Between Us

Nathaniel softly knocked on her door certain that Juliette had gone to bed. He had spent almost an hour speaking with Bann Reign and the hour had been quite late when he had departed to see Arl Eamon. He knew she would be sleeping, he was sure of it, but he wanted to tell her what had happened.

"Come in." he heard her answer.

He opened the door and saw her seated in the large stuffed chair closest to the fire. Her hair was down and he could see it was almost done drying. She had on a long nightgown. Her feet were tucked under her and she had a book opened and in her lap.

"Nathaniel! I was starting to worry!"

He smiled at her, happy that she had been concerned. "Miss me, then?" he asked.

Juliette smiled at him and looked away. "Maybe" she looked back at him, still grinning "or maybe I was thinking you were knocked out and hidden in a whorehouse, who knows?"

He remembered her head injury and frowned. "How are you feeling?" he came and sat in the chair next to hers.

"I'm fine, Anders knows what he's doing, as you can attest." she looked at him and her face changed. "What is it? What has happened, you look, disturbed."

"Bann Reign stopped me on my way back. He had many interesting things to say." he told her.

"Anything that helps us know our theory is a good one?" she asked

"Our theory is spot on. There is a plot to remove the King." Nathaniel took a deep breath. "And I've been recruited to help it along."

"Oh goody!" Juliette smiled at him. "What did he say to hook you?"

"That's all you have to say?" Nathaniel asked.

"To what?"

"I just told you the man has asked me to take part in a plot to depose the king and you say, 'oh goody?" he was amazed. "Aren't you curious if I am tempted?"

"No." she answered with certainty

"No?" his voice rising.

"Why are you getting angry that I know you wouldn't do something like that?" Juliette looked genuinely confused. "No, I don't think you were tempted. That's not who you are."

"And you just, what, know that?" Nathaniel asked.

"Yes, I do."

"The rest of Ferelden would readily put me in with the despots and you don't even blink?"

"Are we back to this again? Truly?" she shook her head. "Do you not understand that I trust you? I trust you with well, everything, actually. I care for you very much, Nate and I know you. End of story." And she shrugged for good measure. "Now tell me what the swine said before I make you!"

Nathaniel laughed softly and looked at her.

"End of story, Nate." Juliette said, seeing he wanted to ask another question.

Nathaniel let it drop.

"Bann Reign feels great sympathy for my family at the murder of my father. He is horrified that I am serving the vile woman who killed him and thinks you are still with the king." he paused watching her smile fade as she listened. "He wants me to find any evidence I can, by means of searching your things or anything else I deem necessary, that you are influencing or outright directing the king in any government matter."

"Maker's Breath." she sat back. "He said that about your father?"

Nathaniel brushed that aside. "He thinks that he can prove you really run things and thereby give enough ammunition to Anora. Bann Ceorlic will then call for a Landsmeet. We were right Jules."

"I can't believe he revealed all that. Why would he trust you with such damning information?"

"I'm my father's son, or so he said. He assumes that I hate you, would do anything to destroy you."

Juliette watched Nathaniel for a minute and then came to her feet.

"Nate, I've never explained what happened that night. What happened between your father and I." she paced the room, vibrating with energy. "I know you can never forgive me for it but I will tell you everything you want to know."

Nathaniel stared at her amazed at where her mind was.

"Not forgive you? You think I blame you? Jules" but she interrupted him first.

"I would understand completely. He was your father." she said "I know what it's like. I know you loved him." Her chin trembled slightly. "I'll tell you anything you want."

Nathaniel couldn't take it anymore. He got to his feet and was at her side instantly. He put his hand out and touched her cheek, lifting her chin so she would have to look at him.

"That, Juliette Eleanor Cousland, is madness." He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "I do not blame you."

She stood there looking up at him. His hand resting against her cheek as his fingers lingered in her hair.

"I'm sorry, Nate." She whispered.

He shook his head, his ebony hair grazing his shoulder and his thumb ran along her cheekbone.

"No more of this. You have nothing to be sorry for." He needed her to believe him. "You survived, thank the Maker and his insanity is over with."

A tear spilled over and ran into his thumb. "I would never hurt you Nate. I'm so sorry."

"Hush." he pulled her into his arms. "Jules, I have long since worked this out for myself and for us."

She lifted her head to see his face.

"End of story, Jules. Alright?" he continued to caress her cheek. She nodded, a shudder running through her and he knew she was calming. He held her close.

He kept her to him until he felt her settle.

"Did I hear you say, when I arrived, that you, uh, care for me 'very much'? he asked softly.

She looked up at him, her head still against his chest and smiled. "You did."

"That, Jules, makes me very happy." and he smiled at her before lowering his head to kiss her.

The kiss was different than last time. This kiss was deep and slow and he felt them within it. When it ended she reached up and touched his face.

"That, Nate, makes me very happy too."