Take care when wandering about, in the wilds of the valley and heights of jagged rock. What a horrific garden of wonderland we have stumbled into; where a turn of one's heel can lead to flowering jubilation, and another leads to the twisted and thorny thicket of despair...

'Athalwolf! Brother dearest, make haste! We need to find the mulberries and return to mother before the sun goes down!'

A man in his thirties with black eyes and thick curly hair falling to his shoulders ran up besides a woman similar in age, her raven black hair matching his, as well as their porcelain white skin.

'Let the servants do that.' Athalwolf moaned.

The woman grabbed his hand securely and led him on. 'Come along!'

'Mabel, please, let us take our horses out and ride across the valley.' he pleaded 'Just tell mother we couldn't find any. This is a job for children. Besides mother doesn't even make the pie!'

'She asked us to find some, so find some we shall,' chirped Mabel 'just like we did when we were children. Oh! Look there! That magnificent bush on the hill yonder. Surely that is the largest mulberry tree I've ever seen. Come, make haste!'

Pulling a reluctant Athalwolf, Mabel set across the valley and up the hill towards the large fruits abundant on the tree.

'Well met!' called out a cheerful voice beside the leafy foliage.

Somewhat startled, the two siblings darted around to see a dark haired, dark eyed man with deathly pale skin dressed in an elegant black waistcoat. He appeared a gentleman, but appearances were often deceiving. A well dressed man and a warm smile was often enough reassurance of respectability. Little did Athalwolf and Mabel know that this man was actually a malificar named Jowan.

'By the Maker you frightened us!' exclaimed Mabel with a laugh, clutching her hand on her heart 'Sir, are you a guest at the manor?'. Turning curiously to her brother, she added 'Mother and Father didn't mention we were having guests?'

'No, no!' replied Jowan cheerfully, bowing politely to the woman. 'I come from the neighbouring estate, Wydnam Manor. I am Lord Decoteaux's mage, Crickin Fortes. I fear I may have spotted the same berry bush on my tour of the estate, although foolishly I now realise I'm not on the same land. I apologise wholeheartedly and wish you both a very lovely day. I shall return to the manor!'

'There are plenty to be shared.' observed Athalwolf politely 'Stay a while and come sit with us, for I too am a fellow mage. Also I fear my sister will drag me back without a plausible decoy, and you serve one just as well!'

'An invitation I cannot resist.' laughed Jowan as he lowered himself onto the grass before the bush.

Mabel busily plucked the fruits and placed them into her wicker basket, humming a merry tune to herself.

'I am Lord Athalwolf Guildersleeve,' introduced the mage 'and this here is my sister, Lady Mabel Guildersleeve.'

'A pleasure to meet your acquaintance!' replied Jowan 'I had hoped to see some of that famous Orlesian summer weather and I have yet to be disappointed! I fare from Ferelden, but have been here for a few weeks. You are lucky to live in such a wonderful part of the realm!'

'Oh Athalwolf and I am reside at the Orlesian Court in Halamshiral for most of the year.' informed Mabel 'We return here whenever we have the chance, isn't that right dearest?'

'Oh yes, my sister is an ambassador at the Orlesian Court,' nodded Athalwolf with a grin 'and takes great delight in gossiping about anyone and anything with a prestigious amount of inflation.'

Rolling her eyes, Mabel continued to pick the berries. 'Hush now Wolf, how you fail to understand courtesans is beyond me.'. Bringing her attention to Jowan, she added politely 'Wolf is a court enchanter at the palace, and he enjoys the banter whatever he may say otherwise.'

'Delightful! It must be very lovely residing in the Orlesian palaces.' remarked Jowan pleasantly 'I believe Halamshiral to be the most civilised of all the cities in Thedas.'

'Oh yes, the finest architects in the land created Halamshiral.' observed Mabel 'Oh and the courtesans that reside there are beautiful, elegant and talented. I've never met a noble who couldn't draw, dance and speak several languages.'

'A talent well spent.' teased Athalwolf.

Jowan threw Mabel a smile, pointing to her basket. 'Are the berries ripe enough?'

'Look at their size.' she observed proudly 'I have no doubt they're delicious!'

'Ah, I only mention it for the berries on the last tree I came across were quite bitter.' replied Jowan with a grimace. Shuddering, he recalled the taste. 'Terribly bitter.

Shrugging, Mabel plucked one of the fruits and took a bite. '

Perfect.' she grinned, wiping a drop of purple juice from her lip.

Jowan leant over and picked one particular mulberry from the bush. As he tasted it, he let out a shudder 'My oh my, no! Bitter to the core.'

