That fucking bastard.

How dare he show up now. After all this time. In the middle of a mission for Gods sake.

How pompous he was. How ridiculous he looked with that stupid, looking hat.

And how dare he glare at her as if she were in the wrong. As if she were not the one pining, crying, and wailing in self-pity for an entire month while he was away.

Doing what? She had no idea.

But here he was - Solas. Her Elven lover. Her Vhenan. Returned. In the flesh. The man was, thankfully, still very much alive and not bleeding to death - or rather dead- as her mind had tormented her for the past month. No, he was standing atop a flight of stairs, looking more handsome than she remembered, and the fact that her traitorous heart was screaming to be held in his arms, IIyana was not going to have it. Straightening her spine as if she was the Elven Queen of Thedas, IIyanna walked up to the stairs, holding onto the railing so that she would not punch Solas in the damn face.

"Solas."

"IIyana."

His tone was so unemotionally flat that her anger spiked. "Inquisitor Lavellan," she corrected and then picked up her skirt and walked passed him.

Dismissing him as the lowly servant he pretended to be.

"My humble apologies, my lady," Solas said from behind her. "One often forgets one's manners when in the presence of a God."

She turned back and gave him a nasty glare. And to her amazement, she felt the sudden urge to taunt him, simply because she could. "You should watch your tongue, knife-ear. You're in the presence of your betters. Perhaps a nice trip to the kitchen will help remind you of your place?"

He shook his head in baffled anger and opened his mouth to deliver a scathing reply but the guess around them was beginning to stare, and he closed his mouth abruptly. So for the sake of the game, Solas bowed and played his part. "As you wish, my lady."

Dorian and Cassandra exchange glances as IIyanna made her way towards Leiliana and the two women disappeared into the crowd. Once the crowed diffused, Solas stalked off into one of the empty receiving rooms to cool off, his temper raging.

She was behaving like a child! Had the damn audacity to call him a Knife-Ear. Her! Of all people. She knew how he felt about that word, had even confessed that his original assessment of her people had been for their prejudice of him being bared face. They've chased him out of their camps with their bows and arrows, threatening him harm should he ever return.

All because he was a damn knife-ear.

To hell with her!

She had no right to be angry with him.

He was the one who should be angry. Returning after a month of mourning to an empty Skyhold and reports that the Inquisition had left two days earlier. He'd ridden like a mad man to reach them in time, even agreeing with Josephine and Leiliana to wait until after the ball so as not to distract her. But the violent joy of seeing her again had caused his blood to sizzle, and he'd shown up at the Winter Palace like a besotted fool.

Only to find her laughing, teasing, flirting with her damn Commander. How he would have loved to strike the man dead and -

Pain erupted in his midsection and he nearly fell to his knees as Cassandra punched him from behind. Her actions had momentarily stunned him, which provided all the distraction she needed to push him against the wall, her forearm pressing into his neck.

"Where in the hell have you been!" She snarled. Her eyes blazed even more as the temptation to skewer him had her trembling with retribution.

"It's good to see you again, Seeker," Solas replied. From the corner of his eye, he caught sight of Varric and then Dorian, as the mage closed the door behind them.

"Looks like we've captured ourselves a lost elf," Varric's voice boomed across the empty room as the walked towards them.

Solas had always liked the dwarf. He was grounded, rational, and the only person who can annoy Cassandra into releasing her hold on him. Better yet, he could maneuver the conversation enough to redirect Cassandra's anger towards the dwarf. All was fair when one's neck was on the line. "Master Tethras," Solas greeted with a strained smile.

"So here we are. Long lost love found at last," Dorian said as he regarded the mage. The damn fool - or rather, the poor fool - had no idea how much danger he was in at the moment. Why, if Dorian had his way, he would kill the fucker and throw him over the balcony, to hell with what the people say. "I do believe Cassandra asked you a question."

"Perhaps you should let the man answer before you kill him, Seeker."

"Shut up, Varric," Cassandra growled, adding pressure until Solas gasped. "You have some nerve, Apostate. To show up after all this time. Where the fuck have you been?"

"Now, now, Cassandra, you know the rules," Dorian beseeched. Moving to sit in the cushioned chair across from the two of them. "If I can't kill him, neither can you."

Cassandra ignored the Tevinter, her anger registered only at the mage before her. "I could kill you now and she will never know. Do you have any idea what you put her through? She thought you hated her. She thought you blamed her for your friend's death. She believed you left her. What have you to say, mage?"

Solas only remained still. Silent.

"You smug bastard," Dorian muttered. " I am going to enjoy watching IIyana kill you."

