Work Text:
The Venatori were dead, to begin with. Nellas heaved a sigh as the final haunting, defeated, dispersed into the ether. It was by no means the Mourn Watcher’s first encounter with spirits but was certainly up there as one of the most difficult. Emmrich handed her a healing potion, which she accepted and drank with gratitude. The whole team – herself, Emmrich, and Neve – looked as haggard as Nellas felt. The final spirit of three marked the cleansing of an artifact that now lay free of possession on the cobbled stones of the Minrathous street.
Emmrich bent on one knee and waved a hand over it, analyzing the object with care. “Finally,” he spoke. “The timepiece has been purified. I shall deliver it to Myrna and Vorgoth for further study and safekeeping under the highest security.”
Back at the Lighthouse library, Davrin gave the three a once-over and whistled low. “Rough go of it?”
“I’ve never seen spirits put up such a fight before,” Nellas said, flopping onto the couch usually reserved for Harding and Neve. “I don’t even know if I can make it up the stairs.”
“Shall I carry you, dearest?” Emmrich asked. Before Nellas could answer in an enthusiastic affirmative, the others filed into the meeting space.
“Wow, you look like shit,” Taash said.
Nellas groaned. “These particular spirits kicked our asses.” The longer she lay on the couch, the more she felt as if she would become one with the pillows.
“Ah, Bellara,” Emmrich started as he closed the distance between himself and the Veil Jumper, “I suppose you would like a look at this device prior its dispatch to the Mourn Watch?”
Bellara’s eyebrows rose as she reached out for the artifact. “Yes, please, Professor!” She took it and held the crystal timepiece close to her face for further inspection.
She gazed at it with scientific wonder, furrowing her brow in concentration. “Made with lyrium and blood magic.”
Neve approached Bellara’s side. “Smuggled by the Venatori and found its way into the hands of one Magister Ebon Yzer. The most miserly of them all. He intended to use the timepiece, whatever it does, for himself before giving it to the gods. We’re not sure of his exact plans, though. Maker knows what havoc anyone with a hint of power could do with it.”
Bellara pointed to a small section on the timepiece’s underside. “There. Engravings. What do they say on the back? I don’t recognize the writing.”
The team crowded around her, and Nellas heard a small intake of breath from Emmrich. Bellara handed it to him for a closer look. After a beat, he spoke slowly, inspecting and lecturing simultaneously. “These carvings are in ancient Nevarran, from the Steel Age. They read, ‘Past, Present, and Future combine, and our power is thine.’ I thought those spirits were a peculiar combination.”
Neve angled her head. “What are you getting at?”
Emmrich continued. “Those spirits we purged from this timepiece were connected. First, a spirit of Wrath. Such an emotion is focused on what has been, a spirit focused too much on the past. During that battle, we shared visions of Wintersends past. This was followed by a spirit of Pride, during which battle we witnessed recent glimpses of the start of this very season. Such a spirit focuses on the here and now.”
Neve’s brow furrowed as she caught Emmrich’s train of thought. “Meaning that last spirit we fought was an embodiment of the future?”
“I didn’t see anything during that fight,” Nellas cut in. “Everything went dark, and all I could feel was…” she was going to say scared, but was hesitant to admit as such in front of everyone. Emmrich caught on and brushed a subtle, gentle finger against her knuckles before continuing.
“That was a spirit of Fear, a future-concentrated entity. Bringing the spirits of Wrath, Pride, and Fear together in a device such as this can manipulate time in a way that leads to nothing but destruction for the sole benefit of the one who wields it. In the hands of the gods, the ramifications would be irreparable. The Mourn Watch will ensure it will never come to that.”
Nellas nodded. “Yes. Send it to the depths of the Necropolis.”
“And what about the magister?” Harding asked.
Neve shook her head and raised her eyebrows, still processing the scene. “We confronted Magister Ebon Yzer and, in one breath, he renounced the Venatori, apologized for his actions, packed his bags, handed us the haunted thing, and wished us a merry Wintersend before running off, going on about how it’s not too late for him to change. I’m not entirely convinced, but if it gets him out of our hair…” she trailed off with a shrug.
