Chapter Fifteen

Sale-woman – NSFW

(BDSM)

I took Alistair to our room and before I got the door all the way closed, my back was against it. He kissed me roughly.

I whimpered in need as he pulled away.

"Ara… I want… I want to try what you like, but I just… I don't know how…" he looked like he felt bad about that.

"That's normal for people who are new to it, Alistair. I can teach you if you really want this."

"How will I know if I don't try? I mean… we could always stop if I can't…"

"That's true – we can. In this kind of scene, it's wise to have a safe word – a word you wouldn't normally say that means stop during sex. Some people will beg for it to end but don't actually want it to end."

"That's pretty smart, actually. Um… what… what do you suggest?"

"Well, I was a reader so I chose a 'spell' from a book series on magic. It doesn't actually work so there was no harm in using it. And even if it did work, the spell needed true intent to harm someone behind it," I flushed. He nodded, "That's clever – what was it?"

"Crucio – or the Cruciatus Curse – was one that inflicted intense, excruciating pain on the victim. I figured having it as a safe word would have some kind of… it just felt right, you know? It means pain and if I want to stop, it's usually because I'm in too much pain."

"So we'll go with that then. What next?"

"What do you want to try specifically?" I asked softly while cupping his cheek. He flushed, "I… we've already tried choking; granted, it was an accident, but still…"

"Ah – actually, I do need to teach you the proper way to do that. It isn't like when you are trying to take out an enemy, after all. You have to press in a very specific way – and not for too long."

"Okay – so we start with that. I think… I think next I want to try… tying you up?"

I giggled, "I think you might like that one the most, actually."

He flushed but didn't contradict me.

I kissed him softly and began undoing the clasps to his armored leather top. He began pulling at my shirt.

I managed to get his top off first – but he was close behind. He growled and picked me up.

I squeaked, "A-Alistair! Aren't I…?"

"Don't even say 'too heavy'. I swear your hound weighs more that you do, my love," his voice was rough. I flushed and hesitantly nodded – was it a lie? Was he telling me that to make me feel better? Fen gave an amused bark of annoyance.

He laid me on the bed – but he didn't look winded or over-exerted… maybe it was the Grey Warden strength. We made quick work of the rest of our clothes before his mouth once more claimed mine.

I moaned as he climbed onto the bed – lowering me slowly as he did.

"H-How do we do this?" he panted. I wiggled so that I could line him up and he groaned when my hand circled his length.

"We start like any normal time, love – unless we were to tie me up first…" he twitched in my hand – I think he really liked the idea of bondage… maybe I would tie him up one time.

He slowly thrust into me – we both groaned at the feel. I said, "Okay – move to one hand and give me the other."

He did. I positioned his hand at my throat while looking him in the eye. I pressed lightly to get his fingers to the right spot before saying, "Squeeze lightly and only for a moment. As we get more comfortable with this, we can go for longer amounts of time but you never want to squeeze too hard. The goal is to cut off a bit of blood flow to the brain for a short time without cutting off the ability to breathe."

He nodded – looking so serious – before lightly squeezing. He released after only 10 seconds. I moaned, "Goddess…"

I heard his hiss of breath as – when he went to squeeze again – my inner walls clenched around him.

"Maker… it really… doesn't hurt?" he asked. I could see both awe and worry on his face. I smiled and moved his hand before placing my own at his throat, "Do you want me to show you?"

"I… I think so – just so I…"

"So you can see that it doesn't hurt me?" he nodded so I gave a small squeeze of my hand. He looked briefly surprised before my hand pulled away.

"That's what it feels like? I really… I really could still breathe. How is it possible to choke but not…?"

"It requires knowledge of what you're doing – as with all things. Make love to me, Alistair – we can talk about this… after."

He nodded and his face darkened in desire. He moved within me – leaning forward to nibble at my throat. My back arched as he thrust harder.

"Alistair," I gasped. He lifted himself though he kept moving – Goddess, I loved this man. So willing to try the things that I felt ashamed of; willing to comfort me and make me feel like more of a person.

He groaned as I lifted my legs to wrap around his waist, "Ara… Maker – I love when you do that…"

I whimpered and he moved his hand to my throat once more – less hesitantly than earlier. I was so worked up that I came hard when he squeezed. Surprise showed on his face – I think he underestimated just how erotic it could be to have a partner who cared for you.

I could live without the BDSM and the kinks – but knowing he was willing to try for me… well; that got me hotter than anything else.

