First of all, thanks to all my wonderful reviewers: HyperPenguin, DarkChubb and Amondra! Your reviews made my day! :D

Warning: Smut and smexy scene right after the chapter title! :D

Bioware owns! :D

Chapter 25 - The Tome of Koslun, Part 1

They stumbled into the room, kissing each other as they went, hands fumbling madly to get at buckles and belts, their heavy breathing interrupted occasionally by gasps and moans. Faith hit the bed pulling him to her, her fingers entwining themselves in his soft blonde hair. His tie flew out and landed somewhere on the floor. Anders pulled her tunic upwards, his hand trailing along her thighs, then her waist, making his way slowly to one of her breasts. Faith moaned, and his lips captured hers hungrily. Their tongues met and danced; their breathing got heavier.

Anders sat up and pulled her to him, his hands now working at the ties behind her back that held her breast band in place, while he trailed kisses along her right cheek. "Maker," he said in a strangled voice as her hand found his erection and massaged it over his smalls. His hands were still fumbling. "Andraste's flaming knickers!" He managed to pant out, frustrated at how difficult it was to get the laces. "Why are you wearing this breast band?"

Faith giggled into his ear as he leaned back to kiss her, and pulled the breast band down; then tugged at it roughly. A ripping sound was heard and Anders smiled into her mouth. "Mmm," he said as his hands now helped her tear it off. "if I had known I could do this, I would have done this ear-"

She cut him off with a hungry kiss. Her breasts were now free of their confinement, and Anders massaged them gently, before bending down and capturing one of her nipples in his mouth. Faith arched her back and gasped.

He lay her back on the bed and concentrated on licking and suckling each nipple thoroughly, as she arched her back, thrusting her hips at him. He held her down, and quickly moved his head down to her naval, kissing and licking along the way. When he reached her dark curls, she spread her legs open even further eagerly. Anders chuckled as he pressed his nose and mouth into her folds. Her scent surrounded him - the lust he felt was overpowering. He licked around her nub, while one of his fingers slid into her wet opening.

Faith was now screaming his name. Anders focused and reached into the Veil calling forth magic to heighten her pleasure. The soft electricity sparks made her come almost instantly. He lapped up her juices.

"Maker's breath, Faith! You. Taste. So. Good," he managed to say as he positioned himself above her, leaning forward to kiss her hungrily. She hummed into his mouth, tasting herself on him, while she dug her nails into his back. Her legs shot up and wrapped themselves around his waist.

"Please," she whispered, "please..."

He gave a growl and pushed inside her. Her hot tightness enveloped him and he had to stop all movement to keep himself from coming. He leaned forward, his head dipping down to the curve of her neck, as he bit and licked and kissed.

"Please," she whispered again. He kissed her to silence her cry as he pushed again, sheathing himself completely inside her.

He started to move, slowly at first, his breath coming in short gasps as he thrust in and out. She matched his movement immediately. Anders let out a groan. "Love - I can't -" But she had already reached her climax, her inner walls clenching his erection tightly. Anders let himself go with a cry as he thrust in deeply, his seed spurting into her with each thrust, collapsing on her when he was done.

They were both covered in sweat and breathing heavily. "I don't want us to get separated..." he whispered, "move with me, please." He pulled her to him as he turned on his side slowly, his penis still inside her - one of his hands at the nape of her neck, and the other on the small of her back. She sighed into his chest, and he kissed her gently.

"I love you," she whispered. Anders gave her a sidelong smile as he kissed her again.

"I love you more," he whispered back, his eyes half-closed as he stroked her hair and massaged her scalp. Their breathing gradually got back to normal. When they dozed off in each other's arms, they both had smiles on their faces.

...

Anders woke up a few hours later, shivering. The fire had died down and he carefully disentangled himself from Faith. She mumbled and turned. He quickly brought the sheet and blanket over her, then got out of bed to put some wood in the fireplace and light a fire. Once that was going, he shivered slightly before running back to the bed and covering himself with the sheet and blanket, spooning her.

"Why is it so cold?" Faith muttered sleepily.

"Fire was out. I took care of it," he whispered back, placing a kiss on the nape of her neck.

Faith sighed. After a few minutes of silence, she said, "That was amazing. I was such a fool to break up with you..."

"Ah. So it's the sex. I knew it," Anders quipped.

Faith giggled. "You know it is."

"You evil minx," Anders chuckled as his fingers played with her nipple.

