Dusk began as the sun began to settle and the markets of white run were dwindling. The merchants announcing discounted prices on produce and meats on its last day as they put away their merchandise and closed up shop. People hurried to spend their gold on last minute items. As the shops emptied out the Bannered Mare began to fill up.

Vhornyak proudly strode through the streets with a large sack slung over his shoulder, whistled an upbeat tune as he headed towards Dragonsreach.

He noticed a group of children following him. They were cautious behind him. In their young minds they were being stealthy but in reality, they were loud and impatient as most children are.

He only made it to Whiterun once a year, but in every city in Skyrim the children were learning one thing, The friendly orc in bone armor always had gifts. Not just did he have gifts, but they tended to be gifts parents weren't too happy the kids brought home. Making it all that more exciting for the children.

He stopped and turned around and growled at the kids. Some of them ran off while others sat there wide eyed. Now thinking the gift bearing friendly orc was just a myth.

"What do are doing following me?" He said to them. And then lowered the bag from his shoulder with a loud thud.

"You guys think this is a bag of gifts or something?!"

The kids all seemed nervous and none of them spoke until one of the older children finally spoke up.

"Yes….that's exactly what we think it is…..uh……sir….." the children all patiently waited as the orc then let out one of his legendary ear to ear smiles.

"Good. That's exactly what this." He reached down and opened the bag and all the children rushed in a big circle around him. All of them pushing onto each other together to get closer and closer to the mysteries of this adventurers cloth sack.

Without looking he reached into the bag and pulled out a necklace. A little girl reached out with wide eyes, and he handed it to her.

"A pretty necklace for a pretty little lady" he rubbed her on her head and she giddily left the mob of children.

He then reached in and grabbed an item and this time a pair of brass knuckle gauntlets came with him. All the boys started frantically reaching towards the front to get this dangerous gift.

He saw a little Argonian boy awaiting patiently and being pushed to the side by the others. He reached over all the others and handed them to the shy Argonian child.

"Don't hit your siblings with this" the boy then smiled and ran off with the incredibly dangerous weapon.

He reached in again and pulled out……a severed human head. Half of the kids were frightened and ran off. The other half was mesmerized.

"Oops. That my bounty" he said as he put it back in.

"Can I have the head?" He heard a little boy's voice ask.

"Not unless you have the jarls bounty" he responded

He reached in again and this time he pulled out a glass dagger and three small gems. He at this point was just pulling items out of his bag and giving then to the first person who grabbed it. He gave a seven year old a glass dagger and a ten year old a scroll of frost troll. He was completely oblivious to who had what. He gave a nine year old a staff without having any idea what the staff did or if it was charged.

"We're getting low it seems" he reached in this time and pulled out….a reach men's Briarheart.

"Sorry about that again" he went to put it in the bag and heard the same voice that asked for the head if he could have the heart. Vhornyak finally looked up at the kid.

"Again, that's my bounty." Vhornyak squinted at him, "What's with the body parts kid?" He reached into his bag and pulled out a Hagraven's claw.

"How about that, close enough?" The kid graciously accepted the claw and ran off, presumably to show off his new macabre gift.

Vhornyak watched the kid run away and then looked at the other kids.

"Don't go into the woods with that one." And they all nodded in understanding.

"I think that's all I got today. I still have a couple days here. Plenty for those who didn't get anything today"

He stood back up and left with a sea of thank you's from the children who all dispersed to their own destinations. The Orc slung his bag back over his shoulder and continued his way. Whistling the same tune as before.

He walked on the bridge walkway until he saw Jarl Balgruuf lounging in the wading pool beneath the bridge. Balgruuf did not notice the orc but instead spoke to his grounds keeper.

"Quite the job you did getting the pool cleaned up for the spring. You did an immaculate job cleaning the water." He said to his groundskeeper.

"Make sure you and the rest of the grounds crew get a chance to relax and enjoy yourselves. Reap the fruits of your own labor." He said

"We will my lord. Thank you. We are glad you are pleased." The groundskeeper responded

"Balgfruuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuf." He heard from above him and looked to see Vhornyak excitedly waving at him.

When the orc saw the Jarl look up he reached into his bag and grabbed the severed head.

"I got your bounty!!" He yelled as he held the head over the railing to the walkway. As he did a hawk flew by and tried to take the head from Vhornyak. Vhornyak held on tightly to the hair as he tried to swat the hawk away with his other hand. The hawk was persistent and dug his talons in one good time into the hand holding the head and he lost his grip. The head dropped down and landed in the pool right in front of the Jarl.

