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Wicked Game - Emmrich and Emlygil (Rook) - Chapter 24

Chapter summary: Lessons in anatomy.

NSFW warning: discussions about sex, cunnilingus, fingering, breast play, breastfeeding, slight Oedipal complex, dry humping, implied blow-job.

This bitch is nearly 10k words, y’all…

You can also read on Ao3 here

Chapter 24 - Thief of Heart and Stone

Neve was cautious about entering the library.

She was not expecting to find Emlygil bent over the shelves as Emmrich had his way with her - as Taash had ‘helpfully’ informed them - they were not having sex. But if the hickey, almost hidden on Emlygil’s neck, was anything to go by, they were certainly exploring their relationship. Neve chose not to point this out, knowing how Emlygil liked her privacy, and also knowing how well this particular group of supposed adults reacted to such discoveries. She could only pray that her and Lucanis could remain a secret just that little bit longer.

She stepped through the library doors and didn’t hear any high pitched moans or low grunts, but the place was vast, so Neve risked it.

“Emmrich? Emlygil? Are you in here?” she shouted to give them a chance to stop and redress if needed.

“Neve, why are you screaming? We’re right here,” a soft voice said next to her. Neve looked around the corner of a nearby shelf and saw the couple looking up at her, very much clothed and sitting at a table, both with open notebooks and textbooks open to specific pages. They looked as if they were studying for something.

“Ah there you are, what are you two up to?”

“Emlygil is continuing to teach me Elvish. How can we help, Neve?” Emmrich said looking to his partner, beaming with pride. Neve couldn’t help the fond smile lifting the corners of her lips, before quickly correcting herself.

“We have a woman in Dock Town: Sabina, a city elf, she’s an informant for the Shadow Dragons. She’s lost her husband and last she heard, he was going to The Snake Nest. I wondered if you might want to help, it’s been a while since you’ve checked in with the Shadow Dragons, ever since…” Neve didn’t finish her sentence, and looked uncertainly at Emlygil, but they all knew what she was referring to.

Since Emlygil saw how her kind lived in Minrathous. Since she walked their destitute and dangerous shanty towns. Since she let her seething anger consume her and she nearly ripped the head off of a Venatori agent while tracking down Damas.

“I will come with you Neve,” Emlygil said agreeably.

“Why don’t I come with you two?” Emmrich asked. “I myself haven’t returned to Minrathous since…that day.” He added uncomfortably. Emlygil smirked and waved her feather quill in his direction.

“You can’t be without me?”

“Excuse me, young lady, when was the last time I accompanied you on a mission?”

“Point taken. Are you alright with that Neve?”

“Sure. The more the merrier.” Neve arranged a time to leave the Lighthouse the next day and left them to their language lesson. Emmrich made a few notes and repeated what he was previously practising. Emlygil listened closely and nodded in approval.

“Try not to roll your r’s too much, though. We’re not learning Ativan”

“You’re saying I have too much flair?” Emmrich joked.

“Darling, it’s you, of course it’s too much flair. Your coat literally has gold pelvic bone detailing.”

“I like to think it’s distinctive.”

“Yes, because that’s something you lack…distinction.” Emlygil drawled. “You know Harding thought you were nobility?”

“Yes, I’m afraid to say I laughed in her poor, confused face. Who knew, the real nobility was the quiet beauty with astonishing eyes.” Emlygil rolled her supposed astonishing eyes, but leaned over her notebook, dropping her voice to a seductive whisper.

“Are you trying to flatter me, so I won't reprimand you for the appalling pronunciation of that last phrase?”

“Actually I was planning to distract you with a myriad of kisses so you would forget all about it,” Emmrich whispered back before closing the small gap and pressing a featherlight kiss to the corner of her mouth.

“Who would have thought that Professor Volakrin would be such a delinquent student?” Emlygil breathed as Emmrich moaned and kissed her again, becoming more insistent and moving out of his chair to kneel before her.

She knew what calling him ‘Professor’ did to him.

“The worst. You should really discipline me.” He said against her lips. Emlygil escaped his lip lock and gripped his jaw with just enough force to make him moan again. During their ‘explorations’ Emmrich had rediscovered that he enjoyed when his partners were a little firm. He looked up at her through hooded eyes, “You are the most wonderful teacher,”

Emlygil couldn’t help how her eyes widened in remembrance and she looked away, embarrassed. Emmrich seized the opportunity and crawled around to the other side of her chair to catch her gaze again.

“Why so shy, my love? Do you balk at the idea of me giving you praise.”

“No, it’s just- I remember you’ve said as such before - well, a version of you, did.”

“Colour me intrigued,” Emmrich nodded and encouraged her to go on.

“It was the day I met the Inquisitor. I dreamed of us…” Emmrich’s smile only grew wider.

“Did you?” He asked suggestively.

“Yes. And it is exactly the kind of dream you can imagine.”

“We had not known each other, barely a month.”

“Yes. I know.” She said through gritted teeth. “You infuriating man.”

Emmrich rose from kneeling before her and extended a hand to help her get up. Slightly confused, she accepted it and he led her to the more comfortable armchair and sat down. Emlygil frowned, wondering where there would be space for her before he lightly pulled her towards him and she was forced to straddle his hips.

“I want you…” Emmrich said as he took the opportunity to grope the flesh of her behind. “…to tell me. Every. Single. Detail.” He leaned up to nip her neck.

She told him. Of the feel of the sheets against her skin. Of his lips around the shell of her ear. Of his hands rocking her hips. Of his tongue over her breast. Of the energy and passion of their lovemaking.

Emmrich listened very attentively. Nodding at certain points and his fingers skating over her curves as she spoke. When she had finished describing her dream Emmrich hummed thoughtfully before dipping his finger down the cleavage of her dress.

“And what did you do after you awoke?” He purred.

“Nothing.” She said, a little confused.

Emmrich blinked and looked up at her, mildly astonished. Removing his hands from her chest and placing them on her waist.

“Nothing at all?”

“I was needed, and besides I’d never really…touched myself before.”

“What?” Emmrich couldn’t help raise his voice in surprise.

“Well I’m sure I must have done so in my adolescence, but once I had reached maturity and my responsibilities increased, I didn’t have the time or the interest to do so.”

“You’ve never had a dalliance with a dashing young elf before?”

“There was a boy who was one of the general’s sons when I was a child. He kissed me after discovering me in a rose bush, playing hide and seek.”

“How charming, but was that all?”

“When you’re heir to a throne, you’re surprisingly not allowed to have much of an opinion when it comes to selecting a consort. There was a team of people who found appropriate candidates, but again, I had my own responsibilities and interests. I didn’t need to get serious about selecting anyone for a few more years, so I never pursued the matter.”

“What about in the event you finally did find a potential husband?” Emmrich asked, fascinated about the inner workings of royal courts.

“What do you mean?”

“Would there have been time to get acquainted and fall in love?”

Emlygil looked at him as though he had gone insane.

“Goodness no! The function of a consort is to produce heirs - love is irrelevant. It can be a pleasant but rare bonus.”

“But were you not instructed on the…art of producing heirs?” Emmrich phrased carefully. Emlygil gave a little titter and shook her head.

“I was told it would be self explanatory, if there was blood on the wedding night it was to be deemed a success.”

It was Emmrich’s turn to shake his head, though more vehemently and lightly stroked the sides of her waist.

“That is most certainly not how one should determine a success. Ideally you shouldn’t bleed at all, and if the one who gave you that knowledge had any of their own, they would know that a woman’s pleasure was a vital ingredient when trying to conceive!”

“Did you ever have children?” She asked curiously, realising she had never thought to ask any of the companions of their families before.

“N-no. I never had the opportunity to consider a family.” The melancholy was evident in his voice and Emlygil gave a sympathetic smile before stroking an errant strand of hair away from his face.

“How are you so well versed in…’the art of producing heirs’?”

“I read up about it. You know me, Emlygil. I am nothing if not a voracious learner. Of everything, and speaking of voraciousness,” Emmrich placed his hands in their previous position, trailing up her waist, coming around her front and delicate finger starting to pull her dress to the side..

“You were the one who insisted on our lesson tonight!” Emlygil protested weakly.

“I’m afraid my dear, you cannot tantalise me with that vivid a description of your dream and not expect some…repercussions.” He spoke his last words against her skin as he planted wet, sloppy kisses against her sternum. Emlygil rolled her eyes, initially in sarcasm and quickly melting into pleasure - damn his tongue - she clutched him close to her as he busied himself and his hands had found their way under the skirt of her dress without her realising, kneading and caressing her.

His hands started to wonder and Emlygil felt those searching, curious fingers trace lower and lower until they brushed against the outer edge of her underwear. She shivered and whimpered just as she heard Emmrich gasp beneath her and he looked up at her in wonder.

“My darling!” He practically glowed with happiness. “You’re soaked.” He experimentally swiped his fingers over her entrance again and he felt her nails dig into his shoulders as she suppressed another moan. “I could always take over the lesson - though my instruction will be a bit more practical,”

Though when he looked up through his smouldering eyes he saw that same trace of fear in her eyes, hidden behind her adoration and arousal. He moved his hands to the slightly safer destination of her upper thighs and changed his smoulder to a look of sweet concern.

“We don’t have to, Emlygil.” He said kindly. Emlygil groaned in frustration and bent over to rest her head on her shoulder.

“This is ridiculous. It’s been some time now since we’ve started these experiments-“

“My beloved, it’s only been a couple of weeks-“

“-I should want you to touch me! I mean- I do want you to touch me, but I just-“ her voice wavered as she started to get upset. Emmrich removed his hands entirely from under her dress and wrapped his arms protectively around her as she started to cry. He could sense she was becoming even more frustrated by crying, but just couldn’t stop.

“Emlygil, don’t upset yourself like this! Do I need to repeat my promise to you? I would wait a thousand lifetimes to share in your body - or not at all! If that is what you wish, do not force yourself to be ready for me, please.” She didn’t answer but he felt her small, tentative nod against his neck as she calmed down. When she finally looked him in the eye again he kissed away her tears and stroked her cheek. “You are precious to me, beyond measure, please remember that.”

She nodded and kissed him, pouring her love, her frustration and devotion into every touch of their lips. When she finally settled back into his arms they continued their language lesson, though more informally. She would whisper phrases into his skin and he would decipher their meaning.

Emmrich had no idea the Elves had so many different ways of saying ‘I love you’.

______

Docktown was as noisy and dirty as ever. After reacquainting herself with the Shadow Dragons, Emlygil, Neve and Emmrich made their way to The Snake Nest to track down Atticus, their missing man.

“What do you know about this place?” Emlygil asked.

“It used to be a busy place, word is it’s slowed down.” Neve didn’t have much more information to offer and they soon arrived at The Snake Nest. Another seedy bar. Emlygil resisted the urge to sarcastically remark how Neve always brought her to the best places.

When Neve said the place had slowed down, she hadn’t expected the place to be completely empty - save for one passed out man, slumped at the end of the bar. Neve approached the bartender and got down to business.

“We’re looking for someone named Atticus.”

“Haven’t seen anyone.” The elf bartender responded bluntly.

“He was meeting someone here. He disappeared.”

“Yeah. People do that all over.”

“Well, we’re still looking into it.”

“Wasting your time’s your business.” It was clear the worker would offer no more information. Neve looked back and rolled her eyes. Typical Docktown. See nothing. Hear nothing.

Emlygil stepped forward and muttered something to the bartender in Elvish. The woman looked back a little confused and then annoyed. Wanting these patrons out of her bar.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, but you all need to leave. Now.”

Emlygil sneered and pushed off the bar she was leaning on.

“Of course you didn’t,” she mocked before leaving with Neve and Emmrich. Emmrich didn’t catch everything Emlygil said, but he picked up the odd word - most notably ‘betray’ and a creative curse Emmrich didn’t wish to repeat.

They were going to search the surrounding area and they came across a locked door splattered with blood. As they searched they found a bag stuffed behind some crates with a note addressed to their missing person:

Atticus,

I know this will arrive late, but I need to talk to you. I need help. Please.

I’ll be at the Snake Nest.

The blood pattern looked as if someone had been dragged through the door. They retraced the trail and it led to a bloodied shirt.

“There are no cuts in the material. The blood didn’t belong to the owner.” Neve noticed.

The trail continued under another locked door, however this one looked much older and weaker than the other door and with a well timed shoulder shove, the door broke open. They ransacked the place and discovered a journal belonging to someone named ‘Linus’ chronicling the rapid decline of the health of his child Reggie. Apparently Atticus had a way he could help…cure him?

Linus Prosper. The owner of The Snake Nest.

“We need to go back. That bartender must know something.”

When they stepped through the bar’s entrance again the bartender rolled their eyes and groaned loudly.

“I already told you, I don’t know anything, get out of my bar!”

“A man named Atticus came to the Snake Nest. We know he was headed here. That your boss, Linus, knows him. We’ve been to Linus’ home…”

As Neve spoke, they all saw the hardened look start to crack and fear come through.

“Alright! It’s the boss. He’s been acting weird since the kid got sick. Urgent meetings…always checking the storage. But your Neve Gallus. If you think you can do something, I’ll let you in.”

“I’ll do what I can.” Neve said, her voice bearing the weight of everyone in Docktown who relied on her.

“Here’s the key. Storage is across the road.”

They followed the blood trail through the storage room, past a few false walls and doors disgusted as bottle racks until they found an elevator that took them deep below Minrathous’ subterranea.

“All of this is down here?” Emlygil asked, quietly amazed.

