She leaned against the railing, over looking the Winter Palace. Her shoulders were tense and bunched, and her head hung low between them. He eyed the witch carefully as she walked past him, shuddering at the silent chill her presence always brought.

"Inquisitor?" He asked, approaching her slowly, and leaning against the same railing next to her.

She picked up her head and gave him an exhausted smile. "Cullen, did you have a good time?" She jested, the sound of her voice instantly lifting his spirit.

"Such as it was." He chuckled, looking back to the ballroom, listening to the uproarious conversations and laughter filtering up to the balcony.

She sighed, leaning heavily on the railing, "yes, it was… an eventful evening." She looked exhausted, as though she hadn't slept for years. He had noticed the dark circles under her eyes, but tonight they seemed as black as the night sky.

"Is everything alright, Juliana?" He asked, hands tightening around the railing as he awaited her answer. "I'm… tired, just tired." She gave him a soft smile, bumping shoulders with him.

He smiled back, enchanted by how such a gentle, kind woman could be so strong and… playful. She looked radiant in her formal gown, the moonlight shining of her light brown hair and illuminating her violet eyes to the point they shined, like a beacon of hope in the darkness.

He stepped back, bowing at the waist and extended his hand to her, "May I have this dance, Juliana?"

He gave her a dashing smile, raising his eyebrow in question. She giggled, and he noticed the red tent to her cheeks, giving him confidence he didn't know he could posses in front of the woman he desired most in all of Thedas.

She took his hand lightly, "of course, Commander." She said and was pleased when he felt her shudder as his arm wrapped around her waist. He pulled her against his chest, and she sighed with content as they began a slow dance, twirling her lightly and loving the way her formal gown clung to every soft curve.

Now was the time. He had to tell her how his heart ached for her, how his breath ceased to exist when she spoke his name, how just her entrance into the war room made his pulse race like a roaring river.

"Juliana, I-" He started, but stopped when she shushed him, resting her head on his chest and closing her eyes. "I know, Cullen."She whispered, pressing her ear further against his pounding heart.

His face flushed with her words and actions, knowing she could hear how fast his heart beat. He tightened his hold on her waist, pulling her as close as possible.

They swayed gently with the night breeze, enjoying each others warmth in the quiet moment they were able to have. With her in his arms, the stress of the days melted away, the looming death and destruction receded.

He had something to fight for, looking down at her resting against his chest. She was everything to him, and he would do anything to keep her close.