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JASH
“More!” I shouted and practically threw the Septims at Saadia.
She looked annoyed as she went off to get us more drinks. J’zargo, Alex, Alan, Saga, and myself were in the quietest corner of the Bannered Mare. Though with it being one of the more active nights, that wasn’t saying much about the level of security it gave us.
I sat close to Alex while the other three sat farther away. Everyone knew that tonight would be the last time I would see Alex…this echo of him at least. While I knew that I would have my love back soon, my heart could not understand anything but endless grieving.
“This one thinks you are terrible at gatherings.” J’zargo said and looked directly at Alan.
Over the course of the evening the bard’s eyes had gone from being focused on Mundus to observing Aetherius. It was good to see merriment even in the darkest moments.
“I’m not used to this kind of mead, J’zargo.” Alan retorted. “This place is like medieval times on Earth when the liquor was much stronger.”
“Just admit you’re a lightweight, Wake.” Alex teased.
“Alan, you need to write Jash into your novels.” Saga said.
“Why?” Alan asked.
“Because once he’s in your novels, Jash will have an easier time marrying Alex Casey’s echo.”
“That would require a genre shift. I can’t handle switching the genre of my novels and still making sales.”
Saadia put a plate of new drinks on our small table before walking away. I sipped a bottle of Nord Mead as I watched her deal with more patrons. On nights like these she seemed to be the only thing keeping the inn in order. She might not have been a saint, but she wasn’t a Thalmor spy. It was good I hadn’t gotten rid of her decades ago.
“I don’t need to be a major character, bard.” I said. “All that matters is that I’m in your novels so that I am firmly inserted in the latest loops. I could just be a character that appears once and is never mentioned again.”
Alan finished another bottle of Nord Mead before he opened his mouth again.
“Fine.” Alan said as he picked up another bottle. “I’ll write someone called Half-Finger. That will help Alex and Saga identify you.”
I stood up quickly and downed the rest of my bottle in a single gulp. Everyone had some form of confusion on their faces as I put the bottle down. Alex had the most confused look in his eyes as his chest rose and fell faster than normal.
I grinned as I took the dryskin in my arms before he could react. There was a classic image from Earth of a man carrying his bride over the threshold. The way Alex rested in my arms mimicked such an image. When he managed to get out of his trance, he wrapped his arms around my neck as if I would ever dare drop him.
Saga laughed loudly and Alex glared at her. Instead of silencing her, she merely laughed louder. J’zargo chuckled and slapped Alan hard on the shoulders. The bard glared but laughter was quick to exit his lips.
“We won’t wait up!” Saga managed to say.
I began to walk out of the Bannered Mare so I didn’t **** Alex in front of everyone. He would be gone tomorrow but I would be left with the consequences.
“You shouldn’t wait up! I’ll be surprised if they finish before morning!” I heard J’zargo shout as I shut the inn’s door behind me.
Alex’s warmth in my arms continued to make the rational part of my mind flee.
When I stood in front of the door, I leaned so that Alex could open the door. He had a hard time turning the knob and I grinned. He was just as needy as me.
We looked to see Lydia sitting in front of the fire with a thick book in her hands. She had decided to watch over my house as she didn’t want to ruin my last night with the outsiders. As she flipped a page she looked up. She had been my housecarl for countless decades and knew what each one of my looks meant.
“My Thane.” Lydia said as she got up and took her book outside.
The moment she shut the door I couldn’t hold back. Soon enough we were lost to lust.
As I felt my senses return to me, I realized we were both on the bed. He put his head on my chest and I ran my claws gently through his hair.
“I can see why you’re letting me go,” Alex said with a sigh. “I don’t deserve this.”
I looked at my love and wished that our lovemaking had washed away that worry. He deserved everything I could give him and yet fate had decided otherwise. My heart could not take the sadness and despair in his voice.
“You deserve me, my love.” I said and rested a claw on the small of his back.
“Then why not let me stay?” Alex asked.
“Because I have the fault of being too strong. Haven’t I shown you how weak I want to be because of you?”
I met his lips and we shared an eternity of mourning our parting.
After the eternity ended I looked into his eyes.
“I won’t let you or any of your echoes die.” I said as I kissed his neck. “I will always love you, not because you deserve love, but because my soul cries out for yours. You deserve me because I demand it be so.”
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