Rising late the next morning, Evelyn was met by a sore ache from their voracious activities from last night. As the couple lay there, in no rush to start their day, she looked around at the empty plates and bottles they had worked on all night to keep up their stamina. Some décor littered the room, having knocked them down, especially when Cullen had tried to bind her to the bed a second time. She couldn't help but chuckle to herself at the memory.
Stirring beside her, Cullen groaned and nuzzled into her neck sleepily, "What's so amusing?"
"You when you missed me and dove off the bed. I thought you were more tactical than that while hunting?"
"My prey had never been my naked wife taunting me so cruelly." His fingers wandered about her body, clutching her tighter. "You had me distracted and I got caught on the blanket." She wiggled at his touch, pleasantly tender in all the right places. It would be a comfort to her on the road, something to remember their night by. As if reading her thoughts, he asked how she felt after going multiple rounds with him. Throwing off the blankets, the yellow sunlight streaming in through the slits in the window revealed her silken canvas dotted with bruises and blotches. Cullen was not untouched either, but her marks had been kept to his upper body. Evelyn's inner thighs looked as if she had spilled watercolor paints on them. They gasped and chuckled at the sight of themselves, "Maybe you should take a healing potion, my love?"
"No, I want something to remember you by, as silly as it may sound." Evelyn curled back up against his warm bare flesh facing him. "I'm going to miss you. I've only ever felt safe with you." Her fingers carded through his golden hair that was graying attractively just above his ears.
"It's not ridiculous, besides you may have more of me with you than you think," he rubbed his hand on her abdomen. "If I could go with you I would, but one of us needs to be here. It seems like a cruel trick of fate that you have to be the one going off to battle, potentially with child, while I stay here."
"I know," she pouted up at him from within his embrace, "but I am a weapon. I'm no mere mage, I'm the Phoenix. You've seen what I'm capable of." It felt odd to speak of herself in such a way as if she were some mythical creature of mass destruction.
"Which is about the only thing keeping me from putting together a pack for myself and leaving the Hold to Bran. But Hakkon wants a Thane, and for our child to be the heir to the Thaneship, I must stay here. I'll not risk angering Him so that wound of yours split open again." Their duty was clear, and while it wasn't the easiest path, it would be worth it all in the end.
In the early afternoon, the Thane and his Lady emerged to be greeted with pleasant and coy smiles. Her basket of blueberries, which she had asked Bethac to hold, sat by her door. When he asked why they were there, she made up an excuse, not wanting to spoil his surprise. While he went to check in with the advisors, she decided to use the time she had left to prepare for the days ahead. In need of a rigorous wash that only the falls could give her, this was her first stop before heading back to do some cooking for Cullen.
Back at home, Owayne was busy packing while she was baking. Aside from Cullen's blueberry muffins and tarts, she was making provisions for the road as well.
Taking a break, her brother leaned back on two legs of one of the chairs kicking his feet up. "He's lucky he's married to you already because I would've made him after seeing what he's done to you." She knew he was referring to her neck and trail down her chest because it was the only visible coloration with what she wore.
She chuckled, for while his concern was endearing, she knew he liked Cullen. "Owayne, let's not pretend that you're so pure and innocent. I know you snuck Cassandra in here a few nights." Turning back to see his shocked reaction, she added watching the blush rise on his face, "That's right, and I haven't said a word. I was wondering who would own up to it first, but it seems it was neither of you. I used to help Ros sneak out that window to see Rylen, it has a very distinctive sound and so does that of furniture sliding."
The elder Trevelyan rolled his eyes, "So you caught me--"
"Some advice brother," she cut him off, pointing a warning finger at him, "make sure the next time you see her you have a skin or she takes witherstalk, otherwise you may be our clan's newest initiate."
He stared at her trying to divine her meaning until it hit him that she referred to the prophecy, he cleared his throat awkwardly. "Maker, Evie, you Avvar get right to the point. Can we speak of something else?"
"How about you go invite Cass to dinner? You won't be seeing her for some time, and I'll not have you making trouble in the other Holds for me. You're still a Lowlander after all."
