A/N A warning to those who read, there is mention and reference to the awful event of chapter 12. This chapter's song is May I by Trading Yesterday. It's a beautiful and sweet song I felt fit this chapter. As always my lovelies, read, review, and enjoy!
Elyssa's heart thundered in her ears, her chest heaved as she tried to breathe around the fiery desire she felt. Solas captured her lips once more, sending her pulse racing, heating her skin where she was pressed against him. The tip of his tongue swiped delicately across her bottom lip, then her top lip then retreated back to the confines of his mouth. He repeated this dance several times, teasing her mercilessly. She sighed, her internal temperature rising with each stroke. Solas took the opportunity to capture her bottom lip between his teeth, tugging in a gently enticing fashion. A moan escaped her throat, bringing warmth to her cheeks. Solas freed her lip with a chuckle of satisfaction. His hands roamed over her arms to rest at her waist, pushing the yellow cotton material of her shirt up. Her heart plunged into her stomach, then resumed beating too fast for comfort. She froze, not even daring to breathe. Solas' fingers were barely touching her skin, yet she felt the stabbing pain of nails digging into it. She squeezed her eyes closed at the onslaught of memories that surfaced suddenly, tears cold against her heated cheeks falling. Hard, cold, almost white eyes flashed in her mind's eye. A twisted grin, the sound of cruel laughter. No, she didn't want to see him. She didn't want to hear him. She didn't want to relive that again. Wasn't every night in her dreams enough? Why did Justice's actions have to plague her here too?
Solas stopped moving, feeling the sudden shift in Elyssa's body. Beneath his hands at her waist, he could feel her tremble. Tears, hot and wet, trickled onto his cheeks. He pulled away to see tears continuing to fall from Elyssa's tightly closed eyes. Her bottom lip was quivering and her chest rose and fell in a short shallow rhythm. "Elyssa?" he called his voice heavy with concern. He moved his hands back to the sides of her face, gently wiping away her tears. "Elyssa? Vhenan?" He called again. Still, she stayed trapped in a paralysis of fear. Solas did the only thing he knew how pulling her so her head was resting on his shoulder. He remembered the ancient elven lullaby his mother had sung to him when he was upset as a child. "Elgara vallas, da'len, melava somniar. Mala tara aravas, ara ma'desen melar. Iras ma ghilas, da'len, ara ma'nedan ashir? Dirthara lothlenan'as, bal emma mala dir. Tel'enfenim, da'len, irassal ma ghilas. Ma garas mir renan- ara ma'athlan vhenas. Ara ma'athlan vhenas," he sang softly, rocking Elyssa gently until her breathing evened out and her body stopped trembling beneath his hands.
"I didn't know you could sing," Elyssa spoke finally.
Solas let out a relieved chuckle. "There are many things you don't yet know about me, vhenan," he answered.
Elyssa moved off of his lap, standing and fixing her shirt. She saw his eyes glistening with concern for her, a worried frown on his face. "I'm sorry," she whispered, turning her face away from him.
Solas stood abruptly, taking her face in his hand and gently stroking her cheek with his thumb. "Do not apologize, vhenan," he said.
Elyssa couldn't help the tears that fell once more. "I-I wanted to," she whispered.
Solas pulled her into a comforting embrace, kissing her forehead gently. "I know, ma'lath," he soothed.
Elyssa took solace in how understanding Solas was trying to be for her. She was sure it was frustrating, being stopped cold as he had been. It frustrated her, how she reacted to him going further than kissing her. She had wanted to spend the night wrapped in his arms, enjoying the progress they had made with each other. Instead, she had been tormented by memories of the injustice she had suffered. Standing here, in Solas' arms, was making it better, but it still wasn't what she had wanted. How long was this going to continue? Would this be something that happened anytime she tried to move further with Solas? She had so many new questions, and she wasn't sure where to go for the answers. The only comfort she had was Solas and learning that he could sing, a pleasant surprise. She thought about what Solas had said about there being many things she didn't know about him. He was right. He had asked her so many questions about herself all those lunches they shared, but never once did she really ask the same. That needed to change, she wanted to know everything about Solas.
"Solas?" she asked softly.
"Yes, my love?" he answered.
"May I stay the night?" she asked, hope filling her voice.
He chuckled, running a hand down the length of her hair. "I don't think Salem would deem that appropriate," he answered sadly.
"Please?" she begged, "I don't want to go."
