Áine is a mage from Kinloch Tower. She was there during the blight and had Cullen as one of her acquaintances.
She fell in love with him but was too shy to say something about it. Nevertheless, he was in love with her friend Amell and didn't know sh...
Cullen tries to make Áine more comfortable but ends up doing exactly what he didn't intend to.
He also takes the opportunity to do what he wanted to do in the Winter Palace.
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Cullen's eyelids were heavy with sleepy too, but given the place they were and how deep into the land of dream Áine was, he had to keep himself awake in case anyone decided to come by. The fact that he loved watching her sleep, that he couldn't stop admiring her, had nothing to do with it too.
Cullen heard the wind howling outside the window and carefully stood up to put more firewood in the fireplace. He looked at Áine, and the yellow light danced on her peaceful features.
She was curled up on his coat, but her leg rested on the crude floor, and he wasn't going to let it happen. He went upstairs and took sheets and blankets to cover her. On his way back, he knocked his knee on the nightstand and heard her call his name.
"I'm coming. Just a second." He threw the blankets downstairs and descended the ladder.
Áine waited for him near the fireplace wearing his coat, but it was too big for her, and she had to fold it to be able to cover herself. She saw him pick up the blankets and walk in her direction. His naked body a delightful view.
"You were sleeping on the ground, and I didn't want to wake you... we can go upstairs..." He stopped mid-sentence under her intense glare. "Is everything alright?" He hurried to be beside her.
"Yes... No... I mean..." She sighed. "I don't want to lose you again." Running her fingers through her hair, she turned her back to him.
"You won't." He took some hair from her shoulder and rested his chin on it while holding her waist. "I'm here, and I'm not going anywhere."
They watched the flames in the fireplace and the occasional burning ash in the air. Áine started humming, and Cullen closed his eyes, listening.
Áine felt him moving their bodies from one side to the other in the song's rhythm, and his arms embrace her. He pulled her close and planted small kisses on her cheek and neck.
When she stopped humming, he started, and his hand held hers. He spun her and placed one of his hands on the small of her back, and intertwined the other one. He gently pulled her closer, and she rested her head on his chest while he moved their bodies from one side to the other of the room. Two steps to the left followed by two to the right.
He spun her once again and watched her curls flying, her giggle a blessing. He let her hand go and bowed in her direction, a gesture she repeated, allowing the coat to move freely on her skin.
Áine took the hand he offered and felt her body being pulled to him. She placed her arms around his neck when he lifted her from the ground and pivoted around his office.
He stopped, and her feet once again touched the cold ground. His right hand held her right hand, and they bowed to each other. The same was done with the other hands.
The song was done, but the dancing wasn't over. He stopped humming, but Áine started it again, and they were only finished when they both hummed at the same time, and the song came to an end. Cullen's mouth claiming Áine's.
They laughed, and he started going upstairs to their bed, but she organized the sheets and blankets on the floor near the fireplace and waited for him to join her.
The snowstorm still raged outside. They could hear the wind howling and screeching, but that was their moment. Nature could cry and yell, but what in other people's eyes would be terrible weather and even a sign that they being together was wrong, to them was the opposite. Mother nature kept the others away with her unquestionable force giving them a chance to rediscover themselves. To find love again.
Cullen lay down beside her. Resting on his side and leaning on his elbow, he traced her skin with his fingertips. They talked about nothing, didn't say anything, and still, promises were made without words. A new life was established through fingertips.
Áine held his hand when his fingers reached her belly, and he saw the sadness in her hazel eyes. He watched as the tears started to form and, with a smile, kissed the tip of her nose.
"It wasn't your fault. It was nobody's fault," He said loud for her, the Maker, and whoever wanted to hear. "Everything will be fine now. We will be fine because we are here." He took her hand to his chest near his heart so she could feel it beating. "I will always love you." He planted his hand on her belly and whispered in her ear, "I'm yours."
Cullen raised his head and saw her lips curved up and smiling eyes. The tears were shooed away by his touch on her cheek and a promising kiss on her lips.
He heard her deep breathing and thought she was sleeping, so Cullen restarted admiring her, but he was surprised when she addressed him with a lazy voice.
"You dance wonderfully well for a templar."
Cullen moved his body closer to hers, and soon they met in the land of dreams.
