Author's Disclaimer: I don't own a thing belonging to "Dragon Age 2!" Bioware holds the goods.
Author's notes: Further into my plot against the game's plot. You can really only romance about one person at a time, but I'm obviously playing with that and the omegaverse stuff.
Oh, and I had continuity all wonky. The Viscount was killed by the Arishok three years ago, so that part of the conversation last chapter was not up to the timeline. My apologies. Just insert Knight Commander Meredith in place of the Viscount in last chapter. She is one of the big ones in charge at this point.
CharlieBarrow: Thanks for keeping Merrill in character and helping with her lines. Creds to her lines all go to you!
QueenTyzula: I hope you get stuck on these characters too :P
"Catching the Wind"
Chapter fourteen "Merrill's chance"
After giving herself to Hawke to be bitten, Isabela was flying high. She and Hawke were inseparable and Isabela at first tentatively moved in when she was asked. But despite the night or two Isabela went back to her old room at the Hanged Man, she found herself missing her mate too much. No, she'd stay with Hawke. Her heart was in the clouds and she would stay finally.
Bedroom gymnastics aside, Isabela loved waking beside Hawke, their limbs entwined in some way. Hawke's arm was always warm around her waist and she loved kissing her mating bite over the Champion's breast to wake her. Hawke's green eyes would slowly open and a tender smile would dart across her lips. Isabela loved hearing Hawke whisper her name and kiss her. If they were feeling inclined, they'd get right to deeper touches. Sometimes they'd be right in the middle of things when Bodahn brought their breakfast tray. He had taken to knocking heavily and waiting an invitation before entering. Orana did the same now.
This morning, it was Hawke who woke first. Isabela felt warm pressure along her back, and warm lips moving over the mark on her shoulder. She smiled as she began to wake.
"Hawke," she murmured. One hand snaked up her belly to cup a breast. Her nipple hardened between Hawke's calloused fingers.
"I can't wake without you now. Don't sleep over at the tavern again," Hawke growled. Isabela rubbed back against her mate. She felt her Champion's chi coil back in response and Hawke rubbed her erection against Isabela's ass.
Isabela purred, rubbing back against her. "How could I when I wake to a fine piece of wood like this? Oh, yes, keep doing that…"
Hawke sucked on her mating bite as she teased her mate's opening with the head of her cock. Isabela's vaginal lips were petaled open and glistening.
"Whatever you want, my love," Hawke vowed. Isabela blushed, and twined her fingers with Hawke's.
"So romantic you are, Champion. I'm so lucky…"
And she did feel it. Despite their lust carrying them along, harsh breathing filling the air with slaps of skin on skin as Hawke thrust against Isabela from behind, Isabela could feel her mate's tender concerns for her underlying her caresses and thrusts. Afterwards, she lay shuddering in her mate's arms, Isabela smiled as Hawke's lips caressed her throat and shoulders. To this, Bodahn knocked and averted his eyes when called in. He delivered the breakfast tray and backed out, eyes covered by his hands.
"What's on the docket for today, Hawke?" Isabela grinned as they separated and set into their meal hungrily. Hawke smiled around a few pieces of bacon. She chomped noisily.
"Aveline wants more of my aide for that debacle with Castillon. Not that I see it that way…" Hawke rolled her shoulders, muscles rippling. Isabela eyed her mating mark stretched across the top of her breast. Another set of teeth still imprinted across her Champion's throat and Isabela felt sadness rather than ire.
She knew Merrill had tried claiming Hawke herself. It was just her bad luck Isabela had returned around that time and Hawke's old love for her hadn't died completely. Mates were for life and there was room for only one. Still, Isabela couldn't help feeling guilty.
The mark didn't look to be fading, which was rather odd in itself. Hawke noticed her mate staring and chucked her chin with two fingers.
"Bela?" she asked. Isabela thought of her sons. She couldn't wait to tell her mate about them….she just knew Hawke would welcome Falcon and Lark. Happiness surged through her chi.
"I love you, you big lout," Isabela half cursed. Hawke chuckled. She kissed the pirate's cheek.
