"It's obvious! It was them!" Cassandra shouted.

Her volume was entirely unnecessary. Leliana, Josephine and Cullen all stood mere feet away from her, she didn't have to shout but her anger had got the best of her.

"Yes, to us that is clear," Leliana replied in a measured tone. "But as far as they are concerned Vivienne murdered the Duke and then took her own life."

"Who would ever kill themselves by immolation?! It's absurd!" Cassandra shouted.

"It is ridiculous but from the evidence it seems undeniable. They have testimony, a paper trail…as far as they are concerned the strange method is a minor detail; an appropriately dramatic end," Leliana continued.

"Why would they do that…kill her in that way?" Josephine asked.

"It was likely done to conceal wounds that could not be attributed to her. I doubt Ellana was in any state to think the method through; Solas was probably left to clean up her mess however he could," Leliana mused.

"Whatever their motivation it doesn't matter. Orlais is distancing itself from us as they no doubt intended. Even if we can convince them of their part in these murders it will take time; time we cannot afford," Cullen interjected.

"What of Tevinter?" Cassandra asked desperately.

"They still scoff at the idea of elves as a threat," Leliana replied. "Even with the disappearance of Magister Lucceius of which I am becoming convinced they were responsible."

"Damn it all!" Cassandra shouted punching a nearby wall in frustration.

Cullen couldn't help but feel slightly smug. She should never have underestimated them. His expression did not escape Cassandra's ire.

"Don't even think about saying anything! Damn them! Damn it all!" she raved.

"I will double our efforts to find proof of their involvement for both our sakes and Vivienne's," Leliana said before leaving to attend to her task.

"I will continue treating with the houses of Orlais. Perhaps if we can convince enough of them then we can sway the Council," Josephine remarked sadly.

Cullen and Cassandra were left alone. She glared at him.

"Look where your waiting has got us!" she yelled. "They're playing us and we do nothing! I am done waiting!"

"It is their game. They were bound to win a few hands but the tables can always turn," Cullen replied coolly.

"That sounds like…" Cassandra started, brow furrowed. "Do you have an idea?"

"Maybe…" Cullen replied.

With the fallout from Orlais dealt with, Solas had been hoping to finally talk to Ellana. She had only worsened following their return but that was to be expected. It had only been a few days and she was still dealing with all that had transpired. He had hoped that it might bring them closer together but she fell back in to her old ways. He felt more alone than ever. He had never been one to push but it had been so long since he had felt her touch. Even in innocent moments she shirked away from him seeming almost afraid to let him near. He was growing increasingly frustrated in more ways than one. He found himself angering much too quickly and taking it out on the unsuspecting as a result. He wanted more than anything to understand what had gone so wrong.

Sitting behind his desk and finally resolved to confront her, Varden dashed his chances. She made to leave as she often did when business beckoned but Varden insisted she remained.

"There is news from the team in the cave ruins. They were successful thanks to your direction Lady Ellana but I'm afraid it was not without loss. The Inquisition took their pound of flesh," Varden started.

Ellana sighed sadly.

"That is unfortunate," Solas replied running a hand across his head.

"Those that survived should be returning in the next few days. I don't have exact numbers but we'll know more when they return," Varden continued.

Ellana walked over to the window and looked out with a pained expression. Solas watched her, worried that she would take this personally. Even in her sadness she looked so beautiful. Recently she had taken to wearing dresses and the one she wore now made her eyes glisten. He didn't think to question her new clothing choices.

"I'm afraid they are not the only ones to have met the Inquisition's wrath," Varden went on.

Solas tore his gaze away from Ellana, looking at Varden with worry. Ellana mirrored him.

"Two companies have gone missing with their last reports mentioning Inquisition soldiers. It is not confirmed but we believe they are either being held captive or have been killed," Varden continued sadly. "As our agents rarely submit to capture I would presume the latter."

"They must be hunting them," Ellana remarked dejectedly. "It was only a matter of time before they stepped up their attacks."

"Gather the others to meet this afternoon. There are likely more precautions we could be taking," Solas ordered.

"Right away," Varden replied, leaving immediately.

"Ellana if you feel able I would have you there too. You know better than anyone how they operate, we could use your counsel," Solas continued.

She nodded looking out the window again in anguish.

"Ellana, I… We need to talk," he said.

