The arrow pierced Harkon's chest as he struggled against Serana's grasp. Her frozen bite chilled him. Serana drank deeply from him even as sunlight exploded from him.
Enveloped in pure light, Harkon disintegrated with a pained scream. The fang that Serana had held, clanged to the floor loudly. The sea and the storm were the only sound any of them heard as his wail died against what was left of the chapel. Azriel and Aela didn't pay attention to Harkon as his pieces fell. They were staring at Serana who was bathed in an aura of pure sunlight. Aela stood wonderstruck; next to her Azriel stood motionless with her jaw hanging open. Both regarding the sundrenched glow of the battered vampire in astonishment.
Valerica rubbed her eyes unable to see what was happening. She could only hear the rapid heartbeats of the werewolf and Dragonborn, the quickness of their breath, and Serana's wing beats. "Serana? Are you safe?"
From Serana's feet emanated a soft blue glow. It rose deliberately but slowly. Azriel marched self-assuredly as the soul began to glide toward the shrine. "You will not return to Coldharbour. You'll never get a chance to return because you're mine!" Serana opened her eyes, her twin suns burned coldly as fixed her stare on Azriel. Valerica let her hands drop just as Azriel pulled Harkon's soul to herself. "Your soul will feed my power just as your blood feeds Serana's." Harkon's soul surrounded her and Azriel inhaled deeply. Valerica gasped as Azriel consumed his soul. The subsiding storm drummed in the background.
Aela waited for Azriel as she walked to her side, watching the blood lift from Serana's body and turn to vapor. Serana inhaled it just as Azriel had consumed Harkon's soul. It struck Aela suddenly how similar her lovers were. She felt Azriel's fingers thread through her own as the claw marks on Serana's body rapidly stitched themselves together.
"Serana? Are you alright?" Valerica asked quietly, she hadn't moved since Serana had called Azriel.
Serana didn't spare her mother a glance. "I'm fine, Mother," the cruel growl of her voice tinged each word as she spoke.
"Vyrrny." Azriel strode to Serana with Aela at her side. "Nymarr. You may go now. Thank you for your help." Twin portals immediately opened in front of the Dremora, and they slipped through them.
Light rippled around Serana, warming the air that surrounded her, but it didn't warm her. Her wings beat slowly, keeping her in the air as she watched them walk to her. The wreckage around her reflected her emotions as she tried to decide how she felt.
"Are you sure?" Aela's amazement colored her words. When Serana didn't answer, Aela reached for her hand, "Are you sure, love?"
In an instant Serana was on them, her wings wrapping around Azriel and Aela, drawing them into her embrace. The heat of their bodies encompassing her with their fire, ignited her desire for them. She inhaled their combined scents, her mouth watered with the sound of their heartbeats as they increased with her touch. Her feet touched the ground, but she didn't change back into her mortal form. Threading her fingers into both of their hair, she pulled them both as close to her as possible and wrapped her wings tightly around them. She drew Aela into a hungry kiss, tasting the sweetness of her lips.
Aela moaned into her mouth as their lips worked feverously. The cold that defused from Serna's body, enveloped them with her disarming presence. Azriel felt the surge of their emotion as Aela knotted Serana's long hair in her fist and wrapped her other arm around the vampire's neck. Even in her true form, Aela could smell the fragrant floral scents of her skin. Combined with the strength Serana held her, it made the vampire irresistible.
The shrine began to bubble but no one noticed.
Azriel wove her fingers in Serana's lengthy mane, holding onto her. She was desperate for them, and she groaned covetously watching. Serana's wing stroked her form reassuring her that her time was coming. The kiss only lasted a few seconds before Serana drew back from Aela.
She eyed Azriel ravenously, but Azriel lunged first. It surprised Serana, making her laugh. The taste of the Dragonborn's lips and her electric heat made their mutual desires surge.
Aela sighed inadvertently as she let go of Serana and wrapped her arm around Azriel's waist.
Valerica cleared her throat loudly, but they ignored her. She turned away, crossing her arms, and tapping her fingers impatiently on her arm. She tried to tune them out as she stood impatiently waiting. A noise from the far wall caught Valerica's attention and she turned to see the fountain gushing blood. It overflowed the sides of the basin, pouring blood on the floor. Blood sprayed upward as the contents of the basin churned and boiled. Her eyes went wide at the sight.
Azriel broke their kiss, turning to look at the shrine with Serana and Aela. Blood was spraying into the air and the puddle around the shrine became a small stream.
Malevolent laughter filled the air, drawing the heat from Aela and Azriel's bodies. The chapel darkened as the rancorous sound filled their very beings. Serana and Valerica fell to their knees, bowing their heads immediately. Serana reverted to her mortal form as the malignant noise knock Aela from her feet, throwing her next to Serana. Aela looked up into Serana's eyes and Serana gave her the tiniest head shake. Her eyes were full of fear as she pinned Aela to the ground with her hand to keep her from standing.
"You took my soul, Dragonborn." The menacing voice cackled. The sound of it made Azriel's teeth hurt. "Not that he'll be missed." The laughs bounced around the chapel sickly. "Oh, how I enjoyed watching as you gave him no chance to return. Maybe, you've done me a service." The laughter swelled making the structure quake. "All these years watching Harkon's enduring failure. It was worth it just to watch him die." The harsh voice filled Azriel with its pitiless horror. "Serana," it called to her. "You are everything I knew you'd become. I enjoyed watching as you subdued him." The merciless laughter swelled in the room again. "Your unforgiving fury was breathtaking to behold… so pitiless and aggressive. His pain as you crushed him… was delicious." He laughed harder, "You were… magnificent."
"Thank you," Serana could barely make her mouth work. "My Lord."
