Chapter Twenty-Five

Madam De Fer

I was wearing an ankle-length black gown with a single shoulder and high slit. Maxwell was wearing a matching tux. I wish Ellana hadn't stayed in fucking Haven.

"Introducing the Heralds of Andraste – Princess Celeste Rutherford, Inquisitor; and Lord Maxwell Trevelyan."

We wondered around for only 3 minutes before the couple from the game spoke to us. The man spoke first, "A pleasure, Madame, sir. We so rarely have a chance to meet anyone new. It is always the same crowd at these parties. So you must be a guest of Madame De Fer – or are you here for Duke Bastien?"

I smiled as the man took my hand and leaned forward to place a kiss on the gloved back. I said, "We are here at the grace of Madame De Fer – of course. The woman has excellent taste."

"Are you here on business? I have heard the most curious tales of you. I cannot imagine half of them are true!" the woman tittered excitedly.

I gave her a charming smile, "Everything you've heard? Completely true. Especially the naughty bits."

She giggled, "Better and better! The inquisition should attend more of these parties."

A man spoke – I knew he would; how could he not? And in that outfit? Oh, no, no…

"That Inquisition – what a load of pig shit. Washed up sisters and crazed seekers following a harlot; no one can take them seriously. Everyone knows it is just an excuse for political outcasts to grab power."

I held up a hand before Maxwell could take offence. He removed his hand from his sword as I smiled, "You fear us – because we are an army. If I said that we were working to restore peace, you would point that out. If I said we were looking for the killer of the Divine, you would say that you were sure that my people were out scouring the hills as we speak, and if I point out that Maxwell was chosen by Andraste to carry out the Makers' will, you would get offended that the magic is foul. Let me tell you how this really plays out."

I snapped my fingers and took the move Vivienne would make. I froze him solid and smiled, "Madame De Fer would be very disappointed in you for using such unkind language in her home. To her guests, no less. You know such rudeness is intolerable. Poor Marquis, issuing challenges and hurling insults like a Ferelden, no less? And all dressed up in your Aunt Solange's doublet. I hear she gave you that to wear to the Grand Tourney – but to think, all the brave Chevaliers that will be competing have already left for Markham this morning… and your still here." I unfroze him with a pitiful sigh, "I suppose you were hoping to sate some of that damaged pride by defeating at least one Herald of Andraste in a public duel. That or you thought our swords could end your shame of failure. You called me a Harlot, however, and if my husband or betrothed were here, they might have to take your duel to defend my honor. Nevertheless… you're already disgraced. Run along, before Madame De Fer does worse to you than I have."

Maxwell hissed – not realizing that all I said was almost word-for-word what Vivienne would have said.

Speaking of, the woman herself came gliding down the steps like a Queen. She was 5'7 with lovely darkened skin, beautiful green eyes, and wearing white and blue. The horned hat, the mask… all of it looked exquisite and not a thread out of place.

She looked me over, "I couldn't have said it better myself, darling. Poor Marquis, do give your Aunt my regards."

He scrambled – muttering about a dog-lords' bitch. I almost smiled when he 'tripped' on air.

Madame Vivienne turned to me, "I'm delighted you could attend this little gathering. I've so wanted to meet you – and you do exceed my expectations. How did you know about his Doublet?"

I winked, "You know a lady must have some mystery."

"Indeed – I am surprised you didn't just kill him. It was your honor that he insulted."

"Well, it would be rude to make a mess in someone elses home – and to be sure, I've killed men for lesser insults. But it'd be a shame to have him cluttering up the dance floor."

She smirked, "Indeed it would be. Come, my dear – you, Lord Trevelyan and I shall have a chat in the study."

Demanding – I liked a woman who didn't waste time.

Maxwell followed along. The moment we were out of earshot of the other guests, Maxwell coughed, "Maker – I didn't know you could freeze someone and keep them alive. As though you weren't already terrifying, Celeste."

I chuckled, "It was play the game or you would duel him for my honor and then the rumors would spur that I'm marrying you. No offence, but no. Besides, he'll be so much more humiliated now. His Aunt is a respected Vicomtesse of Mont-de-Glace. Not a powerful family, but very well respected… and very devout. I've proven myself a seeress. Alphonse – the Marquis – will be disowned for this. I know it isn't the first time he's brought his Aunt disgrace; but it will certainly be the last. And after such public humiliation, he'll likely run off to the Dales to join the empresses war effort – either to make a good end or win back a modicum of self-respect."