"Not now," she replied abruptly. "I can't…" She tapered off heading towards the door. "We should be focused on the Inquisition not ourselves. Lives are at stake."

He wanted to argue but it would achieve nothing when she was so emotional. He watched her leave sadly wishing she would let him in.

Ellana had wanted peace when they had returned from Orlais. She needed the time to confront her growing problem but it seemed she would never have such luck. The breeze and the sound of the gently rustling leaves as she sat in the forest were about the only things that still brought her comfort. Blossom from the tree above her fell in to her lap but she didn't notice. She was somewhere pleasant between sleep and awake. Her thoughts were slower, less dominating. She could find some respite here. Their lives were so hectic now, never a moments peace. She touched her stomach sadly. This was no place for a child. The sound of footsteps in the distance broke her away from the quiet. Her mind raced again as Solas approached. She hadn't expected to see him out here, not now.

"What are you doing here?" she asked, unable to hide her disappointment.

"I was worried about you. You missed the meeting," he replied.

"I did?" she asked, looking around in confusion. "I'm sorry, I must have lost track of time."

He reached her and came to one knee at her side.

"Are you all right?" he asked with concern.

"Yes, I'm fine. Just had a busy day, I guess," she replied.

"You're sure there is nothing wrong?" he asked again.

"Yes. I mean the usual but nothing in particular…" she lied, voice rising uncomfortably.

He sighed, shaking his head in frustration. The air crackled briefly before he regained control.

"Look, it is fine if you don't want to talk about it, I can respect that but do not lie to me," he said with his voice shaking noticeably. The air buzzed again as he struggled to contain himself. "With each passing day you have been growing more distant. I feel like I'm losing you and I don't know why. If there is something I have done then I need you to tell me, vhenan. Please. I need to understand…"

"I'm pregnant," Ellana interrupted weakly.

"What?" he questioned, thinking he must not have heard her correctly.

"I'm pregnant," she repeated with more strength.

His eyes widened. He opened his mouth to speak but nothing came out. A myriad of emotions swept across his face. Ellana didn't speak thinking it better to let him process. He got up and paced relentlessly. After what felt like an age his brow furrowed as disbelief overwhelmed.

"How? How is that possible? We were taking precautions… We agreed we didn't want that! You told me you had it under control!" he said, volume rising with each thought as anger took over.

"I thought I did but with everything that has happened… Somewhere I must have made a mistake," she replied weakly. It all seemed so real now and she was feeling close to tears.

"A mistake?! How? Unless this is what you wanted all along!" he yelled, losing all control. "To trap me; keep me from my task; change my mind!"

Ellana's mouth hung open in shock. Rage rose inside of her. She got to her feet level with him.

"How dare you even think that!" she shouted.

"What do you expect me to think?!" he yelled back. "You agreed and yet it still happens! The way you've been acting recently! How long have you been keeping this from me?! How long have you known?!"

Ellana looked away in shame. She would never accept the blame for what had happened but she couldn't deny that she had kept this from him for too long.

"Just over a month," she replied sheepishly.

"A month?!" he yelled. Something flashed in the air around them. "Well that explains a great deal!"

He paced back and forth desperately trying to control himself.

"Solas I'm sorry! I didn't know what else to do! I was scared!" she cried.

He kept pacing, ranting something in elvhen.

"I am such a fool. This was a mistake," he said. "I should never have…"

"Don't say it!" she interrupted. "I… When I found out I thought about leaving…I thought maybe it would be easier if…"

"Maybe you should have," he coldly interjected.

Ellana's face contorted with hurt unable to believe what she had heard. His cold stare only broke her heart further. She turned on her heel and ran, tears streaming.

"Where are you going?" Solas called after her.

He had followed Ellana out of the forest and past the camps. She was heading towards the hilltop eluvian and even in his anger he wasn't willing to let her out in to the world alone.

"Away from you, just like you want!" Ellana yelled back to him.

Elves around them watched the pursuit with curiosity.

"Ellana, come back! You can't go out in to the forest alone in your state!" he shouted.

She stopped in her tracks and rounded on him, red with rage.

"My state?!" she screamed, gesticulating wildly. "It's your fucking fault I'm in this state! But you don't give a shit do you?! All you're worried about is yourself! Gods forbid I have any feelings! Gods forbid I am just as hurt or scared as you are!" With each statement she shoved him but he did nothing to retaliate. "I have been worrying myself sick about you for weeks now and you don't even take a fucking moment to think about me! I'm not convenient anymore! I don't fit in to your little plan so fuck me, right?! Well I'm going to make things real easy for you!"

