Chapter Nineteen

Boundaries

The day after Benet D'or was sentenced in Skyhold's Great Hall, the red lyrium amulet opened the mysterious chest confiscated from the D'or estate. Used mostly to house valuables, few leads were recovered from the contents, but with Benet's cooperation, the Inquisition shut down a key red lyrium mine, chipping away at another precious resource from the Venatori.

Although Benet was no longer imprisoned after his claims were confirmed and although he issued a lengthy and elaborate formal apology to Inquisition members, his position among the Inquisition remained precarious. Even knowing that the Marquis had been corrupted by the red lyrium did little to recover his reputation among the core Inquisition members. His estate remained under Inquisition control and would continue to serve as a base and barracks until such a time as the Inquisitor could be sure of Benet's sanity.

Despite the unfortunate interruption of the Sahrnia mission, the new recruits assigned to Valina were making progress, their stamina and speed increasing steadily after ten gruelling hours each day under Valina's command. Their routine was rigorous, often called brutal by the men and women under her watch, but after only a fortnight under 'Vicious Val's' thumb many could see the changes in themselves, could feel their heightened strength and focus.

The recruits were almost ready to discard their training daggers, a moment Valina looked forward to. Both Cullen and Cassandra had forbidden her from carrying her own daggers lest she get too carried away with an upstart or unruly recruit. Little did they know she kept a small dagger concealed in each of her vambraces.

Not that she'd needed them. Yet. None had forgotten Valina's first display of strength; fear and respect for her grew in equal measure, except in the eyes of one man, who feared her above all of the new recruits. Valina found great amusement in appearing behind Louis unexpectedly, making the poor man shriek in terror with a simple tap on the shoulder. She and Varric had a wager on whether or not Louis would faint after the next 'surprise'.

Valina leant against the edge of the training ring, looking up at the darkening sky. Orange and red hues painted the sunset into the persistent clouds that had threatened rain all day. The air was dense with the coming rain and the smell of a storm, a few drops splashing on her cheeks accompanied by rolling thunder as the clouds began to unleash their fury.

She stretched out tired muscles before turning to face the Herald's Rest, in no hurry despite the imminent downpour. She expected to see Cullen waiting for her with a smile, leaning against the wall with his arms folded loosely and the sole of his boot resting on the cobblestones. Instead, she was met with a matching serpentstone gaze.

Clearly, she could avoid a father-daughter talk no longer.

Valina prided herself in logic, in her ability to be rational above all else; her logical mind was what often kept her alive. But, after almost a decade of working alone following Mireille's betrayal, she'd forgotten what it was like to be a part of something, what it was like to feel a love so deep it swelled and burned like a living being deep inside her chest – until she joined the Inquisition.

When it came to the ones she loved, the lines between reason and emotion were becoming blurred. Logically she knew it was pointless to still be upset by Dranus' words. She loved her father, after all, but the sight of him leaning so casually in his sleek dark robes still sent her stomach churning with anger at the memory of their confrontation, at his ignorant and hateful comments.

Cullen may have forgiven Dranus but, even now, after weeks of avoiding the burden of their looming conversation, she was unsure she could do the same.

She approached with steady steps, lifting her hood from her head and dropping it back. His posture was relaxed but she could see the tension in his shoulders and the tightness of his jaw.

'Father,' she said, pausing a few feet away, keeping her arms firmly at her side.

Shadows danced in his eyes at the cold greeting, but he managed a tentative smile. 'I hoped I could find you here. I've hardly seen you since you returned from Sahrnia.'

'I'm here every day, as requested by the Inquisitor,' she said, voice even despite the slow churn in her gut, the unsettling curl of emotions that enveloped her thoughts.

He pushed off from the wall, taking a half step forward, pausing when Valina's gaze darted down. The space between them was heavy, full of unspoken words that heaved between them like a storm. The rain began to fall in heavy droplets as if sensing their inner turmoil, more thunder booming above them, but neither moved from their place.

'Valina, I don't expect forgiveness but I'm sure you can understand that I was worried about you and Cullen. Dorian said you were both drugged and imprisoned by Mireille. I know you had a rocky history with her, but I never thought she would do such a thing.'

You don't know the half of it. 'What's done is done. I won't dwell on it.'

