Lady Pentaghast lets out a quiet groan when she slowly lets herself begin to come round from a slumber that feels like she has slept for an entire age and has the aching muscles and limbs to prove it. She lets her brain slowly travel around her body, mentally checking for anything that hurts when she gently wiggles her toes and fingers to make sure everything is working just as it should. But they shouldn't be working, should they? She shouldn't be able to wiggle her toes; she was supposed to be dead. The Seeker hears muffled voices that she can't quite make out the words and it sounds like they are far away but are suddenly excited about something and getting louder when she tries to open her eyes and focus on the source of the noise. Cassandra gingerly opens her eyes a fraction suddenly aware of how bright the room is how quickly her head is spinning from being in the same position for too long. She tries to open her mouth but feels how dry it feels so goes back to concentrating on opening her eyes wider.
"Cullen!" Cassandra hears Lord Trevelyan shout when she finally recognises the muffled sound is that of her lover. She feels her breath catch when she hears the warm timbre of his voice, wondering if she would ever hear anything so comforting as words coming from his mouth. "I think she's waking up." He adds excitedly as The Seeker hears the sound of the Inquisitor's boots moving quickly across the stone floor and towards the bed.
"Ash.." Lady Pentaghast manages to croak as she opens her eyes wider, ignoring the slight sting from the bright sun that is filling the room from the large window and bathing her in light.
Cassandra feels his weight on the bed beside her when he leans over the mattress to get closer to her, just his presence alone comforting her. She had wondered if she would ever see him again, her last thoughts had been of him and wishing that he had been with her. The Seeker feels herself frown when she suddenly remembers what had happened, she had died and he had been the one that had killed her yet knowing he was nearby made her heart sing. She finally lays eyes on him when he leans over, placing a hand either side of her body as he sits down at her side.
"Cass.." Lord Trevelyan smiles nervously as she peers at him through bleary eyes, when he sets his eyes into hers he gives her a wide smile. "You scared me." The Inquisitor adds reaching to take hold of her hand, he takes hers in his palm holding it gently to try and not hurt her. Cassandra sees him smile again and swallow down a lump in his own throat when their eyes meet with so many unanswered questions. "Here let me get you some water.." She watches him reach for a glass that has been left at her bedside for her, The Seeker lets him lift it to her lips letting her take a few sips to quench her thirst and make it easier for her to speak. "Better?" He whispers when she nods her thanks to him, the smile that he gives her making her stomach summersault.
"How long have I been here?" The Seeker asks letting her eyes travel around the bedroom again, she was in Lord Trevelyan's room in his family's estate, she recognises the dark green drapes at the windows at once and that she has been tucked up in the large soft bed they had been sharing. She glances around her and sees that everything looks exactly as it had done but now every free surface has been covered in vases full of brightly coloured flowers and blossoming potted plants, all appearing to be gifts and well wishes from people that have been worried about her. "Are those all for me?" Cassandra asks trying to sit up slightly to get a good look at them all, she looks back to Lord Trevelyan who just smiles and nods. Lady Pentaghast lets herself gaze at him for a moment trying to memorise the expression on his face that she can only label as pure love and adoration for her, she notices how tired he looks and wonders how long he has been sat at her bedside in a vigil. "How long have I been asleep?" She watches Lord Trevelyan's mouth tug slightly as he shakes his head, he had been taking a little more than a small nap.
"Two days, Three if you count the day that you.." The Inquisitor begins before dropping his eyes from hers, stopping himself from adding anything further to his sentence.
Cassandra sees him swallow again as if it's too painful for him to even think about. The day she died, he had meant to say. The Seeker wasn't sure how much strength she had in her body, or even what had taken place after Lord Trevelyan had killed her, but she knew she wanted to at least try and sit up and have his arms around her. The Seeker looks to the space at his throat where his cotton shirt is unbuttoned to showing a slice of his tanned skin, noticing that there is no sign of the vial there and that when she looks into his eyes she only sees her Inquisitor staring back at her.
