ROGUE🖤 (Cole x OC! Lavellan) ✓ [COMPLETED]

Ch. 14 *Amulet*

NALIA
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"Inquisitor?" Leliana knocks on my door. I sit up instantly from nearly passing out on the couch in my room. "Huh?! Wha-" I see her. "Oh, Leliana," I say, stretching my arms into the air while yawning. "How...how are things?"

She walks into my room, hands behind her back. "My agents managed to aquire an amulet," she dangles it front of me. My eyes widen.

I get up and grab it from her hands like it's a worthy piece of treasure. In a way...I guess it is. "Thank you so much Leliana! I'm sure Cole will be pleased."

She nods before turning to head out the door. I almost follow behind, but I stop right at the doorway.
I stare at the round shaped amulet. It feels heavy in my palm, and the chain is long.
For a moment...I begin to think, what would happen if Cole didn't have the amulet. Would he become more human by just being around us?
But also...would he want to become more human?

Solas tells me not to think of my feelings in this decision, because it would be selfish of me to do that to Cole. I understand and agree, but at the same time, I can't help the fact that my feelings get in the way.
I love him so much that I, I don't want to lose him.

I shut my eyes, taking in a breath, before I walk out of the door. I need to do this...whatever the outcome may be.

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Right when I enter the tavern, I hear loud drunken shouts. Iron Bull, and his chargers.
I look to my left to see Krem holding a red piece of fabric, dangling it in front of Iron Bull, whose head is lowered.

Oh lord, do not tell me there actually doing that. I sigh, making my way up the steps.
I see Cole standing in his corner, gaze pointed down at the cracks in the floor.
He looks up when he hears me approach him.
"I found the amulet that Solas told us about. Would you like to try it on?" I ask.

His eyes widen, and he smiles. "Yes, but not here. I like it here, we need someplace that can go away if it becomes sharp."

I nod. "Alright, let's go to Solas's room." I begin to walk down the steps, and he follows behind.

"What do I do with it?" Cole asks me as we enter Solas's room. Solas stands up. "You found one of the amulets, excellent! May I?" I hand it to him, and he holds it in his palm, examining the details.
"It is simple enough. You put it on, I charge it with magic, and you should be protected."

I glance at Cole. "Are you ready?" I ask.

"Yes," he nods, putting the amulet on.
Solas holds a hand outstretched in front of the amulet, blue light sparkling off his palm.
For several moments, nothing happens, until the magic explodes and Cole cries out in shock.

"What happened?!" I ask, which has Varric walking in.
"Heard the commotion. What's going on?" He asks standing beside us.
He glances at Cole. "Oh for...What are you doing to the kid?" He asks. I can see why he could get the wrong idea...

Cole turns to him. "Stopping blood mages from binding me like the demons at Adamant," he lowers his head. "But it didn't work."

"Something is interfering with the enchantment," Solas points out.
I raise an eyebrow.
"Something like Cole not being a demon?" Varric crosses his arms.
Something clicks in my head.

"Solas, is it possible that the amulet doesn't work on Cole because he's...too human?" I ask. I try to hide the hope in my voice, but it's a challenge.
"Regardless of Cole's special circumstances, he remains a spirit," he says simply, holding his hands behind his back and standing up straighter.

"Yes, a spirit who is strangely like a person?" Varric points out, raising an eyebrow.
God Varric has such good points right now.

Cole walks to the other side of the room. "I don't matter. Just lock away the parts of me that someone else could knot together to make me follow."

Solas approaches him. "Focus on the amulet, tell me what you feel."

Cole closes his eyes. "Warm, soft blanket covering. But it catches tears, I'm the wrong shape. There's something..." He trails off, before turning and pointing behind us. "There, that way."

I look to where he's pointing. Couldn't he have been a little more detailed about it?
"So, now we go off and find whatever is blocking the amulet," I mumble, gently digging my foot into the stone floor.

Varric stands beside Cole. "Alright kid, get Cullen and work with him on the map to figure out where you're seeing something wrong," he says.
Cole approaches me, leaning in so close to my face that I can feel my chest rise. "Will you come with me?" He asks.

I nod, swallowing the lump in my throat. "Of course, we'll all go with you." I say, trying to lower any suspicion from either Varric or Solas who stare at us. Varric has a raised eyebrow, but he's not stupid, he can sense something going on.
Solas only glares.

"Thank you," he whispers, before he turns and walks away, out of the room and back to his little corner of the top floor of the tavern.

I watch him go.

Varric turns to Solas.
"Alright, I get it, you like spirits. But he came into this world to be a person, let him be one."

"No, Cole is a spirit. He should remain a spirit." Solas objects. Of course he would, and he should. But still...
I lower my gaze. "I want to help him, any means necessary. But deep down, I feel like he should become more human."

I regret the words instantly.

"You would taint his natural essence?!" Solas approaches me, leaning in close, eyes full of fury. "We all know why you would think that, Inquisitor," he hisses before turning away so fast that I step back.

Varric glances between us. "What was that about?"
Solas doesn't respond, he stands with his back facing us, his way of saying that our conversation is done.

I sigh. "I won't say anymore on the matter. For now, we'll let Cole mark that spot on the map. Then, we'll head there."

I turn and walk out of Solas's room, rushing to the door of my quarters in complete embarrassment. I've been trying hard to keep my feelings for Cole a secret from the others. I'll only hear there judgment. Solas isn't making it any easier, saying such things like that...

"Nalia?" Varric asks behind me. I turn around. "Yes?" I exhale, straightening my shirt, trying to avoid his eyes. He can see through me, though, plain as day. I hate it...

"Look, I don't want to involve myself in who you love. It's your business, but we have to think about Cole when it comes to this. If he becomes human, then great, but if he stays a spirit, then we need to leave it at that."

I nod, feeling fury wash over me like a wave. "Of course. I understand that, what makes you think I don't understand that?!"

I don't realize that I'm shouting until Varric raises his hands, backing up. "Don't blow up, Inquisitor." He says smartass like, walking away.

I growl and slam the door behind me.

I want what's best for Cole, but if he becomes more spirit, then...

I let myself fall to the ground, head buried in my knees. I don't want to lose him...please...don't let him go away.

He's the only one who makes me feel this way. The only one that makes me feel truly alive and happy.