Warmth tickled the edge of her jaw as even warmer hands slipped beneath her tunic. Cassandra rolled away from the sensation, her senses slowly returning as slender arms wrapped around her waist from behind, hands splaying to cup her breasts even as soft lips nuzzled her neck. She winced as sunlight burned her eyes and gasped as dexterous fingers slowly circled a portion of her body that, clearly, had already awoken.
"Evelyn…"
The response behind her was a purred chuckle, deep and rich and full of promise as those fingers continued to move slow tortured promise.
"I do love it when you say my name...seeker."
Cassandra felt desire pulse thick and heavy in her veins as one hand drifted lower, the other continuing its earlier tease. For a moment the warrior was confused, she did not remember coming to bed, her last memory was of pacing and…
Oh
Clearly the Inquisitor was feeling much better.
The seeker slowly exhaled a shaky breath, stilling the hand that had slipped part ways beneath the waistband of her leathers and shook her head although the words that would have stopped the rogue's touch would not leave her lips. She arched into the bold stroke and shuddered as teeth scraped along her ear, before warm huskily delivered words fanned the flames of need Cassandra was doing a poor job of controlling.
"I know you'll say it's late, that others will come looking for us, that I am not fully healed and neither are you but…"
The seeker turned in the clasp of those slender arms, her eyes meeting the bright shards of green that stared down at her as the soft words continued to weave around and through the other woman like a spell.
"I want you…. I want to peel away every barrier, lose myself in this, in us for as long as the world will allow…"
Evelyn slowly pulled at the laces of the seeker's pants, fingertips brushing the bunched quivering muscles beneath.
"I don't need to be fully healed to make love to you Cassandra…"
She watched as light hazel grew ever darker with every whispered brush of her lips against that olive skin, encouraged by the seeker's silence and the light pants of breath that puffed against her own skin. She lowered her lips, brushing them over the edge of the other woman's collarbone as she brushed her fingertips across parted lips.
"I want to start here… Kiss you until every thought forming behind your eyes is of me… Until blood is rushing in your ears for want of my touch…"
Evelyn locked eyes with the warrior, fingertips trailing lower to tease at the edges of cloth covered breasts.
"Then I will taste you here, suck and tease until you beg me to place my mouth elsewhere…"
She leaned forward brushing her lips over the seeker's, tongue darting out to taste, to trace the edge of that part, darting away when Cassandra surged upwards, a low growl rumbling from the seeker's throat. The glare her actions earned her made the Inquisitor's lips curl into a feral grin, her heart swelling at the huffed pout of annoyance laced with desire.
"I do not beg."
Evelyn chuckled, confident in her abilities as she leaned down, pausing to answer the gruff assertiveness before capturing the seeker's mouth with her own.
"You will."
Leliana felt her mouth quirk into a wry grin as she surveyed the loft the Right Hand called home. The neatly made blankets suggested that the seeker had not slept there but Cassandra was infamous for being an early riser so that assumption was not guaranteed. The spymaster had not slept. Instead she had grilled the Tevinter and Qunari for answers regarding the state of Adamant, sent out countless ravens to her agents in the field while sending scores more to retrieve any and all information that could be salvaged. A fearful restlessness drove her and the bard had been hoping to draw the seeker into a duel, an argument, anything to take the Left's mind off the countless what ifs that haunted her. She turned on her heel and left the stifling heat of the armory to check the training yards and then the hall before turning her attention to the door that led to the Inquisitor's rooms. Leliana raised an eyebrow at the sight of a guard standing in front of that entrance and she stepped forward.
"I wonder if I might have a word with our Inquisitor. Is she still abed?"
Leliana watched as the guard cast a worried glance towards the wooden obstruction before making an audible swallow as he nodded, his voice stammering. "Y… yes. I was told her Worship needed to rest, to heal and recover from the last expedition."
The spymaster smirked for a moment before she purred and sidled closer to the soldier, her eyes gleaming from beneath the cowl. "Oh were you? And just who gave those instructions hmm? Perhaps a very grumpy seeker?"
She almost chuckled at the vehement shake of the soldier's head, his pale skin flushing a deep red as a muffled noise sounded from behind the heavy wooden door. The spymaster was sorely tempted to send the guard away, to interrupt what she believed to be going on in the rooms above them. She opened her mouth to order the guard away, closing it in surprise as the young man saluted a figure to her left and she turned to find a bedraggled Commander Cullen staring at her in confusion.