"Love you too."
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Hawke practically skipped through the market on her way to the guardsmen barracks. If she were late, Aveline would throw a fit. She was definitely on the captain's shit list for murdering the slaver, but when it came to her mate, Hawke didn't care about the consequences.
Knight Commander Meredith had frowned at it, but she hadn't been punished officially. Hawke would take that as it were. A slim woman was elbowing her way shyly through a few men, and Hawke noted the tall staff strapped to her back.
Merrill! Her urge to protect the Dalish elf surged through Hawke and she jogged forward, elbowing the two louts away from the small woman.
"Back off her," she snarled. One of the men cursed, but the other saluted.
"Yes, Champion. Sorry!" He ran off, dragging his companion with him.
Merrill sighed. She blushed, looking up into Hawke's eyes. Hawke found her heart pounding. The desire to check for bruises surged through her. So was the desire to step into Merrill's personal space and put her arms around her. Her thighs trembled with the effort of holding still.
"Hawke! I…."
Hawke swallowed hard. "M-Merrill. How are you?" she asked gently.
A shy smile had spread across the elf's lips, but just as quickly, her look of happiness to see her faded. It was like a storm had crossed the elf's features. Merrill frowned sadly. "Okay, I suppose…not as well as you I hear. You… you're mated, aren't you? That's good; congratulations….." she stammered.
Hawke loved Isabela. She would never apologize for mating her and accepting her love confession. But she would feel bad for the look of bitter disappointment across her past lover's face.
"I….I am….but are you okay?" she asked gently. Merrill tucked a strand of hair behind her pointed ear.
"No, no I'm not okay. You didn't come back. I waited. Then well, I figured you and Isabela had a lot to talk about. Three years is a long time….And you still being in love with her….." Merrill couldn't keep the hurt from her voice. Hawke winced visibly as if she had been struck. "I…I know you love her….and you're mated. I can smell it…... I'm sorry… I just….I just hoped…"
Hawke felt her heart cracking and tearing. She reached her gauntleted arms out, intending to put them around the crying elf. Merrill backed up. Hurt, Hawke stopped in her tracks.
Tears spilled from the corners of the elf's eyes. "I… well, I'm glad things worked out for you two. I knew Isabela loved you for true. And I guess I always knew she'd come back for you….."
Merrill was scrubbing at her pale cheeks, trying to brush her falling tears away. Hawke's heart broke. She reached forward to touch the elf's cheek, to offer some comfort, ANYTHING to make her tears stop….tears SHE had caused….
"Merrill," she pleaded. Merrill looked up into the Champion's anguished eyes. Her heart wavered but Merrill bit her lip and lowered her head.
"If I were Isabela, I would have come back too…but Hawke…." Merrill raised red-rimmed eyes. Hawke's heart sank. "I would never have left you if I were her."
Feeling a moment of panic, Hawke reached out again for her. "Merrill…!"
Merrill touched her sleeve to her eyes as her small shoulders shook. "I love you, Champion Hawke. I hoped it would be enough. I'm not like Isabela at all but I hoped….I hoped you could love me. I guess….I guess I hoped she wouldn't ever come back. So that way I could finally have you."
Hawke's mouth was very dry, and her eyes were tearing up. Her chest felt heavy, as if someone were stepping on her lungs. She reached closer for the elf, fully intent to soothe her, comfort her, stop her pain…
Before she could get close, Merrill aimed two small palms toward her. They smacked full against her torso and before Hawke could exclaim in surprise, a blast of blue magic surged through her, knocking her forcefully back. Hawke went sprawling, legs flying up over her head. More than the pain of the strike, was the fact Merrill had used magic on her. That hurt worse than falling head over ass on the cobblestones in armor. Scrambling to her feet, Hawke looked round the market square. Quite a few omegas ran up to help her up, but Hawke brushed them off, glancing around over the tops of their head. She barely caught the green of Merrill's tunic as she sprinted through the throngs of people, soft sobs filling the air.
