"Are you sure, emma vhenan?" My love. Tamlen was hovering above Lyna, and he looked beautiful. His brown eyes were full of love and adoration for her as his fingers probed inside her, readying her for him. They had never done this, just touching and kissing before but this was so different. Anxiety coiled in her stomach, but not because this wasn't what she wanted, she was just scared of the pain.

Tamlen was everything to her. How could he even ask her if she was sure this was what she wanted? Years playing together under the keepers' watch, scaring off shemlen and learning to hunt together. A part of her always knew she loved him, that she would want him to be the one she bonded with.

"When a Dale gives themselves to another, that bond is final. Until death that bond shall never be broken, and you will be mates for life. Do you understand? Never take that decision lightly." Their keeper made that very clear to them when she caught them kissing in the woods and exploring each others' bodies just days ago, when they were to be catching rabbits for the clan's dinner.

Lyna ran her fingertips over the tattooed vines on his chest, and lifted her lips to his, kissing him deeply.

"I've never been more sure of anything, Tamlen."

Tamlen's face fell and his eyes went soft. "Ma'arlath." I love you.

As he said the words she longed to hear he pressed himself inside her and kissed her roughly, letting their moans fill each others mouths. She felt the burning of him stretching her, taking her innocence. She was his, she was always his. Now she had the proof as he lay inside of her, placing kisses along her neck when quiet tears fell from her green eyes. He was the only one to ever see her cry, and he'd simply say nothing but sit beside her, wiping away her tears and holding her when needed. He was always there, and now he could be there for her in every way. Her fingernails dug deep into his thighs to hold him just where he was inside of her, and he dared not move, so afraid hurting her more.

"Forgive me," his voice was a controlled shudder. " Do you want me to stop?"

She knew he didn't want to stop, but that he would for her.

He'd do anything for her, even protect her from the keeper's discipline and simply taking responsibility for anything she ever did, even if the keeper knew it was her. All she saw now in her fearless protector was the primal need for her that had built over the past few hours, seeing her naked before him and taking her like this. They had waited long enough. She would not deny him, and became glad when the throbbing subsided within her and turned into a dullness. She moved her hips to lower herself onto him and make him deeper, and he groaned.

Creators, so this is what it feels like to be one.

She felt so full with him, so hot under his skin and we was so good with his hands running over just the right spot of her breasts, taking her nipples in between his fingers and tweaking them just perfectly as he hit her spot and she let out a cry that died on her lips when she realized she forgot where she was.

All the nerves that coiled in her stomach left her in a loud giggle. This was silly! Tamlen was no stranger. He was not scary, and he would never hurt her on purpose. The seriousness of the moment died and smiles adorned their faces as she flipped him back, straddling him and sheathing him inside of her. His groans felt so good, like fire in her belly and he was so thick, she let out a gasp when he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her in for kisses that left her breathless as his hips bucked, pushing himself deep inside of her.

"I want you to bare my children. I want to grow old with you. I want my life to end in your arms. Never leave me."

He pounded hard and his words left her blushing as she reached the height of her pleasure, and he slowed then to a teasing pace.

She groaned and tried to push her hips down onto him, but he held her in place.

"Promise me you'll never leave me." His lips were pressed against his ears, his teeth grated as he tried to keep his pace.

She bit into his shoulder and he growled, her nails digging into his back and burning her promise into his skin. "I will never leave you. I would die first, vhenan'ara." My heart's desire.

With that he seemed to become enraptured with need and they sent each other into oblivion whispering promises of love and devotion until Lyna collapsed onto Tamlen, ignoring the thin layer of sweat covering their skin while they clung to each other in the Ferelden summer heat.

Lyna was woken up by the feel of Tamlen's fingers carding through her hair, her sleepy eyes slowly registering his broad shoulders and her fingers falling upon the muscles of his arms, a smile dawning on her face.

"Tamlen...I love you."

The feel of him shifting to hold her flush to him, skin to skin as they lay naked under the sheets and the feel of the sun that peaked through the opening of her tent warmed her.

"I love you too."

The thought of spending every morning this way filled her with the need to feel him again despite how sore she felt inside. She ignored the impulse to rest and instead, they began to make love once more before they went to see the keeper.

No doubt she knew they were together last night, and no doubt they had some answers they needed to provide. However they'd worry about that later. For now, they had some lost time to make up for, and lots of exploring to do.