Soul of a Dragon

by InMyMindsEyes

Serlina is thrown into an adventure in a world unknown to her. When everything she has ever known turned upside down, she must endure pain, loss, lust, power, magic, revenge and destiny. When she encounters a ranger who sparks her interest, making passions unknown rise, her life will never be the same. Some better. Some worse. Some language and smut in later chapters.

29. The Morning After

Leaving that secluded spot in the forest was one of the hardest things he would admit ever having to do. Not that he would have. But he managed to do it, much to Serlina's insistence. Back in Riverwood, Bishop took up his usual position as he leaned against the wall in Delphine's secret room with his arms crossed over his chest and tried to half listen to what the irritable crone was going on about with the old man, who had arrived but a few hours before them. It was certainly an effort when his eyes kept going back to Serlina who was slightly leaning over the table at the center of the room, arms braced over a ma and a book.

Her attention was on the other two, listening more intently than he certainly was, her face calm and neutral, eyes cautiously attentive. She had looked so much more relaxed when she was asleep, as though the weight of the world that she starting to carry on her shoulders had been temporarily lifted, cutting her some slack. He had certainly enjoyed himself putting her in that state.

He sighed and crossed his ankles as Karnwyr sniffed around at the bottom shelf that held contents for alchemy, no doubt looking for something edible. When he found no such thing, he padded over, rubbing against Serlina's legs before coming to a rest by his. He was honestly surprised when Karnwyr didn't go upstairs to bother the other barkeep for food. No doubt the game he caught for his breakfast was still tiding him over.

He absently ran a hand over the brow of his wolf who had nudged his leg before he sat his hind quarters down with a slight huff.

Gods, he thought as he watched her ask questions, pointing to the map as she chewed on her bottom lip in thought as Esbern and Delphine rattled on and on; it felt like it was only yesterday when she had pinned Delphine to the very table she currently leaned on, looking ready to draw blood. But months had passed between then and now... Then she had been fighting the attraction between them and yet now, now she seemed like she could almost sense his eyes on her and with a glance over her shoulder she looked back to him with inquiring eyes.

He merely had to look from her, to the table, back to her and lift a brow. He watched her eyes flick down and after a second of thought, the corners of her lips tilted upwards, in a playful smirk before slightly shaking her head before Delphine caught her attention again. She casted him a smile, straightened and focused back on the others in the room with a slight shake of her head.

That smile though…

He wanted to walk over to her, take her face in his hands and just…. Hold her… Watch those eyes change colour while she looked at him, take in her scent and nuzzle the spot just below her ear and whisper his desires against the skin there and feel her tremble against him again.

He inwardly sighed.

He should've found himself disgusted at mentally sounding like a complete sap, but he would be lying to anyone and mostly himself if he said that just holding her in his hands didn't bring him a deep sense of contentment.

Although different from last night...

Fuck… last night…

Closing his eyes, he tilted his head back until it rested against the wooden beam behind him.

It had slightly… baffled him, in all honesty.

When he thought of virgins, he thought of women who blushed, hid their faces and their bodies behind their hands, mumbled and stuttered with nerves about what they wanted, hiding their voices when pleasured as if someone was listening just beyond a door... they would be meek and shy, hands barely exploring their partner.

He nearly smiled to himself. Not Serlina.

He knew down to the marrow of his bones that he'd never forget the night she'd given herself to him. Her inexperience with having bed partners hadn't been a thought when the sound of her moans egged him on, her hands trembled from the pitch of her arousal as she pulled him closer and pulled at his clothes. Her little breathless whimpers as she begged him to go harder, the sight of her glistening with need – for him. He'd never forget how she felt in his arms, naked and without restraint.

And even between rounds, the way she tentatively touched him, her fingertips trailing over his features, his collarbone, the faint scars; it wasn't like that of shy virgin. No, it was someone who was looking upon their lover and she was memorizing every part of him. It had shaken him, if he was to admit such a thing, how tenderly she had been looking at him, touching him.

And when he stilled her hands when they had ventured on him enough for his liking; those dark eyes of hers lifted meeting his, he couldn't resist lowering his head to kiss her, soft and slow. He'd felt her sigh, felt her lips tilt upwards into the sweetest smile he'd ever tasted.

Gods…

Looking back to her as she spoke softly, her hands gesturing between places on the map, her head nodding as Esbern spoke, he felt his chest expand. There was no going back now; the line had been crossed, and now that he had have had a taste of her, there was no way he was letting her go.

He couldn't let her go, certainly not after last night. Lifting his head again, he watched her stand straight and shift her weight from one foot to another in thought.

Mine.

The feeling that single word gave him was so palpable it nearly had him shake.

His head thumped against the wood behind him once more, his mind drifting again.

Despite the lack of sleep he had, he couldn't shake the feeling that had settled in him. He always felt mildly content after sex, decently invigorated sure, but this...

Never like this.

Lack of sleep be damned, strength almost seemed to radiate from him, fill him, pulsed and sizzled when he looked to her.

Fucking hell…. Jules. Is this how you felt, he wondered to himself before casting the thought away.

His hands clenched tightly to keep himself from reaching out and bringing her back to his side, to kiss her while walking her back until he could lift her to the table and have his way with her like he wanted to when he had kissed her down here months ago. Though, now that he knew what it was like with her, it wouldn't end there.

His head tilted slightly; eyes sharply analyzing the furniture. Despite their age, it was decent craftsmanship.

The table would be a casualty.

Shame.

He'd start by turning her around to face him before kissing her until those hazel eyes changed colour to their warm brown, then he'd gently nibble along her neck as he leaned her down, cradling her with his arms, one around her waist and the other would be around her shoulders, hand in her hair. When she would grow frustrated with his patience at drawing out her pleasure, she would try to move things along, running her hands all over him, trying to loosen his clothing, her hands disappearing until they came into contact with his heated skin. Without a doubt she would try to accelerate his pace to get him out of his armour as he would no doubt do the same.

When he had her underneath him, he would time his shallow thrusts with her body as it bowed up and responded to his. When her hands would begin to make him lose his hold on his need, he would have to tear himself off her before pulling her up with him. He'd kiss her briefly before turning her around before pressing himself against her, crowding her between him and the table, her back to his front. He'd bite the soft slope of her shoulder before guiding her down until she was panting for him with her fingers digging into the wood.

Head tilting to the side again, he gauged that it would be just high enough. He'd kiss along the back of her neck till she trembled. When she was naked, his run his tongue down her spine, stopping to give open mouth kisses to the faint scars that resided there. During their third round, he'd taken her from behind and found that she hadn't been lying when she had told him her back was sensitive.

Gods, the way her body had bowed, had shivered, and clenched around him.

Fuck, he closed his eyes and tilted his head back until it gently thumped against the wall behind him. The way her arms had shaken before she had to lower herself to her elbows before they gave out. How she mewled when he followed her down with a guttural groan, his thrusts deepening from the angle.

On the table though, he'd tell her to hold tight onto the edge, to not let go while he prepared her. Only when her nails would be dragging across the wood would he finally lean in, covering her back with his body and after aligning himself, he'd sink so slowly until all she could coherently manage to say was-

"Bishop?" Her voice broke him out of the mental scenario and when his eyes opened to look at her, he took note that all eyes were on him, but when he focused solely on her, he caught the way her eyes for a second held the remnants of confusion before they widened slightly, lips parted on a soft inhale, no doubt seeing the hunger in his own as they looked back at her...

"Ranger, have you heard anything we were discussing or were you asleep standing up?" Delphine tossed out, earning a bored stare from him.

"I was thinking about something far more enjoyable than the sound of you speaking, woman." He waved his hand in a shooing motion. "Leave me be."

"We were talking about Karthspire." Serlina turned to fully face him after subtly clearing her throat... "I asked if you knew about it but you were... lost in thought." The smile she sent his way had a warmth spreading through his chest. "If you wouldn't mind joining this conversation for a moment, that would be helpful." She gestured to the map. "You do know Skyrim and its… secret alcoves more than I do, after all."

"We did find one yesterday that I was just thinking about; about how much we enjoyed ourselves and perhaps going back to as often as possible." He stated and enjoyed the way her breathing changed just ever so slightly.

"I think I would enjoy that as well." She looked to the map for a second, her fingers trailing over the lines before looking back to him. "No harm in being thorough."

To Esbern and Delphine she no doubt sounded like she was teasing him playfully, but the look in her eye nearly solidified the decision to take her to the table and tell them to get the fuck out until they were done. But the way Delphine was looking at Esbern, with irritated urgency and Serlina who looked to him for assistance rather than an orgasm had him sighing and lifting up off the wall.

"I know its in the Reach." Delphine admitted looking over the map as he stepped over Karnwyr who'd laid down to stand next to Serlina. Her secret alcoves comment still had his blood humming while Delphine and Esbern were too preoccupied with the map to see the brief flicker of heat in her eyes.

He lifted a brow and couldn't help the smirk that tilted up his lips at the mischievous wink she sent his way. He shook his head with a silent laugh and had to seriously repress the urge to shove the contents of the table to the ground and lift her atop it... Delphine pointed at the map as she silently scanned as a part of his chest felt like it was expanding. When they looked back up to them, it was gone.

Another first, he thought to himself as Karnwyr huffed as he slid in behind his heels. It was strange to admit, but he had never shared what some would call a 'look between lovers'.

Lust and attraction, sure.

But that had looked different. Felt different.

It felt… pretty damn good.

"I can't seem to find it. My eyes aren't as good on these types of maps." Esbern admitted, his brow furrowed looking over the papers.

He hummed low in his throat and leaned over, bracing himself on his knuckles as his amber eyes slide from one side to the next as he looked over the map. Lifting a hand, he pointed to a section. "It's here, near the Karth River canyon." He glanced over the map before pointing to the painted body of water before he moved his eyes to Esbern since looking to Delphine practically raked his skin.

"Indeed." Delphine stated looking from the map to Serlina again. Turning his head slightly, he looked her over. Her eyes still looked over the map and with her fingertip tapping on the table, she sighed.

"What's the best way to get there?" Serlina asked genuinely, turning to look from him to the others before coming to a stop on him again. Thinking about it, he shrugged and started to speak before Delphine beat him to it.

"From Riverwood?" Delphine echoed looking from her and then back to the map. "The road south through Falkreath is the most direct route." As she spoke, she pointed out the path for Serlina to look over. "Or you could catch the carriage from Whiterun to Markarth and then approach from the west." He gestured to all the points before looking back to her. Again, her eyes remained on the map. Looking back to it himself, he noted the location and how close the Reach's border.

"Either way you go, your bound to run into some types of scum. The Reach is wild country these days." He pushed off the table his tone both informative and cautious. "The Forsworn are everywhere."

"Forsworn?" Serlina echoed, her brows furrowing slightly before she looked up to him.

"I'll explain later." He murmured leaning in slightly before straightening again.

"Not only that, but I've heard word that Falkreath also has a few lowlifes hanging around." Delphine added. "Not Forsworn per say, but bandits."

Thorn.

His hand clenched tight but the knowledge that that fucker was dead eased the tension inside him that always seemed to rise high when he thought about him.

"Bishop and I already took care of them." Serlina informed her without taking her eyes off the map, her gaze seeming to be fixed on Falkreath.

That had Delphine standing up a little straighter. "You did?" Delphine inquired with a raised eyebrow. "When?"

"While you were walking back from getting me a party favour." Serlina quipped earning a small smirk from him. Delphine looked at her skeptically but all she got in return was a shrug from Serlina. "What? You took a while and I got a letter from one of the Jarls. We decided to check it out." She gestured to him and lifted from the table. "Now, I don't know about you guys but I for one have already seen enough of Falkreath recently, so we can make way towards- Markarth, did you say?" Delphine nodded. "Meanwhile that'll give you two time to catch up without us being unwanted wheels in your party." Serlina's eyes took on a teasing glint as she looked to Delphine. "If you think you can handle it, that is."

Delphine blew out a short puff of air. "Don't worry, I'll get Esbern there in one piece."

"Speak for yourself." Esbern returned, chortling.

