Subjugation

The clinic was filled with people bearing injuries of all types and severity. In fact all of Darktown was filled with people as a hostile takeover raged above. Anders was weary even as he busily tended to the wounded. Earlier he had gone with Mira to meet Aveline before requesting the Arishok to give up the fugitive elves currently under his protection. Anders had a feeling something would go wrong from the moment Mira had mentioned the assignment to him. He was angry with Aveline for putting his Mira in such danger. Then again, Aveline had no one else to turn to and he had himself turned to Mira when he knew he shouldn't. In the back of his mind, Justice argued that Mira would have placed herself in that situation anyway – that she would do anything in order to protect them all. It was small comfort, but it did relieve him of some of his momentary guilt.

When they had reached the Qunari compound, Aveline insisted on bringing some of her guardsmen in place of Anders and Varric. Leaving that compound and seeing Mira go through those gates was the hardest thing he had ever done. Ever since Mari had become Mira, he had watched over her and accompanied her everywhere. Protected her fiercely and shielded her as best he could. His Mira, who had stayed faithful to her vow to Fenris and not killed a living person with her magic – if the Arishok attacked her, would she defend herself? Anders shuddered at the thought, not entirely sure he wanted to be reminded of the answer that revolted in back of his mind. And now the Qunari had begun an assault on Kirkwall and he had heard nothing of Mira. He found himself constantly looking towards the door, despite the patients surrounding him. At that moment he was half convinced that it was Justice taking care of the injured while Anders was merely focusing on every person coming through that door.

An hour had seemed like days before a familiar face appeared at the door, but not the one he had been hoping to see.

"Mage!" a determined voice called through the door.

Not the wisest thing to do considering Anders was an apostate, but at the moment it hardly mattered. Anders turned towards Fenris and looked at him, trying to decipher anything from the elf's expression, but in vain. Fenris looked as calm as he always did. Most of the time it seemed like he was either angry or didn't care about anything at all. Only Mira could manage to make a rare smile form on his lips – though this had also become rarer still after Fenris discovered that Mari had contacted Danarius. Anders had a feeling that there were still things unsaid between the two, but in many ways he preferred it so. Whatever Mira's feelings were, Anders knew - that at one point at least – the elf had cared for her. He would never presume to tell her who she could be friends with, but he most certainly didn't want her to be near someone who might love her and loathe him. And that stupid vow between Mira and Fenris that had almost seen her killed on more than one occasion was driving Anders mad. If Mira was up there dead it would be Fenris' fault, and Anders would shatter Fenris into a million pieces and send the remains to Danarius. Justice was roaring inside him as small traces of vengeance went through him. "Not now," he reminded himself and he kept calm. Anders walked towards Fenris, his patients suddenly invisible to him. This was why Justice thought Mira a distraction. When she was in peril Anders ignored even his own compassion.

"It looks like our friends from Par Vollen decided to expand their numbers. I was making my way to the docks to find Mira and Aveline, but going alone would be suicide," Fenris explained calmly, though Anders recognized the resentment the elf tried to hide. He after all, was turning to a mage and no doubt only because he was the one closest to his destination, with Isabella gone and Lowtown under Qunari control. Normally Anders would not have hesitated to come back with some snide remark, but at that moment even his resentment for the elf mattered little. So responding merely with a nod, Anders took his staff and they hurried through Darktown towards the docks. Hopefully Mira would still be there.

Debris lay everywhere, as the Qunari had not only attacked guardsmen and others who would oppose them, but even barrels and crates in their path were thrashed to pieces. The streets filled with the Sarabaas' fire, were thankfully emptied of all life. Most of the scattered corpses, Anders was relieved to find, were those of thugs and mercenaries. Only a very few seemed to be civilian. Yet he could not glimpse as much as a bit of black hair among them without his heart stopping in utter terror that it would be Mira's. Fenris' calm did not help Anders at all, as it frustrated him that the elf did not share his worry. Thankfully only a few more minutes passed before he saw a black veil of hair floating in the air as Mira twirled to slam her staff in the ground. She used her staff so rarely, but white arcane energy emerged from it and travelled along the ground, enrapturing a Qunari Sten, giving Aveline the opportunity to strike the killing blow. As the Sten fell to the ground, Mira turned and a relieved smile formed on her lips as she ran towards him. Anders ran towards her as well, and captured her in his arms, lifting her off the ground with a sigh of relief.

