Chapter 13

Ariana

"Ariana, Ariana," a familiar voice breaks into my sleep. "Ari, wake up," he whispers and I smile. Cullen."She won't wake up, Anders," he says and I feel a warm hand on my forehead.

"Give her a moment, Cullen. She has been through a hell of a lot. I hear it was a near miss," he comments and I force my eyes to open. I stare up into their concerned eyes.

"Is she awake?" Marian asks as she peers over their shoulders and I smile when I see her blue eyes.

"Marian," I murmur and she pushes her way past them and she reaches for my hands.

"Ariana, thank the maker. You have been asleep for hours."

"What about me, Anders? I am supposed to be her...you know," Cullen comments as they both move away from the bed and I smile.

"Well, they are cousins, Cullen. You really shouldn't be surprised," Anders says with a lot of amusement in his voice.

"Ariana, how are you?" Marian asks and I look up at her.

"You really have beautiful eyes you know. No wonder he is so taken in with you," I tease and she bursts into laughter.

"Ariana," she says as she helps me to sit and she embraces me. "I am so glad you made it. They said it was a close one, but you managed to resist the demon," she explains and for no reason, a hard lump forms in my throat.

"He made promises, Marian. He promised that if I allowed him to possess me, I would be able live free as any other person with Cullen," I explain.

"But you are here. You are now a Senior Mage," she informs me and I give her a small smile.

"That doesn't help the fact that I nearly gave in, Marian, but I held onto Cullen's face, your face and Anders. I found the strength to resist and I had to fight him, Marian. I had to defeat the demon and it was so difficult."

"Well, you are here and I am so pleased you are okay," she says as she embraces me.

"Um...Excuse me. May I please talk to her?" Cullen asks from behind Marian.

"Of course you can. Anders and I are going to take a walk around the garden anyway," she replies as she tries to move away from me.

"Stay please? Both of you?" I ask as I catch Cullen's eye.

"Fine, they can both stay, Ari," he agrees.

"Thank you," I whisper as Marian moves away from me to go and stand by Anders. He slips his arm around her waist and for a moment, I feel jealous of their relationship. They both look happy and content even though they are aware that they are breaking all the rules. So am I... I remind myself as Cullen sits next to me. I warily reach for his hand, but before I can think, he pulls me into his arms and he kisses me passionately.

"I thought I lost you," he murmurs as he cups my face.

"I thought I lost myself," I tease.

"What happened?" he asks.

"What...What do you think, Cullen?" I ask.

"Oh Ariana, yet here you are. As bright-eyed as ever," he reassures me.

"I nearly gave in, Cullen. How do you think I feel?" I ask.

"But you didn't. You need to realise that no one is immune to a demon's promise. Even templars can give into temptation especially if Blood Magic is at work, but here you are and no, I don't love you any less. I am relieved that you come back in one piece," he says softly.

"Cullen," I murmur as I embrace him.

"Mmm...Your room in the Senior Quarters is ready and you will be sharing with Marian," he informs me.

"How did you get that right and does she know?" I ask him as I catch her eye over his shoulder.

"It wasn't my suggestion. It was Anders. He was insistent that in the interests of her well-being and happiness, she share a room with you and no, she does not know yet. He insisted that he be the one to tell her, but I don't know when he will be doing that," he replies.

"Mmm...Well, it looks as if they are going for that walk after all. Maybe he will tell her then," I say as I wave at them. I watch as he wraps her hand firmly in his and I smile.

"And I am sure you must be hungry. You haven't eaten since your last meal yesterday morning," he informs me and I pull away from him.

"That long, Cullen? I have been out of it for that long?" I ask.

"Yes. You had us all quite worried, but why don't we put it behind us?" he suggests as he helps me to my feet. I sway unsteadily and he quickly put his arm around my waist. "I've got you," he reassures me and I smile gratefully at him.

"You are the best, Cullen," I whisper.

"Because you are the love of my life," he whispers for me alone and I blush.

"And we will never be able to be together," I say sadly and he frowns at me.

"I...I know, but that doesn't mean we can't enjoy ourselves," he reminds me.

