Lady Cassandra Trevelyan lets her eyes slowly travel over her reflection as she stands in front of the mirror in her and The Inquisitor's tower room of Skyhold. Smiling to herself when she notices how nice she looks in the dress that the tailor Juanico De La Ruani has created for her, and how it fits her in all of the right places but is flowing enough to still be discreet about her pregnancy. She can't help but see that he's picked the most exquisite blue colour, just as she'd asked, that compliments her pale skin wonderfully and makes her look very elegant and just like the Lady of Skyhold that she is, for now anyway. Cassandra takes hold of the dress in her hands, turning her body as to make the light fabric that surrounds her legs move and follow her as she does. It didn't have quite as many jewels as Duchess Florianne's dress, but she couldn't help but feel beautiful right now.
"Wow.." She hears his voice behind her and moves her eyes to his reflection, smiling at Lord Trevelyan when she approaches and she sees he stands behind her. "You look incredible." He whispers, his words only making her smile further and sure she feels herself blush.
"It's not purple." Cassandra giggles quietly when she watches him chuckle in the reflection and then feels him placing his hand on her bare shoulder and stroking her skin. "Do you really like it?" She asks, glancing over her shoulder at him so her eyes can meet his.
"You're always beautiful." Lord Trevelyan smiles at her as she returns her eyes to her reflection, feeling him press a soft kiss against the side of her neck. "But today I feel like you can see what I do." He adds making her nod and smile when she realises he is right, her smile widening when she kisses her cheek.
"Did Josephine tell you who we are to be meeting?" She asks as she watches his reflection moving in the mirror and feels him move away from her and his attention return back to dressing himself.
"She did.." She hears Lord Trevelyan mumbling so she glances over her shoulder and notices he is slipping the shirt onto his body. "A few Lords from Orlais." He adds. "One from Tevinter I think." He continues making her nod.
"What about the one she was most excited about?" Lady Trevelyan asks as she carefully lets her fingertips trail through her hair, making sure it is in place when she glances at the mirror again.
"Yeah, what was his name.." He huffs quietly to himself. "I know she said he's a Duke." The Inquisitor continues, making her smile to herself that she's lucky Lord Trevelyan has remembered that much.
Lady Trevelyan steps away from the mirror and approaches her husband when she sees he is trying to pin the sleeve of the shirt but not managing because the fabric is so new. Cassandra hears him making a small sound of frustration so she places her hands lightly on his chest which draws his eyes to her. He gives her a grateful smile when she takes the pin from him and folds the leftover fabric until it sits below where his arm now finishes.
"A Duke?" Cassandra asks seeing him nod lightly and his eyes watch her pinning the shirt for him. "We don't have many of those visit." She adds and hears him laugh quietly in agreement when she moves her fingers and finishes the last buttons on his shirt.
"I want to say Van something?" Lord Trevelyan begins as she watches him lifting his hand to his chin as he thinks. "Sorry, I'm hopeless." He adds and smiles at her. "I'm sure it was Van." She hears him continue as he begins looking around him for his shoes.
"We'll be meeting him before you remember." She laughs quietly and reaches for the small bottle of perfume on the top of their dresser. "You seem nervous, my love?" Cassandra asks him as she dabs some scent onto her wrists and her neck before watching him lowering himself to sit on the bed. He was definitely more restless than usual and she could see by the way he was fiddling with his shoes that he's anxious.
"I am nervous." Lord Trevelyan nods as he wriggles his feet into his boots and then lifts his eyes to her. "I'm not sure why." He adds and shakes his head lightly. "I've done this a thousand times before." The Inquisitor sighs lightly and she knows he can't be far off with his numbers.
"You sound like you need a break from all of this too." The Seeker gives him a sympathetic smile when she sees him nod. "You will be fine," Cassandra adds as she steps in front of him and places her hands on his shoulders. "Just be yourself." She whispers and presses a kiss against his forehead.
"Nobles don't like me being myself." Lord Trevelyan smiles at her as she feels him wrapping his arm around her waist and drawing her down to sit on his knees. "I'm the complete opposite of what they want me to be." He sighs.