There was nothing for it. Merrill was gone. A searing pain surged from Hawke's left shoulder all the way down her arm to her wrist. Hawke snarled on a cry of pain. She found herself half limping toward the guardsmen barracks. When Aveline called her into her office, she snapped her fingers in front of Hawke's staring eyes.
"What are you looking at? Hawke!" Aveline called. Hawke blinked. A hurt expression was all over her face. "Well geez, if your pirate wouldn't sleep with you, there's no reason to pout over it."
"No!" Hawke said a little too quickly in response to her mate. She gave a shuddering sigh. "It's not Bela…. I'll be okay."
"You better be. We need to hit the streets. Come," Aveline urged her friend. Hawke sprawled in a chair opposite her desk, hissing in pain. "What happened to you? Are you okay?"
"I….got into a bit of…a tussle," Hawke lied. Aveline tried to help her remove her breastplate, but her left arm, the one only clad in clothing instead of armor, felt like it was on fire. Hawke howled, slapping her hand away.
Aveline's brows knit. "Feels dislocated. I'll have Samrick set it. Only take a second. Samrick!"
Hawke grabbed the edge of the captain's desk with her right hand, holding on as the brawny guardsman grabbed her left shoulder and with a hard twist, set the dislocation to its proper place. Her right fist slammed up and down on the desk as she grit her teeth to keep from screaming.
"Want to tell me who did this? Do we need to sweep the streets?" Aveline asked. Her brows were knit with concern. Hawke shook her head. She flexed the fingers of her left hand slowly as feeling came back.
"No….uhm…Aveline…."
"What is it?"
"Could you have some of the men and women watch over Merrill's place? I… I can't do it….not anymore…."
Aveline frowned. There was a slew of something behind the request and it was easy to tell the tussle had to have involved the plucky little elf. Aveline knew Merrill had been there for Hawke in some capacity in the time Isabela had been gone, but as to what had happened, Hawke wouldn't answer.
All she would say in response was: "I'm no longer welcome there."
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Hawke made a lot of noise entering her estate later that evening. Bodahn helped with her breastplate and armor, and his idly chatter made her brain hurt a little less. No matter, Isabela could help her to relax….
"Hawke!" Her pirate beamed at the sight of her, tossing down a random book in the family study when she entered. Hawke caught the woman in her arms. The scent of her dark hair calmed Hawke slightly, but when she should have been getting frisky, she felt only sorrow. "I missed you….what's all this now?"
Hawke made herself smile as Isabela tugged her thick gloves off and massaged her fingers in hers. The Champion gave a tired smile when she kissed the back of her knuckles. "You know how Aveline is. Ran me ragged all day." Hawke didn't voice that she had pushed for the pace. The harder she ran about looking for heads to knock about, the less time she had to be still and think about the anguished look on Merrill's face from that morning. Merrill….
A twinge of guilt filled Hawke as Isabela leaned up for a kiss. Usually after any work, Hawke would be glad to get frisky with her new mate, but today….she felt like she'd been doused in cold water. Hawke found she still loved Isabela's touches very much, but her lust didn't spiral up to form the shift. Isabela noticed, for she rubbed against Hawke's waist, looking confused.
"Hawke?" she asked. Hawke leaned down to give her a long kiss. Their tongues stroked slowly. Hawke cupped the back of her head, cradling her pirate to her shoulder when they parted.
"I'm just tired. I….I had my arm dislocated today."
"Oh, Hawke!" Isabela's hands fluttered off her mate, hovered uncharacteristically. "Which one?"
"Left. It's okay, I had one of Aveline's men set it for me. I'm just sore all over," Hawke admitted. "Bring up some of your whiskey, will you? Let's relax."
But as the Champion headed upstairs ahead of her, Isabela couldn't shake an odd feeling.
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Isabela blinked in the darkness. Hawke was lying beside her, naked in the sheets as always, but she hadn't initiated any further contact when they'd blown out the candles. Isabela had tried to rouse her, but Hawke had gently taken her hands and put an arm round her waist, claiming she was tired. She HAD said she loved her, but Isabela wasn't placated.