"Oops" was all he said as he moved away from the railing and headed towards the doors.

The head sunk down and then rose back up and floated right in front of Balgruuf.

"When did you start requiring a head for bounties?" The groundskeeper asked Balgruuf.

Jake Balgruuf let out a loud sigh. "I don't. I never have. The big man just gets excited."

The groundskeeper got a fishing net they used to Clean foliage debris out of the water as the jarl got out of the pool and collected the head.

"We'll have it cleaned again for the feast tomorrow my lord." The groundskeeper said as he put the head into a discard sack.

Vhornyak walked into Dragonsreach and headed to the large table where the jarls Imperial advisor and steward Proventus Avenicci was sifting through papers. He saw the orc walk in and hurriedly put away his papers.

"I'm guessing Whiterun has a couple less trouble makers to worry about?" He has said as he stood up to greet Vhornyak.

"Two to be exact." Vhornyak reached into his bag and pulled out the Briarheart and tried to hand it to Proventis.

Proventus pulled his hands away and waved to get it away from him. Vhornyak set it down on the table.

"Do you just have that in your bag?" Proventus asked slightly confused.

"Yeah, I have the bandits chiefs head too but I….uh…..I gave it to the Jarl already" he proudly said.

"We do appreciate your swift and effective way of removing our problems. However, as I've been stating to you for years now, The Jarl does not want body parts. I do not want body parts. We trust your word by now. Please please please stop bringing me severed limbs and organs."

He stated to Vhornyak as he laid a large coin purse with fifteen hundred worth of septims.

"Five hundred for each bounty and a bonus of five hundred because we're assuming you took out the inevitable Hagraven that was with the reach men."

He stated as he picked up a cloth and picked up the heart and wrapped it.

"I did, I grabbed her claws too." He reached back into his bag and dug around. Proventus put his hands on the orc's arms.

"I assure you it's fine. We trust your word. The bonus is already in the purse." Proventus was concerned about what was going to come out of that bag next.

Vhornyak Finally had a look of realization as he stopped digging around the bag.

"I just remembered. I gave it to some little kid. Weird little boy too. He tried to get the head from me."

"You……you what?" Proventus turned his head sideways and looked at Vhornhyak with quite the inquisitive look. He then picked up the heart and handed it back to the orc.

"Please take this to Farengar, the court wizard, he can usually find alchemy usage for the……organic materials you bring with you." Proventus went into the nearest chamber room to clean his hands.

Vhornhyak smirked as headed to the mages quarters. He loved to get in the heads of people he found too uptight and He found few people as uptight as Proventus. He knew he didn't need to bring his proof like that. He just loved getting under his skin.

He's a big oaf and he knows it. Sometimes

His bumbling is intentional like with Proventus. Other times it's natural, like dropping the head in the Jarls wading pool. He wants people to underestimate him. If people knew what he was truly capable of they would fear him. If he wanted you to fear him he was perfectly capable of doing so on his own accord. He didn't want the populace to fear him for no reason.

"Hello there old friend" Farengar warmly greeted him with a handshake as he walked into his quarters "What did you try and give him this time?"

"Briarheart. Speaking of", he handed the heart to the mage, "it's yours. I got my value out of it."

"Much appreciated. I wasn't planning on seeing you until the feast tomorrow but I'm glad you came by. This morning during breakfast Travius had asked me if I was aware of any kind of substances that's been known be mixed with skooma or other alcohols that could cause a rapid psychosis.

I told him that my knowledge about these types of concoctions is probably no more helpful than that your average alchemist but I did find a book I'd like you to give him. It's from an alchemist in the Imperial City who was running a study about twenty years ago, financed by the emperor if I remember correctly, about finding natural ingredients to help soldiers deal with shield stress after the wars." Farengar handed him a leather-bound book called 'Illusion through nature'.

"He published one book and then his funding was cut. Not really sure why myself. Rumor has it that his research was making discoveries with hallucinogenics that the Imperial government felt was best not being public information.

I know he's self published a couple of works but it was fairly limited due to financial constraints. I wouldn't be surprised if some of them had way their way to the College by now. Either way, this might have some information." He said while Vhornyak went through the pages.

"I hope you don't expect me to repeat all that to him but I'll be glad to bring this book to his room." Vhornyak said as he closed the book and headed off to his room.

