Chapter Forty-Three

Date Night

(Cullen Smut!)

The next day, I was personally cooking dinner. Cullen was due to arrive any minute and I had the house spotless and I had made spinach soup for dinner – like olive garden back on Earth.

There was a knock at the door. I answered it, "Cullen! Just in time, I just pulled the bread out of the oven."

He flushed and handed me a few roses, "Er… these are for you."

I smiled and took them, "Come on in – I'll get these into a vase."

Ka'yu swooped in, "I be taking those for ya, Tara. You just be taking care of your man."

I chuckled as Cullen flushed deeper. I took his hand, "Let me give you a tour of the place."

I showed him around; showing him the electric lighting, the showers – which he actually marveled at – and other such things. He said, "I wonder if you might allow us to hire your people to do this for the circle?"

Dibink spoke from where he was tinkering with a new gadget, "I know a few gnomes that would do it for free – the lack of progress in this world is truly something to shudder at. Goblins would do it for money, but many would jump at the chance because – again – the lack of progress here."

I chuckled, "I don't see why not – at least for the showers, if nothing else. Talk with Meredith – she can come marvel at the efficiency and decide for herself."

He nodded, "I will do that. So…"

"We can talk in here," I smiled as I led him to my home office. There were screens on the wall, displaying all the cameras and such. He looked stunned, "These… aren't pictures…"

"No – they all show real time footage of the areas. I pointed out the little devices called cameras, this is what they do. It's part of my security system. If a thief comes by, I'll have his face on picture. That's if he can get past my guards and the wards, of course."

"Makers' Breath – this would make a Templars job easier…"

"No it wouldn't – you have to monitor in person because of abominations."

"But we could find out how the escaped mages are getting out," he pointed out. I shrugged, "In theory – but if you don't have a camera on that area, you would still never know. What if they go to the roof and jump into the water to escape?"

He looked thoughtful, "That is a fair point… could you show me how those showers work?"

I gave him a flirty smile, "You want a practical demonstration, my dear?"

His face turned red as he cleared his throat. He did something I didn't expect – he flirted back, "And if I said yes?"

I pressed against him and said, "Oh, I could arrange that… should we get dirty first or just get clean?"

I saw his eyes darken and he coughed, "I… I admit defeat in this round, Lady Stormlight. I am no match."

"Oh, but you are, Captain Cullen. It's a simple question… yes or no?"

"I… which of the two questions are you referring to?" he was rubbing his neck, but made no move to scoot away from me.

"Both – do we take a shower together and help each other scrub our backs? And if so, do we have some fun first?"

"I-I… I um… well… Makers' Breath, I've really stepped in it."

I giggled, "If it were up to me, we'd already be in bed – I once told Alistair not to play with fire. I suppose I should give you the same advice. The first time I met the man, he flirted – I doubt he realized it because anytime he actively flirted he turned red."

"Maker – what did you say to him?"

"I told him that if he played his cards right, I might take him to my bed. At the time, I never thought I would be with him, to be honest. I'd already decided I wanted you."

He blinked, "You had?"

"From the moment I laid eyes on you, I felt quite… attracted to you. I was with Alistair during the Blight, and yes it was after we made our bet…"

Seeing that I had moved away and looked distressed, he said, "What's wrong?"

"I just… I never thought you would actually want me when I came to 'collect' on the bet. To be completely honest, I always doubt myself in relationships. They never last more than a year… well, I mean there was…"

"There was what?"

"You know that I wasn't married in Azeroth?"

He nodded so I continued, "That's a lie. Technically, I was married. No one but the Illidari knew. Illidan didn't know I was his daughter at the time that he married me to one of his top men, Kayn Sunfury. But not long after – a mere few months – all the Illidari were imprisoned for 10,000 years. I was faithful until… until I was captured by the forsaken. I was faithful even though the Wardens – the women who guarded that foul prison – told me they had killed Kayn and 3 others in the process when I asked about casualties. After my stint as a prisoner, I lost all sense of self-worth. I took only women to my bed from then on – mostly because I didn't trust men, but I'd always like women. When he was released and found me, he had heard that I had moved on and divorced me. I thought he was leaving me because his time in prison had changed his feelings. I guess you could say he was my longest relationship."

