Chapter 87

"Mmm, just a little bit longer."

Leliana's voice was thick and groggy with sleep, half-muffled against her pillow. For all that, her grip on Alistair's bicep was surprisingly tenacious.

It was too early in the morning for him to be getting up anyway. To her satisfaction, he laughed and lay back down. Leliana felt his lips caress her forehead and eyelids before finding her mouth, at which she hummed and stroked his chest. It was a good way to wake up.

"I love your sleepy voice," he told her, pulling her close. "It's so nice and soft and cute."

"I love your voice, too," Leliana replied. She tilted her head, pressing her lips to the bulge in his throat. "It's very soothing."

"Really?"

"Mmm. I should know."

"Is it nice?"

"Very."

"Nicer than Josephine?"

"Ugh."

Alistair chuckled and rubbed her shoulder. "I hear she was very pleased with the restraint you showed in Valence?"

"She's positively beside herself." Leliana nuzzled into his chest, and, in an uncanny impersonation of the ambassador, said: "'Niceness before knives, Leliana! Haven't I always told you?'" She sighed as Alistair shook with laughter. "I will never hear the end of it. I hope you're happy."

"Very." He kissed the top of her head. "But what about you? How're you feeling?"

"Good," she replied after some thought and looked up at him. "Wonderful, actually. Valence was something of a rebirth for me."

"Oh?"

"Yes." It was only a few hours ago, but Leliana did feel the change. "Had you not been there, I would have killed Natalie. I'd have told you that I didn't have a choice. But there is always a choice. You have shown me that repeatedly, through the years, and I cannot even begin to describe how grateful I am to you."

"Don't. You tell me without even having to resort to words. You tell me every day with smiles and gestures of kindness and affection." Alistair smiled warmly. "I'm just glad you're not bitter about Justinia."

"How can I when there is so much between us? When she gave her life for peace? No, I believe her intentions were pure."

"Most intentions are."

"Mhm. It's what she would have said. Mercy and compassion are attributes only the strong are privileged to possess." Leliana kissed his chin. "And when you're with me, I feel... stronger. I feel like I am more than what Justinia made me."

Alistair placed his forehead against hers. "You've exceeded her. She could never have imagined the power you now hold."

"And I now know how to use that power wisely." She brushed her nose against his. "I have to stay true to who I really am – before a Spymaster, Left Hand or bard." Then she cupped his cheek and kissed him gently. "Like a wise man once told me a long time ago."

Alistair smiled. "Well, I am pretty wisdomous."

"You are." Leliana pinched his cheek. "I almost lost myself. You keep pulling me back from the brink time after time."

"Maybe I just do it because it reassures me that you'll do the same for me one day."

"Or maybe you do it because you're a good man."

Alistair laughed and kissed her again before turning over and checking the dwarven timepiece on the nightstand. "Five-ish. When do you have to leave for Halamshiral again?"

"In an hour."

"Then you should get busy."

"I don't want to."

"It's an Orlesian ball, Leli. You're needed more than anyone."

Leliana sighed. "I know. Safeguarding Empress Celene is important."

"Mhmm. Go save the Queen."

"Have you any plans to keep yourself busy?"

"I'll probably go talk to 'Blackwall' like we've been drinking buddies for years. Spook him out."

"That's terrible." She chuckled. "I love it."

"And I love you."

"Mhm. You're certain he's not a Warden?"

"Trust me, I'd know."

"Do you want come with me? The ball promises to be fun."

"No, thanks. I'll be here, where crazy Orlesians won't pinch my bottom anymore."

"That's my job."

"Exactly. Now get going."

"One more kiss before I go?"

Alistair chuckled. "Only because you asked nicely."

What would happen there, Leliana didn't know, but with Orlesians, it was always safe to expect the unexpected.

As Alistair rolled her onto her back and kissed her hard enough to make her knees go weak, Leliana had no idea how right she was.

A/N: Next four chapters will be from Aedan's POV. Because, really, what else were you expecting?