Moonpriestess30: Will he?

Eiris: It was, so I'm hoping you like this chapter even more.

Guest: I don't know if you can read this, it's strange that you can't go past chapter five. If you had an account I would message the next chapters to you. I hope that this situation corrects itself.

Chapter 10 – Not for me

Her words stung but it was because they had a kernel of truth in them. His freedom was something he possessively treasured and protected. 'Fenris,' Evelyn says with tears in her eyes. 'You... don't owe me anything. Just because we're both slaves doesn't mean... you have to protect me,' her voice chokes lightly and she looks at the floor.

'I.. I have not protected you because we were both slaves,' he says trying to figure out the emotions that were currently building inside him. Fear? Panic? Anger? Anxiety was the greatest presence and made a pit form in his stomach. Looking at her he could see her shaking, his sword was heavy in her hands and she strained to keep it from hitting the floor. Gently he reaches out and takes the weapon from her receiving no resistance as she lets it go. 'A mile, yes?' He says simply.

Evelyn nods as she hears him do up the strap on his sheath. Her arms wrap around herself and she can't help but look at the floor. I'll have to take the rest of my money and hopefully buy passage on a boat, I should have enough to get to Ferelden. I need to get away from him, find the loophole, Eve, think! You stupid cow! Evelyn attempted to make plans in her head as she felt Fenris walk past her. A deep ache in her heart pounded but she couldn't blame him, it was a selfishness that she understood. The fear of going back was overwhelming and she couldn't bring herself to move. 'Come on, Evelyn,' she whispers to herself, trying to shake some life into her frozen body. If he's gone, he's safe, she thinks with a sigh of relief.

A warmth and weight covered her shoulders and she looked up to see Fenris as he moved around her. With an unreadable expression he tightened the cloak around her and pinned the brooch to keep it together. Evelyn's eyes were wide and she stared at him in surprise. 'What kind of man would I be if I simply left?' He murmurs quietly, his reaches up to touch her cheek briefly before pulling his hand away sharply.

'I don't want you to do this,' Evelyn says trying to ignore the way her voice wavered.

Fenris ignored her as he found her bag and placed a few items of hers that he recognised inside it. Everything could be replaced so he tightened it up and slung it on his shoulder. 'I am not doing it for you,' he said bluntly as he grabs her upper arm as he walks past her. What would be best? Taking her to the Hanged Man or to the mansion? A mile radius doesn't give him a lot to work with. The Hanged Man was more of a risk, he decided. There was a chance there were spies there already looking for her. 'We will use Hawke's tunnel to his estate, leave a message with his manservant and travel to the mansion from there,' he explains as he leads her to the door and unlocks it.

Evelyn pulls her arm out of his grip, 'I don't understand why you would risk everything you've been fighti-'

Fenris turns to face her and grabs her shoulders. 'Because I want to. That is it, Evelyn. This is something I want to do,' he says trying not to shout at her but a little annoyed he's having to explain himself. Evelyn looks at him, her confusion clear in her eyes, he sighs and looks at the floor, his fingers lightening their grip on her shoulders. 'Please,' he said in almost desperation.

He felt her soft hands either side of his jaw, cupping his cheeks as she tilts his head up to look at her. Fenris catches sight of her freckles before he understands what's happening, his eyes closing in the close proximity. The warmth of her lips on his was brief; but his mind treacherously made note of how soft she felt, the perfume that clung to her skin. The jolt in his chest made it hard to breathe and he found that he had moved his hands from her shoulders to her waist. When he opened his eyes to look at her, he could see the flush across her cheeks. Evelyn was biting her lip, unsure on how he was going to take her impulsive action. Without thinking about it he pulls her close to him as he leans down and catches her lips in his, deepening their embrace as he needed more. He feels her breathing hitch but her arms wrap around his shoulders, her body falling against his perfectly. Tasting the salt on her mouth where she had been crying he wanted to drown out the fear he felt, replace it with something more. Heat bloomed across his being, their kiss becoming more passionate as Evelyn's weight pushes him against the door. One hand grips her waist tightly as his other reaches up, winding through her hair pulling her even closer. He bites her lip as she runs her fingers along the side of his ear, causing a wave of desire to run through him. Evelyn can't help but moan lightly, the sound of her voice making his mouth go dry.

Fenris has a brief moment of clarity and he pulls away, breaking their kiss. Both of them breathed heavily and to ease the sting of his sudden, almost rejection, he places his forehead against hers. 'No... we cannot... not... now,' he whispers, feeling her chest rise against his.