………………………………………………………………………

Travis and Anaelle made their way through the city gates after dropping the horse at the stable. Normally, You would say the first thing they noticed was the beautiful view of the sun setting behind a Dragonsreach or the cool spring breeze that let them know a rain was coming.

One this occasion however, The first thing they noticed was a small Argonian child running across the street chasing after two slightly older and taller Argonian children with a brass knuckle gauntlet on his arm. All three were being chased by a very frustrated town guard. Then they saw a little boy whittling a very thick branch with a glass dagger. However, the most confusing was seeing another child wearing Hagraven claw on his head like a hat.

"Is it just me or is the number of children wielding lethal weapons much higher than when we left?" Anaelle asked quite confused.

Travius just smiled. "Vhornyak made it back from his bounty safely I see."

She had so many questions about that entire scenario but she knew it needed to be tucked away for another time. Assuming there would be another time. She was slightly frustrated with Jorgensen as she felt he was rushing her into telling Travius about her secret.

She also understands that he's not necessarily wrong and his heart is in the right place. He did offer her refuge if things went bad and if he truly felt threatened by her she would never of made it out of his manor.

She had been fairly silent since they left his manor. Not at all her usual talkative self. She had opinions and knowledge of such a wide range of topics and had a great grasp of history and she was never shy to discuss it. It was one of the many traits Travius found so intriguing about her and it was not lost on him that she had become abruptly silent since they left the manor.

"You must be as worn out from all that has happened the last few days as I am, I've barely been graced by your voice since we left the manor."

She locked her self in his arm as they walked.

"I am, much to the big man's dismay I say you and I get food from the dragons reach kitchens and then get an early night sleep."

"The night owl wanting to go to bed early?" He responded.

She giggled and tapped his chest.

"Shoosh you!"

They quietly walked together enjoying the light breeze as they made their way through the city and into dragons reach.

They arrived at their room and decided to lay in the bed together until they heard the dinner bell ring. Whenever they stayed at Dragonsreach they had an open invitation to join the Jarl and his family for Meals.

Travius laid on his back and Anaelle joined him by laying next to him with her head on his chest. She knew now was the best time. She thought back to the path they took to get here. She made sure to note all hallways, windows and doors. She wanted to make sure she could escape if she needed. She knew if he acted hostile that mind manipulation wouldn't work on him and with everything he's seen and battled in his life a pair of fangs won't leave him with a wet spot in his crotch as it would with most.

She knew her best course of action was invisibility and out the window in the room across the hall since it was facing Dovakhin Manor. She could easily scale these walls and could make it to the manor in hopes Jorgensen is as honorable to his world as people say he is.

She started to nervously stroke his chest. She even began shaking a bit. She was anxious, almost afraid. Something she hadn't felt in longer than she could remember. She felt a lot since her and Travius danced in Winterhold. After that night she felt a lot of things she didn't know she could feel anymore.

Travius noticed her shaking and could tell something was on her mind since they left the manor.

"You feeling ok? I was quite concerned about how you were just taste testing those wild pants today. I do hope you didn't get sick." He said as he comforted her by running his hands through her hair.

"No no, I know what I can and cannot eat raw." She said. Her lips began to quiver. She needed to just come out with it she thought.

"Or maybe it's because Jorgensen, being who he is, could tell who you are right away and he confronted you about it. My guess is he was concerned about whether or not I knew." Travius said

Anaelle sat up and stated at Travius and froze.

"You……you knew?" She was shocked, relived and horrified all at once.

"I've had my suspicions since we met. You seem quite fond of the night time. When you are out in the day you cover up like a monk as opposed to how you me much more aesthetically pleasing style at night. Multiple people have mentioned you feel cold. You have a very good grasp on illusion magic for someone of your appeared age and with little formal training that I know of. Honestly, I could keep mentioning things but I think I've made my point.

However, it was confirmed When you worked that bounty with Me. Before we entered the ruin I cast a detect life spell that you didn't appear in.

Now, there could be other explanations for that but when combined with all the other clues I was certain then. I figured you would tell me when you wanted to." Travius then sat up himself and leaned on the headboard of the bed.

Anaelle just sat there speechless. Her shaking stopped. She felt a sense of calm that she hadn't felt in decades. She had been dreading this conversation. She knew she was putting herself at risk putting herself out there to Travius and she knew if things went wrong she would have to leave Winterhold and start over somewhere else. Again. The realization crept up on her that it wasn't the worst case scenario that was happening. It was the best.

