First of all, I apologize for not posting this sooner! My health kind of kept me from writing and then once they issued oxygen to help me breathe normally again, I started sleeping most of the day away. My muse disappeared, and well…that's it in a nutshell. Thanks for your patience if you're still reading this insane tale. 3
A bit of this chapter contains part of a quest featured in the game, I'm sorry! But the rest is pretty much my original stance and plot here and there.
The last break before the end is NSFW, and EXPLICIT, so if you don't like reading smexy scenes you can skip it. The last sentences, though, are meant to be read…because…Cullen! :D
Once again thanks to you all, and to my lovely Beta LadyDrakesbane who is always there for me!
Please feel free to leave a comment, your thoughts and feedback are greatly appreciated as always!
…
The whole operation in the Storm Coast with the Qunari had fallen through. Beatrix was still angry and shocked about it all and really glad that they had saved Bull's Chargers. The sleazy elf Gatt, who was the contact and a friend of Bull's in the past, had even begged Bull to forget his men and save the huge Qunari warship called a dreadnought. Beatrix had wanted to kill Gatt at the end for talking to Bull the way he did, and Bull himself had to contain her.
Their ride back to Skyhold had been a fairly quiet one until they were close to the fortress.
"Boss," Bull said as he rode beside her. "I want to thank you for…your help back there. The boys know everything that happened. They really appreciate it."
"I wasn't going to just stand there and watch Krem and the rest get killed, Bull. They aren't just your men, they're people who've earned their place in the Inquisition," Beatrix nearly growled back at him in her anger. "I just hope I never see that elf again. The way he spoke to you and to me…you could have just let me hit him at least once!"
Bull chuckled under his breath. "Gatt has always been known to have that effect on people."
"Yes," Beatrix said, pursing her lips briefly. "I wonder why?"
The Chargers started singing their songs behind them and Beatrix bit back a laugh, but grinned up at Bull who was smiling at her.
"We're almost home. Because it IS your home, Bull," Beatrix said quietly, her eyes twinkling up at Bull's only eye. "And the Chargers' as well."
Bull's expression softened. "Thanks, Boss. I think it is, too."
Crossing the bridge that led them to the main gates, they arrived at last, the men and her companions dismounting almost immediately. She saw Cullen rushing down the steps from the general direction of his office tower and smiled to herself, walking her horse to hand the reigns to the stable boy. Without turning, she heard a vaguely familiar voice call out to Bull. She frowned as she walked up to the Qunari, standing firmly beside Bull as Gatt approached. Cullen arrived slightly out of breath, immediately fixing his gaze on the elven man.
"Inquisitor it is my duty to inform you that there will be no agreement between our peoples and yours, nor will anyone be contacting your Tal Vashoth warrior in the future."
"It figures they would send you," Bull said with a glare at Gatt. "You here on orders to kill me, Gatt?"
"No. We've already lost one good man. We do not wish to lose two," the Elven warrior mumbled, inclining his head briefly. He then turned and left the keep through the main gates.
"That's weird," Bull said out loud to no one in particular. Then he turned and smiled at Cullen. "Nice to see you, Cullen."
Cullen smiled back at Bull. "What's weird? I take it the alliance failed?"
But before Cullen could get an answer, one of the Inquisition scouts threw a dagger at the Qunari. The blade just bounced off him and as fast as lightning, Bull suddenly rushed towards the man, landing a good punch on his face that knocked him out.
At that very same moment, Beatrix felt something extremely painful and gave a loud cry. Looking down she saw a dagger protruding from her chest. Her eyes met Cullen's wide and surprised as she fainted into his arms.
Bull quickly grabbed the would-be assassin, snapping his neck in one swift motion.
"No! NO!" Cullen was yelling, the words coming forth along with great gasps for air as he held Beatrix close, unbidden tears falling onto his cheeks. "Get the healer! NOW!"
The healer rushed over to where they were, a crowd already gathering around Cullen and Beatrix. Some of them went on their knees, lifting a prayer for the Maker to intervene and save her life. Before Cullen could grab the hilt of the dagger and pull it out, Bull had beaten him to it, pressing one of his large hands on the wound to keep the blood from flowing out. The three of them carried her to the infirmary, silently and swiftly.
Cullen placed her gently on one of the cots. Just then, the door opened and Solas walked in. He nodded at them and immediately started to work on the wound, using his magic to knit everything back together. The healer worked on getting her cleaned up and tried to help Solas in every way she could.
