Chapter 10

Wynne looked at Marlena as if searching for an opening or entrance.

"How are you Marlee?" Wynne smiled

"I'm fine." Marlena said

Wynne looked at Teagan and reached for his hand. "I know no words will take away what you went through but I do want to say I am truly sorry for your loss and for what your brother did."

"Thank you Wynne." Teagan's tone was polite. "You know Lena has been my miracle worker since she arrived. She's helped rule Rainesfere, the winery is back to normal because of her, and she helped me to walk again. I would have still been stuck in that chair Owen constructed for me had it not been her."

"Marlena always supports her friends." Wynne said.

"Teagan would you excuse me for a few minutes?" Marlena asked.

"Of course." He kissed her cheek.

Teagan walked back to the castle as Marlena looked at Wynne.

"What are you doing here?"

"You haven't answered my letters or Alistair's Marlee." Wynne said.

"That's because I have nothing to say."

"You have every right to be angry at us." Wynne said. "I know it's not going to bring back…."

"I'm not angry Wynne." Marlena interrupted. "What's done is done. None of us can go back and change what happened."

"I went to Vigil's Keep and apologized to Commander Nathaniel." Wynne said. "And you were right all along. He is definitely not like his father."

"No he's not." Marlena said.

"I should have never accused you of betraying Alistair." Wynne said. "And I should have never believed Eamon's accusations. When I heard he admitted to lying I was livid Marlena. I just could not believe he would do such a thing."

"He did not want a Cousland -Theirin ruler ship and didn't want to look greedy and opportunistic if he took the crown. What he did to Teagan was far worse."

"Yes, to hide the fact that your wife killed your brother's family for nearly two years in order to avoid public scrutiny is a pretty heinous thing to do. I'm happy you are here for him."

"Teagan and Kaitlyn supported me." Marlena said. "I wanted to help him."

"I talked to that mage who saved your life and she explained to me how you conceived. She also told me there was nothing that could have been done to save him after Eamon accidentally pushed you. I am so sorry I was not there for you."

"I didn't even know she was still in Ferelden."

"She's a researcher there and instructs the mage recruits." Wynne said.

"What do you want me to say Wynne?" Marlena asked.

"I explained to Alistair what she told me." Wynne said. "He is truly devastated by this Marielle."

"And I ask you again, what do you want me to say Wynne?" Marlena asked. "Am I supposed to be comforting him because that's not going to happen. I am sorry if he's hurting but his pain is not my concern. Alistair was not there for me when I needed him. He chose to hide behind Eamon and believe his lies."

"Anora lost another baby again."

"Now pulling Anora out of exile and marrying her after getting rid of me I will never understand." Marlena laughed. "Has it even occurred to you or Alistair that she may be doing something to lose those babies? Or maybe she fakes being with child. She never got pregnant when she was with Cailan. What makes you think she would conceive with Alistair? Think about it Wynne. If Eamon can lie for personal gain, I can't begin to think what Anora is capable of. Alistair should have married the daughter of some nobleman. He probably would have already had a child by now."

"You may have a point Marlee." Wynne admitted. "I've had my suspicions."

"Then perhaps you should do something about it instead of seeking my forgiveness." Marlena said.

"We used to be friends Marlee."

"Yes we were but Alistair was your surrogate son. It was always your concern that I would hurt him."

"And I was wrong for misjudging you." Wynne said.

"I know what this is about." Marlena said. "I've become like Aneirin used to be to you. I have become a regret and it burdens you. Well let me reassure you, I forgive you Wynne. I just can't forget."

"I'm sorry Marlee." She said. "I really am."

"And I am too." Marlena said. "You've come a long way to see me and it would not be right for me to turn you away. You are welcome to stay the night."

"Thank you but I will stay at the Chantry." Wynne said. "The caravan will be picking me up tomorrow."

"Alright then."

"Alistair gave me this letter he wanted you to have." Wynne handed her the parchment.

"Thank you."

"I'm happy you and Teagan found each other." Wynne said. "I can tell what you feel for him is real too."

"And how can you tell?" Marlee said sarcastically.

"You look at him the same way you used to look at Alistair." Wynne said. "Take care of yourself Marlee."

