Chapter Nineteen

Even after a couple of weeks, after waking up alone in her own bed every day, Evelyn had wondered if that weekend hadn't been her imagination run amok. She got dressed, and headed over to the keep. She tried to busy herself as she got ready for an appointment with the Grand Cleric.

Rothia strolled into her office without even knocking. Normally, the Grand Cleric looked pleased to see her, but today, as she sat down in the seat in front of Evelyn's desk, she gave an exasperated sigh and pursed her lips together.

"May I help you, Grand Cleric?," The Viscountess slowly said, while furrowing her brow.

"Lady Evelyn, do you go home at night and wield some strange power to bend events to your will?"

"Excuse me?," Evelyn said, a bit flabbergasted.

Rothia sighed again, "A rhetorical question, my dear. Somehow, however, the Divine is allowing your wishes. She said that she sees your point and you may bring your prisoner to the meeting. Mind you, she did not say she agreed with you, nor indicate that it was a good idea to do so. Please allow me to say, I still think it would be in everyone's best interest not to proceed with this. All we need is for him to get away and to blow up the castle."

"He won't blow up the castle, I assure you."

"And how do you know? Are you also gifted with the ability to read minds?" As an afterthought, she muttered, "Of course, I suppose you'd have to be able to read them in order to have the ability to alter them."

Evelyn gave her an annoyed look, "The king and queen of Ferelden are as much his friends as they are mine. He wouldn't destroy their home. Especially after...betraying them."

"Oh, this should be really interesting!," Rothia said sarcastically.

Evelyn pinched the bridge of her nose and sighed. She smiled at Rothia, "I'll make sure he behaves, ok?"

Rothia rolled her eyes, "If you won't listen to me, at least discuss this with your Knight-Commander? I believe he's in agreement with me, so maybe he can get you to see reason. At the very least, he will have to ensure additional security measures are taken."

Evelyn nodded, "Of course, I will mention it next time I see him."

Rothia smiled at Evelyn, "Well, then, considering that we came across on the same ferry and he explained he had business in the city to attend to, I would assume that would be tonight, my dear."

Evelyn was not happy, but it wasn't Rothia's fault. It seemed everyone whispered about their relationship these days. It was only a matter of time before people realized that when he had matters to attend to in Kirkwall, he dined with the Viscountess that same evening.

"Yes, thank you, for the reminder, Grand Cleric. Will that be all?"

Rothia stood up and gave a bow of her head, "For now," was all she said before walking out of the office.

Later that evening, after supper, she and Cullen did certainly discuss the matter.

"Damn it, Evelyn! I didn't press you on this because I didn't think the Divine would ever grant it. Why are you being so stubborn? Surely you can see how it can go horribly wrong extremely quickly?"

"I'm not being stubborn. I was asked to seek the approval of the Divine, which I did. And, while Rothia is correct in my only receiving permission and nothing else, by her endorsement, I do at least have Her Perfection's tacit approval. You might see me as stubborn on this, but I'm being so with the Divine's accord. By fighting my decision, you and the Grand Cleric are proving yourselves as pig-headed as you claim I am."

Cullen pinched the bridge of his nose, sighed, and regarded Evelyn, "I've had a long day, I'm in no mood to argue any further, and I'm getting a headache." He crossed his arms over his chest and contemplated what she had said, "Fine, I'll post two guards to him at all times. I'll need you to bring his phylactery, just in case. This is not approval, either, merely acquiescence."

Evelyn walked up to him, a small smile on her face, and kissed his cheek, "Thank you, I'll take it." He mumbled something about her being 'damned frustrating'. She directed him to sit down on the couch while she massaged the back of his neck to relieve some of the tension. She sent a healing spell to her hand and held it over his head while she tried to ease his headache.

When she was done, he sighed as if in relief, then grabbed her hand on the back of his neck and kissed it, "Thank you."

Evelyn shrugged, "I figured that if I was the cause of your pain, the least I could do is to help alleviate it." She went around the sofa and sat down close to him. He held her hand and intertwined their fingers.

Cullen looked at her, sighed, and smirked before he said, "My love, if that's the worse argument we ever have, then I'll count myself a lucky man. I'll let the Grand Cleric know that the Viscountess shall have her way, with dissension." He pressed a kiss to her lips before getting up, "I have to be going."

Evelyn stood also. He was right, it was getting late. She wanted so much for him to stay. She managed a smile, "Of course, good evening, Knight-Commander."

He seemed to hesitate a moment, then said, "And yourself, my lady," as he brushed a kiss on her fingers, bowed slightly, and walked out the door.