Cullen looked completely stunned, "What is divorce?"

I sighed and sat on my sturdy wooden desk – the surface of which was always kept clear when not in use, "Dissolution of marriage. When you have beings like elves that live for centuries, it becomes necessary to allow that. Not everyone can find a 'forever love' like my aunt and uncle."

"He… left you… after hearing of what happened when he was away?" Oh… Cullen looked pissed. I tilted my head, "What do you mean?"

"He heard you were captured and held prisoner – that he hadn't been able to protect you – and he left you?"

I snorted, "Oh – no. He seemed to not hear about that part at all until last night when he was contacted to settle a dispute between me and a friend – by the time he got out of that prison my stint as a slave was old news; 4,000 years had passed. I'm still his princess after all. More like I'm the queen of the Illidari since my father is off being the Jailor of Sargeras and can never return."

"But he still left you."

"Because he'd heard that I'd taken other lovers in his… absence. He didn't even know that I thought he'd been dead for 6 thousand years before I took any lover – willingly or not."

"No – if you weren't willing then they weren't a lover. But the point remains – he didn't even talk it over with you; he just left."

"Yeah – Inas got in a few good punches last night when he heard that too. Kayn didn't even fight back. I think he feels like shit right now. He was bound and determined to join my retinue of guards, but since Illidari are – by very nature – part demon, I had to decline."

"… A good call; though if he were here, I may have a few words for him myself."

I shrugged, "Kayn is Illidari – you have no idea all that they sacrifice for the good of the worlds. I admired him – he gave up more than most. Illidari are like the Grey Wardens of Azeroth. Wardens here take on the Taint of the Darkspawn to better be able to fight them. Illidari do the same with demons. They sacrifice everything; family, love, acceptance, home and feelings. All an Illidari has is other Illidari. Kayn likely wouldn't fight you if you threw a few punches on my behalf."

Cullen groaned, "You make him sound too damn honorable to fight."

I gave a wry grin, "The most honorable of the Illidari. Why do you think I married him? I like men with honor… you're a prime example of that."

He flushed, "I…"

"Now – back to the original topic… do we shower together before or after we get dirty?"

He cleared his throat, "You don't… believe it is too soon?"

"I told you – I'm a Red Dragon. We can sense the hearts of people – good or bad. Most of us can actually tell when a person would make a good mate. Hawke was a good man, but I could never take him as an actual mate. He prefers men more than women anyway. Alistair was a good mate for me – but so are you. Didn't we almost get married last year?"

He laughed, "When you put it that way…"

"It makes perfect sense for us to have some fun this 'early' – we're already engaged after all."

He looked thoughtful, "You're right – we are engaged, aren't we?"

"By decree of the Divine, you and I have permission to be wed; that makes us theoretically betrothed. People who are engaged to be married usually have sex by the time a year has passed…"

He flushed, "Following that logic, you and I were engaged when you were with Alistair."

I nodded, "So it would also be grounds for you to break the engagement. But to be fair – I thought you were only allowing it out of a sense of duty; I didn't expect you'd ever really want me. I figured if we got married that it'd be a marriage of convenience no matter how much I…"

"You what?" he pressed.

"No matter how much I already loved you," I whispered and looked away. He looked surprised, "You… love me?"

"I'm sorry if it's too soon to hear…"

"No – I… why did you think I wouldn't want you?" he asked.

"Well… I lost all sense of self-worth after the incident with the forsaken. I hold no illusion that anyone would find me lovely. I really only hear you or Alistair call me pretty or something after I say something about it, so I kind of feel that you're just saying it. I'm well aware that I'm over-weight, short and not so nice to look at… why would any man as handsome as you or Alistair ever want me?"

