Chapter Thirty-seven

~O~

Two months later, Anders and Marian sat in comfortable chairs in Lucius' plush office for their regular meeting to catch up on the week's events. Lucius used the time to update them on future plans or things he had arranged for their benefit, or participation. He glanced up at both mages while he straightened some papers.

"I understand your sessions with Octavia have been going well. Did you both test your limits more recently, as I advised?"

Marian smiled. "The sessions have been very helpful, really just wonderful, Lucius. I never would have thought that this Desiderium form of magic could be trained to become so much more manageable, instead of completely ruling our lives. We did actually manage to abstain from all sex for three, full days."

Folding his hands on top of his desk, he gave her a thoughtful look. "Was that all you could manage? I thought Octavia said you had both reached the point where you're essentially normal, able to go as long as a week at a time, without requiring the input from sexual climax."

Marian looked over at Anders with a slight smile, and he laughed, turning to Lucius with a shrug. "I'm sure we could have actually gone much longer, Lucius, neither one of us felt any urgency due to the magic, it was entirely my fault. Three days was as long as I could last before my desire for Marian became too great to resist. It's the equivalent of asking a starving man not to sample the sumptuous banquet set right in front of him." Lucius chuckled and Anders smiled and continued.

"After years of daily sex, usually multiple times a day, it felt like an accomplishment to last the three days we did. But I would also like to add my gratitude to Marian's. Knowing that we are now more like other mages again, and that this form of magic is able to be managed, is a great relief. None of that would have been possible without your knowledge and support, and we are greatly in your debt."

Drumming his fingers against his desk with a satisfied smile, Lucius tilted his head. "My pleasure, of course. You know I have reason to invest heavily in both of you, and it would hardly be useful for my plans if you both continued to be limited by such a magical condition. Have either of you decided whether you want to accept Octavia's invitation to join her Desiderium guild?"

Marian shook her head while she replied. "We thanked Octavia for the offer, but have declined. Based on what she said, it's really more of a sex club for mages like us. Their meetings facilitate covert orgies that won't affect the social standing of those that participate, which is why it's all very hush-hush and requires a private invite. Obviously, Anders and I are not interested in other partners, so we wouldn't be a good fit for such a group."

"Ah, of course," Lucius agreed. "It that's what it is primarily, then it wouldn't be worth your time, I agree. Now, onto a different topic that potentially neither of you will enjoy." He lifted a small stack of letters in emphasis. "I have now received three marriage requests for Marian, complete with contracts for our perusal, and one request for you, Anders. It might even surprise you to know that the offer is very financially generous." He smirked at the healer.

Anders shook his head with a sigh. "Let me guess, the socially inept, unattractive magister's daughter at the garden fete we attended with you? She followed me for well nigh on an hour before Marian helped me elude her. Why do I always seem to attract the strange women here?"

Marian smiled teasingly at Anders. "Should I be jealous, love? At least others can recognize your obvious talent and worth, despite not knowing your family lineage for the past two hundred years."

Anders raised a brow and turned a crooked smile to Marian. "Yes, I'm sure you should feel very threatened, sweetheart. When I can't bear to be separated from you, or even go three full days without needing to worship my goddess."

Lucius turned his scrutiny to Marian, lifting a cream colored letter in an expensive, custom stationary, with distinctive embossing on the paper. "Have a look at this offer, Marian, I think you'll find it interesting."

Marian stood with an intrigued look and took it, sitting again to read the formal marriage request, amused by some of the stilted language. Reaching the end and reading the signature, she gasped aloud, looking up to meet Lucius' amused blue eyes.

"Halward Pavus is Dorian's father."

"He is, indeed," Lucius confirmed. "Your little mission over the past month to make everyone think that Dorian is in love with you, seems to be a full success, as you've drawn Halward's attention. His offer is the most generous of all that you have received. In fact, the proposed settlement is equal to what he would have given for a magister's daughter. Your Sanguis Cantor magic is a point of desire and envy for many marriage hunters among the Magisterium, so I'm sure that factors in as well. Now, I would like to know what you intend to do about it."

Anders chuckled while Marian got a calculating gleam in her eyes. "Would it be possible for me to accept the contract now, then...break it off after a bit of time passes?"

With pursed lips, Lucius considered for a silent moment. "Not if you sign the contract, which equals full agreement. The only way out of it then, would be if Halward consents to dissolve the contract, or either you or Dorian die."

