Chapter Text
The war room was empty when Aurelie entered, which was a strange sight for her. Instead of calling for Josephine, she settled into her chair, eager to work on her reports. She had been back from the Arbor Wilds for a week now, and had seen her advisor’s arrival back in Skyhold the day prior. For the most part, the mission had been a success, but the events still left the Inquisition shaken. Much of the army was still in southern Orlais. It left Skyhold quiet, not to mention defenseless against the impending attack from Corypheus.
Aurelie glanced over her advisor’s reports with a frown. Josephine had been shaken, not used to being on any sort of battlefield. Empress Celine and her army had suffered some setbacks, but far less casualties than the Inquisition. Good news, Aurelie thought with a grim frown. Leliana’s spies were working on a safe way to transport Samson back to Skyhold for judgment. The disgraced general was due any day. Sobering news; Aurelie had no idea how to approach the subject without Cullen’s advice on the matter.
Cullen.
She held her breath for a moment and glanced over his report, written in another hand. He had been wounded in the field, after Aurelie left him at the gates of the temple. She had trusted that he would be safe after helping to clear the threat but the appearance of Coryphaeus’s dragon changed that. While she fought the threat inside, he had taken a blade to his shoulder, and would’ve bled out if it weren’t for the mage allies on the field.
It almost threw Aurelie to her knees when she saw him, battered and bruised, upon his return to the castle. She had no knowledge of the event thanks to her quick exit from the area. Cullen was stubborn when it came to the injury, and pretended nothing was wrong. He worked through the setback, even with his arm in a sling and a thick layer of bandages around his wound. There would be no convincing to let a mage heal him, and so the Commander rested while Aurelie worked.
She glanced back to her papers, but found herself distracted by how much had been lost, how much she could lose before the war was over. As time stretched on in her role of Inquisitor, she could feel the doubt creeping in on her. Aurelie had to wonder if she was making the right choices. If she were truly Andraste’s herald, perhaps the Maker’s bride had some answers.
When Aurelie stood, she was surprised to see the sun setting on the horizon, not realizing how much time she had spent in her own thoughts. With exhaustion pulling at her shoulders, she left the war room. She stepped through the doors that led to the garden, focusing her gaze on the small chapel. It was still in a decrepit state, but it would serve well enough for a small and rare prayer for herself. The door was open when she neared, and surprise filled her at the sight of the Commander.
“Though all before me is shadow, yet shall the Maker be my guide.” He was praying, kneeling in front of the statue of Andraste. Aurelie stilled at the doorway, listening. “I shall not be left to wander the drifting roads of the Beyond.” He paused again and she wondered if he sensed her. “For there is no darkness in the Maker’s Light. And nothing that He has wrought shall be lost.”
As he finished, she took a slow step closer, closing the door behind her.
“A prayer for you?” Her question, and her appearance, didn’t seem to startle him any. Cullen glanced over his shoulder at her as he spoke.
“For those we have lost.” His head dropped down as she drew closer. “And those I am afraid to lose,”
Aurelie was alarmed to hear it. “You’re afraid?” she asked.
“Of course I am!” Cullen kept his back turned to her as he continued to crouch down on the ground. “Corypheus possessed that grey warden at Mythal. What more is he capable of?”
She shifted uncomfortably. She was now realizing just how much concern Cullen had been hiding in the days since his return. Now it was coming all out in the open for her to hear, and her heart raced.
“It’s only a matter of time before he retaliates.” Cullen stood in his spot and turned to her. “We must draw strength wherever we can.” He stepped closer to her and she moved to receive him, even as he faced away. “When the time comes, you will be thrown into his path again,”
“Andraste preserve me, I must send you to him.” His tone had dropped, and Aurelie swallowed at the rapid pulse in her neck. She wanted to comfort him, wanted to tell him how everything would be fine, that she would defeat the threat. But she would be lying to him, to herself. She was scared, and couldn’t hide it.
