A/N: Last update until I get more editing done. :)
Chapter Twenty-seven
~O~
Hawke walked down the lush path leading to an open courtyard with a large fountain at its center, a detailed sculpture of a man and woman standing back to back, the focal point. The man held fire in his outstretched hands, while the woman clearly manipulated ice. She had never seen such beautiful art that celebrated mages. Plucking a rose from a bush she passed, careful to avoid the thorns, she inhaled the sweet fragrance. Sitting on the bench in front of the fountain to admire and contemplate the sculpture, Hawke smiled when she felt a familiar presence. She turned to the man approaching her, and stood to accept his eager hug.
"Is this what it looks like where you're staying, or did you make all this just to show off and impress me?"
He grinned. "Well, why can't it be both?"
Sitting down on the bench together, she looked him over. He wore his long blonde hair free down his back, but swept up and secured away from his face, similar to how Anders wore his. It made him look older and more mature, somehow. His robes were a deep gold, of fine fabric, and in the Tevinter style she expected. She gave him an approving nod.
"It's been a little while since I last saw you, though I know you meet with Anders more often. You're looking well, Feynriel, but how are you doing? Everything alright? Are your studies progressing as you hoped they would?"
His hazel eyes brightened and he grew animated when he leaned forward. "It's really wonderful, Hawke, and I am glad to be here. It was strange to get used to how magic is practiced so openly in Tevinter, but it's far better than the oppression that our kind suffer in Kirkwall. Maybe you and Anders should really consider coming here, for a visit if nothing else."
"I have suggested it to her, but she hasn't given in to my urging yet," Anders said, walking around the fountain to join them and smiling down at the younger man. "Perhaps if we both keep mentioning it, Marian will eventually give in, if only to shut us both up."
Hawke tilted her head, considering. "I'm not opposed to the idea. Honestly, I've always wondered what Tevinter is like. I suppose I just feel a bit guilty and disloyal to Fenris when I contemplate a trip there."
Anders scoffed. "It's not like you would go buy a hundred slaves. It would be purely for magical study. You don't owe Fenris anything, more like he owes you for keeping him free."
"I understand your feelings," Feynriel said with a sympathetic look at Hawke. "Truthfully, I feel a bit guilty enjoying all the privilege I do when there are so many slaves here. But my master treats his slaves very well, even better than paid servants are treated in Kirkwall, if that helps. I have spoken of you to him, and he urged me to invite you to come and stay here, at his estate. And in Tevinter, that kind of hospitality means everything would be provided for you, at his expense. He's very rich, so it would be no difficulty for him, at all."
Hawke shrugged and smiled. "I will seriously think about it, I give you my word."
"Did you happen to look for that book I mentioned, when last we spoke?" Anders asked with furrowed brows.
Standing, Feynriel nodded, extending a hand over the water in the fountain, making it rise and dance in a small cyclone. "Yes, Master Lucius also helped me with that, he tracked it down here, in Minrathous. You should receive it shortly, as he sent it direct. When I mentioned the Amell name, he became even more excited for you and Hawke to come visit. Apparently, he knows her entire family line and considers it one of the better magical ones, outside of Tevinter."
"Talking about me behind my back again?" She smiled at Anders playful smirk.
"You're not only my favorite, delicious vintage, but my favorite topic, as well. How could I not speak of you?"
Feynriel let the water drop back into the fountain, looking between his fellow mages in amused exasperation. "Should I leave you two alone?"
Snorting, Hawke shook her head. "No need, I find Fade sex a complete waste of time, it's such a pale imitation of the real thing."
"That's interesting to know," Feynriel said thoughtfully. "I can't tell you how much I appreciate you both being wiling to meet me this way. You not only saved my life and kept me from templars, but you've given me friendships I never expected."
Hawke stood and rested a hand on the younger mage's upper arm, squeezing before she released him. "Well, when I help a fellow magic wielder, I can't just leave them alone, I'm far too nosy for that. You've helped set my mind at ease with the choices you've made." She raised a teasing brow. "Plus, you're making possible connections for me in Tevinter that could help me in the future, so I must thank you for that, as well. Mutually beneficial friendships are the best kind."
