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Chapter 10: Seduce Me

"Anyone can catch your eye, but it takes someone special to catch your heart." - Unknown author

"You're a very handsome man!" said the woman giggling at the man sitting next to her.

He startled. "Sorry?"

"And you're so sweet too!" she said giggling again.

"Hm… thanks?" he said looking at her in surprise. He took a look on the woman sitting next to him. She was an attractive woman, beautiful eyes, nice lips, gorgeous body… very attractive. He swallowed hard.

She saw him looking at her and bit her lip slowly, then whispered into his ear "Would you like to dance?"

He raised an eyebrow at her, looking a little scared and said "I don't...", but he didn't manage to finish his sentence, because the woman already grabbed his hand and dragged him on the dance floor.

"Let me show you how to move," she said as she started to curl her body very seductively.

The man stared at the beautiful and very flexible woman dancing in front of him.

"Put one hand on my back and the other one in my right hand," she told him, but he didn't hear her because he was too enraptured by her moves.

She smiled and whispered in his ear "I promise I won't bite… well, not unless you want me to...". She giggled, then winked at him, took his left hand and placed it on her back. He shook his head quickly, trying hard not to stare at the woman anymore, then he took her right hand in his other hand.

"See, it's not that difficult to dance!" whispered the woman in his ear.

"Well... yes, it's nice," he said confused, trying to keep a safe distance between their bodies.

She giggled. "You can hold me closer. I've already promised you I won't bite."

"I ddddon't wwwwant toooo ..." he babbled, but she already got closer to him, invading his private space.

"You're very shy," she said smiling.

"You're very bold, my lady," he answered.

She giggled, looked into his eyes and said "I like shy guys."

"Well, my lady, I..." he tried to say something, but then he stopped and just smiled at her.

They danced for a few minutes, until the song ended.

"I want to show you something, come with me," said the woman as she dragged the confused man after her.

"Where are you taking me?" he asked very surprised.

"You'll see soon enough," she answered with a wicked smile on her face.

"~~~~~~~~~~~~~~"

Anora Mac Tir was angry. She couldn't find Fergus anywhere. 'That man couldn't just vanish, could he?' she thought, while she was looking for Fergus in the crowd of nobles. The newly appointed teyrna of Gwaren was a beautiful woman and she was aware of that. She also knew a lot of manipulation tricks, some from her father, some from the nobles, it was one of the advantages of being queen for five years. She could do that, she had set her mind on Fergus and she would get him. But first she had to find him, there, at the celebration, but she couldn't see him anywhere. Was he hiding from her? Was he somewhere with another woman? Did some Orlesian whore already seduced him and dragged him somewhere in an empty room? He wouldn't dare! No, he was not like that, she knew it! He was a gentleman! But what if he had changed? Men easily get fooled by a pretty face and a pair of big boobs! She had to find him, she should find him soon, or she might loose him to some whore. Damn, where could that man be hiding?

Fergus was a very handsome man and wealthy too, and next in line to the throne… he was quite a prize for any single noble woman at that celebration. Anora tried hard to calm down and focus for a moment.

'He's not here! He's not in this room! Calm down, Anora! Maybe he got out on a balcony somewhere to have some fresh air? But what if he's not alone! Damn it, Fergus! Where in the Maker's name are you?' thought the former queen as she decided to leave the ball room in search for Fergus. As soon as she left the ball room, she saw some shadows on the hallway. She didn't see them well, but they seemed to be a pair: a woman dragging a man after her.

'Can't be! Maker, please!' she thought as she tried to follow the pair.

"~~~~~~~~~~~~~~"

The woman dragged the man in one of the palace's empty rooms and closed the door behind them.

"What are we doing here?" asked the man confused.

"Relax, it's going to be fun," said the woman smiling seductively.

She guided him to an empty char "Sit down," she ordered him.

He obeyed her and sat down slowly on the chair, just staring at the woman in front of him.

The woman slowly pulled off her delicate silk red dress, revealing her beautiful breasts.

The man opened his eyes wide, then he pinched himself pretty hard.

