Chapter Twenty-two
~O~
Anders leaned against the wall in Varric's suite at the Hanged Man, his arms crossed, expression remote and forbidding, meant to warn everyone away and working precisely as he intended. Isabela and Fenris were locked in the final stages of a card battle the others had already bowed out of, Merrill and Hawke chatting and nursing drinks while they awaited the outcome. They had all been shooting him curious looks since he and Hawke had arrived more than an hour earlier.
Though they had safely seen Ineria and Carver back to the Gallows, it wasn't entirely without incident. Two groups of miscreants, likely gangs, had been fighting each other when they happened on them. After he and Marian had let the ice and fireballs fly, most of them fled, but not all. A few more corpses to add to the gloom and despair that seemed to permeate those wretched paths. The one bright spot for Anders, being Ineria's obvious hero worship of the Hawke siblings. Her profuse praise of their skills and abilities went on and on, until she had them both blushing, something he found rather amusing.
Before he and Marian left the tunnels, they had caught a glimpse of several mages that had been made tranquil, something that understandably angered and upset them both. It was clear that Marian assumed his bad mood and unsocial behavior was owing to that, but it wasn't, though he let her believe it was. A convenient excuse to mask what had really drawn his ire, and the bubbling cauldron of rage he was doing his best to keep a lid on. He had to act immediately, and he didn't want Marian to follow him.
"Everything alright with you, Blondie?" Varric asked quietly, coming to stand in front of him and drawing his gaze. "Last time I saw that look on your face was when Hawke fainted from fever in the deep roads."
"Perceptive, as always, Varric," Anders murmured. "I urgently need to go see to a little problem before it turns into a big one, and I'd like your help if you're willing. It shouldn't take long. Can you invent something so we can leave the room without drawing suspicion?"
Varric winked. "Start walking for the door." Turning to the table where everyone was gathered, Varric smiled. "Blondie and I are gonna go get another round, and I asked him to have a quick look at Edwina while we're at it, she's been complaining about her knee acting up again."
A couple heads nodded, but they were mostly engrossed with Fenris and Isabela trying to cheat or out-bluff each other. Hawke briefly glanced at Varric with a curious look before her attention was drawn away by Merrill speaking to her. Anders was quickly down the stairs and out the door, Varric right on his heels. The healer started toward the foundry district.
"You wanna fill me in on what this is about?" Varric sped his steps to match Anders' quick pace.
"It's what it's always about, for me, what's most important; Marian, and protecting her."
Clenching his jaw grimly, Anders entered a dark alley and stopped, summoning a ball of light that floated toward the figure that had been fully cloaked in shadow. It revealed a tall man with dark, shaggy hair, wearing nondescript leather armor, who stood regarding them both with cold, calculating eyes. He was armed with twin daggers, and a bow and quiver of arrows was strapped to his back. The scar that cut across his left eyebrow ran from his cheek to the edge of his jaw, giving him an even more menacing appearance.
"Who are you and why are you in Kirkwall?" Anders questioned without preamble.
He examined them both with a look of disdain, raising a brow before he spoke. "My name is not important, and I think you know very well what brought me to Kirkwall, Anders. Did you really think you could successfully keep something like this a secret from Weisshaupt?"
"What are you talking about?" Anders asked in a low tone, magical blue light causing his whole body to faintly glow.
"Don't play dumb," the man sneered. "I can feel her, the same as any Warden."
Glaring, Anders shifted, his hands glowing brighter. "Whatever ideas you or your puppet-masters may have, you can forget about them. I'll never let you have her, and the Wardens know very well what I'm capable of, if pushed. I'll allow you to live if you leave now and deliver this message: she is not theirs to experiment on, and I'll kill every Warden they send for her."
The man shook his head, his lips twisted in contempt. "I see the speculation on you is true, you really have turned your back on the Grey Wardens. You also seem to have a very overinflated view of your abilities, if you think I will be so easy to kill. I'll…" He stopped talking and looked past Anders, his expression quickly changing to one of wonder.
"Anders?" Came Hawke's hesitant voice from behind him. "Who is this man? Why can I...feel him?"
"Marian, go back inside, please. We'll talk when I'm done here." He moved to block her from entering the alley.
"She is magnificent," the man whispered. "A true miracle. In all Grey Warden history, there has never been such an outcome." His eyes moved over her eagerly, meeting her gaze and smiling in awe. "You are truly a goddess, meant for worship."
