DISCLAIMER: I base my stories on Intellectual Property (IP) owned by BioWare™ and EA™. I pretend to live in their world.
SPOILERS: I refer to information from the games, the novels and the comics. If you have not played or read, please beware.
A SONG IN THE STILLNESS
Chapter 22: If You Don't
9:34 Dragon, Cloudreach === Ansburg
Lys left her horse with Joscelin and hurried into the Ansburg Grey Warden Keep, asking the first person she met where she could find Warden Jean-Marc Stroud. The young warden recognized her from her previous visit and led her to the same room, where Stroud sat behind his work table. Leaning her hands on the table, she spoke directly to Stroud, barely aware that another man sat on a chair in the far corner watching her, his face frozen in surprise.
"Darkspawn attacked our group near the ruins," she reported. "We fought them off, but there may be more. There's a large cavern, with a passage into the Deep Roads, which needs to be closed. There's also a tunnel from inside the ancestral ruins that may go as far as the Roads, we didn't explore it completely. There's a Dalish clan, the Lavellan clan, camped two days away and it's only four days from the nearest human farm hold."
"How do you know it offers access to the Deep Roads?" Stroud asked.
"We looked. I spent a year fighting darkspawn. My friend Kai, two Dalish, and I investigated the cavern once it was cleared." She watched as he stiffened and frowned. "We're not fools, Warden. We had two archers, my blades, and a mage. While we didn't venture into the Roads, I've no doubt there are 'spawn down there. I don't need…well, there's 'spawn. I know the signs."
Stroud frowned, but realized young woman made sense. His own patrols had warned of suspected darkspawn incursions north of Starkhaven. "I'll get a patrol together. Where are your people now?"
"They stayed at the ruins, to close up the site with help from clan Lavellan's hunters. Once they finish, they'll return to the Lavellan camp. Keeper Deshanna knows of the danger and her people are all on alert. They've fought darkspawn before. Master Olivia has fifteen guards and Kai, who knows 'spawn as well as I do. Joscelin and two of the guards accompanied me. They'll lead your wardens to the camp."
Stroud nodded. "And you will not return?"
"No. I have duties here to complete, to prepare for our return to Markham. Wardens don't need me to fight darkspawn."
Stroud smiled. "No, that's true. We appreciate your report and your care in not venturing into the Deep Roads. We'll leave tomorrow." Stroud stood and nodded to the other warden, who had remained silent. "I believe our business is completed as well, Warden Denis?"
Lys whirled around, thinking there could be many Wardens called Denis. Stroud looked at Denis' face, lips compressed, and Lys', which showed only dismayed surprise.
"I think you two may be acquainted," he said as he left.
Lys and Denis stared at each other until Denis, using her message to Stroud to find something to say, broke the silence.
"He'll clean out the nest and seal the passage," Denis assured her. "It's our primary task since the Blight ended."
Lys crossed her arms. "I heard the cleanup in Ferelden proved more complex than sealing a few Deep Roads entrances."
"And I heard you saw an attack first hand at a Keep near the Vigil. At least, I'm guessing you were on the ship that escaped from the Orphanage? Liam seems to think so."
"Were you one of the Wardens who found the Orphanage?"
"No, Taina led them and Nate led his guard. Hard on him, finding his brother like that." He smiled briefly. "You don't owe me any explanations, Lys. I'm just surprised to find you alive, despite Liam's speculations. A good surprise."
"I'm glad I survived too. It was a close thing for a while." She sighed. "I'm oddly glad to see you. I…my feelings…you confuse me, Denis. You always have."
He laughed. "No more than I confuse myself, I suspect. Being a warden gives me more purpose than I've ever had, except when…well more than before. I have a clear duty and the skills to fulfill its demands." He chuckled. "There's politics, but nothing like the Game in Orlais."
"What are doing here?"
"I'm Liam's diplomat," he grinned. "Speaking of politics, I've just been to Weisshaupt. They're still negotiating for more of our Archdemon blood. I stopped here to confer with Stroud, as it was on my way. We try to cooperate with the Marcher wardens, as well as the Nevarrans. I took a boat on the Minanter from Nevarra City and I'll head south from here to Markham and Ostwick. From there it's a short sail to Amaranthine."
"Ah, all the languages must come in handy then."
He shrugged. "My Anders is rusty, and I can only read Tevene, not understand it when spoken, but, yes, Common, Orlesian, and some Ferelden dialects do help. I've picked up some Avvar too."
"Wandering the Frostbacks?"
