Antivan Nights

Lynx had been up since the break of dawn. The habits of a lifetime were hard to shake, and besides, she enjoyed being out in the cool morning air. The heat of the Northern sun was something she would never quite grow accustomed to. Still, she loved their old villa, high up on a hillside overlooking Antiva City. She adored its cool patios, its pillared colonnades and its brightly whitewashed walls covered in green vines, the tinkling fountains in the many small courtyards and the beautifully painted lifelike murals. If she had to live within stone walls instead of out in the forest, this was as good as it got.

She entered by way of the dark, roomy kitchen, leaving the three pheasants she had shot during the morning's hunt on the huge oaken table for Cook to prepare later. Taking a moment to put aside her longbow, she headed for the study where she knew she would find her love.

Zevran couldn't care less about breakfast. A tiny cup of strong black coffee was all he needed before embarking on the day's business. Pausing in the doorway, she took a moment to look at the man she loved. He was perched on the edge of his desk, conversing easily with a client from one of the most important merchant families in town. Looking at him, she wondered how she could ever have thought him beautiful back in Ferelden, when his appearance there had been but a pale shadow of the man she saw before her now.

His skin was deeply bronzed by the sun, his golden hair woven through with lighter strands. He was clad in dark leather pants and a deceptively simple loose white shirt that showed off the smooth golden skin of his neck and forearms, the artful embroidery visible only on closer inspection. But it was his attitude that made all the difference. When they had come here after the Blight to take over the Crows and deal with his ancient enemies, she had marvelled at the change this had wrought in him.

Here, among his own people, in the heat of his native sun, Zevran had truly come into his own, a prince among assassins, confident to the point of arrogance, lethally ruthless towards his opponents yet full of warmth and protectiveness towards his associates. Even now he was grasping his visitor's hand firmly between his own and smiling benevolently.

"My thanks, Ser Lapo. I am in your debt. Whenever you need me, don't hesitate to let me know. I'll be there."

The man smiled back, bowing deeply. "Grazie, padrone."

With a respectful nod at Lynx, the man withdrew. Zevran came forward to greet her with outstretched arms. "Cuore mio! Have you been hunting?"

She nodded and cuddled up against his firm, strong body. "Will you join me for breakfast?"

"If you so desire." The heated look he threw her made it abundantly clear that he would be more than ready to fulfil all her other desires as well. Lynx swallowed as a wave of lust washed through her body, making her skin tingle. How could he still have that effect on her after all those years?

He smiled, having read her reaction with ease, and followed her through the doorway to the dining room where the table was set for two. A huge platter of fruit formed the centrepiece of the table, but he ignored it, reaching for a small, sweet pastry instead. They ate together, mostly in silence, interrupted only by the occasional remark about their plans for the day. Lynx had just finished her coffee and was ready to go, when Melissa, their pretty house servant, announced a visitor.

Zevran opened the sealed envelope she handed him and raised an eyebrow when a small golden token fell out of it. Lynx picked it up, eyeing it curiously. She knew what it meant. An old friend, calling in a favour. She looked at Zevran, a question in her eyes.

"Isabela." He chewed his lip, lost in thought. "Our visitor is a close friend of hers, it seems, and she asks me to find a place for him."

Lynx' eyes narrowed. "Can you be sure this message is really from her?"

Zevran nodded slowly. "It's the token I gave her, without any doubt. As for the rest... Call him in, will you?" He beckoned for Melissa to leave and she did so with a saucy smile and a toss of her head. Lynx bit back a smile. She loved the girl's attitude, the fire flashing in her black eyes.

Within minutes, Melissa returned with the visitor. Zevran's face remained expressionless at the sight of the stranger, thanks to years of training, but Lynx had a hard time hiding her surprise.

He was an elf, but unusually tall for one, and well-muscled. His hair was stark white, contrasting sharply with the warm olive tone of his skin, but his most striking feature were the swirling silvery tattoos that covered nearly every visible inch of his body. He looked exotic and beautiful and dangerous. Intoxicating.

As he entered, he inclined his head politely and fixed them both in turn with his large expressive green eyes. "Zevran Arainai. My name is Fenris. Isabela sends her love."

His voice was deep and silky, almost like a caress, and there was the barest hint of an accent there, in the way he carefully enunciated the words.