Hawke gave a nervous laugh. "Ah. Um, Anders, what is this fellow talking about? Is this about the taint?"
"Yes and no," Anders muttered, magic continuing to swirl from his fingertips, his body taut with tension.
The man frowned, paying no attention to Anders, his eyes never leaving Hawke. "He did not tell you about what you are? No woman, no female of any race, has ever had the Broodmother taint corruption from the blight without transforming or dying. Yet, you clearly grappled with it and have somehow won. Tainted, but without the corruption. With your completely uncorrupted appearance, I would never have even believed it possible, but I can feel you, and your call is quite strong. So strong, I do not think I could long resist it, nor do I wish to. They will want you at Weisshaupt immediately. Since nothing like this has ever happened before, you must surely be meant to lead us in some way."
He took an eager step toward her and the alleyway suddenly exploded with blinding light and the brief sounds of violence, before falling silent. Hawke and Varric blinked and stared when they could see again, both of them lowering the weapons they had drawn. Anders was limned in blue light, eyes glowing brightly where he stood over the man he had just killed, pulling the bladed end of his staff free from his chest.
Hawke tensed, her hands curling into fists, waiting for the unwelcome, booming voice of the spirit that very obviously had control of Anders, her mouth falling open in surprise when it didn't come.
"Varric, I'll need your help to get rid of the body," Anders said in his normal voice, looking at the dwarf.
Varric frowned, clearly skeptical. "Who's asking, Anders…or Justice?"
Wiping the blood from his staff's blade, he slipped it back into the leather holder on his back. "It's Anders, of course, I'm always me, Varric. What did you think?"
The dwarf shared an uncertain look with Hawke and shrugged. "The only times I've ever seen you get all shiny and glowy-eyed was when the other guy had control of you. Are you saying that isn't the case anymore? You can get glowy and still stay...you?"
Anders drew a deep, slow breath, the magic fading to only a faint blue glow from his eyes. "Since the deep roads, I'm fully bound to Marian, and consequently, so is the spirit. He can no longer overtake me or compel me to do anything that isn't my choice, her bond freed me of that control he had over me."
"Really?" Varric smiled, the last of the tension leaving his shoulders, relieved by the news and Hawke's equally pleased and surprised expression. Evidently, it was news to her too. "That's good to know, Blondie. Don't worry, I'll take care of getting rid of the body, I seem to be doing that a lot today. Should we be concerned about more of these messed up Wardens showing up? He seemed a little unhinged, to me, especially there at the end."
"With what some of the more senior Wardens are able to feel and do through the taint, I wasn't entirely sure what to expect, regarding their awareness of her." After searching the dead man's pockets and withdrawing a rolled bundle of paper, Anders stood, scanning several of them before tucking them into an inner pocket of his coat.
"I don't know him, beyond the fact he was clearly a scout and spy for the Wardens. But this is very good news, confirmation that they don't know about her taint, for certain, only a vague suspicion. With these papers, I can send a message back, letting them think his mission was a dead end. Hopefully, that will buy me enough time to finish figuring out the correct alchemical solution to completely block Marian from their awareness, making them permanently blind to her. I've already had some short term success, I just need to work on refining it and making it last longer."
Hawke rested her hand on the hilt of her dagger, her focus on the body before she gazed warily at Anders. "It seems you've been keeping a good many secrets from me. Were you ever planning on telling me any of this? And what the blazes is a Broodmother, exactly? It certainly doesn't sound like anything I would ever want to be branded as."
"I haven't been keeping secrets or trying to hide anything from you, love," Anders sighed. "Remember when I said that falling into the hands of the darkspawn is a fate worse than death for a female? I also said I would explain it when we were safely back in Kirkwall with a large bottle of wine between us, but it just hasn't come up again. You're going to really want that wine for this particular conversation, trust me."
"Well, that doesn't sound ominous, at all," Hawke replied sarcastically.
"Is this something you want me in on, Blondie, or is it more Grey Warden secrets you can't tell me?"
Anders walked out of the alley, back toward the Hanged Man, Hawke and Varric falling into step on either side of him. "You need to hear it too, Varric. I'm sure you know by now that I couldn't give a shit about Warden secrets. I involved you on purpose, since you're the only other person I trust to do whatever is necessary to protect Marian from Grey Warden interest. But we can't speak of any of this in front of the others, we'll need privacy to talk freely."