"Uh…visiting Haven, to be honest. Scouting the area with a patrol. Protecting the pilgrims has become a priority. It's one-way Liam can confuse and placate the Chantry."
Lys laughed. "And it keeps the Orlesian wardens and their chevaliers out?"
"That too. We…I…meet the Jader wardens occasionally to…umm…smooth things over, but otherwise we ignore them. Patrolling Haven and dealing with the Chantry there can be interesting. Sister Leliana, who you know, I think, is sometimes there. And I made friends with an Avvar clan. Interesting people."
"Leliana and the Avvar, now that must make life interesting. Met any Chasind?"
"No, I leave them to your brother."
An awkward silence followed. "Look, let's not stand here," Denis said. "Your guard is leaving with Stroud? Where will you stay? Can I help?"
"Yes, the guard is leaving, I have a room, not far away at the Wayward Sock, and, no, I'm as self-sufficient as ever." She saw his raised eyebrows, when she mentioned the inn. "I know, odd name, but I can get there on my own. It's where we stayed on our way north."
"It's a good inn, but yes an odd name. An inn has been on that site for ages, just as this keep's been here since before the second Blight." He grinned. "Rumor says it was once called the Pierced Eyeball, in honor of the Inquisition of old, but the name scared off guests once the history was forgotten."
"Pierced eyeballs would be off-putting," she agreed, surprised he knew about the organization that pre-dated the templars and seekers. Then again, history was probably part of chevalier training and the Orlesians had founded the Chantry and its military arms.
He held out his arm. "I know you don't need an escort, but allow me. Perhaps you'll let me join you for dinner as well?"
Taking his arm without hesitation, she smiled to herself. That was an automatic response. "I would like that," she said, again surprised that she had spoken the truth. "I'll admit the darkspawn encounter unnerved me, once it was over and I had time to think. Sometimes talking about it with someone who understands the experience helps." She smiled again, briefly, and shook her head. "You had…have this strangely appealing charm. I'm glad you didn't lose it when you joined the Wardens, but I shall be on my guard."
Arriving at the Wayward Sock, Lys left Denis to order their meal and took her pack to her rooms, the same three rooms she, Kai and Olivia had shared almost four months earlier. The rest of the company should arrive within a week, once the wardens cleared the darkspawn and they had taken their leave of Clan Lavellan. While waiting, she would arrange for new pack animals for their trip to Markham, catch up on correspondence, and stock up on supplies. Once Olivia arrived, the company could clean up in the baths, eat a few good meals, and be ready to spend a day ferrying everything across the Minanter so they could travel the Markham road south.
Returning to the dining room, she slid onto the bench at the corner table Denis had taken, and thought of long-ago meals in Higheverport. He had always been excellent company, choosing her favorite foods or introducing her to some delicacy he enjoyed, telling amusing anecdotes about his time at the Chevalier Academy, and almost making her believe he loved her. Then he had saved her life, hers and her mother's. Finally, he had spent a year in Rendon Howe's dungeon, refusing to speak against her father and her family. Oddly, she trusted him as much as any man except Alistair, Zevran, Maric, and, perhaps, Loghain. And he had been a wonderful lover, her first. Smiling to herself, she watched him amble across the room, gracefully winding his way through the tables while carrying two cups of, she assumed, ale. A good choice, as they brewed their own here.
"You look pensive," he said in greeting. "You haven't changed your mind about dinner?"
"No." His slight lack of confidence surprised her. "I still enjoy dinner with a handsome, charming companion."
He snorted softly. "Am I that?"
"You know you are. And a friend of sorts."
His left eyebrow rose, twisting a scar she had not noticed. So many scars, visible and hidden, on both of them. She took the cup of ale and sipped, smiling at him over the rim.
He laughed. "Clearly you've not lost your ability to flirt."
"I suppose not, although I don't do it very often."
He cocked his head.
"Not much chance in my life nowadays."
A server brought the meal Denis had ordered. A large pot of venison stew, she guessed from the appealing scent, with a fresh loaf, still warm from the oven, and a crock of butter.
"I hope you're hungry," he said, "I assumed you'd been eating camp food."
"It smells delicious." She ladled a large serving into his bowl and then filled her own. They each pulled a large hunk from the crusty loaf. "It doesn't need butter, but…." she chuckled, smearing a large pat across the warm chunk.
"It just adds to the flavor when you dip the bread into the stew," he said, doing the same.
Neither spoke for a while, while they finished their first serving. As he ladled seconds, she watched, chewing her lower lip.
