Author's Note: Many thanks to everyone reviewing and following along. You all make my day! I'm releasing this chapter a little early, since it's basically a continuation of chapter 45. And because so many of you are wondering about the party! This chapter finishes up Denerim (for now.) Hope you enjoy!
Chapter 46 - Head Over Heels
The hot bath was helping to alleviate some of Serena's tension. She hadn't realized how much she had wanted to do something, anything really, to celebrate her birthday until here it was upon her. She supposed she shouldn't complain. It could be worse. She could be injured, or dead, or... well, it didn't really get much worse than dead, did it? Instead she was taking her first warm bath since Redcliffe, complete with delicious smelling soaps. Things could definitely be worse.
She sighed wistfully as she sunk lower into the warm water. If she'd been back at Highever, the harvestmere festival dance would have been in full swing. Musicians of all kinds would play long into the night... well, there was no use dwelling on that now. Alistair was absolutely right. She should be focusing on collecting information about the Urn of Sacred Ashes, anyway.
Rinsing her hair one last time, Serena stepped out of the bath, drying off quickly. She pulled on fresh underclothes and popped her head outside the door. Instead of Alistair's tall body lounging on the bed reading, as she had left him, she saw a dress, with a note. A pair of heels sat on the floor at the edge of the bed.
Confused, Serena picked up the note and flipped it over, immediately recognizing Alistair's neat little scrawl.
Serena-
I have a surprise for you. Meet me downstairs.
Love, Alistair
P.S. I hope the shoes fit. Leliana helped me pick them out.
Serena smiled to herself as she picked up the dress, the silk feeling cool against her fingers. So this was why Alistair had been so abrupt with her about evening plans. He'd already had something planned for her. She pulled the dark blue dress over her head, surprised at how well it fit. She giggled as she realized he probably knew her body pretty well by now. He certainly seen enough of it.
Glancing in the mirror, she pushed out the folds of the dress, and shook out her hair. It was nearly dry, and with some quick twisting, she braided it into a long complicated knot her mother had taught her. Last came the shoes, a beautiful pair of gray silk heels with blue embroidery, and then she was done.
Rushing down the stairs of the inn as quickly as her heels would allow, she paused at the bottom of the staircase. Alistair was there, leaning casually against the wall, waiting for her. He grinned, the smile lighting up his entire face, as he took her in, dress and all.
His own outfit was marvelous. A gray and blue doublet, with a silk collar and bright silver buttons... He looked every part the lost prince. The colors suited his tan skin and dark blonde hair too, and the collar was high enough to cover his still-healing scars from the werewolf attack earlier in the week. Their eyes locked and Serena felt her cheeks redden slightly as she made her way to him, curtsying politely.
"I... thought you'd… forgotten," Serena said quietly.
"Never," Alistair replied, kissing her forehead lightly. "I'm afraid you're stuck with me, dear lady, for the next thirty or so years." Alistair grinned again, offering his arm. "Shall we then? The night is young, and we've much to do."
The dance hall was enormous, much bigger than either of the two Serena had been to back in Highever. Leliana and Zevran were already there when they arrived; both dressed in formal attire. Leliana had a beautiful yellow gown on that made her short red hair look like a flame atop a pale candle as the elven assassin spun her around on the dance floor. They both appeared to be having a grand time, Leliana laughing as they danced between other couples, their fingers intertwined.
"I can't believe you planned this," Serena whispered, clutching Alistair's hand tightly.
Alistair nodded, turning her deftly in a small circle. "I do owe you dance, don't I?"
The music picked up and Serena allowed herself to be led out onto the dance floor by Alistair, the rhythm of the deep stand-up bass nearby reawakening her long dormant dance skills. Alistair raised their clasped hands as he placed his other hand at Serena's waist, grinning at her.
"Let's see how much of this I remember..." Alistair whispered in her ear as they began to turn in time to the music. Serena gently placed her hand on his shoulder, unable to keep her own grin off her face.
