A/N: I would just like to say that I LOVE this chapter. Every time I read it I get all giddy. A few things to say. Hatsepsut...girl can't thank you enough. When I was editing this I realized that you are the best beta ever. So much better because of you.

Act 1

Chapter 9

"An Invitation Part 2"

That evening, once everyone had been settled in to their rooms, a grand dinner was being held for the honored couple. Groaning the whole time, although only loud enough for Fenris to hear, Hawke followed him as they made their way to the dining room.

Once everyone had arrived at the table, all the Magisters stood and awaited Clayden and Lady Amell's entrance. Again the hostility was practically oozing off Hawke's body. But Fenris was impressed that she was able to keep a more mellow head. Instead of cutting evil stares at Clayden and scowling at her mother, she kept her face forward, seemingly carrying out her duty without question. But Fenris could see the pain behind her eyes. This was deeply hurting her.

After dinner was finished the Magisters enjoyed each other's company with wine and music. Fenris and Hawke edged to the corner of the room to give the party-goers their space. Typically, Magisters were put off by the close presence of bodyguards. It made them edgy, a tactic that Danarius usually favored. It made him seem important and intimidating. But given the celebration he had decided their close proximity wasn't necessary.

"This totally sucks, Fenris," Hawke broke the silence between them with a sigh. "I mean, what the fuck? Why is my mother doing this?"

"I don't know," he answered honestly. "Rarely do I understand the decisions of others. Perhaps there is more to this than there seems. Or perhaps she is merely trying to save her own skin. Either way, I am sorry this is happening to you."

She smiled weakly at him. "Me too. I hate the way everyone is carrying on like this is some huge celebration. Have you noticed how my mother hasn't even looked at me since the evening began?"

Fenris had noticed that she was keeping her distance. But the glare Hawke had been wearing all night might have something to do with it. Though he wasn't about to tell her that. "Maybe she is hoping you will go to her."

"Well, she can keep hoping." She sighed then cut her eyes to him. "Look, I know I might be acting like some bratty teenager right now, but this is about more than just my mother replacing my father. She's marrying the man who sold me into slavery. The very man responsible for every beating I've been forced to endure. How can she not see how messed up that is?"

"I understand your position, Hawke. You have no reason to explain yourself to me." He nudged her elbow with his and grinned at her. She smiled. The first real smile she had given all evening.

"Stop trying to make me feel better," she joked. "I'm mad right now. So mad. That cute little grin of yours won't make me forget about it."

"Not even for a little while?" He raised one of his eyebrows and nudged her again.

"Well, maybe for a little while," she tried to hide her smile then crossed her arms over her chest. "But then I'm going back to being mad."

Fenris fought back the urge to laugh. Despite the seriousness of this situation, he couldn't help but think how incredibly adorable she looked at the moment. When he looked up it appeared someone else had noticed as well.

"You are Hawke, yes?" The young man addressed her. Fenris sized him up, trying to determine his intention. He had deep black hair with piercing blue eyes. He looked strong and he was much taller than Fenris, but he didn't have any malice in his eyes, so he tried to let the tension in his limbs subside.

"Yes. I am. And who are you?" Hawke uncrossed her arms and gave him an uninterested once over.

"Leland." The man bowed. "My sister, Talla, has told me of you. You met Talla not long ago. Do you remember?"

"Yes I remember," Hawke rolled her eyes. "Now, are you here to belittle me, too? Because let me tell you, I'm not in the mood to stomach your insults." Fenris fought down the urge to laugh at her outburst. Truly, she would never learn when to keep her mouth shut.

"What?" Leland took a step back and held his hands up in surrender. "No, I don't wish to insult you. I just wanted to meet the woman who took on a pack of wolves by herself. You saved Talla's life. I thank you."

His compliment obviously made Hawke nervous. "Umm…you're welcome, then. But Fenris helped, too."

