Lucanis knew she was going through the motions. For all her smiles, brashness, and even bravado, Lucanis knew that deep down, she wanted to please people. Those around her right now: Davrin, Taash, Emmrich, Bellara? They needed her to be the leader. But Lucanis knew… that's why he waited.

"Right… we need to call on our friends. We need all the help we can get."

Lucanis got up and followed her as she walked out of the meeting chambers. In the hallway, he reached out and pulled on her arm, turning her towards him.

"Rook? Are you alright?"

Rook looked at him, her eyes still having the haunted look he saw when she finally opened her eyes after being pulled from that damned fade prison . She shook her head, "we still have work to do. I can collapse when this is over."

Lucanis took her hand and brought it to his lips, kissing her knuckles softly, "we can contact our allies, Rook. You should rest. After all you've been through… I'll come by your room soon. To see how you are doing."

The muddled light from the wall sized aquariums that lined the walls of her chamber relaxed her. It was different than the muddled, reflected light in the Ossuary, but she could understand why Lucanis avoided her chambers.

She walked over to the lounging couch in her room. With a sigh, Rook lay back on the plush green fabric, closing her eyes.

She was so, so tired.

"I cannot believe we found you."

Rook pushed herself up unto her elbows. Lucanis… she fully sat up and looked at him, "I'm a little surprised too, honestly."

Lucanis closed the door behind him and walked a few feet into her chambers. He paused and studied her, his eyes half closed and head tilted. He softly said, "I thought I would never see you again."

Rook smiled and waved her hand dismissively, "oh, we both know you can't get rid of me that easily."

Lucanis walked over and crouched down, taking her hands in his, his thumbs rubbing across her knuckles, "Rook… Allona… you're impossible."

He leaned forward, kissing her softly. Rook's eyes fluttered shut. No, this was not their first kiss, but it felt different, more meaningful, than any of the others. Breaking the kiss, Lucanis knelt, looking at her warmly.

"But in a good way?" she softly asked.

"The best way. It's what I love about you. I… I just don't know why it took me all these years not to see it. Part of me always knew, but…"

"Lucanis?"

"Allona?"

"I'm really here, right? This isn't just another trick by Solas?" Rook felt her head get gently pulled forward as Lucanis pressed his forehead against hers.

"Mia luce…"

Rook took a ragged breath, "my biggest fear wasn't that I would die there… it was that I would be there… forever… without you."

Lucanis kissed her. She could feel every ounce of love, feeling, longing behind his lips. She let herself be lowered down. The weight of Lucanis's body on top of hers.

Ethereal purple and black wings flooding her vision.

Rook sat on her couch, Lucanis's head resting in her lap. She combed her fingers through his hair, while her other hand lazily drew circles and other designs on his naked chest. She looked down on his face. He was the most relaxed she had seen him in… years, honestly. She noticed his eyelids closing.

"Are you falling asleep?"

Lucanis opened his eyes, protesting, "no! I never sleep."

Rook chuckled, "it's alright if you do. Spite and I can play cards or something."

"Don't say that. I haven't taught him Wicked Grace yet." Lucanis paused, and propped himself up on an elbow. He looked into her face, "I'm not afraid of him. I just don't want to waste time now that you're here."

"You still have to sleep sometime."

"With you here, like this?" Lucanis leaned forward, kissing the flesh between her bare breast, before murmuring, "I'd rather stay awake."

Rook genuinely laughed, "stay awake all night? However shall we pass the time?"

Lucanis paused, laying his head back in her lap and turning his body to look up at her "will you talk to me? Your voice is a comfort."

Rook looked down, staring into his eyes with love, "I'll tell you the tale of a charming rogue who stole the heart of a hapless hero when she was a mere 13 years old but took another 17 years to convince him about it."

Lucanis raised his eyebrows in acknowledgment, "I deserved that."

Lucanis paused, "Rook… tomorrow…"

Rook gently placed her fingers on his lips to quiet him, "shh… hey, I came back last time, and Solas stuck me in a prison for gods. I'll come back from this, too."

Rook bent over to kiss him again.

"Not even gods can keep me away from you."

Lucanis rose up to meet her lips with his.

"They cannot even try if I get to them first." Lucanis traced her cheekbone with his thumb, "mia luce. You know my mind. I've assumed you know my heart because… it beats for you. It's been beating… when I wanted you. When I was afraid to want you… tell me this ends with me asleep in your arms, and I will kill any god you ask."

"Lucanis, I…"

"I love you, Allona. And I won't let you down."