Azriel sat in front of the fireplace, letting the tendril of flame twist between her fingers. The morning was wearing on as she let the others rest. She had spent the last couple of hours reading the Stormcloak plans and taking notes.
She had liberated a few bottles of ale earlier when she had patrolled the old fort. The flames coiled around her arm, taking the form of a snake. She could feel every move she made being studied as she reached for the bottle to open it. She looked over at the three sleeping women, but stopped herself from looking at Serana. She was still awake and watching her.
Azriel popped the top and took a drink. She let the snake slither back into the fireplace and picked up the notebook she had taken from the Stormcloaks, leafing through it. Serana hadn't tried to talk to her again, for that she was thankful. Her head still ached from the blow against the rocks and she hadn't bothered to heal it faster than it already was. It was her reminder of how poor Serana thought of her.
Azriel looked down at the Stormcloak's planning map and began measuring out the distances from the markings she had made. She set the bottle down and picked up the letters. Mostly, they were detailed supply lists and requests for confirmation of receipt.
Two of the letters described problems with supply lines in the south. It made her smile knowing that the Stormcloaks were getting their supplies raided by the Guild. One letter was just venting on the part of the Stormcloak supply officer in Windhelm. Azriel laughed lightly thinking about the problems Vex was causing them. But, the Guild was slowing down operations in the South.
She set the letters down and opened the scrolls. Azriel compared the dates and information to the notes she had written on to the map and in her own journal. The Stormcloaks had delayed their march on the Pale Pass. She racked her brain trying to come up with plausible reasons for the halted maneuvers. Maybe they have word the Empire is marching a few legions North? She unrolled the last scroll with the Emperor's symbol and sighed. The Imperial Navy set sail from Anvil seven days ago for Solitude. It will take them longer than a month to get there and the rest of the fleet will arrive from the Imperial City in just over two.
She opened the Captain's notebook, thumbing through it.
1st of Sun's Dusk
Troop movement to Dawnstar completed. Set up of Driftshade Refuge as hub a completed.
The beacon has been relit and will remain lit to guide troops to the old fort. Set up perimeter watches to ensure Legion scouts are dispatched.
Received new orders… supply lines to the south being hit by thieves. Need to keep Wayward pass open, new supplies enroot through. Old fort needs to be set up as staging ground for troop movements to the East.
Received orders about the Dragonborn. New Death Writ issued to kill on sight. If there's a thousand gold on the line and a new promotion to General… that bitch is as good as dead.
Expecting the Dawnguard members soon... Hopefully, that will be enough to stave off the vampires and fucking werewolves. Skyrim is going mad! I'll be thankful when they get here.
2nd of Sun's Dusk
Was out with the troops and saw the weirdest thing. A figure… a shadow maybe? It was watching us unload supplies. I only saw it for the briefest moment, but I've doubled the perimeter and tower watches in case those damn vampires try to attack us. Still feels like someone is watching me.
Found a stash of silver swords and arrows during clean-up of the underground passages and rooms. I've issued to the watch officers and each shift will be required to record in their logs pass over for them. I don't want those things walking off if there are vampires around.
Getting that old forge up and running was successful! We found a massive cache of silver bars and small silver mine! Sending word back to the General to request dark elf slaves to help with the mining operation. Maybe we'll get lucky and we'll get an Orc blacksmith too!
Orders sent out that the Dawnguard will be assisting with the growing vampire problem.
Scouting party arrived ahead of the next garrison from Winterhold marching to Dawnstar. New battle orders show that supply lines in the south are being significantly drained. Probably those fucking cats! March to Falkreath halted until the garrisons are properly armed!
The General is looking for ideas on how to get supplies from North to South. I'll send my suggestions of using bribed cats tomorrow… they seem to be the only ones not being raided lately.
Sending men down to the old lighthouse, the perimeter watch heard screams last night coming from there. I don't want any filthy vampires hiding out so close to troop lines. Best to send them in the daylight… filthy Bloodsuckers!
The runner should be back tomorrow from Winterhold.
3rd of Sun's Dusk
Read through the new battle plans and requests from General Mojarne. All forts are required to produce new silver armaments for the effort. Too many vampire attacks on caravans and camps. Wild werewolf packs have been sighted in the Pale. Definitely need more silver weapons!
4th of Sun's Dusk
The group of men I sent two days ago to the lighthouse didn't return. I'm sending twenty-five men with oil, torches, and silver weapons. The lighthouse needs to be functional and I don't need to worry about vampires!
