Another two months pasted and Leila seemed to be adjusting to life in Kirkwall. She had learned so much in such a small amount of time, that Hawke had hired a scholar to teach her. Hawke and Leandra kept spoiling her and though she appreciated it, she really wanted to be financially independent. She had found a way to do it, but no one beyond Varric knew about it. He had turned out to be a good and trustworthy friend. Leandra had begun talking about Leila getting introduced into society and Hawke had taken her to a few noble parties. She had to admit, as much as a tomboy she pretended to be, she absolutely loved those dresses. She felt absolutely beautiful in them and Hawke boasted about his lovely cousin, whenever he got the chance. Undoubtedly just because it made her blush and so he could laugh at her. Most of her spare time she spend with Merrill, talking about dalish history, teaching Fenris how to read and of course helping Anders. She had to admit that she had got quite infatuated with him. He was kind, generous and passionate. And whenever he looked at her, there was something in his eyes that she could not quite place. Unfortunately she had heard about his previous relationship, with a man named Karl. And though Isabella confirmed that, as far as she knew, he preferred women, it had left a doubt in her mind. Everyone else seemed to be taken with Hawke or Isabella and she felt that she paled in comparison. On the other hand Anders didn't seem interested in anything, beyond his cause and helping the refugees." Great, I met the Thedas equivalent of Robin Hood and I have no idea how to handle it." She sighed to herself. It had been so long since she had done this and she was feeling beyond rusty. The puppy that Anders had saved was growing stronger every day. A breeder had confirmed that the puppy was indeed part wolf. This meant it had the Mabaris intelligence and loyalty, but the feral nature of the wolf. It listened to one master and that master only. To others it was potentially dangerous. Leila had named it Ebony after its black long fur. As luck would have it, the now eight week old puppy, had imprinted on Leila. Ebony followed her everywhere. This had actually pleased Hawke. When it was large enough it could protect her and that took a great load of his mind.
Leila was walking out of the basement, as she had agreed to help Anders today. She had brought her portfolio with her. When things were slow she would sit and draw, while he would write his manifesto or make potions. They actually got along very well after the incident with Ebony, she had no idea why his behaviour had changed. She had asked Hawke, but he had claimed he didn't know, though the grin he had on his face told a different story. She always looked forward to Anders' company. Today however it seemed to be a different story completely. When she entered he was pacing back and forth with an almost furious expression. She cleared her throat to let him know she was there, but the icy glare he gave her made her regret it.
"Hi Anders..." She smiled hoping it would calm him. He continued to give her that same icy glare and looked down at Ebony.
"Do you really have to bring that mangy beast here?" He spat and in responds Ebony growled.
"Shh... down boy. He doesn't mean it. He is just angry about something, I'm sure he will tell us if he feels like it." She said partly to the dog and partly to Anders.
"Come and sit down." He snapped and pointed at one of the cots. She was very surprised, but did as he asked. As angry as he was, there was some concern in his voice. When she sat down, he started moving his hands over her with healing magic.
"Anders, what are you doing?" She raised an eyebrow.
"I'm checking you for a rash and other diseases." He stated still angry.
"Thank you for your concern, but I'm fine. Honestly... What's wrong with you today?" She asked concerned.
"There have been going several diseases around the Blooming Rose. I am making sure you haven't contracted any." Anders snapped. And realisation dawned on her and she smiled lightly.
"Anders, I haven't been sleeping with whores from the rose. I have been working." She smiled, but then realised what it had sounded like. Anders face turned possibly even more red, but before she could explain he roared.
"I can't believe you! Hawke has given you everything! Money, title and a bloody mansion live in. They treat you like family! What could possibly posses you, to become the new addition at the blooming rose?" His nostrils were flaring and rage plain on his face. Leila didn't know if she should laugh or roar at him, so she ended up doing a bit of both.
"You honestly think I would sell my body? Do I look like a whore to you?" She growled with disbelief and laughed slightly. Anders looked confused, but still angry.
"Don't lie to me! People have seen you enter the rose on several occasions." Anders growled his face so close to hers she could feel his breath. She stood up and starred him in the eyes, not in the least intimidated even as they flickered blue. She pointed to his desk chair.
