Réveillon

The inlaid wooden box was one of the few things she'd brought with her from Orlais when they'd sent her to Vigil's Keep. One small memory of home, here in this strange and inhospitable country. It had been an honour, of course, to be appointed Warden Commander of Ferelden. An honour and a burden, but then, it wasn't in her nature to shy away from a burden.

Slowly, Alix raised the lid, smiling when her gaze fell on the delicately crafted First Day ornaments inside. The small clay figures of Andraste and the Maker were family heirlooms, said to have belonged to her great-great-grandfather who had been a cousin of the Emperor. Generations of Carons had each added to the collection, until a whole tiny village was assembled in the box: a shepherd with his flock, a baker and his wife, a strict-looking Revered Mother, and many more. She was looking forward to arranging them on the windowsill.

There was a sharp knock on the door, and she turned around to face her visitor.

"Commander." Nate Howe inclined his head in a respectful greeting. "My apologies for the late hour. I can come back tomorrow if you're busy."

"No, it's fine." Tentatively, she smiled at him.

Nate had just returned from a delicate diplomatic mission to Amaranthine and, Maker, the blue ceremonial Warden armour looked good on him! It emphasized his wide shoulders, and for a moment Alix caught herself wishing she could lay her head against them and rest for a moment, safe and secure, the way she used to do with Philippe, before he'd left for his Calling.

But she caught herself immediately. "What is it?"

His eyes had never left her face, and he looked… concerned, as if he had noticed something in her, some weakness that the others never noticed. "I just wanted to bring you my report." He handed her a scroll of paper. "The citizens of Amaranthine send their respects."

Alix sighed resignedly. "We both know they respect you a good deal more than me." And that was putting it mildly. When she'd first arrived, the mayor and the council had made it more than clear that an Orlesian wasn't welcome in their city.

Nate shrugged. "You are the Warden Commander and their Arlessa. They will have to deal with it."

Just like you do. Alix nodded slowly. She knew it was unfair to take her frustration out on Nate. He had more reason to resent her than anyone else, being forced to bow to the woman who called herself Arlessa of Amaranthine now, when the title should be his by rights. And yet, he'd never been anything but loyal.

"You're right." She met his gaze, and regretted it immediately, because already she was drowning in his stormy grey eyes again. Damn it, Alix! Get it together. Yes, Nate was damnably attractive, well bred and educated, yet rough enough to make things interesting. But there really was no point in losing her heart to him. He likes men. He likes Anders, to be precise. And that was a good thing. The two of them made a stunning couple, and ever since they had gotten together, Nate had been far more relaxed and less broody. Besides, Alix liked Anders. He reminded her of her Circle days, of the better ones, when there had been fun and flirting and magical experimentation.

"Commander?" Nate cleared his throat. "Anything else I can do for you?"

Alix had to swallow before she could answer. "No, thank you. I was…" She hesitated before she went on. This was private, and she wasn't in the habit of sharing private things with her subordinates. "I was just about to start decorating for First Day."

Nate's face lit up in a rare smile and he stepped closer. "Are those your ornaments? They're beautiful."

"Yes, they are." She spoke quickly, as if to hide the rapid beating of her heart. "They are called santons. It's an old Orlesian custom."

"And a very charming one." Nate opened his mouth as if to say more, but then he seemed to change his mind. "Well. Good night, Commander. I will see you tomorrow."

"Good night, Nate." She watched him go and then turned back to the box. Better focus on something tangible. Losing herself in dreams was pointless.

"I'm telling you, Anders, she's lonely. Terribly lonely." Nate shrugged off his shirt and tossed it onto a pile of clothes in the corner of their shared room. "And no wonder. It must be horrible, to spend First Day far from home."

"Yeah, well." Anders was lounging on the bed, already undressed. "You may be right. But what do you suggest we do about it?" He stretched, displaying his lithe body without the slightest hint of shame. "I mean, I know you have a huge soft spot for our Commander, but-"

"I do like her, yes." Nate knew he sounded stiff and formal, but he couldn't help it. "She's a good leader and a skilled mage. I respect her."