"Marian failed to mention that we also just really enjoy your company, Feynriel," Anders added, with an amused look at Hawke. "And we want to follow your progress and studies. Anything we can help with, just let us know."
"Thanks." Feynriel nodded. "I will." Manifesting a deck of cards in his hand, Feynriel held them up in front of Hawke for her to take them. The garden around them morphed into a cozy sitting room with a crackling fire, and a table and chairs beside them. He sat in a chair and smiled. "You'll stay a bit longer? Best three out of five?"
Hawke slid into the chair beside Anders and shuffled the cards expertly.
"You're on."
~O~
Anders refolded the letter he had just finished reading from Feynriel's master, Lucius, and set it on the open book in front of him, turning his chair to face Marian, and seeing her with new eyes, musing on all he had discovered that day.
She was curled up in a plush chair near him, engrossed in a fantasy novel that featured a group of friends that set out to free the world from the control of an evil, dark lord. It was one of her favorites, and she had read it many times. He always enjoyed watching her while she read stories, seeing her go from smiles to tears, and every emotion in between. She was a person that felt things deeply, and he cherished that about her. After a moment of feeling his eyes on her, she raised her head and gave him a questioning look.
"The mystery is solved, at last", he murmured. "I finally know what you are, what kind of magic you have."
Her brows climbed, then she set aside her book and gave Anders her full attention. "Are you going to tell me? Is that from the book Feynriel had sent to you?"
"Yes, they know of your magic in Tevinter, and this book is the only one I could find that speaks of it." He held up the book, its weathered, curled pages and dark, mottled cover, clear signs of its age. "While it's not a new school of magic, as I originally speculated, it is rare. If the Chantry ever knew of it, it's been covered up and no mention made of anything separate to demonic blood magic. The Tevinters call your kind of magic Sanguis Cantor, or Blood Singer, and the range of abilities you wield are through blood, both yours and others."
She shrugged. "That part we mostly figured out. Anything else of interest, or anything I might need to know?"
Anders opened the book to a page he had marked. "There is one extremely valuable benefit I noted. Here, second paragraph down, read that."
Accepting the book, she went to where he indicated and started reading aloud. "Both the Sanguis Cantor practitioner and their Anchor are immune to the effects of Blood Magic. It is generally accepted thought, that since both are blood based, there are some obvious similarities and overlap, such as mind control, binding and compulsion. As the Sanguis Cantor magic does not involve demonic summoning and the inherit risks therein, it is the stronger and more desirable of the two blood-based magics." Marian stopped reading and looked up. "That is a definite benefit, to be immune to blood magic, but what is this Anchor the writer is referring to?"
His golden brown eyes held a gravity and weight, despite the small smile playing on his lips. "That would be me. I'm your Anchor, Marian."
She frowned, looking puzzled. "But what exactly is the Anchor, and what does an Anchor do for someone with my type of magic?"
Taking the book from her, Anders flipped to another page he had marked and pointed to it. "Read this page, and the next."
He kept his eyes on her face while she read, watching her changing expressions while she discovered the full truth of them. Closing the book, she drew in a deep breath and released it, her brows drawn together in thought. After another moment, she looked up, and got caught in his waiting gaze. She searched his eyes in an attempt to glean his thoughts.
"How….do you feel about this whole Anchor thing? Do you...mind that I did that to you?" She caught her top lip in her teeth with an obvious look of concern.
Anders' smile was soft. He reached for one of her hands, lacing his fingers with hers. "It was unconsciously done, love. You could have bound anyone as your Anchor, Marian. I feel very fortunate that you chose me, and it has benefited me greatly, what with you breaking the control Justice had over me. Don't think for an instant that I would change anything between us, because I absolutely wouldn't. I'm very happy to learn all this about your magic and how it affects us, knowledge is power. But how are you feeling after these revelations? Is there anything about all this that bothers you?"
