Chapter 1
When Vythica woke up and opened her eyes it felt like she was drowning in darkness as thick as dwarven ale. She sat up and promptly fell off whatever it was she had been sleeping on. She lay very still on her back, fingertips brushing its stone surface. She closed her eyes and counted slowly to ten, when she opened them again the darkness had lost some of its solidity and she was able to make out the rough wooden bench she had fallen from. Rolling over onto her hands and knees she crawled slowly forward, one hand reaching out every now and again to pat the air before her.
Her progress was slow, the ever present darkness was pressing on her from all sides and it was hard not to panic. Finally her fingertips touched something icy cold, they wrapped around it.
Her brain screamed 'Bars!'
She swept her hand across the bars to confirm what she already knew, she was trapped, in a cell, in the dark without the faintest idea of how or why.
"Oh Vy," she whispered quietly, afraid to even disturb the darkness with her voice, "your in trouble now"
Her head began to swim with weariness that was not natural, it stroked her limbs till they became limp and useless, her mouth dried up and became slack while her breathing slowed with no command from her. She slid sideways slowly, fighting the desire to sleep but it was a battle she was never going to win. In the darkness she lay, and rapidly drifted to sleep.
There was grunt of approval and the scrape of feet on stone. A torch was lit, its wielder holding his eyes closed so as not to be blinded by the sudden flare of flame.
The cell door was opened and two more men entered. They easily scooped up the elf between them and carried her out of the cell .
Zevran bade them to stop a moment. Looking down on the sleeping woman he carefully swept her hair over one of her ears. In the torchlight the earring gleamed dully. The elf smirked and motioned the men to carry on.
…..
She awoke for the second time.
Without opening her eyes she knew that she was no longer in the cell. The floor was still stone but it felt warm at her back, and her cell hadn't smelt of incense and another smell that she couldn't quite place but none the less recognized. She could hear the steady crackle of fire and a soft clinking of metal. Her tongue ran over her dry lips, she could taste a bitter residue of something on them and grimaced.
With most of her sensory input exhausted she opened her eyes. From her position she was granted a view of a high ceiling in what appeared to be a huge circular room. The ceiling was almost swallowed by the darkness that still lurked in the upper reaches. Torches blazed in brackets casting shadows that danced and gyrated along the stone walls.
Her gaze then fell upon the figure leaning against the far wall, whoever it was they had deliberately placed themselves in shadow. She could just barely make out the gleam of their eyes. She tried to sit up and heard the gentle clink again as she moved. Looking down at her feet she saw a chain snaking its way from her ankle, her eyes followed the chain to a heavy iron ring, one of many in fact, set in the stone floor. The other end was attached to an iron manacle around her ankle. She wrapped the chain around her fist and gave an experimental tug, it was strong and would hold her. Not that she expected any different, but the silent watcher was making her nervous and she wanted to provoke some reaction.
Vythica stared at the shadowy figure again, waiting for some response. She may as well have been staring at a statue.
"Right", she muttered to herself. She ran her hands through her thick red hair , fingers pushing, feeling for what she hoped was still there. Her fingertips brushed the sliver of metal and she gave a silent thanks to Leliana for teaching her this particular trick.
Aware she was still being watched Vythica began to work on the manacle's lock with the hidden pick. She was surprised to find that the lock gave way without much coaxing from her, clearly she had been underestimated. As she slipped the manacle from her ankle she looked back to the figure.
Who was no longer there.
That gave her heart the jolt it needed and she stood quickly, her body arranging itself into a fighting stance, hair whipping around her face as she tried to find the silent stranger.
"You know I did tell them one chain would not be enough, but in retrospect having you free may make this interesting"
Every cell and molecule, every fibre of her very being screamed at the sound of his voice. That rolling, lilting voice that turned her skin to flame and caused her muscles to twitch in anticipation. That voice which stole into her tent when night was its deepest and told her just what she was while she bent to its will and desires.
"Zevran"
The elf chuckled, it was a dark sound, and one that told her that he knew what her mind was already doing to her body.
"Zevran…Zev, please what's happening, why am I here, why was I chained up , and why are….."
She had forgotten.
Forgotten how damn quick he could be, how much stronger. She didn't even have time to defend herself as deft hands caught her hair, balling it into his fist. The pain caused her eyelids to flutter and the nerve endings at the base of her skull to flare to life. Without warning she was driven to her knees.