“Oh, we have all sorts, be wary.” Neve said as she walked on, staff raised. They came to a dingy basement room and saw dozens of bodies all in various states of dismemberment, arranged in a pentagram.

“Oh gods.” Emlygil breathed before gagging on the smell of rot and decay. They searched around and found a final note from Linus. And hanging above them: Linus himself.

“He made a pact with a demon. To save his kid. But the price was too high.” Neve surmised.

“It wasn’t blood the demon truly wanted.” Emmrich explained. “The real feast would have been the emotional turmoil from this man’s desperation.” Emmrich elaborated.

Emlygil didn’t want to be here any longer than she had to so she grabbed a chair and searched Linus’ body. Emmrich steadied her as she reached up to his pockets and removed a blood stained key.

“Let’s see where this goes.” Emlygil said as she accepted Emmrich’s hand as he helped her down. He squeezed her hand and quietly asked if she was okay. She nodded and kissed his hand still holding hers.

The key led to a smaller room where a body was slumped over in a cage. She reached through and peered at a locket around the dead man’s neck. When she opened it, she realised who it was. The engraving read:

Atticus & Sabina

“We should get this back to her.” Emlygil said once she showed the others. It was a labyrinth to navigate out of but eventually they made it back to surface level and informed Sabina what had transpired.

“Sabina?” Neve asked, not wanting to deliver the bad news.

“You’re back! But, Atticus…”

“The man who took Atticus’ life, he thought it would save his child, but it wasn’t right.”

“Atticus.” Sabina sobbed.

“If there’s anything you need. The Shadow Dragons can help.” Neve said handing over the locket they found.

“I don’t know…I need time. And to put his name on the Wall Of Light. Thank you at least, for letting me know.”

The trio were a bit despondent as they walked back towards the Shadow Dragons headquarters. Emmrich didn’t want Emlygil to leave Minrathous once again with an unpleasant memory. As Neve fed back to Ashur, Emmrich pulled Emlygil into a dark alcove behind a curtain and snuck a passionate kiss. He heard her adorable squeak and took the opportunity to slip his tongue past her parted lips as she gasped. She responded to his urgency in kind, tangling her fingers in his hair and doing her best not to climb him like a tree.

“Stay here, let me take you to lunch, let’s explore this city - away from the squalor and pain.” Emmrich murmured in her ear, nibbling on her earlobe. Emlygil couldn’t form words or even coherent thoughts as his mouth and tongue worked his way downwards, working on a second love bite.

“Emmrich-!” She gasped, seriously contemplating letting Emmrich do whatever he wished, in public. A hair's breadth away from other Shadow Dragon operatives. Emmrich popped his head up to look at her. A devilish smile on his face.

“Say yes, my darling. Let’s spend the day together.”

“If I say yes will you stop ravishing me in this not-at-all private area?”

“If you wish it, Emlygil,” he challenged.

“Just because you’re beautiful, it doesn’t mean we shouldn’t have some decorum.” Emlygil answered back, still holding on tightly to his waist, not wanting to leave the warmth of his embrace.

“You think I’m beautiful?” Emmrich asked teasingly.

“You know I think that!” Emlygil raised her voice a little, exasperated. Emmrich grinned a big stupid grin again on his big, stupid, dumb, beautiful, handsome face-

The curtain was quickly drawn aside and an amused Neve stood the other side, eyeing the two of them with one eyebrow raised. The couple still wrapped up in each other’s arms, Emmrich’s hair askew, his ringed hand gripping her thigh possessively, hiked up over his hip.

“Yes, Em, please spend the day with him. Don’t let the poor man hang any longer.”

“Neve! I-“

“I’ll finish up here, you two lovebirds go, I promise that this-“ she gestured between them “is safe with me. Now go, before I change my mind.”

Emmrich couldn’t stop the uncontrollable giggle that burst forth from him at Emlygil’s mortified expression and buried his face in her neck.

“I’m going to kill you, Volkarin.” She said through gritted teeth.

“Ah, to die in your arms, what a pleasure.” He muffled, pressing a kiss against her slightly elevated pulse. She lightly shoved him away and adjusted her clothing.

“Oh, shut up!” She said with no real bite. She took his hand and led him away from the Shadow Dragons HQ, a small smile playing in her features. She had her love by her side. She wanted for nothing else.

______

They found themselves in Hightown, a fancier district of the city that sat above Docktown. For the amount of power Tevinter had, they clearly had no imagination when it came to naming parts of their cities. They had lunch in a sweet little cafe and then Emmrich insisted that they walk to see the grand statue of Faustina of the famous poem. The marble woman cut an impressive figure, beautiful and imposing all at once. Emmrich was thrilled he was finally able to see it after all this time.

“Was it everything you’d hoped it would be?” Emlygil asked, delighted at seeing Emmrich stare up in childlike wonder.

“With you by my side, even more so. You know I haven’t forgotten that night under the oak tree, reading you Faustina’s song. Do you remember?”

“How could I forget? I thought it was the night you might kiss me.”

“Would you have let me, if I did?”

“I probably would have run, but I wanted to,” Emlygil smiled “I much preferred tormenting the two of us for another month, die and then come back before I kissed you,”

Emmrich tsked and pulled her into his arms.

“You maddening creature,” he hummed before dipping and kissing her.

“You’re so dramatic,” she laughed.

“I thought that’s what you loved about me!”

“I love many things about you, darling, we’d be here all day if I were to list them.”

“Oh, but do! Do list them all, boost an old man’s ego, hmm?”

“You’re an idiot, Emmrich,” she said with a lovesick smile.

“Your idiot, Emlygil. All yours.” He poked her nose and delighted in the way her nose crinkled and she turned away shyly. “I spied a jewellery store on our walks around these gardens, would you permit us to go in? It would be nice to find a piece to add to my collection to commemorate this lovely afternoon together.” She nodded and arm in arm they walked to the jewellers Emmrich had spotted earlier.

It was very fancy.

There was no other word for it. Even Emlygil felt a little subdued walking into the cool lobby surrounded by a thousand glinting objects. Emmrich wanted a ring and went straight for the ring cabinets. Picking a piece of grave gold, from what Emlygil had learned, was quite a serious business so she left him to deliberate while she looked at some ornate headbands that look suspiciously like crowns.

“Darling, what do you think?” Emmrich called her over, he was blissfully unaware of the dirty looks the shop keepers shot her. Up until this point they had assumed she was merely his attendant. She took a breath and approached with a soft smile - it wasn’t personal. Even in the more affluent and well-to-do parts of the city, it was still Minrathous.

She peered down at the gold, silver and gemstones staring up at her in the glass reflection.

“Which ones were you contemplating?”

“Ah. Now that is the question. I like this one, the gold signet ring, but I also like this one here, it reminds me of my father’s ring. What do you think?”

She liked both of them, but her eyes were drawn to something else completely. A simple gold band, but with a swirling green and grey gemstone inlaid in the centre, very eye-catching and yet understated. Emmrich followed her gaze and saw what she was looking at.

“That one? What made you choose that one?”

“They remind me of your eyes.” She said simply. Emmrich couldn’t help his eyes welling up with tears but he gave a polite cough and nodded.

“Done. Excuse me! I think I’ve found a piece I would like to purchase.” He called out to a nearby clerk. They approached, giving Emmrich a polite smile and a quick glare to Emlygil as they approached the glass case.

“Yes sir, how can I help?”

“I would like to take this ring please,” he said pointing.

“I’m sorry sir, but that ring is not for sale,” they sneered.

“I-I don’t understand, why have something on display in a jewellery store if it is not available for purchase?”

This time the worker made a very unsubtle stare at Emlygil and Emlygil did her best not to waver and pretend it didn’t bother her.

“We have to make sure that our jewellery is in the hands of…appropriate clientele.” They looked Emlygil up and down, contempt completely on show. Emmrich stammered indignantly before speaking again.

“I don’t appreciate what you are insinuating, good sir!” He bit the last words out, for he did not think this worker was ‘good’ nor noble enough to be a ‘sir’.

“Then allow me to be clear so there is no insinuation or confusion. We will not sell you or your knifeeared beloved. Ever.”

“Now you listen here-!”

“Emmrich, it’s fine, let’s just go,”

“It is most certainly not fine! They cannot speak to or about you like this!”

“I must ask that the two of you leave, and never come back.” The shop keeper was about to gesture to other workers nearby to escort them out when a monumental crash sounded in the distance making everyone jump. A marble bust displaying a heavy diamond necklace had given up its fight with gravity and had fallen onto another glass cabinet shattering it and making a very expensive mess. “OUT!” The man yelled again before rushing over to salvage the jewels from the glass.

Emmrich and Emlygil made a hasty exit.

“Maker’s breath! That was ghastly! Are you alright, my love?” Emmrich asked, holding her face in his hands, looking at her with such deep and aching concern.

“Emmrich, I’m fine, this is not the first, nor will this be the last racist encounter I have in this city.”

“That’s not acceptable! How dare they speak to you like that!”

Emlygil silenced his oncoming rage with a kiss, she pulled him against her as she leaned against a nearby wall. Despite his anger he couldn’t resist his little love, and her tender touch. When he pulled back for some air he rested his forehead against hers.

“I’m so sorry, Emlygil. I wanted to take you for a lovely afternoon away from all of the harm and horror of the world.”

“Emmrich, it's not your job to single-handedly end racism in Minrathous. The very foundations of this empire were founded on the slavery of my people. It will take more than an ignorant store clerk to undo that. I’m fine, really. This is still a lovely day, I’m with you.”

Emmrich looked unconvinced. She kissed him again then fluttered her eyelashes at him.

“Buy me one of these ‘ice creams’ I’ve heard Harding talk about here?” Emmrich gave a defeated smile and offered his arm.

“For you? Anything, my love.”

Emmrich still felt uneasy about what he had witnessed today, but Emlygil had seemed happily occupied with her ice cream, licking and humming at the taste, hugging his arm as they walked and occasionally offering it up for him to have a taste. It was heavenly, but what was more heavenly was when he got to taste it on her lips when he would bend down to ‘clean her up’.

______

When they returned to the Lighthouse it was just in time for dinner, after which Emlygil said she was going to have a lie down. Emmrich spent some time catching up with Bellara before returning to his own rooms.

On his desk was a small velvet box. When he opened it he saw the hazel gemstone shining back at him. He was staggered. How-?

He marched to Emlygil’s room and entered without knocking. He found her sat in an armchair writing in her journal propped on her lap. She looked up with a confused smile which grew into a sly smile when he raised the box aloft.

“Emlygil!” He said scandalised. “What is this?”

“That is a ring.”

“Is it the same ring from that shop?”

“Yes.”

“You stole it?!”

“I prefer to think of it as a reparation.”

“Emlygil! You shouldn’t have- wait! That accident, was that you as well?!”

“…maybe.”

“Emlygil!” He scolded. “…how?” He then added curiously.

“A subtle wind spell, it’s not my fault their display was precarious!”

“You-you! You continue to surprise me,” she closed her journal and set it aside, holding out her arm for him to come and join her. He rolled his eyes at her antics, but smiled as he settled next to her on the adjoining chaise. “It is a beautiful ring.” He said as he admired it in its case.

“Where will you wear it?” She asked, taking the box from him and spreading his hands out, admiring the already several rings that adorned his slender fingers.

“I may have to rearrange some of them, I don’t have much room,”

“What about this finger? This one is bare,” she said, fiddling with his fourth finger on his left hand.

“Ah. I’ve always left that one empty,” Emmrich said, a little embarrassed.

“Why?”

“I-I don’t know if the custom is the same for Elves, but in Nevarra this is the finger typically reserved for…wedding bands.” Emmrich smiled at her sadly.

“Oh.” She stroked over his knuckle and waited, she sensed he wanted to say something else.

“I suppose I always thought I’d get married some day, there’s a silly superstition that wearing a non-wedding band on that finger is bad luck and you’ll be cursed to loneliness forever - It’s silly, I know, but I’d wanted a family for so long and the older I got, I wanted it all the more, but… eventually I wondered if it was meant to be at all. Until you. It’s fitting really, grave gold is typically given by important people to the wearer’s life and signifies important life events…”

Emlygil was surprised. “I-I suppose I didn’t fully realise the significance of giving you such a ring…” she had worried she had inadvertently proposed. Emmrich connected the dots of her thoughts and rushed to explain.

“Not that I think we should get married! I mean- I love you and it would be an honour to spend the rest of my life with you, as a partner, but we should probably wait until we’ve dealt with the gods. I mean we should probably have a conversation about what we both want before we make any decision like that- I don’t want to assume that’s something you want- is that something you want? We don’t need to talk about this now, I’m just- goodness is it getting a bit warm-“

Emlygil finally put the man out of his misery and planted her lips on his to shut him up. When she pulled away Emmrich was a little red and struggling to meet her gaze.

“You’re so adorable,” she said sweetly.

“I’m glad you find my embarrassment ’adorable’.”

“There’s no reason to be embarrassed, we are already bonded by life, after all.”

“I wouldn’t want to force or rush any decision,” Emmrich reassured.

“I know you wouldn’t. Let us not speak of it anymore, for now.” Emmrich nodded and she started to feel and examine the rest of his grave dowry. “I’ve never asked you what each piece means,”

“Well it would take some time to tell the story of every piece I wear.” Emmrich warned.

“Do you have something more pressing to do?” Emlygil asked, half genuine and half teasing.

“Not at all, I simply do not wish to bore you,”

“It is important to you - a part of you. It would never bore me.” She said very seriously. Emmrich was touched by her sincerity and so invited her to join him on the chaise and together they spent the next hour cataloging every piece of his grave gold.

