It was taking him awhile to join her in the Fade. She knew her body was still cuddled against him in their tent. She could still feel him.

Whatever his reason for staying awake she didn't mind. She was too filled with satisfaction to mind much of anything. Overflowing with happiness. It wasn't like they'd even gone all the way and she felt like this.

It made her feel like a teenager just exploring her sexuality for the first time again. After all adults didn't dry hump. Or at least she hadn't since she was in those early exploration years. The difference of it now versus then was in the intensity. And it had been intense.

The feel of him pressed against her. The way he held her and kissed her. The way he gripped her as he brought himself to the brink even as she still shook from her own release. It had all been so very delicious. When he actually entered her she couldn't imagine what the experience would be like.

She wanted the chance to enjoy him more. She'd been a bit lost in her own need this time to truly drink in every reaction of his and she wanted every single one. Every second of them. She wanted to make him forget all his troubles, all the pain and loneliness he had endured. She wanted to watch him completely lose himself to the pleasure of her, as she so easily did to him.

When the right time came that was. She knew him well enough to know that she would have to bide her time if he were to truly let himself go.

For right now she felt like somehow expressing the joy that overflowed in her veins. She decided to play some piano. After all music had always been a way for her to let her emotions free. Either listening to it or playing it. One of the things she missed about her world was the ability to almost constantly listen to music.

She set down at the piano. Her fingers brushed over the keys as she debated what she would play. She hadn't tried a Yurima song yet. She shifted through the ones she knew in her thoughts before settling on one called River Flows Through You.

As with the previous songs once she had settled on it her mind immediately conjured the memory of it. An interesting phenomenon considering she had mostly used sheet music before. It seemed one of the many wonders of the Fade was that it made even little memories, like the notes on a piece of sheet music, easily accessible.

With the notes running clearly through her mind she took a deep breath, shut her eyes, and let her fingers dance across the keys. The music wrapped around her. It held her close and filled her up till she was floating in it. When the song ended she let the final notes flow off her before she opened her eyes.

When she did she opened them to Solas watching her closely a smile on his face, "Beautiful. Do you know other instruments?"

She nodded, "Yes. Though I'm not sure if they are known here. I play guitar. I also did try to learn violin but never got much past the 'mating cat' phase since I didn't practice as I should. Tried flute. Was horrible at that."

He moved to sit on the piano bench next to her, scooting over so their knees touched, "Mating cat phase?"

"Yes. Where it sounds more like mating cats then any actual music." At his raised brow she asked, "Have you heard cats mate? It's terrifying."

His eyes turned back to the keys, "I do not know. The sounds you made last night were… fascinating."

Her thoughts tried to scatter from her and she had to work at forming words, "Yes well, in case you failed to notice, I am not in actuality a-" He brought his fingers up to turn her face to him as he pressed a gentle kiss to her lips. When he released her mouth once more she finished with a contented sigh, "cat."

He let his hand trace a line along her jaw before releasing her, "Would you play something else?"

"S-sure. Yeah." She took a deep breath and thought what he might enjoy. "How about one by Mozart?"

"Did you know this Mozart?"

She gave a little laugh, "No. He had passed on long before I was born but he was a master of music. Sadly he only lived to be 37, wait no 36 I think, but he was prolific." She snickered then as she remembered something, "Interesting little fact, his nickname was 'Woflie.'"

He shook his head as he spoke but his tone was amused, "I suppose you find it a fitting choice."

"Well I hadn't really recalled it till this moment but, yeah. Now I do, mon loup."

She gave him a quick kiss on his cheek before turning back to the piano. Out of habit she laced her fingers cracking them before shaking them out and placing them. With a deep intake of breath she once more focused on pulling the music up in her mind. This time it was Mozart's piano sonata 11, the short fun bit.

When she had finished he took one of her hands before asking, "Does that not make your fingers sore?"

"If I played too much I suppose it would. But it's like anything else. You practice enough your body just adjusts to it."