"Indeed – you are quite well-versed in the game. By chevalier code, his life was forfeit from the moment his hand touched the hilt of his weapon – especially as it was unprovoked. That she let him live will gain her a decent amount or respect since she froze him as his hand was on the hilt so people had plenty of time to see that move."

"But… I touched my blade…" Maxwell frowned.

"You are not a Chevalier – and you were provoked. He basically insinuated that you were no better than a dog by following a harlot and a bitch. On top of that, he insulted the honor of a woman that many see as under 'your' protection since my husband and betrothed are not with us. For tonight, you are my personal guard – so it was acceptable for you to draw steel since you would be doing your job. Did I get that right?" I asked Viv.

She nodded, "Quite – he is your plus one since the invitation only mentioned you by name. As your plus one, he would either be your date or your guard; and as he is not your date, he was allowed to bring his sword in with him to show that he's here as your guard. We wouldn't want unsavory rumors about you so soon."

I smiled at the woman as we entered the study, "Indeed. But you didn't invite us all the way her for pleasantries, my dear Madame."

"Quite right – I wanted to meet face-to-face. It is important to consider ones' connections carefully. With the Divine dead, the chantry is in shambles. But the faithful flock to your banner more so now than ever. They pin their hope on you to deliver them from the chaos. As the leader of the last loyal mages in Thedas, I feel it only right that I lend my assistance to your cause."

I hummed – pretending to think it over, "You are well-versed in the politics of the Orlesian Empire… I believe you know every member of the Imperial Court personally, too. And you do have considerable resources at your disposal as well as being a very well-versed mage."

"I heard you conscripted a Templar to your service yesterday – so you know the dangers that free mages can cause."

"I do – however, a woman of your considerable connections must have heard what Ferelden is doing with the mages now." I asked.

"And you are to be their Queen. Schools are all well and good, but the moment they leave, they run the risk of becoming Abominations."

"Anyone can contract with a demon, Madame – those schools are my idea. They will be overseen by Templars, in part – but not how things have been. Too many were turning to blood magic or demons due to the oversight being too strict. So while I agree with you in part, I do not agree whole-heartedly. You saw that I can command a form of Magic…"

"But that magic is not your magic – you are not a mage."

"No – I am not. If you wish to join, I will not stop you; but I plan to welcome the Free Mages into the Inquisition as Allies. I already have a large area set up for you at our true base of operations."

"Great things are beginning my dear – at least if I am by your side, you have someone to council caution." She surmised.

"You can – as my husband does. He was a Knight-Commander, as you are aware. But with the things I have revealed, even he is in agreement of us bringing the Mages into the fold rather than going after the Templars. I look forward to our cooperation… and I have found this book – one looted from a circle, yes?"

She took it in interest, "Indeed – I see you know of the task I was going to ask you."

"Yup – I'll keep my eyes out for the others as we travel. Oh, and this is a gift for you, personally." I held up the mask I'd had Leliana and Josie commission; it was made of Silverite and would cover the eyes. It was inlaid with opal and designed to look delicate and extravagant with a sheer white-lace veil covering the rest of the face down to the neck. It had gold 'pinpoint' rivets at the corner of the eye near the nose and at the end of the 'eyebrow' near the ear to secure the veil. It was designed to attach to her horned hat thing so it didn't need to be tied at the back.

She looked it over in appreciation, "Oh, this is magnificent. The little veil is inspired. Who designed this?"

"I did – my ambassador saw about getting it made, but I designed it and provided the funding for it." I shrugged like it was no big deal.

"When I wear this, it will start a new trend through Orlais," she hummed.

"Of course it will – so wait to wear it until the Winter Ball then, darling; we're planning to make a splash with unique designs. I already have someone working on outfits that I designed. Color coordinated. Black and White with gold accents. You get mostly white with black backgrounds and gold accents with silver accessories to match your mask." I smirked.

"A splash, you say? I can hardly wait." She nodded, "I will have a few servants pack up for me."

"We won't get the Heart to him in time; the potion will fail… you should say your good-byes soon. If you want to, we can still try with the heart of the snowy wyvern – but it won't work."

She frowned, "It won't?"

"We can still try – I brought one with me today. I hired someone stealthy to go get one for me. But it won't work." I shook my head. Leliana had personally gone and retrieved the heart I'd asked for. I'd kept it preserved. I handed her the small box with me and she took it.