I was panting as I called his name. He groaned and as I came down from the high he said, "I love seeing that look in your eye – hearing my name on your lips… I love you, Ara."

I gasped and flipped us, "Mmmh – I love hearing my name on your lips too. Alistair… I love you so much…"

He sat up and cupped my cheek as I rode him, "I am yours… always yours. I don't want anyone else, Ara."

I whimpered in desire. His hand moved from my cheek to slip between us – he seemed to love playing with my clit. Had we still been on earth, I'd say he was ruining me for other men. He kissed me as his fingers worked me.

I gasped out, "Alistair… oh… Oh…" I cried out as I easily shattered again in his lap – my movements halting. He gripped my hips and moved me himself. He was close from the sounds he was making. He growled when he found his own release.

I rested my forehead against his. He lay back – leaving me in his lap and on his chest while his arms held me tightly.

I hummed in contentment, "You're too good to me…"

He chuckled, "I could say the same – taking me to see that woman when we all know she isn't actually my sister… I love you, Ara. And damn anyone who tries to force me to marry anyone else – I won't do it. You're the only one I want."

I chuckled, "Then I suppose I'll just have to feel bad for Eamon as he rips out his hair in frustration. Do you want to talk about the new stuff now?"

He nodded at my subject change, "Yeah. You… you… when I…"

I smiled, "Yes – but it was only in part because you choked me. I was more aroused by the fact that you were willing to try for me, love. You even tried at first thinking it might hurt me – do you have any clue how sweet that was? Unless a partner is a Masochist – someone who gets pleasure from pain – then there usually isn't pain involved. Hence why my specific safe word indicates that there is pain."

"Even… you mentioned liking having a blade run over your skin…" he flushed.

"Yes – but if you don't dig it into the skin and only run it across, then that isn't painful. Being tied up isn't painful if done right. Occasionally, I do like using a special whip – but only lightly. It isn't painful. None of the stuff I like involves pain to the degree that a masochist would like."

He looked thoughtful and I moved to snuggle into his side. He let me move off of his chest as he said, "That makes a sort of sense."

"This kind of thing… not everyone can accept it, so I've learned to be okay with regular sex. That's why I said not to do anything if you felt like you had to. I love you – not what you can do to me in bed."

He kissed me, "And I am so glad you feel that way. The thing is… I wanted to try. Growing up, people always say 'how will you know if you don't try' to a lot of things. Usually I heard them telling that to others about veggies, but the concept was there. I figured if someone like you – an amazing woman who was working to end the Blight – could like those things then… they couldn't be terrible could they? I know you said that it was more of you adapting to survival, but yet… you are the strongest, most amazing woman I know. Those things don't change who you are any more than my love of cheese changes who I am."

I held him tighter, "You are one of the sweetest men I know. No one has ever said it quite like that before. My therapist usually tried to focus on how they were just 'side-effects' of what happened to me – disregarding that there was a whole community of people who like this stuff without ever going through what I did. That you were willing to try – at the very least… well… it helps."

He smiled and just… held me.

It was several hours later when we came down for food. Zev, Leli, Aedan and Bela were just getting back.

Sangra was watching Alistair and I with a smirk – we hadn't exactly been quiet, after all. The returning group, Alistair and I sat down at a table and Leliana spoke first while turning as red as her hair, Let us… never speak of this again."

"Yes, I agree," Isabela smirked. "I don't mind never speaking of it again, as long as we could do it again," Zev was grinning ear to ear. "Well… that's a thought," Lelianna remarked thoughtfully.

"Am I getting old, or have you become even more depraved over the years, Zev?" Isabela asked with a sly wink. "I've been about Grey Wardens and a Seer. Perhaps the taint has rubbed off on me some, or Aras' naughty personality?" He chuckled. I gave a full laugh and said, "Most likely my fault, sweetie. I did grow up in a land where you could learn everything there is to know about sex in very little time, without even being involved in the act, not to mention I can remember everything I come into contact with…" Isabela looked very curious and said, "Now I regret not bringing you along, kitten. That could have been very interesting."

I gave her my best sexy look and told her, "You had your chance. When you left without me, I decided to make my own fun with my handsome Templar – who, by the way wouldn't have actually sad no."

Sangra personally brought us food, "Here you are, Doll. You will need this." I flushed bright red when she handed me an invigorating potion, "Ah… thank you, dear – but I really don't. What you likely heard was mild – though there were new components."

She looked at Alistair in appraisal, "It's rare that I'm wrong, but… okay. Mmmh – my girls especially say to thank you for your buissness."

