Chapter Text
She’d been such a fool!
The Templars circled in, the main hall shrinking as their presence dominated the room. Neria took a step back, her gaze whipping about for the first enchanter. Was this her reward for betraying Jowan to follow the rules? How could she have been so stupid as to trust that the first enchanter would look out for her?
She closed her eyes, steeling herself before lifting her chin faintly. She’d done nothing wrong, and she’d warned Jowan that his path was pure folly. Mages and Templars could not coexist. She knew that. Maker how well she knew that. Her eyes locked on the stiff unyielding frame Ser Cullen. He was golden strength wrapped in duty and purpose.
As she gazed at him, she knew why she’d let herself wander down such a stupid path. Jealousy. That Jowan could unite with his Templar lover when all she had to cling to were midnight fantasies and an abandoned leather glove that she kept tucked safely beneath her pillow. Oh her reasons had developed along the way, but that first twinge…that had been pure selfish anger and now Andraste would see that she paid for it.
She forced her attention to the doorway where Knight Lieutenant Gregoir was marching forward. He was angry, but there was no surprise there. “This looks bad.” She murmured.
“Not a thrall at all. She appears fully cognizant of her choices.” Gregoir shook his head, his mouth twisting with disgust. “I’m disappointed in you Lilly.” He turned his head as though looking at her were unpalatable and added, “Take her to Aeonar.”
“T-the mage prison?” Lilly inched back. “Please. Not there.”
“Execute the blood mage.” Gregoir continued as though the priestess had not spoken, and Neria cringed. She had no love for Jowan, but she had not wished death upon him. She’d assumed they’d make him tranquil as planned. Not this. The Templars marched forward, intent on their duties, and she closed her eyes, not wishing to watch.
“No!” Jowan’s voice ricocheted through the room followed by the clatter of his staff. Neria jerked, her eyes popping open as they locked on him. For a moment the world seemed to slow down, time itself freezing as she watched her friend yank a small dagger from his hip and slash it across his palm.
Blood magic. There was no greater sin. Somehow she felt the Chantry would excuse even murder before it accepted the use of blood magic. She stood paralyzed, but the moment didn’t last long as Jowan released blast of energy that threw the entire ground back in a telekinetic slam just powerful enough to allow him to run.
She still couldn’t wrap her mind around the facts. Jowan had resorted to Blood Magic. As if the Templars didn’t hate them enough, he actually thought to justify the use of that horrid alternative? She glanced at the First Enchanter and knew no matter how selfish her reasons, she’d been right to tell him. She watched the Gregoir dispatch the Templars even as they hauled Lilly from the room. She was just turning back to Irving when her attention was snagged by Cullen, who was watching her with something akin to…what? Was it approval? Was she reading more into his expression because she was so desperate for it to be more? She licked her lips, and he seemed to realize she’d caught him staring for he whipped away and followed after the retreating Templars.
“Neria?” Irving prodded gently.
She turned back to him and smiled weakly. “Sorry First Enchanter…”
“Nonsense child. Come along, you’ve work to do.”
“Of course first enchanter…”
-- Weeks Later --
“Good morning Ser Cullen.” Neria offered a faint smile to the Templar standing guard in the corridor. “I didn’t expect to see you out here today.”
Cullen looked down, a muscle flexing in his jaw. “Jorda wanted to spend some time in the practice arena so I agreed to her shift.”
“Well then I guess that makes today my lucky day.”
“Oh?” Cullen glanced up in surprise.
“Yes, I need some help moving some of the stores out for Enchanter Corinth. She recommended I ask the Templar on duty.” Now she was grinning, but she couldn’t help it. He had the most adorable blush. “Come now Ser Cullen, I promise not to use any of my feminine wiles or magic on you.” She flashed a wink at him, wondering at her own daring before she turned and headed for the store rooms.
Cullen waivered a moment, but it was a quiet morning and most of the mages were still asleep. In fact it was uncommon for mages to be up so early, but Neria tended to keep odd hours. It was one of the many things he liked about her. He glanced around the hall once more before he finally moved after her, and if his eyes drifted lower than they should have…well there was no one about to comment on it.
Several hours and more crates than he could count later Cullen collapsed back against the rock face and shook his head. “So when you said ‘a few things’ what you meant was the entire storeroom.” At some point during the moving he’d ditched his plate, stacking it haphazardly near the doorway, though he was still sweating. How the dwarves survived with so little airflow he would never know.
Flushed and out of breath, Neria shook her head. “No, but I had no idea it was such a disaster in here. Apparently it has been a while since anyone bothered with cataloguing. It’s a wonder we’ve been able to find anything at all.” She mused, her brow furrowing as she moved toward him. “This is much better though, don’t you-” Her foot snagged on a loose burlap sack. With a yelp, she threw her arms out to catch herself, but instead of scraping along the unforgiving floor of the storeroom, she found herself swept up in the simple tunic clad arms of the Templar she wasn’t suppose to like and did.
“Easy now.” Cullen said, his entire being stilling as he adjusted his grip. “I’ve got you.” He murmured, and when she glanced up at him, her luminescent eyes wide with surprise, something within him calmed. She wasn’t the type for trysts and devious machinations. Despite the magic coursing through her veins, she was an innocent soul. Without thinking he reached up to brush back a stray curl that always managed to escape the simple bun she kept her hair in. Her eyes followed the movement, and then fluttered closed as his hand caressed along her cheek.
The air had seized in her lungs and she couldn’t have drawn breath if she’d wanted to. No dream had ever come close to the tantalizing reality of being in Ser Cullen’s arms. Warmth pierced her entire being, filling her from the inside out. Reaching up she caught his hand, turning her face into is as though she could capture the sensation…hold onto it. A moment like this was unlikely to happen again.
Then you should seize the moment.
Once that thought slid across her mind, there was no ignoring it. She knew it was true, and when he didn’t pull away from her grasp, she took courage. Whetting her lips, she opened her eyes and met his before she leaned up and brushed her lips across his.
A butterfly’s wings could not have been softer. Cullen’s grip at her waist firmed as he drew her inexorably closer. He knew of other Templars that visited local brothels, but he’d chosen to keep his focus on the Maker’s work. In that moment though, nothing else the Maker had ever created could have matched up to the perfection of holding Neria in his arms. “Maker forgive me…” he whispered huskily, his own eyes shuttering when her tiny, capable fingers curled into his hair.
“He will.” Neria breathed, pressing closer.
“Ser Cullen?”
They sprang apart as though lightning had just struck between them. “I’m almost done here Ser Cullen, you ahh… you go ahead.” Neria said quickly, keeping her face half buried in the shelves she’d ended up near.
“Ahh…right.” Cullen jerked his head, another flush staining his cheeks even as he moved forward hurriedly and gathered up his plate.
“Are you finished? Enchanter Corinth told me she advised the mage to seek out your help. I can send another to help if you still require assistance?”
“No thank you…I really am almost done. Thank you Ser Cullen. I couldn’t have done it without you.”
“Of course.” He inclined his chin stiffly, but as he turned away, he knew he would not soon forget the moment.