"Well… I can't just do nothing." She muttered, "Thank you for this Inquisitor – perhaps if I make the potion now, it could work rather than if I wait. I trust you can see yourselves out?"

I gave a small bow before motioning to Maxwell, "We can, Madame – we will see you in Haven."

She inclined her head and turned to leave. Max and I made our way out, making sure to have at least one dance together to show that we weren't leaving just because we'd already talked to the Madame. It was good for our image.

I plopped face-first onto the bed in the rented room – still wearing the evening gown and heels. I hated these functions. I'd already wiped off my make-up, at least.

Cassandras' voice was amused – they were all gathered in my room – as she said, "Long night?"

"I humiliated a Marquis so badly that he's about to be disowned by his Vicomtesse of an Aunt when I was legally allowed to kill him, had a nice chat with the Enchanter, got her approval and disapproval so I'm neutral with her, and had a dance with Maxwell. My feet hurt, by boobs hurt, and if I have to speak to one more man that calls me a Harlot, I'm committing a murder just on principle." I said after turning over.

Sera sniggered, "I should have gone with."

"It was masterful. I've never seen someone so thoroughly disgraced in less than 10 minutes. Lady Montilyet will be proud to hear the retelling and Sister Nightingale will smirk in delight. The man was going to draw his blade – unprovoked and on the dance floor. She hadn't even spoken to him before he got all snooty and pompous. By Orlesian code of chivalry, she was perfectly within her rights to kill him. Instead, she freezes him in place with his hand still on his hilt and gives him such a tongue-lashing that I would be surprised if it isn't the talk of Orlais for the next week before unfreezing him and sending him back to his aunt. When asked by Madame De Fer why she didn't kill him, she just said, she said – well, it would be rude to make a mess in someone elses home. But it'd be a shame to have him cluttering up the dance floor. Her voice sounded every bit the Princess she is."

I coughed, "You missed a part – the 'and to be sure, I've killed men for lesser insults' part."

"You did not say that – you did not tell the court enchanter that you only left the Marquis alive because it would be rude to make a mess!" Cassandra sounded scandalized.

I smirked, "She simply agreed that it would be a shame – him cluttering up the dance floor. Shit – she would have killed him for me if I'd asked – it was her ball and he insulted her guests. He was tempting fate."

Bull grinned, "I think I like this job so far."

Krem grunted smugly, "What'd I tell ya, Chief?"

I pointed to bull, "One chance – you get to get close to me only if you take off these offensive shoes that could make better weapons that foot-ware."

Bull laughed and gladly helped me with my shoes. I sighed happily as the offending things were removed.

I spoke again, "The worst part is that Madame Vivienne provoked the marquis to make a scene at her party – because he told someone 'I do hope Duke Bastien puts out the lights before he touches her. But then, she must disappear in the dark'. He was an ass – she was looking for an excuse to humiliate or kill him. I took care of it – she liked how I handled it, so it didn't become a whole incident."

"… Well – that explains why she was okay with you humiliating a guest…"

I snorted at Cassandras' justification, "What no one there knows is that everything I said was almost word for word what she would have said. She was about to freeze him – I just beat her to it. And she would have asked me – as the offended party – what I would want done with him. even if I let him go without the tongue lashing, he would have been humiliated still. My speech was hers. And if she had killed him, she would have shattered his frozen body and said, 'someone clean this up – we can't have him cluttering up the dance floor'. So in all honesty, I just did exactly what she would have done so that we could boost our reputation through Orlais. I'm surprised the man still thought to call me a 'dog lords bitch' on his way out though. She tripped him for that."

"What if she finds out that you did this?" Blackwall asked.

"She'll be impressed with me over it. She might be a bitch – and knows it – but she can respect people that do what they need to when they have to play the game. Besides, it's more humiliating for that Marquis to be humiliated by an upstart inquisitor that's also a 'dog lords bitch' that it would be if the Lady of Iron – a well known woman for being shrewd and hard as iron – to do so. This way, the Marquis is thoroughly disgraced and can kiss his life goodbye because his reputation will never recover from this. It might have if Vivienne humiliated him – but not a harlot inquisitor with more brawn than brain in their eyes. So basically, I took out the man completely for her. Where she could only take him down 2 or 3 pegs, I took him off the ladder entirely. Even when I become famous and marry Alistair to become Queen instead of a Princess, Alphonse will never recover his status."