She winked and walked off. Isabela instantly leaned forward, "I can't get that woman to look at me at all – what did you do?"

"I took 800 Sovereigns from her," I shrugged. Aedan choked on his drink and it spilled out his nose. Leliana patted his back and Bela said, "How?"

I explained how I earned so much and she said, "Could I smell this scent? I'm curious."

I handed her a sample bottle and she smelled it, "Oh… oh my, that is… yeah, I can see how the recipe would go for 525. Kitten, how do you do it?"

"Do what darling?"

Alistair put his arm over my shoulder possessively. She smiled, "You seem to have this charm – even I can't help but think that I want to protect you and I don't know you."

"I maxed out my charisma stats when the game started," I said drily. Zevran sniggered – I'd learned that something similar to Dungeons and Dragons was played here. I was a huge nerd – so of course I played. Zev had gotten the rest of the group playing too. Even Sten – 'it is good to learn what entertains the Bas so we know how they think'. Isabela obviously played, because she laughed too.

"That sounds believable, Kitten."

Zevran must have noticed something though, because he said, "Did you and our handsome Templar have fun Ara?"

"Zev, that was obvious by what Sangra was handing her," Bela pointed out.

"No, no, Bela – look at her neck."

Bela snapped to look at me and her eyes widened, "He looks far too innocent for that. How did you get him to do it?"

Alistair flushed, "I don't see how that's any of your…"

I cut him off, "He wanted to try what I like, Bela dear. He's very good at the after-care too."

Aedan grumbled, "Don't talk about it with me here."

Leliana giggled but we did stop talking about sex.

The next day, I had Alistair and Aedan – both fully armored – and Leliana follow me to the palace.

She was acting as my assistant – and the men were my 'labor and bodyguards'. They each dragged a small wheeled cart with boxes of soap, oil and perfume. The guard at the gate snapped, "State your buissness, Elf."

I glared, "How dare you? I am a saleswoman. I just made 800 Sovereigns from the Pearl and someone suggested that your Regent Lord would be interested in one of my scents. The scents I sell are exclusive, unique and have massive health benefits! But I will not be treated this way – good day, Ser."

Leliana rushed to cover me, "My Lady has such a wonderful reputation in Orlais and Antiva – she used to be a Teyrna in another continent before coming to Thedas after losing her family in a fire. She even sold her wares in Redcliffe and the Circle Tower on our way her to Denerim before we travel to Tevinter. Even the Grey Wardens have sampled her wares!"

The guard froze at hearing the mentions of Redcliffe and the Wardens, "W-Wait miss! I was in the wrong – I humbly apologize. Regent Loghain may wish to speak with you after all."

I sniffed, "I will wait no more that the time it takes for me to set up my wares – if he does not appear wherever you place me by then… I will leave and not return to sell him my wares. Carlos, Adrian – do not slouch. We must appear to be the professionals we are."

The two Wardens straightened at once.

We were led to a study room and I started setting up a booth under the watchful eye of a guard. "Celeste, dear – start setting up the soap; I will see to the oils and perfumes. Carlos, Adrian… just stay out of my way," I gave a faux frown.

The two men gave me salutes and 'celeste' said, "Yes, Madam."

Just as we finished getting the booth set up, Loghain and Anora swept into the room with Rendon Howe on their heels. I saw Aedan – or 'Adrian' – stiffen but 'Carlos' held him back.

"I hear you've recently been to Redcliffe and encountered the Grey Wardens?" Loghain shot direct to the point.

I frowned, "You seem to have no sense of buissness, Ser. In my home country we talk shop before we get to the exciting things."

Loghain was 6'2 with greying black hair, green eyes and wrinkle-ridden tanned skin. Anora was 5'8 with pale skin, flaxen blonde hair, green eyes and no wrinkles in sight. Rendon Howe was 5'10 with white hair, green eyes and wrinkly skin.

Loghains' lip twitched as he approached my booth, "Soap? You are selling soap? I have no interest…"

I cut him off, "This one specifically is what someone named Bann Teagan said you may enjoy. I call this one War Torn. The health benefits it brings are listed on this paper."

Anora actually looked curious and I could see that she picked up Lethal Beauty and was glancing at Fairy Song. Howe glared at me for my interruption but Loghain said, "Ah… this does smell intriguing. Maps and Blade Polish… I've never found a scent of soap like it."

