This is the version I imagined for Integra's Chapter 14, Rising Temptations, with changes made. These chapters were edited with her permission!

Artwork suggested for this chapter is called As Simple As That by M-Lyn from Deviant Art.

Stranded

Rising Temptations

It was a few more days before I was able to venture out on my own. Fenris had constantly been at my side, helping me get around and to his complete annoyance, Anders refused to give us any space. Now that he knew just how I could use my spirit energy, he always managed to stay close to us. I was rarely allowed to be left alone with either of them and had started to feel closed in. I finally demanded to be left alone and slowly made my way to the beach, looking out at the sea.

I didn't want to discuss what had really been bothering me.

At nights, I woke drenched in sweat, having felt something constantly trying to tear at my shields. It started off gradual, like a slight buzzing sound and I ignored it, working harder to protect myself. I was well aware that my magic made me a beacon to all sorts of spirits and demons alike. At an early age I needed to learn to shield myself or go mad from things others could not see. My father taught me that my abilities meant I could never be too careful awake or asleep. I finally realized that this was something I had to accept as much as magic was a part of my life. But as time went by, I could feel it almost like a constant pressure around me. After what happened with Anders, I couldn't bring myself to talk about it with him.

I found myself on my usual stretch of sand, sitting under the shade and staring out into the ocean. The sounds of the surf provided enough of a distraction that I could ignore the buzzing for a little while. I thought of home, wondering how much longer it would be until they realized we were missing. After everything that had occurred after defeating the Arishok, I knew I could always count on Isabela. Despite the overwhelming odds I wouldn't allow her to be taken and I knew she would never give up on finding us.

I shrugged off my robes and managed to sleep for a while, until it became too hot to remain where I was. I decided it was time to cool off before rejoining the others and I sighed when I knew that the way I demanded to be left alone would result in my needing to apologize to Fenris. He barely tolerated Anders now that he would not leave us alone and had stormed off when I would not agree to him accompanying me.

I made my way slowly to the waterfall, barely glancing at the familiar trail until a figure moved beside me and I jumped back, dropping my robe and calling fire to my hands before realizing that it was Fenris. For once, he was not wearing his armor and his tunic was undone, giving me good view of his torso which caused my concentration to falter. I felt the fire burn hotter than it was meant to and I quickly tried to get my emotions in check before I actually burned myself.

"I'm glad to see that you're much better, Inara," he chuckled as I relaxed and shook out my hands, releasing the fire that I called by blowing on my finger. An unnecessary gesture but one I felt compelled to do, as he looked intently at me. He walked up to me and picked up my discarded gown, brushing off a few leaves and twigs before handing it to me.

"I've had more than enough time to rest, Fenris," I said and gave him a brief smile, taking an involuntary step back. As much as I understood why Anders was trying so hard to keep us apart, I could not control my body's physical reaction when I was this close to him. In all honesty, everything he did had an effect on me, from the way he moved, to his deep voice, to the promising look he was giving me now.

He moved even closer to me and before I realized it, my back was against a tree. "I returned to apologize for my rude behavior but you had already gone. I did not want to disturb you."

"I'm sorry about the way I acted earlier." Before I could stop myself, I reached out put my hand on his arm, lightly trailing my fingers on the exposed side of his bicep. My true goal was to trace the muscles of his stomach but I did not trust myself to stop there.

"I wasn't aware that you felt crowded…I will leave you alone."

He started to move away when I tightened my grip on his arm, looking down at the ground. I had lost the battle I was fighting within myself and he knew it. He leaned forward and kissed my forehead as I wrapped my free arm around his slim waist. He trailed kisses down my check, stopping only briefly to brush my lips before continuing to my collar bone, pushing the strap aside to kiss my shoulder. I shivered as he nipped at the tender flesh and I could feel him smile as against my skin as goose bumps spread across my skin. I missed being this close to him but the temptation of his skin was almost too much to bear.

"What amuses you?" I asked him when he looked up at me, his hand trailing my arm down to my hand and taking it in his own. I almost pouted when he brushed past my breast, hoping that he noticed how he was affecting me.

"I find this much more preferable," he said and kissed my hand, sucking each fingertip into his warm mouth, nipping briefly before moving to the next one.

Damn the elf! I thought as much breath caught in my throat.

"Preferable to what?" I asked a bit distractedly. He was definitely making it harder for me to concentrate and he knew it.

He kissed the palm of my hand. "Anders insisted on giving me a cursory exam while you were gone."

I raised my eyebrow at him as he kissed the inside of my wrist and I knew he could feel that my pulse was racing. "He did what?" I asked but deep down I knew that what he was checking for was if I was having an effect on Fenris' health.

"He insisted it was to check the wound he healed," he said and I could not control myself any longer. I placed my hand on the side of his cheek and leaned forward to claim his lips.

I dropped the robe once more as he deepened the kiss, feeling quite satisfied at the deep growl that he made when I opened my mouth to him. I gasped when his hands reached up and cupped my breasts and arched my back when he pushed aside the material to have better access. I moaned at the feel of his mouth on me, biting, teasing and sucking until I cried out when I felt his hand reach under the material of my smallclothes. I threw my head back as he teased me until I cried out and felt I could no longer support myself.

We laughed as we fumbled briefly with our clothing, unable to be apart long enough before reaching for the other once more. He hissed as I pinched and bite his chest, raking my nails down his back as he kissed my neck. I reached down to stroke and squeeze him through his breeches, taking his earlobe into my mouth and bit. I knew I had pushed him past his limits when I felt his hands reached beneath my simple shift to quickly remove my smallclothes.

I buried my fingers in his hair as he took hold of each leg and lifted me up. I used the leverage to rub against him, causing him to curse under his breath as he moved back long enough to free himself from the restricting material. I wrapped my legs around his waist, ignoring the rough feel of the bark digging into my shoulders. I concentrated only on him but stopped when I saw the dark look of desire in his eyes change to uncertainty.

"What's wrong?" I asked, worried that he had changed his mind but I could see that the look said he wanted something but was unsure how to ask. I could feel he ready and so tantalizing close to me that all I needed to do was push my hips forward.

"Please?" was all he said quietly.

I knew what he wanted and I feared that this may be the first time I would have to deny him.

"Fenris…" I wanted to try to explain why I shouldn't when he thrust his hips forward to convince me. Feeling all of him finally inside me, I couldn't think of a reason to stop. I was soon lost in the feeling of him. From the delicious heat of his mouth as he kissed me, to the feel of his fingers that dug into my thighs to hold me up, to feel of him working his way in and out between my thighs.

As I neared my release, I reached out to him with my magic as I screamed out in absolute pleasure, my inner muscles tightening on him even as he continued to move inside me. I could feel the lyrium on his member, the ridges adding friction as his thrusts became frantic and I climaxed intensely once more with him, raking nails down his back. I felt his teeth on my shoulder to keep from crying out.

Every part of me tingled. I couldn't bring myself to move just yet. I felt exhilarated. I knew that part of it was finally achieving release after being so close all this past week yet unable to be alone with him. Part of it was from the lyrium that I felt come off his skin when I reached out to him. I drew it in and it had enhanced the pleasure I felt. I knew that to not tell him was wrong and yet I knew that was I revealed this secret to him, I would lose him forever.

Am I strong enough to let him go?