"Sister Leliana, I did not expect you to be down here in the hall this morning. Did you come to check on the Inquisitor as well?"
The spymaster started to affirm the Commander's guess when a high pitched sound cleaved through the air, turning the man's face into the picture of concern.
"Was that… the Inquisitor…."
He started towards the door, startled when a vice grip clamped down around his forearm and looked at the former Left Hand. She had changed much since he last spent time in her presence. They had never been close, indeed they tended to fall on separate sides of every argument but Cullen could not deny the former bard's capabilities and talents. It was hard to reconcile in his own mind the light hearted girl he remembered meeting all those years ago inside the White Spire with the deadly woman who now stood before him. Most of her facial features were masked by the shadow of her office but he thought he caught the glimpse of turned lips and frowned at such an odd reaction as another muffled sound bled through the door. Cullen pulled his arm away and pointed it at the entrance., "That does not sound… normal. I know Solas treated her last night but perhaps we should.."
"I think it best we leave our leader be Commander. I am sure she will be down… later."
Leliana turned to lead the former templar away when the unmistakable grunt of Cassandra's voice resounded clearly. She paused, taken aback by the rushed reaction of the man standing at her side. One second he was there, the next had the rogue staring at an open door.
Stars exploded behind her eyes for the second, no the third… Maker help her she had lost count of the number of times those agile fingers had left her breathless in sweet release only to be driven higher still by a well versed tongue. Cassandra felt the beads of sweat cooling on her skin in the chill of the morning air; the combined heat of their activities had driven the older woman to open the doors out to the balcony. She slid her fingers along the Free Marcher's jaw, pulling the slender woman up her body, intent upon returning any of her many favors. The seeker tasted herself on the rogue's lips and groaned softly, rolling the slender frame of her lover to rest back against damp sheets. She barely registered the slamming of a door and pulled away, looking up as the thud of heavy boots flew up the stairs. Hazel eyes widened at the shock of a familiar face appeared frozen at the foot of the stairs. The seeker watched in abject horror as the ashen features of Kirkwall's former Knight-Captain turned a unique shade of red before the man stammered an apology and heavy boots thundered a swift retreat. Cassandra whipped her head around as a burst of laughter escaped the woman beneath her. The seeker was mortified. Cullen had… just walked in… had just seen the two of them… naked. She shook the paralyzing thought from her mind and sat up. How was she to work with the man now? And Evelyn… Cassandra scowled at the Inquisitor, her voice harsh even to her own ears as she cut across the infectious laughter.
"How can you laugh at a time like this? That was….. He saw the two of us.."
"Naked? Together? Come now Cassandra that can't have been the first time our dear commander has seen a naked woman. Although…. "
Evelyn paused, her voice trailing as she reimagined the position the virginal former templar had just caught them in. She grinned back at the seeker, leaning forward to kiss at the corner of the frowning mouth before continuing.
"That might have been the first time he has seen two together in such a… compromising position."
Cassandra ignored the press of that warm mouth as it teased as she huffed in agreement, her previous relaxed mood returning as a languid caress tickled the length of her spine, only to be shattered in the next breath at the sound of a voice cleared behind them. She turned to see a devious smile shining beneath the shadow of the spymaster's cowl and gasped, sputtering in rage as she grabbed the edge of a sheet to cover herself.
Leliana couldn't still the bubble of mirth that trickled past her lips. Cullen's swift retreat had bewildered her. She had not intended to interrupt these two but she had worried if perhaps she'd been mistaken in her earlier assumption as to the cause of the varied sounds she and the Commander had heard. When the former Templar pushed past her as though an abomination was on his heels, Leliana had not known what to think and thus had climbed the stairs to see for herself just what could frighten a battle hardened warrior like Cullen so. To see her fellow hand so scandalized was almost worth her friend's embarrassment, though the utter lack of care or concern on the Inquisitor's face was intriguing. While Cassandra covered herself, the woman sharing her bed seemed to not care who saw her naked form. Leliana quirked an eyebrow at the young woman, her wordless inquiry met with a carefree shrug.
"You're the spymaster, I figure you just naturally knew what everyone looked like naked."
Leliana shook her head, another soft chuckle escaping her lips as she watched Cassandra throw a tunic over the Inquisitor; the seeker's cheeks a most interesting shade of red as the warrior hastily dressed. Catching the hard glare from the seeker, Leliana turned to give the two a measure of privacy, though at this point it was merely a courtesy.
"Has something happened Leliana?"