The blood in the basin erupted upward, spaying everywhere around the room. "Since you relieved me of my burden, Dragonborn. I have a gift for you." From the frothing pool, a mace rose through the blood. When it emerged, it floated above the bubbling brew. "Take it." The voice called to Azriel. "Maybe it will help wash the stink of Boethiah and Dagon from you."
Azriel looked down to where Serana held Aela to the floor. Aela's pale eyes held her fearful plea as she shook her head no.
"I said, take it, Ahziial!" His command was final, and every word cut with an unspoken threat.
"No." Azriel stood rebelliously, watching the shrine, and pulling her sword to her hand from across the room.
"Foolish dragon." The temperature of the chapel fell as the voice spoke. The driving wind whipped their hair painfully against their faces. "You are just like the other, willful, and contemptuous. Do you not understand what I offer?"
"I understand perfectly, and I'm not interested. I don't need your help to conquer anything. I can do that, myself."
The clamor of Molag Bal's laughter consumed the room. "Arrogant little dragon. How I will enjoy watching you break."
Azriel's hand caught fire, her sword readied in the other hand. "I bow to no one," her Thu'um rumbled through the chapel. Her voice was just as cold as his, but reptilian. "Vile and Namira learned that the hard way. Maybe you need a lesson…?" Valerica flinched at Azriel's disobedience.
"Perhaps Azura should have taught you more about me," the hateful laugh filled the chapel replacing her Thu'um.
Aela stared up at Azriel desperate for her to stop talking. Serana trembled uncontrollably next to Aela. "Leave Azura out of this," Azriel spun the sword in her hand. "Let's see if…" The wooden doors to the chapel exploded, sending splinters of wood and twisted metal everywhere.
"YOU!" The malignant voice snarled over the noise. "I WILL ANNIHILATE…"
Lamae appeared next to the shine, snatching the mace from where it floated above the boiling blood. She smashed the mace into the shrine, destroying both at the same time. The blood spray hung in the air, in the shape of a distorted face. "Do you think I would let you desecrate her?" Her pitiless laugh matched his in malice. "I grow stronger as you weaken. Soon enough, all Coldharbour will be mine," she sneered at the bloody face. The runes glowed brightly, and the blood began to flow into them.
Lamae turned to look at Azriel. "You are safe now."
Azriel watched as the blood she had taken, move through the veins of her face. She smiled at the vampire and nodded. Azriel extinguished her flame, putting her sword back in the scabbard.
Lamae went to the ash pile and sifted through it quickly. She took Harkon's crown and slipped it into her robes. "Rise, young ones." Lamae's voice carried her anger to their ears, making the two vampires and Aela shrink away from her. The threatening edge to her voice was just as sinister as Molag Bal's.
Azriel caught Aela's hand and pulled her to her feet. Serana was shaking as they helped her up. Valerica stood, remaining silent.
Lamae's eyes swept the four women, the red in them glowing intensely. "He has departed and will not return to this place," her tone was more refined. "You each have done well." She looked at Azriel for a moment then to Valerica and Serana. "I shall await you in the main hall." She held out her hand to Azriel with a small smile. "Ahziial, walk with me."
Azriel gave Aela a look as she walked to Lamae. She took her hand and together they left the chapel.
When Valerica turned to Serana, Aela was already holding the shivering vampire. "You did exceptionally well, daughter." Serana only nodded in acknowledgment as she trembled in Aela's arms. Valerica looked away, "When you are ready meet us in the main hall." Valerica left without another word to them.
Serana took a deep breath, pulling away from Aela, "I'm ready, let's go." She was still shivering as she unwound herself from Aela.
Aela caught her hand as her fingers trailed Serana's arms. "We can take a minute…"
"No," Serana shook her head quickly, "I don't want to spend another minute in this place, Aela." They quickly gathered Azriel's sword and dagger. "Let's get the fuck out of here."
Aela regretted looking at the bone pile she was standing next to. Their first time through she had made the effort to not look at anything in the hall. Now she regretted the decision to let Serana lead them back to the stinking main hall. She was fighting hard against the wave of nausea that threatened her. The pile was moving from the pests within it. Everywhere she looked were piles of bone and remains. It was so revolting she wasn't listening to Azriel and the ancient vampire as they spoke.
She could feel the face she was making.
There was blood on everything from the chairs to the dilapidated tapestries that hung on the walls. Insects and rats scurried in the darkness to the various piles of corpses or the cracks in the mortar. The place was a ruin, and it made her skin crawl being in it. Each pile she saw was a horror story of its own.
She didn't want to look at or touch anything. The stench was so foul, that a glowing green vapor hung in the air. In Aela's opinion, they should ask Azriel to burn the place to the ground. The safest thing to look at was either Azriel or the vampires. Aela refocused on their conversation as she watched Azriel rub her ears.
"Then you will return to Cyrodiil?" The vampiress studied Azriel's face carefully.
Azriel held Lamae's hand, watching the vampire's eyes. "Once Ulfric is dead and the war is over, we'll leave for Hammerfell by way of Cyrodiil. There are Nords in Bruma and Chorrol that will fight the Thalmor."
The vampire let her lips curl into a smile in her happiness. "You have not forgotten your promise to me, have you?"
Aela watched Azriel lift her hand and press it to her heart. "I've never forgotten it."
"Good, but" Lamae looked over Azriel's shoulder to Serana and Aela. "I shall expect three guests, not one." Aela gave a single nod, acknowledging the vampire, from her periphery she saw Serana do the same.
Lamae smiled, "With that, I shall take my leave."
She started to pull her hand away, but Azriel stopped her. "Wait, Lamae. There's something I need to tell you."
"What is it, child?" A concerned look crossed her face with the urgency in Azriel's tone.