Something had happened and whatever it was, had troubled her Champion deeply. It couldn't be any bad public press or opinion. Hawke was so beloved that no matter what she did, she had her supporters. No, it couldn't be when she was out in the field today.
Isabela idly lifted the sheets and tried to focus in the darkness. Hawke hadn't shifted all evening, and while one could have a break from sex, it had never been close to a day for either of them since their mating mark exchange. The lack of intimacy tonight was a ping on Isabela's radar that something could be up. Isabela listened to her mate breathing softly as she slept. Hawke had been an awful sleeper the first times they'd shared the same bed for something other than fucking, but she had learned to take comfort in her warmth and often Hawke would drift off to sleep before she could.
Isabela tucked her chin against the curve of Hawke's shoulder, inhaling her particular musk. It wasn't fair when her mate smelled so good, but she would get to sleep and tomorrow Hawke would be feeling better. Wouldn't she? Isabela listened to her mate's even loud breathing, and finally fell asleep herself.
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The next morning, Isabela woke first. She quietly headed for the washroom to pee and refresh herself. Climbing back into bed, Isabela tugged the sheets back from Hawke's pale flesh. Her shift was half formed, cock stiffening upward. Isabela smiled and crawled down along Hawke's legs to lay her lips along the side of the stiffening appendage of flesh. She could help it along and when her mate woke, well, it'd be a usual morning.
Hawke groaned as she felt warmth pool between her legs. She felt heavy down there and she didn't have to look to know she was shifting. Warm wet swipes painted along her cock and Hawke gave a sigh despite herself. She ran a hand down through Isabela's dark loose hair. Her pirate queen lifted her mouth up and kissed the side of her wrist affectionately.
"Morning," Isabela teased. Hawke smiled down at her, but even as she seemed ready there was something off with her aura. Her eyes shifted to the side and she seemed….distracted. Isabela hurried to lay her mouth down along her shaft when Hawke gently pulled her mate up.
"You don't have to…. Still hurts all over," Hawke said. It was only part a lie. She could feel her mate's frustration as she sighed against her belly.
Isabela ran her dark fingers along the pale expanse of Hawke's musculature and abdominal scars. She leaned to kiss one scar lovingly. "Are you okay, love? You've never waited this long before. You tried to bed me after almost breaking your knee that one time."
Hawke gave a soft laugh at the memory. "I know….I just…. There was…"
"Aha!" Isabela tried not to pounce as she leaned up, hair falling onto Hawke's shoulder. "So, something did happen! What was it? Do I need to cut a bitch?"
Hawke grew quiet and ran her fingers through her pirate queen's unbound hair. "No, nothing like that…and please don't. I…I ran into Merrill in the market yesterday… and…."
Suddenly, all of Hawke's melancholy made sense. But…"That still doesn't explain a dislocated shoulder and these bruises. Did she….?"
Hawke looked upward at the canopy above them. Her lip trembled. "She said she had waited for me. But she was happy for us…. Is happy for us. I love you, Bela. But I just feel so bad….."
There, it was out. Isabela could have been mad. She could have fallen to jealousy. But the earnest look in the elf's eyes when she urged Isabela to go after Hawke first killed the pirate inside. She had loved Hawke, more than likely still did, dearly. And she had held back. For HER sake.
"I guess you're not the only one…."
"I love you," Hawke repeated. "And I still want you, always will. I just… I feel so bad right now." Okay, bad was an understatement. "Like I'm sick. I just….I made her cry, Bela."
Isabela leaned up along her mate's torso. Her breasts pressed into Hawke's as she kept on her right side. The pirate leaned down to kiss the small tears from the corners of her Champion's eyes. "It's okay, well, not okay she cried… but don't you start crying too, love. Everything should end up right."
Hawke's eyes swam with naked anguish up at her mate. Her fingers twined through Isabela's hair. "I don't know how it can be right for her….I'm a jerk….a huge jerk!"
Isabela leaned down and kissed the tears that spilled down her mate's cheeks. Hawke's breath hitched, and she closed her eyes, savoring the soft touches. "I don't deserve this…."