The question caught the spymaster off guard and she turned to find Cassandra brushing past her to stand out on the balcony while the Free Marcher leisurely fastened the buttons of her tunic. The former bard flashed the younger woman a wry smirk. "I had hoped to tempt Cassandra into a dual or an argument this morning, whichever came first -"
"She did," came the bland reply followed by a wolfish grin from the rogue and Leliana had to choke back her shocked laughter as a fierce growl echoed from the balcony. Clearing her throat, the former bard continued as if nothing untoward had been said.
"As I was saying your Worship… I came -"
"You too huh?"
The spymaster gave an exasperated sigh and glared at the noble who had reclined back against the headboard, regarding her with an amused expression. Leliana rolled her eyes and tucked her arms behind her back. "Clearly you are feeling much better this morning Herald."
Evelyn flashed another devious grin at the former lay sister before glancing at the tall warrior who was slowly starting to pace the length of the balcony. Even from across the room she could feel the disapproval of her lover and with a reluctant sigh she dropped the teasing demeanor. It was rare for her to beat the bard in a verbal spar and having already scored two points, the noble figured it best to stop while ahead. Instead she nodded absentmindedly at the spymaster and waved her hand, "I am. Solas has proven very gifted in the art of healing."
Leliana nodded, "Good, I am glad to hear it…"
Evelyn stood and pulled her breeches up in a smooth motion, tying the laces tightly before turning back to the cowled figure. "I doubt you will know but since you rumored to know all… any idea why our esteemed commander felt it necessary to barge into my quarters this morning?"
Leliana shook her head, stepping back to allow the other woman a margin of space when the lithe figure plopped down at the foot of the bed to begin pulling her boots back on. "I know many things Inquisitor but that is not one of them. He was standing at your door when I arrive however, if I may be so bold to suggest…" The bard paused and raised a single eyebrow at the young Free Marcher. "You may want to go and smooth things over with him before our next council meeting, he looked very… flustered."
Evelyn chucked as she laced her boots and leaned back, shrugging her shoulders. "I refuse to believe our commander is a virgin, he is simply is too pretty, but I agree… council meetings are… loathsome enough without there being added tension in the room." She stood, stretching before running a hand through her hair in a vain attempt to smooth the tousled locks, surprised to see Cassandra had re-entered the room, her arms crossed over her chest.
"You will forgive me if I do not accompany you in this."
Evelyn grinned at the scowling woman. "You mean you don't want to see the look on his face when he sees us in the same room clothed?"
Cassandra snorted, "Hardly. I think you are better adept at dealing with Cullen's broken heart than I am."
"Broken heart?"
The seeker grunted as she nodded, fixing the Inquisitor with a hard look. "Surely you have noticed the long looks, the way he follows your every word?" She blinked back her surprise as the noble shook her head, an odd look of bewilderment crossing her features.
Evelyn turned as a bright laugh escaped the spymaster to her right and she regarded both women with a blank stare, convinced she was being made the butt of some unknown joke between the two hands.
"Impossible, he's never said a word…"
"I did warn you to stop flirting with everyone did I not?"
The rogue turned towards the seeker, surprised by the smug look that twisted her previously scowling features. She rarely saw such on the other woman's face and the Free Marcher narrowed her eyes at the warrior.
"No. You commanded me to, which I promptly ignored by the way. Besides, I needed something to distract me from the business of having a hole blasted into my hand by some mad darkspawn…"
Leliana cut in before the conversation escalated further, though it was amusing to see the two of them argue like some old married couple. It reminded her of when she and Elissa had traveled together and with those memories returned the dread of not knowing where her love was. Shaking away the feeling of despair the bard cleared her throat, "Regardless of the cause, the damage is done and must be mended. Now, Inquisitor, I believe a last saw Cullen making a beeline for his tower. Go there. Speak with him. I will entertain Cassandra in your absence."
She delivered the last line with a wink, hiding her grin at the incredulous expression on the Herald's face. The spymaster practically purred as she nodded in the seeker's direction, a smirk twisting the corners of her lips. "Do not worry… I am sure I can show our Right Hand a few other things her moniker can also be used for..."
Evelyn narrowed her eyes for a moment before standing, quelling the urge to threaten the other rogue. As good as she was, she had seen the Left Hand on the battlefield enough times to make it very apparent she was nowhere near the other woman in terms of skill. Giving a very seeker like grunt, she waved the other two woman away and resigned herself to the awkwardness that awaited her in the tower across from her own.