He brought her fingers to his mouth placing gentle kisses on the tips of them. Heat rushed through her body as she was reminded of what he had done earlier to those very fingers. Once he had kissed each of them in turn he brought her hand up to kiss her palm before he released her.

"Will you play another?"

She nodded unable to form words as her mind still remained on the simple pleasure that was his mouth on her skin.

She played a couple more songs for him before it was time for them to wake. When they did, they got ready without a word. Instead there were little touches exchanged between them. The occasional smiling glance.

When Solas finished before her and started to leave the tent she could no longer help herself. She reached out quickly to grab him by his vest. With a tug she pulled him to her, pressing her lips to his in a soft caress. He didn't resist. Instead he let his tongue flick out to taste her lower lip before he pulled away with a chuckle.

"On dhea." His hand came up to brush his knuckles against her cheek, "That is good morning. But please continue to use a kiss as means of telling me thus, vhen'an'ara."

She smiled up at him still with that lovely feeling of euphoria pulsing through her, "Perhaps I'll use both." She nuzzled her cheek against his hand, "On dhea, mon loup."

He removed his hand from her face starting to go again but paused before turning back to place a quick kiss on her brow. Then he left to join the others who were already outside finishing up breakfast.

She heard Cassandra's voice, "Good morning. You slept later than normal. Are you well?"

He gave some vague reply about being absorbed in a particularly interesting observation of the Fade. To which Sera gave a loud sound of disapproval that he ignored. Emma waited for Sera or Ivy to make some comment in regards to the lizards. After all, Solas' bed roll was outside the tent in clear site. However, the morning preparation went by with no mention of it.

After morning had turned to afternoon, Cassandra informed them they were nearing the first Hinterlands camp. Emma had already started taking in the plant life around them. The white of Haven having been replaced with green and grey of mountainous terrain.

The trees were mostly coniferous. Without pulling out her notes she tried to mentally go over what she knew of the various herbs and their requirements. She would go under the assumption that the rules for what grew where, remained mostly the same as in her world. Under that assumption she should be able to find plenty of elfroot, decent amounts of embrium, the occasional rash vine, and probably some blood lotus if they were near water. If she were really lucky she might find -

Solas' voice broke into her thoughts. "Have you ever had any interest in learning magic Sera?"

He had been riding next to Emma and now she shot him a glance. What kind of question was that? Had he met Sera? He glanced back at her and she saw a hint of that same mischievous look in his eyes as when he had dumped snow on her head. Definitely up to something.

For Sera's part her response was immediate and empathetic, "Get off!"

He continued voice sincere and even, "While it has not manifested naturally there are ways to determine whether arcane gifts lie dormant within you."

Emma was 98% sure that was not accurate.

Sera gaped at him before saying, "What? Don't make me think about that. I have to sleep at night!"

"Sleeping would give you the chance to explore the Fade. I could introduce you to spirits."

Now Emma couldn't help the snort of amusement that escaped her.

Sera narrowed her eyes at him, "Right, you're messing with me on purpose!"

Only then did Solas take his gaze from Sera to look serenely at the path in front of him, "Why would I do that? It is not as though I know who filled my bedroll with lizards."

Ivy burst into laughter and Sera's eyes turned from annoyance to easy amusement as she replied, "Ha. Fair point! That was pretty good." Her grin grew even more, "Worked out for the better though, yeah?"

There was a beat before he responded. A soft smile curving his mouth as he spoke, "I have had worse sleeping arrangements."

Emma felt the familiar heat rising to her cheeks. Her heart feeling overly full as she bent down to pat her horse's neck.

"Bet you did more than sleeping." Sera snickered.

Ivy removed the glove of her right hand and put a finger up in the air for a moment, "The tension is definitely a bit less."

Perhaps they should just come out with it. Not the details of what had happened, of course, but that they were an item. Although, as she thought of it, she wasn't sure if that would be wise. It could cause problems for Solas when she had to leave. She didn't want to unintentionally put any sort of suspicious eyes on him.

For his part Solas gave no reply but looked to Emma allowing her to decide what course to take in response. It made her warm to him even more. She didn't know how that was possible.

