The next four days were filled with nothing but rain. The roads were flooded from the onslaught of rain and unsafe to travel, so Nadia and Cullen were forced to wait out the storm. Stuck in their room, there wasn't much to do. Nadia had brought a few books with her, so she read through them to pass the time by. Cullen had gone to see if he could find something, so Nadia was alone in the room for a bit. When he returned, Cullen smiled and presented a small board and a box.

"Would you care to play a game, Nadia?" he asked, setting the board on the table in front of the fireplace.

"Sure. I haven't played in a long time, so you would need to take it easy with me," she replied, setting her book aside.

Cullen sat across from her and smiled. "I won't make any promises."

Nadia pulled her legs up onto the chair and watched as Cullen set the chess pieces. When he finished, they began their game.

"As a child, I played this with my sister," Cullen said. "She would get this stuck-up grin whenever she won- which was all the time. My brother and I practiced together for weeks. The look on her face the day I finally won…" Cullen sighed. "Between serving the Templars and the Inquisition, I haven't seen them in years. I wonder if she still plays."

"You have siblings?" Nadia asked. "You never talked about them before."

"Two sisters and a brother," Cullen said, leaning forward as they began to play.

"Where are they now?" Nadia asked.

"They moved to South Reach after the Blight. I do not write to them as often as I should." Cullen replied, then moved his piece. "Ah, it's my turn."

Nadia smiled. "Alright, let's see what you've got."

Cullen smiled at that and they began to play their game. They played for a while in silence as they each concentrated on their next moves and how they wanted the game to play out.

"This may be the longest we've spent time together in quite some time," Cullen noted. "To be honest, I appreciate the time I get to spend with you."

Nadia giggled. "We should spend more time together like, even after we return to Skyhold. I'm rather enjoying this."

Cullen, surprised, looked at her. "I would like that."

Nadia blushed and smiled as she made her next move. "Me, too," she said, tucking her hair behind her ear.

Cullen noticed that she had on a pair of pearl dangle earrings. He smiled and looked at the board. "You said that. We should… finish our game. Right. My turn?"

They continued to play their game until Cullen sat back in defeat. "I believe this one is yours. Well played, Nadia."

Nadia smiled. "I rather enjoyed the challenge of defeating you." She said coyly.

Cullen chuckled at that. "Perhaps we can go another round? The rain hasn't let up yet, so we have the time."

Nadia smiled. "If you would like, then prepare the board."

Cullen smiled back. "Of course," he said, then reset the board and readied the pieces.

Nadia watched as he set the pieces. "So, did you want to travel to South Reach to see your family?"

Cullen looked up at her. "What?"

"You know, after we reach Highever?" Nadia said. "We'll be traveling sixteen days from Rainesfere before we reach Highever and it'll take about thirteen days to get to South Reach from there. You offered to come with me to see my family, so let me offer the same. Perhaps we can even go to Honnleath like you had originally planned."

Cullen gestured for her to make the first move. As she made her move and he made his, he thought about what she offered. "I'd like that. It's been years since I've seen them. I'd appreciate it if we took the time to go and see them."

Nadia looked up and smiled. "Of course. You and I are in the same boat, Cullen. We haven't seen our families in a long time, though you forced me to go home after Kirkwall fell."

Cullen looked up at her. Her smile had faded and he was surprised that still bothered her. "Nadia, I told you before I sent you home to protect you."

Nadia sighed. "I know, but I could have helped rebuild the Circle, help those who got caught up in the fighting. I could have stayed with you."

Cullen looked down and moved his next piece. "I know, Nadia, but I was worried the reinforcements would punish you because you were a mage. I didn't want you to get hurt."

Nadia looked at him. "Cullen, let me ask you something."

Cullen looked up at her. "What is it?"

"If you remember at all, I wanted to ask you about what happened at the Circle, before I went to Starkhaven," Nadia said, looking down at the board and making her next move.

"What? When we kissed?"