Aela noticed the scions watched as intensely as everyone else. The way that Azriel held on to the vampire oddly didn't bother Aela like it had when Azriel had pulled them into her dream. She realized that the swirling feelings Azriel had for the vampire were from a benevolent bond. She had a feeling already knew what Azriel was going to say.
"I wanted to…"
Lamae put her fingers on her lips, "You do not need to thank me."
Azriel shook her head, pulling her hand from her lips and drawing the vampire into an embrace. She put her lips to the vampire's ear as she held Lamae. "I wanted to tell you that I love you for everything you've done for me. You've saved me in more ways than I can count, and you've saved the people I love. You were my first friend and to say thank you isn't enough. I can't express to you what your friendship means to me because there aren't any words for it. You didn't just give me hope, you taught me how to love without condition."
Lamae closed her eyes, returning her embrace.
"I don't know how to repay you for your kindness. I can only tell you that I have never forgotten you or my promise to you. I've spent years thinking about you and what I would say when I returned. Nothing I can say will ever be good enough for everything you've done."
"Ahziial," Lamae opened her eyes.
"Please don't say anything that will make me cry," Azriel whispered back to her. "Valerica will never let me live it down." Valerica coughed to stop herself from chuckling.
Lamae laughed softly. "Then I shall only say that I look forward to your return to Cyrodiil."
Azriel drew back to look at her. "I want to give something to you." Azriel spun her rucksack from her back to her front. From the depths, she pulled the three Elder Scrolls. "The events have passed. These are for you to decide what to do with."
Lamae looked at her surprised. "You would give these to me?"
Azriel stared at her confused. "Why wouldn't I? I plan to hide the bow. I'm not returning it to Aetherius."
"Why would you not return the bow to Aetherius?" One of the scions asked quickly.
"The potential to taint the bow still exists. That means none of you would be safe if someone found the bow. There's a secret place that's safer; where only Akatosh can retrieve it from."
Lamae gave her a questioning look, "What place is safer than Aetherius?"
Azriel let an amused grin paint her face, "If I were to tell you, it wouldn't be a secret anymore." Azriel rubbed her ear again watching the vampiress chuckle at the obviousness of her statement.
"Very well, Ahziial. You do not need to tell me. Master Garan, please remain with Lady Valerica and Lady Serana. You must prepare them for our emissaries." Lamae now watched Valerica as she spoke, "There have been a great many changes since you were last in Tamriel, you will need to know what to expect in the time to come."
Aela watched Valerica and Serana give her a small bow.
Lamae pulled her hand free from Azriel's, "I shall await you in Cyrodiil."
Azriel smiled at her fully.
"Ahziial," Lamae returned her smile, "you will always be safe with me."
Aela let her thoughts wander the moment the vampires disappeared. She had no idea what Azriel meant by her comments about Namira or Vile. It worried her. Her reckless manner in addressing Molag Bal made her uneasiness worse. She could only imagine what the slight would mean. She'd need to talk about it with Serana soon.
"We need to go outside."
Azriel's voice made Aela jump, she had been staring off into the corner of the ceiling thinking. "Outside? For what?"
Aela watched Azriel pull the bow from her bag. "We're getting rid of this. Come on," Azriel grabbed Serana's hand enjoying the hot electric feel of her touch. "This time it needs to be you, Serana. Valerica, you as well." Serana and Aela exchanged a look. "Everyone else stays here. We'll be right back."
The four of them made their way up the stairs and back through the gate to the portcullis. The blood and gore had washed from the bridge in the storm. The rain was no longer a torrential downpour, becoming snow.
"I'm over this storm."
Azriel looked at the sky and took a deep breath. "LOK VAH KOOR!"
Azriel handed the bow to Serana. "You need to give this to Gaafahviing." The sky was already clearing, and the stars started to peek through.
"I still don't want to touch it." Serana's emotions still rolled together.
"Touching it won't taint it, Serana." Azriel pushed the bow into her hands, "Your kin are not safe here. You and Valerica must do this, I can't. It was your father's vampires that trapped him and now only you two can try to change his mind. Ask him for a pact to make amends for your father's trickery by using the bow as an offering to appeal to him. Otherwise, he'll hunt every vampire he can if you don't, starting here when we leave."
Serana took the bow reluctantly. "You both need to offer Grah-Zeymahzin to him. Show him the bow and tell him it's for his collection. Tell him you wish to show you can be trusted through brotherhood."
Azriel walked farther out on the bridge, looking up at the sky. "Gaafahviing!"
It took a few minutes for the dark gray dragon to drop from the sky and land. The other dragons followed him down lazily. "Drem. Yol. Lok. Young ones."
Serana walked to him, Valerica following her lead and remaining behind her. "Drem. Yol. Lok. Gaafahviing. I want to offer Grah-Zeymahzin to you."
"You are Ahziial's mate, you do not need to offer it." The dragon looked from her to the bow, then to Valerica.
"My father's vampires tricked you in that cave. I wish to right the wrong that was done to you by my kin. I want to show you my kind can be trusted."
"Because you are Ahziial's mate, I am bound to my word in not harming you because you bear her mark.
It cannot be you that makes this promise."
Serana understood his meaning and handed the bow to her mother.
"Then I will offer you my allegiance as well as my clan's, my Lord. As proof of my clan's adherence, I offer Auri-El's bow to seal our pact. You may call on us to aid you in battle any time."
The dragon eyed the bow greedily. "The bow is my Thurri's…"
"I have given it to Valerica and Serana, Gaafahviing." Azriel smiled sliding her arm around Serana's waist possessively. "It is now theirs to do with as they please."
Valerica set the bow on the ground in front of him, without looking away from him. "It is yours if you desire it."