She crawled over to him and straddled his legs facing him.

"You knew. You invited me to travel with you, we've slept together and you've introduced me to what is essentially your family…..and you didn't care." She stated

She eventually couldn't contain herself anymore and started laughing. A sweet and reserved laughter. It didn't come from her belly like a humorous laugh. It wasn't from her throat like you would laugh in evil. It was a laugh of joy. It was from the heart. She hadn't laughed like that since before she was turned.

Travius interjected on her laughter. "I wouldn't say I don't care, Being with a vampire creates a myriad of concerns. Im just not afraid of you. I think you haven't quite figured me out either.

To most people a vampire is the most horrifying thing they would ever encounter and most don't encounter them regardless. I however, haven't feared a vampire since the first time I met one. I spent years alternating between sleeping in alleyways and sleeping in the sewers. Those imperial sewers are a known hunting ground for vampires."

"The Imperial Buffet it was called." Anaelle said while her laughter died down.

"Exactly! I've been dealing with vampires my whole life. Anything from defending myself from them to selling my vein for a bed and a warm meal. Even If that wasn't the case, Ive fought dragons and I've been to a Daedric plane. A vampire that has made as much effort to peacefully assimilate as you is not a concern to me.

My point is, since I have no need to fear you even if you wanted me to, I don't see a vampire in you. I see the smart, brave, beautiful woman who makes me special drinks and then cuts a throat."

They both embraced in a kiss until they were interrupted by the dinner bell.

"We're grabbing a bottle or two of wine after dinner and we're heading to talk until neither of us have any secrets." Travius said as he gave her one more small kiss.

….. ….. …….. …..

The dinner guest were surprising company. The Jarls wife was feeling ill and Vhornyak, to everyone's confusion chose to abstain from the tavern. They were also joined by Jorgensen who decided Trish needed some time 'bonding with her cousins' as he put it. Not much could wear down the Dragonborn but three weeks with his wife out of town and him being responsible for two toddlers and a teenager was a beast his powers couldn't slay. This made dinner consist of Travius, Anaelle, Aratore, J' Zargo, Vhornyak, Jorgensen, Jarl

Balgruuf, Proventus and the jarls housecarl Eirlith.

The food had been brought out and everyone dug in and made their plates. These buffet style open meals in dragons reach had become the norm over the last decade. The Jarl instructed that breakfast and dinner be made in enough quantity to feed everyone in dragons reach. Everyone from himself all the way down to the grounds keeping apprentice received a meal and anything left over was brought to beggars, which were becoming few and far between in Whiterun.

Whiterun was the city where dragons were first spotted, where a dragon was first slayed and it was the only hold directly attacked by the Stormcloaks. Balgruff The Greater was by all accounts already a fair, successful leader who was well liked not just in his hold but all over Skyrim. He was even considered for King after Toryg's death but turned it down.

After his hold was put in so much danger through events he had no real control

Of he started to gain a new perspective. The Jarl loved and cared for his people and he wanted them to know it. Through small acts of generosity such as daily meals and helping the unfortunate he found a better purpose as a Jarl.

"Travius, will your new companions

Be joining you tomorrow instead of hired hands?" Proventus asked after everyone had settled in.

"Yes, unless anywhere has had a change of heart?" Travius responded and looked around the table. Everyone in the travel party nodded their heads in approval.

"Intriguing. Balgruuf, I hate to talk business while we dine but this is a perfect opportunity, may I ask for closed ears?" Proventus asked

Balgruuf nodded and Erilith signaled to the closest guard "May we have the room?" She asked. The guards and kitchen staff all left the main hall leaving only those who were at the table.

Once he was assured everyone else was gone Proventus spoke.

"As you may know, this mission tomorrow is not a bounty from the jarl or the king of Skyrim. It was sent directly from the an imperial City. Travius and his crew was directly requested for this and the pay is quite substantial. Substantial enough none of you will need to worry about money for quite some time.

Now understand that on my official capacity as the Imperial advisor I have been made privy to information that is supposed to stay between the Jarl and Myself but that seems inappropriate to me as the we are not the ones putting in ourselves into danger. I do not know all of you but I do ask for discretion from all Of you."

He looked around again and was again acknowledged by silent nods.

"Good. We received word of a simple smuggling operation they want broken up. They have requested Travius on many occasions but they have in the past only requested his services for matters dealing with non human and mystical threats so I found this odd.

