Author's Note: Special thanks to my beta, 'varelishawt' on dreamwidth-dot-com. I decided to edit and add content to make the character's history and motivations more apparent earlier in the story. Since the chapters became quite long, each former "part" of the first release has now been separated into two chapters. Feedback is welcome. Thanks for reading, and thank you to all who've previously reveiwed.
Rating: Overall story is AO, some sections NSFW. This chapter rated MA.
Word Count: ~5570
Summary (AU): A very stressed-out Tenniel Cousland makes it back to camp and decides to give Alistair the cold, hard truth. What does this mean for Zevran?
Chapter Three
The Warden couldn't believe she had told this man something about her life, and he had actually listened to her. And yet he was still here - he wasn't running away, or making fun of her, or calling her a slut. He was just standing there with one arm around her waist, letting her touch him. Why does this feel so good? Tenniel reached out and wrapped both of her arms around him, and this time it was her turn to bend her head down a little for a kiss.
Zevran knew he had finally won her over when her arms wrapped around his shoulders, and then she surprised him with the kiss. He felt her soft lips touch his, and he couldn't resist parting them with his tongue. The former Crow groaned as he felt her body melt into his touch. He reached up and put his palm against the back of her head, thoroughly enjoying the feel of her soft golden tresses against his calloused fingers, almost as much as he enjoyed tasting her sweet mouth.
She pressed harder up against him and kissed him more deeply, going so far as to suck his bottom lip. It was Tenniel's turn to moan when Zevran slipped his fingers in between the seams of her drakeskin armor and started caressing one of her nipples through her shift. He started grinding against her, and that's when she lost all self-control. The Warden lifted her left leg and put her boot heel against the tree she was leaning on, encouraging him further as she kissed him greedily.
"I want you, Tenniel."
They kissed for several more moments until the woman started making frustrated little noises. She reached into the front of his pants and gasped."Maker's breath, Zevran! You're hung like a horse. What do they feed you assassins in Antiva?" Tenniel giggled seductively as she started to stroke his manhood.
"Mmm… much better food than they serve here, for sure..." He lost his train of thought as she gripped his shaft and rubbed her thumb lightly against the tip of his cock. A small amount of his seed escaped, and he groaned again when she rubbed it onto her thumb and brought it up to her lips for a taste.
"I want you, Zevran," she whispered.
"I cannot resist a woman who knows what she wants." But it was his turn to call for divine intervention when he heard something rustling in the path up ahead. His Warden heard it too.
She gently readjusted his length underneath the waistband of his breeches, and quickly switched places with him so he was behind her and also facing out towards the path. Tenniel reached for the swords that were strapped to her back.
"Who's there?" She demanded loudly and turned her head in the direction of the noise. The Warden's swords were already out by the time the interloper appeared on the path and announced herself a few seconds later.
"It's only me!" Leliana replied with both of her hands raised in the air.
Tenniel relaxed, and Zevran was pleased when she put her swords away and leaned back against him with the side of her hip. He wrapped an arm around her waist again and put his chin on her shoulder, peeking through her hair to peer at Leliana. Tenniel rubbed his arm and then grabbed his other arm to put it across her chest. She's mine, now. And she wants them to know it, too. The assassin grinned amiably at the Orlesian spy as he kissed the side of his Warden's neck.
"Hey, Leliana. What's the matter?" Tenniel asked as she put her warm hand over Zevran's slightly colder one.
"Nothing. I was just wondering if Zev had found you." Leliana seemed uncomfortable.
"Yes, he did."
"Uh, yes. I see. Oh, and ah… Sten scouted up north for a bit and says there's a group of a dozen or so bandits on the road ahead of us. Just wondered what you wanted us to do."
"Thanks for finding us, Leliana." Tenniel kissed Zevran's hand and reluctantly pulled away from him with a sigh. "Let's get back to camp, Zevran. You, Morrigan, Terri and I will go up ahead and get rid of the bandits first thing in the morning while Sten, Leliana and Wynne travel with the rest of the camp." She grabbed her pack from the ground again and smiled at the elf. "For now, let's get something to eat… and maybe you can start the assassin training when we return. How does that sound?"
First she protects me, and now this… is she really asking for my opinion? Zevran stared at her in amazement for a few seconds but quickly recovered. "Sí, that's why you're the boss, mi corazón. Of course it sounds good." He reached down to help her with her supplies and started following her and Leliana back down the trail.