He looked horrified, "I… you really think that?"

"What am I supposed to think, Cullen? No one calls me pretty, beautiful or anything unless I express my insecurities beforehand. Kayn never once called me that – and I never pressed. Alistair only said something when I did first. You've only said it when I did. Out of every lover I've ever had, only you and Alistair have said anything like that – and again, only when I say it first. It feels like I'm fishing for compliments and you're a gentleman so you oblige when it isn't really true. I'm a great lover – I know that – but it sort of feels like all my worth in any relationship is restricted to sex or if I can provide kids. What else am I even good for?"

He sat heavily in the chair. I knew I had backed him into a corner – though I hadn't meant to. He couldn't defend about my supposed beauty at the moment, or it would prove my point that it was only after I said something. I sighed, "I'm sorry – I shouldn't have unloaded that on you."

"I… we really never said anything when you didn't?" he looked troubled. I shrugged, "It's fine."

"No it isn't fine! Alistair has had a damn year to treasure you and make you feel loved – it seems he failed."

I shook my head, "No – I felt loved and treasured… I just never felt beautiful or pretty. There was one time he called me beautiful… we were leaving Kinlock Hold and I called it cute that he was still a virgin. We had taken to teasing to lighten the general mood; but past that… no, never. Alistair may not have realized it, but at the time, he was always flirting with the women. He has a natural charm – he didn't seem to realize when he flirted with me half the time before he and I started a relationship, so I don't really count that time. The only other time I can think of was when we were in bed together – and we all know that pillow talk is usually sweeter in the primal and subconscious hope that the mating will happen again. Pillow talk almost never counts."

He leaned forward, his head falling into his hands, "We've failed you… Makers' Breath, it's no wonder you were so easily going to give up on my courting you." He made it sound like he had been testing me… had he been? Had he been testing if I had actually wanted the relationship? I couldn't think of any reason he would do that.

I shook my head again, "You know, this isn't really proper conversation for a date. Now, if we were discussing what position to start with when I get you in bed…"

I was deflecting now – and he picked right up on that. I could see it in his face. He stood suddenly and stepped between my legs, hands falling onto the desk beside my hips. My breath caught in my throat.

"What… what are you doing?" I asked softly. He leaned in, "Would you believe you're beautiful if I could show it to you?"

"H-how?" I asked as his face came closer to mine. My eyes darted to his lips and back up to his eyes. He didn't answer – his lips met mine. I whimpered as my hands came up to wrap around his neck.

One of his hands lifted from the desk to snake around my waist and pull me closer to him as my knees came up to rest at his waist. When the kiss broke, he leaned his forehead against mine, "However I need to."

I blinked, "What?"

He chuckled, realizing what happened, "I will show you that you are beautiful however I need to."

I flushed – this man had kissed me so passionately that I'd forgotten what we were talking about.

I licked my lips and said, "Kiss me like that again and I might start believing you mean that…"

His lip twitched as red colored his cheeks, but he leaned in and captured my lips once more. A moan tore from my throat. I lifted my legs to wrap around his waist as my hands moved from his neck to his chest. The hand not around my waist came up to cup the back of my head.

When he pulled away again, we were both breathing heavily – his eyes were dark with desire and his voice hoarse with need as he said, "I think you're right – it would be… completely normal for two people who have been… betrothed for as long as we have to…"

I pulled him as close as I could. "I regret wearing my tighter pants," I groaned as I felt his erection through our clothes. At least he was in casual armor – leather instead of plate.

He groaned too, "We should… move to the bedroom…"

I shook my head and tapped a button below the lip of my desk – the doors and windows locked and I said, "We won't be disturbed."

He lifted an eyebrow, "And if they have a problem?"

"They all have their strengths and domains – Ivan has the kitchen; though I cooked dinner tonight. Dibink rigged traps all over the place. Andan is keeping an eye on…"

He kissed me, "If you're sure – that's all I need."