Evelyn couldn't help but feel embarrassed but she nods, understanding. This isn't the right time nor place for any of this... I just... in case this... If I do have to go back.. I wanted to have the memory of something that I wanted, she thinks as he stands up straight. Evelyn wasn't expecting him to even return her kiss, let alone for it to escalate. He opens the door an inch and looks out checking the alley. With a nod of his head he motions her to follow him as he leads her to a rather badly hidden tunnel with a hidden lock. Evelyn can only watch as his brands light up and he unlocks the door from the other side, swinging it open and gently, but firmly moving her inside. The pitch black and musty smell hit her hard and she felt her body tense. 'I don't... think I can do this,' Evelyn whispers feeling herself tremble.

He tactfully moves in front of her and slowly her eyes adjust as his markings began to glow brighter, 'just follow me,' he says in a soft tone as he began to lead her through the tunnel and cellars. Evelyn can't help herself and she grabs his hand making him flinch in surprise but he doesn't move away. He can feel her shaking and the way her breathing had quickened and become shallow made it clear that her previous trauma was heavy in her mind. Thankfully the cellar door itself was unlocked and Fenris opened it revealing a kitchen where a young maid was working.

She jumped and spun around with a large wooden spoon in her hand. 'Ah!' Orana squealed as she turned. 'Oh, messere Fenris,' she says a hand on her chest.

'Orana,' he nods as Evelyn steps into the kitchen and he shuts the door behind them. 'I did not mean to scare you. Is Hawke in?'

'They haven't left for their outing yet, there was... some arguing about strategy,' she admits. 'They're in the study,' Orana adds her eyes darting over to Evelyn who smiled weakly. The young maid noticed that she was holding his hand tightly and apart from a small twitch of her lips, Orana didn't mention it. 'Would you like anything to eat or drink?' She asks as she was partway through cooking.

Fenris looks down at Evelyn who shakes her head, 'no, thank you, Orana,' he said softly. Adjusting Eve's bag on his shoulder he leads her through the kitchen and into the foyer. Hawke's Mabari sat up from in front of the fire and Eve paused, she hadn't really ever been around dogs before. 'That is ….' Fenris sighs and rubs his eyes as the Mabari tilted his head. 'That is... Peanut.'

'Peanut?' Evelyn repeats placing her hand over her mouth to stop her giggle. Peanut at the sound of his name stood up and wandered over giving Eve a sniff, she tightened her grip on Fenris' hand as Peanut huffed around her. 'It's a dog?'

'A Mabari, he will not hurt you, he likes to be pet behind his ears,' Fenris assures as he tactfully removes her hand from his. 'I will go discuss things with Hawke, stay here,' he says as he watches her gingerly scratch Peanut's ear making him sit.

Evelyn looks at him, 'Hawke isn't going to be angry is he? That you're helping me?'

'No,' he says simply. She nods and crouches down to give into Peanut's demands as Fenris disappears into the study. It was about ten minutes later when the companions leave the room and congregate into the foyer. Evelyn was sitting in an arm chair with Peanut drooling onto her knees as she strokes him fondly.

Anders, Hawke, Aveline and Varric look at her, a blush hits her cheeks and she smiles weakly. 'So, Fenris tells us that you're speaking now?' Hawke asks with a raised brow.

It wasn't as if Hawke didn't like Eve, she was sweet an hard working but he didn't like complications. 'Oh, yes, I am,' she says with a nod as she stands up. Varric shared a look with Anders, her voice was light and melodious, it suited her very well and he could imagine that she sang prettily too.

'But that's a bad thing because it means that your master is within a mile of you?' He asks for clarification.

'Yes, but he could deactivate the spell at any time and I'll be mute again, I don't know why he's allowed me to speak, maybe to trip me up?' Evelyn shrugs as she holds her arms around herself. 'I understand if you don't want to help me-'

'Hey, Sparrow. We're not that kind of people,' Varric interrupts her. 'Look, Broody says here that we can camp out at his place. I'll go to the Hanged Man and spread the word that that's where you're hiding and when he sticks his head in to find you, boom, problem solved.'

Evelyn bites her lip making Fenris dig his nails into his palm, the memory of her mouth against his still fresh in his mind. 'I don't want Fenris spoken about,' she says quietly. 'I don't want anything said about me being with him. It will just make him a target too,' Evelyn mumbles.

'Alright, that's fair,' Hawke nods, 'Varric, grab Isabela and send her up this way if you can. Aveline can you go get Sebastian? Anders, nip to the Alienage and drag Merrill to the Mansion. I'll go ahead with Fenris and Evelyn to his and set some traps,' he says giving everyone a task. His friends nod and start to move while Hawke goes back into the study to gather some equipment.

Fenris looks at Evelyn and tilts his head. 'You will be safe,' he says softly as he moves closer to her and reaches out touching her elbow gently.

She nods and smiles weakly at him, 'I know,' Evelyn replies with tears in her eyes. She wanted nothing more than to kiss him again and forget this moment.

So, this only has 15 chapters, mwahhaa, but there had to be a kiss somewhere yes? I hope you enjoyed this chapter and I wonder if any of you have figured it out yet. Have a great weekend.