Nadia nodded. "I really cared for you and you seemed to care for me too, but then I was told you had informed the First Enchanter and Gregoire about our kiss. What was it to you? Did it really mean so little to you? Were you that afraid of being reprimanded?"

Cullen looked at her in disbelief. "No, not at all. That kiss meant everything to me. For once in my life, I found a true moment of happiness."

"Then why, Cullen?" Nadia said, moving her final piece into place and winning the round again. "Why would you tell them?"

"You have to understand that being a Templar meant everything to me." Cullen started. "I enjoyed the moment we shared, but you are a mage and I couldn't risk everything I believed in to pursue anything with you. There were rules and I have always done what was asked of me, always followed the rules set out."

Nadia stood, not sure how to react. "Being a Templar was more important than your own happiness?"

Cullen stood and came to her side. "At the time, yes, it was. I always wanted to be a Templar, since I was a boy. I used to beg the Templars in Honnleath to train me, to teach me what they knew. When I showed promise, they recruited me and sent me for proper training."

Nadia ignored him and looked outside. The rain was still a downpour, the skies dark except for the occasional flash of lightning.

"Nadia, look at me please?" Cullen said, touching her shoulder.

Nadia turned and looked at him. "Fine. Tell me this then: what am I to you? I won't be toyed with like you did at the Circle."

Cullen was taken aback and racked his brain for a good answer that wouldn't sound like an excuse. "Nadia, I regret ever making a mess of things between us. I only tried to do my duty and I have regretted it for years. You were all I could think of, even when I was trapped in that barrier erected by the blood mages when Ferelden's Circle nearly fell to demons. You were all that kept me going, and kept me from losing myself. You still are, Nadia. I care for you more than I ever thought possible."

Nadia sighed. "Cullen, I want whatever this is between us to work."

"What do you think it is?" Cullen asked.

"I don't know, Cullen! I don't know how to talk to you, how to act around you, or how to be anywhere near you without feeling like a young maiden experiencing her first love all over again! I truly don't know what we have together." Nadia said looking desperately to him for answers.

A knock came at the door and Nadia went to answer. Marilee greeted her when she opened the door and handed her a letter. "This came for you, miss. They said it was urgent."

"Oh, thank you, Marilee," Nadia replied, taking the letter.

Nadia closed the door and opened the letter, going to sit on the bed as she read. Cullen came to her side and waited as she finished reading the letter.

"Is everything alright?" he asked, putting a hand on hers.

Nadia nodded stood and began packing her things. "Mother and Father have started to take a turn for the worse. Fergus says they don't have much time. I need to get to Highever quickly."

"Let's leave in the morning, Nadia. Maybe the rain will clear up by then." Cullen replied, standing.

Nadia shook her head. "I need to go now, Cullen. I have to get there before it's too late."

Cullen grabbed her hand and stopped her for a moment. "We should wait, Nadia."

Nadia looked up at him with tears in her eyes. "I can't, Cullen... I haven't seen them in ages and I have to be there to say goodbye when they die. I have to go now..."

Cullen hugged her and sighed. "Alright, then let me go pay for our room and let the innkeeper know. I'll be right back, OK?"

Nadia looked up at him and nodded. "OK."

Cullen smiled and wiped the tears from her eyes and kissed her forehead. "Just wait here and I'll be back in a few minutes."

Nadia nodded and watched as Cullen left the room and hurried down the hall. She quickly got their things packed and made the bed, glancing outside. It was still raining hard, but Nadia didn't care. She had to see her parents one last time.

Cullen had paid for the room, informed the innkeeper of their departure, and asked the stable boy to ready their horses before returning to the room. Nadia had finished packing and had put her cloak on and had put out the fire and was ready to go. Helping her carry their bags downstairs, Cullen followed Nadia to the front desk where they bid farewell to the innkeeper and his family, thanking them for the accommodations and service. They wished Cullen and Nadia luck and told them to be careful in the rain as they set out on their travels. But that was hours ago.