The ring with the large stone, that was the last gift from his father.

The bracelet he received when becoming a fully fledged member of the Mourn Watch.

The skull pin he found at a market stall when travelling the Anderfels.

She sat and listened as he described them all. Every story. Every detail she filed it away in her memory and added it to her ever growing image of him.

“Do you take them off very often?” She asked.

“Not usually, it takes some time to take them off and put them on again, especially with the glove, I take them off to bathe of course and occasionally to sleep, if I’m not up working late into the night, it can be quite therapeutic to clean them though, I used to do it every week, but there has been other things that have taken precedent over that these last few months.”

Emlygil hummed and leaned over to kiss his left hand trailing up and settling on his jaw, pressing soft kisses, feeling a small burn as his stubble just started to come through. When she leaned back and looked into his eyes, he recognised a strange glint in hers.

“Emlygil?”

“I want you to touch me.”

“Are you sure? I-“

“Emmrich. Just kiss me.” She spoke quickly. How could he refuse? He cupped her jaw as his lips slotted over hers. A perfect fit. A perfect feel. A perfect kiss. His hand trailed over her neck, over the small bruise he made and down her chest, squeezing and stroking over the sensitive parts of her he had come to learn so far. He appreciated the feel of the material she wore - soft and silky - it allowed him to feel every contour of her body. She sighed against his lips as his hand found their way into the opening of her dress and careful fingers found her nipple, circling and lightly pulling her taut bud. She pulled away and hissed as the cold metal of one of his bangles caught against her. Emmrich looked down at his hands and then sat back in his seat.

“If I am to do this properly, I should remove these. Skin on skin contact is so important don’t you agree?” Emmrich murmured. Emlygil nodded and her eyes darted around the room. Obviously spotting something, she got up, Emmrich looked up in confused betrayal before seeing what she was after. She came back and sat, placing a decorative bowl between them. Emmrich was touched by the gesture, he had planned to just remove his jewellery and then search for them when he was finished but she had just spent the last hour learning the story of each piece, and how special they were, she wanted to treat a sacred custom to him with the respect it deserved.

“May I help?” She asked almost timidly. Emmrich nodded and kissed her forehead before slowly removing the chain that connected his thumb ring to one of his bracelets. Carefully, reverently, she removed each ring from his left hand, then his right and carefully placed it in the bowl. Emmrich removed his bracelets and finally his glove.

He had never felt more naked.

Once everything was removed Emlygil turned his hands over and delicately traced each finger with her own, memorising the palm lines and carefully feeling over the black scar on his right hand. Now she could see the scar in something other than moonlight, she was struck by how painful it looked. While Emmrich had told her the pain was long gone it did not take away from the way it had burned on his skin, never fully allowing it to heal. She realised she was probably being morbid and staring too long. She looked up to see him watching her intently.

“I’m sorry.”

“Does it bother you?”

“No. Never. I’m sorry for staring, that was rude.”

“No, it’s fine I-I don’t let people see it very often. It’s an ugly scar.”

“It’s not. You said yourself, it tells your story. It’s beautiful. You are beautiful.” She said imploringly, crawling into his lap and cradling his beautiful face, with his beautiful wet eyes. He gasped and nodded, blinking back his tears.

“I love you so much.” He shook his head up at her, not quite believing this girl was here, willing to share such an intimate part of herself with him, telling him he was beautiful, telling him he was worthy.

“And I love you. Please touch me.” They both met halfway in a passionate, desperate kiss. Unrestrained by fear and loathing. She experimentally grinded against his lap and whimpered into his mouth. A spark of pleasure igniting months of pining and longing and anguished love from afar. Tonight she would finally take that first step.

She wouldn’t let her life be ruled by fear.

Emmrich groaned as he felt her core brush against his erection and it was as if all the buzzing noise - the questions, the worries, his own insecurities- had all completely melted away. He was here. She was here. She wanted him. She wanted him.

She wanted him.

With her straddled above him, he began his quest to kill her with a thousand and one kisses and began to touch her, his own hands feeling slightly alien to start with, unused to the loss of weight and protection all of his adornments offered, but under the gaze of her equally alien and staggering eyes he did not feel scrutinised.

He felt seen.

He touched her. Everywhere. His lips and tongue followed where his hand had trailed. He was sure to pay special attention and dedicate time to the worship of her splendorous tits; kissing and licking and nibbling and sucking, drinking in her beautiful moans and sighs with his every movement. As his hands groped her ass, he wanted nothing more than to smother himself and hope to die a satisfied man. Even through the thin material of her dress he could feel she was wearing underwear. He leaned back and saw her puffy lips and felt her rapid heartbeat against his own.

“Stand up.” He rasped.

She did so unquestioningly and stood before him, her hair and dress disheveled.

“Remove your underwear.” He ordered again, voice slightly stronger now. Emlygil reached her hands under her dress and went to pull them down “Ah! Ah- Slowly.” He cautioned her gently. She nodded and did as he asked when she had pulled them all the way down, she was so shaky getting them off her ankles she nearly tripped Emmrich rose and steadied her with a quick nod of questioning. She huffed an embarrassed laugh, but Emmrich silenced her with another smouldering kiss. She looped her arms around his neck and was so caught up in his expert lips she forgot that her underwear were hanging down his back on the tips of her fingers. She pulled away and went to deposit the undergarments elsewhere but Emmrich took them from her hand. He looked down at the material and saw a damp spot on the front, no doubt a result of their previous foreplay. He pocketed them in his trousers without another thought.

“Emmrich!” She cried, not sure if she was amused or horrified.

“These are mine. Now, lie down.” He gestured to the chaise. She looked down at the sofa and then back to Emmrich, who nodded encouragingly. She bit her lip as she lay down on her back, a little stiff as Emmrich observed her. He finally knelt down beside the sofa and lightly gripped her knees, pulling them apart, her most secret place still hidden under the skirt of her dress. Once her legs were parted there was enough space for him to crawl between her.

She had expected him to climb all the way up until they were face to face. But he did not. He only crawled halfway before stopping, Emlygil stared down, confused for a split second before she felt him take the ends of her skirt and pull it up slowly, oh so slowly, before her cunt was revealed. Glistening and on display for him. He let out an almost inhuman groan and lowered his head to the seat of the chaise, momentarily overcome with the veritable feast before him.

“Emmrich?” Her soft, uncertain voice brought him back to reality. His head snapped up and met her gaze over her bare mound and summoned up his sweetest smile before doing something unbelievably devilish.

He edged forward and licked a long stripe from her opening all the way up, his tongue catching on her clitoris and over her public mound. Her entire body jolted as if she had been struck and she let out something between a shout and a moan. She slammed her hand around her mouth and stared down wide eyed at him. In truth she hadn’t expected him to use his tongue…down there.

She prayed that the Lighthouse would anticipate her wish for the room to be soundproof. Even in her own, new exploration of her body she had never felt a sensation like that. She had read enough textbooks on the subject to know where and what the clitoris did, and from various articles and gossip rags, she was certainly not expecting Emmrich to find it so quickly.

Emmrich made a humming sound one might make if they had just had the first sip of a particularly comforting soup and went back for another swipe. Though more prepared the second time, Emlygil could not stop the wanton moan that escaped her lips. Emmrich hummed again, right against her clit, the vibrations causing another shout to leave her body as well as her legs to clamp involuntarily around his head. She gasped and sat up worried she had hurt him. He merely looked up at her with a look of steely determination in his eyes as he beared down on her bundle of nerves and stole the breath from her lungs.

He lapped at her, like a man possessed. Like he had wandered the desert for weeks and her cunt was the oasis filled with cold, fresh water. She did her best to limit the noises she was making - moaning and whimpering and gasping and at one point squealing when his perfect nose nudged up against her. She once again forced her hand over her own mouth to limit the noise. When Emmrich noticed he reached one hand up from gripping and stroking her inner thighs and pulled her hand away from her mouth, interweaving their fingers.

“I want to hear every noise you make, ma’arlath. I want to learn every inch and part of you. I want my name on your tongue as I ruin you.” He pulled away to instruct, his meal momentarily abandoned and quivering before him.

“Emmrich!” She said in a broken gasp. Greedily, she pushed herself back within reach of his face. He chuckled and let the tip of his tongue move rapidly over her pink, swollen lips, making the most obscene wet and slick sounds Emlygil had ever heard. She breathed a prayer to her gods in Elvish and tipped her head back on the chaise pillow.

“Hear how wet you are for me, my heart! And to think I have barely begun.” He dived headfirst again in earnest, relishing the feel, the taste, the smell of her. Emlygil struggled to maintain staying still as he continued to bear down on her clit. She suddenly felt the white hot sensation start in her cunt and spread across her body, causing the muscles in her leg start to twitch involuntarily. She keened and whined and thrashed, but Emmrich was unbothered by her jostling, whatever he was doing with his tongue and the things it was doing to her, he was chasing it. Emlygil vaguely equated the sensation she was experiencing by an almost desperate need to relieve oneself. The more desperate she became, so did Emmrich.

His hands that had had a vice-like grip on her thighs moved - one hand reaching up to harshly pull the front of her dress to one side and get at the breast beneath, squeezing, pinching, rolling her nipple. Pleasure upon pleasure being piled upon her. She did not even notice that his other hand had also moved and it wasn’t until she felt a pressure at her entrance that she propped herself up and felt one of his long, perfect fingers start to breach her.

She had expected pain, and while there was a slight burn of being stretched, when she felt his finger inside her she nearly wept. When that same finger started to piston in and out of her, accompanied by his tongue continuing its white hot ministrations on her clit and his hand on her breast, she thought she would faint from the combination of pleasures she was experiencing. She let top half collapse against the chaise throwing her head back with a beautiful moan, as Emmrich continued his sweet, exquisite torture accompanied by a sound track of her high pitched whines and moans, his own hums and grunts as he rutted against the sofa, his cock receiving some relief as he supped from his beloved and the ever present and glorious sounds of her juices smacking against his face and tongue.

The white hot sensation that had been slowly spreading, like a smouldering fire had now become an electrical current shooting through her body, every sinew was alive and she was aware of everything her body was feeling. She was also aware that if Emmrich did not remove himself soon she was sure she would relieve herself all over him. She frantically reached down and tried to gain Emmrich’s attention. He was already watching her, his steady, dependable, adorable gaze looking up at her in worship, his finger, mouth and hand still working in tandem and a speed rapidly building. But she needed to warn him before it was too-

“Emmrich, wait I think I’m going to-“ she couldn’t say anything else as her mouth went slack and the most heavenly cry left her lips, her fingers gripping his head and hair as she tumbled over the edge of something euphoric and into the depths of oblivion.

Emmrich wanted to bury himself in her contracting cunt and shaking thighs for the rest of his days - gods be damned - he knew he probably should have let her come down slowly, but he couldn’t resist drawing out her orgasm, continuing to pump his finger into her, pull on her erect nipple and fuck her mercilessly with his tongue. She had collapsed back onto the sofa, chest heaving and a string of noises and curses, but otherwise unable to move. He finally withdrew his finger hearing her small hiss and detached his lips from her dripping wet core. His cock straining against his trousers, wanting some release, but he ignored it for now, shuffling up her body and moving to bracket her legs around his hips, nestled against her. He trailed slow, lazy kisses up her body as she came back to herself finally looking up at him when his face hovered above hers.

“Emm- that- that was…”

“Divine. Utterly divine, my ineffable fairy.” He lightly kissed her, not sure if she would be happy kissing him with his face so…dirty. She actually found she relished it and let her tongue trace his lips before pulling him in for a deeper kiss. When they parted, Emmrich moved his head down to her chest, pressing an ear to hear the dependable beat of her heart and continue his calm and thorough check of her vital signs.

Satisfied he repositioned himself and her so she was slightly tilted on her side and her pert nipple was right before his mouth. He started to suckle gently, not because he planned to bring her or himself to the precipice again, but because it was comforting. He heard her moan softly and felt her arms wrap protectively around his head and shoulders. She carefully stroked his cheeks, slightly hallowed, and soothed his hair back into place.

“I believe you may have a fascination with my breasts.” She cooed. Emmrich detached and looked up at her with a bashful smile.

“Well, they are perfect.”

“I’m sure an expert of the mind would have something to say about it.”

Emmrich did consider whether there was a touch of the Oedipal to his actions and was definitely something he would ruminate on. He also wondered whether that was something she was comfortable with.

“Would you prefer that I stop?”

“No.” She said honestly. “I-I quite like it.”

“You do?”

“It almost feels like a way to repay you, you protect me all the time, this act of service makes me feel like I’m protecting you. You are safe. Loved. Mine.”

Emmrich stared in adoration and disbelief, then returned his lips to her red and raw nipple. To home. As he readjusted himself the blunt heat of his clothed cock nudged up against her damp core. Emlygil looked down and saw him oscillating his hips a little as he had his fill.

“You were so attentive to my needs that we never took care of you, my love.” She whispered into his hair, one of her hands reaching down, her fingers brushing against the hard line of his trousers. Emmrich groaned against her breast and looked down.

“I think one lesson is enough for tonight, my dear, do not worry about me, I can take care of myself later.”

“But I want to take care of you.” She cupped his precious face in her hands. “Let me take care of you, da’len.” (Baby)

Emmrich sat up and stifled a hot sob, not because he was trying to translate what she said. He knew what she said. He sobbed because he couldn’t believe the angel lying before him, ready to indulge his wants, no matter how strange or taboo. Ready to love him in any way he needed. She smiled, opened her arms, her own eyes watering, before she whispered;

“Come here, da’len.”

