Dawn arose upon Skyhold, and Cullen along with it. It had been yet another night of disturbing dreams. No matter how hard he tried, they would not leave him. Not even his thoughts of Eostre could keep them at bay.

Skyhold was quiet at dawn, something that Cullen often found comforting after a disastrous night's rest. He took advantage of this, walking out on the gatehouse where he could get a clear view of Eostre's balcony.

From the mere sight of it, he remembered the words she had spoken in her sleep, "I love you, Cullen." His heart skipped a beat every time he recalled it.

In a few hours, she would be setting out to the Western Approach with Hawke and Stroud, investigating the rumours that there were Grey Wardens out there. He shuddered at the thought.

Returning to his desk, he began to lose himself in his work, pouring over the various reports, paying special attention to any that mentioned the Western Approach. If Eostre was going out there, he would make sure she was going prepared.

"Commander, a letter for you."

Cullen looked up from his work to see the messenger standing before him, holding a wax-sealed envelope. Upon the front, Commander Rutherford has been written in cursive. It was almost midday.

Taking the letter from the messenger, he relaxed back in his chair. He flipped it over, noticing the symbol of a Horse with the letter B embedded in the wax. He opened the envelope slowly and withdrew the letter.

The letter read:

'Knight-Captain Rutherford,

It has come to my attention, through no direct correspondence from yourself, or from the Lady Ambassador of the noble Antivan House Montilyet, but rather by an informant within your ranks who works for the Noble Lady of House Trevelyan that you have become … better acquainted with my youngest child and only cherished daughter Eostre Avalon Leofflæd Trevelyan.

While my beloved daughter, myself and her mother, Lady Trevelyan, have been estranged for a number of years, do not make the mistake of believing that she is not the finest treasure ever produced by House Trevelyan, a name that carries much weight among the noble houses of Ostwick.

Much like yourself, House Trevelyan has long served the Chantry and Templar Order, so myself, and my cherished daughter's older brothers, Knight-Lieutenant Godric Ewell Leofdæg Trevelyan and Philliam Bernard Leofdæg Trevelyan are trained swordsmen who would lose no sleep in hunting you down if any harm was to come to Eostre by your hand.

Lord Bann Tollemache Leofdæg Trevelyan'

Cullen let the letter slip from his hand, falling delicately to his desk. He stared towards the door blankly, his mind racing with thoughts.

Eostre's entrance into his office made him quickly snap back to reality, a look of concern crossing his face.

"Cullen, are you okay? You seem to be terrified."

"Erm," Cullen began, quickly looking around him before finding the letter on his desk, "a letter came for me."

He picked the letter up from its resting place upon his desk and handed it to Eostre, who sighed deeply upon reading the recognising the cursive writing.

"My father has been in contact I take it. Let me guess, he's mentioned my brothers, the Templar order and that I am his only daughter?"

"How did you …. Has he done this before?"

"No, he's never needed to. My reputation among the noble sons of the Ostwick houses was unknown. I was a very shy and awkward child, much to the joy of my Great Aunt Lucille."

Cullen looked at Eostre confused, "shy and awkward children are often unseen amongst the crowds who attend the many balls of Great Aunt Lucille, making them perfect for collecting information vital to playing a winning hand in the game."

"My father did, however, receive a similar letter from my grandfather, my mother's father. My mother talked about it often to me."

"And how did your father react?"

"He challenged my grandfather to a duel. And won."

Cullen's face suddenly went pale, and he stared at the door. Although he was a grand swordsman, the idea of taking on a man of such refinement in a duel was horrific to even imagine. A small smirk crossed Eostre's face as she walked over to Cullen, perching herself on the desk next to his chair.

"Father is all talk, most of the time. He hasn't held a sword in years." Eostre reached under Cullen's chin and pulled his face towards hers. Her soft grey eyes shone brightly, melting all of the fear from Cullen's mind.

"I wouldn't allow any of my family to hurt you. But I would recommend you send a reply, you need to inform him of your intentions, but it would give you the upper hand."