Her heart wanted to shout the truth of it but her mind wouldn't allow that. Instead she said, "I think your sensor is off Ivy."

"My sensor is never off."

She decided that the best course of action in this case was simply switching topics. "Are we near the first camp?"

Cassandra replied, "It should be just around this bend."

Cassandra was correct. Almost the moment their horses entered camp Cassandra and Ivy were pulled to the side to go over what was needed while here. For her part, Emma went to the potions station to go over what they had available. It was pretty basic supply wise, but not horrible. She'd try to pick some extra to leave with them if she could.

As she was writing down a rough estimate of what she'd need to try to find, Solas came up behind her, "I would ask a favor."

"Sure. Just one moment," She quickly finished the last note and then shut her book turning to him, "What's up?"

His eyebrow rose, "The sky. One assumes."

She gave a bark of laughter and shook her head, "Well, yes but that's not…" She shook her head still smiling, "I meant, what do you need?"

"An odd term to use for that."

She shrugged, "Language is odd. Who knows where half the sayings started from."

"I see. In any case, I believe there is an elven artifact nearby; one that may help strengthen the veil. I would have you accompany me to find it, if you would."

This was definitely interesting, "Of course I will! What kind of artifact? And what do you mean strengthen the veil? Would it be able to help close the rifts around here? How did you-"

He chuckled, "Always the questions, vhen'an'ara. You will see the artifact for yourself if I am correct."

"Do we need to stop by and let Ivy know on our way out?" She grabbed her staff from where it had been leaning against a tree.

"I have her permission." He was eyeing her staff as though he was seeing it for the first time as he spoke.

She looked between him and her staff, tucking a curl behind her ear, "Is something wrong with my staff?"

"It is adequate. Not ideal. I will see what I can do to remedy that."

"You don't need to-"

"I wish to." he motioned with his arm towards a path out of camp, "Shall we?"

She smiled, more happy than she would admit at the prospect of some time alone with him, "Onward, mon loup."

As they made their way down the path they kept an easy pace with each other. Solas had told her that the location was not far, just a bit past the area called the Crossroads. Which was both good and bad. It was later in the day so it wouldn't do to be out too long. On the other hand less distance meant less time to work out her legs from so much riding. Also less time with Solas.

Still she would take advantage of what time she did get. It would probably take them a bit longer than it would have normally anyways, given that she was compelled to stop every time she came across a herb to collect.

After collecting, yet another, elfroot she hurried back to Solas who was waiting patiently on the path. "I never properly thanked you by the way."

They started walking side by side again as he asked, "For?"

"The book of poems and their translations." She skipped in front a bit before turning so she could walk backwards and face him.

"There is no need, I am pleased you enjoyed them." An amused smile curved his mouth, "Are you sure walking like that is wise?"

"I'm fine. Graceful like a-" Her foot caught on rock and she almost fell backwards.

Solas fade stepped catching her around the waist. He held her to him as her heart sped in her throat. With a shake of his head he spoke, "You were saying?"

She swallowed, "Like a cat perhaps?" Then she grinned up at him, "I would have fallen but then hopped right back up and acted like I meant to do it."

"To my knowledge cats always land on their feet, you would have landed somewhere else." One of his hands stroked down her waist. Then, as though he just realized they were in the middle of a path, he pulled from her.

It reminded her of the exchanged look on the ride. When he had let her decide if they would disclose their relationship or not. She didn't want him thinking the wrong thing about it. She just needed to figure out the right words to explain.

He had already started walking down the path once more so she caught up.

"Solas."

"Hmm?"

"About earlier with the-" She mulled over her words a moment her eyes glancing anywhere but him. When she spoke again they came out in a rush. "I'm afraid of what will happen when I leave if they knew we were romantic. I'm worried you're already going to be under scrutiny because of me and I-"

He stopped walking, "Emma."

