Azriel didn't move. She simply stared at Serana, dumbstruck. Her hand slipped from Serana's chin, brushing the skin on Serana's chest as it fell. Serana gasped, catching her hand between them.
Azriel's wolf howled at her and her blood turned to ice in her veins. Her entire body seized and she hitched a shallow breath. Her ears rang loudly and her mouth went dry. There wasn't any way to respond to what Serana had just said.
A million things ran through her mind, it was on the defense, hurling thought after thought at her. Azriel wanted to run. To put distance between them, to give herself time to think. Unfortunately, her body refused all commands to move. She was rooted in place, shocked and confused.
Her nightmares were her own, how could Serana possibly know them? They had never discussed it. Azriel never discussed it with any mortal, only Paarthurnax and Odahviing knew the content of her dreams.
How could she know my true name?
Serana looked down at Azriel's burning hand that she held in her equally cool one. She ran her fingers over Azriel's, entwining them together.
Azriel's blood burned through Serana's body and she felt like at any second she would combust. A hair's width now separated them and the longer they stood together, the more Serana wanted the gap to disappear. Her body was ablaze and Azriel was the fuel for her fire.
She could not explain her feelings, but with the simplest touch, Serana's desire was becoming a need. Urgent and confounding, it gripped her. Azriel's touch was no longer electric, it was as though she had touched the Sun itself. The woman's touch seared her.
As Serana traced her finger tips over Azriel's skin, she realized she wanted the woman's hands on her body. She wanted them to roam and explore her in their entirety. But, as much as Serana needed her touch, she knew she couldn't just place her hand back again. So she simply held her hand, trapped between them.
When Serana looked up at her, Azriel was staring at their hands. Serana shifted closer to Azriel, pushing into her. She closed the distance, but it still wasn't enough. The thoughts of what she wanted pushed their way forward.
She wanted this to be the right thing, the one thing for the Dragonborn to trust her. She had no one else to ask, no one she could trust. It had been the most personal means of getting her to understand. She needed Azriel to trust her and she wanted her to.
The woman's dragon blood she had consumed had turned to a sea of flames inside of her. It had drug out every repressed feeling she had and consumed them in a passionate inferno. The initial attraction she had for Azriel was tinder in comparison to what she now felt. Serana stared at her in silence trying to cope with the enormity of her feelings.
Suddenly, Azriel pulled away forcefully and stepped backward. She was so quick with her movement, it stunned Serana. The sudden loss of Azriel's body made her feel vacant and for the first time, cold.
"How?" Azriel's voice was barely a whisper. She was looking away from Serna, towards the shore.
Serana narrowed her brow. She felt... discomfort. Almost as though an outside influence was imposing these tumultuous feelings on her. She thought for a moment and realized it was as if she could feel Azriel's hurt and confusion. She brushed the feeling off. That wasn't possible. "Have I said something wrong?"
"How?" Azriel mumbled again.
"Azriel, I..."
"How do you know that name?! ANSWER ME!" Azriel's Thu'um shook the ground so hard it generated waves in the lake. They smashed against the shore and Serana quickly scanned around her and back to Azriel. The look in Azriel's eyes made Serana take another step back. Her eyes radiated her wrath.
Serana held up her hand between them. "Azriel, I told you... drinking a person's blood is intimate. It shows me things..."
Azriel took a step forward. Serana instantly regretted her words. She could feel the rage pouring from Azriel in a wave of heat. The water was boiling. There was no way around it and no way out. She knew she had to answer completely, or risk losing everything with her.
"When I drank your blood, you began to lose consciousness. I saw a fragment of your dreams. I saw your dragon aspect as it tried with your wolf spirit to protect you from me. It's came from the blackest parts of your dreams. The deepest parts of you. I didn't notice it until it snapped at me, because it too was black. It was hidden in the shadows, as if it was part of the Void. As far as your name, I can't explain how I know that, I simply just do."
Azriel turned pale. "You saw my... What?!"
"Your dragon aspect... A part of your soul. The part you can see in your dreams. It's the aspect of yourself which is your real self."
