The Winter's Queen [Magus AU]

[Isabela]

Isabela doesn't say anything more; she just hurries on ahead to catch up with Zevran.


There's one unexpected benefit to having Carver around -- he's well used to bachelor cooking. He pulls together a simple stew over rice from ingredients Wynne had on hand, adding some ale for added fortification as it simmers. They eat, in tense, awkward silence, speaking mostly of bedding arrangements: Zevran and Isabela will take Merrill's room, Helene will take the guest room, and Carver will take Wynne's. Helene confirms they can refresh their spells at dawn, like many city-dwellers do, and they all agree to gather then to scry once more for information.

Letting Hunter and Silence take watch, judging it to be more prudent to get some sleep than to take watches. The dogs will wake them if anyone tries to break into Wynne's house.

Isabela makes Zevran some tea, cajoles him into drinking it, then, when his eyelids begin to droop, walks him to the bed and tucks him in. "Rest well," she says, her voice unexpectedly tender. "I'll be on the couch if you need me."

[Tethras Clan]

When she tries to lean back, Zevran's hand snaps out with nearly violent speed to grab her wrist. He doesn't open his, nor turn to towards her. "...not alone," he mumbles, voice trembling.

[Isabela]

Not... "Alright," she says, swallowing the lump in her throat. "If you want me that much, I'm sure something can be arranged," she tries to joke. 

[Tethras Clan]

"Always, ma'bela," Zevran murmurs sleepily.

[Isabela]

"Always?" she asks, sliding into bed beside him, wrapping an arm around him. He doesn't mean that, Isabela. You know better.

[Tethras Clan]

"Always," he promises, pressing himself against her, seeking warmth and comfort. "ma'bela. Best thing I ever did in the Dark."

[Isabela]

She removes one hand from his waist, pressing her fingers to her eye; they come away damp. "I wish I knew how to save you like you saved me," she whispers. 

[Tethras Clan]

Isabela wakes to the feel of Zevran's hands on her rear, pressing her tightly against him. His mouth, hot and needy, pressing kisses along her neck as he whispers sweetness in her ear. His voice is still slurred, his eyes half-gazed with sleep- probably just come out of a dream, lured and guided by the scent of her, the familiar feel of her.

[Isabela]

Isabela wraps her arms around him, cradling him close as she wakens. "Zevran," she whispers. 

[Tethras Clan]

"Let me feel you," Zevran whispers in elven. "Let me love you, ma'bela."

[Isabela]

"Always," she whispers, pressing a kiss to his shoulder as her hands roam lower. 

[Tethras Clan]

Twenty minutes later, Zevran pulls Isabela down against him, resting her forehead against his own. He's very much awake now, of course, and staring into her eyes. "...promise me you'll live? Even if I don't, even if I... lose myself and ask of you the unforgivable?" he whispers.

[Isabela]

"No," she says quietly. "You don't get to be that selfish. You have to live, too." 

[Tethras Clan]

"...I'll... I'll try," he whispers. "I don't... I don't want to... they'd never forgive me for..." Zevran swallows. "Death is forever, they'll wait. I just need to free them, then... They'd want to wait, right? For me to..."

[Isabela]

"Yes," she breathes, with as much heartfelt earnest as she can muster. "They'd want you to live, to be free. Remember when you freed me, when you had to stay in bondage yourself?"