She stormed through the eluvian without so much as a glance back. Everyone around them stood gaping. Her childish attitude infuriated him. He tried to walk away but he only managed a few steps. With an angry noise he turned back, following her through the mirror.

"Go away!" Ellana yelled back to him.

A haphazardly thrown object flew past Solas's head but he didn't break his stride.

"I'm not leaving until you come back," he replied as calmly as he could.

Ellana ignored him and kept walking. They had come far. The camp was miles behind them and only forest stretched out in front. The trees were growing thicker and Ellana thought she had an opportunity. She broke in to a run weaving amongst the trees. She could no longer hear his footsteps pursuing. She looked back hopefully but in her short-sightedness, crashed in to something as she ran. It didn't feel hard enough to be a tree.

"I'm a mage, remember? You're not going to outrun me," Solas remarked looking annoyingly smug.

Ellana pushed him away angrily.

"Go fuck yourself," she spat before resuming her march.

Beyond the trees she could hear boorish voices. She smiled with satisfaction.

"Ellana you are being ridiculous! I will not stand idly by while you recklessly endanger yourself," he yelled, clearly hearing the voices too.

She rounded on him. Not realising how close he had remained, she almost bashed straight in to him.

"Why do you even care?! It would be so much easier for you if I just disappeared wouldn't it?! Why don't you just abandon me like you always fucking do?!" she screamed.

Attracted by the volume of her voice, a group of amused thugs emerged from the trees. Ellana ignored them, too incensed to stop her tirade.

"You never loved me! I was convenient; someone else to use when you see fit! You don't care about me! You're just so scared of being alone that you'd take anyone!" she screamed, tears flooding her eyes.

"That is not true!" he tried fruitlessly.

The bandits advanced on them laughing at the sight but Ellana paid them no mind.

"The second things get even a little difficult you run! That's not love! You have no idea what that word even means do you?!" she yelled.

One of the thugs had reached her. He said something but all Solas took in was his hand outstretching towards her.

"Don't touch her!" Solas yelled.

But Ellana reacted first. She elbowed the man in the face and he fell to the floor in a heap. Others came forward to avenge their friend. Ellana took care of those that reached her with equal fervour but Solas had had enough. Beads of lightening ignited in the air around them. As he intended the bandits avoided death but it was enough to scare them in to submission. They ran, gutlessly leaving their fallen friends to their presumed fate. Ellana panted from the sudden exertion but her expression remained rage filled.

"I've made so many terrible mistakes," she spat, a tear rolling down her cheek. "But the worst by far was you."

She turned on her heel and ran off in to the forest. Solas did not give chase, he couldn't. He stood eyes closed, despair having taken him entirely. Footsteps rushed to him from behind. He didn't react, knowing they had been following this entire time.

"What the fuck have you done now?!" Lis shouted, reaching him first.

"Please don't..." Solas replied, not opening his eyes.

More footsteps heralded the arrival of the others but none were brave enough to say anything.

"Just go after her, please," he continued. "She needs you, not me."

Lis let out an angry noise but did as she was bid. Their footsteps quickened in to the distance. He didn't move. Rain started to fall, the droplets merging with the tears already rolling down his face.

It didn't take long to find her. Lis had expected it would be bad when she'd seen them arguing back at camp but she had never expected this. Ellana lay crumpled in a heap against a nearby tree. She sobbed in to the ground, struggling to breathe. They all surrounded her nervously but she didn't let up.

"What the fuck, Ellana?!" Lis questioned, unable to entirely let go of her angry tone.

"It's over! It's all fucking over! I'm done! I'm so fucking done," Ellana cried between sobs.

"That can't be!" Shivra interjected worriedly. "What could he have possibly done to…?"

"I'm fucking pregnant, alright?!" Ellana yelled red faced. "I'm fucking pregnant and he doesn't give a shit! He's just worried about himself! He doesn't care!"

"Oh shit…" Shivra gasped.

Miris walked away wide eyed leaving only Lis by her side.

"It's okay, Ellana. We're here for you. We care," Lis said taking her hand. "He's not worth this. We can work this out together like we've always done."