She gave him a rueful smile. "I guess...I feel a little guilty that you're forced to always stay close by me, which is just stupid, since that's what I want and we do it already. I suppose the only real thing that bothers me and I'm also shocked by, is the possible madness, that's terrifying, honestly."
Setting aside the book, he pulled her across his lap, cradling her in his arms. He stroked one hand across her cheek, giving her a loving look.
"That's why I'm here, why you made me your Anchor, Marian, that step prevents any potential madness. The author of the book specified that those that went mad, did so because they had no Anchor to stabilize them and prevent it. Your magic knows what you need, even when you were fighting the taint in the deep roads, your Sanguis Cantor magic awoke and kept you alive. Your magic and I were partners through all that. You can trust it to give you what you need, just as you can trust me to do the same."
Her blue eyes smiled up at him. "Thank you, Anders, for helping me understand my magic. You always know me instinctively, in everything, and I love you."
"As I love you, sweetheart, always and forever." He pulled her up to his mouth and kissed her softly, slowly, savoring their connection fully, now they both knew and understood who and what they were to each other magically, and otherwise. Lifting his head, Anders caressed her face, his eyes evaluating her.
"You're looking a little pale. Shall we retire to the bedroom so I can take care of you? Honestly, I'm feeling a true need for you, as well. Based on how I tested myself previously, trying to abstain from having you, without any success, it's clear I share that with you." He gave her a naughty smile. "You must now feed your Anchor, Marian, so I can do the same for you."
Standing and pulling him to his feet, she grinned. "That actually makes me feel so much better! Knowing you need it just as much as me, well, I feel less of an imposition on you now."
Anders chuckled, following her to the bedroom. "Only you could feel guilty for giving someone so much pleasure." He made his voice higher, trying to emulate her. "Oh, gods, Anders! Did I make you come again? I'm so sorry, I'll stop at once!"
Marian laughed wildly, trying to shove him in retaliation for his teasing, but he caught her wrists and trapped them behind her back, pulling her against him. He bent her back, giving her a triumphant smirk. "Now, I have you fully in my power, Marian. What shall I do with you first?"
Her pupils dilated while her breath quickened, magic spilling out of her due to her sudden, extreme arousal. "Everything," she breathed, with hooded eyes. "I want it all."
"Excellent choice," he said in a low, seductive tone that never failed to draw a moan from her, smiling when she did exactly that. "I'm going to start with my face in your cunt, and end with my cock in your cunt. Sound good?" Releasing her wrists, he swung her up in his arms, starting again for the bedroom.
"Hmm, yes, please." She nuzzled against his neck, tugging gently on his gold earring with her teeth. The one he had started wearing again at her behest, since it turned her on immensely. "But I am going to suck your cock in between those two things. Is that alright?"
He laughed aloud and flung her onto the large bed, making her bounce, while he closed the door, then started undressing. "Do you honestly think I would ever say no to you sucking my cock?"
Marian quickly shimmied out of the long dress she had been wearing and flung it away, along with her smalls and breast band, then fell back on the bed, watching him while he finished undressing.
"I don't know, it's possible some men may not like having their cocks sucked, isn't it?"
Anders shook his head and clicked his tongue. "You show me a man that says he doesn't want his cock sucked, and I'll show you a liar. For comparison, think back to your life before my tongue married your cunt, I don't think you would ever say no to me pleasuring you with my tongue, now."
She laughed, rolling on her side. "I wasn't aware body parts could marry other body parts. I suppose that means my mouth married your cock? And what does that leave for my breasts and nipples, are they to go without? That would make them very sad."
Grabbing her ankle, Anders pulled her down the bed, closer to him, smirking. "I would never leave any part of you to go without. My tongue is polyamorous, married to your cunt, nipples, lips, and everything in between." Pushing her thighs apart, he looked at her and made a sound of admiration. "This really is the prettiest cunt I have ever seen, and I've seen more than I can count."