"No, Marian, absolutely not," Anders said, firmly. "Gossip and rumors are one thing, a binding contract something else entirely. I've been tolerant of the deception in public, both for Dorian's sake and because you want to help him, but this is too far."

"Anders, I would never do anything to threaten our future, love," she offered in a soothing tone. "Trust me." Turning her regard back to Lucius, she stood and handed back the letter. "What if I agree to agree at a later time. Would that work?"

Crossing his arms, Lucius leaned back in his chair. "What exactly is your goal in all this?"

"For Dorian's father to break his son's betrothal with his current intended. What would it take for that to happen?"

Lucius shrugged. "If I send a favorable reply, all but agreeing, that will likely be enough for him to terminate the other agreement, if he hasn't already."

After a look at Anders, where he sighed and finally nodded his consent, she turned back to Lucius with a smile.

"Let's move forward with informal agreement, then. Thank you for doing this favor for me, Lucius. I feel compelled to help Dorian in this small way."

"It's really not small, marriage maneuvering is a serious business here. And what can I expect to receive for all my effort in this matter, Marian?" Lucius' lips tipped up in a smile to soften his words, but his blue eyes were serious.

She lifted her chin with a confident smirk. "Dorian will be a magister one day. For your efforts on his behalf, I'm sure he will feel both gratitude and loyalty toward you. That could be extremely valuable, I should think."

"Yes, it could be," he agreed. "But I'm not as interested in that, at the moment. I understand you and Anders intend to depart for Kirkwall at month's end, and I want a concession from you first."

With furrowed brows and a quick glance at Anders, she sat down again and folded her hands on her lap. "What is your will?"

Lucius stood, walked to the door and opened it, closing it after Mors entered the room. The magister walked back to his desk but continued to stand, clasping his hands behind his back.

"Marian, since you and Anders have become such an important part of my household and life, things have changed, which is to be expected. I'm very glad you have agreed to take me up on my invitation to make it permanent, by the way. But my rivals have set their sights on trying to eliminate you both, as they often try with me."

Mors walked closer and stood to one side of the big desk, a silent, forbidding presence, all in black, and covered in weapons, as usual. Lucius looked at him. "Mors, please inform Marian and Anders as to the current state of things."

Flicking his grey eyes from Anders to Marian, he settled his regard on her, holding her gaze. "You are aware of the assassination attempt made on you at the flower market two weeks ago, as you saw me kill your attacker. Neither of you are aware of the other six attempts I have prevented. The last, only two nights ago, made it as far as the front courtyard, but only because there were three, working together. I killed them all."

Looking surprised, Marian briefly gnawed her lip. "I see. We do thank you for your diligent protection. You are clearly telling us this for a reason. What concession do you want from us, Lucius?"

His lips tipped up in a slight smile. "Only this, Mors will accompany you on your journey. I have already made your protection his focus while you are here, to the exclusion of all else. I cannot have all my plans be for naught, therefore he will be your permanent guardian until you return safely to this house again."

"But...won't that jeopardize your own safety, Lucius?" She shot a worried look at the magister. "As your hand, surely you need him here." She turned her concerned gaze back to Mors, finding his eyes still on her. "And what of your wishes, Mors? Do you truly desire to leave Tevinter to play bodyguard for me and Anders? Surely you want to stay in your home?"

Lucius chuckled quietly, giving her an indulgent, almost affectionate look. "What a soft heart you have, my dear, fretting over us all. Worry not, Mors has more than two dozen men he personally trained, who see to all my needs for security and protection. As to the other…" He turned his amused gaze to his hand. "What say you to Marian's questions, Mors?"

Despite his stoic expression, Mors' grey eyes filled with amusement. "Your concern is truly touching, Lady Hawke, but you need not fear I do this against my will. It was I who asked Master Lucius to allow me to continue to guard you, and he gave me his blessing for the task."

She shook her head in confusion. "Why? What made you ask that? It can't be because of any sentiment, so what practical reason?"

Lucius laughed again and lit his freshly loaded smoking stem, exhaling a cloud of gray smoke. "I told you she would demand your reasons, Mors."

"Surely no one would expect otherwise from Marian," Anders murmured with an amused smirk.

"So you did, Master," Mors replied, crossing his arms, holding Marian's gaze. "It has become...a challenge, keeping you both alive, Lady, and I trust no other to be as successful as I will. I enjoy the stimulation and testing of my skills. I find it...pleasant."