'How can that be?' muddled Mabel, looking doubtfully at the berries in her basket. 'How can one I tasted be so sweet and yours so bitter?

Chuckling, Jowan turned his attention to Athalwolf 'Í fear you must be the judge my dead sir, for between your sister and I we are completely baffled on the matter.'

'A curious mystery I cannot resist solving!' declared Athalwolf. He plucked three dark purple mulberries from his sister's collection and munching them down, before grinning towards the mage 'I'm sorry Cricken, they are as sweet as honey!'

Raising his hands in defeat, Jowan shook his head cheerfully 'Then the fates have decided I must be cursed with picking bitter berries!'. The three of them laughed as Mabel continued to pick the fruits. Turning his head to the manor in front of him, Jowan studied it with interest. 'How long before you return to court? I would love to invite you both to dinner at the manor. His lordship adores to entertain and would be more than happy to oblige.'

'Oh we will stay for another week at least.' replied Mabel 'I would love to see dear Lord Decoteaux again. How has he been? It had been four months at least since we saw him last.'

'Ten at least.' remarked Athalwolf 'Just before the feast day of Andraste, remember?'

'So it was!' replied Mabel 'Well then we simply must-must….'

Slumping heavily across her shoulders and suddenly weak at the knees, Mabel collapsed to the ground, her dark hair scattered across her unresponsive face.

'Mabel!' cried out Athalwolf fearfully, lunging to her side 'Dearest, wake up! Her eyes are shut. Whatever is wrong with her!?'

Jowan ran over and put his cheek near her lips. 'She is breathing.' he reassured, casting his eyes quickly around the desolate area.

'Cricken please, you must help!' appealed Athalwolf 'you must go find...you must go find…go...find...'

Groggily the eyes of Athalwolf shut and he too collapsed like a limp rag doll, across his sister's lap.

'Help?' replied Jowan with a smirk. Drawing his hands up, he formed an orb around the three of them. It shimmered blue, radiating stronger and stronger until the orb suddenly vanished and the party were gone, leaving one lone basket left on the hill. Sweet mulberries full to the brim.

The spymaster was looking pleased with herself as Cullen and I walked into the war room that morning at Skyhold. A messenger had informed us to immediately join Sister Leliana at the war table, and we were more than a little curious, if not altogether apprehensive at the urgency of the gathering.

'Cullen, Ophelia, come in quick.' called out Leliana, beckoning us in with her hand 'Cassandra and I have been waiting for you.'

'Let me guess, you're sending one of us out on an expedition to some awful end of Thedas?' accused Cullen as he approached the table. Standing beside Leliana he crossed his arms firmly. 'I know that look, it only appears when you are either pleased or about to take delight in someone's misery. I'm guessing it's mine.'

Leliana let out an amused laugh, the room echoing with her cheer. 'My my, you are wicked today. I fear I shall disappoint you however. Nevertheless you have put the thought in my mind and perhaps I will muse on it later?'

Cullen raised one eyebrow playfully. 'I don't doubt it. Well out with it! What is this news?'

'Lady Mabel Guildersleeve and her brother Lord Athalwolf Guildersleeve have requested to join the Inquisition.' announced Leliana, holding up a crisp white parchment 'It is as if the Maker himself has sent us what we seek in our hour of need.'

'The Guildersleeve family?' remarked Cullen in surprise 'Surely you are not referring to Lord Byron Guildersleeve?'

'The very Lord Byron Guildersleeve himself.' grinned Leliana 'I thought that might interest you. His daughter, Mabel, has willingly offered her services to the Inquisition. She has connections of an immense proportion across the lands, including the great standing her family name upholds. Up until recently she served in the Orlesian Court as an ambassador. However she has expressed some restlessness as of late, and wishes to relocate here.'

'Who are they?' I asked, still in confusion as I watched the growing grins of delight mirrored between Leliana and Cullen. 'Why is this a good thing?

'The Guildersleeve family are one of the most respected and wealthiest families in Orlais, if not Thedas.' ánswered Cullen 'Their entire line has chevaliers running rich through it. Lord Byron was the head of the Chevalier Order, although retired now. His eldest son, Brannigan Guildersleeve, is a chevalier. His youngest son Athalwolf did not follow the warrior caste, but serves as a court enchanter.'. Cullen shook his head in disbelief 'We could benefit greatly from this alliance. Lord Byron has many connections to the Orlesian military. Access to weapons. Even specialist trainers. Something we have had great trouble laying our hands on while Empress Celene sits on the throne. Lord Byron has great influence over the court, this is just what we need to make Celene listen.'

