The Golden Halla and The Dread Wolf

Chapter 6

6
A date? Evangeline thought. She hadn't been on a date since Solas and most of their dates happened in the fade.  Evangeline didn't think that Cullen thought of her in such a way. Did  Evangeline think of Cullen that way? Well of course she did, ever since they first met but it was Solas who stole her heart. No matter where he was Solas would always have a piece of her heart, she will never completely heal. But hopefully Cullen can at least make her happy.
"Inquisitor?" Cullen interrupted her thoughts.
"Huh?" Her mind came back from the deepest part of her thoughts. Cullen had brought her to Val Royeaux even though he didn't have much of a plan. In fact this was Mia's idea so Cullen didn't really know what to do. He already got tongue tided when he talked. "Sorry I just thinking."
"I have something for you." Cullen started to cradle his neck with one hand like he always does when he's nervous. Evangeline finally noticed that Cullen had one arm hidden behind his back. She smiled while trying to peak behind him. "It's nothing really" he removed his arm from his back to reveal a single red rose in his hand. Evangeline hesitated for a moment but then gladly took it from him. The ends of her pointed ears began to twitch just a bit which usually only happened when she was extremely happy. It was one of Cullen's favorite things about her. He called it the little things. It was the things like her half smile when she was being sassy, the way she crinkled her nose when she was concentrating, or the dimples in her cheeks when she smiled. But his favorite was when the ends of her ears wiggled when she was happy and content. "It was my sisters idea but-"
"I love it" She rose up to her tippy toes and kissed Cullen on the cheek. When Evangeline looked upon his face all she saw was astonishment. His eyes were wide and his cheeks were turning red. "Is commander Cullen blushing?" She did the sassy half smile that he adored so much which only made him blush more.
"Oh makers breath."
"Oh come on you choir boy" she lightly elbowed him in the side. "I'm starving, let's go eat." She started walking ahead of him. He let out a sigh of relief because he had been holding his breath the whole time. He just watched her walk down the path. Her red curls bouncing with each step. His face must have been as red as a tomato. He didn't know this but she was just as nervous as he was although she didn't show it.

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"What do you think they are talking about?" Lyra asked Mia. Her hands were tangled up in the child's hair as she was attempting to style it. Lyra had red hair that seemed to be even more curly than her mothers. So naturally it was hard to deal with.
"I don't know Lyra, it could be anything." Mia told the small child. "Maybe dragons."
"Dragons!" Lyra say forward to look back at Mia.
"Yes." Mia turned the child back around. "Cullen has told me stories of how Evangeline enjoys hunting them. Has your mother told any such stories?"
"Not really" Lyra shrugged. They were silent for a moment as Mia kept fighting with the child's tangled hair. "What about my dad?"
"Excuse me?"
"Do you know him?"
"I know of him, why?"
"Momma tells me nothing."
"I can't tell you, you'll have to ask your mother."

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"So in a couple of weeks it's your birthday." Cullen blurted out in attempted to make small talk with Evie. "Evie?" Cullen said again when she didn't answer. Her mind, once again, was else where.
"Yes?" Evangeline looked back up at him. "Sorry what were you saying?"
"Your birthday is coming up."
"Yeah I know, let's not talk about it."
"Oh well this is awkward." Cullen rubbed the back of his neck. Evie cocked her head in confusion. "Empress Celene is having a big celebration at the Winter Palace in your honor."
"How lovely." Evie thought about how the last time she was there was the time she saw Solas. "I guess I have to go, a party at a palace in my honor? Sounds like fun." Evangeline lied she didn't want to go but it would rude not to. It would be rude to say no to an Empress.
"Evie you don't have to go if you don't want to."
"It's fine, it will be fun." She pushed the food around on her plate. Maybe she wouldn't think about Solas the entire time. Maybe she could be distracted enough to not think about it. The only one who as ever been capable of that is Cullen. He makes her forget, for the most part, about Solas. Some days are worse than other and those days nothing will help Evie forget about Solas. "Thank you for taking me out today Cullen."  She reached across the table and took his hand. "I had fun."