Looking even more mortified at getting advice from his little sister, he covered his eyes with a hand, "I… shall. You won't say anything to her about it, will you? She a very private person it seems."
"On my honor, not a word." She knew full well how nosey all the Avvish women were. With a swift kiss to the forehead, Owayne swept out of the house to find his casual lover.
Finishing her last-minute tasks, Evelyn stood in her home staring at the pile of bags by the front doors with a queasy and fluttery stomach. She didn't want to leave, but the sooner she completed the prophecy the better. When the longhouse doors opened, she was surprised to see Cullen home. He froze for a moment, sniffing the air endearingly like a Mabari. "Do I smell, what I think I smell?"
Grinning with satisfaction, her husband chased away her unease, filling her instead with joy by his reaction. Scooping her up in his arms, he hugged her fiercely and playfully. "I wanted to leave you something comforting, I know this isn't going to be easy for you."
Placing her back down, he cupped her face, planting kisses on each cheek tenderly, "I don't deserve you." When Cullen pulled away there was a tension in his jaw he tried to hide.
She laughed, "Well, the gods picked the right fool to bond me to." Taking his hand, she guided him over to the blueberry baked goods, taking in their sweet aroma. Immediately his eyes began inspecting the bounty of treats. "The kitchen staff at my family's home used to sprinkle sugar atop the muffins before they baked them for some extra sweetness." She picked one up and held it before his mouth. Her eyes flicked back and forth between his and the pastry in invitation. From its touch, it was the perfect temperature, and he backed her against the counter, pressing himself into her, "Try it."
Taking a slow bite, Evelyn watched his mouth intently. A small smear of the fresh blueberry juice colored a spot on his lips, and he hummed a low note. Running her hands up and down his chest, his heavy honeyed gaze was stuck on her. The old adage stating the way to a man's heart was through his stomach struck a cord at that moment. Evelyn pressed on the bruises she left on him trying to get a rise out of him, but he just grunted softly. With two more large bites, all but stuffing his mouth, he chewed a few times grunting at the delectable taste, before spinning her around suddenly. Through her dress, she could feel how hard he was, jutting into her backside. Evelyn's fingernails gripped the wooden counter and she rocked up and down on her toes in rhythm with him. The sore moist throbbing between her legs made her arousal all the more intense, feeling herself climbing fast.
Pushing her brown and blonde tipped hair to the side, his breath on her ear made her shiver, "It was delicious, Eve, thank you. I will think of you each time I have one, though you'll be on my mind constantly anyway." With his hands, he began lifting and bunching up the skirts of her dress until they were draped forward over her hips. Pulling at the strings of her smalls they dropped to the floor nearly without a sound. His calloused hand grazed over the tender flesh he swatted the night before making her hiss.
"I'm sure the thoughts will be as pure as the Skymother's water, right?" Evelyn smiled slyly back over her shoulder at him, feeling him chuckle mischievously. Arching back to him after he untied his pants, the Thane guided her hips back into position. The tip of his cock glided and prod her folds, forward and back a few times, and if he hadn't finally lined himself up to push in, she swore with how sensitive she was that she could've come just from that alone. Moaning wantonly when he filled her, she managed to get out, "Everyone will be here for dinner soon, you know?"
"This is my home, and I'll do as I like when I like in it," his voice was husky, as he began slowly then picked up the pace. The authority and strength he wielded always put her cares to rest, blindly willing to submit to his will. Evelyn already felt overstimulated as her sore muscles responded to his thrusts. "Korth's breath, you're so tight," it didn't take him long to start panting in tandem with her mewling.
Standing up straighter, she leaned back on his broad chest. His hot sweet breath from the muffin was in her ear, tickling down her neck. Taking Cullen by the hand, she guided it around her shapely hips, dipping down to the bundle of nerves. The effects of his touch were instantaneous and she sobbed, as her hands tried to find purchase on the counter again. It was painfully pleasurable and the involuntary squeezes of her inner muscles even made the Lion of Redhold moan.
