Chapter 25: Twenty-Five Lines in a Letter

Things in Starkhaven had been improving. Though it was slow and gradual, the changes were noticeable even from day to day. As spring drew to an end, summer blossomed. The Starkhaven hills bloomed with wild, white Andraste's Grace until most of the hill was covered in speckles of white and green.

I had decided that it was high time to introduce Evelyn as my betrothed. She would be Princess of Starkhaven and she would rule beside me. That's when problems arose. I had underestimated Goran's influence. No matter how much good Evelyn had done the nation, she was still a mage. Most of the nobles had simply refused to accept and support her because it encouraged the breeding of magic within noble families. This was something they found unacceptable.

I had, of course, raised the point that Goran had been more than willing to overlook that issue but they deflected by saying that Goran had never announced his engagement to The Champion and had told the court that The Champion was not particularly impressive. And though many of those nobles that were truly noble to me stood firm in support, they were not the majority. I could not marry Evelyn without risking being overthrown.

Through all this, Evelyn had no complaints. She told me, "Does it matter whether we are wed? We belong together. The nobles won't begrudge you a lover."

That had me steaming at the ears, how could she say that? I had been rough with her. I shook her and told her, "Without you, there is no Starkhaven today. Those nobles sit on their haunches and criticize you! How could you let them do that? How could you say 'does it matter whether we are wed'? It matters and you know it. I will have you, Evelyn Hawke. I will have every part of you."

Frustrated by my inability to see reason, she told me vehemently, "You have every part of me! Every part of me is yours and you know that but this is about the lives of countless citizens! How could I outweigh all of them?"

I vented out my aggravation upon her, "There is no 'them' without you. And I will have you recognized for your efforts."

She had rolled her eyes at me, "So this isn't about you having every part of me. It's that you want me recognized for the things I've done. I appreciate that but it isn't necessary. Would you really shake the worlds of countless citizens all for me?"

I had grabbed her with rough hands, kissed her until her lips were bruised before telling her, "Yes. I will fight everyday until your name is Evelyn Hawke Vael. I will fight with those blasted nobles until they understand."

"I am not worth that."

Hearing that made me feel so conflicted. She was a giving woman. Too giving. She would sacrifice herself, her well-being for Starkhaven and I felt so appreciative of that fact but I also felt angry at her. Why didn't she fight for us the way I was trying to?

A few nights after that came another day of useless arguing with the nobles. They had insisted that they had the utmost respect for Evelyn but did not feel she had the right to be Princess. They had "no issues with The Champion being a Counsellor for she is evidently an incredibly intelligent woman and an asset to Starkhaven but she is still a mage and as such, she has no right to be Princess."

Evelyn was already in our bedroom, clothed only in a silk robe that was left undone. She was staring out the window as I stepped into the room.

She asked, "So what happens if I am not Princess?"

I told her with conviction, "I will undo everything Starkhaven has. I will not rest until you are beside me upon the throne."

Her voice was soft, serene but no less impacting, "You do yourself, me and our friends a disservice. What happens if something happens to me? What happens if an accident happens or I die from a disease? Is that what you will do in response? Tear down Starkhaven because I am no longer in the world. You couldn't. You shouldn't. I understand your fighting for me. I have longed for a man who would fight for me as you have. I would never ask you to stop fighting for me but you can never undo the good that's been done for the city. Promise me that you won't."

I had bowed my head in shame and answered thickly, "I promise."

The room was silent for a while and I continued, "I promised you that I would stay faithful to you all the years of our lives. Even if you are by the Maker's side, I will honour that vow."

"For my sake, do not honour that. Should something happen to me, I want you to find happiness. Even if it is with another woman."

I shook my head, though she could not see, "There will never be another but you." Curiosity got the better of me and I could not shake off the feeling of unease, "Why are you saying such things, my love? Are you sick?"

She shook her head, her mane of hair shaking this way and that, "I am not sick. I am perfectly healthy. I simply want you to be happy, no matter what happens."

I had felt relief flow through me and smiling I had sighed out, "You have given me too much for me to never have joy. Family, success in Starkhaven…I will never be without joy but I know I will miss you everyday. I know that I will be much happier with you than without," her countenance did not change and there was something not quite right and so I asked, "do you regret being with me?"

Evelyn turned in a flash and with almost hurt eyes, she had cried out, "No! How could you ask that? You have given me love and meaning in my life. How could you say that? I just… I just know how determined you are to fight for me and I don't want it to damage Starkhaven, my love. You have me. I promised myself to you, heart and mind and soul. Always and forever."

I held her body against me, sliding my hands into her open robes to linger upon her skin. I smiled into her hair and whispered, "I love you."

She slipped the robes off her shoulders and smiled with teasing eyes, "As I love you but tonight, you have my body as well. Now strip."