The bard had raised her eyebrows at his comment, and Zevran instantly regretted his lack of discretion. He had forgotten that Leliana knew Antivan. It was one thing to be a blatant, lecherous flirt. But it wouldn't do to have any of the party members think he was feeling sentimental about the Warden. Brasca! I have to be more careful about what I say, he thought.
Tenniel gave him a questioning look, then shrugged her shoulders as they walked along. "Oh, great. Now you're going to start speaking in Antivan again? No fair!"
"He said 'my heart' in Antivan. It's an endearment of sorts. A bit strange, coming from an accomplished member of the Crows, don't you think?" Leliana said, her voice dripping with sarcasm and suspicion.
"No, I don't think it's strange at all. He can say anything he wants." Tenniel wasn't sure where the bard was going with this conversation, but she thought it was sweet that Zevran had called her 'his heart'. No one else ever had.
"All I'm saying is that it doesn't seem very likely that Antivan assassins would have the time or luxury for matters of the heart."
"Maybe not. But he's not a Crow anymore, just like you're not an Orlesian spy. He's the assassin, you're the bard, I'm a Warden – and we're all on this crazy Maker-forsaken journey together."
"But – that's not what I….!" Leliana tried to explain herself further.
Tenniel had heard enough. "Look, Leliana. You and Alistair seem to be having the most trouble getting along with Zevran. But he is staying with me as long as he wants to. So if you have a problem with that and want to leave, tell me now. Everyone is free to go and take their own path."
The gauntlet had been thrown down, her words direct and firm. For once, she was not being polite. Both Zevran and Leliana were a bit shocked at what she had said and what her options implied.
"No, no, I don't want to leave. I… I… I just think you should be careful, that's all." Leliana stammered.
"Oh, for crying out loud, Leliana! He's been with us for over two weeks now. If he wanted to kill me, he could have done it a long time ago, right, Zevran?"
"Perhaps. You're a pretty damned good fighter, but I suppose if I had really bothered trying, I might have done the deed." He rubbed his chin and looked at the lovely woman in front of him with her long blonde hair flowing in the wind. "But it doesn't matter, because there are plenty of other things I want to do to you, and you have to be alive so I can hear you scream my name as you enjoy them."
"What… why you!" Tenniel couldn't help but start laughing again, and even Leliana finally relented, throwing her hands in the air and shaking her head in dismay at his wicked flirtations.
"But I am serious, lady! It's been almost a month, and a body has urges after all… hahahah."
He gave a deep, throaty chuckle that brought a blush to the Warden's cheeks as she remembered how close she almost came to satisfying said urges just a few moments earlier. Her smallclothes had actually gotten a little moist. "See, Leliana, this is why I cannot just let him go. He's irresistibly naughty and he makes me laugh, too."
"So… that's what you like… naughty elves who are good at killing people?" Leliana just couldn't stop pushing the Warden on the subject.
"Why, yes, I do now. It seems to be the best way to help us fight this Blight, after all." The Warden wasn't about to let the former lay sister put a damper on her good mood. They had finally arrived back at camp. Alistair was lying out on a cot and Wynne was resting nearby while Morrigan was busy stirring some potions a few meters away.
"What helps us fight this Blight?" Alistair asked with a groggy voice.
"Hot, sexy elven assassins, of course!" Tenniel teased.
Alistair frowned and sat up from the cot, wiping sleep from his eyes. He looked at Zevran, who was grinning from ear to ear and standing very close to the only other living Warden in Ferelden. The former Templar initiate's hair was mussed, making him look even younger than he sounded. He opened his mouth, about to ask another question when Terri suddenly bounded in front of him, jumping up to greet his mistress with a few excited barks. Sten followed closed after the dog and stood next to Wynne as the mage awakened from her nap.
Tenniel bent down to pet Terri, who was even happier now that she was feeling better. "Good, now that we're all here and awake, I want to apologize for being short-tempered with everyone the past two days. I have been preoccupied with my thoughts lately, but that is no excuse. Sorry if I've offended any of you." She made eye contact with all the members of her rag-tag team before continuing.
"Alistair, thank you for finally confiding in me. You know I wish you would have told me your news a lot earlier. I think everyone in our party needs to understand the dangers we face from both the political arena as well as the darkspawn. So I'm telling everyone, our dear former Templar is actually King Maric's son. Alistair is a genuine, royal bastard." She curtsied with a flourish and smiled down at him with a teasing giggle, and he couldn't help but smile back.