Dranus sighed, the deep baritone of his voice vibrating with pent up emotion. 'I just want to know that you're both well. Your mother has only told me so much.'

'She respects my decisions and my boundaries,' Valina said. It was a cheap shot, she knew, but her ire was still high enough to take it, even if her tongue tasted bitter as she said the words. Instinct always told her to kick someone while they're down, even emotionally.

Dranus pursed his lips, nodding solemnly. 'I deserve that.'

Valina watched him for a moment, gauging the emotions that passed in his eyes – had she ever seen them so dull? – and the small changes in his expression.

'We're both fine,' she said finally, voice softer, 'no ill effects so far, father.'

'I'm glad,' Dranus said as he held her gaze, 'and I'm proud of you.'

'For what?'

A mischievous smile curled his lips. 'For breaking D'or's finger,' he said, 'I can't tell you how many times I wanted to when he kept pestering you with those lacklustre letters and sappy, poorly written poems, but your mother insisted it was not a proper way to deal with him.'

Valina could not fight her smile. 'I should have broken his arm all those years ago for his poor attempt at poetry alone.'

Dranus' smile cracked, his laughter filtering through the rain, shattering the heavy space between them until Valina could not help but laugh with him. When he managed to regain his breath, he opened his arms a fraction, the movement so tentative that they barely appeared to move, but Valina knew the gesture well.

She closed the distance between them, allowing Dranus to envelop her in his embrace, his arms strong and tight around her as he pressed his cheek to her hair, unwilling to relinquish her after enduring weeks of the aching divide between them.

'I am so sorry, my little raven,' he whispered, placing a kiss upon her head.

She hugged him tighter. 'I know. I forgive you, father.'

The rain poured now, and still, he clutched at her, relief coursing through his veins. They stood there until the deluge drenched their clothes and hair, pulling back only when an icy breeze ripped through the fortress.

Dranus clasped her hands in his, bringing them to his lips. 'Go, sweetheart, dry off and stay warm. I'm sure your Amatus is waiting for you.' He pressed a kiss on her gloved knuckles before he relinquished his hold and swept a sodden curl of her dark hair behind her ear. 'Come see me and your mother for tea in the morning.'

'Night, father,' she said, smiling at him before she rushed to the door of the Herald's Rest.

Valina stood in the doorway, shedding her coat to shake off the excess water before she entered, her boots squeaking on the floorboards. She hung her coat up, knowing that no one would dare touch it.

Krem waved at her from his usual perch across the room and she returned the gesture as she headed straight for the fire. She warmed her hands, the heat drying her off somewhat before she turned to search for a free table.

She stepped over the bench, settling in to wait for Cullen. She shook out her hair before she curled it into a messy bun atop her head. She allowed Maryden's song to lull her weary mind.

The conversation with her father had gone better than expected. She knew it would take a long time for her to truly harden her heart against the memory of his hateful words, but she was certain she had done the right thing. She loved her father dearly, knew that he had acted not out of malice but out of love for her, no matter how misplaced his attack had been; he was making every effort to right his wrongs.

Hands grasped her shoulder, squeezing gently, tugging her out of her thoughts. She could not hide her smile as a stubbled chin grazed the shell of her ear, followed by firm lips.

'You're dripping water on me,' she said, tilting her head to look up at him.

Cullen smiled down at her, scar tugging at his lip in a wolfish smile. Damp curls of his golden hair clung to his forehead and droplet caught in his stubbled chin. He bent to place a kiss on her forehead before he settled into the seat beside her.

'Sorry I'm late,' he said as he hooked an arm around her waist to drag her towards him, the heat of his thigh comforting against hers, 'I was reviewing a few reports and I'm afraid time got away from me. I admit that I only looked out the window when lightning flashed.'

'A Commander's job is never done,' Valina said, leaning into him.

Cullen sighed. 'It would seem so, but that's the way of war, I suppose,' he said, glancing at her with as much of a smile as he could muster.

'Will we be returning to a lake in our room?'

'No,' he said, lips twitching in a smirk, 'I had Vivienne come by earlier to place a protective seal on the roof.'

She nudged his side with her elbow, earning an oof from him as she said, 'a new roof would do the same thing.'

'Vivienne said the same, but there's plenty of other things that need fixing first,' he said, 'the roof can wait.' He ignored her quiet scoff. 'How are the recruits?'

