Chapter Seventy-Two

Cooler Heads

Dorian began chuckling the moment he had all of us out of the main hall, "You really know how to stick it to those old goats, don't you? No one mentions the crumbling infrastructure in Tevinter – and topping it with telling them to sit and look pretty? Priceless – I am so glad I had front row seats to that, my dear. Were I straight, I would certainly cart you away like the priceless jewel you are."

Fenris instantly seemed to relax and Hawke laughed, "Right? Oh I thought the Archon was going to dislocate his jaw it was open so wide. The Black Divine looked like he'd eaten something rather sour. And let's not mention how they began to backtrack when they realized Ara was a sleeping dragon and not a harmless kitten."

Cullen chuckled in spite of himself, "Meredith will not believe this… Greagoir might."

Sebastian shook his head, "Perhaps I should just marry you, Ara – no way am I going to find a proper Princess that can do as you; lie dormant until it is time to strike."

I flushed, "That's sweet of you, Bas. I think I want to sleep in a puppy pile tonight – all five of us in one bed. I feel a bit cold and unsafe within these walls…"

Fenris nodded, "Very well – but I will be sleeping against you and you will be tucked into me; I am your only mate here that isn't secondary or resisting the bond." Damn Fenris – what was with you and dishing out boiling hot tea?

Cullen flinched. I smiled, "Though it is a shame – I was looking forward to another night like what happened in the carriage to Denerim…"

Hawke groaned, "Sweetness, if that happens again, I will die of blue balls."

I shrugged, "Talk to Fenris – I was given permission for two nights with you if you recall; one of them just needs to be with Fenris so I can see some hot guy-on-guy action."

Dorian almost tripped on his tailored boots, "Damn it."

"I know – it's such an appealing image to think of those two doing naughty things to each other, isn't it? Oh I get turned on just thinking about them kissing," I grinned.

Fenris – not one to deny me much – stopped what he was doing and pulled Hawke into a kiss. Hawke made a sound of surprise but… soon he had his hands resting on Fenris' arms while Fenris had his hands tangles in Hawkes' vest.

A strangled moan left my lips and Dorian cursed again while trying to discreetly adjust himself. Bas looked like his jaw was on the floor and Cullen was flushed and looking away. Brienne and Rain both looked flushed as they watched openly.

"… Tease," I moaned out.

Fenris shot me a devilish smirk, "Your wish, Amatus."

My breath caught before I threw my arms around his neck and kissed him with tears prickling my eyes. He called me Amatus.

That was the only thought in my head as he held me to him and kissed me back. When he lowered me back to the floor and rested his forehead against mine, I whispered almost fearfully, "Do you mean it?"

"I am stubborn – I will admit that… but I do not say what I do not mean…"

"I think I'm missing something here…" Dorian remarked.

Hawke explained, "All her mates have been stubborn bastards – one of them literally a bastard. Only Alistair has said he loves her. I mean, she can feel the emotions so she knows when someone falls in love or whatever, but… it's so different hearing it, you know? He called her an endearment – I think it's his way of confirming his feelings."

Dorian groaned, "I think I have a toothache now. That's so sweet."

Fenris hummed, "Hawke does have the right of it… where is this bedroom? I need to make sure there are no traps before she enters it. I won't risk the babe."

I was… so damn happy. Fenris was more for actions than words – so him saying it… he was certain that he felt for me… he was my mate…

Why did I feel like there was something I should tell him with that revelation? Ugh – pregnancy brain, fuck off… what was I forgetting?

We reached the room and I was delegated to stand outside of it while Fenris – the most experienced with Tevene traps – went in to check the room.

Once the room was cleared, I headed in and took off my vest. I pouted, "I don't wanna sleep with clothes… ugh. At least I can change into looser shorts…"

Sebastian flushed and swallowed hard, "I would… appreciate that you keep clothes on…"

"I know – it just feels more comfortable wearing nothing… especially if I get the rare – if I'm snuggling – nightmare and I get drenched in sweat. I should be fine tonight with so many people in my bed."