"Thank the Maker! I thought they had got you," he exclaimed, slightly tightening his hold on her.

"I feared for you too," Mira breathed as he put her down.

He claimed her lips in a brief but loving kiss, then looked at Aveline who approached them with a grim expression.

"Darktown is flooded with people trying to get away from all this," he continued with a sullen face as he surveyed the broken city.

"No time to waste, then. We have to stop the Arishok, before this goes any further," Mira replied with determination.

"We are heading for the keep to rally my guardsmen and find the best course of action," Aveline clarified.

Merely nodding, the four of them headed through the city currently at war with itself.

Anders had always known that the Qunari were trouble - a hard, unforgiving people who treated mages even worse than the chantry did. Everything they did was meant to uphold the Qun, a religion Anders was no closer to comprehending than the first day he had encountered it. Mira seemed to have a better understanding of it, which was why she had earned the Arishok's respect – not that it mattered, taking the current development into consideration. All over the city, they fought Qunari and desperate elves who had joined their ranks.

The houses on fire, the debris-filled streets - this seemed like more than just a takeover. Did the Qunari intend to annihilate Kirkwall completely? Purge it of its corruption by destroying everything in sight, not unlike the Chantry's exalted marches? At this moment however, that was not his only problem. Hauntings from his past and present seemed to be lurking around every corner. First the Qunari, then they encountered his former associate in the wardens, Stroud. Anders had kept his distance, and luckily Stroud was far too preoccupied with the current situation to pay attention to him.

Anders hadn't told Mira much about his past in the wardens. For one reason, there were many decisions he was ashamed of, among them how matters had turned out when he had merged with Justice. But there were also so many secrets, so many terrible things related to the costs of becoming a warden. In a way she deserved to know, but a warden was honour bound never to reveal these secrets. And in more ways, Anders would always be a warden. Not merely because of the taint in his blood, but due to his understanding for the necessity of keeping the order alive, to never endanger the future of recruiting. Not for the first time, Anders found himself torn between laws he did not agree with, and the whispers in his heart that were slowly becoming screams.

The screams did not become silent when they met the Knight-Commander as soon as they entered Hightown. The iron lady, with her stern cold eyes piercing him and his companions as effectively as if they had belonged to Mari. Within his chest his heart pounded in fear and rage, as his nostrils flared and his forceful breaths became fog in the chilly air. Around them, Hightown was as ruined as Lowtown, the streets oddly silent and lifeless. Only faint noises of shouts in Qunari echoed through the vacant city. His thoughts drifted to their servants – well, Mira's servants, technically – would they be all right? The sudden impact of Justice' booming in his head directed his attention to a threat much closer to his heart. The Knight-Commander's cold eyes were observing Mira, with an expression he could not read. Instinctively his hand reached for her and pulled Mira close to him, an action that did not evade Meredith. So long had he stayed hidden, but for Mira he did not fear exposure – not even before the Knight-Commander.

"I know you. The name 'Hawke' has shown up in my reports many times – too many," Meredith claimed, walking towards them.

"I'm glad we found you, Knight-Commander. The Qunari are…" Aveline began, but was interrupted.

"It's obvious what they are doing. They have gathered all the nobles at the keep," Meredith stated, turning away from them.

"Then we need to get to them quickly. Perhaps the Arishok can still be reasoned with," Mira prompted, but her tone suggested that even she had difficulty believing it.

Though the Knight-Commander tried to give them direction, Mira was already heading for the next group of Qunari terrorizing the city. Her determination was her strength, but Anders knew that the greater motivator was guilt. She believed that she was responsible for this and that somehow she could have prevented it. He was feeling frustrated that it seemed like no matter what she tried or where she turned, obstacles would form in her path, ready to place guilt and responsibility on her shoulders – his own situation with Justice, not among the insignificant ones.

