Chapter 11: The Dred Wolf
I woke in the Fade, alone. I figured Shel must have drifted into her dreams and not the Fade, which I was glad. I took this opportunity for myself to confront the Dred Wolf about what he had done. My anger toward him was rightfully justified, but Shel's safety was on my mind.
It didn't take long for him to find me.
"Solas," a voice called to me. I recognized it immediately and spun around, facing my greeter.
"Fen'Harel," I growled.
"That is no way to greet me!" it jested toward me.
"Stay out of my head. You do not deserve to use my body as a medium again."
Straight to the point. I was done playing his mind games.
"Oh, I don't plan on it. That little display was all I needed. Soon, you will lose your control."
"Shut up. I refuse to listen to you," I said. Then I tried, with all my might, to leave the Fade, but something blocked me. I couldn't move. "What did you do?"
An unseen barrier held me in my place.
"I can't have you leave yet. She is coming."
"Who? Who is coming?"
"Someone very close to you," Fen'Harel hissed.
Shel. There she was. She had entered the Fade at the wrong time. I ran to her, putting myself between The Dred Wolf and her.
"Shel Levallan," he hissed.
"Don't talk to her," I growled.
"Fen'Harel!" she called from behind me.
I closed my eyes at the sound of her voice and turned around to look at her. What was she doing? She touched my arm, trying to give me assurance. Her eyes told me she had a plan, of course.
The Dred Wolf looked at Shel expectantly.
"I think it's time you and I had a talk," Shel said.
"Mmmmm, yes, let's talk. I remember out last conversation. You wanted me. Never wanted me to leave," Fen'Harel said with a smirk.
"Now, that's slightly unfair because I was unaware it was you I was talking to. In fact, I would consider this our first conversation," she said stepping next to me. I looked down at her, unsure just what exactly she was planning. I knew she was strong, but this was a god she was talking to. Did she understand that?
"Then, if that is true, how about we review you last words with me none the less. You never want Solas to leave you again, is that correct?" he asked.
Shel nodded, waiting to hear what he would say next. I felt I already knew what was next to come.
"And Solas is also dear to me. You have something I want."
"No, Coryephus has something you want," she replied.
Fen'Harel looked confused for only a second, as did I.
"The Orb," I said, catching up to her thoughts.
She gave me a soft smile.
No, she wouldn't…
"I will give you the Orb in exchange that you leave Solas alone," she said.
"No," I spat beside her.
It was a pitiful plea really. The Dred Wolf would never leave me alone. She did not understand the full relationship we had. It wasn't something you could just leave to a promise. Ties would have to be broken in order for any of this to work. But giving the Orb back to Fen'Harel? There were worse things than being tied to the blasted God.
"Shel, you do not know the power that he could wield if he had the Orb," I whispered to her.
"I will not let him possess you again," she said.
Oh Shel. She was naïve in her thinking.
"Possess," Fen'Harel hissed. "You think it is possession, the power I have over Solas is greater than possession. Our souls our bound."
"What does he mean, Solas?" Shel asked me.
"Solas. One of his many names, I am afraid," Fen'Harel drifted toward us, looking at me, fixing his eyes on me. Knowing my soul, knowing my heart.
There it was. If she understood then, I was unsure. I lost all control. The Dred Wolf took me. Hunger set in. My hands and feet shifted into claws, my body curved forward forcing me on all fours, and my teeth became fangs, dripping in drool. Fen'Harel flooded my mind, my eyes opened as the beast I had become and I saw Shel standing in horror at my feet.
"Solas?" she whispered.
"Solas is gone. You speak to the Dred Wolf now," a voice said. Not my voice. I had no control. The Dred Wolf and I were one.
She looked hurt for a brief second, but then leveled her shoulders.
"You hurt me," she said.
The Dred Wolf cocked his head.
"I trusted you and you hurt me," she said.
"That, my young elf, is why I am the Dred Wolf."
"The Betrayer," she muttered.
"That is one of my many names, yes."
"How can I get Solas back?" she asked.
"Solas, that elf, is gone," the Dred Wolf growled.
I was there though, my voice unheard, my thoughts dormant, but I was there, a wisp of a memory in the Dred Wolf. He was controlling my mind. NO! I won't let you take complete control.
Shut up, go back to your pitiful demise. Forget the young elf. You are mine.
NO! Shel!
The Dred Wolf shook his head, closing his eyes. Shel took notice and squinted her eyes. She grabbed the wolf's face, staring into his eyes.
She sees me, I know she sees me.
"Solas is not gone," she said. "And I will have him back." She did not release the face she held. "I will bring you the Orb and you will cut all ties binding you to Solas."
"Solas is mine. The Solas you know is a lonely elf whose sole purpose is to serve me. You will not take…" the Dred Wolf trailed off as he looked at Shel. His eyes traveled down her body to her stomach and widened at the unforeseen effects that were taking place in her body.
Your seed.
My seed.
You didn't Solas.
She is mine. She will always be mine and he is mine.
That is if she lives through it.
She will.
You are certain? Childbirth is a fifty-fifty chance.
He will live and he will have my name.
The Dred Wolf sat in silence. Shel was confused as ever by his actions though when she looked in his eyes, they flickered as an ongoing battle was taking place in his head.
"Solas…is…yours," the Dred Wolf said silently.
"What? Just like that?" Shel asked placing her hands on her hips, confused as to the sudden surrender from the Dred Wolf.
"Bring me the Orb and I will release the binding," he said.
No, you will not take him.
It has been decided Solas. When he is born, I will enter into him. This is the payment I will make with you. If you truly love her as much as you say you do, I will leave you, but another soul I must take.
Please. I will be yours forever, don't touch my son.
I have already lost you. There is no point in keeping you now.
This was my fault. There was no stopping the future.