"I accept your offer, Valerica!" The dragon bit down on the bow, then lifted its head swallowing it. "I shall remain and teach you how to call my name."
Aela glanced at Azriel in amazement. Azriel smirked slightly, "They have to get their treasure places somehow. It's not like they have cute little pockets hidden under their scales."
Aela rolled her eyes with a laugh, threading her fingers into Azriel's. "Shut up, Imperial." Serana shook her head with a laugh while Azriel shrugged and Valerica rolled her eyes.
Gaafahviing flew up to a tower, but a white and sky-blue dragon dropped down, taking his place. "I have heard your pact with Gaafahviing. The magic of this place appeals to me. I wish to remain here to understand it. If you allow me to remain, I, Krahvenah, offer Grah-Zeymahzin to you as well."
The main hall was darker now that the lightning was gone. Only the fire from another room cast ghostly shadows and flickering soft light into the main hall. Azriel followed Serana and Aela down the balcony stairs to the main hall. She had no desire to be back in the stench of the abattoir, but there was still more to do for Valerica and the others. Movarth, Nathalie, and the vampires were standing in a group together. All of them were looking at the grotesque scene of the main hall.
Azriel rubbed her ear again, the vibration in it was bothering her. She let out a sigh as her hand dropped. There was so much mess in the place, knowing where to start was daunting. She could feel the overwhelmed moods of the vampires in her group. It was obvious they weren't sure what to do.
Azriel looked around the hall taking the structure in, while trying to ignore the pests and carnage. Looking up at the dirty glass windows that surrounded the hall high up, she could only wonder at the massive cobwebs that lived there.
The arches haunted the darker reaches of the ceiling. In the middle of the room were two enormous, unused iron chandeliers. Balconies decorated each stairway landing overlooking the hall. They made her think they were pointless additions to a room full of nightmares. Azriel thought it was odd that the main hall lacked fireplaces. She turned looking at each wall. Then it dawned on her they'd been walled over.
Standing on another staircase on the left of the entry. Garan and his two vampires stood with their backs to the open door. They watched Valerica and Serana walk to the main level. Garan quickly joined them with his two apprentices. "My Ladies, there are several matters we need to discuss. Each of which will be time-consuming to both explain and complete."
Valerica held up her hand, motioning for him to wait. As she inspected the hall, she shook her head angrily. "I liked those tapestries," she mumbled as she transferred her gaze to the tables, chairs, and carpets.
Azriel made the mistake of touching the heavy wooden table. "Oh yuck, what the fuck?" Azriel looked at her hand with absolute disgust.
"The dilapidated artwork is the least of this place's concerns." Aela walked around to the far end of the hall but quickly retreated as the smells became worse. "There are weavers in Whiterun that create beautiful wool tapestries and carpets, Valerica." She tried not to gag as she peered into a darkened hallway. "They still use the old Nord methods of looming."
"Perhaps we should begin cleansing the castle to make it more comfortable, my Lady?" Movarth offered. "We can address fixtures once everything is more… habitable."
Azriel let flames engulf her hand, burning off the gory remnants on it. "Yeah, let's start with incinerating everything in here. This place is fucking gross."
Garan watched the spectacle for only a second, "That wouldn't bode well for the library."
Serana made a pained face, "Please tell me the books aren't covered in..." She waved her hand around. "This." Aela nodded in agreement retreating from another putrid smell further into the darkness of another doorway.
"It's the only room that eating wasn't allowed in. I simply wouldn't have it." Garan finished trying not to sound annoyed. "My Lady, should I prepare a room for your, um, two guests."
"Guests?" Azriel let her hand drop as she shared an amused look with Aela, "Does he mean us?" Aela shrugged at her, and they both looked at him questioningly.
He folded his hands together, looking down his nose at Azriel and Aela. "Forgive me. I am at a loss for how to address mortal servants that aren't thralled. It's never come up."
Behind Azriel and Aela the other vampires started backing away from them toward the other side of the hall. Azriel's hands ignited again. "Who are you calling a servant?" Aela's canines and claws extended as she growled threateningly.
"They are with me, Master Garan, and they aren't our servants." Serana fixed him with a cold stare. "Please, do not address them in a derogatory manner again. Or I'll be displeased."
Aela continued growling and Azriel jerked her flaming thumb in his direction. "Let me know when you're ready for me to incinerate him."
Valerica closed her eyes and started to rub her forehead. "That won't be necessary, Dragonborn."
Serana ran her fingers through Azriel's hair while watching him. "You won't need to." Garan shifted uncomfortably realizing what 'with me' meant.
"You're the Dragonborn?" The taller elven vampire said with a smile as he bowed to her. "You are so young, not that it really matters. Is it true you are the Arch-Mage of the College of Winterhold?"
Azriel looked at the taller of the two elves that spoke. She hadn't paid attention to them when they were at the portcullis earlier. He was taller than Aela but shorter than Azriel by at least three inches. His long blonde hair was tied back on top, and the rest of the layers hung over the shoulders of his open red and black robes, almost reaching his waist. She could tell he was very young, she guessed he was only around sixty years old at most; his gaunt face lacked any wrinkles or even smile lines which was the biggest hint at his age. The gold tones of his skin were muted with his vampirism, but he wasn't sickly pale.
She doubted anyone would see anything other than a young Altmer mage.
Azriel cleared her throat feeling Valerica's gaze on her again. "Yes, it's true. I did pass the title to Master Tofdir, he runs the college. He refuses to go by it though." She ignored Valerica, watching the taller vampire with interest, "To be honest, Arch Mage Savos should have given it to Idgrod."
"Why Idgrod?" Aela asked confused knowing Azriel was an exceptional mage.