Alistair covered his face and groaned in dismay while Morrigan made some snide remark about the future of Ferelden looking as dim as his wits. Zevran couldn't resist congratulating him on his improved status and gave him a mocking bow. Then Leliana joined in the hazing by grabbing her lute and offering her services as a minstrel to 'his royal majesty'. Sten simply gave a disinterested 'hmmph' and ventured off to tend to the ducks he was roasting over the fire with Bodahn and Sandal, while Wynne folded her arms across her chest and half-smiled, watching the antics of the young.
As the rest of the group set up their tents and prepared for dinner, Zevran donned his cured leather armor. He and Tenniel sparred for several minutes as he taught her his hand signals and many other techniques to find, exploit and communicate details about weaknesses in an enemy's defense and maximize their combined attack skills. At one point, he stunned her in the back of her head with his sword pommel and she lost her balance for a moment, staggering around in a daze and trying to see where he would strike next. She, in turn, demonstrated her master stealth abilities, astonishing him for a moment as she disappeared in the middle of an attack and stole his coin pouch.
When he blocked her next lunge, she grabbed her elbow and signaled him to stop. "I think that's enough for now. Don't want to get all sweaty before supper."
"Are you all right?" He asked as she continued rubbing her elbow.
"Yeah, just a little sore. A hurlock alpha hit me in the funny bone earlier." She gestured to the part of her armor that was strapped around the bend of her arm and provided padding for her elbow. "This damned elbow cop is a little worn, and I could do with a new pair of bracers, too. All in good time." She put her swords away and looked towards the campfire.
"You are very lucky that is all that happened this morning. I was… you had me quite worried for a moment," he admitted as he sheathed his blades.
She stopped and looked at him closely before she sighed and reached for him. Tenniel slowly brought her hands to his hair and tucked an errant strand behind his ear. "I lost myself for a little while, Zevran. And I don't think anyone else even noticed. Thank you… for being there, for taking care of me."
"Of course. But… perhaps we would improve our chances of surviving this quest if you didn't make a habit of such behavior, all right?"
"All right." She laughed, and they ended their practice session with a kiss as the Warden returned his money to him. "Don't forget, Zevran… four sturdy walls and a clean, warm bed. I'm a bit glad that Leliana interrupted us earlier."
"You saucy little minx!" He yelped at her when she patted his bottom and walked arm-in-arm with him towards the rest of the group. The two laughed as they returned to the fire for a meal of savory roast duck, berries and leftover brown bread from Redcliffe, compliments of Sten and Bodahn.
A few minutes later, Tenniel sat down next to Alistair's cot to have a quiet word with him. "Hey, how are you feeling?" She gently touched the splints over his right leg.
"Better than I should, I guess. Thank the Maker for Wynne. She's really a skilled healer. I'm glad you let her join us last week, when you saved the mages."
"Yes, she's very good. And Morrigan too, by the way. Her potions helped immensely. It takes a lot of stamina to heal a body that's been busted up that badly."
"Morrigan… helped… really?" He rubbed his eyes again and yawned. "That must be why I'm so tired. I'm surprised that bitch didn't try to poison me or turn me into a toad."
"You don't really mean that, I know. She's on our team now. But I'm not here to argue with you about apostate mages and such. I just want you to know, I'm sorry for getting you hurt earlier."
"What? You're… sorry? No, you didn't do this to me, Tenniel. The darkspawn did. It was my fault for not paying attention. I thought you were mad at me… and I… was thinking that I couldn't bear to lose you, like I lost Duncan. Not without apologizing. I know I should have told you about who I really was a lot sooner."
"No, it's all right. That's water under the bridge now. But I shouldn't have driven you so hard. Sometimes I have to remember that I've been fighting a lot longer than you have. And rogues like Zevran and me have an advantage with dual-hand quickness that you don't. So…don't think you always have to try and keep up with us. You're very powerful in your own right and can do more damage. Just don't get cornered by any more genlocks, okay?" She ruffled his hair.
He smiled, frowned, and then cleared his throat. "Hey. I've noticed… we've all noticed that you've been letting that assassin get pretty chummy with you. What's going on there?" Alistair saw Zevran creeping up behind Tenniel as if to ask her something, and he wanted to see the look on the elf's face when he heard her say it was just a mistaken impression and she didn't want anything to do with that man.
