An hour or so passed by, but Emery was able to complete her tasks. She checked in with the lads, only leaving to meet Cullen once she was sure that they didn't need her help with anything further. As she made her way to the Commander's tent, Vernon and Sidney shared a knowing look.

In that time, Cullen had finished his meal and set aside his dishes- trying to find ways to entertain himself while he awaited Emery's return. He decided to read, picking up where he left somewhere near the middle of his book, but after a while, he began to wonder what was keeping her.

"Cullen?"

Cullen looked up and saw Emery peeking in. "I was beginning to think I'd been stood up."

"I would never!" Emery feigned indignation and then giggled, stepping inside as Cullen rolled his eyes at the theatrics. "It took longer than I thought it would." She came over to Cullen, meeting him halfway as he stood and walked towards her. "Are you upset?"

Cullen chuckled. "Not at all, merely worried."

"Sorry, didn't mean to make you worry." Emery presented a bottle of wine. "Perhaps this will make up for it?"

Cullen looked at the bottle, seeing that it was a black currant vintage from the Free Marches. "8:73? That's quite the vintage."

"Just don't tell Menek," Emery said, winking.

"He sure has good taste in alcohol," Cullen noted, watching her produce two glasses and open the bottle. "You must know where his stash is."

"I do, though I try not to raid it." Emery handed him a glass, taking a sip. "He usually lets me have a bottle or two for cooking with, which has been fun to experiment with."

"Oh? And what sort of dishes can you make using alcohol?"

Emery took a seat, crossing her legs. "Lots, actually. You can use it to make sauces or just to add an extra depth of flavor to a dish."

Cullen sat across from her. "What are your favorite to make, then?" He took a sip of the wine and sighed with contentment. "Mmm, Maker that is good."

Emery chuckled. "Aye, glad you like it." She took another sip and thought for a moment. "There's a recipe that takes chicken thighs and white wine with bacon and wild mushrooms to make a creamy sauce, then there's one where you baste mushrooms in ale, and there's another where you can make a marinade for ribs out of red wine. That beef stew I brought you the first night we spoke? There's a special cooking wine that you can add to it, completely changes the flavor."

"Really?"

"Aye, though it's been a long time since I've been able to make dishes like that."

"Why'd you stop?"

Emery shrugged. "I got lucky enough to work in a noble's kitchen for a time, but it was a temporary situation. The ingredients themselves for such fancy dishes are expensive, some of them are even difficult to acquire, but it was a nice experience nonetheless."

"And if you were to have access to such ingredients, would you want to make those recipes more frequently?"

Emery chuckled. "Why, have I piqued your curiosity?"

Cullen smirked. "Indeed you have. Your cooking now is already the best I've ever had, it would be an honor to have the privilege of tasting a more fancy meal made by you someday."

Emery blushed at that. "Perhaps I'll make you something extra special someday, then." She playfully nudged his leg with her foot. "Something just for you and no one else."

Cullen caught her foot and brought it up onto his lap, his hand resting on the worn leather of her boot. "I'd like that."

Emery smiled at that, then glanced at his bed where the book he had been reading sat. "Were you reading?"

"I was."

Emery returned her gaze to him. "Did I interrupt?"

Cullen shook his head. "I had actually just finished it when you arrived."

"What's it about?"

"The Adventures of the Black Fox."

"Who's that?"

Cullen chuckled. "An Orlesian nobleman turned roguish thief during the Blessed Age."

"Oooo, sounds intriguing."

"I found it a rather interesting read, a bit different than what I'm used to reading."

"Perhaps I'll read it too someday." Emery finished her glass and poured herself another. "I'm proud of you, finding the time to sit down and relax with a book."

"I've been making the effort, even if it's just a chapter a night." Cullen accepted her offer when she asked if he wanted a refill as well. "I do find it to be quite relaxing."

"Aye, and it'll help you unwind after a long day," Emery smirked. "Though, that's not the only way to unwind."

"Indeed," Cullen replied, chuckling. At this point, it was beginning to get difficult to distinguish whether he was blushing because of her teasing or just getting flushed cheeks and neck from the strength of the wine.

They sat there for a few moments, quietly drinking and savoring the taste of the black currants.

"Mmm... you know, I think they mixed cherries and raspberries with the currants."

Cullen looked at Emery as she swirled her glass a bit. "Oh?"

Emery nodded. "I don't mean to brag, but I do have a bit of a talent for flavors."

"It would seem so," he raised a brow and chuckled. "No shame is bragging from time to time."

Emery stuck her tongue out playfully. "And what of you? What does the mighty Lion of the Inquisition have to brag about?" She leaned forward, pointing a finger at him. "And on a personal note, mind you. I know how good you are with work-related things, but not enough about the personal things."

Cullen eyed her for a moment. "You could just ask to know more about me, Em."

Emery rolled her eyes and scooted her chair closer to him. "Aren't I?" She leaned forward eagerly. "Come now, Commander, tell me something personal that you can brag about."

"Back to 'Commander', eh?" Cullen rolled his eyes in turn and smirked as he took another sip. "Chess."

Emery looked at him, surprised. "Chess? Really?"

"Is that so surprising?"

"A bit, aye." Emery took a sip. "I'd have taken you more for a cardsman than a chessman."

"I have dabbled with cards, though, I find chess to be the more enjoyable game." Cullen noticed her coy expression as she scooted even closer. "What?"

"Is it because it's a game of strategy and you're so good at strategy that you've become known as the mighty Lion of the Inquisition?"

"Again with that name..." Cullen chuckled. "To answer your question, yes. I do enjoy chess because it involves strategies. I may not be the smartest man alive, but I find chess stimulating on an intellectual level."

Emery giggled and poked his cheek. "You're adorable."

"A man is not adorable."

Emery booped his nose. "Aye, a man can be adorable. Men are allowed to be adorable, it's not just for women or children or cute animals." She sat back. "Besides, I find it adorable in an endearing manner. While surprising, it suits you quite nicely."

"What about you? Surely there's something other than cooking that you do."

Emery shook her head. "Not really. I enjoy cooking, it's what I'm good at, and I love making food for other people. There's not many satisfying things in the world, but seeing someone's reaction to good food is one."

"There's nothing that's ever taken your interest away from cooking?"

Emery stood, finishing her glass of wine and setting it on the table. She stretched for a moment, thinking as she did so. "I like dancing."

Cullen chuckled. "You did seem to be having quite a bit of fun that night." He thought back to that night, but his smile faded when he recalled seeing her dancing with other men.

"'Tis a shame that you denied me a dance, though, I was rather disappointed." Emery noticed his expression changed. "What?"

"Nothing."

"Aww, were you jealous?"

"No?"

"If you have to phrase it like a question, that means yes."

Cullen looked away and sighed. "I wasn't jealous."

Ebony came over to him, standing in front of him. "Aww, you were jealous!"

"Not. Jealous."

Ebony waited for him to finish his drink, then straddled him. "Did you like seeing me dancing?"

Cullen met her gaze, his hands coming to grasp her hips. "Yes."

"Did you like seeing me dance with other men?"

Cullen hesitated a moment. "No..."

"That, my dear lion," she leaned down to kiss him, lingering for a moment before pulling away, "is called jealousy."

"I don't get jealous."

Emery chuckled and kissed his nose. "If don't want to get jealous, then dance with me next time I ask. I'll only dance with you if you say yes." She gasped as his grip on her hips tightened and she felt his hardening member press into her.

"Is that a promise?"

Emery looked at and smirked. "Aye, that's a promise."