“It is emperor, now.” he says, having to insert the Cyrodiilic word. His hands fumble ever so slightly as he pulls off his layers, letting them lie where they fall on the floor. “It means High King, really; priests are weak, compared to what we were.”
She feels a little cold, even under all the layers. As he slides in beside her, he finds her hands, and warm them on his chest, pulling the covers tight around them. He tucks her head under his chin and feels her so close and so enclosed and has to shut his eyes a moment. “I will show you the world, there is so much of it we did not even hear in rumour.”
It had not been easy wrestling this chaotic world into order, and he was glad she had missed the worst of it; but also, to have had her by his side, a storm in the guise of a woman - she would have made it easier. She would have made the long nights soft, when he was listening for knives, wondering if every twist of his stomach could be poison, looking into the unknown places and unfamiliar faces and wondering how he could rule what he felt he did not belong to any more. Just her presence is making him feel like he is melting. “You will like the capital. It is in the south, where the Wild Elves used to rule - they are gone now, but it is warm. Too warm for me, but I think you will like it.” and he smiled to himself, and put his lips to the top of her head. I hope you will like it, because it will be your home, when you are empress. The thought just appeared, fully formed, and did not surprise him - he had been expecting it without knowing. It rested in his heart with patience, knowing that a proper time would come to give it to her.
“Em..por...or”
She swirls the word on her tongue like some foreign wine. Feeling the weight of it and how it falls from her lips. It is smoother than the word she knows, but still just as powerful. Worthy of the man who bears it. Though, to her, he will always be thuuri.
It is so easy to curl against him, into the comfort she has only truly ever felt with him. He cradles her hands (so, so small beneath his own) to his chest and she cannot help but melt against his warmth. Her leg slides between his without thought, entwining them in a way that just feels right. In his arms she feels a sense of safety that she hasn’t felt in an age. Not since. . . well not since she was with her brother.
Sorrow grips her heart again, but this time Ea doesn’t allow it to consume her. She is stronger than the pain inside her. There will be plenty of time for her to sort it out. To hone and sharpen it into a weapon. Because even though Miraak has his crown she knows what battles must be won for him to keep it. And she will be damned if she allows him to fight alone.
But before her anger can begin to stir he speaks again, the soft baritone of his voice rumbling through her. He speaks of the capital - his capital - and her heart sings with excitement. She had always longed to see more of the world, beyond the borders of the dovs’ domain. Information had been scarce, and the tales told by travellers had always captured her imagination. Now, thanks to him, she finally has the chance to see it for herself.
“I can’t wait. Since I was a little girl I have longed to see more of the world. Especially if it is warmer than here.” She laughs, even as she snuggles closer. “Though you have always done a very good job of keeping me warm.”
There is a brief pause before she continues, soft and sincere. “But truly, wherever I go, as long as you are with me Miraak, I will be happy.”