'The eyes and ears of the Orlesian Court willingly coming to our door could be spies?' warned Cassandra 'Have we thought of that?'

'I have,' affirmed Leliana 'but I believe it is not so. From what I have learned about Mabel. For years she has felt somewhat trapped in Orlais. Josephine knew her when she was attending court, and she has confessed many times at despising the Empress. Mabel is a great admirer of Gaspard de Chalons, although it is a well guarded secret.'. Leliana shrugged 'I am not surprised this has come to fruition, although I feel ashamed I did not think of her as a candidate as our ambassador until now.'

'Are you thinking she could be a candidate as ambassador?' I frowned 'Not knowing her personally, that could be a risk?'

'If she leaves under good terms with Orlais, as I will advise her to do, then yes I believe she could perform an extraordinary role as Ambassador for the Inquisition.' replied Leliana 'Not knowing her personally is not an issue.'

Cullen frowned. 'What of Athalwolf? You mentioned he too wishes to come to Skyhold?'

'The younger Guildersleeve siblings are very close,' informed Leliana 'one does not go without the other. I believe Athalwolf became a court mage for the Orlesian court for that very reason, just to be with his sister. I have no doubt he is a talented mage that we could put to good use.'

'The more the merrier.' I shrugged.

'And Lord Byron, I assume he will show support since his two children are coming to join us?' added Cassandra.

'One can only assume.' grinned Leliana, looking over to Cullen 'I thought you would be happy about that. Imagine what gifts he could bestow in his favour? New trebuchets? You can spend all your time calibrating them to your heart's content.'

Cullen chuckled as the spymaster teased him, his hand massaging heavily along the back of his neck as he smirked at her. 'Maybe you'll get some new crows and a closet full of ridiculous looking shoes?' he taunted back 'The more ridiculous the better, am I right?'

'Oh Commander,' quipped the spymaster 'if you saw some of the shoes I have obtained in Orlais you would be worshiping them on my very feet as I walked into the room.'

'An interesting thought.' mused Cullen with a small flicker of his brow 'Although I'm certain I could melt them down and buy some better steel for my army. I'm sure I would have enough to equip an entire battalion.'

The pair continued to chuckle amongst themselves as they began to peruse the formal letter between them.

Pretending to distract myself, I looked over a few loose papers scattered on the table, trying to ignore the unexpected jealousy that was creeping over me as I watched the two simmer and smirk at each other. How had I failed to see it before? The truth was Cullen and Leliana got on remarkably well. Exceptionally well. Of course I knew they had known each other for a long time, but had anything else happened along the way to have produced such familiarity with each other?

'Ophelia, what do you say about that?' asked Cullen.

'What?' I replied in a daze, looking up from the paper I was studying, one that appeared to be upside down 'Sorry, what was the question?'

'Cassandra, Leliana and I all agree we should offer the position of ambassador to Mabel Guildersleeve. What are your thoughts?'

'Oh yes, I think that is a good idea.' I muttered 'Sorry I need to go check on something. Is that all for now?'

My words seemed to have fallen on deaf ears as Cullen resumed his discussions with Cassandra and Leliana. Running my eyes over the spymaster curiously, I noticed how beautiful her fine ginger hair appeared in the sunlight coming through the window beside her. Pursing my lips as I tucked my own unruly tresses behind my ear, I turned to quickly pass through the doors, trying with little success to stop the unworthy thoughts creep into my mind.

An hour past midnight, I sat wearily on my balcony staring out into the serenity of the calm night. The moon was tucked away in an overcast sky and a cool breeze blew against my white cotton nightdress, sending a shiver across my skin. Since the war council that morning I had been somewhat distracted and was now trying to find some peace when I should have been sleeping. Of course it was hard to do even that when Cullen had not returned to my chambers as of yet. Although he often worked late into the night, this particular night I was beginning to wonder whether that was all he was doing when we were apart?

A loud creak at my chamber door sounded behind me, followed by heavy steps on the stairs leading up to my chambers. Throwing a brief glance into the room I could see Cullen drawing towards the chair besides the bed, easing himself into it as he pulled off his boots. A few more minutes went by as he peeled off his armour, his naked flesh in my periphery as he retreated to the wardrobe and pulled on a fresh black shirt and trousers, before eventually making his way to greet me out on the balcony.

'Sorry I had to work late again.' he apologised, drawing up behind me to place a kiss on my cheek 'I could throttle one of my soldiers. A clumsy git named Lance. He knocked over an inkpot on all my paperwork at the barracks. Took me half the night to rewrite everything.'