5th of Sun's Dusk
I sent twenty-five men to that fucking lighthouse and only four came back. That Redguard family and the rest of the men were killed by Chaurus and Falmer! I sent more men down with more oil and torches. They burned everything down there. I'm worried that those damned Falmer will find another root into the old lighthouse. Sent word to the General that we need bricklayers and more men to run the lighthouse and make the repairs. Sent men down with traps to set up and watch to make sure nothing so much as twitches down there. For now that will have to be good enough.
The Dawnguard got here faster than I thought they would. They're going to set up along the road ways and patrol the forests. Well that at least is a relief. I don't trust that Imperial though… odd one he is. He's constantly talking to himself. Supposedly he's a priest of Arkay… I don't care, but if he says one more word about the Dragonborn I'm going to have him in chains.
6th of Sun's Dusk
If that Priest mentions the Dragonborn one more time! Now he's prattling on about how she needs to be saved for some gods' damned reason! The rest of his men seemed to have abandoned him after that courier arrived last night.
Just what I need… another fucking headache. I'm going to go drink myself blind.
7th of Sun's Dusk
Thank Talos that man left to head back to Winterhold. I couldn't take another minute of him anymore. He was driving me mad! Thinks he can talk to Arkay… what fucking nonsense!
Dragon spotted, but it didn't attack… thank Talos!
8th of Sun's Dusk
I saw that black shadow person again! I don't think that's a vampire… at least I pray to the Gods it's not!
9th of Sun's Dusk
Next squad will be here in five days. Supplies will be in tomorrow, we'll be setting up for the next division for Dawnstar.
10th of Sun's Dusk
Supplies unloaded. Runner dispatched to Winterhold.
Azriel sighed and took a drink from the bottle. The vampire was painfully close to her and Azriel kept her eyes on the fire in front of her.
"What does it say?" Serana reached for the book.
Azriel snapped the book closed and left her hand on top of it, remaining silent.
"Azriel please, I want to talk about things." Serana said softly, placing her hand on Azriel's bare arm.
Azriel recoiled from her electric touch. She couldn't bear it as much as she wanted to feel it. "There's nothing to talk about. This war… the Stormcloaks… don't concern you." Azriel whispered back, determined to keep her tone flat.
Serana pulled her hand away from Azriel. She didn't expect Azriel to be open with her, nor did she merit the woman's affection after her abuse. But, the silence was a void inside of her, she needed it to end. "It involves you, doesn't it? It concerns me, Azriel."
Azriel snapped her head around, but kept her eyes on the floor. "No it doesn't. You've made it perfectly clear how much of a mistake you've made with me."
Azriel ran her hand over the knot on her head. She fought to keep her voice steady. "It doesn't concern you in the slightest. Keep your mind on your own affairs… and the people you actually care about."
Azriel jumped to her feet and Serana stood just as quickly.
"Azriel, I know you don't believe me, but I know what I did was wrong. Please, I'm just asking you to hear me out. I know I don't deserve it, but I just want to talk to you. I can't take this anymore!"
"Keep your voice down!" Azriel growled as she stared at fireplace. "They're sleeping and I have no desire for you to wake the others. You've said your piece, Serana. You've made your thoughts known and I told you I'd leave you be after this."
"Azriel, just listen to me. That's not what I want!" Serana hissed back.
"And neither am I! You have no idea how your words cut me. You called me… us… a mistake. You can't take that back!" Azriel shook with rage.
"Unless you plan to bash my skull in again, I have to make rounds." Azriel turned to the main chamber and stopped. "There's nothing left to say. We both know where we stand with each other and you will be rid of me soon enough."
Serana rubbed her temples as Azriel left. It made things harder that Azriel wouldn't look at her. For the briefest moment when she held her arm, she could feel Azriel's anguish. Serana closed her eyes and took a deep breath. You did this and now you have to find a way to fix it!
Serana could feel herself being watched. Fuck...
Serana turned and looked where Aela had been sleeping moments before, her amber eyes glared back as her canines extended.
Aela pushed herself off the bed, growling at the vampire. "You and I are going to have a little talk… Leech."
"Would you call our mother a leech as well, Companion?" A sleepy voice answered.
Aela and Serana were caught off-guard by the question and turned to see the twins rub their sleepy eyes and shift into sitting positions. "Well? Would you? How long have you known her?"