"I'm hungry. Are you hungry?"

"Uh, oh. That means, 'Anders, please go to the kitchen and check the larder for leftovers.'"

"You know me so well," Faith purred, rubbing her back against him.

"If you continue doing that, I'll never leave this bed."

She turned around abruptly to face him. "Don't tell me you aren't hungry. Whatever happened to the famous Grey Warden appetite?" She teased, batting her eyes up at him.

He laughed. "Point taken. Anything in particular you want to eat?"

"I can think of something, but that would require you staying right here," Faith said, grinning wickedly.

He burst out laughing. "Oh, make no mistake," he said once he managed to speak, "you'll get a lot of that too, once we've eaten some food."

He gave her a quick kiss and got up, putting on his tunic, breeches and socks. "The things I have to do for the woman I love," he sighed in mock disappointment.

"Oh, could you check and see if there are any missives on the desk in the main hall too, darling?"

"Anything else, my lady?"

Faith giggled. "No, that will be all for now, Ser mage."

"I'll 'Ser mage' you when I get back," he retorted as he left the room.

...

"Oh," Faith said in a disappointed tone as she read one of the missives Anders had retrieved for her.

"What?" Anders said through a mouthful of bread, ham and cheese.

"I got a bloody missive from the Viscount," Faith said rather unhappily.

"Judging by the look on your face, he's either invited you to a ball, or asked you to do something for him." He finished off his third sandwich and happily prepared a fourth.

Faith stared at him, momentarily distracted by his unending hunger. "I wish I could eat as much as you, and not gain weight," she sighed.

"Trust me, you don't. It's very annoying when you don't have much to eat on most days," Anders responded, taking a large bite off the sandwich he'd just finished making. "So, what is it this time? A lovely ball with a room full of obnoxious nobles, I hope?"

"I'm not that lucky," Faith frowned. "It's his son, Seamus..." her voice trailed off.

Anders shook his head. "It's amazing how the Viscount wants you to do his job for him all the time. What's happened to his son this time? Last time he nearly eloped with a Qunari, if I recall correctly."

Faith giggled at his last comment, but her face grew serious again as she handed him the missive so that he could read it himself.

"Charming. No details? Just 'come to the keep. I need your help regarding my son?' Sounds fishy to me. Maybe he wants you to marry him or something," he grimaced.

"Jealous of Seamus? Really, Anders? He's just a boy!" Faith smiled.

"Love is terrible for a boy that age. Trust me. I should know."

"You told me you'd never fallen in love before. What an accomplished liar you are," she teased.

"True. But that doesn't mean I haven't had a crush on someone in the past. Alas, I kept getting away from the Circle, running towards freedom," Anders finished off his sandwich and drank some water.

"We'll go tomorrow." She glanced up to the only window of the room. It was still dark outside. "Well, we can still manage to catch some sleep. It isn't even dawn yet."

He smiled, moving closer to her. "Sleep? What's that?"

But Faith could not respond even if she wanted to, because Anders had caught her mouth hungrily in his own, his passionate kisses and caresses transporting her to the Golden City itself.

...

They slept until the afternoon, smiling at each other when they woke up. Anders stretched. "I wonder if we can have something to eat before we leave..." he said as he headed towards the bathroom.

Faith smiled as she watched him, her eyes trailing down to his buttocks. He closed the door behind him and she stretched then got up and put on her robe. Unlocking the door, she padded downstairs, where she petted Paws and asked Bodahn if there was anything edible in the house. Bodahn nodded, all smiles and asked her if they would be eating in the dining room. Faith nodded, smiling back at him. She turned to greet Orana, who smiled back, bowing slightly before she left for the kitchen.

Faith joined Anders in the tub when she returned. They bathed, and she resisted the urge to lure him to bed again, firmly swatting away his warm hands. "We have to get dressed and head to the keep, my love. No sex until we return.

Anders sighed heavily, his eyes twinkling all the while. They were dressed and eating ten minutes later. Varric and Isabela walked into the room. Varric was grumbling something about being robbed by a Rivaini pirate, and Isabela was looking pleased.

"You're just in time. We're about to go visit the Viscount," Faith announced as she stood up.

"Let me guess," Varric supplied. "He wants you to do his job again."

...

"It's my son, Seamus," the Viscount was speaking, almost mournfully. Faith resisted the impulse to yawn in his face. She hadn't gotten any sleep at all last night, thanks to Anders's Grey Warden stamina. The Viscount, however, seemed oblivious to the effect his words were having on her. "I remember how you helped him years ago, when he left with that Qunari. The life you saved is now squandered again. Seamus has left to join the Qunari."