Again and again, the thought Qunari, as well as brigands and looters, tried to take advantage of the chaos unfolding throughout the city. All the while, Mira's fire was burning with intense heat and brightness, blocking the path of their enemies, but never harming them. Staying true to her word that her magic would never kill, and Anders again and again cursed Fenris for making her keep that stupid vow. He kept his focus on her, shielding her from danger and healing even the smallest injuries immediately – and for a moment, neglected Fenris, who was nearly knocked out. Anders expected to hear endless nagging about that, but Fenris was watching Mira just as closely as Anders. Worry was reflected in the elf's expression - mirroring his own. Fenris shielded Mira from blows, even though Aveline was much more suited for the task. Here, in the most intense and largest battle they had ever faced, Anders worry for his love only grew. The Arishok would kill her if given the chance – but would Mira break her vow to protect herself? Would she break her vow to protect any of them? Most likely, but the real question was, would her conscience be able to cope? With each approaching enemy, Anders' being filled with fear, and his need to somehow shield her in more ways than one. Though as he watched her fight, it was perhaps hardly necessary. She threw enemies aside as if they were nothing but withered leaves caught in a storm, and made walls of fire. As the intensity of the glow turned almost white, the flash pained Anders' eyes and the heat burned his face. He was sure that the Qunari fared no better. If they survived the deadly blades of both Aveline and Fenris, the burns would leave scars that would never fade – not even with the proper healing.

Reaching the middle of Hightown, Anders looked at the mansion and noted with relief that the door hadn't been breached. Bodahn, Sandal and Orana were safe – and Maker have mercy on the one who faced one of Sandal's runes. The relief was short lived as the Qunari came charging with Sarabasses – their mage slaves – in tow. Inside, Justice cried at the injustice and the betrayal that they would attack a fellow kin, that some of them had willingly agreed to have their mouths sewn shut, accepted the collars and leashes binding their bodies and will. Propaganda - that not even the Chantry's abuses ascended to – focusing fear and hatred towards the mages – the victims – rather than at the demons which caused the many 'crimes'. Justice fell silent, as after the last Qunari had fallen, bodies of the mages – circle mages – were covering the ground. They died in an attempt to help a city that persecuted, feared, shunned and imprisoned them.

Mira was already on her knees before an unconscious elf, whom Anders recognized as being first enchanter Orsino – checking his injuries and vitals. She turned her head and gave Anders a pleading look, as her own healing abilities were not strong enough to help the man on the ground. Anders knelt beside her and healed the minor trauma to the elf's head. Within a minute he was conscious, and though beaten and sore – well. Barely on his feet, Orsino grieved over his fallen charges, but was not left to his mourning for long as the Knight-Commander approached. Justice' fire began burning anew, but feeling Mira's hand in his own, his lust for vengeance was calmed by his desire to protect. One emotion often feeding off the other, was calmed only in Mira's presence, whereas Mari would have enraged it further. Distracted by the attempt to calm Justice in the presence of his most hated enemy, Anders nearly missed the heated argument between Meredith and Orsino.

"We need to work together, not argue about who leads while the Qunari slaughter innocents," Mira pointed out in a tone not unlike a mother scolding her bickering children. For so long, and still, words of reason and compassion spoken in Mari's voice amazed him - from time to time still reminding him that the Queen of Horrors had turned into his Goddess of Miracles.

"Then perhaps you should lead us," Orsino suggested, with shamed demeanour.

"She is not even of this city!" Meredith bristled, clearly offended and no doubt unwilling to hand over such influence to a mage – an apostate no less.

"Neither am I, but I don't hear you objecting to either of us fighting to defend our home!" Orsino retorted, and Anders expected them to resume their infighting at any given moment – completely ignoring the threat to them all. Even Justice was offended by their lack of priority.

"As you wish. What do you suggest?" Meredith simply questioned, and looked to Mira.

"We need to get inside the keep, without taking needless risks to ourselves or to others. A distraction will be needed," Mira replied, with a nod to Aveline.

"I don't see any of my men," Aveline despaired, and Mira gave a short comforting stroke down the captain's arm.

"And you shall have one," Orsino smiled fondly at Mira as Aveline lead the way to the keep.

Anders did not miss the displeasure on the Knight-commander's face and despite it being unwise, he gave her a satisfied smirk as he passed. It quickly faded as he met Fenris' worried eyes for a moment, both of them knowing that inside, the Arishok would be waiting – expecting them.

