And now she was to bend her will to another? After tonight she would be expected to share this bed with another man, The Hero of Ferelden, The Grey Warden, or as he insisted Aedan. Maker help her.
Anora contemplated the past few months. At the landsmeet her father was spared and now traveled with the Grey Wardens. Alistair refused to accept that he had failed in convincing Aedan to murder Loghain and left dejected. Rumors placed him on a ship to The Free Marches. The Hero save Loghain in exchange for being king.
Anora denied the request at first. She would not give up her power, not even for her father. He looked at the dark hair apostate like she was his all, Anora refused to be with another man who couldn't stay out of other women's beds. Aedan shrugged and turned away.
"I will let you rule, but Alistair will not let Loghain live, and I won't stop him." Aedan said.
"What about Morigan?" Anora asked dreading the answer. "Will you expect her to remain at court?"
Aedan turned back, "My relationship with her is strained, and she has made it clear she wants her freedom. I am not promising to love you, I will rule beside you, and if I find myself in another woman's bed you will never hear a whisper about it."
Anora flinched, Calian never made that promise, he had been careless. "What about us, what will you expect from me?"
"I expect that we will need to try for children, I see no reason why we shouldn't enjoy that. I am not unskilled, and you are attractive." Aedan said and pulled her close.
Anora's breath caught in her throat as his lips hovered near hers, the room warmed up as he lingered. She heard herself sigh as he closed the gap and he kissed her. She stood in shock for a moment, the kiss was gentle, his lips touched hers, not chaste in anyway, but also not demanding.
A heartbeat, then two and her arms went around him. How long had they known each other? A week, maybe two? She kissed Aedan back. Maker she never wanted anything as much as she wanted him, but then he pulled away. Anora's lips tingled at the memory of that first kiss.
At that moment she accepted she could marry him. When Anora said yes Aedan smiled, "You will not regret this." He said as he kissed her again. Maker, she wanted him to continue, but he pulled away again.
"What will you tell Alistair?" Anora asked her blue eyes clouded with worry.
Aedan gave a smile that he perfected to put people at ease. "Don't worry, Alistair doesn't want to be king anyway."
Anora spent many nights wondering how Aedan turned her thoughts around. She did not know much about him other than he was from the Cousland line, and in line for the throne after his brother Fergus. Even if Rendon Howe hadn't managed to murder off most of the Cousland's she would most likely would have been paired with him in a few years.
Aedan was a handsome man, He was tall, dark brown hair, and he kept a short beard that made him look mature rather than unkempt. His brown eyes sparkled when he teased her as they made marriage plans. His full lips never promised love, Anora was grateful that he did not spout platitudes about learning to love each other.
Anora had no real desire to be married. The years she was married to Cailan were less horrible than maddening, He was a man-child that happened to be born on the right side of the sheets.
In all honesty from what she knew of Alistair he would have made a better king than his brother. Aedan said as much, one night as they sat outside in the garden.
"What is wrong my queen?" Aedan asked, his thumb brushing the back of her neck.
Anora enjoyed the time they spent together, they hadn't consummated their relationship, that for now was to procreate, and they were not married. "Did we do the right thing?"
"You could have married Alistair, he is a good man, if not stubborn." Aedan answered honestly.
Anora sighed, fighting the urge to curl up against The Hero. "Has there been any word from my father?"
Aedan shook his head. "He will be fine, he is being trained by the best of the Orlesian Wardens, and he will be more qualified than I am in a short time."
That day she kissed him for the first time on her own. It wasn't during the conversation, later after dinner he walked her to her room as was his habit. He turned to leave, he had not kissed her since the day he came up with his plan to marry her. Anora wanted to know if the feelings he stirred were real or imagined.
Her hand went to his shoulder, he turned. Anora bridged the gap between them and she pulled Aedan's head toward her. The kiss was everything she remembered. She wanted more, she needed him. He pressed her against the door, his hands circled her waist.
"Aedan," Anora panted as his lips found her neck, his hands found her breasts. Anora moaned when he pulled away.
"Please Aedan," Anora opened her door and held out her hand.
"We wed in three months, if you turn up with child before that there will be a scandal." Aedan said and Anora groaned when his point hit home.
Anora's face fell as she failed to hide her disappointment. "Thank you for thinking about our reputation she said as she turned toward the door. She never put herself out to Cailan like that. After years of marriage and many nights of unsatisfactory sex Anora wanted to feel close to her betrothed more than she knew she could want someone.
A quick motion had her up in the air. She squealed as Aedan carried her to the room. He put her down next to the bed and had her stripped in moments. Anora tried to help with his clothes but he shooed her away as he kissed down her front. Maker what was he doing? That is the night that she learned that despite all Cailan's sleeping around he never had a chance with her.
Aedan kissed nibbled and teased his way down her body, she could barely stand when he found her center with his tongue. Her body quivered as he teased her. She had never felt anything like it before.
Was this what sex would be like with him. She heard the maids talking about men treating them to this, but she always thought it sounded awkward. Her knees started to buckle but he held her up. Her hips moved encouraging him as her fingers wound into his hair.
When her body gave way to an orgasm she sobbed. She never knew it could end that way. Anora's body near collapsed as Aedan kissed her a final time and stood carrying her to her bed. He leaned down and kissed her this bed. He left, after, Aedan did not ask for anything.
That was not the only time. Sometimes he used his mouth, sometimes his hand. No matter how much Anora begged he refused to have sex with her. Either way she woke up with a smile. Once as he entered the room she knelt between his knees, "Tell me how to please you."
Aedan leaned against the door, he bucked as she followed his directions. Maker help her, she did not know if this was truly out of the Maker's will, but she didn't care.
The first time he tried to get her to move but she was sure she could handle finishing him off. The stream hit the back of her throat and it shocked her. Aedan made such lovely sounds as he held her head that she relaxed and swallowed the bitter fluids.
That was two months ago. She did not mind the acts done in private anymore, if anything she looked forward to tonight. They would be married. After three months of teasing and learning about each other's bodies. Tonight she would be whole.
Anora stood and went to the mirror, she sighed as she contemplated the long ceremony to come, and soon her maids would be in to do her hair. The long white gown would be stepped into, it was not the dress she wore to marry Cailan.
Instead she had a new gown made, local not Orlesian. The silk was not as fine in Ferelden, but Aedan insisted that they used local merchants. He was right of course. The dress was stunning despite the quality of the material, the beadwork and embroidery was perfect.
As predicted the servants came in, each worked around each other until with a gasp they all stepped back. Her stick straight hair was in loose waves, a simple crown instead of a veil sat on her head. They did simple makeup, thoughtful about the lipstick and eye kohl.
Anora stood shocked in front of the same mirror as before. Did she look as beautiful the first time? She had been younger and scared, this time she had a man that spoke the truth, their match made sense.
There was no more stalling. She was ready. Her father, Loghain, took her arm and the marched down the stairs. What she felt was not love, but it was respect. Tonight she would be married. It was a start.