"Oh, don't tell me what you don't deserve," Isabela murmured. She gently kissed Hawke, and slowly she kissed her back. "Hawke…."
"I just…. I don't want to get out of bed today. I can't," Hawke whined. Any other time, Isabela would have been irate. But her heart went out to her saddened mate. Slowly, an idea formed in the pirate's mind. She sat up and stretched.
"Well, I'll leave you to your thoughts. I think we might need some fresh pastries from market. Maybe that'll help you feel better," Isabela suggested. But a wry smile stretched through her sharp mind as she plotted. Hawke almost pouted toward her as she pulled the covers up over her side. She rolled onto her right side, sighing.
Isabela got out of bed and hunted for a fresh tunic and corset. She went to make herself up for the day and poked out, half naked as Bodahn brought in breakfast for the pair. "Go ahead, love. I'll be back soon."
Hawke poured herself coffee and pursed her lips sadly at her mate. Isabela waved and headed through the manor for the front door.
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When Merrill opened her front door, she blanched, staring at the friendly pirate. If Isabela was anything toward her, it was always warm. She knew the pirate had been very protective of her.
"Isabela! I…..I didn't do anything." Funny, those were the first words she could think of? Merrill blushed with shame.
"Besides knock Hawke down. She's resting it off. You hit hard, kitten," Isabela said gently. Merrill blushed.
"Is she okay?" she pleaded. The hurt look in Hawke's eyes had been enough to destroy her and she had run away as fast as she could. Only to stew all day and night about it.
"Her shoulder's fine. Her pride is more bruised." Isabela smiled gently. "Can I come in?"
"Why?" Merrill asked in response. Isabela gently cuffed her shoulder and pushed into the small hut. Merrill had always been a messy house keeper, but her place was absolutely cluttered now. Isabela sat at the elf's table, and gestured. Merrill closed the front door and slowly glided toward a chair.
"Because I'm worried about you, kitten. Hawke is too. She just won't fess up fully, thinking I'll be hurt about it or some nonsense."
Merrill perched on the edge of her chair, blinking. She looked exhausted and Isabela felt sorry for the elf. "But…won't you? I mean… "
Isabela put her hand over Merrill's. "Merrill….do you love Hawke?"
The caught expression on the elf's face did far more to answer her question than Merrill's sputtering replies. Isabela nodded.
"Well, I think Hawke cares about you too. Quite a great deal. Oh, don't look so upset, she does love me, but she can love you too. If I know Hawke, there's quite enough of her to go around. I was wondering if you'd come back to the estate and try to convince Hawke to stop moping about."
Merrill blushed at Isabela's bold statements. "I..I couldn't.. You're marked…. Mated…."
Isabela grinned. "Doesn't meant she can't have a girlfriend. Oh, don't look so shocked. Mated pairs can branch out sometimes. And I know you'd never stab me in the back and try and steal her all to yourself. You're too good to me, too."
Merrill looked like she was having an aneurysm. She sputtered and brushed a fist against her flaming red cheeks. "She won't go for it," she decided. "Even if you're fine."
Isabela patted her hand. "I think she will if we both ask her. Besides, when has an alpha ever turned down a sweet thing like you?"
As Merrill was shaking her head again, Isabela decided to coax her caring nature. "Hawke's so distraught after your little run-in, she won't get out of bed. She's pouting in there, sure you hate her."
Merrill gasped. "I don't! I miss her….but I don't hate her!"
Isabela nodded. "I think she needs to hear it from you. Will you come back with me?'
Merrill scrubbed her cheek. "I ….I guess…"
Isabela nodded, reflective. "When my children come here, I want people around them I trust. And I trust you, kitten." At Merrill's confused look, Isabela hastened to explain. "It's not like that. I did run after seeing her injured in bed, but I took far more of Hawke with me than I intended to….and I had her sons. Twins."
Merrill looked like her head was spinning. Hawke's new mate had come over, ostensibly asked if she was in love with the Champion and was fine with it, even asking her to come over and cheer the woman they both loved, and now this? Hawke had children?! But Merrill couldn't find it in her to be jealous. "Does Hawke know?" she asked softly.