Hawke snorted, "Come on, Bas – how often are we gonna get a chance to be naked in bed with her?"

Fenris rolled his eyes, "If you will be more comfortable, then do it…"

I shook my head, "I'll be fine – I don't want Cullen and Bas to be uncomfortable…"

"They are not pregnant – you take priority," he pointed out. I rolled my eyes, "I'm so early in that not much is different except for a bit of a fuzzy brain. I can't help feeling that there's something I should be telling you… but I can't seem to remember what that is."

I knew I was frowning. Fenris kissed the furrowing between my brows, "If it is important, then you will recall when you need to and not before."

He was so sweet… still wished I could recall what it was…

Hawke grinned, "Fenris is right though – fuck what these two think; if you'll be more comfortable naked, then be naked… if you want to wear clothes than wear clothes. It's all about your comfort – Alistair would skin us alive if we made you even twitch in discomfort while you carry a child."

I tried – and failed – to suppress a smile. Cullen cleared his throat, "As much I would be uncomfortable if you were… disrobed… the others are right that your comfort is the most important factor here. Besides – it is not like I will be disrobed too, so there will be a certain level of more comfort already."

Bas – looking guilty – added, "Yes – if you wish to… we won't stop you."

I shook my head, "I'm comfortable either way – I just like the skin-on-skin stuff when I snuggle… eek!"

Hawke had lifted me into his arms while Fenris simply… stripped off my shirt. Okay, that was how we were playing it then. I laughed, "I get it, I get it – gosh…"

Fenris also stripped – Hawke was down to his smalls… Cullen and Bas both kept a light tunic and pants on, but otherwise said nothing as we all hopped into the bed. I was in the middle, Fenris then Hawke on my left, Cullen then Bas on my right. I had never been so comfortable in my life than I did having these four men protecting me in my sleep…

The next morning, I woke to a womans' squeak of alarm. I opened my eyes to see an elven woman looking completely flushed and terrified as she pushed a cart with 5 covered trays on it. I hummed, "Morning, sweetheart."

She stammered, "G-good morning, m-mistress."

I frowned, "Call me Ara – titles are for people I don't like and usually I'm the one calling someone mistress and it's usually… well… in bed."

Fenris – the sheets hardly covering his lower half – said, "We do not abide slavery – you are a person like any other among us."

Cullen shot up looking around in confusion, "Wah… oh… hello."

Bas – likely having dreamt of his younger years – somehow curled closer to me; his arm coming over to cover my chest as he took Cullens' suddenly vacated spot. The feel of my chest pressing into his arms did not seem to startle him – hence my guess of his dreams.

Hawke lifted a hand in greeting, "Is that food? Awesome – I'm starving."

The poor girl – 5'4 with brown hair and eyes – nodded and said, "Y-Yes – curtesy of Altus Dorian Pavus…"

I smiled, "Send him our thanks if you will – oh… Cullen, since you're up could you reach over and grab my bag?" he did so – less groggy then a moment ago, but more flushed realizing I was only covered by Bas' arm and a bit of sheet.

I pulled out a golden coin and held it out to her, "A tip – for bringing our food."

She looked ready to weep, "T-Thank you miss!"

She ducked from the room and – as he was the only one still asleep – I decided to be playful to Bas.

I pressed my lips lightly to his – startling all the other men in the bed when Bas kissed back and pulled me closer to him.

He came awake slowly – and when he realized where he was he shot up in surprise and fell from the bed, "Makers' Mercy – I am… so sorry…"

I began giggling before it turned into full laughter as I said, "He didn't… react quite like… Alistair did when I pulled the same trick on him… but oh…"

"What trick?" Bas flushed.

"When we were in Redcliffe – the first time – I was snuggling with Alistair for a power nap after the battle; when it was time to wake up, I kissed him. I don't know what he was dreaming about but before I knew it, I was under him and he was kissing me so passionately… ah…" I gave a dreamy sigh, "I felt bad after though – see, I had promised not to tease him because I thought… I thought he was already working up the courage to reject me since he had to take the throne. I apologized and beat a hasty retreat. I was relieved he didn't call me out on being a coward after that."