'Improving.'

'Louis is still terrified of you, I assume?'

Valina smirked. 'Extremely.'

'And so he should be,' Cullen said, 'I'm pretty sure Bull would have paid to see you toss him across the ring.'

'He does like a strong woman,' she said, trailing soft touches along his inner thigh, 'but, alas, I must reserve my strength for you, Commander. I need to keep my lion sated, or else he might just consume me.'

Heat flickered in Cullen's avid gaze, muscles dancing at her touch beneath the thick fabric of his pants. He pressed his thigh closer, a smirk lifting his lips as his hand slid down to clutch at her arse, the firm squeeze he gave almost lifting her from the seat.

'I plan to do so the moment we–'

'May I join you?'

Valina glanced up at Malakar's voice as he paused precariously at the edge of the table, stopping so suddenly in his advance he almost stumbled. He glanced between them, clearly worried he had interrupted.

Cullen reluctantly released his grasp, hand moving back to her waist. Valina smiled, squeezing his leg in a silent promise that they would continue their conversation later.

'Of course,' she said, gesturing across the table. She caught the eye of one of the servers, hailing them for an extra flagon and plate of food for them to share.

Malakar settled onto the bench across from them. 'I spend so much of my time answering letters or dealing with ambassadors these days, I hardly get past the main hall,' he said, his lithe frame slumping with the weight of yet another long day. Despite the hunch of his shoulders, his eyes were bright as he glanced around the warm tavern to soak in the atmosphere before he asked. 'How are you both?'

Valina glanced at Cullen. 'We're in good health,' she said, 'no noticeable side effects or injuries from the concoction Mireille fed us.'

'And Benet hasn't bothered you?'

'No. I've not actually seen him since the day after we returned.'

'Luckily for him,' Cullen mumbled.

Cullen accepted that the amulet was responsible for warping Benet's mind, to a degree, but he had no intentions to forgive and forget. Benet's advance on Valina at the D'or estate was still fresh in Cullen's mind, his anger flaring at the thought of the faint bruises that still marked her bronzed skin. The fact that he and Valina had been imprisoned, drugged, and injured because of Benet's plan did not help the Marquis' cause.

'Will Dorian join us too?' Valina asked, turning the conversation away from the raw subject, 'I've hardly seen the both of you since we returned from Sahrnia.'

Malakar sighed. 'No, unfortunately. I have scarcely seen him myself, between my seemingly endless list of responsibilities and his research. He's in the library with Dagna at the moment, Dranus too probably, and I expect they will be there for at least another hour.'

'Have they made any more progress?' Cullen asked.

'It would seem so. They think they've worked out how the amulet was made and the safest way to destroy it, in case we come across another,' he said, 'the magic is unlike anything I have seen. I hope we don't encounter any more of them.'

Cullen nodded, eyes staring absently into his flagon. He had laid eyes on the amulet only three times since Valina discovered it on Benet, but she knew its very presence in Skyhold was enough to set him on edge. His nightmares had flared, becoming more frequent and violent. Each night held the same image; a recurring terror of Valina tainted with red lyrium, her body twisted beyond recognition by the corruptive substance. It had taken more than a half to calm him enough to sleep only the night before.

'I admit I am here for a reason, apart from your company,' Malakar said, 'you've had some experience hunting dragons haven't you Valina?'

'Yes, but that was a few years ago. I'm reasonably versed in dragon breeds and habits, but if you have questions you would be better to ask the Iron Bull or my mother. I'm sure they know a great deal more.'

Malakar sighed. 'Bull is… occupied,' he said, glancing across to the Qunari at the bar whose focus lay entirely on the brunette server who had become his regular tryst, 'and your mother is in a meeting with Josephine which I only just escaped from five minutes ago. I was hoping you might consider looking at the description, at least. If we are to go hunting yet another dragon, I would like to have an idea of what it is before we leave so I can prepare. The last dragon we faced gave Dorian severe cold burns. Apart from you, there aren't many other people I can ask that won't just sarcastically say 'dragon' when I ask about the breed.'

'I'll take a look then.'

Malakar held out a letter between two slender fingers. 'I have a hunch that it may be similar to the breed you fought.'