"If I didn't love you before this..." Serena rested her head on his shoulder as they revolved around the floor. "I don't know how I'd be able to resist you now."
"My dear, you couldn't resist me when I was ten," Alistair said with a laugh. "How ever would you manage now I'm all handsome and manly?"
"And tall," Serena added, pressing a kiss to his cheek. "Don't forget tall."
The music was infectious, with the babble of laughing and singing blending into a loud symphony of happiness that broke through the gloom outside the hall. Alistair spun and dipped Serena around the dance floor, his hands pressing lightly as they glided about. Alistair could feel his chest expand as Serena gazed up at him, her face shining with pure joy, as he realized that he was the one making her smile so.
They must have danced for the better part of an hour before Zevran appeared at their side, an arm casually wrapped around Leliana's waist. Serena glanced down at his hand, raising an eyebrow, but the elf simply grinned at her in response.
"Wynne and Morrigan are here," the elf said, jerking a thumb at a nearby table. Serena followed his gaze to see Sten make his way to the table and grab a seat next to the dark haired witch. "Ah, and the giant joins us, too. A full house, as it were."
When they reached the table, Wynne was already cutting an unwrapped cake into pieces. Morrigan pushed a piece of the frosted confection over to Serena with a rare smile as she plunked down on the other side of the huge qunari, her face feeling flush from all the dancing. "I'm surprised you came at all, Sten."
"I'm here for the cake," Sten replied. "The Qunari do not celebrate birthdays, as you call them, but as it stands, I hope this one is good for you."
"Thanks... I think." Serena smiled, resisting the urge to roll her eyes. How typically Sten. "You know, I picked up a book today at the magic store about the Qun."
"Let me know when you have read it," the huge man said, the fork in his hand looking ridiculously tiny in comparison. "Then perhaps we will actually have an engaging conversation for once."
"Oh yes, I do so look forward to these talks of ours," Serena said with a smirk.
Shaking her head, she turned back to her cake, content with just listening to her companions talk with one another, enjoying the cacophony of their voices. This felt right, like a family, and while they would never replace the one she had lost at Highever… nobody could ever replace Oren and her parents... these people were closer to her, in a lot of ways. They understood her better, they fought beside her, and they protected her.
"Happy 19th birthday, Serena," Alistair said, pulling Serena out of her reverie with a sideways hug.
Across the table, Zevran raised a glass. "And to many more, of course. Preferably with less clothing."
Deciding at breakfast to split up to take care of their various errands, Serena wondered at her own infinite judgment of dancing all night with Alistair, just to end up clomping around Denerim the next morning. They passed the various stalls in the Market District as merchants quickly sold and traded goods around them in a frenzy of activity.
"I don't envy you, you know," Alistair said, watching her tread lightly as they crossed the market stalls. "Those heels..."
"Mind you, they were heels you picked," Serena replied. She slipped her hand into his, tugging him to a stop. "If I'm going to be fatigued, I can't imagine a better way of going about it. Well, maybe I can..." She gave him a cheeky grin before pushing up on her toes to kiss him lightly on the cheek. "Thank you... for giving me such good memories for my birthday. Oh, and cake."
"Of course! We couldn't forget cake." Alistair grinned, leaning his forehead against hers. "It was my pleasure. I... I haven't had that much fun in… Well, I'm not sure I've ever had that much fun, come to think of it. It felt so normal, so right, to just... be with you, dancing and laughing. For one night, there wasn't a Blight, or an archdemon, or... anything. Just you."
"I know, it was... I know exactly what you mean." Serena wrapped her arms around him, hugging him tight. "Have I told you today that you're wonderful?"
"You might have mumbled it in your sleep, actually..." Alistair grinned and lifted her up, swinging her happily in a circle. "I just... I can't even tell you how happy you make me. I haven't felt this good in a long, long time." Serena kissed him on the lips, her blood buzzing happily. They could have been any couple in the Market District just then. Not Grey Wardens, not fighting the Blight, just two people carefree and in love. It felt wonderful.