Satisfied by the explanation, Marian laughed. "That sounds like what I would expect. Very well, Anders and I will submit to your wishes in this, Lucius, and you as well, Mors."

Inhaling another deep puff of his smoke, Lucius made a sound of satisfaction before exhaling again. "There is another thing I want from you, Marian."

Tilting her head with an instantly suspicious look, she frowned at the magister. "I won't bear your child, Lucius."

Setting the smoking stem into the glass dish on his desk, Lucius aimed a smirk at Anders, then Marian. "I didn't realize that was an option, my dear. I already have two bastards if I ever feel a need for someone of my blood, but that's neither here nor there." He crossed his arms, growing serious once more.

"No, I need something more useful. I want you to blood bond me to you, so we can easily communicate through dreamshare or fade walk, should I have a need while we are parted. I want you to do the same with Mors, as it will be imminently practical for you to be able to communicate silently with him, for obvious reasons." He tilted his head at her furrowed brows and concerned expression.

"What is it, Marian? Aren't you comfortable creating and dissolving blood bonds after practicing those skills with Raydon and Leo? You needn't keep those ties with Mors or me after you return here. Not unless we decide there is benefit in it."

She shook her head. "I'm not worried about that, Lucius, and yes, I'm comfortable making and dissolving bonds. Any concerns I have are regarding my return to Kirkwall. Much has changed since our arrival here, many changes in my magic, both in ability and knowledge." Looking over to the side, she met Anders' supportive eyes and smile before turning back to Lucius.

"I suppose I find it a bit daunting, going back into a situation where I will need to hide my magic again. I've become spoiled to the complete freedom Anders and I have enjoyed here. It will be hard to give that up, even temporarily."

With blue eyes full of understanding and more compassion than Marian would have expected, Lucius held her worried gaze, lips lifting in a small smile. "If the prospect of return distresses you, then stay. There is no business you can't complete through correspondence. If you like, we could even engage someone to discharge all your business affairs in Kirkwall to your satisfaction. A non mage, even, so there would be zero risk for them."

With a resolved set to her mouth, she gave a slight shake of her head. "Thank you for the offer, but I must go and do those things myself. I need to return for my brother, offer him a choice to come here too. I'm almost positive he will decline, but I must offer just the same. He became a templar solely to shield and protect me, and Ineria only lives because of his defense of her. I can hardly repay his loyalty and love with abandonment. I also have dear friends that I owe a proper farewell to."

"I understand all that, Marian. I thought it likely you wouldn't accept, but I wanted to offer just the same, so you know you do have a choice." He looked between the two mages. "Well, I think we covered everything for this week, unless either of you have anything to add?"

Anders stood and reached for Marian's hand she extended to him, lacing their fingers together. "I don't think I have anything to add. Marian?"

"When will you inform Magister Pavus of my interest in his offer?"

Lucius reached for the letter again. "I'll get it written and sent off today. Out of curiosity, did you inform Dorian about this scheme you hatched for him?"

Marian aimed a sheepish shrug at Lucius when Anders answered for her. "Of course she didn't. She's turned into some kind of mother hen with Dorian, and Marian has no rival for fierce protector where her friends are concerned."

Lucius turned a knowing smile to Anders. "That's what I thought. Alright, I'll see you both at dinner."

They started to walk out before Marian turned back, directing her question at the man in black. "Mors, would you like to beat on me for a while, before dinner? If you aren't too busy, that is."

Turning, he regarded her with an appraising look. "Would you like me to beat on you?"

"Of course, if you're in the mood." She grinned and shook her head. "It sounds like I'm trying to arrange a kinky tryst."

Amusement filled Mors' grey-eyed gaze before he spoke. "Meet me in the ballroom in one hour with your sword, and we will see how much of my teaching you've retained since we last trained."

"See you then." She looked over at Anders when he spoke to her silently after they walked out of the office.

There might actually be something to your kinky tryst theory. You do seem strangely eager to engage in activities that will almost certainly bring you pain and injury.

I'm a glutton for punishment? She asked playfully.

He smirked down at her. Actually, it's made me wonder if your claim of not being turned on by pain is false. If you really do have some secret, suppressed desires for domination and a little pain, I would rather be the one to meet those needs, not Mors.

It's not the pain that I'm after, at all, and I certainly don't have some strange wish to be hurt. Yet, I also don't mind having to endure a little pain and discomfort in order to reach a goal I'm striving for. And please don't try to sexualize my completely platonic interactions with Mors. She shook her head with an uncomfortable expression. That's...no.

