Chapter Text
Solas tried to concentrate on his book, but Dani was on his mind as usual. Her interview should be starting soon, and he wondered if they'd be moving to Seattle. Solas imagined his life with her and what the next steps would be. When he looked at the majors at the university nearby, he settled on studying medicine and becoming a research scientist. If Dani was going to be immortal like him, he had time to study without worrying about time stealing the years away from them.
To prepare for his studies, Solas read through medical journals online and found all the requirements he'd need to fulfill the educational requirements. He had what Earthlings called an eidetic memory, so he retained knowledge quickly and recalled it without difficulty.
Solas sighed because it was unlike him to be unable to focus and glanced at his phone constantly. With Dani gone for a few hours he'd be alone in their room for hours. Dani's mother was gone for the morning since she was meeting with friends. Seraphina invited Solas to join her, but he was nervous about meeting people he didn't know, and Dani wasn’t there to act as a buffer between Seraphina and her friends. He always missed her when she wasn't by his side.
Rebel jumped on the bed and trilled at Solas. He cast a spell, letting little balls of magic dance in front of him, watching Rebel jump and swat at them. Solas watched the kitten 'hunt' for a bit, but closed his eyes, thinking about his people and what it would be like when he returned to Thedas. Almost three months had passed since he'd been on Earth, but it felt like a lifetime ago.
He wasn't sure when he drifted off to sleep, but Fen'Harel was waiting for him. His counterpart frowned at him. He could tell Fen’Harel was uneasy and knew why, because he felt the same way.
"Mythal will come for Daniella and Jasmira. Not just because we love them, but they have power no one in Thedas possesses," Fen'Harel said. "I need you to let me take control if she comes after her."
Solas arched his eyebrow. "Why? Why do you need to take control?"
"Because I'm the raw power you wield and will not hesitate to destroy Mythal. I always hated Mythal while you feared her. Jasmira was right about her being power hungry," Fen'Harel said and sighed.
Solas locked eyes with him. "Will you allow me to resume control once you're done?"
Fen'Harel chuckled. "You worry too much. I am content with our arrangement, Solas. You are always in control, but I only ask that you let go and trust me if Dani is in danger. It would break us if we lost her."
Solas gave him a quick nod. "For Daniella and Jasmira."
Fen'Harel smiled fondly at Solas. "For Daniella and Jasmira."
Warm lips pressed against his cheek, and it roused him to wakefulness. When his eyes opened, the woman he loved was above him, with a smile on her lips.
"I start August sixth," she said, and Solas smiled in return and gripped the nape of her neck to pull her down to capture her lips.
Solas broke the kiss, stroking her cheek. "Congratulations, my love."
Dani grinned. "The salary is enough to rent that little house my mom showed us, and it's close to the university so you can attend in the Spring." Dani straightened and began changing out of her interview outfit.
Solas took in her slender hips, plump ass in the panties that barely covered it, her small breasts squeezed together in her bra, and her hair draped over her shoulders.
"Stand there for a moment," Solas said before she could dress.
Dani smirked, wiggling her hips at him. "Should I lock the door?"
Solas flicked his wrist, and the door latched. "Take off your bra."
Dani unclasped her bra, holding it out for a moment before letting it drop to the floor. Solas sat up and motioned for her to come to him. Dani walked toward him slowly, and Solas growled impatiently and grabbed her hips pulling her to him. Dani squeaked when he guided her onto his lap, and giggled when he kissed her.
Solas smiled against her lips, pushing her panties to the side, strumming her clit, and her legs parted for him.
"You know what I do when you try to tease me, ara'lath," Solas said, switching from light pressure on her clit to rough intermittently. Dani grinned, trying to rub her ass over his lap. Solas pushed her forward, chuckling as she yelped when he pushed her front into the mattress and pulled her hips up.
"You're going to be punished now," Solas said, grabbing her ass and then giving it a hard slap making her whimper.
Dani buried her face in the blanket so he couldn't see her smile. Each smack made her more aroused, making her wetter. He could smell her arousal.
Solas grabbed her panties, pulled them down, and licked up her slit, flicking her clit with his tongue to taste her. His fingers dipped inside to gather her juices. He circled her tight hole ensuring it was slick before pushing a tendril of magic past the tight ring of flesh. It pulsed inside her making Dani scream and sweat pooled on her skin. Solas loved the way her skin turned darker shades as she began to heat up.
He was becoming painfully hard and pushed down his sweatpants, then sat up and notched his cock at her entrance, pushing in; he groaned as her warmth surrounded him. He felt the vibration of his magic inside her and he bit his lip to keep himself from coming to early.
Dani gasped as he bottomed out. "Fuck," she whispered.
