Chapter Text
Fredas 10:35 pm, Four Shields Inn
Frostfall
The smell of alcohol and various cooked meats filled the air as we closed the old tavern door behind us. Serana flipped down her hood and shook off the rain, drops of it hitting a nearby resident seated at a table. He turned his head angrily at her, and she quickly apologized before turning to face me. She rolled her eyes and I chuckled.
"Find us a table." I said, unbuckling my plated vest. "I'm starved. Want anything?"
She gave me a small grin.
"What I eat, they don't carry."
"Right, how could I forget?" I smiled.
Serana sat herself at a table in the far corner of the inn as I bought myself a meal and a mug of cold mead. She watched me with observant eyes as I made my way back and sat across from her.
"So..." She said, laying her Elven dagger on the table. "We're staying the night. You haven't slept in days and you're looking a little pale."
I raised an eyebrow.
"Is than an order?"
"Yes, and you're not getting out of it." She teased.
She was right. We had been on the road for at least a day and a half, and I knew we both needed a break.
"Will you sleep?" I asked, curious.
"Maybe." She said, then continued in a whisper. "Don't suppose this place rents out coffins?"
I laughed and shook my head, taking a bite of my food.
"I highly doubt that."
She smiled a smile that made my stomach flutter.
Ever since the day we broke back into her father's castle I've been catching myself falling harder and harder for her with each passing second. She had told me her story. How toxic her parents were, and how lonely her childhood was because of them. She told me about the friends that she didn't have, the lack of freedom, the castle's undercroft, her mother's courtyard, and the countless nights with nothing but books to keep her immersed in a world that was way more exciting than her own. She told me more about her father's dark obsession with the prophecy, how it ruined their family, and why she was buried away for centuries to prevent it from happening.
Naturally, it was at that moment that I realized just how beautiful she really was.
"Rose?"
"Hmm?"
"Are you okay?"
I jumped up. I hadn't realized I was staring.
"Oh, yeah, sorry." Embarrassed, I took a long swig of my drink.
She smirked, and I felt my heart skip a beat as she reached across the table and took my hand in hers.
"You're funny."
I laughed once and looked down at our hands, trying to hide my face under my unkempt hair. I could feel my cheeks heating up.
She continued to run her finger tips over my skin.
"Are you tired? Do you want me to rent a room?"
Before I could answer, a large yawn escaped my mouth. She took that as a yes and gently removed her hands from mine to get up. A few minutes later she returned, taking me by the arm and leading me to our room. Inside was one single bed and an end table.
She closed the door behind us.
"Sit down on the bed, love."
I obeyed her like a child and she began to remove pieces of my armour.
I protested at first, but knew it was a battle I was bound to lose. She undressed me slowly, placing my gear on the floor beside the bed. She continued to do so until I was wearing nothing but a short sleeved top and my briefs. When she was finished, she softly pushed me down onto the pillow and sat beside me.
I looked up at her, captivated by how gentle she could be.
"You didn't have to do that, you know."
She looked at me and smiled.
"I know, but I wanted to. I hope that's okay?" She stood up and began to strip off her own gear. "Do you mind if I lay down next to you?"
I nodded, and she crawled in beside me. She shuffled closer and faced me.
There were a few seconds of silence before anyone spoke again.
"Rose?" She whispered.
"Yeah?"
"You're beautiful."
My breath caught as she softly cupped my cheek in her hand. I could feel the warmth of her sweet breath on my lips.
"Serana, I..."
She pressed her lips against mine.
I was startled at first, but I relaxed into her as she stroked my jaw. Our lips moved gently together, fitting almost perfectly as I gripped her waist under the covers. We continued on like that for a few more seconds before she slowly pulled away.
When I opened my eyes I was met by her stunning gaze. I was lost in her eyes.
"Thank you, Serana. For everything."
She pressed her forehead against mine and closed her eyes.
I soon followed.
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