serana had never doubted herself so openly. Tai almost glared at her fear; then again it was all a part of her. He pressed his lips gently to her cheek; his voice was the softest thing Serana ever heard as he whispered.

"You the most beautiful thing I have ever seen"

"You think of me as a thing?" Serana snapped. Tai had not expected that reaction, he winced; his own tone however did not change.

"No, I am saying nothing I have seen, no woman nor craft of the finest artist is fairer than you. I sound so lashed for saying this but I don't care. You are beautiful, the sun itself is jealous" Tai used his silver tongue, his tone was not that lie though. He had by now done Serana's corset up.

"I've heard that poem before" She growled then simply stormed off with a huff, Tai blinked.

"What did I do?"

The goodbyes from the companions were better than Tai's first time around, a firm handshake to all with good fortune and whispered advice. In time he stood before Z, to his shock she was dressed freely. A beautiful dark gown, her armour over the top. Her hair cleaned, far darker than Serana's, giving Z the paleness to combat a vampire. She smiled as she pulled Tai into a hug.

"Don't lose her Tai, I can see a man happy when one is before me" Z's words had double meaning as Tai froze. No one had picked up on this, but Z was…Z. She always knew things she shouldn't.

"And endure the storm, she's going to be confused Tai" Z added as she broke the hug, Serana facing her with an irritated look. Z returned with a blank gaze before Serana spoke up.

"Congratulations" Serana whispered a few more words; no one seemed to hear them but Z who looked shocked.

Tai rushed ahead of Serana as they strode for the door, his respect was overshadowed as he pushed the door open, offering Serana the option exit first. She glared at him; Tai couldn't help but stare as Serana pushed the other door open.

"I can open a door, do you think I'm that weak Tai?"

"No. I was trying to be respectful. I'm sorry I was trying to be a gentleman" Tai's reply earned an angry growl from Serana.

"Next time don't!" she verbally lashed out as she stormed out her own door. She tried her best to slam the door into Tai, who simply stood holding his door open with stunned face shaking his head.

"What did I do?" Tai was bewildered. Z's eyes seemed to laugh, the companions stunned mute as Tai left, quite awkwardly shaking his head.

Serana grinned, watching Tai in the water as he hid beneath the falls. She enjoyed watching Tai when she shouldn't, she felt so secretive, so powerful. She blamed the vampire on her. Still she licked her lips, watching Tai rub down his chest roughly, dirt falling away into the clear pool. She held the forks expertly together around the ivy vine. She looked to Tai's abandoned clothes, an evil smile on her face as she rubbed the ivy in his underwear. She laughed like a maniac; quietly enough Tai would never know what hit him. Until the itch did.

Tai looked, left then right, Serana was still gone. She could really delay when needing a bath. Tai finished setting up camp, he found himself scratching at his crotch. He hoped Serana didn't have any disease, or he was doomed. But he itched down his back too, right where he couldn't reach. He ignored this, placing his well-drawn scroll over her pillow, it looked like an Elderscroll. Tai hoped well enough to fool her. He tested the wire once more; he had coated it in vampire dust.

"Perfect" Tai thought as Serana stormed up the bank. She didn't even notice Tai as she dropped onto her bed, not even noticing the scroll Tai had made.

"Serana!" Tai screamed with all the fear he could muster. Serana opened her eyes, then leapt back screaming. She threw the scroll. Tai didn't change his shocked expression as Serana stared at him.

"That was not funny!" Serana growled. Tai pointed above her head. Serana naturally looked up, mouth agape as a bucket of lemon juice and fish guts fell from the tree above, landing all over her and in her mouth. Tai broke out laughing as Serana spat out curses and long pink fish guts.

Most of the journey was like this, Tai trying to be a gentleman and Serana putting him down. Both pranking the other. The three days leading to Fort Dawnguard were the strangest they had ever spent together, it seemed the deed had been done and neither could admit it despite they had both wanted it. Soon they both bickered, back and forwards like an old married couple. Often Serana snarling and storming ahead, Tai dumbfounded and following at a safe distance. By the time they had reached Fort Dawnguard they were both clenching their teeth. Tai snatched Serana's arm before the doors and whispered harshly.

"Behave yourself in there. I'm sure Isran would kill you if he thinks something is up"

"Resorting to black mail Dovahkiin?" Serana was equally as harsh as she stared up into Ta's face, her fangs bared at him as her nose almost touched his chin. He couldn't help smile as he planted a provocative kiss on her nose and pushed the doors open, leaving Serana cursing poorly at him.

