"It's been so long since I've had a companion in anything," said Karliah as we left the cold wind and snow behind us. We had made it into Eastmarch, and found ourselves in the more temperate region of the volcanic tundra. The region was known for its massive number of giant camps, but it was the quickest way back to Riften. Although it was far from the safest.

I smiled a little. "Well, you don't deserve what happened to you. I can't imagine spending twenty-five years in exile, never finding a safe place to stay because you've been branded a traitor."

"It gave me a lot of time to mull over how I was going to get my revenge." She shook her head. "But enough about me. I hardly know anything about you. Where are you from?"

"Dawnstar. My father was a jewelry-smith in Valenwood, a long time ago, and was trying to make his fortune here. On his way to Whiterun, he took a detour in Dawnstar. He wasn't planning on staying long, but the innkeeper's daughter turned his head. All he had to do was look at her, and he knew she was the one he was going to marry. They courted for a few months before he asked for her hand. She readily said yes.

"I was born not long after they were wed. My father had planned on bringing my mother with him in his travels, but when she found out she was with child, he knew he didn't want to risk his unborn child's life in the wilds of Skyrim. He settled down in Dawnstar, became a miner and did his jewelry business on the side."

"Did he teach you his trade?"

"Some of it. He taught me how to spot good materials, as well as to forge rings. I didn't have the patience for the craft, so I took to weapons. He taught me everything I know about archery, and my mother taught me how to handle a dagger."

"What did you do in Dawnstar? Work at the inn, like your mother?"

"No. My grandfather would not have me working the inn. He didn't want his customers to see his hybrid grandchild. He, just like everyone else in Dawnstar, was ashamed of me. They liked to pretend I didn't exist."

"What of your parents? Were they ashamed, too?"

"Of course not. They loved me, told me there was never anything wrong with me. When we went places, my mother would cover my ears, but that was the only thing she ever did. At home, I was allowed to be myself. Life was good, albeit dull."

"What happened to that life?"

"My mother died. My father walked away soon after. I think he went home to Valenwood. He left me behind, with my grandparents who hated me. When I finally got the guts to do it, I ran away, and I stole as much money as I could from them. It was my first experience with thieving."

"How did you get tangled with the Guild?"

I chuckled. "It wasn't my intention to make my living by stealing. I traveled, worked where I could, before I ended up in Riften. It took me quite some time to get that far, but I was desperate when I got there. I had been robbed by bandits. I was lucky to escape with my life. When I made it, the guards wouldn't let me in because I couldn't pay the visitor's tax. They left me to die in the rain. If it weren't for Bryn, I would have frozen to death. I owe him my life." I looked at the path beneath our moving feet, feeling ashamed. "And I humiliated him in front of the entire Guild."

"What did he do?"

"He accused me of lying to him. Even if I haven't known him that long, I would never lie to him. He saved me, after all. And he told me that he would never lie to me. I just got so mad."

"Being called a liar by a fellow thief is quite the accusation. Despite claims, there is honor among thieves. At least there is in the Guild."

"It hurts when the person accusing you of lying is the one you love."

She gave me a surprised look. "You said something about being in love. I had no idea it was Brynjolf." Then she snorted. "Although, he's always been a head-turner. It's hard for women to pass him by."

I chuckled. "You're right. I could hardly look the other way."

"He is too young for me, but even then, he caught my attention."

My cheeks grew hot. "Can we change the subject?"

She chuckled at me. "You really do love him."

I did not answer. My cheeks were only growing hotter. She was the only one who knew that I truly loved Brynjolf. I had to hope she would not tell anyone. But we were about to confront the Guild with evidence that they have been lied to for twenty-five years. About to attempt to clear Karliah's name and to bring me back from the dead. Karliah telling anyone about my infatuation with a certain redhead was the least of my worries now.

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I wondered why they had locked the secret entrance, but I was mostly angry that I had to go through the dirty Ratway. Something I had never wanted to do again.