"You're a bitch too," Sera commented.

I grinned, "I've had almost 60 years to perfect that, so yeah. I used to deal with people that make Tevinter look impoverished, and I had to learn to put them in their place. Have you ever seen competitive eating? How much can stuff in your cake-hole without throwing up? 53 sausage links each a foot long – weak. You need to up those numbers."

Jaws were dropped, "People in your world… would eat as much as they could… just to see if they could?" Krem asked.

"There were 7 billion people – and more than enough food to do so with. So yeah, people would eat competitively. If you were good at it, you could earn hundreds of Sovereigns for winning. You could put a down-payment on a house just from one competition. Blake was a competitive eater before joining the Navy. Most of those people work out a lot so they don't gain a lot of weight."

"… Alright – I apologize for calling you naive," Maxwell said.

I snorted, "You didn't do it to my face."

"It was silent – but damn. Your world was certainly larger than this one. You're adapting well for someone coming from a more prosperous place than Tevinter."

I shrugged, "Hey Sera – want a snuggle buddy tonight?"

She lit up, "Snuggle, eh? Or snuggle?"

"The first one – and mostly to fuck with my husband when he calls tonight and you answer instead." I grinned.

She laughed, "Alright, yeah."

Bull pouted, "How about we all sleep in here? Maybe I'll have nightmares?"

"Bull… if you had a nightmare, you could try snuggling up to Krem – see how far that gets you."

Krem snorted and I winked at him, "You however…"

He went red and I laughed.

That was when my sending stones went off – Cullen and Alistair had a knack for calling at the same time.

I handed them to Sera and she answered in a faux sleepy voice, "Wassit?"

"Er… who is this?" Cullen asked.

"Little people – who's it?"

I laughed – couldn't help it. Alistair said, "Well, little people, if you could pass the stones back to our favorite Inquisitor, I'll take a request for my next visit."

"Want bees," she said at once.

Cullen cursed, "You must be Sera – I'll have you know that the Inquisitor is allergic to bees, but we already have people keeping an apiary at our main base of operation. You already have bees."

Sera looked at me wide-eyed, "You're allergic… but you got me bees?"

"Well, yeah. Ever put those things in a jar and tossed em at people? Bees get mad and enemies shit themselves. It's perfection."

She pumped her hands, "Yes!"

"And anyway, Alistair doesn't need to get you anything – he just needs to keep looking after the little people, right?"

She beamed and tossed the stones at me, "Well, I'm off to bed then – got my bees."

I rolled my eyes and shooed the others away. They left, "Sorry, couldn't help fucking with you."

Alistair chuckled, "I did something similar with Elissa once – gave my stone to Lona."

Cullen snorted but just said, "How was the Salon, my love?"

"Ugh – you cannot pay me enough to do that on a regular basis… unless you're paying in sexual favors, of course." I then proceeded to give them a play-by-play of exactly what happened at the salon.

Alistair choked, "You did not say that about killing him in front of the party."

"Oh, but I did," and that's when I explained that Viv would have done all that if I hadn't.

Cullen sighed, "I've written this down to give to Lady Montilyet in the morning. Maker – She'll be scandalized."

"She'll be impressed that I got away with it," I said.

Alistair said, "I'm bloody impressed! I couldn't get away with snagging a cheese cube, let alone insulting a Marquis so badly that he has to run off to fight in a war for an honorable death."

"Honey – you could get away with a lot if you would just flash that charming smile and lower your voice tone like you do when telling me that I'm pretty."

"Oh really," his voice dropped. I groaned, "Very much – it's sexy. Cullen just has to stammer and look away – it's adorable to see an awkward commander. But when you drop your voice like that, most women will just think 'Take me, I'm yours.' No lie."

Cullen laughed, "Maker – you're incorrigible. On that note, Solona Amell has taken to training the mages in something called 'Arcane Warrior'."

"No – on that note, I have a question I should have thought of before. So – you told me back at Skyhold that your first crush was Neria Surana – and that Daylen Amell died at the conclave with the loyal mages… yet, there's Solona? I'm lost – it was supposed to be Daylen or Solona…"

"Ah – that. They were twins. Normally, the Circles would see them separated, but while infants they weakened and almost died if they were separated. So they were given a special exception to live in the same circle. In fact, Daylen having gone to Montsimmard while Solona went to Denerim was a surprise just because of that." Cullen explained.

