I do not own anything Dragon Age. Rights belong to BioWare.
FENRIS
I know that Denarius enjoyed how my presence intimidated people. When the two Pavus men entered the study they both gave me a long hard stare. I didn't move a muscle. I knew what was expected of me.
Denarius sat on one side of his desk and Hawke's family the other. "Thank you for meeting me." Denarius began. "We can do away with the niceties." The older Pavus cut in. "What are your intentions with my niece?"
Denarius smiled. "Always straight forward Halward. Good." He brought some papers out of his desk drawer. "I think in her I have finally found my equal. I want her hand in marriage."
Hearing him say it made my blood run cold. She deserves so much more than you. I felt my eyes narrow on the back of his head. The younger Pavus cleared his throat. I felt his eyes on me and looked at him. He raised an eyebrow and looked from me to Denarius and back. I straightened my back and looked forward ignoring the question in his gaze.
"Let's start with your terms and I will counter offer." The one called Halward leaned back in his chair. He seemed so relaxed.
"6-month engagement during which she will live here half the time. During this time, I will hire instructors for her to learn more of our culture and what will be expected of her as the wife of a Magister. She will be entitled to half of my holdings for as long as we are married. I want at least 3 children from this union the oldest of which will become my heir. I will also sign over to her one of my minor estates should she ever choose to divorce me. Also, in case of divorce she will receive a monthly stipend subject to her keeping any secrets or inner working knowledge of my house to herself. A confidentiality clause if you will."
Denarius sounded so smug as he made his offer. Halward laughed. "Since when are you so loose with the details Denarius? My counter offer is this: a 1-year engagement. Half of the time she will be home with me. I'm thinking one week on and one week off. Your tutors are more than welcome at my estate during the times she is with me. As for the children we will limit it to one possibly two. Hawke is …. Untried so her actual fertility is in question and she is in the later stage of her 20's so we can not guarantee 3." Denarius took in a sharp breath at the mention of Hawke's virginity and his eyes widened in surprise.
"As for the minor estate I think you should let her choose from what you have to offer and add to it the title of at least one of the businesses under your employ. She already wants for nothing with her holdings in Kirkwall but she should have something here of her own too. As for divorce you will provide for her until your last breath since she may grant you the heir you so desperately want. During the marriage you will make an account at His Majesties national bank and make monthly deposits of 50 gold sovereigns for the entirety of your marriage. Make sure the interest rate is high. This money will be awarded to her upon any separation that may happen, your death or divorce. Half of it will go to her upon the 18th birthday of the oldest child to come from this union." Halward straightened his robes as he sat up in his chair.
"One more thing. Since I'm sure you want some kind of loyalty clause in there on her behalf it should mirror your actions. You will remain as faithful to my niece as you expect her to be of you. I also want it drafted into this offer that under no circumstances are you to treat her cruelly. Knowing her though I doubt you will get away with putting your hands on her but for my own peace of mind…" he shrugged.
Denarius leaned back in his chair bringing a hand up to his beard. He often rubbed the thick hair there while he was in deep thought.
My stomach started to churn. This wasn't the first negotiation I've sat through with Denarius but it was the first time that one made me feel sick.
Halward opened his mouth again. "I'm sure there will be details she will want added to this agreement as well but those are the ones demanded from her house. Take it or leave it." He began to rise, his son following his lead.
"I agree to these terms and will leave room for any demands she may make once I've had the chance to talk to her about it."
Once Halward rose to his full height he reached out a hand. "I can't wait to see what you have to offer as her bride gift old friend."
Denarius rose to shake the man's hand, laughing.
"I don't see why you don't want to dance with me." Isabella pouted. "I'm not much of a dancer. You know this. Besides we should be waiting for Dorian and Halward to rejoin us. Whatever is going on is taking forever."
"Of course it is darling. They are negotiating the hand of the most eligible bachelorette in this city. Sometimes things like this can take days." She shrugged one bare shoulder and raised her cup to her lips.
"Days!?" my voice was a little higher than I intended in my shock. "I hope we are not waiting on this for days."
"Don't worry. Halward told me a little of what he was going to be asking for and if you actually have to go through the marriage you will want for nothing." She grabbed one of my hands.
"I already have more than enough wealth and status. I don't need any more here."
Frustration was starting to seep into my weariness. I hated every second of pretending I was something I wasn't. It was so draining. "Let us get through the rest of tonight and once we are back at the house, I'll dance with you all you want. I may even drink a little wine." I winked at her.
"Even though I know you mean only dance, getting my fantasies all worked up again I'll hold you to that." She grinned. "I'm an even better dancer than Zevran." Her smile turned wicked as she winked back at me. I turned my gaze to the dance floor. Zevran had been stuck dancing with noble woman after noble woman unable to refuse.