Anders chuckled aloud. Alright, if you're sure you don't want to play a bit. We have a good forty-five minutes free, now.

Marian raised a brow and gave him an interested look. I never said I didn't want to play. Which scenario?

He shook his head with a chiding look. You don't get to know ahead of time. You'll be naked and blindfolded, then I'll tell you. But the clock is ticking, so make up your mind.

She broke into a run, at the end of the passage quickly. I'll be waiting for you on the bed. Hurry!

Grinning to himself, Anders followed at a more sedate pace.

~O~

Ineria and Feynriel walked out into the garden where Anders and Marian were lying together on a wide chaise lounge in the shade, enjoying the beautiful day and crystal blue sky above. Ineria sat on a bench near Marian and held out a sealed letter. Taking it, Marian gave her a curious look.

"What's this?"

"I think it may be from Dorian, it smells like his cologne," Ineria replied. "It just arrived for you by courier."

Sitting up, Marian swung her legs over the side of the lounger, broke the seal and read the note inside.

Sweetest Mellarius,

I have just received some rather astonishing news from my father that I am very eager to discuss with you. Please meet me in front of the Great Fountain at this evening's Night Market, at the eighth hour. I shall anticipate seeing you there.

Your mystical amantis,

Dorian

With a small smile, Marian placed the brief message back inside the envelope, with a thoughtful look.

"Was it from Dorian?" Feynriel came and sat beside Ineria.

"Yes. Are you and Ineria still planning to go to the Night Market this evening?"

Feynriel nodded. "We are. If you and Anders want to come too, you know we would like nothing better." Ineria smiled her agreement, slipping her hand into Feynriel's in excitement.

"Master Lucius says I should go and try all the different kinds of food from the stalls, and since Feynriel has already been, he can advise us as to what is best."

After glancing over at Anders for a silent moment, Marian turned a smile back to Feynriel and Ineria. "Anders and I have decided to go along, as well. Dorian asked us to meet him at the Great Fountain, when the stalls open."

"I'm so glad you're coming!" Ineria reached for one of Marian's hands to squeeze in her delight. "With your departure drawing near, I'm happy Feynriel and I will have a chance to spend a little more time with you both, and Dorian too, of course."

"I've heard there are free flowing fountains of chocolate at the fanciest stalls. Is that true, Feynriel?" Anders asked with a curious look.

Grinning, Feynriel nodded. "There absolutely are. Surely you've heard the stories about them? It's become something of a dare for lovers to dip their lips into the fountain and kiss, without spilling any or making a mess on each other. I've seen some very entertaining and amusing attempts."

Ineria laughed. "Are we going to try that together?"

"I thought we might," Feynriel replied, turning a teasing look to her. "But perhaps we should dress in dark colors, just in case we make a bit of a mess."

"You can easily avoid that, if you want to know the secret." Anders raised a brow at the young couple.

Ineria blushed but smiled and nodded. "Share your vast knowledge and tell us, Anders."

Marian laughed softly while Anders smirked. "It's quite simple, really. You take turns licking each others lips clean first, then you kiss. And that's sure to be a delicious embrace."

Leaning back beside Anders, Marian tilted her head thoughtfully. "Actually, I think there's a better way you might try."

"Really?" Anders smiled in amusement. "What's your solution to avoid getting messy?"

She shrugged. "Dip your tongues instead of your lips, and you can enjoy kissing immediately, and since the chocolate will be in your mouths, it's much neater."

Nodding, Anders gave her a look she well recognized, his arousal always calling forth her own. "Alright, I see the benefit to your way, love. But I still say it would be very enjoyable licking each other's lips first, as I suggest."

Feynriel stood, pulling Ineria up with him. "I think it will be beneficial to test both methods. Ineria and I are off to practice." Ineria laughed and waved as Feynriel led her back into the mansion.

Marian smiled fondly while she watched them go. "I'm glad they've worked out so well together. I had no idea they would suit one another as they have. Do you think it's just an enjoyable diversion for them, or are there deeper feelings there?"

Anders wrapped an arm around Marian, kissing her head when she turned into him and laid her head on his chest. "I think Feynriel seems genuinely taken with Ineria, but I'm not so sure about her."

Tilting her head up to meet his eyes, Marian searched his gaze in obvious puzzlement. "What do you mean? If anything, I thought Ineria was even more attached than Feynriel."