"It's very disrespectful. Father would be very disappointed to hear that come from your mouth." The other finished.
"Go back to sleep, girls." Aela responded heatedly. Being chastised by children was ridiculous.
The twins looked at one another and stood together, walking to Serana. They stepped between Aela and Serana, their eyes never leaving Aela.
"You've known our parents how long, Aela?"
It drove Aela mad that she couldn't keep the two separate. She didn't know which one to yell at first.
"Why would you insult one vampire, but not another?"
"It's not right."
Aela rolled her eyes at them, their barrage of questions infuriated her. "This vampire is different…" She knew the girls would never understand why.
"How?" They asked in unison.
Aela fumbled for the right words as one of the twins held out her hand to Serana. "Forgive us for not introducing ourselves soon, Lady Serana. I'm Erikka."
The other followed suit. "I'm Sabrine."
Serana glanced between Aela and back to the two werewolves and took both of their hands. "It's very nice to meet you both."
The girls watched Aela for a long moment. "Our mother has been a vampire for five years. You've never called her a 'Leech'."
"It's very rude to insult people for what they are. She didn't ask for it."
Serana was slightly unnerved by their vocal observation and wondered how they knew her name.
Aela threw her hands up. I won't argue with children! "Fucking whatever." Aela fumed. "We're still having that talk." Aela walked out after Azriel.
The twins watched Aela leave and turned their attention back to Serana. 'She'll calm down. There's no need to worry.'
Sabrine smirked at the shocked look on Serana's face.
'You both are telepathic?' Serana asked the question mentally.
'Yes.' A broad smile spread over their faces. 'We told you our mother is a vampire… our father is a werewolf. He is a Companion and was a member of the Circle. That is why we know Aela and the Dovahkiin.'
Sabrine's hand found Serana's. "The Dovahkiin loves you… you know."
Serana cleared her throat, unprepared to be left with the two young telepathic werewolves. "I know and I fucked it up."
Sabrine giggled nervously. "Try a different approach. Azriel hates confrontation…"
"I doubt that highly." Serana scoffed, surprised by her own frankness with them.
"Not like that… with people she cares about." Erikka chuckled at the vampire's comment.
"Aela doesn't hate you… well… not really. She's just exceptionally jealous of the Dovahkiin. She has been for a while. She thinks she's competing for the Dragonborn's affection with you."
"Father told her last winter just to ask Azriel to marry. Which is why she's jealous… in case you were wondering."
Serana shot the girl a horrified look, feeling sickened by the knowledge of how close the two women actually were. Marriage? Losing Azriel after finally claiming her was bad enough, but to lose her completely to another person… Not another person, but to Aela! The thought made her feel defeated.
Sabrine coughed. "Aela never asked..."
"In case you were wondering." Erikka finished her sister's thoughts.
'Lady Serana, words flow better this way for us. We know you can understand us. Do you mind continuing this way?'
'I don't mind.' Serana twisted her hands into knots. 'Why wouldn't she ask?'
The girls stared at her, their voices becoming one in her mind. 'The Dovahkiin's dreams haunt her even in the light. Aela knows this and she knew she'd say no.'
'Azriel believes her death stalks closer inch by inch. She didn't mate with Aela, because Azriel's dreams involved Aela dying when she does. She has rejected any advance of a relationship from the start because of this, much to Aela's dismay.'
Serana growled. 'So I'm just the immortal second choice.'
The girls shook their heads sadly. 'You mistake us, Elder. The Dovahkiin finally allowed herself to feel for Aela then she found you. You are not her second choice you are… ...different… as if another part of herself. It is difficult to explain. We see things from her point of view and understand them. She does not know it though.'
Serana watched the girls' eyes. It was odd how they shifted, one moment green the next to gray then to blue. 'Werewolves only have silver eyes… except Azriel and these two.'
The girls smiled, pulling Serana's attention from the color of their eyes.
'How does she see Aela?' Serana's need to understand Azriel pushed her on.
'That is difficult to answer, feelings differ from yours. In a way they are similar.'
Serana sighed. She wanted a means to talk to Azriel. This wasn't helping, but the girls continued anyway.
'It would be easy to say she loves you both, because it is true. Yet, it isn't the same in the way you both are not the same person. It would be easier to explain our own thoughts to you.'
Serana rubbed her temples. The conversation was now pissing her off, but she didn't want to end it.