"He looks miserable." I laughed. Isabella giggled too. "Let's see what if he's learned anything." As soon as the song was finished, I raised a hand and snapped my fingers. Almost immediately he bowed to whoever he was dancing with, made his excuses and scurried over.
I pointed to the ground between me and Isabella where he promptly sat. I put a foot in his lap and he grinned as he massaged my calf. "Did you learn anything helpful?" I asked as he looked up at me.
"I learned a bit about that woman Hadriana from dinner but nothing really interesting." He began. "I probably could have learned more from her if she hadn't already gone to bed."
"I bet you could have charmed her easily," Isabella crooned at him. "She looked so uptight I bet you could have knocked the dust off it and she still would have acted like she had a stick up her ass." I almost choked at the comment as Zevran threw his head back in real laughter.
"I think she is much too skinny. Rubbing against all that skin and bone is a fire hazard you know." We all laughed again. We were so enthralled in our joined laughter no one noticed the men approach.
I felt the eyes on me before anyone had a chance to speak. "Hello uncle. Cousin. Magister." I turned to face them as they approached. Zevran bowed his head and continued massaging my leg and foot and Isabella greeted Dorian with a peck on the cheek as he sat.
Denarius eyes looked me up and down with a hunger that made my skin crawl. "Can I speak with you privately my Dear?" Halward asked me as he held out his hand. "Of course, uncle." I contritely replied taking his hand in mine, allowing myself be escorted away from the table.
Once we found a place that was just the two of us, he mumbled his muffling spell and gave me a quick sum of what had been agreed on. "50 sovereigns each month we are married, a business of my own and a house of my choosing? If he wasn't such a snake it sounds like a dream."
Halward nodded. "He will sign over the business and the house before the marriage. I don't mind you staying in the guest house while you are on your off weeks but I thought you might want a space of your own." He took both of my hands in mine. "Are you ready for this?"
I took a deep breath and nodded.
Denarius wasted no time asking me for a dance once Halward and I returned to the table. As we made our way to the center of the dance floor, he pointed at the band playing and the tempo slowed. I chuckled as I took on hand in his and placed the other on his shoulder.
It took a lot of will power to keep my dinner down as he placed his free hand on my hip. My midriff was bare and his hands were cold. "I see someone has told you that dancing is not my forte." I joked as he began to pull me through some slow basic steps.
"Nor is it mine." He replied. "My uncle told me about your proposition." I blurted. "Oh? And what do you think of it?"
"I admit I have never really given much thought to marriage before." I started as he spun me around. "I am not altogether opposed to the idea. Uncle told me that the two of you had come to some kind of agreement. The only thing left was my approval."
He hummed agreement as he dipped me backwards and brought me back up to him. A little closer this time. "Can I look at this contract once it is drafted?" he nodded. "Am I allowed to add my own clauses to it?"
"With in reason." He agreed. I laughed. "The basic terms sounded very fair. I just want to protect what is already mine in Kirkwall." "I can assure you I have no interest in anything in the Free Marches but, I understand what you mean."
We danced a few more minutes in silence before he finally asked for my answer. "Yes. I accept this proposal." The smile that crossed his face seemed so sinister before he leaned down and kissed me.
FENRIS
Applause erupted across the room breaking me out of my thoughts. I scanned the room until my eyes took in Denarius with Hawke in his arms. He had her locked in a kiss.
All of a sudden, my stomach felt like it was in my shoes. She really did accept his proposal. So much for "a disgusting waste of flesh".
I didn't know why I was so angry. I should have known this would happen. I looked closer. Her body was tense and she didn't look like she was enjoying the kiss. I was confused all over again. He must have made her an offer she couldn't refuse. Or threatened something or someone dear to her.
When he finally released her, she took a step back and smiled. It was not a happy smile like I had seen before. She looked down right predatory with an angry glare in her eyes. My confusion only increased.
He took her hand and walked toward the stage the band was playing with her. "Ladies and gentlemen." He started silencing the band and using a bit of magic to make himself louder. "This evening Lady Marian Hawke has accepted my proposal of marriage." The crowd roared again. I looked around again. Hawke's friends and family stood in the back clapping. None of them looked happy or excited. They all were solemn.
"As is customary I do have a bride gift for her. I consider this the rarest and most valuable thing I possess and I offer it to her freely. It comes in two parts." He reached into his robes and pulled out a leather book. She took it from him with another fake smile. The book looked very familiar but I wasn't sure why. I can't read, why does that book look familiar.
"Fenris join us." He commanded and I moved. I still couldn't remember why the book was familiar to me but I had to shove the thoughts away as I approached. Denarius placed a hand on each of my shoulders and stood me in front of him.
"As you know he is a formidable fighter the lyrium in his skin gives him an edge you will never come across again. He is completely undefeated in the arena and speaks several languages." He continued on with my accomplishments. His gift to her is me?!
The realization dawned on me as all the windows facing the gardens shattered.