I nodded firmly, "My scents are unique – as I told your very rude guards. I made a sale just yesterday worth 800 Sovereigns. I also sold to the circle of Kinlock Hold for another 350. The Bann – Teagan – made a purchase of 13 Sovereigns which was the lowest sale I've made for my Scents."

"What did you say your name was?" Anora asked. I looked her over and exclaimed, "Ah – a woman with manners. I am Ara Anderson, My Lady. Might I know your name?"

"Queen Anora – this is my Father and Regent, Loghain Mac Tir. This is Arl Rendon Howe."

I gave her a slight bow, "A pleasure to be here, Your Majesty. I see you are fond of my personal scent. Fairy Song is the soap I made for myself above all. It is also my most expensive."

She nodded, "I can see why – it has such a lovely scent and this list of health benefits is nothing to sneeze at. It says here that all your scents feature at least one hard to come by herb?"

"Indeed. Fairy Song features Vandal Aria, Amrita Vein, Prophets' Laurel, and Arbor Blessing if you wish to know the reason for its cost."

Her eyes bugged a little. Loghain coughed, "And War Torn?"

"War Torn features Ghouls' Beard as the special herb."

I noticed Howe had caved and began looking through the soaps. "This one – Smokescreen… what does it feature?"

"Prophets' Laurel, Vandal Aria, and Felandaris are the featured herbs in that one."

Leliana spoke, "My mistress has such a wonderful head for her buissness that a few nobles in Orlais exclusively use her scents. She even has two other scents that are not on the table – Lions' Den was one she made for her late husband, Teyrn Alex Anderson of America, and Templars' Rose is exclusively for Templars and Mages due to the use of Lyrium in it."

I sighed, "Alex was… well, there is no point in dwelling on the past."

Loghain gave me a sympathetic nod. 'Adrian' spoke with a rough voice, "M'lady, 'sit true you can make a new smell in less than an hour?"

I nodded, "Of course! The herbs in Thedas are so different from home – all these scents were made in the last few months."

Howe looked surprised, "That is an amazing feat. What are the prices?"

I went down the list of prices – from most expensive to least. Anora looked like she expected the prices – but Howe looked a bit pale.

Loghain said, "I will take 3 bottles of War Torn – with 2 matching perfumes." 10.5 Sovereigns.

Anora said, "I will take six bottles of Fairy Song, 3 bottles of Lethal Beauty and 2 of each perfume." That was another 31.5 Sovereigns.

Howe said, "I'll take 2 bottles of Smokescreen – no perfume." That was another 2.5 Sovereigns.

I told them each their totals and received the full 44.5 Sovereigns. I waved my hand and Leliana and the two me began breaking down the booth.

I looked at the nobles before me, "You wished for information before? You may ask now that buissness is concluded."

"You were in Redcliffe – what did you learn there?"

"The Arls' son, Connor, appears to be a mage child. He accidentally dealt with a demon and the Wardens got involved to save the lives of everyone involved. Bann Teagan is in charge while the Wardens search for a cure to Eamons' poisoning. The fool Maleficar that poisoned him didn't bother telling anyone that the poison was temporary so now it isn't. Eamon may very well die without intervention of the Wardens – at the very least; he will never wake up again without the Urn of Sacred Ashes."

I saw the smug look in Loghain and Rendons' eyes. Loghain pressed, "The wardens… is that where you met them?"

I shook my head, "No – I have run into the Wardens on several occasions – they were also at the Circle of Kinlock while I was there. The place had been besieged from within and abominations ran rampant. The Knight-Commander sent for the Right of Annulment before the Wardens ever arrived. So few Mages remain now. If they were there for allies, they should have arrived sooner. A pity really; they seem like nice lads. The one called Alistair was good in bed."

Loghain coughed and Anora flushed – she knew Alistair was Cailans' half-brother. Howe said, "And the other one? The Cousland Boy?"

I shrugged, "I did not bed him – you should ask my assistant for details on him. Celeste; the second warden – Alan, was it? How was he?"

"Oh, it was Aedan, Mistress – and he was quite good in bed too. Very good with his hands."

"That is not what I was asking…" Howe grumbled. I tilted my head, "Then you should speak plainly – there are very few taboo topics in my homeland so if you aren't careful this could get quite awkward, quite fast."

Loghain nodded, "So we can see. What were these Wardens doing?"

"Well, I know they need to head west – I think toward the border if not… well. They are looking for the Urn of Sacred Ashes. I hear the relic has not been seen in over a thousand years so how they plan to find it…"

Howe said, "How focused on that are they?"