Ellana looked up at her friend warmly.

"I don't know what to do," she replied uselessly. "I can't…"

Lis took her in her arms, tears staining her shoulder.

"We'll figure something out," Lis said.

It had taken a lot of convincing and an unpleasant night on the forest floor but somehow they had managed to persuade Ellana to go back. She hadn't seen Solas since their return nor did she care to. Even just the thought of seeing him still filled her with rage. Lis had reluctantly permitted her to spend some time alone so she had chosen to take to the forest. She sat running her hands through the stream trying desperately to clear her mind. She was resolved not to leave. She didn't see why he should be allowed to keep living the life they had built when she had nothing. She didn't need him. She wasn't about to give everything up to save his damn feelings. Despite herself she did wonder where he was. It was unlike him to be so absent around camp. She couldn't help but worry.

"Ellana, are you out here?" came a yell from the trees.

To her relief it was Lis but she still jumped.

"I'm over here," she replied.

Finally Lis emerged from the trees and came to her side.

"Fucking hell, Ellana. You didn't half go far," Lis gently nagged. Her expression changed to one of worry. "I've been looking for you for the past hour… It's… Lori's back."

"What?!" Ellana questioned disbelievingly. "That's wonderful!" She couldn't understand why Lis looked so sad. "Isn't it?"

"She was a part of the raiding party at the cave ruins; did you know that? She's…she's alone, Ellana," Lis replied sadly. "The others…they…"

"No… I didn't know! Why did no one tell me?!" Ellana gasped. She got up to meet Lis. "That's not… I have to see her!"

Lis nodded taking her by the arm and leading her away through the trees.

Ellana had a hard time holding back her tears. She couldn't take much more and the sight of a dejected Lori was bringing her frightfully close to breaking point. She knelt down beside her friend unsure what to say.

"Ellana…you're…you're here," Lori said blankly.

"Lis told me you were here and I… What happened to the others?" Ellana asked as Lis came to join her on the ground.

"Garith, he's… The Inquisition soldiers, they…" Lori tried, breaking down in to tears. "He's dead!" she sobbed.

Lori and Garith had grown up together, their bond far outreaching the time they had spent as agents. Ellana couldn't imagine the pain her friend was feeling. Nothing Ellana could say could ever make up for what she had lost.

"What about Daman?" she asked carefully. "Is he…?"

"He ran like a fucking coward!" Lori yelled. "He left us and then…" She descended in to sobs.

Rage overwhelmed Ellana. In her already fragile state she was unable to control herself. She got up abruptly, storming away in fury.

"Where are you going?!" Lis yelled after her but Ellana was beyond hearing.

Ellana burst in to Varden's office in a rage.

"You bastard!" she yelled. "You knew perfectly well that they were my friends and you didn't think to tell me they were involved in all of this! Didn't you think I might want to know that my friends were in danger, against the Inquisition of all people?!"

Varden hardly flinched. He looked up at her from his desk with annoyance.

"I am running this entire place all but single-handedly because of your foolishness. You'll forgive me for not thinking to keep you informed of every minor detail that crops up," he remarked coldly.

"My foolishness?!" Ellana yelled. "Fuck you! You have no fucking idea what you're talking about!"

"Don't I? Either way I don't care what goes on between you two," he replied, his tone kept entirely measured. "As long as everything keeps running smoothly, you can do whatever you wish to one another but now it's not just about you. This is getting ridiculous! You need to stop thinking about yourself and make it right."

"Why me?! Go bother him! He's the one who's being a complete asshole!" Ellana yelled.

"That may well be true but he is also the one who can burn me alive so forgive me for not treating him with the same impudence," Varden remarked with a wry laugh.

"Oh, fuck off!" Ellana shouted back. "You're just as much of an asshole as he is!"

With that Ellana stormed angrily from the room. Varden let out a long sigh.

"Thank you for doing this," Mirwen remarked, smiling to Varden at her side. "I must say I consider it quite a compliment that the Dread Wolf saw fit to bar me from his office."

"It's been four days since he left that room. If you think you can get through to him then I am more than happy to let you try," Varden replied.

"We shall see. Although I doubt he will be pleased to see me," Mirwen mused.

The elevator whirred beneath them in the silence.

"Don't say I didn't warn you, he is…even less receptive than usual," Varden continued. "And you can hardly be considered a match for him."

