Chapter 10: Recknoning
Where Cullen wishes he had mastered the art of shut-up and Jim becomes a believer in the power of prayer. Not featured: Aedan Cousland almost getting into fisticuffs with some local rube at a super secret undisclosed location over a discussion on semantics:
"I do miss my boy and the missus when we're apart like this... But even I have to admit, during certain days of the month, she literally becomes a dragon."
"You mean figuratively."
"No, I mean literally."
"It really irks me when people have no idea of how to use 'literally.'"
"I know the difference! She becomes an actual dragon. LITERALLY! Asshole."
Apologize, Cullen decided dourly. Apologize as if your life depended on it. He could blame it all on the concussion. It could all be salvaged, he tried to calm himself
Breathe. You have faced down all kinds of perils and menaces. Clearing a misunderstanding shouldn't discomfit you like this, he rallied.
But so much—his own happiness, his tender hopes— hinged on getting that encounter right.
For once.
I'm an idiot, he fumed. Why did I trust such a delicate matter to Jim? What did I expect?
Jim had probably not picked up on the fact she'd been mortified over his indecent proposals.
Now I have to fix this mess!
He flushed remembering Jim's mischief.
Poor Evelyn! She probably thought he was a pervert.
And he'd said he'd go down on her! Good Maker preserve me! Cullen stumbled back, reeling from the shame. She must have played along just to get rid of him. No: me! he groaned miserably. What an absurd thing to say to her! he thought angrily, adjusting his mantle and making his way towards the ladder.
And then he imagined it: Evelyn draped across her bed. The red dress hitched all the way up over her hips, her bare thighs parting slowly, an invitation to him…
His hand flew up to cover his mouth.
Enough! he ordered himself gravely.
Let me go make amends at once. No more of this nonsense!
Sometimes Evelyn went to the War Table earlier, before the morning meeting began, to study the latest requests and problems so she could orchestrate better solutions and proposals. Cullen found her dedication inspiring and moving.
Evelyn is a kindhearted, dedicated soul.
He ventured down the narrow corridor and noticed with some nervousness that the door had been left slightly ajar: a sure sign she was already there. He halted outside, pondering his chosen course of action, and summoning some courage knocked lightly.
"Come in," she invited.
He stepped inside and ventured no further lest she exhibit discomfort at being in a room alone with him after the previous night.
"Good morning," he stated contritely.
She glanced up and her face immediately turned red.
"Cullen!"
He wasn't sure if it was a rebuke or an exclamation.
"How are you feeling?" she asked concernedly, examining him carefully.
"I'm fine!" he said.
"Oh?" she turned even redder. "The healer…did the healer say you could resume normal activities?" she asked timidly.
"Yes," Cullen replied. He glanced down, contritely.
Tell her now.
"Evelyn, about last night…"
She smiled broadly.
"I can't stop thinking about it," she stated in a low voice.
They spoke at the same time:
"I apologize."
"I am ready to do everything you asked."
They peered at each other, puzzled.
"What are you apologizing for?" she wondered.
"What did I ask you to do, exactly?" He tensed up.
Just then, Josephine entered the room, her infamous clipboard cradled in her arm.
"Good morning, Inquisitor! Cullen!" she chirped merrily.
Both of them stared at each other, frozen.
"Am I interrupting anything?" Josephine asked self-consciously.
Cullen composed himself.
"Not at all."
"Commander," Evelyn stated calmly, "we can continue this conversation afterwards, back in my quarters," she proposed.
Cullen nodded politely.
"Shall we begin?" Josephine suggested.
"Where are Cassandra and Leliana…Morrigan?" Evelyn asked.
Josephine smirked.
"Well, yesterday's meeting was so effective and we were able to come to resolutions so quickly, there really is no need to have a lengthy meeting today. Cassandra is conducting drills and Leliana is meeting with some operatives who just returned from a mission. I thought maybe we could talk about the border dispute between Orlais and Ferelden? We are hosting the first round of negotiations and the delegates will be heading to Skyhold in a couple days, once the snowstorm clears out…"
Cullen stole a glance at Evelyn. She was facing the ambassador, but her eyes shifted to him.
"Josephine…since there aren't any real pressing matters…can we possibly discuss this tomorrow?" Evelyn requested. "I could use a break."
"I suppose we could…" she pondered, tapping her quill's feather over her cheek. "What about discussing the menu for the dinner with the Councilors from Markham?..."
"I'll trust you to decide," Evelyn stated.
"And your appointment for the fitting of your new uniform this afternoon?"
"Cancel it," she decided. "Keep the rest of my day free."
Josephine pursed her lips.
"Very well, Inquisitor." She scribbled furiously on the parchment. "That's really all we have at the moment. I am sure once the courier is able to make it up the mountain, we will be buried under requests…But right now…" she shrugged. "Enjoy your day off!"
They watched the Ambassador stroll down the hall towards her desk.
"We need to talk," Evelyn stated. "Meet me in my quarters in a little bit," she requested, heading down the hall.
"Private Jim," Leliana was addressing him, but her eyes were still trained on the departing operatives. "Come in and tell me more about this report of yours."
"There's no report," Jim stated in confusion. "It was just an excuse to—"
"Sssh!" she chided him. She turned her head to make sure the operatives had left and then drew a chain across the top of the stairs, indicating that the rookery was not to be disturbed. Leliana signaled that he should follow her to the other side of the tower.
He followed behind, watching her hips undulate tantalizingly. He couldn't resist and pulled her to him, kissing her neck as he squeezed her backside.
"Private Jim!' she stated crossly, extricating herself from his grasp, "I am not pleased with how you behaved earlier, marching in here, interrupting an official meeting and interfering with Inquisition business," she accused.
He winced, genuinely worried. He'd been too eager and heavy handed.
"I think," she declared, turning to him suggestively, "you need to be punished for such bold behavior!"
She led him into the small back room and locked the door behind her.
O-ho! This kind of punishment! He grinned.
"I am sorry: I've been terribly bad," he clarified.
"Kneel," she ordered. "And recite the entire Prayer of Penance. Do it properly: reverently," she instructed, standing beside him, her arms crossed. "And when you're done…Start over. Only stop when I tell you to stop."
Needless to say, he was already as horny as a buck. He began to recite the long prayer.
"Close your eyes!" she demanded.
As he declaimed the prayer, her heard her pace around him until everything grew silent and all he could discern was his own voice and some soft rustling. He was halfway through the prayer when he sensed movement again. He startled when her hands began to unfasten his belt and tug at his trousers. Once she successfully unbuttoned the front, she reached for the erection outlined against his trousers and coaxed his throbbing cock out. As she slid her hand up and down his shaft, he began to stammer and shuddered with excitement at the promising caress.
"Don't you dare stop!" she reprimanded him, rubbing the wet tip.
He was doing his best to recall all the damn words, but he was struggling— her touch was driving him crazy. When she placed her smooth lips over his dick, he moaned loudly, with both pleasure and relief.
He snuck a peek down at himself and headily watched her suck him, breaking away to lick his shaft. To his delight, she was already completely naked.
"No fair," he said breathlessly, sweeping her hair away from her cheek. "You know I like to undress you."
She ran her tongue over the tip of his cock before releasing him.
"I'm sorry," she said sweetly. "I couldn't wait" she shrugged, pushing him down onto the rug and immediately straddling his hips.
Just before she lowered herself over his gleaming dick, she leaned over and whispered,
"I never said you could stop reciting…"
He sighed contentedly.
"I am thankful for all the graces I am about to receive…" he resumed dutifully.