“What if I can’t?” Aurelie glanced away, already regretting her words as he turned to her, eyes widening. “Cullen, if I don’t…”
His hand reached out to hold her cheek and she glanced up to see his solemn expression. “Maker, no…”
Aurelie didn’t hold back from accepting his embrace, burying her face into the fur of his armor. She closed her eyes, willing her responsibilities to disappear and leave them alone, at least for a little while.
“Whatever happens,” he spoke with a soft voice into her shoulder. “You will come back.” She appreciated his determination, but still felt her heart aching at the thought of losing him, losing the war.
“Cullen, you don’t have to-” His hands on her back pulled her closer, tighter into his grasp.
“Allow me this.” He was pleading with her, and she bit back her words, turning her head so her nose pressed against his neck. “To believe anything else would… I can’t.”
Silence fell around them for a long time as they held one another. Aurelie could feel her heart beat slowing as she calmed herself. His warmth was convincing her she would be all right, for the time being. She didn’t know when she would have to leave to fight Corypheus. Right now, all she cared about was Cullen’s arms around her, his breath fanning across her neck.
She pulled back to gaze at him, only to find his eyes burning with a hidden desire. He was looking at her, his eyes locked directly on hers and she felt her cheeks heat under the intensity. They softened for a brief moment as he glanced to her lips, but the moment he kissed her, a fire ignited in her chest. Her gasp allowed his tongue to meet hers in an instant, and she groaned at the sensation. It was a kiss hardly appropriate for a chantry chapel.
One of his hands moved to hold the back of her head. He kept it in place as they continued to kiss, his teeth scraping over her bottom lip. When she tilted her head back for a breath, his lips trailed off, leaving kisses along her jaw until he reached her neck. It was a favored spot for him, and she breathed a laugh as he molded his lips around her throat. She rested her hands on his shoulders as he worked, and gripped them when she felt a wave of arousal wash over her. Cullen seemed to notice, and he pulled away, only to slide his hands to her waist.
“I want you.” He breathed, lips hovering over hers. It was startling to hear it, coming from Cullen, so suddenly. He wasn’t always so forward when it came to intimacy, and had only ever taken the lead a handful of times. Aurelie didn’t mind, but glanced about her, eyeing the room.
“Here?” she questioned, hoping he’d catch the hint. She didn’t think he was about to perform such a sin, literally in the eyes of the Maker.
Cullen didn’t respond, and instead gripped her hips. He walked her backwards until her back thudded against the closed door. She went to reach behind her to open it, but one of his hands gripped her own. She gasped, realizing she had misinterpreted his actions. Without a word, he pinned her hand above her head, his other hand still holding her waist in place. His eyes were fiery with the same passion as before, and Aurelie had to swallow the sudden bundle of nerves she felt in her throat. His kiss was slow this time, and he lowered their linked hands as he pressed himself closer to her.
She felt his hips brush against her own and she moaned against her own volition, blushing again when he glanced at her with a smirk. Cullen followed his path as before, sliding his lips across her cheek and down her neck until he met her tunic. He reached up to unclasp a few buttons before continuing, leaving more marks with his tongue and teeth along her collar. Aurelie grasped at his side with her free hand, feeling her own desires rising to match his. She was pulling at clasps of his armor when she felt him take that hand away as well. He made it so both of her wrists were held in his grip above her head against the door.
The hunger in his expression had her compliant with his sudden act of dominance. She could only watch with bated breath as he used his teeth to pull the glove from his hand. He moved his fingers down her tunic, never touching a button until he reached her trousers. She inhaled sharply, willing herself to keep her eyes locked on his as he moved. Cullen continued, never breaking his eyes away from hers. He unlaced the front before pushing his fingers against her abdomen. His palm went flat against her stomach as his fingers stretched south. Aurelie’s jerked her hips toward his touch the instant he slid past her smallclothes.
“There?” His breath circled across her cheek, his tone exciting her further. As he brushed a finger lower, she moaned, louder this time.
“Yes.” She assured, through a shaky breath. Cullen breathed a laugh, his smirk speaking for his confidence.
“Good,” he responded.