Cassandra slips her arms around his shoulders and hears him laugh when she tries to untangle her dress from around their legs, scooping it up in her hand and tucking it out of the way. She glances at him and sees him shake his head at her when she carefully smoothes her hand down the front of her dress making him laugh, she was trying to be elegant.
"When did we ever care about them?" She whispers and sees her words make his smile widen and that he looks more relaxed. Cassandra strokes her fingers through the hair at the back of his head and sighs when he leans closer to kiss her. "Be your wonderful self." She whispers with another soft kiss.
"Decius Van Markham!" Lord Trevelyan without warning announces as he removes his mouth from hers and chuckles quietly. "That's his name." He adds with a grin as Cassandra feels her chest tighten and the blood in her veins run cold when she hears his words.
"Red." Cassandra mumbles, suddenly finding it difficult to speak.
"Red?" The Inquisitor asks her and she notices his eyes move to her face and that he must have noticed the colour drain from her face because he looks concerned. "The one you told me about?" He whispers as she unwraps her arms from around him and climbs off of his lap.
"Yes." Lady Trevelyan sighs and hears The Inquisitor standing from the bed too and that he's following her across the room. "We have to get him to leave." Cassandra huffs as she turns to face her husband again, seeing him open his mouth to say something. "That man is dangerous." She adds and notices her words make Lord Trevelyan falter.
"What do you mean dangerous?" The Inquisitor asks as she watches him trying to get her to look at him so she just shakes her head. "I thought he was dead?" He adds making her sigh lightly, she'd assumed he was.
"I thought he was." Cassandra sighs. "I don't want him anywhere near Robert." She huffs, the panic inside her beginning to rise when she realises the most dangerous and deadly man in Nevarra is in her home and anywhere near her family. "I don't want him anywhere near you." Cassandra adds as she feels Lord Trevelyan take hold of her hand to stop her moving, his finger wrapping around hers.
"Why is he dangerous?" Lord Trevelyan asks her again, and she doesn't even know where to start. "Cass.." He whispers drawing her eyes to him and seeing the worry on his face. "Are we in danger with him here?" He asks making her sigh, only if they angered him.
"You know he's a Blood Mage, Ash." Cassandra whispers, trying to swallow down the panic and slow her heart that is racing. "You know he's from Nevarra." She sighs and feels Lord Trevelyan lift his hand to her cheek as he nods. "He was a Justicar when I knew him." Her words catching in her throat.
"A Justicar?" She hears him reply and sees a flash of recognition on his face, even those not from Nevarra knew about their dangerous and blood-thirsty knights, paid to slay and completely lethal. "Okay." Lord Trevelyan huffs, he was from the Freemarches, not so distant neighbours of her home and would know the stories too.
"A Dragon hunter, too." Lady Trevelyan sighs lightly and feels his eyes meet hers. "Wealthy and extremely dangerous. He's ruthless and he kills without a care." She adds and he nods again, she can tell he's seen how upset she looks.
"I'm going to go and ask him to leave.." Lord Trevelyan begins and lowers his hand from her cheek."I don't want that in our home." He adds and shakes his head. "We don't need anything he has to offer." Her husband huffs.
"Ashton, you can't." She adds quickly and it's her turn to take hold of him. "If we offend him.." Cassandra sighs, knowing her request to have this man removed from Skyhold wasn't realistic and would only bring harm to Ashton. "He will want blood." Lady Trevelyan whispers and sees her husband sigh lightly.
"Then why is he here? He doesn't sound like he needs anything from us either." He asks making her lower her eyes from his.
"I think he is here for me." She mumbles and feels him tilt her chin to look into his eyes again. "I think he is here to claim me." Cassandra whispers as Lord Trevelyan's face falls at her words.
"Claim you?" She hears him let out a dry laugh and lower his hand. "Well, that's not happening." He huffs and she watches him begin pacing in front of her. "Is that even a thing?" Lord Trevelyan huffs with frustration and she can see he's looking worried. "Please tell me that isn't a thing." He adds and glances at her.
