Across Worlds

Ch 31 - Going home

Skyhold was a flurry of activity over the next few days. The rest of the army slowly trickled in, along with nobles and envoys arriving for the Inquisition's celebratory feast. Josephine was in rare form trying to get everything ready and just right.

The night of the feast finally arrived and Wren stood helping Evan adjust the Inquisition's dress uniform over the right arm that was set and healing, but still in a sling. She brought the jacket over the shoulder and guided the injured arm gently through the sleeve, getting it back in its sling before taking care of the buttons along the jacket for him.

"You're fussing," he teased, as she pulled and straightened the jacket.

She smiled warmly at him and teased back, "And you're cranky."

He laughed. "That's because I'd prefer to stay here with you rather than go downstairs and socialize with a bunch of stuffy nobles who had no interest in helping the Inquisition actually win this fight, but now that we have are more than happy to bask in our victory."

"The joys of politics, darling."

He grunted in agreement, taking her hand. "Let's go get this over with," he said, leading her down the stairs, preparing to enter the main hall. Josephine insisted that Evan take his place on the throne on the dais to welcome the nobility and start the celebration and Wren knew he wasn't pleased with that.

"You will stand by my side tonight, won't you?" he asked, somewhat nervously.

"Of course, I will."

"Even on the dais?"

Her eyes widened at what he was implying. "Evan..."

"Please, Wren? I want you beside me as a wife would be," he said earnestly.

Her heart pounded in her chest, but she found herself unable to deny him, "As you wish," she whispered.

He kissed her firmly and then offered her his arm. The door swung open in front of them and she held her head high, determined to make Evan proud tonight.

She heard whispers ripple through the room as they entered together, Evan leading her to an ornately carved chair that had been set to the left of the throne. She settled her skirts around her as they sat. Evan looked dashing and regal in the military uniform on the throne, every inch the nobleman he was. Despite the beautiful dress she was wearing and the intricately braided and done-up hair, she still felt drab and plain next to him. She tried not to show it, though, keeping her gaze fixed on him as he delivered the welcome speech, the nobles were introduced and paid their respects, and he gave the official word for the celebration to begin.

At first, they mingled together and everyone was pleasant and polite to her, but about half way through the evening, they separated as he continued talking and she went to get something to drink. That was when she heard the whispered remarks that she wasn't supposed to hear.

"He's far too handsome for her," a younger noblewoman their age was saying to her friend. And another older woman she passed was whispering, "I heard that Lady Trevelyan threatened to cut him off entirely if he continued this dalliance." "Scandalous!" her friend replied.

Wren did her best to ignore them and kept the smile on her face for Evan's sake, but she had never been happier to see a party end.

She helped Evan undress and they settled beside each other in bed, a now familiar routine.

"I was thinking tomorrow we could spend some time reading in the garden, enjoy that things are finally starting to thaw," he said pleasantly.

She swallowed past the lump in her throat, "Shouldn't we head for the Storm Coast soon?" she asked.