"Mmm...How many couples are there in the Circle, I wonder."

"Oh, you will be surprised. A lot of activity takes place in the Templar Quarters, the Senior Quarters and any dark corner they can find," he replies.

"We all deserve to love and be loved, Cullen."

"I know, but things are the way they are for a reason," he points out.

"As if it is our fault we are born with magical talent," I blurt out and I nearly stumble.

"Ariana, please? You need to take it easy," he advises as he steadies me.

"I...I am sorry. It is difficult at times," I explain and he kisses my cheek.

"I know and I do love you. Don't ever forget that," he whispers and I start tingling.

"You know what I need?" I ask as I slip my arms around his neck.

"Let me guess...Tender loving care?" he asks and I grin at him. "Mmm...After you have eaten," he promises.

"What about now?" I ask as I kiss him.

"Mmm...I insist," he replies as he gently pushes me away and I smile at him.

Anders

We are taking a slow stroll around the garden and she stops by the bed full of Andraste's Grace. I notice a momentary flicker in her blue eyes and she turns towards me rubbing her eyes. She looks away from me and she sits on the bench with her arms folded.

"Have you written, Marian?" I ask as I kneel in front of her and I reach for her hands.

"No, I haven't," she replies as she starts playing with my fingers.

"Why not?" I ask.

"Because I want to tell them about you, but I don't know how they will react," she replies and I let out a long sigh.

"Just tell them, love. There is nothing they can do about it anyway. You are far from home and I am here for you. I will always be here for you," I reassure her and she gives me a small smile.

"I am glad Ariana made it through her Harrowing," she comments.

"So am I and speaking about that, I have something to tell you," I inform her as I help her to her feet. "It might make you feel better to know that as from tonight, you will be sharing a room with Ariana in the Senior Quarters and what is more, my room is only two doors down," I inform her and she looks at me with disbelief in her beautiful blue eyes.

"How...How did you manage that?" she asks and I grin at her.

"Well, I told them they you aren't sleeping well and because of that, you were struggling to concentrate on your studies and love, remember, Irving did ask you if there is anything else you wanted," I remind her.

"I am sharing a room with Ariana and your room is not far away?" she asks incredulously.

"What could be better?" I ask and I start laughing.

"Anders, thank you. I...I," she trails away. She gazes at me and before I can think, she throws her arms around me and I pick her up. "Thank you, my love," she whispers and I swing her around a second time.

"Maker, you hardly weigh anything. Are you eating enough?" I ask as I set her down.

"Of course I am, Anders. Look at it this way - you are strong so to you, I do weigh nothing," she teases and I embrace her.

"That is true. Would you like me to show you your new room?" I ask.

"I would like that and then I think I will write to my Mother. Will you stay with me?"

"If it means spending time with you, then yes I will stay with you," I reply.

o0o

She stares happily around the room. The beds are opposite each other and they each have their own desk and wardrobe. I notice her bag on the one bed and I smile to myself. I was up here a couple of hours ago to drop off her bag, clothing and books. She heads to her bed and she slowly unpacks her clothes. I stand by the door with my arms folded because I put something in her bag. Something I asked one of the maidservants to buy for me a few days ago and I know she would be pleased. She pauses and she lifts something out of her bag.

"This doesn't belong to me," she says softly and I place my hands on her shoulders.

"It is yours," I murmur and she glances at me.

"You bought this for me?" she asks as she holds up the gold locket allowing it swing slowly in front of her.

"Yes. It is my promise to you that I will be forever committed to you, no matter where the path of life leads us," I explain and she turns around.

"Are you? Are you? Anders?" she asks.

"Well, if you want to think of it that way, then yes, I am," I reply and her face lights up beautifully.

"Anders, it is beautiful. Will you...Please?" she asks and I take it from her. I take my time putting it on and when I am done, I nuzzle her neck.

"I know we are young, but I want you to know that I love you and if we are fortunate enough to ever get out of this place, I want you by my side," I whisper as I slowly trail kisses along her neck.

"You mean that?" she asks as she turns around and I slip my arms around her waist.

