continued from here

The hours of daylight dwindled about like sand through a sieve and still there had been no sign of the Inquisitor. The Commander paced back and forth across the camp in a relentless march, living up to the lion of nickname. The rest of the camp was quiet and stress was palpable in the air. Cullen had been at his fretting for far too long but no one dared disturb him lest they be on the receiving end of his temper now shortened by worry.

Something was wrong. He could feel it in his gut and he would wait no longer.

_____

Even the entrance of the Chateau was imposing as he forced opened the grand door. The palatial structure was silent and dark as he entered, his first footfalls echoing against the marble. Perhaps he had erred and she was not here at all. Then a darker thought entered his mind as he closed his eyes. The form of woman in the dark corner of a dusty room, red hair glinting in the torchlight. Cullen shook his head as if he could shake away the thought and his eyes snapped open. 

He swore under his breath. Of course she had ignored his advice to let the soldiers scout the grounds out first. Of course she had ventured off alone. Their argument only a few hours ago now seemed ages away. But the anger was hollow and Cullen knew that it was a mask for the fear the was building within his chest. 

Movement in his peripheral vision caught his attention. On instinct his hand pulled the sword from its sheath and he spun to face the threat, every sense on high alert. The undead being lunged at him. Years of training kicked in faster than his thoughts could keep up as he stepped back. In a fluid motion, he swung the blade down and dispatched the wretched thing.

To say their trek across the Storm Coast had been difficult would have been an understatement. The damp of the ocean climate seemed to seep through every article of fabric he owned and slogging through the mud ensured that they progressed at a mind numbing pace. And that was before the apocalyptic deluge that had driven the party for shelter in a frigid alcove that was more overhang than cave.

Dark hair plastered against his face, Nikolai was teetering on the edge of a sour mood as he attempted over and over to light a fire. The kindling they had found had been the driest available, but still too wet for him to meet with much success. A spark ignited and yielded a small flame within the palm of his hand. A smirk ghosted his lips in anticipation of his success. No sooner as it had come, a breeze whipped through extinguishing both the flame and his smile. 

It took a moment for him to comprehend what Rynn had said, barely audible above the din. Internally, he rolled his eyes but found himself smiling in spite of himself. Of course she would find the beauty in what had been an utterly wretched situation. He paused, listening to the sound of the rain beating against the stones. He inhaled deeply and the fresh smell of rain and dirt enveloped him. 

“We would get storms like this back hom-I mean...at the Circle.” He started, loud enough for her to hear. 

“Of course, we were always inside, mind you. Everyone would hunker down, but I would steal away to the tower to watch.” His graze grew slightly distant, grey clouding over like the storm just beyond. “It felt like freedom.”  

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Attractiveness:

repulsive || hideous || ugly || not attractive || unappealing || not unattractive || meh || no preference || ok || mildly attractive || nice looking || cute || adorable || attractive || pleasant on the eyes || good looking || hot || sexy || beautiful || gorgeous || hot damn || would tap that || perfect || godlike || holy fuck there are no words

Personality:

grating || irritating || frustrating || boring || confusing at best || awkward || unreasonable || psychotic || disturbing || interesting || engaging || affectionate || aggressive || ambitious || anxious || artistic || bad tempered || bossy || charismatic || appealing || unappealing || creative || courageous || dependable || unreliable || unpredictable || predictable || devious || dim || extroverted || introverted ||  egotistical || gregarious || fabulous || impulsive || intelligent || sympathetic || talkative || up beat || peaceful || calming || badass || flexible

How likely they would have sex with them:

not if they were the last person on earth and the world was ending || fuck no! || never || no way || not likely || not sure || indifferent || I’m asexual || maybe || probably || it depends || fairly likely (if it they knew each other better) || likely || yeah sure || yes || would tap that || hell yes || fuck yes! || wishing that could happen right now || as many times as possible || we are already having sex

Level of Friendship:

never in a million years || worst of enemies || enemies || rivals || indifferent || neutral || acquaintance || friendly toward each other || casual friends || friends || good friends || best friends || fuck buddies || bosom buddies || practically the same person || would die for them || true friends || my only friend ||

First impression of them:

I hate them so much || I don’t like them || I don’t trust them || they annoy me || they’re weird || I’m indifferent || meh || they seem alright || they’re growing on me || truce || I think I like them || I like them || I’m not sure if I trust them || I trust them || they’re cool || they’re genuine || I think we’re going to get along || I really like them || I think I’m in love || oh fuck they’re hot || I love them

Current impression of them:

I hate them so much || I don’t like them || I don’t trust them || they annoy me || they’re weird || I’m indifferent || meh || they seem alright || they’re growing on me || truce || I think I like them || I like them || I’m not sure if I trust them || I trust them || they’re cool || they’re genuine || I think we’re going to get along || I really like them || I think I’m in love || oh fuck they’re hot || I love them

How good of a kisser:

worst kisser ever || terrible || bad || awkward || just okay || alright || pretty good || good || makes me moan || excellent || exciting || oh god they’re good || I dream about it || fucking amazing || absolute perfection || we haven’t kissed