Nellas released a heavy sigh that felt as if it came from the depths of her bones. “I feel like I need a vacation.”
“That does sound nice,” Bellara chimed in. “A holiday, I mean.”
“Wintersend is just around the corner,” Harding added.
Nellas furrowed her brow. “Do we have the bandwidth?”
“We’re still waiting on leads,” Harding continued. “We should take advantage of the extra time.”
Lucanis nodded, taking a sip of his coffee. “We all need a break. But Nells, you especially look like you need a long rest.”
The others murmured their agreements and Nellas relented. “That does sound like fun.”
“Great!” Davrin cheered. “To the Anderfels!”
“A holiday in the Anderfels?” Harding asked, one skeptical eyebrow raised. “Won’t it be…cold? And…full of darkspawn?”
Davrin nodded enthusiastically. “Don’t knock it ‘till you try it. I know the perfect spot. Darkspawn-free.”
Two days later, the team stood in front of a small cabin, secluded in the Anderfels and surrounded by evergreen trees and a crisp blanket of snow.
The snow-covered log cabin before them was so large, it appeared to be multiple structures connecting to become one large building. A stone walkway, barely visible from a fresh layer of snow, led the way to the front entrance.
“Wow! How did you find this place, Davrin?” Bellara asked.
Davrin gestured toward the cabin. “The Wardens use this place as a retreat when we’re stationed nearby. Enough bedrooms to accommodate a whole squad.”
Emmrich took in the sights of the snow-covered hills, fields, and evergreen trees around them. “What a marvelous view!”
The group started for the cabin door when Assan leapt into a snow drift tall enough to completely obscure him.
“Assan!” Davrin called out. “Where are you, boy?”
“There!” Harding pointed at a cluster of feathers just visible over the snow drift next to the first. Then the next pile.
“Aw, he’s playing!” Nellas cooed.
“We’re not here to play, we’re here to relax,” Davrin sighed, unamused.
“Mierda, do not be such a stick in the mud,” Lucanis said.
Manfred hissed and ran off to join his feathered friend.
“Manfred, please wait!” Emmrich called, teleporting in the skeleton’s path, who grumbled as Emmrich continued while securing his ward’s hat, scarf, and bundle of winter coats, “I must ensure your temperature-stability wards are functioning properly, and do be sure to keep all buttons fastened…”
Nellas chuckled, reaching his side, “You’re cute when you fuss. He’ll be fine.”
Emmrich sighed, hesitant but relenting as Manfred hissed again with glee and waddled toward Assan, starting a game of tag.
The moment was interrupted by a loud “Oof!” from Davrin. Nellas and Emmrich turned to find Davrin wiping snow from his face while Lucanis gathered a second snowball from his feet with a small smirk.
“Don’t look at me, that was Spite,” the assassin said, eyes wide with mock innocence.
Davrin prepared his own snowball. “Payback will be cold, Lucanis!”
Dodging Davrin’s snowball with finesse, Lucanis weaved and swerved behind the hunter and launched the snowball in such a way that it hit the back of his exposed neck, sending Davrin arching mid-step, shocked at the feeling of snow on skin.
Lucanis gave him a teasing smile as he said, “The snow sends its regards.”
“Nice pun, Lucanis!” Nellas said, gathering her own snowball and throwing it in Harding’s direction, who dodged it and aimed in revenge. Nellas ducked, giving the snowball a direct path to hit Emmrich square in the chest.
In mock surprise, the necromancer sculpted his own snowball and aimed. “Into the fray!” he cried as his aim struck true, colliding with Harding’s shoulder.
Chaos ensued and teams were quickly formed: Lucanis, Spite, Taash, and Harding versus Nellas, Emmrich, Bellara, and Davrin. Ultimately, Neve was deemed the winner after evading every launch and hitting everyone with an avalanche of enchanted snowballs in unison.
Nellas taught Manfred how to make a snow angel. Taash, Harding, and Bellara built a snow-Solas, which Assan decided needed to be dyed yellow. Everyone took turns sliding down a hill, balancing on sleds of magic conjured by the mages.