"You really have no idea how good she is with magic. She's an incredible sorceress I wouldn't be alive if it wasn't for her. Did you notice how well she works with others? That's not just Battlemage training."
"I have tried to follow your exploits," the Altmer was desperate to talk with her more, talking faster in his excitement. "Is it true you discovered something in the North of Skyrim while at the college?"
Azriel shifted uncomfortably. "Look, you seem nice, but I don't know you…" Azriel started looking for a means to escape the conversation. She threw a desperate look at Aela and Serana.
He nodded nervously, "Forgive me, I speak out of turn. I am Joven. I was the youngest member of the Grand Council of the Synod, though it only lasted a year."
Valerica studied the young vampire. "What is the Synod?" Azriel caught Serana's interested look too.
"The Synod was established after the collapse of the Mage's Guild in the third era. It is the rival of the College of Whispers." His hands moved as he spoke in a way that reminded Azriel of a dancer. "We created the codex of Tamriel's languages and were the magical institution more engaged with the politics of the Empire. The same is not true of the College of Whispers."
"Wait." Azriel's curiosity was getting the better of her. "How did you end up in Skyrim?"
Joven wilted as she looked at him. "My mother was very ill after the battle of Red Ring. She was a Legate Battlemage. During the war her position was overrun and a Thalmor Spellblade poisoned her before she managed to kill him. Over the years, she had lasting effects that we could not treat. I tried, but I could not find a cure through the Synod. Because I was a chancellor, the College of Whispers would not help me. I came to Skyrim to visit the College of Winterhold. The alchemists I had written to had offered to help." He paused for a while, his demeanor becoming more withdrawn.
"Why do all vampires tell stories like this?" Azriel threw her hands up, "Well? What happened?" Valerica smirked at her impatience.
He gave her an apologetic look, "The caravan of merchants I traveled with was attacked by some of Lord Harkon's hunters. I was captured and brought to the castle after the fight. Given the choice of becoming food or a vampire, I made the obvious choice." His shoulders slumped in his sadness. "My mother died shortly after I was brought here." He sighed deeply, "I failed her."
"You didn't fail her," Movarth said quietly. "You were stripped of the ability to help her."
Joven only nodded, never looking up from his feet. "I know this, but I cannot help what I feel."
"Did I hear correctly when the ancient one called you Ahziial earlier?" The wood elf vampire asked nervously.
Azriel scrutinized him as he shifted nervously under her intense gaze. His light brown hair was short and windswept. The black tunic he wore was open and tucked into his black leather breeches. The black leather armor was short and without sleeves. His light brown skin was also pale, but like the Altmer, no one would guess the Bosmer was a vampire, even with his eyes. "Yes." She watched him shiver when she addressed him. "Who are you?"
He twitched as if struck when she spoke. "Ronthil, Dragonborn."
Azriel sighed. "Ok, look Ronthil, I prefer you call me Azriel. I don't use Ahziial here in Skyrim."
Garan looked at the shorter vampire. "Why do I know that name?"
The smaller vampire disappeared up the stairs and reappeared a few moments later with a book. "She's the last Grand Champion of the Arena." He smiled but didn't look at her.
"And that's why I don't use that name here in Skyrim." Azriel rubbed both hands over her face, suddenly feeling very tired. Her nap on the beach hadn't been long enough and it had been the first time she had slept in a few days.
Valerica took the book from the vampire and started reading it.
"I hate that book. It's terrible." Azriel looked at the Altmer realizing he was lost in his sadness. "What kind of magic?"
Joven looked up at her, "What do you mean?"
"What was it about magic that called to you?" Azriel ignited her left hand with fire, in her right hand turned white with the frozen mist that surrounded it. "I'm good with elemental magics like other dragons. At the college, I learned restoration and how to create bound weapons." Azriel cleared her throat, "After college, I learned daedric and chaos magic from…" Azriel watched the vampiric mages all scrutinize her and she decided to leave her explanation simple, "other places."
Valerica turned fully to face her, closing the book on her fingers. "Other places?"
Valerica was far too perceptive, like Aela, to let things go. Azriel bit both her lips, "Mmhmm." Azriel glanced at Aela and Serana realizing they were about to take the conversation in a direction she was too tired to go. "So, Joven?" She quickly added, trying to deflect them. Aela and Serana shared a look and the other vampires milled quietly listening to the conversation.
"Illusion," He answered with a small smile. "Conjuring and Necromancy are banned at the Synod, I focused on learning Alteration and Restoration, but it is Illusion that I excel at." He chanced a step forward, "Were you really only fifteen when you were given the position?"
Azriel noticed Valerica looking over the pages of the book at her. "Yeah, I was fifteen." She noticed Valerica scrutinizing her again. "As I said, Idgrod would have been a better candidate. But she absolutely refused when I tried to give it to her."
Garan pursed his lips. "Well, I find it difficult to believe that you were made an archmage. The college must be desperate if they are placing one so young in such an important position."
Valerica closed the book again, this time slowly, turning to look at him. "What do you mean?"
Her tone made Azriel chuckle. It struck her funny that Valerica was mad at someone else for a change. She laughed, "I'm not sure if I like this Dunmer or if I want to incinerate him. He's better at insulting me with just his tone than any Nord ever has with words."
Serana wasn't amused. The vampire kept insulting Azriel and Aela. After everything they had been through, their disregard was depressing. His continuous insults had her irritated. Serana caught Aela's hand and started walking toward the stairs leading to the library. "Show him, Azriel."
"Show him what?" Azriel looked at Serana confused. "How to die screaming in a blaze?"
"As amusing as that would be, no." Serana turned on the stairs. "Show him what you showed me in Whiterun. Then he can apologize to you." She looked pointedly at Garan. "Which you will do when she's done show you why she's the Arch Mage."