Hawke snorted, "No way was that man ever going to reject you."

"I know that now. I didn't back then. I was – and still am – insecure in my looks. I'm always terrified Alistair will still leave me – and we just got married and have a kid on the way… I never feel good enough for any of my mates," I said matter-of-factly.

Before I realized what was happening, Fenris had me pulled into his lap and was kissing me fiercely. When he pulled back he said, "No."

I blinked, "What?"

"You are good enough – we are not. Maybe Alistair is – the bloody bastard sure makes the rest of us look bad – but uh… I'm certainly not good enough," Hawke grinned.

"You are a rake… but they make the best lovers," I laughed. Hawke was a literal man-slut – but he was a safe man-slut, unlike Bela.

Hawke grinned, "True enough. At least – Bel is killer in the sack."

I nodded enthusiastically. Sebastian coughed and looked away so I said, "That is actually part of the appeal with 'courting' him – if he does forgo those vows… I mean he was a grade-A man whore; a new girl in his bed every night means he certainly picked up some tricks back then."

Fenris gave a dark chuckle, "But didn't we pick him for his… lack of interest?"

I shivered at the partial threat toward Bas in Fenris' voice. I swallowed, "Okay – I forgot how hot you could be when you're jealous… like damn…"

He blinked, "You've had a vision of me… being jealous?"

"I have a thing for making my mates jealous – because you all get very lovey to sway me away from other males. Alistair will snarl and snap but he's all bark before taking me to bed to assert dominance and make me so satisfied that I forget which male I was talking about before… though you'll have to understand that pregnancy hormones make women so damn horny. We can have as much sex as want until the last month or two so… I plan to capitalize on that with Alistair… it just sucks big ones that he will be pretty damn busy most days and I'll want nothing more than to laze about and have sex," I frowned.

Bas was red, Cullen looked a mix between jealous and embarrassed and Hawke looked ready to help me.

Fenris felt ready to help me as I sat in his lap… he flushed lightly, "I see… perhaps we should discuss allowing Hawke into your bed more than the two times to satisfy your uh… needs while Alistair is busy and I am… not ready…"

I sighed and fell back on the bed – still half across the broody Elfs' lap. "But I want sex now…" I whined as I threw my arm over my eyes.

"Sweetness, we do have one freebie…" Hawke looked amused.

"No… we were saving that to push Cullen into making a final choice if he didn't pull his head from his arse in a timely manner." I hated sounding like a whiny teen – but hormones always hit the Fae early according to Rain. Actually his exact words were that our feelings were more intense starting at 3 weeks in, unlike the humans that didn't get that until nearly the second trimester.

"But if you need sex, sweetness… well…"

I harrumphed and rolled off the bed and waved my hand to dress myself in an A-line, off-shoulder asymmetrical crimson tulle evening gown that stopped at the knees in the front but slid to the ankles in the back. It was slightly ruffled with beading sequins made of rubies and onyx along the bodice. I added strappy gold 2-inch heels, my amethyst dragon jewels, red evening gloves, and an onyx shawl. I then put my hair into an elaborate up-do. Just in time – as Dorian knocked on the door as I sat at the chair in the corner.

Cullen jumped to answer – no one paying mind to the fact that Fenris was still naked. Dorian lifted an eyebrow at me, "So you do know how to dress up?"