I sighed, "Poor girl – I'm sure she felt it when he died."

Alistair hummed, "I still haven't completely thawed the throne room. She all but froze it solid when she passed out about the same time the conclave happened. I was obliged to pass out thick blankets and melted chocolate drinks to warm people up."

I chuckled, "Could have been worse – at least it was ice and not fire."

"Ooh – good point." Cullen agreed.

"Right – cold can be fixed; death by fire, not so much." Alistair laughed.

"Back to the Arcane Warrior thing – Solona should have mages training in a one-handed sword in one hand that is lyrium-forged. I had Solas dig up schematics for those blades – they act as a focus in the same way as a staff should."

"Indeed – and it turns out that she already had one too." Cullen said.

"Hers should be ancient with the name 'Spellweaver' engraved on it in ancient Elvhen." I quipped.

Alistair spoke, "Yeah – we actually picked that up there in Haven; in the caverns that the Dragonlings were growing in within the Temple of Sacred Ashes. It vibrated slightly in any persons hand except the hands of a mage. Solona took a liking to it, so I let her have it when she moved into the castle years ago; she trained with it and long since got rid of her staff since she didn't need it anymore."

"That blade is meant for an Arcane Warrior. Solona was already on the fast-track to self-discovering it if that's the case." I smiled.

Cullen said, "Impressive – discovering a lost art through self-practice."

"But on that note – your crush was on Neria? Not Solona?" I asked.

"Well, I liked them both, to be fair. But Neria would sit and play chess with me once a week and talk to me about my family – Solona was distrustful of anyone that wasn't Daylen. I grew to like Neria through our weekly Chess Matches, where Solona was purely a physical temptation. Stop laughing…"

"Oh – who walked in on that confession?" I asked.

"Knowing the luck Cullen and I have, it was either Varric or Solona." Alistair quipped.

"Both," Cullen grumbled.

"Oooh – twice the fun," Alistair laughed.

I shrugged, "Solona is hot – I'd do her. Shame she's taken by Zevran."

It got really quiet. Cullen cleared his throat, "I uh… forgot you were just like Blake in that regard…"

Alistair gulped, "Oh… oh. I didn't know you were into women too… Maker – how did I not know?"

"Because you weren't there for that conversation – and in fact it was before we started talking. Blake and are both bisexual but predominantly like men. This is because he and I are the same person from different universes."

"Solona, no – I am not telling her that." Cullen complained.

"Nope – now you have to," I quipped.

"She… maker – here."

Solonas' voice came on the line, "I doubt Zev would mind too much if I took you to bed."

"Sorry honey – I flirt just to rile up my men but I promised them I would stick to just them. So – unless you somehow convince the two of them to go for it, the answer is no." I laughed.

She laughed too, "Shame indeed – well, I mostly came here to ask Cullen if he could come spar with me tomorrow; with swords."

"Get Blake – he's likely to give you a run for your money; he was trained in a very unique blade-style – translated it means 'two heavens, one school'. The technique was named that for the trademark stance of both swords held above the head to attack. The swords work in a sequential rhythm; as one sword defends, the other attacks in the next step. He also knows 3 other forms of weapon fighting; Tenshin Shōden Katori Shintō-ryū – which uses katana, the bo staff, the halberd-like naginata, the spear and empty-hand combat through jujitsu – is one, 'One Sword' is another and it uses a single powerful cut to defeat the enemy through 150 techniques; and finally Tahtib – a 4-5000-year-old stick fighting technique deriving from ancient Egypt that is essentially martial arts with long sticks. Three of those 4 arts were taught by his family. The 4th was something he picked up over the years."

The three Japanese techniques were from his family; the Egyptian one was not.

Cullen cursed, "That is… I might have him teach me a few of those. If those are how he is so easily able to defeat me in sword-combat…"

"Oh yeah – Blake has more experience in the sword than you could hope to have at your age. He favors Two Heavens, One School when he has two swords – which is his preferred melee combat tactic. He picked up the Egyptian art – Tahtib – mostly so that when all he had was a stick, he would never be defenseless."

"And you stuck to just Krav Maga?" Cullen asked.

"No. I learned to use a Polearm and Judo. I mean, I also know how to use a Bow and a javelin. But other than those and the templar-style blade training you are giving me, that's about it."