'Oh. That's annoying.' I replied aloofly, not too interested in warmly receiving the man at present.

'You've been avoiding me all day, and ignored three messengers I sent to you regarding matters.' observed Cullen as he drew closer to me, running the back of his fingers across my bare shoulder 'Why?'

'It's nothing.' I muttered as Cullen eased me around to face him. I refused to meet his eyes, and he gently lifted my chin, demanding his attention.

'Tell the truth.' he replied sternly, a curl at his lips.

Pulling away from his hold Cullen grinned and roughly grabbed my hands, pushing them flat against the cold stone balcony behind me and pinning me against it. He leaned towards me, an amused smile on his lips. 'Ah ah ah, no escaping.' he warned 'answer me first.'

Furiously I tried to release my hands but it was useless. 'Fine. You and Leliana seem quite friendly?'

'Like you and Michel?' taunted Cullen, pressing my hands harder against the stone and causing me to wince. 'Of course I don't embrace her in public and spend intimate moments alone in the courtyard, so I guess it's not quite the same?'

Ignoring his comments, I felt I needed to say what I was feeling. 'In the war room this morning. If I didn't know better I would have said you were flirting with her?'

'Was I?' asked the Commander in amusement, lowering his head to run his lips hotly against my collarbone. 'Is that what your jealous beautiful green eyes saw? Pray, what else have I done?'

'I'm being serious.' I frowned, struggling helplessly against his weight as he lowered his mouth to the left string strap of my dress.

Peeling down my strap with his teeth and exposing my chest, Cullen looked up at me sternly as he rose once again to meet my eyes.

'So was I.' he growled.

'Have you been with her?' I asked.

Cullen chuckled, running his hands against my raw flesh.

'What goes on in that filthy little mind of yours?' he asked huskily 'Always suspecting me of lusting after some woman from afar? You're not going to accuse me of loving our spymaster next, are you? My one true love?'. Smirking, he lowered his lips onto mine softly, pulling me into a deep kiss that made me grow weak at the knees. His hands continued to knead my exposed breasts as his lips kissed sensuously along my neck. 'I think you know what I love.' murmured Cullen devilishly, as his hands ran down past my waist and then suddenly up under my nightdress to my nakedness underneath, his wicked fingers trailing up my thighs.

With all my willpower I pushed him away and he chuckled, releasing me as I readjusted my dress and walked over to the draw the curtains inside my chambers. Turning back finally, I could see the Commander looking out across the view over the balcony, serene as the calm night before him and without a care in the world.

'You're not answering the question Cullen.' I observed angrily, coming up behind him to shove him roughly on the back his shoulder. Turning around slowly, he smiled before suddenly grabbing me at the waist roughly and pulling me tightly against him. I yelped in surprise at his aggressive hold on me.

'My, my, the Inquisitor is feisty tonight?' Cullen purred 'Don't get me wrong, I like it. I do. Do you want to rough me up some more? I'm sure I could endure a beating from you for whatever misconstrued crime I have apparently committed.'. Smiling wickedly, he began running his lips lightly across my neck, refusing to release me as I shivered from the sensation of his hot breath on my skin. 'I could strip down and let you flog me if you like?'

'Tell me.' I demanded.

Groaning, Cullen pulled away and retreated to my study table to pour some wine.

'Leliana and I have known each other for many years,' he informed 'but not like that. Honestly I don't know where you get your ridiculous information from, it is ludicrous at best. However I will be the first to admit that Leliana, without the daily stresses of running an Inquisition, is a very entertaining person to be around. I always enjoy our conversations. And yes we are friends, and quite similar in many ways.'

'Similar how?' I asked, more in accusation than intrigue.

With a mischievous laugh, I heard Cullen mutter By Andraste under his breath before looking back towards me. 'Well, we serve the Inquisition for one? We are members of the council, and of course there is that other shared common interest of ours.'

'Interest? What are you talking about?' I asked, grabbing a glass of wine from the Commander as he offered it to me.

'Our spymaster is a little nymph behind closed doors' informed Cullen in a sultry voice 'and she enjoys the same play as myself.'. With a grin, he took a sip of his wine, taking in my growing rigidness, before adding 'However talk is all we share on that subject.'. Cullen raised an eyebrow 'Leliana is attracted to women, not men.'

'Oh.' I replied sheepishly.

'Yes, oh.' replied an amused Cullen.

'So she likes to, what exactly?' I asked curiously, a grin of my own forming.

'She has tasted the sweetness of the sadomasochistic forbidden fruit.' informed Cullen, taking another sip of the wine as he looked upon me 'We both take extreme delight in dominating a submissive for sexual pleasure. I imagine she would love you.'