"And?" Anders prompted with a provocative grin.

"And yes, she's lovely. Pretty much exactly my type, if you have to know." Nate adored Anders, but, Maker, the man simply didn't know when to stop.

"Your type, eh?" Anders eyebrows flew up. "How interesting. So, your type would be… dark hair, dark eyes, slim, willowy, perky little tits…"

"Anders!" This time he'd gone to far. No matter what, Nate wasn't going to listen to such disrespect. "Stop talking about her as if-"

"Relax." Anders was still smiling. "If anyone should be offended, it's me. You know…" Slowly, lasciviously he trailed a hand down his own body. He was half hard already, and the mere sight was enough to make Nate groan. "I thought I was your type."

"Damn right you are." Letting his pants drop to the floor, Nate sank down on the bed beside him and placed a hand on his lower belly. "Alix is everything I adore in a woman." He drew a small circle on Anders' soft, pale skin, relishing the answering gasp. "But that doesn't change the fact that I love you. And I want you."

"Do you, now?" Anders' breathing had quickened noticeably, and, Maker, he looked so hot with his skin all flushed. "So… what do you intend to do about Alix?"

Nate was beginning to be a lot more interested in what was right before him than in his plans for Alix, but he reluctantly withdrew his hand. "I was thinking… Maybe we could organize a proper Orlesian First Day dinner for her. Here, in our room. We could hire a chef from Denerim, decorate the room, set the table, the whole nine yards. I think she would love that. I'm afraid our Fereldan customs are a bit too uncouth for her."

"Good idea. Yes, I can see that working." Anders chewed thoughtfully on his lower lip. "And afterwards?"

"What do you mean, afterwards?" Nate frowned at his lover.

"Don't tell me you haven't noticed the way she's been looking at you lately." Anders rolled his hips in a blatantly suggestive manner. "I bet she wouldn't mind a little taste of you." His gaze dropped to Nate's crotch.

There was no way to hide his body's reaction to Anders' innuendo, and Nate turned bright red. "You… Damn it, Anders, stop teasing me."

"I'm not teasing. Well, not just teasing," Anders amended with a crooked little half-smile. "Just saying… I might be open to suggestions."

"You'd step aside for a night?" Nate couldn't believe his ears. "You'd let me and her-"

"Not quite what I had in mind." Anders' grin widened. "Now, listen, will you? I have a plan."

Alix' expectation for the holiday had been low. Last year, when she'd just arrived here, First Day had been a nightmare. Lots of drink and raucous laughter, and she had felt like a sour-faced governess, unable and unwilling to join in their merriment. She'd been glad when it was over. This year, however, promised to be different.

Nate had approached her a week before the celebrations, with a dinner invitation for the eve of First Day. She appreciated the gesture, but she didn't really expect much, not even when he asked her to dress formally. Sure, it was nice to put on a proper dress again, to do her hair and to choose a perfume. But she told herself not to get too excited. This wasn't Montsimmard, after all.

When Nate opened the door for her, his face was sober and earnest, and his hands were shaking a little, as if he was nervous. He, too, had dressed up for the occasion, in a black velvet doublet that made him look both elegant and slightly intimidating.

"Commander." His rough, gravelly voice brushed against her skin like a subtle caress. "Welcome to our little réveillon." And he stepped aside, allowing her to see what they had prepared for her.

For a moment, Alix was too stunned to speak. She almost didn't recognize the chamber in all its holiday splendour. Candles were lit on the windowsills, in honour of Andraste, and a cherry wood log was burning merrily in the hearth. The room was dominated by a large table, set with fine china and silverware, and everything was decorated in a festive, yet understated manner, with large candlesticks and holly wreaths. On a sideboard, a veritable feast was laid out. Alix felt tears spring to her eyes when she recognized a log cake and several large plates filled with the traditional thirteen desserts.

