The sun was about to set and its rays were bathing the valley in soft, golden light, like a scene straight out of a romance novel. Cassandra paused for a moment in the doorway to enjoy the view: the majestic, awe-inspiring peaks of the Hunterhorn Mountains in the background, the rolling hills capped with dark green pines and firs, the well-tended meadows surrounding the house. She would never tire of the timeless beauty of the scene before her, not even after spending nearly three years up here.
With a yawn, she stretched, working the kinks out of her back. "Maker, I'm so exhausted. I guess I'm just not cut out for this kind of work."
Hugh, her second-in-command, chuckled at her words. "Don't be so hard on yourself. We made good progress today."
They had spent all afternoon locked up in her study, working on the Order's new statutes. Formulating the rules and regulations of the new Order of Seekers had turned out to be a daunting task. Since writing and composition were not skills that had ever come naturally to her, Cassandra was sincerely glad to have Hugh's assistance.
Hugh de Lacy was a former Templar who had spent most of his life in the Circle at Hasmal, until Knight-Commander Brycen had decided to join the Inquisition with all his Templars and the mages in their charge. He had been a fierce warrior in his time, but he was no longer young, and he no longer craved the excitement of battle. He also came from a long line of court officials, which might be part of the reason why he had a significantly higher tolerance for the more tedious aspects of their work.
"You think?" Cassandra raised a sceptical eyebrow at him. "Well, if we did, it's only thanks to you."
"Nonsense." He gave her a warm, fatherly smile. "But maybe you need a break. The new recruits need someone to put the fear of the Maker into them. Why don't you take a day to spar with them for a change?"
"Maybe I should." She smiled back. "Good night, Hugh."
"Good night, Cassandra." He headed upstairs, while she crossed the courtyard in search of Cullen.
She found him sitting on a bench outside the stables with Ser Mallorick, talking in a soft voice to the old man. Mallorick had been too far gone to attempt lyrium withdrawal when he'd joined them. Despite their best efforts, they hadn't been able to do much about his continuous mental decline, but at least they could keep him clean and well-fed and stave off the worst of the paranoia by giving him small, controlled doses of lyrium. Nowadays he spent most of his time lost in dreams of his glorious past, reliving ancient battles and talking to friends who were long gone.
When he saw her approach, Cullen got to his feet and left Mallorick to his memories. Bouncy, who had taken a liking to the old man, remained at his side, listening attentively to his mumblings and enjoying the belly rubs he got in return. Later, when darkness fell, the mabari would guide Mallorick to his room and watch over him until he'd fallen asleep.
Cullen and Cassandra walked back to the house in companionable silence and headed for their quarters. The window had been left open, and Cassandra quickly closed it against the evening chill.
Cullen stepped up behind her, placing a warm hand on the small of her back. "Long day, love?"
She nodded, sighing deeply, but at the same time she was smiling. It was impossible not to. "And you?"
"Long, but good." He embraced her from behind, resting his chin on her shoulder. Together, they gazed out over the yard. "Remi is doing much better. And I think we can reduce Adelisa's lyrium dose a little further. Actually, things are going a lot better than I ever expected them to. If it wasn't bordering on blasphemy, I'd claim Andraste herself has given us her blessing."
"Well, maybe she has." Cassandra shrugged. "It's a worthy cause. Why wouldn't she?"
"Why indeed." Cullen laughed, but he sounded self-conscious. "They're all doing so well, you know. It's hard, and they struggle, but so far no one has given up- I'm so proud of them."
"You should be proud of yourself." Ignoring his protests, she twisted around to place a quick kiss on his lips. "Yes, you should. You are such a source of strength to them, all of them. As you are to me."
"And you to me." Cullen swallowed once, but his eyes were shining with joy. "Cassandra. I love you so much."
He kissed her, slow and gentle, and she melted into his embrace. "I love you, too."
Her heart was bursting with happiness. This life they'd built together – it wasn't perfect, and some days were harder than others. But their love kept growing, as they faced the challenges of each new day together. And that was all she'd ever wanted, all she'd ever asked for.
Neither of them noticed the shadowy figure in the wide-brimmed hat crossing the yard, and if anyone else did, they forgot about it immediately. But all over the house pain was eased and nightmares were driven away as the silent spirit of compassion warmed them all and gave them peace.
And Cole was happy.
"Magister Maevaris sends her greetings, domine." The young servant girl inclined her head politely. "She says she'll gladly join you and the Inquisitor for dinner tonight, and she's looking forward to your company."
"Thank you, Antonia." Dorian sent the girl off with a quick gesture and turned back toward the window facing the gardens.
Alec and Corin were out there, practicing with their bows in the shade of the tall old trees surrounding the central fountain. It was still just about cool enough to spend time outside. Later, after lunch, the windows would be shuttered against the sun, and everyone would settle into a pleasant daze while they waited for the midday heat to pass.
Dorian had acquired the sprawling country estate, as far south as one could possibly move without abandoning civilization altogether, as a place to spend the summer months when the magisterium was not in session. Up here, it was a tad cooler than in Minrathous, and far less crowded. Though the latter had become almost a moot point now that most of the Lucerni had decided to follow their leader's example and shack up here for the summer. Even Mae had bought a villa here, just down the road, though she'd teased him no end about this quaint rural fashion he'd inspired.