"This place won't catch fire and when Meredith comes looking for you to distract from our date she will be properly distracted with a lengthy tour."

His hands began fumbling with my buttons on my top. I moved to undo the claps on his armored top too. His lips kissed a path from my lips, along my jaw and to my neck – just below the ear.

"Makers' Breath – would you believe I've actually dreamed of this? Since the first time I saw you."

I moaned when my shirt was opened and panted, "Have you really?"

"I've wanted to kiss each tattoo you have – honestly, it was easy to dream since I've seen you naked several times."

I giggled, "I didn't think you paid much attention the second time." My shirt fell from my shoulders and was pushed to the floor while he shrugged out of his own top.

"Well… it was hard not to. You were there in my arms – I felt horrible for thinking about it after what had just happened."

His hand moved to play with one of my breasts. I gasped and my head fell back – the only thing keeping me from lying back on the wide desk was my legs around his waist.

Fuck – wasn't he innocent? Who the hell taught him? "Oh… I'll be honest – since you are… I did check you out – I mean… you were naked…"

A deep chuckle left his lips even as his face reddened a little. I could no longer hold back the question. A sly smile graced my lips as I uttered, "Who… taught you this?"

He pinched at my nipple – as though punishment for speaking such things. I gasped and my back arched. He leaned in – lips against my neck once more as he whispered, "Would you believe I read it in a book?"

I shoved him back and moved to stand so I could get out of these tight pants as I said, "Would you believe that was how I learned in the beginning too?"

His eyes widened, "Really? Maker – what a pair we make."

"Well, it was the most common way to learn in my first life – books, pictures, shows like on these screens – prerecorded, of course. Damn it – fuck this!" I was having too much trouble with my pants so I morphed my hand into a paw with claws and cut the offending article off. Cullen actually laughed, "That is why I never wear something that I can't easily get out of."

"It was Taliwe who picked the outfit – I've never… been on a date before. Kayn and I had been casual lovers until we just decided to get married, it was the middle of a Bight with Alistair, and my first was an arranged marriage… so I asked for help." I was red.

Cullen helped me peel the remains of my pants from my legs and said, "Well, I have to say, I couldn't take my eyes off of you."

"Then I won't scold her for impracticality. I'm now naked, Cullen – you're overdressed."

He groaned as his eyes trailed over my body – lingering at each of my newer tattoos. I knelt before him and began unhooking his belt. His hands joined mine. His voice was rough as he said, "No; stand up."

I gave him a confused look but I did. He finished removing his pants – leaving him in small clothes – before pulling me to him and saying, "I said I would prove to you that you are beautiful. Today, I plan to worship you – this isn't about us just being together, Tara; this is me showing you how desirable I find you. I can't just tell you – there aren't enough words and you wouldn't believe it – so I must show you…"

Damn… damn – when did he get so damn smooth? Where was my Commander Cullen who stammered about weather; or my Captain who couldn't even comment on Brothel Workers being workers?

I whimpered as he backed me over to the desk once more and lifted me back onto it. His hand moved to my lower lips and began exploring. He said, "I do have a wonder – if you will… indulge me?"

"Ask and you shall receive," I groaned as he slipped a finger into me. "I find myself curious about this," he said as his second hand played with my nipple – Alistair had never once asked about the rings hanging from them and I forgot they were there most of the time. Hawke had one too – which is why he never commented on it.

I smiled, "I already have my ears pierced – it was this or my eyebrow next at the time. I'm thinking of getting my nose done."

He groaned and I felt his cock twitch against my thigh – he liked the idea. "That could be… interesting…"

His thumb found my clit – causing my hips to jerk. He looked startled and repeated the motion of his thumb pressing lightly into it. I moaned, "Yes – Cullen… are you sure it was just a book, or should I be sending a gift basket to someone?"

A slightly proud yet embarrassed look covered his face, "I… it was a book – the… the Art of Passionate Love… by Brother Capria…" he muttered. My eyebrows rose, "The one banned by your chantry?"