'She battles herself and everything around her… she is torn between what she is and who she wishes to be. We hear the voices that haunt her mind. The dragon and the wolf. They are one, yet are separate.'
'Her fears for herself extended to Aela… now they also extend to you. We know she bound her soul to yours we can see the tethers. With you, there was hope… hope she no longer feels and she slips deeper, becoming the dragon she is. We know what you did and why you were angry. We know that you can help her. We see her thoughts and her struggle. She is losing herself to grief that you in your selfishness caused. You know it was selfish, yet you chose to hurt her knowing you would do so.'
'You and Aela were her balance… balance she no longer feels. The weights of the scale that tip the fight, you both long for recognition in her eyes. Neither of you willing to yield to the other and both of you are causing her to unravel. Two sides of the same coin… endlessly spinning in the air.'
'Beyond this, her thoughts are blocked from our sight. But, know the dragon is the key.'
Aela looked at the plans and notes splayed across the table. She had been studying them for over two hours, deciphering the routes and course of actions in them. She traced her finger across the map, looking at the routes and markings. She flipped through the book and writs counting the distance mentally.
She glanced up at Azriel and rolled her eyes. "You haven't heard a damn thing I've said in the last ten minutes, have you?"
Azriel sat on the dresser staring at the floor, lost in her own thoughts. "Huh? No, sorry…"
Aela stood and stretched, letting her body crack before continuing. "You want to talk about whatever is bothering you?"
Azriel let out a long breath. "Not even a little bit."
"Can I ask you something?"
Azriel looked up at her with a small smirk. "You just did."
"You and your terrible jokes. You're more of an ice-brain than Torvar when he's sober."
"Which is never." Azriel joked.
Aela sighed. "Why won't you tell me what's gotten into you lately?"
Azriel clenched her jaw and looked away. "It's… nothing."
"I'm going to guess that by nothing, you mean the leech that's sulking down the corridor."
Azriel fixed Aela with a burning stare. "Don't call her that. She has a name..."
"Hit a nerve, did I?" Aela asked quietly. "So talk. What did she do?"
"Aela, just drop it." Azriel groaned. "I said I don't want to talk about it."
Aela stared at her for a moment then shifted, troubled. She looked back down to the papers and ran her hand through her hair. "We need to get these to Whiterun."
"I was thinking Solitude. If we can get them to Tullius, he can maybe slow them down. Though, I think the thieves hitting their supply lines are doing a better job than Tullius could dream of." Azriel wasn't looking at Aela, she was staring off into space.
Aela was surprised by her suggestion. "Tullius? Since when do you favor helping the Empire?"
Azriel shrugged. "Never, but let's face it. Today is the eleventh of Sun's Dusk. Tullius is the best shot Skyrim has against these skeevers. If he can slow down Ulfric, then it buys us more time to stop these vampires."
"You still wish to continue on, even after reading all this? Azriel, if the Stormcloaks manage to drag you back to Windhelm…" Aela wasn't surprised. Azriel put everyone before herself.
"Some things are more important than just one person, Aela. Their plans to move to Falkreath and Markarth make sense. They close all the land routes and the Empire will be shut out of Skyrim. Once they permanently shut out the Legion, nothing will stop them from taking the last three Holds, especially when they turn free men to slaves. The Imperial Navy will never arrive in time and the Army will never get through the passes."
Azriel chewed her lip. "Initially, Balgruuf estimated a month, maybe two until Whiterun was attacked. Whiterun is a huge city. I think Ulfric would be stupid to attack Whiterun before closing those land routes and securing the West."
Aela thought for a moment about the map and route. "Falkreath won't pose much of a problem. Markarth would fall to siege, but I'm going to guess Ulfric Stormcloak doesn't want to sit around and wait for a siege to break. I say he has people in the city walls to start a fight."
"I agree." Azriel clicked her tongue. "I bet he's put people in close to the Jarl to assassinate him the moment the order is given to close the city gates. He'll put anyone who resists to the axe. He's done it before."
Aela nodded watching her attention drift off again. "Two months is feasible, if he has. But, with the vampire attacks and his supplies being raided, that will potentially slow him down. There are still the Forsworn to deal with in the West."
Azriel tapped her fingers on her arm thinking. "If we get these plans and information to Tullius he may be able to buy us more time somehow… maybe the he can cut a deal with the Forsworn? Bring in Battle Mages from High Rock… something, fuck anything."
