Chapter Text
“Are you leaving already, Rook?”
Rook paused on her way out of the dining hall and turned toward Lucanis and Davrin, who were watching her intently. She was drunk – they were all drunk, actually – and she knew she needed to leave before she did something she would regret later. Maker, they were both so pretty. She wondered how hard it would be to talk them into a threesome…no. She knew from experience that this kind of thing seldom went off without a hitch. It was best if she just removed herself from the temptation altogether.
“I…uh…I’m not feeling very well. I think I need some air.” Rook laughed nervously, running her hand through her long red hair. “Maybe I should just go to bed.”
“Wait!” Lucanis wobbled slightly as he stood up. “Let me make you some food. I told you we shouldn’t drink on empty stomachs.”
Lucanis whispering in my ear as he holds me down. I wonder if his beard would tickle my thighs as he…
She shook her head. “No! I mean, you don’t have to go to any trouble for me. I’ll see you both tomorrow, okay?”
Davrin furrowed his brow. “You’re acting strange, Rook. Are you okay? Do you want me to check in on you before I go to bed?”
Davrin is so strong…He could easily pick me up and push me into the wall. I’d be totally powerless…
“I’m fine. Really. I’ll see you both tomorrow.” Before they could say another word, Rook quickly exited the room.
Finally. Rook stood briefly with her back against the door and gazed up at the Fade sky as it shifted and churned around her. It was beautiful in its surreal way. Once she had regained her bearings, Rook carefully navigated her way across the courtyard, entered the Lighthouse, and made her way inside. Had there always been this many stairs? Why? Whose great idea was that? Rook made a mental note to ask Solas about this the next time they spoke. Stumbling slightly, she somehow found herself safely at the top. Almost there…
She heard it as she walked past the little hall to Emmrich’s room – was he singing? The ever-present Elven magic in the Lighthouse must be amplifying it somehow because his sweet tenor danced in the air around her as Rook paused to listen in wonder. Maybe it was the wine talking, but she suddenly needed to see him, and before she could think, she was standing in front of his door. As she raised her hand to knock, the door swung open, and she found herself face-to-face with Emmrich.
“Rook?” He looked puzzled, but did he also look pleased? She thought he did.
“Uh…hi!” Rook grinned stupidly and waved. “I was just passing by and…uh…”
Emmrich smiled warmly at her. “Would you like to come in? I would welcome the company.”
Rook’s stomach jumped as she entered the room. Did he know about her feelings? About all the nights she spent in the room right next door to his, touching herself and dreaming about long, nimble fingers? About running her hands over the fine linen of his shirt, from his surprisingly broad shoulders down to his trim, elegant waist? Was she that obvious? Davrin and Lucanis were attractive and all, but Emmrich? There was something more about him. She wanted to give him everything, and that frightened her a little.
“Please excuse my state of undress. It’s late, and I was preparing for bed.”
Undress? He wore his usual clothing – shirt, waistcoat, trousers, that sash that always reminded her of something a pirate would wear. Then she saw that he’d removed all his jewelry and trinkets, leaving his hands and arms bare and his shirt open at the collar. The sight of this small amount of exposed skin made the heat rise in Rook’s face. Emmrich was usually so distinguished and buttoned up that this was akin to him answering the door in his small clothes. Her eyes dropped down to his crotch, then snapped back up to his face. Oh, Maker, what was happening?
“Rook? Are you quite alright?”
She stared blankly at him for a beat or two. “I heard you singing,” she finally blurted. “What was it?”
He waved a hand at her. “Oh, just an old Navarran folk song I learned as a boy.” Then he winked, and she found herself needing to hold onto something. “I hope you weren’t expecting a concert, my dear.”
Rook felt her mouth go dry. “Say that again?”
Emmrich looked surprised, and then his expression changed to that of someone who had just discovered a secret. “What do you want me to say, darling?” Did his voice just drop?
