Thanks again to Judy, who always let me know if I did something wrong uploading the chapter. This one is short, but I make it up with the next one. Hope to read you later!
After all the preparation time, the ball seemed incredibly brief. The luxury and majesty of the Palace was only overshadowed by the frivolity and ridiculousness of its guests. I appreciated Josie's every admonition. Behind every gesture, every look, every word, I could see how true intentions were hidden. But they didn't know that I had my own agenda at hand. The Orlesian nobility was not entirely unfamiliar to me during my travels, and with the lessons of the past few weeks, I felt prepared for the nobility's approaches.
I was surrounded by various participants in the Game, and they all wanted to make me their pawn. I could see that my own companions were managing their position wisely. Dorian stood vigilant in the courtyard, in his disguise as a darkspawn. Well, probably if someone was able to stop looking at his naked torso, they might have noticed that his costume represented something so horrible. He said that everyone would think he enjoyed the darkspawns because he was from Tevinter, so he opted for going over the top with it.
Vivien watched the Council's every move carefully, disguised as an Ice Queen. I noticed an unusual concern in her eyes during the dance, but thought it best to ask her afterwards.
My biggest surprise, however, was seeing Solas. His Fen'harel costume seemed to have captivated several young nobles, who fluttered around her. But unlike Cullen, who seemed terribly uncomfortable in his angel costume, Solas seemed calm and in control as he received the nobility's attention. I didn't even notice as I approached those around him.
"So, Ser Solas, I hear you hold a very important position in the Inquisition. The Inquisitor must be very happy to have you under her command, do you enjoy being in that position?" I heard a young woman dressed as some sort of farm girl say. I remembered the information I had studied before I came. She was Lady Monet, a minor noblewoman from northern Ferelden. Ridiculous, as if she had ever touched a piece of land in her life. I cringed a little as I understood the suggestiveness of her question. And I regretted a little how far from the truth I was.
"Lady Monet, I'm afraid the butler in charge of introductions was more flattering than is appropriate. I am just one of many advisors trying to guide the Inquisitor." Solas replied with grace and kindness. I did not expect such mastery from an apostate hermit.
"Ser Solas, could you tell us about your disguise? It seems to be something very interesting, are wolves important to elven lore? They have always seemed so interesting to me." Said another young woman claiming his attention. She was disguised as a bee, and I could remember her name was Lady Marian of Nevarra. She was related to Cassandra in a very distant way.
"Yes, tell us about your attire, Ser Solas. There are those who say that disguises help show our true desires and instincts." Agreed yet another girl, as she moved even closer to Solas and gently rested her hand on his arm. "At least mine represents me, don't you think, Ser Solas?"
Fehnedis, I couldn't take it anymore. That last idiot was disguised as a sheep. She could have invited him to her room right there and it would have been more subtle than what she had just said. She was Lady Gabriela, a princess of Antiva.
"Oh Lady Gabriela, I would be careful what I said. Ser Solas is not just any wolf, he is Fen'harel. The Dread Wolf, He who hunts alone, and who is not famous for telling the truth or playing fair. I wouldn't want to be the little sheep that falls into his hands." I interjected into the conversation. My tone was calm and unconcerned, but my words were spoken to prick like a needle. I could see Lady Gabriela catch my message and slowly withdrew her hand.
"I'm afraid the Inquisitor is absolutely right. We can rest assured that these are no more disguises, or we would all be in danger, but from you. You are none other than Andruil, the goddess of the hunt." Solas interjected calmly. I could see a faint proud smile beneath his mask. He had apparently grasped my motives for intervening.
However, the young nobles seemed unwilling to give up.
"Ser Solas, that sounds most interesting. Why don't you tell me more of those stories while we dance? Lady Marian said.
"Oh Lady Marian, don't be rude. Ser Solas promised me a dance first. But don't worry, I'm sure I can share the secrets he reveals to me later." Lady Monet interrupted.
I pressed my lips into a thin line, forcing myself to remain silent.
"Ladies, I'd be delighted to dance with you, but first, I think it's only fitting that I dance with the Inquisitor." Solas said. He extended his hand towards me, just as he had done at several of the rehearsals at Skyhold. I was about to take it, when I saw his expression beneath the mask. I could see his smug smile and saw in his eyes how he enjoyed the fact that I had intervened. He apologized for his words to me, but I was still half angry and full of confusion. I refused to let him think that all was forgiven.