She gave him a confused look, laughing again. "What makes it so pretty to you? Can you explain that to me?"
He stroked his fingers against the small, neat patch of dark hair at the top, considering. "For starters, your grooming is impeccable, as you know my preference is for totally hairless, except for here." He tugged lightly on the little tuft. "But beyond that...it's...just beautiful. Symmetrical, pink, mesmerizing scent, mind-blowing taste, always wet for me. It's like looking at a piece of art, you may not be able to fully articulate why you find it so moving and appealing, you just do. Your body is my favorite work of art, Marian." He grinned. "And bonus, it's fuckable art, which is surely the best kind."
"I think I do understand what you mean," she said, staring at his hard cock against his abdomen. "Your cock is gorgeous, elegant, perfect in my mouth, beyond perfect when you're inside me." She gave him a gloating little smile. "It's also all mine, and that makes me very happy. Although…." Her smile faded. "If you were ever separated from me and needed to feed, I don't want you to hesitate to take what you need from some other willing person. The thought of you harming yourself just to stay loyal to me is deeply disturbing. Promise you will always do what is necessary for your health, please."
"Don't worry, sweetheart, I never hesitate to do what is necessary, if the circumstances demand it," he said, lovingly. "But I'm your shadow, remember? We won't be separated when I am always right behind you." He went to his knees on the floor next to the bed, pulling her down closer to the edge so he could reach her easily. Anders met her eyes.
"What's your best guess for twice, this time?"
She pursed her lips and looked over at the large clock, ticking away on the other side of the room. "Hmm. I think I'm going to say four minutes. What do you think?"
His fingers skimmed the tops of her thighs, his eyes brimming with the confidence that was so much a part of him, as he moved into position. "That's no challenge, at all. I say two minutes, or less."
Marian managed to keep her eyes on the clock while Anders exploded her world, then remade it and shattered it, yet again. Letting her eyes slide closed, she smiled. It was less than two minutes, and she didn't mind in the slightest that she had guessed wrong.
~O~
After setting the wine bottle down, Marian handed a glass of wine to Anders, taking her own when Cullen and her mother both declined her offer of drink. Sitting on the love seat next to Anders, she smiled when he wrapped his arm around her shoulders, pulling her close. Leandra sat on the couch opposite them with her embroidery work on her lap, while Cullen sat in the cushioned chair nearby. The templar's brows were furrowed while he read from the book Anders showed him when he arrived for dinner, the one that contained details on Marian's type of magic.
"Where's Carver wandered off to, I wonder?" Leandra asked, continuing to stitch away.
Marian swallowed a sip of her wine. "I believe he's gone to the kitchen to butter up Phillipe, likely in hopes of taking some treat or other with him, back to the Gallows. That man's cooking is dangerous to my figure. After that rich dinner, I'm going to have to go find a dragon to fight tomorrow, just to work it all off."
"It was quite rich, but delicious," Cullen commented, briefly looking up while turning a page before returning to reading.
"You don't need a dragon or a fight." Anders set his glass down on the table beside him and smiled at Marian. "I'll help you work it off, sweetheart. Besides, you aren't carrying extra weight. If anything, you're slightly underweight, likely due to the taint. Grey Wardens are generally voracious eaters with ravenous appetites, all due to the demands on the body that the blight brings."
Leandra looked up, narrowing her eyes more consideringly at the pair. "I've been hearing a great deal of gossip about you lately, Marian."
Watching the wine swirl around in her glass, Marian shrugged. "What is it this week? Something more interesting than being knocked up with a prince's bastard, I hope?"
Her mother gave her a censuring glare, lowering her sewing. "Marian Gertrude Matilda Hawke, please remember you are a lady, and do try to let your speech reflect it."
Anders and Cullen both looked at Marian, making her wince and blush at the sudden, unwelcome revelation of her full name, something she had managed to keep quiet up until then. Anders was the first one to recover enough to speak, his voice full of amusement and restrained laughter.
