Reversed Hierophant

Lover's Fool

"Overhead!" The snow was disturbed as the Inquisitor hit the ground, an arrow whistling to cut through where she previously stood. It embedded itself in a templar's eye, blinding him before another took his life.

"Whew… I don't know what's worse; Cold sweat, or hot." Ayre lifted herself up from the frozen ground, giving a faint shiver. She had neglected to bring anything heavier than her sleeveless coat, claiming she could embrace the elements. Clearly, she was just boasting in front of Cassandra.

They hadn't made love the night prior, though they did share the bed. Underneath the seeker and encompassed in such an intimate air, the Inquisitor only shared words with the older woman.

All through the night, they spoke of their pasts; Anything and everything they could think of until the dawn was shared. Remembering fondly the tired look in Cassandra's eyes when they finally turned in, Ayre smiled to herself.

"All blush and piss, who're you screwin'? Can't be Lady Ruffles, what with that whole spat. Or was it some makeup toss?" Sera shouldered Ayre to knock her out of her thoughts, the redhead clearing her throat.

"I don't have to be screwing anyone to be happy." The Inquisitor jabbed a finger, but grinned. "But if I was, you'll never know."

Dorian chuckled at Ayre's side, gently ribbing her. "You'll tell me, won't you, cousin?" He teased, a palm planting to his chest to playfully shove him.

Ayre wasn't sure if Cassandra wanted their relationship to stay secret. She had told Varric, but no one else was aware. Glancing back to the older woman, mirth was evident in fade-touched eyes.

The seeker slipped her axe into her belt, a small smirk dancing upon her lips as she caught Ayre's gaze. Something sharp struck the redhead's gut, and she had to avert her eyes to suppress it. Something about the seeker made her just want to tackle her into this miserable snow…

"How long will it take to repair the bridge?" Camp was close by; They had been taking their time with Sahrnia and the templars. The prisoners had been freed first, but there was more ground to cover. Sitting by the fire, Ayre warmed her hands by it.

"At least a few more days." Dorian sat next to her, mimicking the action. "Meaning a few more days in this icy hell." The mage quipped, causing the redhead to snicker.

"The frozen wasteland is not so bad." Cassandra sat on another log, peeling off her gloves to tuck away. She had a fur cloak draped over her usual armor; A courtesy of a bear Ayre had graced her with. Not so much 'graced', as led back to her while screaming.

The seeker had to admit, she was quite adept at fighting bears.

"Oh?" Dorian cocked a brow, lifting a hand to his mouth. "My mustache is utterly frozen. How is that not bad?" He grinned, returning his palm to be warmed by the fire. Cassandra snorted softly, sending a quick glance to Ayre.

The Inquisitor felt the sharp sensation return, unable to look away from the Nevarran royal. "If you've got the memories, they will keep you far more than just warm." Cassandra implied, causing Sera to sputter.

Forcing her gaze away, Ayre flushed hotly and rose the collar of her coat. Dorian gave a throaty laugh, a sigh on his lips as he reminisced. "I have quite the trove of memories. None so recent, unfortunately." He frowned to the fire, his staff between his legs. The length of it rested against his inner thigh up to his shoulder, the orb atop it as crystalline as the snow.

Sera smirked, rubbing her hands together as she sat by herself on a log. "Well, I had a roll with one of the kitchen workers for some extra bread and butter." She smirked, snickering to herself. "A-and some extra food too!"

Ayre snorted, covering her nose to stifle the laugh. Cassandra playfully rolled her eyes, though her gaze lingered on the redhead.

"What about you, Inky? When was your last lap in bed?" Sera grinned, leaning forward expectantly.

The redhead honestly hadn't an answer. The last time she had had sex was… well before the Conclave. Josephine had been far too lovely to tarnish without an engagement; Cassandra appeared the same, but was far more open with her.

Biting her lower lip, Ayre shifted before shrugging. Sera's protest was silenced by Cassandra clearing her throat, all eyes on the seeker with surprise.

"I've only had a handful of lovers. My most recent… physical entanglement was with a mage named Regalyan." She admitted, ignoring Dorian's gasp of surprise. He quieted down, eager to hear the tale. Even Sera sat still, brows screwed up as if she tried to imagine the seeker with… anyone.

"I was very young, as was he. He wasn't especially strapping, but he was handsome; charming… He was a good man. Our dalliances were few and far between, and he died at the Conclave." Cassandra sighed, drawing the fur closer around herself.