Solas looked at her wistfully. "It would be kinder in the long run," he told her. She began turning away in disappointment, though she couldn't argue with his logic. Face disappointment now to save themselves from Salem's wrath later. "But losing you would…" He pulled her to him, planting a surrendering kiss on her lips. Elyssa smiled gleefully around his mouth.
"Ar lath ma, vhenan," she murmured thankfully.
"Let that be my dying comfort," Solas laughed, "when I fall to the wrath of Salem."
"I'll protect you," Elyssa giggled, "I don't think she would hurt me."
"I believe you are right," he answered, "she is quite taken with you." He looked at her with thoughtful eyes, "perhaps it's because you remind her of herself. Or possibly because she's always desired to have a daughter."
"Either way, I'm glad I'm with her now," Elyssa admitted, "I don't even want to begin to think of how my mother would react to me being pregnant…" She cast a worried glance at Solas, unsure of how he was going to react to the reminder of her condition. "Sorry…" she muttered.
"Don't apologize," Solas responded, "it is something we should discuss."
"Not tonight," Elyssa answered, "please?"
"As you wish," Solas nodded, "should I leave the room to let you get in bed attire?"
Elyssa looked down at the off-the-shoulder long sleeve yellow top and blue jeans she was wearing. She hadn't thought of clothes when she had asked to stay, and she really didn't feel comfortable sleeping in jeans. "Shit," she muttered, "I didn't think about that. I'd hate to risk waking up Krem trying to get some clothes."
"If you'd like, I have a spare shirt that may suit you," Solas answered. He walked to the dresser next to the desk, opened the top drawer to pull out a beige long-sleeved shirt. He held the shirt out to Elyssa in offering, who took it eagerly. "I'll let you get changed," Solas chuckled.
Elyssa watched him walk out of the room, allowing her plenty of privacy. She stripped out of her jeans, folding them neatly and placing them atop the desk. She did the same for her shirt and bra. She pulled Solas' shirt over her head, inhaling the heady mix of the earthy cologne and laundry detergent that clung to it. It fell well past her waist, the longer parts of the front and back of the shirt settling at mid-thigh while the higher sides barely covered the sides of her underwear. The long sleeves fell well past her fingertips, so she rolled them up to the middle of her forearm. The collar of the shirt was high-necked but slit into a V that ended in the middle of her chest. Elyssa smiled to herself, satisfied with her clothing.
Solas returned to the room after what felt like an acceptable amount of time to change had passed. When he walked in, he saw Elyssa standing in the entryway, looking at herself in the mirror hanging there. The sight of her in nothing but his shirt made his mouth dry. She looked stunning in such a simple garment. He closed the door and descended upon her hungrily. She let out a delighted squeal as he kissed her. "You look entirely too beautiful," he whispered huskily in her ear. She beamed at him, a radiating warmth spreading through him at the sight. He pulled himself away from her, not wanting to push her too much. "I believe it is my turn to change clothes," he said.
"Would you like me to leave the room?" Elyssa asked kindly.
"No, vhenan," he smiled at her, "I would like you to get comfortable. I shall go to the bathroom to change."
Elyssa nodded, waiting until Solas had gathered some clothes from the dresser and closed the door to turn her attention to the bed. The only bed in the room. She swallowed past the lump in her throat, then laughed darkly at herself. It seemed ridiculous to be nervous about sleeping in the same bed as Solas now. Yet, here she was staring at the king-size bed as if it was going to stand up and swallow her whole. Get yourself together, she ordered herself. Deep breath in, deep breath out. She climbed into the bed before she lost her resolve, settling on the edge of the side closest to the wall. She turned on the lamp beside the bed, thinking that was somehow going to make it better. Solas came out of the bathroom wearing a pair of dark green pajama pants. They were low-waisted and hugged his thighs deliciously. He wore no shirt, giving her the perfect view of lean abs trailing into a defined V that dipped into the waistband of his pants. How was she supposed to sleep next to that and keep her sanity?
"Is something wrong?" Solas asked her, his head tilting in concern. He had noticed her distraught look, immediately jumping to the conclusion that something had happened in his absence.
"Yes," she answered with a chuckle, "you're too hot."
Solas threw his head back and laughed, though Elyssa saw the tell-tale sign of a blush on his cheeks. "I'm afraid I don't know how to help that," he said.
"I suppose I'll just have to suffer then," Elyssa teasingly sighed before laughing.