As the sun began to set late into the afternoon, the team decided it was finally time to settle inside the cabin. The short entryway led to a large sitting room, a vast fireplace in the center of a cozy conversation pit. The open-area kitchen was visible through a wide doorway, and several bedrooms branched out from the living space.
Davrin paused at the doorway. “I’ll be right back,” he said, turning around and heading into the direction of the trees.
Nellas could not help a little shiver at the change of temperature. Emmrich, ever-observant, gently clasped her frigid hands in his own and brought them to his lips, staring into her eyes as he exhaled warm breaths across her fingers. As heat coursed through her fingers (and elsewhere) Emmrich gave a loving, knowing smile before placing a kiss across her knuckles.
Thank you, Nellas mouthed in silence and kissed Emmrich’s own knuckles.
“Gross, get a room!” Taash called out as they breathed a pillar of flame, lighting the central fireplace and sending a wave of heat throughout the room.
Emmrich winked at Nellas before saying, “That is indeed the plan, dear Taash; I even brought extra corpses for the occasion.”
Taash feigned a loud gag as they and Harding went off to claim a room for themselves.
The door opened as Davrin entered, an evergreen tree in tow. “What kind of Wintersend would this be if we didn’t have a tree?”
Dragging it across the room, he placed it against the corner, steadying it with a contraption of two interconnected planks to serve as a base. “I’ve been meaning to give this a test run,” he said as he secured the tree to the planks. The tree stood tall and sturdy. “Just as I thought,” he said, preening. “Works like a charm.”
Emmrich waved a hand in the tree’s direction, and it was soon covered in glittering green Fade fractals, accentuating each branch with small, twinkling auroras.
“Wow, Professor!” Bellara gushed, staring at the tree in awe. “It’s beautiful!”
“Indeed,” Emmrich said, never taking his eyes off Nellas. “Why don’t we change into something warmer? It wouldn’t do for you to catch a cold while on holiday.”
~*~*~*~
“What in Thedas are you wearing?” Davrin asked, straining to hold back a laugh at the same time Lucanis asked “Mierda, what is that thing?”
Nellas crinkled her nose at the two. “It’s just a sweater! What’s wrong with it?”
“It looks like Wintersend threw up on it,” Lucanis muttered, sending Davrin doubling over in a fit of laugher.
Emmrich’s footsteps grew louder on the wooden cabin floor as he approached. “You look quite festive, darling,” he said as he passed her, tea in hand. Davrin only laughed harder at the sight of the necromancer’s matching sweater.
“BOTH of you?” Davrin said between wheezing guffaws.
“It’s a lovely expression of the season!” Emmrich retorted.
Davrin finally caught his breath. “Whatever you say, Em.” Stretching out a hand, he patted Emmrich’s shoulder before fiddling with the miniature glitter holiday hat sewn over the embroidered nug. A second of silence passed before Davrin tried and failed to hide his laughter behind snorts.
“We getting this party started, or what?” Taash asked, looking at each of them expectantly.
“Oh! I almost forgot!” Harding exclaimed. “I brought the ingredients to make my ma’s cider recipe! Be right back!”
Bellara’s head snapped up. “And I brought gifts for everyone, too!” she fluttered back to her room.
Murmurs of agreement echoed as everyone retrieved their gifts. Just as they were settling in their seats, Harding returned with a tray of eight mugs filled with cider. Emmrich passed a mug to Nellas.
“Thank you, Harding,” Emmrich said as he reached for his own mug.
“I copied the recipe for everyone, too!” she added.
Nellas took a tentative sip, the cider a perfect blend of warmth, spice, and cozy wintery bliss. “Delicious!”
As soon as everyone had received their cider and settled in their seats, the gift giving commenced. Neve gave everyone certificates for Hal’s fish (and Hal’s fried potatoes for Emmrich), and to Lucanis she gave a bag of Minrathous coffee. Davrin presented each with a carved miniature of each member of the team, and Taash brought a platter of fancy cheese for all to share.
When Nellas produced nine chaotically wrapped packages, cries of “Aw, you shouldn’t have, Rook!” and “Nells! How sweet!” overlapped as she handed out the presents, each unwrapped in short time.
Emmrich’s eyes welled at the sight of matching crocheted lilac scarves for him and Manfred.