"You know, I..." Alistair paused, his eyes drifting up. "I... um, sorry, I think that's my... my sister's house."
"What?" Serena turned to where he was staring and looked up at him. "Oh. Well, should we...?"
"Yes. I mean, let me check the address first, I don't want to end up on some stranger's doorstep..." He fumbled in his pockets, pulling out a scrap of paper. His eyes flipping from the paper to the small house, he smiled crookedly at Serena. "Yes. This is the right address. She... she could be inside. Could we... go and see?"
"Absolutely." Serena slipped her hand in his and squeezed it reassuringly. "Are you... ready?"
Alistair gulped, his eyes wholly focused on the door. "Do I seem a little nervous?"
"Ah, a little." Serena held up a hand, her thumb and finger close together. "Tiny bit. Miniscule, really. Nothing noticeable... at all." She placed her hand on his upper arm, steading him. "Maybe you ought to stop shaking, though. Might give off the wrong impression."
"Will she even know who I am? Does she even know I exist? My sister." Alistair shook his head in disbelief. "That sounds very strange... 'sister'... Sissssterrr." He looked down at his boots, and Serena could see he was smiling awkwardly. "Now I'm babbling. Maybe we should go. Let's go. Let's just... go."
"Alright." Serena tugged him over to the door and knocked quickly as he tried to pull away. "Stop it. Stand up straight. You've already met her... sort of."
"Come in!" came an answering shout from behind the door.
"That was a demon, Serena," Alistair hissed, still looking like he wanted to bolt.
"She's family, there's really not much of a difference, believe me," Serena replied, turning the knob. "Come on."
They walked into the house, and Serena could see Alistair straighten his shoulders, as if preparing himself for something unpleasant.
"Err... hello?"
A woman with dark coppery hair came around from the back of the room, some towels on one arm. "Eh? You have linens to wash? I charge three bits on the bundle, you won't find better." She tossed the towels down on a chair and placed a hand on her hip. "And don't trust what that Natalia woman tells you either, she's foreign and she'll rob you blind."
Serena exchanged glances with Alistair, pushing him gently forward with her shoulder. "I'm... not here to have any wash done," he said quickly. "My name is Alistair. I'm... well, this may sound sort of strange, but are you Goldanna?"
The woman narrowed her eyes at them, suspicion clearly reading on her face. "Who's asking?"
"I... I suppose I'm your brother," Alistair said uncertainly. His voice cracked a little, and Serena bit her lip, watching the copper-haired woman keenly.
"My what? I'm... I am Goldanna, yes... how do you know my name?" The woman crossed her arms defensively. "What kind of tomfoolery are you folk up to?"
"Are you sure we got the address right, Alistair?" Serena whispered quietly.
"Yes, I... I think so. I'm sure of it, in fact." He turned back to his sister. "Look, our mother... she worked as a servant in Redcliffe Castle a long time ago, before she died. Do you know about that? She-"
"You! I knew it! They told me you was dead!" Goldanna pointed an accusing finger at Alistair, her eyes narrowed angrily at them both. "They told me the babe was dead along with mother, but I knew they was lying!"
"They told you I was dead? Who? Who told you that?"
"Them's at the castle!" Goldanna shouted. "I told them the babe was the king's, and they said he was dead. Gave me a coin to shut my mouth and sent me on my way! I knew it!"
Alistair stepped back, letting go of Serena's hand. "I'm sorry, I... didn't know that. The babe didn't die. I'm him; I'm... your brother."
The woman scoffed, her dark eyes sizing them both up. "For all the good it does me! You killed Mother, you did, and I've had to scrape by all this time? That coin didn't last long, and when I went back, they ran me off!"