"I thought I may never truly give of my heart to someone… Until now."

Ayre's jaw set tight as she tried not to react, but her eyes betrayed her. Such raw emotion danced in fade-touched veridian; Desire and adoration melding to emanate love. Cassandra met her gaze, dark eyes sweet with honey.

Dorian glanced to his cousin at his side, following her gaze back to the seeker. His jaw dropped, the mage bumbling before he clapped his hands loudly. It startled to two trapped in a lover's gaze, but Sera had already put it together.

"You two?! Well, that's… Sort of seen it coming though, yeah? I mean, it's all good, innit? Just… you're both so well fit." The elf bit her lower lip, smirking. "Would love to see that."

"You won't." Ayre promised, chuckling to Sera's indignant sigh. She shyly met Cassandra's gaze again, smiling softly to the older woman.

"That is fantastic." Dorian whispered to the redhead, ribbing her again. "Really, well done." His grin was almost too wide for his mustache, his hands grasping onto Ayre's shoulders for a good-hearted shake.

"Now, if we could just get out of this damned cold…" The mage's words provoked chuckles, more stories to be shared as the fire dwelled to nothing but embers.

Darkness flooded the camp, Dorian lighting the staked lanterns before the large fire once more. "Well, I'm turning in before I become a Tevinter-sicle. I shall see you in the morning." He bowed his head and took to his tent, Sera following to no doubt pressure more stories from him.

Ayre stood, brushing a bit of snow from her shoulders. She hadn't realized how cold her skin was, regretting her choice to be so stubborn. Cassandra stood with her, a finger slipped into the rogue's belt-loop.

The Inquisitor flushed darkly, being led into their tent. A smaller fire burned there, encased in magic to keep the flames from scorching them in their sleep. Warmth still seeped from it, and enclosed within the tent it spread to chase the chill from their bones.

"You never told me of him." Ayre softly spoke once the flap was sealed, Cassandra turning to her. "I'm sorry for his loss."

"It was… a strictly physical relationship." The seeker admitted, light pink dusting her prominent cheekbones. She drew closer to the younger, gloved hands rubbing up and down along Ayre's bare arms. "You're almost frozen, you stubborn fool…" She frowned, raising her gaze as hands settled upon her waist.

"Your stubborn fool." The rogue grinned, stepping closer until their bodies were flush with one another. Cassandra's touch became firmer; Nails tracing thin lines up towards Ayre's shoulders.

"You are my fool." The elder agreed, enjoying their closeness. The heat from the Inquisitor's body could rival the fire, even if her skin was still chilly. A shiver of something different struck the seeker; realization that their lips were just a breath away.

"I quite enjoy being yours." Ayre admitted softly, feeling herself warm immensely. Gazing into Cassandra's eyes was like drinking the spiciest ale; Fire in her belly and throughout her veins.

"It overwhelms me." Cassandra confessed, brushing her lips to the younger's to dissuade negative thoughts. "Overwhelming in the most pleasant way." She amended, pulling Ayre as she stepped backwards.

"For me as well, and we've barely…" Ayre bit her lower lip, blush turning sunkissed skin darker. Cassandra chuckled, pausing their movement. The seeker's hands unbuckled the belt expertly, gently letting it drop to their feet.

"N-not that I expect anything-" Bumbling cut off with another kiss, the Inquisitor melted against the older woman. Daggers were carefully stripped from her back, as much care given to them as the seeker's axe.

Cassandra's shield had been set away by the tent entrance, nothing but furs and armor separating them. The bear pelt was shrugged off, falling close to their bedrolls. Great care was taken with armor, pauldrons and chainmail set off to the side.

Skin beneath her fingertips, Ayre trembled; Hands up the back of Cassandra's tunic at the elder's lead. "Well, I thought you needed to be courted…?"

The seeker cocked a brow, amusement sinking back into her expression. "You've gifted me an axe, one you made yourself." Her tone was a playful accusation, the look in her eyes something more.

Ayre grinned softly, drawing herself closer. "How did you know I made it?" She asked quietly, not daring to break the spell they were set under.

"I found your name carved into the hilt." Cassandra smirked, drawing back just an inch. "Tactfully fashioned with silverite, but there was no mistaking that certain pattern."