Leliana watched the young leader go before turning to the warrior on the other side of the room, laughing when the seeker raised a shaped eyebrow at her, her low voice gruff, "I know well enough what a Right Hand can do."
The spymaster chuckled and motioned to the warrior, "Oh yes… I know, I saw." She watched as the other woman's cheeks reddened slightly and smiled. "Come my friend, it is late and I wanted to cross words with you as well as swords."
Cassandra nodded, a smile ghosting her lips as she followed her fellow hand down the stairs and out towards the training yard. It had been ages since the two of them had sparred and she welcomed the challenge. Turning to the left she looked towards the commander's tower and wished the Inquisitor the luck she would no doubt need.
Evelyn took the stone steps slowly, a haunting dread seeping into her as every step pulled her closer and closer to a confrontation she was not looking forward to. She racked her brain, straining to remember just what she had said all those months ago. From what little she could remember, she had said far worse to Iron Bull and Dorian and neither of them had taken her meaning beyond the playful banter (although there was that one afternoon she had arrived to find the qunari in her bed making a joke about riding the bull…) The Inquisitor paled at the memory. Ok, perhaps she had been a little overt towards certain party members but had that included Cullen?
Too soon she found herself staring at the wooden door that led that very man inside and Evelyn could feel her nerve slipping. As much as she enjoyed verbal sparring, apologies did not come naturally and the thought of facing a man she might have misled was… sobering to say the least. Sighing, the Free Marcher squared her shoulders and raised her hand to knock at the door, surprised when it was flung open leaving her face to face with an equally astonished Cullen.
"I… Inquisitor… what… what brings you here?"
She could see the pale cheeks turning red and Evelyn sighed heavily, "I wanted to see if you were ok. I am sure… that must have been… surprising for you."
Cullen felt his face flush further as his traitorous mind supplied a very detailed image of the Inquisitor and the seeker, both of whom he'd had more than a passing interest in. It was an image that would no doubt haunt the cold nights alone as he fought the need for lyrium that clawed from within his veins. He forced himself to meet the shifting colors of the Inquisitor's eyes and swallowed hard as he stammered his assurances.
"I… admit, I did not expect to find you… and Lady Cassandra… my apologies your Worship… I should not have entered your chambers without…"
"No you shouldn't have, but the damage is done I suppose."
The harsh tone was a direct contradiction with the smile that seemed to tug at the young woman's lips and Cullen found himself relieved that that young leader was not more upset. A loud banging followed by a bellowing war cry drew both commander and noble to the edge of the battlements where they witnessed the rare sight of Cassandra and Leliana sparring amidst a group of admiring soldiers. Both moved with a thoughtless grace, their movement languid and deadly as they shuffled around the training circle. Evelyn could see bets were being made and she turned towards the Commander with a grin on her lips.
"Care to place a wager? I'd lay 2-1 odds my seeker bests our bard."
Cullen felt his cheeks flush at the possessive tone in the other woman's voice and cursed his Chantry upbringing as he returned the young woman's smile, his head shaking. "You are at a disadvantage having never seen these two spar before. Lady Cassandra easily outweighs our spymaster in strength but she will lose the battle by letting her emotion get the best of her. My money's on Leliana, I've yet to see her loose to the seeker."
Evelyn chuckled and leaned over the battlements to watch the match closely. From her vantage the two were evenly matched and at one point she was sure Cassandra was mere seconds away from a win. She turned to the former Templar and raised an eyebrow. "Care to double the odds?"
Cullen shook his head and pointed down at the yard, "Too late Inquisitor, the battle is lost. You owe me coin."
Evelyn felt her jaw drop as she turned back towards the training yard in time to see the glint of a dagger tipping the hard angle of Cassandra's chin. Dear Maker she needed to train with the spymaster! She felt the air atop the wall shift and her eyes darted to the side just in time to see a large raven transforming into a familiar form. She pushed away from the wall, surprised to see Morrigan staring expectantly at her, a pale finger crooking towards her.
"Inquisitor, a word if I may."
Evelyn frowned slightly. She had not seen the arcane advisor since arriving back in Skyhold after the ball and had not expected to see her today. The method of arrival was even more curious indeed. Intrigued the Inquisitor turned towards the commander and shrugged, "Seems I am wanted by more than just one person today." She watched as the flushed man turned redder still and chuckled silently to herself, grateful for the former Knight Commander's easy going nature. She watched him nod before leaning over the wall to yell at the soldiers to get back into formation. Turning towards the Witch of the Wilds, Evelyn followed, wondering if the day could possibly get any more interesting.