As soon as his fingers finished their first few revolutions, she came gasping his name, throwing her head back on him. The hot blinding white sensation overtook her as she writhed in his arms. Lost in the pleasure, her eyes were shut so tight she didn't see her mana ignite. Unable to withstand the strength of her orgasm, Cullen groaned and choked out a roar against her neck. His fingers dug deep into her skin, holding her hips in place as he came inside her. When he pulled out, he dropped her skirts and his spend dripped slowly down her leg. Hot and flushed she leaned forward against the counter, her legs feeling as wobbly as a newborn foal. With a glance over her shoulder at him, he sat against the table tucking his manhood back into his pants then ran some fingers back through his hair.
A radiant smile graced her face and she couldn't help but laugh. Watching her, he couldn't help but mirror her, still out of breath, "What's so funny?" Evelyn admired that rare brilliant Rutherford smile, reaching up to tidy her hair. Smoothing down her clothes, the faint footfalls of guests on their porch startled her.
The latch of the door clicked and the couple shared a look as if they just got away with murder. In came Cassandra, Owayne, Rosalie, and Rylen. The blonde watched their smiles with a suspicious smirk, "You're both in a better mood than what I expected." She pointed to the table directing the Master of the Hunt to place down the dishes she brought on the dining table.
"May I give you a hand?" Cassandra asked politely, having been invited at the last moment with nothing to add to the dinner. With a glance to Owayne, when she parted from his side, he settled into his usual spot at the table.
With a nod, still unable to quell her grin or trust her voice just yet, she waved the tall warrior over. Cullen turned away from the women as his breeches calmed, but Rylen - leaving Rosalie to her arranging of the table - came around the other side, placing an arm around his shoulder. The two were chuckling off to the side of the room in their private conversation. Still in a state of euphoric bliss, feeling as though she couldn't function properly yet, she opted for showing off her baking as her mind refocused.
"These smell heavenly," her good friend closed her eyes as she inhaled the scent, "I'm sure they taste even better."
"Yeah, Cullen really liked the muffins."
"Is that all he enjoyed?" Cassandra kicked something over to her. On her foot lay her discarded smalls that she quickly bent to retrieve, shoving them in a pocket. The two women bit back a laugh and Evelyn placed a finger to her lips asking for discretion. The shieldmaiden simply shook her head, when the Phoenix excused herself to the bedroom for a moment to put them back on.
Rejoining the gathering, in her absence the Wardens, Mia, and the children had arrived. A toast and many well wishes were given to the four leaving in the morning, but the liveliness of the room was more subdued than usual. More sobering were the astonishment-laden remarks about how the prophecy was nearly complete. How their years of suffering were coming to an end all thanks to a Lowlander mage with her fiery magic. Evelyn could hardly believe the turn her life took, yet she was grateful for it. She had a life, a real one, with a husband she loved and a clan more than worthy of her protection. There wasn't a soul in Redhold who she wouldn't give her life for.
With the Trevelyans' departure looming, their friends and family left early, knowing they'd need their rest. Their goodbyes were not heavy with sorrow but full of hope and strength. Cassandra lingered awkwardly last, speaking tenderly to each other.
"No need to use the window tonight, Cass," Evelyn winked and smiled, grabbing hold of Cullen's hand. His face brow had creased, but she dragged him along into their bedroom before he could give his questions a voice. When his frown did not disappear, she simply shrugged saying 'Let it be.'
Snuggling in bed, Cullen petted her hair talking softly into it as she began to drift off, "I've been meaning to tell you something my father told me about mages." She lifted her head slightly up from resting on his chest to look at him. The coarse hair on his pectorals rubbed against her cheek and ear as she listened to his heartbeat. "When we make love and your mana glows, what do you feel?"
"It feels... wild because I can't control it, but also peaceful, not wanting to cause harm. Like my tight control of it is nonexistent, yet it doesn't need to be suppressed it's exactly where it wants to be. I'm not sure that's making any sense."
"My father had said my mother's mana reacted likewise, and that it only happened when a mage laid with their soulmate." He paused letting her think over his words. "Would you agree?"
