Bursting through the door, I feel like I'm about to throw up as I flop down on the stairs leading up to my quarters and place my face in my hands.

"Lena…"

I close my eyes. "Not now, Cullen," I mutter through my hands. "Can we please postpone the lecture for a later time?"

I hear his soft sigh as he sits beside me and feel his hand on my back. "I was actually coming to check on you." He says, gently. "I know that had to have been stressful…"

"That's one way to put it," I mutter.

"Is there anything I can do to help you?"

"I'll take a bottle of wine if you have one."

He chuckles and is about to reply before he suddenly stops. I feel his body stiffen beside me.

"Commander."

I look up from my hands to see Cassandra standing in the doorway. She quickly glances between us before focusing on me.

"Both men have been led back to their cells…" She begins. It looks as though she's building up to something but quickly deflates. "I'll call a war council meeting tonight-"

"Let's make it tomorrow," Cullen interjects. He and Cassandra exchange a knowing glance to which she gives a curt nod.

"We'll need to discuss the upcoming journey to Orlais." I sigh, "Preparations will need to be made."

"Josephine and I will take care of it," Cullen says. I shoot him a grateful glance.

With a final nod to us, Cassandra turns on her heel and disappears once more through the door. With her now gone, Cullen lets out a sigh. I feel the unspoken questions lingering between us.

"I'll be gone for quite a while," I mutter. He nods.

"I know."

"I don't just mean Orlais." As I say this, his brow raises. "For too long, Dedrick has gotten away with his crimes. Giving the people of Crestwood the justice they deserve is my first priority."

He stiffly nods. "I doubt Josephine would agree." The corner of his mouth curls upwards slightly. "Aren't you heading to Orlais to meet with that woman who sent you that invite when we were in Haven?"

"Madam Der Fer." I nod. "First Enchanter and the personal advisor of Empress Celene."

He shakes his head. "Just what we need right now, Orlesian mages. Two things we've had plenty of recently." He frowns. "Can you imagine another run-in like you had with Sera?"

I chuckle, despite myself. I rise, meeting his questioning gaze. "I have some preparations of my own to make for my trip. Thank you for coming to check up on me."

He smiles as he rises. "Of course." Despite being alone, he glances around before pulling me into an embrace. His arms encircle me and pull me close as he presses a kiss on my hair. "We'll still speak about what happened, you know that right?" He mutters.

He pulls away and I see the smile on his face. "I would expect nothing less." I chuckle.

I sat near the corner of the tavern, staring thoughtfully down at my drink as I listened to the bard singing from somewhere nearby. Sensing somebody approach, I look up.

"Ah, Iron Bull. It's good to see you." I smile. "I hope you're enjoying your time here?"

"I am." He pauses and looks down at me. "Everything alright, Boss? I've never seen you sitting alone before."

I chuckle, motioning for him to join me. "Sometimes even people like me need to get away from everything and just drink."

He nods, taking a seat across from me with a grunt. He motions to the barmaid before turning back to me. "I heard about the trials earlier."

The very mention of them made my hair stand on end but I keep my face placid. "You weren't there?" I ask, raising my drink to my lips. "It seemed like all of Skyhold was present."

"Not all." He grins. "At the time, I was a little… tied up, so to speak." He gives me a knowing wink. I shoot him a confused glance as the barmaid walks over and, spotting Bull, I see a slight blush spread across her face. I snort in realization and quickly cover my mouth to conceal my smirk.

Bull smiles, turning to the woman. "Two of your strongest ales, please. We're celebrating."

"We are?" I ask, raising a brow.

"Of course!" He laughs. "We have yet to formally celebrate the Chargers joining the Inquisition."

The woman returns with two tankards and sets them down, still avoiding both mine and Bull's gazes. "Anything else?" She mutters.

"That'll be all. Thank you." I smile. She looks up at Bull who winks at her before she scurries off.

"The barmaid, huh?" I ask, watching her as she leaves. I smirk and nod. "Nice choice."

He raises his tankard. "To the Chargers and Inquisition coming together."

Our tankards clanked together, a bit of ale spilling before we each knocked it back.

The sun had just begun to set below the walls of Skyhold by the time I left the tavern. After a few more drinks, Bull had left with his newest conquest - a lovely young scout with short raven hair and big brown eyes that never seemed to leave me. She leaned in from time to time, pressing her breasts against my arm as she eagerly asked me about being Inquisitor and the perks that came with it.

Once she and Bull left back to his quarters, I felt myself feeling lovelorn and ended up at Cullen's tower. My head buzzed as I pushed open the door, my need for sex overriding any sense of politeness I usually displayed. Much to my annoyance, I found no sign of Cullen save his cloak that was casually hung over the back of his chair. Seeing it, I bite my lip.

"Crestwood?" Josephine gapes, looking up from her tablet. Cullen nods, leaning forward and placing his hands on the war table between them.

"That is what she said. She wishes to attend Dedrick's trial first to ensure that justice is served."