"Sit!" She ordered and to her surprise he did it. She went to get her portfolio and handed it to him.
"You can't tell anyone about this. Or I swear I will sugar punch so hard that Justice goes back to the fade." She warned and with a grunt of disbelief he took the book and looked through it. He looked up at her with confusion.
"What does this mean?" He asked.
"You are right that Garrett and Leandra have given me everything, but I couldn't bear the thought of living of their charity any longer. So I talked to Varric about making drawings for his stories and he could print them. That way I could earn a little money. Unfortunately that wasn't very much. There is a lot bigger market for drawings of naked women." She stated calmly as his expression changed.
"You mean?" He looked at her with disbelief.
"I have been paying women at the rose, but I have been paying them to pose for me as I draw. Now I have enough references, so I don't have to go there anymore. I know it isn't exactly proper, but I don't have any other skills I can use and it pains me to have to ask Leandra or Hawke for money." She explained and sat down on his desk with a sigh. Anders looked at the drawings and shook his head.
"Why is it that I always end up apologizing to you?" He smiled apologetic at her.
"Because you do the same thing, you always do. You assume and fear things and allow yourself to be carried away by passion." She smiled stroking his arm, hoping her words would not offend him. He looked into her eyes with a softened expression.
"I'm sorry. I was worried about you and didn't want you to get hurt." He confessed and she couldn't help but give a smile that made his heart flutter.
"I'm glad you are looking out for me, but I am a grown woman. And I thought you knew me well enough to know, that I would not sell myself." She gave him a somewhat stern look, but her smile made it seem less so.
"Can you forgive me?" He looked at her pleadingly.
"Of course. I'm not sure about Ebony though. You hurt his feelings." She teased and Ebony gave a cute puppy whine in responds, that made both of them laugh.
"I'm sorry, but remember I saved your life once. And you really are kind of cute... for a dog." Anders smirked and the puppy jumped unto his lap and licked his face.
"He likes you!" Leila laughed.
"Eeeww... I really don't like this slobbery love." Anders cringed his face and put Ebony down.
"Does that mean that if I were to lick you, you with find it disgusting as well?" Leila blushed "Where the hell did that come from? More importantly, how do I get out of it?"
Anders looked at her with surprise for a moment, but to her surprise his eyes began to simmer and he gave her a smirk she had never seen before.
"Not if you extend me the same courtesy." He said suggestively and Leila swallowed hard. She jumped of the table and went towards the potions to sort them out. Anders chuckled at her sudden shyness.
"So... I'm having a party in two days, I thought you might like to come?" She said desperate to change the subject.
"You want me to come to a party with a bunch of nobles?" He raised an eyebrow.
"Yes. You see I have made a fundraiser for the refugees in Darktown." She explained still not looking at him.
"Fundraiser?" He asked surprised.
"Yes, all the nobles will be there and contribute some money. It then goes directly to Loreen's shop. She will be there as well as a representative for the refugees. I thought you might be a good influence to have there as well." She explained. The true reason was that she wanted him to see her in her formal gown. A wish that had not lessened, after what just happened.
"That... sounds like a good idea... Alright, but I don't know for long." He smiled, but her back was still turned. He looked through her portfolio and had to grab on to the table. There was a self-portrait of her draped in nothing but a sheet. It was not as polished as the others, so he figured she had only done this for practise. Even so this was not going to make his night hauntings of her any easier. He quickly closed the book and went over to hand it to her.
"They are very good and again... I'm sorry." He smiled and she finally met his eyes.
"Thank you and it's alright. I understand how it looked. I promise I will be more discreet in the future, if I need to go there again." She smiled kindly and returned to sorting out the potions.
Anders had been right. That night the haunting of her were excruciating. The image of her naked, draped in nothing but a sheet made his ache intensify. The suggestive remark, offering her tongue to touch him... he trembled at the thought. It had already been hard enough, having feelings for her. Especially after the jealous rage he had gone into, when one of the girls from the rose, had told him Leila had been seen there often. The touch she had given him on his arm, might as well have been seared into his flesh. He wanted her. He desired her to the point, where his soul would be unhinged from his body, by the mere pleasure of having her close.
"Blasted! What do I do, Justice?"
"I thought this was your area of expertise?"