"Problem?" Tai demanded as he walked into the circle room, staring straight into the cold eyes of Isran. Tai noted how Isran was standing, tall, his wading arms crossed over his still strong torso. His expression was questioning, brows raised with a cheeky glint in his icy eyes.

"Text book story. Man meets girl. Man changes for girl, girl falls for boy. Girl and Man get room; girl becomes woman after a hot night"

"I'm highly aware of the story" Tai mumbled, then cursed himself. The old him had risen for a second, still, it had been the best part of many stories, then again, Serana had turned into the nightmare. Tai grinned at Serana, catching her confused gaze on him.

"Anyway" Isran continued, not noticing Serana standing in the shadows with her glowing eyes closed. She was the shadows when she closed her eyes, almost as if under a spell.

"Arguments follow until there is a wedding. Then they get a room again until the girl gets morning sickness for months until a baby pops out. You know the song. Tai and Serana sitting on a dragon, K.I.S.S.I.N.G, first comes tongue, then comes marriage, then come's Serana leading a babies Khajiit"

Isran sung in his angry rasping voice, yet he sounded hilarious, he had amused himself. Tai laughed as Serana glared, her flaming eyes darting between Isran and Tai, glowing in the shadows before she took the stride to the middle of the room next to Tai.

"That. Made…. Absolutely no sense" Tai struggled for words, he had no intention of irritating Isran, nor allowing him to slaughter children's songs further with his off key voice.

"Somewhat childish. Exactly what I expect from a warrior, stupidity at its purest" Serana's voice was like a whip lashing everyone's ears with its cold, timed perfection.

Tai knew when Serana was furious when he saw it, let alone heard it. His heart quickened, he could have cursed himself for enjoying her rage and the emanating heat he still felt in her emotions. When Serana had said that turning someone was intimate Tai only was just feeling that now, just beginning to understand. Turning someone wasn't just killing them; it was bringing them back to life. When Serana had turned Tai, she had killed him then given him a part of herself to bring him back. He held a part of her inside him, as she did of him. That's what made the bond stronger. That's why it was so intimate.

"I'm guessing you're in phase Aftermath" yet another strange male voice rung, a rumbling, gruff voice.

"Excuse me?" Serana hissed as she glared into the shadows, a crossbow been loaded stilled her. Tai came up beside her, protectively posed. He was ready to attack should it be needed; even Serana was thrown by this as his eyes flashed around the room.

"Tai. Do me a favour, for a voice in the shadows. Kiss her" The strange voice seemed amused. Tai began putting a mental image to the man. Tai shook his head.

"She is a woman, ought to be respected. She isn't a trophy for everyone to use as entertainment" Tai hissed, earning another crossbow loading sound of clunks and clinks.

"Kiss her or she dies" Isran growled. Tai swallowed, noting Serana's loathing look on her face. Tai decided he needed to be collected. He counted his heart beats down to three, then two. One.

His movement was sudden; his arm wrapped around her waist and pulled her in, her upper half moved slower. From the whiplash Serana's lips smacked into Tai's with a gasp. Tai wrapped his other arm around her waist, noting the tension draining from her as she wrapped her own arms around his neck, rising on tippy toes to meet him. Then Tai made the mistake as the Dawnguard whistled in shock then wolf whistled, he smiled. He felt Serana freeze and pull back, something he allowed. She glared at him as he shook his head, mouthing that he was sorry. Her eyes darkened as she took her hand roughly across Tai's face with equal speed.

"Ouch" Tai uttered, wiping his face before returning to stare into her eyes again. His jaw clenched firmly. Serana brought the back of her hand across his face the second time, leaving another nasty red mark.

"Another one of those and we'll be all square" Tai said sarcastically. Serana slapped him again, Tai cringed the wolf back into its cage as his skin crawled, obviously.

"Happy now?" Tai growled this time. He bit his lip holding back his anger as best he could. Serana threw a punch. Tai's paw caught it.

"That's enough!" he roared this time, only Serana understood as he gripped tighter. Serana cringed as Tai glared at her, his werewolf paw wrapped around her tiny fist. The yellow colour filtered into his eyes as he clenched his jaw tighter. Willing the wolf back into its prison, now was not the time; Serana looked so weak in her fear. Tai took one gulp of air and the wolf melted away. Serana took a nervous step back, her face never betraying her horror as Tai licked his teeth, his tongue almost unnatural in his movements. He then shook his head.