Valina took the missive from him, unfolding the dirt-splattered sheet. Her eyes fell upon the page. Clearly, it was written in a hurry; tight, low words were scrawled across the parchment, letters blending into letters until the script was almost illegible.

Inquisitor,

If there's one thing Emprise du Lion is good at producing, it's dragons. A third dragon landed on the other side of Judicael's Crossing in Leontine's ring the day before the writing of this letter, and it has certainly made itself comfortable. Before it touched down, we received reports that it has been wreaking havoc in Emprise du Lion and the surrounding areas, causing even more trouble than the previous beasts you cleared out in recent months.

We sent scouts over the crossing shortly after it made landfall. From the information we have managed to gather, it appears to be a high dragon, but we have been unable to get close enough to ascertain more than a few facts: it breathes fire, and it is incredibly perceptive. Unfortunately, we only know this because a group of scouts almost ended up as crispy dragon snacks.

We would appreciate some assistance in clearing out this dragon before it incinerates more of the locals' crops and eats all the herds. As you know, Venatori and red lyrium ravaged the area. There is little enough food to go around already, and the dragon is not sharing.

Maker be with you, Herald.

Scout Lillin.

'It could be a Highland Ravager,' Valina said, 'they are fire breathers, and they love a disastrous rampage. They'll consume entire herds and incinerate whole settlements, and then look for more to do the next day. Are there any other dragons in the vicinity?'

'Not anymore. We took care of two others that landed while we were last in Emprise du Lion, just before we received word from Leliana and Josephine that you and Cullen had not returned from your mission to Sahrnia.'

'Count yourself lucky. If there were other dragons in the vicinity, the Emprise would be faring much worse.'

'Why?'

'They're more destructive when they share territory.'

Malakar sighed. 'Excellent,' he said bitterly, 'I best pray that another dragon doesn't decide to make an appearance before we can get there. I've fought enough dragons in my life, as far as I'm concerned.'

Valina smirked. 'Take Bull, he'll be happy.'

Malakar glanced over at the Qunari again, a smile cracking his weary expression. 'Too happy, probably.' His gaze returned to Valina. 'If you're content with the progress of your recruits, I'd like for you to come with me as well.'

Cullen's arm tightened around her, just enough for her to feel the bit of his armour against her back, but not enough for it to be obvious to the outside observer. Normally, she would jump at the chance for a dragon hunt, but she unsure if she was prepared to part from Cullen so soon after Sahrnia.

'You've defeated several dragons in recent months. I'm not sure my presence will benefit much when you have so many skilled companions.'

'If it is a Highland Ravager, as it appears to be, your experience would be invaluable.'

Valina pursed her lips. She could say no. It was a simple enough word, and she had no qualms using it. She sensed that Cullen wanted her to. The resources she could gather from such a dragon, however, would be invaluable for the Inquisition. Few outside of the Voclains knew that dragon bones, scales, and other remains had such a diverse array of applications. If she was there to slay the dragon, she could ensure the resources were gathered correctly and carried straight back to Amira to craft.

'Is Varric staying? Or Sera?'

'Yes, they are. Varric isn't particularly keen on dragon hunting, and I want Sera here. Her pranks have been surprisingly effective at maintaining morale.'

'Then I'll leave notes on the strength and dexterity drills that I planned to run this week, and instructions to begin training them with a bow thereafter. I'm sure Varric and Sera can lead them for a week or two.'

Cullen glanced down at her. He would not take her agency away, but she sensed they would be having a very different and somewhat less sexy conversation when they returned to their quarters.

'Thank you, Valina. It's nice to think we might walk into a dragon fight with the upper hand for once.' Malakar took a deep drink from his flagon, grimacing at the strength of the ale. 'I don't think I'll ever get used to that bitter aftertaste.'

'I'm sure Dorian has a nice bottle of wine hidden away for you somewhere,' Valina said.

Malakar glanced down, fingers tracing the handle of the flagon with a slender finger. 'He's saving it, for when this is over,' he said, and Valina caught the subtle turn of his wrist as he stared at the anchor, 'if it ever is.'

'It will be.'

Malakar forced a smile. 'I'm sure it will. I just hope we can all make it through.'

The words seemed to echo between them, a heavy silence following that was only broken by the start of Maryden's next song.

