The castle was noisy with cheers and applause as they dismounted, entering Skyhold's gates after Corypheus' defeat. She blinked hard at the sight of all the people in the castle lining the courtyard, cheering for her and her companions. Vivienne was waving dramatically at the adoring crowds, as was Maxwell and Dorian, who were holding each other's hands as they waved, and Bull had gone over to his Chargers, giving them high fives as he was patted on the arms by Krem. Cole fiddled with his fingers shyly, but he was smiling under his hat. Cassandra hid her face shyly at Daylen's neck, who smiled at everyone as he kissed the Seeker's forehead. Somebody had given Varric, Blackwall and Sera some tankards of ale, and they laughed as they raised them and drank.
But Alex only had eyes for one man, who was standing at the stairs that headed towards the castle, standing between Josephine and Leliana. She smiled broadly as she made her way to them.
Josephine, Leliana and Cullen smiled at her, before bowing low, honoring their leader. Alex couldn't help but grin as she returned their bow with one of her own, but at the sight of Cullen, her resolve broke and she rushed forward to hug him, burying her head on the feathers of his coat as he embraced her back, running his hand along her back. The relief of seeing her alive must have left him speechless, as he only sighed and held her tightly, as Josephine and Leliana smiled at them.
Alex separated from him, kissing his cheek, and smiled back in return to let her go, and they faced the crowds at the courtyard, who were still cheering on her. She raised her hands and waved shyly, but the audience seemed to love it, and they made their cheers louder as Leliana approached her. "A moment, my lady." The spymaster said, and she nodded at her as she watched her inner circle head up the stairs and into the castle, with Bull patting her back as he passed her.
"My agents have found no trace of Solas." Leliana said as they walked, "He has simply vanished. If he does not wish to be found, there's likely nothing we can do. But I will keep looking."
Alex remembered the elf's apology in his language, I'm sorry for my trickery, he had said and she looked up at the spymaster, "Why would he just leave? Something must be wrong."
Leliana's red eyebrow rose, "You said he was upset about the orb."
She sighed as she shook her head, "That can't be the only reason." And they silenced again as they entered the hall, and Alex saw that someone had prepared a massive feast.
"Now that Corypheus has been defeated, we have a moment to stop and celebrate." Leliana said, smiling at the events before them, "Afterwards, you will be busy. Every noble in Southern Thedas is clamouring to meet you."
She blinked in surprise as the turned towards Leliana again, "What? Why? The fighting's over. Why do they want to meet me now?"
Leliana laughed a little, "You're joking, yes? They wished to bask in the glory of your victory, hoping some of it will rub off on them. Everyone knows Empress Celene owes you her life. And her throne. A thousand problems remain, and your opinion will be sought on each one… whether you wish to give it or not."
Alex found the idea humorous and she laughed a little as she crossed her arms, "Oh, now they're lining up to meet me."
"Such is the way of things." Leliana said, smiling at her, "The same occurred with Solona, when she defeated the Archdemon. She looked positively annoyed when Queen Anora created a feast in her honor in Denerim. She had even spoken to our Qunari friend, Sten, hoping that he would take her to Seheron to avoid the attention." She laughed a little at the memory, "Previously you were an upstart… a mage, of all things… leading rebels and heretics. Until Corypheus revealed himself, they could not see the single hand behind the chaos. Once they did, they knew: a magister and a darkspawn in one creature. The ultimate evil. Now you are the only power left standing." She smiled gently at her and she bowed again, "Enjoy the evening while you can, Inquisitor." And the spymaster walked away to mingle with their guests.
Alex smiled as she looked around, and she immediately found the man she was looking for, mainly because he was staring hard at her, smiling. She made her way to him just as he reached out a hand, and she grasped it. He sighed, "Am I imagining it, or do we have a moment to breathe?"
She chuckled as she shifted, putting an arm around his waist as his own arm wrapped around her shoulders, "We have a moment."
He laughed a little as he looked into her eyes, "I think you're right." But he silenced as his other hand reached up, the back of his gloved fingers running down the side of her face tenderly, "You broght us here. You are proof that the Inquisition made a difference, and that we will continue to do so."
Alex grinned up at him as she lightly patted his bottom, "That's why we're having this fancy party! Celebrate, Commander! You've earned it."
Cullen grinned, "I should be thanking you. You gave me a chance to… to prove myself. In your place, I'm not sure I would've done the same." He sighed as he gestured about the room, "I should let you… mingle. I'm sure everyone desires your attention." But his eyes grew heated as he looked down at her, and Alex felt his hand lower from her shoulder down to her bottom, and he squeezed it, making her gasp out in wanting, "As much as I might want it for myself."
She smiled up at him, her emerald eyes wide with lust, and she reached up and kissed him, "You don't have to worry, Cullen. We have all the time in the world."