His smile was sad and a little haunted. "You wouldn't see it as I do. Neither you nor Feynriel have ever been in a Circle, or you would understand. It's a protection mechanism, not allowing yourself to become truly attached to another person, for fear of having them used against you or viciously torn away. I never felt true love for anyone, before you. I honestly thought I was incapable of it, because of what my years in the Circle did to me. I hope Ineria is able to break through those tendencies, but it isn't easy to change something like that, after so many years it becomes ingrained."

Marian's eyes filled with sorrow. She reached up and caressed one of his cheeks. "It's unjust, what's done to mages in so many places. I'm glad any children of ours won't ever be subjected to such cruelty, or be taken from their homes, the way you and Ineria were. I could never bear to let that happen to our child."

With his golden eyes full of a fierce, tender emotion, he lifted her lips to his. "No, nor could I." Pressing his warm lips to hers, he kissed her gently, sealing their joint determination to forge a different kind of life together, with a far better future.

~O~

The bustling plaza was filled with people, shoppers and merchants alike. Magically powered street lamps lit the night as bright as midday, all the stalls open and ready to welcome every person with coin to spend. The Great Fountain was truly enormous, the sculpture a depiction of some mighty sea beast that had water flowing from its mouth, while the mage hunter skewered the creature with an enchanted staff of crystal ice that never ceased to sparkle.

Ineria was practically bouncing with excitement, impatient and eager to explore all the famed Minrathous Night Market had to offer. They had already been waiting for Dorian for more than twenty minutes, which was nothing new, as he was always late. Anders bent and kissed Marian's brow, speaking to her silently.

I'm sure Dorian is waiting to make a dramatic entrance, knowing him. I'll go with Feynriel and Ineria for now, and check back a bit later.

Marian smiled up at Anders in appreciation, having come to a similar conclusion.

Thanks, love, I would prefer to speak privately with him to be sure he understands why I took the steps I did, then we can join you all in a little while.

Turning to the young couple, Anders gestured toward the seemingly endless rows of stalls, selling anything that could be imagined.

"Shall we go and browse a bit? Marian will wait for Dorian here, then join us later."

Needing no further encouragement, Ineria took Feynriel's hand and started off, calling back over her shoulder. "Bye, Marian! Hurry and find us after Dorian comes."

Anders shared a final, amused smile with Marian, following Feynriel and Ineria into the crowds, soon becoming lost to sight. Turning back toward the fountain, she reached down and trailed her fingers through the cool water for several minutes, hoping it wouldn't be a very long wait, as she was curious about the market too. She felt his touch slide around her waist and pull her back against him at the same moment he spoke.

"My beautiful, radiant Mellarius! How I've missed you, darling!" Dorian pressed a kiss to her neck, whispering to her while he nuzzled her ear. "My father's spies are watching, so we may as well kiss like we mean it." Spinning her around to face him, Marian saw the mischievous sparkle in his steel-gray eyes just before he wrapped her tightly in his arms and pressed his lips to hers in an unexpectedly sensual kiss. He had kissed her on the lips many times before as a humorous dig, always to provoke and annoy Anders, but this kiss was something totally different. Clearly meant to be taken seriously, by any and all watchers. (Tevene: Honey)

Laughing inwardly, she played along, letting him kiss her as he pleased, though a little surprised when his tongue slipped between her lips and stroked teasingly against hers. That was new. She really hadn't expected him to take the deception quite that far, beyond surprised when his hand squeezed at her ass, pushing her tightly against something that absolutely astonished her. He kissed across her cheek, returning to her neck to kiss and nuzzle a path back to her ear.

"Do you feel that, my magical amantis?" He pressed his hardness flush to her again, so there could be no mistaking what she felt. "That is no lie, Marian, and it's all for you. Astonishing, isn't it? I've given up trying to make sense of it. Shall we use it to make Anders truly jealous? I am at your service, in every possible way." (Tevene: lover)

"I don't think we have any need to shag in the fountain, Dorian, to be convincing as a couple," she whispered to him, with laughter in her voice. He pulled back to look in her eyes with a wheedling smile, moving a hand up between them to boldly cup her breast, brushing his thumb across one of her nipples and smirking at her shocked gasp.

"Are you certain?" he murmured. "I think we very much need to, and I definitely want to. We can't marry without sampling each other first. And there would be no doubt of my devotion to you, at all, if we were caught by several witnesses in flagrante delicto. I have the perfect, partially lit lane in mind, very near, ideal for a little interlude that I know we'll both enjoy."