He nodded, "I… I heard it could help to please ones' partner and… I held hope we'd end up like this, so…"

I gasped, "Oh, I'd love to know what else you learned – I've been dying to get my hands on that book."

His eyes flashed with mischief and desire as he lowered himself to his knees and adjusted me so that my legs were over his shoulders. My eyes were wide – that filthy book! I needed it now – just to know what else was in it. I cried out as his tongue slipped along my slit. My heels dug into his shoulders.

It took him all of two swipes of the tongue to realize he should focus on the Clit – my reactions when he licked that little bud told him all he needed to know. It took me far too long to realize his tongue was making patterns along the clit. My hands gripped the edge of the desk desperately as I got closer to peak. I felt myself slipping – my words switching between Darnassian, Thalassian, Common, and Dovah. When I shattered, he didn't stop – not until I begged.

He stood back up and I yanked on his arm until he was practically on top of me. I pulled him in for a kiss – he seemed surprised but gladly kissed back. I nipped at his lip, causing him to gasp in surprise – I deepened the kiss. My hands rested at his hips, gently tugging his small-clothes down.

When he pulled back I dazedly said, "I have got to get a hold of that book – for research purposes, of course."

He laughed – a full, deep, belly-rumbling laugh. "I… never got rid of it. It's in my office back at the Gallows. I could… bring it to you on Sunday?"

"Please – I would be oh so grateful… is this as far as we're going, or do I get more?"

He flushed lightly – I loved when he did.

I managed to succeed in pulling his smalls down. Harder than a rock! He, like Alistair, was 9 inches in length – but he was just slightly thicker. If – Elune forbid – if these two men both wound up as mine in the future, I would be the luckiest woman to live. They were caring, well-endowed, knew how to use it and seemed to like me more than a fair bit.

My hand wrapped around him and his hips jerked a little. He reached down and pulled my hand away before moving to kiss me again – he was dead set on focusing his attention on me. His lips kissed down to my breasts – his tongue toyed with my nipple rings.

I wrapped my legs around his waist – hoping to pull him close enough to fuck me. I felt him smile against my nipple and say, "Are you sure you want this, Tara?"

"I've wanted this for a long while, Cullen – I've wanted you since we met… I never thought…" that this was possible.

Cullen groaned as this tip of his cock slid against me. I whimpered and lifted my hips – aligning our hips.

He thrust and we both gasped at the feeling. We both froze hearing Merediths' voice shouting, "Where is the Knight-Captain?"

I shook my head, "Ignore her – the others will distract her."

He looked slightly torn, "I…"

I moved my hips – essentially fucking myself on his cock. His face flickered, "Makers' Breath – Tara…"

He began moving – all thoughts of his commander forgotten. I moaned and dug my nails into his upper arms. He kissed at my neck, causing me to gasp, "I… bite me…"

He jerked but lightly nibbled at my throat. I whimpered, "H-harder – please…"

His thrusts got harder and he bit me harder. I cried out in pleasure. His breath was hot against my neck as he said, "You really like that?"

I nodded, "I… I love it. Oh Cullen," I moaned as he twisted his hips – making a new angle that ground him against my clit.

I was unsurprised that he already seemed close – it was his first time. I was surprised that I was so close again so soon. Only Alistair had managed that feat – Kayn was good, but if I were to have multiple orgasms, it would take much longer. Lyna was sweet, but I usually focused on her.

His thrusts became faster and his breathing was rougher. I cried out as I dissolved into electric shocks and fireworks. He growled and bit down on my neck again as he slammed into me and held there.

As we came down from the high, I glanced at the monitors – Meredith was getting the tour of the kitchen and she did not look happy. I smiled, "You want that shower now? It wouldn't do to see your Commander while smelling like sex."

He snorted but said, "You may be right… where would we find a shower without alerting others?"

I pointed to a closed door behind him, "I keep a shower room in here because some reports just make me feel dirty."