"Shouldn't be too hard since we already cleared most of the trouble out for you." He tossed between them and earned himself a heated glare from Delphine and another short chortle from Esbern.

"I know I for one would appreciate a more comfortable pace." Esbern stated as he gathered the books he left on the table before looking back up to Delphine. "It would be good to... as you would say, catch up." He watched Serlina turn her focus from Delphine to Esbern and a softness came into her expression, one that bordered on sadness. When Esbern turned to look back at her, it was gone, replaced by her usual calm neutrality.

"Then it's decided. Esbern and I will take the route through Falkreath while you two head to Markarth and meet up with us near Karthspire." Delphine stated as she too began to gather things from around the room, sheathing her sword on her hip, gathering a few small potion bottles before waiting by the door for Esbern to join her.

"We'll see you there." Serlina said with a slight tilt of her head as Esbern joined Delphine's side. He watched as she looked between the two of them and between the two of them, her eyes seemed to linger over Esbern.

"Good luck." Esbern said to them both before following up the stairs behind Delphine. Serlina followed them before coming to a standstill at the base of the stairs, looking up as they ascended. Reaching her side, he had to take moments pause to try and decipher the look she had resting on her face.

"What's going on in that pretty head of yours, ladyship?" He asked gently.

"Nothing much. Just…" Her hand lifted to scratch her temple before dropping it to rest on the handle of her sword. "I feel a sense of foreboding and I am just trying to figure out how to deal with it." Her words were softly spoken yet there was no mistaking the honesty they carried. "Though I do appreciate the distraction earlier." The way she looked over her shoulder at him made his brow lift.

"I didn't distract you."

"Oh no?" Her mouth moved into a teasing smirk. "So, you didn't look at me like you wanted to have your wicked way with me in here just a few moments ago?"

"You got distracted with just a look?" He mused, taking a step towards her. "I could've done much worse. I still can, so don't tempt me if you want to get a move on."

"I'll do my best not to. And your expression gave me an inkling of what you would like to do. And that lead me to struggle not to have any ideas of my own when in a room with other people who are talking about dragons."

He stepped up close, nearly chest to chest. "What ideas did you have in mind?" He inquired, his voice lowering.

The resulting flirtatious smile had him leaning close. "None that I would be comfortable doing with an audience."

He couldn't help the slow inhale that gave him time to gather his thoughts. "I agree. What I was imagining didn't include them." He jerked his head towards the upper floor. "Though it did include that table." Her jerked his head towards it but didn't take his eyes off hers. She didn't even spare it a glance, but her eyes did flicker down to his mouth, her tongue running over her bottom lip before catching it between her teeth.

"I can admit that… you and I have unfinished business with the table..." Slowly she pulled her eyes off of his as the beginning of a smile began to curve her lips. "Shame that we don't have enough time to finish it as thoroughly as no doubt both of us would plan."

"One day, ladyship." He leaned in, his lips a whisper away from her ear. "I will fuck you against a table like I wanted to do months ago and won't stop until there are divots in the wood from your fingers and mine." He couldn't help the pleased grin that lifted his lips at her soft moan. Leaning down, his lips found a section of her neck and gave it a quick kiss before lifting away from her, pleased when he noticed the spreading of dark brown in those eyes of hers and the heat that was there.

"Ill add it to my list." She managed to whisper; her voice almost as seductive as it was the night before. It had his chuckling low in his throat.

"Id like to see that in your journal. 'Get fucked by Bishop via table.'" He laughed when she slapped his arm before stepping back from him and started up the stairs, only leaning off to the side for Karnwyr to race past her and out of sight.

"I would have put it under 'Come rigorously from Bishop's pleasurable onslaught'."

He couldn't help but lean his head back as a laugh left him. "Doesn't that mean the same thing?"

Her amused laugh had him smiling as they reached the top of the stairs and turning to leave the room. "Perhaps." She said softly as she looked about the tavern. His eyes followed suit and scanned, and not far from them was Esbern who was standing at the bar, a wrapped parcel in his hands, no doubt food from the looks of it for their travels.

Delphine was standing behind the bar talking to Orgnar who just had a blank look on his face.

"I mean it, Orgnar the inn is yours. I'm probably never coming back here." She admitted softly glancing around before looking back to him. Orgnar seemed to only be able to stared back at her before he placed the burlap sack that he was holding on the ground.

"Well, now." Orgnar sounded stunned as he lifted a hand to scratch along his cheek. "That's something to think about."

Delphine raised her hand and placed it on his shoulder, fingers squeezing slightly. "No need to think about it. Its done." There was a moment between them where he could have sworn Orgnar was going to pull her in for an affection of some type, but made no move. "Anyway… Take care of yourself, Orgnar." Delphine nodded tightly and dropped her hand. "Goodbye."

Orgnar looked on as she walked out with Esbern. "Yeah...sure. You, too, Delphine." In all the time he had been in Riverwood, he had never seen Orgnar looking so… Despondent before. And as the door closed behind them, He watched Orgnar expel a long breath. "Be safe."

Serlina looked over her shoulder to him with a sympathetic look on her face and with a silent tilt of her head, lead the way out of the inn. To their credit, Delphine and Esbern were nowhere to be seen when they met the cool air of the afternoon. The clouds rolling on from the west looked like the chance of rain could be a possibility in the later hours. They walked on as Karnwyr raced around them, nose occasionally finding new scents to trail before returning to their sides. They had Whiterun in their sights when Serlina took on a puzzled look on her face once again.

"You look like you're trying to see something off in the far distance when there isn't anything there." He joked and got those eyes on him. The hazel was back, the green spreading.

"I've just been thinking. Delphine just verbally handed the inn solely over to the guy at the bar."

"Orgnar." He supplied. "Yeah, so?"

"I'm just thinking... is that how it works?" She asked aloud? "I mean, when I was made Thane of Whiterun, I was given a deed to my house."

"Well, yeah. Didn't you pay for it?"

She nodded. "I did."

He shrugged. "Well, that's just to prove that its yours after purchased the property. Orgnar and her probably had a 50/50 deal about it since she said it was her 'cover' anyway. And if so, then she could very well have just gifted her portion of the inn to him and no title would have been necessary since it would already be in his name anyway."

"You sound like you have experience in things like this." It must've been an offhanded comment, but she didn't know how true her words were.

"It's a thing here in Skyrim." Was all he offered her in explanation and kept walking on.

He found that he could only offer a shrug when she looked at him slightly puzzled look and sent a silent thanks when she ended up opening her journal to write in a few notes. They decided to stop off in Whiterun to pick up a few things for their trip and when offered, he shook his head on walking into Breezehome and decided to get a few things from the market instead. While Serlina was no doubt catching up with Lydia, he managed to get enough food and drink for their trip, even filling their waterskins. When he finished up by getting some leather strips for his arrows from the blacksmith, he started back to the house and walked in and for a moment found himself having a hard time swallowing.

As Karnwyr moved between his legs to lazily explore, he took in the sight of Serlina was writing a letter, by the looks of it and sipping on a steaming cup of tea at the dining room table. The sound of the door closing behind him had her hand stilling from writing and turned her attention to him. Her thoughtful expression shifted to warmth and a soft smile curved her mouth.

"Hey ranger." She called to him before taking one longer drink from the cup before setting it down again. "Almost done here, so Ill be ready to head out in just a few minutes."

It was so.. domestic of her.

He'd seen her in this house before but he had never been mentally assaulted with the idea of her being in a home. Her home. And greeting a man with a sort of familiarity one should save for.. a husband. He gave a tight nod to Lydia who was sharpening the Axe of Whiterun closest to the weapons rack who returned it with a polite smile. She lacked her stiffness from before. Now Lydia looked more relaxed, at ease. She spoke of helping a few people from the village as Serlina wrote with small flourishes that he could see from across the room. Needing to keep his slightly shaken hands busy, he pulled a loaf of bread off the small table to his left and broke off pieces to feed to Karnwyr.

He'd meant every word he had said while they had been together last night.. That she was his. And yet, as he looked at her as she watched Lydia now and again as she finished her letter and started to fold it to seal, he felt a pit form in his stomach. A woman like her shouldn't be with a man like him if she was wanting that kind of life. Because that wasn't him. She should marry someone... that isn't him. Someone who didn't abhor the idea of marriage.

Someone who could give her a home that made her relax enough to wear something other than her armour. Or nothing at all. Because what fucking man would have that woman as his woman- shit, his wife, and not treasure her or protect her, dragonborn or not? What man wouldn't be out of his mind to be on her any and every chance he could if he wasn't dumb as fuck?

CRUNCH

Two sets of eyes slide over to me and its not until Lydia lifts a brow in confusion when he realized that the last half of the loaf he had in his hand is crushed between his fingers.

With a half-hearted apologetic shrug, he dropped it to the floor and let Karnwyr inhale it, teeth gnashing as he chews while he repressed the thought of someone else making Serlina's body move the way it did under his last night. Lydia watched him warily before going on to talk while Serlina's fingers tapped on the table in thought before she slid another sheet of paper over before dipping the quill once again before starting another letter. He was able to bind 3 arrows with the leather strips he'd bought as Lydia explained that she had won a good deal of money from a brawl she had participated in with a woman named Uthgerd the Unbroken. That had him lifting his eyes to Lydia.

"What started the fight?" He found himself asking and decided not to acknowledge both Serlina or Lydia's surprised expression at his inquiry. Serlina, like him, waited for Lydia to come to terms with his inquiry before responding.

"I didn't care for her tone and attitude to the people around her." Lydia shrugged and stood up, heading to the weapon mount closest to the wall. Even from where he sat he could see the shine from the new edge. He found himself nodding and bound another arrow.

"I've shot some for less." He returned, his tone of agreement and that earned him a soft chuckle from Lydia as she moved back to the cooking pit and stirred something inside the pot before adding a few dried leaves that hung overhead.

"I'm honestly not surprised." Serlina returned on an amused sigh before folding her second letter before sealing it. She stood and handed both to Lydia to pass along, one to Jarl Balgruuf and another to her uncle in Morrowind. Lydia stated that she would deliver it personally to the Jarl since she had business there anyway, while the other she would give to an outgoing courier as soon as possible. Serlina and her shook hands before they headed back out.

They had reached the outside of the town and had handed a carriage some money for their trip when he caught the look on her face, like she privately was amused by something.

"What are you looking so pleased about?" He asked leaning in as Karnwyr took off with a bark to sniff ahead of them as they clamored on. He noticed how she watched Karnwyr race around, her eyes warm and bright as she settled on the wooden seat.

"Well, I have never written back to my aunt with the opening line being 'you were right.' And I can't help but imagine the joy she will feel at that before she feels a little perturbed by the request I asked of her."

"That's a lot, so I am going to start off by asking what exactly was she right about?" He asked and when she didn't answer right away, he took his eyes off the horizon that had been keeping an eye out for giants that seemed to like to stomp around the area and look back to her. He angled his body more to look at her as they jostled with the ride and notice that her neck was a little pink. "Ladyship, what was she right about?"

She blew out a short breath and kicked at an idle stone on the road. "She was right about.. You and me."

He honestly could help it. A sound that was a mix of a shocked laugh and stunned scoff escaped him. "You told your family about me?"

"I… Gods." She kissed her teeth and ran a hand down her neck. "I mentioned that I found a tracker," she gestured to him with her hand, "in one of my letters and may have mentioned a few things about you."

His eyes narrowed suspiciously. "Like what?"

She blew out a quick exasperated breath. "Like how you were an ass and irked me to no end but it never led me to separating from you. Or wanting to, for some reason."

"And you just.. tell them these things?" He asked and got a small chuckle from her.

"Honestly, I find it hard to not be completely honest with that woman so I admitted a few other things to her about you and I and…"

"Admitted?" He echoed, a chill running up his spine.