Seconds turned into minutes as they worked. Finally, Solas turned to Cullen, his eyes troubled.
"The wound is no longer open. I've managed to close it completely," the elf said, pursing his lips.
"What else?" Cullen asked. "You look like you want to say something, Solas."
"I cannot reach her, Commander. She is once again in her corner of the Fade. Her happy place as she calls it. I'll try to reach her through meditation like the last time."
"How long…?" Cullen started to ask, but Solas interrupted him.
"Impossible to say, Commander. She is happy there. Let us hope that she comes back to us soon."
…
Beatrix sighed happily as she stared up at the pine trees, branches swaying lazily in the soft breeze. She took a deep breath of fresh air and sat on the lush green grass, laughing out loud at the beauty all around her. Not only did she feel happy, but completely calm.
A noise behind her made her turn around. The lady in white she had seen before smiled tenderly as she walked to her, stopping only when she reached her, her blonde locks fluttering softly in the cool breeze.
"Who are you?" Beatrix smiled as she stood. "Do I know you?"
"Do you know where you are, little one?" The lady asked gently.
"Yes. This is my happy place," Beatrix answered with confidence. The lady smiled and nodded her head.
"This is a part of the Fade, little one. I come here to be with you. None shall harm you while you are here."
"Why are you here? Who are you?" Beatrix asked more insistently, her eyes narrowing slightly. She never liked it when someone didn't answer a question.
"I am here because you will need my help. The road is not easy and the path you must follow is full of thorns. You will suffer and others will suffer with you as well. Many will suffer for you, when the time comes. This is where you rest, where you will replenish your energy."
"What do you mean 'many will suffer for me'? Why will they suffer?" Beatrix asked, her sapphire eyes on the lady's pale yellow ones.
"I cannot tell you the path because you must walk it, little one. But I will always be with you," the lady said smiling warmly at her, her voice falling to a whisper as she vanished before Beatrix's eyes.
Beatrix turned around looking for her. But no matter where she looked, her eyes only found grass, bushes, and trees. The lady was gone, leaving her with a feeling of loss which she couldn't explain.
The snap of a twig made her whirl around expecting to see the lady again. But she found only the elf who had visited her before.
"Why are you here? Leave me alone," she sighed as she sat on the grass again, facing away from him.
"Inquisitor," the elf said gently. "You have been here for a while. Don't you want to return?"
She didn't face him. Instead she turned her face up to the sun and laughed, letting its rays touch her face and feeling its warmth.
"Inquisitor?"
Beatrix felt a surge of anger, turning to face the elf who still stood in the same spot. The sky overhead suddenly turned dark, the dark clouds heralding a storm as Beatrix seethed.
"Leave me alone! Didn't you hear me the first time?" She practically screamed at him as the clouds rolled together producing thunder. "Why do you insist in interrupting me here?"
Solas shook his head, unable to speak for a while, waiting for her to calm down. And he knew exactly when she had calmed down: The dark clouds disappeared and the sun shone brightly once again. He took a deep breath and walked around her to face her, sitting on the grass himself. She was truly a mystery and he was even more curious about her than ever before.
"And still you persist," Beatrix sighed – a bit wearily now, but calm nevertheless.
"We still need you, Inquisitor," Solas said carefully, watching her reaction carefully. "He needs you."
Beatrix opened her eyes and looked straight into Solas' eyes. Her gaze held his as her brow furrowed.
"He needs me," she murmured. "Cullen!"
Beatrix jerked awake, sitting up in bed. Cullen quickly reached for her and had her lean once again on the mattress and her pillows.
"Careful, my love," he crooned in a tender voice. "You were badly hurt and lost a lot of blood. Shhh. You'll be fine." He caressed her face gently, pushing her dark hair away from her face and eyes.
Beatrix suddenly remembered why she was hurt and how. She was terribly thirsty and croaked Cullen's name. He immediately hurried to get her some water from a tumbler on the table next to the bed and helped her drink. She smiled up at him gratefully, sipping slowly at the water, until he took the glass away from her with a gentle smile of his own.
"How long?" Beatrix finally asked, looking at him with a worried frown.
"Five days," he replied, his eyes glistening gold in the light of the fire.
"It's longer each time," Beatrix murmured worriedly. "What if next time-"
"No!" Cullen said fearfully, taking her into his arms. "No, my love. Solas is trying to figure it all out."
"Solas was there. He came after the lady," Beatrix said, her eyes suddenly heavy with sleep. "I feel so sleepy and exhausted…"
"Just rest, my love. You need to rest. Even though the wound is but a scar, you've lost a lot of blood."
