Author's Note: it's been a while! SORRYYY! This chapter is super short, but it's all I could think about writing.

Happy reading :)

Chapter 10: Care to Dance?

I held her throughout the night and she fell asleep in my arms. I dared not leave her side nor fall asleep. She slept so peacefully.

Fen'Harel would pay for what he's done. Screw the plan with Coryephus. I needed to get the orb back and into safe hands, but I needed Shel's help to do it. I really screwed things up.

The time for the Orlesian ball drew near and we headed for it decked out in Orlesian Fancy Wear. Shel looked exquisite. She wore a red dress and a blue sash. Her hair was pulled back into a light bun, held together with a glittering broach, no doubt a gift from Dorian, with wisps of bangs shaping her face.

Leliana and Josephine accompanied us along with Cassandra and Dorian. Quite a team for a ball, if you ask me. Shel was right to bring everyone along though, I just didn't understand why she ignored me most of the time until we realized that there were Orlesian politics to deal with behind the curtain. What a mess.

It wasn't until the end of the night, after all was settled, was I able to spend some time with Shel alone.

"Would you care to dance?" I asked, approaching her from behind.

She was leaning on the balcony rail looking out over the city.

She sighed.

"I'm sorry, it's been a long night," she replied.

I bowed my head, embarrassed that I had asked her.

"Shel, we need to talk about things," I started.

"There's nothing to talk about," she replied flatly. "I understand what happened with you and Fen'Harel. I just…"

I looked at her questioningly.

"I need to know you're on my side."

"I'm with you, Shel," I replied immediately. That's what was bothering her.

She smiled at me.

"Ok," was all she said as she turned away looking back over the city again.

"Shel," I stepped beside her, placing my hand on her back. Her face was shielded behind her bangs. I brushed them aside and saw her eyes had tears falling from them. I cradled her face in my hands as if it were the most precious thing I have ever held. She didn't deserve this. She didn't deserve me.

"I'm sorry," she said wiping away her tears. "I just have so much on my mind. First Coryephus wants to kill me, now the Dred Wolf? What's next?"

Damn the creators.

"Nothing is next. I will not let the Dred Wolf or Coryephus touch you. I promise I won't leave your side again."

She breathed. A sigh of relief, perhaps? She wrapped her arms around my waist and buried her head against my chest. I held her tightly back.

"Stay with me, fight with me," she whispered.

"You know I will," I answered back.

I heard the music from the ballroom playing in the distance. A ballad that I recognized. I pulled away slightly from Shel and turned her chin to meet mine and softly planted a kiss on her lips. Without speaking, I took her hand in mine and guided her back on the balcony. Our feet stepped in rhythm with the music and we spun around each other until the song ended and we left the party hand in hand.

We arrived back in Skyhold as night fell. I started toward my quarters when Shel's hand dragged me up the stairs to her bedroom instead.

When we were both inside her room, she shut the door and turned to me and kissed me. Her hands brushed my ears and she held my face. The kiss surprised me, I had not predicted that she would have taken the lead like that.

"Solas, I want you to make love to me tonight."

What? "What? Are you sure?" She had only slept with me, or the Dred Wolf, on accident several nights ago. You would think it would be too soon.

She grabbed my shoulders and looked up at me. "I love you Solas, I want to make things right between us."

"Sex won't make things right, lethalin."

"It's not sex…it's love," she said, stepping closer to me.

"Are you sure you're not possessed?"

"Pretty sure," she said nipping at my neck.

I closed my eyes feeling her lips kiss me, sending shivers down my body. Her hands fumbled at the top tie of my tunic and then spread over my bare chest, making their way down over my belly, reaching my belt.

No.

"Wait," I whispered, my breath gone from my lungs. I opened my eyes to look at her. Sometime between all the touching and kisses she had managed to remove all of her clothes. How did I miss that?

"Solas, it's alright," she said.

She grabbed my hand and placed it upon her chest. Her skin was hot as she covered my hand with hers, placing it directly above her heart.

"Feel my heart beat," she said.

I felt her chest, each time she pulsed, her heart sent beats into my skin, syncing my heart with hers. I had never felt this kind of power before.

My naked body, her soft body, the soft bed, the soft pillows, her soft kisses. Clouds. I was floating, letting Shel pull me through the air. Her hips atop mine, her hands upon my ribs, her hair falling in front of her face, body so warm. Soft, slow, sweet, raw, beautiful. She was beautiful. She was love.

Our hearts beat faster, hips rising faster, our breaths hotter. All her movements electrifying my senses. Tongues clashing, teeth clicking, lips pursing, sweat dripping. We were together as one. My face wanting, her face willing, her legs clenching. Hips thrusting harder, legs clenching harder. I couldn't take it anymore, I thrust up one final time feeling the release. Feeling her love. Feeling her tighten. Feeling all of her.

We drifted into the fade.