"Of course – my homelands makes Tevinter look like paupers in extravagance; the land of excess. A person could devour three steaks weighting 72 ounces each and no one would really bat an eyelash. Gorging ourselves in competitive eating was a normal occurrence. Fine fabrics available to even those considered poor. Gems were readily available if you know where to look. Herbs were cheap due to how easily you could get them. You look around and you will see people living in excess no matter where you go in my home country. It was pretty sickening, but it makes dealing with a place like Tevinter look like dealing with my next door neighbor on a warm summer day when I'm grilling steaks in the back yard. The Grand Game is easy when you know how to waltz like someone from a royal court – and those lessons were included in my mandatory schooling in Nebraska. I moved all over America. Dori, Honey – this place is a bug in the tapestry of Thedas – too annoying, but it's sewn in, so there's no getting out without ruining the line. So I will play nice for the moment – but the minute they try to kidnap and enslave my people, I will make an example of them."

Dorian looked approvingly, "Good – you will need that today. Urian and Radonis have stewed all night over your threats and will be looking for any sign that it was a bluff. If they think they can get away with it, they will try to make you back down so they can regain the upper hand."

"If they brought in Danarius then I'm leaving – no negotiating. I will shatter that Ley Line with no remorse and walk the fuck away."

Dorian nodded grimly, "Then I suggest you pack up – Magister Danarius was brought in early this morning. I don't know what the plan is, but…"

Fenris was glowing brightly as he began getting his armor on, "We are leaving – I have been told he is not allowed to die this soon – but that I will kill him. Sebastian – get dressed or I will haul you out as you are."

Sebastian scrambled for his clothes. I said, "We will go to the grand hall so that we can see their plan and shatter the Ley Line – it will be a bigger statement if I shatter it rather than take it back. I promise you Fenris – I won't let him touch you. You are my mate."

He nodded firmly, "You are the only reason I will not be killing him on sight this time."

I waved my hand, destroying the food as Cullen reached for it. I said, "No – it was tainted between when Dorian ordered it and it reached us. That's why I didn't touch it before. That was a vision when the girl said Dorian sent it. I had already anticipated not having a single actual meal made by anyone other than us. Tevinter doesn't view elves favorably and we Fae – wouldn't you know it – look like elves. Now – are we all ready?"

We began walking toward the Grand Hall – and I could see people were more startled about my dress than they had been by my shorts. They were expecting more uncultured clothes – first impressions were seldom correct in my opinion.

We entered the Hall and Urian looked me over in shock, "That is… different."

I smirked, "Of course – as I said, I wanted to cause a scandal… what better way would there be than to dress like a peasant one day and a Queen the next? I hear you got in a new guest this morning, Urian – are you being naughty?"

He paled – yesterday I had showed him respect until he stuffed up… I was being a patronizing mother talking to her naughty children now. Radonis coughed, "What do you mean, Empress?"

"Now, don't play cat and mouse – it was cute yesterday, but you see… if the guest is who I think it is, then we're going to have very many problems…"

"We just… received your liaison this morning," Urian said with a chilling smile.

"It had better be a Revered Father and not a Magister, Urian. If we were allowing anything other than chantry personnel then Beatrix would have assigned a Chevalier to me instead of a Revered Mother."

"Actually, if you were agreeable, she planned on sending a Knight-Divine as part of the Templar Order to 'guard' you – back when she was still of a mind that it was magic that you held. I'm mostly here to preach and observe." Brienne said as she entered the room.

I hummed, "Yeah – that. You get my point – and if you invited…"

Danarius spoke from the other end of the room, "And there is my little wolf…"

"Oh no…" Hawke looked at me worriedly as the Magister stepped forward. My hair caught fire as I became furious – I wasn't in my goddess mode, but I was damn close.

Danarius was 5'7 with salt-and-pepper hair, blue eyes and a wrinkly face.

Rain coughed, "It was – not – nice knowing you, Lord Archon, Lord Divine… I shall be sure to make sure your funerals are properly extravagant…"

The two men paled. I spoke – hearing the lyrical undertone that I got in Goddess Mode, "Danny, Danny – you really must not know how to read a room."

"It's Danarius, My Lady…" he was smirking. I threw a lightning bold and tsked, "Aww… my finger slipped – I meant to hit you."

Cullen coughed, "My Heart – you should think of the baby…"

"I am – Danny here will try to take my baby as leverage against Fenris. Where is she, Danny – where is the bitch Hadriana?"

