CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

The servants and soldiers had already begun whispering of the budding romance between the Inquisitor and the Commander. Some who had a better instinct for these sorts of things had suspected it since the two's friendship and figured it only a matter of time before they took things a step further. Indeed, the topic even made its way into hushed whispers between the higher-ups. Leliana, with her spy network that kept her updated on every happenstance in Thedas, and with her finely-tuned intuition for such things, knew it had only been a matter of "when" and not "if." Cassandra, close to both Myra and Cullen, had seen the eyes they'd given each other, and suspected they pined after each other. Vivienne, master of the Orlesian Court, and having been in love herself, had picked up on all the signs.

"The air practically dripped with affection when the two looked at one another. Only that elven apostate stood between them, and with him leaving the picture so willingly, what could one expect? I'm hardly surprised, darling," Vivienne spoke in hushed tones to Josephine over morning tea.

"I had my suspicions," Josephine confided. "But she was so enamored with Solas. They made such an endearing couple, I didn't want to believe something could cause their separation."

"Well, I'll tell you one thing, darling, that apostate doesn't realize the prized jewel he let slip through his fingers," Vivienne said.

However, many in Skyhold could hardly suppress their shock.

"Didja hear?" Sera said at a game of Wicked Grace. "No more Inquisitor and elfie, it's Inquisitor and Culley-wulley now."

"Half of Thedas knows," Dorian drawled, upping a couple coppers. "Can't say I didn't see it coming. Something always seemed off about her and Solas. I'm happy if she's happy."

"That Commander needs to grow some balls," Iron Ball said. "Heard she made the move on him. Good for her."

"Well, I'm not surprised at all. They always supported one another." Cassandra squinted at her cards before scoffing and throwing in her hand. She pushed her lost silvers in. "I don't know why I bother playing this game. Regardless, I consider each a close friend and I think they will be good for one another. I have no objections."

Blackwall pulled up a chair and sat at the table with the rest of them. "You might want to keep your voices down. I could hear you lot clear from the battlements."

"What do you think of all this, Hero?" Varric said. "If I'm not wrong, you and the Inquisitor had a bit of a thing—"

"We did, but it ended as quickly as it began. On good terms, at least," Blackwall said. "I try not to make others' business my business." He took a gulp from his tankard. "Though, for what it's worth, I didn't see it coming either."

"I was surprised too," Varric said. He put in another silver. "She and Solas…those two seemed inseparable. I've heard some things since they broke it off, nothing pleasant. Myra's furious with him."

Dorian gave a wry laugh. "Maybe he said something particularly prick-ish."

Sera wrinkled her nose. "Well, if you ask me, it's about damn time she ended things with elfie. I'd say he's only good for a wank, but I don't wanna think about that with…" She shuddered. "…That." She threw in her cards and pushed in her coin. "I'm out."

"Me too," Dorian said. "Need a stronger drink."

Iron Bull looked to Varric, but he shook his head. "Can't win against a Qunari. I'm out."

Blackwall had already left after Sera had stood, leaving Bull with all his coin. Bull laughed and raked in the silver.

"Chargers, ya done good! Another keg for ya!"

"Dorian!" Myra's face immediately brightened upon seeing her best friend. She opened her arms and he reciprocated, giving her a nice, tight hug.

"You had all of Skyhold worried sick. The Great Inquisitor in the infirmary?" Dorian sat on her bedside and patted her leg. "If you wanted everyone's attention, you've succeeded."

"As if it wasn't all on me already," she quipped, shifting in bed and wincing a little.

"Wincing is never a good sign. What are these imbeciles giving you anyways?" He jumped up from her bed and sauntered to the surgeon's desk, where he flipped through the various medical notes in a rather grandiose manner. "Oh no no no, this will simply not do. One poultice every 6 hours? What do they think, you're some common soldier? You're the Inquisitor, Maker's breath." Dorian tossed the notes over his shoulder. They scattered around the infirmary floor as he walked back to Myra and grabbed her stitches. His hands grew cool and glowed a faint blue as they numbed the pain.

"I'd have done it myself," Myra said. "But…well…"

"Not a word more, my friend." He flashed her a genuine smile, not one of his usual cocky smirks. It almost surprised her.

"You're too good to me."

"Nothing is too good for you, my dear. You are the epitome of goodness, goodness embodied in the flesh!"

