"That is not my name. Do not speak it again."

"Watch your attitude! I'm glad you're back, but I will not tolerate your disrespect." The blue slanted eyes dart around the room, searching the shadows. Is there another lover on her way? Has he been hosting them here in this squalid room that reeks of seaweed and plots?

Has he grown bored of me already? Or does he fear that I know?

"It's been weeks." His chest deflates, bluster fading. "I searched for you constantly, but there was only darkness in the stone. You disappeared."

The sight of the indicated (feared) weapon on his desk causes a skip of the heart. It's here, he's here, and we're alone. Every condition satisfied.

"Did you really miss me? Or were you just worried that I'd failed?" The temptation to taunt cannot be resisted. Careful though – too much and he might startle.

"Of course I missed you. It hasn't been the same without you." It's funny – he still walks with that hint of prowl, still wears that same lopsided smirk. It's almost believable.

Almost. But he isn't that good of a liar.

"Because you need me, right?" That was always it. Never talk of love for love's sake. Always love before assignments, love before risks, love before peril.

Love before murder.

"Because I love you." And there it is again, that casual use of such a powerful word. Hands on the shoulders, prelude to an intense kiss – time to cut this little reunion short.

My real love awaits.

"Then you'll love me more when you see the present I brought you." The small velvet covered box is offered. Black velvet – such a beautiful colour. The intense colour of safe places and scarlet black eyes. "Go on, open it."

Apprehension is in his movements, the normally confident grasp hesitant, but the bait is taken. He's always been too curious. "The Arrow of Extrication? Capital!" A squint and a pause. "It's darker than it looks in the stone. And it's bigger than I thought."

"Well, that's it, no mistake. I'll tell you the story of how I finally acquired it later. Hold it – you can feel the magic."

"Why don't you hand it to me?" The blue eyes have grown cold, frozen over with suspicion. Cunning, ruthless bastard.

He knows that I know. I shouldn't be here in his hovel of secrecy, upsetting his plans, offering him the decoy he sent me to fetch.

"With pleasure." The arrowhead is warm to the touch. In the glint of the candles it appears to reflect fire instead of light, a wildfire flash of red dancing over the stone, mimicking twinkle flaring around the edges of my wrists.

"Thank you." Polite to the end, he graciously accepts the proferred gift.

It does not seem to please him, though it was created specially for his use. Crafted with attention to the smallest detail, the grandest of soul gems used to enchant it, the meticulously made decoy falls from his hand to wedge between two warped boards, it's intricate spell finally cast.

Few know that the claws of daedroth are actually sharper than their teeth. While their bite is powerful, capable of grinding bone to dust, it is the casual flick of the arm that should be feared. For the razor tipped claws are harbingers of waterfalls of blood, sprays creating sanguine stories on the wall, that are the hallmark of a daedroth attack.

Savilla's Stone tucked away in the pack, piercing screams replaced by the quiet snap of sinews being torn from bone, the scaly head of the daedra receives a gentle pat of praise. A warm tingle of magicka runs around each encircled wrist.

There is no fear, for I am his, and as such I am safe.

Slipping into the night, pleased that I have returned the favour, there remains nothing but to go home to my love and begin the tale anew.

And this time, it shall start with happily ever after...