The ambassador's lips part in surprise, her gaze shifting to Cassandra and then Zevran before returning to the Commander.

"Commander, I understand that the Inquisitor is under a bit of strain from recent events but surely Crestwood can wait?" Josephine frowns. "I have received countless inquiries from the First Enchanter herself requesting a meeting with Lena. She's growing impatient."

Cullen signs. "She's waited this long, hasn't she? What's an extra week or two?"

Once more, Josephine looks to the others for support but they both shrug it off.

"I agree with both the Commander and Inquisitor." Cassandra begins, "It may not be ideal but we currently don't have the resources to make additional, unnecessary trips and it would be foolish to drag Dedrick all around Orlais. It would only leave an opportunity for him to try escaping. He needs to be dealt with first."

Seeing the logic, Josephine sighs. Straightening, she gives a polite yet curt nod. "Very well. I will send a raven to inform the First Enchanter of the delay."

She pauses, waiting for further instruction. When nobody speaks, she quickly leaves the room.

After a quick update about preparations, Cullen dismisses himself and leaves Cassandra and Zevran in the war council.

In his short walk from the Keep to the narrow bridge that connected it all to his tower, he stops a few feet from the door. Taking a moment to inhale the cool, night air his eyes wander upwards to the darkened windows of Lena's balcony. A frown tugs at the corners of his mouth. If only I could go with you and protect you. With a sigh, he turns and heads inside.

Pulling off his armor, piece by piece, he places it on the armor stand near the center of the room. Unbuckling his chest plate, he rolls his shoulders back with a groan and sets it aside. It was going to be an early and painstakingly long day tomorrow and he knew it.

He yawns and stretches, walking over to his desk where he left his cloak only to find it empty. His brows furrow as he looks around, his heart pounding slightly. Then he sees the note.

Commander,

If you ever wish to see your cloak again, come upstairs.

~Lena

Lying back on the bed, I yawn just as I hear the heavy door of the tower open below me. I wait, grinning as I hear Cullen's usual sigh. A soft clanging noise sounds as he removes his armor and sets it aside. I shift to look between the small gap in the floorboards, giggling to myself as I watch Cullen walk over to his desk. He notices the cloak missing and I watch his head move side to side, his eyes likely sweeping the surrounding areas. He mutters something to himself before suddenly pausing.

I watch as he gingerly picks up my note. He reads it and I watch him smile as he looks up toward the upper floor before leaving my sight.

Lying back I rearrange his cloak and pose as I see his blond hair peeking out beneath the floor before I finally see his face. Standing, his grin falters slightly as his eyes move over my body. The corners of his mouth curl up as his eyes meet mine. He holds up the small slip of paper. "I found your note."

"Good."I smile. Reaching up, I let my fingers gently move over the large fur collar, pulling the fabric down enough to show my bare collarbone. "You know, at first I was skeptical of how warm your cloak could be," I comment, concealing my smirk as I notice his gaze following my fingers. "It seemed so thin and the armholes too large yet…." I meet his gaze, "Even wearing this, and only this, I'm warm despite the slight chill in here."

"It is quite warm." He nods, his eyes dipping to my bare collarbone once more. "My mother made it for me before I left for Kinloch Hold in hopes that it would protect me from the chill, especially during the winter months."

"It's very well-made." I move my leg and the fabric slips off my knee. "I especially love the detailing near the edges." I reach down and grab the edge, lifting it further up to expose it up to the middle of my thigh. "I imagine such an item is of great worth to you."

His brows draw together for a moment before his understanding flashes over his face and he grins. "I take it that this is a hostage negotiation?"

"Indeed it is, Commander," I smirk, shrugging. "However, I'm not an unreasonable woman; I'm open for negotiation."

He steps forward, nearing the bed before I hold up a hand to stop him. He chuckles. "And what exactly are your demands?" He asks.

"Oh, I'm pretty sure you can guess."

He wags his finger at me. "No guessing. List your demands."

I bite my lip, rising up on my elbow to watch him. For a moment, I'm distracted as I watch him remove the woolen gambeson to reveal his thinner undershirt. He pauses, smirking.

"Lena?"

My attention snaps back and I look up at him. "Hm?"

He chuckles. "Your demands?"

I pretend to think. "My first demand is for you to remove all your shirt, to show you come with no ill intentions or weapons."

His gaze meets mine, a smirk playing on his lips. "Very well."

Keeping his gaze trained on me, he pulls the shirt over his head and sets it aside. "What's your second demand?"

My heart quickens in my chest and I feel the stirring of arousal between my legs. It takes me a moment before I smile. I rise onto my knees on the bed before slipping off and circling him, slowly. "I see no weapons but I should probably search you.. just to be sure. Somebody wise told me to never underestimate my opponent."

Reaching up, I hear his breath catch as my fingertips graze up his arm, pausing a brief moment to plant languid kisses on his shoulder before moving to his upper back and neck. A small groan escapes and I smile against his skin. I move around him, feeling the toned muscles of his chest and stomach, sprinkling kisses as I go. I stop before him, hearing his ragged breaths as he watches me with lust-filled eyes.