Without even looking in his direction he smiled at Hawke, flashing what Fenris was sure he thought was an irresistible grin. "I thank him as well then. Will you be staying here long? Perhaps we could talk later?"

"Whatever," Hawke sighed. "I'll be here until Danarius wishes to leave." With that Leland's smile widened then he slowly went back to the party. "What was that about?" she whispered once he was out of earshot.

"I'm not sure." Fenris cocked his head and studied the man. He had heard Talla talk of Leland before, but he wasn't at all what he pictured. He was neither sinister nor vile like his sister. But he was still certain of one thing. The son of one of the most powerful Magisters in Tevinter had to have some type of evil lingering in him. "I do know that he doesn't care much for Danarius."

"Why is that?"

Fenris nodded his head in the direction of their master. At the moment he had his head buried in the neck of a female mage. "Danarius is never faithful."

"Eww…How is it he is able to make two different women swoon over him? The man is disgusting. I never want to know what he looks like naked."

"I am not as fortunate," Fenris sighed then cringed as he tried to bury the memory. When the woman hanging all over Danarius whispered something into his ear, Fenris knew that they would be leaving the party soon. Luckily for he and Hawke their master's chambers for the evening was divided into two rooms. Otherwise, Hawke might be getting to see first-hand the mating rituals of Magisters.

Hawke said a silent prayer of thanks that Danarius's bedchambers were separated from the small sitting room by a large set of double doors. She and Fenris sat as far away from them as possible, but it still wasn't far enough.

The sounds of their bodies slapping together and their sickening moans permeated through the walls. It was all Hawke could do not to throw up.

She blew out a sigh of relief when the sounds ceased. But it was short lived. When the woman Danarius was copulating with screamed out and the sound of smacking returned Hawke snorted at the ridiculousness of this situation and brought her hand to her face to suppress her nervous laughter.

"They'll be at this for hours," Fenris rolled his eyes then plopped down next to her on the floor. "Just be grateful we are not forced to sit in the room with them."

"Oh, I am grateful," Hawke smiled. "Extremely grateful. I don't know if my eyes would ever recover. My poor ears are already screaming for reprieve," she laughed then cupped her hands over them.

She was glad that given the situation she was still able to see the humor in it. Yes, her mother was marrying a magister. Yes, she was still a slave. And yes, Danarius and some whore were getting it on in the room next to them. But she had Fenris. Thank the Maker for that. Going through this all alone would have surely broken her. Even though he hadn't been unable to console her as she wished, he had tried. The light touch of his hand against her back periodically throughout the day had brought her an immense amount of peace.

"Do you think we'll get a chance to sleep tonight?" She leaned her head back on the wall behind her and craned her neck to look at him.

"Perhaps," Fenris answered then leaned his head back as well.

Taking only a moment she studied the outline of his face. He was so handsome. The strong lines of his jaw and chin, the soft curve of his lips. With just a look he was able to send a swarm of butterflies through her stomach. She wondered if he knew how incredibly appealing he was. "You know, Fenris…" He turned his head slightly to look at her. "You are very attractive." His lip curled up and he stared into her eyes. Held captive by him, Hawke couldn't break his gaze. Without speaking they looked at one another. It could have been for only a minute, it could have been for hours. All Hawke knew was that she was falling fast for this man. Every waking hour was spent thinking of him. What it would be like to hold his hand in public, kiss him on the cheek without fear of being caught?

The sound of Danarius's loud moan broke through her trance. Grimacing, she finally turned away from Fenris. Perhaps now wasn't the best time to be dwelling on such things.

"What was your father like?" Fenris asked. She was grateful. Talking might help her to drown out the disgusting noises echoing into the room.

"Well, he was a mage," she began. "But nothing like the Magisters. He believed, like most, that magic was meant to serve man, not rule over it. To be honest I rarely even saw him use his gift." Hawke closed her eyes and tried to picture his face. It felt like it had been ages since his death. So much had happened since then; the blight, fleeing to Tevinter, becoming a slave. What would he think of her now? Would he be proud of her like he once said he was?

