"So that gives us one more reason to go to the Arbor Wilds as soon as possible," Hugh concluded his report, bringing both hands down onto the war table in a decisive gesture. "We have no choice. We absolutely must prevent the temple from falling into Corypheus' hands."
"Wait a minute." Izzy's face was scrunched up in a cute frown that made her freckles dance.
Under normal circumstances, Hugh would have found it hard to resist the temptation to kiss every one of them, but he was still considerably shaken by what Morrigan had shown him earlier. An eluvian, an ancient elven mirror that served as a portal to the most incredible place he'd ever seen. The Crossroads were a place between this world and the Fade, maybe even between different worlds. Hugh had been completely overwhelmed by the magic he'd sensed there, magic permeating the very air they'd breathed and the ground they'd walked on. Immensely powerful magic - so powerful that they couldn't risk Corypheus' involvement.
His advisors seemed to agree with his assessment, for the most part. Cullen had already begun arranging markers on the table, his expression preoccupied, as he was planning their strategy. And Leliana was furiously scribbling notes on little strips of paper, intent on dispatching her scouts. Only Cassandra seemed a bit more reluctant. And Izzy was shaking her head decisively.
"How did you get your hands on a working eluvian?" Her eyes narrowed as she looked at Morrigan. "And how do you even know that that's what Corypheus is looking for?"
"Does it matter?" Morrigan sounded bored. "I have my own ways and means of finding out about those things. And I assure you that I know what I'm doing."
"Maybe you do." Izzy shrugged. "But maybe you don't. I would really like to have a second opinion before we rush off into the unknown. And fortunately, I know just the person to ask." She turned to face Hugh. "Let me write to my friend Merrill. Let her take a look at the mirror. Then, once we know more-"
"Your friend is Dalish, I presume?" Morrigan's tone had changed from bored to cutting.
When Izzy nodded, Morrigan's perfect eyebrows almost hit her hairline. "No offense, Inquisitor, but I have found the Dalish sadly lacking in knowledge about their people's true history. 'Tis all tradition and hearsay with them, I'm afraid."
"Even if that were true, which I don't believe for a moment…" Izzy glared daggers at Morrigan. "Merrill is no ordinary Dalish elf. She has devoted years to the study of eluvians, and she has sacrificed much. Please, Hugh." She shook her head in exasperation. "Let me write to her. Those things are dangerous."
"We can't afford to wait so long." Morrigan's voice was just as crisp and cold as her expression. "Your choice, Inquisitor. If you trust me, we have a chance of stopping Corypheus before he reaches the temple. If you don't…" She didn't finish her sentence, but then she didn't have to.
Hugh sighed deeply. He had to admit that Morrigan's attitude rubbed him the wrong way, too, and he would have loved to hear what this Merrill had to say about the eluvian. But they really couldn't afford to dawdle. "Morrigan is right, Izzy. We don't have enough time."
"So, you'd put all your bets on one horse?" Izzy's disgusted grimace was incredibly expressive. "Based on nothing but her words? What if things go wrong? What if the Arbor Wilds are just a distraction and Corypheus strikes somewhere else as soon as all our troops are deployed there?" She glared at Morrigan. "Or what if he beats you to the eluvian and uses it to attack Skyhold? Since she conveniently brought her own mirror with her and gave him a back door right into your fortress?"
"By the Maker, you're right." Cassandra had grown pale. "If we leave Skyhold undefended-"
"Not even Corypheus can open a portal without the proper key." Morrigan huffed impatiently. "I can assure you that my eluvian presents no danger whatsoever."
"Yeah, well. That's what you say." Izzy was clearly no longer in the mood to be polite. "I don't trust you."
"And I don't care." Morrigan didn't even look at her. "You're not the one to make this decision, Champion."
Hugh flinched internally, but before he could attempt to placate them both, Cassandra stepped in. "Hawke does have a valid point, Inquisitor. At the very least someone should stay behind and guard the mirror."
"If you say so." Morrigan was back to her bored drawl. "'Tis no business of mine if you want to stay here and miss all the fun, Seeker. I'm certain we can do without you."
Hugh wasn't quite so sure. But still, he had to admit that he, too, would sleep better knowing that someone was watching their back. "Then it is decided. Cassandra stays behind and-"
"Me, too." Izzy's lips were set in a thin line. " I won't be part of this."
"Not even if I ask you to?" Hugh tried to catch Izzy's eye, but she avoided his gaze. "I could use your help."
"No." Maker, she sounded downright petulant. "I doubt you'll need another mage anyway, but if you think you do, you have plenty to choose from, right?"
"As you wish." Hugh swallowed. It hurt to know that she wouldn't be with him, but he wasn't going to beg. "I'll ask Dorian then." Solas would perhaps be the more obvious choice, but he and Morrigan would spend most of the journey bickering, and Hugh wasn't up to that.