Marlena watched as Wynne turned and walked away.

.

.

.

…..

Marlena found Teagan waiting for her in the hall. He rushed over to her and put his arms around her.

"What did she want?"

"She wanted me to forgive her." Marlena sighed.

"Did you?"

"I told her I can forgive but I can't forget."

"Where did she go?"

"I invited her to stay the night but she said she's staying at the Chantry." Marlena handed him the letter. "She gave me this. It's from Alistair."

"You shouldn't be giving me this. It's personal."

"Teagan considering how we've been intimate, I trust you. In fact, I can honestly say you are the only I trust."

He opened the letter, read it and handed it to her.

Taking a deep breath Marlena read the letter.

Dear Marlee,

I sit here in sorrow, wishing I could take back the years we've lost.

I know however that no words will ever take away the pain I caused you. I was a fool to believe Eamon. Duncan once said a great many things were assumed that turned out to be wrong .Its unfortunate that I remembered that too late. I will forever live with the regret that I was not there for you because had I been, our son might be alive right now. I should have never believed the lies and it hurts everyday knowing that I played a part in you leaving Ferelden. It has warmed my heart to know that you have come back to help Teagan. You were always did have a noble soul. I want you to know that I don't expect you to come waltzing back in my arms. I do hope if you ever come to court that we can at least be civil. Please know I want to you to be happy and I wish you to live in peace. I am doing my best to squash any remaining rumors that linger about you. Please take care of yourself

Sincerely

Alistair

Marlena crumbled the letter and threw it in the fire

"I feel sorry for him."

"No lingering feelings at all?" Teagan looked for a reaction.

Marlena put her arms around him. "That time is long past Teagan. I just feel sorry for him now and am relieved he is no longer under Eamon's control."

"That's true." Teagan sighed. "I think in the long run he will be more effective as a ruler."

"I told Wynne that she should focus on Anora and her so-called failed pregnancies instead of looking for forgiveness from me."

"Indeed, I never understood why my brother forced their union after you left. He should have married off Alistair off to one of the noble's daughters. But enough about Alistair and his problems."

Teagan turned to Marlena and looked at her hungrily.

He suddenly swept her into his arms and carried her to the bedroom.

"Hey!" Marlena exclaimed before laughing

"I want you." He growled

Teagan helped her remove her dress and she undid her shirt. He shuddered when her hand undid the laces of breeches and her hand stroked him through his smalls before freeing him from them.

Marlena's lips crashed into his hungrily, almost desperately. Her delicate fingers tangled into his hair as she pulled herself up into his lap and rubbed against him.

She moaned softly against his mouth and Teagan felt her face so close to his that he could even feel her eyelashes flutter across his skin.

Their kisses deepened, becoming more frantic by the second and Teagan shook when feeling Marlena guide him inside her.

Teagan groaned, closed his eyes and basked in feeling her tightness around him as Marlena slowly moved. Without warning Teagan's lips collided down on hers again, his tongue demanded her mouth open. He helped herfind the rhythm, and rose up to meet her as she rode him.

He felt Marlena spasm and tighten around him and when she cried out his name it sent him over the edge as she continued to ride out her orgasm as he exploded. Teagan growled and hugged her possessively as he came.

They collapsed on the bed and Teagan brushed the air out of her face.

"We should work on your exercises."

"Lena." Teagan kissed her then caressed her breast. "This is all the exercise I need."

Marlena could only laugh as she snuggled closer to him.

. . . . . . . . . . . .

Teagan opened his eyes and when hearing the door knock. He slipped on his robe and opened the door to find a nervous looking Ser Perth.

"I'm sorry for disturbing you my lord but we've received word, Vaughn will be arriving in two weeks."

"Thank you Ser Perth and that news was worth was worth being disturbed over. Please gather Britta, the Irregulars and Ser Donall to the dining room where we will go over the plan."

"Yes my lord."

Teagan shut the door and was heading back to bed as Marlena sat up.

"What is it?"

"Vaughn will be here in two weeks." Teagan slipped off his robe and got in to bed.

"Wonderful." Marlena put her arms around him. "He's not going to know what happened when we're finished with him."