Chapter Fifty-Seven
The Bone Pit
(So the thing i did was against the rules - so i deleted that book thing. HOWEVER: the contest is still up on the Original Fairies book so please check that out. ALSO; i will still take requests for one shots and little things. Once I have a one shot, i can post THAT as a new book and post all the one shots there. just let me know if there is something you want to read as a one shot.)
(THE CONTEST: i was asking for people to name any character with what their title would be if they were Aras' Mate - and thus a Prince/Princess of Danu. the WINNERS will have a Fae (Fairy or Sylph - winners' choice) named after them. i planned to pick two winners for a chapter that will come out on or around February 14th. I have one submission so far - only one - and am more curious what people would name the less popular characters than the more popular ones. i want to see Krem, Sera, and all the people not obvious. we all pretty much know Solas and Bull and even Blackwall - though Blackwall might not be so obvious since the Prince from the Elemental Court was also called Bear.)
(Also: MARRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY HOLLIDAYS. Or as Ara would say; Blessed Yuletide)
(TRIGGER WARNING; Slavery, rape and other harmful materials)
That night before dinner, Fenris pulled me and Alistair into my room.
"You said you knew a Sten – just what did you do for him?"
"Found four lost blades – his included – in a country fighting a war on two fronts, restored his honor after he slaughtered a family for not knowing where his sword was, and proved myself as one worth following. I also provided a lot of information to him to take to the Ariqun – including info the Ben-Hassrath wanted." I listed off.
"Wait – what information did you give the Ben-Hassrath?" Fenris looked like he had been given a shock.
"Ogres are the Darkspawn version of Qunari – Broodmothers, like I said the other night. The Ben-Hassrath has been investigating the link between Qunari and Ogres for years with no luck. I also gave information on dairy and wheat allergies that aren't quite noticeable as well as a few things on how to care for human, elven and Dwarven children so that the children don't die when the Tamassrans care for them – they have trouble with that at the moment. Oh, and information about the Elves being the victims during the Exalted March – it was a religious and racial persecution that was instigated over a misunderstanding."
He blinked, "The Qunari will find that useful – the collect knowledge even if it isn't told to all. You realize that doing that of your own volition will have them seeing you as Viddithari, right?"
"Let them – it will serve a good purpose in the future, I think. Look, I want to have sex – if you're not joining us then…"
He smirked, "As long as you won't be having sex while I'm in bed tonight…"
"That's why we're doing it now, Fenris," I snarked at him. Alistair flushed lightly – I had just invited Fenris to join us. Fenris shook his head, "Then I will see you at dinner."
The elven man left the room and Alistair lifted me into his arms. I gave a squeal of laughter before the door fully closed.
When we came down for dinner, we were shot knowing looks. Isabela said, "Kitty, why can't I join now? Obviously he's very much fun if you didn't come down for so long…"
"Oh I went down twice, dear," I quipped. Hawke choked on his drink and it spilled from his nose. Alistair flushed but just pulled my chair closer to his and further from Bela. Fenris snorted and my guards all seemed to blank.
"But that doesn't answer my question!" she argued.
"Because, my dear pirate, if you join now, you will ask to share my husband and be disappointed when the answer from him is a resounding no; you can't join us until the very last night he's here this time because if you do, you will not be able to walk properly for days – and we have work to do out at the bone pit. I'm used to the exquisite torture of making love to my dragon – tsk… you wouldn't last." I made my voice as sultry as I could get it.
She swallowed hard, "You… you think I couldn't handle it? You do know who I am, don't you?"
"Oh, yes – I know exactly who you are; I even know that Isabela isn't your birth name – not that it's any of my buissness." I stood and moved closer to her. Alistair was giving me a questioning look as I reached up and caressed her cheek, whispering softly, "Naishe my dear – Alistair is almost too good – if he were any better, I couldn't keep up. To think, most sex addicts would cry for mercy in his very capable hands…"
Fenris was the one to lose his drink this time – he and Merrill were the only elves at the table. My guards, the elves and Alistair all heard my words to the pirate queen.