"I may have a favor to ask of you, but first I think you should know some of my story."
"You may have a favor to ask?" He snorted. "Either way, you don't owe-"
"-neither of us owes the other, Denis. I think we're beyond that. It's a big favor and maybe I need to tell my story to someone who won't judge me and who will understand. The only other person who remotely understood what happened to me and Kai was Anora."
Denis' eyes narrowed. "Because she had been Rendon Howe's captive?"
Lys nodded.
He continued, holding her gaze and speaking softly. "And Thomas admired his father and emulated him in all things?"
She nodded again.
"I'm listening."
This time, Lys found telling her story cathartic. Denis understood having spent all those months in Howe's dungeon. He interrupted twice. Once to serve the last of the stew, which he insisted she finish and once to bring a plate of honey cakes and mead, which made her smile.
"You mentioned a favor," he said when she finished.
"I did." She bit her lip, frowning slightly, as she wondered how to relate an experience she'd had in Areth. "I…Kai thinks…I think it's time I become open to meeting other men. I spent some time with an old friend, which went well until he tried, quite naturally, to kiss me. I pulled away and not gently. Another friend suggested I ask a man I trust to help, to take it slowly."
"But there isn't a man you trust that much."
"There is one." Her lips curved in a smile. "You. I didn't expect to enjoy making love when we began before that Summerday, but I did. So much. You were gentle, funny, kind, loving, and enormously sexy." The smile became a grin. "In every way."
He almost dropped his cup, spraying mead across the table. "Enormously?" The mischievous look made him think of the young woman he had almost married. The world had changed since then, but maybe the two of them still had something to share.
"Denis, make love to me again. Make me remember that warm, lovely, tingly, feeling deep inside. Let me remember how to make love to you. Even if I never meet anyone else, let my memories be of loving, not of Thomas."
Denis closed his eyes. Could he do this and then leave and never see her again? He opened them and looked at her. Older, yes, but still lovely, even with a simple off-center braid over her left shoulder and a plain tunic and vest. He smiled. "I can try, Lys, but if you say stop, I will. I'll stop and leave."
"I trust you. I may need to go slowly, but I know how you can make me feel. I want to feel it again. Please."
He stood and stepped to Lys' side of the table. "My lady," he said softly, and held out his arm.
Entering her rooms, she dropped her arm from his.
"You're sure?" he whispered.
"Quite." She took off her vest, sat on a chair to pull off the soft leather shoes she had worn to dinner, and, reaching beneath her tunic, unrolled her hose, pulling each off as Denis watched. "When you offered me your arm in Stroud's study, I didn't flinch, didn't even think about flinching, I just took it. I haven't done that since…well, since before the battle, with anyone except my family, and not with them for quite some time. I'd step away from any other man who raised his hand or reached out in completely normal ways." She stood. "I didn't with you."
He reached out slowly and undid the ties around her braid, running his fingers through the twining until he had undone it completely. She stood quietly, watching his face, so intent on the task. He caught her gaze as he finished and whispered, "I'm going to touch your neck, Lys."
His fingers caressed her neck, circled an ear, and threaded through her hair. He had stepped closer and, as he gently pulled her head forward, he leaned down and kissed her lips, her cheek, and her brow. She raised one hand to his chest, palm forward, but not to push him away. "Kiss me again," she whispered, her hand sliding up and around his neck.
"Happily," he murmured leaning down.
This time her lips opened to receive him. Pulling away from each other, breathless, he nodded towards the cushioned window seat. "I think we need to practice that a little more before we continue."
She chuckled. "I do try for perfection."
He sat, his back against the window frame, and pulled her onto his lap. When her other arm went around his neck, he took it as permission to caress her side and cup a breast. She gave a tiny sigh and he froze, but she took his hand and pressed it against the breast, arching her back for emphasis, as her hand returned to thread through his dark hair.
Her tunic laced up the back and he reached to untie it, smiling to himself when it came undone on one pull. His fingers carefully loosened the laces. She pulled her lips away from his mouth and sat back, allowing the tunic slip off her shoulders. Her vest had concealed that fact that she wore no breast band. He swallowed, seeing dark nipples, pebbled and stiff. The tunic, her arms now free, pooled around her waist. She took both of his hands in hers and pressed them against her breasts.
"Love me, Denis. Make me remember."
He groaned and squeezed, kneading the full breasts and pinching the already stiff nipples, his eyes closed, as he leaned his head against the frame. She leaned forward and kissed his neck, licked his ears, and bit his collar bone. Her lips returned to his and he responded hungrily. Moments later she pulled away and, smiling at him, began to unlace his tunic.