Davrin held up his pair of fingerless gloves. “So I can still grip my sword or knife but keep my hands warm. Nice!” The blue and gray colors matched Assan’s new sweater.
For Bellara, turquoise socks, and mittens of the same color for Neve. Red socks for Harding. When Lucanis unveiled his violet coffee sleeves, he immediately placed his mug of cider inside.
Taash wasted no time putting on their new blue horn warmers. “Thanks! How did you know I needed these?”
Nellas smirked. “I have my ways.” She would not elaborate that her “ways” were simply asking Shathann about possible Wintersend gift ideas, and after elaborating that Taash’s horns had a habit of getting sensitive in wintertime, the scholar gave Nellas a copy of the pattern.
Lucanis took a sip of his cider before speaking, taking care not to spill a drop on his new gift. “I have something very special to give you all. Tonight, I will be making my special – and very top secret – Dellamorte Mushroom Risotto. And for you all, a copy of the recipe. I have never shared it with anyone before tonight. I may or may not have slightly altered each copy, so if the recipe is leaked, I will know who did it.”
Emmrich raised his mug in a gentle cheer. “Then it is a secret we shall take to the grave.”
Nellas’ mouth already watered just thinking of the dish. “My favorite!”
Lucanis smirked with a small bow of his head, and Bellara struggled to bring a large bag in front of her. Cinched with a ribbon and stuffed to the brim, she loosened the bag’s ribbon to reveal its contents: small, bracelet-shaped metal devices. She handed out each device one by one.
Thanking Bellara, Nellas leaned in for a closer inspection of hers. A thick band of metal held a centerpiece the size of her palm that contained a familiar speckled reflection.
“I call them da’eluvians, or ‘little eluvians’, I mean,” Bellara began. “You wear it on your wrist, and as long as the lyrium inside is aligned to the same frequency, we should be able to see, hear, and speak to each other no matter where we are. I can help tune them properly once we’re back at the Lighthouse.”
“That’ll come in handy!” Nellas exclaimed. At the sound of groans, she added, “Oh, come on, I wasn’t even trying to be punny this time!”
Emmrich placed a hand over Nellas’ own, and leaned forward preparing to speak, when Manfred’s enthusiastic hiss interrupted him. “Ah! Yes, Manfred and I prepared a little something special for each of you.”
Manfred waddled forward and, one by one, produced a wrapped package kept neatly within his ribcage.
Nellas carefully unwrapped hers, revealing a small clay tablet hanging from a ribbon. Pressed into the clay was an indentation in the shape of a heart made with skeletal fingers. A faint glow emanated from the design.
“More than mere Wintersend tree ornaments, these are imbued with essence of the Fade. They will glow in the direction that most calls to you.” He blushed a little as Nellas held hers up, watching it glow brighter the closer she held it to him.
“Thank you, Fred,” Neve said. “And thank you, Emmrich.”
The necromancer turned his head sheepishly at the appreciation.
Harding chimed in with a suspicious smirk. “…Is it time for the gag gifts now?”
“The what now?” Nellas asked.
Bellara’s grin stretched wide as she squealed in excitement. “Yes! The gag gifts!”
“It was Harding’s idea,” Taash said, reaching behind their chair for a wrapped present and handing it to Nellas. “Since you love these so much.”
“Should I be scared?” Nellas asked warily as she unwrapped the shiny parchment, revealing a book.
“The Neck Romancers of Nevarra-Ara”, she read the title aloud, earning a roomful of chuckles and snorts. She turned the book around to read the blurb on the back, “A titillating story guaranteed to raise more than your spirits.” Emmrich almost choked on his cider next to her.
Nellas could feel the blush creep over her face, but she held the book up with pride. “Thank you, Taash! I can’t wait to read it and give you all the juicy details about the corpse stuff.”
Taash wrinkled their nose. “I don’t think so.”
“My turn!” Bellara said, eagerly handing Nellas a folded card. “They’re not here yet, because…well, you’ll see.”
Nellas opened the card. “It’s a year’s subscription of the Randy Dowager Quarterly!” She called out. “Thank you so much!”