"I never thought I'd see you again." Lady Pentaghast whispers when she begins to sit up, she watches concern flash across his face when she feels her head spin at her sudden movement and she reaches out for him to support her. Before he can begin to scold her for doing too much when she has had a trying few days, The Inquisitor quickly scoops her up in his arms sliding them around her drawing her up against his body, his need to be holding her just as strong as her need to be held. "I missed you." The Seeker feels herself sniff as she buries her head into him, immediately soothed by his warmth and the familiar feel and smell of him. Cassandra feels him sigh against her as if all the worries of the last few days can be forgotten now they are back together. "Are you, you?" Cassandra whispers when he engulfs her with his arms feeling like she had her Inquisitor back and that whatever they did to remove the blood magic from him has worked. She feels Lord Trevelyan laughing at her question that he must think she has asked too many times.
"Yes." The Inquisitor whispers letting her rest her head against his neck as he strokes her back slowly, his palms placing the softest of touch against her that makes her crave closer contact with him. "I'm me and I'm never going to lose you like that again." Lord Trevelyan presses his mouth into her hair letting her wrap her arms around him just as tightly. "They told me what happened.." The Inquisitor begins as he lets go of her slowly, he leans forward to plump the pillows up for her letting her settle back comfortably against the headboard.
Cassandra smiles to herself when she catches him gazing at her again, he reaches out instinctively to brush his thumb against her bottom lip making her smile further. The Seeker places her hand on her stomach thinking about what had happened, she wasn't sure how hurt she had been and she wasn't sure how she was going to ask him how their child was. She watches as he takes both of her hands in his holding them in her lap, looking down at his hand she sees a thick bandage has been wrapped tightly around where the mark usually appears from.
"What happened to your hand?" Cassandra asks as he moves his eyes to join hers, looking at his injured hand that is hidden by the white material. She rubs her fingers against his knuckles, against the small knot in the bandage. "Were you hurt?" She adds as he looks into her eyes again.
"Lady Pentaghast." The Inquisitor sighs as he gives her a smirk, she sees his eyes drop to his hand when she turns his palm up to face her noticing that it is the centre of his hand that has been injured and that the bandage is covering a deep wound. "You died because of me, and you are more concerned about my hand? Don't you want to know what happened?" He asks her as she returns his smile. "After all, you brought Daniel here so he could help me.." Lord Trevelyan adds making Cassandra blanch at his words, he didn't look angry but he did have every right to be.
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you." Cassandra begins blurting out the words of apology, still not knowing the fate of the Mage and what had happened. "I didn't know what else to do.." The Seeker huffs quietly when Lord Trevelyan chuckles, she watches him lean towards her again pressing his mouth softly against hers making her sigh in elation at the touch of his lips on hers. He definitely wasn't angry with her and if there was ever a perfect reason to go on living, it was so she could continue to love the man in front of her with all of her being and spend the rest of her days kissing him.
"You did the right thing." The Inquisitor smiles with a small nod, brown eyes fixing on hers. "You may have thought you were just bringing him here to help me, but you've helped Daniel too." Lord Trevelyan lifts his hand to her face stroking her cheek beneath his palm. "My family can heal because of you. Because no one is living under the rule of Henry's lies anymore." The Inquisitor bites his bottom lip for a moment looking like some of the lies and truths have been harder to deal with than others.
"You mean Daniel is still here?" Lady Pentaghast asks trying to fight back the large bubble of happiness that threatens to explode in her chest, she knew that he just needed a chance to speak to them all and they would be able to resolve all of their problems.
The Trevelyan's were good people and a loving family, they had all been lied to and it was about time that they all learnt the truth so they could support each other.
"Yes.." Lord Trevelyan nods again "Daniel is still here and he and my parents are taking some time to sort through everything that happened" The Inquisitor smiles when he sees The Seeker begin to fidget in their bed, she knew she was impossible to keep still and make rest at the best of times let alone when she had so many questions to ask him. "You are supposed to be resting, you've been through a lot." Lord Trevelyan sighs when the Seeker places her fingers on his face, letting her finger softly trace the line of the scar on his lip making him smile beneath her touch. His bruising and injuries to his face looked much better even in the two days since she had last seen him, he was healing even if it was slower than he would have liked. "Do you remember what happened?" He asks as Cassandra places her hand on his arm.
"Yes, some of it." Lady Pentaghast nods, she remembered the funeral, she remembered that Daniel had received her letters and she remembered that the Inquisitor had been taken by the darkness of the vial again. She also remembered that she had kissed Cullen, a lot more than she ever should have. She knew that Lord Trevelyan had ended her life without a bat of an eyelid, but she knew it hadn't been him and he was sat in front of her so it must have worked. "Do you?" She asks watching him shake his head slowly; maybe it was for the best he didn't remember. Especially the kissing part.