Entering the keep had been more exciting than Anders would have hoped for, but he knew it was nothing compared to the challenges that lay ahead. Orsino and Meredith had distracted the troops outside, making it possible to fight through the keep. Mira's fire was burning intensely, even as she tore open the door to the throne room. Mari's fury was still strong within her and though it was usually tempered by Mira's compassion, at that moment she looked as deadly and threatening as ever. Months ago, this would have terrified them. They would have believed her reverted to her former self and already looking for the corpses to be piling up. The throne room full of nobles – and the Qunari watching them as if they carried disease – would have provided all the power that Mari craved. Half of them would have died to fuel her rituals and bloodmagic, as the rest would have been threatened into submission – another endless source of power. Mira was different, as she marked only the Arishok and faintly in her eyes was a shadow of pain and disappointment. The Arishok turned and as he threw the decapitated head of the viscount across the room, Mira's fire was set ablaze.

"Here is your Viscount!"

A nobleman stepped forward.

"How dare you?! You are starting a war!" the man objected without noticing the Qunari walking up behind him.

Looking at the Arishok, the Qunari twisted the nobleman's neck, killing him. Mira all but jumped forward, barely concealing her anger and definitely making no effort to hide her powers. Carefully, Anders placed a hand on her shoulder, stroked her lovingly with his thumb, and her fire retracted.

"Look at you. Like fat dathrasi you feed and feed and complain only when your meal is interrupted. You do not look up. You do not see that the grass is bare. All you leave in your wake is misery. You are blind. I will make you see!" the Arishok swore with angry determination.

He then turned to Mira and her companions as they stepped forward.

"But we have guests. Shanedan Hawke. I expected you. Basa lit an! Observe, Bassrah, this is what respect looks like," the Arishok bellowed with pride as he observed the little mage standing before him.

Mira took a deep breath as she slightly bowed her head in respect to the Arishok, to acknowledge the honour the Arishok showed her.

"We can still find a peaceful solution," Mira suggested calmly, her fury well hidden beneath her honest desire to prevent bloodshed.

"Perhaps. What do you suggest, Hawke? Without the tome of Cosland I am denied Par Vollen. How would you suggest this conflict be solved without it?" the Arishok enquired as he looked down on the small mage before him.

"I believe I can answer that," a voice said behind him as the doors were flung open.

They all turned around to see Isabella come through the door with the tome of Cosland – the Qunari relic she had stolen, and the absence of which was the cause of this hostile takeover. Isabella walked up next to Mira with a big smile on her face and handed the book to the Arishok.

"It's mostly undamaged," Isabella advised as he accepted the book, and then turned to Mira.

"It took me awhile to get back with the fighting everywhere," Isabella explained with a pleased expression.

"I thought you were gone for good," Mira replied, unable to hide her astonishment.

"This is your damned influence, Hawke. I was halfway to Ostwick before I knew I had to turn around," Isabella sighed, and Anders couldn't help but feel that the pirate was proud of herself for returning.

The Arishok carefully let his hand caress the book.

"We are now free to return to Par Vollen – with the thief," the Arishok declared, looking at Isabella.

"What?!" Isabella, Mira and Anders exclaimed in unison.

"Oh, no. If anyone kicks her ass, it's me," Aveline interjected.

"What? You thought you could just strand them here for three years and not face any consequences?" Fenris scoffed at Isabella.

"You have your book, Arishok. Let Isabella stay here and face the justice of our laws," Mira tried diplomatically.

"You know we do not suffer thieves, Hawke," he stated in response, the matter clearly not up for debate.

"There has to be another way," Mira implored, but not surrendering the authority she was trying to uphold. Weakness of any kind would not win her any favours with the Arishok.

"Very well. We can duel, with her as the price," the Arishok suggested.

"No! If you want to duel anyone, then duel me!" Isabella insisted with obvious concern for her friend.

"Very well, I'll duel you," Mira replied without hesitation, and Anders felt his heart stop.

Mira's pale complexion turned white, but beyond that she showed nothing of the fear and doubt inside her. Justice was raging at Isabella for having put their love in such a position, and at Fenris for making her take on the vow that would likely get her killed. Anders was fearful as he pulled Mira to him and away from the Arishok, who had turned to choose his weapon.

"Don't do this, love. I'm begging you. Revoke the duel and we can all defend you," Anders pleaded, his heart pounding with dread.

"She can't, mage. She has to do this," Fenris said calmly.

Anders glared at the elf, his fist tightening to a height of pain. The anger did not stop as Fenris walked up next to him and regarded Mira. Aveline put a hand on Mira's shoulder.

"You have to protect yourself. It's the right thing to do," Aveline offered, as if her approval would make it acceptable for Mira to kill.