And around the table, all her senior Wardens were seated, smiling at her and raising their wine glasses in greeting. All of them, even Velanna, dressed in fine garments and clearly on their best behaviour.

"Oh Maker, Nate." She turned to face him. "I don't know what to say. How did you even know-"

"Anders helped me." Nate pulled the mage close to his side and affectionately ruffled his fine blond hair. "He found some books on Orlesian First Day customs in the library. I just hope we got everything right."

"It's perfect." Alix forced back her tears to smile at them. "I… I don't know what to say."

"You don't have to say anything." Anders eyes were openly raking up and down her body. "Sweet Andraste, Commander, it's probably impertinent to say so, but you look gorgeous in that dress."

"Thank you." She felt a blush rise to her cheeks. "But there's no need for formalities tonight. Please, call me Alix. You, too, Nate."

He nodded, looking thoroughly pleased with himself. "Shall we have dinner then?"

"I'd love to." She allowed him to lead her to her place, shivering with delight when he breathed a quick kiss on her hand before leaving her.

Dinner was delicious and the wine excellent, and time just flew by, with everyone chatting and laughing. Before she knew it, midnight was approaching, and the guests were beginning to say their good-nights, yawning and looking content and sated. Alix' head was spinning, whether from the wine or from happiness, she couldn't say. For the first time since she'd come to this cold, damp country, she felt truly at home.

"Good night, Oghren." Nate closed the door behind the dwarf. Even he had somehow managed to remain sober enough to behave. "See you tomorrow."

Oghren had been the last guest, Alix realized. She should leave as well now, but she didn't really want to go back to her cold, lonely room. Before she could make up her mind, Nate dropped into the heavy armchair by the fireside, dragging Anders into his lap.

"Maker, that was fun." Without further ado, he pulled the mage into a kiss, not just a quick peck, but a real kiss, deep and hungry.

Alix looked on in utter confusion. While the two of them had never made a secret of their relationship, it wasn't like them to be so obvious with their affections. She felt like an intruder, and yet she couldn't look away. They were so incredibly hot together. Nate had taken hold of Anders' neck, and Anders was responding with his whole body to the kiss, moaning softly. Alix felt a tell-tale heat blossom between her legs. Time to let them have their privacy. They had both been so sweet tonight, and they deserved a little time to themselves now.

"I really ought to leave. Thank you both. I am more grateful than I can say." She was about to head for the door, when Nate's words stopped her in her tracks.

"Why don't you stay a little longer?" She would have assumed he was drunk or joking, but he sounded perfectly serious, and sober, too. "We wouldn't mind."

"What do you mean?" Her heart was racing like mad now, and she wasn't sure where to look. Had he noticed her reaction? She'd tried so hard to be discreet.

Nudging Anders gently off his lap, Nate got to his feet and walked over to her. "Please tell me if I'm overstepping, but…" Slowly, he extended his hand and placed it on her cheek. "You're so lovely, Alix. May I kiss you?"

"But… Anders?" Shivering all over, she quickly glanced at the mage.

"It's fine. Really, I don't mind." Anders was watching them without a trace of jealousy. "Would you prefer it if I left?"

"No!" The last thing she wanted was to make trouble for them. But, Maker, was Nate really suggesting what she thought he was? And Anders… If he was staying, did that mean that he was going to watch them? Or even join them? She felt a flash of heat all the way to her core. "Are you serious? Both of you?"

"Dead serious." Anders smiled indulgently at her. "Whatever you want to do tonight, I'm game. It's all up to you. Your decision."

"May I kiss you?" Nate repeated. "Please." There was an urgent note in his voice now, and his eyes had grown pitch-dark. Clearly, he found the whole scenario just as exciting as she did.

"Yes. Yes, please." With a small sigh, Alix closed her eyes, allowing him to claim her mouth.

He was gentle at first, but there was no shyness in his kiss, no hesitation. And she opened up willingly for him, because she had dreamed of this for so long: his mouth on hers, hard and forceful; his lean body against hers; his hands cupping her breasts.