"I don't remember much after leaving this room before Henry's funeral. That is until I remember being out in the yard with Cullen and Daniel." Lord Trevelyan glances at her again "I just woke up in pain with this.." He adds lifting his bandaged hand again "Courtesy of our Commander, so I'm told." The Inquisitor nods giving her a reassuring look that he wasn't angry when he sees her pale, that was two wounds he had received from Cullen recently. "Apparently I was quite a handful." Lord Trevelyan gives her a smirk making Cassandra laugh, that was the understatement of the age.
"I'm glad to have you back to your usual self." Cassandra returns his smile seeing how guilty he looks at his actions, even though he was unable to control them or even remember everything that he did. "I don't want to ever be without you.." Lady Pentaghast leans forward again placing her hands on his shoulders, she slides her palms to his neck letting him kiss her in a gentle kiss that makes her realise he is being overly careful with her as if she might break at any moment. "Did you have to see me?" Cassandra whispers resting her forehead against his, watching him drop his eyes from her and nod, it had been awful for her to see Lord Trevelyan a completely different person but she couldn't imagine how it had been for him to see her and know that she had died under his knife.
"I'm sorry for what happened." Lord Trevelyan whispers as she wraps her arms around him again, ignoring the weakness and aches she feels in her body and wanting to spend more time touching him and trying to comfort him after everything they have been through. "I'm sorry for what I did." He adds making her smile lightly.
"It wasn't your fault." Cassandra sighs when he lets go of her, he takes hold of her hand as if he doesn't want to break contact with her for too long in case he loses her. "None of what happened is your fault." The Seeker repeats trying to convince her Inquisitor that doesn't look so sure, she places her hand on his cheek stroking her fingers along the line of his jaw.
"I still hurt you." Lord Trevelyan turns his head to press his mouth against the palm of her hand before she runs her hands through his hair, resting them on his neck again. "There was so much blood." The Inquisitor whispers making Cassandra close her eyes for a moment, she had remembered the blood when he had returned to Skyhold and would never forget the image of him being covered in it. She had cleaned him after then and was certain that he had done the same for her.
"I'm okay, Ash." Lady Pentaghast takes hold of one of his hands, holding it tightly in her lap trying to draw him back from thinking about what he saw. The Seeker places her other hand on her ribs wondering why there is no pain from the stab wound and why she can't feel the bandage beneath the cotton tunic that she has been dressed in. "Why am I not hurt? I saw the blood. I felt the pain." The Seeker adds looking up at him, she could see he didn't want to talk about what he had done and how much pain he had caused her, but he was going to have to. Cassandra lifts her tunic, placing her hand against the bare and completely unmarked or damaged skin on her side. "How is this possible?" Lady Pentaghast frowns when she sees no trace at all of his knife entering her body.
"The vial healed you." Lord Trevelyan begins, she feels him place his hand over hers as she studies the smooth pink skin. "It returned you to the state that you were in before. What happened." The Inquisitor adds when she looks back at him. "Our baby is safe. Daniel says our little Inquisitor will be fine." Cassandra smiles when she hears his words, she had been terrified to even mention what had happened to their baby in case it wasn't the answer she had wanted to hear. "Everything is fine." Lord Trevelyan smiles again but she can't help but notice the sadness behind his eyes that he had put her and their child at risk. He places both of his hands on her stomach as he leans forward to capture her mouth with his, trying to force away his guilt and replace all of his thoughts with nothing but her.
The Seeker smiles to herself when she feels him cup her face in his hand, all of his anxieties about his actions when under the influence of the vial disappearing when she kisses him back. Cassandra loved him and no matter what happened, she always would. Lady Pentaghast wraps her arms around his neck trying to draw him closer to her, she giggles against his mouth when he lets her drag him over her body. She huffs quietly hearing Lord Trevelyan groan in frustration when the door to the bedroom is thrown open and Commander Cullen bursts through it, his cheeks flushed from the sprint he has just made through the house to reach the bedroom.
"Did you say she is awake?" Cullen pants when he looks over to the bed, she feels Lord Trevelyan let go of her as she glances up to see The Commander fixing his eyes on her from the doorway.