Serena couldn't help but notice how little Alistair and this woman looked alike. Her coloring was much darker all around, and Serena found herself wondering if perhaps the Theirin blood just... showed more. Goldanna's attitude certainly did nothing to improve the resemblance; she had not an ounce of Alistair's charm, and Serena felt her hand itching to pull Alistair away from her vehemence.
"That's hardly Alistair's fault, miss," Serena said softly, coming to stand firmly beside Alistair. "He... he was just a baby. You can't possibly-"
Goldanna turned her furious eyes on Serena, sneering openly at them both now. "And who in the Maker's name are you? Some tart? Following after his riches, I expect?"
"Excuse me?" Serena felt her jaw drop, completely taken aback by the woman's words. Some tart after his riches? Was this some joke? Who did this woman think she was? She shook her head, silently praying to the Maker for patience with this terrible woman.
"Hey! Don't speak to her that way!" Alistair looked from Serena to Goldanna, his face utterly mortified. "She's my... my... dear friend, and a Grey Warden! Just like me!"
"Oooh," Goldanna taunted cruelly. "I see now. A prince and a Grey Warden, too. Well, who am I to think poorly of someone so high and mighty compared to me?" She picked up one of the towels and threw it roughly at Alistair's face.
"I don't know you, boy! Your royal father forced himself on my mother and took her away from me, and what do I got to show for it? Nothing!" The woman gathered up the other towels, and chucked another one angrily at Alistair. "They tricked me good! I should have told everyone! I got five mouths to feed, and unless you can help with that, I got less than no use for you."
"I... I'm sorry, I..." Alistair spluttered hopelessly, the towels still in his hands. "I don't know what to say... I mean… I want to help..."
"You want to help?" Goldanna spat. "You go to whatever high-and-mighty folks you run with, and you tell them you've got nephews and nieces that aren't living as they've a right to! You do that!"
Alistair looked as if he wanted to say something else but Serena gripped his hand tightly. Moving slightly in front of him she shot him a look, imploring him with her eyes to shut up. "You know, it was really lovely meeting you! You really are a peach, but we just have lots to be getting on with today. We have to go... gotta end that pesky Blight and all... So, here you go, and…" Serena fumbled in her pocket and shoved a handful of random coins at the woman.
"Bye. Come on, Alistair." Serena tugged at his arm, pulling him out the door quickly. Goldanna slammed the door shut behind them with a loud bang and Serena sighed, shaking her head. She could feel her pulse racing, her heart thumping in her chest. What an absolutely horrible woman...
"Well that was... not what I expected. To put it lightly." Alistair looked miserably at Serena, his eyes dark with regret. "This is the family I've been wondering about all my life? That... gold-digging harridan? I... can't believe it."
He ran a hand through his blonde hair, looking utterly wretched. "I guess I was expecting her to... accept me with question. Isn't that what family is supposed to do? I... I feel like a... complete idiot."
"I don't know what to tell you, Alistair. Everyone... everyone is out for themselves, it feels like. After everything we've seen... The Circle, the Dalish... Everyone is only interested in what you can do for them." Serena sighed, her eyes rolling to the sky in frustration. "Everyone uses everybody else, and they only care about themselves. You should learn that."
"Yes, I... suppose you're right. I should." Alistair's voice was low as he ran a hand through his hair again and Serena immediately felt awful for being so short with him. The stress of the moment was just... Alistair shook his head, turning away from her. "Let's just... let's just go. I... don't want to talk about this any more."
They walked along in silence for a while, neither knowing what to say. Serena had never thought his sister would... be so cruel. Granted, whoever had tossed her out at Redcliffe had really deserved her ire, but to blame Alistair for so much, after 20 years, when she didn't even know him... Serena just hoped the woman didn't turn them in to the city guard as Grey Wardens. With five mouths to feed, that bounty would probably start to look real good soon enough, brother or not.
She shook her head, pulling out her errand list and a small map, hoping the undertaking would take her mind off dwelling on Alistair's shrew of a sister.