"You won't hold it against me, will you Chuckles? When Bianca pins you down with one of her arrows?" Varric asked of Solas.

"If your target is within reason," Solas managed to gasp.

"Oh - it will be," Varric laughed. "I'll just have to rename you for the third time."

"Enough!" Cassandra hissed, slamming her body weight into Solas, frame. "Explain. Now."

Solas met her eyes without blinking. "What would you have me say, Portia?"

"You little shit," Cassandra raised her other fist as if to punch him but their conversation was interrupted by a woman's loud shriek and the slamming of the door.

"What is going on here?" Josie exclaimed as she saw the full extent of what was happening. "Cassandra, let Solas go."

"Not until he explains -"

"The only person he owes an explanation to is IIyana," Josie stated. "Now let the man go."

Cassandra reluctantly loosened her hold but not before she slammed her fist into his gut, again, earning her another breathless grunt. "You hurt her again and I will kill you," she warned before storming out, along with Dorian and Varric.

"Thank you, Ambassador."

"You're welcome, Solas," she remarked. "Pray to the heavens IIyana forgives me when she finds out my part in all of this."

"Knowing IIyana, she would forgive you anything."

"I hope you are right," she said as they walked through the door. "By the way, Master Solas. Leiliana directed IIyana to the guest quarters. I believe she will be alone."

Solas gave the Ambassador an appreciative smile.

IIyana cursed herself a thousand times a fool for investigating on her own. Leliana had mentioned that an occult adviser had charmed her way into Court, and while they conversed, IIyana had shared Gaspard's suspicions of Ambassador Briala sabotaging the negotiations. All leads had pointed towards the guest wing.

The grand library was a massive room, filled from top to bottom with books on history, magic, love stories, and poems. Stuffed in between several books, and even scattered around the room were secret letters the Orlesians had written to one another. It was a shame that her first thought upon entering the room was whether he would be just as transfixed as she was. They could spend hours here, just reading, and it would be perfect. But she immediately shook the thought away.

He left you. He chose to stay away, remember?

She'd convinced herself their relationship had been a casual affair and that the stress of her position had blinded her to his true intentions. She'd convinced herself that death - and perhaps the end of the world - had contributed to their emotional attachment. She'd almost convinced herself that perhaps, he never loved her at all.

Damn that fucking Old Bat!

The pain of seeing him again was a blow that nearly dropped her to her knees.

The door at the opposite end of the room led into a long corridor gently lit with soft, glowing torches, which led to another set of doors opening into what appeared to be a small study. Moonlight glowed through the window, revealing six pillars with urns, and a hidden latch that activated a torch of veil fire. Puzzles - exactly what IIyanna needed to take her mind away from all her personal drama. After several failed attempts of lighting the urns, something clicked and the floor slid away to reveal a set of stairs which led to a secret office. Intrigued, IIyana explored the contents of the room, amazed at the treasure discovered, then her eyes landed on the single sheet of paper tossed carelessly on the desk.

Lady M,

I need you at my side tonight. The unpleasantness in the royal wing has convinced me there is no safety within the palace. I do not expect my cousin to employ magic, but I would hardly be surprised if he provoked another infestation; since my court enchanter is not here to assist me, I must rely entirely upon you.

There is no one else I can trust.

Celene

So the Empress suspected Gaspard to strike tonight.

IIyana quickly re-scanned the letter before tucking it carefully into the pocket of her dress. Then she heard the main door opened and closed and she stiffened. Someone had entered the room. She hesitated slightly as she flickered her hand, a spell ready to cast on the poor visitor, should they pose a threat. The shadowed outline of a man came into view and when she realized who it was, her hand flickered freely. She was casting her second spell when Solas lunged after her, pinning her against the wall with his body.

"Let me go," she hissed up at him.

"Not if you're trying to kill me," he remarked. "Be still, IIyana."

"Go to hell." She shoved against his frame.

"Aren't you full of fire these days."

"You have my Commander to thank for that."

He didn't care for her answer. "And should I call you the Commander's woman, too?"

"Perhaps you should." She met his gaze defiantly, her jaw set. All IIyana wanted to do was hurt him as much as he was hurting her, and she was unprepared for his reaction. Whatever bravado she had at the moment evaporated as he locked her arms above her head, imprisoning her between him and the wall. As if he were Fen'Harel himself, hard and unforgiving, Solas gave her a scorching glare. Her breath came in ragged, terrified gasps, and her eye blazed with a panic that only increased his anger.

"I dare you to say that again," he threatened acidly.

"Solas ..."