"Follow me," Varric said, passing the front entrance of the Hanged Man and leading them to a side door, down a dark hall and into a half empty storeroom. He struck a match and lit a lamp on a dusty table, waving them to where several chairs were pushed against the wall. Anders brought two chairs to the table while Hawke carried the third. Varric looked back and forth between them questioningly.
"You still want wine, or would either of you prefer something stronger?"
Hawke leaned her arms on the table and shook her head. "I don't care. My stomach is already in knots, so I'm not sure I want anything to drink. Just suit yourselves and don't worry about me."
Anders slid his hand over both of hers, giving her a reassuring smile. "I think let's stick with the wine, thanks, Varric."
The dwarf soon returned with two bottles of wine and three glasses, opening the first bottle and pouring until they were all full, smiling at Hawke. "Just in case. You may find you want some of this, after all."
She nodded with a grateful look, both of them giving Anders their full attention after Varric was seated. Drawing a breath, Anders started talking.
~O~
When Anders finished explaining all about Broodmothers, how they were made, what they did, in horrifying, explicit detail, leaving nothing to the imagination, silence fell in the little room.
"Well, fuck me," Varric said at last, giving Hawke a long look. "How are you doing there, Hawke? You look a little green."
She held Varric's gaze, clearly disturbed. She had listened silently to everything Anders told them, without comment or question, unusual for her. "How would you feel if you learned you had monster goo coursing through your veins that would have turned you into a terrifying, cannibalistic, insect-like and mindless breeding bitch, except for some rare, lucky chance?"
Varric laid a hand on her arm and gave it a comforting squeeze. "Nah, it wasn't only luck, Hawke. You had a hand in making the taint your bitch, not the other way around. Look at it from a different angle, and you should feel like celebrating. I would. Shit, I do. I'm glad we're friends, cause I sure as shit wouldn't want to have you for an enemy. It doesn't end well for anyone or anything that crosses you." The dwarf turned to Anders. "Plus, I think we all know your luck in the deep roads has a name."
"Anders," Hawke said, turning to meet the healer's warm brown eyes, her expression softening with a hint of amusement. "You're correct, Varric, credit where it's due. I only draw breath because Anders is a stubborn ass who gave death a black eye when he came calling for me."
"Damn right," Anders said with a playful wink, lifting her free hand to his mouth for a kiss. "And don't you forget it."
Varric chuckled and stood. "Well, I need to go make sure Blondie's mess gets taken care of, so I'll leave you love birds to it. I assume neither of you feels up to any more cards tonight?"
Anders and Hawke also stood. "No, I think we'll call it a night, Varric," Hawke said with a smile. "Thanks for your help, as always, especially for the situation with Carver earlier. I'm in your debt for that, whenever you need a favor in return."
Gathering the empty bottles and glasses, Varric shrugged. "It's always good to have a Hightown noble in my pocket. For bragging rights, if nothing else."
Anders took Hawke's hand in his and led her out of the Hanged Man, walking through the empty Lowtown market toward the steps to Hightown. Tipping her face up to the starry sky, Hawke grinned and laughed quietly, drawing Anders' gaze.
"What are you thinking, Marian?"
Her smile turned teasing. "That fellow might not have been playing with a completely full deck, but it's still very strange to hear someone declare me a goddess, meant for worship. What do you have to say to that?"
"I have been of that exact opinion since the day you first walked into my clinic," he replied with a crooked smile of his own. "I'm never happier than when I'm on my knees before you, so I suppose I can't fault that fool for feeling something similar. Right now, I'm positively aching for you, it's been too many hours since I last had you. Perhaps you would be willing to let me demonstrate my total devotion when we get home?"
She bit the inside of her cheek. "I don't know, I think I promised Mother I would wash the dog. Or was it my hair I was supposed to wash?" She shook her head. "I suppose I can add you to the list of things I still have to do this evening, but you may have to wait a while for your turn."
He gave her an assessing look, his lips lifting at the mischief he saw in her dancing blue eyes. "My teasing minx of a goddess, playing hard to get and trying to deny me? That's not going to work. I'll fuck that cheeky sass right out of you, sweetheart, and you'll love every minute of it." He scooped her up into his arms, making her squeal in surprise while he ran up the remaining stairs to Hightown.
~O~
Anders lowered Hawke to her own feet again, just in front of their door, smiling at the always welcome sound of her laughter, ready to go inside and make good on his promises to her. Cullen stepped from behind a nearby pillar, his eyes passing over the healer and immediately seeking Hawke's. He was in templar uniform, but not armored, and though he carried a sword, his shield was absent.
