Mythal's Favour: A Dragon Age Origins Fan Fiction

Chapter 23

Chapter 23 - The Nature of the Beast

Ayu felt a periodic tickle running down between her shoulder blades. As her foggy mind cleared, she realized that the sensation was rhythmic, slow and calm. Zevran's arm was still slung across her body, his hand shamelessly cupping a breast as he slept. His face was buried against the back of her neck, his breath racing along her skin. She smiled in glee as she tried to remain still. She had no desire to wake him as of yet. Zevran had never remained with her through the night, and she was unsure if he had meant to this time either. Something in her heart told her that he had wanted to stay, and that he would continue to stay in the days to come. She smiled broadly to herself at the thought. The Warden slowly rolled over to face her assassin lover, being careful not to wake him. He stirred only slightly as Ayu wrapped an arm around his torso, but he did not wake. 

Ayu watched her lover closely as he slept. He was relaxed and peaceful in his slumber. The fine lines around his eyes and mouth, that seemed to age him, had begun to fade away. The worry lines that creased his brow had eased. Zevran looked younger, more refreshed, and Ayu wondered if her magic had anything to do with it. She thought of the others as she lay gazing at her lover. Did they show the same youthful glow that Zevran now carried? She couldn't be certain, and decided to simply enjoy the moment and set philosophy aside for the time being.  

She nestled her cheek against the base of his throat as she snuggled closer. Zevran's arm stayed tossed over her waist, but his hand slid down her back to gently cup a buttock. He groaned low in throat as she moved, shifting only slightly to adjust to her new position. Ayu laid quietly, breathing in his sweet scent and listening to the man's peaceful slumber. She drifted in and out of sleep as she snuggled against Zevran's chest, listening to the twitter of songbirds through the open window. The Warden began to hear the sounds of movement outside her aravel and decided that the camp had finally stirred.  

Ayu kissed Zevran's throat, eliciting a deep hum from his chest, as she squeezed him tight. She repeated the affectionate nuzzles a few more times and the elven man began to open his eyes. His long lashes fluttered as he blinked away the sleep, his deep honey eyes coming to rest on his lover. 

"Don't tell me it is morning already," he grumbled, amusement still in his voice. "I was having the sweetest dream, mio amore." He ran a hand through her mussed hair. "And yet I find that I open my eyes to an even sweeter vision." 

Ayu smiled up at him. "You have the most silvered tongue I have had the pleasure of hearing," she joked. "But I love hearing it all the same." She ran a hand along his spine, letting her nails gently scrape along his skin. He shivered under her touch, holding her tight to him. "The camp is finally awake, emma lath. We should consider rising to join the others." 

Zevran moaned grumpily. "I do not wish to get up. Can we not just remain in this moment?" He scooted down the bed resting his cheek against Ayu's chest. 

Ayu giggled softly. "I wish we could, but Ferelden will not save itself from destruction. As much as I desire to remain, we cannot." She kissed the top of his head, and he looked up at her. 

He brought his lips up to hers and kissed her gently. "If you insist," he smiled, "but I shall not be happy about it."  

He rolled over, swinging his legs over the edge of the bed. The blanket fell away and Ayu's eyes lingered on the fine muscles of his back. His new tattoo was black and bold against his skin. She could not help but be reminded of her vision of Mythal's husband, Elgar'nan. Did he have something to do with Zevran's new tattoo? She was unsure, but the thought was somehow comforting. Zevran ran a hand through his hair, as he stood up from the bed. He turned and offered Ayu his hand, helping to pull her up.