Chapter 50
Anders
"Anders, have you thought about helping around the village should the need arise?" Malcolm asks. Mari and I are sitting in the kitchen having breakfast. A week has gone by since our evening at the inn and Mari is looking so well and radiant. She is gaining weight and she is no longer pale. We have become very close since my arrival and I never strayed far from her side. I catch her eye and I smile at her and she returns my smile. I reach for her hand and I give it a squeeze.
"I have thought about it, yes and I have decided that I would like to help the villagers. I don't know if Mari ever told you, but she was my first patient. Both Wynne and Irving were quite impressed. I healed her without much thought. My hands knew exactly what to do," I explain.
"I don't recall her mentioning that but her mind is not exactly on anything during your separation," he replies.
"But look at her now, Malcolm. She is glowing and she is looking so beautiful," I fondly say, giving her a hand another squeeze.
"Flatterer," she says, but she is pleased. I can tell by the way her eyes crinkle at the corners.
"It is the truth, love. You are beautiful. Even more so now that there is colour in your cheeks," I tease.
She laughs. "Stop flattering me, love," she teases.
"I love you to, Mari," I tease.
"Alright you two. Are you interested, Ander? Marian, what about you?" he asks.
"Um...We did discuss it the other day and we decided that my place is by his side. So if he is called out to assist someone, I go with him," she replies.
"So is there nothing I can do to separate you even for a short while?" he asks.
"No, there is nothing you can do. I cannot bear the thought of being separated from him. At least not now," she replies.
"Mari, I am only teasing, but then perhaps it is time to consider an engagement and possibly marriage," he says.
"Malcolm that is what I want to ask you. Mari and I would like to go Denerim soon. I have told her your suggestion and she is very pleased about it," I inform him.
"Well, when do you intend going? Her birthday is next month, Anders," he points out.
"We have not discussed that, but-" I say, turning to Marian. "When would you like to go?"
"I...I...don't know. Father, we...we will need sovereigns," she replies.
"We have the sovereigns, Mari. You just need to tell me when you would like to go so that I arrange a carriage," he says.
"Um...Anders?" she asks.
"How soon can you arrange a carriage, Malcolm?" I ask.
"I can arrange one today. Perhaps you can leave late this afternoon. You should arrive tomorrow evening," he replies.
"But I want to spend some time at the river with Bethany and Carver," she reminds him.
"I know you promised them, but if you leave for Denerim today, then you won't be able to. I am sure they will understand and besides, surely you would like to spend a few days with Anders away from home?" he asks. I catch her eye and she smiling.
"I would like that, yes. Fine, we will leave this afternoon. If you will excuse me, I must go and explain to my siblings why I am not taking them to the river today and I must pack. Anders, I will leave you and my father to make the arrangements," she says as she stand up, releasing my hand.
Marian
I stand by the door and I glance back at Anders. He and my father are deep in conversation about this journey and I am less than pleased. I had promised Bethany and Carver that I would take them to the river today to spend some time with them. I turn away from them and I stalk into the living room only to find my Mother chatting to them. When she hears me, she looks up.
"What is it? You look upset about something," she states.
"Upset? I am more than upset. I am annoyed, Mother. Anders and I will be leaving for Denerim this afternoon. Never mind the plans I have made to spend time with the twins," I blurt out.
"What?" she asks.
"You heard me. It is not as if I have a choice in the matter," I explain.
"You shouldn't let them push you around, Mari. You are a strong, independent woman," she says.
"Huh...Independent maybe, but strong? No," I mutter.
"But I am not surprised, Mari. Your Father mentioned it to me last night and regardless of what you may think and feel, he is right. Your birthday is next month after all," she points out.
I look at my siblings and Bethany is the only one who is upset. As for Carver, he is scowling...again.
"Mari, why today? You promised us," Bethany says softly.
"I...I know I did and I am truly sorry. I will make it up to you somehow," I murmur as I kneel in front of them.
"I don't care," Carver mutters.
"That is what you keep on saying, Carver, but you know it is not the truth," I say gently and if anything, he becomes more annoyed.
"What do you know, Sis? I am glad we are not going. I would rather spend time practising my swordplay than spend time with you at the river," he mutters and I stand up. I am angry and I am itching to smack to him.
"Are you finished, Carver?" I ask.
"I don't like you or Anders. Mage this, mage that as if you are only people in the world," he continues.
"What is your problem? Father has already spoken to you about this," I remind him.
"And that is enough from the both of you. I am sick and tired of this. Mari, you are seven years his senior. You should know better than to rise to him. He is only a boy," my mother says quietly.
"A boy who doesn't care about his mage siblings. Let me tell you something, Carver, you won't get very far with an attitude like that," I point out.
"And you are not Father, Mari," he says as he stands, glaring at me.
I sigh. "I am not and I never will be, but you keep in mind that I am older than you."
"What? So you can tell me what to do?" he asks.
"No. All I ask is for some respect," I reply.
"And that is quite enough, Mari," a firm but annoyed voice warns. I turn around and my father is glaring at me with his flashing blue eyes.
"No, it is not enough. I have had it with his attitude and you are not doing anything about it," I say. I am shaking from anger and I am powerless to stop the words coming out of my mouth. "I refuse to listen to this further, Father. I don't see why I should," I continue. I notice Anders peering over my father's shoulders at me and I catch his eye.
"Excuse me, Malcolm," he says politely and my father steps aside, allowing him to pass.