The Inquisitor sighs quietly before trying to remove himself from the bed and climb to his feet, Cassandra grabs hold of his hand holding it even tighter so he can't move away from her.
"Don't go.." Cassandra whispers seeing her lover nod and give her a lopsided smile before he leans forward to press his lips against hers again in a soft kiss. The Seeker lets him slide his fingers through hers showing that he isn't going anywhere, she watches him glance at the Commander who skirts his way around the other side of the bed. She feels his weight pressing onto the bed as he mirrors the Inquisitor's seating position. "Yes, she is awake." Lady Pentaghast replies flatly before smiling at him.
"Thank the Maker.." The Commander returns her smile showing how genuinely relieved he is to see that she is awake and okay. "We were worried about you," Cullen adds looking to Lord Trevelyan who just nods at his words. "How are you feeling?" Ser Rutherford asks tilting his head at his question as she feels his eyes searching her face, she wondered how desperate he was to mention their kiss and if he would be bold enough to do it with the Inquisitor sat at her side.
"Better." Cassandra smiles and quickly glances at Lord Trevelyan who is looking uncomfortable and picking at a thread on the blanket so he doesn't have to watch Cullen gazing at Cassandra. "Especially now I know you are both okay." Lady Pentaghast adds setting her eyes into the comforting amber of her best friends, she sees him grin as The Commander leans forward to pull her into his arms surprising her with his sudden close contact.
Cassandra watches him lean back into his seat on the bed when he has finished hugging her, he takes hold of her other hand in his letting it rest gently in his palm
"Ashton was just about to tell me what happened with the Vial." She looks back to The Inquisitor again drawing his attention back to her, she sees his eyes move to her hand that The Commander is holding so tenderly in his own.
One thing that Lady Pentaghast loved about being in love with Lord Trevelyan was the way that they could both say so much to each other even without words, just with their eyes and touch they could share all of their worries, thoughts and feelings. Currently, Lord Trevelyan was feeling jealous and inferior, he was worrying that he was going to lose The Seeker to The Commander, his guilt plastered all over his face and his eyes on their hands told her he remembered more than he was letting on.
"I'm sure you two have a lot of discuss." Lord Trevelyan gives her a weak smile, which makes her frown. "The Commander has been sat at your bedside just as long as I have." The Inquisitor nods as he lets go of Cassandra's hand and climbs to his feet, The Seeker watches him glance around him as if he has something important he is supposed to be doing but just looks awkward watching The Commander anywhere near his love. "I'm sure Cullen will want to tell you all about the life bond that you two now share." Lady Pentaghast feels her heart sink at his words, not only was her love feeling guilt for all the pain he has caused her he was now feeling insecure because they had somehow managed to transfer the blood magic and life bond to her and the Commander.
"Please, don't go." Cassandra feels her mouth suddenly dry when she sees Lord Trevelyan just shake his head, he looked so hurt and all she wanted to do was comfort him but he was trying to walk away. "Stay with me." Lady Pentaghast adds grabbing his hand again.
"I need to check on my parents and the boys." Lord Trevelyan sighs when she brings his knuckle up to her mouth, she presses a kiss against the back of his hand trying to hold on to him for as long as she can. "They'll want to know you are awake, they've been worried about you too. I'll leave you two alone.." The Inquisitor adds as Cassandra watches him approach her, he leans down to press his mouth against the top of her head.
The Seeker isn't sure if she wants to scold him for trying to leave her on her own or cry at the sadness behind his actions, she feels his mouth linger longer than usual in her hair.
"Ash.." Cassandra sighs when he moves from her, she glances at The Commander who just looks down at his boots realising that he has driven the Inquisitor away. The Seeker watches him look back to her, his deep brown eyes still full of his love for her even though his pride is hurting. "I love you." She whispers seeing a small smile tug at the corner of his mouth, glad that he at least listening to her words. "Only you," Cassandra adds watching him nod when she repeats the words he has told her recently when she had found out about his former love, Lady Annabelle.
"What is his problem?" Cassandra hears Cullen mumble when they have watched Lord Trevelyan excuse himself and leave the room, closing the heavy wooden door behind him. The Seeker narrows her eyes looking at the Commander, trying to decide if he was trying to be funny or not. "What?" Cullen asks when he notices her looking at him.