He leaned down, his hands slipping underneath her and splayed across her shoulder blades as he devoured her. His cock grinding over her bare haven, he could only imagine how it would feel without his trousers and cummerbund acting as a protective layer. He decided to leave it, for tonight - he feared it truly would be too much too soon. And so he rocked against her, feeling his precome leak out and create a small damp patch accompanying the other damp patch on his trousers her slick and sticky residue caused.

While not as intense as his tongue on her cunt, it was still glorious, his cock rubbing against her clitoris and his whimpering, shuddering moans and groans against her skin as his tongue swirled expertly around her nipple and his gentle bites and nibbles around her areolas. She stroked his hair and mewled sweet nothings and pet names as he became completely lost. Only sucking and humping and gasping desperate breaths of air as he refused to unlatch himself from her. The force and insistence of his thrusts caused her body and breasts to bounce in an unsteady rhythm as he started to lose control.

He came with a strangled cry, releasing her nipple only to bite down on the more supple flesh and suck, yet another bruise to add to her slowly growing collection, as he rode out the waves of his pleasure. Had he hung on for another few moments and she might have joined him in those waves, but she did not wish to be greedy. She had already reached such startling heights before and she had wanted to take care of him.

Whenever Emmrich came it was always immediately followed by a vague aura of shame - and by all accounts he should have felt some levels of shame, after what he had just done to his beloved, but as he raised his heavy, slightly intoxicated head and saw her smiling down at him - no judgement or disgust, just complete acceptance and love - he felt no lingering darkness or humiliation. He kissed her again and all was right with the world.

“Thank you,” he said sincerely.

“Thank you.” She replied. She sat up and moved her dress back into place before slowly moving behind her dressing screen and taking off her dress, slipping a white silk nightgown. She stepped back around and Emmrich took this as his cue to leave.

“Where are you going?”

“I was about to bid you goodnight, and leave you to your nighttime ablutions.” Emlygil shook her head, amused.

“You give me the most powerful, possibly first, orgasm of my life and you propose to leave me?”

Emmrich looked on, amazed.

“Stay with me.”

Emmrich didn’t need to be asked twice. He removed his boots, vest, cummerbund and all other elements of his complicated outfit and stripped down to his vest and soiled underwear. He did worry she would find his body unappealing, too scrawny or too old. She didn’t seem to mind in the slightest and wrapped her arms around his middle, feeling so close to his skin, offered her great comfort as well.

He picked up and folded his clothes, quietly tutting as he held an article of clothing up.

“This stain will never come out.” He muttered as he examined the wet patches across the front of his trousers.

“You know the Caretaker will see to that.” Emlygil reminded gently.

“I’m not sure I want it to see such a mess!”

“It’s incredibly helpful and offers no judgement,” she took his hand and led him to her - their - bed. “Just last week I was in the library reading up about penetrative sex and when I came back to my room do you know what I found?”

Emmrich couldn’t answer immediately because he was wondering when she had stopped being embarrassed about discussing sex. Perhaps tonight was the final veil that needed to be shattered. Or she was simply comfortable enough in his presence and their relationship to discuss such matters.

“What did you find, my darling?” He asked congenially, as he settled into the sheets and ensured she was slotted into his side, cosily.

“I found a phallic device, resting on top of my pillow.” Emmrich guffawed then considered something.

“Do you still have it?” He asked curiously.

“Yes. Why?” She purred. Emmrich pursed his lips and gave a small shrug.

“No reason, just devising a future lesson for you.”

“Exactly how many lessons do you plan on delivering, Professor?”

“Oh. Several. You know what they say: Practice makes perfect, my dear…”

The both tittered but settled down as the post orgasmic haze descended upon both of them. They fell asleep in each others’ arms.

The next morning Emmrich was delighted to wake and find Emlygil watching him and after an initial good morning she requested a repeat of his ‘lesson’ from yesterday, regarding the application of his tongue on her nether regions.

He re-delivered his lesson. Several, several times. She had even begun to learn how to use her tongue in return.

The rest of the team were told the couple had both contracted food poisoning from a place they ate in Minrathous and needed the day to recover. Neve was unconvinced but said nothing, she even elbowed Taash in the ribs when they tried to take a sniff of their air, an almost imperceptible shake of her head. Taash nodded in agreement that Emlygil and Emmrich should get all the ‘rest’ they needed and the others would all be back later.

Rest, as it turned out, could be very strenuous indeed.

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eleanorblythe · 4 days ago

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so embarrassing to get obsessed with your own oc but it doesn't fuel you creatively or motivate you at all you just sort of sit there. like yeah I've been thinking a lot about blorbo from my mind. no images of them exist in the world and they have maybe 3 personality traits so far. I would rather die than attempt to write about them. I've spent the last 48 hours rotating them in my brain though

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eleanorblythe · 4 days ago

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Writing smut in a heatwave. Why do I do this to myself??

Hot and bothered in every sense of the word. 😩

#fanfiction #emmrich volkarin #emlygil galaval #wicked game #em&em #emm&em

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eleanorblythe · 7 days ago

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WIP Wednesday - Wicked Game - Emmrich & Emlygil - Chapter 24

Now that I’ve started writing naughty things, I just can’t stop!

I envision this chapter will the slightly (absolutely) NSFW when it comes out, but enjoy this little snippet for now!

You can read Wicked Game on Ao3 - here

“Try not to roll your r’s too much though. We’re not learning Ativan”

“You’re saying I have too much flair?” Emmrich joked.

“Darling, it’s you, of course it’s too much flair. Your coat literally has gold pelvic bone detailing.”

“I like to think it’s distinctive.”

“Yes, because that’s something you lack…distinction.” Emlygil drawled. “You know Harding thought you were nobility?”

“Are you trying to flatter me, so I won't reprimand you for the appalling pronunciation of that last phrase?”

“Who would have thought Professor Volakrin would be such a delinquent student?” Emlygil breathed as Emmrich moaned and kissed her again, becoming more insistent and moving out of his chair to kneel before her.

She knew what calling him ‘Professor’ did to him.

#fanfiction #emmrich volkarin #emmrich x rook #emmrook #dragon age the veilguard #datv emmrich #dragon age #dragon age emmrich #emmrich the necromancer #emmrich romance #da4 emmrich #emmerich volkarin #emmerich dragon age #emmrich fanfic #emmrich x oc #emlygil galaval #em&em #emm&em #wicked game

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eleanorblythe · 9 days ago

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Wicked Game - Emmrich and Emlygil (Rook) - Chapter 24 Aesthetic Sneak Peak

A final fluffy, lower stakes chapter before we move into The Blood of Arlathan (In case you wanted to know where abouts in the game’s plot I’m working at)

You can read Wicked Game on Ao3 - here

#fanfiction #emmrich volkarin #emmrich x rook #emmrook #dragon age the veilguard #wicked game #emlygil galaval #emm&em #em&em

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eleanorblythe · 11 days ago

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𝑴𝒚 𝒅𝒂𝒓𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒈,

𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒏𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒃𝒆 𝒖𝒏𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒅 𝒃𝒚 𝒎𝒆

𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒕𝒐𝒐 𝒘𝒆𝒍𝒍 𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒍𝒆𝒅 𝒊𝒏 𝒎𝒚 𝒔𝒐𝒖𝒍.

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eleanorblythe · 11 days ago

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Here are my paintings for the wonderful fanfic "Yours, Eternally" by talented @eleanorblythe! It was an absolute pleasure working with you! 💕 This is part of The Fade's First Collaboration Event. This is just the first of many events, so come join us!

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eleanorblythe · 11 days ago

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Yours, Eternally - An AU Wicked Game Fic

All art done by @deny-the-issue - check out their tumblr for closeups!

Read Yours, Eternally on Ao3 here

Oh my goodness, I have so enjoyed doing this project!! Thank you so much @deny-the-issue for doing this collab with me! It was so fun working with you, and I still cannot believe you did THREE pieces!!

“My love, I’m back! I know I’m a day early, but it was simply too intolerable to stay any longer,” Emlygil yelled as she stepped through the entryway of hers and Emmrich’s home, pulling off her travelling gloves and gently feeling the petals of the freshly cut flowers on the hall table. The sunlight dancing across the polished wood floor told her it was early afternoon, she knew he was not teaching and with such pleasant weather, there was a good chance he was pottering about in the gardens.

After the end of the world had been subverted and many, many months of rebuilding and recovery, Emmrich and Emlygil had decided to settle in Nevarra city. Emmrich didn’t want his wife to live within the shadowy halls of the Necropolis, constantly surrounded by death - no matter how much her opinion of necromancy had improved since their first meeting. And Emlygil had absolutely refused to subject her husband to the tedium and sycophancy of the royal court of Arlathan - and as she found on this day, their complete incompetence.

“I think even you would have been impressed with the levels of ineptitude I had to suffer through last night,” she complained loudly as she glided through the rooms of their grand, but warm home. “Fourteen- no…fifteen noble families all squabbling and vying for control of Leenalenor. An ancient Elven fort that has been overgrown and hidden away for over two centuries and has only now become relevant because a group of Elgar’nan’s forces damn near tore it down as they were advancing towards the south.”

She had arrived at the conservatory doors leading into the gardens - one of their many happy places and his pride and joy. Emmrich had taken up gardening as a more serious hobby as a way to cope with the trauma of war and the sheer levels of destruction they had witnessed. He had done a remarkable job of recreating elements the royal gardens Emlygil loved so much growing up and Emmrich had dabbled into the world of botany, studying and breeding different species and varieties of flowers.

Emlygil stepped out into the summer air, and saw the bobbing head of a sun hat amongst the rows of flowers. She smiled and sauntered over.

“To make a long and very tedious story short; Seven courses of dinner later and a colossal argument amongst the Balren’s and the Famoira’s over hunting ground rights later, I decided I couldn’t endure any longer. I informed them, I had received an urgent letter from you, so if anyone asks, do be a dear and make something convincing up- oh it’s you!” She rounded the corner and saw the happily occupied skeleton of Manfred digging away in the soil. “Hello, Manfred.” Emlygil said pleasantly.

“Em! Hi!” Manfred said excitedly. Emlygil couldn’t help but grin. Manfred was wearing Emmrich’s overalls and sun hat, not that a skeleton needed to be protected from the elements, but it was precious all the same.

“Where’s your father?” Emlygil asked, kneeling down to inspect his handiwork. She had initially started referring to Emmrich as Manfred’s father as a joke, but had then began to plant the seed subliminally and she would never forget the first time Manfred had excitedly called Emmrich ‘Dad!’ and she watched as Emmrich had tried very hard (and failed) not to turn into a blubbering mess.

“Secret!” Manfred answered her question with a single finger held up against his rows of teeth, in a ‘sh’ motion.

“Ah! I see, do you know when he’ll be back?”

“No! Secret.” Emlygil laughed and lightly patted his shoulder.

“Alright, it’s clear your father is up to something and you’ve been sworn to secrecy. No matter, I’m going to bathe, you’ve done some lovely work on these rose beds.”

“Thank you!” Manfred beamed before going back to his digging.

Emlygil made her way to her bed chambers, and sat down on her side of the bed to remove her shoes when she noticed a handwritten note, in familiar calligraphy writing, laying on her bedside table.

Lady Galaval,

I hope your journey back from Arlathan was a pleasant one, your eternal warmth and soothing presence was certainly missed, while you were gone.

However, before you throw off your robes and role of queen, and the burdens I know you carry so heroically, after your travels, another task lies before you.

You will need to muster all the faculties of your mind to determine a series of clues that will take you on a journey - both metaphorical and literal - through the story of our relationship, culminating in a final location in which I shall be waiting.

I must warn you, my lady, that some of these clues may be particularly challenging and the most valuable people in our lives have all been given strict instructions not to assist in such matters, this task is something you must do alone (although, if you really do struggle to decipher my obscurity, my love, you can ask Neve for a clue, through the sending stone I have placed with this letter)

It is now time for you to venture forth on your adventure and see what awaits you at the end of your trial.

Yours eternally,

Em - Your secret admirer

Emlygil laughed out loud as she read the letter, seeing how he had to cross his own name out and keep up the illusion that this letter was indeed from a mysterious stranger and not her husband of four years. She turned the letter over and found the first clue:

Amongst the towers of text, I lay in wait, resting within the thoughts of the greats.

She pursed her lips and considered every place they had visited that would match the description given. She considered their home study, Emmrich’s offices in the Necropolis, various salons he had taken her to. But then she remembered a particularly special place Emmrich had taken her to, somewhere that felt like a rite of passage in their relationship.

Nevarra City Library.

She changed out of her travelling clothes and into a flowing summer dress, a delightfully whimsical mix of light greens and pinks, flowers stitched along the sleeves and full skirts. She truly looked like an Elven queen of the forest - she was just missing her diadem. Initially, Emlygil had thought to try and hide her identity, but being the face of a group that helped stem the end of times, she had to quickly avow herself of such a notion. She was lucky that in comparison to the rest of Thedas, Nevarra was fairly tolerant of Elves living amongst them in society. It had helped that she was royalty herself, which captured the interest and begrudging approval of Nevarran’s gentry. It also helped her that Emmrich was in relatively high standing within his circles, considering his background.

Being Mrs Volkarin most definitely had its perks.

She shouted a farewell to Manfred before stepping out onto the streets of Nevarra city, heading towards the city library. A large domed building that stood magnificent and proud among the cityscape. It was a place open to the public, but it was more often used by scholars and students of the Grand Necropolis. As a result, it was like a second home for Emmrich.

As she entered, she was overwhelmed with the pleasing smell of old books and the peace and quiet that only came from a space such as this. The first time she came, with Emmrich, she was worried about making a single sound.