"I need to feel your skin next to mine."
He chuckled softly. "Your wish-"
Her brow furrowed for a moment, and she put a finger on his lips.
"As you wish, then," he said.
She pushed the tunic back off his shoulders and, grabbing the cuffs, let him pull his arms out of the sleeves. Her hands slid behind his neck and she bowed her head to kiss his chest, collar bones, and, finally, his nipples, licking, nipping, and teasing them with tongue and teeth. He leaned against the window frame and simply enjoyed her ministrations. Suddenly it stopped and she stood. He opened his eyes to catch her gaze and watched as she let the tunic fall to the floor. She wore nothing underneath.
"You're beautiful Lys." He smiled. "Perhaps more beautiful than I remember." He stood, letting his tunic join hers on the floor. He hadn't prepared quite as well, so hose, small clothes and shoes had to be removed as Lys watched. He looked up.
"Do you still-"
"-appreciate what I see. Yes. And what I feel. I…," she took a deep breathe. "You used to make me scream, Denis. Make me feel that way tonight."
He cupped her cheek and she didn't withdraw or flinch. "I'll do my best."
Her arms came around his neck as he pulled her towards him and their bodies met, skin to skin. Her breasts against his chest; his length, engorging, against her curls. She arched against him as his hands slid down her sides and cupped her bottom.
"It's time for bed, love," he whispered, picking her up so quickly she squealed and clung more tightly to his shoulders. She laughed as he laid her on the bed and crawled in to rest his knees on either side of her hips. He leaned on his hands, looming over her. He did not touch her arms, fearing she would think he meant to hold her down.
"I never thought we'd be here again." He kissed her gently. "I want you to remember how it feels to be loved, Lys, but this is a gift for me too."
"Denis…-"
He stopped her with a kiss and questing fingers, nimbly threading through dark brown curls to find her nub. Her next words were unintelligible as she arched and whimpered. He worked his way down her torso with his mouth, as his fingers caressed her pearl, parted her folds, already soaked and ready, and finally thrust his finger into her depths. Her fingers grabbed the sheets as her hips began a rhythmic thrusting against his hand. She finally managed to croak a plea for him to be inside her. He looked up at her and her hands rose to hold his face between them.
"Denis, inside."
Carefully, he slipped inside her, sighing as she clenched against him. He wasn't going to draw this first time out. She needed to know she could come with him, enjoy this with him. There would be time for more before morning. He gave himself to the sensations, falling into her rhythm until she arched, screamed his name, and clenched against him as he came.
A knock on the door woke Lys in the morning. She sat up when she realized she slept alone, but smiled when she saw Denis walking to the door and returning with a breakfast tray.
"Good morning, my lady," he said with a grin. "I thought you might be hungry. We had quite a busy night."
"We did."
He set the tray on the bed and climbed in beside her, kissing her cheek.
"Mmmm. Porridge, honey cakes, and tea. Perfect. Thank you."
"As perfect as our exploits last night?"
"Hmmm…I think I remember how enjoyable a night of love can be, but…I don't know, maybe I need more reminding? Will you be staying in Ansburg for another day or so?"
Denis stretched out and leaned against the bolsters. "I'm in no rush to get back to the Vigil." He ran a finger down her arm. "I could be persuaded. You do need to practice that scream."
She kissed him, her lips sticky with honey. He licked them, grinning. "Maybe we should include honey cakes in the mix?"
She giggled. "Or we could just continue where we left off now and use these."
He picked up the empty tray and placed it on the coffer by the bed. When he turned, Lys had pulled off her gown and was kneeling. "I think it's my turn to be on top. As I recall, you rather liked me in command."
He laughed. "When are you not in command, Lys Cousland."
That day they did not leave the room, having a bath brought in along with dinner, but for the remaining four days, when each had their own business to complete, they met for dinner and spent the nights together, reminding Lys of happier times. She laughed at herself when she thought about those days four years before, recalling how apprehensive she had been about the wedding, but truly Denis had been a wonderful lover. He still was.
On their last night together, Denis lay quietly, not wanting to disturb Lys with restless tossing or wandering about the room. He had delayed his return to Ferelden for too long already and they had received word that the university company would arrive on the morrow. Their reunion would end with the dawn when their paths, again, diverged.