Only those weren't Nate's hands, she realized with a sudden spike of lust. Those were Anders' long, nimble fingers, teasing her nipples through the thin silk of her dress, rolling them gently between his fingertips and then adding just the tiniest spark of magic. With a small, breathless cry she arched into his touch, drawing a brief laugh from him. And then there was more magic, flowing from his hands, lighting a fire all over her body. Oh, Maker. Circle games. She hadn't been with another mage in years, but the memories immediately came flooding back. A quick brush of hands, a sudden tingle of magic, a forbidden caress under the table in the library… Oh, she remembered, only too vividly, and she wanted more, right now.

As soon as Nate let go of her lips, she offered them to Anders for a kiss, moaning when she tasted him, wine and lyrium and magic, so hot, so perfect. Anders' kiss was completely different from Nate's, softer and more tentative, a question rather than a demand, and the contrast made her tremble even more.

"Alix…" Nate's hands were on her back now, playing with the fastenings of her dress. "Tell us if you want us to stop."

"I don't. Please go on." She was swaying on her feet already, and her nipples were aching with want. "Oh, sweet Andraste, Anders!"

He had his mouth on her breasts now, suckling gently through the silk, too impatient to wait until she was naked, and it felt so good she thought she was going to die. Behind her, Nate made a small impatient noise, and now the dress was finally coming off and Nate's hands were all over her bare skin. She had put on her finest lacy underwear, and they both groaned when they saw her in it.

"Let me see you, too." She gestured at Anders and he shrugged off his fine, dark red robe in a gesture of pure nonchalance. Underneath, he was stark naked.

"Why am I not surprised?" Alix muttered, taking in his long, lean body, the silkiness of his pale skin, the fine blond down of hair on his stomach. Lovely. "Do you even own any underwear?"

"Why bother?" Anders carefully picked up the robe and placed it on a chair, then turned to face her again. "Nate likes it, don't you, Nate?"

Nate responded with an incoherent grunt, his hands tightening around Alix' waist as he kissed a hot trail across her bare shoulders.

"And speaking of Nate…" Anders was back, embracing her, letting her feel his arousal against her stomach. "I think he's wearing too many clothes."

"Agreed." Despite her words, Alix whined in protest when Nate let go of her. He'd felt so good against her back, warm and solid.

He was back only moments later, though, and the heat of his skin more than made up for the brief interruption. "I want you in our bed." His hoarse whisper in her ear nearly made her faint. "Come."

Alix followed willingly as they led her over to the big four-poster. She wouldn't have dared to dream of this until tonight, and maybe they would all regret it in the morning. But for this one night, they were both hers, and she was going to enjoy every moment of it while it lasted.

Anders felt dizzy with desire, driven half-mad by the sight of the two of them on the bed: Nate's dark head disappearing between Alix' long legs; the happy little noise he made when he first tasted her; the expression of sheer bliss on her face – Anders almost envied her. He knew only too well what Nate could do with that wicked mouth of his, and if he was half as good at satisfying a woman, Alix was in for a real treat.

But Anders had no intention to restrict himself to watching. Alix had clearly liked it when he'd played with her breasts earlier on, and that was an avenue worth exploring further. Bending over her, he flicked his tongue once against her stiff nipple, smiling to himself when she cried out.

"So sensitive." He blew against her wet flesh, and she responded with a small, helpless moan. And so starved for touch. He didn't say the words aloud, but it was obvious from the way Alix was moving into their caresses. "Shhh, sweetheart." Gently, he brushed a strand of hair from her damp forehead.

"Anders?" Nate raised his head. "Come here."

Oh. Anders was more than a little surprised. Alix seemed ready for more, and Nate was rock hard, trembling all over with desire. Surely, he would want-

"Come here. Now." Nate's tone brooked no contradiction. "Do you want him, Alix?"