Malakar seemed to shake himself from the depths of his thoughts. 'I should go drag Bull away from the bar or else I may not be able to find him tomorrow morning. We'll leave an hour after first light.'

He drained the last of his flagon, grimacing around the bitterness of the drink as he rose from the seat. He walked to the Iron Bull's side, clapping the Qunari on the shoulder, ducking to dodge Bull's horn as he turned suddenly to face the Inquisitor.

Cullen's grip tightened on her side, and she glanced at him.

'Let's finish dinner, Amatus,' she said, squeezing his thigh. She could sense he wanted to argue in that moment but her stomach grumbled in earnest and his face softened marginally. They returned to their meal, eating in silence, easily clearing the plate in their hunger.

They left coins for their meal and ale and collected Valina's coat. As she shrugged her coat on, she prepared herself to receive the cold shoulder treatment for the whole walk back to their quarters, but Cullen turned her shoulders so she faced him and he reached to her back to pull her hood over her head. He smiled down at her as he tugged it tight around her ears, opening the door and ushering her out into the downpour, their boots splashing in the puddles that collected in the rough cobblestone on the battlements as they raced through the rain.

They rushed into their quarters, shaking off the rain once under cover. Cullen shrugged off his surcoat, hanging it with up beside the door as he shook water from his hair, the strands dishevelled from the action. The mad dash through the torrential rain from the Herald's Rest had left them soaking, his clothes saturated even beneath his armour.

Valina dropped her hood back and shed her coat, hanging it up with his surcoat, visibly shivering in her drenched tunic.

'Andraste's tits it's cold,' she muttered as she rubbed furiously at her arms, moving towards the ladder.

Cullen followed her up to the loft, turning words over in his mind, unsure of how to approach the subject of her mission with the Inquisitor. He stripped off the layer above his cuirass, hanging it on the handle of their chest of drawers.

He stepped closer to the bed, reaching out for her. She stilled when he touched her arm, but did not resist as he gently turned her until she faced him, her serpentstone gaze guarded.

'You don't need to go with them. The Inquisitor and his companions are quite capable of handling a dragon.'

'He asked for my help, Cullen. Is that not why the Inquisition sought me out in the first place? For my knowledge and skills?' she asked, her hand cupping his stubbled cheek.

Cullen sighed, his jaw tightening beneath her caress. He remembered well that evening in the war room when Leliana had determined to seek out Valina Voclain on the off chance it might lead to their mysterious informant. He had assumed then that their search would be futile. Never in a hundred years would he have guessed that they would find the mysterious woman clad in the serpentstone dress, let alone that he would hold that very woman in his arms or fall so deeply for her.

The thought of her leaving without him made his heart ache, made fear surge and claw at his mind in a desperate clamour. He wanted to demand she stay, but the rawness of the anger he'd seen at the D'or estate was still fresh in his mind, the memory flooding him.

Valina's face went blank. She rose, turning away from him. A disturbing stillness settled over the room, her body frozen and statuesque. For moments that seemed like hours, she stood there, her eyes focused on the window across the room. He could sense the quiet, writhing anger that surged inside her.

Valina turned suddenly. 'Coffin it is.'

Cullen shot forward, grasping Valina's shoulders. She fought his grip, hands vicelike on his wrists.

'Let me go, Cullen.'

'Valina, as satisfying as it might be to kill him, it would only be fleeting. Wouldn't you much rather see him shut in a cell and stripped of his title? Disgraced?'

'I want him to hurt.'

'I broke his nose, my love, and the Bull is watching D'or after hearing him insult both you and Malakar. He is hurting.'

'A few more broken bones can't hurt,' she snarled, eyes still burning with her anger, 'kaffas, why does everyone want to put me in a box?'

'I don't,' he whispered and the fight left Valina's body at the quiet words. She looked up at him with wide eyes as he cupped her cheeks. 'I don't, Valina. Nor will I ever let anyone do so.'

He would stand by those words, despite the clamour of anxiety that tightened his chest, and despite the dread and fear that welled inside his heart. He had to believe that a woman as fierce as his Valina would always return to him, no matter what she faced.

'I know, my love,' he said, lowering his voice as he touched his forehead to hers, 'I'm just… it's been mere weeks since we returned from Sahrnia. I know well you could defeat a dragon blindfolded but after this business with Mireille and D'or I'm not ready to let you out of my sight.'