"Where's the priest?" Tai asked curtly, Isran pointed down the hall as Tai strode off, Serana frozen staring after him before jogging to follow.

"We've got the scroll, time for you to read" Tai somehow cooled his breathing as he stared at the back of the balding man's head, noting a washed out green cloth tied around it, just above his small ears.

"I'm sorry; I cannot read the Elder Scroll. In my haste to read the first one I missed critical steps of preparation. I can no longer read" Dexion seemed to sob, as he turned his head. The cloth was covering his once beautiful eyes as Tai growled.

"You're blind! Perfect! Now the world is doomed. Great help the Divine's were" Tai was fuming as Serana came and grabbed him from behind, arms around his hips as she lifted him kicking off the ground. The priest was completely oblivious to the actions around him as he continued onwards.

"Not exactly. You could read the scroll. The ancient moths, they grant the ability to see the scrolls safely should they favour you. There is one glade in Skyrim. You will need to use the special draw knife on one of those strange trees, I forget their name."

Tai had pushed off the wall, dodging a fierce kick from Serana. Why were they suddenly fighting? He had no idea but he couldn't help find the whole situation childish.

"That's helpful" Tai strained as Serana wrapped her hands around his neck and squeezed. Tai gagged, returning the gesture and shaking his hands violently around Serana's neck. She gagged too, struggling back her laughter as they fell to their knees, savagely punching at each other as Dexion continued explaining.

"Any scroll we should read first?" Serana asked, grunting from Tai's smelly boots against her nose.

"I saw in the scroll that one must be read. I would suggest the Elder Scroll of Blood" Dexion tilted his head at the two frozen in their tackle; Tai sighed and released Serana's nose.

"Stop" he mouthed pointing at her with a warning expression. She carelessly snapped at his finger, causing him to jolt back, not quite quickly enough as she gripped his wrist, pulling his arm to her lips. Tai struggled until Serana bit into his arm like a chicken leg, shaking her head; this caused Tai to yelp. She didn't drink however; it was more an argumentative bite. Tai rose, shaking his bleeding arm as Serana nodded to the priest.

"Thank you" they both said very awkwardly.

They walked out, straight backed like a child caught misbehaving; both started jabbing out at each other as children would. Finally Serana broke the silence.

"We need to talk"

"Not now" Tai gripped his arm, his expression a savage grimace despite his smooth voice and words.

"Why? We can't keep on bickering Tai, we are worse than children"

"I have no intention of speaking to you after you bit me!"

"Sorry?" Serana pulled a cute face trying to ignore the rage building in the pit of her stomach; Tai looked at her, his eyes flashing with their own rage, then looked away, his expression unchanging. That stung Serana. He could have at least smiled.

"You. Bit. Me." He timed each word scowling sourly, then walked out the large doors with Isran staring after them as they departed. The word bit had grabbed his attention by the short and curles.

"How do you think they'll do?" He asked nervously, running his hands through his thick beard. The shadow man laughed lightly, his nose just in view of the light. He himself was a Redguard.

"I think they'll be fine" he laughed again, offering a bottle to Isran who smiled his hand already around the mead.

"Run!" Tai screamed, at the frozen Serana.

The shouting behind them was growing louder as the Foresworn drew closer to them, their savagely tied furs and weapons made of teeth were still intimidating, especially since the Foresworn had purpose, be it revenge or be it longing. They had travelled for near a week, things still tense between them as Tai's arm just healed. Serana groaned falling to her knees. She nursing an injured ankle from a near fatal fall that Tai had saved her from. They were still incredible at fighting, even with Serana rubbing Ivy into Tai's pants and giving him major itches, even with Tai putting lemon in Serana's scrolls. Despite they were pranking each other like children and bickering like old women they still made a fine team. Now the Foresworn surrounded them, Tai had Serana on her feet and his blade drawn.

"We're outnumbered" Serana whispered in a shaking voice as she pressed her back against his. Together they looked the surrounding circle of Foresworn, easily over 20 men.

"You take the ten on the left; I'll take the fifteen on the right. Loser carries the gear and buys dinner" Tai joked tensely, his eyes were intent as he pushed his haunches back knocking Serana slightly. She groaned loudly, a growl ripped through her throat soon after.

"Now is not the time for your juvenile jokes Tai" she spat, powerful blue and red magics surrounding her left hand as she drew her dagger with her shaking right.

With a huge cry the Foresworn attacked.