"It is in Nevarra.." Lady Trevelyan sighs. "You remember I told you my uncle traded me for a piece of a dragon?" She adds and sees him nod and huff again. "The deal was with Red." Cassandra sighs.
"My darling Cassandra, I love you.." Lord Trevelyan begins and turns back to her. "But, fuck Nevarra and it's crazy dragon hunting assholes." He adds with a shake of his head and looking at her in disbelief, making her smile lightly at him and his choice of words. "No one has the right to claim anyone." Ashton sighs and she watches him lift his hand to rub between his eyes.
"I could be wrong." Cassandra begins as his eyes meet hers.
"Why else would he be here?" The Inquisitor sighs so she quickly wraps her arms around him and drags him into her hold. "Am I supposed to fight him or something?" He sighs when she squeezes him tightly and rests her head against his neck. "Does he know your here?" Lord Trevelyan whispers.
"I do not know." The Seeker begins feeling Lord Trevelyan holding her tightly against his chest. "I never thought I'd see him again." Cassandra adds and feels Ashton nod and rest his chin on top of her head. "It was over twenty-five years ago. I was seventeen the last time I saw him." Lady Trevelyan sighs lightly.
"Does he know we are married?" Ashton asks as he presses a kiss against her hair. "What do I do to keep you safe?" He whispers into her hair making her sigh. "How can I get him to leave?" The Inquisitor mumbles.
"Even if he does.." She sighs. "He won't care." Cassandra nods and feels Lord Trevelyan resting his hand on the bare skin between her shoulder blades. "I don't know." She adds and feels his eyes on her.
"What if I threatened action?" Lord Trevelyan begins as his eyes search her face. "Or what could I offer him?" He adds and she knows he's trying to figure this out but he is sounding more frantic.
"We'd go to war with Nevarra if you threatened him." She sighs lightly, and they'd be wiped out before morning if that happened. Nevarra was easily the most powerful nation and were dealt with by not angering them. "He has everything." Cassandra says quietly.
"He doesn't have you." The Inquisitor huffs quietly.
"No, but you do." Cassandra whispers and sees a small smile appear on her husband's face so she wraps her arms around him again. "All we can do is speak to him and see what he wants from us." She adds and he nods in agreement. "Then we hope he leaves."
"I should do this alone." Lord Trevelyan begins. "I don't want you anywhere near him." He adds but she shakes her head at him, hiding away would be no use either. If Red was already here, he'd already know she was too. "Maybe you should take Robert and leave." He adds and looks around him looking worried, making her realise he didn't consider Skyhold safe anymore.
"I'm not leaving you. We promised we'd never leave each other." Lady Trevelyan begins and sees him nod lightly. "If he knows I'm here and he doesn't see me, it could make this worse." She adds and hears him sigh. "I have to face him." Cassandra says and looks into his eyes.
"You told me how much this man scared you." Lord Trevelyan says, his eyes fixed on hers. "You told me that it took a long time to move past what happened." He adds making her nods. "Do you really want to put yourself through that again?" Her husband sighs lightly and gives her a sympathetic smile. "I can do this for you, Cass." He nods as his eyes search hers.
"It might be the only way." She sighs and knows he would do anything for her and is trying to give her an out. "I love you for wanting to protect me." Cassandra adds. "I need to look him in the eye."
"Okay." He sighs. "But, I can't put you in danger." He mumbles and places his hand on their baby. "Either of you." Lord Trevelyan lowers his eyes to his hand and then they meet hers again, and she realises she can see the worry for the first time in years. "So, stay close to me." He nods.
"If he tries to speak to me alone you must let him." Lady Trevelyan begins, giving him a positive nod and seeing the hesitation on his face. "Trust that I can do this." Cassandra whispers and lifts her hands to his face. "I love you, Ashton. I know you won't let anything happen to me." She mumbles and kisses him gently.
"I trust you can do this." Ashton sighs lightly, not looking entirely convinced. "Just, please be careful." He adds as he lifts his hand to stroke her hair. "I love you." The Inquisitor smiles the best he can and kisses her again.
