Spellbound

19. Talking to Each Other

Smut warning at the end of the chapter

*****

By the time Fenris returned from his cleaning duty, the first guests filtered out of the entrance hall. Those who had long journeys ahead of themselves excused themselves early and Dorian bid them his goodbyes with sugary smiles. Gradually, most people disappeared into the night, and only those coming from far countries stayed to travel during the next day. Among them was the Ferelden man with the blond hair, Knight Commander Cullen, as Varric introduced him to Lavellan, and the two ladies in his company.

One of the last to leave for the evening, once most others had retreated for a cosy game of cards at the fireplace or their rooms to sleep off the festivities, was the elegant mage lady called Vivienne. She kissed both of Dorian's cheeks in Orlesian fashion as he saw her off at the door.

"Your ability to deter those who lust for your blood is most astonishing, darling. Thank you for inviting me. I gathered a plethora of groundbreaking information that I will relay to the Circle right upon my return. My support for you is unbroken."

Dorian smiled at her. He was tired, his face exhausted from all the disingenuous laughter. His fingers held the door for her as he oversaw her departure with honest kindness.

"Thank you, Vivienne."

"The traits you get judged for are tasteless and I do not stand for them. If you ever seek solitude, you are welcome to visit me in Val Royeaux. I still have ties with Alistair and Blackwall, and they would be most delighted to have you join them for another adventure filled with harebrained mischief." She tilted her head, full lips pulling into a motherly smile.

Dorian chuckled.

"I see if I can grace them with the honour of my companionship soon. Let's exchange letters."

"Of course, darling. Have an enjoyable night." She nodded at him and at Lavellan, who stood a few metres behind Dorian to await new orders. As soon as she had tugged her hood onto her head and got engulfed by the shadows, Dorian closed the door. His reddened eyes swiped through the entrance hall.

The light of the orb had dimmed to accommodate the sleepiness of the evening. Lavellan imagined upholding the spells around the mansion all the time drained Dorian, so the weak glow it exuded matched the mage's depleted energy.

Dorian's eyes locked with Lavellan's.

"Feel better?"

"I wouldn't want to go into that room again, even knowing it had been cleaned up," Lavellan confessed. He ducked his head, but Dorian agreed.

"Couldn't have said it better. What a spectacle. Leliana will stay the night and figure something out. Can I steal you away for a while? I have been meaning to talk to you in private, but my tasks for this game of lies swamped me."

Lavellan's heart skipped a beat. He trailed behind Dorian when the man ascended the stairs and tugged his coat from his shoulders while walking.

"I sought conversation as well, but I figured you would be tired. I could return in the morning." Suddenly nervous since he didn't have time to prepare, Lavellan followed Dorian past the Bull's office. With his coat over his arm and a glint twinkling in his eyes, Dorian opened the door to his room.

"Grant me the joy of your presence after such a tiresome day. Even if we end up fighting, I prefer your boldness over deceit." He held the door open, an invitation. Behind him, his candles flicked on to bathe his room in their warm light.

Lavellan hesitated for another moment before he conceded with a hum. He closed the door behind them while Dorian wandered through the room. He peered into his bathroom, into the closet (that was another room, useless), under his bed, under his table, and outside the windows. After he was done, he threw his coat over his chair and kicked off his boots.