Chapter 13

Emma wanted to kick herself for the pathetic offering her brain had provided. Try as she might, she couldn't think of anything less sexy than what she'd said. She really needed to work on her flirting. So, it came as a shock to see that Aedan, instead of beating a fast retreat, was smiling at her. And not just any smile but a slow, sensual, and wicked curving of his lip.

He had an unfair advantage considering the effect his smile had on her; her heart rate had increased, her palms felt damp, and her knees had buggered off. This man overwhelmed her with his presence to the point that she was finding it hard to breathe, let alone think. Something in her face must have shown her feelings as he leaned back.

"Are you all right, Emma?"

Even the way he spoke her name made her skin ripple with desire. She nodded as she backed away.

"I... I just need to get freshened up first." And catch my breath; you're making me crazy.

"That's an excellent idea. Grab your things and we'll head to the lake."

Emma's heart stuttered in her chest. He was going to be wet... and naked... and had she mentioned wet? Her eyes followed him as he ducked out of the tent, the leather trousers tightening around his ass, accentuating the shapely muscle, and making her teeth grind together with an urge to bite it. He was going to be the death of her, but what a way to go.

She picked up her pack and followed Aedan towards the lake. Her brain was working overtime trying to think of what to say and do. The thought that she might scare away this sexy man terrified her. However, as they moved past the trees all nervousness slipped away at the glorious view before her. A large moon hung in the night sky, casting its mysterious glow across the water, highlighting each ripple with a glint of silver. The trees swayed with a gentle breeze, a pleasant relief from the humid night air.
"It's beautiful," she whispered, afraid to disturb the perfection with anything louder.

Aedan's lips pressed against the pulse of her neck causing a tingle to spread across her skin. "I think that accolade belongs to you, Angel."

Tilting her head back, she cast him a curious glance. "Angel?"

His smile held a hint of confusion. "I'm not sure where that came from, but there does seem to be something otherworldly about you."
Emma chuckled; he was closer to the truth than he knew, however, her sense of humour dried up when she remembered they still needed to have a conversation about her history.

She tried to take a step back, but Aedan's hands were firm around her waist, holding her tightly to him. "Your whole body just tensed up. What's wrong?"

Emma rested her head against his chest with a sigh, wondering whether she needed to bring the subject up. Why couldn't her brain just let it be? She had a sexy man standing in front of her who wanted to do all sorts of carnal things to her; yet her conscientious brain wouldn't let the matter drop. It prodded at her with indignant fingers. Aedan deserved to know the truth. Well, not the whole truth, because that would be too ludicrous to believe, but she had to find a middle ground, some semblance of the truth. Otherwise, any relationship she had with him would feel like a lie.

She couldn't do that to Aedan, not with how much she loved him. Her eyes widened and she swallowed hard. No, no, this wasn't meant to happen so quickly. Love at first sight was just make-believe, a myth from fairy tales. But as she looked up into his face, she saw tenderness and concern for her.

"Can we sit for a while; we need to talk."

Aedan nodded, looking wary. They sat side by side facing the lake. Aedan stretched out his long legs, leaning back on his arms. In contrast, Emma sat forward, her knees bent and her arms wrapped around them, trying to decide what to tell him. She was sure the truth would be impossible to believe and, for that matter, to explain. How did you tell someone that they were a character in a computer game, then have to describe what a computer game was?

-x—

"This is about who you are, isn't it?" Aedan leaned forward so that he could see Emma's face and watch her reaction to his words. Her body flinched, then she turned her head and met his eyes. The sadness and worry in the depths of her gaze felt like a punch to Aedan's gut. He found himself wanting to share her concerns because seeing her upset did not sit well with him, not one little bit. And just like that, he knew... he knew how he felt about her, knew that her story wouldn't change those feelings for her.

"Angel, I know there is something different about you, we all feel it. The words you sometimes use, your initial inability to use your magic, your wariness about the lyrium were all big clues." He placed a hand on her back in a comforting gesture. "But it doesn't matter. Not to me," he pointed towards the camp, "...and not to them."

She turned her gaze back to the lake, her reluctance to look at him revealing her disbelief. He moved in front of her, meeting her eyes again. "You've fought side by side with us, you almost died with us. Whatever you were before is gone, you are a Grey Warden now, Emma, and an integral part of this ragtag band of people."

-x-

During his speech, her eyes had focused just past his shoulder, but as he finished speaking, she blinked as if his words had taken her by surprise. She turned her attention back to him, her eyes wet with unshed tears. "I've never felt as though I belonged anywhere until I came here. Everyone seems to accept me for who I am." She looked down as a thought occurred to her. "Is it because of my knowledge about possible future events?"

Aedan reached out, tucking a finger under her chin, and firmly lifting her face to his. "No, Angel. You don't have to say another word about what you do or don't know. It doesn't change the fact that you're a courageous, fierce, determined fighter," he reached up and cupped a hand to her face, "and you're beautiful."
A smile curled her lips. "Is that a requirement?"
He chuckled, shaking his head. "No, but I just needed to tell you that."

She took the hand he held out to her, letting him pull her into a standing position. His arms wrapped around her, folding her into the shelter of his body. As she rested her head against his chest, she wondered if it could really be this simple. To forget her old life and embrace this chance she'd been given?

For the first time in her life, she felt safe and wanted, and that, right there was her answer - a resounding yes!