Cullen groaned as he slowly opened his eyes. His heart thundered in his chest at the sight of the other Templars. Upon closer examination, he could see all of them slumped on the ground. Unmoving.
Maker's Breath, he thought.
Slowly, his memory returned, and slowly, he stood up. He picked up his sword and grit his teeth as he slashed his sword against the bubble. He grunted as an electrical shock ran through his hand and up to his arm.
A familiar cackling had Cullen gripping his sword so hard his knuckles turned white.
"Poor, poor, Templar," said Uldred, as he entered the room.
Following close behind the bald First Enchanter was a blood mage. Cullen's heart threatened to rip out of his chest as sweat coated his palms.
"Still trying to escape after all this time," Uldred sneered. He then turned to the blood mage. "You know what to do."
Cullen squirmed as the blood mage grew closer. Uldred's face shifted into a monstrous grin.
"Leave me," he shouted, as he raised his sword. "Leave me!"
Cullen's eyes flew open, and sat up, then thought better of it when he realized who sat on his bed. He watched his favorite redhead buckle her boots.
"Bad dream?" Vera asked, as she partially turned to face him.
"They always are. Without lyrium, they're worse," he replied, feeling guilty that he'd woken her. "I didn't mean to worry you."
She smiled at him and rested a gentle hand against his cheek.
"Despite the dreams, is it still a good morning?" She asked as she brushed her thumb across his cheek.
"It's perfect," he said, as he looked into her deep blue eyes. "You are…I have never felt anything like this."
"I love you," she said, and his heart tugged at hearing those three words. "You know that, right?"
Both leaned toward the other and pressed their lips in a tender kiss. Sadly, for Cullen, it was over far too soon.
"I love you, too," he whispered.
He lay back down as he watched her descend the ladder. He listened as she left as he turned to where she'd been sleeping, taking in her scent of pine and rose.
"I wish you didn't have to go," he murmured.
Reluctantly, he rose and put his armor on. He hadn't expected to meet a woman like the Inquisitor, much less someone he could rely on. Someone he could love. He didn't know how, but she helped heal all the broken bits and pieces within him. And he would never forget that for the rest of his days.
Hello again, lovely readers! I'm here with another Cullen x Inky story, so I hope you like it! My schedule this semester is a bit hectic, so I don't know if/when I'll be able to post again. If I do, it'll probably be an Alistair x Warden one-shot.
If you liked this story or are just skimming, please feel free to leave a review. Constructive criticism is the best paycheck I have.