Alistair coughed, "Maker – but I do have a type."

"So you keep saying. As though it isn't obvious that I do too," I hummed.

"What do you mean?" Solona asked.

"Come on – Cullen and Alistair aren't that different, Lona. Honorable, handsome in similar ways, good with a sword and shield, noble disposition, chivalrous, and don't get me started on in the bedroom."

Both men exclaimed in protest – they were far too shy for me to spill bedroom secrets.

I grinned. Solona hummed, "Ah – you do have a point, though I wouldn't know about that last part for the Commander. But I have passed by Alistairs bedroom when Elissa was in on occasion. I thought about sound-proofing it but then thought 'hmm – better not; what if an assassin gets in and no one hears the kings call for help'."

Alistair cleared his throat, "You are a terrible woman."

"So you keep saying – but you haven't disowned me yet," she quipped.

"Disowned?" I asked.

"I may have told everyone that she's my distant cousin on my mothers side since no one can tell us otherwise. This means that people think I'm related to the Champion of Kirkwall, of course – but it secured Solonas' position in court, so…"

"Huh – we can use that, actually. Tell everyone that Solonas' aunt on her fathers' side is the Grand Enchanter – and that's why we're so keen to accept her as family."

"What – why are we claiming the Grand Enchanter as family?"

"Because that's my real mum," Alistair said with a nervous laugh.

"Oh – cool. Yeah, Grand Enchanter Fiona is totally my aunt. Dad was an elf, you know."

I laughed at her easy willingness to accept this.

Cullen coughed, "As though Hawke needed more of a reason to be conceited, now he gets to claim relation to the Grand Enchanter. We'll wait until we take care of Redcliffe to publicly announce that, however – we can't risk the Grand Enchanter disputing it."

"Good point. She invited us to Redcliffe yesterday as we were leaving the market. She won't remember that, though since someone is fucking with the flow of time. I'm headed straight there before coming back to Haven so if you have any war table missions that need discussing…"

"I'll get a list from Leliana or I can just call you during the next meeting." He suggested.

"Do that – and Madame De Fer has chosen to wait until her people can pack her things so rather than head to Redcliffe with us, she will be heading directly to Haven. When she gets there, have her things moved to Skyhold at once. We won't be in Haven much longer. End of Harvestmere at latest."

"Sera is staying with you though?"

"Yes – as are Bull and Krem; they met me at the gates yesterday… I forgot to tell you. And yes – I kissed Krem."

Solona sputtered, "You kissed someone?"

Cullen sighed, "At least I didn't have to see it. I might have challenged Krem to a duel."

"How are things with the Bull?"

"He's eager – he even took my shoes off for me just because I told him it might be the only 'intimate' contact he would get. I did agree to get him to back off the flirting by giving him a multi-purpose tool from Earth. He whined at me for one so I told him it was my bribe to him and he said 'Deal'." I imitated Bulls' voice.

"Oh – good then… shoes?" Alistair asked.

"I hate heals that are so tall and pointy that they make better blades than shoes. I swear I almost broke my neck dancing with Maxwell. Josie is so lucky that I have experience in heels – if that were my first time, we'd have a dead inquisitor. Fuck wearing heels – I'm wearing strappy sandals to our wedding. Tell Josie that is she even thinks about adding heels to my sandals that I will go barefoot and enjoy the scandal it causes where people think I'm pregnant because my shoes don't fit. It is non-negotiable because I very much want to enjoy my wedding night and if my feet hurt then it'll be more difficult to do that." I ranted.

Cullen laughed, "I will be more than glad to inform her and I will quote you on it."

"You won't need to – the minute Blake hears 'non-negotiable' he will quote me."

"You've done this before then?" Alistair sniggered.

"Pretty close – I told my higher-ups during a covert op that I wouldn't wear heels if it were an order. And then gave them a speech about letting the other guys think my cover was that of a pregnant hooker."

"Makers' Ass – marry me," Solona laughed.

I giggled, "Nope – I'm taken and already promised; no third spouse."

"Right – I'm going to go talk to Blake about training tomorrow then… you three have a good… chat." Solona laughed.

I waited until Cullen said she and Varric were gone before I said, "And on that note… I'm still wearing that black evening gown you both saw back in Haven… would it be scandalous if I told you both that I didn't wear small-clothes to the Salon that Madame De Fer hosted?"

Both groaned.