—
"You've hardly eaten a thing.." Lady Trevelyan hears his voice beside her and glances at Cullen, noticing his eyes lower to her plate much the way Lord Trevelyan's had done before they move back to her face.
"I had a big lunch." Cassandra nods and lowers her eyes to her plate, pushing some of the vegetables around with her fork to show her friend that she is eating. In truth her stomach was churning, even more than usual and it was only worsening the longer that Duke Van Markham hadn't yet appeared.
Lady Trevelyan lets her eyes move up the length of the long dining table that has been set up in the great hall, past the many nobles that have been seated between her and The Inquisitor who sits at the very end and the head of the table. Her eyes reach her husband, noticing that he doesn't appear to be eating either and his eyes are fixed on something unseen on the table as people talk at him from either side. She sighs quietly when she sees him looking so worried before looking back to Cullen who is seated beside her.
"Even though you knew about the dinner?" He asks her with a small smile and she can tell he's trying to get a response from her, and it sounds like he'd be happy even with a tongue lashing. "Ashton tells me you are thinking of moving into the grounds?" Cullen adds trying to get her to speak to him.
"The tower is unfortunately not big enough anymore." Lady Trevelyan begins and watches her friend nod. "Robert will need his own space, too." Cassandra adds and lets her eyes move down the table again and notices The Inquisitor gives her a brief but comforting smile.
"It worked for us." The Commander nods when she focuses her attention on him again. "It is nice to keep work and home separate sometimes." Her friend adds, he'd been one of the first to move into a different part of Skyhold when his own family grew. "Plus, we're all getting too old to be climbing ladders." Cullen smiles at her which she returns.
"Robert likes his ladder.." Cassandra smiles hearing her friend chuckle, she knew he was talking about them as they were certainly not as young as they had been when they first arrived here. "He's excited to have his own room." She adds which receives another nod from him.
"He's a growing boy." Cullen smiles as she briefly looks past him and towards the door, wondering why Red hasn't appeared yet and if he is purposely trying to rattle her. When she returns her attention to the man beside her she notices that The Commander has seen her worried expression. "Are you going to tell me what is going on?" He sighs and she hears him lowering his voice.
"Cullen, if I ask you to do something for me.." Lady Trevelyan begins and lowers her cutlery to her plate, it was pointless even pretending. "Do you promise you'll do it and not ask any more questions?" She asks and feels his eyes meet hers.
"What are you talking me into now?" She hears him sigh lightly and then nod. "Yes, of course." The Commander nods and follows her eyes when she glances at Lord Trevelyan again.
"Do not let Ashton out of your sight." Cassandra whispers which draws her best friends attention back to her. "He may be in danger." She adds and notices her words make Cullen falter and he glances around the room at the chatting groups of harmless-looking visitors to their fortress.
"You have my word." Cullen nods and she watches him give a smile of thanks when their plates are removed from in front of them, but he keeps his eyes on Lord Trevelyan. "He looks like he needs saving from those Lords from Orlaise." He laughs lightly as she watches them continue to chatter excitedly at Ashton.
"Move." Cassandra hears and recognises his voice immediately, twenty-five years since she'd heard it and it was still enough to set her teeth on edge.
"Are you talking to me?" The Commander asks as she notices Cullen looks over his shoulder at the man that is suddenly stood behind his chair. "There are some spare seats across the table." He adds and motions to the empty chairs.
"I won't say it again." Duke Decius Van Markham mutters as Cassandra hears Cullen huff lightly and stand as if to confront the man. "You made the right decision." Red huffs making her turn her attention to him as he pushes past Cullen and lowers himself into the chair beside her.
"Cullen, could you give us a moment?" Lady Trevelyan mumbles and notices his eyes reach her. "Maybe you could check on The Inquisitor?" She adds motioning to him with his eyes to please walk away and check on Ashton, she watches as he finally gets the message and retreats away from her.
"Lady Cassandra Pentaghast." Red begins, his so voice deep and cold that it causes the skin on the arms to prickle. "It has been a very long time." He adds as she looks into his face and feels his black eyes meet hers. "You haven't changed a bit." He smiles that is more like a grimace.