______

“It shouldn’t take long, I just need to see if I can find these books for an upcoming lecture.” Emmrich had said, pulling out his (rather long) list of authors and books he needed to collect.

“I hope you are not proposing I carry any of these?” She asked, looking over at the list, a small smirk on her face.

“I would never ask you to subject yourself to such labour.” Emmrich said, taking her hand and tracing over her fingers. “These are far too delicate.”

“Not too delicate, though, not to slit the throat of a god,” Emlygil allowed herself a prideful smile.

“Well, yes, there’s that, of course,” Emmrich demurred. “But I shall not use you to carry such a weight. This way, we shan’t be long.”

Emmrich had no concept of time, in some matters.

He escorted her up the many, many flights of stairs until he reached the first narrow stack of books he needed, ensuring he had his hand at her back at all times - even if completely unwarranted, his searching fingers feeling the heat of her body and smoothing over the fabric of her blouse, trailing down to the edges of her fitted trousers.

“What are you doing back there?” Emlygil asked, looking over her shoulder.

“Merely admiring the material, my dear,” Emmrich rumbled. He leaned forward until her front was pressing against the book spines. She maneuvered herself until she had wiggled around to face him, nose to nose.

“Unless you’re going to go through the arduous process of unlacing every single loop of these trousers I would remove your hand, lest we both get into…trouble.”

Emmrich let his fingers skate over the loops of the laced up front before dropping his hand, already missing her touch. Curse her for wearing such attire.

“Alright, you little minx…now let’s see here…”

Emlygil left him to scan for titles and did him a kindness by bringing over a trolley for him to place the books on, before exploring a little herself. Suddenly struck with inspiration, she looked up and memorised the numbered stack she knew Emmrich was likely to spend the next hour pursuing and went off in pursuit of her quarry. She scanned the shelves looking for the gold plated lettering above tall shelves.

S…T…U…V.

She stopped and looked shelf by shelf until she came to ‘Volkarin’. She was pleasantly surprised to see a good number of his books sitting on the shelves. She scanned them before finding a book that she might be able to understand and opened the front page, finding his name printed under the title ‘Advanced Studies of the Fade’. She traced it with her finger before turning to the opening paragraph of the first chapter.

She had become much more adept at understanding his pontifications as they both settled into life together. She had even graced his lecture halls a number of times, mixed in with the other fresh faced students, eager to learn. It had come at the unfortunate side effect that they had both found the experience incredibly erotic on occasion and were almost caught doing something most untoward by the other tenured professors after a particularly long and engaging lecture.

Snapping the book closed, she went back to the stack she had left Emmrich at, seeing him crouched on the floor with his trolley cart already half full.

“Making a nest then, I see?” She asked quietly, but it was still enough to make him jump slightly at the sound of her voice.

“Ah darling, you’ve seen my shame.” He said looking up, a little guilty.

“Actually this is pretty tame, for you.” She smirked. He smiled in return and saw a book clasped in her hand.

“Oh I see this place has enchanted you too, what do you have there?”

By way of an answer she opened a random page and started reading.

“What determines which sections of the physical world are echoed in the Fade? Is there an

underlying logic, or glacial patterns past comprehension? Do our collective fears and longings craft what we see? The will of a mage is especially potent. We may learn to shape the Fade's pathways, if we are ever-mindful of the dangers this invites." she softly closed the book again, beaming.

“That’s certainly intriguing, what made you pick it up?”

She turned the book around so he could see the cover.

“It’s you.” She said simply.

Emmrich gave a sigh of disappointment but couldn’t help the small shy smile.

“There are hundreds of thousands of books in this building and you chose a book with my ramblings? You have to listen to that all the time!”

“Oh forgive me, Professor,” she had adopted a demure voice. “I was just so starstruck, seeing your book and being in your presence. Would you perhaps sign this copy of your work?” She leaned carefully against the wood of the shelf, tilting her head and sighing dreamily. Emmrich shook his head and rose, stepping carefully over his pile of books and leaning over her.

“My love…you are absolutely incorrigible.” He let his lips graze over her neck, hands brushing against each other, before moving his lips up to brush against her ear. “And your suggestion that I make an indelible mark in any book, much less one that does not belong to me, is positively scandalous,”

“Oh I don’t know, I could imagine something else that’s far more…disreputable,” she heard Emmrich growl quietly into her skin and she couldn’t stop the girlish giggle that bubbled out of her, heat starting to pool deep within her.

“You will not sway me with your elegant choice of words,” or so he said, but she could feel the beginnings of an erection pressing against her thigh.

Challenge accepted.

“But you’re right, it would be completely… deplorable… reprehensible… insupperable… Why! It would be absolutely obscene!”

Emmrich obviously couldn’t handle anymore of Emlygil’s wordplay, his restraint was already tenuous. His lips captured hers, accompanied with a glorious little whine, Emlygil would cherish forever. Emmrich was desperately pulling on the ties of Emlygil’s needlessly complicated trousers. Emlygil batted his hands away and cupped his cheek.

“Professor Volkarin, would you really desecrate such a place as this?!” She chided playfully.

“You are an absolute menace, Emlygil.” Emmrich said, trying to break through the haze that had descended over him.

“I’ll make you a deal, Volkarin. If you can promise we will have every book on your list collected within the hour then you may take me home and do anything you wish with your troublesome wife.”

He groaned and pulled away slightly. Looking down and willing the bulge in his trousers to go away.

“I regret not wearing my travelling cloak, then I could hide this embarrassment,” Emmrich complained, but was unable to stay mad at his maddening wife and her bewitching ways. His breath caught in his throat as he saw an all too familiar look spread across her face.

A look that suggested Emlygil was up to no good.

Very slowly she held the book out in front of her and let it drop to the floor with a small ‘slap’.

“Oh no!” Emlygil said, with no urgency at all. “I’d better get that…” she knelt down, hands sliding up his trousers as she went.

“Em…” Emmrich warned, frantically looking around for anyone nearby.

“It’s alright, my love, I’ll be gentle…and quiet. Can you say the same?” She hesitated, looking up and giving a small nod that told Emmrich she would stop, he need only say the word.

“You are in for a world of trouble at home, my dear.” He rumbled. She grinned and got to work.

She was never allowed to come with him to the library again.

______

Emlygil had climbed the small mountain of stairs and navigated the narrow corridors of books until she came to the stack of books under the faded metal ‘V’ and searched the shelves for a copy of ‘Advanced Studies of the Fade’. When she opened it a small handwritten note slipped out into her hand.

Lady Galaval,

Congratulations on finding your next clue, I had every faith in you, my love - that brilliant and often wicked mind of yours! I still cannot come back to this place without feeling a mix of arousal and shame. Chance would be a fine thing, for me to come back to this place and prepare a thesis or adapt some lecture notes, without the memory of you in such a compromising and tantalising position, flooding into my mind and ruining my focus.

But anyway, I really should let you get on with working out your next clue - see you soon, my beloved

Yours eternally.

Your (not so) Secret Admirer

And on the back of Emmrich’s note was her next clue.

You warm my heart on coldest nights, but this special place remains one of my favourite ways to skate such beautiful sights.

Emlygil wondered if Emmrich was deliberately making these puzzles a little too easy, for she knew exactly where he was referring to.

Emlygil walked along the Minanter River, running through the heart of the city, like a critical vein providing life and sustenance to its inhabitants. And in the coldest parts of winter - it also becomes a place of entertainment.

______

She remembered that bitterly cold morning, looking out of the window and wanting nothing more than to curl up by the fire drinking tea, write letters to members of the once famed ‘Veilguard’ or wile away the hours with Emmrich, talking about everything and nothing.

Emmrich had gone out for his customary walk after his morning exercise, despite the harsh winds and intolerable conditions, rousing her from her doze as he attempted to put on his snow boots with minimal noise. He had asked her if she would like to accompany him, her response had been to pull the covers over her face and mumble something incoherently.

She had seen Emmrich walking up the approach to the house and filled his teacup so it was ready to give the moment he had shed his winter cloak and boots. Instead he strode through the door, red faced and beaming, holding the door wide open allowing the cold air to blow in.

“Emlygil, my darling! You simply must come! The river has frozen over and half of the city is out to enjoy it, I even procured you some ice skates!” He held them aloft, proudly, with a big stupid grin on his big stupid, beautiful face.

Emlygil blinked slowly. Her eyes glancing between the open door, the bladed weapon he was holding and his face, cheeks and nose red from the cold - he was so adorable, it made being annoyed at him difficult at times. Damn him.

“Hello, I’m Lady Emlygil Volkarin, do you know me?”

Emmrich chuckled and finally closed the door standing in the threshold of the hallway and the front sitting room where she was ensconced in.

“Why yes indeed I do. You are my darling wife and I am the luckiest man in the world.”

“Ah, I thought you were familiar. But flattery, won’t get you anywhere, sir.”

“Come on, Em, you’ll be fine once you’re out in the snow.”

“Emmrich,” she moaned “I have an entire day of absolutely nothing planned and what you are proposing involves what looks like a torture device, what even are those?” She said, looking at the skates, warily.

“These?” He held them up and looked between the boots and her, a pleasantly bemused look on his face. “These are ice skates. You need them for ice skating!”

“You’re saying words like they mean things,” Emlygil said, utterly confused.

“Do you not know what ice skating is?”

“Evidently.”

He explained.

“Oh.” She said quietly. “So it’s a hobby that requires you to wear incredibly deadly shoes.”

“I can’t believe you’ve never been ice skating!” Emmrich sounded so shocked.

“I was raised in a palace in the middle of a forest, and what you’ve just described sounds most ungainly…” Emlygil scrunched her nose in distaste. Emmrich rolled his eyes. She only adopted her haughty, noble queen persona when she wanted to get her way. Emmrich quite enjoyed the rare occasions she was a brat. He kept this interaction banked in his head for use later - something else to look forward to…

“Emlygil, I’m afraid I must insist I take you out for your first time, it will be a magical experience.”

“You already took my virginity, wasn’t that enough, for you?” She moaned again bringing her blanket up higher around her mouth and nose. Her eyes peaking out, glaring in disapproval. Emmrich put the skates down and walked across the room to her chair, knowing he should have removed his wet boots and snow covered coat.

“No. Emmrich. Stop! You’ll ruin the rug. No, darling no! Get out from under my blanket! You’re making me cold and wet, Emmrich- mmfph!” Emmrich had ducked down, snuck his way under her blanket and had popped out of the top. His cold lips and nose pressed against her, kissing her silly. Despite her discomfort she couldn’t help giggling, like a little girl. He really shouldn’t be crawling around on the floor at his age, though for an older human male he was remarkably…limber.

“Alright! You horrible man! I’ll go out! Get your nose out of there!” She scolded as she felt him start to press his cold face against her bare stomach. She heard a muffled hum of assent, before his wet and ruffled head of hair popped back up into view.

“You’ll love it.” He said before slipping away and going to find her coat. That stupid boyish grin on his stupid, beautiful face.

Gods, she loved that man.

She would at least concede it was pleasant seeing the city she had come to love as her own blanketed in white and watch the snow falling all around her, landing and melting in her hair like crystals. The moment she stepped out of the house she held fast to Emmrich’s arm - she claimed for balance - but Emmrich knew their shoes were plenty sturdy enough. She complained about the cold and how he was cruel to make her leave the warmth and serenity of their home, but he saw how fondly she smiled at him as she spoke. How often she rubbed his arm, or squeezed his hand or kissed his cheek. He felt very lucky to have a wife of over three years now and she was still just as devoted and affectionate as the day they fell in love.

Emmrich and Emlygil walked along the streets and soon came to a bridge, looking down they could see hundreds of Nevarrans and tourists alike, awash with childlike wonder and amazement, the market stalls were flooded with people trying to buy roasted chestnuts and hot spiced teas.

“Apparently the Minanter hasn’t completely frozen over like this in over two hundred years,” Emmrich explained as they navigated the crowds and wandered further down the river to find a quieter location and a seat for Emmrich to put their skates on. Emlygil had nothing to compare it to, she had never seen snow and ice on such a scale, other than perhaps when she met Neve, what felt like a lifetime ago now. She then remembered it would only be a few weeks until she would see Neve - and indeed the others - for what had now become an annual Wintersend tradition. The Veilguard’s Banquet (the title still needed workshopping, according to Davrin, who was hosting this year). Emmrich guided her to sit on a bench that wasn’t covered in snow and removed the ice skates from his satchel, kneeling before her. He unlaced her boots and carefully removed them before placing the skating shoes on. “They’re not too tight or uncomfortable are they, my love?”

“Considering they are shoes with blades attached, they are actually surprisingly comfortable,” Emlygil remarked. Emmrich huffed a laugh before joining her on the bench and putting his own skates on. “If I break an ankle doing this, I shall ensure you are waiting on me every moment of every day until I am recovered.” she half joked.

“Because that would be such a hardship,” Emmrich joked back. He slapped his thighs lightly with a soft and definitive ‘right’ before standing up and helping Emlygil get to her feet. She felt like a newborn fawn as she slowly made her way to the ice, Emmrich (damn him) had no such issues and helped her, being very patient and encouraging without being patronising or infantilising. As soon as her blades hit the ice, she stumbled into Emmrich’s arms and an irrational fear seized her.

“This is it. This is how I die, with my blood and brains splayed across this blasted ice.”