"Marian, may I speak with you privately, for a moment? I'm sorry to interrupt your evening, but it is a rather urgent matter."
Pinching the bridge of his nose in mild exasperation, Anders sighed and gave her a quick look. "I'll go check in with your mother, in the meantime. Call me when you're free."
"Thank you, Anders," she said quietly, before he went into the mansion. Looking around the still busy Hightown square, she met Cullen's gaze, disturbed by the obvious tension he couldn't hide. "Do you want to talk in the cellar?"
"No, the garden will suffice."
He took her hand in his warm, firm grip, making her smile faintly at some of the obvious similarities between the two men in her life. Neither of them seemed willing or able to be in her presence without touching her in some way. Which suited her just fine, as she savored the physical connections they shared as much as the sentiments that drove them.
Leading her around to the side gate that led to the garden, Cullen closed the gate after they passed through it and seated her on a bench in the very back of the large space, well hidden behind a tall hedge and among the shrubberies. Taking both her hands in his, he leaned nearer, his brows furrowed while his eyes searched hers. She wasn't certain what he might be looking for, but she gave him an encouraging smile in an attempt to set him at ease. It had been quite a while since she had last seen him so visibly upset.
"Cullen, what is it, love? Why are you so troubled?" She prompted, sensing he needed to unburden himself in some way.
"I'm not quite sure how to go about this, other than to just ask. Did you kill a templar in the tunnels beneath the Gallows today?"
There was no blatant accusation or anger in his voice, merely honest inquiry, but it made her hackles rise, her eyes narrowed in annoyance. "Why would you ask me this, Cullen? What are you really trying to say?"
He pressed his lips together before he spoke again. "Please, just tell me the truth. You don't have to give details if you don't want to, just a simple yes or no will suffice, but I need to know. You can trust me."
Remembering her promise to Carver, she pulled her hands from his, folded them in her lap and looked out at the flowering bush in front of her. "No, Cullen, I did not kill a templar today."
Standing, he paced several steps away before walking back, his eyes seeking hers again, imploring, relentless. Her jaw clenched while she held his steady gaze. "But you were there. Why won't you just tell me the truth? You really don't have to keep so many secrets from me. Please?"
She pushed to her feet, her hands resting on her hips while she glared. "Why are you so certain I was there, at all?"
"Marian," he said in a chiding tone, making her feel guilty for her temper when his eyes were so full of his love for her. Resting his hands on her shoulders, his thumbs gently massaged her muscles there, as he often did, his touch soothing. His voice fell to an intimate murmur, calling forth her arousal at the familiar tone that her body had been taught to anticipate, the same as a delicious aroma of food brought swift hunger.
"I know the flavor of your magic, just as well as I know the taste of your kiss, beloved. After you have repeatedly used it to bring me pleasure, to bring me to you in dreams, do you really think I could mistake your magic for any other mage's?" Slowly, he lowered his head, sighing in relief when she raised her lips to his, accepting his kiss. When he lifted his head again, he ran a thumb across her cheek in a slow, tender caress.
"I want to protect you, but I need to know what I must protect you from. Do you understand why I'm asking? It isn't to judge or berate you, or Anders either, I know he was there too, his magic is as distinctive as yours. Just tell me enough so I know what further steps I need to take, if any. It doesn't matter there was no body found, the blood and your lingering magic in the tunnels would have been enough to cause more trouble, if I hadn't circumvented it by cleansing what I felt from you and Anders."
Looking up, she ran her fingers across one of his eyebrows, down his cheek and over the lines around his mouth, her eyes sad. "You're far too young to have so much worry carved into your face, Cullen. I won't add to it. I gave my word to someone, not to reveal everything that happened today, but I'll tell you what I can without betraying that trust." She sighed.
"I was there, as you already know, but I was not present when whatever happened to the templar...happened. No mage was involved in any harm toward any templar today. In fact, the reverse is true. If something...permanent happened to the templar in question, know that it was fully deserved, many, many times over, and then some. The world is rid of a truly evil person as far as I am concerned, and better for it. In future, when you finally learn exactly what took place, I know you will share my fury, but don't ask me more now, please. I am also trying to protect someone innocent of any wrongdoing."