"Bull? Is he alright?" Beatrix managed to ask sleepily as she briefly looked up at Cullen.
"He's fine. Are you hungry?" Cullen asked as her eyes closed again. A few moments passed and he smiled. She was fast asleep.
Cullen tucked her in gently and thanked the Maker before settling on the other side of the bed and falling asleep himself a short while after.
He would do everything to ensure there wouldn't be a next time.
Not while he still drew breath.
…
It took Beatrix three days to fully recover. The fourth day she met with everyone in the war table room; advisors and inner circle alike. Leliana gave her the amulet for Cole and Beatrix pocketed it. She would give it to Cole in private later. As they were talking about the missions they would delegate to soldiers and scouts, a runner interrupted the meeting.
"Excuse me for interrupting, but something has come up that needs your attention," the messenger said as he made his way to the war table. He then extended a couple of missives to Leliana and waited.
Leliana's eyes did not reveal a single thing. She kept her face neutral, but turned to the scout and dismissed him. Then she turned to Beatrix.
"It seems we have a small…problem, Inquisitor. Warden Blackwall has disappeared."
"He what?" Beatrix exclaimed, her eyes wide with surprise.
"But, I was just talking to him at the tavern," Josephine said in a worried voice. "Where does the missive say he's at?"
"There is one for you, Josie, here," Leliana said as she handed the Ambassador a parchment. The Ambassador read, her hand flying to her mouth, her clipboard forgotten on the table. "He's gone! Why?"
"He had this report, it was in his belongings. I thought I had it, but he took it from my desk while I wasn't there, I suspect. The missive mentions something about a hanging at Val Royeaux. They captured a long-time criminal. A murderer."
"Let me see, Leliana," Beatrix said quietly. She was succeeding in keeping her anger in check so far, and felt really proud of that. "Who is this man? Anyone know a… Mornay? It says here he is to be executed for the massacre of the…Callier family?"
"An illustrious and noble family of Orlais, who supported Empress Celene," Leliana informed them.
"We need to get to the bottom of this. I'll travel to Val Royeaux immediately," Beatrix said firmly.
"I shall travel with you, Inquisitor," Cullen said in a loud, clear voice. "We don't know what he is planning so it is better if you have one of your advisors by your side."
Beatrix nodded and her eyes met his golden ones. His smirk was one of the most attractive she had seen to date. She felt her blood rush upwards to her face and flushed prettily. Cullen's smirk grew and he hid his smile under a gloved hand, as he cleared his throat.
"Cole, I have something to give you after the meeting," Beatrix said as she smiled at the young man who merely looked at her with his pale blue eyes wide open.
"I don't believe we've anything else to discuss until later, Inquisitor," Josephine said, her voice clearly laced with worry.
"I'll be travelling with Cullen as soon as we can, Lady Ambassador," Beatrix promised, looking directly at Josephine.
"Thank you, Inquisitor," Josephine replied, the relief in her voice evident.
…
Cullen and Beatrix bought went hand in hand to the third floor of the tavern, where Cole could usually be found. Beatrix started to feel that he was overprotecting her, and she discovered she actually liked it for a change. Maybe it was because of what had happened to her – she knew he had been shocked about her nearly dying, but his reaction was well worth it. He was by her side and he would be going with her to Val Royeaux. She stole a glance at him and he was smiling as he walked, giving her hand brief squeezes from time to time.
As soon as they approached Cole, he gave Beatrix a warm smile, which surprised Cullen altogether. The Inquisition Commander smiled back at him and this prompted Cole to start talking, looking at them both.
"Safe and solid. Protecting and proud. He feels like quiet, stronger when you hold him."
Cullen's eyebrows shot up and his eyes widened slightly, but Beatrix smiled softly as she handed the amulet to the boy and he took it with trembling hands.
"That's it, Cole," Beatrix said. "The Amulet of the Unbound. Would you like to try it on?"
"Yes!" Cole said in an excited voice. "But not here. I feel safe here. We need to go somewhere else in case it turns sharp."
"All right then, lead the way," Beatrix smiled tenderly at him.
Cole smiled back and led them to Solas' rotunda, where the elven mage was painting yet another addition to the walls of the place where he stayed and slept. Cullen and Beatrix followed Cole slowly, coming to a stop when Cole addressed Solas, who put down his brush to face them.
"What do I do with it?" the spirit boy asked Solas, who gave him a small smile.
"You have it! Excellent! May I see it?" Solas asked as Cole gave him the trinket.