“My darling, you have fought and killed gods…I really don't think you’d meet your end on this ice, and I am right here - now, hold onto my hand,” she gripped his hand far too tightly, but Emmrich pressed his lips together and pushed backwards bringing her with him, it was a smooth glide until she bumped into his chest with about as much grace as a darkspawn ogre. “Emlygil, I love you, but you needn’t squeeze my hand so much.” Despite her fear she immediately let go of his hand and then immediately regretted it as she drifted away from her only source of protection from the icy elements. Emmrich gently slid back to her and took her hands again, hearing her mutter some rather creative and vulgar expletives in Elvish.

“Why don’t I just watch you, from a very, very safe distance?” Emlygil suggested after the umpteenth stumble.

“Where would the fun be in that? You haven’t even fallen down yet, you must be a natural!” Emmrich spun them around in a very slow circle.

Emmrich continued to coax and coach Emlygil through her first experience on the ice. He found she did have some natural flair, but it made sense given how elegant she was in everything else she did. He remembered the first time he met her, fighting off a despair spirit, how her body and staff moved, like a graceful and deadly dance. She was so beautiful. Even when she tried to kill him.

Ah, the memories!

As her confidence grew the bolder he was in his movements, he hugged her tightly against her waist and lifted her slightly while spinning, which amounted to a small jump for her. She gasped and clung on for dear life and this time landed much less ogre-like. She giggled shakily, feeling a small spike of adrenaline.

“You’re a madman, Volkarin.” She said through her chattering teeth.

“Woah! Hey! Look out! Sorry!” A voice called as it grew shockingly closer and closer. Emmrich noticed an errant and out of control child hurtling towards them. He quickly slid them both out of the way and just missed a collision. Unfortunately Emlygil’s grip had made him lose his balance and he plummeted to the ice, landing on his coccyx. He brought his wife tumbling down with him. Luckily she was spared an injury to her pelvic bone because she landed on top of him.

“Emmrich! My love, are you alright?”

“I’m- ah! I’m fine, my darling, I only-“ he hissed in pain as he sat up. “It’s just my coccyx, the pain will go away soon,”

Emlygil looked unconvinced and stood back up (after a few attempts) and held out her hand to help him. Emmrich didn’t wish for her to fall attempting to help him and got himself up.

“Let’s get you off this death trap and get some tea.” Emlygil said with some finality, giving one last glare to the ice, like she held it personally responsible.

“Emlygil, it’s fine, one fall can’t break my spirit-“ another stab of pain, “although on second thoughts, tea does sound wonderful!” Emlygil shook her head disapprovingly and very carefully made her way back to the river bank with Emmrich. Back on solid, non slippy ground.

She forced him to sit and rest while she went and got the drinks, he absentmindedly rubbed at his injured pelvis and watched the other people, couples and families walk and skate by enjoying the festivities. She came back with two steaming cups of heavily scented tea and settled beside him, the afternoon chill settling in.

“How are you feeling, my poor baby?” Emlygil asked. There was genuine concern, under the layers of sarcasm and mocking.

“As I said, I am quite fine, just a little sore.”

“I think it’s worth noting that on my first ever trip on ice I didn’t fall once!”

“You fell on me, my dear,”

“Only because you pulled me down!”

“Should I have let you be mowed down by a wayward child, barreling out of control?”

“You’re right. You’re my hero!” She gushed and kissed the tip of his nose. Emmrich leaned down to kiss her cold, chapped lips, tasting the spice on them.

“Mmm, delicious,” he murmured against her lips.

“Yes, it’s not bad, is it?” She looked down at her cup and inhaled its sweet, sticky scent. Emmrich leaned forward to kiss her again, but couldn’t stop the grimace as another shooting pain went through his spine.

“We should really have it seen to-“ Emlygil said, noticing the expression that quickly flashed across his face.

“Darling, it’s fine honestly there’s no reason to seek medical attention-“

“-by me.” She cut him off, with a quick quirk of her eyebrow. Emmrich stared at her for a moment and then twisted his face in exaggerated pain as he rubbed his behind again.

“Well, now that you mention it, I am worried there will be lasting damage…” Emlygil let out a loud laugh and snuggled closer, tucking her head under his chin.

“Don’t worry, Mr Volkarin, I will make sure you receive the very best of care,” she placed her hand on his back and trailed it down, lower and lower, making soothing circular motions. Emmrich looked at her reprovingly and leaned down to speak in a low voice.

“Emlygil…that is not my coccyx.”

“It’s not?” She asked innocently, looking up and fluttering her eyelashes at him.

“You know very well where the coccyx is, or do I need to give you another anatomy lesson?”

“Ooh, yes please, Professor.” Emmrich shook his head and kissed her forehead.

“Mrs Volkarin, you are quite insatiable.”

“And that is entirely your fault, Mr Volkarin.”

They finished their sweet spiced teas before taking a leisurely stroll back down the river towards home, stopping off to get some roasted chestnuts from the pavilion along the river’s edge. Once they arrived back home, Emlygil spent the next several hours taking exceptionally good care of her husband and his injured posterior.

______

Emlygil stepped into the pavilion, thankful for the cooling rest away from the summer heat. She had walked along the river edge, but there was no way she could remember the exact bench they had sat on and she realised Emmrich probably couldn’t either, as the pavilion stood all year round it was as good a place to search as any.

“Can I help you, ma’am?” A young girl wearing an apron asked.

“Hello, this may sound a bit odd, but did a gentleman come in recently with a note as part of a scavenger hunt?”

“Are you Lady Volkarin?” The girl asked excitedly.

“Ah, thank goodness, I was worried I would have to search the entire river bank.”

The girl smiled as she went behind the counter to retrieve yet another note in his cursive writing.

“Here you go, he loves you very much, he gushed about you for an hour when he came to drop that off. You’re a lucky lady.” The girl said with a smile. Emlygil returned her kind gaze and decided to order a late afternoon lunch while she read the note and deciphered the final clue:

Lady Galaval,

You are very close to the end now my love, only one more clue until we are reunited. The day hasn’t arrived as I compose this note, but I am already filled with equal parts anguish and delight. Anguish that I am arbitrarily extending our absence from one another and delight at the prospect of finally seeing your face, knowing an evening awaits to hear of your travels and adventures in the court of Arlathan, filling you in on my own days and Manfred’s progress and finally feeling your warmth beside me as you return to our marital bed.

Your last clue, my vhenan’ara (heart’s desire) and we shall be reunited. See you soon, my dearest, darling one.

Yours Eternally,

Your Besotted Husband, Emmrich

On the back was her final clue.

Nothing here breathes, but the wind through your hair,

Walking the stones with those who were once there.

Memories of loved ones people say they adore,

The place I fell in love with you, in an instant and forevermore.

______

Emlygil fished her meal and immediately headed towards the direction of the Grand Necropolis. To the memorial gardens, a place in which they had both found peace, solace and love.

From above ground the Necropolis looked just like any other grand building around Nevarra, Emlygil suspected nobody knew how vast it truly was down below unless you were a member of the Mourn Watch. Or a travelling band of misfits looking to stop the apocalypse. Or a senior professor’s wife.

She stood in the vestibule where all people entered the Necropolis taking in the masonry and statues and art that once had terrified her, but now held a comforting familiarity of home. A young student who had been sweeping nearby approached her as she was staring up at a skeletal structure suspended above them.

“Lady Volkarin, how wonderful to see you! But we did not expect you to return to us for another day,” he was pleasant but there was a definite twinge of panic to his voice. She had not considered that her early return could interfere or ruin Emmrich’s plans.

“Ah. Yes, I’ve followed some clues from my dear husband that’s led me here, am I too early? I can come back tomorrow, if it will interfere with the plan,”

The student wasn’t entirely sure what to say and started to stammer a response, but a booming voice entered the conversation.

“EMLYGIL. WELCOME HOME.” She turned to see Vorgoth standing (hovering?) behind her. “IT IS ALRIGHT, ROBERTSON, I WILL TAKE IT FROM HERE.”

The student, Robinson, took his leave and went back to sweeping.

“Hello, Vorgoth. I worry I have foiled Emmrich’s plans, is he here?”

“HE IS IN THE GARDENS.”

“Yes, I thought so-“

“PREPARING YOUR SURPRISE.”

“You know you’re not supposed to tell people about surprises.”

“NOTED. YOU WILL BE PLEASED TO KNOW THAT THE GARDENS ARE IN THE SAME LOCATION AS THEY WERE LAST WEEK WHEN YOU VISITED. UNLIKE THE SHROUDED HALLS.”

“Thank you,”

“HE IS UNDER THE WISTERIA TREES.”

“Vorgoth!”

“I WISH TO SEE THE LOOK OF SURPRISE ON HIS FACE.”

“I always knew you were a trouble maker,” Emlygil smirked as she headed towards the gardens. The memorial gardens in the height of summer was the most pleasant place in the world, Emlygil and Emmrich visited frequently at all times of the year, whether it was because Emlygil was occupying her time whilst waiting for Emmrich to finish his lectures for the day, coming to clean and freshen up Emmrich’s parents graves with newly flowers from their own garden or even to come and perform a candle lighting ceremony for two small oak trees in remembrance of Emlygil’s late parents - a gesture from the Mourn Watch and Emmrich that she had been incredibly grateful for.

As it was summer time and the flowers were in full bloom, Emlygil found herself a bit distracted as she trod along the tiled, then gravel and finally the dirt paths to make her way over to the wisteria trees. She was always surprised how sprawling the grounds were. Despite her frequent visits, she was sure she had only seen a fraction of the graves and memorials, even Emmrich said there were some parts of the gardens and grounds he had not delved into yet, in his many years living within the hallowed halls.

When she encountered the drooping clusters of purple flowers she also encountered the sight of her husband bent over a picnic blanket, fussing with the placement of a candelabra and readjusting a bouquet of moon blossoms on a small table. She considered how she should play it; pretend she didn’t know his plans? Retreat? Make him jump? As she wondered she watched Emmrich’s tongue poke out as he fussed with the fabric and how it draped over the table. He was wearing his green linen suit that she loved so much. It was soft to the touch and she knew how she would announce her presence.

Emmrich was so preoccupied he didn’t notice someone approaching behind him and it wasn’t until gentle, slender fingers slid around his front hugging him from behind, and the familiar smell of her filling his senses that he startled at her presence.

“I do adore this suit.” She mumbled into his ear.

“Emlygil! What are you doing here? I mean- that was rude, I’m thrilled to see you, of course, but I thought you wouldn’t be home until tomorrow?”

“I just missed you too much, my love.” She pulled away so that Emmrich could get up and greet her properly. He stood and immediately pulled her close, lifting her off the floor as if it required little effort and burying his face in her neck, moaning as he breathed in her scent.

“Gods. So have I. Three days! It really is an eternity, darling!” He set her down before holding her head in his hands and capturing her lips in a hungry kiss - as if it really had been an eternity since he last saw her.

“Have you been forlorn without me?” She asked, though it was muffled with Emmrich’s lips still smothering hers.

“Utterly Despairing.” He responded. When he did finally surrender her lips, he looked around a little embarrassed. “You found my clues and notes, I take it?”

“Yes, I’m sorry I hadn’t really thought how I would have interrupted your schedule.”

“Schedule be damned, I’m just glad you're here. Although, there’s no food - you early bird - Only wine.” She nodded happily and settled down on the blanket as Emmrich opened the picnic blanket and took out a bottle and two glasses. When he handed her the glass he clinked them together and kissed her forehead.

“Happy anniversary, darling.” he said softly as he settled next to her on the picnic blanket, watching the orange sun go down over the rolling hills, pink sky in its wake.

“That’s what you set this all up for? But our wedding anniversary isn’t for a couple of months yet,”

“Not the anniversary of our marriage, dearest. Though I do have something extra special planned for that as well…” he had a knowing smile, that either meant it would be the most beautiful day of her life or the filthiest night of her life.

Knowing Emmrich, it would most definitely be both.

“What anniversary are you referring to then?”

“You don’t know?” Emmrich asked, a glint of mirth in his eyes.

“What other anniversaries are there?”

“Plenty! The first time we met, the first time we said I love you, the first time we kissed, the first time we…you know…”

“Do you humans celebrate such things?”

“Sentimental old ones do, yes,”

“Well, let me search the recesses of my memory then. I know it cannot be the first time we laid together as the Cumberland Summer Exhibition has not happened yet.” Emmrich hummed encouragingly and a little seductively. She huffed a laugh and rested her head on his shoulder. “We met in late spring…” she then stopped to think about what the exact date was and suddenly remembered “Is today my death day?”

“I do wish you wouldn’t call it that,” Emmrich said disapprovingly, “I prefer to think of it as the day of your rebirth.”

“Or the day I finally relented and let you love me,” she said sarcastically. Emmrich smirked and thoughtfully stroked his chin.

“If I recall, it was you who was professing your love…repeatedly. Adamantly.”

“Well you know me, so open and free with my emotions,” she reminded him. Emmrich guffawed before taking her hand and kissing her fingers.

“There are many wonderful ways I would describe you, ma’arlath, (my love) ‘uninhibited’ is most definitely not one of them.”

“Excuse me, Mr Volkarin, I think even you would concede that in certain matters and experiences I have been incredibly…unrestrained.”

“Apart from, of course, when you have been literally restrained,” Emmrich rumbled. Emlygil lightly knocked into his shoulder and took another sip of her wine.

“Well, happy anniversary, Emmrich. Every day with you is a gift, I love you so, so dearly.”

“Happy anniversary, Emlygil. Sharing my life and my soul with you is more than anything I could have ever imagined. I loved you then, I love you now and I will always love you, forevermore.”

“Until death do us part?”

“And beyond, my love. In the garden of eternity.”

13 notes · View notes

eleanorblythe · 13 days ago

Text

WIP Wednesday - With a Twist!