A soft breeze stirred the linen curtains covering the open casement. It reminded him of other nights long ago in Highever, but here, in Ansburg, one could not smell the sea. He recalled a song he had heard Lys sing with Pippa during his stay at Castle Cousland in what seemed like another life.
…I can't make you love me if you don't
You can't make your heart feel something it won't
Here in the dark, in these final hours,
I will lay down my heart and I'll feel the power
But you won't, no you won't
'Cause I can't make you love me, if you don't**
Only it wasn't the other life Lys had once mentioned, the one where they loved each other; it was this life, before the Blight, where he, arrogant and over-confident, remained oblivious to the fact that her marriage to him terrified her. He looked at the older version of that young woman, the woman now lying next to him, and resolved not to think about that time any further. They had this one life and she did not love him.
Nor had he asked questions about her life now. The human women Nate's soldiers had rescued from the Orphanage had spoken of Howe's pregnant wife. He had felt and then seen the stretch marks below her naval and along her breasts, the ones that told him she had borne and suckled a child. If she chose not to speak of her baby, he would not ask. It wasn't as if it could be his. She had asked him to teach her about lovemaking again to remind her how good it could be, but had not offered any further insights into her life, beyond recounting her terrible imprisonment and marriage to Thomas Howe to explain her request. He loved her. He had done as she requested, asking no questions, and simply enjoyed the moments he had never thought to experience again. This would be goodbye, but to a living woman, not a ghost. That gave him joy.
x==========x
Denis gave no sign of noticing the elf as he walked into the common room from the stairway, but Kai noticed him. She climbed the stairs to the room she and Lys shared, unlocked it, and went in. Lys standing in the window embrasure, arms hugging her torso, whirled around, mouth open to speak. She stopped when she saw Kai.
"I just saw Denis de Rievaulx coming down the stairs."
"Warden Denis. And yes, he was here."
"So, he had something to report?"
Lys almost smiled. "No. He spent the night with me."
Kai opened her mouth, but couldn't find the words.
"Gina, my therapist, told me if I found a man I could trust, I should ask for help. Ask if he would help me remember how making love felt. I trust Denis. I asked. He agreed."
"Just like that."
"No. When I went to Stroud to report the darkspawn attack, Denis was there. He's Liam's diplomat. He'd just come from Weisshaupt." She took a deep breath. "Kai, he's not the man I didn't want to marry. He's not an Orlesian noble. He almost died to save Mum and me and then he almost died again in Howe's dungeons refusing to speak against Papa. I do trust him."
"You did enjoy sex with him in Highever, or so you said."
Lys grinned. "I did. He was my first and he was gentle and loving. I trusted him to be gentle and loving again and he was."
"Will you see him again?"
"Probably not, unless we meet again by chance. This was an interlude between friends who care about each other. We said our goodbyes this morning."
"Oh?"
"He didn't notice you?"
"He is still Orlesian, Lys. I'm just an elf." She shrugged. "No matter, I won't have to see him, will I?"
She turned at the knock on the door and went to open it. A servant handed her a box. "A warden asked me to give this to you - to Lady Kai, he said, the elf with Lady Lys."
Lys bit her lip as Kai took the box and opened it. The note read, I am sorry I didn't acknowledge you, Kailian. You had gone upstairs by the time I turned around. Please accept this as my apology. I recall you liked chocolate, and these are the best Ansburg has to offer. Warden Denis.
Lys laughed at Kai's expression, then asked, "Well, if you're planning on tossing them out, give them to me. I'll dispose of them."
"I'm not! I am annoyed that you're right, but if he helped then I should thank him."
"You should thank him, but don't. I think he needs some time. I care about him, but I'm afraid his feelings might be stronger than just caring. He tried to beat Ali to the Archdemon, you know."
"You've said."
"He was a step or two behind. His sword went in next to Ali's but…."
"Alistair was first."
"He apologized to me for that. As if I'd want him or anyone to die. He's a good man, Kai."
"For an Orlesian," Kai muttered, and ate a piece of chocolate.
Later, over dinner in their room, Kai related what had transpired after Lys left. It had taken two days to secure the site, covering any artifacts not yet removed and sealing the hole into the buried room, while leaving a marker for the wardens to find. She added that Keeper Deshanna had promised to ask the wardens to cover the tunnel, once they sealed the route into the deep roads from the cavern. After the wardens finished, the clan would care for site, insuring no damage happened. They would continue to excavate parts of the original plot, leaving deeper explorations to Olivia's next expedition.
"You spoke with Aethlyn and the Keeper, then?"