Cullen's jaw clenched, the first sign of anger in his eyes. "Trust me, I already share your fury. I've very recently become aware of some of the crimes Alrik has committed, using his rank and power in the Order to hide and disguise his depravities, under the guise of doing good. Had I known before, I might have sought your help to make him disappear, so perhaps this has worked out for the best, after all." He pulled her against him, resting his lips against the top of her head, slowly running his fingers through her dark hair.
"When I think of someone like that having power over you, hurting you," he said, in a rough tone. "I don't think I would be able to control my rage in such a situation. The thought of you being abused or imprisoned...I would never allow it. I love you, Marian, I can't..."
She lifted her head and kissed him, cutting off his words, the night noises and Hightown foot traffic beyond the garden fading while they became caught up in each other. Not just mage and templar, but man and woman, friends, lovers. Comfort wordlessly asked for and given, desire quickly running to raging passion, as it ever did between them. His hands sought her breasts, glided over her familiar curves.
"It's not my day to feed you. We should stop," he gasped between kisses. "I didn't come here to infringe on your time with Anders."
"Yes, we really should stop, but I can't remember how," she whispered back, pulling his lips back to hers again, sucking his tongue and cupping his hard cock in her hand through his breeches. She was suddenly starving for him, taint need turning her almost mindless. She made a pleasured sound when he slid his hand under her clothes and palmed her bare breast. "More, Cullen, I need more of you."
"Have more, have all of me," he breathed between kisses. "I am at your whim, beloved."
Cullen set aside his sword, led her to the bench and sat, moving her to stand between his legs, which put his mouth directly in front of her breasts. Licking and sucking at the breast he had already bared, he untied, unbuttoned and tugged on her clothes until she was topless, then lavished his caresses on both breasts, in turn.
Anders, she called to him in her mind. She was having a difficult time remembering what it was she needed to ask. Is this...is this…
It's fine, sweetheart, you know I always approve of Cullen feeding you, came his amused reply. Carry on, I'm fully enjoying the show.
A fresh surge of arousal coursed through her at his words, knowing he was watching them, and she moaned aloud in response, opening her eyes to help Cullen remove the very last of her clothing. He maneuvered enough of his own clothes down and aside so she could climb atop him and sink down onto his cock, pulling him deep inside her. Containing his loud groan by kissing him, and starting to ride him.
Oh, gods, Anders, talk to me. Please, I need...
I know what you need, he replied, in the dark, smoky tone that had her moaning into Cullen's mouth again. He really should have made you come first. But I can take care of that now.
Anders' welcome, familiar magic slid over her skin and caressed her breasts, little sparks racing across her nipples, then spread down to her clitoris, feeling exactly like his tongue stroking her there. She shoved her fist against her mouth and bit down hard on a knuckle, to contain her pleasured wail when she came soon after.
"Maker's mercy," Cullen gasped, when her inner muscles gripped him and spasmed around his cock, feeling her peak when he was inside her, always his favorite part of their coupling. He pulled her mouth back to his for another passionate kiss, a growing look of determination in his green-gold eyes. "Again, Marian." He dipped his head and licked at her nipple, suckling and biting lightly, as he knew pleased her most.
She let her head fall back and her eyes slip closed, riding him in a steady rhythm, one hand sliding through the short, curly strands of his hair, the other digging into his shoulder where she gripped him, caught in a whirl of sensations. Cullen's cock filling her, his lips and tongue caressing her, his hard body moving against hers, combined with Anders' magic surrounding her, his voice in her head guiding her. Both of them focused on the same goal, loving her, pushing her inexorably closer to some overwhelming culmination that she couldn't contain. It was going to fracture her, break her apart.
That's it, love, you're so close. Feel everything we're giving you, all your pleasure, focus on it. Set those feelings free and let yourself go, Marian. Now!
Her body obeyed Anders, eager to, as always, knowing he would guide her as only he could. The scream built deep inside her belly, clawing up to her lungs, ready to fill all Hightown with her uninhibited sound of ultimate pleasure. Cullen grasped her head with both hands, somehow feeling it, knowing, pulling her mouth to his and taking that sound into himself while they exploded together. Their bodies quivering, wrung out, spent and helpless in the aftermath. The golden magic glowed from her, bright while it consumed the meal of pleasure that sustained it.
Marian focused on only one thing. Breathing. In. Out. Again. Her head came to rest on Cullen's shoulder. "I can't move," she whispered, her eyes closed, a hint of a smile tugging at her lips. She became aware of the discomfort of the hard stone of the bench under her bent legs where she still straddled his lap. She was probably going to have some bruises there.