"Take the Iron Bull, too." Cullen had raised his head, looking thoughtful. "We'll need more brawn if Cassandra stays behind."
Hugh nodded sharply. "Right." He dismissed them all with a quick gesture, feeling a pang when Izzy turned to leave with the others without sparing a glance for him.
He would miss her. But it couldn't be helped. Someone had to make the tough decisions.
"Oh, come on, Varric. I know you can do it. Pretty please?" Pouting prettily, Izzy fluttered her eyelashes at her old friend.
"Why would you suddenly want a sequel?" Varric eyed her warily. "If I remember correctly you said Swords and Shields was, I quote, 'insufferable drivel'. Not that I object, mind you. That book is easily the worst I've ever written."
"No, it isn't. I only said that to mollify Aveline. Maker, but she was furious." Izzy giggled. "But really, it's not that bad. The smutty scenes are wonderfully steamy. Some of your best, I believe. Is it true what Isabela said, by the way? That you ask her to proofread all your smut?"
"Oh yeah." Varric chuckled softly. "And why wouldn't I? Nothing wrong with getting an expert opinion. But really, Hawke, why-"
"It's not for me." Izzy bit her lip. She had hoped to avoid telling him. "It's for Cassandra, actually."
"The Seeker?" For once, Varric looked stunned. "You're shitting me. Cassandra reads my books?"
"She's a big fan, actually." Izzy grinned. "She borrowed my copy of Hard in Hightown three weeks ago, and I'm still waiting for her to return it. But she seems to prefer your more… romantic tales. Oh, please, Varric. With Hugh gone, we're all bored out of our minds."
Bored and horny, to be precise. Izzy sighed internally. It hadn't taken her long to regret that she hadn't joined Hugh on his trip to the Arbor Wilds. Their bed was far too big and empty without him. Really, she shouldn't have walked out in a huff without considering the consequences first. But then, premeditation had never been her strongest suit.
"Hmmph." Varric snorted contemptuously. "All right. But why can't Cassandra ask me herself, if it's so important to her?"
"She's embarrassed, I guess. Doesn't want anyone to know she's into that kind of stuff." Izzy shrugged. "So she asked me. And I don't mind."
"No, you wouldn't. Takes more than a smutty novel to embarrass you. But I'm still not buying it. Cassandra, asking you for help? How does that- Ah! I get it." Varric's face lit up in a sudden smile. "It's a prank! Come on, Hawke, admit it. You're trying to get back at her for what she told Hugh about you."
"Nope." Izzy shook her head, clucking her tongue. "Not my style. Besides, I'm no longer mad at her. You know, Cassandra is all right if you get to know her a little better. She really is," she added, when Varric rolled his eyes at her. "You just need to give her a chance."
"Whatever." Varric huffed in disgust. "I think I liked it better when the two of you were still at each other's throats. Anyway, how am I supposed to just churn out a whole chapter?"
"I wouldn't ask it of anyone else." Izzy did her best to sound earnest and sincere. "But a writer like you, a seasoned professional…"
"Oh stop it. Flattery will get you nowhere." Varric glared at her. "Ah, sod it. You're not going to stop bothering me, right?"
"You know me so well." Izzy put on her most winning smile. "Ah, Varric, you're such a darling."
"Did I say I was going to do it?" Varric's tone was grumpy, but Izzy knew she had won, so she didn't bother to reply, just kept smiling. "All right." The dwarf sighed deeply. "Just give me a week or so."
"Great!" Jumping to her feet, she placed a quick kiss on his cheek. "This is going to be awesome. Thank you so much. Now, I need to be going. I promised Sera I'd bake cookies with her."
"Yeah, yeah, off you go." There was a deep fondness in Varric's gaze as he looked up at her. "I'll let you know when it's finished."
It took Hugh over an hour to track Izzy down.
She'd been there with all the others welcoming him back to Skyhold, of course, and he'd been glad to see a smile on her face. It had been such a relief that she no longer seemed to be mad at him. But then Josephine had whisked him away to discuss the diplomatic implications of what had happened in the Arbor Wilds. And when he'd finally emerged into the dying light of a gorgeous summer afternoon, Izzy had disappeared.
He tried all her usual haunts: the garden; the tavern; even the roof where he'd occasionally spotted her hanging out with Sera. But she was nowhere to be found. In the end, he decided to talk to Cassandra instead, and much to his surprise, he found Izzy there, in the attic room above the smithy, sitting side by side with the Lady Seeker.
Cassandra had a pile of parchment on her lap and the two of them were reading together, pointing out passages to each other with their fingers. And - wait a minute - were they giggling? Hugh couldn't believe his ears.
Izzy whispered something he couldn't hear, but it sent Cassandra into a fit of laughter that shook her whole body, even as she flushed a deep, dark red. Hesitantly, Hugh cleared his throat.