At least I had Karliah with me this time. And she knew a faster way through, so it cut down on time.

When we made it into the Flagon, my stomach knotted and my heart raced. My fatigue was forgotten, although the wounds that still had yet to heal ached with a new fury. I pressed a hand over my chest and suppressed a groan.

"Well, this is it," said Karliah as we stood in the shadows. So far, no one had seen us. "Are you ready to face the Guild?"

"Better get it over with, eh?" I tried to smile, but I thought I failed miserably.

"I've got your back, and now we have evidence against Mercer. We can do this."

Side-by-side, we walked towards the Flagon. Only when we passed through it did I realize that Vekel was the only one there. He made me as soon as he saw me, and his face brightened with happy surprise.

"You made it back! We were all so worried. Brynjolf even went out to find you."

"Brynjolf even went out to find you."

He went out to find me?

Before I could think more on it, Karliah was pulling me towards the Cistern. I had no doubt that we were about to confront the Guild. I felt like I was going to throw up.

Karliah pushed the door open, and as soon as we stepped through, Bryn, Vex, and Delvin were waiting for us. I watched Bryn tense, his eyes going wide, before his face twisted into a deep scowl. Vex was, no surprise, leering at me, and Del looked beyond confused.

"You'd better have a damn good reason for being with that murderer," growled Brynjolf as he gripped his dagger tighter.

Physically, Mercer had already damaged my heart. But now, I felt as though it were being ripped to pieces inside me. "Bryn—"

"Please, stay your your weapons so we can speak," said Karliah, pushing me back and stepping in front of me. "I have proof that you've all been misled!"

"No tricks, Karliah, or I'll cut you down where you stand." The glare on his face told me that he was not bluffing. "Now what's this so-called proof you speak of?"

"I have Gallus's journal." She turned back to me, and I handed her the journal with the translation still inside. "I think you'll find its contents disturbing."

Bryn took the journal when she offered it. "Let me see." He opened it, looked at the pages, then at the translation. As he read, his glare disappeared, a look of shock replacing it. "No, it... can't be. This can't be true. I've known Mercer too long...."

Karliah nodded. "It's true, Brynjolf. Every word. Mercer's been stealing from the Guild for years, right under your noses."

Brynjolf sighed and closed the journal. "There's only one way to find out if what the lass says is true. Delvin, I'll need you to open the Vault."

Delvin nodded, then we all turned and headed for the Guild's vault. As we walked, Delvin gave Bryn a curious look. "Wait just a blessed moment, Bryn. What's in that book? What did it say?"

"It says Mercer's been stealing from our vault for years. Gallus was looking into it before he was murdered."

Delvin scoffed. "How can Mercer open up a vault that needs two keys? It's impossible." He looked over his shoulder to Vex "Could he pick his way in?"

The blonde shook her head. "That door has the best puzzle locks money can buy. There's no way it can be picked open."

Karliah spoke up, then, giving me a gentle look as she walked beside me. "He didn't need to pick the lock."

Delvin raised a brow. "What is she on about?"

"Use your key on the Vault, Delvin." Bryn gestured to the metal Vault doors. "We'll open it up and find out the truth."

Del walked up to the doors, stuck a key into the lock, then came back to us. "I've used my key, but the Vault's still locked up tighter than a drum. Now use yours."

Bryn did the same as Delvin, then pushed the doors open. From where I stood, I could see that the Vault was empty.

Bryn stepped into the Vault, arms at his side. "By the Eight! It's gone, everything's gone! Get in here, all of you!"

We all ran into the Vault after him, and I got a better look at just how empty it was. Every chest was open and some were upended. Long tables that probably once had stacks of septims covering them now lay bare. Mercer had taken everything.

Beside me, Del shook his head in utter shock. "The gold, the jewels... it's all gone."

Vex, grinding her teeth, whipped out her dagger. She had murder in her eyes. "That son-of-a—! I'll kill him!"