Emmrich raised his eyebrows mischievously. Harding gestured toward him and asked, “What’s the matter, Emmrich? Can’t handle a bit of smut?”
A beat, then he leaned forward cheekily. “Not at all! Keep the smut coming!”
The room filled with laughter and faux-scandalized shrieks.
“Never took you for a smut connoisseur, bone daddy,” Davrin teased.
Emmrich lifted his chin and preened. “I enjoy literature in all its forms.”
“Well, then, maybe both of you will like this,” Harding said, handing a wrapped gift to Nellas with an over-the-top wink. She continued as Nellas opened the parchment. “I had to ask around, almost exhausted my list of contacts, but I finally tracked this down from a faraway land. The only copy available in Thedas!”
Nellas read the title out loud, a smile creeping across her face. “‘The Lusty Argonian Maid.’ Oh, this sounds delicious! What’s an Argonian?”
Harding shrugged. “Beats me, but she sounds lusty!”
Emmrich chuckled, and Harding turned her attention back to him. “Don’t worry, we didn’t forget about your gag gift. “Davrin?”
The monster hunter pulled out a box cleverly hidden behind Assan, who nuzzled the side of his beak across Davrin’s hand. “Thank you, boy,” he said to the griffon before handing the gift to Emmrich, who unwrapped it with precise movements.
A hand-carved wooden box now sat on his lap, and whatever was carved on it made his face blush a bright pink, the shells of his ears soon following suit.
“What…” Nellas began but was cut off by the sight before her.
The box in his lap was empty, but on the outside lid, just above the latch, were the giant, carved words “For Rectal Use Only.”
Nellas covered her mouth, which did nothing to hide her surprised snort.
“Figured you could use it for all your…bone tools,” Davrin said with a wink.
Emmrich attempted to stammer a response, his face the deepest blush Nellas had ever seen. She could hold back her laughter no more and honked her way through a fit of cackles.
Merry, loving laughter echoed throughout the room, giving Emmrich the time he needed to compose himself. “Thank you, Davrin,” he said in equal parts endearment and exasperation.
~*~*~*~
Later, filled with cider and mushroom risotto, everyone gathered once more in the conversation pit by the fireplace, and Davrin produced his deck of Wicked Grace cards. It was near impossible for Nellas to keep track of her cards – and whatever strategy she was trying to focus on – when Emmrich was watching her like that. In the firelight, his smile seemed to radiate extra warmth. There was a gleam in his eye, but she couldn’t place if it was a reflection from the flames, or something more.
“Your turn, Mourn Watch,” Davrin’s voice interrupted her ogling as he nudged her with his shoulder.
Nellas felt a blush creep up her neck, and she placed that round’s selected cards into the center pile with haste. “I was strategizing!”
Davrin quirked an eyebrow with a knowing hum. “And does that strategy have something to do with a certain necromancer?”
It was Emmrich’s turn to blush as he concentrated quite intently on his own hand.
She shook her head. “I was deep in thought, you know.”
Davrin smirked. “Oh, I’m sure you were thinking…deeply.”
A chorus of groans echoed through the room as Lucanis gestured to the cards in Davrin’s hand with the arm that wasn’t already looped around Neve. “Well, it is your turn, so now who’s holding up the game?”
Davrin placed his winning hand before him. “I win again. Best three out of five?”
Harding yawned. “I think I’m ready to turn in.”
Murmurs of agreement and murmurs of “Good night” and “Merry Wintersend” mingled together as almost everyone dispersed or paired off to their respective rooms.
Emmrich and Nellas were the last to remain in the conversation pit, soaking in the warmth of both the fire and each other. Manfred and Assan were nestled against one another on the other side of the room. Nellas nuzzled into the crook of Emmrich’s arm, and he planted a kiss into her vibrant curls. She responded with a kiss to his elbow where it hung across her shoulder, conveniently close to her lips. He took her hand in his, their fingers interlacing.
“I haven’t been this relaxed in a long time,” Nellas said, failing to stifle a yawn. “I could fall asleep just like this.”
Emmrich chuckled, his voice deliciously low, as he gave her a little nudge. “Don’t fall asleep yet, dearest.”