"I absolutely would. It's never happened to me before." Gazing down at her, the truth of her omission earned her a tighter embrace. They scooted down further into the linen and furs, savoring their last night together for a while. "I love you, Cullen."
"And I you, my Eve." With a kiss to the top of her head, the exhaustion of all the emotions and work leading up to tomorrow hit them as they slowly fell into a deep slumber. With her senses enveloped by him, Evelyn tried to commit it all to memory, to be able to pull out from her mind whenever she had a moment to think of him. To believe the weeks ahead would be easy was wishful thinking, and the gods only knew she'd need the peace Cullen's presence brought her. However, she could cling to this new revelation of finding her soulmate. Though her heart was heavy, she swore then that after this was done, she'd never part from him again.
***
Early the next morning, the four-member team ate and gathered their things for their journey to Stone-Bear Hold. It would be a three-day trek there, but Cullen had been assured there would be a warm welcome waiting for them from Thane Svarah Sun-hair. Before the men and women of Redhold began their day, they all came out to wish their Lady well. They offered her prayers in passing, and some even made her comforts for the road that he helped to stuff in her pack.
When the moment arrived for them to depart, the Thane could not find it in him to release his firebird's hand. A light drizzle was falling, and the sky was gray matching everyone's mood. While the three men waited just beyond the open gate, the couple lingered behind. Pulling her in close by the waist with his free hand, their foreheads touched pressing into each other. Their eyes were full of pain, but no tears, for there could be none between them. Even though this was supposed to be a private moment between husband and wife, all of the Hold was still watching them closely. Cullen didn't care though, he would have one last moment with Evelyn whether they were spectating or not.
His hand slid up from her side to cup her face, and he felt his jaw flexing to hold back his powerful emotions, "It should be me going off to battle, not you."
"We must both keep our future safe and," her gaze darkened, "anyone who stands in my way will get burned, be it darkspawn or other clans. Hakkon and I will restore the Basin by blood and fire, then I will return to you for good." Her gaze softened as it swept up and down his face, still inches apart. He thumbed the scar etched in her jaw affectionately. When she spoke again, her lush pink lips brushed against his, "I love you, Cullen Rutherford. Be here when I come back, I'm not sure what I'd do without you."
Caught in the moment, he kissed her trying to pour his very soul into it so she could feel how fiercely he burned for her. Their bond markings ignited and the tingling sensation of the magic compelled him to pull her harder against him. Before the emotions became too overwhelming, he parted them, his voice low and husky, "Eve, my love, please for once listen to me and don't take any unnecessary risks. You know well enough it is I who could not go on living if something happened to you. May the gods protect you." He took a painful step back, feeling as if his heart would burst.
His wife smiled with a wink, "This once, I will listen, my Thane." As she turned to walk away, she held tight to his hand until she was forced to release it. She looked back only once with such a look of fiery resolve that it hardened his own; he would not let her down. He may not be able to be with her for this part of the prophecy, but he could still aid her journey in other ways, chiefly making sure Wolf-Fang Hold would not cause her any trouble.
Rooted in the spot where she left him, the Thane watched his Lady be swallowed by the dense forest outside their safe walls. He was vaguely aware that the clan remained where they were as well as if standing in solidarity with him. It was only when Rylen, broke him from his trance did he turn, staring proudly back at his people. Seeing their Thane's determination to resume the day's work, they parted for him with salutes as he made his way to the Great Hall with the advisors in tow. Along the way, he absently listened to their astonished comments over their affectionate display. The names of his former wives were evoked in comparison in whispers, but he tried to tune it out. Cullen's day was going to be hard enough with his love having just left, he didn't need to be accosted by painful memories of them.
A stout pat to his shoulder by Rylen refocused him, "Ros and I will keep ye company tonight. Ye can speak yer mind freely to us." Sharing a knowing look, he nodded, never stopping his brisk walk to the Great Hall. He needed to get his thoughts trained on his work - his duty - before he went mad.
Inside, bracing himself over the war table, he took a moment of silence to look around at his friends' faces pushing down the last of his lingering emotion. "To work."