Bela was both pale and flushed, "You know my name…"
I moved my hand to tangle in her hair; I yanked her head back and placed a kiss on her lips, "I know much more than that too. I do wonder what you might be like in bed – truthfully, I somewhat enjoy the anticipation; it will make our night together so much sweeter, don't you think?"
She shuddered and I released her, straitening up and returning to my seat. Alistair was flushed, Merrill looked a little flushed too, Fenris was watching me with an unreadable expression and my guards all pointedly ignored the interaction.
Hawke asked, "What was said? I couldn't hear all of that…"
I shrugged and winked at Bela who was now giving me a dark look – it was the look of a thrill seeker contemplating how much of a thrill that ride would be; desire and anticipation in equal parts.
She said – in a rough voice, I might add – to Alistair, "You are one very lucky man – that was hot."
I glanced at Alistair, "It's so good to know that she likes having her hair pulled before we get to the bedroom, don't you think?"
He nodded amicably, with a soft smile directed at me, "At least I know how much force to use in that instance – do you think she likes the other stuff too?"
I was thoughtful before turning to the pirate again, "Hey; do you like being tied down, choked or any of that? I love it – Alistair is great at the after-care too."
Fenris seemed to freeze and I stilled realizing the problem – as a former slave, he likely couldn't handle the kinks… I continued, "I mean – I don't need it; I got used to vanilla sex when I was human. Maybe I'll tell you about that sometime, but we kind of need to know what we're doing later."
Fenris stood and left the room. I cursed, "Alistair, see to Bela – shit; I need to go find him."
I rushed from the room; Fenris had been headed toward the cellar – I did tell him he had his own section there with all his favorites.
"Fenris…" I said.
My back was against the wall, "Fenhedis; you like that stuff?"
"I had no choice in the beginning, Fenris. I could only adapt to like it or break; those men, they… a person will imprint on their first time – and I was five. What was my brain supposed to do to keep me sane? I have perfect memory – I couldn't forget; and that… is so much worse. At least if I didn't remember it, I wouldn't feel like such a shameful whore when people react like this when they find out. Alistair doesn't even know my biggest Kink – and I plan to never tell any of my mates… I don't think I can handle the disgusted horror if you ever find out. It horrifies me, Fenris – I hate myself so much… and it makes me think that maybe I did deserve that fate. I never claimed to be a good girl – I never said that I would be perfect… if you don't want me after learning this then you need to say something; my heart can't take falling deeply in love with you only for you to leave me. I'm weak – I'll admit that."
His face had started angry – his markings glowing – and slowly went blank; like a mask sliding into place. By the end of my little tirade, he was back to being angry.
"I am not angry at you, I am angry because I know what that is like – to enjoy something because it is all you know. I knew the minute you said you liked being tied down. I am angry because this means that is what they did to you. Denarius did the same to me – once my memories were gone. There was a difference – I did not enjoy being the one dominated. But they did love their power. You have nothing to be ashamed for; I am merely dealing with the fact that I cannot go after those that harmed you. I want nothing more than to hold their hearts in my hands and crush them."
I hadn't realized I was crying until he reached up and wiped a tear away. I heard the shake in my voice, "Y-you… you don't think… that I'm… I'm… a whore?"
He growled, "No – I am overwhelmed with the urge to protect you; that isn't something I can do and to be honest, I don't appreciate having the feelings when…"
Magmas' voice cut in, "Those feelings wouldn't be there if you didn't care for her. We have mates, yes – but that doesn't mean the feeling hit us and are forced to be felt. The humans back on Danu never feel the emotions until after they're genuine. Only Ara will ever feel the bond right off – her mates are her challenge. Two of you hate magic and she has something similar to magic. Her first mate was even a Templar recruit – in theory, he should also hate magic. Two of you hate something about her – how do you think she feels in this? When we first met her, she worried and stressed about her other mates. She knows that multiple mates aren't the norm here. You're an elf – those feelings are your own; they are not a result of the mate bond."
With that said, he turned stiffly and walked away.