"What did you tell him?" The Seeker huffs seeing the crease in between Cullen's nose deepen when he drops his brow at the tone of her voice. "What have you said to upset him?" Cassandra adds realising how accusing her question sounds but when she just sees The Commander shrug she sees it is not unfounded.
"Why do you think it has anything to do with me?" The Commander returns her huff, forgetting for a moment how ridiculously pleased he is to see her alive and well. When Cassandra gives him another accusing look he sighs. "Cassandra, why does it matter if he's upset? He killed you, I saw you die.." Cullen adds dropping his head so he can set his eyes into hers. "You lied to me. You knew all along that you were going to have him kill you and you let me watch that happen. Do you have any idea how it feels to watch someone you love die? Don't you know what that did to me?" He asks her making her sigh, he was of course right.
She had lied to him and she had known how much it would hurt him to see her that way, she just hadn't realised how much it would hurt her having him with her in her last moments and not Lord Trevelyan.
"I didn't mean to hurt you, it was the only way to save him." Lady Pentaghast watches him drop his head again, yes she had been selfish but she had to do everything she could to save the Inquisitor. He was hers and she was his, she couldn't just let him suffer and lose him completely. "I'm sorry that I lied to you but you would never have agreed to the plan if you knew what would happen to me. I heard how you reacted to my death. I felt your pain and I saw your grief Cullen, but I would do anything for him, It hurts me to see him like that. I love him.." Cassandra whispers knowing it was the last thing the Commander wanted to hear.
"Your right, I wouldn't have agreed. You shouldn't have risked yourself for him, there was no way to know what would have happened. You didn't even know if the vial would work. He continually puts you at risk and you let him." Lady Pentaghast watches him place his finger between his eyes rubbing the skin there. "He should be protecting you." Cullen drops his hand and reaches to take hold of her palm again, Cassandra feels herself falter under his touch and sees that he has noticed. "Why are you being like that with me now?" The Commander mumbles searching her face again, she knew she was being hot and cold with him and it wasn't fair.
"I should never have asked you to kiss me." Lady Pentaghast replies watching him nod slowly, she sees him bite his bottom lip when he drops his eyes from her.
The truth was she had been letting them cross far too many lines and she knew she should never have used him and his feelings for her gain, she had allowed him to get too close and had only stoked the fire of his love for her.
"You kissed me back, Lady Pentaghast." Cullen sighs when he looks at her. "You didn't have to kiss me like that. You don't kiss someone like that unless you want to and you mean to." The Commander lifts his hand to place it on her cheek as he had done before; he gently strokes his thumb against her scar. "That wasn't just to make Ashton jealous." He adds when she closes her eyes tightly.
"I love The Inquisitor," Cassandra whispers when he drops his hand from her cheek. "I love Ashton, Cullen. Whatever happened was just a heat of the moment thing. I told you it can't change anything between us, you know I care about you but we are just friends." The Seeker adds watching him frown again, she wasn't sure what he expected her to say but she was sure that wasn't it.
"But I felt something.." The Commander sighs. "I know you feel it too, but I do know that you love him and he makes you happy." He adds shaking his head again.
Cassandra places her hand on her friend's shoulder trying to offer him some comfort; she wasn't about to start debating the intricate details of their complicated relationship with him. She knew she cared about him and that he would always be her protector and Knight in Shining Armour, but they just weren't destined to be together in any way more than this.
"This cant stop us being friends." The Seeker watches him drop his head; she knew if he was being realistic with himself, he knew that they couldn't and wouldn't ever be more than friends. A moment of fleeting madness had been all it was and she should never have let it happen. "We are good for each other, just not in that way." Cassandra adds when he takes hold of her hand, he wraps his own around hers giving her a crooked smile to show that he is okay. "I am still going to need my best friend."
"I'm not going anywhere, Seeker." The Commander chuckles. "We are good for each other and you are my best friend." He nods "I will try and keep my feelings in check and not put you in a difficult situation, I'll try and show you that keeping me close is a good choice for you and that I'm not going to cause you problems." Cullen smiles again when she brushes a small strand of his unruly blonde hair back from his face.
"So we are bound for life?" Lady Pentaghast gives him a reassuring smile when he looks at her, she watches him reach into his coat pocket pulling the vial out from its confines. Commander Cullen holds it up in front of her face showing her the small bottle that once contained hers and Lord Trevelyan's blood, he grasps it tight in his hand as if he doesn't want to let go of it.
