Apologies for taking so long. I had the holidays and a change in jobs that kept me running around, but believe me when I say no one is more anxious to continue this story than I am. I'm working on several chapters for this, and a few newer stories that I will eventually get up the courage to post. Until then, enjoy some fluffy time.
"And this one?" he thumb found the small pink hollow, two inches above her navel.
"Tree branch. I was climbing down and misjudged a step."
"Are you sure you're battle-hardened? All of your prominent wounds seem to be from a rather clumsy childhood."
"Would you rather I bore more marks of war? Less signs of scuffle from challenging my brothers to dares?"
His lips, carefully applied to the scar, stopped her laughter in her throat. "I have to get back downstairs. There was a dignitary I…" she made a sharp intake of breath that he felt down his entire spine.
"They can do without you for another hour." The dignitaries could be hanged. He only wanted to hear her make that gasp again. Tossing the thick bedding out of the way, he set about to do just that when the distinct sound of heeled slippers on the stairs sent them both into a panicked scramble. Evelyn sat up, her hair a wild mess of half-curls and matted bed-knots in the filtered sunlight, clutching the quilt around her bare shoulders. It looked every bit as bad as it was: the scattered pillows and bed coverings piled in front of the massive fireplace, her under armor carelessly left inside-out on the sofa.
Then there was the matter of the naked apostate, tangled in the same sheets she now desperately attempted to cover herself in.
"Your Grace," Josephine said, her shock only portrayed by the pink flush in her cheeks. "I wanted to ask you if you would prefer we serve the ram's steaks or the fresh silverfish for tonight's banquet." The lady ambassador pretended as if the clipboard before her was a fascinating read, frantically scanning it with her eyes.
"The ram," Evelyn said faintly, trying to will her voice to sound as if this were any other conversation. "Unless you think the fish would be more…"
"Ram is fine. Thank you, your Grace." Josephine fled down the stairs as if the room behind her had suddenly been engulfed in flames.
Evelyn turned to Solas; he raised himself up on one elbow. "I'm going to have to deal with that later."
Employing only his index and middle finger, he tugged on the quilt she wore until it fell around her waist. "Later."
She fell back, her hair spread against the pillows, and looked up at him with a serious expression. "Why all the interest in my scars?"
"I intend to memorize them, so I will recognize the new ones."
"Are you planning on leaving new ones?" she teased.
"None that I will ever see," he promised.