Hello readers. I have seen many of you complaining about the differences with the Skyrim lore itself in my story and I apologize profusely I have tried to look for lore from reddit, skyrim wiki, and youtube sometimes but if it is still wrong I apologize to you Skyrim lovers and thank you for supporting me until now.
Chapter 45 Snowbound Jealousy at the Gates of Winterhold
The jagged silhouette of Winterhold rose before us, half-buried in snow and battered endlessly by the northern wind. Ancient stone arches creaked softly as freezing gusts swept through the entrance, carrying with them the faint scent of frost and magicka. Runes carved into the walls pulsed dimly, casting pale blue light across the frozen ground.
Just as we stepped forward, a tall High Elf blocked our path.
Her golden skin stood in sharp contrast to the white snow, violet eyes gleaming with sharp intelligence. Faralda, the gatekeeper of the College of Winterhold, studied us for a brief moment then her gaze settled on Alex, and her expression softened into a knowing smile.
"Ah… Alex," she said, her voice warm, almost pleased. "It's good to see you again."
She took a step closer, close enough for the chill in the air to be replaced by her presence, and placed her hand on Alex's shoulder. Her fingers lingered there a moment longer than necessary before giving it a light squeeze, as if testing something unseen.
"Oh?" she murmured, eyes narrowing with interest. "I can feel it… your power has grown tremendously."
Before Alex could respond, Astrid moved.
Snow crunched sharply beneath her boots as she stepped in, wrapping her arms around Alex from behind and pulling him firmly into her embrace. Her arms crossed tightly over his chest, possessive and unyielding, as though she were shielding something precious from being taken away.
Her grip was not painful but it was unmistakably strong.
Astrid lifted her head slowly, her crimson eyes locking onto Faralda. The warmth she usually carried was gone, replaced by a sharp, cutting glare that could freeze blood itself. Jealousy burned openly on her face, raw and unrestrained, like a dragon guarding its hoard.
Another woman touching her man
That alone was enough to ignite something fierce and dangerous within her.
Faralda blinked in surprise as Alex was suddenly pulled out of reach. Her hand hovered awkwardly in the air for a brief second before she withdrew it. Then, instead of anger, a playful curve formed on her lips.
Her eyes drifted lazily over Astrid starting from her boots, up along her figure, and finally to her face slow, deliberate, and unapologetically assessing.
A teasing laugh escaped her lips.
"Oohoo~" she said, voice laced with mockery and amusement. "It seems Alex has found himself a new lover."
The wind howled through the stone archway, carrying with it the unspoken tension between the two women sharp enough that even the falling snow seemed to hesitate.
Faralda slowly withdrew her hand, the warmth of her touch lingering on Alex's shoulder for just a heartbeat longer than necessary. Then she turned her attention to Astrid, extending her hand with a polite but clearly calculated smile.
"My name is Faralda," she said smoothly. "I am the gatekeeper of Winterhold… and also an instructor of Destruction magic."
Her tone was refined, yet there was something provocative beneath it as though she were deliberately testing boundaries.
Astrid did not take the offered hand.
Instead, her gaze dropped to Faralda's palm, then slowly rose to her face. Her lips pressed into a thin line, jealousy darkening her expression like a gathering storm. One of her arms tightened subtly around Alex's chest, pulling him closer against her body, making her claim unmistakably clear.
"Do teachers and students," Astrid asked coldly, "always touch each other that much?"
She tilted her head slightly, eyes sharp and challenging.
"Huh?"
Alex swallowed.
She was a bit arrogant when we first met, he thought uneasily.
We barely even talked… so why is she suddenly acting this close?
Faralda's eyes flicked briefly to the way Astrid was holding Alex then curved into a playful, almost wicked smile.
"Hehe~" she giggled, clearly enjoying herself. "Normally, we treat ordinary students… well, ordinarily."
She took a small step closer, close enough that Alex could smell the faint trace of magicka clinging to her robes.
"But Alex?" Faralda leaned in, lowering her voice, violet eyes shimmering with unmistakable intent.
"Oh you should ask him yourself, fufu"
That was the moment Alex felt it.
A killing aura swept through the air like a blade.
He couldn't see Astrid's face she was still holding him from behind but the grip on his shoulder suddenly tightened, fingers digging in hard enough to make him suck in a breath of pain.
Ow !
Slowly, hesitantly, Alex lifted his gaze… and caught a glimpse of Astrid's reflection in the icy stone nearby.
Her eyes were glowing faintly red.
Her smile was gone.
What remained was something sharp, primal, and terrifying.
"Shameless… homewrecker," Astrid growled, her voice low and dripping with restrained fury.
Alex's heart skipped a beat.
This is bad.
How did things turn out like this?!
And Faralda too what did I even do wrong?!
"N–No, Astrid!" he stammered, panic creeping into his voice. "This is just a misunderstanding! Please, remember you have to be ca "
She turned her head sharply toward him.
"Silence."
Just one word.
Cold and absolute.
A chill ran straight down Alex's spine, raising every hair on his body.
I'm dead…!!
Faralda, meanwhile, stiffened at the insult. Her playful expression vanished, replaced by a sharp glare. Her hand clenched at her side, magicka flickering faintly around her fingers.
"What did you just say?" she snapped, anger flashing in her eyes.
The air between the two women grew dangerously tense like a spark hovering over dry tinder. Snow swirled violently around them, reacting to the surge of emotions and magic.
Then
"Ahem."
The sound was calm. Firm. Commanding.
Both women froze.
A man stepped forward from the side, his boots crunching softly against the frost-coated stone. His presence alone seemed to slice through the tension like a blade through fog, forcing the charged air to settle.
"What," Phinis Gestor asked evenly, his voice calm yet carrying unmistakable authority, "is going on here?"