"I love you, Marian and I always will even if fate plays a sick joke in separating us, I will always love you," I reply.

"I love you with my whole heart, Andy and it will be a sad day indeed-" she trails away.

"Let us not speak of such things," I murmur as I cup her face drawing her towards me and I gently kiss her. "My sweet Marian," I whisper and she laughs at me.

"I can't believe it, Anders. We are bound as you said and we always will be," she teases as she playfully ruffles my hair. "You should grow it. It might suit you," she teases and I grab her hands.

"Maybe I will, one day," I tease as I slowly inch my way towards the door holding tightly to her hands. "Now we eat. For once, we can eat together. I cannot wait. Imagine what we could get up to?" I tease and she starts laughing.

"Ooh...I cannot wait. I hope it is exciting," she teases and I wink at her.

"You will see," I tease and she drops my hands. I watch in amusement as she flounces her way up the passage.

"Hey Ariana," she greets her cousin as they pass each other and she strides purposefully towards me.

"She seems to be in good spirits. What did you do?" Ariana asks and I grin at her.

"Well, I listen to her and we chat and shit, I must remind her to write to her Mother."

She raises her eyebrows. "That is rather evasive, don't you think?"

I shrug my shoulders. "So what, Ariana?"

"Tell me, Anders. Otherwise I will get it out of her," she teases.

"Why don't you ask her then?" I ask as I try to walk past her, but she grips my arm. "Fine, I gave her a locket. It is my promise...my promise to her..." I reluctantly explain and she releases me.

"She is not going to be here inevitably, Anders. How can you promise that to her?" she asks as she folds her arms.

"Well," I say as I sidle up to her. "I don't intend staying here inevitably either. I will try again and I will succeed," I explain and she frowns at me.

"Don't break her heart, Anders," she says softly as she leaves me alone staring after her in disbelief.

"What is it to you, Ariana?" I call, but she slams her bedroom closed. I shove my hands into my pockets and walk off scowling.

Marian

I notice his scowling expression and I frown. "What now?" I wonder to myself as I stand and I catch his eye. He is annoyed about something. He did not even smile at me and my heart begins to beat painfully. I touch the locket he has just given to me. I know what he is asking and it is what I want. He sits opposite me and he indicates for me to sit, but I go around the table and I sit next to him.

"What is wrong?" I ask as I reach for my plate of food and drink.

"She thinks I am going to break your heart," he replies.

I realise he is speaking about Ariana and I frown. "She is jealous, Anders. Can you not see that? You saw the way she looked at us when she awoke from her Harrowing. She noticed something pass between us," I murmur.

"That is not the point, Marian. Why would I give you this locket if I am going to break your heart? How can I do such a thing?" he asks and he slams his fists onto the table causing everything to rattle around. "Shit," he says as he tries to unclench his fists and I realise he has hurt himself.

"Anders, really, this is not necessary," I murmur as I grab both his hands and I start to heal him. He stares at me in disbelief as my magic envelopes us. I gently massage his hands while I maintain eye contact with him. I notice the relief in his eyes and I slowly pry his fists open.

"Marian, please, it is-" he whispers and he flinches.

"Give me a moment, Anders," I implore as I allow my magic to flow between us. I continue massaging his hand. "You know you do yourself no favours with your temper. What do you think you are going to achieve?" I ask and he actually laughs.

"Well, you are healing me. What more could I want?" he teases and I shake my head.

"You are unbelievable you know that?"

"Mmm," he murmurs as he leans closer. "If it means getting your undivided attention," he teases.

"So that is what is behind it? But surely you do get my undivided attention most of the time?"

"When you aren't studying, I do so at this moment I am going to advantage of your attention," he teases.

"You should feel better," I say as I give his hands a squeeze. "And all I need is a thank you kiss from you."

He looks at me with dancing brown eyes and he smiles at me. "If we were somewhere else, I would," he teases.

"Then perhaps we should finish eating and go to that place called somewhere else," I suggest.

"That really does sound promising," he says as he grabs a plate and he piles it with food. "I must eat first," he informs me and I carry on eating smiling to myself.