He gave a sympathetic look, "I can understand that. There are many tranquil in the Gallows – I try to make sure they are treated with care, but it seems some men use them as… as…"

I shuddered, "Promise me something…"

"Depends," he said confused. I bit my lip, "If I am ever to be put through the Rite of Tranquility… kill me. Please Cullen – I would rather die and never reincarnate than become a mindless slave that is potentially used for sex… I… I can't…"

His eyes hardened, "I would never let that happen."

"You may not be able to prevent it if I am made tranquil… Cullen… please, swear to me that I will die before that can happen. I was a sex slave once – I can't do that again. My soul would never find rest. Even if I was cured of Tranquility later, I couldn't…"

He pulled away and I moved – we headed for the shower. He said, "There is no cure…"

"Oh, there is a cure – the Lady Seeker knows what it is. Seekers were all made tranquil to become what they are. My point is, I would rather die."

"I'm… I'm not sure I could do that to you. I don't think I could kill you no matter what. You can't use blood magic and you're immune to demons so… there would never be a reason to put you through the Rite anyway. It's only supposed to be used for unharrowed mages that are deemed a risk anyway."

"Yet I counted 12 tranquil who had passed their harrowing in the Gallows yesterday. I could feel the residual effects of the Harrowing on each of them."

He flinched, "Those were done before I arrived – I've spoken to the Knight-Commander about it. She says she was unaware they were put through the Rite until it was too late…"

I sighed, "Just… promise me. If I am made tranquil – no matter what – you must kill me. I cannot live like…"

Elunes' voice filled my head and I chuckled, "I suppose this point is moot – Elune tells me that Lyrium is Titan Blood and thus I am unaffected by it at all."

"Titan… how do you mean, unaffected?"

"When Elune adopted me – making me a Demi-Goddess – I became part titan myself. My blood could be called Lyrium. I cannot be affected by something that is part of me."

"You're… a demi-goddess?" oh – he hadn't been told. Woops.

"Goddess of Shadows – I killed a slaver group in Denerim using shadows. You can ask anyone who was there."

He looked thoughtful and responded, "Was it really the Maker who chose you?"

"Well… yes. But he wasn't the one who stepped in when I helped kill Urthemiel. It was Elune. Your Maker marked my soul and he is the reason I went through so many lives – to get the power I would one day need to save this world."

He watched as I fiddled with the shower nobs and explained what I was doing at the same time. Once we were under the spray of the warm water he groaned, "This feels… amazing."

I smiled, "Much better than a bath on some days."

"I agree."

I handed him oakmoss and elderflower scented soaps while I pulled out my rose scented ones. He looked amused, "How did you know I prefer this combination?"

I flushed a little, "I… I had a vision of someone saying it was what you smelled like. It's not a natural occurring smell on you – you smell like chocolate and orange cream with hints of Lyrium and rain. So I thought…"

He kissed my cheek, "That's thoughtful of you – but how do you have some in this shower?"

"It was under the sink… in all the bathrooms… I wasn't sure which shower you would want to use if you used one – and if you didn't I'd have some in a nearby bathroom to gift to you…"

"Planning for all paths?"

"I have a tendency to do that."

"Well, thank you," he said softly as he began soaping his hair. Damn the man was handsome – and I don't think he really realized it. Before I could stop myself, I said, "You and Alistair are two of the most handsome men I have ever seen. Seriously, is this a Thedas thing?"

He flushed, "I… what about your former husband?"

"Kayn is good looking, sure, but he never made my heart skip beat after beat like you both do."

Cullen looked happy for a second before frowning and turning his face into the water spray. Did I say something wrong?

He cleared his throat when he looked back to me, "Alistair and me?"

Oh… he was jealous?

"I… yes – though it's not just looks."

"You love him… but you love me?"

The first was a statement; the second was a question… I nodded, "I… do, yes."

"And if King Alistair asks you to marry him?"

"… He already asked, Cullen. Every eligible young noble woman has also turned down his seneschals' proposals of marriage to him unless I get married first. Apparently Ferelden is dead-set on me being Queen."

