A/N: NSFW

Sneaking out of Cullen's room proved just as easy as sneaking into it had been. And as night fell, the temptation to do it again filled her. But she would resist. It was dangerous and the consequences for both of them if they were caught were too high. She closed her eyes and imagined his arms around her. She'd give just about anything to feel that again. So instead she got the wild idea to take a bath instead of sleep.

She sought out Cullen specifically and told him what she planned to do. He swallowed.

"Any of your templars free?"

"At this time of night? No."

"Then I guess it will have to be you."

"I can forbid it."

"But you won't." She walked to the baths knowing he followed close behind. No one else was in the baths, they were alone. She heated up the water and undressed. She wondered if he was watching but didn't look back to see. She sank into the warm waters and reached for the soap.

"Would you mind washing my back?" She tried to keep her voice as innocent as possible.

A strangled cry caused her to worry that she had pressed too hard. But then she heard gauntlets fall to the floor. A hand reached and took the soap from her hands. She heard the soap being lathered and then felt two strong hands massage her shoulders. She moaned, his touch eliciting a quick response. She leaned forward, giving plenty of access to her back. He was thorough, very thorough.

He gently pulled her so that her back pressed against the tub. From there he washed her neck and her chest. His fingers lingered on her breasts. She let out another low moan, mumbling his name, as he thumbed her nipple. Heat pooled between her thighs as she wished he would dip his hands lower. She didn't dare voice her wants for fear of scaring him off. She never expected Cullen to be so brazen. His breathing became ragged as he continued to fondle her. Then it ended. He picked up his gauntlets and ran from the room.

She sighed in disappointment. She finished up, washing her hair and rinsing the soap from her skin. Her body still tingled from his touch. She dipped her fingers between her thighs, pleasuring herself to thoughts of Cullen. Satisfied, but not really, she left the tub and wrapped herself in a towel. She looked up to see a templar watching her. Ser Kant.

"You shouldn't be out alone," he said, his voice husky.

"I wasn't. I don't know what happened to the templar who was watching me."

"Well no one is here now."

She bent and picked up her clothing, refusing to dress in front of him. She didn't like the way he looked at her. "Then I will return to my room."

"Not so fast little mage." He came closer and she found herself backing up until her back hit the wall behind her. With no where to run, he quickly closed the gap between them. He was close enough that she could smell his breath. "I've had my eye on you for awhile."

She grimaced. She needed to get out of this situation but she didn't know how. "I'm not interested."

He shoved his body against hers and ripped the towel from her grasp. "I don't care."

# # # # #

Once alone in his room, Cullen locked the door and shed his clothing. He barely made it to the bed before he began to stroke himself. He remembered the feel of her skin, the way she moaned his name. He imagined what it would be like to put one perfect teat into his mouth. How he'd trail kisses down her stomach and nestle between her thighs. Smelling her, tasting her. How she'd open for him and him alone. How she'd moan and thrash as he drank his fill of her. His cock ached as he imagined slipping into her wet heat. How she'd tighten around him as he drove into her over and over. He peaked, spilling his seed all over himself. He quickly cleaned up, wishing he'd spilled inside of her. Just as he was pulling his tunic on, someone tried to open his door. Then they knocked.

He opened the door to find Amell trembling, tears careening down her face. She flew into his arms sobbing. She was still wet from her bath. He shut and locked the door, concern coiled in his gut.

"What's wrong my sweet Amell?"

She didn't stop sobbing so he ran his fingers through her hair and held her until she exhausted herself.

Finally she spoke. "He was waiting for me." Cullen stiffened, sure he didn't want to hear more. "I don't know if he saw us together, he didn't say. But he…"

"It's okay love." He continued to stroke her hair.

"He forced himself on me. I couldn't stop him. I couldn't use magic or he would have cut me down. I let him have his way with me."

Cullen felt sick. "It's not your fault."

"I should have been more careful."

"Tell me who it was."

"No."

"Amell, I can't protect you…" he trailed off as it suddenly hit him. He hadn't protected her. He had abandoned her. This was all his fault. If he hadn't ran from the baths, whoever had done this wouldn't have been able to. "Oh Maker, I'm so sorry."

She looked up at him, her eyes shining from her tears. "This isn't your fault."

"Of course it is. If I hadn't run away."

"You couldn't have known."

"Tell me who the bastard is."

"No. You'll go after him and then you'll be in trouble. I'm protecting you by not telling."

"Then he's going to get away with it."

"Of course he is. They always do. Do you think I'm the first? They take what they want because they know there is no consequence. Only the mage suffers."

He continued to hold her, kissing her temples, longing to kiss her tears away but fearful of triggering her. Rage filled him. If he ever found out who had done this to her, he would kill him. Consequences be damned.

"You must tell the first enchanter. If not for yourself than think about the other mages. You can prevent it from happening again."

She sighed. "I'll talk to him but there's nothing he can do."

He tilted her head up so he could see her eyes again. "I'll never let this happen again. I swear it."

She smiled and brushed her lips again his in the barest of kisses. "You always want to protect me." She closed her eyes and leaned into his chest. "I love you, Cullen," she whispered, barely loud enough for him to hear.

Even after I failed you, he thought. "I love you too."

# # # # #

Alistair was happy walking into the barracks until he heard the templar Kant recounting his torrid affair with one of the mages. He was describing how tight she was when he noticed Alistair.

"That mage you brought from Ferelden. Amell? You've had a taste of her yet?"

Alistair glared, really not wanting to talk about this. "No."

"Well I have and I'm telling you, she was wet with desire for me."

He was lying. He had to be. "Amell would never touch you."

"She was all over me last night. Mewling like a cat in heat."

"You're a bad liar."

"Don't believe me? Go look at her. She's walking a bit funny."

His friend laughed. Before he knew what he was doing he threw a punch knocking the templar to the ground.

"You'll pay for that," he spat.

And pay he did. Knight commander Meredith was furious. His punishment? He was cast out of the order.