So I don’t know how it’s happened, but I haven’t had a chance to even THINK about the next chapter of Wicked Game this week, so it’s very unlikely there will be a regular Sunday upload this week!

However!

The reason for this is because I’ve been hard at work on The Fade’s First Collaboration Event!

I have been partnered with the amazing @deny-the-issue and they have made THREE pieces of art to go with my fic which I am so excited to share once everything is ready to go!(I got very greedy when picking the prompts and they absolutely matched my energy!!)

I have been cooking up a very fluffy (and a lil’ bit saucy/suggestive) long one shot that is an AU of Wicked Game of Emm&Em’s domestic life post game/story - I will link to the collection on Ao3 as well as my own page when it’s all uploaded - but here is a sneak peak!

Snapping the book closed, she went back to the stack she had left Emmrich at, seeing him crouched on the floor with his trolley cart already half full.

“Making a nest then, I see?” She asked quietly, but it was still enough to make him jump slightly at the sound of her voice.

“Ah darling, you’ve seen my shame.” He said looking up, a little guilty.

“Actually this is pretty tame, for you.” She smirked. He smiled in return and saw a book clasped in her hand.

“Oh I see this place has enchanted you too, what do you have there?”

By way of an answer she opened a random page and started reading.

“What determines which sections of the physical world are echoed in the Fade? Is there an underlying logic, or glacial patterns past comprehension? Do our collective fears and longings craft what we see? The will of a mage is especially potent. We may learn to shape the Fade's pathways, if we are ever-mindful of the dangers this invites." she softly closed the book again, beaming.

“That’s certainly intriguing, what made you pick it up?”

She turned the book around so he could see the cover.

“It’s you.” She said simply.

Emmrich gave a sigh of disappointment but couldn’t help the small shy smile.

“There are hundreds of thousands of books in this building and you chose a book with my ramblings? You have to listen to that all the time!”

“You will not sway me with your elegant choice of words,” or so he said, but she could feel the beginnings of an erection pressing against her thigh.

Challenge accepted.

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eleanorblythe · 16 days ago

Text

Wicked Game - Emmrich x Emlygil (Rook) - Chapter 23

Chapter summary: An exercise in exploration.

NSFW: nudity, breast play, body worship, discussions around sex

You can also read on Ao3 - here

Life resumed. As it always would. When the group had finally stepped through the Vi’Revas, taking in the familiar stone carvings and moody purple light reflecting off the walls, they all felt the nostalgic feeling of coming home. Home had somehow become an old base once used by an ancient god in a pocket of Fade. They were happy to see it again.

The Caretaker greeted them almost immediately, rising out of the floor and delivering its greetings in its vaguely eerie but friendly way. It directed them to the small mountain of missives and letters from various people and factions while they had been away. Emlygil picked up the pile and quickly cycled through them. She held them up and simply said;

“To work, then.”

After that, everyone went about their work as they had always done. A Venatori crisis in Docktown, a haunting in the Necropolis, a minor Antaam uprising in Rivain and Treviso. The work continued. It was unrelenting. Everyone decided the best way to cope with the endless list of tasks and pleas for help was to divide and conquer. From the moment they rose to the moment they trudged back through the Eluvian, every member of the Veilguard went to assist where their skills were most needed.

For a period of a couple of weeks after their return, Emmrich and Emlygil barely saw each other during the day, sharing brief glances over breakfast as everyone discussed their plans for the day. In the evenings, they would all gather around their own version of a war table - set up in what they believed was Solas’ old planning room and study, recently discovered on one of Manfred’s wanderings - around a map of Northern Theads, adding faction forces, noting down any favours gained, any help still outstanding…the wall was starting to rival that of Neve’s wall of case notes.

Despite the endless list of tasks to do, everyone made sure to come together for dinners, Lucanis taking his position of head chef, back up. Emmrich and Emlygil sat as close as possible next to each other, without being indecent and would converse freely with everyone, all the while with their fingers interlocked under the table.

When the conversation would hit a lull, later into the evening, the two would share a look before politely saying goodnight and leaving the dining hall, arm in arm.

“Damn, every night for nearly two weeks, at what point do we start taking a pool on how long before she’s pregnant?” Davrin joked. Bellara choked on her water and began spluttering.

“Guys, stop saying things that make Bellara have a conniption!” Neve warned with a customary smirk.

“I’m not hysterical! I just swallowed too quickly.” Bellara defended.

“Oh yeah, and it’s not because you just imagined your second parents doin’ it on the regular?” Harding joked.

“I don’t think Emlygil and Professor Emmrich are my parents!”

“I don’t know,” Lucanis joined in on the fun. “I’ve definitely heard you call Emlygil ‘mom’ before…”

“I did not!”

“You definitely did. It was the first time I thought I might see Emlygil actually laugh, but that honour still goes to Davrin.” Taash mentioned. “And you’ve called Emmrich ‘Professor Dad’ more times than I can count.”

“That’s ridiculous!” Bellara looked around the room, not meeting anyone’s eyes, embarrassed. “They’ve never said anything…”

“That’s because they’re both too polite to correct you.” Davrin said through a snicker.

“Can elves and humans even have babies?” Harding asked curiously.

“They can, but they’re rare and there’s somewhat of a stigma around people who are ‘elf-blooded’.” Neve said.

“Even if it was an heir to the Elven throne?” Lucanis asked.

“I can’t imagine they’re too happy with her being with Emmrich, let alone happy with any ‘impure’ offspring,” Davrin said.

“This is all irrelevant anyway, because she’s not pregnant and they’re not fucking.” Taash said bluntly. Everyone looked at them strangely.

“How do you know? Do you…watch them?” Harding asked tentatively.

“What?! No! I just can’t smell it on them!” Facing the puzzled and mildly grossed out looks they defended; “Oh! So we can gossip about every place they’ve done it, but me not smelling the sex on them is ‘over the line’?!” They harrumphed, crossing their arms, sulkily.

“I don’t get it, it’s been a couple of weeks and they’ve been in love with each other since what…the moment they met?!”

“Well, Emmrich’s a gentleman, maybe he’s taking things slow?”

They continued to discuss the possible reasons and bets on when they would finally ‘do it’ until Lucanis finally rose and said he was fetching more wine, if he was having to endure the mental image of what they were discussing.

______

The truth was, both Emlygil and Emmrich were skating over having to address the topic as to why they had not slept together. They were both so desperately in love with each other, but it seemed there was an invisible and impenetrable barrier that kept them from fully consummating their love. Emmrich was desperate to know the answer, but did not wish to push too hard. He sensed it was something Emlygil was a little cagey about.

In lieu of making love on every surface the lighthouse had to offer, Emlygil and Emmrich had spent their evenings enjoying each other’s company in other ways. They had walked the endless corridors and courtyards the Lighthouse provided, as well as exploring the less intimidating parts of the Necropolis. Emmrich had even hosted a dinner for her within the memorial gardens.

“Sometimes my dear, I think you indulge me…” Emmrich in a distinctly sultry tone.

“When I’m in the mood,” she had responded in kind. He leaned over the table and kissed her. She rose to meet his urgency and carded her fingers through his hair, starting to feel some of the carefully styled strands fall out of place. Emmrich wished to pull her closer but a large stone table was in his way. He pulled back and held out a hand.

“Would you join me for a jaunt around the gardens?” She nodded and lightly placed her hand in his. As they walked, Emmrich pointed out and talked about the notable graves, either due to design or its inhabitants, as well as the many variations and species of flowers that grew around the gardens. He guided her to a particularly large structure that depicted two skeletons intertwined in each other’s arms and wrapped in cloth. He released her hand and took a flower off the vine, handing it to her.

“Shroud’s Kiss. I’ve always loved the legend around this flower. They say it grows on lovers’ graves and that one moves closer to the Fade simply by inhaling its fragrance.” Emmrich edged closer as he saw the look of curiosity on her face as she observed and inhaled from its fragrant centre.

“Is that true?” She asked. By way of an answer Emmrich waved his hand in an admittedly needless display of showmanship and they both watched as the flower dissolved into particles and created a shower of Fade touched fireflies all around them.

“It is, when I will it, my dear.” He looked back and expected to find her smirking at him or rolling her eyes at his small dramatics, but she wasn’t, she was utterly entranced - her eyes dancing as she followed an errant firefly whizzing around the two of them. When her eyes finally caught his again, Emmrich felt his heart skip a beat. Her eyes shimmered and her skin glowed in the pale green light. Just as ethereal and beautiful as ever.

He pulled her close, constantly marvelling at how perfectly she fit against him, and dipped his head to carefully capture her lips, parted in wonder. She sighed dreamily and he felt her start to melt, becoming boneless in his embrace. He manoeuvred her until she was resting against the wall of the statue and redoubled his efforts to make her completely putty in his hands. He lowered his lips to her neck, where he knew she was sensitive and was rewarded with a delicious gasp and moan as she pushed herself more insistently towards him.

“Ask and you shall receive, my love.” He whispered wickedly in her ear, nibbling towards the points of her ears.

“Emmrich-!” She tried to whine, but she was quite breathless. Emmrich pulled back and was a little surprised to see her breathing was already shallow and her pupils were completely blown - he had barely begun his exquisite torture.

“Well, it’s not quite a full sentence, but we can work on that,” Emmrich said with a smirk as he swallowed up another gasp in a more bruising kiss. Her hands had finally willed themselves to move from being frozen at her sides and were now grabbing fistfuls of his clothing, desperately trying to find an anchor.

Emmrich moved his lips from her lips down to her neck again. And then lower. His old knees did not thank him for being forced to kneel on granite slabs, but how else could he worship such a creature? His lips ran over her chest, his tongue tasting the salt of her skin as he came to the round swell of her breast.

Since her being outed as a queen, Emlygil no longer felt she needed to wrap herself in unflattering, scratchy rags and tunics. Emmrich considered her beautiful in any clothing, but he was thankful for the dress she wore tonight - a floor length gown of silk and satin, soft to the touch. With a deep, positively scandalous cut in the front that ended just at her sternum. Emmrich had felt fistfuls of beautiful fabric all over her body and had worked his hand underneath to grasp at the velvety feel of her legs, quivering and aching for him.

Emlygil’s chest heaved as though she had just run around the entirety of the Necropolis’ lower bounds. It did give Emmrich pause, he wondered how she would cope with anything more…copious than some light application of lips and tongue. He continued to tease around the edge of her breast, tracing and committing to memory every line and curve of what he could see of her body, experimentally he swiped a thumb over the bud of her nipple, straining against the fabric of her dress and her yelp of surprise and barely contained pleasure, made her jolt enough to push him back a little.

“You are so glorious, my darling,” Emmrich looked up at her as though she was the sun, the place in which his entire world revolved. In this moment, it was true. “I could stay here forever and worship at your feet,” her already flushed face became even redder and the tips of her perfect ears turned pink.

“Emmrich!” She said through an embarrassed laugh. Emmrich moved his hands further up her legs under the skirt, settling on her upper thighs. Any protests she might have had died on her tongue as the cool touch of his rings offset the heat of her sensitive skin. Emmrich had started to become a little concerned she had stopped breathing altogether, he leaned forward again, keeping his gaze fixed on her as he started to maw around her breast again, edging closer and closer to the edge of the fabric, his nose starting to poke underneath to get to her rosy bud.

As soon as his lips closed around her nipple, Emlygil let out a small shriek and her fingernails dug hard into his head, Emmrich letting out his own moan - he found he quite liked a small side of pain with his unending pleasure.

“Emmrich, we can’t!” She panted, but she was unwilling to push him away. “Someone could see!” Emmrich gave a long, hard suck before releasing her breast with a ‘pop’ and getting back up, ignoring the pain in his knees and unable to resist licking a stripe up her cleavage and nipping her collarbone.

“Then say the word, my love, and we shall depart for somewhere more…appropriate,” her mouth opened and closed several times but she wasn’t able to get any words out. This time Emmrich did take a small step back, removing his hands from under her dress and gently cupped her face, brows wrinkling in slight concern.

“Emlygil?”

She nodded insistently against his hands, blinking rapidly. Emmrich couldn’t stop his lighthearted scoff and brushed his lips against her forehead. He took her hand and started to escort her back to the Lighthouse, with an air of such calm and grace - like he hadn’t been two seconds away from taking her against the ‘Love in Life and Death’ monument in public.

Stepping through the Eluvian and back ‘home’ everything was quiet. The room that housed the astrolabe was unoccupied and Taash’s door was firmly closed. Emmrich had restrained himself, with light kisses against her knuckles and his hands roaming no further than the small of her back. As they reached the door to Emlygil’s room, however, he no longer wished to restrain himself. He lightly pushed her against the frame of the door and set about devouring her. Emlygil met his urgency, clawing and pulling at anything she could reach, moaning deliciously, desperately.

Her nimble fingers threaded through his hair, fiddled with his collar pin, she even managed to undo a couple of the buttons of his vest and her hand was rapidly approaching his cummerbund, trying to determine how to untie it. Emmrich had responded, most unhelpfully, swallowing each of her sounds, tasting them on his tongue, getting drunk off of her.

Emmrich hitched her leg up wrapping it around his hip, his hand greedily sliding over her bare leg and his now very evident erection pressed against her core. She whimpered against his lips and Emmrich kissed her again, their tongues tangling together and his free hand caressing and squeezing her breast. Emlygil practically climbed him, looping her arms around his neck, holding desperately. Emmrich moved his hand on her leg further up, so close to the nourishment he craved. Then Emlygil said something with such urgency and such desperation it made them both pause:

“Goodnight,”

Neither of them said anything more, only panted against each other's open mouths as they proceeded what had been said. Emmrich had essentially been dismissed - but why? Surely what they were doing was a prelude and not a conclusion to the night’s activities. Emmrich leaned back, slightly confused, but saw that Emlygil was staring at him, breathing heavily, pupils completely black with arousal, but her eyes were wide with…fear.

