"I knew an Amell once. I never met her like, again."
A light - yet familiar - chuckle emitted from the hooded woman in Hawke's entourage. Normally he paid no mind to the people Garrett traveled with. The less he knew, he felt it was for the better.
But… that voice. There was no way.
He could feel the intensity of his heart pounding in his ears when the woman stepped forward, slowly pushing back the hood that hid her face to reveal the very woman who haunted his dreams over the past five years. He recalled making it point to commit every detail of her face to memory the day that Duncan took her away, the same day that he finally told her in great detail - just how much he loved her.
In the same moment he remembered the day at the tower - the way he pushed her away, told her that she was a demon sent to torture him, and then demanded The Rite of Annulment. How could she forgive all of that?
He didn't know what to do, and he was quickly becoming overwhelmed.
"We will leave you two alone. You obviously have… some catching up to do." Cullen nodded his thanks to Garrett who was dragging Isabela by the arm away from the two, all the while his eyes never left Solona's - so scared that if he looked away she'd disappear.
"I went to The Circle a few months ago - to see if you were there. If you were.. okay. Greagoir told me he sent you here. He explained everything to me."
She smiled then, a comforting smile meant to soothe his worries, but in truth it only made him worry more.
"Maker, Cullen! All these years and I swore you hated me. After everything you said, I was just so lost. One moment you were confessing your love and then the next - you were condemning me."
Cautiously, she took a step towards him, and when he did not flinch she dared another step. She took his hand in his, and squeezed it gently.
"Despite every hurtful thing you said that day, I know it came from a place of fear, and not hatred. I know deep down, that you love me. I also know that I love you, too. That is why I'm here."
Just like that, any doubt that had crossed his mind was gone, and his strength renewed. He closed the gap between them, moving a hand to cradle her face, a thumb tracing over her lips as he spoke, "I prayed to the make every night to bring you back to me. To give me the chance to right the wrongs and fix the pain I've caused you. Here I find not only have you forgiven me, but you have grown even more beautiful and strong than I ever thought possible. I am so proud of you."
It was Solona's turn to look surprised, a soft blush kissing her pale cheeks and making his heart race.
"Now my lady, could you do me a favor?"
"Anything for you, Cullen."
"Promise me that you will never leave my side again."
He pulled her flush against him in a swift movement and she leaned into it like it was where she belonged, the hand cradling her face moving to bury itself in her long hair, his lips pressing hard against hers in a kiss that expressed more than they could ever put in words.
"Never again."