The girl stepped out from behind him, "You heard of me? I'm sure the elf talks of me often…"

She was 5'6 with short brown hair and grey-green eyes. I smirked, "Good – Fenris… it's close enough to time for this."

Vines wrapped around the bitch and yanked her forward – right onto Fenris' fist. Her eyes widened, "Wait… you don't want to kill me…"

"There is nothing I want more at this moment. I can't kill the other one – it isn't his time yet."

"Y-Your sister… I have information, elf, and I will trade it in return for my life."

"Tell us where his sister is, and I won't kill you." I felt Fenris stiffen beside me.

Hadriana smirked when she heard Hawkes stage whisper – 'she can't lie… why would she promise that?'

Hawke had caught on to my words.

"Varania is a servant in Qarinus serving a Magister by the name of Ahriman; she's not a slave, Fenris…"

I motioned and released the vines, "She's yours Fenris – after all, if I don't kill her then my word is fulfilled – I said nothing about you."

He ripped her heart out – spraying blood all over himself. I tsked and waved my hand, cremating the witch and muttering last rites. I sighed, "How pitiful – you really shouldn't have pressed me like this. Give me the girl – Orana and her father, slaves – and I will consider this misstep water under the bridge, Danarius."

The pale magister made a single motion and the two were practically thrust at us. The blonde slave girl had green eyes and lightly tanned skin. She was so… pretty; her cheekbones and lips having the perfect symmetry…

Her father was 5'6 with slightly darker skin, hair and eyes – Orana was of his likeness. I hummed, "And their contracts, Danny. I don't like being kept waiting."

The magister shuddered, "T-they are… back home…"

I tsked, "Very well – you will burn them. These two are mine – so they are no longer slaves. You brought that bitch with you – she would have died soon anyway, I suppose. Urian, did you have something to say?"

"I… I… I expected you to be weaker."

"You read only the books about Wicca thinking I was a White Witch; I am Grey you dolt! And you didn't read the book about Fae – you thought we would be good little slaves; you never had any intention of making alliances or anything, did you? You expected me to fall in like a broken Mabari bitch. I am a Phoenix – you strike me down and I come back from the ashes stronger than before. We are done here, Urian – you have burned the possibility of an Alliance. We may have dealings in the future – but if you want people in Danu then I hope you already sent them because you will no longer have this Ley Line to support you and you will no longer get a Revered Father to shadow me. Radonis, if I were you, I would know which way the wind is blowing here. I am so done – you can keep the carriage."

I used my control of light and dark to open a portal like I had in Soldiers Peak. Without waiting for an Order, Rain took Brienne through. Seeing that, Sebastian and Cullen went through next. Hawke dipped his head and walked through next. Orana and her father hesitantly followed after an encouraging nod.

I looked at Dorian, "It was nice meeting you – feel free to contact me whenever you want sweetie. Congats on becoming a Rebel in two seconds flat." I waved a hand and the Ley Line Shattered, causing people to flinch. I grabbed Fenris' hand and we ducked through the portal before closing it behind me.

My guards were staring at me in stunned silence as I came through the portal cursing a blue streak.

Fenris spoke, "Do you wish to explain the… portal?"

"No – I'm too angry at them. Argh! Someone get me a chocolate pudding – I need… I need chocolate or I'm gonna keep being mad. Fuck Urian – and you know what? Fuck them with a damn cactus covered in Porcupines and wrapped in Legos for good measure. For people in such high positions of power, they should know not to push too far, too fast. Hanan – can you see Orana and her Father to the unoccupied room in the servants quarters? Explain the rules and get them set up with their starting pay. Orana, sweet girl, I will explain more later, but you are not a slave anymore and neither is your pa. You can both leave whenever you wish since you are workers and not slaves."

The man straightened, "Why… and how do you… know us?"