"I'm afraid so," Cullen smirks glancing through the glass and back at the Seeker as his eyes fix on hers.
Cassandra notices how different the vial looks now the evil has been lifted from it before she had seen their blood thrashing angrily giving off a dark red light of dangerous magic as it tried to escape. Now the bottle is calm and gives off a warm pink glow, their blood moving slowly together in harmony like a pair of lovers wrapped around one another.
"I will always protect you." The Commander whispers, drawing Cassandra away from gazing at their blood swirling in a slow dance.
"Has Ashton seen this?" Lady Pentaghast asks trying to direct her eyes away from how beautiful their blood looks together, she watches Cullen shrug again. That meant he had and no wonder he was so upset, their life bond had been so aggressive and violent, so volatile and dangerous. Hers and Cullen's life bond was the complete opposite. "Don't be so facetious." Cassandra huffs.
"Yes he has, and he isn't happy about it." The Commander wraps his hand around the vial again placing it back into his pocket. "It doesn't affect us as it did him though, it has all the benefits of a life bond but without the rage. Daniel thinks his mark caused the negative response to the vial, not anything Solas did. All it means is if anything happens to either of us, we can bring each other back." Cullen adds placing his hands on her knees through the sheets.
"So how did our blood get in there, exactly?" The Seeker watches him smile, he was feeling pleased with himself.
Not only had he been responsible for her resurrection but they were now joined together, for as long as they lived through the vial. Cassandra feels herself frown at his smugness, he and the Inquisitor were supposed to be friends and they were both making it very difficult for her.
"I had to donate my blood." Cullen nods. "When the Inquisitor was unable to save you, I had Daniel add my blood to the vial so that I could control the magic in there. We didn't know what would happen, we thought it might destroy the vial all together once we had used it to bring you back. Instead, once the bond had been used to revive you, my blood replaced Ashton's and created the life bond with yours." Cassandra swallows hard at his words; she couldn't think of many people better than the Commander to be linked to, they would always be able to protect each other and have each other's backs, but she could see why the Inquisitor would be feeling so inferior.
She wanted to be bonded to The Inquisitor, in every way there was, but their life bond had hurt them both and nearly ended both of their lives. Lord Trevelyan had been so consumed by the vial that he hadn't been able to save her; Cullen had done it in his place. Lord Trevelyan's blood had created a dark life bond with her, Cullen's had created a light and beautiful one. Lord Trevelyan had killed her and walked away from her as she took her final breath, the Commander had held her until he felt the last of her life leave her.
"I'm not surprised he is upset. He probably feels like he let me down, and you were there for me when he wasn't. It wasn't Ashton's fault; none of this is his fault. You need to forgive each other, he cares about you but he is feeling his pride has been battered. If he had been himself he would have saved me, but he wasn't himself and that's why I ended up like this." Lady Pentaghast sighs seeing him give her a sad smile and a nod, she would never forget the pain she had seen in his eyes and the sounds he had made when he sobbed over her body. "But thank you for being there for me in what I know must have been difficult for you. I'm glad I wasn't on my own when it happened." Cassandra sees him nod again, she couldn't tell him that the whole time her world was going black she was wishing it was Lord Trevelyan that was holding her tightly.
"I don't want to think about it." The Commander gives her a weak smile before he leans forward again drawing her into his arms, The Seeker accepts his hold knowing how much he had been hurt by the whole situation too and wanting to be some kind of support to him. He was still her best friend, even if she felt she was going to have to be more guarded around him for a while. "But if we ever have to be in the same situation again, I will always be here with you right till the end." Cullen adds pressing a gentle kiss to her cheek.
"I am glad we have a way we can take of each other, I think you should keep it though." Cassandra feels him nod as he lets go of her, it was probably best for him to keep it close to him so not to hurt Lord Trevelyan further.
"I should go and get Ashton, for you." The Commander whispers, making Cassandra nod. "I know this has been difficult for him and he wants to be with you." Cullen adds glancing at her again. "Now I know you are okay, I can hand you back to your Inquisitor." Cassandra hated that she was still coming between Lord Trevelyan and The Commander, but she appreciated that most of the time they were both trying for her benefit.