That woke her up. “What do you have in mind?” She asked, tilting her head back to catch his gaze.
A second kiss, this time on her forehead. “I have yet to give you a present.”
Nellas clicked her tongue and snuggled into his arm. “You already are the best gift.”
She could feel his smile press against the back of her head. He paused, as if committing the moment to memory before moving to stand. Once standing, he outstretched a hand toward her. “Please, indulge me.”
Maker, how his eyes glittered beautifully, Nellas thought. Especially in the light of the fireplace and the twinkling lights that lined the cabin’s main space. How could she deny this man anything, especially when his eyes shone like that?
She extended a hand to her and he helped her up, tucking it to the inside of his arm as he escorted her to their shared room. As the door shut behind them, she noticed a small box next to a folded piece of parchment on the dresser. She opened the parchment first and was greeted with a small note in his perfect penmanship.
Dearest Nellas,
This may be the first holiday we have spent together, and yet it feels as if we have spent years in each other’s company. May the accompanying token of this shared day bring a smile to your lips and a comfort to your heart.
Yours,
Emmrich
Nellas smiled as she opened the box to reveal its contents. A gold necklace sat cushioned on the velvet inside.
“Enchanted to never break or tarnish,” Emmrich said as she lifted it out of the box for a closer look. The necklace felt delicate but strong between her fingers.
From the center of the chain dangled a charm crafted in a familiar shape. She leaned closer to examine it. “Is that…a NUG?! Fuck me, Emm, this is adorable!”
He blushed as he turned his head away in the briefest of moments.
The golden nug glinted against the candlelight, the small creature resting on all fours, ears perked in curiosity. Emmrich tentatively reached for it, and Nellas obliged, handing it to him before facing the nearby mirror. Undoing the clasp, he placed it around her neck and fastened it.
She fiddled with the charm between her thumb and index finger. “Snug as a nug in a cleavage rug,” she said with a wink.
He sighed through a small chuckle and composed himself. “Darling, I usually endeavor to help where I may, and place the needs of others above my own. But please, allow me to be selfish this once. For tonight, I wish to ravish you while you wear that necklace…”
Nellas parted her lips in a small smile, but Emmrich continued, his voice deep with intent and yearning as their eyes met through the mirror. “…And only that necklace.”
The single spoken image seemed to already ignite his passion, as she felt a bulge gingerly press against her lower back. She leaned into it, causing a gasp to shudder under his breath.
“I’m willing to oblige,” Nellas said with a smirk as she turned around to leave a trail of kisses along his collarbone. “But you better keep me warm, it’s drafty in here.”
Emmrich chuckled into her hair and caressed a finger up Nellas’ neck, across her cheek, and under her chin before bringing her face up to look at his. Their eyes met, and he stared into her as if studying every angle. Never leaving her gaze, he raised his right hand with a flourish, and a wave of magic blanketed the room. “No one will hear us,” he assured. Gesturing to the windows with his left hand, a second wave of magic followed. “No draft will chill you.”
A shiver trailed down her spine, but not from the season’s temperature. Emmrich leaned forward, and Nellas tilted her head back, allowing his kiss to meet its destination. The moment his soft lips feathered against her neck, heat pooled in her core, and anticipatory electricity seemed to blanket her skin with layers in equal parts love and need.
With gentle fingers and a skillful grip, he lifted the Wintersend sweater from Nellas before bringing his lips to hers. Never breaking their kiss, they reached for the other, fingers moving in nearly-synchronized unbuttoning.
Once Nellas successfully loosened his pants and unwrapped the sash hanging from his waist, it was her turn to help lift his sweater. Clothes fell haphazardly on the floor, but neither paid heed as Emmrich continued to kiss her from earlobe to clavicle.
Just as his fingertips hooked into the sides of her smallclothes, she opened her eyes, and her brow furrowed as she caught a glimpse of…flowers? Hanging from the ceiling?
“Mmmm…Emm?” she asked in a half-moan.
“Yes, darling?” His voice was low and rough, his attention focused on covering her neck with as many kisses as possible.
“What’s on the ceiling?”
Without pausing his onslaught of gentle kisses now placed at the top of her breasts, he said only, “What kind of Wintersend would this be without mistletoe?”