"I really miss him," she choked out. Everything felt so wrong. She wasn't able to hold her family together like he had wanted. In fact it had fallen apart. Sensing her pain, Fenris inched closer to her and placed her hand in his. "None of this would have happened had he been alive. He would have found some way to keep us safe. I don't think he ever meant for us to come to Tevinter." Sighing she pushed those feelings away. There was nothing that could be done about it now. "He loved my mother dearly. You know she gave up her nobility for him. Ran away with an apostate, not knowing if it would all work out, but not caring. They had each other and that was enough. I think that is what's bothering me the most about this whole thing. It's not that I don't want my mother to be happy, I do. She deserves love just like anyone else. But Clayden is nothing like my father. Where my father was so full of life and love, completely happy with spending his days in a small cottage on the outskirts of Lothering, Clayden is hard and uncaring, desiring only more power. It's like she is soiling the memory of him by joining herself with this filth. I can't see the purpose of it."

She felt his fingers tighten around her own. It wasn't fair to push this on him. What did she expect him to say? There was nothing that would make her feel better. "I'm sorry," she squeezed back. "I suppose I'm a little bitter."

"I understand the feeling," he sighed but didn't let go of her hand. Letting her digits go lax, she lined her fingers up with his, then rubbed the tips against his. The light tingles that rushed through her nerves made her heart skip a beat. Closing her eyes she leaned her head back and tried to focus on the sensation of his hand. Peeking out of her eye, she saw that he was doing the same.

Being curious, she decided to test this thing between them. Stilling her hand, she pretended to be pulling it away. As soon as her skin left his, he reached and pulled her back, curling his fingers over hers. Hawke bit back her smile then leaned her head to rest against his shoulder. He didn't jerk away or tense. Instead he relaxed into her, then began running his fingers up and down her own. When he reached her palm and began drawing circles with his thumb, Hawke couldn't help herself and let out a happy breath.

Tentatively, she began rubbing against his knuckles, relishing in the feeling of his skin against hers. With the slightest of touches he was easing her pain, making her forget about all the mess that had happened over the last months.

Opening her eyes, she watched their hands entangle and caress each other. Never before had this simple act made her feel so at peace. Grinning to herself, she re-closed her eyes and nuzzled into his shoulder. With him by her side, she felt like she could take on anything life threw at her. And as his fingers gently subdued her fears, sleep, the first peaceful sleep she'd had in ages, pulled her in.

The next day her mother and Magister Clayden were to be wed. Most of it went by in a blur. She felt numb inside. This couldn't be happening. Well, at least it shouldn't be. But what was she going to do about it? Nothing. She would sit back, watch the wedding and keep her mouth shut. To her surprise her sister never showed, and without speaking with her mother she couldn't find out why. Talla wasn't here either. But Leland was.

He had eyed her through the entire wedding, making her extremely uncomfortable. It wasn't a menacing stare, more bashful than anything. And if she had been any other guest at the party she might have found it flattering, but the idea of him being the son of a Magister and she a slave put a bitter taste in her mouth.

If he so wished it, Leland could request her company from Danarius. And although she was sure her master would refuse, being treated like some prize was completely unappealing. Fenris noticed him staring as well. When he narrowed his eyes and took a step possessively in front of her, Hawke smiled to herself. His jealousy was cute. Plus, she was grateful she was now blocked from Leland's stares.

The two of them stood at the edge of one of the aisles, not far from Danarius. Various other guards, bodyguards, and manservants were stationed around the room. It was clear to Hawke that this had all been put together very quickly. There were few guests and even less decorations.

As Clayden stood at the front of the room and the doors opened for Hawke's mother to make her way down the aisle, she shied away, turning into the wall so Fenris couldn't see her tear.