Azriel's knees buckled and she fell into the water to her waist. The words ricochet in her head. ...dragon aspect... black dragon... your soul...
"You said black dragon... It was black, you are sure?" Azriel looked questioningly at her.
Serana quickly knelt next to her and pushed Azriel's hair from her face. Serana nodded. "Forgive me, I thought telling you would make you see you could trust me."
But, Azriel was a thousand miles away. Her mind whipped through each dream she had, every conversation with Odahviing and Paarthurnax. They had tried to warn her, to tell her the dreams weren't of Alduin, but of herself.
She pushed Serana away and got to her feet. The world spun around her as the last six months of night terrors assaulted her. She stumbled and Serana caught her again. Serana spoke, but Azriel couldn't hear her. Fury blew inside of her like a wild storm. She dug her claws into her palms and crushed her eyes tightly against the world.
She prayed to Akatosh for help she so desperately needed. Her rage had nowhere to go as she realized the entirety of it all. She leaned harder into Serana and the vampire wrapped her arms protectively around her.
Azriel roared deafeningly into the morning sky.
She collapsed fully into Serana's arms and Serana lifted her from the water to the shore. She sat her on a rock and cradled the young woman in her arms.
Serana placed her left hand on Azriel's smooth right cheek. She forced her head to turn, only to look into the young woman's chaotic eyes. The sadness wrenched at her gut. "Azriel, please! Tell me, how I can make this right? This isn't what I wanted..."
But, Azriel didn't answer.
Serana traced her lips with her thumb. She stared into the abyss of anguish layered in gold. Her own desires now were marred with the suffering she had caused the fevered girl.
"Azriel, I didn't want to hurt you..." She chewed her lip as the girl tried to look away. Nothing was working out the way Serana had planned. She tipped Azriel's chin up higher, forcing her to look at her again. The sadness bit at her. It complicated everything, but it also made it more important that Serana make things right between them.
"Ahziial... please!"
Azriel seemed to snap from her despondency and shook her head slightly, brushing Serana's thumb slightly with her lip. It wasn't intentional, but Serana looked down just as the action caused Azriel's lips to part slightly.
Serana was entranced by it. She stared at the contrasting colors of their skin and felt her passion rise like a giant wave inside of her once more. She pressed her thumb gently down on her lip, tracing it along the inside, touching her lip where it was wet. She watched Azriel's eyes as she did so. She had never touched a mortal like this, not with caring or desire. Her hunger for Azriel renewed her ache.
Azriel observed Serana carefully in turn. Her thoughts seemed to fall away as Serana's thumb grazed her lip. The tenderness of the act bewitched her. Serana's presence, her touch... everything about the vampire, was so unexpected and very much a contradiction. Azriel realized she wanted her. Serana ensnared her with her entire being.
Her wolf paced in her mind and she shooed the spirit back. She desired nothing more than her cool touch. She didn't want anything to interrupt them.
With disdain, Serana moved her hand away from Azriel's cheek and into her hair. Serana adjusted herself so that she was directly in front of Azriel so that she could be more comfortable.
"Don't stop." Azriel said quietly.
Serana smiled at the unexpected comment. "You're shivering and feverish. We should go back inside."
Azriel reached up and pull her hand back to her cheek. "No."
Serana laughed gently. "You're soaking wet..."
"You have no idea."
Serana blushed deeply at the comment. Azriel ran her fingers gently down the vampire's cheek. She brushed her wet black hair from her face affectionately. Serana sighed at her touch and pushed into it.
Azriel closed her eyes and whispered gently to the wind. She never stopped stroking Serana's cheek as the breeze blew softly around them. One moment the mild breeze smelled of the lake and held its coolness, the next it was warm, weaving its way around them.
Serana was so close she could feel the woman's breath on her lips as she continued to whisper. The warm air was very dry, pulling the moisture from their clothes and hair. Azriel's hand paused on her cheek and Serana took it in her own once again. The warm draft circled them, scented faintly with the smell of the woods and wet leather. Azriel threaded her fingers through Serana's, whispering still to the wind.