Zevran's expression remained unchanged. "You're a friend of our lovely pirate queen?"

A small, crooked smile ghosted over the stranger's features. "Friend, companion, occasional lover... Just like you, from what I gather."

Zevran threw his head back and laughed, but his eyes remained wary. "True." He was on his feet and crossed the room in an incredibly fast, slithering motion, coming face to face with Fenris, his hand on the hilt of his dagger. "Tell me something about her only a true friend would know."

Fenris considered for a moment, then leant in closer and whispered a few words in Zevran's ear. The assassin's face brightened and he chuckled quietly. This time the smile reached his eyes and he extended a hand to grasp Fenris forearm in a firm handshake.

"Welcome to my home then, amico, and please forgive me for erring on the side of caution. One can never be too careful, no?"

Fenris nodded earnestly. "I do not blame you." His gaze wandered back to Lynx. "Is this-?"

Zevran's smile widened. "Let me introduce you to Lynx Mahariel, Hero of Ferelden, Slayer of the Archdemon."

Fenris inclined his head respectfully. "I am honoured."

Lynx smiled at him shyly. "Welcome, Fenris. Our home is yours."

"If you don't mind my question..." Zevran had cocked his head a little to the side studying Fenris' expression. "You and our gorgeous pirate are obviously close. Why are you not at her side now?"

A shadow crossed the elf's face. "You are familiar with what happened in Kirkwall?" When Zevran nodded, he continued, his voice carefully devoid of emotion. "Isabela... She is with Hawke. They left together."

Lynx sensed a story behind his sparse words, but it was obvious he didn't want to talk about it. At least not yet. Zevran took her hand and gave it a brief squeeze before addressing Fenris again.

"You're welcome to stay here as long as you want, but what are your plans? And why have you come to Antiva?"

Fenris shrugged. "I don't have any other place to be. Isabela talked of you often and she seemed to think you'd have use for me. As for my plans... I was trained as a bodyguard. If you are in need of such, I will gladly serve you in exchange for my bread and board."

Zevran's eyebrows flew up. "A bodyguard! Well, if you are as good as I believe you might be..." He ran an appraising glance over Fenris' wiry, powerful physique. "We will have to see, but if you are any good, your services will be worth far more than that."

Fenris shrugged. "If you so wish, I will gladly show you what I can do."

"I think I should like that very much." Zevran's grin had taken on a predatory note. "Join me in the practice court, amico. I am eager to judge your prowess."

Lynx took the lead as they walked to the back of the villa, and Fenris, who followed her with Zevran at his side, couldn't resist sneaking occasional glances at her while trying to focus on his conversation with the assassin. The Hero of Ferelden.

She didn't look all that impressive, at least not at first sight. A Dalish elf like so many others he had met, slim and pale with jet-black hair and dark brown eyes, her face heavily tattooed in the manner of her people. Her figure was slight to the point of seeming fragile, but as soon as she rose up from her seat, he realized that the first impression was deceptive. She moved with the stealthy grace of a large cat, as befit her name. And her face was really quite beautiful, in a cool and distanced way. He wondered if she ever laughed. So far, she'd been serious and quiet, projecting an intense focus that made him slightly nervous.

When they reached the quiet backyard set aside for weapon practice, Zevran motioned to a well-stocked weapons rack. "Take your pick, my friend. What is your weapon of choice?"

Fenris shook his head. "I brought my own."

At Zevran's signal, a servant boy raced off to fetch his greatsword from the entrance hall where he had left it, having been informed very politely that unannounced visitors didn't bring their weapons to an audience with a Crow Grand Master.

When Fenris pulled the blade from its scabbard, Zevran gave a low whistle. "A beautiful weapon. Very unusual. What material is this?"

"Aurum." Fenris handed him the sword for inspection. "It is called a Blade of Mercy. They are highly sought after in the Tevinter Imperium."

"Ah." Zevran nodded. "You're from Tevinter, aren't you? I knew your accent was familiar."

"I am, yes." It took some effort to keep his voice level, even now that he had left his past so far behind him. "The blade was a gift from Hawke, however." Back when he still called me friend.

The assassin gestured for him to take position in the yard and sauntered over to the weapons rack, picking two slim longswords and running his thumb over their blades to test their sharpness.