Tenniel sighed deeply. "First of all, he's not just 'that assassin'. His name is Zevran, and he's one of our comrades now. And yes, I do feel a certain connection with him. Does that trouble you?"
That was not the response he was expecting at all. Alistair frowned even more deeply, his brows knitting in disgust and anger as he clenched his fists to his side and raised his voice. "Tenniel! He's evil! He's… he's a bloody assassin… a... a murderer for hire! And he's an elf, and always talking about vulgar things. I… I thought we… I thought you and I had a connection! And, and you… you're a lady, and our leader. What could you possibly see in somebody like that?" He expected his fellow Warden to see reason and denounce the foul, corrupting influence of the former Crow.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa. Let's just stop right there. You're injured, and you don't need to get upset any more than you are already. But I'm sorry, Alistair. You don't really know me very well at all. I may have been a lady, but do you have any idea how hard it is, to grow up living with so many rules, like you're trapped in a cage by them? To have everyone dictating how you should act, what you should want, that you should turn off all the feelings you have inside and just do what you're told… or else? Do you know what it's like to never be able to make real friends or open yourself up to anybody because if you ever dared to trust someone, they'd probably be there to stab you in the back later? Were you ever treated like a tool, or used as a weapon to kill and control others just because you had the skill and your superiors told you it was what you had to do, just to survive?" Tenniel stood up and ran her hands through her hair in frustration.
Zevran stood a few meters behind her, and for a moment, he almost wasn't sure if the Warden was talking about him or herself. She really is very much like me after all.
The woman glanced down at Alistair, who looked pitiful on his cot, and continued. "Blast it, man. I'm tired of having to explain myself to people. Everything is not just black and white, good and evil. You say that the assassin is so terrible… well, what about me?"
"I'd like to think there's a big difference between a bounty hunter getting rid of criminals and an assassin. Don't compare yourself to a murderer, Tenniel." Alistair crossed his arms.
"I'm not… I'm not trying to compare myself to anyone, Alistair. But look… I've had to kill countless bandits and insurgents and even some hapless fools who were just on the wrong side of political struggles for the banns these past few years, and I'm good at what I do. Does that make me an evil person too? If it does, then so be it. I'm done pretending. And I'm not going to be ashamed about who I am or what I've done. I'm at the point where I just want to say 'go fuck yourself' to everyone, but we can't have that, can we? No, I've got to be the hero. We have an important task to do."
"Well, if that's how you really feel, why'd you even bother getting off that cot in Flemeth's shack? Or… or saving any of those mages in the tower? I thought you meant it when you took the oath at the Joining, Tenniel. Or have you forgotten?"
"No, I haven't forgotten. You've got a point there. But sometimes, I don't know why I even bother. Just got to take one day at a time, I guess. Look… never mind, forget I said anything. I'm just in a bitchy mood, okay? And it's been a really long day."
"Really? Did they add a few more hours to this one without telling us?" Alistair tried to crack a joke and smiled when he saw the corners of the Warden's mouth go up. "We're still the last two Wardens here. The only ones who can do this. But I… I can't do it by myself. I need you." He started speaking low, almost in a whisper. "Didn't you say we were in this together, Tenniel? In Lothering, before the elf ambushed us… I thought you and I, we had something there."
She crouched down to meet his eyes. "I'm still with you, and I'll see this out to the end, just like I promised. I know things are… tough for you, especially since Duncan is gone. Everyone I ever cared about is gone now, too. And Zevran is the only one here who really seems to understand me. Even if he is an elf, as you like to keep pointing out. You and I? Sorry, Alistair, but no way. You're my fellow Warden and my brother-at-arms, but there never will be something… anything more between us. I'm sorry if I ever led you to believe there could be."
Tenniel spoke the last sentence with quiet finality. Alistair stared at her, open-mouthed and speechless as she turned around and caught Zevran looking at her with raised eyebrows. She sighed again, shook her head with regret, and walked towards the other side of the main campfire to set up her tent.
Alistair glanced up at his nemesis with a look of dismay. There was no denying the truth any longer. "You're one lucky bastard." He sounded utterly dejected. "You'd better not ever do anything to hurt her."
"No worries about that, my young friend. Zevran knows a treasure when he's found it." Zevran ventured off towards Bodahn's wagon, leaving the former Templar alone with his thoughts. As the elf passed by Sten, the qunari waved him over for a rare chat.
"You are small, but you and the Warden make a formidable team, and I would not wish to fight the both of you. Women should not be warriors." The large man sighed and rubbed his stomach. "It is good to see she is taking advantage of your company."
