As soon as the door to their room fell shut behind Megan, Dorian turned to face Alec, his moustache quivering with indignation. "Did she really just suggest what I think she did?"

"She may have been joking." Alec found his reaction rather endearing. "Though I'm not really sure."

Dorian shook his head, looking stunned. "Five people sharing a bed? That's a bit much, even for a relaxed moral standard, don't you think?"

Alec nodded dutifully, but if he was honest, his imagination was more than a little tickled by the idea. Turning away to face the wall, he began to take off his clothes, his mind filled with enticing images: he himself, caught up between Megan and Nate; two warm bodies, one soft and curvy, the other hard and strong; Nate's hoarse voice, whispering filthy suggestions in his ear, while Megan moaned under him. And at the same time, an exciting view of Dorian as he worked his magic on Carver's strong, muscular body, sparks dancing over smooth, dark skin, both of them so beautiful, so incredibly hot. Alec hadn't missed Dorian's admiring glances at the younger Hawke, and he really couldn't blame him. Carver was stunning, and imagining him with Dorian did interesting things to Alec.

"A copper for your thoughts?" Dorian, already half undressed, embraced him from behind, holding him tight and breathing a kiss on his neck.

Against his will, Alec blushed fiercely. "Nothing in particular."

"No?" Dorian's hand trailed downward, cupping him through his smalls. "That's a pretty strong reaction for someone thinking about nothing in particular." There was a low, dangerous purr to his voice that inflamed Alec even further. "You're not still... considering the Commander's friendly offer, by any chance?"

"I…" Alec wasn't sure what to reply. Would Dorian be mad at him if he admitted what he was thinking about? He'd been so jealous in the past, and Alec had vowed not to give him any more reason.

"Well. Are you?" Dorian's touch got more insistent and Alec could feel his smalls grow damp. "Tell me, amatus."

"Damn it, Dorian." With a groan, Alec thrust into Dorian's grip. "Yes, I was fantasizing about them. About you, too. Happy now?"

"Mmhmm." Dorian bit down on his earlobe. He sounded languid, as if he, too, was imagining interesting scenarios. "I thought that might be the case. And I have to say I am relieved that I still feature in your daydreams."

"Always." Alec's moans turned into stifled gasps when Dorian shoved his smalls roughly down, removing the last barrier between them.

His right hand firmly encircled Alec's cock. "So you still want me? Just me?"

"Only you." Alec glanced down at Dorian's hand, and the sight of those long graceful fingers wrapped around his own flesh was nearly enough to make him faint. "Please, Dorian. Do what you want with me, anything, just please-"

"Anything I want? That's a tempting offer. Well, then…" With an impatient growl, Dorian nudged Alec's feet further apart and made him lean forward, with both hands against the wall. "Yes, just like that. Hold still, amatus."

He let go of Alec for a heartbeat to grab some oil from their luggage, but he was back immediately. His right hand resumed its hold on Alec's cock, while his left found its way between his legs from behind.

"Let me take care of you." And now he was really working at Alec, with a single-minded focus that was immensely exciting.

Closing his eyes, Alec delivered himself completely to his caresses, while allowing his mind to linger on the pictures he'd conjured up earlier: Megan's face scrunched up in ecstasy when he tasted her; Nate's low growl as he shoved Alec aside to take his place; two pairs of hands caressing every inch of his body. And of course, Dorian's fevered moans and sighs in the background; Dorian's eyes catching his while he guided Carver's head lower; Dorian's beautiful body, trembling all over with lust.

Alec had had his fair share of erotic fantasies, featuring both men and women, but this particular scenario was hotter than anything he'd ever come up with on his own. He wished he could share it with Dorian, in all its glorious detail, wished he could somehow make his lover see what he was seeing. Because there was no way he could ever bring himself to put it into words. He could manage a bit of dirty talk when things got really heated, but-

Dorian twisted his fingers just so, and Alec forgot how to breathe. "Dorian, please." His voice sounded strangled. "Now."

"Not yet." Dorian was breathless and flushed, but he was clearly happy to draw things out a little longer. "You're not begging properly yet."

"Oh, come on!" Shamelessly, Alec pushed himself back. "I said please, didn't I?"

"Yes." Dorian's grip tightened almost imperceptibly, and the added intensity made him yelp. "But you can do better."

"Pretty please." Alec almost whined, feeling his legs beginning to shake. "I can't-"

"You can't? But you are still coherent." Dorian was nuzzling his neck now, without ever relinquishing his tight hold on Alec's favourite body parts, and it felt good, so good, hot and sweet.