Before your arrival in Whiterun I went to Dragons Bridge to gather more information . I was given very vague responses but was able to get some interesting details.

Firstly, this is not from the emperor himself but from the Penitis Oculatis. They sent an undercover infiltrator to check out the smuggling den which has been set up in Dustman's Cairn, An ancient ruin that was left vacant once the Silver Hand disappeared from Skyrim.

Whatever it is their infiltrator found has them on edge. They want you to take no prisoners and destroy anything and everything in the ruin. This means it is obviously more than a smuggling ring. That in itself self is not the part that's odd as that is why these infiltrators exist to be begin with.

The curious part is that Penitis Oculatis always handles raids and rescues themselves for discretionary purposes. I've been working in the Imperial Government since I was younger than the Bosmer here and I've never once heard of them contracting out an assignment like this. Certainly not with pay they are offering.

As unusual as all that is, theirs something more. We were told that this was to be presented to you as if the Bounty came from Jarl Balgruuf and that Jorgensen specifically not be involved." Proventus then scanned the room to ensure everyone was in understanding.

"I am fine with keeping that story for the populace but I did not feel right withholding that information from you, not after everything you've done for me." Balgruuf stated.

Proventus began speaking again. "Whatever it is they found they want it kept quiet and Jorgensen presence alone makes it too hard to keep secret."

"That's not adding up though, if they are so concerned with discretion they would just handle it internally like they always do." Travius spoke.

"It's because they don't want to be attached to it. They don't want this be looked at as an Imperial government operation at all. It's why they are asking Balgruuf to lie and I assure you any record of this will be gone the moment you collect your money. Whatever they found in there isn't undead or Deadra or anything like that. It's something with political ramifications which don't exist if people think you're doing this on behalf of Balgruuf."

Jorgensen stated as He then took a large sip of his wine.

"I don't like it." He said before taking another sip.

"They are trying to hide it from the Thalmor. It's why they don't want Jorgensen involved. The Thalmor have spies following him everywhere and the empire knows that." Erilith said with realization in her voice.

"I've come to that same conclusion myself" Proventus responded. "I don't know if they are trying to hide the contents or their knowledge of it from them. Either way it's all the more reason to be cautious." Proventus responded

…………….. ………………………

JUST MATCH ME

Travius and Anaelle made it to a calm and peaceful section of the white river just off the main road. They found a nice spot behind some bushes where they could see any passerby's before they could be seen themselves.

Travius pulled out a small blanket as well as a bottle of wine and two glasses from his travel sack and they both sat down. Anaelle saw him open the bottle of wine and almost poured it into a glass.

"Wait. You brought two bottles right?" She asked as she reached into the bag and pulled out the second bottle. She popped the cork and drank straight from the bottle. She took a very long sip to the point where some wine had started to drip from the corners of her mouth. She finally took the bottle from her lips and wiped them.

She felt a tinge of embarrassment until she looked at Travius and saw him with a grin that indicated he was impressed.

"No sense in making dirty dishes for the kitchen staff to clean now is there?" She said playfully

"Fair. Very fair" he said as he took a large sip from what is apparently his own bottle.

"So, I think we have a lot to discuss. Where do we even begin?" She asked him obviously trying to get him to break the ice for what was to be a very informative night.

"What was your life before you were turned?"he asked her

"Well as you could tell from these pointy little ears, these adorable dimples and my petite stature I'm from High Rock. I was the princess of Wayrest. I was the oldest of three girls at age twenty one and in between the ages of two brothers. I was my father's most prized trade piece. I was beautiful, educated, graceful and could smile and wave to a crowd like I invented it.

I knew how to play the role in public like I was supposed to. In private, I was bored and youth tend to act out when they are bored. I wouldn't say I disliked my life per se, but it was very unfulfilling.

My alchemy studies were the only thing I had any real control over and that made me feel pent up." She took another sip and took a deep breath. She hadnt discussed any of this in a very long time.

"That's certainly the first time I've seen someone drink straight from a wine bottle and then say they are a Princess." He said poking fun of her.

"Shoosh you." She said as she slapped him on his arm.

"How long ago and how did it hap…" he tried to ask before she interrupted.

"No no, it's my turn. do you know anything at all about your blood parents?"

"Not really, no. My mother was an imperial is all I know. I have a coin at my home I'll be glad to show you. It has a strange looking X on it. My name was written on a note and dropped off with Me.