"It's comforting to know that the doddering old woman routine is still working! You shouldn't underestimate your elders my dear, we are more capable than you may think," she replied with glee.

They came to a stop at the top level and Mirwen stepped off.

"So, what did you make of the news? I doubt you are so easily fazed," she questioned.

"What news?" he asked, brow furrowing in confusion.

"Oh! He didn't tell you?" Mirwen replied in a sing song voice.

The elevator started descending. Varden panicked and Mirwen laughed at the sight.

"Tell me what happened!" he shouted up.

"The wolf pack grows! Soon we will greet a pup in to this world!" she yelled back.

"You can't be serious?!" he shouted, his voice quieting with his descent.

She couldn't help but laugh. He kept yelling below her but the distance between them made the details impossible to hear. She gave up and entered the door ahead of her. The office was abandoned, dust starting to claim the surfaces. The door to the right stood ajar so she powered through. The curtains were drawn hiding the room in darkness. Even in the gloom Mirwen could still just about see him. Solas sat half-dressed on the edge of the bed, head in his hands. He didn't look up as she entered.

"Look at you hiding away like a wounded pup," she remarked. "To think you were once worthy of such dread…"

"Go away," he insisted rather more angrily than he had intended. "Please…just go."

"There is no need to be rude, Wolf. I come only to offer wisdom; nothing more, nothing less," Mirwen retorted.

He finally looked up, scoffing angrily.

"So illuminate me? What would you have me do?!" he asked growing angrier still.

"Well I'd go outside once in a while for starters," she joked. She sighed, turning serious. "Stand up and face it head on."

"That's your solution?!" he scoffed.

"What other choice do you have? Locking yourself away in your pretty tower is hardly a suitable alternative," she replied.

He said nothing. He gazed down at the floor intently, trying his absolute best to not let emotion overwhelm him.

"If you carry on in this way you risk losing her now. You might think that is better but is it really? Wouldn't you rather spend what time you have left together? That was what she wanted all along," Mirwen mused. "She came back to you knowing what it meant. She accepted her fate a long time ago so why can't you? Keeping yourself from her doesn't save anyone."

A tear slid down his cheek.

"I cannot accept it, I won't," he interjected sadly.

Mirwen closed the distance between them and knelt down to his height.

"Sometimes the solution stares us in the face. You might not see it now but you will. A child does not have to mean the end," she continued. "It can be the beginning of something greater. For you it can be a blessing, hope. In your darkest hour she will be the only light that reaches you."

He looked up at her, confusion enveloping his expression.

"She?" he asked.

The Keeper answered with a warm smile, "Yes. She."

Solas let out a gentle gasp as a flurry of emotions swept across his features. He ran his hands across his head as he rose to his feet.

"What about Ellana? Even if I were to try, she'll never forgive me for this," he worried, pacing back and forth.

"She already has," the Keeper replied, still perched on the floor.

Solas looked at her with disbelief.

"You don't seriously think that I would choose to speak to you, of all people, first do you?" she continued with a smirk.

A gentle smile came across his features as he felt hope for the first time in too long.

"Help an old woman up?" Mirwen asked.

He came to her side, offering her a hand off the floor. She patted him appreciatively on the shoulder.

"I suppose it's about time I took my leave. After all, you've got a lot of work to do," she remarked making for the door.

"Thank you…" he said weakly.

"I know, you owe me a great deal and all that," she interrupted not stopping her stride. "Let's not embarrass us both by saying it."

He let out a gentle laugh, the feeling blissful compared to what he had been subjecting himself to.

"Now stop your dallying and get to work," she remarked before closing the door behind her.

Solas looked around the empty room still in disbelief. He threw open the curtains and looked out.

"A daughter…" he whispered.

The last few days had been terrible for Ellana but Mirwen had somehow managed to bring back some semblance of hope. Ellana finally had the clarity that she needed. All she had ever wanted was to spend whatever time she had left with him; no more, no less. It didn't matter what came after as long as they were together. She had wanted to see Solas immediately but Mirwen dissuaded her from that path. She insisted that he would come to her and Ellana trusted her judgement. But that was two days ago. The wait was becoming agonising. Luckily it had given her time to see to Lori. Her friend needed her now more than ever and the distraction was certainly welcome. Lori's despair had lessened. She seemed just as in need of distraction, showing an avid interest in Ellana's new found life. At face value she seemed thrilled that she had found such purpose but Shivra insisted differently. She had taken an instant dislike to Lori. Ellana wondered if she was jealous. Lori had come in already friends with her and Lis, she had the advantage.