"How do I know you will keep your promise?" Shel asked, invading thoughts between the Dred Wolf.
"I will release Solas back to you now. You can confirm with him that our ties are truly cut."
Shel had never dealt with a god before and did not know the consequences. Here she was tangled up in my mess. Damn Fen'Harel.
Yes, damn me. I will release you now, Solas. You can continue living in that mundane body of yours with the mundane mistake you have made. You should have never betrayed me, Solas.
I was cast down to the ground. My world spun. Strings at my heart tugged in my chest. I was gasping for air as the hold on my heart was tight. My chest caved in until I felt the release of the strings being cut. Air flowed through my lungs breathing new life into me. My fingertips tingled as my touch returned to me. My ears rang as sound returned to me. I finally opened my eyes, fully awake now.
I was back in Shel's room, with Shel cuddled next to me. My eyes grew wide at her naked body next to mine. I jumped out of the bed remembering the Fade. Remembering what Fen'Harel did. Shel woke to the sudden movement and looked sleepily at me. It was still night outside.
"Solas?" she asked.
I searched myself for any signs of an extra passenger, but the Dred Wolf was gone. Our bond had been cut. I clutched my heart.
"Solas?" Shel asked again, this time standing up from the bed and making her way over to me.
"Stay back," I warned. I had to be sure before I touched her.
She backed away slowly looking hurt. I searched my mind, no trace. My hand trembled. I was truly alone.
I looked at her. Her body was so beautiful in the moonlight. The light emphasized her curves and yet she stood before me, completely exposed, trusting me fully. It was unwise of her.
Nine months. Was it truly worth it to have nine months with her? Better to end it now than later. Later would be too hard as she would be heavy with child. I couldn't bear to leave her then.
"I must go," I said hastily as I picked up my clothing.
"No, you need to explain what happened to me. I don't fully understand everything that damn god said," Shel said grabbing my arm.
I couldn't tell her. She would find out soon enough. But, she deserved to know the truth. But, I wasn't ready to face the truth. How could we be certain though? It was just hours ago when I released my seed into her.
A healer could know.
I turned to face Shel, the elf I loved, who laid with me, slayed demons, closed rifts, who befriended a Tevinter Altus, of all people. She could handle this. But first, I needed a healer. A skilled healer. A healer that only I trusted with this information.
"There is someone I need to talk to," I finally said.
Shel cocked her head at me, clearly expecting me to say something else. She waited for me to continue.
"I must be certain, before I explain. I know you have questions, and I want to answer them, but I have to be absolutely positive about something before I explain anything."
"How long will you be?" she asked.
Varric or The Champion might know of his whereabouts. But even if they knew where he was, it would take at least a week to find him and another week to bring him back here. Shel would certainly feel…something…by then.
"Several weeks," I replied.
"Several weeks?! Solas, you can't leave for that long, not after tonight," she pleaded with me.
She was right of course. I couldn't leave her alone for that long. But, if she got injured during a battle along the way, too much stress could…
No. Better she comes along. I can protect her.
"You're right. I do not know how long it will take to find him," I said. "You should come with me."
Upon hearing this, Shel threw the covers off her body, climbed out of bed, and embraced me.
"You only have to ask," she whispered.
There I go again, asking her for favors. The Inquisitor.
I pushed her away slightly, still holding her arms and kissed her. It was passionate, desperate a little even. But she was so welcoming. Her fingertips brushed the bottoms of my ears sending pleasant chills down my spine. My hand lay over her heart, just above her breast, feeling her pulse quicken. I deepened the kiss, pushing Shel back to the bed.
My hands traveled her body. My lips kissed her mouth, finding their way down her throat tasting Shel's smooth skin. I could hear her chest rise with her breath and felt her breasts gently rise to brush against my chest. That was all the invitation I needed to fondle her breasts. Her chest jolted up at my touch, wanting more. I gave her a quick glance as I made my way down to her hard pink nipples and kissed the one on the right, teasing her left with my fingers. I couldn't help it, my hips rolled against hers, letting her know just how hard I was. I felt her arms wrap around my hips, encouraging my movements and pulling me closer, down to her, and onto the bed.
"Solas, please," she whimpered. "Don't stop."
I climbed on top of her, pressing my knees between her thighs. Her neck extended and she reached up, grabbing my neck down, and kissed my lips. I pulled back, taking in her body. Her full breasts fell slightly to the sides of her ribs. She was breathtaking and she was mine.
"Shel," I said softly.
"Yes?"
"I love you so much," I managed to choke out.
Her eyes teared up. "I love you too," she said.
I kissed her breasts, working my way down to her rib cage. I kissed her side, her belly button, and her hip bones.
"Solas," she whispered, her hand gently touched the top of my head.
I looked up at her. Kissing her once more just above her citreous, breathing deeply to smell her arousal. No more teasing. My face met hers in a kiss as I slowly positioned myself on top of her. I pushed inside her, feeling her muscle tighten around me. She was dripping for me and I for her. I kissed her lips again, this time sucking them with a deep passion. She kissed me back with equal passion inviting me for more. I pulled out, then pushed back in, her hips responded under me moving against my hips.
My mouth hovered over her breast, nipping at her hard nipples, waiting to feel for her orgasm. I felt her squeeze around me, her back arched from underneath me. Her eyes were shut and a low moan escaped from her lips as she clung to me.
I pushed harder and faster into her feeling her tightness as I came inside her, filling her to the brim. My cock throbbed and pulsed inside her. As I kissed her lips, I pulled out, dripping, feeling her leak at my retreat.
Our breaths were hot against each other's skin. She was trembling under me. I rolled onto my side and held her tightly. Her hot breath eased against my chest and we drifted off the sleep for the rest of the night. Shel entered her dreams, I entered the Fade again that night.