Slowly, a knowing smile crept across Azriel's face. "Alright."
Serana gave her mother a long glance and Valerica understood. She narrowed her eyes at Garan, "Yes, let us see your skills, Dragonborn. Just don't destroy the castle in the process."
"I would never dream of it, Valerica." Azriel walked to the center of the hall laughing. "You might want to move." She jerked her head toward where the others were standing. Movarth and the other vampires quickly moved to the balcony to watch. "It's about to get hot in here."
Azriel closed her eyes, in her mind, she painted the hall how it was. Deliberately she turned in a circle, using her heel and toes, filling her mind with the vision of the hall in its entirety and how she wished to create it.
On the floor, the broken stone, dirt, and bone piles began to rattle and lift into the air a couple of inches. The air grew colder and move as she began to whisper unhurriedly. When she turned toward the main doors, they blew open, causing the spectators to jump in surprise. The wind howled like a demon as it rushed in, carrying with it the smell of the salty winter sea. The sound filled the hall as it sped around all of them. It caught the bones and debris, spinning around the outside of the hall, just in front of the stairs.
In the ceiling, the glass began to clatter in its stone frames. The blocks around them moved, levitating forward, freeing the glass from them. The debris and dust rained down into the vortex.
Azriel kept turning as she whispered, the howling wind a monster of rock, bone, and webs. From the stairs, the vampires and Aela only felt the slightest cool breeze caress them.
The tables and chairs slid across the floor, slamming into the walls, causing the observers to jump at the sudden movement and noise. They lifted in the air with everything that had been set on them. Everything in the hall was caught in the hurricane surrounding Azriel. It made it impossible to see more than just a glimpse of her.
At the ceiling, the windows separated, levitating up to the highest point. They floated forward and sat suspended high above.
The air rushed in from the now vacant holes, making the yowling of the salty, wet, wind earsplitting. As Azriel's toes pushed against the ground, the fireplaces blasted outward with flame ejecting the wall blocks that had covered them. The stone collapsed inward on itself becoming particles of dust, joining the tornado. Flames blew upward in the fireplaces, igniting the tempest with a roar, causing some of the vampires to scream. The flames contorted, creating a single massive red flame dragon screaming as it raced around her. Azriel began to glow, white-hot at the center of the storm.
Valerica looked from Aela's shocked face to her smiling daughter's face as she licked her lips. All the light that existed in the castle faded outside of the fireplaces that belched flames, the dragon, and Azriel.
The howling dragon pulsed outward with another blech of the fireplaces, its heat rushing up the stairs. When it did, Natalie jumped back creating a ward, surrounding the vampires. But the heat never made it to them, it was reabsorbed into the inferno.
The red flaming dragon sailed around the room with its mouth open, destroying the bone piles, debris, and all the cobwebs. The tables and chairs glowed brightly but weren't damaged the heat and abrasives cleansed them.
Joven took a step forward. "There's no heat…" Joven stepped passed Nathalie's ward. "That's remarkable! How is she controlling the flames like this?" The smile he wore showed his appreciation of everything he saw.
Azriel's toes, pushed her around until she faced the stairs. Her eyes were still closed as she lifted a single hand in the air as she whispered fiercely. Azriel slashed as the dragon passed her and the vampires and Aela watched mesmerized as the dragon, split in two. The two dragons shrank in size with the calming wind. They played together around the room as dragonlings. The tables and chairs sank through their flight, landing on the floor. The silver plates and cups clamored to the tops of the tables.
The dragonlings pirouetted in the air as they climbed, when they reached the chandeliers, there were multiple gasps. Mage lights burst into existence. The small dragonlings circled the chandeliers as the lights flickered and grew. The multiple colors of the light diffused as the ice grew around them. The dragonlings rushed downward towards the vampires, and another elven vampire added his ward to Nathalie's.
The dragonlings turned sharply, sailing around the room, shrinking in size. They cruised past the vampires and Aela, the flames shifting between blue and red. Then they shot upward.
The vampires gasped watching the dragonlings fly past glowing white sparrows. Together the crystalline ice birds and the flaming dragonlings played in the air.
Joven walked down the steps, drawn to Azriel. Behind him, he heard Nathalie drop the ward with a breath. He was mesmerized and desperate to join Azriel. He wanted to experience her magic as his own.
Valerica took a step forward watching as the sparrows grew, becoming large white hawks. Valerica looked at the Dragonborn in the center of the room, the glow around her had faded with the fire. She studied her in detail as she stood stock still, with one hand in the air. The only part of her that moved was her mouth as she whispered. Everything in the hall had been cleansed by Azriel's fire. The ancient carpets and tapestries had been burned away. She looked back at her daughter and Aela studying their faces for a moment. The dragonlings raced down, crashing into the fireplaces, pulling Valerica's attention back to the hall. The force sprayed sparks across the room.
Now the only light in the room was created by the hawks. They soared silently through the air, dropping lower in altitude, leaving a snowy trail in their wake. Azriel let her hand drop, then threw the other into the air, emitting hundreds of tiny multicolored lights from it. They drifted upwards and outwards filling the room, their shifting light like the twinkle of the stars.
The vampires' hushed whispers turned sounds of awe.
Aela pulled Serana's arms around herself as she stared in admiration. Serana hugged her, feeling Aela's hands on her forearms. She kissed her ear and let her fingers stroke Aela's upper arms. Her excited heartbeat thumped in Serana's ears and Serana ran her tongue over her teeth in her hunger. Serana brushed the hair from Aela's neck and kissed her gently.
More mage lights popped into being in the chandeliers and wall sconces as the hawks sailed the room. When they did, the mage lights began to flicker in the chandeliers once more. All the vampires looked up to watch the lights evolve. They grew brighter, around them petals of ice formed, growing outward and encompassing the lights spectacularly, each becoming a lotus flower.
