Chapter Seven

Her Tender Touch

Valina woke to the sounds of birds and animals in the forest. She raised a hand to shield her eyes, blinking into the early morning sun. Feathers from the shoulders of his vest tickled at her cheek, combining with the delicious warmth she felt in her body. Memories of the night they had shared flooded through her.

She propped herself up on her elbow and felt a smile light her lips as she gazed down at his handsome face. She traced her fingers over his stubbled jaw, then the scar on his top lip, before she bent to touch her nose against his. 'I know you're awake,' she whispered, placing a soft kiss on the tip of his nose.

One tawny eye cracked open. 'Can we pretend a little while longer?'

'I think someone will start to look for us soon,' she said, fingers trailing down his chest, 'they might think that the crazy rogue who blew up Skyhold's gates has kidnapped their Commander. And, while I don't mind being caught naked on the forest floor, it could be scandalous for the Commander of the Inquisition.'

Cullen wound his fingers into her dark hair. 'I am a willing hostage.'

'Does that mean we're getting ropes out when we get back to Skyhold?' she purred.

'We'll talk about it.'

'Be still my beating heart, Commander…'

She claimed his lips. He felt his stomach dip, his body stirring as he inhaled her delicious rose-tinted scent, revelling in the taste of her lips. Even a night of love-making could not dim his desire for her.

He forced himself to pull away from her, unable to hide his sigh of disappointment.'We should get back,' he said reluctantly, tucking a few stray strands behind her ear.

She pouted at him, and he nearly caved.

'I guess we'll be good,' she said, 'just this once, though.'

Valina rose from the forest floor, stretching. She sauntered to the creek in the clearing. She could feel his eyes on her ass, and she smirked back at him. She sat on a smooth rock beside the water. The stream was clear and cool on her skin as she dipped her feet in, then washed herself gently. Her skin still tingled from their love-making, and she shivered as the cool water caressed her. Behind her, she heard him growl.

She glanced back, nibbling her lip. 'If you want to make it back to camp today,' she said, 'you best stop tempting me like that.'

Cullen cursed, reaching reluctantly for his pants.

When they were dressed, they returned to camp. As they walked, Valina slid her hand into Cullen's to entwine their fingers. He thought he felt his heart skip as she leant her head against his shoulder. She radiated a calm aura, and for the first time in so long, his mind was quiet.

As they reached the outskirts of the camp eyes darted in their direction, but none lingered. Although Valina had been an ally of the Inquisition for weeks, her explosive entrance was still vivid in the memory of the soldiers. None dared to stare as she and Cullen walked by, too fearful of her reputation.

Pack up was well under way in the camp. Valina retrieved her coat and effects from her tent. She shook dried blood from the leather before she shrugged it on. Cullen left her, but only to gather his armour from his tent. He returned fully dressed, a soldier at his side to take her bag and store it in the cart with his effects. They would have to make camp at least once more on the journey back.

They found the core group of Inquisition members preparing to mount their horses. Alistair waited with them. Although he stood taller than he had the previous night, he was obviously still in pain. Valina broke away from Cullen.

'How are you feeling?' she asked.

'As well as can be expected,' Alistair replied. He shrugged, the movement making him wince. 'I'm in one piece. That's what matters. Pretty sure my wife is going to kill me when she finds out about the all of this, though.'

'Your wife?'

'Feisty little mage, my Rokara,' he said, 'to be honest, I'm more scared of her than I am of Corypheus. I might get my balls burned off when I tell her what happened last night, so it's probably best to leave out the part about the Fade.'

'She sounds wonderful,' Valina said without an ounce of sarcasm.

He grinned. 'She is.'

'Is she a Grey Warden?'

'Yes… I fought her tooth and nail over, but she's stubborn.' A smile crossed his lips. 'I made her a Grey Warden a few months after we met. She said if I go into the Deep Roads, she's going with me.'

'Why isn't she with you now?'

'There are rumours about a potential cure for the Calling. If anyone can find it, she can. It also kept her safe from all this, so while I miss her, I am grateful for that. The thought of her being a slave to that monster…' He shook his head. 'Well, let's just say even thinking about the idea of it hurts enough.'

Alistair managed a slight bow before he headed to his horse.

Cullen rode up beside Valina on a massive steed. She took the hand he offered, and he pulled her up onto the saddle in front of him. She leant back into his chest.

'Don't want to let me out of your sight, Commander?'

He kissed her neck, and she could feel the smile on his lips. 'I'm not inclined to.'

The Inquisition troops began to march, Malakar at the head of the forces with Leliana and Cassandra. Valina and Cullen followed a short distance behind. Dorian rode up beside them. He looked over at them, and a dark eyebrow arched knowingly.

'Sharing a horse now, are we?'

Cullen kept his eyes forward, but Valina glanced over as the mage waggled his impeccably groomed eyebrows at them.

'Jealous, Dorian?' Valina asked.

'Extremely, if only because I nurse some of this jealousy on behalf of Malakar,' he said. His gaze flickered to Cullen, and he did a double take, a wicked grin on his lips. 'And you've certainly laid your claim.'