Sliding a hand to the back of his head just as a lover would, she pulled his mouth back to hers for another kiss, using it to bite down hard on his bottom lip as her answer. When he burst into laughter, grinning down at her, she smirked back up at him in shared amusement.

Straightening, Dorian took her hand and kissed it affectionately before wrapping her arm around his, leading her away from the crowds to a more open area on the other side of the fountain, with benches for sitting. Seating her beside him, he turned to face her with a much more earnest demeanor. They were near enough to the fountain for the water to cover the sounds of their voices, but he still kept his low when he spoke.

"Now that you've successfully made me fall in love with you, according to all the Minrathous gossip, and you and my father have decided we are informally betrothed, I'm wondering what you plan to do with me now, Mellarius? Am I to believe after all this effort you've gone to, that you do not wish to actually wed me? I find myself rather confused by your mixed signals, which seem about as muddled as my attraction to you, come to think of it." He shrugged and continued.

"I thought I might at least count on some immensely satisfying sex out of the bargain, but it seems that's not to be either, so at the risk of being perceived as overly inquisitive and tedious… May I ask what exactly it is that you do want? Power and wealth both seem a bit too mundane and boring to be actual reasons for you to go to this much effort, Marian, but I don't know what else I am meant to think."

Chagrined that he would believe her motivations of a selfish or mercenary nature, she reached for one of his hands, holding it between both of her own, her smile contrite while she tried to determine what lay behind his rather guarded expression.

"I am sorry, Dorian. I regret I could not discuss all this with you and get your approval first, but I didn't dare risk writing you about it, for fear someone would read it and my ploy be discovered, and we haven't met in person since before I received your father's offer. It's not for wealth or power that I have pursued a betrothal with you, but another reason entirely. I could not bear the thought of your unhappiness, forced to wed not only a woman, but also one you totally despise, as you once told me." She shrugged, nervously rubbing her thumb against his hand she held.

"I thought if we appeared to be convincingly in love, with you seemingly enthusiastic over the match, your father might decide I would be a suitable replacement for the other woman. Then, after a period of time, you could tell your father we chose not to wed and your life would be your own again, without being forced to marry anyone. I could not stand idly by while those choices were taken from you, with misery all you had to look forward to. Can you forgive me for my meddling without your express consent? If we had a chance to speak in person before now, I would have told you everything."

She bit her lip in worry when he clenched his jaw and looked away for the space of several heartbeats, before turning back to meet her eyes with unusual intensity.

"Do you actually mean to tell me that all your effort was...for me, alone? Am I in some kind of a fever dream? All the flirtation, everything...was never intended for your benefit or Anders or Lucius, but mine?" His voice was so low and quiet, she had to lean nearer to hear him.

Drawing a long, slow breath, she nodded. "Yes, I consider you a very dear friend and I do care for your happiness a great deal, Dorian, and Anders does as well. We wanted to do this for you, to help you escape the marriage noose. Anders and Lucius both agreed to help me bring it all about."

He stared at her for a long, silent moment, his expression becoming inscrutable. His nostrils flared with a deep breath before he reached out and pulled her into a fierce embrace, turning his face against her neck, threading his fingers into her long, dark hair. His hand came to rest on the small of her back when she stroked the back of his head gently. His lips moved lightly over her neck, as a lover's might. She felt his smile against her skin.

"Want to hear something completely mad and hilariously diverting? When my father came to see me at the Circle, to inform me of this new direction for my life, I was actually surprisingly, astonishingly pleased. Such strange, unexpected feelings. Not only was I excited to know I was no longer betrothed to a demon of a woman that I loathe, but instead set to be bound to a sweet goddess and her alluring mate, both treasured friends. And you were to be my very own Mellarius? Impossible! But for the first time, I did not entirely dread the thought of my father's schemes. Isn't that amusing? As usual, I suppose the joke is on me."

He released her, turning away with a blank expression, rummaging in the bag slung across his back and pulling out a document and a charcoal pencil and holding them out to her. All signs of the emotion she had just heard in his voice were hidden away again, behind his charming, teasing smile, which she had come to realize he wore as a mask to hide his true feelings.

"This is an informal agreement of our courtship, as a first step toward the formal betrothal contract. Just sign it and we will have satisfied all the requirements my father placed on me for the immediate future."

Glancing over the document, she nodded absently and signed her name at the bottom, next to where Dorian had also signed, before she watched him put everything away again. It was difficult for Marian to tell if his bright smile was genuine amusement over the cleverness of their arrangement, or something...else.