"Yeah. Like how you made me feel and how I couldn't stand you and couldn't place why.." Even reminiscing about it seemed to put a certain emotion in her eyes that he couldn't quite pinpoint. Perhaps for them back then, it had been the same. "I'd never had a companion that effected me on so many levels that I couldn't necessarily think straight and she returned it by saying that there was attraction and admiration mixed in that." She blew out a breath. "Baffled I told her that perhaps she misinterpreted my words since you yourself stated that you weren't interested in me like that." He looked away, grimacing slightly. It was true that he had said those things, and it seemed to keep coming back to kick him in the ass several times. "And even if I was attracted to you, it wouldn't have been able to go anywhere. She had gently encouraged me to see where things went in regard to you since she liked that fact that you had in a sense knocked me off my feet and.. I owe that woman the truth. So.. She was right." She playfully frowned. "Now I know how my uncle feels when he says it." The gest made her smile while he was trying hard not to acknowledge the well of emotion that seemed to bubble in him.

The shock of her honesty never seemed to not hit him hard. Even so long ago she had been sending word to her family about him and they in turn encouraged her to see where the emotions she felt for him?

Who the fuck were these people? Certainly no one in their right mind if they knew half the things he had done, or have done.

So why did that scare the fuck out of him? Refusing to focus on that, he mentally pushed it aside.

"You said you made a request of her as well." He recalled, hoping it would change the topic to something more comfortable and judging by the way her eyes wouldn't meet his for a moment before her cheeks coloured had him turning to look over his shoulder at her. "Ladyship?"

"I asked her for.. herbs." She spoke slowly, like she was shy about it and it had him lifting a brow.

"Herbs?" He echoed and got a small nod from her. "For what, a tea?"

"It can be taken like that as well, sure."

"But you already have tea." He gestured to her pouch and got a sideways glance at it before looking back to him.

"Not this kind." She returned slowly, her thumb scratching the side of her cheek. "I've never had need of it… before."

He couldn't stop quizzically looking at her.

"Is it like the kind you gave me?" He asked and got a surprised laugh out of her.

"No, not exactly." She scratched her cheek with her thumb, the action making her look nervous. "No, this kind you take before or after you.." Her eyes flicked to the driver and lowered her voice. "Spend the night with someone.. It helps with, uh.. contraception."

Contrecep- Oh! She must've seen the realization dawn on his face at her words since she nodded in return with a shy smile. "You don't think I handled that well enough?" He asked leaning in earning a larger flush in her face but he watched her eyes flicker with warmth, no doubt the memory of their night flickering and how each of their climaxes had ended. He recalled the way her eyes had watched him pull himself from her body, his hand pumping the last strokes he needed before coming on her stomach, her legs her chest.. He bit back a groan and instead, let out a long breath.

"Look ranger, I may not have much, eh.. experience with the act as much as you are, but I do know that the uh.. withdrawal method doesn't always work."

That.. was true. His sister could attest to that with children everywhere and fathers to match. "And this tea does?"

"The herbs do. It stopped my aunt from having children before she met her husband. And from the stories she had told me," She blew out a breath, "from quality to quantity, she used it, no matter where things… ended up." She finished on a nervously amused chuckle. "It just gives both acting parties a better sense of… reassurance."

Reassurance and recklessness walked hand in hand with that idea and nearly had his blood stirring before it cooled the more he thought about it.. People could also have drank a mixture of deathcap and some other shit to avoid unwanted pregnancy.. it proved to be deadly. One of his sisters had found that out, the hard way. Made her lips blue, skin ice cold before someone had found her.. After that, she hadn't been the same.

"Hey." She said in a soothing voice that broke him out of his thoughts before they spiralled where they shouldn't. "Where'd you go?" She asked gently, her eyes inquiring.

"I was just…" His throat felt tight so he cleared his throat.. "I was just wondering, these herbs…Could they be.. lethal?" He asked and shifted back so Karnwyr could rest his head on his knee. Absently, he raised a hand and massaged the back of the wolfs neck glad for the small distraction. His question had her thinking on it a moment before her head gently shook.

"No. Well, nothing is guaranteed, but it is safe if you are taught how to do it right. And I was when I was curious about men and my cycles.. She taught me but I had to promise I wouldn't think about it for another 30 years." She blew out a breath between her lips and got a small chuckle out of him. Her eyes reached his face and something must've been there that had her brows furrowing. "Why do you ask?"

He looked out at the road ahead of them and could barely manage the shrug. "I knew of a few women who've become sick or died taking shit like that instead of dealing with the possibility of being pregnant." He looked back to her and as if she knew what he meant, her head bobbed up in down in silent acknowledgment.

"Well, I for one would rather be safe than sorry. And if she wasn't able to send it to me, the least she could probably manage would be seeds, or a Skyrim alternative."

"You plan on using it a lot?" He asked and got a slow smile out of her.

"With what I've experienced between the two of us, I think we both would be mad not too.." She admitted and with a slight tilt of her head, she scratched under Karnwyr's chin. "And it's like I said before, ranger." She leaned forward and looked to his mouth before meeting his eyes again. "I have a list."

"Well, I look forward to crossing off as many as we both can manage." With the seriousness of their talk behind them, she cast him a smile that made his blood start to warm before gently touching her lips to his in a quick kiss. Thoughts of having her skin under him, wet and slick as he moved over her and not having to tear himself away from plunging hard and deep while he came inside her while she tightened to what felt like the width of a septim nearly had him asking the carriage driver to stop and pull over. He'd never done it, never allowed himself to stay within a woman for that risk. And yet the more he lingered on it, the more he felt the aching need for it.

"How soon do you think you could get a return message?" He asked tightly, forcing his body to remain calm rather than let things rise.

"Not for some time, honestly." She admitted. "Lydia said she'd get them underway immediately." She looked at the view around her and shook her head. "I just hope you don't mind if we do other things in the meantime."

The returning grin he sent her no doubt confirmed how he felt about things before it dropped when her face turned slightly pale. "Ladyship?"

"Oh shit." It came out in a harsh whisper. "I forgot."

"Forgot what?"

She swallowed before fidgeting a little. "Well.. My aunt sometimes reads the mail while they are in the study."

"Alright.. so?" He started before his mind backtracked a little. "Wait, 'they'?"

"Yeah. And my uncle works in the.. study.. And she reads him the mail so they are both aware of what's going on.. So, he's also going to know.. Oh, sweet merciful Z'en."

"What, is he going to come around and cut my throat for stealing your virtue?"

"First of all," she started with an upraised finger, "you didn't steal a thing when if you recall, it was given of my own free will."

"That it was." He returned and got a small eye roll in return as she lifted a second finger.

"Second, he doesn't like cutting throats, at least I don't think he does. He's and archivist so he'd probably think the act of that in and of itself is dirty. And believe it or not, blood and parchment that is very delicate don't mix so he would try not to sully his hands." She shook her head. "And he would no doubt know that I am a well minded woman who knows that I wouldn't have just jumped into that type of situation blind."

"Then.. what?"

Her resigned sigh had him tilting his head at her, his hand stilling on Karnwyr's neck. "Youd probably think this silly of me, but its one thing if my aunt knows about our, or my newfound sexual activities, but my uncle.. Oh Gods." she spoke low so the driver wouldn't overhear and he couldn't help smiling at her as she leaned forward, elbows resting on her knees and placed her face in her hands. "Just the thought of him knowing.. I'm almost mortified. I didn't even think of it until.." Her fingers gently pressed into her eyelids and rubbed back and forth. "Gods. Even if, and that's a big if, my aunt doesn't tell him, he would know when my aunt sends the package and asks him to write a section of the letter to me.. "She groans and shaked her head. "I can just see him, standing in the study and when he and my aunt talk about it. He'd do that weird snapping hand gesture and then- just ugh."

"Weird snapping hand gesture?" He echoed again and watched her huff and drop her hands for a moment before bringing them up quickly, snapping her fingers and pointing at him with both index fingers before gently poking him in the arms in gentle jabs. "What the-"

Her hands dropped and her head hung slightly. "I didn't do it justice but believe me, ranger." She shuddered. "Its not something I would want you to endure."

He nodded and decided to change the subject since the look on her face nearly had him popping a rib since he was trying hard not to laugh. "And the second letter?"

"Honestly?" She breathed out and shrugged. "I took a page out of Delphine's book and wrote to the Jarl that I would like the house that I purchased to be given to Lydia."

That had him blinking at her like she lost her mind for a moment. "Seriously?"

"Why not?" She shrugged again. "Its not like I'm there much anyway and even inquired to the Jarl if she was able to take over the title of Thane for me since she has done more than enough for the people than I have." She ran a hand over her hair and let out a long sigh. "Z'en knows I've seemed to have enough on my plate for the moment and don't need more."

"That would also limit the people that would be prying for your attention from me." He offered and got a small chuckle out of her.

"There is also that."

"You really don't mind giving away property that is yours to someone you barely know?" He asked after a time.

"Not really. Its mine in title, sure but… when I walked in and saw Lydia there, sitting in one of the chairs, looking so at ease, it just… It felt more like.. I was just visiting. It didn't feel like home, you know?" She turned to look at him when she spoke her question and all he could do was nod tightly.

It left him with some time to think back to the little cottage that was deep in the woods of Riften. He could have taken her there when they needed a safe place to crash, but it had been a couple years since he'd last been there and it was probably in a sorry state. And perhaps, if he was going to be honest with himself, he wasn't ready to share that piece of himself with her yet.

It did go hand in hand with Jules. Pieces of himself that he still wasn't ready to share. "Yeah." He admitted softly more to himself than to her. "I do."

Thankfully he didn't have to divulge into anything as they traveled. It seemed that she learned not to pressure him into speaking of things when he wasn't inclined too. Instead, his memory got the better of him and drifted away as they continued on.

---

The sounds of the Bunkhouse soothed his grating nerves as they were growing boisterous and certainly made the long day of tracking drain away as he lifted the ale to his lips. The blonde woman who was serving drinks had caught his eye, with her sending flirtations looks over her shoulder as she brought refills to other patrons and the way she lingered when leaning over to reach for his cup that rested on the table when it was empty.

"Who are you?" She purred, as she straightened resting his tankard on the tray she held aloft. "I haven't seen you around these parts before." She raised a brow inquisitively and nearly jumped when a soft bark came from under. Karnwyr was currently still chewing aggressively on a bone from a horker that he had killed from along the coast.

"I'm just passing through." He skirted her inquiry before running a hand over Karnwyr's neck when he lifted his head to focus on who he was speaking to. Her eyes flicked down to the wolf and for a moment seemed to debate with herself by the way her eyes widened slightly then the way her brows lowered in thought. "His bark and my bite are a package deal."

"Is that so?" She drawled slowly, her hip popping out slightly to rest her tray that held up the drinks against it. "Well, I suppose I could look the other way if.." She trailed off, and her lips curved upwards when he lifted a brow in silent inquiry. "If you were to tell me if you wouldn't have happened to have come across any... bandits that have been roaming around here lately?" She fluttered her lashes a little. "They apparently have been causing quite the ruckus."

Sneaky woman. That had him smirking slightly looking at the liquid in his cup.

"Nope. Just wandering through and looking for a few refreshments to ease all the walking I've done." He lifted the tankard in question. "Though I'm sure I'd spend the night," the way heat entered her eyes had him smirking to himself, "if the need to presents itself." The words slipped freely and seemed to caused the blue in her eyes becoming more intense. Looking him over, her lips curved upwards flirtatiously.

"Well, we got warm beds that could help you get a good night's rest…" She gave a half-hearted wave behind her to the beds that lay a floor above before running a hand up her thigh to rest on her hip. "And perhaps there would be companion in one that could help lesson the tension that you seem to carry."

Shifting to lean back in the chair he occupied, he spread his legs in a lazy slouch while inhaling deeply. She was being forward, and he admired that, but the necklace she wore was Dibellian and it was enough to give him pause. Looking around the room, he took it in. The warmth of the fire that filled the room, the ale in his stomach making his body more and more lax as time went on with Karnwyr by his side. A few other patrons were kicking around but none that had piqued his interest more. "If you would just bring me another round, I'd have everything I require for the time being."

