Chapter Eighteen

The following day, the first thing Evelyn noticed when she awoke was the sunlight. She reluctantly opened her eyes to see its rays coming through the still opened double-doors to the balcony. She guessed that it was still early in the morning.

The second thing she noticed was the wonderfully strong arm around her and the feeling of the Knight-Commander pressed up against her backside. She'd dreamed of waking like this for so long, she almost wanted to make sure she wasn't still asleep. She couldn't remember the last time she'd awoken to such a wonderful feeling of bliss and contentment. She stirred slightly, pressing herself up to him a little bit more. He responded by kissing the back of her neck and pulling her closer to him. He also draped his leg over hers.

"Morning, my love", she whispered.

"Mmmmm...morning...," Cullen lazily replied.

Evelyn smiled to herself. She closed her eyes as she lay there, enjoying the feeling of being totally enveloped by him. It made her feel safe, secure, and loved. With Anders, it was always as if his paranoia was infectious. He was always spouting off about the plight of mages. She always felt as if she were going to be hauled away at any moment. Ironic then, that she would feel this way in the arms of a Templar.

They lay there together for a little while longer, until Cullen was obviously affected by her being so close to him. He kissed the back of her neck and softly bit her shoulder. She giggled.

"I'd have thought you'd be worn out after yesterday afternoon...and yesterday evening...and last night..."

"I've slept since then," he mumbled as he gently kissed the spot he'd bitten.

"But we haven't eaten since yesterday at noon. Aren't you hungry?", she rolled over in his arms and smirked at him. He positioned himself on top of her and took the opportunity to gently hold her arms over her head, intertwining his fingers with hers.

Smiling at her, he said, " I figure we can always sleep and eat later. I have no idea when the next time I'll have the opportunity to make love to you in the morning will be." He bent down and kissed her, leaving her breathless as he slipped himself effortlessly inside of her.

Afterwards, as they both lay there, Evelyn said, "You know, I think I've never felt like I've needed a bath more." She smiled at him.

He laughed, "I think we could both use one."

Evelyn put her hand up before he could think that statement through, "Separately, if you don't mind. There are parts of me that could use a bit of a rest." She kissed his cheek and squeezed his hand as she got out of bed and walked into the bathroom.

Cullen smirked at her, "Not to get too personal, but I'd have thought that living with a Grey Warden, you'd have gotten accustomed to much more than that, if rumors are to be believed."

Evelyn started the water in the tub before peeking around the corner of the door, "Maybe. But you forget something, my dear."

Cullen looked at her amused but puzzled, "And what's that?"

Evelyn had a mischievious gleam in her eye, "Grey Warden, but also one of the best healers on Thedas."

Cullen laughed. He sighed and got out of bed. Evelyn swore she heard his stomach rumble, as if letting him know it would not be neglected any longer. She heard him walking towards the kitchen, so figured it must have won the argument.

After she had finished her bath and gotten ready for the day, she went to find him. As she guessed, he was busy in the kitchen preparing breakfast. He had tossed on a dark blue robe that went almost all the way to the floor. He smiled when he saw her, "I hope you like eggs."

"Love 'em."

"And waffles?"

"With lots of crevices for syrup?"

"Absolutely." In front of her, he placed what looked like sausage and scrambled eggs between two waffles, with syrup.

Evelyn quirked an eyebrow at it, then gave him an amused look.

Cullen smiled at her, "It's a sandwich...sort of...Will you at least try it?"

"I don't know if I'm that adventurous," she teased.

"Well, after last night...," he smirked at her.

Evelyn blushed remembering some of the stuff they did, "With my food," she hastily added as she playfully swatted him on the arm.

Cullen laughed and kissed her on the forehead, "At least try it...please?"

Evelyn shook her head and picked up the sandwich. She took a bite. It was delicious. She smiled and gave Cullen a 'thumbs-up', then took another bite. He smiled.

"Excellent!" He winked at her and headed out the door of the kitchen towards the bathroom.

Evelyn finished the sandwich and tidied up the kitchen, then went to the front room and cast a spell to light the fireplace before selecting a book from the shelves. She sat down in front of the fireplace and, while she waited, snuggled under the blanket they had left there yesterday.

When Cullen came out, he saw the fire and sat down next to her on the sofa, "What are you reading?"

"History of Kirkwall"

"Ah, I see...," he chuckled. "Trying not to repeat the past, I hope."

She smiled at him, "I don't think the city and the Templars have ever had as strong an alliance as they do now, Knight-Commander."

Cullen looked as though he was considering that, then sighed and sat back before changing the subject, "As much as I hate to bring it up, we're going to have to head back soon."

Evelyn sighed, "I know." She put the book down and snuggled up under his arm, "I wish...," her voice trailed off for a second, then she wrapped her arms tightly around him and shook her head, "Doesn't matter..." She was going to say she wished she never had to leave, but what would be the point? The reality was that they both had responsibilities to get back to and thinking like that led to other thoughts that were even more impossible and frustrating.

Cullen tightened his arm around her and kissed her forehead, "I love you."

She looked up at him and smiled, "I love you, too."