"What are you getting at?" Lea eyed the woman with suspicion, but she merely smiled under her gaze.
I offered you a choice before. She tilted her head, still smiling. Let me clarify.
The world faded away and was replaced by a memory.
The chantry walls stood tall around them now; their candles lit the grand cathedral like no other place. Incense filled the air and even here she could make out the distinct smells of lavender and myrrh.
The only thing missing was the people.
There were no worshippers praying in the pews, no mothers walking the halls, no brothers reciting the chant, only two people stood at the very front of the room and suddenly Hawke remembered all too well what memory it was.
"Get out of my head," Lea growled through clenched teeth, staring at the silent scene, watching and remembering.
He didn't help you that day. She was at her ear in a heartbeat, whispering the words in a low seductive tone. Have you not ever wondered why? Why he left you to find her alone?
The chantry faded and the scene changed once more, this time it was her house from the fade-world. The front path was lined with rose petals, candles lit the door way… it was the night Damien had proposed to her.
Do you not want this happy life with the man you love? She felt the grief and sorrow settle in her gut but she couldn't look away from the scene. One word and all of this can be yours.
Never again do you have to worry about anyone but him. No one to bother you with their menial tasks or challenges, no one hunting you, trying to kill you, just the two of you with the time to enjoy one another. The woman licked her lips. Doesn't that sound appealing?
Lea could feel her body shaking.
It did sound appealing. For the last three years, she has been doing nothing but surviving while watching all of her loved ones slowly taken away. First her father, then Carver… She would have completely lost Beth too had the Grey Wardens not been in the deep roads that day. People were always coming to her with their problems. Hawke can you do this? Hawke can you help me with that?
Perhaps it was time to give all that up for a chance at a quiet, simple life. Maybe Damien was right, other people's problems aren't hers, no matter who they are.
Thoughts began to fill her mind, memories, ones she was aware were fake but they played before her eyes as if they were real regardless.
You could have it. You could have this life, the one you've dreamed of. The woman smiled. Just say the word. A stabbing pain lanced through her head and Lea brought her hands up to stifle it, wincing.
"Leave me alone!" She screamed and the scene dropped.
When she opened her eyes again she was in bed, staring at the familiar walls of her fade-world bedroom. She sat up and looked around, half expecting to see Damien sitting in the chair beside her, waiting for her to wake but to her surprise the seat was vacant.
She sighed.
I have to wake up.
Sebastian paced in front of the fireplace as he waited for the preparations to be completed.
Merrill had returned with Keeper Marethari earlier that day and the two had immediately locked themselves in Hawke's bedroom to get everything ready for the ritual. It was the same one they used to get to Feynriel out of the fade only months ago so everyone involved knew what to expect… except Sebastian.
The chantry brother had let her brave that danger on her own as well. The fade is no place for a man of faith, he claimed.
And there he was, preparing to venture forth into that corrupt world but the reason was more than worth it.
He paused and looked up at her bedroom door at the top of the stairs, imagining Lealia lying in her bed, unmoving, barely breathing...
They were running out of time.
There was a knock on the front door causing Sebastian to lose his train of thought. "Aye." The door creaked open as Anders stepped into the foyer.
The mage looked at the archer and Sebastian couldn't help but notice one particular emotion in the man's eyes. Fear. Probably fear for Lealia but fear none the less.
"Are you ready, Vael?" He spoke in an even tone. Sebastian merely nodded in response and turned away. "Good.
"Before we go," Anders continued. Sebastian turned his attention back to him. "The last time I was in the fade…" He paused. "I didn't have control. Justice did."
Sebastian felt his anger flare. Clenching his fists, he fought the urge to strike him.
"And you choose now, mere moments before we are going into that already dangerous place, to tell me this?" Sebastian asked through gritted teeth.
"I can fight it," Anders insisted as he held his even tone. Suddenly the archer closed the distance between them, grabbing him with both hands by the collar and slamming him into the wall.
"You say you can fight it but I see it in your eyes even as we speak," Sebastian seethed, glaring at the mage, daring him to contradict him. A flash of blue told him he was correct. Anders quickly shut them, trying desperately to focus. Taking a deep breath he released a small pulse causing Sebastian to release him and stagger back.
Opening his eyes, he looked at the archer who merely glared at him, silently questioning his decision to enter the fade with the abomination.
"For Lea, I will keep control," he insisted and turned to ascend the stairs, leaving Sebastian to follow.
A/N so earlier Idk what happened the chapter wasn't supposed to be uploaded yet but now here it is! And again I am super excited the next one, looking forward to working with the lovely KoraKendalls! As always R&R constructive criticism is healthy for the writer…. Anyway gotta get to writing the next one ;)