"Red." Cassandra begins and smiles lightly at him, letting her eyes for a moment move past him and reach Lord Trevelyan when she sees that he's noticed she is no longer alone.
"What an exquisite dress." He adds drawing her attention back to him, the black of his eyes taking in her appearance and making her wish she was wearing her armour.
"What brings you so far from Nevarra?" She asks, trying to keep her voice even and draw his attention away from what she is wearing and back to her face.
"I've been breaking in my latest recruit." Duke Van Markham sighs lightly, his voice sounding bored as he motions his hand towards a man dressed in full black plate armour stood at the door. "My new Justicar." He adds making Cassandra's stomach tie in knots when she notices that he is very well armed and none of them are. "He's very efficient." He chuckles, no humour to his words.
Lady Trevelyan takes a deep breath, trying to stop herself from shaking and showing how frightened she had always been of man that had tried to take her with him when she was only a child of twelve. When her parents had died her uncle had agreed that she was worth one measly dragon claw in exchange, the then Red Van Markham had returned every year to try and claim her. That was until a few months before her eighteenth birthday when she'd managed to escape to the Seekers and she hadn't seen him since, until today. When he hadn't continued to search for her, she'd assumed he'd been killed on a hunt and had no idea he'd taken over a providence in Nevarra to become a Duke.
Cassandra watches as a member of their kitchen staff asks The Duke if he'd like a drink, distracting him long enough for her to fix her eyes on him and get the chance to look at him properly. She can immediately see that the young dragon hunter that had once been as handsome as he was dangerous is now a man with grey hair and wrinkles deep in his weathered skin. He'd been twenty years her senior, and he now looked every one of those years. Cassandra lets her eyes briefly settle on the nose that he'd once been so proud of because of his good linage, that she'd bent out of shape when she'd broken it on her sixteenth birthday. This was the man she'd given up her home because of and had been so afraid of for so many years, but now he was a shell of what she remembered. He was an old man now.
"So, you are here to meet the Inquisitor?" Lady Trevelyan begins, feeling braver now that she's steadied her breathing. She watches Red fix his eyes on her again, noticing that he begins studying her just as closely and that they stop at her bare shoulders.
"I have no interest in him." Duke Van Markham smirks as he is handed his glass of red wine. "I will, however, drink his wine." He adds and Cassandra watches him looking up the table to Lord Trevelyan and lifting his glass to him. "Look at him, he's a child." Red chuckles making her squeeze her hands into fists in her lap.
"Lord Trevelyan is a great.." She begins but hears him snort so she doesn't continue. "Why are you here?" Cassandra whispers and feels his eyes meet hers.
"You know why I'm here, Cassandra." Red says, his lips tight as he sets his jaw as if she is annoying him with her questions. "Your uncle made a deal." He sighs and lifts his glass to his mouth.
"Twenty-five years ago!" Cassandra snaps at him, noticing her temper making a large smile stretch onto his face and she can tell he is enjoying making her angry. "I have nothing to give you. You are wasting your time.." She adds which only makes him shake his head.
"I disagree." He chuckles and she feels his eyes on her.
"I'm not scared of you anymore." She mumbles and hears him laughing at her words, yes he wasn't the same as the man she remembered, but she knew he was still dangerous and could kill them all with a swipe of his finger.
"Yes, you are." Red mumbles.
"Please, just go home.." The Seeker sighs.
"Did you think I'd just let this go?" The Duke mutters, leaning closer to her and his eyes flashing with anger when they settle on her. "I'm owed a debt, and you know that debts in Nevarra must be paid." He hisses at her.
"It's time for you to finish your drink, and leave.." Lord Trevelyan begins making Cassandra look up from the Duke and notice that Ashton is stood behind him. "You aren't welcome at my table." He continues which only makes Red laugh dismissively.
"I'm not leaving." Red sighs and takes another sip of his wine. "Not until I have what is mine." He adds and she notices his eyes flick to her. "This has nothing to do with you, little pup." The Duke scoffs.