"You should protect yourself…. by any means necessary," Fenris affirmed seriously as his and Mira's eyes met.

A long silence passed and the doubtful questioning in Mira's eyes was dispelled with a nod, letting Anders feel a small relief. If Mira would allow herself to defend against the Arishok, then maybe she would be all right, though Anders had no doubt that she would take the man's life only as a last resort. The Arishok turned and swung his chosen blade through the air as if testing it, and Anders felt a chill run down his spine. That sword was nearly the size of his love, and the mere thought of what it could do to her made him nauseous and gave him a faint taste of blood in his mouth. As if in a last attempt to prevent her from duelling the Arishok, Anders pulled her to him, almost pushing Aveline and Fenris away in the process. His lips crashed down on hers, heedless that from now on, all the nobles would be aware of their attachment. But what would it matter? Even if Mira survived this, there was no way they could stay in Kirkwall. No matter what her financial position might be, the Knight-Commander would never tolerate two apostates living together among the nobles. Mira's fortune and current position would never be enough to keep them both safe. There was only one alternative…. to run. Justice would have cried for the weakness of leaving behind their fellow mages, but at this moment the fear of losing Mira was greater… more present. Her arms wrapped tightly around his neck as she deepened the kiss, caring as little about the audience as he. She pulled away slightly and his lips instantly felt cold from the absence of hers, but as their eyes met, his attention stayed riveted on her.

"You won't lose me," she promised, sealing it with another kiss.

Anders would have refused to let her go, but Justice' influence forced him. The spirit knew that her duelling the Arishok would be the only way to bring the victims justice. So as Mira distanced herself from him, his heart grew more and more still and as she stood in the middle of the room, his heart was quiet and his breathing halted. Mira met the Arishok's gaze, and as he lifted his weapon, Anders was still unsure if Mira intended to do everything she could to win. He knew she was powerful - more so than Mari if she chose to be – but would she let herself give in to her power and do what was necessary in order to protect herself? Anders had not realised he had moved, until he felt a spiked metal glove on one arm and a gauntlet with a softer hold on the other.

"We can't interfere, Anders," Aveline reminded him gently.

He was momentarily distracted by a protest from Isabella, and saw that Fenris was holding her back as well. Everything in Isabella's demeanour objected to the fact that Hawke was the one taking the risk. Isabella wanted to be in her place. His attention went back to the fight as he heard the Arishok give a war cry. The gigantic humanoid charged towards the mage, his resolve calm, but it did nothing to hide his immense power and determination. Anders felt lightheaded, his ability to breathe momentarily lost. Anders made his eyes close and his head turn away as the Arishok reached her and knocked her backwards into the wall. He forced himself to look again and saw the hesitation in her eyes. The Arishok shook his head as Mira lay on the floor.

"I expected better of you, Basa Lit An," the Arishok said calmly with disappointment.

As Mira got up, her eyes fell on the decapitated head of the Viscount. Pain and regret clouded her eyes at first, but as she lifted her gaze, she looked first at Isabella and then at Anders. As their eyes met, he knew his own expression was filled with worry and fear, but he could do nothing to hide it. Mira smiled suddenly at him, as if meaning to reassure him. The smile faded as fury and determination – even more fierce than the Arishok's – began burning in her eyes. Flames surrounded her hands once more as she got to her feet, the red flame turning white and blinding everyone in the room. A sizzling sound filled the space, and as it built into an explosion, Anders felt pressure on his entire body and had to recoil from the heat. The Arishok uttered something between a cry and a growl, as Anders heard an impact against a hard surface. The light faded and everyone turned to see the Arishok on his knees, leaning against a wall and two meters above him, the stone construction had cracked and crumbled. Mira's hands were still on fire, but not uncontrolled as it had been before. She wore a serene expression as she prowled back and forth, waiting for the Arishok's next attack, while looking at him in a way that could only convey, "Don't make me kill you." Her meaning not lost on the Arishok, he became furious, and with his composure unhinged, he charged at her once again. The audience closed their eyes, expecting the sound of a mighty impact, the woman screaming in pain and a terrifying image to match. Instead they heard a shattering sound as a massive barrier of ice appeared in front of the great leader, who only too late realised it's presence. Lurching head first into the immense block of ice, he fell to the ground and Mira had every opportunity to kill him. But as he had shown her respect and seen no honour in taking the life of one who was defenceless, she allowed him the same courtesy. She did not waste time however, creating as much distance between them as possible. She hid by blending into the shadow of a column, but Anders knew she could not hide for long. When he regained himself, the Arishok stalked between the pillars, knowing all too well that she would hide behind one. As he approached, Mira sent out a telekinetic burst, confusing her opponent for a moment.