Bryn startled at Vex's sudden passion. "Vex! Put it away... right now." He held out a calming hand. "We can't afford to lose our heads... we need to calm down and focus."

Delvin nodded in agreement. "Do what he says, Vex. This isn't helpin' right now."

With a sigh, Vex sheathed her knife. "Fine. We do it your way. For now."

Bryn nodded in approval. Then his face became serious again. "Delvin, Vex... watch the Flagon. If you see Mercer, come tell me right away."

With that, Del and Vex left the Vault. Delvin tried to calm Vex down some more, but she refused. She even said a few... choice words to him before stalking off.

"As for you, lass," said Bryn, approaching me, "I need to have a word with you." He turned and looked at Karliah. "Alone."

I shot Karliah a worried look, but she gave me a small encouraging smile before leaving the Vault.

"Bryn—"

"What happened to you?" His voice carried a worried undertone, one that made his voice quaver. His hand rested against the gaping hole in my armor, just over my heart.

"Mercer. He is the real murderer. He had us all fooled."

"How are you alive?"

"Karliah." I pointed to the small rip in my shoulder. "She shot me."

"How does that mean she saved you?"

"Her arrow was tipped with a poison that slowed my heart. When Mercer stabbed me, I should've bled out. Instead, my heart was beating too slowly for that. She meant to shoot Mercer, but... she never had a clear shot. She shot me to get me out of the way, which in turn, saved me so I could get back to you."

"So you and Mercer didn't run away together?"

I chuckled. "I'm standing right here, aren't I? Isn't that proof enough?"

"Oh, lass." He grabbed my elbows, his chin tilted down so he could look at me. We had never been so close, and I did not realize how big he truly was until now. From his broad shoulders to his long legs, he was a Nord through and through. He stood a good seven inches taller than me.

"Bryn?"

"Forgive me. For being such a fool. I should've trusted you. I shouldn't have listened to that rumor and called you a liar. I—"

I pressed a finger to his lips. "It wasn't all your fault. I humiliated you in front of the entire Guild. I made it look as though those rumors were true. Mercer had never given you reason to doubt him." I let my hand fall to his broad chest. "You once told me that you would never lie to me. So let me tell you the same thing now. I have never lied to you, and I never will." I stared deep into his eyes. "Now tell me—and you said you'd never lie to me. So tell me, did you really come looking for me? Were you really worried about me?"

"Yes, Femke. I went looking for you. I have never been more worried about anyone else in my entire life." He took the hand I had pressed against his chest. "Lass, I thought I lost you to someone else. Now I see that I was almost right, just in a different way. I thought Mercer had stolen your heart, but instead he nearly cut it out. I never want to fear losing you again."

"Bryn—"

He did not wait for me to finish. He leaned down, and smashed his warm and smooth lips to mine.

I gasped through my nose. His kiss was hot and passionate and everything that he was. Rough yet soft. Gentle and wanting. Dominant. Fiery.

When I realized that this man was kissing me, I did the only natural thing. I kissed him back, with as much force and fire as I could muster.

His hands pressed against my back, forcing my body to be as close to his as it could be. My arms snaked around his neck, and I stood on my tiptoes to save him from leaning over as much. I ran my hands through his hair, wrapping the fiery strands between my fingers. My heart pounded, my breathing came in heavy gasps.

When we came up for air, I stared into his bright eyes for an explanation. His chest heaved, and a smile quirked on those perfect lips of his.

"Bryn, do you love me?"

His smile widened. His eyes sparkled like emeralds. And then he said the words that I had been longing to hear:

"Yes, I do, lass."

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A/N: To you Brymke shippers, you're welcome. 😉😏 I know a few of you have been waiting for this *cough* Emerald_Parrish and shayandthehuntress *cough* so here it is! Hope you enjoy. You and the rest of my readers deserve some happiness 'cause y'all are the best readers a gal like me can ask for. Vote and comment if you liked! Love and sweetrolls!
~WG 💙