"That's your full name, the one you always refused to tell me, Marian Gertrude Matilda? That is quite a mouthful. Definitely...unique."
Marian sighed, setting her empty glass aside and slipping off her shoes to tuck her legs up beside her. "Mother, I've begged you never to call me that. Bad enough you saddled me with those names, but just imagine how I will suffer if the gossips ever learn them."
"My great aunt, Gertrude Matilda was a wonderful woman," Leandra said in a cool tone. "You would be fortunate to resemble her in any way, Marian."
"Of course, Mother, you've told me the stories. I know you gave me her name to honor her," Marian said soothingly, ready to leave the whole topic behind. "But you were going to tell me the Hightown gossip, weren't you?"
"Hmm," Leandra gave a non-committal reply, looking down to make another stitch in her work before speaking again. "The gossip you mentioned has been modified. You have been secretly wed to the Starkhaven Prince since Wintersend, making any child of yours a legitimate heir. As I was apparently the one to successfully negotiate your advantageous marriage contract, I am being praised as a great credit to the Amell name. Quite a turnaround from the first version I heard."
"He'd best keep his distance. Marian isn't having his heirs, legitimate or otherwise, and she certainly isn't marrying that fop. Over my dead body," Anders muttered with a dark look. She smiled at him, always entertained and charmed by his jealousy.
Marian turned to look at her mother. "I suppose Sebastian may have had a hand in that. I saw him in the Chantry a few days ago, and he was positively mortified by all the talk sullying my reputation, even though I assured him I pay no mind to rumors and gossip."
Carver came and sat beside his mother, having listened to their conversation for several minutes upon entering the room, a stein of ale in his hand. "All the rich and worthless have nothing better to do with their time than make up imaginary scandals and go to parties. The spoiled bastards should really try working for a living."
"Speaking of parties, it might be best if you and Marian avoid the ones given by nobles for a while, Anders." Leandra gazed across at the healer who gave her a confused look. "I know there's no truth to you being caught between the de Launcet sisters in Viscount Dumar's bed, but I hate to hear you being slandered with those ridiculous lies. Or the one with you and Marian on the Viscount's desk in his study."
Anders scoffed in annoyance. "I'm sure the first one is due to Fifi de Launcet trying to aggressively proposition me. She really didn't seem to appreciate it when I told her that compared to Marian, I find all other women to be about as attractive as mabari war hounds." Carver and Cullen laughed when they heard the dog bark from the next room in apparent protest. "As to the second…" The healer shrugged with a crooked smile. "It was a boring party."
Marian gave him a severe look. "Anders, you know that tale about us is false." She smiled with dancing eyes. "We never went anywhere near the Viscount's desk, as I recall."
He smiled back in amusement and shook his head. "When dealing with gossip about a true event, the point is to neither confirm or deny any details, sweetheart. It keeps people guessing."
"I suppose I'll have to remember that," she replied thoughtfully.
Cullen lifted his head and gave her a considering look, tapping a finger against the book he held. "Marian, this talks about someone with your kind of magic being able to do a form of healing on the blood. Have you ever noticed being able to do that?"
She frowned and shook her head. "I don't think so, not that I'm aware of anyway."
Anders turned to the templar with a nod. "Yes, she has done." He met Marian's eyes. "Remember that little girl with the enormous green eyes that came to the clinic? She was very frail and weak, and her mother was beside herself with worry as her daughter would faint frequently. I was with another patient, so you did the healing on her that day. Her mother brought her back a couple of weeks after that, to express her gratitude. It was a remarkable change, she looked rosy and healthy, robust, running around like a normal child. When I examined her, she had no signs of illness at all, whereas previously, there was always a slight wrongness I was aware of but couldn't fully cure." He smiled. "It is my opinion that the sickness was likely in her blood, which makes sense, as she was cured of it due to your magic."
"I remember her, she was such a sweet little girl." With blue eyes full of soft sentiment, Marian smiled. "I could feel her pain and was so sorry for her and her mother. It makes me very happy to know I helped her." She leaned more fully against Anders. "It's strange this magic does such things, and I don't even know I've done it. I wish there were another person with Sanguis Cantor abilities I could speak with, to learn more and discover if there are other useful things I might do, beyond what the book mentions."