"You can still leave," she implored as she sent a burst of electricity through him, but nothing that would truly harm him.

Anders shuddered. She must have known that the Arishok would never relent and that he would never back down now. This conflict could only end with one of them dying, the Arishok would not accept surrender. Anders stared at his beloved and found himself praying to the Maker that another miracle would come from the goddess of his life. The Arishok was ready to engage again and Anders suffered with despair. If Mira did not find the strength to see justice in the leader's death, to separate that hers were nothing like the actions of Mari, then she would die.

"DON'T!" she cried in alarm.

The Arishok merely responded with a snort and charged towards her. Anders felt three pair of hands holding him back, as his glow began while Mira cried in agony. Blood flooded from a wound to her side, possibly fatal, inflicted by the Arishok's heavy sword.

"Let me go!" Anders and Justice demanded in unison, but strong hands restrained them.

A bright light filled the room, and struck by an overpowering pulse, the Arishok was sent flying through the air. The sound of his spine cracking as he hit the stairs echoed through the room. Mira approached the Arishok and pulled out her dagger. She gave him a respectful bow before kneeling in front of him. Gently she placed her hand behind the Arishok's neck as he lay there in great pain. Anders saw a little healing magic emanate from her, just enough to dull the pain. In Qunari, she spoke before quickly taking his life with the dagger.

"You die with honour and by the will of the Qun," Fenris translated, and was then first to release his hold on Anders, who was at Mira's side in less than a second.

"Where does it hurt, love?" he asked with great concern as he began healing her, not caring if anyone saw.

"I didn't break my promise. My magic didn't kill him," she whispered, hiding her pain beneath a soft smile.

Anders couldn't help but smile and pulled her to him with a bruising kiss, all the while letting his magic sink into her as he held her sides.

The two lovers were laughing as they went through the door. After the incident at the keep, they had gone straight to the mansion to see if the servants were safe. They were, but the same could not be said for three large Qunari whom Sandal had managed to blow to pieces. Though Anders had wanted Mira to rest because of her wounds, Varric, the Knight-Commander and the Grand Cleric desired the company of their new champion that night. Mira Hawke was now the legendary Champion of Kirkwall, a protector of all. How different she was from the person who had made the whole city tremble in fear by the mere whisper of her name. People already assumed that all the terrifying stories Varric had told about her had been nothing but fiction to ensure young Hawke's privacy, and those who knew better were confused and if possible, even more cautious around her now – not knowing if she was friend or foe. After Mira had been introduced to the Grand Cleric as the Champion of the city, Varric dragged her and Anders to the Hanged Man and it was now almost morning.

"Ssssshhhhhh!" Anders hissed with a smile as his love almost knocked over one of the ornaments in the entry hall, which only made young woman laugh.

When she almost did it again, Anders lifted her into his arms and began carrying her towards the bedroom with Mira practically giggling in his embrace the entire way. Anders loved seeing her so carefree and wished that she would always feel this way. He felt his heart stirring slightly at the faint whisper in the back of his mind, "She probably wishes the same for you." Finally in the bedroom, he set her down on the bed and went to the desk in the corner to remove his clothing. He smiled when he removed his coat and felt Mira's arms wrap around his waist and her head resting on his back. He lifted one of her hands to his lips and kissed it before turning in her arms and claiming her lips in a soft kiss. When she deepened the kiss, he welcomed it and responded tenderly. He felt her hands caressing his back and he hummed against her lips with the pleasure of it. It was so rare for her to touch him without any hesitation, so he was happily surprised when her hands went under his shirt and continued stroking him. A sigh escaped him as her hands moved from his back to his chest and he attempted to conceal his delight when she began tugging at his shirt to get it over his head. The recollection of the last time she had behaved like this tormented his mind and he studied her, questioning in his mind what she had to drink, how much, and if Isabella had in any way been near it. But besides the sweet taste of white wine on her lips, there was no sign of intoxication. On the other hand, her lips smiled sweetly while her eyes were sultry with a faint hint of desire – so faint in fact, he couldn't be sure it wasn't just his imagination. With the shirt gone, her hands and lips began exploring his chest, her nails and tongue teasing his skin, while he did nothing but let his hands stroke up and down her sides and inwardly, silently, begged her not to stop. She took a step back and began to open her corset and remove her tunic, all the while looking sweetly and coyly at him. Anders swallowed as the clothing fell to the ground and his breath hitched when she began to loosen her trousers as well.