"I can certainly carry you to your room, if you like," he said in a lighthearted tone. "But I don't think you want me to do that with you as bare as your name-day."
She grinned, too weak to laugh. "Hmm, but you're warm and comfortable. What if I just go to sleep right here?" Cullen's hands smoothed soothingly up and down, across her bare back. He looked down at her and smiled, shaking his head.
"I really hope your mother or any servants, don't decide on a sudden stroll in the gardens. This probably wasn't the best place to indulge our usual cellar activities, but being able to think clearly in your presence has never been my strong point. Ah, sweet Marian, what am I going to do with you?"
"Like a bit of help?" Anders came around the large hedge that was blocking them from the path that led to the house. Crossing his arms, he smirked, looking at Marian still draped around Cullen before meeting the templar's eyes. "That's quite the picture you both make. Is this some new method for subduing apostates, Knight-Captain? If so, I would say it seems quite effective. In Marian's case, at least."
Cullen laughed, struck by the absurdity of his predicament and conversation. "Definitely not, and you certainly bear some responsibility for her current state, you practically drowned her in your magic. Most anyone would be passed out under such an onslaught."
Anders shrugged. "I have yet to hear her complain over my use of magically enhanced sex. Nor do I hear you complain when she uses her magic on you in the same way."
Grinning, Marian finally lifted her head. "And you never will hear a complaint, from either of us. You can't have too much of a good thing." She stretched and shifted.
Cullen shook his head, smiling at her drowsy-eyed look. "You can if you want to remain conscious. If you both unleashed your full magic on me in such a way, I'm certain I would be out for the count, and I have quite a high tolerance and resistance to normal magic. I've never heard of anyone else using magic for sex, before you and Marian, Anders. Did you figure it all out at Kinloch Hold, or after?"
"Only a little there, once in a while. Something extra on rare occasions, when I wanted to impress someone. Believe it or not, I experimented more with my magic in that way when I was on my own, not with a lover. I never wanted to accidentally hurt anyone, so I practiced on myself until I knew what I was doing, backwards and forwards. Only then was I comfortable using it as more than a party trick."
"I've never been invited to those kinds of parties," Marian snorted, lifting off of Cullen and standing. She shivered, her nipples pebbling from the cool night air and being removed from the templar's body heat.
"Here, love." Anders took off his coat and wrapped Marian in it, smiling down at her. "You look pretty cute in my clothes. Feel free to wear them whenever you like."
"Thank you, love." She wrapped his coat tighter around her and smiled at Anders, glancing over at Cullen when she spoke again. "I'd like to know how I always end up the one that's completely naked, every time, Cullen. You always do this."
Having righted his own clothes, and restored himself to his usual appearance, Cullen shrugged. "One reason is you look much better naked than I do, and another is, I can't reach all the parts of you I want to touch if you're covered in clothing."
"Next time, I demand equality," she said firmly. "If you want to feed me, then you're going to have to be as nude as me, or no more Marian magic, fun times for you, Knight-Captain."
Anders laughed while Cullen rubbed a hand across his forehead, no longer embarrassed by Marian's playful banter and innuendo due to constant exposure, but not always certain as to how to respond, exactly. "Maker's breath, Marian, I only intended to speak with you, I didn't come…"
"Oh yes, you did," she cut him off with a smirk. "And I take full credit for it."
"Andraste's flaming sword, there's no talking to you when you're like this," Cullen sighed.
"It's no wonder," Anders said with a shrug, his eyes holding Marian's, making her shift and her stomach flip from the intensity she saw there. "I was on my way to fuck that sass right out of her, before your interlude together, and it's quite clear she still very much requires that treatment from her healer. Rather urgently, so it would seem."
"Promises, promises." She crossed her arms and gave him a bold, challenging look. "Words without action are meaningless, Messere."
He chuckled. "Like that, is it? Alright." She had less than a second of warning from Anders' changing expression, before she found herself hanging upside down, tossed over his shoulder and sputtering indignantly.
"You can see yourself out, Cullen. I have urgent business to attend with Marian. We'll see you at week's end." Anders smiled when he heard the templar's laughter, before he made it into the house and closed the door behind them.
~O~
A/N: Sorry, I had to cut this rather abruptly, but the next scene is very long and requires its own chapter. :)