With a slow movement, he slid his hand further, resting his palm over her groin as he teased her with his fingers. One trailed along her folds, opening her to him, dipping a digit in to feel her arousal. She was wet, and already contracting around him as he pushed his finger further in. Aurelie gasped, and couldn’t help but break her gaze as he pressed another to her clit, rubbing in slow circles. Her legs twitched, but again, he pressed his hips to her, keeping her still against the door as he touched her.
“Come for me?” His question seemed apprehensive, as if he wasn’t sure of himself for saying it.
Nonetheless, it sent a tingle down Aurelie’s back, and she glanced to him before nodding. His caresses became faster in an instant. He inserted another finger inside her before twisting his hand to rub at her most sensitive part with his thumb. She cried out at the sensation, and could feel her body coiling up for release. She bit down on her lip in anticipation, only to have him claim her mouth with his own. The kiss was heated as he worked his hands even faster, swallowing her moans as she hit her climax. His grip on her wrists relaxed, and she wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him closer as they kissed passionately.
“I need you.”
Cullen had mumbled against her lips, pulling at her trousers and smallclothes to pull them down. She kicked one foot free of her boot before he helped to pull her leg out from the fabric. He cupped her knee upwards, scooting himself closer to her to stand between her legs. It was awkward at first, but her desperation and need was too much. Aurelie felt her resolve leave her, and tugged at his leather breeches, wanting to feel him inside of her immediately. They undid just enough for his erection to slip out, and Cullen grabbed at her with eager hands. He lifted her up so her legs wrapped around his waist, his arms holding her steady as he braced her against the door. Aurelie took in a breath in anticipation, watching as he aligned himself to her entrance.
“Inquisitor?”
Aurelie jerked in his grasp at the sudden voice, and Cullen froze, glancing to her before looking at the door. He grunted as he adjusted her weight in his arms. They waited, holding their breaths as the would-be intruder pushed at the door for a moment. Aurelie was so distracted she couldn’t tell who it was. She drew in a shaky breath, trying to steady herself before speaking.
“Y-yes?” She squeaked, her mind unable to form a complete sentence.
“Must we speak like this?”
Cullen’s expression went flat as Morrigan’s voice filled the space. As he breathed out above her, she was reminded of where she was and the compromising position they were in. Her whole body heated up in embarrassment, and she gulped. She closed her eyes tight, hoping the Maker had enough will to forgive her.
“Can you… give me a moment?” Aurelie struggled to get the words out. She heard a small chuckle from beyond the door, and she realized Morrigan knew.
“I shall be waiting in the war room- at your earliest convenience.”
As Morrigan’s steps echoed away from the chapel and silence fell around them, Aurelie felt her heart racing. They had hardly moved during the awkward exchange, and she had to wonder if he had thought to continue where they left off. She wasn’t sure if she felt as excited as she did before; in fact, she felt mortified.
“Maker’s breath.” Cullen breathed. She peeked open her eyes long enough to see him reluctantly pulling away. He made sure both her feet were settled on the ground before pulling his pants back into place.
He was blushing just as much as she was, and avoided her gaze as he rubbed at the back of his neck. Aurelie pursed her lips in mild amusement before redressing, taking a breath to steady herself. When she looked back to Cullen, she noted the way his chest expanded. She tried to ignore the obvious signs of his arousal at the front of his trousers, and he turned away in embarrassment. She reached out to grasp his ungloved hand, threading their fingers together.
“I’m sorry.” She offered. Cullen exhaled, looking up at her from under his brow.
“It’s not… your fault.” He muttered. He swallowed back his nerves, taking a short step closer to her. He left their hands linked between them as he raised his other to her cheek. She smiled as he brushed her hair back into place. “Duty comes first.”
Aurelie sighed, nodding in agreement before thinking about what had transpired, and how he had yet to find release. She noted his discomfort, and allowed a coy grin to grace her features. Cullen raised a brow at her sudden change in expression.
“Wait for me,” she instructed. “In my room… tonight.” She glanced up to see him holding a small smile. “I will try to not take so long.”
“Is that a promise?” he asked, inching closer as his hand cupped her cheek. She smiled wider, nodding as he pressed a short kiss to her lips.
“Of course.”