'It's not a dream,' he thought.

"I'm sorry. I can't do this! It's all a big misunderstanding! Look, you're beautiful, very sexy, and I'm such a fool to refuse you… this... but I really can't do it!" said the man as he jumped from the chair.

"But your body wants me… I can see it in your eyes… Just relax, let us have some fun together," said the woman and tried to kiss him.

"NO! I'm sorry," he said avoiding her lips.

"You're madly in love with her! " said the woman, getting serious.

"I'm sorry, what are you talking about?" he asked.

"Don't try to fool me, Anders! I saw the way you look at her! You love her, you need to tell her!" said the woman, while she was getting dressed.

"Listen, I'm sorry for turning you down like this. I know I'm such an idiot to refuse such a beautiful woman like yourself… I must leave now," said the man as he headed for the room's door.

"I was just testing you, using my advanced bard seductive techniques..." said the woman smiling.

"You … you're a bard? You've been testing me?" asked Anders, surprised.

"Yes, I wanted to see if you would fall into my little trap. Congratulations, you've just passed the test!" said Leliana, smiling.

"Why are you doing this?" he asked.

"I wanted to see if you're a good man, Anders. She's my friend, I want her to be happy. As I've already said: you need to tell her that you love her," continued Leliana.

"I … I can't. She's in-loved with somebody else!" yelled Anders.

"Her heart is broken, but it can be fixed and I've heard that you are a very good healer, Anders. Heal her heart, make her happy!" said Leliana.

"It doesn't work like that, you know! I only wish that there would be a spell or a potion that could heal a broken heart."

"Just be there for her when she will feel ready to move on."

"I'm a mage, I'm not worthy of her. I can't give her anything. Maybe she would be happier with another noble… with Teagan, perhaps." said Anders in a sad voice.

"Don't say that! You're a very nice person, Anders! I think you are what she needs right now!" stated Leliana.

He sighed. "I'm her best friend, that's all she thinks about me! I don't want to ruin our friendship, I'd better remain just her friend."

"I don't thing you'll be happy just as her friend, Anders. I've seen the jealousy in your eyes when she was dancing with Teagan," said Leliana.

"And how should I tell her? When would it be the right moment? Maybe between two battles? Something like: 'Let me heal you, Commander. By the way, I'm madly in love with you!' She's my Commander! Things could get pretty ugly if it doesn't work out between us," yelled Anders.

"You will find a moment, someday! You're afraid she will refuse you. Maybe she will, or maybe not, but she needs to know," said Leliana.

Anders sighed. "I'll think about it."

Leliana opened the door and said "Good. Now let's go back to the celebration."

As they were about the exit the room, they saw a blond woman with beautiful blue eyes crying outside, in front of the door. She startled when she saw them, then wiped out her tears and smiled sadly

"I'm sorry. I thought you were someone else. I apologize!" said the woman.

"Lady Anora, can I help you?" said Leliana, concerned for the woman in front of her.

"No, but thank you for your concern," said Anora as she calmed down and smiled."I'm fine now, I've just mistaken you for someone else."

"As you wish, my lady," said Leliana and left the room followed by Anders.

"~~~~~~~~~~~~~~"

As Elissa and Fergus entered the ceremony's room arm in arm, they were greeted by Anora, Teagan, Leliana and Anders who seemed to be expecting them. Anora's face lighted suddenly at the sight of the two siblings and she smiled relieved. She then ran to Fergus and Elissa and said "Fergus Cousland, where have you been hiding?"

Fergus looked desperately at Elissa, who was hardly holding back her giggles, and whispered into her ear: "Help me, Eli! She's going to eat me alive now!", then he looked surprised at Anora and said "Lady Anora, I was just outside for a few moments, to have a word with my sister."

Teagan got closer to the siblings, bowed and asked "Lady Cousland, may I have the honor of this dance?"

Elissa looked at her brother, smiled and answered: "Actually Teagan, I've promised this dance to my brother, but maybe the next one?"

"Of course, my lady," said Teagan and then he bowed to Anora "Lady Anora, may I have the honor of this dance?"