Serana's body screamed for release, she was so close to the girl, but the distance felt like leagues. The warmth that encircled them caressed her to the point of madness. She craved the mortal more than blood. Serana desired nothing more than to lean forward and capture Azriel's lips with her own.
She felt Azriel's hot grip tighten on her hand fractionally and Azriel opened her eyes. "You have my trust, Serana."
Azriel tried to rise but slipped forward on the rock. Serana instinctive caught her and steadied her by the shoulder, still holding her left hand.
"It seems my fever has returned." Azriel's voice was shaky.
"Let's get you back inside." Serana started to stand and Azriel caught her arm.
"Very few know my true name, Serana. I ask that you call me only by my chosen one." Azriel paused, contemplating her words. "It would cause unnecessary problems for me if you called me Ahziial."
Serana looked at her and Azriel looked away at the lake. Serana didn't understand the request, but decided to honor it. "That's an easy enough request."
Serana stood and helped Azriel stand. "Thank you."
Serana smiled at her, but noticed the Dragonborn looked very tired. Azriel leaned on Serana as they walked to Pinewatch Cabin slowly. At first they walked in silence, Serana with her arm around Azriel's waist helping her along.
But, curiosity got the better of Serana. "Why did you choose your name?"
The look Azriel gave her made heart skip a beat. She looked away briefly, then back to her. For a moment, it didn't seem as though Azriel wouldn't answer.
"I wanted to die knowing I was free and not a slave. I wouldn't give them that satisfaction. If they'd heard my name in Helgen, my head would have been first to roll."
Serana stopped walking. "You were a slave?"
For the first time since she'd met the Dragonborn, Serana saw shame in her eyes. Normally, the woman held an air of confidence and a defiant glare. But, in the last several hours, Serana witnessed a completely different person. One which was... radiant. Azriel was an individual with so much complexity, she could take a thousand years just to begin to unravel. Azriel had repeatedly reminded Serana during the short amount of time they spent together why she had chosen to find her and why she was so attracted to her.
Once again, she felt a sort of discomfort. The feeling was external and definitely not her own. This time she couldn't ignore it. It was confusing at first and as they continued to stand in silence, she realized that there was possibly more to dragon's blood than could be imagined.
"I was... I've never told anyone that." Azriel tried to walk again, but Serana restrained her. They were in the clearing, and she knew they probably wouldn't be alone for a good while.
"Why did you share this with me?" Serana's curiosity was genuine.
Azriel shrugged. "Because, of everyone I know, I didn't think you would judge me for it. I don't know. In some way, I felt as though you could relate... I guess that's stupid. But, when you told me you never left your home for years, I felt like you'd understand what it would be like."
Azriel shook her head. "Sorry, I guess that's too much information, huh?" She tried to pull away from Serana, but the vampire held her tighter. Azriel stopped her struggle with a questioning gaze.
"It's not stupid. I do understand. I..." Serana bit her lip and searched for the right words. "...I always felt like a prisoner in that place. When I went back, my Father tried to make me one. I don't think less of you for being a slave. It just makes me respect you more."
Azriel brushed her hair from her eyes and scrutinized Serana. She didn't detect any falseness to her statement and allowed herself a smile. "We better get back before Raylen trips his shit and sends out a hunting party. I think he's partial to you." She winked at Serana, making her blush once more.
As Azriel expected, Raylen and several of the guild members were waiting for them to return.
"Zee, what the fuck? You have the whole place in chaos. What were you two doing?"
Azriel could tell the Nord was both pissed and worried.
"Chill Raylen, we had a minor disagreement." Azriel said with a roll of her eyes.
"That was minor?!" He gasped. "You two ran through the place like an Oblivion gate opened! And... And..."
Serana smirked.
"Yeah, minor. I asked Serana what she'd do if a tall, dumb, Nord tried to get in her pants... And she ran for it." Azriel said laughing. "I had to go furry just to show her you weren't such a bad guy after all."
Raylen stared at her, blushing hard. "You are such an asshole, Zee."
"One more reason why you love me!" She called walking past him.
Serana laughed as they walked back to the tavern. "You know, he's not that bad looking."
Azriel made a wrenching noise.