He froze before putting the pieces together, "He asked you to marry him… and you're still… here… with me…"

There was awe and shock in his voice – as though he never thought he could compare to a king. I gasped when he yanked me to him and kissed me senseless. I was flushed when he pulled away.

He smiled, "He had a year to convince you to stay with him. A year to make you feel loved and treasured beyond anything to make you stay with him… and you came here."

"I had to be here – in Kirkwall. Even if I had married him, I'd still be here. I…"

We heard Meredith yelling again, "No – I don't want to see more, I want you to take me to my Knight-Captain. People are dead – what part of that do you not understand?"

Cullen stiffened and we quickly shut off the water. I had unlocked the doors to the office. I pulled out a loose skirt from a closet here in the bathroom and pulled my shirt back on as Cullen quickly got dressed.

My hair was still wet when the door burst open and Meredith sauntered in.

"Knight-Captain, there you are. There was an incident in the Chantry last night."

I cleared my throat, "Karl is dead then?"

"Karl? Oh, you mean the Tranquil; he was killed, yes," she snapped.

"Karl was a Harrowed Mage, Knight-Commander – he shouldn't have been tranquil," I pointed out. Ka'yu was behind Meredith with a look of fury – she finally got to see firsthand what tranquil meant.

Meredith snorted, "This is not the point. 15 Templars were killed alongside this Karl. If you know who did it, you must turn them over at once."

"You're more upset about the Templars, but you won't even investigate why Karl was made tranquil will you? He was Harrowed – if he had done something wrong, it should have been death or confinement."

Cullen looked at me, "Do you know who did it?"

I gave a small smile, "How would I know? I was home all night – and I have video surveillance to prove that."

Cullen nodded and said, "Then we will have to investigate…"

"I want to see this proof!" Meredith fumed. I pulled out the tapes from last night and played them back. I had been dancing around the house – purposely doing embarrassing things like singing into a hairbrush in my underwear. I had done it so that Meredith would be angry that she had proof I was home.

She looked over the video and said, "What is this thing?"

Dibink – who had come in after Ka'yu – explained it to her. She narrowed her eyes at me, "I want this for the Gallows."

"Oooh – let me think. No. You can have showers, but video and cameras are a no. sorry – you'll just have to investigate things the hard way. I already gave Cullen my reasons. It's his day off – and he is on a date – there is no reason for you to be here other than to disturb us. You found a convenient excuse to come barging in on us. I knew you would – I even warned Cullen. Why else do you think we are unsurprised that you are here?"

She glared, "Why won't you give us these things?"

Cullen cleared his throat, "They are pointed to set areas, Knight-Commander. Unless they are already pointed to the area where mages are escaping from, we will not find anything. These are useless to us."

"If they are useless then I don't see the issue in us having them."

I snorted, "It's not happening, Chickadee. Ka'yu – has she been shown showers?"

She nodded – I could tell she was really biting her tongue trying not to make a diplomatic 'slip'. Dibink said, "I even showed her how they work, Tara."

Merediths' lip twitched in anger.

Cullen said, "I was thinking we could contract some of her people to update the Gallows with showers. I got to use one a little bit ago – they're more efficient than baths."

Meredith ground her teeth, "How much would this cost me, exactly?" I thought – doing mental calculations in my head before just shrugging, "I'll foot the bill this time."

Suspicion shone in her eyes, "Why?"

I smirked, "Because it was a request first made to me by my fiancée. You see, I like to dote on those I love – and I have the funds to do just that. It's not like I'm using the money for anything else – I make more in one year than I could spend in one decade. Dibink – contact your friends. I want Goblins and gnomes working on this. I'll pay."

Dibink pulled out a communicator and started making a call as he stepped out of the room. Ka'yu was smirking, "You be an evil woman, Tara – making Goblins and Gnomes work together like they don't be hating one another."

"They'll be trying to one-up each other – show that they are the better choice for future co-ops."