She stopped next to him and continued on, trying to get all of it out that she needed to say, "I just need you to know it isn't that I'm ashamed. You're the most intelligent, compassionate, br-"

His hand grabbed for her waist pulling her against him. In a moment his lips were on hers warm and sweet. He deepened the kiss dipping her backwards even as he pulled her tighter to him. One of her hands went to his neck and the other to his waist. She gripped his tunic as he stole her senses. Would it always be so intensely breathtaking with him?

Just as their tongues met he ended the kiss though his arms kept her pulled to him. He shook his head before kissing her softly once more. Then he pulled away for good. Far far too soon in her book.

"We should not. Not here." He brought his hand up and let it trace a path from her shoulder down her arm before holding her hand, "Just know, you do not need to explain yourself. What we have between us does not need it; we are what we are for what time we have, the others are irrelevant to this. This here. This now. It is ours."

His words left her feeling warm all over. She wanted to close the distance between them once more. This man… she wondered if he truly had any idea the extent of his affect on her.

He released her hand, "Now come. The Crossroads is just a bit more."

The Crossroads ended up being even smaller than she had expected. A few cottages which seemed in huge disproportion to the amount of refugees and recruits wandering the area. She supposed it was safe at least. If not the most comfortable.

It also brought to mind how lucky she was in her world. That she was born in a place where she didn't have to worry about things like food or if she would survive leaving her house. And yet when she thought of leaving this world it was-

She pushed the train of thought away as Solas led her out of the Crossroads. She caught sight of some embrium a bit of the trail and seized the chance to grab it. As she came back to him, plant in hand, she said, "How about I share a poem with you?"

She swore she saw his ears perk up a bit as he asked, "From your home?"

Her grin widened, "Yup. I'll choose a poem from one of my favorite books called The Lord of The Rings."

"I would enjoy that."

"Alright let me think real quick to make sure I've got it." She bit her lip as she thought over the words once in her head.

"A moment, there is some elfroot." He gestured towards a small gathering of the stuff.

Her eyes brightened and she hurried over, "Oh good find." Then as she was picking them she realized how annoying it must be to make him continue to stop. "Sorry. I just want to get as much as I can."

"It is no trouble. The view is well worth stopping for."

Her brows furrowed, "The-" she looked over her shoulder to find his eyes unashamedly on her rear, "You fiend." She gave her bum an extra little wiggle as she pulled out the last one then straightened.

He chuckled. It was a sound she would never get enough of no matter how often she could get him to do it.

She walked back over to him as she stuck the elfroot in her pouch. "I'm not sure how much more I'm going to be able to fit in here."

"I may carry some as well."

"Thanks. I'll probably end up taking that offer before the day is done. Even if you're only offering for the view." Then she remembered the poem she was about to tell him. "Oh the poem. Ok, here it goes; 'All that is gold does not glitter, / Not all those who wander are lost; / The old that is strong does not wither, / Deep roots are not reached by the frost. / From the ashes a fire shall be woken, / A light from the shadows shall spring; / Renewed shall be the blade that was broken, / The crownless again shall be king.'"

He fell quiet for several minutes then. She knew he was analyzing the poem in his head. Going over each word and it's meaning. So she simply waited in silence until he was ready to speak.

"This is a book?"

"Yes from a fantasy series. One of the best in my opinion." She paused, "Though I suppose my world would be fantasy to you and his series would be more like real world but with a few changes."

"Meaning?"

"Well my world wasn't really like this world much at all. World's like here and the one in that book are classified as fantasy. They have magic. Epic battles. The hero's journey. Beings other than humans. And-"

"There are only humans in your world?"

"Yes. There are different races. We have dwarfism but it is rare and they're still considered the same race as humans just with a genetic condition. They are like Varric but they don't have their own societies or live underground or anything. No elves. Or whatever other races you have here. Just humans with different skin tones."

"Does it-" He paused, "Is there intolerance?"

"Sadly. We-"

There were sounds of fighting up ahead. She could feel someone using magic and the presence of several demons. Though from here she couldn't tell how many.

"Solas."

"Stay close." He brought his staff from behind his back and started in a run towards the direction of the sounds.

Though her hands shook she took a deep breath and followed his lead.