I had tried to find records of my last name at one point but none of the people I found were even logical enough to attempt to find. Who knows if the house mothers read it or repeated it correctly. Most of them weren't any more literate than the children they cared for. "

Another sip, another question.

"How long have you been a vampire?"

"That's always a fun one. Guess." She said as she pulled a bug smoke leaf from her satchel. Travius quickly lit it for her.

"Aye ok. Twenty one when it happened you say. Have you been this way for longer than that?"

"Much longer"

"I guess I knew that. Atleast one hundred years and all. Were you around for The Great Collapse?" He asked

"Of Winterhold? I was in Cyrodill at the time but yes. You're still not even close though" he looked kind of astonished as she passed him the leaf.

"I was turned during the oblivion crisis. A gate opened right outside our walls. I was evacuated out of the city. My guards and I were attacked by vampires on the way to the safe house and I was turned. I got on a boat and left. Haven't been back to High Rock since. I would appreciate being allowed to omit any further details about being turned though. It's not a pleasant memory."

Travius nodded "I can imagine."

He paused and looked her over. His mind having a hard time grasping that someone who looked so young had been alive for centuries.

"You've been in Skyrim for the entire fourth era then?" He asked

"I've been to every province besides High Rock and black marsh in that time but I've mostly settled in Cyrodill. I was with the Thieves Guild for quite some time, I'm sure recognized my armor, that took me all over the place."

She paused for a moment and remember the whole point of this was to open their secrets to each other.

"I was also with the Dark Brotherhood in Cyrodill. I've only been in Skyrim since the Great War. So close to fifty years now I suppose. I like it here. The weather suits me and you have plenty of wilds to disappear to if needed."

She crawled over to the water and ran her hands through it.

"Oh, it's nice and cold." She said excitedly.

"Nice and cold, huh?" Travius asked

Anaelle surprised Travius when she very swiftly stood up and disrobed and then snatched the leaf from him. Then she walked into the lake up to her waist and turned around to Travius. "You seem to handle the cold just fine." She said as she got deep enough to push herself backwards into the water.

Travius quickly disrobed himself and followed her into the water. He held her by the waist and she put her arms over his shoulders as they both floated in place and giving eachother a long glare and big smiles

"Your turn I believe" he said to her as she finished taking a large drag from the leaf and put the rest of it to his mouth. He finished it with one large drag and she disposed of the leaf in the water.

"Discretion is obviously important to my survival but sometimes having allies can be to my benefit. Who do you think is safe to know about me?" She asked him

"I see no reason to be forthcoming about it publicly. However If you're going to continue traveling with us, as I hope you will, it's only fair the rest of our party knows.

I can already tell you Vhornyak is going to have the same indifference to vampires as I do. He will assume you want to eat is his ass though."

"He…he what?" She asked inquisitively.

"I think he spends too much time in brothels…"

"No, not like that" Travius said and then laughed. "He thinks his buttocks are irresistible to vampires and in all fairness he's been bitten there a few times. Look, with him, sometimes you just need to nod your head and agree with what he says because he'll say things that only have logic in his own mind."

"What about the others. J'Zargo usually travels with you doesn't he?"

"He does, I think from the scholars viewpoint that he has he'll see someone who has been around since the Oblivion Crisis and has been practicing magic for over two hundred years as a valuable source of knowledge. Aratore may handle it a bit differently but I think at this point he's just accepting things as they come.

As for anyone in Winterhold, you've been mingling with them long enough to prove you mean no harm and ignorance may be bliss there. I would say if I was so close to figuring it out that Yarwil definitely already has and if he was concerned he would have had you removed from his college one way or another already." He said to her, trying his best to give her assurance.

"We could be here all night and we have a long day tomorrow. One more question and then a confession, that should be fun, do you agree?" She asked him

"Sure. I do believe it's my turn" he said

"You told me you haven't had to pursue anyone like you did me for quite some time? What was it about me that caught your interest so much?"

"You mean besides the ga t that you're rich, famous and incredibly handsome, the same things that most woman like for you?" She asked playfully.

"Most women are not centuries old vampires." He responded

"True" she responded and then She took a second to ponder.

"I know this sounds crazy but I feel drawn to you. I feel fortable and safe when you're around. Something about you makes me feel things I didn't know I could feel anymore . The older I get the more I lose emotions. I've had to fake feelings for so long to hide myself but with you everything is genuine. The very first time I saw you I was honestly nervous. I would be genuinely happy when you sat at my bar.