"No, I'm not. I-" Again, Alec whimpered, his fingers scrabbling for purchase on the wall. "Damn it, you wouldn't be so cool and collected if Carver was here to-" He broke off, suddenly afraid to have broken the mood.

A shiver went through Dorian's whole body. "To do what?" Biting down hard on Alec's shoulder, he took hold of his hips and finally, finally, pushed inside him, inch by tremulous inch. "Tell me, amatus. What exactly is he doing to me in your fantasy?"

The sudden surge of relief was so great Alec nearly lost his balance. It was all good; Dorian understood, Dorian knew what was going on in his head, and he didn't mind. "He… he's got his mouth on you. And you love it." He moaned brokenly, because Dorian was all the way inside him now, and he felt better than anything else in the world.

"Do I?" Dorian's voice was like cool silk in his ear. "Yes, I rather think I might. Hypothetically speaking, of course."

One quick sharp thrust, another bite, and Alec lost it completely, begging and crying and shaking all over. And Dorian held him tight, moving inside him with sinuous grace, but at the same time with enough force to make it clear he was claiming Alec as his. Alec heard it as clearly as if the words were spoken. You're mine, mine, mine.

Dorian was far too caught up in the moment to analyse his feelings with any kind of clarity. Alec was hot and tight around him, and the sight of him, the perfect curve of his back, the muscles playing in his arms as he braced himself against the wall… It was beyond hot and Dorian was only too glad to let himself be carried away by his desire for his beloved.

But at the same time, he was dimly aware of a host of contradictory feelings struggling within his chest: wild, raw triumph at what he could do to Alec; infinite love and tenderness; and yes, also a hint of possessiveness, but it was almost completely cancelled out by sheer excitement. Because that fantasy, that image that Alec's words had conjured up, was incredibly hot. Once upon a time, he'd have been too scared of losing Alec to even allow such thoughts to rise to the surface. But they could do this now, they could share such a fantasy, and he didn't have to be afraid of it, because Alec was his, only his. And Alec would never betray him, never desert him.

He felt safe with Alec, safe and secure, and at the same time there was no danger of boredom, none at all, not with the way Alec was squirming in his arms, tightening around him, so utterly perfect that he had to cling to his last shreds of control in order not to cry out loud. It was so good, and he wanted to come, he was so close already… He hung on by virtue of sheer determination, and in the end it was Alec who came first, spilling all over the wall panels, trembling like a leaf. Dorian followed him quickly, with a deep, rough groan torn from the back of his throat.

They quickly cleaned up the embarrassing evidence of their activities. Though I rather doubt anyone here would be particular shocked by it, a small, dry voice whispered in Dorian's mind. If what they'd seen so far was any indication, the Wardens took their pleasures without much regard for propriety, and the servants couldn't afford to be too delicate in their sensibilities.

Five people! Dorian mentally shook his head at the thought of Megan's implied suggestion. Of course he'd seen worse in Minrathous, all kinds of more or less creative orgies arranged for the pleasure of jaded magisters, and involving pretty young slave girls and boys, more often than not. At least in this case, all the participants would have been willing. More than willing, probably. Still, he hadn't expected such a suggestion from people who had dedicated their lives to the lofty goal of saving the world from the Blight.

Then again, a Warden's life was hard enough to justify the occasional excess. Dorian wasn't fooled by Megan's light-hearted attitude, not at all. The Inquisition's occasional encounters with darkspawn during their travels, in the Western Approach or down on the Storm Coast, had taught him a healthy respect of those twisted creatures, and he couldn't even imagine having to deal with them on a daily basis. Besides, there were rumours of other sacrifices the Wardens had to make, such as shortened lifespans and frequent nightmares. No, he didn't envy them, that much was certain.

His curiosity was tickled, however. Tomorrow he would explore the library a bit, see if he could find more information on blights and archdemons, on joinings and the Taint. A few chats with the other Wardens might be interesting, too. The dwarves he'd seen at the dinner table had seemed quite congenial, and the elven mage was bound to know some interesting spells. And maybe they could spend some more time in the baths… Yes, he was rather looking forward to another day at Vigil's Keep. He stretched contentedly, smiling to himself.

"Well?" Alec grinned at him slyly, suppressing a yawn. "Glad we came here after all?"

"So far." Dorian felt his lips twitch. "But by all means feel free to keep up your efforts to convince me."

"Will do." Alec stretched languorously, drawing Dorian's gaze to his toned chest and flat stomach. So lovely. "Come to bed now."