"Hugh!" Izzy was on her feet in a heartbeat, pulling him into a tight embrace, and he had to close his eyes, momentarily overcome.
It was so good to hold her again, to touch her again, and he was glad that her body shielded him from Cassandra's eyes, because already he was responding to her, already he found it hard to resist the urge to drag her off to their room. He had missed her so much out in the Arbor Wilds. He'd missed her reassuring presence at his side while they were fighting Red Templars and behemoths and ghostly elven warriors. And most of all he'd missed her during the nights, when he was alone in his bedroll, trying hard not to think of her skin, soft and freckled, her firm, taut breasts, her heat surrounding him... It had been torment, and the soft moans coming from the tent Dorian shared with Bull hadn't helped matters.
"Inquisitor. It's good to have you back." Cassandra had averted her eyes to give them some privacy, but her voice was full of genuine warmth.
Just then, Izzy nudged his upper arm with her head, and Hugh flinched in pain.
"What's the matter?" She pulled back immediately, her joyful expression turning into a worried frown as she inspected the large burn on his arm. "You're hurt. What happened?"
"We had another run-in with Corypheus' dragon." He tried to keep his tone light. No use worrying her. "It was a little too close for comfort, but we got away. I'm fine."
"The dragon!" Cassandra shook her head. "And Corypheus himself? What about him?"
"He showed up as well." Try as he might, Hugh couldn't hide the shudder that ran through his body at the memory. Such a nightmare: the darkspawn magister, rising from the dead by possessing a new body, draining the life force of one of his minions to survive. It had been a gruesome sight, and one he wasn't likely to forget for as long as he lived.
"So, the witch was telling the truth after all?" Izzy sounded grim.
"Yes and no." With a sigh, Hugh sank down on a chair, pulling Izzy into his lap. "Corypheus was there all right, and it's true that he was trying to get inside the temple. But as for the rest..." Wearily, he rubbed his eyes. "You were right to distrust her, Izzy."
The two of them listened in stunned silence as he described the events at the temple: Corypheus' attack, their journey along the pilgrims' path to the inner sanctum, their strange encounter with the elven guardians. And Morrigan's betrayal, the horrible, sickening moment when she'd rammed her dagger into Abelas' unprotected back, sacrificing him without compunction to fulfill her dream of drinking from the Well of Sorrows.
When he explained about the well and the lore surrounding it, Izzy turned pale. "Sweet Andraste, Hugh, please tell me you didn't drink from it."
"Why?" He raised a surprised eyebrow. "I thought you didn't believe in gods and higher powers?"
"I don't believe in what the Chantry teaches about the Maker," Izzy corrected him. "I'm reserving judgement on whether he actually exists. And as for the elven gods... Maybe they aren't actual gods. Maybe they're just spirits, or demons, or whatever. But that doesn't mean it's wise to fool around with them. And to bind yourself forever to Mythal's will-"
"Don't worry. I left that to Morrigan." And looking back, Hugh was grateful he had, even though it had been tempting, the idea to gain so much knowledge in one fell swoop. But even back then, he'd been sure there would be a price to pay for it.
"Thank the Maker." Cassandra nodded determinedly. "A wise choice, Inquisitor."
"It's nice to see the two of you in agreement." Hugh couldn't quite hide his grin. "But you seem to be getting along splendidly anyway. What's that you were reading?" He'd tried to sneak a closer look, but whatever it was, Cassandra was keeping it firmly out of sight behind her back.
"Nothing of importance." She was blushing again. Hugh had to admit he was intrigued.
But before he could repeat his question, Izzy took his hand and tugged him to his feet. "Come on, now. Let's head for our room. It's about time you get a proper welcome."
Hugh glanced at Cassandra, but she appeared unfazed by Izzy's blithe innuendo.
"See you tomorrow, then. Inquisitor. Hawke." Smiling serenely, she got to her feet as well.
"Night, Cassandra! And remember – don't start without me!" A cheery wink accompanied Izzy's words.
"But I have to!" Cassandra protested, her face full of dismay. "How do you expect me to wait?"
"Well, all right then." Izzy was the very picture of magnanimity. " One more. I can catch up tomorrow morning, while you're sparring with Cullen."
Cassandra opened her mouth as if to contradict, but then she smiled. "Very well. Good night, Hawke."
Hugh couldn't take his eyes off Izzy's slim, graceful back while he followed her to their quarters. His heart was beating faster, and he was so full of joy that it was hard to contain it.
"So… What's the big secret, then?" he asked lightly, as they crossed the main hall. "What are the two of you hiding?"
"Ah, Hugh." Izzy's eyes were glittering with mischief. "What kind of a friend would I be if I told you? Let us girls have our little secrets."
"If you insist." Hugh knew well enough that it was no use badgering her further. In fact, feigning disinterest was probably his only chance to get her to break her silence in the long run. Let's see how long you can keep this up.