Our first night together you were so full of adrenaline after what happened with those Thalmor I even felt fear for a slight moment. I guess the answer to your question is that you're special in ways you or anyone else may not understand yet. You also remind me of some people from my past but that's not something I'm ready to talk about yet if that's alright."

"Certainly. I will say I'm quite flattered though. Not often one is told they create mystical attraction." He said and the leaned on and gave her a short kiss.

"You want to hear my confession?" She smiled widely and asked him.

"I never expected any of this. I kind of thought I was just going to be someone you called upon when you needed warmth for a night. I was just a bartender and a student. You inviting me here was completely unexpected. When I asked you to buy me a drink I never thought it would turn into me running bounties for the Penitus Oculatus and sharing a bed in Dragons Reach."

"You would have certainly been the wrong person to call upon for warmth." He said with a mischievous grin.

She gave him the same look back and splashed water at him.

Travius spoke again. "Well, you're not the only one who gets strange and unique feelings when we're together. Lots of women show me attention, but most of them don't know anything about me. They only know the image of me. A famous, rich, Dragon slayer. If I had married one of the noble men's daughters that I've had thrown at me I would be just as much as an arm piece for them as they are to me.

You're different though. My confession would be that I often plan my time at the tavern around you working there. We've slowly gotten time to know eachother and you've seen me as a real person and not just a walking fable. In time I learned you weren't just a bar keep grabbing free land. I could always tell you were something more just like you could with me.

When we were finally were able to spend some time alone I realized it was going to be a long week without seeing you again and wanted you to be with me. I'm glad I did, I learned you were more than I could ever dream of."

They both just floated there staring at each other.

"Travius, I don't want to destroy your future, you know I can never give you children right?" She asked

He scoffed. "I don't need you to. Plenty of children out there growing up like Vhornyak and I did who would be happy to live with a rich Thane and his secret vampire lover. Much better than the alternative."

"Do you have that gentle touch required for children anyway?" She asked and she held up her right hand and closed a fist except for her index finger. Her index finger illuminated with a blue hue. A very small amount of frost swarmed her finger.

"Everything you do is done with great power and strength. Your flame spells are like an oil explosion, your bound sword eminated magic unlike anything I've ever seen. When we make love you're so dominant I might as well be your thrall, and I'm not certainly not complaining about that just be clear, but do you have the ability to soft when you need it? Can you match this small use of magic without hurting me?" She asked.

He held up his index finger same as her and tried to ignite his flame on just his fingertip, he had to focus and try several times for the flame to not engulf his entire hand.

"Touch my frost without hurting me." She said and moved closer to him.

He held his finger to hers and immediately overcame her frost.

"Ooowwwww." She said and put her finger back down.

"I'm a vampire remember? Fire is my greatest weakness. Try again. Match me, don't overpower me."

He tried again with a weaker flame . He met her finger with his but once again overpowered her with just this tiny flame.

"Come on, one more time. Don't overpower me, match me." She said as she put her other hand on his face and caressed his cheek.

He took a deep breathe and closed his eyes. He brought his inflamed finger to her frosted one once again but this time as both elements hit a small hiss and poof of steam both spells went out.

"You really are everything they say you are. So much more really." She said

"Can I see you?" He asked her

"Oh I was very much planning to give you quite the distraction when we leave this water." She responded with a flirtatious tone.

"That's not what I mean, although I'm very much excited now. But I mean you, the real you." He said as he pulled her into him and stroked her soaked hair.

Anaelle took a deep breathe and pulled them both under the water. When they came back up Anaelles eyes were a glowing dark red except for the very small hint of blue in her pupils. Her fangs were retracted and you could tell she was nervous and clearly very shy about her vampiric appearance. She spent so much effort hiding it all the time to blend in she forgot how relaxing it is to not have to hold back.

"To have such beauty that not even death can take it from you. You can always be who you are around me." He pulled her into him and kissed her. Under the water she straddled him and put him inside her. Then slow ripples of the water moving in an increasing circle around them. She began to kiss his neck and retracted her fangs before she fell into temptation and ruined this moment.

Travius pulled her head up to his and looked her in the eye.

"You can always be who you are around me" he repeated. He then moved his head to the side. She instinctively dropped her fangs again and moved her mouth over his strong shoulders and dug them into his skin. He made no indication of pain or discomfort as they made love in the water while she fed on what was the most delicious blood she had ever tasted.