Cullen finally glanced over. 'What in the Maker are you talking about?'

'He's so innocent,' Dorian sighed.

Valina giggled. She reached back, brushing her fingers over Cullen's neck, just below his jaw. He felt a twinge of pain and his hand shot up to probe the spot.

'What the–'

'His first love bite. They grow up so fast, don't they?'

'He'll learn,' Valina said, and Dorian laughed heartily, almost sliding off his horse.

Cullen ducked his head down on her shoulder, hiding from Dorian.

'What's on my neck?' he asked, his voice low.

'A bruise, handsome, in striking colours,' she said, 'that happens to resemble an exact impression of my teeth. It'll fade. After a week or so.'

'Maker's breath,' he sighed, dropping his forehead onto her shoulder, 'I won't hear the end of this, will I?'

'Not for weeks,' she said, smiling as he kissed her neck, 'I promise I'll make it worth it when we get back to Skyhold.'

'I'll hold you to that.'

Skyhold, the Inquisition Fortress

Frostback Mountains, border between Ferelden and Orlais

The march back to the Inquisition fortress was long, but the time seemed to pass quickly. The victory at Adamant had boosted the morale of the troops, and there was an air of hope around the forces, especially among the surviving Grey Wardens.

Cullen found himself unable to wipe the smile from his lips, even as he dealt with the rowdy troops along the way. Valina had remained by his side throughout the journey, riding with him, laughing with him, and sharing his tent. He found her presence calming, and began to believe that she could sooth his very soul with a mere glimpse of her breathtaking smile.

He still suffered nightmares when they made camp each night, but, whenever he woke, it was not to fear, but to the soft touch of her hand on his chest, his neck, his cheek. She would draw him tight against her, stroking her fingers through his hair, singing softly in Tevene. As he drifted off each time, he wondered what she was saying. He thought about asking Dorian but wasn't sure if he could face the mage's torment just yet, not when the man wiggled his eyebrows at Cullen every time he got within eyesight.

The moment they reached the gates of Skyhold, they ducked away from the crowd, ignoring a few knowing glances. As they neared his quarters, he stopped her on the wall, searching for words.

'Valina, I was wondering,' he started, glancing down nervously, 'I know you have your own… what I mean to ask… would you…'

She smirked. 'Spit it out, handsome.'

He took a steadying breath, finding resolve in her serpentstone gaze. 'Would you like to share my quarters?'

'You mean our quarters?'

He stared at her blankly.

Valina nudged him, laughing. 'That was a yes, Cullen. As long as that's what you want?'

'It is,' he said, sounding more eager than he intended, though he found he did not care, 'if you want to.'

'Let's see,' she said, stroking her chin mischievously, 'sleep in bed all by myself, cold and lonely, or spend my nights in the arms of the devilishly handsome Commander of the Inquisition. How will I decide?'

He smiled, and her heart skipped in her chest. She took his hand, leading him to the door.

'You've convinced me,' she announced dramatically, 'I'm not sure my father would approve of me sharing a bed with such a devastatingly good-looking man out of wedlock, but what daddy doesn't know…'

'Won't hurt him?' Cullen finished tentatively.

She glanced back, a wicked smirk on her lips. 'Doesn't give him the opportunity to toast you.'

He gulped, unsure if she was serious. Knowing her, he suspected she was.

She closed the door behind them, then sauntered to his desk. She leant against the heavy frame, and heat flared in her gaze. 'Now, I believe I said something about making things up to you when we got back to Skyhold.'

He approached slowly, his eyes melting to gold as he stripped his vest, throwing it onto the back of his chair without looking away. He stood before her as he unclipped his armour, making a neat pile beside her. 'I do remember that.'

She slid her hands along the polished edge. 'What do you say, Commander? Think it will be sturdy enough?'

'I guess we'll have to find out.'

She hopped up onto it, wiggling back. 'So good so far.'

Cullen planted his hands on either side of her hips, leaning in. 'It's funny, actually,' he said, 'I feel like I should scold you. I told Cole off for sitting on my desk before we left for Adamant.'

'What was he doing on your desk?'

'He came to check on me. And when I told him to get down, he said...' Cullen laughed. 'That damn boy... he apologised because he said it's where you belong.'

She arched a dark eyebrow on it.

'Isn't that interesting?' She said, and his cheeks began to heat before her eyes, 'as far as I recall, we've made love on a forest floor, in a tent… we've yet to test this surface.'

Cullen rubbed the back of his neck. 'I… I had a dream, before, about…' He smiled softly, and she felt her heart melt at the look. She could provoke the lion inside him, and she loved him dearly for the wicked things he did to her in their love-making, but he still had the sweet air of the Chantry around him, the innocence that had tempted and challenged her.

'You don't have to be shy, Cullen,' she said, reaching out to draw him closer, 'not with me.'

He trailed strong hands down her thighs, pausing at her knees. He coaxed her legs apart, slipping his hips between them. 'I thought about us,' he said, and she shivered at the husky note in his voice, 'about making love… here.'

