A Candle in the Darkness (A Dragon Age: Inquisition fanfiction)

Imagine My Surprise

14 Justinian, 9:42

As they rode in through the gates of Skyhold, Antonia and the Iron Bull were singing a bawdy song at the top of their lungs. Neither of them could carry a tune in a bucket, but they were enjoying themselves hugely. They had even persuaded Cole to join in, although he seemed uncertain about what the words meant.

Dismounting, Antonia looked around for Cullen, but saw no sign of him. Instead, Josephine came hurrying down the steps from the upper courtyard. "Oh, Inquisitor, you're back! Thank goodness. Perhaps you would come with me."

"Of course. Is there something wrong?" A sudden thought struck fear into her, and she grabbed Josephine's arm. "Is— Has anything happened to Cullen?"

"What? No! No, of course not."

"You would tell me, wouldn't you?"

"Yes, my friend. It's nothing like that. We have a visitor in Skyhold who has been most anxious to see you, and we have arranged to have him meet you in your quarters in a few minutes. Cullen will explain."

Antonia frowned. "This is very mysterious." She gave a sidelong look at Josephine, hurrying along at the Antivan's side. "Am I going to like this?"

"That is part of the mystery. None of us are willing to venture a guess."

"So that would be a no, then."

"I wouldn't imagine so," Josephine admitted.

"Do I have time to change?"

"You can ask Cullen. He is waiting upstairs."

Antonia decided to stop asking questions, following Josephine through the main hall. At the door to her quarters, Josephine stopped, her eyes twinkling. "I will meet you up there shortly."

"Still not going to explain?"

Josephine shook her head and hurried off. Antonia opened her door and went around the platform to the stairs. "Cullen?" she called, hurrying up them.

"There you are." He looked up from her desk, smiling, and she stifled her irritation that he was using her space. First item of business for sharing her quarters, they were putting in another desk for him.

"Josephine was very mysterious. Do you want to explain more?"

"Not really. Mostly what I want is—" He crossed the room to her, taking her face in his hands and kissing her hungrily. He pulled back to look her over. "That's all dragon's blood on your armor, right?"

"Every drop. We did much better this time—no kicking, no new scars. Lots more dragonbone being shipped back to Skyhold."

"Good." He pressed his forehead against hers. "I confess, I was worried."

"You? Worried? No, not really," Antonia scoffed, but she couldn't help smiling. Looking around the room, she frowned. "This looks awfully neat. When I left, your things were still all over the place. Rather messily for an ex-Templar, I must say."

"Roya outdid herself. We wanted to make sure everything was very clean for our guest."

"Who is this mystery guest? And why can't I change?"

"You'll see. On both counts. Also, just so you know, I did not say anything."

"What does that mean?" Antonia asked, thoroughly frustrated.

For answer, Cullen kissed her again. It had been long enough that things heated up quickly—or they would have, had Josephine's light knock not been heard at the bottom of the stairs.