I looked away from Fenris, "I will understand if you… if you don't want me. You have no idea how surprised I was when Alistair admitted that he wanted and loved me. I always need reassurance too – I am married to Alistair in a 'till death do us part' bond, but I keep asking him if he's sure he loves me. I keep expecting him to take another wife because I feel that I'm not good enough on my own; and it isn't really fair that I have so many mates and he's faithful to me. That is also why I hinted to Alistair that I want Bela – it's my hope that if he sleeps with another woman, he might realize that. It won't be the first time we shared another woman. I love you Fenris – and maybe it's far too soon for me to say that to you; and goddess only knows that I never expect to hear it from you – but I do."
My hand reached up to rest on his chest, "I'll be here – if you ever want to talk about the abuse you suffered. I should get back to dinner…"
I slid out from between him and the wall and – rather than head to the dining room – I fled to one of the empty rooms to cry. Alistair found me two hours later, looking worried.
Relief filled his face the moment his eyes landed on me and he shouted, "I found her!"
Fenris appeared in the doorway; guilt was in his eyes though the rest of his face was blank. Magma also showed up with Hawke.
I didn't speak; I was asleep the moment Alistair lifted me into his arms.
The next morning, we all (Minus Celeste, Galaxia and Drake as well as Aveline) headed out – Fenris refused to move from my side and Alistair, surprisingly, let him.
We were almost to the bone pit when I finally asked about it, "What gives? Alistair usually refuses to leave my side… and today it's Fenris who won't? What did I miss?"
Bela sniggered, "Oh, Kitty – Alistair and Magma reamed him when we couldn't find you. You didn't return to the table – we thought you were with Fenris; until he returned without you. Fenris and Alistair panicked – Alistair asked when you two parted ways."
"When Fenris said it was right after what Magma said and you gave a small speech before heading back, Magma let us all know exactly what he heard you say; he couldn't defy an order from his King unless the Queen says otherwise," Alistair growled out.
Magma – the one with us today – coughed, "Er… after that, King Alistair turned on Fenris and asked what happened after that."
Anders shot a glare at Fenris, "We were worried that you left the house without guards – or worse. Alistair was going crazy looking in every corner of the house. If we hadn't found you when we did, he likely would have had everyone searching the city."
"Okay – all I'm hearing is reasons for Alistair to be pissy and not let Fenris near me; I'm not hearing why Fenris is the one on personal guardian duty today." I was exasperated.
Fenris finally said something, "I wished to apologize and make it clear to you – I do not plan to leave you; I still plan to see how things unfold between us. Also, I wished to ask a question that Alistair wanted to know the answer to as well. He figured since you were probably mad at me already…"
I slapped my hand to my forehead and gave a heavy sigh, "What question?"
"What is the 'kink' that you will not us and why keep it hidden?"
"That's two questions," I pointed out.
He gave me a blank stare. I shook my head, "I can't… I feel like I shouldn't tell you. Anders knows – he was there for that conversation with my guards. Anders and my guards all know. I… I just can't bring myself to say it to you. Alex struggled with it, Alistair – he would do it for me but… I can't ask that of either of you; I refuse to ask for it. If you want to know, ask them – I give full permission for them to tell you if this topic can be dropped. Please… just… promise me you won't look at me in disgust when you know…" my voice broke.
Alistair pulled me into his chest, "I would never look at you in disgust. I love you, Ara."
Fenris looked at Magma, "What is it?"
"It's called Primal Play – hunter and prey, you know? She likes the illusion of having no choice; to put in a blunter term… what she likes is rape-play. There's a safe word in place, so unless she says that you don't stop; she'll tell you to stop and she's say no and call you names while she 'fights' but unless she uses the safe-word, she's actually enjoying it. It's a common thing actually – Celeste and Galaxia both enjoy it too; Drake does that for them more often than I do. I am more about making love in a sweeter fashion."
My head was buried in Alistairs' chest – I didn't want to see their faces turn on me.
Alistair hummed, "I don't see why she would be embarrassed about that one, actually; not with some of the other things we've done. Really, love – you like having a blade drug across your skin…"
I looked up at him – daring to hope he meant that, "Y-you… really?"