The elven mage took the amulet and inspected it, then gave it back to Cole. He instructed Cole to put the amulet on and he tried charging it with magic, but the only thing that did was to have Cole cry out in pain, which alerted Varric who walked into the room, thinking something had happened to the spirit boy.
Varric protested to what Solas was doing to the amulet and Cole. He informed the group that he believed Cole was human and not a demon at all. Cole, in the meantime, indicated that he knew where they had to go in order to stop whatever was interfering with the enchantment of the amulet.
"Whatever Cole is, we have to help him," Beatrix said firmly.
Cole left with Cullen to check out the area where the disturbance came from. Once they had the location, they all agreed to set out to Val Royeaux first and find Blackwall the following morning, then head out to Redcliffe on the way back to solve Cole's problem.
…
That night Beatrix sank into a hot bath prepared by Cullen beforehand, her mind on Blackwall's departure. She couldn't make heads or tails about it, and she was naturally worried. Blackwall might have been evasive about everything that concerned the wardens, but he was a good fighter and had saved her life as well as the rest of her companions a great number of times. She was sorry to see him go and vowed to get him back.
After she was done with the bath and was sitting in front of the fire, there was a knock on the door and Cullen walked in with a lopsided smile on his face, bringing some food balanced on a tray.
"I thought we might eat together," he said in a low voice as he set the tray on the table next to Beatrix.
"Just eat?" Beatrix asked coyly, tilting her head up and meeting his eyes.
Cullen's response was to take her in his arms, lifting her up from her chair. She melded into his embrace and surrendered to him as he kissed her with a passion that made her toes curl.
"Mmmm," he said when they came up for air. "I think we can arrange to do something else…"
"I haven't the slightest idea what you mean, Commander," Beatrix replied feigning innocence as she opened her eyes and looked directly into his.
Cullen made a noise that sounded like a growl mixed with a laugh as he picked her up in his arms, carrying her to the bed, where he lay her down, falling to her side breathlessly.
"I'll show you what I mean, then," Cullen whispered as he started kissing her, his hands opening her tunic and caressing her breasts gently. Beatrix gazed up into his amber eyes, now so dilated with passion they were black.
She bucked as he started trailing kisses along her cheek and behind her ear, pausing for a moment to whisper that he loved her. She felt the familiar throbbing between her legs and arched her back into his chest.
Panting with difficulty now, the Commander stood up suddenly to take off his tunic, trousers, smalls and boots, falling onto the bed immediately afterwards, eager to continue what he was doing.
Beatrix moaned, sound cut short as Cullen brought her lips on hers, hungrily devouring the noise. His lips once again began their journey downwards and stopped to reverently kiss and suckle each nipple, taking his time and focusing, despite Beatrix arching herself onto him, melding into his embrace as the heat pooled in her very core.
She was deliciously wet and ready for him when his fingers first sought her entrance and he smiled into her lips.
"Maker, Beatrix…" he hissed, his erection now slipping in as she moaned out his name in pleasure. "So wet, so tight…so ready."
Each word spoken against her lips and skin made her spiral out of control as her hands explored his chest and ended up tangled in his blond locks. He pulled out slightly and pushed back in, sheathing himself completely inside her and moaned her name when she enveloped his length tightly.
Stopping only to regain some of his control, Cullen continued to grind himself into her, in and out at a steady rhythm. She joined him in the dance, filling the room with her gasps and cries as he grabbed her thighs and put her legs around his waist, deepening the angle for them both.
"Oh, Cullen!" She exclaimed as she felt herself rushing towards the end.
His pace quickened as if knowing exactly what was about to happen. And after a few more thrusts he felt her tightening around him, prompting his own release. They both remained tightly joined for a few more moments, catching their breaths and breathing words of love to each other. Then he eased himself out and fell upon the blankets and mattress, still breathing heavily.
He smiled lovingly at her as he moved to take her into his arms gently, cradling her softly. She sighed dreamily, her heart and spirit still soaring. It was the most beautiful sound to Cullen at the moment. One he would never tire of hearing.
"I want to spend the rest of my life with you – loving you." Her words shocked him and left him breathless. His eyes were now holding hers as she gazed up at him lovingly.
"Do you mean that, my love?" he asked, his voice trembling slightly, the happiness and hope in his eyes making them shine golden, the amber almost completely gone.
"Yes, Cullen. I want you by my side forever."
"As my Lady commands, so shall it be," he whispered, sealing his promise with a kiss.
…