Isabela shook her head. She smiled gently at her friend. "I will tell her. Very shortly. I thought I'd do a good deed today first and bring you home. What do you say?"
Merrill nodded, liking the idea more. And the thought of Hawke's sons filled her with more warmth than she would have thought otherwise. Her mind turned over in circles. "When did you…. I mean….. was it after the duel?"
Isabela nodded, blushing. Merrill was astounded. Hawke had looked to be on the brink of death in her sick bed, bandaged from here to the Maker's kingdom. "But she was so hurt! How did you?..."
Isabela brushed her fingers over the edge of her mating mark, that showed from the edge of her choker. "I didn't plan it. I knew I was leaving and wanted to say goodbye…. And knowing she almost died…could have….it KILLED me. I saw her in that bed just barely alive and felt so guilty that I knew I had to leave. I honestly was just going to kiss her….."
Isabela brooded. Her eyes drifted to a familiar tunic on Merrill's bed. She recognized it for Hawke's and her heart churned pleasantly. Merrill obviously wanted the Champion's scent around her. "I didn't think I'd ever return to Kirkwall. That I would never see her again. So I thought…if I was with her one more time I could just leave."
Merrill nodded. "I can see that…."
"I just wanted to be closer to her, touch her once more…and I noticed she was shifted. I just….. went with it. I wanted her, and during it….she formed a knot. I didn't think I'd get that much of her with me when I left…. But I had to have her. Before that, we'd never knotted. Not once. I just wanted to take some of her with me….." Merrill touched her hand softly. "Do you….do you understand, kitten?"
"Course I do. If I had to leave her….I would want to do the same. But twins!" Suddenly, she remembered that night, and rushing into the bedchamber after Isabela had fled the manor. She remembered arranging Hawke's blankets, finding her shifted and covered in her own fluids indicating a release. Now it all made much more sense.
Isabela beamed, her face lighting up. "They look like me of course, but you can see Hawke in their faces. And they have her eyes! You'll love them, kitten."
Merrill smiled at her friend. "What are their names?"
"Falcon and Lark." Isabela positively beamed as she talked about her sons. Hawke's sons. It was all too much to believe. When Isabela urged her to leave for the Hawke estate, Merrill dressed and went with her.
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Merrill nervously sat in the Hawke estate study as Isabela went upstairs to get the master of the estate. Bodahn cheerily greeted her, but his jovial nature made Merrill even more nervous. She propped her staff up against the wall and folded her hands in her lap.
Isabela let herself into the master's bed chamber and found Hawke reading over letters. She hadn't gotten up, but at least she had gotten some coffee and had donned a bed robe. "How are you, Hawke?"
"Ecstatic," Hawke said dryly. She set one scroll of parchment down. Some letters were great personal pleas, but find my lost puppy? Did the people think she was at liberty to do just anything? "Have a good time at market, love?"
"Yeah…." Isabela trailed a finger up and down the front of Hawke's robe. "Sort of I took a detour." At Hawke's curious gaze, Isabela smiled. "I visited Merrill and convinced her to come over here. She's waiting downstairs right now."
Hawke stared incredulously at her mate. "Sometimes I wonder if YOU have a fancy for her. Are you sure you don't just want a threeway with her?"
"You know you're my sweet thing, lover. It's just….I saw how heartbroken you looked when you told me about running into her." As Hawke began to protest, Isabela kissed her softly. "If you can please us both, I don't see why you can't have a girlfriend. Our kitten is good to you and to me. And you do love her, Hawke. I'd rather you fancy someone sweet like her; I couldn't trust you to anyone else."
Hawke was fairly gaping at her lover. Isabela closed her jaw gently before any flies flew in. "You're asking me to sleep with my ex-lover?!"
"Hawke, I'm asking you to be with your other heart's desire. I know you love me. I love you too, you big lug. It's cause I love you that I'm suggesting this. I know Merrill loves you too. Besides, I think we can all make it work."