"I don't really see why you're ashamed of this one. You did that one play for me…" he was speaking of the Templar and the caught apostate. I flushed – that had been… interesting, to say the least.
"I-I… I was actually raped, Alistair – so many people told me that I must have secretly wanted what happened to me when they found out… and what if they were right? 6 of my 10 therapists through my life told me pretty much the same thing without saying it outright. What am I supposed to think – how am I supposed to believe people will react upon finding out?"
Fenris snorted, "This explains your initial reaction when I pushed you against the wall last night."
"What did Alistair want to play at?" Isabela jumped on the question. I relaxed and threw her a grateful look for making this less awkward for me. Seeing that look, Alistair answered Bela, "I was raised as a Templar Recruit – you hear some interesting fantasies from the older Templars. I was curious about one kept hearing about; the Templar and the Apostate. I asked Ara if she would be willing to play at that… and now we can try that again with a new twist added to accommodate her fantasy – to be honest, I had heard that the apostate was meant to be reluctant in the fantasy play, but I wasn't sure I'd heard right."
I smiled shyly at him; he was putting himself on full display to get the heat off of me. Fenris lifted an eyebrow at me, "I always heard it was Templar and Mage – not Apostate specifically."
I giggled, "I suggested the apostate thing – you know, 'oh, Mr. Templar, I'll do anything to stay out of the circle', kind of thing? What is a circle mage going to say in that situation? I couldn't picture it so I chose to play an apostate instead."
Anders spoke up, "This is more about the King than I ever needed to know…"
"You should have heard some of the talks with the whole group during the Blight – we all compared average dick sizes. I learned that our assassin friend was 7½, the Qunari was 9 and matched Alistair in size, and they all learned that Alex was 7."
Alistair was flushed at how bluntly I said that. Bela looked wide-eyed, "No way he's that big, Kitty!"
I smirked, "You'll see – he is."
The Kings' Guard following us choked. Poor man didn't know how to process this. Alistair snorted, "That night was nothing on what happened in the deep roads. I don't know how you could speak so plainly with Sten all the time. No, no – I get it; no taboo in the Qun… The Maker knows that I heard you two say that often enough when questioned about why you were speaking of sexual practices. I just… I couldn't be that open unless – like now – I'm trying to get the attention off of you."
I smiled at him, "I know – I love you so much. You put yourself in the most awkward situations to make me feel better…"
He laughed, "I suppose I do at that. I never would have agreed to another threesome if you hadn't looked like you really wanted it. Once with the bitch was enough for me, thanks."
I snorted, "Morrigan was adorable when she actually let me join in. I liked when you… well… besides – I got new piercings that you seem to enjoy from that encounter!"
Isabela couldn't resist, "Oh – and exactly where might those be?"
"My nipples – Morrigan had hers pierced; she did them herself. I asked her to do mine – I want a few other piercings too; and more tattoos. I'm an addict for a tattoo needle – I just didn't have the money to get more before coming to Thedas. Say, Bela, can you do piercings or tatts?"
She laughed, "Only face piercings, sweetness – ears and eyebrows and lips…"
"Tongue – I want my tongue and eyebrow pierced next. I used to have a tongue piercing; I had to take it out when I got a job and… forgot to put it back in until it was too late. The tongue is the fastest healing part of the body, you know. I miss playing with it – clicking it against my teeth and the moves I could do with it. I have the barbells – I just need someone to stab me, you know?"
"For you, kitty, I'll certainly do it – I'm interested to see what you can do with it," she winked. I shuddered – we had a few days left until Alistair would leave; so if she did it now, and Anders healed it… "When we make camp, then – otherwise you'll never get to experience the full effect."
Her eyes widened and she nodded, "A deal. Now, there's the Bone Pit."
"Only wretched or ignorant souls linger here," Fenris muttered. I nodded, "I hate fighting dragons – it's a good thing we brought one of our own."
The whole group groaned. Anders said, "The bone pit gained a new attraction then?"
"Mostly just Dragonlings from the report I got; but there is one Drake. Most of the workers that were left behind are currently dead – I hope we find at least one survivor. However, this is a good time to get some dragon leather for a new pair of boots I want – I found a decent leatherworker in Hightown that likes to make boots. She promised me a discount since I gave her a tin full of tea leaves."