I had laughed with enthusiasm feeling aroused by her eagerness to have me. I bowed, "As my lady commands," before hastily tearing at my clothes. She didn't even give me time to undo my breeches. Pushing me towards the walls, her lips fused with mine and her hands dragged down my form. With her legs, she climbed sensually up my body, wrapping them around my waist. My hands slid to her buttocks and squeezed the soft but well-muscled flesh. Carrying her, I threw us upon the bed and immediately, she rolled over on top.

Her eyes were so full of love, so full that my heart ached. Her fingers became slow as she pushed my arms above my head. She whispered, "Let me love you. Let me show you how much…"

Fingers traced down my body, a knee nudged my legs apart and then a pair of lips mouthed against my growing erection. She nuzzled and with her teeth, pulled the laces of my breeches free. Her hands reached to pull my breeches down and assisting her, I lifted my hips as the material slid down my legs. Her fingers played with the line of hair below my belly button and she told me, "I love this dusting of hair… it's like a trail, a map towards the perfect prize."

Though I was free, my member strained against itself, jerking of its own accord. Seeing my reaction, she smiled and licked her lips, prepared for a delectable feast. Her fingers drew patterns along my erection, her hands cupped me. Hot breath curled around my flesh and I felt the air hiss out from me. Then her tongue flicked over me, then her mouth covered me and I had no power left in my body to drag her up. Everything paused for a moment and then she suckled, her tongue swirling all over the tip.

I groaned. Growled as pleasured burst though me. Our eyes locked and something so intense lit them on fire. It burned me like a drug. Pleasure. Lust. Love. I couldn't imagine a woman more beautiful than she, more sensual than she, more addictive… Desire raced through me, fire shot up my spine. I could feel a wild storm brewing within me and it was deafening.

She drew me in deeper into her, her mouth was hot, tight and so incredible. She kept her mouth tight and sucked me unhurriedly, my flesh being dragged into her mouth one slow inch at a time. With a little pressure, I thrust into her moist cavern, my fingers deep in her hair. She drove me wild.

Such a carnal act to indulge in. So sinful. Yet with Evelyn there between my legs, I could not argue nor protest. I only wanted more. My breath came out harsh. It was ragged and I felt out of breath.

I was at the edge of sanity. I had begged her, "More…" and she had responded, sliding her hands beneath my body to push my hips up. Knowing what she wanted, I plunged in and out, taking forbidden pleasures from her. She pushed me past any control I had and I exploded into her mouth.

Even still, her lips never left me, working my weakened flesh in and out of her mouth until I stiffened. She hummed around me, her eyes sparkling with lust. My voice was thickened with brogue as I commanded, "I want more, you little minx."

"As my Prince commands…" her voice was dipped lower, sliding over my skin like silken wildfire. She crawled up to me, her body deliberately dragging against mine. I rolled upon her and entered her in one sure stroke.

She clung to me. Every movement of hips made it too much for me to even breathe, much less think. Everything was too much, too intense. All I could remember was her fevered kisses, wanting to hold her ever closer and needing to hear her feline, throaty moans for more. It was a wild flurry of movement and mindless sensation. It was savage, demanding, and brutal and she craved for my possession.

Hurry, was all I could think of, hurry, hurry, hurry and more, more, more. And when finally, I could take no more, it was as though a volcano had erupted within me and I spilled until I had nothing left to give.

I should have noticed how she loved me that night but I had been too lost in her. She had been too desperate, too frantic, too frenzied… it was unlike her but I thought I had tomorrow. I thought we would have time for me to make sure she was happy.

When I woke the next morning, the bed was cold and empty. Her closet doors were flung wide open and all her clothes were gone. Even my closet doors were open. With shaking hands, I found a found a folded letter upon her pillow, printed with her lip stain.

"Sebastian,

I could never ask for a better man, a better lover or even a better husband. If we had the chance, I know that you would have given me an incredible family. It would have been one of our own with laughing, troublesome children. I can hear the noises in my mind already.

I also want you to know that I love you very much and leaving was the hardest thing I have ever had to do. Leaving you, even the thought as I watch you sleeping breaks my heart. However, I cannot allow you to be pulled apart between duty and love. Starkhaven has too many people. I cannot demand its falling apart only for me. No matter what, I am but one woman.

I hope that you'll remember what you promised me. You will find happiness even when I am gone. I also hope that you'll break your vow. Find another woman and be happy with her. I could never begrudge you that. So, I ask that you stop fighting for me.

I have gone for Orlais and I doubt that you will ever find me there. It is too large, too vast. So please, let me go. Don't even try to look for me. Be happy. Know this though – I love you and you will always have me, mind, soul and heart.

Yours Forevermore,

Evelyn"

I should have taken more care to notice her words when she said I could have her body… they were meant only for the night. In any case, she was a fool for believing that I would allow her to run from me. It would not matter whether she hid in Orlais or any other country. I lived for her, breathed for her and as sure as the sun would rise every morning, I would fight for her.

A/N: This is the end of Blessed With a Woman. There's a sequel coming up. Let me know what you think and please R&R!

Love,
Ann