Hawke stood, dressing at Isabela's insistence, head spinning. Her mouth was dry, and her heart thudded at the prospect of seeing Merrill gently again. But….
"I still don't know. You're my mate. I love you," Hawke protested. Isabela wrapped her arms around the Champion's neck.
"I love you too. Now go talk to her. I did take the trouble to bring her over to bury the hatchet."
Hawke followed Isabela downstairs, head in a daze. When she stepped into the study, Merrill's eyes lit up at the sight of her, but guilt made the elf tremble. Hawke strode closer and went to her knees beside Merrill's chair. She looked to Isabela for comfort, who nodded.
"Go on, talk to her. Do what you want to. We're bound, Hawke. I know where I stand," Isabela said. "I'm giving you guys one hour."
Hawke blanched as Merrill outright blushed and gave a squeak of embarrassment. "But…I can't! You're home…."
Isabela waved a hand. "I'll be in the kitchen with Orana. Now hurry it up and get upstairs."
Hawke laid her hand over Merrill's. Both of them were trembling. Merrill's eyes shone with tears as she gazed at Hawke. "Did…did I really hurt your shoulder?" she asked by way of greeting.
Hawke nodded, eyes shifting guiltily. Heat was flooding between her thighs even as her heart slowly began to uncoil. Her black bangs fell into her eyes.
"Yes….oh please, don't look like that, Merrill. It's okay. I got it set," Hawke babbled. Merrill touched her left shoulder hesitantly.
"I want to look at it…."
Hawke stood and offered her arm. Shyly, Merrill tucked her hand into the crook of her elbow and the two made their way upstairs. Hawke didn't take her to the master's bedchambers. All of this was too weird and new, and she didn't know how she felt about doing ANYTHING with another woman in the bed she shared with her newly bonded mate.
Even if it WAS sweet Merrill….. Hawke opened the door to a guest chamber down the corridor and smiled nervously. Merrill walked in and Hawke closed the door. She breathed a ragged sigh and pulled the heavy drapes open, letting in daylight.
"Merrill… I never…."
"Hawke, I'm.."
"I'm sorry," both said at once. Merrill touched a hand to her mouth and Hawke stared at her. She coughed, face red.
"You have no reason to feel sorry. I… I hurt you…I should have come to tell you."
"It's okay…I got the message," Merrill murmured, trying to keep her tone light. But Hawke could feel the waves of hurt rolling off her. Taking a chance, and remembering it was Isabela who spurned this, Hawke stroked across the room. She fell to her knees before the elf who perched on the edge of the wide bed. Hawke took Merrill's small hands in hers.
"I do care for you…. I love Isabela…." When Merrill's face began to fall, Hawke hurried on. She kissed the backs of Merrill's hands. "But I do care for you…. I…"
"I love you, Hawke. I just…." Tears filled Merrill's eyes. Hawke leaned up, cradling her face in her palms. Her heart broke all over again.
"Please don't cry. Please. I'll do anything," Hawke pleaded. Tears filled her own eyes. Her feelings for Merrill seared her heart, stinging. "What can I do?"
"Hawke…" Merrill's face was red in a blush. Hawke leaned in slowly, her lips hovering. She gave Merrill ample time to push her off, slap her, call her names. But when the soft lips beneath her yielded and kissed her back, Hawke wrapped her arms around the slender elf.
Hawke still wasn't sure about doing well, anything with someone other than her mate, but Merrill was in her arms, kissing her, tugging her onto the bed and her heart was full and it was GLAD. When Hawke undressed Merrill, she did so carefully, her heart in her eyes. When Merrill drew her in, Hawke felt like all the air was rushing out of her lungs. She wanted more….wanted to give her elf pleasure.
She loved Isabela. But the mark on her throat burned with each kiss and touch. Hawke groaned as she slowly pushed into her lover, stiff with arrested lust. Merrill cried out against her shoulder. Hawke's fingers tangled in Merrill's hair, capturing her lips in a kiss. Merrill kissed her back deeply, trembling beneath her. Hawke pressed tender kisses along Merrill's face as she thrust gently.