"You're going to face me yourself?" Fenris was surprised. He'd expected to be pitted against lesser opponents first.

Zevran shrugged. "If you can't best me, what would be the point in making you my bodyguard? I could easily deal with an attack myself."

Fenris hesitated. "I'm not sure I can best you. But I believe I can hold my own."

The assassin grinned, a cold humourless smile that sent a chill along Fenris' spine. "Show me."

Lynx had withdrawn to the sidelines, but she was watching every move they made with intense concentration. Fenris forced himself not to be distracted by her. He would need his wits about him to deal with Zevran.

They exchanged a few cautious blows, Zevran dancing easily out of reach of the massive greatsword, but both knew this was just foreplay, a mere testing of each other's strengths. Even so, the assassin's first serious attack nearly took Fenris by surprise. Moving with inhuman speed, Zevran lunged past him, whirling around to aim for his vulnerable back, but he caught himself just in time and jumped out of reach, facing his opponent again, sword in hand.

Zevran laughed in obvious delight and immediately spun into a second attack, and then another, never letting up, leaving Fenris nearly breathless with the effort of parrying and evading his twin blades. But then Zevran lost his footing for a split second, and Fenris immediately took advantage of it to press an attack of his own. He ended up cursing his own foolishness as the assassin's face split into a feral grin, revealing the stumbling to have been a mere feint to draw him out of cover. Fenris flinched in pain as the other man's sword grazed his forearm, drawing blood.

"If this was a serious fight, my blade would be poisoned and you would be dead," Zevran commented dryly.

Fenris stepped back a little, lowering his sword. "If this was a serious fight and you had gotten that close to me, you would be dead," he replied.

"Oh? How so?" Zevran seemed genuinely intrigued, and Lynx was watching both of them with renewed interest.

Fenris swallowed. He hadn't meant to let them see the full extent of his powers, not yet, but he realized it would be foolish to keep that knowledge from Zevran. With a sigh, he let his markings light up and passed his gauntleted hand through Zevran's right arm, ignoring Lynx' cry of shock.

The assassin grew pale for a moment, but then his eyes lit up, shining with amazement. "Brasca! How is this possible?"

"My brands are pure lyrium. They allow me to reach into the Fade." Fenris withdrew his hand, letting the glow dim. He wondered how much more he needed to explain, but obviously his hosts were both familiar enough with magic to understand the implications of what he told them.

Lynx appeared at his side, reaching out for his bare arm. "May I touch them?"

Fenris held his breath. He wasn't in the habit of allowing anyone to handle his tattoos and could count the exceptions on one hand. Bethany or Anders, when they had healed him. Isabela during their occasional nights together. Sebastian, once, when he had been drunk and the other man had helped him undress. And then of course- but that had been a rare exception. Yet there was something in Lynx' sober, quiet gaze that made him nod.

Her hands were cool and her touch light as a feather, yet he felt it all the way to his bones and he couldn't suppress a shiver.

"I'm sorry." She let go immediately. "Do they hurt?"

He shook his head. "No. It's just-"

Zevran spared him further explanations by cutting in. "Whatever else they do, they make you a force to be reckoned with, and I would be glad to have you at my side. At our side." He smiled affectionately at Lynx. "Not to mention that having a bodyguard who looks as exotic and dangerous as you should be enough to frighten off most attackers. Come on, let's talk terms."

Fenris followed him back into the study, casting a last curious glance at Lynx. She had raised her hand to her lips, as if she wanted to taste him on her skin. He barely suppressed a shudder, aware of Zevran's sharp eyes watching him.

Zevran stretched languorously on the big bed, frowning when he noted the slight strain in his muscles left over from the vigorous fight against Fenris. He would really have to make a bigger effort to stay in shape.

Lynx was slowly undressing, and he watched her appreciatively, purring with delight when she joined him naked under the sheets. For all her Dalish modesty, she had been easily persuaded to forego nightclothes here in the warmer climate of his home, and he loved sleeping naked next to her, skin on skin. Well, not just sleeping, obviously.

Pulling her close, he blew an errant lock of hair away from her smooth forehead. "So, cuore mio... what do you make of our handsome guest?"