"Of course, Teagan," answered Anora then looked at Fergus, bashed her long eyelashes and said: "But I hope we will switch partners next dance."

Fergus sighed. "Maker, this woman never gives up!" whispered Fergus in Elissa's ear.

Elissa tried hard to control her giggles.

As Elissa was following Fergus on the dance floor, she saw a very blushed Anders hiding in a corner.

'What's wrong with Anders? Maker, did Leliana had something to do with this?' thought Elissa to herself.

"Anders seems a little blusher than usual," said Fergus as he noticed his sister gazing at Anders.

Elissa nodded. "Something happened. I think it's Leliana's doing."

Fergus looked at his sister and said "Well, she was all over him last time I've seen them; they were dancing pretty close to each other when I left to search for you!"

Elissa felt dizzy and a new feeling overwhelmed her: jealousy. 'No, this is not right. He's just my friend!' she thought trying to control herself.

As soon as the song ended, Elissa and Fergus switched partners with Teagan and Anora. After a few more dances with Teagan, Elissa sat at the table near Leliana. She took a deep breath and asked:"So, Leliana. You and Anders?"

Leliana looked at Elissa, smiled and said "Nothing happened, Elissa."

"Really?" asked Elissa.

"He's a good guy. Just give him a chance, Elissa!" said Leliana.

Elissa flinched. "How do you know? Don't tell me you've tried your bard tricks on him, Leliana!"

Leliana nodded and smiled "The very best of them, but it didn't work."

Elissa sighed. "Why did you do it?"

Leliana smiled. "He's sweet. I've asked for your permission, you said I can interfere. Are you jealous, my friend?"

Elissa shook her head and answered "No, I'm not jealous", but she knew that she was lying.

Leliana giggled. "You know you can't fool me, Elissa!"

Anora was the happiest woman in celebration room! She was finally dancing with Fergus! She would not leave him out of sight for the rest of the night. Finally, things were going to be just the way she wanted. She would catch him in her web just like a spider catches a fly. There was no turning back now, it was too late for him to get away. Nobody could escape from Anora Mac Tir's web once it's caught in it!

"~~~~~~~~~~~~~~"

The king was sitting on an armchair in front of a big fireplace, holding an empty glass in one hand and a bottle full of wine in his other hand, tormenting himself with his thoughts. His face was full of sadness and guilt, his eyes were closed. He was thinking how he had just survived his wedding day with Pauline, his new Orlesian wife. He had done his duty, he had married Pauline and the Empress of Orlais was very happy about that alliance and had even blessed them herself. The celebration had been a very good opportunity for both Ferelden and Orlesian nobles to discuss and exchange useful trade information. New trade routes had been established between the two countries, important contracts had been signed between some wealthy Ferelden and Orlesian nobles at the celebration. Things were going well now for Ferelden, the country had fully recovered in the last year, since he had been made king. He should had felt happy, he had done his duty well, yet he was miserable. He felt empty, like his own heart was missing, like he had locked it in an iron box and then he had thrown the key away!

He poured himself a glass of wine and drank it up. It was his wedding night and he would need do his damn kingly duty again. His new wife was expecting him in the other chamber, waiting for him to get ready. The country needed an heir to the throne, he was forced to do his duty to the country again! He would have to make love with a woman that he didn't love! Well, maybe not make love, just sex, but he didn't like that idea either! He poured himself an other glass of wine and drank it up. He suddenly remembered Morrigan's ritual, thinking that he could use the "jar method" again, but he cleared the stupid plan immediately out of his mind, embarrassed about it. How would he manage to explain to an Orlesian woman that didn't speak Ferelden, in his terrible Orlesian, that he would bring his seed in a jar and… never mind. Stupid plan! The idea of using a translator for it was even stupider! No! This time he couldn't run away from it! He would have to perform his duty as king and husband.

'Wine will help!' thought the king as he drank all the rest of the wine from the bottle, then got up from the armchair and said: "For Ferelden!", heading slowly for the other room where his new wife was expecting him.

"~~~~~~~~~~~~~~"