It took a moment to sort out their legs and arms, but soon they were comfortably entangled under the blanket, skin to skin, close and warm. And Alec felt so good, and their bodies fit so perfectly together. Dorian couldn't get enough of holding him tight.

Alec's smile was sweet, and his eyes were already falling shut. "I love you so much. You know that, right?"

"I do." Dorian breathed a kiss on Alec's cheek. Maker, what have I done to deserve him? "I love you, too. Always."

The knock on her door came late in the evening, but before Cullen had joined her in her room for the night, so Cassandra was on her own and still fully dressed. She opened the door with a confused frown. Who-

"Leliana! What brings you here at such a late hour? Do you have news from the Conclave?" She felt a small frisson of excitement at the thought.

"Nothing official, but I received a number of detailed reports from Val Royeaux today and I wanted to keep you in the loop." Leliana's expression was unreadable. "The election will be held in just a few days, on the first day of Drakonis."

"Well, then I assume congratulations are in order." Cassandra smiled, but Leliana's face remained just as stoic. "Come on, Leliana. Surely, it is just a formality. I told them I wasn't interested, so the Clerics will all gather behind you now."

But Leliana shook her head. "No, my dear. Not at all. You see, they've found a candidate who is more to their taste than I am, from what my spies tell me."

Cassandra had a sinking feeling in her stomach. "But who-"

"I think you can guess." Leliana's eyes had narrowed and her tone was dry. "Didn't Vivienne inform you of her plans?"

"Not in so many words. She made several cryptic remarks, when we talked, but it just seemed like one of her usual games." Oh Maker, please don't let it be true. Cassandra bit her lip so hard she tasted blood. "Besides, I'd assumed that the Grand Clerics would never even consider electing a mage."

"Yeah, well." If possible, Leliana sounded even more sardonic. "It seems they are willing to make an exception for this particular mage."

"But, surely you still have a majority behind you." Cassandra could tell from Leliana's grim expression that she was grasping at straws, but some part of her still found it hard to believe that Vivienne would stand a chance of becoming Divine. "And the election hasn't been held yet, so-"

"Don't fool yourself, Cassandra." Leliana crossed her arms before her body, cradling her elbows. "It's already settled. I have no idea how, but Vivienne has persuaded about two thirds of the Grand Clerics to vote for her. I have reliable sources. Trust me."

"But there'll be an uproar if she's appointed." Cassandra had to sit down. "The common people won't stand for it."

Leliana shrugged. "There'll likely be protests, a number of riots perhaps. A schism, if we're really unlucky. But trust me, Vivienne won't let go of that power again. They don't call her Madame de Fer for nothing."

Cassandra felt an icy cold shiver down her spine. "You think she'll keep the upper hand?"

"Yes. She's clever and she won't be bothered by scruples if someone gets in her way. Just you wait. Within a year, at the very latest, we will see the Circles reinstated, and the Templars back on guard duty." Leliana sounded calm and matter-of-fact, but her face wore an expression of sheer, naked disgust.

"You think it's my fault." Cassandra swallowed. "And rightly so. If I'd at least tried…"

"What? No. That's nonsense, and you know it." Leliana's whole demeanour changed at her words. Suddenly, she sounded almost gentle. "I'm sorry if it seemed as if I was implying anything of that kind, Cassandra. You did what you had to do, and I'm glad on your behalf that you refused. Besides…" She sighed deeply. "If I couldn't outwit her, what makes you think you would have been more successful? Vivienne is a true mistress of the Game. She knew what she was doing, all along, and we were all just pawns in her grand plan." There was more than a little admiration in her tone, despite her evident frustration.

"Is that really what you think?" Cassandra fixed the spymaster with a relentless glare. She didn't want to be pampered and consoled, not by Leliana.

"Yes." Leliana's sober expression turned into a warm, sweet smile. "You did the right thing, Cassandra. You will still have a chance to fight for what you believe in. And you will have Cullen at your side. Together, you will be stronger."

"Let's pray that it will be enough." Cassandra swallowed past the lump in her throat. "Thank you, Leliana. We probably ought to let Alec know, too."

Leliana nodded. "I'll send a raven to Vigil's Keep tomorrow, and ask him to come back as soon as he can." She turned to go, and her face disappeared behind the folds of her hood. " As for the rest… Don't worry too much. There's power in working from the shadows, too. I think our new Divine will find that the Inquisition is still very much a force to be reckoned with."

Hugs and thanks to the best beta ever, my awesome friend suilven :)