"We'll he's not." Serana added.
"I'd rather sleep with Sanguine. He's probably had less women and I'm not into men." Azriel retorted. Then she stopped abruptly and Serana bumped into her. "Are you into him?" Azriel asked, turning around quickly.
"What? Wait. Who?" Serana asked confused.
"I just realized what you said. Are you into him? Uh, Raylen, I mean. Cause if you are..."
Serana laughed hard at the question. "No. But, I can appreciate someone's natural beauty. I'm not into Raylen." She answered still smiling, amused by the question.
"Um, okay. Sorry, I'm just kinda oblivious to that sort of thing, I guess." Azriel turned and kept walking.
They made their way through the plethora of merchants and people to the tavern. Many of which gave them a wide berth.
When they arrived in the tavern, Gabriella was seated at the table they had sat for their meeting the night before. Her dark hair was tied back in a ponytail as she sat surveying the map in front of her.
Azriel grinned as she watched the Dunmer study the map as if it would reveal its secrets only to her. Of all the members of the Dark Brotherhood, she was closest to Gabriella. The woman was easy to get along with, had a good sense of humor, and could kill as silently as a Luna Moth in flight.
She walked to the table with Serana close behind and pulled back a chair. She plopped unceremoniously into it and waited for the woman to acknowledge her.
"I see your little game of tag caused your fever to return." Gabriella made her observation without lifting her eyes from the map.
Azriel brushed the sweat from her forehead. "Maybe. But, it might have been the swim."
Gabriella sighed. "I also guess you didn't sleep a wink after I gave you that sleeping draught?"
"It might be on the floor."
"You were supposed to swallow it." Gabriella said exacerbated.
"No offense, but I really didn't want to." Azriel said with a smirk.
"Next time, I'll just poison you then." Gabriella said, looking up from the map.
Azriel smiled, but the Dunmer looked serious. Azriel's face fell. "You wouldn't dare."
Gabriella's lips curled into a mischievous grin. "Curious that you think I wouldn't resort to treachery to get what I wanted. I would have thought you'd know me better than that by now."
Azriel surrendered and held out her hand. "Give it to me. I already know what you're planning."
Gabriella smiled a truly wicked grin and pulled two vials from her pouch. "Drink the orange one first." She said placing them in Azriel's hand.
Azriel did as she was told and swallowed the rank orange fluid.
"Now the gray one..."
Azriel scowled at her. She picked up the bottle and looked at Serana for help.
The smile that Gabriella gave her was wicked. "Don't worry about her, Sister. I'll make sure she is entertained."
"Gods, you are such a bitch." Azriel downed the fluid and the taste surprised her once again. It tasted like berry, cream, and something spicy.
"That was actually... good." Azriel said smiling.
"Yes and it works better when you swallow it." Gabriella said sarcastically.
She motioned at someone behind Azriel and when Azriel turned her head, her vision began to swim. Azriel tried to scoot backwards in the chair, but only managed to tip it over.
"Gab, what is that?" Her words were slurred and Azriel passed out.
Fingers gently stroked her cheek as her eyes fluttered open. Sounds and smells assaulted her, but she couldn't focus on anything. The ceiling spun slightly with each opening of her eyes.
She crushed her fingers into the warm blankets and furs of the bed. The fingers stopped stroking her cheek and a cold damp rag found its way to her forehead. She tried to reach for it, but the gentle hand stopped her.
"You're safe." The familiar voice whispered to her. She felt the person shift slightly and resume stroking her cheek. Azriel closed her eyes again. The vampire's cool touch encouraged her back into slumber once more.
When she woke again she could smell roasted meat and wine. Her stomach grumbled from the lack of food and she tried to rise with her eyes still closed. A cool slender hand restrained her, pushing her back onto the bed.
The hand never left her body, instead she felt it rub gently against her collarbone and work its way slowly across her chest. She moaned softly, the feeling was amazing. She relaxed once more as Serana chuckled softly. "I take it you like that?"
Azriel only manage another grateful moan.
"Well then, I won't stop."
Azriel's throat felt dry as she tried to convince herself to speak. "Water," was the only thing she could manage.