One. Only one escaped her eye, and that was too much in her opinion. Using his body to hide away from her mother marrying a man she truly detested, Hawke closed her eyes and tried to disappear to a happy place. Somewhere where her father lived as did Carver. Somewhere where magic had no bearing on the way people were treated. Where Bethany could live without fear of being caught and thrown in a tower. Where her mother and father were still together and this madness would end.

But there was no such place. And before she let herself get carried away, she opened her eyes and tried to focus on the present. You can't change it. Her mother had made her choice. And no matter how badly it hurt, she would just have to live with it.

Fenris saw how on edge Hawke was, how uncomfortable this whole situation was making her. And he immensely grateful when Danarius decided to retire early for the evening…alone. At least they wouldn't have to endure more torture than she already had.

On the way to his chambers he stopped to briefly chat with a fellow Magister and although he was trying to keep his voice down so Hawke and Fenris couldn't hear his conversation, the wine had him slightly tipsy and his whisper could barely be called such.

He and Hawke exchanged glances as he discussed a plan to assassinate a fellow Magister who had apparently grown a little too bold in the last few months. Danarius planned to take him out before he made a move against him. They would meet in a few weeks to plan their tactic. Hawke bit her lip and rolled her eyes as they continued talking about their conspiracy, clearly loud enough for anyone who happened to be walking by to hear them.

After their drunken talk was through they followed Danarius to his chambers. Immediately, the Magister went to bed. His loud snoring could be heard only minutes after his doors closed. Hoping that tonight he would actually be able to get some sleep Fenris laid out on the long couch in the sitting room and closed his eyes.

He heard her footsteps across the room and peered out of one eye to see her. She was staring out the window, down into the courtyard below. The festivities were still going on, even though many of the guests had retired. But having been to several Tevinter parties before, Fenris knew that they would be drinking and conversing well into the morning. Hawke sighed, it was deep and painful. He rose from the couch and walked over to her.

She smiled sadly when he approached. "They all look so happy. All of them. Down there having fun, laughing, dancing. I used to love dancing…" she trailed off and the faintest beginnings of a pout came across her lips before she pulled it back. "There was this pub in Lothering I used to go to all the time. Mother hated the place." A nostalgic smile was spreading slowly across her face as she looked down and studied her fingers. "They had this band that played every so often. It was beautiful music. I was never really that good, but it was fun." The smile playing on her lips turned into a defeated line as she looked back out the window with a sigh. "I doubt I'll ever get to dance again."

Fenris watched her. His Hawke deserved to be happy if only for a little while. With the pain this day had brought, something should brighten her spirits. His ears perked up, listening at the intensity of Danarius's snoring. Once sure that he was still in fact sound asleep, he reached over and unlatched the window, cracking it slightly. The music from the courtyard echoed into the small room. Albeit low, in fact barely there at all, it was still enough. He walked to the center of the room between the two couches and removed his gauntlets, placing them on a small end table, then looked to Hawke.

Her eyebrows were drawn together, clearly wondering what in the void he was doing. Reaching a hand out to her he smiled. "I might not be a great dancer, but I think I will do."

Hesitantly, she moved towards him one slow step at a time. He could see she was pondering something, but then smiled brightly before removing her own gauntlets. The music was slow, thankfully, pounding around on the floor would surely have woken their master.

But as Hawke stepped up to him and placed one hand at his shoulder and the other in his open palm, he felt his stomach jerk. In his quest to give her a moment of happiness he hadn't thought about the reaction his body would have to her being so near. Hoping she wouldn't sense his dwindling nerve he carefully placed a hand high at her waist, barely curling his fingers around her.

Hawke closed her hand around his and stepped closer to him, pressing their bodies together. Suddenly, unsure of what to do now, Fenris froze. When the tips of her fingers lightly brushed his neck, he let out a deep breath he hadn't even been aware he was holding and forced his body to sway to the music. Hawke pressed her head to his shoulder and completely gave herself over to the embrace.