"Maker…" he uttered softly when his love stood completely uncovered before him.

Mira giggled and beckoned him with a finger and a playful smile on her face. In that instant all his hesitation was forgotten and her fears seemed to never have existed. He smirked and ran towards her as Mira bounced onto the bed with a small squeal. He jumped after her and nearly tackled her as his lips met hers in a bruising kiss. So much pain and suffering had befallen them both, that this now could be something joyous and carefree was more than he could have hoped for. In the depths of his mind, Justice pondered what had provoked this change in her, but Anders would not dwell on it now – he could not. He moaned softly against her lips, then moved down to taste the skin on her neck, and he shuddered as her hands undid the laces of his trousers. When he reached her collarbone, she gave a small gasp and her hands stilled. The sound was sweeter than anything he had ever heard. So long he had ached for her – so long he had been haunted by nightmares of how he would be with Mari, but this was heavenly. No sounds of pain now, or memories that haunted her – only soft sounds of pleasure filled the room, creating their own magic to erase everything terrible that had ever been. He felt her hands on his chest pushing him to sit up and he suddenly feared that she had changed her mind. His worries were swiftly quelled when he saw the depth of desire in her eyes. Those eyes that had once been cold and unforgiving, were now warm and loving. Her fingers grabbed his trousers by the waistline and carefully pushed them off him. All the while, a shy smile played on her lips as she uncovered him, not fully daring to look. She closed her eyes with a nervous giggle before she leaned to his lips. Giving in to the sweet sensation of her lips pressed against his, he was entranced to feel her hand softly stroking his inner thigh before embracing his growing desire for her. Sensing her uncertainty, he explored her body with care, unable to stop himself from breathing small moans as his hands felt the softness of her breasts and curves. As kisses and caresses intensified, he feared she was becoming more unsure, so with patient affection he pulled away and leaned his forehead on hers.

"Are you sure?" he asked gently.

"Yes. We deserve this. We deserve to be happy," she answered, and he could hear the soft smile in her voice.

The endearment of 'we' filled his heart. They had each kept their true desires and all they wished for at a distance for so long, both because they had convinced themselves that they were undeserving, but in each other's eyes, nothing could be further from the truth. In her eyes he was not a monster, but a healer and a protector of his people. In his eyes she was not the vicious killer she had once been, but a kind and generous woman who was a protector of all. In his eyes she had become the symbol of everything good that mages had to offer to the world. In her eyes he had become the embodiment of everything mages should be. They were both sinner and saint – part demon and part something celestial and pure. Complex beings of right and wrong - of mercy and vengeance. The Queen of Horrors, who had become the Goddess of Miracles, together with the Abomination, who was capable of great mercy and compassion. Their world would always be a whirlpool of both light and dark – some hidden in their past and others a future that could not be avoided, as the choices that created them had already been made. But despite the darkness, they did deserve reward for the light they brought with them. So they had become each other's reward and punishment. A bittersweet love that would last a lifetime, no matter how short it might be.

"I love you," he whispered, looking into her eyes with soft affection.

"I love you, too," she replied tenderly, the playfulness momentarily set aside as emotions far stronger emerged.

Anders leaned back to rest on his knees and gently invited Mira into his arms. She straddled his legs and as their bodies became one, he embraced her tightly and kissed her deeply. Panting breaths, gasps and moans softly echoed along the walls of the room, as they finally reached the absolution from all they had suffered. Everything would somehow be right as long as they had each other, and not past, present nor future would taint this between them. Death and tragedy would inevitably become part of their destinies, but never with the cruelty and malice that had once filled their lives.

Author's note: Sorry for the long time between updates, life has been busy for me. This is going to be the last chapter in a while since I'm going to work on my own book. I have more in store for this story though and I hope to return to it soon. Thanks for all the support, it has meant a great deal to me.

Thanks to Flint and Feather for all her support and guidance.