"What about the girl in the back? Is she a Grey Warden also?" His Imperial Highness had a smirk balanced on his lips.
"Well, yes," answered the Commander, his voice deep and reserved. "She is our mage."
Sidona came out from behind Duncan when Didier waved his hand at her. She raised her chin, gave Emperor Florian her blank-eyed stare, and slid back the blue cowl that Duncan had given her, spilling her colorless hair. Duncan touched his hand to the small of her back. Florian's dark eyes drifted to her waist; his smile widened and the hand at her waist withdrew.
"I'll take her."
"But she is our mage!" Didier protested. "There are many Wardens more seasoned than her as well!"
"I have had enough of your pestering on this." Florian's voice was sharp and he snapped his hand at Didier. "If you want a Warden in my court so badly, fine, I will have this one. Or I will have none of you."
Didier bowed, and so did the other Wardens, but Sidona stood stiffly. She felt Duncan's bulk beside her as he straightened but she did not look at him.
"Of course, your Highness. She will still be needed for her duties, but we will trouble you no further."
"I would never dream of standing in the way of your noble order." Florian's voice was as smooth as the flat of a knife. He turned his face away from the Wardens, and Sidona felt them as they left, the small pull of their blood fading until it was only her own heartbeat that stung in her veins.
AN: Thank you, sagacious_rage, for betaing this! You are indeed the bomb!