Lynx shrugged, pretending to be disinterested, but he wasn't fooled. "He's handsome, as you say. And he seems to have a lot of secrets. But I believe he will make a marvellous bodyguard if he proves to be trustworthy."

Zevran was unable to resist teasing her further. "And that's all there is?"

She frowned. "Of course. What else would there be?"

His fingers began to paint small circles on the skin of her shoulders, a particularly sensitive spot for her, as he well knew. "I was under the impression that you found him... desirable."

Lynx' sharp intake of breath made him smile to himself. Ah, my sweet, demure woodland creature. It's still so easy to shock you. True, she was nowhere as innocent as she had been when he had first bedded her, back at their camp in Ferelden. It was one of his most exquisite memories, that first night with her, overcoming her shyness with gentle caresses, drawing her out until she finally gave herself over completely to her pleasure, to the delights he could offer her. Since then, they had come a long way, and she usually felt safe enough in his arms to admit to any secret desire she might harbour. Yet the mere thought of making love to another still had her blush and tremble.

She hadn't answered him, and he was struck by a sudden urge to take this further. "Well, cara mia?" His hands were all over her body, teasing and stroking, and she responded eagerly, gasping sharply as he slid one of them between her thighs and parted them with a soft, insistent touch. "Isn't it true?"

"What?" It was almost comical, the way she tried to deflect his line of questioning. But he wouldn't have that.

In one smooth move, he slid to the foot of the bed, spreading her legs wide and dipping his head between them to taste her. She cried out in surprise, but her cry turned into a long moan as his tongue danced across her heat, seeking out each spot guaranteed to make her helpless with desire.

"You want him, don't you?" His voice was low, almost a growl, as he refused to let her recover, delving deeper into her yielding flesh, flicking his tongue harder against her until her body arched up and she tried to wriggle out of his grasp. But he held her down firmly, his hands tightening on her narrow hips, and she whimpered at the intensity.

"Zevran, please." It was almost a whine.

He knew she was close, but he also knew he could keep her perched on the edge forever if he wanted. "He is beautiful and exciting. And I saw the way you looked at him. Do you want him?"

Her head tossed from side to side on the pillow. "I want you. Now. Please."

He positioned himself carefully at her entrance, slipping inside her just a little, his legs pinning her down when she tried to draw him in deeper. "I know you want me, dolcezza, but do you want him?" His voice took on a sharp edge as he kept teasing her with just the barest hint of what she wanted from him. "Do you want him inside you, his hands on your skin, his lips hot on your breasts? Do you?"

Lynx' eyes were hazy with lust as she caught his gaze, finally giving in. "You know I do. Yes. I do."

With a small sound of triumph, he sank deep inside her, revelling in her sighs, almost overcome by the instant sense of connection he felt with her. Only with her, never with another woman. And he knew she felt it too, knew it from the way the tiny lines of anger immediately disappeared from the corners of her mouth, from the expression in her eyes as she looked up at him, so open, so full of love that he was utterly helpless in the face of it.

They fell into a rhythm with the ease of familiarity, their bodies so attuned to each other that they reached their release within moments of each other, locked in a tight embrace, their lips whispering soft endearments. Afterwards he held her, kissing her pale face over and over.

"I love you so much, cuore mio." He felt a tinge of guilt for teasing her so mercilessly.

She looked at him searchingly, then laughed. "I'll never understand you, Zevran Arainai. You make me tell you I desire another and then you affirm your love for me. Shouldn't you be angry at me?"

He shrugged graciously with one shoulder. "Why? I knew it anyway. All I wanted was for you to be honest with me, and I'm glad you were. I'm not afraid, cara. I know that no matter how tempting he may be, no matter how far this goes, you'll always be mine."

"What do you mean, 'no matter how far this goes'?" Her ears had pricked up almost physically at his words. Brasca! He should have known she would pick up on this. Should he push it further? Should he admit to the attraction he himself felt toward the gorgeous stranger? No. Not yet. She would need time to get used to the idea.

"It won't go any further than you want to, cara, you know that." He kissed her again, suppressing a yawn. "Come on now. It's time for us to sleep."

She made a face and he knew he hadn't fully convinced her. But she seemed willing to let it rest for tonight. In his arms, she drifted off to sleep and he followed her into the Fade soon after.

Big hugs and thanks to zevgirl who beta'ed this for me.