"This has everything to do with me." The Inquisitor replies and when she looks at him she can he's looking angry at Red's use of the nickname. "I see nothing here that is yours." He adds and motions for their guards.
"I'm afraid you're wrong. I don't recommend you attempt to remove me, Inquisitor." The Duke laughs quietly as she notices he gestures with his fingers for his Justicar to approach, making her feel the wave of panic when she sees him heading straight towards Ashton.
"You need to leave." Lord Trevelyan begins and she notices he glances towards the Justicar and realising he isn't armed if this goes the wrong way and he'd be facing a blood mage and a man driven crazy by blood lust.
"I don't think I do." Red huffs as she notices he begins pushes the sleeves of his black jacket up his arms, the blood magic runes carved into his arms appearing.
"You would risk war?!" Lady Trevelyan shouts and quickly pushes her chair back and climbs to her feet, realising she has to say something to stop blood being spilt. "Does King Clavarie know you are here?!" She huffs, raising her voice. "You would start a war between Thedas and Nevarra for what!?" Cassandra adds and notices he lifts his hand to halt his latest recruit and that the red glow fades.
"Not if you came willingly." Red nods at her, making her wonder if he could ever truly believe that she would leave with him. Did he think after all of these years she would just say yes? "You've always been so unruly, Cassandra." The Duke adds.
"Don't say another word about her." Lord Trevelyan huffs and she notices his words cause Red to stand from his seat too as if accepting his challenge. Cassandra smiles lightly when she sees that he is dwarfed by her husband and Red isn't as imposing as she'd remembered. "You aren't having her. She isn't yours to claim." The Inquisitor adds and motions for her to stand behind him.
"I would never go with you." Cassandra says as Duke Van Markham eyes follow her when she steps away from him and places herself behind Lord Trevelyan, knowing he'd never let anything happen to her but not sure if Red will ever let her go. "Never." She huffs as she feels Lord Trevelyan standing tall in front of her.
"You're with child?" She hears him sigh in what she thinks is disappointment when she notices his eyes move to her hand when she briefly places it over her and Ashton's baby.
"Yes and we're not trading him." Lord Trevelyan begins as she lifts her hand and lightly places her hand on his back when she notices Red's eyes are on him and he knows she's told The Inquisitor their history.
"Is she worth a dragon claw?" Red asks and she watches his eyes leave Lord Trevelyan and fix on her. "How much do you want for her?" He adds making Cassandra sigh.
"There is nothing you can offer me." The Inquisitor says. "Cassandra is worth more than anything." He adds. "You aren't having my wife, my child, or my home." He says, keeping his voice firm as she spots that Cullen is now close by too in case they need his help.
"Your wife and child?" The Duke laughs. "How disappointing." He sighs. "Then I want something else." He continues and Lady Trevelyan notices her husband nods.
"What do you want?" The Inquisitor asks.
"I want the Pentaghast estate." He nods and narrows his eyes at them both.
"It isn't mine to give." The Seeker snaps at him. "There is nothing left of it." She adds when she remembers that it had been damaged by supporters of the King when her parents had been found guilty.
"You and your brother were the last people to live there." Red begins as his eyes meet hers. "I want the land." He mumbles. "Plus I want any wealth and resources I can make from it" The Duke continues.
Cassandra sighs lightly when she hears his words, wondering if this had been his plan all along to claim her and the land. She'd not returned to Nevarra for some time, and when she had done it was with Divine Justina, she hadn't returned to her families ruined home. Lady Trevelyan knew land was not quite as valuable as Dragon's in her homeland, but they always said those that held the land held the power. She had no idea how much any of it was worth or what she would be giving Red, but surely it was better than him continuing to dog her or even bring harm to her and Ashton. She wasn't a Pentaghast anymore, and wherever her husband was, that was home now and he'd told her the same. Nevarra had never been home.
"Then you'll leave?" She hears Ashton say through gritted teeth.
"If I have your word that Lady Pentaghast will never set foot in Nevarra again." Red adds and Cassandra notices her lowers his eyes to twirl a black band and ruby ring on his finger. "That and the Pentaghast home and fortune will be mine."