The group sat together joking around the fire. The sun was setting above them but they weren't about to let that stop them.

"So we're there hiding in the closet and these two are just going at it on the bed," Lis continued, giggling. "I'm trying desperately not to make a sound and this one," she gestured to Ellana. "Is right next to me, sides fucking shaking."

"I'm outside wondering where you've both got to," Lori interjected.

"And then there is this monumental bang!" Lis continued. "The woman fucking screams, as you would, and…"

Lis trailed off, glare fixed on something in the distance. Ellana looked up to see Solas walking towards them from the tower. He looked afraid but happy. She got up from the ground.

"No, Ellana. Don't! He's not worth it," Lis whined.

Ellana ignored her. She strode out to meet him, a smile breaking across her features. He fidgeted nervously. Ellana was back in leathers and as she neared he could see a small but very significant bump beneath them. That explained the dresses.

"Vhenan, I…" he trailed off still fidgeting. "There's something I need to show you."

She nodded, intrigued. She had expected a simple apology not anything more. They made their way up the tower in silence. He looked so nervous. It was a surprisingly adorable sight. His office was in complete disarray. It looked like he hadn't used it in days and dust had settled across everything. He led her through to the bedroom still without a word. To her complete surprise it was nothing like how she had left it. Everything had been rearranged to make space for a new room. Obstructing one of the windows, walls extended out and a door concealed what lay beyond.

"You work pretty bloody fast. I'm impressed," she mused.

"Mage, remember?" he replied with a smile.

He took her hand and led her over to the door. He opened it, ushering her inside ahead of him. She let out a loud gasp. The room was small but even still it overwhelmed her. It was bathed in light, the back wall holding nothing but the remaining window. In the centre sat a white crib. Ellana came forward to touch its smooth surface, running a hand along the carefully constructed carvings with a warm smile. Above it fragments of coloured glass hung down from the ceiling. The daylight danced through them sending spears of rainbowed light cascading against the walls. She looked around, finally seeing the wall to her right. She let out another gasp and a tear fell. The entire surface was taken up by a mural painted in Solas's own hand. It depicted a forest scene with two wolves in the centre: one white and one silver. They were curled together, contented. Before their entwined forms a pup chased a butterfly; flecks of both their colours evident in its fur. Ellana brought a hand to her mouth.

"The painting actually took the longest," Solas remarked from the door. "You'd think by now I'd be quite proficient at painting wolves but I had to get them just right."

"It's beautiful," Ellana said breathlessly.

"I'm glad you like it," he replied, unable to contain his grin.

"You should have told me you were doing this," she continued, mourning their lost time.

"It had to be perfect. I… I wanted it to be a surprise," he responded, voice shaking as his nerves returned.

Ellana reached out a hand to touch the painting's surface. It was perfect.

"Ellana, I… Forgive me," he said, turning her to him. "I was a fool. I care for you more than I ever thought possible. I can't stand another moment without you. I don't care what the future will bring, I just want you."

She looked up in to his eyes. He looked so desperate, so lost. She touched a hand to his cheek and he leaned in to her.

"That is all I have ever wanted," she replied.

A tear trickled down his cheek in to her hand.

"But what about the baby?" she asked. "I don't think I could bear you pushing me away again when…"

"That will not happen," he interrupted sternly. "I will not lose you, Ellana, or her. I will find a way."

Ellana pulled back, her brow furrowing.

"Her? What are you…? You can't possibly know that!" she uttered in confusion.

"Mirwen said, I…I thought you already knew," he stuttered.

"No! Since when do you believe any of Mirwen's claims? We're having a girl?!" Ellana exclaimed barely able to contain her excitement. The enormity of their situation took over and she looked up at him in wonder. "A daughter… We're going to have a daughter…"

He pulled her in close.

"We're going to have a daughter," he breathed inches from her.

They kissed one another, both overwhelmed with emotion. His hand went to her stomach to truly feel its swell for the first time.

"You're going to be a father, isn't that scary?" she asked.

"With you by my side, vhenan, nothing scares me," he replied, tracing her cheek with a finger.

But he was lying. He had never been more terrified.