She seemed to have taken it in stride as she seemed to glide away back to the bar and grab him another refill in his tankard and brought it back to the table in only a few minutes. When he didn't reach out for it, she almost pouted a little and placed it on the table in front of him.

"Is that going to be everything?" She inquired with a tilt of her head, a loose strand of her hay-coloured hair drifting by her temple. Picking up the cup, he lifted it to his lips, not taking his eyes off hers over the rim before setting it down. He eyed her body, like assessing it once again and a slow smirk he offered had a small smile curve her lips and with her free hand, lifted to the blonde lock and pushed a strand behind her ear before trailing it down her throat to drift across the bare flesh above her bodice. "Well If you find you are mistaken," she rasped, "come find me later. I'm-."

"Haelga!" An older man called out as he rounded the corner, a large sack in his arms with sheets peeking out from the opening. "Get back to work. Customers need food and drink!" He called out to her as he kept walking into another room, the sound of a door shutting hard behind him. With a small sigh, she looked back to him and with a tilt of her head, her blond hair fell over her shoulder once again.

"Don't worry, blondie. I got your name." That seemed to do the trick as her lips tilted up and with a small lick of her bottom lip she winked.

"Then I'll see you around, handsome." She mewled as she sashayed her way back to the other patrons who held up empty mugs alike. The look she casted back over her shoulder nearly had him humming into his cup as the ale passed over his tongue. He let his eyes roam over her body once again. Slender enough but her toned thighs would tremble as he fucked her from behind, arms locked along the small of her back, keeping her back arched. Slender fingers, he mused as he watched her trail her fingers over the tables as she spoke to other patrons. He could almost imagine them wrapped around his- His eyes trailed over the room and settled on a table, or more importantly, a statue that had his blood cooling. Jaw setting tight, he leaned back in his chair and debated for a minute. Maybe two.

Dibella be damned, she would be an enthusiastic fuck at the very least. She set her tray down on the bar and begin speaking to an older man behind the bar who seemed to be busy overlooking the books to really pay attention to whatever she was saying. Like she could feel his eyes on her, she turned to look at him again and he let enough of his mask drop for the interest he felt towards her peek through. And the way her eyes widened subtly and how the tip of her tongue came out to wet her lips told him she was more than ready to take their glances to a store room. Without taking his eyes off her, he lifted the tankard to his lips and took his time finishing his drink.

He was setting the cup down and turned in his chair to look at Karnwyr to tell him to wait when the front door to the inn door opened slowly, drawing his attention to it. Out of habit, his hand dropped to his dagger and held the grip tight only to loosen a moment later. In walked a face he hadn't seen in a while and made him nearly call out but resisted. Instead, he rested his arm on the back of his chair and took in the sight of his brother before his sharp eyes found him as they narrowed to scan the room.

Damn, he thought as he looked over Jules as he pushed his hood back. It never got old seeing how big he'd gotten over the years. They now stood about the same height but where he'd gotten the bulk of muscle, Jules had managed to keep his body relatively lanky. Or perhaps it was the Khajiit in him. His hair was longer, falling just above his shoulders and his leather armour suited him well... When his amber eyes found him, they sharpened.

"Well, would you look at what the cat dragged in." He noticed that he inhaled sharply before a smirk lifted the corner of his lips, showcasing the few teeth that had sharpened to a fanged point over the years and really seemed to pop when he smiled.

"Gods, you're such an ass." Jules scoffed. "When will you stop saying that?" He shook his head even as he bent slightly to scratch Karnwyr along his neck before standing to clasp his hand to Bishop's forearm in a hearty slap.

"When you stop disappearing for… what was it this time, two months?" He gestured to the chair across from him that he had rested his feet up on and got a tight nod in return.

"Just over three months." Jules admitted as he kicked the chair out a little so he could sit.

"Eh, who was counting." He replied into his cup before he took a sip then set it down. "So where did you slink off to?"

Jules shifted in his seat until he seemed to become comfortable. "Headed south."

"South?" He echoed, frowning. Fingers trailing over the rim of his tankard, he rolled the rim until the whole cup moved in lazy circles. "How far south?"

"Went just past Skingrad, believe it or not." That had the tankard settling down on its stand firmly.

"What the fuck were you doing out there? It took you two almost three months to come back after heading out?

"Had some uh, business to take care of and it just... took me a little longer than I thought it would." His brow lifted at the word 'business' and got a wave of Jules' fingers to not think on it. "When I heard you might be in town here, I came around to bother you."

"You could never bother me." The admittance seemed to surprise Jules, his eyes widening only slightly before he shrugged.

"You might not think like that when you hear about the potential job I've got lined up that'll pay well."

That had him siting up straight. "Jules, I swear, I will kick your ass to Oblivion myself if you got involved with banditry again."

"No!" Jules returned, his voice ringing out causing a few people to look towards them "Nothing like that." When he shifted a little, he leaned forward, his hand tightening into a fist and clenching.

"And, what, you came here not only to see me, but to ask me for help, it that it, little brother?"

"I don't necessarily need your help, but I wouldn't say no to you tagging along."

"Tagging along" He echoed and shook his head. "Jules, there no harm in saying that you miss me and need me to come along."

That earned him a scowl from his brother. "You know, normally I'd have to make a threat of dragging you places for you to even contemplate coming along, so I get the feeling you missed me more."

He scoffed and lifted the tankard to his lips. "Or I have just missed riding your ass about shit."

"Same thing. But make no mistake Bishop, if I needed you to come with me, I would drag your ass to wherever it is I needed to go." There was a creeping feeling in his stomach when Jules wouldn't meet his gaze for a second before his eyes flicked upwards and over his shoulder, moving with something of interest before an amused look settled on his features. "Unless you would rather be otherwise busy..."

His brow rose and turned to look over his shoulder and notice the woman who was leaning over the bar to clean it up with a rag, her bodice low to showcase the plump rise of her breasts. As if feeling his gaze, she peered up at him and blew out a lock of hair that seemed to impede her line of sight before licking her lips slightly. Moving the remnants of his ale aside, he turned back to look at Jules who seemed surprised the girls... candor.

"Nothing I can't do later." And judging from the look on the girls' face, he could cash in on that idea in all due time.

"You never know. You might not get the chance." Jules spoke freely, his hand lowing under the table to rub at Karnwyr's head when nudged. His words only seemed to lean his head back in confusion.

"That's not fucking ominous at all."

"Not ominous. Just being... realistic. I'm not complaining. If you want to go, I can wait."

That had his setting the tankard down on the table with a loud enough snap that had Karnwyr lifting his head in curiosity more than anything and for a few nearby eyes to look their way. "Are you seriously telling me that you would wait in another room while I go fuck with a tavern wench?"

"Woman." Jules corrected with a small roll of his eyes. "And no." His face scrunched up like he swallowed a bug. "Gross. I'd go get a room somewhere else and sleep for a bit. I was thinking I'd just get a decent power nap since 20 minutes should give you enough time to -ow!" Jules's half laughed and winced when his booted foot connected with his shin...

"Yeah, more like you'd get a few hours of sleep under your belt, unlike the wench."

"Whatever you say." He scoffed as he rubbed at his leg for a second before straightening in his seat. You always did like to boast about shit like that."

Leaning back in his, he lifted his hands and shrugged before dropping them on the table. "When you have the skills to prove it, why not?" He watched his brother roll his eyes again and this time, his ears twitched a little. He had to push down the urge to flick one with his finger like he used to do when they were kids.

"I hope someone comes along to humble you soon." He mumbled, his hand lifting to the amulet he wore around his neck, simple in design but he seemed to treasure it the most.

"As I hope you find someone who can deal with you coughing up furballs now and again."

"I haven't done that since I was a kid." He rolled his eyes to the ceiling. Once again he looked over his shoulder to where Haelga seemed to be lingering as she spoke to the other customers before her eyes would snap back the them both and slide appreciatively. "Now do you want to come with me for a job or do you want to stay here and let that blonde Nord keep eye fucking you from across the room? Like for Gods sake, Bishop, any longer in this vicinity and I feel like I'm going to have to take a long hot soak because I feel dirty just from the way she's starting to eye up and down the both of us."

He casted a look over to her and saw her finger playing with a necklace of some sort that had been tucked into her dress' neckline. The symbol that hung on the end had his shoulder stiffening a little before he turned to look back at his brother. "Nah, I don't like to share."

"On that, we can agree, brother." Gathering their gear, they both stood, Bishop stretched his arms above his head before reaching to his coin bag and before he could pull out the money, Jules laid down the coins before turning to the door. "It's been a while since I bought you a drink anyway."

"Probably won't be the last." He called back as he grabbed his bow from off the back of his chair, strapping onto his back he cast a look behind him and met the blonde's eyes- Hanna, Hura- whatever her name was, one last time and without a second glance, started for the door and let Karnwyr zip out quick before shutting it behind him as the minor buzz he'd been working on partially left him as the crisp cool night air hit him. Striding in long lengths he chewed up the ground until he reached his brother's side. Jules casted a glance over his shoulder before shaking his head and resumed walking.

"I can't believe that woman was looking at you like that and you didn't make a move sooner." Jules scoffed as they walked through Riften's streets.

He lifted a shoulder and dropped it. "Could've if I wanted too. I will say, I was even thinking about it. But if I did, I'd have to have her face down and away from me."

Jules scoffed after giving him a skeptical sideways glance. "What, you got performance issues? One orc I did this one job with has a remedy for that kinda thing that involves-"

He couldn't help but shove him on his shoulder as they walked out of the town. "No."

Jules laughed as he found his footing once again. "Her confidence make you feel shy then?"

"Please, women who know what they want and how," he groaned at the thought, "that's sexy as hell."

"Think she'll do something that you've never seen or done before?"

"Jules, if she had something I'd never seen before, I'd throw a Septim at it." That had him bellowing out a laugh. "And I'll fuck 'em any which way without hurting us both." He thought a moment before he admitted with a small shrug, "Much."

"Then... what's the problem?" He didn't answer for a time before Jules shoved him back before jabbing him in his ribs. "What's eating at you?"

"Its her hair." He threw back sharply and rubbed at his sides a little before dropping his arm while his brother processed what he'd just said.

"Seriously? That's it?" When he didn't say anything, Jules scoffed. "What does her being blond have to do with anything?" Again, he didn't need to say anything. Just one stern look from him to Jules had a cold sliver of realization falling on him. "Man, do all blondes remind you of her?"

He limply shook his head. "Not all of em. Just the ones who fall under the category of religious whores, like her." He lifted finger and directly pointed at Jules face when it started to shift to thunderous. "Don't look like that, I can say that since, regrettably she is and was, my mother too."

"Now the whole 'head down, ass up' thing makes sense." Jules returned and thankfully dropped the conversation. They enjoyed traveling from one place to another for a time before he decided to break the silence when they made for camp. "Heard you ran into a little trouble on a job with a few nobles."

"It was fine." He'd decided not to linger over things that have passed, especially ones that included nobles. "I won a good bundle in cards though and had a very hot redhead in my room when things went ass up near the end of the day." He watched as Karnwyr raced after a rabbit through some brush and shook his head. "You should have seen her. She was incredible. Legs up to her ears, gorgeous tits."

"Did she have a face?" Jules asked dryly.

"One that went just fine with the body. I tell you; she was a killer with the warpaint and everything. And when I said I had to leave, she got just a little bitchy." He tapped his face where the healing scratches scored his cheek near his ear. "I had to toss her out of the room into the hall before she tore me to ribbons. But I did remember to toss her clothes out after her."

"She was naked?" Now Jules wanted to know. The sparkle in his eyes had Bishop grinning.

"Just as an Argonian prefers to swim."

Jules' feline grin had him returning the one with his own, then had his first laugh in nearly twenty hours. "Gods, leave it to you." He laid his hand over Bishop's shoulder, his claws digging into the leather armour slightly. "Jack would've loved that story."

The memory of their older brother swamped him and the smile on his face faded... It had been years now, but the ache that had filled his heart had lessoned since he had avenged him. Then again, some nights he could still feel the blood coating his hands, his knuckles burning from every blow he'd landed, the weight of the blade heavy in his hands. He chose to not focus on it though. Not with Jules.