“Is that Shroud’s Kiss?”
A nod under her ear turned into a nuzzle against the most sensitive spots along her neck, eliciting another moan from her. “But, of course.”
He went to the effort of preparing a bouquet of mistletoe and Shroud’s Kiss, all for this moment, their very first Wintersend together. Tears almost – almost – gathered in her eyes, but Emmrich’s lips at the shell of her ear drew her attention to more pressing matters at hand. Like the fact that they were both still in their smallclothes.
That would not do.
With a single motion, she removed the fabric from his skin, and Emmrich was fully bear – and fully ready – before her.
With a light chuckle at her impatience, he removed the rest of her smallclothes with slow, precise movements, leaving trails of kisses along the newly-exposed skin. When not a single scrap of fabric separated them, he stepped back to admire the sight.
Nellas preened in nothing but the gold necklace, the delicate chain accentuating her clavicle, the charm centered perfectly on her sternum. Emmrich looked utterly hypnotized, drinking in the sight of her like a parched man finally coming upon a spring.
Tentatively, he reached for her. His caress began at her cheek, over her lips, and down her throat until his fingertips landed on the gold chain. “It suits you,” he said, his deep timbre somehow having an effect that vibrated her very core.
“Thank you, Emmrich,” she said, knowing the effect the sound of his name on her lips, in that tone, had on him.
Placing both hands on her shoulders, he knelt before her. As he descended, his hands followed down her breasts, her waist, her hips in a trail of supplication. Kissing his way from her hips to her folds, he began to feast. Tongue, teeth, and fingers worked in tandem, and she bit her lip to stifle a moan.
At that little sound, Emmrich paused. “Don’t forget, dearest – no one can hear us.” He returned to his post, rewarded with earnest gasps and pleading moans.
His touch was warm and generous, and Nellas’ knees buckled. He placed his hands behind her thighs to steady her.
Unbeknownst to her, he penned a silent declaration with his tongue.
Wintersend is a time of gratitude, of feasting, and celebrating love, his tongue traced. It is also a day of arranging matrimony.
Her moans grew louder, tinged with need. Her hips tried to buck, but his sturdy hands kept her still while he told her of his plans without the utterance of a single word.
My darling Nellas, my dearest heart, once we emerge triumphant on our current course – for we will triumph, I will allow no other outcome – the following Wintersend will witness me before you, as I am now, prostrate with devotion, presenting a ring to adorn your beautiful hand.
Her left hand clutched his shoulder, grip tightening. She had enough presence of mind to keep from digging her fingernails into his skin.
And I will ask a question of you. A question I have never before asked another. I will ask if you will have me, body and soul, present and future, and beyond even that. I will ask you for the honor of becoming your husband.
He noted how each tremble corresponded with a flourish of his lingua amor. She was close.
For when we fought that spirit a few days past, that was the vision of Wintersend future I witnessed. Myself, on my knees, asking that question. I assure you – for as long as you desire of me, I will be your besotted flame. I shall be your devotion, your support, your protection. You will want for nothing. All I have seen and all I have endured pale beside the quiet truth of our love, and the way you reach me when the world falls silent.
The room echoed with her cries as she shook around the apex of her pleasure, relief and rapture merging in her whimpers.
There you are, his tongue swirled with slowing finality as he eased her through the last of her tremors.
She leaned forward and all but collapsed around him, resting her head in his hair and wrapping her arms around his shoulders as she caught her breath. Reaching for her hands, he kissed each knuckle, a portrait of patience. When she finally leaned back, their eyes met, and Emmrich noted her pupils dilating as he stood, never breaking eye contact until his lips met hers.
They made their way to the bed, lost in a flurry of kisses, caresses, and soft quilts. The wind outside picked up, whistling as it whirled past the cabin, a sound they could not hear over their breaths, their gasps, their moans, and their mutual release.
~*~*~*~
When Nellas exited the bathroom, clean and damp from her evening bath, she caught sight of him reading in bed. She watched him, warm with love and his temperature enchantment. Yet that book he was reading; it looked familiar…
She nearly snorted when she read the title. “Are you reading 'The Lusty Argonian Maid'?”