Solas laughed with her before climbing into the bed. He settled into the opposite side she sat at, scooting more towards the middle than she had. She gulped, looking at all the space between them. Should she move closer? Should she wait for him to move closer? Elyssa fiddled with the hem of the shirt, avoiding Solas' gaze. What if he thought she slept weird? What if she talked or snored in her sleep?
"Vhenan?" Solas drew her attention to him, question in his voice, "I can put on a shirt if it bothers you."
Elyssa gave him a small appreciative smile. "No, it's not that," she sighed, her face heating uncomfortably. "I'm…I've never really spent the night with a guy before," she admitted in a small voice. Solas raised a questioning brow but didn't pry. "I was never able to stay at Anders' for more than a few hours at a time," she explained, "I didn't think something as simple as sleeping next to you would be so nerve-racking."
"Would you like to leave?" He asked kindly.
"No!" Elyssa protested spiritedly, "No, I just… I don't know what to do and I'm worried."
Solas moved closer to Elyssa, gently wrapping his arms around her and pulling her into him. Elyssa moved with him until they were both comfortably in the middle of the bed. Once they were situated, Solas released his hold on her, keeping one of his long arms curved around her back, his hand resting lightly on the curve of her hip. Elyssa settled her cheek into the dip beneath his collar bone and shoulder, resting one arm over his chest and tucking the other into her side lying against the bed. She peeked up at Solas who was looking down at her, a pleased grin on his face.
"Now," he started, "what worries you, ma'lath?"
Elyssa ducked her head in embarrassment. "What if I snore?" She mumbled into his skin.
"What if you do?" Solas questioned.
"What if you don't like the way I snore, or sleep, or talk, and never want to stay the night with me again?" Her concerns rushed out in a stream of words before she could stop them.
Solas chuckled, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "It would take much more than that for me to bear being parted from you now," he answered.
Solas watched a pleased grin spread across Elyssa's face, seemingly satisfied with his answer. He reached to turn off the lamp, shrouding them in darkness. It wasn't but a moment later her voice, soft and curious, drifted up to him. "Solas?"
"Yes, vhenan?" He murmured sleepily, the emotional turmoil of the day catching up to him.
"What's your favorite color?" Solas could hear the peaked interest in her voice as if it was a question she needed to know the answer to.
"Green," he answered without hesitation. He settled further back into the pillows, thinking that was all the answer she required.
"Why green?" she inquired.
Solas didn't think about his answer, giving her the first reason that had come to mind. "It's the color of your eyes," he said as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
"That's very sweet," Elyssa chuckled, "but why really?"
Warmth crept across Solas' cheekbones at her compliment. "That is one of the reasons," he said, "But there is also because it is one of the more prominent colors of nature. And, it makes me think of the magic that used to be present in this world." Peaceful silence fell, Elyssa, having seemed to be satisfied with her questions. After a few minutes, Solas allowed himself to begin drifting closer towards unconsciousness. "What's your favorite flower?" Elyssa whispered, interrupting Solas' drifting.
"Lupine," he answered, "it is a flower of unique beauty and also useful for things such as putting vitamins and nutrients back into the soil after a forest fire. I also have a fondness for wolves and things named as such."
"Because of your last name?" she asked.
Solus chuckled, what a curious creature she was. "Partially," he answered, "my mother always called me her little wolf, it is a nickname I carried into adulthood. I was sometimes even called Dread Wolf. I think it would be no different if I had another surname."
"Does that mean a wolf is your favorite animal?"
"No, vhenan," he chuckled, "you are my favorite animal." His teasing was rewarded with the twinkling sound of her laughter. Elyssa burrowed deeper into his side, a contented sigh escaping her lips. Solas thought once more that she was finally drifting off to sleep. He realized a moment later, he was wrong once again.
"Solas?"
He rolled so that he was facing her, using his free arm to keep his body weight from hurting her. He captured her lips mid-question, preventing her from speaking. He kissed her deeply, enjoying the taste of her until she had melted into him. Once he was sure she had forgotten the question she was asking, he released her. "Go to sleep, ma'lath," he instructed, "I will answer any more questions you have tomorrow if you so wish."
"Okay," she agreed with a breathless smile.
Solas rolled back over, pulling her close to him, and closed his eyes. He relished the feel of Elyssa settling into sleep in his arms. The way the curves of her body seemed to fit perfectly into his side, like the last piece of a puzzle fitting into place to complete the picture. The soft sound of the rise and fall of her chest like a caressing breeze. Even the tickling sensation of her hair dancing across his arm felt like it belonged. Finally, things seemed to be heading in the right direction for them. Finally, he was doing something right.