The scent of her hair filled his being and not able to resist he turned into her and brushed his nose against the side of her head. Still swaying slowly, Fenris felt his confidence returning and closed his hand more firmly at her waist then gradually let it slide down until it rested just at her hip. Her fingers were playing in the hair at the base of his neck making his pulse quicken and his palms grow sweaty. He hoped she hadn't noticed.

As he was trying to slow his own breathing, he realized hers was just as deep and quick. And if he focused hard enough, he was sure her hand was trembling in his. A soft smile spread across his face at the knowledge that she was just as on edge as he was. Pulling her closer to him, he brought his hand further around her back, resting it just at her lower spine.

In the back of his mind he was somewhat aware that the music outside had stopped but he didn't want this moment to end. Rubbing his fingers along her palm he brought their united hands to rest just at his chest as he continued to sway with her in his arms. Hawke let out a shaky breath then turned her head towards his to rest just at his neck. He leaned his own head down, pressing his cheek against her forehead. Both their eyes were closed as they found this comfort in one another. Swaying silently, holding onto one another, not willing to let go. Fenris doubted he would ever be able to truly let her go.

He felt her head shift slightly, barely even at all, but his moved in response to her. His lips were at her cheek now. They ghosted over her skin, placing the slightest pressure. Hawke lifted her head, and stared into his eyes. Their faces were so close Fenris could feel her nervous breaths on his skin. She brushed her nose against his, then stilled. Both of their gazes were fixed on the others mouth, but again they unable to make a final move.

Fenris didn't know how long they stayed in that position, heads tilted towards one another, lips slightly parted, breaths heavy and uneven. All he knew was at some moment he found courage and leaned his head towards hers. Their lips just barely touched. He received the slightest sensation from her mouth against his, but then he pulled back, unsure if this was what she wanted. Reading his thoughts, Hawke took a step towards him, pressing her body against his, letting him know it was ok. He felt her fingers playing in his hair again. Slowly, he leaned down, bringing their lips together a little more firmly.

It was a small kiss, barely even there at all. And now their mouths hovered over one another's. Her hot breath sent tingles over his skin. Their lips, so close that every slight movement caused them to touch. He wanted her. Wanted to get lost in the sensations of her mouth. Feel what it would be like to hold her close to him, make her his. Opening his mouth slightly, he closed it around hers. Hawke took a step into him and pushed her mouth against his, drawing his bottom lip between hers.

He felt her hand press against the back of his neck to pull him closer. He released her hand and brought both of his to her waist, settling her against his frame. Simultaneously, he took a step and pulled her body to his, pushing his pelvis into her. Becoming more bolder he opened his mouth a little more and licked her top lip. That was the only cue she needed before she moaned and pushed her tongue out to meet his.

They touched tentatively at first, as if both were unsure how far they wanted this to go. But as the warmth began to spread across his body, Fenris lost all control and pushed his tongue into her mouth. Hawke didn't resist and took his lead. Soon they were exploring each other, learning what felt good to the other, shifting their heads to find different angles. Her mouth was warm, and her kiss was everything he had ever imagined, yet beyond his wildest dreams.

They shifted between slow steady kisses, to more passionate fevered ones. Fenris couldn't tell which one he enjoyed more. The pulse racing pace, or the gift of getting to carefully examine every part of her mouth. Before he knew it he was being pushed back onto the couch behind him, and he didn't want her to stop.

Hawke didn't know how long they had been kissing. Her mouth was swollen, and sore. But she was too afraid that if they stopped they'd never be able to do this again. And this felt so right. Never had a man kissed her like Fenris was kissing her right now. His mouth was so soft, his lips heaven, and each time his tongue connected with hers she felt her toes curl.