"Thank you very much Ser Solas, but I'm afraid I must decline your invitation. These young ladies will have so little opportunity to enjoy your company that it would seem cruel of me to deprive them of so. Moreover, I have some other invitations to respond to at the moment." I replied politely. And without adding anything more, I turned and left. I listened as the young women resumed arguing for attention, but I forced myself to concentrate. Tonight, anyway, I had secrets to steal, rumours to hear, and a murder to stop.
I rested my arms on the edge of the balcony and sighed as Morrigan turned to leave. I looked up at the stars. All in all, it was a beautiful night. I appreciate the chance to enjoy it.
"Can I join you?" I heard Solas' voice. I turned to watch as he approached me, to lean on the railing beside me. His expression was cautious. I simply nodded.
"I'm not surprised to find you out here. What are you thinking?" He asked softly.
"I'm surprised to find you out here, hiding from the friendly nobles from earlier. They seemed so invested in learning about elvhen culture." I joked in a relaxed manner. Our argument from days ago was still somewhere in the back of my mind, but after the events of the night, I didn't have the energy to think about it anymore.
"Those girls quickly found a more interesting and suitable candidate for their interest. I was just an exotic novelty. After all, we can't all be the stunning Inquisitor and charmed our way through the entire court." He joked back. "Why aren't you enjoying your victory inside?"
"We achieved many of our goals. After all the time and preparation, I want to enjoy this brief peace, while it lasts." I replied.
"It seems like a wise thing to do. Those moments are becoming more and more rare." He said with a crooked smile. "I had forgotten how much I enjoyed the intrigue of court."
That got my attention.
"Enjoy? Have you ever been in one before? I didn't think your travels took you to many courts." I found it hard to imagine Solas visiting nobles in any realm wearing his pyjamas.
"Well, not directly. Court is a place of mysteries, machinations and emotions, I've been able to observe them from the Veil." He replied quickly.
"Is it some question that you can not dodge around using the Fade?"
He chuckled then, he stepped away from the railing and extended an arm towards me.
"Now is not the time to talk about that. Dance with me."
I took his hand. Solas rested his hand on my waist and guided my steps. The balcony was ours, and we turned it into our private ballroom. The music was soft waltz, some easy rhythm to follow without paying too much attention to it. There wasn't much to do except for holding each other.
I felt his eyes roaming my face and his thumb making soft circles through the lace of my shirt, caressing my waist. His skin felt so nice and warm. One hand on mine, the other on my side, my hand on his shoulder. I didn't even notice when I started caressing his neck.
It was so easy to get lost in his touch, the music and the dance. I had to bite my lip trying to concentrate on not kissing him at that moment. I tried to remember our last conversation about this, and I had promised to give him space. And I was also supposed to still be a little angry. But he wasn't helping me understand any of the emotions inside me either. I felt tired, frustrated, but also happy. His proximity felt so good. What was he waiting for? Why weren't we enjoying each other?
"Everything all right, Inquisitor? You seem slightly distracted." He commented quietly. Bloody bastard. He knew I was doing my best to restrain myself and he was enjoying it.
"I was just thinking that you should consider the consequences of your actions, Solas." I said nonchalantly. At least I tried to sound that way.
"I don't quite understand what you mean, Inquisitor." He replied with perfectly feigned confusion. There was such a smugness in his eyes.
"To consider the effects of your flirtations. Of putting your hands on my body. Of looking into my eyes with that gaze. I don't think you're unaware of how you make me feel." I didn't have much energy left for hints. I had used up much of my subtlety in court. His expression changed into something more neutral.
"My apologies Inquisitor. I did not think you would find my attention so unsettling. I shall have to bear that in mind."
"It's not the attention that unsettles me, it's the inconsistency, as I am well aware you know." Why was it so hard for him to make up his mind about this? My feelings and desires were crystal clear.
"There's nothing I hate more than what I can't have. It frustrates me that you make me feel this way. Especially when you played with me, crafting the illusion of reprocitivity." I said as the music in the background came to a pause. "You asked me for time, and I agreed. But at no point did I agree to be a part of this tug of war." I released my grip on him and performed a small bow. He let go, and didn't even try to stop me.
"Good evening, Ser Solas."