His tongue clucked softly on the roof of his mouth. "Tch, Vythica, you have forgotten the rules of the game, and since you came to Antiva to find me, I can only assume that you wish to play, no?"
"I…I needed your help, I came for help"
The fist curled, tightening its hold on her hair, her head was yanked backwards so that her throat was exposed in a long graceful line and her eyes were locked onto his. The whimper escaped her lips before she even knew it was coming.
"Now now my dear, the time you could lie to the one who knows you best has long passed," He leaned over her, hair sweeping over his shoulders to frame her face, his mouth a breath away from her own. "Now once more my little warden, why are you really here"
Oh Maker she was caught, just a mere few minutes in his company and she was as helpless as a newborn. The mouth poised above hers was a temptation that had slithered its way into her dreams for the past year. The voice that whispered and shaped her desire could still reduce her to a trembling mess. She knew what had called her here, as did he, and that was all part of the game wasn't it.
His tongue licked her lower lip, quick as a snake, the hand in her hair tugged briefly not allowing her thoughts time to wander.
"Tell me" he growled.
She closed her eyes, unable to look at him as she spoke.
"I….I needed you…"
A hand, warm and calloused slid over her shoulder and into her plain cotton shirt to settle between the valley of her breasts, and she knew all too well he was searching for her heartbeat, that treacherous thumping piece of flesh.
"Hmmm needed or wanted Vythica, your heart will tell me what you refuse to let your eyes say" she felt nails dig into her chest as if to emphasize the point.
She swallowed hard. Was it worth denying it, really?
Was it worth pretending she had come to seek his help with Ferelden's wardens when she knew that's he had left Soldiers Peak without a word to anyone. When she knew Alistair had sent people to look for her after a month had passed?
She had evaded them all and made her way here to find him, her body its own dowsing rod, her mind unfocused and unguarded while she toured the streets of Antiva, hoping for any sign.
And most of all was it worth denying when all she wanted was for him to breach those few millimetres of air between them and claim her soul once more.
No.
"I wanted you, too many people, wanting too much, always asking always waiting for me to decide, to take charge, you…you always made that go away, if only when the darkness came, but you took it all away and I didn't have to…didn't have to decide."
His throat rumbled his pleasure and her stomach churned with a secret heat at the sound.
"Good girl"
His mouth closed on hers with a ferocity she had only been able to imagine and yearn for the past year. His teeth bit at her lower lips, a command she recognized all too well as she parted them for his tongue. He was not gentle as he explored her mouth, tongue twisting like the tail of a whip, teeth bruising and nipping. His lips were hot and feverish against hers and she could do nothing but let them scorch her as she moaned against them.
He released her all too suddenly and she collapsed to the floor, breathing hard and shaking like a leaf. Her glazed eyes turned up to look at him properly. He had changed a little, the hair was longer, and there was more muscle beneath his golden skin. What little sense she had left was stolen while she gazed at his smooth and more importantly bare chest. When she reached his eyes again her body gave an involuntary shudder, which made his lips twist into a grin she had both dreaded and wanted on more than one occasion.
"Are you ready to play then kitten"
She nodded mutely not trusting her ability to speak right now. Besides her own body was screaming 'yes!' loud enough for the both of them to hear. It wanted this, to hand over all the control, to obey and not command, to her this was peace. It may be a sordid and unimaginable peace, but it was the only one she had and only he could give it to her.
"And do you remember the rules , Vythica" Her name was rolled of his Antivan tongue and flung at her like a splash of scalding water.
She nodded again, sitting up on her knees, her hands in her lap, head lowered but eyes raised to meet his unflinching ones.
"Crawl"
Shaking hands placed themselves flat upon the stone floor before she was even aware she was doing it, she shifted her legs so that she was now on hands and knees. Very slowly she crawled towards him, heart thudding painfully as she watched his own chest rise in a breath that told her exactly how much he was enjoying this sight.
She moved like a big cat, shoulders and hips rolling upper body held low to the ground, never taking her eyes away from his golden gaze. She crossed the room and stopped in front of him, breath held, body waiting. Though elves were shorter in stature he seemed monolithic as he stood over her.