"Flatterer." She rolled her eyes.

"All that being said, you're not quite as great as me…"

"There's the Dorian, I know and love!" She bopped his nose and he flashed her a smirk.

"So, word goes 'round…"

"Oh no…"

"You and Solas are no more. Good, never liked the prick."

"He never cared much for you either, so at least it's mutual." Myra groaned. "Oh, he'd get in the sourest mood whenever I mentioned spending time with you. 'I don't know what you see in that Tevinter,' he said to me once. I begged him to give you a chance. Nope, wouldn't have it."

"Well, good. Because I hear you're with Cullen now. Now that's something I can get behind, and get behind, if you catch my meaning." Dorian winked and Myra laughed.

"He is quite pleasant to look at from that angle."

"Ah, so you've been admiring for a while then?"

"Of course, it's hard not to. I…but…"

"Prick McPrickster got in the way?"

"Prick McPrickster. I like that name for him. I should address him like that from now on."

"I see you also…" Dorian motioned to his whole face.

Myra blinked in confusion before it clicked. "Oh, the vallaslin," she touched where her marks once were. "Right…um…" Myra bit her lip. "Long story…"

"One having to do with Prick McPrickster, just a wild guess."

"A not so wild guess…" Myra rubbed her face and sighed. "I kind of wish I had them back now…"

"Inquisitor?"

Myra looked passed Dorian to see a member of the infirmary staff.

"Your daughter's here to see you."

Myra heaved a sigh. She had hoped word of her hospitalization wouldn't reach Fennec, but that child's ability to eavesdrop put Leliana's agents to shame.

Dorian gave her a look, then patted her knee before leaving.

"Yes, let her in," Myra said.

Fennec entered the infirmary. In her hand, she held one of her favorite dolls. Myra recognized it as the one she'd brought with her from Redcliffe. Now, it was Fennec giving the doll to Myra.

"I brought you this." Fennec handed the doll to her. It was still stained with ash and soot. Its black button eyes stared up at Myra and gazed deep within. It could see her weakness.

Myra placed the doll on her lap and scooted over some. Fennec climbed into bed with her.

"Cullen says you can help me with my reading homework." She pulled out a book from the satchel.

"How is Cullen?" Myra asked. The kiss hadn't left her mind, however impulsive it might have been.

Fennec opened to the appropriate page. "He's worried."

"About me?"

Fennec nodded.

"He shouldn't, I'm fine."

"He told me you'd say that." Fennec began reading aloud. Myra helped her with any words she struggled with. They were teaching her about the tales of Andraste.

They read through a few tales together to pass the time, but eventually, Fennec tired of the reading, so Myra took over, continuing the tales in her own practiced fashion.

Fennec began to nod off as the sky grew dark, and all the story-telling made Myra weary.

Eventually, she too slipped into slumber.

She knew the demon was waiting for her. There was never a night it didn't watch her from the shadows. Predator and prey. The air chilled her immediately.

Despair took the form of Solas now. It had since he'd left her. It always assumed the form that would bring her the most pain.

"I see you've found another," Solas said.

"Only after he left," Myra said.

"Everyone leaves you."

Myra's eyes welled. "Why wasn't I enough?"

"You will never be enough." Solas caressed her cheek. Ice. "Your Keeper taught you this."

Myra shirked his touch and turned away, hiding her tears from the glutton. "Everyone leaves."

"You know. Now remember."

Suddenly, she awoke, Cullen shaking her. Fennec slept soundly beside her.

Myra sat up, quickly wiping the tears from her cheeks.

"I'm here," Cullen said. He sat at her bedside. "And I'm not going anywhere."

Myra bit back the tears and nodded. She attempted to quiet her sobs. The hour was late and she did not wish to wake the other patients.

Cullen wiped away the stray tears that lined her cheeks. She could barely make him out in the darkness, but she knew it was him: she could feel his warmth.

"Are you alright?" he asked after she had calmed.

"Yes. Just…nightmares."

Cullen caressed her face, rubbing his thumb along her cheek. "I came for Fennec, but now I'm worried."

Myra shrugged. "What's another sleepless night?"

Cullen scooped Fennec into his arms. The child whimpered at being moved, but clung to him and quickly settled.

"I'll be back. I'm going to put this one to bed."

Myra waited in the darkness for him to reappear. When he did, as promised, she didn't feel so alone.