"Ah, it's Solas now?" His grip tightened. He was tracing her vallaslin with his eyes and whatever he was thinking only mounted his rage. "Your face. The vallaslin. In my journeys into the Fade, I have seen things. I have discovered what those marks mean."

"Let go of me, Solas. You're hurting me."

He gave a harsh laugh. "I'll let you go when I'm through with you." His breath rasped in her ear. His voice rang with a deadly purpose. "You say your vallaslin honor the gods, but they are slave markings. At least in the time of Arlathan."

"If this is some sick game you're playing to hurt me because of what I said, it's beneath you."

Roughly, he pulled her against him. "Slaves are often mistreated. Forced to engage in certain activities they do not wish. How should I punish you, Inquisitor? For your insolent behavior?"

"You wouldn't dare try to hurt me."

"I would dare anything. I am a knife-ear, after all."

She had regretted the insult and sadness clouded her features. "Solas, I'm sorry -"

"Save your apologies for your Commander, Inquisitor."

His mouth crushed hers, hard and demanding, his only thought was to punish her for her insolent behavior. His tongue plunged into her mouth, searching, plundering, deepening with a low growl. IIyana fought with all her strength. But she couldn't stop him, free herself from him. She twisted and squirmed but all of her senses - her own fucking body - was betraying her and she let out a small sob.

"Solas ... no, please. Don't ... do this." The plea was wrenched from the depths of her soul.

She felt him stiffen at the sound of her sob. His lips froze over hers and he searched her gaze. Their bodies were pressed against each other. Their hearts pounded as one. Another sob, one mingled with fear spilled out of her, and he raised his head to stare down at her tormented face.

"You're afraid of me," Solas asked hoarsely. His eyes glittered with something she could not decipher and to her astonishment, he released her. IIyana was too stunned to move, could only press herself into the wall, her breath coming hard and fast in her chest. "Answer me," Solas demanded in a clipped tone. A cry lodged in her throat. His eyes were narrowed and cold as daggers as he waited for her answer. "Answer me!"

"Yes!" She cried. Her body shook. Her breath like rapid fire and panic surged into her body.

"Do you think I will ever hurt you, IIyana?"

She shook her head. "No. But I'm afraid. I don't know - I don't know you anymore."

"What the hell does -"

Solas stopped and inhaled sharply as he saw the tears pool in her eyes. She was speaking the truth. She was afraid of him. How could their relationship have changed so much? The sudden urge to reclaim what was lost overtook him and he reached for her again. His lips brushed hers with the gentlest of kisses, then another and another. Each one was sweeter than the next, more loving than the one before, a reminder of what they meant to one another. IIyana moaned and melted like honey into his arms. This was the Solas she knew. This was the man worth fighting for.

He broke the kiss long enough to say, "I will never hurt you, m'yana."

"I know," she admitted.

The dinner bell rang in the distance, interrupting their conversation and reminding them of their reasons for being here. Releasing a regrettable sigh, IIyana gave him a lopsided smile.

"I have to go," she said quietly.

He brushed his lips against her forehead. "It's good to see you, yana."

She stared up at him as if to say something but then closed her mouth. "Send me away with a good luck kiss?"

He brushed his lips against hers and soon their kiss turned heated, lustful. He was pushing her back to the desk when he felt the casting of her spell. Suspicion clouded his mind and he broke the kiss to gaze down at her triumphant face.

The damn chit had encrusted him in ice! And, while he was immobilized, she was placing fire wards all around him.

"Damnit, IIyana."

"You didn't think it would be this easy, did you Solas?" Her musical laughter filled the space. "It's good to see you healthy and whole, and not dead and bleeding as I have envisioned nightly since you left."

"Release me, IIyana."

"I wouldn't struggle so hard, Solas. If you haven't noticed, you're surrounded by an electric barricade, as well." True to her word, electricity crackled along the entire room. When had she cast this spell?

"As I was moaning into your mouth, of course," she explained as if reading his mind. As Solas struggle to free himself, he could hear something click from above and the secret entrance began to close.

"IIyana!"

"Don't you ever learn, Solas?"

She blew him a kiss and walked up the stairs. Her laughter was the last he heard as the room encrusted him in darkness. Something sparkled along the ceiling and he realized then that she had also warded the door. He should have known better. Should have recognized that she was too willing of a participant. Perhaps this had all been planned by Josie and Leiliana as well. He laughed in defeat. He'd completely underestimated his vhenan. He tested the strength of her spell and estimated he had at least 30 minutes until the ice began to melt.

Alright, if she wanted to play this game, he was only too happy to oblige.