'Nor I you, Amatus, but I have seen the destruction a Highland Ravager leaves in its wake, and the Emprise is close enough to Skyhold that it may grow tired and fall upon this fortress after decimating all in its path. I have committed myself to this cause, just as you have committed yourself as Commander of the Inquisition, and I will see it through.'

Cullen sighed, though a smile danced on his lips. 'Do you have any idea how exhausting it is to both love and despise your stalwart mind?'

She trailed her hands down his neck, deft fingers tugging at the buckles on his cuirass. 'I'm not the stubborn warrior, Commander.'

'And yet you're stubborn enough to be one,' he said as she assisted him out of the body of his armour before her attention turned to his pauldrons and vambraces.

They piled the final pieces of his armour upon the chest at the end of their bed and he stripped off his gloves and sodden shirt, laying them beside his armour. When he turned around Valina was sitting on the edge of the bed attempting to untie her boots, cold fingertips fumbling with the cords.

Cullen knelt in front of her, his hands still warm from his gloves. He waved her fingers aside, quickly removing the muddy shoes from her feet and tucking them beneath the bed.

Even kneeling, he was almost as tall as her when he straightened.

Valina peeled off her damp gloves, throwing them aside so she could frame his face with her hands. She traced his bottom lip with her thumb and his gaze flickered to her mouth, flecks of gold lighting his eyes until she shivered from the cold.

Cullen frowned at her. 'We need to get you out of these wet clothes…'

Thought fled as his eyes trailed down to her sodden tunic, breath hitching as his gaze fell upon her.

'You wore this on purpose,' he muttered, his voice growing husky as his gaze locked onto a dusky peak, the light fabric clinging to the soft curve of her breasts, to the tight peaks of her nipples.

Cullen did not wait for her to speak, did not wait for her to confirm what he knew to be true. He tugged at the hem of the taunting fabric, dragging the garment over her head to bare her to his golden gaze. He cupped her with warm hands, a hiss escaping her at the sudden heat of his calloused palms, the sound quickly turning to a moan as he kneaded the soft mounds of flesh, thumb tracing just below her budding nipples until she shivered not from cold, but from need.

He brought a dusky peak to his lips, the heat of his mouth enveloping it, licking and sucking until she arched to his touch. He groaned at the exquisite taste of her, at the intoxicating scent of rain and roses that overwhelmed his senses as he kissed and teased the rigid tips.

He released the peak only to rasp his cheek along it, a deep moan vibrating in her chest, her nipple so sensitive from his eager ministrations that the harsh caress of his stubble blurred the lines between pleasure and pain.

Valina did not fight him as he laid a heavy hand on her stomach, pushing her back onto the bed with a roughness akin to a shove. She propped herself up on her elbows as he ripped at the tie on her pants, dragging the garment from her body before he clasped her knees.

He spread her to his golden gaze, her body thrumming with desire as the tip of his tongue traced the firm line of his lips, lingering on the jagged scar that she loved so dearly.

She almost fell back again as he hooked his hands beneath her knees, a short, surprised cry escaping her as he dragged her towards him until her arse almost left the edge of the bed.

He settled her calves onto his back, grazing his stubbled jaw along her supple skin, her body breaking out in shivers at his hot breath fell upon the delicate flesh at the apex of her thighs. A groan wracked his body as he slid his tongue between her folds, lapping at her luscious cunt, her honey coating his tongue.

'Valina…' He lifted his eyes, seeking the green jewels he coveted so, making sure she was captured in his golden gaze as he rasped, 'I will consume you.'

He clutched at her arse with splayed fingers, trimmed nails digging into the giving flesh as he lifted her to his mouth to feast upon her, ravenous in his craving for her sweet honey. He would never get enough of the exquisite taste of her, of her husky pleas and mewls, of the slow roll of her hips as she offered her body to him.

He found the tight bud of her clit, his tongue darting over it and around it, her hips jerking in response to every teasing flick. He held her firmer, exploring her with his mouth, the vibration of his moans adding to the intensity of the pleasure he gave until she arched from the bed, hands clutching at the covers as he sucked at the throbbing bundle of nerves, teasing her sensitive flesh with flat teeth to make her writhe and thrash against his hold, her thighs tightening around his ears.