Instead, he decided to think about the amusement that Jack would've had about the naked woman in the hallway and slowly, he found his lips curling. "You're right." He said softly, looking back. "He would have."

An hour or two of them walking in silence had passed before they had decided to set up camp for the night. Jules had started to yawn and he certainly wasn't feeling up for going much further before he got some shut eye as well. When the fire was glowing between the two of them, he watched as Jules settled in and caught the pensive look that crossed Jules' features before he glanced back to him. "Have you seen Jillisa lately?"

That had him blinking at the question while he absently poked at the fire. "Jacks girl?" He recalled and at Jules' nod, he shook his own head. "No, not since we scattered his ashes."

Jules nodded and watched Karnwyr trot ahead of them, pleased at his capture, stopping now and again to tear a piece off to chew before picking it up to walk around them. "Saw her a few weeks back. She's still wearing the bracelet he asked me to make for her."

"So, is that what kept you busy for so long that you just now decided to came back around? A visit?"

Juels winced slightly and ran his tongue over a fang. "Not exactly. And if I didn't know any better, I'd say you were worried about me, judging by your tone."

He returned the verbal jest with a nonchalant shrug. "You're my little brother. I have a right to be worried."

That had a droll look being sent his way. "Bishop, I'm taller than you."

His head lolled to the side to peer at him. "No, you're not."

"Yeah, I am. By two inches, at least." Jules immediately stood tall; arms open by his sides as if he hadn't been able to get a good view a second ago.

"I slouch a little to make you feel better. Unless we count your fuzzy little ears, then maybe. But I've always gone for the top of our heads. Its how I used to measure our growth on the door frames. Unless you wanna stand to-to-toe and see if you measure up."

Jules' arms dropped to his sides with a gentle slap. "Its not exactly a question I need answered right this minute."

He laughed to himself. "Its because you know that when it comes down to head, not ear height, I'd win." He reached into his quiver and pulled out several long branches, still rough from the wilds. Drawing his dagger, he set to work of stripping away whatever was not needed, holding the length of wood up to his eye to gauge the straightness.

"You still make your own arrows?" Jules asked as he watched him make quick work of it.

"Just as you no doubt still make your own bits and bobs." He brought it down again and ran the dagger along the length of the wood. He admitted more softly. "If I have everything I need, yeah. If not, I buy some when I can."

"Need any help?" He barely got the last word out before one of them were tossed his way. He managed to snag it out of the air before it fell into the fire between them. For a time, they worked in silence. At least until he shifted to pass his over to his brother to let him inspect it. Bishop set his down and lifted the one Jules had worked on to his eye level and scoffed, handing it back.

"Needs to have a sharper point Jules."

Jules couldn't help his mouth setting into a stern line at his scolding tone. "Got it."

"Don't scowl. If we get into any scrapes on the way to this job or while we're working this job, which you haven't told me a thing about, might I add, I'm not going to miss a shot at killing some fucker who's after us because you can't whittle."

"I said I got it. Stop nagging me."

"I'll stop nagging when you stop messing up my potential arrows."

"Well, if I mess up more and you're without your main weapon of choice, you can borrow the hand axe I got." Leaning back, he tapped a hand to it, the faint shimmer it held gave him the inkling that it was enchanted with something. "You can switch it with that stick up your ass you like to take out to beat people with as a backup weapon."

His mouth curved in a smile despite his brother's jab. "I'd take you up on that, but then I can't use the line 'got beaten with the ugly stick'. You know it's one of my favourites."

"I was talking about a figurative stick, not what you call your dick." That had his head looking up from the stick in his hand that was poised for a run down with his dagger.

"Keep my dick out of your mouth."

The face Jules made nearly sent him howling. "Okay, now you've made it weird."

He shrugged. "You started it. Talking about me fucking some girl while you wait for me- making it sound like it would be life or death if I don't and now you're talking about my-"

"Fuck you, man. Shut up."

His laugh boomed out of him and with a playful punch to his brother's arm, he tossed his own over his brothers' shoulders. "Oh, Jules. I've missed you."

"You always miss me, brother." Jules stated, a large smile on his face that glowed as brightly as the fire between them..

Of that, he was right.

---

The sound of a book snapping shut had him blinking away the memory that had crept up on him with such clarity that it had left him feeling a tad bit queasy if he were to be perfectly honest. His lack of focus had him scolding himself given the fact that they had been traveling themselves...

Serlina turned to look at him as she began to put her journal away and seemed to frown when she looked at him as the carriage slowed to a stop when the reached their destination.

"You alright?" She asked softly, her eyes scanning his face as she reached out to touch his arm. Another reason to scold himself. Setting the mask back in place, he pushed that wave of emotion down until it burned in his chest for a hot moment before it sputtered out.

"Yeah, Ladyship. Just lost in thought." He admitted and it made the ache easier to deal with as they each clamoured out. He could tell by her eyes that she wanted to ask him for his thoughts on no doubt what had put the look on his face and yet, the words clogged his throat and refused to fall out of his mouth. He still wasn't ready to talk about his past. "I'd rather not talk about it right now." That had the inquisitive stare softening before she nodded. "So, what were they talking about back there in Riverwood?" He asked getting her attention as she began to take out her map scanning for a moment to blink up at him.

"You weren't listening?"

"Not really." He lifted a shoulder and shrugged. "I was being honest when I said I was thinking about something else that was much more important."

Blowing out a breath, she ran a hand down her face before giving him a slight glare. "Well, in theory, Esbern thinks that there might be a way to defeat Alduin written down somewhere in Karthsparth."

"That's specific." It came out a little harsher than intended but it couldn't be helped. Not when the thought of facing Alduin came into mind and when he looked to her, his blood ran cold. The World Eater. Could either of them really be capable of doing such a thing? He noticed as they walked on that her hand lifted towards her neck to where her necklace used to rest and when the tips of her fingers came into contact with her skin, her eyes momentary lost their focus. "Do you miss it?" He inquired softly when her eyes slid slowly towards him before they settled on his. Those green flecks were back, bigger than ever, "The necklace, er, voice, I mean."

"I certainly am missing a lot of things right now," She spoke softly rubbing her hands together before resting one on one of her swords' hilts.

"Like?" He gently probed.

"Like doing… I don't know. What some would call mundane things."

"What, like paying land taxes?" He teased and got a small smile out of her, yet her eyes lacked the glimmer of amusement.

"No like.. Doing laundry. Baking treats. Hell, sightseeing just because I can." She laughed without humor. "But then I think I should be focusing on the fact that I had the… luxury, of having things to miss rather than focus on the things that I can miss. If that makes any sense at all." Jules drifted into his thoughts again and the same ache in his gut chewed at him. Leaving what she had said to hang between hem, they ventured on until a small village came into sight, the sky just beginning to darken.

Hearing the unmistakable openings of her map, he rolled his eyes and looked behind to Serlina, nose deep, eyes scanning along the large page. Lifting her head up from the map, she looked at the small village before them and slowly her brows started to drop in thought. He noticed the way she shifted her weight on her feet, the way her fingers tightened on the paper and how her jaw locked as she swallowed.

"Something wrong, ladyship?" She glanced his way, but the look didn't change.

"Do you... know where we are, Bishop?" Her voice had almost an apprehensive tone.

He looked back to the village briefly and then back to her. "Yeah. This little place is called Rorickstead. We passed by it some time ago but never stopped close enough to walk through it." He explained but before he could add anything else, like him strolling through here on a drunken bender he watched as her mouth pressed into a thin line, her eyes softening with a slightly sorrowful look. "What's wrong?"

Slowly, she folded up her map and continued until she reached his side.

"Admittedly I was hoping I was wrong in our location." She swallowed and started to walk on, her gait slow.. He trailed behind but quickly found himself by her side. "When I was apprehended for crossing the border into Skyrim, I woke to a few other men in the carriage we were riding in." As she looked around, her hand drifted upwards to her neck and wrapped her fingers around her throat, rubbing softly before dropping it to her side. "One of them was a horse thief, or so I overheard. Ralof, the man who helped me escape… he asked him where he was from." She sighed, looking over the village. "At the time, I thought he was just making… I don't know… Idle or pleasant chit chat. But when it was laid out that we were going to be executed, Ralof told him that 'a Nord's last thoughts should be of home.'"

She wandered forward, slowly and took it all in. Not that there was much to see but it was almost like the air around her had changed. He could recall that she had mentioned little snippets of her near execution. Even admitting that she saw Ulfric there bound and gagged. Her irritation- or perhaps it was more like reminiscent confused vexation at the way things had transpired that had given him the impression that that's all it had been for her. But… This seemed to affect her differently. And judging by the way she looked, they were done trekking for the day.

"There's an inn here. We can rest up and carry on tomorrow morning." His offer had her taking her bottom lip in thought.

"I feel like we should press onwards since Delphine and Esbern would be waiting for us." She spoke softly and he shook his head and stopped her with an upraised hand.

"They'll be fine. Come on. I'll buy us the first round of drinks. You look like you could use one." Circling his arm around her waist was all she needed and the way she leaned into him as they walked up the steps with her head gently bouncing on his shoulder, had him smiling to himself.

She may not have said it, but she was tired indeed. Not even a fight. Lifting his free hand, he pushed the door open and in they walked. He nodded over to a free table for her to sit and whistled for Karnwyr to go with her. While he walked to the inn keep behind the bar, Karnwyr trotted beside Serlina and occasionally glanced back to look at him as he leaned against the counter.

The air was warmer in here, for that he was thankful. He'd begun to notice the chill that had starting to creep in as they had traveled but it wasn't until they were warming up indoors that the feeling of it really settled in. When he slid money for a room, the glint in the man eyes nearly had him reaching for his knife when he looked over to Serlina. The warning look he casted the mans way had him shuffling off to go get them their food and drink. Leaning his elbows against the bar, he watched Serlina who had swung her legs over the bench seat and got comfortable, crossing her legs at her ankles while her fingers gently scratched between Karnwyr's ears as he rested his head on the bench beside her lap...

"Anything else you need; you be sure to let me know."

"Just the food, drinks and that room." He tilted his head over to their right and when the inn keep glanced over to which one, he had specified, he seemed to deflate a little. "Won't have much privacy." He explained looking from the room to him and seemed to lower his gaze at his hardened stare.

"We'll manage." He bit out as the bowls of stew were pushed over the counter with loafs of bread stacked on a plate between them. "Have our drinks brought over, will you?"

"Right away." He heard called out from behind him as he started back to their table, food in hand.

"Thank you." She sighed as she took a spoon and started to eat little by little.

"Sure." He returned as he did the same. Their drinks arrived and with a nod to the innkeeper, he moved on to the other patrons that had started to filter in.

Sliding the glass of wine over she looked to it and with a small nod, she lifted the glass to her lips. He was halfway done his drink and tossing a corner of bread to Karnwyr who laid at their feet under the table when he noticed that she hadn't really eaten much, but the wine had put some colour in her cheeks. And the faraway look hadn't left her eyes.

"Talk to me, ladyship. Or at least say what's been on your mind. I can tell your needing to" Her lack of communication had been knawing at him. Fingers trailing over the glass, she sighed.

"Its not going to be good dinner conversation."

"Tell me anyway." He lifted his ale and took a few pulls of it before he set it down, all the while she looked torn in saying anything.

"Lokir had been his name, I think." She spoke softly as he finished his meal. "He'd been afraid, terrified, really." Her head shook gently. "I can't help but think that if they hadn't shot him down, that this would have been what he thought of if they had lowered him to the block...The scent of farms, the grinding of the mill, the chickens.." She spoke softy. "When I was on the chopping block with my cheek pressed into fresh blood, I realize now that I had been in too much shock at the situation to really come to terms with my impending death." She'd recounted how after she had escaped that if she had died there, she would have felt cheated in the afterlife. Thought about it again and shook her head tightly. "Sorry." She said softly before adding; "That... might be a lie."

A chill settled in him that nearly had him reaching up to rub at his arms to generate warmth. "What do you mean?"