The Inquisitor flushed darkly, clearing her throat. "Well, that is quite damning, isn't it?" She chuckled, Cassandra's fingers rising up the nape of her neck. If that wasn't a weakness of hers, she didn't know what was.

The polished silver clasp holding crimson from becoming unruly was set free. Dark eyes watched as curling locks framed along Ayre's jaw, the clasp being pocketed by Cassandra.

"You see me with my hair down more often than held back." The Inquisitor noted, eyes flicking up to the crowned braid the seeker sported. Cassandra smirked, drawing the younger woman closer against herself.

"I did say you would see mine down very soon." The seeker slid her hands down to grasp Ayre's wrists. Lifting them towards her crowned braid, Cassandra let her palms wander over bare arms.

All hints of cold had been washed away prior, heat building up powerfully between them. The black ribbon woven into equally dark locks caught Ayre's attention, and she gave a fond smile. She unpinned the braid, watching it fall loose behind Cassandra.

"Your hair is longer than I thought…" Even still in its braid, the dark hair reached the middle of the seeker's back. The Inquisitor rescued the ribbon, tucking it into the same pocket her clasp had gone to.

"I doubt many have seen me even like this." Cassandra spoke gently, locks starting to come loose around her ears. Ayre hesitated, a smile from the older woman all she needed to move again. Deft fingers carefully started to undo braided coal.

The Inquisitor even took great care to not pull; Gentle and slow in her actions. Soon, Cassandra's hair was fully unwound from its braid. Ayre pulled back to admire her, the seeker combing through coal with her fingers.

Out of its braid, the elder's hair was longer still. The ends curled slightly, the length softening the seeker's sharp jawline. Breathless in adoration, Ayre cleared her throat to be able to speak. "That is quite the sight to take in." She murmured, testing the texture of Cassandra's hair.

It was soft in places the braid had cushioned it, and utterly thick. Biting her lip, Ayre rose her gaze to Cassandra's. She looked so different with her hair down; Softer and yet somehow fierce at the same time.

"I like it." The redhead grinned, playing a bit more boldly with dark locks. Cassandra chuckled lowly, her own hands entangled in crimson. The Inquisitor's hair was odd; The length was longer than her own, yet along her temples it curled and was swept back.

"I rather enjoy yours as well." Fingers slipping down to the lapel of Ayre's odd coat, Cassandra gently tugged. She led the Inquisitor down to sit atop their bedrolls, the rogue giving an impish grin.

It was clear Ayre was nervous; Teeth sinking into her bottom lip at the corner. Nerves were high in the seeker as well, but just gazing upon the rogue's face alleviated them. The scarf wound around the younger woman's neck was undone, thick beige fabric parted on either side.

Taking hold of the length at both ends, Cassandra drew Ayre closer to herself. The seeker laid back atop furs, the rogue's hands planted on either side of her. Using the scarf for leverage, the older woman pulled herself up to press against the redhead; Teeth and lips against Ayre's once-guarded throat.

Nails dug into the furs beneath Cassandra, and the Inquisitor gasped softly. It was a good thing she had that scarf…

Cassandra chuckled against her skin, the tip of her nose cold in the dip of Ayre's throat. Her lips seemed to scorch along to the redhead's pulsepoint, hands threading the scarf further around them.

Ayre tried to pull back but only succeeded in ceasing all distance. She braced herself up only by her forearms and elbows, her body laying flush against the seeker's. Frustrated, the rogue laid an arm over Cassandra's collarbone to gently push the elder back down.

Met with an equally frustrated gaze, Ayre chuckled lowly before capturing the seeker's lips. This kiss was far more passionate than their previous ones, something the redhead had thought impossible.

As much as she wanted to undress the Nevarran princess, it would be unwise to do so. From the cold outside their tent and the lack of true privacy, Ayre was sure undressing fully was quite impossible.

Of course, neither of them needed to truly be bare… The rogue's free hand snuck between them, tugging at the strings of Cassandra's breeches. The howling wind outside was but a quiet breeze compared to her heartbeat threatening to make her deaf.

Cassandra pressed against her desperately, shoving the arm that barred her from full contact. Barely able to catch herself, Ayre planted her arm back atop the furs. She had a feeling that making love to the seeker would be akin to fighting at her side.

What a wild ride this would be...

AN: Muahahahaha. Emprise Du Lion is quite the frozen area, isn't it? What better way to melt the ice than to get close? I hope you enjoyed, please review!