"Fine." Cassandra huffs at him.
"Do you really know what you are agreeing to, Lady Pentaghast?" He smirks at her and she feels Lord Trevelyan tense in front of her so she strokes his hip to comfort him. "It's a very large amount of money." He chuckles.
"I'm not a Pentaghast any longer." The Seeker begins, keeping her voice even and her eyes on him. "I am a Trevelyan, this man is my home, not Nevarra." She adds and notices her words make him sneer and even more so when Lord Trevelyan takes her hand. "I don't want a wealth that's covered in blood." Cassandra sighs and looks at Ashton when she feels his loving eyes on her.
"You've made a big mistake." Duke Van Markham begins but Cassandra just shakes her head and holds onto Lord Trevelyan tighter, feeling grateful that she has him to support her as she faces the man that had terrified her for so many years.
"You've made a mistake coming here." Cassandra adds and fixes her eyes on him. "You've underestimated me." She snaps. "You've definitely underestimated my husband." Lady Trevelyan laughs at him as she feels Lord Trevelyan squeezing her hand.
"You are never to return to Skyhold." Lord Trevelyan adds and she watches his attention turn to Red. "If I of you or any of your.. associates, come anywhere near us again." He adds. "If my wife's name even crosses your lips. I will kill you myself." The Inquisitor adds and this time she doesn't hear The Duke make a sound.
"This isn't over." The Duke mumbles.
"Get out and take your mutt with you." Ashton adds motioning towards the Justicar who is already stepping towards the door. "Commander.." The Inquisitor continues making Cullen step closer. "Have our men escort them off of our land." He adds and glances at him.
"All of our men?" Cullen asks with a smile.
"Why not?" Lord Trevelyan smiles at him.
Lady Trevelyan sighs when Ashton wraps his arm around her and draws her against him, letting her rest her chin against his shoulder and wrap arms around him too. Cassandra watches Red stepping towards the doors, noticing that he glances over his shoulder and his eyes fix on her as he leaves before he continues to be escorted away. She sighs again and holds him tighter when she feels him kissing the side of her head softly.
"Are you okay?" He whispers into her hair making her nod lightly and cling to him tighter. "Come on." She hears him add and loosen his hold on her so he can look into her face. "Let's get you upstairs." Lord Trevelyan gives her a reassuring smile before she notices his attention moves to the visitors that are still enjoying the wine and talking together.
"Won't they miss you?" She asks him which makes his smile widen.
"I don't care about nobles." The Inquisitor whispers. "All I care about is you and our boys." He adds making her laugh quietly at his words and his confidence that they were having another son. "I think we've had more than enough of them for one day." Her husband adds so she nods.
"I'm so tired.." Cassandra sighs quietly, realising how exhausted she is feeling from the evening's events. She feels Lord Trevelyan taking her hand and begin guiding her towards the door to their tower.
"I should never have let you speak to him." Ashton sighs and she notices he looks over his shoulder at her when they begin up the stairs. "I should never have allowed him here." He huffs and she can see he's blaming himself. "You should feel safe in our home." Lord Trevelyan continues and she can tell he's trying to get it all off of his chest.
"Ashton, this isn't your fault." She begins and feels his eyes meet hers.
"I put you at risk." Lord Trevelyan sighs as he pushes his shoulder against the wooden door to open it, guiding her up the last stairs into their room. "I let that man into Skyhold. It was my lack of care about who came here that caused this." He adds making her sigh.
"Will you stop?" The Seeker asks when she feels him letting go of her hand and begin undoing the buttons at his neck. "You didn't know who he was." She adds but notices he just shakes his head. "We have so many people visit us and that live here now." Cassandra sighs as she follows him across the room and watches him lower himself to the edge of their bed. "We can't know them all."
"I let that monster look at you the way he did." Lord Trevelyan continues as he lowers his head. "I just sat there and let him do it." He adds with another sigh. "I can't protect you from anything." He mumbles and she watches him fixing his eyes on his feet.
