Thankfully, after slaying the wyvern, they were given the opportunity to bathe in a building outside the chateau proper. It wouldn't do to have Autumn and Tallis attending the party smelling like wyvern innards.

Anders and Isabela were allowed to bathe, too, but they would not be at the party. Much to Anders's dismay, Autumn and Tallis would be attending alone.

Anders paced in the corridor while Autumn finished dressing. Honestly, Anders preferred Autumn in armor, but he'd seen her dressed up, too. She'd kept up with the social functions of the nobility. Her mother would have wanted it. She always brought Anders as her escort, and when he accosted the attending nobles about the plight of the mages, she always took his side.

Yes, Anders preferred Autumn in armor, but it was always a pleasant shock to see her in formal attire. A reminder that even though she was strong and fierce and brave, there was a soft side to her, too, a side that she rarely showed to anyone but him.

But today she wasn't dressing for him. She would probably pick a gown to impress Tallis, Anders thought, and felt a pang of despair.

Just then a door opened, and Autumn emerged. When she saw Anders standing there, she stopped.

She wasn't wearing a gown. She was dressed in an elegantly tailored shirt, vest, and breeches ensemble. She had applied a bit of face paint, but her hair was slicked back in the usual ponytail. It was a look that said, I can be social, but I'm someone to be taken seriously.

She was beautiful. Anders loved it instantly. It was perfectly Autumn.

He must have been staring, because Autumn shrugged self-consciously. "I don't know if Mother would approve, but it's practical, anyway."

It took him a few tries to find his voice. "You look amazing." He sounded huskier than he meant to.

Anders expected Autumn to look away, to make some excuse, the way she usually did when he complimented her appearance. He was startled to see her blink back tears.

"You think so?" she asked softly.

He didn't understand where this emotion was coming from, but he stepped closer to her, putting his hands on her waist, daring to rest his forehead against hers. Autumn put her hands on his arms and leaned in, sighing.

"Maker help all those poor sods at the party," Anders whispered. "The men and the women. They won't know what hit them."

"I don't care about any of them," Autumn murmured. "Anders...I..."

"You got ready fast," Anders heard Tallis say.

Over Autumn's shoulder, he saw the elf leaning in a doorway, sizing him up.

"Do you mind?" Anders snapped. "We're in the middle of something."

"I can see that," Tallis replied dryly. "But we do have a party to get to. That jewel's not going to steal itself."

Reluctantly, Autumn stepped back.

Tallis looked pretty, too, Anders realized begrudgingly. Like Autumn, she was wearing breeches, but her blouse was more feminine and displayed more skin. She probably did that on purpose. He wondered if Hawke would notice.

Anders felt old and plain standing next to the two of them. He was keenly aware of his ratty jacket, unshaven face, and disheveled hair. Anders would never understand what Autumn saw in him. There was no reason in Thedas why she should choose an unkempt apostate when she could have someone younger, prettier...better. Someone who wouldn't sacrifice both their happiness for an ideal.

"Wow. Hawke." Tallis looked Autumn over appreciatively. "You look gorgeous. The suave, sophisticated look suits you."

Fury coiled in Anders's belly. "Every look suits her," he all but growled.

Autumn smiled. She hadn't smiled earlier, when he had told her she looked amazing. Tallis's compliments must mean more than his.

"Let's get this over with," Hawke said to Anders. "Then maybe later...we can talk."

Anders didn't know whether to look forward to that or dread it, but as she walked away from him with Tallis at her side, he felt a sharp stab of fear in his gut.