Her fingers tapped on the table for a moment before coming to a stop before she looked to him with eyes that made his back straighten. "I think that after everything I had done, everything I had endured and sacrificed to get that far; only to have it taken away so easily." She kissed her teeth while her hands clenches slightly. "By a blast of magic, a jerk with some bullshit list and a bitch with a self-made superiority complex... I think I was just..." she inhaled sharply as she lifted a shoulder and dropped it as she looked for the words before she settled on, "done fighting." Her eyes closed and with a shake of her head, her chin dropped. "I could have but didn't fight it." Came her soft whisper that had him leaning towards her before he stilled when she added "Death, I mean."

He couldn't help but feel his chest tighten at the way she'd spoken. Like the recalling of that day left a piece of her dead inside that was beginning to leech outward. "Why do you think that?"

Her hand lifted her glass, the wine swishing around gently. "I- I suppose back then I didn't know how else to get free from, well many things that seemed to just keep pilling on." She took a sip before placing the glass down again. "And maybe because I'd thought about it once before.."

The blood drained from his face. "Good Gods, Serlina."

"Not for very long," she said quickly. "And not very seriously. I had my family to think about. Duties to fulfil to keep me busy. If I hadn't had them, I might have thought about it longer." She admitted before looking at the table for a moment before taking a steadying breath before looking up at him. Her eyes were a mixture of green and he almost took her face in his hands in hopes to rid them of the colour. "When one feels trapped in a cycle of never-ending shit, Bishop, you get crazy ideas about escape."

Nothing he knew about her had ever frightened him more. "Well," he swallowed past a tight knot and looked at Karnwyr who had lifted his head to rest on the bench between them. It helped, a little bit, instead of imagining her taking her own life and or being lifeless in his hands. "I don't know if it would have brought him much comfort." He said tightly and got her to look at him. "This.. Lokir guy. I mean, there's not much here. This place is more like a run-down stop along the way to somewhere better."

"I don't think he even had a chance to think about it." She admitted softly as she started to eat once again. "When they called him forward, he pleaded with the Imperials that him and myself, perhaps a few others- I honestly don't know, weren't rebels." She shook her head, a heat taking place in her eyes rather than solemness. "They tried to force him forward and in what I believe was sheer panic or perhaps desperation, he tried to run." She shook her head vehemently. "Hands bound, feet bare and in nothing but rags… I will say, he was quick. Made it a little way before they shot him down with an arrow to his back. His body collapsed against the stone like a godamn ragdoll." The fire left her eyes, and the sympathy was back. "I don't even think they had a chance to bury him. Not with the dragon that settled down upon us. I wonder if he has any family left here. I suppose I could ask around or.." Lifting a hand, she rubbed the back of her neck. "Anyway, enough of that. Not like I can do anything about it, right?" She turned to look up at him and he noticed the way her eyes had lost some of its focus.

"You feeling okay?" It sounded so stupid coming out of his mouth and she must've been the same amount of surprised that he was since her eyes widened at his words and thought about them for a moment.

"Maybe it's been the last couple of days, it may have just been the wine but.. I suddenly feel... exhausted." Judging by the way her shoulder slumped, and her voice, he'd believe it.

"We'll turn in for the night then." He managed to say and got a gentle wave away with her fingers.

"When I'm done eating. I'm nearly done." She turned back to her food and in small bites, kept going. "I'm done talking about sad and dreary things. Can we talk about something else while I eat?"

"Inane chatter about nothing coming up." The smile that lifted her lips had him feeling better. He couldn't put into words how seeing her looking so down and out gutted him. "It certainly is a change of tone from last nights entertainment." He jested and got another small smile out of her as she dipped bread into the stew. "You know ladyship, this town may not have much to offer, but it certainly does get its excitement from time to time."

"Is that right?" She managed to say around a mouthful of food.

"Mhm. I myself have caused quite a stir here some time ago." Resting his elbow on the table, he noticed how she now looked more relaxed than she had a minute ago. Like some weight had been lifted off her. How long had she been carrying that around? He watched her shake her head as she wiped the inside of her bowl with the last of her bread.

"I'm honestly not surprised." She returned after taking a drink from her glass.

"You will be when you hear all the details of the night."

She dusted off her hands before turning to look at him with a slightly apprehensive look. "Oh God's."

He pointed to her bag. "Take out your map for me."

That had her blinking. "My map"? She echoed; her face puzzled even as she reached for it. "What for?"

"I said it back when we were near Solitude that helps if I show you." He waited until she laid it flat out on the table before them. "So, one night, I'm drinking in the Bannered Mare in Whiterun, " he pointed to the location on the map in question, "and this guy in a dark robe is having a drinking contest. By himself. And calling anyone and everyone to join him."

Her eyes lit up and gently poked him in the arm. "Oh, is this the story of when you drank with a daedra?"

"It is indeed." He smiled when she turned to face him, wine in hand, eager or excited to hear the story. "So, he said no one could best him after a drink or three and not to boast, but even back then, I could hold my own. "First one," he held up his hand and tilted side to side, "not to bad, tasted pretty good but the aftertaste." He cringed in memory. "If the static feeling you get after getting hit by lightning had a taste, that's what it would have been."

Cup dropping from her lips a little, she cringed a bit. "Ew."

"Right? So, we kept drinking, despite the lack of flavour in the drinks and he taps out after the second. I kept going even against the knowledge that my vision was now all over the place and he was slurring probably just as bad as I was." He went on to tell her about everything that he had ended up doing and like him. She rolled her eyes at the bit where he had been at the temple and even though it would irritate him more than anything, he did say he would show her, since it was more out of curiosity that she wanted to go rather than worship. She once again laughed at the mention of a goat being stolen and had to talk her down from going to see if the farmer was still kicking around these parts. The wedding bit was where she seemed to be the most thoughtful. It could have been the way he sneered at the fact that he was to be part of something such as that but when he reminded her about the hagreaven, she nodded and almost reluctantly said 'that's fair.' And at the end of it all she found herself puzzled at how he could have trekked so far, done so much in such little time. By the time she had finished her wine, she was staring at the map, no doubt trying to rack her mind with how things could have been done.

"Like.. Geography wise, it wouldn't be possible. Unless this daedra just," Her hand lifted and a solid snap came from her fingers, "snapped you around and teleported you places."

"Or I could have been temporarily gifted the speed of a dragon like you." He joked and watched as her eyes moved slowly over to him. First she was puzzled then like the fact that she was able to do that hit her and she muttered an 'oh, right.'

"I keep forgetting that I can do that. Or any of those things. I wonder if I could do it while carrying you. Like a backpack." He couldn't tell if it was the wine or if she was being serious.

"I'd rather not find that out tonight, ladyship."

"Quitter." She mumbled and got his lips to quirk upwards while hers opened on a yawn, hand lifting to cover her mouth. Spirits lifted, he stood and offered her his hand. "Come on, ladyship. Let rest and then head out early, that way we can meet up with the old crone and Esbern."

She chuckled and shook her head as they headed towards their rented room. "Delphine." She enunciated and he couldn't help rolling his eyes.

"Don't. Care."

"Why-" She drawled as they walked through the doorway, eyeing it suspiciously, "does our room not have a door?"

"Well, I figured you and I would need sleep and to help with that fact, I spotted a room that would hinder us being in any.. compromising positions that were for my eyes only."

She stared him down for a moment before he started to lean in and raised a brow which only caused her to tilt her head back a bit with an amused chuckle. "Fiend." She muttered as she walked over to the large bed and take off her boots before lifting her legs up and lying flat with a long-pleased sigh.

Setting his quiver down followed by his bow, he leaned over and before he knew it, kissed the crown of her head. "Minx." He murmured against her hairline and when he rose back up, her eyes were at half mast, heavy with the call to sleep. The soft smile she that lit up her face warmed him to the core.

"I have to say, ranger…" She said slowly, her voice already starting to drift as he started taking off his boots. "Last night was.." She blew out a breath, her lips quirking upwards again in a secretive smile that was infectious to him. Karnwyr trotted in and got comfortable on the rug facing the door. "Good in the best of ways but I will admit that I have missed sleeping in an actual bed."

Personally, he was used to sleeping on hard surfaces but he as well couldn't deny a pleased sigh when he sank back until his head hit the pillow.

"You know me, ladyship. I aim to please." He murmured as he tucked his arms under his head, getting comfortable.

"Well…" She drawled as she shifted until she rested on her side, facing him with one arm pulling the pillow tighter against her face. "Bullseye." She finished on a sigh and within a minute or two, was out like a light. He found himself silently laughing even when a small pebble of guilt hit him. How tired this woman must've felt to drop like that. Like a rock in a lake just lacking in the splash.

Closing his eyes, he took several deep breaths and let them out slowly, letting his heartrate slow. He could hear the crackle of the fire from the pit out in the main hall, the sound of broom moving across the floor as the innkeeper swept one last time before turning in for the night. He heard light footsteps just outside the door and didn't even crack an eye to check.

A more anxious person would have been worried at the fact that there was no door to their room. Then again, most traveling companions probably didn't have a wolf that liked to sleep in a protective post, a ranger who slept so lightly one could worry he didn't sleep at all with one hand on his daggers hilt and though she was quite a temptress even while asleep, a woman who could probably blow the roof off this place.

Turning on his side, he faced her fully and slowly, his eyes opened. Her breathing had deepened and her body had relaxed. Her brows were slightly furrowed but figured it was the strand of hair that had come loose slightly from her hair tie and had fallen over her face in a wide loop. Carefully, his hand lifted to maneuver it behind her ear. And as if she sensed him, her face lifted ever so slightly towards his hand before snuggling back deeper into the pillow on a deep sigh. Gods, he thought as he looked her over, she was stunning. You would think the reality or novelty of that would wear off after a time but no… It still hit him in the chest. Still made his body ache to pull her in and close.

And some lucky sonofa bitch was going to marry this woman. That thought came up again in his mind and he found himself huffing out a breath before shifting once again to lie flat on his back, hands running over his face before pressing the tips of his fingers into them.

Just go to sleep you stupid shithead. Don't fucking think of stuff like that.

And yet, the thought of someone else being with her had him nearly grinding his teeth to the point of pain, hands clenching at his sides.

The man would have that same stupid dreamy look on his face when he thought about her… Just like him..

---

Eyes moving over the treeline, he watched their surroundings before coming to settle on Jules who, for a few minutes now, had been wrapping a leather strap around the neck of his hand axe while having a dreamy expression on his face that made him look ridiculous.

They hadn't been drinking, so he wasn't drunk. They ate hours ago so he wasn't thinking about food and he hadn't partaken in any of the women from the last village they had gone through. He'd outright refused. Even seemed to dislike the touch of anyone who had been interested. Which meant…

For fucks sake.

He looked him up and down before scoffing. "I'm guessing there's a girl that your enamored with is what kept you away for weeks and has you looking like a skooma slurping fool?"

The expression died and it was replaced with a glimmer of irritation. "Gods, sometimes your worse than Karnwyr with a bone, you know that?"

He jerked his head towards the wolf in question as it prowled a perimeter around them. "He's more bark than bite in some cases. And you're avoiding the question which means."

"It was a bullshit question." His brother met his eyes and let out a relenting sigh as he ran a hand down his arm. "Fine. Yes. I was with a woman."

"One woman for more than two weeks." He whistled. "I'm surprised you managed to get away when ya did." He teased and when his brother didn't laugh with him, he felt a small sense of unease hit his gut.

"Its not as bad as you think, you now." Jules returned turning to watch Karnwyr move for a second before looking back at him. "What's with that face?" He asked vaguely gesturing to him with his axe.

"Wouldn't it be... like... repetitive?"

Jules laughed to himself while running his thumb along the blades edge, checking its sharpness. "Not if they're…. special to you."

"Special." He scoffed and shook his head and refused to acknowledge the chill that went down his spine.. "I don't think I need to remind you that every bed partner to our parents was 'special.' They loved them, for a time, before moving on to the next one."

"Not me." A hard declaration from Jules had him scowling at him. "Not us."