“Em…” Rook realized with mild surprise that she had moved closer to him. Could he feel the heat coming off of her, mingled with the scents of cheap wine and arousal? She placed a hand on his chest. “I think you know.” Rook moved in a little closer, lightly skimming her fingers across his silken waistcoat and resting her hand in the dip at the small of his back. They had done a little flirting before today, but never like this. She couldn’t decide if she needed to get more bottles of that wine or avoid it like the blight. She supposed that all depended on how much of an ass she made of herself tonight.
“Rook,” Emmrich whispered hoarsely, “I need to ask – have you been drinking tonight?”
Rook pushed in closer until there was no space left between them. “Just a little bit,” she whispered and squeezed his ass. He jumped, and she could feel his cock begin to stir to life against her hip. “Okay, maybe a lot.”
“Darling, no, we mustn’t.” Emmrich gently removed her hand and took a step back. “This isn’t how I wanted this to go.”
“Maker…are you doing this to me on purpose?” She reached for him again, and he gently but firmly took her hand.
“Rook, we cannot do anything tonight. I will not take advantage of you by agreeing to activities you may regret later.” He took a good look at her – Rook’s hair was tousled, her cheeks flushed prettily, and her mouth begged to be kissed. Her breasts strained against the buttons of the Crow outfit she insisted on wearing as casual wear, revealing to him an intriguing amount of cleavage. He could have her if he wanted; that was clear enough. But her eyes were also glassy, and she was not entirely in control of herself. Emmrich Volkarin was not that kind of man. He felt confident they would be together one night, but that wouldn’t be tonight.
“Do you know what it does to me when you call me ‘dear’?” Rook whispered.
Emmrich smiled, then gently took Rook’s face in his hands and kissed her forehead. “I do have some idea. Now, off to bed with you. I shall find you tomorrow – I promise.”
**********
Rook spent the next day with Neve and Emmrich in Dock Town, traveling through areas known for Venatori activity. As she walked, she heard the distinctive sound of Neve falling into step beside her.
“Maker, you look awful,” Neve chuckled. “Fun night? I saw you staggering back home at a pretty late hour.”
Rook rubbed her forehead and grimaced. “Just a run-in with a bottle of cheap wine. I’ll be fine, though I could do without this headache.”
“I’ve made some of my worst decisions on cheap wine.” Neve winked at Rook. “Was yours named Davrin or Lucanis?”
“Neve!” Rook gasped, then held her head again and groaned. “I can’t believe you’d ask me that.”
“Just a little girl talk. So?”
“Neither. I left before things got awkward.”
“Aw damn.” Neve laughed again. “I was hoping to hear some juicy gossip.” Then, an arrow whistled past, and she was all business again. “Venatori! Let’s make them pay!”
**********
The three of them quickly dispatched the cultists despite Rook fumbling more than once at the sound of Emmrich’s calls of encouragement: “Great shot, darling!” made her arms jerk and shoot an arrow harmlessly into the sky. “Finish him now, my dear.” caused her to drop her daggers with a clatter. That was when Rook swore she saw him smirking. This kind of thing could become dangerous if she weren’t careful.
A few hours later, they were back at the Lighthouse. Rook paused to chat with Taash and Harding while Emmrich and Neve parted ways to their respective rooms. A few minutes later, it was Rook’s turn to ascend the stairs. She was still hungover and couldn’t wait to take off her armor and see what Lucanis had cooked for dinner tonight. She was surprised to find Emmrich waiting for her in the hallway.
“If you’re not busy, perhaps you could stop by my room later.” He smiled warmly at her, eyes crinkling at the corners. “When you’re ready, of course.”
Was this about last night? Rook knew something had happened while in her inebriated state, but she couldn’t remember any details. She felt her face redden with embarrassment and hoped she hadn’t crossed any lines that would ultimately ruin the delicate dance they had shared these past few weeks.
“Of course. Let me go change.”
“Anything you need, my dear.”
Maker help me