She headed into Salma's Garb For All Occasions. The shopkeeper, a kindly old lady, smiled at Serena and handed her two neat bundles of thick cloaks and heavy gloves for everyone, tied up tightly with bits of string. Dividing them up into her and Alistair's packs, Serena pulled out her list of errands again, ticking her task off.
Having refused to dance the night before despite Zevran's rather persistent asking, Wynne had instead been studying Genitivi's journal at the dance hall. She told Serena if they truly intended to go after the scholar, they would need to head to a town called Haven, that perched far up in the Frostback Mountains to the west. Realizing they would nearly freeze if they tried to brave the cold in their current attire, Leliana had dropped off sizes at Salma's shop in the morning before breakfast.
Now with her one errand done for the day, Serena found herself standing in the Market District, feeling awkward. Alistair glanced at her sideways before returning his gaze to his boots, his hands wringing themselves anxiously.
"Do you want to get a drink or something?" Serena asked quietly. "It's... it's been a rough day so far, and the sun is very bright and… I don't know." She looked up at Alistair, her mouth quirking into a tiny smile. "...My feet hurt?"
Alistair shrugged, an answering smile threatening to crack his sullen countenance. "Yeah, let's go grab a pint." He put his arm around her, leading them to the nearby tavern, and Serena sighed, glad to have some semblance of normalcy back.
The pub was noisy, considering the day had barely ticked into the afternoon. A large group of burly men were near the back, drinking and shouting, their boots up on the tables, a harassed looking waitress serving them diligently. Serena frowned at them, heading for the bar, as Alistair followed silently behind her.
She ordered two pints of ale from the mustached barman and pulled herself up onto one of the stools, her mood steadily improving from their earlier encounter with Goldanna. As the bartender pushed the pints towards her, Serena was reminded of the last time they'd tried to have a pint back in Lothering.
She looked back at the group of men again, deciding the chances of them being recognized were fairly low. The men seemed fully occupied pestering the few locals in the bar and the poor bar maidens.
"You know, I've been thinking... Back when we left Goldanna's, you told me I needed to look out for myself more than I do." Alistair glanced at Serena sideways, his pint practically untouched. "I'm beginning to think you were right."
"I need to stop letting everyone else make my decisions for me. I need to take a stand and… think about myself for a change, or I'm never going to be happy."
Serena pushed against him playfully, a grin on her face. "Good! You're a strong man, Alistair. Inside and out. I think it's about time more people saw that than just me. I think it's time you saw that in yourself."
"Then from this point on, I'll be looking out for myself more. I... should have done this a long time ago." Alistair smiled crookedly at her, raising his glass in salute. "I just wanted to... thank you. Being with you is the one bright spot out of everything that's happened."
"You're always saying such sweet things to me, it's a wonder my cheeks aren't permanently red by now." Serena flapped a hand at her face as she blushed crimson. "I'm sorry, by the way, about... what happened back there. I know you were looking forward to actually meeting her... I... I wish it had gone better."
"Ah, it's..." Alistair sighed, taking a swig of his ale. "It is what it is. I never thought a demon would be nicer than my actual sister, though." He shrugged sheepishly, and smiled at Serena. "I'm glad you were there with me... I'm not sure I would have been able to handle that on my own."
"I'm not sure how much help I was... that tart comment really got under my skin... More than it should have. It's odd, though, how people react differently to the same information and sequence of events." Serena tapped the bar, thinking hard. "Some people would have... bonded with you, over the loss of your... of your mother. It's downright disturbing to think that woman has spent twenty years blaming her entire life on someone she didn't even know was alive. What a terrible existence."
"Well, I can't say I didn't want it to go differently, but perhaps it's for the best. What if... what if we'd got on really well and I just... I ended up... not making it?"
Serena looked at him sharply, her blue eyes automatically going to his shoulder. "You're still thinking about it. The... the wolf. The bite."
"And the tower. And the Fade. We've almost died a lot in the past few weeks, Serena," Alistair said softly.
