40 Lady of the Rose

Vast fields of colour blinded Lucius as he opened his swirling eyes. A flat plain of orchids, lilies, and roses of varying colours surrounded a small clearing with a small hut and a silent waterfall of purple mist.

Ancient trees towered over the clearing, their roots adorning the natural jewellery of the forest. A small lake with unmoving water faced the house creating a harmonious setting of serene beauty.

The sky a mirage of crystal and hues, as if a molten river of gold ran across it. A beautiful world of blurred colours streaming together, cities of silver on the far distant hills, and air like vanilla perfume.

Small, careful steps were taken by Lucius as he approached the bank of the still lake. Staring at his reflection. Only now noticing the changes his body took.

His once dull silver and pale eyes now shined in regal grace. His elven cheekbones defined his face in a smooth yet sharp curve down to his jaw. Twirling battles of red and black hid behind the blue tinge of his eyes as they thrummed with new found purpose.

A women, clad in a pure silken white and half black robe, appeared from the line of trees. Her golden white hair cresting a rose flower crown, shimmering in the bountiful rays of starlight that fell upon her, gently swayed in the tepid breeze against her ageless cheeks.

"Alduin had so much wasted potential, didn't he?" A smooth voice sung in Lucius's ear from behind him, muffled brushes of flowers following.

"Who?" Lucius spun on his heels in haste.

"Hello, Lucius." her melodious voice sung, looking him up and down and resting her eyes on his.

"You didn't answer me?" Lucius pressed with caution.

"How rude~" She chided him as if he were a child. "Well done, Lucius... You altered the very fate the world had set for you." She smiled, as a rising moon shadowed her form for a small moment.

"I'm happy." She sat on her knees by the lake, the now risen moon reflecting off its surface.

"I'm sorry, but i don't know who you are... Or why i'm here." Lucius scanned her face.

The woman let out an annoyed huff.

"Use your mind, you witless fool." She chipped away, briefly pointing at her crown of flowers and the moons reflection.

"Azura?" A shocked Lucius guessed.

"You no longer bear the burden of an elder prophecy. You have achieved your destiny. You are free. The doomed dragon's folly, the god's heart absorbed, the prophecy fulfilled. All fates sealed and sins redeemed. If you have pity, mourn the loss, but let the dread cease. The Blight is gone, and the sun's golden honey gilds the land. Hail saviour, Dovahkiin, and Worm. Your people look to you for protection. Monster and villain, great and small, still threaten the people of Mundas and more. Enemies and evils abound, yet indomitable will might rid of all its ills. For you, our thanks and blessings, our gift and token given, yet all will not avail. Come now, and take this gift from the hand of your fellow god." Azura held out a hand and conjured a necklace.

"Nothing is for free. Especially from Daedra, what is it you want?" Lucius replied, steeling himself.

"You have my admiration, prince of the revenant moon. Many a thing surround you that you do not yet know... You and I, are more connected than it seems." She warmly smiled, dipping her head down to the necklace. "It is a gift, one i'm afraid you may need."

Lucius took the necklace with ill hidden vigilance. "Why might I need it... How are we connected?"

"Find where your journey lies and you shall know, a hint for you. Find what is important to you, and keep it close." She voiced. "You may return now, we don't want to keep the little bird waiting too long, do we?" She teased and tapped the centre of his forehead, sending him back to his body in sovngarde.

Her smile dropped into a forlorn longing as she looked up to the bleeding moon.

"Interesting." She hummed.

.

.

.

Lucius's head pounded as he slowly opened his eyes, feeling a small set of hands shake him.

"Lu-!"

"Luci-!"

"Lucius!"

Lucius groggy eyes focused on a teary eyed Ciri shaking his downed form as she hovered over him.

"I'm okay. I'm fine..." Lucius said, bringing Ciri into a hug.

"What the hell was that?" She sniffled.

"I was kidnapped by a Daedra...Technically." He chuckled. "And i became a Demi-god, the usual." He joked.

"What?" She choked. "You just fell to the ground like a corpse for ten minutes, and that's all you can say." She glared, holding his collar.

"Ten minutes...?" He muttered.

'It felt like seconds.' He thought.

He sat up to face her fully, her still sitting on his legs. He observed her running eyes like a strong punch to the gut, the gloved hand over her mouth stopping her from spewing her growing feelings. Lucius knew why and he was the cause of that pain, it left him with nothing but a small fire of guilt lingering in his mind.

A strong feeling of wanton desire drew her to him, dragging him slowly closer as if she was the sun to his orbit. She paused to look at him, her lithe figure trembling slightly. Her hair, in a swaying mess of ashen blond, shined in the calming starlight of sovngarde.

Lucius reached to directly face her, a mere breath away as she gazed up into his eyes with her emerald orbs, that even is such a brief time together he knew so well. Losing himself to her gaze, the closer inspection revealed the hidden yellows of the rippling iris, a contrasting echo of green and gold so bright it made him blur.

Her shaking settled as she met his warm gaze, the subtle tears has subsided bar the single tear that slid down her perfectly freckled cheek.

She edged closer, halting for a moment in thought, seemingly pulling away and staring into his swirling eyes of vivid blue that glanced at her lips, before she began inching forward.

In winding seconds that felt like years, she kissed the frozen Lucius.

The godly realm reeling beneath, seemed to stop its endless cycle in witness, and the sounds of the worlds clashed as the space between them suddenly ceased to exist. Time stopped in its tracks. Except for the two of them, nothing else mattered.

"Woah" Ciri breathlessly whispered.

"Woah indeed." Lucius smiled, brushing her cheek. "What brought that on?" He asked.

"It felt right..." She smiled, a tinge of red painted on her face.

A loud clearing of a throat reached the duo's ears and shook them from their trance.

"I know this might not be the time, but I think you two should be getting back." Tsun smiled. "The land of the dead is not meant for mortals to linger."

"R-right." Ciri stuttered in slight embarrassment as she stood from Lucius's lap.

"Before I go, I have to ask-"

"No, Dragonborn. She is not here. The lands of sovngarde only allow those who die a valiant death. One of a true warrior, to enter... I am sorry." Tsun answered with a solemn nod.

"Then i'm ready. I thought she wouldn't." He sadly muttered.

"Return now to Nirn, with this rich boon from Shor, my lord, a Shout to bring a hero from Sovngarde in your hour of need. Nahl Daal Vus!" Tsun cast his shout on the pair, and the world spun as they disappeared.

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Brain is still fried, but i got to writing.

Kiss scene good?

Kiss scene bad?

Have a good one,

Your "patently evil" Author ;)