Azriel looked at the cloak hanging on a hook and a thought occurred to her. "When the vampires attacked Whiterun, they dressed as Legionnaires. There's plenty of armor and whatnot here. We'll send the girls to Solitude dressed as Stormcloak couriers. When they get past Dawnstar they can ditch their outfits. If the girls can do it, then Nord loyalists can too. Legionnaires can dress as Stormcloaks and infiltrate Stormcloak camps and cut them down."
Aela laughed, but idea was genius. "Slippery, Harbinger… very slippery. Sounds good, Tullius can slow down Ulfric and that leaves us free to help your little bloodsu… friend."
Azriel stood, in a step she was at the table on the opposite side on Aela. "Why?! Why must you insult her?"
Aela slammed her palms to the table, growling. "Why must you defend her the way you do?"
Azriel growled, pushing herself away from the table. She turned her back on Aela and Aela jumped the table, grabbing her by her arm. She spun Azriel around to face her, pushing her up against the wall, pinning her there gently.
"Don't walk away from me, Dragonborn. We're not finished." Aela growled leaning close to her.
Azriel opened her mouth and promptly shut it.
It dawned on her this was the first time the two of them had been alone since High Hrothgar. Aela's fragrance overwhelmed her and made her tongue feel heavy. She swallowed hard as the layers of silver overlapped with a yearning that Azriel wanted to find completion in.
Aela stepped closer, loosening her grip slightly on her arm and pinning her to the wall by her hips instead. She lifted her left hand and stroked Azriel's cheek with the backs of her burning fingers. She traced the strong lines of Azriel's face and ended it by cupping her cheek, pulling her closer.
Azriel felt the flames of her touch burn throughout her body, the scent of leather and grass tasting rich in her mouth, making her swoon drunkenly. The intensity that Aela captured her with pushed her over the edge. The boiling sea of emotions reared like a storm as Aela's lips met her own.
Aela was the firestorm that consumed her and the wolf howled in her mind in anguish at the pinnacle of Azriel's plight. She couldn't fight Aela's will as the woman pressed her lips against her, trying to deepen the kiss. Azriel crumpled completely, drowning in her own poignant turmoil and the desire for the woman that held her. Every nerve in Azriel's body seared in tormented pleasure as she succumbed to her mortal weakness.
Aela stripped every barrier Azriel fought to hold in place with the grace of her seduction. Her hand released Azriel's arm, wrapping instead around her waist and pulled her tighter. She slid the hand that had been on her cheek into her hair, knotting it around her fingers. She pulled Azriel head back and pressed her tongue to her lips as a plea for admittance. Her want for the Dragonborn had blossomed since their first meeting.
Now it eroded her will.
Azriel felt her knees go weak. She clutched tightly at the Huntress' waist and latched on to her shoulder to keep from falling. She was snared into a trap of her own making and held captive by lust. The woman's touch was hotter than any flame she had ever endured. The unreal tenderness that the Huntress showed was a stark contrast to anything she seemed capable of.
Anxieties moved with force in the pit of Aela's stomach. Her hunger for Azriel scalded her as the flames of her passionate embrace left every fiber of Aela sizzling. The longing in her possessed her. The rawness of the kiss drove her into bliss. Every pent up sentiment, was a geyser bubbling and frothing. She could feel the walls around Azriel collapsing.
Azriel held on to Aela desperately, her tongue tasting the other wolf, her body pleading with her. Her every thought abandoned as she feel farther into the older Nord's rapturous embrace. The heat of Aela's body, the tenderness of the woman was Azriel's drug. She longed to hold Aela as completely as Aela had yearned to feel her.
Azriel's hands wandered slower, her nails dug into her back. Aela let her tongue wander the reaches of Azriel's mouth, drawing Azriel's out to bite it gently. Aela shivered as Azriel's hand traced the contours of her skin. Her arousal mingling with the younger wolf's.
Moment's passed unnoticed, the two only embroiled in each other's prolonged embrace. Aela broke apart from her breathlessly, her wolf howling in protest. It desired Azriel, demanding Aela claim her and make Azriel her mate, each time more difficult than the last. Aela leaned her head against Azriel's, stealing kisses between pants.
Neither could or would speak, the need burning between them.