Emmrich regarded her question with a cheeky smirk. “The plot is lacking, but the characters are quite enthusiastic.”
Nellas gave her own smirk as she settled under the quilts next to him. “Getting any ideas?”
He furrowed his brow in mock deep thought. “It appears some re-enactments would require scales and tails.”
“Scales and tails…” she sighed with content, nestled perfectly into his shoulder. “Sounds exciting.”
He nodded as he closed the book and placed it on the nightstand next to his side of the bed, wrapping his now-free arm around her, he pulled her close. “And yet I suddenly find myself in the company of someone far more so.”
Their lips met once more, and it was clear to both of them that Emmrich’s sound enchantment would not be dismissed anytime soon.
~*~*~*~
Nellas woke to the feeling of lips pressed against her forehead. Opening her eyes with a sleepy smile, she beheld Emmrich standing over her with a grin of his own.
“Good morning, my love,” he said as their fingers intertwined.
Nellas murmured some semblance of a morning greeting as she slowly acclimated to consciousness. The curtains of the nearby window framed the outside view: the hills, trees and fields surrounding the cabin blanketed in a pristine layer of fresh snow.
“I hear the stirrings of our companions,” he said, voice gentle. “Would you like to join them?”
She grumbled. “You’re the only person allowed to wake me up you know. I’ve been known to resort to violence if woken too early –” she was interrupted by her own yawn.
He chuckled. “Duly noted, dearest.”
The yawn seemed to drag on forever. After it finally ebbed, she nuzzled his hand with her nose. “I suppose it’s time to get off my ass.”
His eyes glistened at the mention of her asset but said nothing in true gentlemanly fashion.
“You’re lucky you’re cute,” Nellas said as he helped her out of bed.
~*~*~*~
“Look who’s awake,” Davrin said as he gave Assan the last bits of the griffon’s breakfast, a bowl of whatever-griffons-eat in pellet form. Assan finished the last bite and chirped in greeting.
“Mornin’ to you too, Dav,” Nellas said with a small wave as she headed toward the coffee pot.
She frowned at the empty pot. “I guess I’m making the coffee.”
Just as she took hold of the handle, Lucanis placed a gentle hand on her arm. “I will take care of it,” he said. “The last time you tried, you brewed coffee with coffee. Mierda, even I would never do that.”
She chuckled and relinquished her hold of the coffee pot. “Be my guest.”
“Breakfast is almost ready, so find your seats,” he added, nodding toward the cabin’s dining area.
~*~*~*~
The others had awoken and taken their seats just as Lucanis finished preparing the last batch of eggs.
Nellas stared at the feast before her. Eggs, toast, an assortment of fruits and jams, and even hazelnut torte, which Emmrich eyed from her left with a small smile. Assan sat at her feet, having learned a long time ago that the clumsiest of the crew would drop the most food. Manfred sat to Emmrich’s left, needing no food but happy to be included all the same. The table was full, her heart was full, and her stomach would be full soon enough.
Once everyone had settled in their seats, they almost all started talking at once – passing plates, scooping their helpings, filling their mugs with Lucanis’ hot coffee. Through it all, Emmrich’s eyes met hers in silent gratitude, both knowing this moment would live on as a cherished memory, no matter what lay ahead. The future was not today’s concern.
Emmrich’s eyebrows furrowed as he felt a tug on his left sleeve. Nellas watched as he leaned closer to Manfred, then raised a hand in an attempt to gather the table’s attention.
Unfortunately, the table was absorbed in all manner of conversation and did not notice his bid.
“Oy!” Nellas called out. The table hushed in unison and she gestured for Emmrich to continue.
“Thank you, darling,” he said before turning toward the others. “Manfred has something he wishes to say.”
All eyes were on Manfred who hissed with glee before rasping, “Merry Wintersend, every one.”
Emmrich’s eyes welled with tears as he looked from Manfred, to Nellas, and finally to the whole team, whose chorus of their own well wishes echoed from all sides of the table. Nellas placed her hand over his as their eyes met again. She gave his hand a light squeeze, returning his smile.
This was a merry Wintersend, indeed.