Sometime in the night, Nadia began to have nightmares again. She rolled onto her as she dreamed, but she began to thrash in her sleep and Cullen woke up. He looked over at Nadia and moved to her side, trying to wake her.
"Nadia, wake up!"
Running… running… running so far away… Panting… heart racing… head pounding… sweat slipping down her cheeks… Crashing… something was chasing her through the woods… Darkness… more crashing… A cliff… nowhere else to run… glowing blood-red eyes surrounding her… Looking down… more darkness… no escape… Deep breath… leap of faith… Maker preserve me… Maker protect me… Darkness swallowing her… Cold… nothingness… Sudden fear… heart about to explode… She can't wake up… she can't breathe… Clawing for air… Can't reach anything… Falling into the abyss… Cullen, save me… Cullen… Cullen… Cullen!
"Cullen!" Nadia called, waking with a start and sitting straight up, drenched in sweat.
"Nadia, I'm here," he said, putting a hand on her shoulder.
Nadia looked over at him, her eyes still fearful. "Cullen..." she started, but the dream was still fresh in her mind and she couldn't help letting loose the tears in her eyes.
Cullen pulled her into his arms and held her, letting her cry into his chest. He rubbed her back and stroked her hair, trying to calm her. "It's alright, you're safe."
Nadia felt comforted by his presence, his arms encircling her and providing warmth, but the nightmare was ever insistent and it would not leave her alone. "I'm sorry, Cullen if I woke you." She said, pushing herself back from his chest.
"Are you alright?" he asked.
Nadia looked up at him and nodded. "I think so. I feel better with you here."
Cullen smiled at that, but it quickly faded. "I was worried when I couldn't wake you."
Nadia pulled her knees up to her chest. "I didn't mean to worry you, Cullen. I'm sorry. These nightmares keep coming back, getting more intense."
Cullen sat back against the headboard of the bed and looked at her. "How long have these been going on?"
"Since Haven fell. For some reason, it's like Corypheus is sending his demons after me in the dreams. I'm running and running, with nowhere to escape, darkness enveloping me and these red eyes following me wherever I go. I know Corypheus is dead, but something keeps prodding my mind." She said, getting out of bed and standing by the window. She looked at him and sighed. "I don't know how to get rid of them and I've tried everything I could think of."
Cullen stood and came to her side. "Whatever is causing these nightmares, I promise we'll find the root of it together."
Nadia looked up at him and smiled. "Thank you, Cullen." She looked out at the rain, still a downpour outside.
Cullen put an arm around her shoulder. "Of course, Nadia. We're friends after all."
Nadia blushed. 'I don't want to be just friends, Cullen.' she thought to herself. She turned and looked up at him, feeling her blush deepen. "Cullen, I care for you, and I-" she started, then sighed, looking away.
Cullen looked at her and blushed a little himself. "What's wrong?"
Nadia looked up at him. "You left the Templars, but do you trust mages?" she asked. "Could you think of me as anything more than just a friend?"
Cullen looked at her. "I could. I mean I do... think of you. And what I might say in this situation." he replied, blushing.
"What's stopping you?" Nadia asked, putting a hand on his chest.
"With the war, I didn't think it was possible to find someone, but then you came along. You protected the Inquisitor and never doubted him. You protected us in each battle we faced and healed our wounds. You've always been there for the Inquisition." Cullen explained. "I have wanted to tell you how I feel for a long time, but something always seemed to get in the way and I wasn't sure if you would feel the same for me."
Nadia blushed. "And yet I'm still here," she said, smiling.
"And so you are," Cullen replied, smiling as he reached up to touch her cheek. "It seems too much to ask."
Nadia leaned into his hand and blushed a little. Outside, a crack of thunder shook the inn, making Nadia jump.
"Maker, that was loud!" she exclaimed. Looking out the window, she sighed. "I don't think this storm will be letting up any time soon."
Cullen watched the rain smacking against the window panes. "I think you may be right. It'll take us longer to reach Highever at this rate."
Nadia looked back at him. "We should try to get some more sleep."
Cullen kissed her forehead and nodded, then led her to the bed. Nadia slid under the covers and waited for Cullen to join her. He lay on his back and put an arm up, offering her a spot on his chest. Nadia scooted closer to him and laid her head against his chest. They lay there together, the heavy covers keeping them warm as the storm raged outside. Cullen wrapped his arm around her held her closer to him and quickly fell asleep. Nadia wasn't far behind, comforted by his presence and his scent. It seemed like it would be a good night's sleep.