When the door to their room finally closed behind them, Izzy turned to face him with a sunny smile. "Hugh. Come here."
He took a step forward, embracing her gently. "So you've really forgiven me?"
"For what?" Izzy looked genuinely puzzled, but then it seemed to dawn on her what he was talking about. "Oh, you mean our little spat at the war table." She shook her head decisively. "Did you honestly believe I'd hold a grudge against you for all those weeks? I'm not a spoiled toddler, Hugh. You had to make a decision, and besides, it all turned out well in the end, didn't it?" Placing a hand on his cheek, she breathed a soft kiss on his lips. "I'm sorry I was so unreasonable. I should have come along. Maker, I was so lonely without you."
"I know. Me, too." Emboldened, he caught her lips in a proper kiss, deepening it hungrily when she moaned against his mouth. "Blight it, Izzy, let's stop talking. I can't-"
"Yeah. Me neither." Her lips were hot on his throat, and her hands were fiddling eagerly with the lacing of his robe. "Bed?"
"Bed," he agreed, allowing her to drag him over to the big four-poster.
Their clothes came off in a rush, and then he was holding her tight in his arms, her body aligned with his for maximum contact, and Hugh almost wept with joy. She felt so incredibly good, soft and warm and silky, and he never wanted to let go of her again. And at the same time, he couldn't wait, he needed to be inside her as fast as he could. Forcing himself to pull back a little, he pushed one of his thighs between hers to part her legs.
But Izzy had other ideas. One firm shove of her hands had him lying on his back, with Izzy straddling him, lowering herself slowly down on his cock. He'd been almost fully hard anyway, and the feel of her, hot and wet and pulsing with want, easily did the rest. The pain in his arm was all but forgotten the moment she rolled her hips against him.
"Maker, Izzy." Involuntarily, he grabbed her hips, making her stop. He felt he was hanging by a thread already, and he had to take a few deep breaths to compose himself.
When he finally let go and allowed her to set the rhythm, it was sheer bliss. The mere sight of her would have been enough to make any man go crazy: her firm breasts bobbing slightly, her stomach contracting as she rode him, her face lit up by a triumphant smile. She was utterly gorgeous like this, confident and assured, revelling in the pleasure she gave him and her own growing arousal.
In the end, he simply couldn't bear keeping still any longer. Rolling over with her, he took control, thrusting hard and deep inside her. Izzy responded with a high-pitched mewl that was music to his ears. With each thrust, he felt her tighten around him some more, her whole body taut as a bowstring. It only took the smallest touch of his hand to make her scream.
When she'd settled down a little, he resumed his movement, focussing on his own pleasure now. And Izzy was only too eager to help him along, clinging to him tightly, allowing him to take what he needed from her. Already, he was close, so close, and by sheer force of habit, he tried to pull back in time, but Izzy wouldn't have it. Locking her ankles behind his back, she drew him in deeper, urging him on with her sighs and moans, and before he knew it, he was coming, deep inside her, and it was so good. Such an amazing feeling, to be surrounded by her heat as he let go, spending himself in heaving shudders, too far gone to care.
"Damn it, Izzy." He glared at her as he carefully withdrew. "Are you crazy? We can't risk-"
"Don't worry." She shrugged, clearly unconcerned. "I've taken care of everything. We should be perfectly safe."
"Should." Hugh clenched his teeth. "There's no such thing as perfectly safe, and you know it."
"Look, I've used those herbs for the past fifteen years without accidents. And I'm not getting any younger." A hint of impatience had crept into her voice. "Besides, pulling back is hardly a failsafe option either."
"True, but at least…" He realized he was trembling. "We need to be careful, Izzy. What if-"
"Yeah, what if?" Izzy's expression had turned uncharacteristically soft. "It wouldn't be the end of the world, Hugh. I love you. True, things aren't ideal right now, but if it happens… I wouldn't mind having your baby."
Hugh swallowed hard. A baby. He had never allowed himself the luxury of even considering the possibility. And he'd certainly done everything in his power to avoid fathering a child in the Circle, where it would have been taken away, to be disposed of as the Templars saw fit.
"You're not in the Circle any more." Izzy seemed to have read his thoughts. "We could manage."
But could they really? A child, and not just any child. A powerful mage child, in all probability, considering their respective family backgrounds. And with the world teetering on the brink of disaster… It would be madness, nothing else. And yet, the mere idea sent a sharp spike of longing through his heart. Our child.
Maybe they could build a future where their child would have a chance. Maybe, once this was all over, they could risk it. But not now. First, they had to deal with Corypheus. And this time, they would finish him off for good.
My apologies for taking so unconscionably long to update this. I hope you enjoy the new chapter anyway. And, as always, huggles and thanks to my lovely beta suilven.