"Mari, let us go for a walk for a while," he suggests, slipping his arm around my waist. "Mmm, you are shaking, love. I think your brother has hit a sore spot with you. Come, let me take you out for a while and you can bring Mabari along."
"What about-" I say.
"We can do that later, but you need to breathe in some fresh air. Come," he says. He drags me out of the house not giving me a chance to whistle for Mabari.
"Wait. Mabari," I call and he bounds out of the kitchen barking. "Walk time, boy. Keep us safe," I order. He barks, and runs on ahead of us.
"You need to calm down, Mari," Anders suggests.
"Calm? How in the maker's name am I supposed to calm down?" I ask.
"I don't know. Maybe this will help," he teases and before I can say anything, he kisses me. "I do love it when you are angry," he murmurs and before I can react, he kisses me again and it is so demanding. I find myself wrapping my arms around him. He skims his hands along the curve of my back and he curls his hands around my buttocks.
"Oh my," I murmur when I feel how demanding he really is.
"You get so red in the face and you blue eyes flash," he murmurs, pulling me closer.
"Mmm, so my being angry increases your desire for me?" I ask.
"Yes," he replies.
"What about when I am not angry? Am I less than desirable?" I ask and he pulls away looking very shocked.
"Love, of course not. In fact, I find you desirable all the time, but when you are angry...I don't know...I...I...Love, feel," he murmurs, grabbing my hand and he presses it against erection. The blood rushes to my cheeks because he is so aroused and we are standing in the garden with Mabari waiting patiently for us by the gate.
I lean towards him and I kiss him while he pulls me flush against his body. "We can always go inside," I murmur.
"Mmm, we could, but," he murmurs. "Is there nowhere else we can go for some privacy?"
"Anywhere else would involve coin we don't really have," I say. "But I do want some privacy with you," I continue.
"Mmm, perhaps we should give the walk a miss and go inside," he suggests.
"No, I don't want to," I murmur as I pull away from him. "I will race you to the river," I tease and I call my hound. Anders and I run to the river with Mabari in the lead. We collapse at the river's edge where we try to catch our breath, but he pulls me onto his lap.
"This is good enough," he murmurs. He kisses me and I find myself eagerly unbuckling his belt. "Mmm," he murmurs. He starts unbuttoning my blouse. "Yes," he murmurs as he slips off my bra exposing my breasts. He lowers his mouth to one and he suckles.
"Anders," I gasp. In between his suckling, he is gently nibbling me and it is driving me wild. I simply have to slip my hand into his pants so that I can please him. He does not stop teasing me...
"Love, enough," he moans, but I ignore him. "Love, wait," he says as he pushes me away.
"What?" I ask as I try to reach for him.
"Just wait a moment," he replies as he slips off my pants.
"I see," I murmur as I lean away from him. He trails warm kisses long my chest, to my midriff. He tugs off my underwear, exposing me and he presses his lips into me. I can feel him tease and taste me, driving me wild with pleasure. I arch myself towards him and he tightens his arms around me. He pulls away as he gently eases his fingers into me and with shocking delight he releases a bolt of electricity into me and I arch violently towards him...
o0o
We saunter back into the house a couple of hours later feeling more than content. We are exhausted and we both felt like sleeping, but alas, we have packing to do. I glance at him and he is deep in thought about something. I look away, laughing. I enjoy it when he is thinking. His eyes become dark and his brow crinkles. I glance at him again and I touch his cheek.
"Don't frown so much, Anders. It spoils the picture," I tease and he grins at me.
"So you find me appealing when I am thinking just as I find you appealing when you are angry?" he asks.
I laugh. "Pretty much."
"That is why I love you so and I might have something of a surprise for you once we have found a suitable ring to go onto your slender finger," he teases.
I hold up my left and I stare at the ring finger. I cannot help feeling excited at the prospect of an engagement ring and of course, the possibility of marriage somewhere in the future.
"Do you think we will?" I ask as I slip my hand into his.
"Mmm...I hope so, but let us not think of that. We have lots of packing to do," he reminds me.
"Not too much. We will only be gone for two or three days," I point out as we saunter into the living room.
"Are you back? Thank the maker. I have arranged a carriage for you. It will leave late afternoon. I suggest you get moving," my father says.
"And where have you been, Marian and why do you look so flushed?" my mother asks.
"We went for a walk, that is all," I reply. They don't need to know we have been to the river because the twins would be very upset with me and I didn't want that.
"It seems you like you did more than take a walk," she comments.
"What is it to you, Mother?" I ask.
"I have to wonder, you know, but enough. Would you like something to drink?" she asks.
"Yes please, but would you bring it to us or at least let me know it is ready? I need to pack," I remind her,
"Mari, I can bring it to you. I don't mind and I am sure Beth would like to help you. Take her with you," she suggests.
"Why are you going away again, Mari?" asks Beth as she joins us.
"It will only be for a few days, Beth and when I return, we can spend time together. Just you and me," I suggest.
"And me," Anders reminds me as he squeezes my hand.
"And now, I really need to pack. Come with us, Beth," I suggest and she smiles warmly at me.
"Will you buy me something?" she asks.
I ruffle her hair. "What would you like?" I ask, catching Carver's eye and he is glowering at me.
"What would you like, Carver?" I ask.
"Nothing. A sword is all I want, but I am not getting one until I am sixteen," he replies.
"Surely there is something you would like?" I ask.
"No, I don't want anything except for a sword," he replies.
I ignore him. "Beth, Anders, come, we have much to do," I remind them.