"Us?" He echoed, "So there's an 'us' now?" He laughed with little humor.

"Yeah. We're planning things together and this last job I got lined up is gonna pay well enough to get us comfortable until something more permanent comes in."

"What is the job? And what does that even mean? You got plans?" He echoed again slowly.

"Yeah... I'm planning on starting up a shop to sell the jewelry I make."

"Like that Lizard in Riften?"

"In a way. Just more.. elaborate. Personal."

Looking to his hands, his eyes trailed over the ring that rested on his left index finger. Dim though the light was, it still shined despite its many scratches. "Like what you made for Jack?" He asked as he played with the ring, his thumb trailing over the carved wolfs face.

"Stuff like that, yeah." He shifted a little before admitting; "Made one for you too."

That had his head snapping up and he lifted his hand that still wore the ring. "I know. I still have it."

"No, not just that one." Jules waved it away. "That was my early shit. Stuff that I was fumbling around with and in the end result called it jewelry. I'm surprised you're even still wearing it."

"Well, I like it." He shrugged refusing to succumb to the need to be defensive about it before he narrowed his eyes. "Wait, so does this mean you've just been letting me walk around half assed shit?"

"No! Well, kinda if I were to be honest." He shrugged with a small laugh when he could do not much more than gap at him. "What? It was the best I could manage back then. But now I make things with much better skill. As such I even made something for you when you finally pull your head out of your ass and find a woman who will put up with all your shit."

He immediately sat back and crossed his arms. "I don't need a woman."

"Well, you need someone to keep you in check. The longer you're alone, the more you seem to hate anybody and everybody."

"Its not that I hate everybody, I don't know em, I don't trust em. It's as simple as that." He shrugged tightly.

"That's because you don't take time to get to know people. Now I think that if they can manage getting their skin scraped a bit, you could come to trust them. That's typically how it works. I mean if you just let someone in, that's not me, they would se that you really are a good guy no matter how much of a hard ass you try to act like. And when you find a woman who cares about you in a way that-"

"Gods sake, Jules enough!" He didn't even realize his temper had been simmering under the surface until the words boomed out of him boomed out of him, shocking Jules into silence and for Karnwyr to get to his side in a second, ears up and on alert. "I don't come along to help you only to receive a fucking lecture about shit I'm really not interested in." His brothers pointed ears tipped downward only slightly and his chin lowered. "So, hear me when I say it and get it through that fuzzy head of yours and shut up about it." His words caused his brother to flinch a little and it made him feel a mixture of pleased and guilty but pushed the latter down. "Fuck man. If I wanted some sappy fucking sermon about this, I'm sure I could wander into a town and find a temple." Except for the one in Markarth. They probably wouldn't let him back in.

Tension between them lingered; resulting in them falling into little over an hour's worth of silence. Karnwyr had finished his perimeter checks and had taken to his side.

"You can't mean to tell me that you have never thought about marrying someone?" Jules asked incredulously.

His head lowered as a sigh left him. "Jules, I'm seriously done talking about this."

"Well, I'm not. And if talking about this results in us having a yelling match or coming to blows fine. But I want to talk about this."

"Well, I don't."

"Tough shit, Bishop." Jules mimicked his earlier stance and crossed his arms over his chest. "You don't wanna go to far in, fine. But you can at least answer my question."

"Why? So, you can guilt me into using some of your accessories?"

"Being an ass about my work doesn't get you out of avoiding the question."

"No." He finally snapped back, his temple starting to throb. "No, I haven't ever thought about marrying someone." Hell, even saying the words felt like he took a shot of fermented ale.

"Not even once?"

Fucks sake, its like they were starting to go around in circles. "Nope."

"Any particular reason why?"

"I find the act and idea boring and bothersome?"

"Get the stick out of your ass, Bishop. I'm trying to have a deep conversation with you."

He groaned. "I'd rather drink."

"And I'd be willing to bet that could get the answers out of you like that since I recall you are pretty blunt about anything and everything but I'd rather you say them sober."

"Why does this matter to you so much, Jules?" He asked harshly.

"Because you matter to me, Bishop." He returns and the irritation in him took a hit. "You're my brother and I worry that you lack for.. companionship, I suppose could be the term."

"I have a fucking wolf, Jules."

"That's not the same thing. You and I both know that." He pointed a finger at him. "You were also the one to explain to me in long and thorough detail that the wolf was not a dog. Knowing about what he is, what he does and all that shit."

"He's still like family. Aren't you, boy?" He asked and smiled when Karnwyr let out a solid bark.

"Bishop." Jules' voice was gentle but he could hear that there wouldn't be any give. "Don't lock up. Just be honest with me. We could always talk to one another. Remember? Us against the world."

Fuck. He lifted his hand and scratched the back of his head as the feeling of anxiousness started to chew at him. Shit. How did his brother get to be like this? Sighing, he sat silent trying to sift through his thoughts before he found himself shrugging "Even if I wanted to, Jules and you know I try but words aren't my strong suit."

"Try."

HE blew out a long breathe before lifting and dropping his hands.. "I guess.. I just don't think our family is meant to marry."

Jules straightened; his expression was mildly hurt before he glared back at Bishop. "That's bullshit and you know it."

"No, I mean think about it! Our parents alone- "

"Have done enough in our past to thwart any type of happiness we could have found." That had him grind his teeth. "Jack was the first one of us to find that out. And if anything, don't you think that that was the best form of rebellion he could have done?"

He scoffed and rolled his eyes. "You seem to forget that his little act of rebellion got him killed."

"If our father fucked my Telari, I'd have done the same or would have been right up there with Jack." The vehemence with which he spoke had a spark of interest flicker in him and took a second before he dug in

"Telari?" Bishop echoed, his throat feeling tight for some odd reason and swallowed to loosen it.. "I'm guessing that's her name."

Jules breathed out with a sigh and a contented smile on his lips "Yeah." He dug his heel into the dirt a little. "I'm in love with her." The declaration had Bishop leaning back a little, the shock hitting him a little too hard if he were to be honest. "And I'm thinking of asking her to marry me."

Explains why he was digging in on this particular subject. An emotion that had his hands twitching restlessly had him reaching for his arrow supplies. Without looking at him, he started to set up to work.

"Want to help me work on em?"

"Screw you. Work on your own shit, I've got something more important to work on." He watched as his hands dug deep into his own satchel and pulled out a few small bundles and set them down in front of him along with a few bottles. "I learned that Khajiit give hand made amulets to the one their courting. If they accept and wear it, they are engaged. So, I am making one for Telari to accept."

He pulled out a thick cord and unwrapped a medium sized bundle. The amulet he uncovered was still rough looking in his hands, but how focused he was in his work, how sharp his eyes were as he turned it this way and that as he worked the files over the gems that lay on a soft leather cloth, he could tell that whatever he was working on was going to be his best for his… woman.

"Fuck."

"What?" Jules asked without taking his eyes off his work, but his ears perked up. Turning slightly as to check his surroundings.

"I can't believe your thinking of really doing this."

"I will be doing this." The look of pure excitement on Jules' face had the jab die in his throat. "After all the shit we've been through I found someone, I always want to be with. And Bishop, oh, you'd like her. She's smart, beautiful and doesn't mind that I'm a half Khajiit."

"There's nothing wrong with you being half Khajiit, Jules. I've told you this countless times."

"Yes. I know. Just the same as I told her that it doesn't matter to me that she's half dark elf."

"You love her?" He asked briskly. Jules didn't even bother to hide the shock at his question and waved Karnwyr off as he sniffed at his meal he was starting to prepare to cook over the fire. "Telari?"

"I love her so much. And the idea of me being able to get 'The Girl' makes all the shit we've been through so much... easier to swallow."

"Get the girl, huh?"

"Don't worry Bishop. You will too."

He found himself unable to look at his brother for a long minute before sighing. "I don't think that's in the cards for me."

Jules stopped, for a minute or two and just looked at him, the amulet resting in his lap. "If anyone deserves to have some love or peace of mind, it would be you."

He… didn't know how to respond to that if he would be honest. "I think that with everything going on right now.. Love," he nearly spat the word, like it tasted of vinegar, "its just not... not the right time for me to be looking for something like that." The admittance left him quietly, nearly shaking him that it had at all.

"If you're saying this because of the whole 'Mara' incident-" Jules counters on a sigh. "You know what, I'm just going to say that if we take the Gods out of it, what's really your problem with love?"

"Well, you're not wrong in regards to the Mara thing but its not just that. It's the shit that gets associated with it."

"Like what?"

"Pfft.. Off the top of my head? There's the inane expectations." He started and paused when Jules scoffed.

"Expectations are usually on both sides, Bishop."

"Then there's the false promises, jealousy.."

"What do you mean 'false promises?"

"What do you think?" He snapped back with a bored look.

"I think that I am gonna need you to spiral a little more."

"I'm not spiraling. I'm just saying that how could you, anyone seriously promise to love them forever or fuck, desire them and only them and never anyone else?" He scoffed. "Our parents may have not cared who they fucked around with, but at least they were somewhat honest with not only themselves but with eachother in regard to who or what they were doing and they knew that how they felt whether it be about eachother or anyone else who they were bedding could change. Whether it be a week, a month a year, or twenty years from then."

"With them it was more like ten minutes, an hour, or a day. Or if they weren't on top of things, six to nine months."

"Traveling together, talking through the night and being close to them?" Jules countered.

"Look, Jules. I just don't want to fall into the whole.. I don't know, 'construct' that other people created and expect others to abide by."

"You sound like our father right now."

He shot to his feet so fast and nearly lunged at him. "You take that back right now."

"I can see that you're offended by that, as you should be." He placated. "But our father also was the one who would have a stiff drink in one hand blabbering his usual preach about how 'even though he loved our mother so very much, he could never promise 'in good faith' I believe his words were, that he would never find himself physically desiring anyone else."

"You don't have to like the fact that I don't mind that I'm not like everyone else in the whole 'relationship' part of living my life. From how we grew up, and all the shit we dealt with it may have affected what my 'way of loving' someone would be.

"So even in spite of our parents and our upbringing you still think that everlasting love with someone is a fallacy?"

"To be honest, Jules, I don't know." He sighed and idle ran his hand over Karnwyr's shoulder blades. "I'm just saying that I or anyone for that matter have no way of knowing how long it will last until it does." His words at least, had Jules looking into the fire as it crackled for a second or two, looking thoughtful but his jaw was sawing back and forth. "Do you understand what I'm saying?"

"I understand it, I just.. don't like it. I mean.. Our lives are unpredictable. You never know what's going to happen, especially when it comes to emotions. You even said it yourself. Things can change.. Which means."

"I think I see where you're going with this and I'm going to try to stop you right there."

"You could try but you wont. You could change your mind. For the right person."

"That so?"

"Yeah. Because people like us, our family especially are always going to be getting into trouble and sorting through shit... Having someone we love by our side just makes getting out of that trouble so much easier." His last statement had caused a smile to grow, like he had a secret but didn't elaborate it.

"Why, that's practically poetic, little brother. It gets me, right here." He thumped a hand on his chest.

"Keep ragging me, it'll get you somewhere else." Jules threatened half jokingly.

"Something to fight for." He scoffed as he recalled Jules' words after they had eaten. "I don't know if there's someone like that out there for someone like me."

"You'll find her. Or she'll find you. And Gods help me, if you don't, I will do whatever it is I can to help get her to you. Or vice versa." Jules lifted the file once again after cleaning up his hands after dinner and immediately got back to work and blew off the dust that had built up. "If I can work towards the idea of having my happy ending," he pointed both those sharp amber eyes to him along with the file in his hand, "then so can you."

For fucked up rangers like him? Not a chance. "Happy ending, huh?"

"It'll happen. You mark my words."

He shook his head and flipped some sticks to draw the flames up higher. "Aren't I supposed to be the wise older brother that knows all and offers you talks and rants?"

"You're too stupid to be wise."

"Then I'm glad I'm not as stupid as you." He joked back and got a rag tossed back at him, smacking him in the face, earning laugh from both of them, the sounds echoing up into the trees around them.