"Yes, please." She sounded eager, so eager that it made Anders' cock twitch. "Oh Maker. I wish I could have you both."

"Patience." Nate was moving aside, making room for Anders. "I have no intention of forgoing the pleasure. I just want to watch you with him first."

"Damn it, Nate." Anders had to close his eyes for a moment to regain control.

Because now he was nudging against her heat, and she was soft and wet, and he needed to be inside her, without further delay. He entered her, slowly and carefully, until he felt a hand on his lower back, Nate's hand, pushing him deeper inside her, and he nearly lost it. Two deep, shaky breaths took him back from the edge, but even so, he hardly dared to move at first.

Alix' eyes were darting to and fro between him and Nate, and she was trembling all over. "Anders. You feel so good."

"You, too." He began to start reciting alchemical formulae in his head, anything to keep himself from losing control. Because it was true – she felt like heaven, and his whole body was screaming at him to move.

"You're so hot. Both of you." Nate's hands were wandering all over her body, touching, caressing, and his eyes were feverish with want. "Anders. Move."

"I… Oh damn it!" And he allowed his body to take over, allowed himself to thrust into her heat, faster, harder, losing himself in her. And Alix spurned him on, with small urgent whispers, until he couldn't take it any more and the whole world went blindingly white as he poured himself into her. Dimly, he felt her clench around him, heard her cry out in ecstasy. And then it was over, and Nate was pulling him back, eager to take his place.

Alix hardly had time to catch her breath. As soon as she opened her eyes, Nate's hand was on her hip, urging her to turn over. Without thinking, she complied, pushing herself up on her hands and knees. She was still pulsing with the aftershocks of her climax, still aching from the loss of Anders inside her. And now Nate was pushing inside her, slowly but inexorably, spreading her even wider, because Maker, he was thick and hard and relentless, and she almost sobbed, not sure she could take any more.

"Alix?" Nate sounded concerned.

"Hey." Anders was at her side, breathing a kiss on her cheek. "It's fine. Just let go."

She felt a spell wash all over her, sweet and hot and tender, and suddenly everything was easy and her whole body relaxed. Nate must have felt the change. Groaning deep in his throat, he pulled back and then thrust back inside her, quick and hard. And somehow, pleasure was building again inside her, faster than she'd expected. Each sharp, pointed thrust of his took her higher, until she was begging, pleading with him for more. And all the time Anders was there, supporting her, adding the sweet tingle of his magic to the sensations flooding her body. It was almost too good to be true.

The second time was even better than the first, a rush of pleasure so intense that she actually blacked out a little. By the time she came to her senses again, Nate had collapsed on top of her, spent and breathless. Anders was holding them both, muttering soothing nonsense, and Alix allowed herself a moment outside of time, floating in their embrace. Maker, but I needed that.

Finally, Nate pulled back, giving her space to turn over. "Are you all right?"

"A lot more than all right." She didn't bother to hide her blissful smile. "Thank you. Both of you."

"My pleasure." Anders' familiar cocky grin was back in place. "Literally."

"Yeah. Me, too." Nate sat back on his haunches. "Now… do we have some wine left?"

Alix watched him as he walked over to the table and filled a goblet for them. When he handed it to her, she accepted it with a grateful sigh. "What a perfect evening. I wish it could last forever."

"Well, the night is still young." Anders nibbled gently on her bare shoulder. "Isn't that what a réveillon means? Staying up all night until First Day starts?"

"Technically, yes." Alix couldn't help but smile at his words. "Though I believe what we were doing isn't considered a traditional activity for this occasion."

"Then, maybe…" Nate took the goblet from her and placed it on the nightstand, then bent down to place a tender kiss on her lips. "Maybe it's time we made our own traditions."

"An excellent idea." Alix moaned as they both pulled her into yet another heated embrace. "I can't wait to see what the two of you come up with."

This was written for the CMDA Secret Santa fic exchange, as a gift for the lovely Shakespira. Huge hugs and thanks to my awesome beta suilven.