Folding her hands on her lap, she frowned. "Dorian, are you satisfied with this scheme for your freedom? Because if you don't approve of my actions, you need not carry on pretending. We could let it be known that we had a falling out, or whatever you deem best."

Framing her face in his hands, he grinned at her. "Mellarius, I will enjoy making everyone believe that I have fallen deeply in love with a rare woman, and can't wait to marry her. I quite like acting, and I must say I'm rather good at it. I know you also have a talent for making others believe what you want them to, so why don't we just enjoy ourselves and ham it up, hmm?"

She smiled, finally dismissing the last of her worries when she deemed he was being honest with her. "Very well, if that's what you want. Anders and I will be leaving in another two weeks or so, to go back to Kirkwall and attend business there."

Dorian's brows rose in surprise. "So soon? But you do still plan to return to Tevinter and make it your permanent home, don't you?"

Marian nodded. "Yes, of course, we've accepted Lucius' offer to become part of his household, as Feynriel and Ineria have already done."

"Good, it's definitely the smart choice. I don't like for you and Anders to take risks by remaining there," Dorian said, standing to his feet and offering his hand to Marian. "How long before you expect you'll return to Minrathous?"

Taking his hand and letting him lead her back past the fountain, she shrugged. "If all goes well, we should be back in two or three months, I should think. The travel time there and back will take at least six weeks. Honestly, that's the part I'm dreading most, so I'm trying not to think about it."

Looking out over the crowds, Dorian smirked. "I have just the thing to take your mind off all that, Marian." He looked down at her and winked. "A very sweet diversion. Follow me."

Tightening his hold on Marian's hand he held in his, Dorian moved deftly through the crowds for quite a distance, slowing when they heard the sound of numerous people talking and laughing. A crowd was gathered around a tent with many tables holding quite a few small, free-flowing fountains of chocolate. The aroma wafting out from the tent on the night breeze was mouth-watering.

Dorian led her into the open-sided tent, giving a handful of coins to the elven slave at the entrance, then tugging her to one of the available fountains. Turning to her with a smirk, his smile widened when she looked around hesitantly at all the couples kissing and licking at the chocolate on each others lips. Many of them had made hilarious messes and gotten it all over their faces and clothes.

"I'm sure you've heard of these fountains, Marian, something a courting couple would definitely enjoy trying. Shall we?"

Narrowing her eyes at him, she finally nodded, sighing inwardly and glad there was no sign of Anders nearby for Dorian to provoke, at least.

"Very well, Dorian, but let's be quick, we're supposed to meet up with the others soon."

His eyes glowed with gleeful anticipation. To start, he took her hand and dipped two of her fingers in the rich liquid chocolate, swiftly lifting them to his mouth without a drop spilling. He sucked both of them clean, being very slow and thorough about it. His tongue swirled provocatively over her index finger before he bit down on it, chuckling at the dark look she gave him for his teasing.

"Stop trying to make me horny. Even if you are successful, you won't benefit from it in any way, Dorian," she whispered.

Grinning, he dipped one of his fingers in the chocolate, bending closer to her. "Remember our audience, amantis, it helps if we're convincing. And I do so enjoy seeing you flushed with desire, Marian. I want another taste of that delectable mel lingua of yours."(Tevene: lover) (Tevene: honey tongue)

He smeared the chocolate on his finger across her bottom lip and caught it between his teeth before sweeping his tongue into her mouth to kiss her in earnest. When he tasted no more chocolate and only Marian's tongue against his, he finally pulled away, winking mischievously when he released her. Sucking the last of the chocolate off his own finger, he looked over Marian's head with a satisfied smile, pulling her against him with his other arm.

"Ah, Anders, there you are, at last. I've been waiting for you to come and congratulate us. My courtship with Marian was officially begun this evening. I know just how happy you must be for us."

"Yes, quite," Anders replied in a dry tone, coming to stand with them. "I think everyone took note of your celebratory embrace." He smirked, flicking his eyes to Marian. "Though I think your enthusiasm for the kiss was much greater than that of your intended. I can offer you some pointers for the future, if you like, perhaps even a demonstration when we are somewhere more private."

"You want to kiss me to demonstrate the proper way I should go about it?" Dorian smirked. "By all means, Anders, I'm eager to learn your techniques. Show me right here and now, Marian won't mind, she may even like to join us. Doesn't that sound tantalizing to you, Mellarius?"

