-25-

The Empress spared no expense, setting her up in one of the nicest guest rooms the palace had to offer for the night. Or so the steward claimed as he led Ellana and Blackwall to the room. She couldn't tell what made the room any more opulent or grandiose than the others they had seen that night once they entered it, seemingly possessing similar decorations and furnishings, but she chose not to say anything, instead thanking the man and informing him she required nothing further.

Ellana found herself drawn to the mountain view outside the window, leaning her newly mask-free head up against the glass. She could faintly pick up the music from below, from the party still going on without them.

She should have felt more accomplished than she did. They had stopped Florianne, saved Empress Celene's life without it turning into an all-out massacre. They could even take Florianne back to Skyhold for further questioning, maybe learn more about Corypheus's plans. She had even won over approval from the court despite her supposed inferior heritage and whispers of "knife-ear" she had caught earlier in the evening.

But all she felt was drained, after all the fighting prior to confronting Florianne, after playing that fenedhis Game. She couldn't imagine an entire lifetime of that, of hiding behind a mask.

A gentle brush of fingers against the side of her face brought her back from her thoughts. "Ana?"

She glanced up at Blackwall's questioning face, thankfully no longer obstructed by a mask. She suspected he was as glad to rid himself of it as she was. "Can hear the music from here. It's still nice."

He hummed, still running his ungloved fingers across her skin. "Speaking of…we never did have our dance." He paused. "Unless you're still not up for it?"

She shook her head. "No…I'd like that."

Out on the balcony, she had just wanted a chance to breathe, to rest before having to go back into the hall and be forced to socialize with those who wanted to speak with the mighty Inquisitor who had saved the Orlesian Empire from ruin. But now she was finally removed from it all, in a room to themselves where no one could see or interrupt this moment between them.

He pulled his hand away, then offered it to her palm up like he had on the balcony, body in a slight bow. "May I have this dance, then, my lady?"

Ellana nodded, a faint smile growing on her face.

"Take my hand."

She removed her gloves, sitting them down on the dresser beside her, wanting to feel the roughness of his hand on her skin, not through a layer of glove. Her hand clasped around his, the other rested on his arm while his free hand settled on her waist.

She had practiced the movements with Josephine and Vivienne in the weeks prior, determined she wouldn't give any of the Orlesian nobles the satisfaction of seeing her stumble and fall flat on her face in front of all the court. Just enough to have an idea of what to do. But she was surprised to see how easily Blackwall moved, as fluidly as Vivienne had showed her how.

"I didn't know you danced."

He didn't quite look her in the eye as he replied, the slightest strain in his voice, "I did once, in another life."

And there it was again, the tension whenever he alluded to his past, another vague statement with no further elaboration. Just like when she had asked about the Silverite Wings of Valor. But now was not the time she wanted to press. Nor did she still feel she was in a real position to prod about horrible things that had happened in his past he'd rather forget happened. Not when she felt the same way about what happened with her sister.

She knew the day would come when they'd both feel comfortable talking. For now, she was content with that day coming a bit later, just focusing on the two of them dancing, until they ended up swaying in a mindless rhythm in each other's arms, her head cushioned against the crook of his shoulder as he held her securely against him.