46
One month later
It had taken them most of a week, but they'd gathered a crew of four dozen sailors. Isabela had picked a First Mate from among them, a ruthless Antivan named Dario, that she'd worked with two years prior. He was as skilled with a sword as he was with a ship, and would make a great right hand.
They had ordered a month's worth of food to be loaded onto the ship, and Isabela shuddered to think how much coin Hawke had spent on new clothes and weapons for them both. Everything was organised for them to set sail at the end of the week.
They slowly trudged through the Hightown market, walking shoulder to shoulder. Isabela reached across slightly, gathering Hawke's hand into her own, and watched Hawke's reaction out of the corner of her eye. The mage looked down in surprise, then smiled to herself.
Isabela stopped in her tracks. "You go on ahead, I want to have a quick look at the blade stall."
Hawke hesitated. "I don't mind waiting for you."
Isabela let go of Hawke's hand, and put her hands on her hips. "And here I thought you had promised to cook me dinner?"
Hawke chuckled, holding the satchel of fresh ingredients in her hand. "Very well, mademoiselle. Don't be too long."
Isabela pulled Hawke in for a quick kiss, before the mage strolled off in the direction of her house. Isabela pretended to browse the weapon stand until Hawke was out of sight, then she turned and headed to her real destination.
They lay side by side in bed, with Hawke resting her head in the nook between Isabela's arm and chest. "I think I'll be a terrible sailor. I'm not as strong as you, and my hands are too soft to pull ropes all day. At least I learned that wind spell, so I won't be completely useless."
Isabela perked up. "I forgot about that. You'll be the most popular person on the ship. We'll be unrivaled for speed, and we can outrun any storm. Good thinking. Where would you like to go first?"
Hawke paused. "I'll leave that up to you. You've seen it all, you know the best places. Except... maybe we should avoid Orlais, for a little while?"
Isabela thought for a moment. "Rivain, I think. I'd like you to see my homeland."
Hawke smiled. "I'd like that too. I'm looking forward to this."
"So am I, sweet thing. Being out on the open ocean, there's nothing like it."
Hawke smiled and repositioned her head on Isabela's shoulder. The women slipped into a comfortable silence, breathing steadily in sync with each other. Isabela felt her heartbeat quicken. Now would be the perfect time to give Hawke her gift. She sat up and moved to the edge of the bed, digging into the bottom of her boot where she'd hidden the parcel.
"Hawke, I got something for you today. Well, something for us… really…"
Hawke cocked her head, perplexed by Isabela's sudden switch in behaviour. Isabela handed over the parcel hurriedly, feeling her palms go clammy.
Hawke opened it slowly, and her eyes lit up when she pulled out the gold bracelets. "Isabela…" she said breathily.
She held them both up to examine them, taking in the sight of the engraved charms. She looked at Isabela with such warmth in her eyes that Isabela wished that she'd bought her gifts every single day.
Isabela realised that she needed to speak now. "Uh… this one's for you. It's enchanted with lyrium. The other one is for me, and it's enchanted with a dexterity spell. They're both enchanted with the same protection spell. I… thought that… ah… balls… I'm not good with this stuff."
Hawke held her wrist out, gesturing for Isabela to clip the bracelet on for her. Isabela complied, angry at herself for how clumsy her shaking hands were.
"You had them both engraved with 'H & I'…" Hawke said quietly.
Isabela's tongue tied in knots, and she suddenly understood how Merrill felt most of the time. "I… er… yes, I did. I wanted… umm… a symbol, or something... Ugh. I wanted something to show the world that I am yours, and you are mine."
Hawke leaned in and kissed Isabela softly. "What a lovely gesture. Thank you, Isabela. I love… them. They're beautiful."
Isabela felt relieved that Hawke had accepted the gift so graciously. She didn't even tease Isabela for her less than smooth delivery. Hawke leaned forwards and clipped Isabela's bracelet on. They lay down side by side in their matching bracelets, and Isabela felt her heart rate slow.
Hawke giggled quietly. "I got you a gift as well, but I'm afraid it's going to pale in comparison to this."
Isabela turned in Hawke's direction. "Mmm? Try me."
Hawke rolled on top of her and pinned her wrists down above her head, and started kissing her neck. "You're going to need to trust me."
"I do."
"Good" Hawke said as she climbed off the bed and went rifling through her drawers. She pulled out a series of belts and sashes, tying the thickest one over Isabela's eyes.
"I like where this is going…" Isabela murmured as Hawke secured her wrists and ankles to the four posts of her bed.
Hawke gave Isabela a quick kiss. "I'll be right back."
Isabela chuckled to herself as she heard Hawke's uneven footfalls go down the staircase. Hawke was many things, but stealthy? Not one of them.
Hawke returned a moment later, and the bolt of her bedroom door locking behind her sounded louder to Isabela in her blinded state. Hawke crawled onto the bed and tenderly kissed Isabela, giving only the gentlest hint of a tongue. Isabela moaned softly at the tingling sensation. Hawke sat up for a moment, before leaning back over and kissing Isabela again. This time, she pushed something into Isabela's mouth with her tongue, and Isabela swallowed it, taking in the flavour.
"No, you didn't?! You little tease!" she said excitedly.
"Mmmhmm, I did" Hawke whispered in her ear.
"How did you know?" Isabela asked, her heart rate starting to climb.
Hawke giggled. "You talk a lot during sex, Isabela."
"Oh, my sweet girl, the things I am going to teach you to do with this whipped cream…"
Hawke chuckled. "I don't think lessons will be necessary, Bela. You seem to be the one restrained to a bed, and I know exactly what I'm going to do to you."
"Oh, Hawke. I'm so proud of you, I'm getting all misty eyed! I... Oh... Mmm... Ohhh my..."