She shuddered as his firm tongue found her core, dipping into the wet heat of her. A harsh cry caught in her throat, an ache blooming in her needy cunt, her silken walls squeezing the tip of his tongue as it stimulated and probed at her entrance.

'Cullen, please…'

He slid his tongue along the length of her slit, eliciting another shudder as he found her serpentstone gaze again and licked his lips.

'Please what?'

She dropped her knees from his shoulder as she cupped his face, nails digging into his hairline behind his ears as she dragged him up from the floor. She claimed his mouth, moaning at the feel and taste of his wicked tongue as it danced with hers.

Cullen needed no more encouragement. He ripped at the tie on his pants, shoving them down his legs. He plunged into her waiting body, growling as her hot flesh sheathed him, shudders wracking his large frame at the intensity of the pleasure he found in her.

He planted an elbow on the mattress, his other hand clutching at her thigh as he drove into her again and again, the heavy frame of the bed creaking under his forceful thrusts, the firm muscles of his arse bunching with every movement.

Valina's nails bit into his back, scraping over old scars and heated flesh, his body bowing with unbridled ecstasy at her carnal grasp. Pressure built, his cock throbbing, heavy sack tightening with every buck of his hips. He clenched his jaw, focusing on her sharp breaths, her core pulsing as she neared her climax.

He caught her chin with his hand, turning her face to his, claiming her lips in a desperate kiss before he met her serpentstone gaze.

'Come for me,' he growled, feeling her needy cunt tighten around his cock at the demand, a moan breaking from his lips, 'ahh, yes. That's it, my love, that's it.'

Her back went rigid, the slick walls of her core clamping down on his throbbing length. She screamed for him and he roared for her, his thrusts losing their rhythm in his fervour as he chased his climax. He hilted himself as his seed burst forth, pumping eagerly into her luscious core, his hips jerking and stuttering as pleasure burned through his veins.

Pulses danced up Cullen's spine, the pleasure of their love-making lingering sweetly on his skin like a caress. He slid his sensitive cock from her heat, collapsing to his knees at the side of the bed. He laid his cheek on her thigh as his chest heaved and ached for air. He glanced up, seeing her chest rise and fall as she struggled for breath, her breasts quivering, her arms limp at her sides. He rose on shaking legs, dropping onto the bed beside her, and she turned to face him.

Valina smiled languidly, reaching out to trace his jaw with fingers, her touch tender. He caught her hand against his cheek, turning his head to place a kiss on her palm. As he stared into the depths of her gaze his heart ached at the realisation that this would likely be the last night they shared for weeks, perhaps longer, he feared.

He reached for her, drawing her to his chest, breathing in her rosy scent until he believed he would drown in it. The thought of waking up to an empty bed devoid of her warmth and her love was almost more than he could bear; he'd grown so used to her presence he'd never even considered how he would endure without it.

He squeezed his eyes shut, willing the night to last, willing the storm above to rage for an eternity if it would keep her in his arms.

'I don't want you to go.'

'I know, Amatus.'

'Then don't,' he whispered.

Valina held him tighter. 'It's no longer up to me.'

'You said you work alone. Refuse.'

She pulled back as far as he allowed, meeting his tawny gaze. 'I'm a part of this now, I'm part of the Inquisition. I've worked alone for so long because I've never been a part of something that mattered before. I've found a place where I belong, something I assumed I would never have after Mireille betrayed me.'

'You belong with me.'

She fought the emotions that welled inside her at his declaration. 'And I do not deny that, Amatus. It does not change the fact that I have committed to this, and I will see it through.'

He sighed against her skin, resigned to her resolute mind. He knew it was futile to argue, knew he was wasting precious moments with her by debating with a disposition so firm and unmoving that it could double as a wall.

His shoulders shuddered and he pulled her deep into his embrace, crushing her into his chest, his voice muffled by her shoulder as he said, 'promise you'll write daily if you can, no matter how brief. Let me know you're safe.'

'I will.'

'I will miss you so much.'

'And I you, Amatus,' she said, running her fingers through his golden hair in an attempt to sooth him, 'I love you.'

His heart swelled, answering the song of her affection as he said, 'I love you, too.'