The guards that Alistair had brought were confused; the captain – Garrick – spoke up, "M-My lady, what do you mean?"
I shot him a sly smile and said, "Alistair, my love, have you told your guards nothing about you? They should really know these things – you don't need half so many guards that any normal King would."
Alistair sighed and began stripping off his armored top. Garrick looked mortified until the scales on Alistairs' chest came into view. They were flesh-colored, but more prominent than the scars that littered his back. I took this wonderful opportunity to check him out – I never got tired of the view.
He noticed and flashed me a charming smile. Bela was also checking him out – but so were Hawke, Anders and Bethany. Carver and Fenris were looking at the scales. Merrill was… chasing a butterfly?
Garrick looked stunned, "Your Majesty, what…?"
Alistair chuckled, "The Dragon blood that runs through the Theirin line – the blood that marks us as Theirins' – is more pronounced within me than it was in my brother. While traveling during the blight, a member of our party got trapped beneath a freshly killed High Dragon – while moving it, I ingested some of the blood and it awoke the bloodline. The scales on my chest are a show of that – I can no longer be harmed by fire since the dragon blood in me was from a fire dragon, according to the Fairy Queen. I am also harder to stab – that assassin you saw in my bed…"
I snapped at that, "Excuse me?"
He groaned, "It was nothing! The assassin was pitifully weak and… he showed that I couldn't be stabbed by iron?"
My jaw clamped, "You aren't getting out of it this easily, Alistair – what assassin. Was it a Crow, or a hired hand?"
"Er… a group that no longer exists after my guards heard of it?" he muttered.
I looked at Garrick, "Give me a report – now."
He saluted and gave me a rundown. The initial assassin was rambling about the king having a chest harder than diamond – the guard thought he just missed in the stabbing, not that the king had been impervious. He said he hadn't been paid enough to go after a dragon in human skin.
I listened to the report as we entered the Bone Pit and Alistair redid up his armor. Magma was watching my face as I listened. I finally looked him once the report finished, "Magma – how tough are dragon gifted in Danu?"
"You can't pierce their skin with anything less dense than Silverite – iron will break, steal will break, and so on… depending on the dragon – fire, earth, water, lighting, or such – they will be impervious to that element. The extra strength and stamina you are aware of – there is also the enhanced senses; another thing you're aware of. My specific ability with it is rather rare – as a fire dragon, I can breathe fire in my humanoid form. Not all dragon shifters can do that; and I don't think it would be something the Dragon King could do – he would have showcased the ability in the fight against the Archdemon if he could. I can't do this one, but some can grow permanent wings – they don't tuck away. Others can lengthen their nails like talons or claws. My cousin has a tail when she wants one."
I smiled, "Good – Alistair if there is another assassin and I don't hear about it, I will tie you up instead of the other way around – and then I will leave you there; all bothered and worked up – maybe I'll go take a damn shower and stroll around the room naked and you won't be able touch."
He growled, "I didn't want to worry you!"
"I want to worry about you. You get to worry about me, my love; it's only fair," I pointed out.
He sighed as the Dragonlings began to scatter and watch us wearily – they were looking between Magma, Alistair and… me? Magma noticed, "I think we know what your dormant fire ability will be. Control of fire creatures, perhaps?"
He had whispered it, but Alistair heard and smirked at me, "Or it could be the Dragon blood she swallowed. She was the party member trapped under the high dragon. She swallowed a lot of blood in an attempt not to drown in it while we moved the corpse."
Magma lifted an eyebrow at me, so I whispered, "I also had a whole cup of Archdemon blood – they are called Old Gods so the blood is… really old and really powerful. I think it may be on par with Great Dragon blood…"
Magma sighed, "I was hoping this would be a sign, but it may just be what you already have. Speaking of – I spoke with Lord Ash; Lady Sylvain did have a fourth power. She had healing gifts."
"Oh – no, I don't have that one; just the other three." I said. Alistair would have had healing too – I distinctly recalled being annoyed that he could heal and I couldn't.