"But the good news is we're always there to bring each other back," Serena whispered, slipping her hand into his. "I've searched the very depths of the Fade for you, my prince, and I'd gladly do it again." Alistair leaned over and pressed a soft kiss to her temple, his honey eyes warm and genial.
"So, I've been wondering something... I'd like to know your thoughts about some of our... traveling companions," Alistair said, his lips quirking up. "Since we're alone right now and all. Do you mind if I ask?"
Serena grinned at him. "Oh ho, time for juicy gossip then?"
"I've got this nefarious plan to go around to each of them and secretly tell them all the nasty things you said. That way, they'll mutiny and I shall become the group leader!"
"You really want to lead this band of misfits?" Serena asked, smirking. "Good bloody luck."
"Oh, no. Lead? Me? No, no, no. No leading for Alistair. Bad things happen when I lead. We get lost... people die... and then the next thing you know, I'm stranded somewhere without any pants."
"Sounds tempting," Serena purred. "I could think of a few places I'd like to see you stranded without any pants."
Alistair laughed, his cheeks turning a slight bit pinker. "Seriously, though. I'm curious. I've had enough time to form my own opinions, and I just want to see if yours are... any different."
Serena took a gulp of her ale, feeling the alcohol warm her up as it flowed to her belly. "Alright, I'm game. Go ahead."
"So, Sten," Alistair began. "The way he looks at me, with those eyes... creepy, right? And he's so quiet for someone so... big."
"Sten is... How do I describe Sten?" Serena sighed. "Well, he's a fantastic warrior, when he's not sighing loudly or questioning my motives for... just about everything. I've started reading that book, about that... philosophy of theirs, the Qunari, and I think I understand him a bit better, anyway." Serena giggled. "I do wish he'd blink a bit more when he's talking, though."
"Yes, the more I talk to him, the more it seems like his philosophy isn't as vile as the Chantry describes it..." Alistair shrugged, taking another swallow of ale. "And yet he killed all those people. With his bare hands. Over a sword! He doesn't even deny it! Doesn't that bother you?"
"A bit. He told me he... overreacted. Bit of a big overreaction, but..." Serena turned to Alistair. "You know he calls his sword Asala? It's the qunari term for a soul. I heard him... talking to my dog about it, actually. Strange fellow, that Sten."
"What about Leliana?" Alistair asked. "Do you really believe in her vision? I've heard her talk about it a few times. It's a bit... well... out there. But then, I didn't even know non-Grey Wardens could have dreams about the Blight like that... so maybe..."
"Yeah, I... don't know. I find it a remarkable coincidence, that we were looking to recruit an army, in Lothering of all places..."
"And there was no way she could have known we needed help so desperately, yet there she was."
"Exactly!" Serena exclaimed. "Sometimes I think... Even if the Maker has left us, like the Chantry says, I can't help but think He throws us a bone, every so often. I do wish she'd open up a bit more, though. Whenever I talk to her, I always think she's holding back something. Like she's embarrassed or... ashamed? I don't know."
"If you look at her, when she doesn't see you, she just looks so... so sad," Alistair said quietly. "I almost feel guilty taking her away from her life in Lothering and all."
"I think, if anything, we're helping her get back to her real life," Serena replied. "You don't learn to shoot, or swing a sword like she does by praying in the Chantry... Ah, well. Who's next?"
"Morrigan." Alistair practically spit the name out. "Tell me you don't trust her! Think about it... maybe Flemeth sent her with us for some... other reason than she said."
"Possibly. Or she's just afraid of the Blight." Serena glanced around; making sure nobody was listening in on them. The barmen had moved away, cleaning a large stack of mugs. "I hadn't had the chance to talk to you about this, but... back at Redcliffe, Morrigan told me... well, ah, how do I put this? Morrigan found out how Flemeth lives, well, basically forever."
Alistair leaned in, his eyes narrowed in curiosity. "Really? What is it? Some spell?"