Faith perked up at this. "He's joined the Qun?"

"Yes, Serah Hawke. I cannot let him do this. Can you imagine what people would say if they found out? Not to mention the people who oppose me! They would use this to their advantage."

Faith bit back a sigh of annoyance. "He is of age. I think he should be allowed to do what he wants, Your Excellency."

"I do understand his point of view. Truly I do!" The Viscount exclaimed. Faith doubted this was the case. "But I need you to convince him to return. You have a way with him, Serah. He would listen to you. I cannot let this be a reason for people to depose me. Please, Serah!"

"Here we go again," Anders whispered in her ear. Faith shot out an arm, hitting his chest. Anders let out a muffled groan and was silent.

The Viscount looked blandly in his direction and turned his hopeful gaze towards Faith. She sighed.

"I'll see what I can do," she mumbled.

She bowed her head slightly as the Viscount thanked her. Then, she turned to leave, glancing at Anders who was trying hard not to grin. Shaking her head, she walked out of the room, the rest following her closely.

...

"Really, Anders! You can be annoying," Faith said as they made their way to the Docks.

"I know you love it, darling." Anders responded, moving closer to her. One of his arms went around her waist.

"She does love it," Isabela said. "Well, sorry to be a party pooper, but I'm afraid I can't go with you to see the arishok. I've other things to do right now."

Faith stopped dead in her tracks and turned to face Isabela, her eyes narrowed.

"Why is it that every time we go to the Qunari compound, you happen to 'have things to do', Isabela?"

"What? Don't be ridiculous!" Isabela replied quickly, her eyes wide with surprise. "I really have something to do! It's the relic. I found a lead, and I'm going to follow up on it to see if it's genuine!"

Faith sighed. "All right then. I'll let you know with Varric if anything happens."

"You can count on me, Hawke," Varric said smoothly.

Isabela frowned at Varric and stuck out her tongue at him, then disappeared.

They continued their walk, cutting through one of the less traveled alleyways. It was there that they were ambushed.

"Fantastic. I was wondering when someone would try to kill me again," Faith quipped.

...

The arishok looked grimmer than usual. Considering that he always looked terribly frightening, his present look sent off alarm bells for Faith.

"We're here about the Viscount's son," she said in a clear voice.

"Are you?" The Arishok merely said, then shook his head slowly, his frown getting worse by the minute. "In four years I have made no threat, and fanatics have lined up to hate us, simply because we exist. But despite all the lies and fear, bas still beg me to let them come to the Qun. They hunger for purpose. The son has made a choice. You will not deny him that."

"So, you're converting the viscount's son now? His opposition will have a field day," Faith deadpanned.

"And?" The Arishok asked. Clearly he didn't care much about politics. Truth be told, neither did Faith.

"The enemy of your enemy should be your friend?" Faith said raising an eyebrow.

"I don't fear the whole of them together, and it is not my role to reject the free choice of viddathari. The son responded to his own demand of the Qun. He is neither my slave or my prisoner," the Arishok stated, pausing for a few seconds. "He is not even here."

Faith's jaw dropped. The Arishok nodded. "He went to his father," he added. "Ask the Viscount why he would send you and a letter both."

"That probably could have been mentioned earlier." The annoyance in Faith's voice matched the look of anger that flashed momentarily in her eyes.

"They are meeting at the chantry. A last, pointless appeal, I assume." The Arishok sighed.

"The Viscount would involve the Chantry?" Anders mused.

"No. But we know who would." Faith said, struggling to keep her anger in check. "Mother Petrice."

The Arishok nodded. "A suspect in many things. "If she has threatened someone under my command again, there is only one response."

Faith took a deep breath, realizing things would get very ugly if that happened. "I'm sure there's a reasonable explanation. I just can't think of it right now," she quipped, trying to keep her tone light.

But the Arishok would have none of that. "Her intent is obvious, and what the Qun demands is clear," he practically growled. "This is the last insult I intend to suffer. Resolve this, Hawke, or her hiding place will be reduced to rubble. I will be watching, Hawke."

They turned and left silently walking up the stairs that led to Lowtown. "This is bad," Varric muttered.

"And the sun is already setting. Just what we need: A nighttime romp in the Chantry," Anders added.

...