Magma frowned, "I suppose you having 3 of her 4 is still impressive – though with having that many of them, it was expected that you would gain the fourth as well. Perhaps when you meet your final mate?"
"I've been unlocking the powers that elementally correspond to those mates; Visions from water when I met Alistair, Wings from Air when I met Cullen, and Sensing the Elements with Fenris. I had the ability to shift and sense the sun from the beginning – those were hers, right? I can't heal – I've tried."
He frowned, "You may not actually get an ability for fire with your next mate since you already have two fire abilities." He muttered.
Alistair cut in – covered in dragon blood after the fight, "I was actually speaking to the Queens' Brother about that too – Lord Ash suspects she may get a second Air or Water ability instead – she has two for fire and two for Earth already. The Queens' abilities are extensive, but having three abilities for one element has never happened; two, yes, but three?"
I hummed – if that was the case… "So do you think Healing might be her fourth ability? The ability might have over-lapped and then got locked off until she meets her fourth mate."
Magma looked thoughtful, "That's possible – we won't know for sure until then, I guess."
Alistair leaned in to kiss me on the cheek, "You know… I love you."
I laughed, "Je t'aime, Alistair."
He jerked, "You speak Orlesian?"
"I wasn't aware you could," I smirked. He flushed, "I've been learning it since I took the throne. I was actually taught Antivan growing up because that was where Arl Eamon demanded that they station me once I took my vows; he didn't want me in Ferelden to risk me taking the throne from my brother or future nephew. I guess the joke was on him in the end. I also invited a few Dalish to teach me Elvhen and I've been studying more about the Danu in my free time."
I blinked, "All of that on top of running a country. Nope – I had enough trouble doing homework when I was a kid and wanted to play; I concede – you are much smarter and more dedicated than I am."
He beamed at me – he secretly liked when I told him he was clever or smart; since he grew up hearing he was stupid and would never amount to anything.
Magma shook his head, "It took me 20 years to learn Common – we've always had people come here to learn the languages and cultures; they would come once a century, in disguise, to learn the current things. We always sent Fairies with the Air gift of learning; they absorbed all knowledge presented to them. We know the languages and cultures and histories here."
I opened my mouth and snapped it back shut. I then said, "This explains how I knew common when it is nothing like my home language."
Alistair looked interested, "What does your home language sound like?"
I spoke in English, "It's rather unrefined and guttural; you have words that overlap or words that sound the same but mean complete other things."
I then translated what I said. Alistair coughed, "I er… I understood you."
Magmas' head whipped around, "You what?"
"I understood her – this was the Queens' home language so perhaps I learned it when…" he made a motion; clasping one wrist in the opposite palm. I nodded, "That makes sense – on the bright side; this means we can talk in that language and no one will know what we're saying."
"What sort of words do you mean – about meaning the same…?" Captain Garrick asked.
I nodded and took a deep breath before reciting a poem,
"We'll begin with a box, and the plural is boxes,
But the plural of Ox should be Oxen not Oxes.
Then one fowl is a goose, but two are called geese,
Yet the plural of mouse should never be meese.
You may find a lone mouse, or a whole nest of mice,
But the plural of house is houses, not hice.
If the plural of man is always called men,
Why shouldn't the plural of pan be called pen?
The cow in the plural is cows or Kine,
But a bow if repeated is never called bine
And the plural of vow is vows, never vine."
I said the other verses – though I had to resort to English for several words like 'Oxes', and the other made up words.
Alistair held his head, "That hurt – please don't do it again…"
I smirked, "How did someone else describe it…? Oh – they said that English beats up other languages in dark allies then rifles through their pockets for loose grammar and spare vocabulary."
Hawke choked on a laugh, "Makers' Ass – I love it. Teach me this language – I have to know it just for that sentence alone."
Alistair sniggered, "I think I like you Hawke."
We came upon the lone survivor from there – he begged us to take care of the drake out on that ledge thing.
Honestly, it didn't fight back when Magma, Alistair and I looked at it with fighting faces ready. It stood zero chances; and it knew that.