A few minutes dragged by and a thought hit him hard enough where he couldn't help the, "Well… Fuck."

"Now what?" Jules asked, not looking up at him once again but did reach over to their little stock pile of wood and tossed another log onto the fire to build it back up.

"You know what kind of trouble this is going to cause me? Don't you have any consideration?" He demanded. "I'll be the only one of us left. Women hone in on things like that. I won't be able to get myself a snuggle without the woman thinking it's going to lead to orange blossoms."

There was that amused fanged grin he'd come to love. "You'll have to tough it out." He returned and worked a little carving knife into the amulet, slowly and methodically.

"What in sweet fucks so appealing about marriage anyway?" Grumbling, he leaned forward and threw another log on the fire himself. "I mean, think about it, Jules. Really think. You've got one woman for the rest of your life. Just one. And there're so many out there that I don't think you've sampled enough of them to be completely sure.. I mean there's tall ones, short ones, round ones."

Amused, Jules just shook his head and turned the gem in hand before lifting the amulet to check it in comparison before setting the amulet back down and went back to work on the gem.. "I'm sure there are. Quite trying to change my mind, its not gonna happen." He blew a quick harsh breath on the talisman before turning it this way and that before continuing. "And if it helps smooth things over in your mind, you can think about it like this; with me out of the way, there'll be more out there for you."

"There is that." Taking it philosophically, he shrugged. "I guess it'll be up to me to maintain the legend. I'll just have to make the sacrifice."

"You're up to it, brother." Jules sent a sleuthing look over to his brother. "Women already fall all over you."

"And yet you're tossing them off because you've gone cross-eyed over one woman. It's not only stupid, it's…well, it's selfish."

Jules had quick reflexes; he would never deny that. So, he wasn't suspecting the thump on the back of the head that would have felled a grizzly. Or at least made one woozy. "Man, I love your attitude, brother... You're going to carry the legend into the next lifetime"

"Damn right," He agreed even as he rubbed the back of his head. "No woman's going to tie me down. I mean, with all the flowers out there, why pick one when you can have a bouquet?"

"Now that's poetry." Jules thumped him again. "Don't think about flowers."

"Then what?"

"Well instead, you can think if it like.. just being with someone you not only trust and respect, but you also love them more than anything." He held up a finger again. "Different from familial love."

"I've also never been interested in sappy things like love."

"Oh brother." Jules laughed, shaking his head. "I long for the day when you fall ass over tea kettle for a woman."

"Fat chance."

"Then there is a chance. You'll be quoting plays, poems and singing by the end of it."

"Shut your fanged face about this mushy stuff. I've talked enough about this so why don't you tell me something I can mock you for later."

Jules snorted. "Like what?"

"Tell me about Telari."

Jules' fanged smile graced his face one again. "I can manage that. Although it won't need to be much."

"Won't be much?" He chuckled. "Why you think I could persuade her over to my side?"

His eyes snapped up to his with an intensity that had him leaning backwards just slightly. Letting go of the tool in one hand, he held up his hand, one finger lifting upward. "First, keep your hands and eyes off her." The warning was clear.

"Don't get your hackles up, I won't do anything like that."

"I know. That's why I was going to add 'second, your too good of a guy, a brother, to do that to me. And third, you just need the basics since you'll be meeting her when we get to the location."

"Seriously?"

"It was also one of the reasons I came looking for you."

Sneaky sonofa- "Colour me flattered."

"Well then.. I have to say I am looking forward to meeting the woman who has you going the distance making a pendant-"

"Amulet." Jules corrected quickly.

"Into the late hours of the night and into the wee hours of the morning."

"And I am already imagining how you will react when you meet the woman who knocks you off your feet, when you realize you love her and how nervous you'll be when you'll ask me for the ring I made for you when you propose."

"I don't get nervous around women, Jules."

"If it's the right one, for her, you will be."

"That'll be the day."

"Just you wait."

---

Cursing softly, he shot up from the bed, the memory eating away at him until his emotions were not in the healthiest of places. His heart was beating too fast, and the glances he had made to Serlina while she had slept hadn't helped in that matter. Usually, she calmed or excited him. Now looking at her she made him feel restless and not even in a good way.. Karnwyr slept soundly on his side, head pointing to the door but when his feet touched the floor, he roused. Trying to swallow the lump that had formed in his throat, he found it parched and dry. He looked back out of the doorway and ran his tongue over his lips. He could use a drink but then, it would taste sour like his mood. Instead, he lifted himself from the bed as carefully as possible so as to not rouse Serlina and managed to step around Karnwyr who looked up at him with a curious tilt of his head. Lifting one hand to his lips he pressed a finger to his mouth with a soft 'Shhh' and the other hand was up, fingers wide in a motion to 'stay.' With a languid lick of his lips, he shifted and rested his head on his paws, still pointed at the door as he walked through it and out.

Eyes scanning around, he found what he was looking for and strided towards it. Getting to the giant jug that was in the back behind the counter, he lifted the lid and let out a relived sigh. Leaning over to the table that was beside it, he lifted the tankard and leaned over to fill it. Lifting it up and out he brought it to his lips and drank deeply. The water was cold, almost shockingly so and severely helped with his dry throat and mouth.

Jules had just been trying to push his fucking 'love is for everyone shit' shit on him. It didn't mean that anything he had said had any merit. After all, he hadn't been put through the ringer as much as he his with their parents. His views of relationships hadn't been tarnished as badly as some of their other siblings.

Jules was the one who had changed the most. Not him. The way he felt about Serlina was not the same as Jules had been with Temari.. Sure, meeting Serlina, hearing her voice, taking in her body and how it moved and her scent… Had hit him in the chest so hard and filled him from the crown of his head to the tips of his toes with want for her. And the urge to snap anyone who would try to reach out to touch something he himself was surprised to have but it was also part of… the thrill. The chase. Like prey. That's all it was. Is.

That wasn't love. Love made you selfish. The tankard hit the table again with a little more force than he would have liked. Makes you blind. And love.. He scoffed. Love was also a ma major part of the reason he was dead.. And the idea of marriage hadn't hit him at all like it had Jules.

So why the fuck was he thinking about all this now when he should be sleeping?

A soft huff came from behind him and had him turning around to see Karnwyr trotting over from the room, ears back a bit. Stooping low, he sighed and rubbed at him around the scruff of his neck. "I'm alright, boy." He got a small lick in return and found himself smiling before it was wiped away when Karnwyr's eyes looked up overhead, darting a little like he was looking for something before his ears tilted back a bit. His head lowered just enough and like he was tracking something, his head moved quickly over his shoulder to look vaguely in the direction of the firepit.

"What is it?" He whispered low, rising from his crouched position with a palm to his daggers hilt. His eyes dragged around the room, nothing out of the ordinary coming to sight. A paw running down his leg jarred him and looked down to see Karnwyr now looking towards their room and without looking back, took off towards it. He was a step or two behind him when he heard it.

The sound of a pained whimper. Hurring his pace he breached the doorway and came to a stop.

There in the corner of the room, with his bow knocked over and with arrows spilling out of the quiver all over the floor, was Serlina. Shaking, her eyes darted around the room, searching corners with her greatsword in her hands. Immediately on edge, he leaned a little to look down the walls and nearly scowled. There was no one there. Irked by the lingering demons, he sighed and stepped in only to have his back meet the wall from a quick but deafening Shout that came out more like a shriek. Air left him abruptly and he was honestly surprised that he didn't go through the wall. Karnwyr barked, at what he didn't honestly figure out as he forced air back into his lungs. Coughing he half wondered if the other patrons were startled awake with all the commotion as he managed to get his arm braced along the wall to right himself. When he managed to get himself upright his eyes narrowed in an accusive glare before it quickly shifted to concern when she seemed to focus her eyes on him. Without a thought, she set her largest blade down on the bed and ran into his arms.

"Bishop! I'm so sorry-I didn't see that it was you- I didn't mean to- well I mean I did but it would have been for anything an-and anyone other than you. Shit, I'm so sorry, a-are you alright?"

"I'm fine, I'm fine." He grabbed her hands to stop them from running all over him, her expression was a mixture of concern and slight… panic? "What's got you like this, Ladyship?"

"Did you feel it too?" She asked, her hand running over her arms, her neck like she was rubbing off bugs thar were crawling over her skin and he could only find his head shaking no.

"What are you talking about? God, you're shaking like a leaf." It was then he notice the temperature in the room. "It's freezing in here." He stated and watched as a slow exhale from him drift around him.

"You feel it?" Her teeth were all but chattering as she drew back. "You can feel it?"

"Sure, I can. It's like an icebox." He lifted his hands and stopped short when he placed hers between his own to rub them warm.

"I thought it was just another dream. The one from Haven again but where it was distant and unable to affect me, this time, I swear I felt a dragon coming toward me, and then—" She turned sharply reaching for the sword on the bed. "Then I was awake, and ready. Even though my eyes still hadn't adjusted from being awake. But I could feel it. One must've passed close by." She shook her head, slowly regaining the strength he'd seen from her time and time again. "I'm all right. It's gone now."

The room was also returning to its usual temperature as well. "Let me get you some water."

"No, I'm all right." She caught his arm and held tight for a second before easing her grip.

She was still too pale, he thought, but her eyes had cleared. His heart that had seemed to drop to his knees was now climbing back up his ribs to where it was meant to reside. "Was this like what happened before? When we had first travelled together." He inquired and watched as she pondered the thought a second before shaking her head.

"Kind of, but not really." She yawned, her hand lifting to her mouth before falling to the swords sheath and slowly put the blade away. "Its hard to explain." Her lips tilted downward in thoughtful from when the innkeeper came by, hair disheveled from sleep and asking about the commotion. He was able to be sent away, Serlina trying to smooth things over and with a hand filled with a few more septimes he returned to retire for the remainder of the night. She went back to the bed and sat on it and with a long exhale, she looked to him. "I suppose, to answer your earlier question, each time I've dreamt about it, and I've dreamt about it more than I would like to share, I always wake up feeling the fear lingering from that moment and unlike that night, the one in the woods, it doesn't have me by the throat anymore. Its more like.." She lifted a hand and rubbed her knuckled in the valley between her breasts. "Here. Its grip had simply moved. Almost as if it's a reminder that something out there nearly got me. And sometimes, when it gets to be too much, I am afraid it might be."

"It's not going to be you, Ladyship."

She lifted a shoulder than dropped it. "It could have been."

"But it's not," he said firmly moving to sit beside her. "Nor will it be. Because you're here. You're here, you're with me. There's nothing for you to be afraid of."

"I'm tired of being afraid." She closed her eyes, let her head rest on his shoulder as he laid down once again beside her. "I'm glad you're here." She let out a deep sigh.

"Me too." He replied into the dark and let his eyes close. And while the lull of sleep called to him, he mentally stood on the edge of something that he couldn't see the bottom off and fought like hell to dig his heels in deep and not go over. But just before he feel into the void, he could have sworn that he heard Jules's chuckling in his ear.

"Shut up." He muttered and felt Serlina rouse slightly.

"I didn't say anything." Serlina murmured against his shoulder and he shook his head gently.

"Not you, Ju-... just forget it. Sleep, Ladyship."

---

AN:

Hey guys!

I am so sorry that it's been so long since I posted but I just want to thank you all for those who have lingered\held on and checked in on the story to see if anything has updated.

And I will admit.. I had some updating to do for the storyline I had going on both in my head and on paper and after much deliberating, I have come to a conclusion that I am hoping that you guys will intrigued enough to see where this goes and how…

Now; Bishop's chapter here is a big one and I had to break it up into two chapters since I was worried this one was already long enough. But your feedback is what helps me want to go on, so please let me know what you guys think.

And I have decided to make a few.. tweaks for my upcoming chapters in regards to the stories I have planned that I can't wait to see if you catch on…

Little teaser.. Two characters many are familiar with will be mentioned but will play MAJOR roles in their own upcoming connecting storylines… Muhahah.

Anyway, next chapter will be up sometime soon. Till then,

Stay Romancing!