Perhaps it was too soon, the dinner he had organised was only their first ‘official’ date, but his love had been all consuming and she had looked so delectable…

It didn’t matter. He stepped away, feeling Emlygil’s hands hold on tightly to his clothing for a moment before letting them drop, her head dropping with them, avoiding his gaze. Emmrich hooked a finger under her chin and pulled her head up, gave a reassuring smile before kissing her lightly on her lips and then her forehead.

“Goodnight, my darling.”

She didn’t trust herself to say anything more, his heart broke a little seeing her so downtrodden. She nodded sadly and squeezed herself through her door, closing it softly behind her. Emmrich racked his brain trying to determine where he went wrong? What was too far? Should he discuss it with her or wait for her to raise the issue?

He walked away thinking, bewildered and taking deep breaths to ease the discomfort in his trousers. He didn’t hear the soft thudding of Emlygil hitting her head against the pane of the door, repeatedly, cursing herself.

______

Similar incidents happened on a few more occasions and Emmrich had planned to ask what was wrong and how he could help, but the situation presented itself before he could ask.

Tonight they had chosen to settle in one of the libraries that had been tucked away in one of the Lighthouse’s many hidden passages. Emmrich had stretched his long legs across an overstuffed sofa and Emlygil had chosen to position herself in between his legs, her back resting against his chest. On this night he had decided to read to her. She held the book and turned the pages as he read over her shoulder, punctuated by small nibbles and kisses along her neck and words whispered into her skin. He was always struck by how feline she was when in his embrace, snuggling closer to him, craving his warmth and humming (purring) happily, fingers fiddling with his jewellery.

He was reading a part of a serial that Bellara had discovered within Solas’ collection and Emmrich had found the least offensive of the many he had been recommended. As they neared its conclusion they had become quite absorbed and, of course, it had ended in a cliffhanger.

“Oh, I hope the next one is hidden away in one of these shelves.” Emlygil said excited and frustrated. Emmrich chuckled and kissed her temple.

“I actually did spy the next one on the shelf back there,” he vaguely pointed. Emlygil snapped her head to him and hurriedly got out of his lap.

“Go! Go get it!”

“Darling, have you no patience?” He scolded playfully.

“No. Now go!” She said with an excited grin. Emmrich bowed low and looked up with a smirk.

“Yes, your majesty.” He dipped lower to avoid the projectile cushion she threw at him. He laughed and went off to the shelves, hoping he could remember where he had found it previously.

As soon as Emmrich was out of eyeline, Emlygil immediately reached under the sofa and pulled out a book she had found the week prior and took out her bookmark, picking up where she left off, trying to glean any useful information before he returned. She scanned the lines of text rapidly, speed reading and skimming over sections she didn’t deem relevant or too advanced to her, at this stage. She unfortunately became too absorbed in what she was reading and didn’t hear Emmrich approaching.

“I nearly had to battle a wisp, for it, but you’ll be glad to hear I fought valiantly…I also gave it one of the buttons from my vest, I’m sure Manfred could-oh! What do you have there, dearest?”

Emlygil looked up at him, like she had been caught doing something illicit and desperately tried to shove the book back under the sofa.

“Nothing.” She said far too quickly. Emmrich looked down at her with a mixture of confusion and mischief.

“Emlygil, you are an awful liar,”

“That’s not true, I kept my identity hidden for months!” She said laughing uncomfortably. Emmrich came around the sofa and calmly reached under the sofa and pulled it out. He read the title and his eyebrow curled up.

Sexuality In Thedas.

Emmrich was surprised Emlygil would select such a book for herself, she was clearly embarrassed and was hiding herself within the sofa’s cushions.

“Darling, there’s no reason to be embarrassed. I only ask why you would select such a title? There are far better texts I could have recommended,” Emlygil only groaned louder, wishing the sofa would swallow her up, until eventually she poked her head out behind her arms and looked up at him.

“You weren’t supposed to see…I wanted to…gain a better understanding…I didn’t want you to think…I mean you’re so…and I’m…” she was unable to get a single complete thought together, but the worry and embarrassment on her face told Emmrich everything he needed to know - the pieces had finally clicked in his head. He knelt down, tucking her long hair behind her ear before taking her hands.

“Emlygil, is this your very convoluted way of telling me that you’re a virgin?”

Emlygil hung her head and gave a solemn nod, as if it was a shameful thing to admit. Emmrich sighed softly, and pulled her into a hug.

He wasn’t surprised, he supposed a part of him knew all along, but there was a small part of him that couldn’t believe a beauty such as herself had never experienced such romance or passion or love before. He then felt the familiar prickling of panic in the pit of his stomach.

He would be her first - potentially only - lover.

The self-doubt.

The inadequacy.

The fear.

Sensing this change in him, Emlygil pulled back and took his face in her hands. He had hypothesised whether their life-link ran deeper than they knew. They often knew each other’s thoughts before they spoke them. Their friends had commented on how they mimicked each other’s facial expressions, at times. And Emmrich always felt a pang in his chest whenever she wasn’t around - although that could have very easily have been chalked up to his desperate pining for her.

“Emmrich? Is that okay?”

He wanted to slap himself. He had made her think his discomfort was at her ‘condition’ and not his own fear of inadequacy.

“Emlygil, forgive me, of course it’s okay!” He kissed her repeatedly all over her face, until she giggled and playfully shoved him away. “Why would you even ask such a thing?”

“You’re just so…experienced. You’ve been with so many and you really seem to know what you’re doing-”

“Darling, you’re starting to make me sound like a gigolo…”

Emlygil seemed to realise this and her eyes widened in shock, rushing to apologise. Emmrich laughed, rich and warm and silenced her again with a tender kiss. She experimented a little by deepening the kiss and nipped at his lower lip. Emmrich moaned and maneuvered to wrap her legs around his waist. She held onto his shoulders as she let herself be surrounded and engulfed in everything Emmrich. His warm skin against hers, his jewellery rattling, his moustache tickling her. She almost wanted to forget the entire world and all of its problems, just so she could stay in his arms, kissing and holding him forever.

Emmrich felt exactly the same, moving his lips to the dip where her neck and shoulder met, placing featherlight kisses there and along her collarbone. That seemed to drive her crazier than even the fiercest of his kisses, her moans and whines only further…stimulating him. He tried to shift his position so she wouldn’t have to contend with this inconvenience, but she only pushed herself closer to him, until his erection brushed against her inner thighs. She gasped and looked down, unable to stop her body tensing up. Emmrich pulled back and moved his hands away from groping her behind and placed them on her waist.

“Emlygil, we can stop if you’re unsure about going any further,” he reassured her. She bit her lip and looked confused and annoyed at herself.

“But I love you,” she punctuated her point, smoothing his hair and caressing his cheek.

“I know you do, but I would never want you to do something you weren’t comfortable with, just to prove that.”

“We don’t exactly have all the time in the world…” Emmrich couldn’t help a wry chuckle.

“Ahh! Nothing rouses a heart and romance quite like a time schedule,” Emmrich saw her unimpressed look and held her hand over his heart. “My love, without wanting to sound mawkish; I feel I have waited my entire life for you, from the moment we met I’ve thought and dreamed of you. I imagined my thanatophobia would hound and haunt me my entire life, but the second I saw you lying there, I didn’t think twice, I gladly gave my life to save yours. You are the first thing I think of when I awake and the last thing I think of when I close my eyes to sleep. You are my sun, my happiness, my life - I would wait a thousand lifetimes for you to be ready, as long as I had the joy of being by your side.”

Emlygil couldn’t stop a couple of tears escaping her eyes as she leaned up to kiss him. She kissed him like he was the oxygen she needed, like nothing and no one else mattered. He was her lifeline. He was everything she ever needed.

“Ma vhenan. Ma arlath. Ma sal’shiral.” (My heart. My love. My life) She whispered against his lips.

“If and when you are ever ready, my love, I will gladly share such a beautiful experience with you, but our love is not defined by how often we- excuse me…’do it’.” She laughed and he couldn’t help but laugh with her. She got off of his lap and sat back upon the sofa, Emmrich remained kneeling on the floor and flipped through the pages of the book Emlygil had attempted to hide. “Besides, my dear, you should never take sexual advice from a Brother of the Chantry! Those men are terribly repressed, if you truly wish to become more educated I will provide a list of texts to peruse at your pleasure. You may also ask me anything you wish.” Emlygil then had a devilish thought and extracted the book from his hands.

“I did have a question I wish to hear your opinion on,” she smirked behind the pages of the tome.

“Ask away,” Emmrich said, delightfully intrigued, not necessarily catching on to her tone and thrilled at the thought of educating or debating her.

“I read in one section…here.” She read aloud, “The view on indulging lusts outside of procreation with a member of the opposite gender varies from land to land. In Orlais, it is considered a quirk of character and nothing more. In Ferelden, it is a matter of scandal if done indiscreetly but otherwise nothing noteworthy. In Tevinter, it is considered selfish and deviant behavior among nobles. Nowhere is it forbidden, and sex of any kind is only considered worthy of judgment when taken to awful excess or performed in the public eye.” She paused and looked up to ensure Emmrich was following along. He nodded for her to continue. “Where do Nevarrans fall on the line of this topic?”

“Being so closely linked and bordered with Orlais, our cultural identity with art, food and beauty - I would say as a rule we tend to conform to the opinion of the Orlesians, though perhaps a touch less hedonistic.” Emmrich considered and explained his answer.

“So Nevarrans would draw the line at engaging in such activities within the public?”

“I would say that only the most liberal and sybaritic of societies would condone such a thing…”

“So is that merely a predilection of yours then, Professor?” She said, finally putting down the book and smiling down at him far too innocently. Emmrich narrowed his eyes and braced his hands on either side of the cushion she sat on, hovering a hair’s breadth away from her.

“What makes you say that, your grace?” He rumbled.

“The other week, you were prepared to ravish me within full view of anyone who might have happened past,” her voice dropped down to a murmur, scandalising herself with such talk.

“Well…there is something to be said about the thrill of getting caught doing something so…naughty.” He let his finger trail down from her cheek to her neck, then down and ghosting over her breast. His eyes flicked back to her in silent question. She gave the briefest of nods and he allowed his finger to trace in a circle, around where her nipple would be - a self satisfied smile spreading across his face as her nipple started to pebble and peak against the fabric of her top. “Wouldn’t you say so, my dear?”

She looked over at the door to the library entrance, she knew no one would find or disturb them. She felt a thrill run through her as she slowly (and slightly shakily) undid the first button of her blouse. Emmrich laid a hand over hers and gave her a questioning look.

“Darling, you don’t have-“

“Will you do that thing with the tongue?” She whispered desperately, shocked by her own brazenness. As was he. His look of shock quickly turned to that of glee.

“My love, nothing would make me happier.” She kissed him then and together they carefully unbuttoned her top, allowing the fabric to fall away, Emmrich doing his best not to weep with joy as he caught sight of her breasts open and bare to him. He went to lean forward but his knees protested in pain, again. He was struck by a marvellous idea.

“Come here,” he commanded softly as he sat down on the sofa and guided her to sit in his lap. She straddled him, somewhat sheepishly, but all embarrassment fell away when his tongue made contact with her skin.

Emmrich spent the next hour lavishing and worshipping her tits, neck and lips. He wondered if one day he would have learnt her body so well he could make her come with his mouth on her breast alone. For now he learnt everything he could. What every sigh and gasp meant. When and how to apply teeth and tongue. He felt the weight of her globes in his hand, and memorised the colour of her areolas. He nudged himself in between her crevice and felt the crush on each side of his head, briefly considering whether ‘suffocation’ or ‘asphyxiation’ would be considered cause of death. He so badly wished he could rut against her and feel her heat against his, hearing her glorious sounds as she reached her peak and he finished in his trousers (truly a lovestruck teenager, Volkarin!) but he did not wish to overwhelm her more than she already was.

There was plenty enough time for that particular lesson later.

When she had finally relented and pulled away, she had the look of a woman who had been completely and utterly ruined. How precious she was. How wonderful she was. How beautiful she was. She was so ruined she even incorrectly buttoned her shirt back up.

She had never looked more perfect.

“How did you find that, Emlygil?” He was amazed he could still speak properly after such an oral exercise.

“I had never considered pleasure could be so…” she wasn’t able to find the correct adjective so offered him a sleepy smile. He understood perfectly, he wasn’t sure he could find the right words either.

“We should get you to bed, my lady, it would hardly be appropriate for me to keep you awake all night to sate my own addiction.” Emmrich offered her his arm and she accepted it gladly. She hugged it tightly and rested her head against his shoulder. When he reached her door, he let her go. He didn't dare try and touch her again, he found his lack of self control a little troubling. She took his hand and kissed his fingers.

“I do adore you,” she said so earnestly he thought she might cry. Emmrich swallowed the lump on his own throat and, unable to resist, cupped her face in his hands.

“And I adore you. Your mind. Your soul. I am so blessed I get to share all of it with you. On nydha, ma arlath,” he said quietly before bowing in farewell. Emlygil smiled proudly. His pronunciation was improving.

“Good night, my love,” she called back before slipping back into her room, ready to explore parts of her body she had not considered before now.

Knowing that next door, Emmrich was doing the same.

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