Over her head, a large cloud appeared, and Azriel held out both of her arms, she tipped her head back whispering to the ceiling above her. The rain started pouring from it. The pool created swirled lazily as the hawks soared the breeze in the starry room. Azriel clapped her hands and the water rose as a small waterspout. As she whispered to it, the fountain froze. She snapped her fingers and blue light kindled to life within it.
From within the fireplaces, the fires grew. A fire salamander ran up the wall, stopping only long enough to look at the spectators. It spat sparks at them causing Joven and others to laugh at the ferocious little beast. It ran, diving into the cracks of the mortar. As quickly as it disappeared, dozens more ran from the fireplaces in all directions. The salamanders glowed red hot, ducking in and out of the mortar, chasing bugs and rats, incinerating them with their touch.
At the center of the room, the small tree matured in the rain. The water around the sapling pooled and moved in reverse up the outside of the tree, helping it grow.
The fireplaces puffed out a huge wave of sparks. The flames jumped, they took the shape of birds with long necks and tails. Flaming bears, elk, and wolves raced across the floor from one fireplace to another. The oak tree's barren branches reached for the ceiling and started expanding outward.
"She showed you this?" Aela leaned back into Serana's arms, whispering to her.
Serana put her mouth next to her ear, enjoying the heat of her body. She wove their fingers together, "She did." Serana kissed her gently on the neck once more. "I'm a mage, remember?" Aela shivered watching the wolves play as they ran.
"It's unbelievable," Aela whispered, Serana's touch made speaking difficult. "I didn't know she could do this."
Azriel opened her glowing eyes and held out her hand to Joven, "Show me your magic." Her chest heaved with the effort of controlling the magic around her.
Serana saw her mother walking to the balcony transfixed on Azriel.
His smile grew as he walked toward her down the stairs. He stopped when he reached the end of the table. Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath and held it. Around them the flaming birds soared, diving into the fireplaces.
Joven started to move as if he was dancing slowly with the breeze. Each time his hand went into the air, colorful butterflies left his hands rapidly filling the room. Every butterfly was a single solid color of either red, green, yellow, or blue.
After the fourth time, he spun quickly, and multiple ribbons flew from his body into the swirling breeze that wrapped around the hall. Moving like snakes, they flew to the oak tree, wrapping it in bold colors. The colors glowed brightly as the ribbons became one with the ice. Joven cut his hand through the air at them, and the colors transferred to the glowing oak. The multicolored tree glowed brightly in reds, blues, and greens casting its light on everyone. In his slow waltz toward Azriel, he cast his hands into the air, and the sounds of the magical forest filled the room. The walls flickered and faded, becoming a forest of white oaks like the large one in the center of the room. The floor became a pond, with white lotus flowers.
The smells in the room changed as his dance became faster, the breeze that Azriel kept in motion, now carried the smell of the forest, the pond, and the lotuses to all the vampires and Aela. The vampires gasped in awe as the entire room changed. Valerica stood mesmerized taking in every detail.
The entry wall faded, and the forest gave way to the sea with a distant beach. The sound of a ship's bell tolled as a merchant's vessel sailed lazily by. The ocean waves rolled to the distant shore, the sounds mixed in the breeze, carrying the salty scent.
Joven reached Azriel and the two mages stood together, smiling at each other.
"The lotus reminds me of my life in Cyrodiil at the Synod. They were everywhere around the college. I remember praying at a shrine of Akatosh when I received a letter from the College of Winterhold that they would help me. To me, the lotus flower is a symbol of hope… sounds silly, doesn't it?"
Azriel shook her head no, "It's not silly, Joven, not to me." She took his hand as they look at each other, "What can we create together?"
He smiled fully at her, "Let's find out."
They both closed their eyes and began to whisper softly to each other. The tiny stars faded from existence as the vampires crept to the railing. Serana took Aela up to the higher balcony that overlook the room from the right of the fireplace. She wrapped her arms around Aela from behind once more, letting the shorter Nord lean into her. "I knew she was an amazing mage, but this is unreal," Aela whispered to her.
"This is what magic is," Serana whispered back, pulling Aela closer and entwining their hands. She kissed Aela's ear; it was painful to be close to her. "Imagine if more mages used it like they are. Then again other mages aren't this powerful." Serana licked her lips, brushing Aela's hair from her neck, "She uses her emotions to fuel her magic, I figured that out in the Soul Cairn. I can feel her pulling from us and our emotions as well. Can't you?"
Aela closed her eyes, ignoring the light changes. She focused on what they each were feeling. "I feel a strong pull, it's... sensual. I can also feel this electrical tingling on my skin." She smiled in the changing light. "I can feel your attraction to her. The desire you have... for her."
Serana kissed her ear causing her to shiver, "You both are powerful in different ways. I'm drawn to both of you because of it. It's seductive and I'm consumed by the feelings I have."
Aela, reached back, touching Serana's cheek over her shoulder, turning her to look at her. "Is this… difficult?"
The silver of her eyes peered into Serana, peeling away her defenses. "A little."
Aela turned slightly in her arms, pulling Serana to her lips, and kissed her. The heat of Aela's body and the scent of her arousal was overwhelming. Serana lifted her, taking them further into the shadows. Aela knotted her fingers in Serana's hair, as she dragged her tongue across Serana's sharp teeth. Serana's eyes flew open with the taste of her blood and Aela pushed her against the pillar. Feverishly kissing her in the darkness; holding her so she couldn't escape. Serana tried anxiously not to bite off her tongue in her hunger.