Sliding his hand up and down her arm, Anders grew thoughtful. "There are a few others, apparently, though very few. As I said before it's rare, even in Tevinter. Lucius mentioned two of his friends have the same magic as you, Raydon, I think, and the other one was called Leo. They're identical twins, both with the same magic, and they are each other's Anchor, which I find fascinating. I would love for us to be able to speak with them." He flashed an appealing smile. "They also reside in Minrathous, not too far from the estate where Feynriel lives with Lucius."
"I'm not sure I like the idea of you both running off to Tevinter," Leandra said with a worried look.
"We wouldn't run, Mother, I'm certain we would be more comfortable if we went by ship." She grinned when her mother gave her an exasperated smile.
"A land full of mages, Maker preserve us." Carver set down his empty mug and stood. "And talking of mages, I suppose we must get back to all ours, Knight-Captain."
Cullen also stood and handed the book back to Anders, smiling. "Thank you for dinner and a lovely evening, Lady Leandra."
After kissing Carver's cheek, Leandra turned a smile to the other templar. "You are welcome at any time, Cullen, we always enjoy your company."
The Knight-Captain left and Carver stopped in the doorway to bid them farewell. "See you all next week."
"Bye boys, see you then!" Marian called.
Leandra put away her sewing and also started for the door. "I'm off to bed, dears, see you in the morning."
Anders smiled. "Pleasant sleep, Leandra."
"Goodnight, Mother."
Marian laid across Anders on her side, her head in his lap, and yawned. She closed her eyes, feeling even more drowsy when Anders started slowly sliding his fingers through her unbound hair. He stopped long enough to turn a page, then resumed his soothing stroking. He made a musing sound.
"I suppose we aren't the norm. I find no mention here of an Anchor ever being a lover. It seems a close friend of the Sanguis Cantor mage is usually the one asked to become an Anchor to them, and they can decline, of course. It's such a commitment, with them needing to live together, that I would think it would be much easier if they were lovers, as we are."
Opening her eyes, Marian turned to her back so she could look up at him. "But what if the romance ended badly and they wanted to go their separate ways? That wouldn't really be an option for an Anchor, would it? Whereas a friendship is less likely to be so volatile and cause a falling out. Unless it's possible to sever the bond with an Anchor and bind another in that way. Is that possible?"
Pursing his lips, Anders shrugged. "I don't know. It does state that if the Anchor dies, another can take their place, but I don't know if that can be done if the first Anchor is still living. One of the many questions we might get answers to in Minrathous." He closed the book and set it on the table beside his empty wine glass.
"It would be so strange, wouldn't it?" Her eyes had a faraway look. "Being in a land where mages ruled and decided how things should be. Based on the descriptions Fenris has given me, I have no illusions of it being some glorious land of puppies and kittens, with all the power struggles and maneuvering that must go on. But if people like us avoided all that, I wonder if it wouldn't be possible to live a free and pleasant life."
"Being free and living anywhere with you is bliss for me, love." He smiled down at her tenderly, caressing her cheek. "Whether here, Ferelden, Tevinter, I don't care, as long as we remain together, with our freedom intact. I will go wherever you choose for us, regardless of how many puppies and kittens there are. Though I do hope there are kittens, I quite like them."
Marian smiled teasingly. "Shall I get you a sweet little pussy of your very own?"
Anders laughed, slipping his hand beneath her skirt to slide it into her smalls and stroke her. He smirked when she gripped his arm tightly to keep his hand exactly where it was.
"I'm completely satisfied with the one I have, sweetheart, but I wouldn't say no to a pet. In the meantime, I'll just have to keep petting you, won't I? Shall I make you come right here?"
"Gods, yes." Marian's eyes slid closed while Anders turned his full attention to her pleasure, making her incapable of any further thought.
~O~