"Several times." Kai grinned. "I like Aethlyn. I hope we meet her again. Dara too. She's not a hunter, but she showed great courage riding back to the clan's camp."
"And Myrin?"
Kai sighed. "We had a…what did you call it? Ah, an interlude."
Lys chuckled. "I wondered if you would. Aethlyn approved, you know."
"You talked about us?"
"Aethlyn noticed that you two got along."
"He's not ready to marry and I'm not ready to meet someone new. In Areth, there are only human men or other Travelers and outlanders. I prefer elven men."
"With his black hair, blue eyes, and archery skills, he certainly was not in Zev's image."
"So!"
"That's a good thing, Kai."
"Is that you or Gina talking?"
"Both," Lys laughed. "I could say the same about Denis."
Kai stared past Lys, clearly recalling her time with Myrin. At no time had he reminded her of Zevran. He talked less, but happily discussed their common love, archery and the crafting of the long and short bows and the points and fletching of arrows. Discussions had broadened to their love of hunting, their clans, and desire for adventure. Kai's during the Blight had fascinated him. The fascination slowly evolved to include physical attraction. Her reaction to his touch had surprised Kai. She had forgotten how lost she could become in touching and kissing. By the time they had chosen to make love, she had been the one to climax too quickly. It had not fazed Myrin, he had simply brought her to a second peak and joined her in the climax, kissing her to quiet her scream.
"Kai," Lys said softly.
"Sorry, I-"
Lys smiled. "From your expression he must have been a wonderful lover."
Kai smiled back. "He was."
"Interludes. Perhaps we'll have more…or you'll find Zev." Her stare hardened. "If you'll wear the damn ring, Kailian. You won't find him, or he you, if you don't."
x==========x
Kai and Lys sat on the Minanter's south bank and watched the ferry bringing carts, horses, pack mules, and people across to the south shore. They had already secured the company's rooms at the inn and arranged for a meal. Now all they had to do was wait.
"Will you stop playing with that and put it on!" Lys said, annoyed as Kai twisted the ring between her fingers . "Just wear it for a few days. We know from Pippa that he's probably left Ferelden, so he could be in the Marches."
"I did, last night."
"And?"
"It felt warm."
"What!"
"It. Felt. Warm."
"I got that. Can you tell what direction?"
"No! That's why I took it off. It's barely warm. From here he could be in Antiva, or Starkhaven or Hercinia…."
"Or Markham."
"Why would he be in Markham? It's more likely he went back to Antiva."
"If you wear the ring as we ride, you'll find out, won't you?"
Kai took off the scarf she had wrapped around her head and dipped it in the river. "I'm not sure I'm not imagining it in this weather," she said as she tied the dripping cloth around her brow.
Lys pulled her necklace off, untied the thong, and dropped the ring into Kai's palm. "Put mine on. The texture will feel the same, but it will feel cool if yours has truly sensed Zev."
Kai slipped it on and looked up, surprised. "Mine is warmer. He's still alive." She took off Lys' ring and slipped it on the thong, a tear dropping on her fingers as she tied the knot securing the necklace. Holding it out to Lys with one hand, she brushed her cheeks with her other hand. "I was sure he'd gotten himself killed."
Lys took the necklace, and pulled Kai into a hug. "Zevran knows what he's about. It's not just himself he's protecting, it's anyone he wants to be around. It may seem like revenge, but it's more than that. He can't be with you until they stop hunting him."
"What if he doesn't want to be found?"
"Simple. He wouldn't wear the ring! Pippa said Liam told her Zev was attacked again while he was trying to set up security for the Warden's fortress. He left for Antiva after that. She also said he's been searching for you since he returned to Ferelden. He must feel safer and he clearly wants to find you."
Kai nodded, brushing her damp hair off her forehead and wiping her brow with a cloth. "I wonder how he'll feel about Areth? Can't get any safer than there."
"Kai, whatever you and Zev decide is fine. You'll always be able to travel now and so will he. Don't create problems until you find him."
Kai grinned. "Right."
Lys put the necklace holding her promise ring over her head. "I don't know why I even wear this," she whispered. She looked at Kai, her voice stronger. "It's pointless, but I'll keep it on for now. Next time we come back, I'll just leave it in its box in Hiever."
** I Can't Make You Love Me, Music and lyrics by Bonnie Raitt
A/N: Thanks to my wonderful betas Kira Tamarion and Elyssa Cousland, whose efforts make this a better story. Any errors are mine. Appreciate all who favorited, followed, and gave kudos. I hope you continue to read and enjoy.