Joven and Azriel began turning slowly in opposite directions, still whispering to each other. The fireplaces belched out more flames. They twisted and separated in the air, becoming butterflies. The butterflies fluttered in the breeze, carried to the tree, changing form once they landed on large leaves.
Over the next few minutes, the oak tree's trunk had thickened fully, and the rain cloud disappeared. The great white oak, with the splendor of its own light and flaming leaves, drew the breath from the spectators as the tree swayed in the wind. All the flaming animals dove back into the fireplaces spraying more sparks into the air.
The brilliant flash of light pulled Aela and Serana from their kiss. They looked at the room and then at each other. "And now?" Aela panted.
"Now," Serana closed her eyes, trying to think. "I want other things."
Ribbons flew up in the air as flaming swallows burst from the fireplaces, racing upward to catch them. The ribbons caught fire and the color transferred to the birds. The vampires gasped again as they changed to the colors of the rainbow in flight.
Aela watched the birds fly at eye level. "As do I, but it has to wait."
Above them, the petals on the chandelier caught in the breeze, floating around the room. The mage lights that remained behind grew appendages and transformed into spiders that danced in place. The spiders started to weave, creating multicolored webs. The air filled with music that floated like flower petals. The breeze became scented with rose and lotus flowers, while the air itself warmed.
"Hopefully, not for too long," Serana pulled Aela close, holding her from behind as Azriel and Joven separated.
Their slow dance took them toward the opposite sides of the room. As they worked their way methodically across the room, the room had metamorphosed into a place from a storybook. The ceiling and walls shimmered as magical animals pranced in the hall.
The ceiling melted away revealing the starry twilight sky. The hawks collided, creating a single albatross circling the sky. The walls of the castle disappeared, leaving the spectators in a great terraced forest. They were surrounded by great white oaks with black leaves that sparkled like the starry night sky. The forest floor became white grasses with brightly colored flowers that reached upward, moving in the zephyr.
The room rapidly filled with Azriel's mythical flaming creatures, springing from one fireplace, and crashing into the other. Joven countered her folklore animals with vibrantly colored living creatures that ran through the forest. Birds of continuously changing color circled high up in the air. Flaming serpents chased colored salamanders and other animals through the magical field.
Azriel and Joven looked around admiring their creation. "I like you," Azriel said with a smirk. Joven laughed, "I like you too."
The vampires' murmurs as they took in the stunning scene were hushed with their wonder.
From the stairs, Azriel heard someone clear their throat. "I apologize for insulting you, Arch Mage." Garan's stunned voice floated to her over the buzz and music.
Azriel chuckled, wiping her sweaty hair from her face, she looked up to where Serana and Aela stood in the shadows watching her. The silver-blue of the werewolf's eyes reflected the light of the room. From behind her, the searing sunset ochre eyes glowed. Azriel could barely see their faces where they stood, but their feelings gave way to their gnawing hunger for each other and her.
Azriel closed her eyes. Around the room, the mage lights were extinguished and replaced by soft glowing candlelight from a small flame. The windows in at ceiling floated back into place and closed. She rubbed her ears again. "Joven, how are you making that sound?"
He looked at her queerly for a moment. "I thought that was you." The tree sublimated and the flaming animals dove into the fireplaces. The roaring flames dwindled to cheerful fires. The music and breeze faded. The lotus petals dissolved out of existence as the illusions disappeared. The buzzing remained. "Do you know what it is?" Azriel rubbed her ears trying to focus on it.
"I don't know. It sounds like…" He searched the room from where he stood. "What do you hear?"
Azriel turned facing the largest wall in the room. "I can't tell."
He turned to see Valerica walk to where they were. The look on her face made him take a step back. "My lady, I…"
"It was you that taught Harkon's mages illusion magic, wasn't it?" Valerica's normally haughty voice was almost affectionate.
"Yes, my Lady." He looked at his feet. "I did."
"Normally illusion magic is easier to detect. You conducted your lessons well." She looked around the now barren room to where the other vampires stood. Valerica slipped her fingers under his chin, forcing him to look at her. "You've impressed me. That's difficult to do." She gave him a rare smile and he returned it graciously.
"Thank you, my Lady."
"If you chose to remain here, I would like you to spend your time with your research and teaching the others." She motioned to the vampires on the balcony. "The mages in our company are all quite capable in a fight, but I want you to teach them and learn from them in turn."
Nathalie almost jumped for joy. "Really?" She clasped her hands over her mouth and mumbled an apology through them.
"Indeed." Valerica regarded all of them for a moment before continuing. "I do not suffer from Harkon's shortsightedness. Your talents add to our capabilities as a coven enriching the whole of our company. I should hope you each remember that as we move forward from here."
Serana stood holding Aela, stunned. "That's… a first," She whispered into Aela's ear.
"Everyone grows." Aela turned her face slightly to Serana's cheek. "I think she's finally learned that others are important as a collective. Not just to be used for an end and discarded."
Garan walked down the steps to where Valerica, Joven, and Azriel stood.
Azriel leaned against the table, her stomach rumbled. She didn't expect any acknowledgment from Valerica. "You and the others are thirsty. We should probably go clear out that Thalmor hold."
"How do you know when I am thirsty?" Valerica narrowed her eyes at her.
Azriel chuckled, "For the same reason I know the rest are as well. I can feel it and your eyes change."
"You're empathic?" Valerica's question was sincere with genuine curiosity.
"Serana says that I am," Azriel shrugged at her. "So, yes."
Valerica studied her for a moment, "You take her word at face value?"
"Always," Azriel didn't blink or move when she answered.
"My Lady, if I may," Garan interrupted before Valerica could say anything else. "We ran out of supplies two days ago for the sacrifices. Might I suggest starting with them?"
Azriel traded looks with Movarth and Valerica. "What sacrifices?"