AN: Set toward the end of act II. A million thanks to my beta, valiasedai!


"Fenris?" Hawke called just as he greeted Bodahn. "What do you know about ladies' shoes?"

"I'm… sorry?"

"Mother went before me and I've no idea how these bloody things work."

Fenris started climbing the stairs as she sat abruptly at the top, red ribbons trailing at her heels. She was wearing something in red and blue in silk and he took his gaze from her neckline to the banister. "Supper with the de Launcets?" he said, voice raising a bit too high at the end.

"Bloody… yes, I…" She had her knee against her throat as she spoke, her voice a bit choked-sounding, and she would surely fray the ribbon as she twisted it under a loop in the leather.

"What is the name of the third son?" Fenris went on, watching the work of her fingers. The shoe gaped. "They are a wealthy family. He is surely a good match for you."

She stopped and her pale eyes darted up at him. "Is that a joke?" she said, trying to force a tone of laughter into her words and not quite managing it. "Are you and Mother in on this together? Foisting me off on some third son who can't raise a blade? You can stick your heads in a bucket, the pair of you. No, actually, just you," she continued musingly. "Mother can't be—"

"I believe that this is how it is meant to go." Fenris crouched and slipped the ribbons through loops before tying them around her ankle. He deliberately touched the side of his thumb against her skin there. He felt his heart beat once as he studied the dagger strapped to her calf.

"Oh! Yes, I see," she said when he rose after a brief moment had passed. A flush had gathered on her throat.

He made a slight curve of his mouth. "Enjoy your evening," he said and turned for her library. Later, when she shut the door behind her, he stole a bottle of wine from her desk and drank deeply before resting his temple against the cool wall.