Dragon Knight-Commander (A Cullen Rutherford Shapeshifter Romance)

Chapter 28

'Kitten, thank you for defending me in there,' said Cullen into my mind as he flew me to the North towards his troops, in his hand, foot.

'Of course, my darling,' I said back to him in my head, loving that I could just speak to him whenever I wanted, like having a dragon mobile phone connection.

'What is "darling"? Is it like "hunky"?'

'Um, sort of. It's leaning more towards my love for you rather than my admiration of your body.'

'I like this word. You will me call me this. I like "hunky" too.'

I laughed out loud, then laughed in my mind so he could actually hear me.

'You looked very sweet, arguing with Leliana. It made me want to throw you down in the furs.'

'Cullen, everything I do makes you want to throw me down in the furs.'

'Yes.'

We spotted the Inquisition's camp. Cullen aimed downwards towards a copse of trees where he could change into his armour.

'They won't like it,' said Cullen as he landed and let me climb down.

'I will make them like it.'

'And that is all you will do, or we turn back now. Remember - you are here purely to speak to Maxwell, Cassandra and your other companions.'

'Yes, darling.'

I think I heard him smile, then frown. 'To be crystal clear, you will not go near any darkspawn, you are not part of the battle plan,' he said in his commanding voice.

'Yes, darling.' He couldn't hear my heartbeat, just my mind.

'Kitten,' he growled.

Goddamns dragon lie detector.

When he shifted back to human form, he thrust both hands through his hair.

I knew he was worried about talking to his troops. I walked up to him, gave him a big hug and said, 'Leliana's spies and Josie's diplomats are all currently spreading the story about Andraste choosing you and ordering you to lead the Inquisition. It makes more sense to tell your troops that, so we keep a consistent message.'

'I won't lie to my men, kitten. They've put their life in my hands more times than I can count. I owe them the truth. I will say my truth.'

Bloody stubborn dragon.

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'Why the Maker didn't you tell us before?' Dorian said then lowered his voice suggestively. 'Are you big?'

Varric snorted and the tension eased in the tent. Cullen rolled his eyes and grinned. I could have kissed Dorian.

'Actually,' Dorian said. 'Have your muscles grown bigger since we last saw you?'

Cassandra said in a clipped voice, 'We could have used a dragon fighting for us at so many battles. Look how effective you were at Skyhold. Why hide it?'

'You know why I hid it. I would have been kicked out of the Inquisition. But also my dragon can't fight with my troops around. It's too dangerous. My fire is fire. I can't risk roasting my own soldiers. I took that risk at Skyhold because we were losing. We were outnumbered and unprepared. When it comes to this fight with Samson, I will go in alone.'

Cassandra stood stiffly. She tapped a foot. 'I must say, I thought we were friends. I have confided many things to you. I fight by your side. I cannot conceive why you didn't tell me before.'