Faralda stiffened.
The anger still lingering in her eyes vanished almost instantly, as though someone had poured cold water over an open flame. She straightened her posture, smoothed her expression into something polite, and turned toward him with a controlled bow of her head.
"Ah my apologies," she said quickly. "We've received new visitors… and it seems they are acquaintances of Alex."
Behind Alex, Astrid let out a quiet, dangerous breath.
Her fingers tightened around his shoulder, nails pressing through fabric and into muscle. The possessive hold made her stance unmistakably clear.
"Acquaintances?" she repeated, her voice sharp and edged with suspicion.
Oww
This grip is going to crush my bones, Alex thought desperately, resisting the urge to yelp.
Phinis Gestor's gaze shifted, finally settling on Astrid. He studied her for a brief moment taking in her stance, her aura, the way she stood half a step in front of Alex as if shielding him.
Then his eyes moved to Alex, and a small, genuine smile appeared.
"Ah, Alex," he said warmly. "Welcome back. What brings you here again?"
He turned his attention back to Astrid, curiosity clear in his expression.
"And who might this be?"
"My lover," Astrid answered immediately.
Her voice was firm, unwavering. She lifted her chin slightly, her arm still around Alex as if daring anyone to challenge her claim.
Phinis blinked.
"O–Oh," he said, surprised but not displeased. His expression softened. "I see. It's nice to meet you… Alex's beloved."
At those words, Astrid's grip loosened just a little.
That was all Alex needed.
He slipped out of her hold and staggered half a step forward, rolling his shoulder with a pained wince.
"Phew…" he muttered under his breath. "Another second and my collarbone might've shattered."
Astrid blinked, her fierce expression faltering for the first time. A flicker of realization crossed her face.
"…Ah."
Alex cleared his throat awkwardly, trying to restore some semblance of order.
"Allow me to introduce her properly," he said. "This is Astrid a Dragonborn. I request that she be granted special permission to enter Winterhold."
Faralda's lips pressed into a thin line.
Her eyes darkened, irritation and resentment clearly bubbling beneath her composed exterior.
"That won't be possible," she said sharply. "A barbaric woman like her even if she is Dragonborn "
"That's fine."
Phinis interrupted her without raising his voice.
"She may enter."
The words landed like a thunderclap.
Faralda froze completely, eyes widening, breath catching in her throat.
"W–What…?"
"Faralda." Phinis's tone sharpened no longer warm, but firm and commanding.
She flinched visibly.
Slowly, reluctantly, Faralda lowered her head. The fire in her eyes dimmed into unwilling submission.
"V–Very well…" she murmured.
Alex stared, stunned.
A High Elf… submitting to a Breton?
Specifically to Phinis Gestor?
What in the world happened after I left? he wondered.
We passed through the gates of the College of Winterhold, the runes glowing faintly as we crossed the threshold. Behind us, Faralda remained standing at the entrance, head bowed, her expression tightly controlled.
Astrid glanced back once then turned to Alex with a smug, satisfied smile.
"Hmph," she said softly. "Serves her right."
As we moved deeper into the grounds of the College, the distant sound of chanting and crackling magicka echoed faintly through the icy corridors. Snow-dusted stone gave way to rune-etched floors, and floating motes of light drifted lazily through the air.
Alex slowed his steps and leaned closer to Phinis, lowering his voice so only the two of them could hear.
"What happened while I was gone?" he whispered. "Why is a High Elf following your orders so easily?"
Phinis paused for half a step, then let out a deep, satisfied laugh.
"Hahaha!" His shoulders shook slightly as he laughed, clearly enjoying the moment. "It's thanks to you, Alex."
He turned his head just enough to meet Alex's eyes, pride shining clearly on his face.
"Because of your help, my research on Sigil Stones gained immense recognition. The other scholars couldn't ignore the results nor the implications. I've risen slightly above her in influence. Not officially," he added with a knowing smirk, "but enough that people listen when I speak."
He gestured casually around them as they walked, where several scholars nodded respectfully in his direction, and a few students whispered excitedly as he passed.
"Of course," Phinis continued, lowering his voice again, "I made sure to share your credit as well."
Alex frowned slightly, deep in thought, mentally fitting the pieces together.
"So…" he said slowly, "that's why Faralda suddenly became friendly toward me?"
Phinis nodded once, his expression turning amused.
"Exactly. They believe you can solve their research problems just like you did for me." His lips curled into a wry smile. "To put it bluntly, they're trying to curry favor with you."
As if to prove his point, a pair of apprentices bowed their heads respectfully as Phinis passed, and one of the senior mages greeted him warmly by name. Phinis responded with an easy smile, clearly accustomed to the attention.
Then, without warning, he casually draped an arm over Alex's shoulder, pulling him closer in a friendly, conspiratorial gesture.
"But Alex," he said in a lighter tone, "if you wish to purchase spell books especially rare ones those aren't free, you know."
He let out a soft chuckle.
"Our transaction still stands." He tapped his temple lightly with one finger. "You keep the Sigil Stone. I gain the knowledge."
Phinis leaned in slightly, voice lowering with excitement.
"And in return, I'll use my influence to acquire rare spell books for you even the ones normally forbidden from sale. The rarer they are, the harder they are to obtain…" His grin widened. "…but that doesn't apply to me."
Alex slowed his steps, considering the offer. His gaze drifted briefly toward the towering spires of the College, then back to Phinis.
After a moment, he nodded.
"Alright," he said calmly. "That seems fair."
Phinis's face lit up instantly.
"Hahaha!" He gave Alex's back a hearty pat hard enough to make him stumble half a step forward. "That's the spirit!"
He laughed loudly, the sound echoing through the stone halls.
"My benefactor! Hahaha!"
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