Salem looked at the crumpled piece of paper in her hand. 'Elyssa is safe with me - Solas'. She fisted the paper in her hand once more. What was he thinking? Letting a student into his room at night. What if someone had seen them? Did he not understand the danger he was putting them all in by being so reckless? "Kadan?" the deep voice of the Iron Bull rumbled from beside her on the bed, "Is everything alright?"
Salem let out a deep huffy breath. "It'll be fine," she answered, "I just have something I have to do."
"Do you need help?" he asked, blinking his eyes sleepily.
Salem smiled fondly at him, "No, go back to sleep." He nodded his horned head, rolling over and snoring less than a minute later. Salem dressed, trying to keep her pulse from racing irritably. When she was ready to face the day that lay ahead, she made her way to the front desk of the hotel.
A petite elven woman with wide green eyes, short brown hair, and a kind smile, sat behind a computer on the desk. "Breakfast is served through that door there," she offered with a thick accent, "there's a hot bar as well as an arrangement of options such as yogurts, oatmeal, and cereal."
Salem put on her sweetest smile. "Thank you," she beamed at the woman, "but I was wondering if you could possibly help me?"
The woman's full attention was turned to Salem, her eyes wide, her mouth turned down at the possibility of a distraught guest. "Of course," she answered pleasantly, "what is it I can do for you?"
Salem patted the lack of obvious pockets in her casual dress dramatically. "I seem to have forgotten my keycard for my room in my hurry to come down here for the amazing breakfast I heard you guys served."
The elf turned to her computer, a slight blush on her pale cheek, "What room number was it?"
Salem beamed appreciatively at the woman. "394," she answered, having paid attention when she ran into Solas yesterday, "I just walked right out and didn't realize I'd left my card until I was in the elevator."
"I understand," the woman sympathized, "it happens all the time." She began typing on the keyboard, her nails clacking with the keys in a fast-fire rhythm. After a minute she pulled something from a machine beside the computer, extending it to Salem. "Here you are," she beamed.
Salem read the name on her tag as she took the card from the woman, "Thank you, Merrill. Is there some place I can leave you a good review?" Salem asked sweetly. Merrill blushed again, answering Salem's question enthusiastically. Salem quickly filled out the review for the woman while she waited for the elevator to take her to her destination. She stamped her foot impatiently at the slow moving mechanism, relieved when it finally opened to her floor. A few long strides later she was at Solas' room. She inserted the card and opened the door with no hesitation. The room was dark save for the light from the hallway. Salem stalked past the dresser, bed, and desk to the large window opposite the door. Pulling the curtains open, she flooded the room with sunlight. Neither Solas, nor Elyssa stirred. Blood boiling, she looked around the room for something to wake the two elves. She noticed the clothes Elyssa had been wearing the night before folded neatly on the desk, sending a new wave of fury through her. A small black coffee machine with styrofoam cups and a small bucket sitting next to it caught her attention, an idea springing to her mind. She grabbed the bucket, went to the ice machine she had passed in the hall, and filled it with ice and water. Walking back into the room, she stood over the foot of the bed. Glaring down at her irresponsible friend and ward, a small voice in the back of her mind had to admit that they looked kind of adorable together. Elyssa was laying on her side, one leg kicked up and bent at the knee, head resting on Solas' arm. Solas had curled his body loosely around Elyssa, one arm draped over her side and one leg positioned in a less exaggerated version of Elyssa's. The comforter lay in a disheveled pile at the foot of the bed, barely covering the two from the knee down. Salem noticed that Elyssa was wearing one of Solas' shirts, an audible huff escaping her, all thought of how content the pair looked leaving with it.
With a quick toss, she sent the ice water flying at the elves' faces, drenching the bed as well as them. Solas awoke with a start, eyes scanning the room for the source, coming to rest on her. Elyssa sat up in a jumpy motion, not taking time to notice Salem before she ran to the bathroom. Salem glared menacingly at Solas as the sound of Elyssa emptying her stomach could be heard coming from the small powder room. Water ran for a minute after, somehow adding to the terror Salem presented. Elyssa finally noticed the qunari woman as she walked groggily out of the bathroom. "Salem?" she asked, panic underlying her voice, "How'd you get in here?"
"I could ask you the same thing young lady," she shot back. Elyssa looked away sheepishly, a blush crawling across her cheeks. Salem cast one infuriated glance after another from Elyssa to Solas. "Now that you're both awake," She said, "it's time we had a little chat."