No matter – the place was charming, if a little rustic, surrounded by vineyards and orchards, with butterflies swarming in the sunlight and cicadas singing all night. The buildings were old but solid, surrounded by lush lawns and shady colonnades. And most importantly, it was closer to Kirkwall, and Alec had readily agreed to spend his summers here.
A gust of laughter from below suggested that a shot had gone astray, and sure enough, Alec's voice carried over soon after, raised in the unmistakable cadence of the patient teacher, explaining what had gone wrong. Not that Corin needed a lot of correction, as a rule. Alec had spent hours at the range with the boy, whenever he was around, and all that persistence had definitely paid off.
Proudly, Dorian looked on as Alec raised his own specially made bow and hit the target dead centre on his first attempt. Dagna and Bianca had experimented for months to come up with the perfect construction, until they'd finally declared themselves content with the result, and Alec had been overjoyed when they'd presented him with the finished bow. Corin, not to be outdone, immediately followed up Alec's shot with one of his own, only narrowly missing the bull's eye.
Watching the two of them, so happy and relaxed together, Dorian felt his chest contract almost painfully at the thought of having to let Alec go again at the end of summer. If only he'd agree to move here for good. They had talked about it, especially after Corin had come to stay with Dorian.
But so far, Alec had always refused. "I love you more than I can say, Dorian, but I need my own life. I need something to keep me busy. Over here, I'd never be anything but your lover, your companion. In Kirkwall, I've got the Jennies, and my estate, and Erin. I'm my own person there." Alec had looked sad, but determined, and Dorian had to admit he had a point.
He's still a stubborn Southern bastard. Dorian chided himself immediately for the thought, however. They had three long months before them, months full of laughter and happiness and companionship. And even then, they would make time to meet again as soon as possible. Josephine had invited them both to the Montilyets' estate in Antiva City for the fall, and of course Dorian and Corin would spend Satinalia at the Trevelyan family home. Still, sometimes Dorian couldn't help but wish that Solas had left two of his eluvians with them. It would make things so much easier.
"Domine?" A discreet knock on the door tore Dorian out of his musings. His secretary coughed softly. "The crate of books you ordered just arrived from Vyrantium."
"Take them straight to the library." Turning away from the window, Dorian didn't bother to hide his smile at the thought of unpacking his treasures. "I'll be there in a minute."
Dorian wasn't in his study when Alec looked for him there, and not in the dining room either. He finally found him in the library, carefully sorting a stack of newly acquired books and putting them away into the shelves.
"I should have known you'd be here." He really should have. It was always either the lab or the library with Dorian. Alec picked up one of the books and glanced at the title: The Far Cliffs of Kirkwall – a Book of Poems. He rolled his eyes. "Did you have a good morning?"
"I did, yes." Dorian smiled down at him from the ladder he'd used to reach the upper shelves. "Look at this!" He held up yet another book. "A first edition of Verses of Dreams. I've been trying to get my hands on one for ages."
"Amazing." Hiding his grin, Alec carefully steadied the ladder with his right hand. He would never share Dorian's enthusiasm for rare books and poetry, but seeing his lover happy made him happy, too. "Will you join us for lunch?"
"Of course." As Alec had intended, Dorian ended up right in his arms when he stepped off the ladder. "What about the two of you? Did you have fun?"
"The kid had a blast." Alec brushed a kiss against Dorian's cheek. "He very nearly beat me in our last practice round. Sera won't believe how much progress he's made." He rather looked forward to telling her. No doubt several Red Jenny missions in and around Kirkwall would be awaiting him by the time he returned.
"Corin is really talented, isn't he?" Dorian sounded as proud as if he himself had handled the bow.
Alec nodded. "He has a keen eye and steady hands. Such a pity he's a mage. He'd make a really good archer."
Dorian raised an eyebrow. "So? Just because he is a mage does not mean he cannot be an archer, too. He is not defined by just the one thing. Just as you were not defined by being an archer, amatus, or by the mark you wore."
"Wasn't I?" Alec glanced down at his left arm with a small, wry smile. "I'm never quite sure."
"No." Dorian shook his head decisively. "You are so much more, and you always have been. And I love everything about you." There was no trace of doubt or uncertainty in his voice.
"Dorian." Alec's throat suddenly felt tight, and he pulled Dorian closer, close enough that their foreheads touched and they could gaze into each other's eyes. "You…"
"Ah, no! I turn my back for two minutes and the two of you are getting mushy again!" Corin sounded so genuinely indignant that his words drove them apart immediately. "Come to lunch. I'm starving."
"Probably not quite yet." Dorian's tone was dry, but when Corin wasn't looking, he took hold of Alec's hand again, squeezing it tightly. "Come on, amatus."
Alec returned the pressure, grinning at Dorian behind the boy's back. As a rule, Corin had no problem with their unconventional family. Since Dorian had formally adopted him the year before, he had enjoyed all the perks of being the heir of House Pavus to the full, and he loved both Alec and Dorian dearly. But Corin was at an age where he found every display of emotion embarrassing. Well, that will change soon enough.
As they followed Corin inside, Dorian and Alec exchanged a look full of love and understanding. Neither of them had expected they would end up like this when they first met, but here they were. Friends, lovers, parents of a sort.
And so much more.
*The end*
And that's it, folks. Final chapter, the end, happily ever after. (I do have a few chapters of totally gratuitous smut up my sleeve, though, and I'll post them soon-ish.)
A huge thank you to all of you for reading, faving, reviewing or just enjoying it in silence. And the biggest thank you of all to my fabulous beta suilven!