Serana removed her hand and Azriel let out a soft grumble. She felt Serana shift on the bed. "Can you sit up?"
Azriel tried and failed. Serana slipped her arm around her shoulders and lifted her up, pushing a goblet to her lips. The cool liquid instantly refreshed her.
She heard the cup touch wood and felt her body slide up the bed as Serana positioned her against the headboard.
Azriel weakly rubbed her eyes and Serana giggled.
"What?"
"You rub your eyes like a child. It's cute."
Azriel rolled her head to the side and cracked her eyes. "Remind me again why I like you?"
Serana stretched out on the bed on her side. She curled her arm under her head and rested her head on her hand. She smirked at her and Azriel couldn't help but smile. Serana's cheeks held the slightest blush to them.
"You blush a lot for a vampire..." Azriel turned to look at the ceiling once more and rubbed her face. When she looked back, Serana's blush had deepend and she was staring at the blankets. Azriel brushed Serana's cheek, making her look up. "...it's cute." She finished with a smile.
Azriel looked down at herself and slowly lifted the blankets, peeking underneath.
"Gabriella thought it would be best if we made you more comfortable." Serana said nervously.
Azriel dropped the blanket and sighed. "You took all my clothes off, didn't you?" She put the palm of her hand on her face. She moved her head slightly and peeked through her fingers at Serana who was pink.
Serana cleared her throat, but didn't answer.
"I'll take that as a yes." Azriel sighed. Her hand fell to her side and she resumed looking at the ceiling for a few seconds. "Remind me to kill that elf later."
"Are you hungry?" Serana asked still embarrassed. She knew her blushing had given her away, but she'd be damned before she told the woman how much she had enjoyed it.
"Famished, actually. I can't remember the last time I ate something." Azriel's stomach growled in agreement. Serana jumped off the bed quickly, relieved that she could change the subject.
"I've kept food here, just in case you woke up. I haven't seen you eat, so I figured you would be." She pulled the tray off the dresser and placed it carefully next to Azriel. Azriel swiped an apple off the tray and immediately devoured it with a satisfied grin. She fixed the blankets around her and tucked into the rest of the tray. Serana watched her destroy the contents of the tray in silence.
When she had finished, she fell against the pillows happy and full. "I think you picked every one of my favorites." Azriel said smiling.
Serana was pleased. "I had help." She admitted.
Azriel rubbed her head and realized Serana was still watching her. "What's on your mind?" She asked looking at Serana.
"How do you feel?" Serana asked quizzically.
Azriel stretched, catching the blanket before it fell. "Surprisingly well rested. I don't think I dreamed or at least I don't remember it."
"Can I ask you something personal?" Serana pressed.
Azriel turned to her. "Uh, sure."
"Who is Aela?"
Azriel felt the heat in her cheeks immediately. "Uh, what?"
"You called me Aela. Who is that?" Serana asked again.
Azriel stared at her and realized she once again couldn't read the vampire.
She sighed. "I'm sorry." Azriel tried to think of a way to put it without offending the vampire.
"Aela the Huntress is one of the Companions. She is a very dear friend who I have, until recently, been traveling with. We parted ways not too long ago."
"How dear?" Serana sat on the edge of the bed, her eyes burning. Azriel tried in vain to read her expression, but the vampire's face was a mask.
"What exactly did I say to you?"
Serana was quiet for a moment. "A few things. Which makes me think it is more than friendship."
Azriel drew her knees up on the bed and brought her head to them. She was absolutely embarrassed. She rubbed the back of her head wishing she could just disappear. She hated discussing her private life and this was just beyond that, because it wasn't on her terms.
How could she classify her feelings for Aela? Especially to Serana, who she was not even going to lie to herself about. Serana fascinated her just as much as Aela did. They were obviously different people, yet both captivated her for their own reasons. Both women were extraordinary in their own rights.
"Are you courting?"
Azriel rolled her head from her knees. "What? No."
Serana crossed her arms.
"What do you want, a blood oath? We're shield-sisters... She's one of my closest friends."