Cullen pulled Eostre off the desk and onto his lap, causing her to giggle.

"And how exactly am I meant to reply? Dear Lord Trevelyan, my intention with your daughter is to make her feel the most exquisite pleasure? To worship her with my body and soul? I'm sure your father would be pleased."

"Well, when you put it like that, I don't believe the great Lord Trevelyan would be too pleased to hear that his precious daughter has shared a bed with the Commander of her forces. Neither would my brother Goddy. And Maker forbid Philliam finds out."

Cullen raised an eyebrow, "your brother the bard? I thought he was mostly harmless."

"You've never heard him attempt to rhyme. Thank the Maker, he hasn't heard Sera's nickname for you."

"What …. What does she call me?"

"Culley-Wulley."

Cullen erupted into laughter, astounding Eostre. She had never heard him laugh like that and it warmed her heart. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him. She could feel his hands caressing her body through her clothes.

Eostre drew back, a sly smile crossed her lips. "I think I still have a few hours until I need to head out if you wanted to… " Cullen practically threw Eostre off his lap at the chance. She giggled flirtatiously before being disappearing from view.

A growl of passion erupted from Cullen, as he followed behind. The view that welcomed him when he reached the top of the ladder made him shiver with lust. Eostre was nude, lying on his bed. She bit her lip as he undressed, her desire on the verge of overwhelming her.

They had rarely been able to spend time together since the night of the storm, and with many weeks to go before they saw each other again, any chance they got they did not waste.

"You surrendered yourself to me," Cullen began, climbing on top of her and kissing her warm skin, making his way down her body, "now I intend to worship you." Arriving at her sweetness, he opened her legs, laying kisses on her inner thighs.

"Cullen," she moaned in a breathless whisper, reaching down to weave her fingers into his dishevelled hair. With his thumbs, he held her open, exposing her sweetness. With one single lick of his tongue, her body tingled.

He became incensed by her taste once more, his licks once so gentle turning rough as he devoured her. He could feel himself begin to swell and throb, firring him to gorge on her sweetness. Her body was squirming from each touch.

Her back arched, his name escaping from her lips in a moan, causing him to grab her thighs, digging his nails into the flesh. He felt her release on his tongue, the warm liquid trickled into his mouth. He drank her, desperate not to miss a single drop.

He clambered his way back up her body, his hips once again positioned between her legs. He pressed his forehead to hers, sliding his hands up her arms to her wrists, pinning them to the bed. "For too long have I wanted you…"

"And for far longer, I have wanted you."

Her comment caught him off guard, giving her ample opportunity to roll him onto his back. She took him into her, wincing a little.

She didn't move, allowing her to adjust to him before gently moving her hips, groaning faintly. "When our eyes first met, I felt something I have never felt before. With every stolen glance that only grew stronger. Those cold nights at Haven, I yearned to warm your bed, to feel your arms around me."

Upon hearing her words, he rolled her onto her back again, pinning her underneath him. He slid his hand underneath her left thigh, pulling it up over his hip, gradually thrusting even deeper.

"I have needed you Cullen, had we remained trapped in Haven, I would have given myself to you then." A low, unrestrained growl filled the room, potentially alerting all those in the vicinity.

A look of concern flashed across his face, only to disappear as Eostre spoke, "let them hear you. Let them hear the roar of The Lion of the Inquisition, MY lion."

His kiss was tender yet passionate, his arms wrapping her in a loving embrace. With every thrust, he could feel himself reaching deeper and deeper inside of her, pushing her further over the edge of ecstasy. His very touch upon her skin had her breathless.

Her softness once again began to tighten around him, forcing a groan to escape his lips. He nestled his face into her neck, allowing her to almost cradle him as he exploded, dripping every last drop of his seed within her.

Wrapped in her arms and legs, Cullen felt himself fall asleep. Eostre smiled at the sight of her Commander, her lion, sleeping soundly within in her arms. "I love you," she softly whispered, kissing his forehead.