Holding his gaze, I plant kisses on his chest, moving down his stomach before stopping just above the top of his trousers. Hooking my fingers on the fabric, he inhales sharply as I pull it down slightly to expose the indents of his hips. Smirking, I press a kiss at the center, making sure to tease the indent with the tip of my tongue and playfully nip at it.

"Satisfied?" He half-growls.

Stopping, I smirk up at him. "I will be."

As soon as I say this, he exhales. "Stand up."

As soon as I rise, he pulls me forward before his lips crash against mine. His kiss is passionate and urgent as his hands move over my back, the heat from his hands coming through the cloak. In one swift motion, his hands move down from my sides to my ass, cupping it before lifting me up.

I almost break the kiss as my arms and legs wrap around him. He walks me back and lies me back on the bed as he breaks the kiss. Kneeling on the bed beside me, his eyes move along my cloaked form, a grin beginning to form.

"I have yet to make my own demands." He says.

I lift myself up to rest on my elbows and his eyes immediately dart to where the fabric slips off my right shoulder, exposing my shoulder and right breast. Seeing his longing gaze, I bite my lip.

His hand is warm as he slides it under the cloak, over my bare leg. The fabric slips off my leg, He trails light kisses along the side of my calf, gently lifting my leg as his kisses move up to my knee. My breath catches as he gets mid-thigh and stops.

"Cullen…" I groan, arching my back. "Please…."

He smirks. "Ready to surrender?"

Biting my lip, I shake my head. "Never."

He shifts, placing a knee on the bed on either side of my leg. Placing a hand on the bed on either side of me, he leans down as though going in for a kiss only to shift last minute. The change is so sudden that I involuntarily gasp as he nips at my earlobe and jaw. Closing my eyes, I lean my head back to give him better access. "Maker's breath…" I mutter his normal phrase as his kisses and light nibbles move down my jaw to my neck. I bring my hand up to run it through his hair which only seems to encourage him.

Feeling his arousal through his breeches, I wrap my leg around him and try to pull him closer. With little luck, I switch my tactics and move my other hand down his chest, inching it lower until my fingertips barely graze his shaft under the fabric barrier. Undeterred, he shifts and grabs my hand with a chuckle.

"Nice try," he growls next to my ear before he moves my hand up near my head and pins it down before moving his kisses away from my neck to my chest.

Lifting away from me, he shifts and uses his free hand to pull the cloak to the side giving him more access as he trails kisses between and around my breasts, paying special attention to the sensitive nubs which he suckles and flicks with his tongue.

I squirm from his touch which only makes him smirk against my skin.

"It's all about strategy when it comes to negotiations." He mutters. "You must strike quickly and vary your attacks to wear down your opponent…"

"Fuck…" I moan. "I never thought I'd want you to talk strategy to me but…"

His hand raises, pushing the cloak aside before cupping my left breast. His hand practically molds around it. Leaning down, he starts to kiss around it, his finger gently rubbing my hardened nipple. A moan escapes from me as he kisses down around my breast until he suddenly stops.

I wait. Time seems to move so slow as I lie there, the wait agonizing yet exciting.

Moving his cloak from my left side I watch him back away slightly as he looks down at my side, his expression stern. "What is that?" He says, just above a whisper. I watch his jaw clench.

My brow furrows. "What's what?"

Without looking away, he motions with his chin at my side. He's talking about the veins.

"That's just from when I was wounded by the rogue templar in the Crossroads," I say, frowning. "You knew I had gotten injured, remember? You told me to lift my tunic."

He leans back on his heels. "It wasn't like that when I last saw it." He says, his eyes never leaving it. I watch as his jaw clenches and he rises up from the bed. "I need to go." He mutters, starting to redress. "I have work to do."

I look down at my side and pull his cloak over it, suddenly self-conscious. "Cullen, I don't understand. What's wrong?" I frown. "We've had sex many times and you've seen me topless before. Why are the markings suddenly an issue?"

"I've never seen them before." He mutters, pulling on his shirt as he continues to avert my gaze. "We were always in the dark. I've never seen it in the light."

I feel the tears starting to form as I pull the cloak closer around me. "You should probably leave too, Lena." He says.

I feel as though I've been punched in the stomach and stabbed in the heart simultaneously.

"Not until you explain yourself," I say, my voice shaking slightly from part anger and part embarrassment.

Closing his eyes, he hangs his head. "I... forgive me, Lena." He says. "I just can't do this. Please get dressed and leave."

Tears spilling down my cheeks, I rise up. "Fine," I whisper. "I'll leave. If giving you some space will help you see sense once more, I'll do it."

Removing his cloak, I toss it on the bed and bend down to retrieve the clothes I left piled off to the side. Still refusing to look at me, he bends down to grab his cloak and puts it on before climbing down the ladder. Once he's out of sight, I drop down on his bed and sob. What just happened? How did everything go south so quickly?