23th Sun's Dusk… 2000…
The Dunmer woman sipped her mead casually, waiting for her companion to join her. The letter in her pocket would either spark the woman's interest or her ire. She guessed it'd be a bit of both, but it didn't matter. She had already made her own decision and the Nord could do whatever she wanted. She had guessed how the meeting would go, but the vampire was a fickle creature. Her motivations never were fixed in any logical pattern, usually leaving her frustrated by her spurs.
Draden held no love for the Dragonborn, it wasn't a secret. Nor were her reasons why either. Aela the Huntress… the ghost of what could have been... It was a taunt, a jeer to her. It haunted her desires for the vampire. The number of times the Companion's name came from Draden's lips made her want to smack some sense into her. Then again, she wanted to twist her sword into the arrogant Companion's gut for her own reasons.
She tapped the letter with impatience. Draden was taking forever to find a suitable snack. It annoyed her. Waiting for someone always annoyed her. A smile toyed with the edge of her lips. Except when I am waiting to kill… She let her mind flip through some of her previous accomplishments to mellow herself out.
It only took a few of her favorite kills to calm her. She focused on savoring her mead, letting the warm burn tickle her throat. The longer she waited, the more she allowed the mental image of Draden sneering at Azriel's name burn into her mind. She was beginning to enjoy the mental image the longer she had to wait.
The doors to the ancient tavern opened and the Vampire beamed at her from under her hood. She strolled, her hips swaying and it always struck Janessa how feline the Nord walked. It was like the vampire calculated each silent step, her every movement made with purpose.
Draden slipped quietly into the chair next to her, but didn't remove her hood. "Miss me?"
Janessa glared at her. "Only you could take forever to find a suitable donor."
Draden felt her way under the table, catching Janessa's hand. "I would think you would prefer that over me being grumpy."
"Perhaps. Then again, I have a means of putting you in a better mood."
Draden sat forward on the chair, interested. "Sex always puts me in a better mood… but so would…"
"That's not going to happen." Janessa cut her off.
Draden threw out a pouting lip. "We've been together for over a year and you still don't trust me enough to drink from you?"
"I have no desire to become your personal feed bag."
Draden let go of her hand and sat back in the chair. "But, it makes sex so much better!"
Janessa narrowed her eyes at the vampire. "For who? Oh, never you mind." She reached into her pocket determined to change the subject. "I received this today…"
She handed the letter to Draden and relaxed behind her tankard to watch her reaction.
The vampire unfolded the letter and read through it quickly. She threw the letter back at Janessa. "I suppose you're just going to run off and help her?"
"The thought did cross my mind." Janessa couldn't help but smirk at the vampire's irritation.
"I hate that little bitch."
Janessa cleared her throat.
Draden fixed her with a hard look. "I mean I really hate that bitch, Jan."
Janessa took a drink and wave her hand dismissively. "Yes, yes, I know…"
The vampire leaned forward quickly, catching her hand. "But, I really hate the fact you'd even entertain the idea of running off to help her." She hissed the words out with venom.
Janessa let the smile bloom on her lips. "Well, I see you've already made up your mind. I guess you probably haven't heard she travels with that Huntress you're so fond of." Janessa sat back, reveling in her victory as she watched the anger become replaced with longing, then cold fury.
"I am not fond of Aela."
Janessa leaned forward, running her hand over Draden's arm. "Lying is so unbecoming, my dear sweet vampire. You may come with me if you'd like, the choice is yours. But, I have already hired a carriage to Whiterun."
Draden growled, she had fallen right into the Dunmer woman's trap. If she let Jan go, she'd be alone with the filthy harlot. If she went with her, she might fall right back into things with Aela and piss Jan off. The situation wasn't the best either way. She and Aela had parted on good enough terms, but when it came between herself and the Dragonborn, she knew were Aela's affections truly resided. It was why Aela had split with her.
"I suppose killing Azriel is out of the question?" She asked quietly.
Janessa didn't answer her, instead she drained her tankard and slid her chair back. She stood quietly and walked to the door. The slight breeze that followed her told her the vampire was right behind her. "I take it your coming then?" She whispered the words as she pushed open the door.
The growl in her ear answered her. "I have no intention to leaving you alone with that whore for more than a blink of an eye."
Janessa smiled as she walked towards the carriage. Draden was far too easy to manipulate to her will. "Oh, and why is that?"
Draden grabbed her arm, pulling her around to face her. "Because you are mine. And that harlot will lose more than blood if she bats an eyelash in your direction."
Draden's anger was far too much fun not to provoke. "I see you trust me. Now, you know why I won't let you feed from me."
Draden's face fell. "What in Oblivion do you mean?"
"When I gave you the choice, I could see it in your eyes. Leave me alone with Azriel or watch Aela near her. You truly care nothing for me, do you?"
Draden's mouth fell open.
"So which one?" Janessa made sure her face was absolutely neutral.
"I don't want her anywhere near you."
Janessa turned away. "Why? Because you know I cared for her?"
Draden stuffed her hands into her pockets. "Maybe, or maybe it's because it was mutual."
Janessa sneered at her. "It still is. That's why I am going to help her. It pleases me to be able to see her again. But, you care nothing for how I feel, only what you feel, you selfish creature."
"You think I don't care for you?" Draden spat at her. "I hate her because she interferes with everything! I can't even have a relationship with you because of how you still feel about her."
Janessa scoffed at her. "Or perhaps, it's because you are still hung up on a certain Companion?"
"I am not!" Draden stepped away from her and lowered her voice. "I'm not hung up on Aela. I gave up on that a long before I met you. It just pissed me off when I met you, you were still fawning over Azriel."
Janessa shook her head. "You were trying to make me jealous?"
Draden looked away from her, she let her eyes settle on the ancient bridge. "I was."
Janessa studied her. For all of her confidence, the vampire came unglued every time Azriel's name had come up in the past. "I was never in love with her. It was merely for sport."
"That makes it so much better…"
Janessa found her sarcasm a refreshing change from her brooding. "Are you coming then?"
"I suppose stabbing her is out of the question?"
Janessa rolled her eyes. "It is."
Draden tapped her foot impatiently. "I swear if she so much as looks at you…"
Janessa leaned forward and kissed her.
The gentleness of the kiss surprised Draden. Janessa was never gentle.
"We need to go, my selfish vampire… Whiterun is waiting."
Draden cleared her throat, but Janessa looked at her. "While we are there, you may sate your hunger with my blood."
A happy grin bloomed on Draden's face as her thoughts took a much darker turn.
Alrighty then... looks like most of you like the side stories and want to see a continuation of the story arc in a second book.
You shall not be disappointed!
As far as 'Under the Sky' series goes, these shorts are almost complete. You'll soon have all eight of Azriel's letters and know where she sent them. After that, the longer chapters will happen again. I promises, Precious.
Fuck the 600. I want to write a second book. So, you're getting it!
BTW- Mighty Merlin is awesome. Check out my profile for an image he made on his deviantArt today... you're going to love it! And make sure y'all show him some love!