"Ah, right. Ahem. I'm not quite sure where you are going with this one. Perhaps you've had too much rum?" Zevran put one hand on his hip and cocked his head to the side with a puzzled expression on his face.
The qunari belched loudly. "Perhaps. Bodahn gave me rum today after I returned from scouting and I seem to have consumed more than was wise. I will refrain from talking further."
"No, by all means. The rum does help keep a body warm. And speaking of scouting, the Warden sends her thanks to you for your work today. Morrigan, the mabari and I will join her at first light tomorrow to clear out those bandits ahead before the rest of the party follows us. She wants you to guard everyone else while they travel to the lake." Zevran improvised a bit, thinking about what Tenniel would say in his position.
"Then I will rest for the night until it is my turn to take watch." Sten rested his head on his bedroll and was already snoring by the time Zevran turned to walk away.
"Sweet dreams," the elf whispered under his breath as he ventured towards Sandal and Bodahn's fire. He fingered the ring in his pocket, eagerly anticipating the investigative negotiating he was about to do.
On the other side of camp, Leliana and Tenniel were busy helping Morrigan gather up all her flasks of potions, balms, poisons, coatings and other concoctions to put in a special pack. As they returned to the witch's tent, Leliana handed Flemeth's daughter a few silver coins.
"Haha! So, I was right? She chose the little bastard elf over the little bastard prince!" Morrigan laughed gleefully as she stuffed her winnings into a money pouch at her waist.
"Why - I am shocked and appalled! You ladies were actually betting on which of the men I would take to? Hmmph. I - never!" Tenniel feigned indignation as she folded her arms across her chest and stuck her nose in the air in a haughty gesture, but she couldn't stop from giggling, ruining the affectation.
"Truth be told, 'twas not really a fair competition. They have both been pining over you for the past week, but anyone with eyes could clearly discern that the short, golden-haired, pointy-eared one had caught your attention. Almost makes me want to vomit," Morrigan was quick to retort.
Leliana still thought Alistair had deserved a fair chance. "But the noble Alistair has been so charming and gentlemanly; I thought for sure he would win your heart, Tenniel."
"Awww… the poor, dimwitted boy must be crushed. At least he won't be able to try and hang himself, seeing as he can't even walk!" Morrigan continued laughing.
Tenniel playfully slapped her on the shoulder. "Hey! That's mean, even for a cold-hearted witch! I'm sure Alistair's probably in need of a good friend right now. Actually, Leliana – could you please try and talk to him? He pretty much forced me to give him the harsh truth, but I didn't realize that Zevran was right there behind me when I was talking. It had to have been a huge blow to his pride."
"Hmmm… you're right. It's bad enough he got injured today. And now this. Sure, I'll go talk to him. He needs somebody who'll listen to him… somebody who didn't just break his heart." The bard smiled ruefully and turned to walk back towards the main campfire.
"Yeah, well, don't rub it in or anything! The heart wants what the heart wants, as they say, right ma chère?"2 Tenniel blew her a kiss as she departed.
"Tout est juste dans l'amour et la guerre!"3 Leliana replied over her shoulder.
Morrigan and Tenniel stared after her for a few moments, and then looked at each other with a shrug.
"How goes it with that one? She seems odd, even for Chantry sheep, I'd say." Morrigan stirred some concentrator into one of her flasks and coaxed her fire to burn brighter with the snap of her fingers.
"Your guess is as good as mine. I already had to have an awkward talk with her last week about us just being friends. I still don't quite understand why she really wanted to travel on this quest with us, but it is good to have one with her archery skills. And she's not bad at the lute, either." Tenniel stretched and yawned. "Oh well. I'm going to take a nap before my watch. Do you want me to send Terri over to wake you up again at the crack of dawn?"
"You may, but 'twould not be courteous to have the camp smelling of scorched fur." The two laughed again.
"All right, then. Have a good night. And let me know if you find anything interesting in that grimoire!"
Zevran watched Tenniel unfasten the buckles on her breastplate as she walked back towards the main campfire again. If what Bodahn said was true, he would be able to buy both of them a very nice set of custom-made armor, along with a night of luxury in the finest room at the Spoiled Princess. He just had to play his cards right and sweet-talk that gem merchant. The dwarf had told him the man was a mercenary who frequently traveled between Orzammar's gates and the Calenhad docks
The assassin set his tent up near the fire and arranged his bedroll and a pile of furs to be ready when it was his turn to sleep. He then sat outside and started unbraiding his hair. As usual, Tenniel pretended to not watch him as she brushed and polished the grime from her armor. Wynne caught them ogling each other over the campfire and finally gave a disgusted little snort.