Rolling my eyes, I took a large sip of wine. 'I had no idea,' I muttered 'but come to think of it I'm not surprised. Leliana does have that, what would you call it? A mischievous side'

'That's one way of putting it.' scoffed Cullen 'She told me once she liked to strip down her pets, bind their arms to their legs and run feathers across every inch of their skin for hours...amongst other things.'

'Really?' I remarked, drawing up to the table in interest 'What else did she say?'

Cullen grinned, amused by my interest as he leaned towards me, his elbows resting heavily on the table as he cradled his chalice. 'Well,' continued the ex-templar in a smouldering voice 'Leliana has a special interest in toys.'

'Toys?' I replied uncertainly.

'Wooden phalluses, steel ones, even glass ones.' informed Cullen wickedly 'You know how she has a fetish for pretty things.'

Cheeks growing red, I drank more wine as Cullen's smirk grew wider. His amber eyes took in my uneasiness with delight. He was enjoying making me squirm and had no intention of stopping.

'Leliana told me one morning she ordered one of her pets to choose two of her toys from her collection.' continued Cullen, running his thumb across his bottom lip as he examined me intently 'She then made them undress before her...and then proceeded to insert one steel phallus between their sweet lower lips and a glass one up their budding derriere. She then redressed them and ordered them to walk around the whole day with both toys tightly secured thus, ordering them not to be removed lest they be punished by the full fury of her wrath.'

Spluttering my wine, Cullen started laughing loudly as I wiped the drips from my chin.

'You're making this up.' I protested, looking more embarrassed by the moment. 'That's just insane!'

'No I assure you I could never create something as delectable as that.' grinned Cullen 'Now that is the work of a true master.'. Stroking my arm he added deviously 'This is making you uncomfortable, isn't it?'

Drawing a deep breath, I turned to retreat to bed, before hesitating and turning back again to the grinning Commander. Biting my lip, I threw him a humble smile. 'I'm sorry for accusing you like that. I don't know why I always like to think of the worst.'

A flicker of appreciation came across his face and a small nod of acknowledgement, as Cullen approached and pulled me into a hug. 'When I am with you, I am only with you. I may have given you reasons to doubt me, but never my loyalty Ophelia.' he informed softly, clasping his arms fondly around my waist as I wrapped my arms around his neck. 'There are men out there who would carry on with others behind their partner's back, but I am not one of them. Do not have doubt in your heart, for in mine there is only you and you alone.'. Placing a soft kiss on my cheek, he pulled away again and smiled at me. That expression. His face was soft, his expression so loving and affectionate, and it made me feel terribly, terribly ashamed.

Leaning my head against his shoulder, I breathed out deeply. 'I'm a jealous creature by nature when it comes to you. I want you all to myself.

'So am I.' remarked Cullen with a dark smile 'I think I have already revealed that hand, perhaps somewhat undeservedly.'

I threw him a small smile, my heart dropping in further shame. Cullen's suspicions were not so undeserved. To conceal the kiss in the garden from him was deceptive, but I knew I was protecting Michel by doing so, and also Cullen's feelings on the matter. Of course my mind laughed at this logic and whispered to me in taunts of delight that the only person I was truly trying to protect was myself.

Shaking my head, I chuckled in disbelief 'So Leliana has a devious side?'

'Indeed.' mused Cullen 'Did I spark your interest?'

Refusing to answer the question and ignoring the excitement I felt whenever Cullen spoke about filthy fantasies, I retreated to bed. Climbing under the covers and rolling to my side, I closed my eyes tightly shut.

'Goodnight Commander.' I remarked tiredly.

The soft breath of Cullen filled the room as he proceeded to blow out the candles, before retiring to our bed. A pair of hands reached out and ran against my naked thighs, stroking them gently as he drew up behind me. I could feel his hard, naked body firm against mine, his hands running across my stomach as he placed one deep kiss in the crook of my neck.

'You don't need to hide your fantasies from me.' murmured Cullen 'As your Commander I would say I should punish you if you tried to. We are together Ophelia, and you need to open yourself up to me completely.'

'I thought I already did that.' I quipped, resulting in a chuckle behind me.

'Witty one liners from a mage, who would have thought?' scoffed Cullen.

'Your desires are mine.' I murmured sleepily, my breath drawing heavy as I lulled into the realm of dreams 'Do to me whatever pleases you.'

'Be careful what you ask for.' warned Cullen's voice, close to my ear and yet already sounding a million miles away 'There's no telling what I may do.'