Epilogue

Evelyn found him flat on his back in the sand contentedly soaking up the sunlight. His skin had darkened to a golden tan and she paused before calling out to him, taking in every bare inch of it with her greedy eyes. She licked her lips in triumph, having known from the very beginning that this was the outcome she desired; the outcome that he desired too, even though he hadn't known it yet. And here was that outcome, naked and beautiful, right in front of her. Her lovely lion, basking in the sunlight, relaxed, for once, and at peace, finally, and looking for all the world like he wouldn't want to be anywhere else.

She knew this was what he needed. A private beach, outside a secluded villa, in a quiet corner of Orlais, far from his past, far from the present and entirely representing the future she wanted for him. For them. But dear Maker, it had been like pulling teeth trying to get him here.

Cullen stirred and opened his eyes, propping himself up on his elbows. The gentle lapping sounds of the waters of the Waking Sea must have lulled him into the Fade for a bit because he yawned and then stretched sleepily.

"Have a nice cat nap, love?" She asked, kneeling down beside to him.

"I wasn't asleep." He reached out and pulled her down to lie next to him. "But if you joined me I might be able to."

"If I join you, I assure you, there will be no sleeping involved." She curled along his body and threw one of her legs across him, rubbing teasingly.

"Do we have time?" He rolled over and smiled wickedly, pinning her beneath him.

"Vivienne and Michel just arrived but they're going to get themselves settled before we leave for the party. Vivienne said it's imperative we arrive fashionably late."

Cullen nearly jumped off of her and started frantically searching for his clothes. "Maker's Breath, Evelyn! Why didn't you say they're already here?"

"Cullen, I assure you, no one but me was going to interrupt your nude sunbathing." Evelyn rolled her eyes at him, but he didn't seem to be paying attention to her as he quickly, and disappointingly, dressed. "Proper guests aren't just going to start wandering about the grounds before even greeting their host. That's you by the way. You'll do well to remember that when we're here in the future. They're being shown to their rooms as we speak."

"There are windows, Evelyn!" Cullen pointed. She couldn't make out if anyone was actually looking down at the beach from said windows, but she admitted to herself that all the bedrooms did have a view of the sea.

"Hm. Well, bully for Vivienne if she caught a peek. I seriously doubt you're the first Templar she's seen naked. I don't think Michel swings that way."

Cullen let out an exasperated sigh. "And you know I still don't quite feel comfortable about...owning this in the first place."

Evelyn almost laughed. He said 'owning' as if he were talking about something shameful, like owning slaves, or a brothel. "Shall I have Rylen send us a unit of infantry that you can make run drills on the beach to help you feel more at home? That would put a damper on the nakedness however..." It was said in jest but it had nearly come to that.

Fortunately, Vivienne and Josephine had been urging Evelyn to attend at least one summer ball in Orlais to see and be seen and keep a hand in the Game. And there were more than a few to choose from in the vicinity of Cullen's new villa. Evelyn had Leliana feed Cullen a story about how important it was that he be seen as well.

The Spymaster had more than enough ways to manipulate people. She didn't need to use Cullen as a reluctant agent, but it served Evelyn's purpose of coaxing him into making use of his new holding and have an unofficial holiday. He knew better than to say no to Leliana. Of course, Cullen wasn't thrilled about being used as eye candy, so in what Evelyn considered her own stroke of brilliance, she invited Michel de Chevin to attend as well.

Vivienne was pleased because Evelyn was taking her advice and she found Michel an acceptable escort. Cullen was accepting, if still not entirely happy, because he hoped Michel's good looks would detract from his own. Evelyn was happy because she got to see Cullen naked on a beach, enjoying a much deserved vacation, even if it was a working one. If it wasn't for the war, all would be right with the world.

Cullen extended his hand and helped her up. "I already checked. The chevaliers have this region well in hand. There wasn't much fighting between Gaspard and Celene here. Otherwise, I would have brought a unit of men with us."

"Of course you would have, dearest." She patted his arm and they walked slowly back towards the house.

"I still don't see why I have to attend tonight. Certainly the three of you can charm enough support and secrets out of people. You don't need me standing there trying to avoid speaking." Cullen had gone from blissful contentment to full on sulking in a matter of minutes.

"But I love it when you stand around silently looking fierce." She crooned.

He made a sound somewhere between a snort and a grunt. "Oh? Did you love it when people were trying to grab my behind at the Winter Palace?" He never missed an opportunity to bring up her seething jealousy.

"I'll be just fine managing my jealousy tonight, my love. You've already accepted my dowry. You're stuck with me now, no matter who swoons over you." It was another joke with a definite foundation on truth. He was hers. No matter what. Frankly, if he collected a field of admirers, the only thing she'd feel for them was pity because they'd never have him.

Cullen, ever serious, stopped them and turned her to face him. He leaned his forehead down to hers and spoke so softly, she almost had to strain to hear. "Fuck the dowry, Evelyn. I was already yours when you said you'd marry me. I was already yours when we first made love. I was already yours when we first kissed." And then he kissed her for emphasis. "Only yours. And you're still and will always be mine." He added the last part with a cheeky smile, harkening back to the first 'word' he had used for her when this all started.

Evelyn laughed. "Is that still the only word you can think of for me?"

"Actually, my mother had one that I thought was perfect. She called you 'devoted'."

Evelyn beamed and she felt a blush rising into her cheeks, her insides fluttering like butterflies. "She did? That's...wonderful! I knew I'd win her over!"

Cullen rolled his eyes. "You knew nothing of the sort. Do you have any idea how much of your nonsensical worrying I had to endure?"

She batted her lashes at him, but it only seemed to annoy him more. "Then maybe my word for you should be 'indulgent'?"

It was his turn to laugh. "When it comes to you, yes, that would be appropriate. Considering our agenda for the evening, however, I'll take anything but 'pretty'. Seriously, though, Evelyn, you made me pick one..."

She hadn't expected him to actually want to play this game, but she saw in his eyes that he really did want to know what her most intimate thought of him was. She didn't need long to consider. She pulled him down for another kiss, wrapping herself around him and holding tight. When their mouths parted, she whispered her word for him against his lips.

"Perfect."

A/N: Thanks so much for reading this fluffy nonsense! I almost wanted to write about the party they were going to, but I decided to end it on a kiss instead before Vivienne ruined things ;) I think the next thing up for this series is a giant fluffy wedding. I love wedding stories where friends and families collide and all kinds of insane shit happens. I see Sera face down in a punch bowl and Bull and Dorian shagging in the Chantry again. We'll see if inspiration hits. Thanks again for reading!