"I know Orana – I don't know you. Orana was going to be saved by us in two years anyway when Hadriana came looking for Fenris. I substituted Hadrianas' life for yours. You will live and she died. I am pissed at Danny boy. The lion, the witch and the audacity of that bitch… oh, pudding," I perked up as Galaxia shoved a bowl of chocolate pudding in my hands.

I sat down and began munching happily.

Rain hummed, "I didn't think that would be quite so… effective… in calming you."

"It's chocolate… why wouldn't it?" I pouted up at him.

"Then you want to explain the portal now?"

"It's Light and Dark elements with a slight dash of static and air. Meaning it's an ability for Fairies only. I discovered it back at Soldiers Peak after the whole… Protective State thing. It takes a lot of energy though – hence my need for sugar now. The chocolate was to make me calm enough to eat it. It won't hurt the baby this early – but it's probably a good idea for me to only do that in emergencies from here on out. I wasn't thinking straight – I was just so mad. How dare they try to intimidate me and my mate? Fenris is mine and fuck them if they thought I would sit there and take that sort of disrespect… I want Alistair…" there were tears in my eyes and I was breathing hard.

"I will go get him," Fenris turned on his heel and marched out – I was so surprised he was taking this better than I thought he would – based on the game model…

But then… I had changed the way that was supposed to go down… oh no – I had messed with the Future. I frantically called to a vision and groaned in horror, "What have I done?"

Fenris froze midstep – causing Rain to stand and head for my bedroom – where the Ley Line was. "Ara?"

I sobbed, "I messed up – oh Goddess, I messed up! I feel sick… what have I done? I was… I was so absorbed in… killing Hadriana – I didn't even feel bad for it. I didn't… I felt no pity, remorse or… I…" I dropped the pudding onto the nearby table and dropped my head into my hands as I sobbed. I was so… merciless.

Fenris knelt beside me, "Ara… When I was still a slave, Hadriana was a torment. She would ridicule me, deny my meals, and hound my sleep. I was powerless to stop her because of her status, and she knew it. The thought of slipping out of my grasp now… I couldn't let her go – even if you had said to let her go, I don't think I could have. She would have died today – regardless. This one is not on you; this one is on me."

"I gave the order – I trapped her and pulled her to you… I'm lucky there are no major repercussions from this in the future. No one who was supposed to die will live with the exception of Oranas' father. Since Hadriana could have lived or died even in the future… I think I'm going to be sick…"

"I didn't think you could get sick," Anders remarked from the doorway.

And for the first time in my combined lives… I did… all over Fenris.

Cullen cursed and rushed for a glass of water as Rain returned with Alistair to see Fenris simply rubbing my back as I emptied my stomach.

Alistair cursed, "Ara? What happened?"

"The Archon and the Black Divine offended me, I helped kill a woman without remorse, I ported us from Minrathous to Kirkwall, and then ate nothing more than sugar… I over-taxed myself in a way that means my body didn't know how to cope except to overcome the strange thing that keeps me from getting ill so that I could purge my stomach since I was horrified, tired and angry."

Alistair frowned, "Fenris – go get cleaned up; the smell will make her do it again if you don't and she no longer has anything in her belly to purge if I'm understanding properly. Cullen, go turn back the covers on her bed. Hawke, make her a soup – the lighter the better; plain broth is preferable so that she has something in her in case she vomits again. Sebastian, notify the local authority that she's back and that she will not receive visitors for at least 3 days due to illness before going to buy her something sweet but not rich. I want a solid perimeter set in case people try to take advantage of her weakened state. The guards Eamon set up won't be here for another week at least. I'll take her to bed – Obsidian, go let Eamon know that he is in charge for the next three days since the Queen is ill after her meeting with Tevinter – tell him just like that; he will assume that Tevinter may have attempted something untoward and allow me to stay here without bother. He won't know exactly what they tried – but he will leave me here to make sure the heir is safe. He may also put out people on edge about possible invading Tevinter personnel."

People jumped at his command. Fenris moved slowly – worried that jolting me would cause me pain or something. Cullen took the stairs two at a time… and I passed out.