"Not... exactly. She uh, possesses... her daughters. Morrigan is the most recent in… a very long line of daughters for Flemeth. I've never seen her frightened, but I swear, Alistair, when Morrigan told me, there was fear in her eyes. Real fear. And… she... well, she asked me to kill her. Kill Flemeth, for her."
"And you want to do it? Are you-" Alistair lowered his voice. "Are you crazy, Serena?"
"No, I mean... I'm... I don't know. I told her I would do it, but Flemeth saved our lives, you know? We'd be dead, very dead, atop that tower right now if not for her." Serena sighed. "I was hoping maybe we could just... talk her out of possessing Morrigan. Or something. Maybe."
"Right. Wow." Alistair ran a hand through his blonde hair. "I love you, but that's crazy. You are saying crazy things right now."
"I know," Serena said miserably. "She wants me to bring her back her spellbook, too, to prove I did it."
Alistair snorted. "Wow. I... I didn't think I could dislike her more than I do, but... but here we are." Alistair drained his ale and pushed back from the bar. "You know, I think my curiosity is sated for now. Possibly for the rest of my life." He shook his head. "Bloody swamp witch... reminds me of Goldanna..."
"I told her we had business, in... in Ostagar, which you know, we should go back there, sometime. Maybe see if we can find... some of the others." Serena finished her pint and dropped off the stool, falling into step beside Alistair. "We could just make a quick detour into the Wilds, avoiding all the darkspawn, of course, and... politely ask Flemeth for her grimoire and to please not possess our friend."
"Your friend," Alistair corrected vehemently. "She is most definitely your friend, here. I want to make that very clear. I think she's dangerous, and evil... and... and mean."
"But you'll go with me, right?"
"Maybe. I haven't decided."
"Haven't decided?" Serena's voice was incredulous. "Well... What if I bribe you?" Serena slipped her hand in his, her fingers rubbing against his skin in small circles. "I could... wash your clothes for a week?"
Alistair arched an eyebrow at her. "Ha, you'll have to do better than that. This is Morrigan we're talking about here. You are asking me to do a favor for Morrigan."
"I could mend all your shirts? You hate doing that..." They crossed the Market District and headed into the inn they were staying at, Serena following Alistair up the staircase and into their room. "Or I could... do all your food prep, too?"
"You're getting warmer, but still, I don't think I could be troubled, honestly." Alistair shrugged, sitting down on the bed, pulling his boots off. "There's darkspawn down in the Wilds... Maker, it's probably overrun by now, come to think of it. Not to mention her mother's a bloody apostate that's lived for centuries. A few sewn shirts and bird feathers plucked isn't going to help that."
"I am the leader, you know." Serena pushed him back onto the mattress, her arms propping her up on top of him. "I could just order you to go with me. Then you have to obey."
"Why, I'm surprised, Serena. I never thought you, of all people, would abuse your power so." Alistair grinned up at her, his fingers flipping rapidly at the straps holding Serena's armor on. "I really thought you were... above this."
"I'm above you, currently," Serena teased, pulling at the buckles holding his breastplate on and tossing it onto the floor. "I rather think I have the advantage here."
"Oh, that's just silly," Alistair said, grabbing her waist. With a quick push, he flipped her over on the bed. "You come up to my nose, my lady. I would be willing to bet I have at least a hundred pounds on you. These are facts. I always..." Alistair leaned close, his breath on Serena's ear. "...have the advantage."
"So…" Serena paused, trying to keep complete control of herself. She didn't want to give him anything to work with. "Mending your clothes won't do it. Plucking feathers won't do it. What will it take to get you to come with me?" Serena pulled his shirt out of his breeches, running her hands up his chest, his skin feeling warm and wonderful underneath her fingers.
"I wonder, am I still... getting warmer?" Serena whispered, her mouth just millimeters from his.
"You're hot." Alistair ran his hands into Serena's hair, kissing her lips, their legs a tangle together. "Definitely hot."