She was glad that her friend was also trying to acknowledge that she needed to be with Lord Trevelyan, even if he didn't understand why and would probably never understand the Inquisitor.
"Could you help me up?" Lady Pentaghast asks, seeing the sudden look of uncertainty on his face. "I'm fine, I just want to stretch my legs, Cullen." Cassandra adds trying to reassure him, it was going to take a while before both of her protectors stopped treating her like she was fragile. They were always trying to keep her safe at the best of times, but this would only add to their concern for her.
"He said you were supposed to be resting." The Commander begins looking into her face, they both knew she was going to get her own way and there wasn't much point arguing with her. "Maybe you should stay in bed for a while longer?" The Seeker watches her friend take hold of the sheet in his hand, tugging it higher up her body trying to tuck her into the bed so she can't move.
"Stop." Cassandra laughs batting his hands away, trying to wriggle out from the tight confines of the sheet. "Go and find The Inquisitor, please?" She asks placing her hand on his arm again when he smiles. "Thank you for being my friend, Cullen." The Seeker adds seeing that her words only make his smile wider.
"Always." The Commander dips his head to her slightly when he places his hand over hers. "Thank you for being mine." He coughs gently trying to cover his embarrassment "I'll see if I can find him. Don't go throwing yourself out of bed until I do." Cullen adds as he stands, he looks back at her giving her a faux warning look that she better do as she is told and stay in bed.
"I'll wait right here." Lady Pentaghast motions for him to do as he has said and waits for him to cross the room and open the door before she sits up completely.
Cassandra wriggles her sore limbs and body towards the edge of the bed and throwing her legs over the side until he feet come into contact with the cold stone. The Seeker sits for a moment, stretching her feet out in front of her trying to work the tired feeling from her muscles.
"I thought I asked you to rest." Cassandra looks up to the door when she hears Lord Trevelyan's voice, she feels herself smile as soon as she sets eyes on him and that he is carefully trying to navigate his way through the doorway with a tray in his hands. Lady Pentaghast watches him lift the tray higher showing her that he has brought her some breakfast, she feels her stomach rumble in response to the sight of the food.
"And I thought I asked you to stay with me." The Seeker replies giving him a cheeky smile watching him return it weakly as he walks across the room towards her, he slowly places the tray down on the end of the bed as he watches her continuing to stretch the muscles in her legs.
She did understand that he had felt like he needed to not be present when The Commander had begun telling her about their life bond, Cassandra didn't like to see her Lord Trevelyan hurting but could understand why he was.
"I figured you might be hungry." The Inquisitor chuckles as moves to the side of the bed to where she is perched, she drops her eyes smiling to herself when he places his hands on her bare legs, his palms warm on her skin even through the bandage that covers the mark. "I was trying to be romantic and bringing you breakfast in bed. But, I know I'm a little late for breakfast." He adds catching her eyes with his again when he ducks his head. "I see you are trying to make a run for it." He laughs slipping his hands down to calves rubbing her aches away with the tips of his fingers.
"I'm not getting very far." Cassandra snorts making him laugh again, she feels like her heart swells at the sound he makes glad that the months of hardship, danger and worry haven't removed all of his happiness. "Or very fast.." The Seeker sighs closing her eyes for a moment, enjoying his gentle touch. "But I am hungry." She sighs again when he moves his hands to her thighs.
"So get back into bed and I'll get you something to eat." Lord Trevelyan smirks when he hears the positive noises that escape her lips as he tries to soothe her. "Then I have something else to give you, that you might enjoy." The Inquisitor chuckles giving her his own cheeky grin when she fixes her eyes on his, Cassandra raises her eyebrows in question.
"And what might that be?" Lady Pentaghast asks feeling her breath catch when Lord Trevelyan suddenly moves to stand between her knees; he leans forward until he can rest his forehead against hers. She closes her eyes again when she feels him brush his mouth against the corner of hers making her smile beneath his lips. "Tell me.." Cassandra whispers when he moves his mouth to her ear.
"A nice hot.." The Inquisitor mumbles pressing his lips against her earlobe making her squirm slightly, aching body or not she was still a woman and he was still her man that could leave her feeling weak at his touch. "Bath." Lord Trevelyan whispers as he hears her huff at his words, making him laugh loudly again. "Eat up." He adds smirking as she places her hands on his chest pretending to push him away from her.