Hearts for Tomorrow

Chapter Four

The first time Dorian felt the tendrils of consciousness trying to grapple him from blessed sleep was when he was aware of his pillow trying to move. He gripped at it tighter, shoving his face into the fabric with a huff about magical objects. Honestly, his magically heated body pillow was the best idea he'd had after his father pulled him away from the Minrathous slums. The mage had become so used to having a body beside him as he slept that he had become something of a cuddler.

However his pillow continued to squirm and move away, then the magic faded slowly and it cooled down in obstinate annoyance of its creator. Cursed magical items. He would deal with the disobedience when he was more fully awake... In the meantime he drifted back to the comforts of sleep.

When next he stirred, it was to the sound of a knock at the door. The servants could be so fussy about getting everything clean before Dorian was even awake to appreciate it. He groused as he shoved his face further into his pillow and cursed in filthy Tevene, things he had learned in the slums that likely soured his soul but felt so much more accurate to the aggravation of being woken when he felt so beautifully sore. The soreness that came from a good night's fuck...

Even fogged with sleep, his mind pieced together that it had been months since he had been properly taken care of. From across the room was the sound of the door opening, a deep voice strained to soften itself.

The previous day's events came rushing back all at once with enough force to startle the mage awake, sitting bolt upright as he stared across the room to where Hissrad was closing the door, single eye catching sight of Dorian. He smiled at the mage, "Welcome back to the waking world."

For a moment, Dorian's instinct made him tense and defensive. However that was quickly overpowered by the fresh memories of being claimed, a word he didn't think he could use with any of his other lovers. He found himself relaxing, breathing out a sigh as he looked down at the pillow he had been clinging to, the thoughts of his old heated pillow a phantom dream. He took another breath and pulled himself out of the sheets, nearly staggering with how his thighs trembled from the previous night's activity, "How long have you even been up?"

"Before sunrise," came the easy response. A glance out of the window told Dorian it had to be close to noon, and Hissrad added, "You had a crazy day yesterday, and I really wore you out at the end. Wanted to let you sleep." Wide silver shoulders lifted in a shrug.

"You know you're supposed to sleep in on your honeymoon right? You're bereft of responsibility," Dorian rolled his eyes at the idea of the militant Qunari waking up before the sun and doing...whatever it was they did. A closer inspection showed a thin layer of sweat on Hissrad's skin, "What were you even doing?"

"Exercises," another automatic response, "I did 'sleep in,' but then I got bored."

"Of course you did," Dorian huffed, "Well, we have 'inspection' for our room soon enough. Once that's over, we're free for a few days, then it's off to the blood-soaked shores of Seheron. I suggest you take this time to enjoy yourself," and if Dorian decided to enjoy the man later that night, well it was the perk of being married he supposed. "I plan on drinking myself into a stupor and having the beautician do my nails," he informed.

Hissrad huffed, "What, not gonna have a slave do it?"

Dorian raised his brows and frowned heavily, "Absolutely not. They would ruin the polish I'm sure. Besides, I do not support the act of slavery. Anyone who works for me is paid to do so," he furrowed his brows, knowing he needed that drink after all.

"Alright then Big Guy. I guess Krem and I will do a few laps around the property," Hissrad folded his arms and rolled his shoulders.

"Krem?" the mage felt the need to ask.