Azriel ripped the blankets from the bed and wrapped them around her as she stood. She faced Serana. "Why are you asking me about Aela? What exactly do you want to know?"
Serana stood, her arms still crossed. "Are you in a relationship with her?" She hissed.
Azriel was surprised by the venom in her voice. She could barely muster her answer seeing the anger in Serana's face. "No." She took a breath. "Serana, what did I say to you?"
Serana glared at her.
Azriel stared at her waiting for an answer.
Serana narrowed her eyes. "You called me her name..." She took a breath. "Then said that you loved me... her... What the fuck ever! You know what I mean."
Azriel's jaw dropped. "I said... What?"
Serana threw up her hands in disgust. The next thing Azriel saw was the door slam shut as it fell partially off the hinges.
"Fuck me." She dropped the blankets and grabbed her clothes, pulling them on.
Azriel ran down the maze of hallways looking for Serana. She rounded a corner and slammed into a wall of people. Over the shouts of the crowd she could hear the werewolf's snarl. She shoved and pushed her way through. Fed up and furious, she took matters further.
"FUS!" The line of people buckled and the force of her shout bowled them over. She pushed her way passed them to the front, were Serana stood locked in battle with a very large werewolf. She looked to her right as a man called off stakes for the death blow.
Azriel transformed, launching herself at the other wolf. She knocked Serana aside with the back of her paw and the two alphas locked in battle. Excited shouts called from all around them as the two wolves exchanged claw swipes and bites.
Azriel was smaller in stature than the big brown wolf. She roared as he bit into her thigh. She brought her knee up into his mouth and knocked him back. Azriel leapt onto the larger wolf, biting deeply into his shoulder. She raked her claws across the front of his chest and he smashed into the rock wall. She bashed his face into the rock, growling deeply.
"STOP!" Gabriella's voice commanded.
Azriel looked over at the Dunmer and gave the wolf's skull one more bash for good measure. She stood and lumbered over to the elf. Her blood ran freely down her neck and thigh. She heard the other wolf rise and snarl. Azriel spun just as two sets of lightning bolts hit the wolf square in the chest, knocking him out.
Azriel transformed back to her human form and rolled her shoulders. She really hated Wayne.
"What the fuck is wrong with you?" Serana yelled at her. "I was doing just fine."
Azriel looked over her shoulder. "Not from where I was standing. Looked like you were about to become a snack."
"EVERYONE OUT." The Dunmer yelled again.
The people in the chamber scurried like insects trying to get away from the four of them. Serana and Azriel stared at one another as the people fled.
"Mind telling me why you two are staring daggers at each other?" Gabriella asked as the last woman ran from the cave. She walked over and checked Wayne. "And why you're trying to kill this idiot again?" She looked pointedly at Azriel.
"I saw him attack Serana." Azriel huffed. She looked down at her thigh as it healed.
"Serana?"
Serana glared at Azriel. "I was fine."
Gabriella looked between the two of them and sighed. She walked over and put her hand on Serana's shoulder. "From what I saw, Azriel saved your life. It's obvious you aren't use to fighting wolves." Her words were quiet and gentle. The concern on her face was apparent.
Serana sighed and looked away.
"Did he attack you?" Gabriella asked softly.
"He caught me from behind. I..." Serana licked her lips, "...I wasn't paying attention."
"You should let me kill him." Azriel said with a growl. "He smells... I don't like it. I don't like him. He could have killed Serana."
"You know I can't let you do that. Astrid would be pissed." Gabriella said impatiently.
"Fuck that! There's something wrong with this guy. I don't trust him Gabby." Azriel snapped back.
"I can't let you kill him, Zee. Astrid wants him alive and for better or worse, he's one of us."
Azriel growled deeply.
Gabriella lead Serana out of the cavern and down the tunnel. Azriel followed a few paces behind, letting the women walk ahead. When they got to Gabriella's room, she opened the door. "Zee, wait for me in the tavern. I'll be there shortly."
Azriel growled in frustration and stormed away.
Gabriella sighed. "That girl is way too hot headed for her own good." She looked at Serana with a smirk. "Let's have a drink and talk."
I hope you enjoyed the chapter. :)
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