I heard Ivan bark a laugh from the door, "That is Ruthless – my awe grows each day."

Cullen took in his appearance with a look of evaluation. He was evaluating the human man who lived with me… how cute! Ivan noticed and quickly said, "You don't have to worry about me boss man. I may be good looking but she's known me since she saved my life from a house fire when I was 12 and my home city was sacked by the forsaken. I'm closer to being her son than ever worming my way into more than that – besides, I think of her like a mom or a friend so it would be creepy."

Cullen cleared his throat, "I… uh… good to know."

Meredith looked confused, "How many children do you have?"

"Unofficial or official?" I asked absentmindedly as I looked through some papers. Cullen said, "You have 5 official kids – all boys. You already said that…"

"Ah… I don't know… a couple hundred? A few thousand, maybe… I don't keep track. It's at the point if someone calls me 'mom' I roll with it and start spoiling."

Ivan nodded, "A kid called her mom by mistake in Dalaran while she was there for the council summit last week – they meet up every other month or so – and she just knelt down and pulled out a lollipop for this kid. It wasn't long before the girls' real mother appeared, but by then Tara had made this kid feel like a damn princess."

Cullen looked amused, "Is that so? You have only sons, but even little girls catch your attention?"

"I always wanted a little princess to spoil… I'm starting to think I can only birth boys though."

"What were you doing at a council summit if you 'belong in Thedas now'?"

"Alistair holds an ironclad alliance with both factions of Azeroth – Horde and Alliance. Through me ruling one race in its entirety, he would have the aid of them even if the treaty didn't exist. Demon Hunters would rally to Alistairs' side to protect their prince; Duncan Theirin."

"Demon Hunters?" Meredith asked.

"Illidari – a class of elf started by my father Illidan to combat demons effectively and efficiently in a way that is similar to the Grey Wardens. Do not be alarmed should you see a pale or purple elf with scales, horns, wings or tails – if they have the glowing tattoos upon their body, they only care about killing Demons."

"They sound like demons themselves," she snapped. I sighed and rubbed my face, sitting at my desk.

"In… part. They eat the hearts of demons to gain abilities to better fight demons. In theory they are blind. They blind themselves. Their eyes glow with green fire – and yet, they see all that is around them through demonic sight. They are partially immune to demon powers because of their practices. Many are more than 10,000 years old and have not become demons as I can see that is a fear of yours. I am their Queen – my father was their lord, I am their lady in his indefinite absence. They call me Princess or Lady, depending how they feel. They are led by a man named Kayn Sunfury in my absence."

Cullen flinched at the name – knowing that Kayn was my ex-husband. Meredith caught that, "Who is this Kayn?"

"That would be me." I turned to the doorway and sighed – I had allowed a portal to the Fel Hammer in Mardum. Kayn insisted that it was wise for the Illidari to have access to their Lady. I stood back up and said, "Cullen this is…"

Cullen lashed out and decked Kayn, "That is for not checking your facts first."

Kayn nodded, "I agree – what I did to her was foolish and ill-timed. I do hope you take better care of her than I did."

Cullen shook his hand while Ka'yu looked impressed. Ivan had wide eyes – they had been informed of Kayns' and my relationship. I rushed forward to heal the forming bruise on Kayns' jaw. Cullen groaned, "She was right – you're too damn honorable to fight with."

Kayn actually flashed a small smile, "I take it you are the Templar Captain from the place called the Gallows?"

"I am – Cullen Rutherford… I think we may actually get along, Ser Sunfury."

Meredith was raking her eyes over Kayns' long curved horns and glowing tattoos. His eyes were bound with his black cloth, but you could see the green glow through it. I cleared my throat, "Meredith Stannard, this is Kayn Sunfury – my Illidari right hand and… my former husband."

A new voice shouted, "I'm sorry, your what?" Oh – for fucks' sake; who brought Alistair? I saw Duncan in his arms and lit up as I took the cooing baby from his arms.