Pressing her lips together to stop her amused laughter, Marian looked away, an involuntary gasp spilling from her while tension and adrenaline ran through her body at what she saw right before everything seemed to happen at once.

Mors tackled a man in dark leathers who had a crossbow trained on her at the same moment she was thrown down protectively beneath Anders' body. Chocolate fountain tables toppled and crashed in the ensuing chaos and panicked screams of people running around them in an attempt to flee the sudden danger. Dorian's magic thickened the air while he unleashed lightning on another man who held twin daggers and rushed him. The man fell to the ground dead, a charred heap of smoldering flesh.

"Anders," Marian growled in annoyance, trying to push him off. "Let me up so I can fight. Mors may need our help, and Dorian too."

Dorian fried another attacker, laughing in triumphant delight at the ease at which he dispatched the pitiful excuses for assassins.

Anders entire body glowed with blue spirit magic when he turned his gaze to Marian with a stern look. "No, I'm not letting you up, not until the danger is passed. Be still and let someone else look after you, for once."

With another grunt of frustration, she twisted her head around, trying to see what was happening, but the overturned table Anders had her pinned against effectively blocked her view of everything but Dorian. Moments that felt like an eternity finally ended when Mors appeared before them and nodded at Anders to let him know it was safe again.

"How many were there?" Marian asked after Anders pulled her to her feet to stand beside him. She surveyed the destroyed tent, nearly every chocolate fountain knocked over and broken, trampled by the crowds.

"A full dozen. Many more than is usually sent for a target, all at once. Surprising." Mors turned to Dorian, who wiped sweat from his brow, but otherwise looked no worse for wear. "I appreciate your assistance, Master Pavus, it was timely."

Dorian flashed his winning smile at Mors and his fellow mages. "Happy to help, Mors. There's always a possibility some or all of them were here for me, as well. My father has enemies, just the same as any magister. Regardless, I think it would be wise for us to depart. We don't want to give anyone a second chance to assassinate whichever ones of us they were hunting for."

"I agree." Mors swept his gaze around the entire area before whistling, three bursts of sound in quick succession, turning to the man who appeared from the shadowy dark beyond the stalls. Mors spoke to him in a quick murmur before the man dashed away. Turning to Anders and Marian, Mors gestured for them to walk ahead of him.

"Feynriel and Ineria will be fetched and brought to the carriage. Let us go there at once. It is likely there is no further cause for concern this night, but we will be cautious and alert, just the same."

"I think I'll stay with you tonight, Mellarius," Dorian said, walking next to Anders, peering down at Marian on Anders' other side. "I have a feeling most of those men were after you and Anders. For safety's sake, I should probably sleep in the room with both of you. It never hurts to have another set of eyes to keep watch."

Marian rolled her eyes, smiling at Anders' raised brow and crooked smile. "That's good of you, my darling Dorian. I'll make up a very comfortable pallet for you out in the corridor, that way you can guard our door like a faithful mabari."

Dorian gave her a wounded, pouting look. "How cruel you are to me, amantis, when all I want is to see you safe and cared for. I suppose it's best I know it now, before we marry, that way there are no surprises."

It really is annoying how charming Dorian manages to be, even when he's purposefully aggravating the shit out of me. Somehow, I'm going to have justice for your chocolate kisses he stole from me, I was really looking forward to that. Anders said silently.

Marian shot him a rueful look. So was I, and I didn't enjoy him kissing me, as you already observed. You know the saying, no good deed goes unpunished? I feel Dorian has really exemplified that for me tonight.

Anders smile was brimming with satisfaction when he replied. That's alright, I'll just remember that I'm the luckiest bastard alive when I'm making love to you and watching you come in my arms later. I suppose I won't begrudge him a kiss or two, but I do still want mine. Shall we make a trip to the kitchen after everyone else is asleep? A chocolate nightcap, perhaps?

Grinning from ear to ear, Marian met his gaze and nodded. Dorian looked between them and sighed with an aggrieved frown.

"You know, it's really unfair when you exclude me from the conversation, just because I can't hear either of you. It quite rude, in fact."

Walking to Dorian's side, Marian took his arm and smiled up at him appealingly. "There, better? Why don't you tell me what you plan to give me as a courting gift, then tell me what I must give you? I still don't know all the Tevinter customs or what's expected."

With a pleased smile, Dorian started talking, answering her questions in detail, missing the wink and loving smile Anders gave Marian, and the adoring one she gave to him in return.

~O~