Lady Trevelyan carefully lowers herself onto the bed beside him, tucking her dress beneath her as she does. She lets her eyes move to him, knowing before long he would look at her when she hears huff quietly. Cassandra leans towards him so she can rest her forehead against the side of his head, taking hold of his hand in hers.
"You did protect me." She whispers as she hears him sigh again. "He was my monster to face.." Cassandra adds and lifts her other hands to stroke the back of his head. "You were so brave." Lady Trevelyan sighs and kisses his temple softly. "I was scared but you were there."
"I wasn't brave. I was scared." Ashton mumbles as he lifts his eyes to hers. "I don't think I've ever felt that scared." He whispers and lowers his eyes again. "I thought we were safe here." He nods.
"I thought we were, too." The Seeker replies quietly as she tucks her finger beneath his chin to draw his attention to her. "But our safety isn't just down to you." She adds sees him nod lightly.
"I'm your husband." He sighs.
"I'm your wife and I know you don't believe in the fairer sex or that I'm not as capable as you." Cassandra smiles noticing her does lightly. "You saw that I was frightened and you protected me, Ash." She adds. "Not just because I'm your wife, but because that's what you do." Lady Trevelyan continues and lets her fingertips stroke around his hairline.
"I should have just killed him." The Inquisitor sighs lightly and she can tell he doesn't mean his words at all.
"I'm sure you could catch him up.." Lady Trevelyan laughs quietly when his eyes meet hers and he gives her a grateful smile. "I don't care if you think you didn't do enough." She adds as she strokes his cheek. "I care that I still have you." Cassandra whispers and rubs her nose against his.
"I know and that's what I care about too." He nods lightly.
"I think you're right. We should move out of Skyhold." She whispers and notices he nods in agreement. "I think we both need that." Cassandra adds and kisses his cheek. "There are too many things we can no longer control here." She hears him sigh.
"I agree." Lord Trevelyan says and she feels leaning into her touch. "People will always remember the things they didn't like about the Inquisition." He adds making her smile and nod. "Skyhold will always be a symbol of that which makes us still a target." He continues.
"Our new home will just be ours." Cassandra smiles at him, realising that he did need the peace as much as she did. "Peaceful and safe." She whispers as she feels his eyes meet hers.
Lady Trevelyan thought the moving had been just for her to get away from the hustle and bustle of Skyhold, but she was seeing that he wasn't as happy with the fortress as she'd assumed either. Things had changed, they no longer knew everyone that came through their doors and there was always the worry that they were at risk or that Robert wasn't able to have free reign over the fortress like he'd had for the first few years of his life. The Inquisition had continued to grow, and although they were keeping the peace, there were always going to be those that didn't like them. Always risks, and they couldn't consider them all. They needed a home away from him being the Inquisitor, somewhere he could go home to at the end of the day and they could be Ashton and Cassandra.
"I love you so much and that's why I want you and Robert to be safe." He whispers making her smile, wrapping her arms around his middle and resting her chin against him. "I just can't live with worry anymore, Cass." He sighs and she feels him wrap his arm around her.
"I know." She nods and squeezes him tighter. "I love you, too." Lady Trevelyan smiles and kisses his shoulder. "Soon we'll be away from here and there will be no more worry." She whispers and kisses him again.
"Do you think we'll have it built before the baby arrives?" Lord Trevelyan asks and she notices he smiles at the thought.
"If we start tomorrow." Cassandra smiles and draws him closer and captures his mouth with hers. "I need to get out of this dress." She sighs against his lips notices he smiles.
"You've had enough of being elegant tonight?" The Inquisitor chuckles as she feels him stroking her hair and his beautiful brown eyes on hers. "Do you need some help?" He asks and she watches his eyes lower to her dress.
"Unless you want to hitch it up again." She whispers as she watches a smile stretch onto his face.
"Do you have a blade?" Lord Trevelyan asks making her laugh quietly and shake her head, she didn't often carry a knife in her boots these days. "Then you better hope I figure it out." He grins as she watches him leaning back and lifting his fingers to the top of the ties at the back of her dress.
"I know you will.." Lady Trevelyan giggles when she feels him moving his fingers lower as he follows the laces.