His hand cupped her chin while his thumb brushed her mouth. Her lips parted for him and he slid his thumb between them briefly allowing her tongue to taste him. His other hand pressed her face against his thigh, allowing her to feel him against her cheek, swollen and warm through the thin silk fabric of his pants. He tugged at the material impatiently and kicked it away . She could have assisted but knew better, this was the game, she did as she was told and nothing more. His hand found her hair again and pulled firmly.
"Take me in your mouth my dear, allow me to feel the pleasure of your wicked tongue once more."
She knew what was to come and shivered as he guided her mouth to him. His feverish warmth was back at her lips, pressing insistently until she opened her mouth to receive him. He slid along her tongue , a delicious and solid warmth that made her moan around him causing his hand to jerk in her hair and his hips to jerk forward, pushing the rest of him to the end of her throat.
"Little Minx", he rasped, holding her tight against him, not allowing her to withdraw. "if you do that again I will have to make you so very sorry"
Her earlier experiences with Zevran's teachings allowed her to control her breathing while he nestled in the tight confines of her throat. She could feel saliva filling her mouth mingling with the taste of him. He finally relented, drawing his hips back until he was almost free of her. Holding her head in place he slid back in slowly , all the while his eyes burning into hers , reminding her that in this state he could do as he wished. Love her, fuck her or kill her and she would let him.
Her tongue twisted and writhed against his length as best she could manage as he began his own rhythm. She could only follow the tune he wrought while he used her mouth . But this act in itself was not entirely selfish. She had craved his command, wanted the unrelenting dominance that danced behind the confidant grin and unflinching eyes when she first met him. And what's more he had recognized that need , leapt upon it like an animal who has finally cornered its prey.
His movements quickened and she felt him swell against her tightly pressed lips, she could not help but moan once more and this proved to be his undoing. His hips thrust forward violently , the muscles in his stomach tightened until she could see each one of them clearly defined . He hissed something in Antivan through clenched teeth while his body shook with some massive force. His lust was spilled down her throat in a warm rush while he pulsed against her tongue, and only when he stopped shaking did he withdraw from her , his eyes closed , hand still knotted in her hair.
Vythica couldn't take her eyes off him, his skin glowed in the torchlight , a sheen of sweat coating him, making the urge to lay her tongue upon him almost agonizing. But she dare not, she was already in trouble, and without the confines of a camp full of companions to overhear them…well she could only guess as to what came next.
His eyes finally opened to meet hers and they told her that yes…she was in trouble.
"Tch tch tch, I see your time away has lessened your control little warden, something will have to be done about that, no?"
Without warning he pulled her forward by her hair causing her to crawl once more or have her body dragged across the rough stone. They guided her to a stone pillar that rose to the ceiling. Letting go of her hair he bent down to retrieve something. She was gifted with the sight of his bare back, almost perfect save for a few old scars that twisted between his shoulder blades. She heard the soft clink of chain again and her body clamoured in excitement and fear combined. He turned to her and tilted her head back with a finger. She felt cold metal touch her exposed throat , it was a collar and he was fixing it around her neck, tight enough to be snug but not enough to choke her unless she struggled. She heard the click of a lock and he sat back to examine her, fingers idly playing with a chain attached at the front of the device. He seemed to be trying to decide what to do next. A small grin graced his face and she knew a decision had been made. He leaned in, pressing his lips to her delicate pointed ear.
"Tell me what you are my dear"
She was confused, usually it was he who told her what she was as he held her gasping and writing beneath him in the hot confines of her tent.
"I..i don't kn…"
His teeth grazed the length of her ear .
"Tell me" he crooned, his honeyed tones causing something to uncoil viciously in her stomach.
"I am yours" she relented, the words coming out in one shuddering gasp as his swift tongue tasted the length of her ear.
He drew back, that smug smile that had nothing to do with dominance and everything to do with Zevran, playing on his lips.
"Yes you are little warden, you are finally mine"
With that he stood up and moved across the room to a doorway. She remained kneeling, not sure what he was up to until he opened the door and left the room without a backwards glance. It closed behind him with a foreboding sound and she heard bolts being drawn into place.
The famous grey warden, hero of Ferelden , destroyer of the Archdemon shivered, the chain at her collar chimed in response. Her body ached fiercely with need and her only salvation had just left, sealing her in with her own lust.
….
…..