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Isabela leaned against the island counter in the kitchen. She flipped one dagger end over end and caught it, blade or handle, nimbly between her fingers. She had heard one passion-filled cry from upstairs and then silence. Glancing at the clock on the wall, Isabela nodded. Time was up.
She took the stairs slowly, making a lot of stomping noises as she came down the corridor. Taking a quick peek into the master's bedchamber yielded nobody. Isabela poked into the guest chambers further down and found her quarry in one of the chambers.
"Can I come in, you two?" she teased. Merrill tugged the sheets up to her neck, blushing. Hawke was wrapped around her, embracing her from behind. They didn't seem to be joined, but Hawke gave her a roguish grin all the same. It was a look Isabela recognized as a job well done.
"Isabela….! Uhm…okay?" Merrill squeaked. Hawke stretched lazily, her half naked body on display. Her muscles rippled as she moved.
"Come in, love," she purred. Isabela bounced on the bed, making Hawke laugh and Merrill squeak. Isabela landed on Hawke's legs; she rolled to her right side, where Merrill was, giving her a friendly hug. Isabela leaned to kiss her mate, and ruffle Merrill's hair playfully. "Thank you…."
"Hawke said this was all your prompting…thank you," Merrill blushed. Isabela gazed at the two women, fondness in her eyes for Merrill, love in her gaze for Hawke.
"I think we can all make this work. There are have been stranger unions. What do you think?" she asked.
Hawke gazed at Merrill softly. "It's up to you, sweetness. I know I'd love having you here."
Merrill blushed at 'love.' "I think…. I think I want to give it a try."
"Yes! Well done, me, if I do say so myself," Isabela teased. "We can lay out ground rules later or whatever, if we need 'em."
"If we need 'em," Hawke agreed.
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"Letter for you, miss. It just came, and that's pretty late," Bodahn grinned as he offered the sealed letter to Isabela. She pushed up the sleeve of her dressing robe and accepted it.
"Thank you, Bodahn," she said. The dwarf beamed and went about his duties. Somehow, Isabela thought she'd better open and read it downstairs before joining her mate upstairs. Merrill had agreed to stay the night, and their larger tentative relationship was blooming. Isabela wanted to nurture it along, so she'd keep any bad surprises away.
Besides, the letter was unmarked on the wax seal. Who was this from? Picking up a dagger from the desk in the study, Isabela broke the seal and unfolded the parchment. Her brows lifted, and a smile was on her face when she recognized Zevran's handwriting. Just as quickly, her stomach turned in knots.
'My old accomplices, the Crows, and I have had a falling out you could say. Far be it to say, I felt the time was prudent to vacate such a team of rogues….don't fret, my dear, as you are reading this, I will be en route to you with your precious cargo intact. Both birds have missed you and are safe in my custody. We shall be with you upon a week's time….'
Fear mixed with joy upon dread. Zevran was in danger? And he had her pups with him?! She was going to give him a piece of her mind about that. Even with his old assassin's guild hunting him, Isabela had to admit secretly that Falcon and Lark were better off at his side. He knew how to handle himself.
'I have to tell Hawke she's a papa. Sooner than later,' Isabela thought. She was still hesitant. She had knotted Hawke without any say-so. How would she take to being a sire? Isabela walked upstairs and found herself smiling as she walked into the master's bedroom.
Hawke was sitting rigidly on the wide bed, legs crossed. Merrill was in her own dressing robe, and knelt on the bed behind her, gently combing Hawke's short dark hair. Hawke's eyes lit up at the sight of her.
"Come to bed, Bela," she urged, patting the mattress. Isabela put some sway into her hips as she sauntered closer. She made sure to shut the bedroom door first.
"With two women with you, how are you going to get any rest?" Isabela wondered. Merrill blushed. It was apparent she wasn't sure what was allowed and what wasn't, but for now everyone enjoyed winding down together. Even if Hawke looked half aroused and uncomfortable.
End for now
End notes: Don't worry, the twins are coming back! And good 'ol raunchy Zevran. Like it, drop a review.
Sincerely, pen
1/25/2018