The wants and needs of both women was an enraptured seduction. Each breath cried to the other without speaking. They were so close, yet still too far from each other. The air between them was an ocean of difference, cruelly separating them in the cold stone chamber. Their unrequited love a burden both bore the weight of through the years. It's threat shook them both and filled them both with hollowness and a desperate need to fill the emptiness between them that had lasted for so long.
Aela had made up her mind when she had moved to kiss Azriel. "Azriel…" Her breath was ragged. "…I've been… I need to tell you something."
"What?" Azriel's voice was the faintest whisper on labored breath.
"I promised myself, that nothing was going to stop me. Not even an Oblivion gate opening to swallow me. But, right now… I don't want to lose this."
Azriel laced her fingers into Aela's hair and tightened her grip. She pushed her own forehead into Aela's and held her close. "Damn it woman, don't be a milk-drinker and just spit it out."
Aela growled at the playful insult. "I'll show you who the milk-drinker is, Dragonborn."
"Then tell me, you thaw-headed Nord." Azriel nipped at her lips and Aela laughed softly.
Aela steeled herself and stole one final lasting kiss.
"I… I love… am in love… with you." Aela took a deep breath. "I want you… as my mate."
For a moment Aela held her with their heads resting against each other. She felt Azriel's fingers loosen, unknotting from her hair as the taller Dragonborn pulled back to look at her. For a moment, the sunshine golden irises radiated in front of her and Aela watched a single tear slip quietly down her cheek. All the barriers that Aela had broken through quickly raised again and Azriel looked away from her. Aela's fingers found their way under Azriel's chin, drawing her back again only to stare into the sadness of Azriel's ochroid pools.
Aela sighed disappointedly and let go. She took a step back, drawing a shaky breath. "I see the way you look at her… at... Serana." Aela swallowed the bitterness in her mouth before she continued. "I wish you'd look me as you do her…"
Azriel took a step forward trying to make anything at all come from her mouth, but she couldn't make a single sound. Her voice failed her when she needed it the most, needed it to make Aela understand her. But, she could only watch as Aela retreated to the door.
Aela held up her hand to stop Azriel from following her. She willed the ache in her chest not to reach her eyes. "Don't, Azriel. Just leave me be… I see the answer in your eyes."
"Aela, wait! Please…" Azriel step to the doorway, but Aela continued to walk ignoring her. "…wait."
Aela's thoughts clouded her mind as she left Azriel behind still calling for her. I am a milk-drinker… I should have kept my mouth shut.
Azriel backed into the room, her heels catching the wall. The dragon shook its cage, snapping the chains tethering it in the Cimmerian shade. The scream she held within herself afflicted her body washing her in unparalleled anguish. Inside of a single day, she had pushed the two people she loved away from her with her own selfishness.
The dragon bellowed from the depths, thrashing wildly. Clawing its way forth, demanding what it had been denied. The wolf howled in protest, calling for two women that wouldn't heed it. Azriel's body crumpled as the two sadistically assaulted her. The hurt ripped her mind and body to shreds with heartache. Their resentment and distress disbursed the last of her strength and Azriel fell into a cataleptic state.
The misery that woke Serana racked her body, staggering in its intensity. All of her senses were overwhelmed by anarchy. It was a sudden blow, causing her to double over in wretched agony on the floor with a solitary convulsive fit. The bleak void Azriel had left when she had walled Serana off filled with violent turmoil.
As sudden as it came, it was gone.
Serana shuddered as it passed, wiping the sweat from her brow. She fought to reclaim her breath and struggled to sit on the floor. The force of Azriel's emotions had gripped her like a vice and used her body like it was a rag doll. In the incredible pain a single, unbearable sound ripped through her soul. For the instant it lasted, Serana swore she could hear the dragon roaring furiously.
She held her stomach, her breathing labored by the magnitude of the pain she had endured. The rawness of Azriel's emotions left her feeling lacerated and unable to stop shuddering violently. Azriel's mayhem made her soul tremble at the thought of Azriel's suffering and her own inability to ease it with her unforgivable cruelty.
Serana tried to gather herself.
She could hear Aela's rapid heartbeat as she approached the chamber.
Serana pushed herself from the floor and stood as the young Nord entered. The wolf's amber hues glared at Serana as she walked past her and down the corridor. Serana leaned against the wall, breathing deeply. The pain she had felt finally easing.
The sounds of wood and bottles breaking reached her ears from the direction Aela had disappeared, followed by a frustrated scream. Serana rubbed her temples, listening to what sounded like Aela ripping down the walls of the fort.