"They have devoted themselves to finding this Urn. I do not believe they will rest until they find it. They may stop other places for rations or something, but from what I could see, they've been focused on the Urn."

Loghain nodded, "At least we won't have to worry about another Grey Warden rebellion in the meantime. If you come across them again, I suggest that you keep in mind that they are Traitors to the throne of Ferelden."

I shrugged, "Their money is as golden as any other, however. Would it not benefit you if they were to spend their money on frivolous items of luxury and not a war effort?"

Howe laughed, "That is a good point – you have a good head for buissness and politics. How much have you said you made selling these soap scents?"

"1208 in the last few months; why?" I smiled.

Anora coughed, "Arl Howe – that was an inappropriate question."

"It is to be expected of him, Your Majesty. A Lady Sophie claims he is her partner in financial matters. If he is a person that handles finances… then would it not stand to reason he'd be interested in such things?"

Howe looked a little pale – he'd be confronting Sophie later. Loghain said, "You are the only Elf I've ever met to have a title. You also have considerable skill. I had offered reward for information about the Wardens – with what you've provided; I will be paying you an additional 80 Sovereigns for the information."

I stood, "It has been a pleasure doing buissness with you, Regent."

He nodded, "Likewise, Lady Anderson."

We left soon after – it was amazing how little nobles noticed when wrapped up in buissness, because Alistair and Aedan had been full on snooping the whole time.

When we got back to the Pearl, we went to Alistairs' and my room; Zev shot in with, "How much did you make?"

"44.5 Sovereigns for the soap and another 80 for information on the Wardens that was pretty much useless: In all 124.5 from Loghain to the Wardens; with love."

Wynne cracked a smile and Morrigan said, "How foolish not to have noticed two men with you."

"His loss is our gain." I grinned.

"Having your enemy fund your war campaign – an interesting technique, Kadan."

"Yup – so I'm up past 1200 Sovereigns since the war started. I am set – even paying for what this group needs, I'll never need to work if I don't want to."

Zev got a shine in his eye, "Little Rose, you are awe-inspiring."

I shrugged, "Using advanced buissness tactics from Earth feels like cheating – but a favorite character of mine once said not to be afraid of being shameless in buissness. Use your family for better discounts, use your gender to sway opinions, and above all – ask for an unreasonable price and let them talk you down only a little. Have confidence and it'll work."

"… Tell me you're joking…" Alistair asked looking amused. I shook my head, "Not at all – if I had a brother who was head of a famous company, I would ask for a 95% discount and work from there. If he's my brother and company head, he'd let me have at least a 50% discount so asking for almost free and working off knowing he won't go lower than 50% would still get me a 75% discount if we met in the middle."

Leliana sniggered, "That is shameless, Ara."

"Loghain is just lucky I didn't raise my prices for him and the Queen. I would have done it too – but being reasonable would get us more information so I was."

Leliana nodded, "Her Majesty looked as though she expected a higher price for the Fairy Song soap. Being reasonable meant that they let down their guard some."

Aedan grumbled, "I wanted to kill Howe right there."

"You'll kill him later – promise."

He lit up when I said that, "Oooh – I can't wait."

I smiled, "Alright – tomorrow is our third day here. What else do we have to do?"

I was given a rundown of what needed doing – Back Alley Justice was pretty much the only thing left.

I sighed, "Aedan, Leliana, Morrigan and Wynne – you can take care of that one. Alistair and I will procure rations. Zevran, you can go do the Crime Wave stuff if you really want to – but you have to take Sten with you. I don't want anyone left alone here."

Alistair kissed my temple, "What kind of rations are we looking for?"

I smiled, "Mostly cheeses and foods from Thedas. I have to know what I'm expecting to pull things from my bag. Haven't you noticed that the only things I pull out are what I've made or things from Earth? Either that or things like my Tent; I can pull that out because I have a basic concept of what magic goes into something like that from books I've read. I have to know what I'm doing."

"That makes sense… somewhat," Aedan said. I shrugged, "I cannot be all powerful and all-knowing. I cannot even be one of those things. I don't know everything. I didn't know wat my dream from Sloth would be. I didn't see Alistair and I being together at all. I really didn't see my wings being a thing. I couldn't stop sloth – that was Aedans' doing. I'm… just a person."

Sten nodded, "As it should be. The Qun would not allow a powerful, all-knowing being to roam loose."

I nodded, "There is that – and I have no desire to submit to a religion that would see my mouth sewn shut and me collared like an animal."

He shrugged. We all went to bed after that.