And his hands were growing bolder. Where in the beginning she barely registered his fingers on her back, now his entire palm was running up and down its length. Every so often he would squeeze her flesh beneath his hand. She wasn't technically straddling him. In fact she found the angle she was at strange. One of his thighs rested between her legs but she was raised. They had been careful not push too much of their bodies on one another. Though she wouldn't have minded, and he probably wouldn't have either.

She cradled his jaw in her hands, rubbing her fingers delicately along his neck and chin. When she let them roam to the base of his ear, a deep growl vibrated through his throat. She smiled against his lips and couldn't resist tracing the shell with her fingertip. Instantly, he gripped her firmly to him then threw her back on the couch.

The silent boundary of touching they had formed was now gone. Hawke could feel every muscle of his frame pressed against her. When his mouth left hers and began kissing down her neck, she couldn't stop her body from arching into him. Fenris was getting bolder.

Bringing his mouth back to hers and claiming it desperately, she felt his hand slowly trail a line from her knee and up her thigh. He stopped at her waist and let his thumb push under the fabric of her top. Just this slightest touch made her gasp. While they continued to kiss like their lives depended on it, he rubbed his thumb across her stomach, then left her. When Hawke peeked through her eyes she saw his shaky hand making its way to her breast. He grazed it with the back of his knuckles, just barely.

The gentle touch had her panting beneath him, desperate for more contact. He brushed it again, and then with a little less apprehension closed his hand around it. At first he just held it there, as if he was afraid she would swat it away. But when she trailed her hands down his stomach and gradually slid one down his huge erection, Fenris tightened his grip then gasped, breaking the kiss.

Still not wanting this to end, Hawke took the opportunity to kiss her way down his jaw and onto his neck while she stroked him through his pants. One of his thighs was between her legs, and she realized she was shamelessly grinding against him. His hand had left her breast and was making its way down to the front of her pants. Her breath was quick, she felt her chest rise and fall rapidly in anticipation of his touch.

They were close, so close to taking it further, when the squeak of Danarius's bed caused them both to pause. Their eyes met as they listened for more sounds from their master's bedroom. Another squeak of his mattress sent Hawke jumping across the room and onto the other couch. Both panting and trying to regain their breaths, they watched his door.

After a moment they heard the sound of a steady stream of liquid hitting metal. The bed squeaked again and they both relaxed when they realized he was going back to sleep. Hawke rolled onto her side and peered across the space at Fenris.

In the dimly lit room, she couldn't see him clearly. But she knew that his mouth was just as swollen and red as hers. She laughed at the situation. The two of them had scurried off one another like a parent was about to walk in the room. As if they weren't two full grown adults.

Fenris smiled across at her. She knew that for tonight they couldn't risk another close call, and so did he. But somehow they would work this out. There wasn't a life she wanted if Fenris couldn't be a part of it.

"Goodnight, Fenris," she whispered and blushed immensely.

"Goodnight, Hawke," his gruff voice responded.

The next morning she didn't bother telling her mother goodbye or wishing her well in her new marriage. The wound was still too fresh. Perhaps one day she would be able to fully let it go, but it wasn't today.

The ride back to Danarius's estate would be long and boring, but Hawke was grateful that both her master and his apprentice were incredibly hung-over and sleeping soundly.

After neither of them had awakened after some time, Fenris reached across the space between them and took her hand. Interlacing their fingers, he squeezed. She looked to him, with a slight turn of his head he smiled then shied away.

Rubbing her fingers in his, she knew that somehow they would make it. He made her too happy. And she deserved happiness.

Also little fun fact, back when I first started writing this, like in April, (took some much needed pressure to finally post what I had) me and my husband, Clayton, were arguing. I was trying to come up with a name for one of my villains and he was being a butt. Anyway, sometimes I say his name with a -den instead of a -ton. (Couldn't tell you why. Done it since I met him.) Like Clay-den. So to get him back for whatever we were fighting about I named one of my antagonist after him. Love you babe. :)

Thanks for listening to that rant.