"Oh, for Andraste's sake – this is just downright scandalous. You could cut the tension with a knife around here. What's the matter with you, Tenniel?"
"What? Oh, nothing. It's just been a long time, that's all." She frowned a little as memories of Iona getting an arrow through her chest flashed before her eyes for a moment. Why is it that all of my lovers have ended up dead, one way or another?
"Oh, so that's your excuse for indulging in whatever it is you fancy now? Duty and obligation often require sacrifice. As a Warden, you'd better get used to it."
"Yeah, yeah, I hear you, Wynne. But I'm not dead yet. I might as well enjoy what I can… who I can, when I can." She continued to stare at Zevran as he combed his hair. The elf sat against his bedroll and the extra wolf pelts that Tenniel had gathered for him the previous week. She licked her lips as she watched him stretch out, and when he caught her staring at him, he gave her a wink.
The Warden nibbled on some spearmint and turned back towards the gray-haired enchantress. "Anyway, how're you feeling? You look a little haggard, even for an overworked mage."
The older woman sighed and rubbed the back of her neck. "I probably shouldn't have pushed myself so much today. But we can't have the only other Warden around here crippled for life." She sat up and leaned heavily on her staff as she gathered some warm rocks near the fire.
"Very true. Thank you, Wynne. I appreciate you taking care of us all. Don't worry about your watch tonight. I'll take yours, and Alistair's, too."
"No, no, you will not, Warden," Zevran interrupted her. "Stop trying to do everything all the time. I will take one extra watch, and you can take the other, yes?" He stood over her and crossed his arms. The assassin was not about to take no for an answer.
Wynne stared at both of them for a moment and then shrugged her shoulders. "Well, I could certainly use the extra rest. Thanks." She ducked into her tent and left the two alone.
Tenniel reached out to take the elf's hand and gestured for him to sit down next to her. "I really don't mind taking the extra watches, but thank you very much for your help, Zevran."
"No need… ah. It will be my pleasure. We have to make sure you are also well-rested, after all. Would you like to take the first two watches, or the second set?"
"Whichever. Doesn't matter much to me either way. But the night is clear, and it's only going to get colder. You should take the first watch, and then you can be all warm and snug in your furs and bedroll the rest of the night. Look how cold your hands are already! Come here, let me show you a trick we Fereldan ladies use to keep our men's hands warm when we're out in the field." She grinned at him coquettishly as he scooted closer to her and held out his hands.
When she put them under her shift, his eyes lit up and he laughed deviously with her after stealing a quick kiss. "Mmhmm… these are very, very warm. But are you certain this is something ladies do often?" he whispered into her ear, breathing in the scent of her skin mingled with the barest hint of lavender and mint. The Warden - his Warden felt warm, safe, and inviting, and he closed his eyes as he envisioned tasting her. He was very glad that she was already starting to feel comfortable around him. Soon, very soon.
"Maybe, maybe not. I had to tempt you somehow, didn't I?" She closed her eyes and moaned against his neck, kissing him as he massaged her breasts until she reached under her shift behind her back and pulled out a high-quality pair of Dalish gloves.
Tenniel had been waiting for the right moment to give them to Zevran. She was glad that Leliana had been nice enough to help repair some of the more intricate stitching for her after she had found them several days ago, since she herself was horrible at any fine needle-crafting. She would forever remember the wondrous look on his face as he expressed thanks for the thoughtful gift.
"You remembered me talking about my mother's gloves that first day I met you?" Zevran put on the fur-lined Dalish gloves that were still warm from her body heat and admired the ornate leather.
"Of course! I listen to everything my man says." She smiled at him and gave him another kiss.
"Good. Then listen to me now. Go get some sleep before your watch. We are going to have to wake up very early, after all."
"Oh, so my sexy assassin is giving me orders now?" She stood up and put one hand on her hip as he gave her a look that brooked no argument. "Far be it from me to disagree. I leave the camp in your capable hands. See you in a couple hours, me cora-zone." She giggled as he blew her a kiss. Terri bounded over and rolled on his back to receive his last belly-rub of the day from both of them before the Warden retired into her tent.
2 My dear
3 All is fair in love and war
