Angelle was in the quarters assigned to her by the Knight-commander. She couldn't go home, knowing that he would not be there. All those poor people in the chantry. All those mages who would be punished for something they did not do. That poor girl would once again be punished for someone else's deeds. Anders was right. There really was no justice for mages unless he provided it. It knocked at the door and Cullen entered. Angelle hardly recognized him out of his uniform. He was only wearing trousers and a shirt. He had probably been on his way to bed.
"I'm sorry to disturb you. I couldn't sleep and I saw there was a light in your room. May I come in?"
"Please do. I don't think I will get any sleep tonight."
"What a mess... I can't believe anyone would do such a thing. What could he possibly hope to achieve?"
"Rational decisions are not made by the desperate... I can't believe the Knight-commander is going to punish all those mages for something Anders did."
Cullen ran his fingers through his hair as he took a deep breath and released it again.
"I confess it is hard for me to tell if I am serving the order or just the Knight-commander."
"Why were Orsino and Meredith in the square today?"
"They hoped her grace would settle a dispute. Had they been there earlier they might have perished."
Angelle started to cry heavily and Cullen quickly walked towards her and held her close.
"We can't just sit by... They can't... All those people... It's my fault..."
"It's not your fault. I am responsible. I should have had him arrested years ago."
"You knew Anders was an apostate? Why didn't you do it then?"
Cullen looked into her eyes.
"Because of you. Because I believed you were in love with him."
"You did it... for me?"
A sudden boldness came over the normally shy templar as he kissed her. Angelle felt so alone, so weak. This sign of affection was what she needed and she returned the kiss. He leaned her against the wall. One hand placed on the wall as the other explored the curves of her body. Feeling her hips, waist and breasts. How long he had wanted this. His body had been set on fire every time they had touched. Her gentle fingers leaving emotional scars all over his body that no one else could touch or heal. So desperate for her that he didn't notice that her hands were still. She couldn't make herself push him away. She so desperately needed to be comforted, but guilt consumed her as she was thinking of Anders. Cullen realised how still she was, but desire won over his better judgement. Part of him knew that she wasn't with him. He knew his touches felt like the those of another man. But he needed her and at this moment she needed him. He kneeled before her, spread her still clothed legs and kissed her between them. His kissed became deeper and harder while he graced his teeth against the fabric. When she let out a moan the last of his control vanished. He stood up and started to undress her, but as he removed her shirt he saw a little pouch in a string around her neck. She grabbed it with her hand and started to cry.
"I'm sorry. I'm really sorry... your right. I love Anders. I can't do this to either of you... not as long as I am in love with him."
He stepped back and tried to smile. His body still searing with desire as is took all of his resolve not grab her and continue worshipping her body.
"You don't need to apologize. I shouldn't have taken advantage of you."
He removed her tears gently with his fingers. His heart was breaking. Not because she loved someone else, he had accepted that long ago, but seeing her heart breaking... was more than he could bear.
"The day after tomorrow, the Knight-commander will travel to Orlais to see the Divine personally. You and I are to remain here to keep order. I could let him go. I could release him and you go get as far away from here as possible."
"Oh, Cullen. I don't want you risk so much because of me."
"Please consider it."
She smiled at him and gave him a kiss on his cheek.
"I will."
Angelle was walking in the dungeon again. She had a vial of grey liquid in her hand. If she was going to consider Cullen's offer she needed to know if there was anything left of the man she loved. When she reached Anders' cell he was still awake. When he saw her he got up and went to the door. His face seemed so old and you could see the paths of long dried tears on his cheeks.
"What are you doing here? If you keep coming they will get suspicious. You know supporting apostates is a hanging offense, especially now. The thought of them hurting you..."
"Shhh... no one saw me come down here. I have something for you."
"What is it?"
"I can't sit by and let them make you tranquil. I need you to trust me."
Anders looked at her and reached out a hand cupping her face. He knew she was evasive, her eyes was hiding something. Was this a test? Did she want him to prove that he truly loved and trusted her? It could be poison. It could be revenge, but he knew she would never do such a thing. Angelle knew he would rather die than being made tranquil. This could be an act of mercy. His salvation and his release... the final blessing in his young life. Had he been granted a merciful death and blessed enough that she would be the last thing he saw? He kissed her deeply, savouring it... this kiss that should last for eternity he was doomed to face without her. He would fall to the void, while she would be at the Makers side. His pure-hearted Goddess.
"I don't deserve your love."
Anders drank the vial and fell to the floor. He body began to shake and buck as his limbs seemed to lose all control. His face was cringing in agony. Blue markings covered his body as his eyes kept shifting from brown to blue. Mean while the black fog was oozing from his body. Her heart stopped. She had no key, she couldn't get to him. She was forced to stand there watching him twist in agony. Then it stopped as abruptly as it begun. He lay there completely still and Angelle couldn't tell if he was still breathing. "Please dear Maker!" Then his body became covered in blue markings again, but the fog coming from him had turned white and was glowing. He had become a source of light that illuminated the entire cell. He got up and walked to her looking confused, but not hostile.
"What did you give us, mortal?"
"Anders?"
"I am Justice. Anders has told you of me. What was in that potion?"
"It was the holy ashes of Andraste. I hoped it would separate you and Anders, but it seemed I was wrong."
She almost started to cry. This had been her last hope.
"Indeed Anders and I are still one... I feel like I have been sleeping for a long time."
"What do you mean?"
"I remember all that we have done, but it seems unreal. In the fade things are constantly changing, it is hard to grasp when you have done something that cannot be changed. Rage had twisted and perverted me into nothing better than a demon."
She studied his face. Whenever Justice had been present before he had always seemed so angry, but now... he seemed almost gentle. As if he was in a state of pure serenity.
"You seem different..."
"It has been a long time since I have been able to think clearly."
"Is Anders... Is he still there?"
She couldn't hold back her tears. She didn't sob; she just let them slide slowly down her face. Justice looked her and smiled.
"Yes. Thank you mortal."
He closed his eyes. The blue markings disappeared as the room went dark.
"Anders?"
"What happened? Are you alright, love?"
"I'm fine. You collapsed for a moment I thought I lost you, but then Justice came out. It changed him didn't it?"
"This rage... this hate that always surrounded me. I felt it tearing at me. It felt empowering and at the same time it felt as if I was dying. But it is gone. That anger is gone. I feel... at peace."
She reached trough the bars grabbing his neck and pulled him in for a kiss. He gently stroked her cheek.
"You shouldn't be here, love. You need to go now."
"I won't let them do this."
"Shhh... you are the one shining light in my life. Never blame yourself for what will happen. Now go."
She ran through the dungeon and up the stairs. Her lungs burning from lack of oxygen. When she reached Cullen's room , she opened it without even knocking.
"Hawke?"
"We need to talk."