'Well, if I belong here,' she said, her heart kicking hard against her ribs as he pulled her tight against his chest, 'then, this is where I should be, isn't it?'

He smiled, dipping his head to trail his lips down her neck. She shivered as his hand slipped beneath her shirt, the leather of his gloves cold on her skin. He felt her hands tugging at his shirt, pulling it from the waistband of his pants to slip her hands beneath, eager to touch him, to feel the heat of his skin beneath her palms.

Cullen obliged her. He stripped his shirt and gloves, not caring where they landed as he reached for her coat. The leather fell back on the desk with a thud, and he nearly growled. She wore her light-weight tunic, the fabric almost sheer even in the muted light of their quarters. His eyes locked onto her dusky nipples, the material doing nothing to hide them from his gaze. He found the hem of her shirt once more, desperate to feel her supple skin.

'We're wearing too many clothes again, Commander,' Valina whispered, voice breathless as his hands skimmed higher, brushing the soft curve of her breasts.

'Indeed.'

'I think you're right.'

She hooked a finger below the waist of his pants, her skilled fingers making quick work of the tie. 'I have thought of nothing else today, except tasting you,' she said, and his knees nearly buckled as she freed his erection, her hand cupping him gently. When she stroked him, his head dropped onto her shoulder to stifle his moan. He gripped her hips, barely resisting the urge to rip her shirt in half. His lips found her neck, teeth grazing across her sensitive skin until she shuddered in his embrace. Her hand never stopped, her nimble fingers stroking him into a frenzy, his hips bucking involuntarily as her thumb traced the sensitive edge of the crown.

'Valina, I need–'

The door creaked loudly to his left, and a scream filled the room.

'Does no one know how to knock?' Cullen roared, forcing his member back into his pants with an almost painful shove. He turned on the wide-eyed scout, a muscle ticking in his jaw as he levelled a murderous glare at the man. 'For fuck's sake, Jim!'

At the sight of his commander, half-naked and with the eyes of a predator seeing vulnerable prey, Jim dropped whatever he had been holding and bailed out the door, slamming it behind him. Valina's sides ached with laughter, and she heard Jim scream, 'Maker, please don't let him hurt me!' through the door, but no other sounds followed. Apparently, Jim was running out of genuine fear for his life.

Cullen stalked to the door, checking that it was indeed closed. He crouched to pick up the parchment from the cobblestones. When he turned around, Valina was laughing so hard that she nearly fell off the front of the desk. He rushed to her, grasping her shoulders to prop her up, and she buried her face in his chest.

'What's so funny?'

'That guy is going to be even more terrified of you now than he was before, but I'm not sure if it'll be because you yelled at him, or because he's intimidated.'

'Intimidated by what?'

Her laughter renewed, and Cullen had to prop her up a moment longer. After a few deep breaths, she finally managed to point down at his crotch and said, 'the Mighty Commander.'

Cullen glanced down. In his rush to conceal himself, he had… failed.

'Sweet Maker,' he groaned, wishing he could sink into the cobblestones.

'Oh handsome, there were rumours before,' she said as she began to catch her breath, 'now you'll inspire fear in your troops, as well as a hint of jealousy.'

Cullen sighed. 'Are you done?'

'No, because while they bicker and bitch about how they wish they could be you or wish they could have you, I get to revel in the fact that every. Single. Delectable. Inch,' she said, beckoning him to come closer, 'of which there are many,' she continued, nibbling her bottom lip, 'is mine.'

His breath hitched as her gaze trailed down his chest, desire in her gaze that he still struggled to believe was for him.

Maybe he could cope with a few rumours…

Valina brushed her hand down his arm, slipping the letter from his hand. 'I think this can wait until later, don't you?' she asked, waving it before his face, 'we have more important things to–'

Her eyes caught on the wax seal. A sense of dread filled Cullen as her gaze lingered, shadows creeping in to cloud the vibrant serpentstone.

'Valina?' Cullen said tentatively. He ducked his head lower, trying to catch her gaze. He almost started when she shook her head subtly as if trying to cast off a nightmare.

'This isn't an Inquisition seal,' she said, her grip tightening on the letter. She glanced up. 'This is my family's crest.'

Valina held the letter flat between them. The seal was made of a dark green wax rather than the standard red he was used to seeing on Inquisition missives. It depicted a raven with a dagger clutched in its talons, the seal of the Voclain family.

She tore the wax, opening the letter, her eyes darting to read the contents. 'My darling,' she read, 'your mother and I are well. The weather has been pleasant here, and we hope that you have stayed warm and safe in your travels. We know you're very busy with your work, but we hope you can visit soon. We miss you terribly, as does Bones. With love, your mother and father.'

'That's very sweet,' Cullen said, but when he saw shadows lingering in her gaze, he was unsure if those had been the right words to say.

'It is,' she said, glancing up, and for the first time, he saw true fear in her serpentstone gaze. She clutched the letter tightly. 'Except for the fact that Bones died almost five years ago... Cullen, talking about our old mabari is a panic code. The fact that my parents sent me this means they're in danger.'