Solas smirked as he pulled out slowly and slammed back into her, while a whiny moan escaped Dani. Solas continued this until Dani's fingers tangled in the comforter and her toes curled. Her core throbbed as she felt pleasure pool, growing hotter. His fingers reached around between her legs and began to strum her clit roughly. The tendril began to push and pull inside her tight channel and Dani felt incredibly full…overwhelmingly full.
Dani scrunched up her brow, and her mouth hung open as she moaned louder, more high-pitched.
"I love it when you scream for me," Solas said fucking into harder, making her cry out each time he thrust into her.
"You feel so good. So warm and tight. I should have you sit on my cock all day," Solas groaned, his eyes rolling back in his head as she squeezed him tighter.
With a squeal, she came, and Solas began to thrust faster, riding out her orgasm and then spilling inside her. Solas released his magic and Dani whimpered at the loss.
Solas held himself inside her as they caught their breath. His hands stroked her back to her ass and squeezed it. Dani shivered from how sensitive she was.
"Are you ready for a bath?" Solas asked.
Dani looked over her shoulder and smiled up at him. "Sure, as long as you're with me."
Solas smirked and pulled slowly out of her, and Dani rose on her hands and knees. She hummed with how relaxed Solas made her. Suddenly, she gasped in surprise as Solas wrapped his arms around her and picked her up. Dani’s arms clung around his neck, as he carried her into the bathroom.
***
Fen'Harel called out to Jasmira in the Fade, leaving their hosts' personalities out of their meeting. When she arrived in the dream, Fen'Harel greeted her with a smile. Jasmira returned it and nodded in greeting.
"Well, hello, handsome," she said as she conjured a table for them to sit.
It wasn't as if they were tired, but it would feel less awkward if they were sitting instead of just standing there staring at each other. They said nothing until Fen'Harel smirked, and said, "I can tell you hold back Dani from her full power. You are more akin to a true god than a simple wish-giving spirit." Jasmira shrugged with a smirk on her lips.
"I am, but she is not ready for that level of power. She'll need centuries to hone her gifts," Jasmira said. "This is why we were forbidden to interact with the physical world. A djinn married a mortal once and that union had its benefits, but those interactions are rare. Humans have enough power with their imaginations to create entire worlds. A human with the power of the gods would be unstoppable and dangerous in the wrong hands. The physical plane is not meant for being such as us. We must tread carefully."
"And you believe Daniella is worthy of this?" Fen'Harel asked.
"Of course. Dani is chaos incarnate, but she has a soft heart and she is smart. She'd rather have a normal, happy life. She doesn’t crave the power. The world I swore to protect needs her, so I suggested immortality. I cannot influence her, but I can control how much power I give her. I am sure you had a similar arrangement with Solas?" Jasmira asked, tilting her head.
Fen'Harel nodded, thinking back to the hot-headed child he grew to love. "Solas was strong-willed, stubborn, and hot-blooded in his youth. Sometimes, I still tamper down my power because…well…we can destroy the world if we become out of control. Our hosts are similar, so I can see your caution against giving her too much power all at once," Fen'Harel said.
"I fear we will encounter Mythal. I ask you to do as much to protect Dani, so I don't have to intervene. I nearly killed Mythal before I banished her as an act of mercy, and I'd do it again to protect Dani. I don't want Dani to know how much power she has, however. It'll frighten her."
Fen'Harel nodded in understanding. "Solas and I spoke about it. If push comes to shove, I will take over and slay Mythal. I hate her with a fiery passion for killing so many children just to keep me leashed. Solas was the strongest or he would have perished in the ritual."
"Out of how many?" Jasmira asked with a frown.
Fen'Harel looked down, remembering the screams of each soul he destroyed unwillingly. He grieved every one of them. His essence was too powerful to contain in a single body, but Solas was born with a strong bond with spirits and the Fade. He was the perfect vessel, but for many years Fen’Harel mourned the children he killed.
"Nearly a thousand. Nine hundred, thirty-six to be exact," Fen'Harel whispered.
Jasmira scoffed and crossed her arms. "I should have killed her when I had the chance."
"Fortunately, you didn't," Fen'Harel said.
"Why?"
Fen'Harel smiled at her and his eyes went from grief to soft fondness. "Then we wouldn't be here with you and Daniella."
Jasmira disappeared and reappeared, straddling his lap, resting her hand on his cheek, then leaned down and kissed him. Fen'Harel's eyes closed, and held her waist. They couldn't interact this way in the physical world but could feel what Dani and Solas felt, and could be together in the Fade.
***
Solas and Dani leased the home close to her new job, and Solas used his doctored transcripts to apply to the college nearby. Then they returned to her parent's house and began preparing for their trip to Thedas. Dani had a flight back to Los Angeles on Saturday, and would wish Solas back once she landed.
Dani pouted, scratching Rebel's chin, as she told him she'd miss him. It would be mere seconds for Rebel, but for Dani and Solas, it could be weeks…months even. Dani took a deep breath, wishing for Solas' armor to appear in their room.
Solas held it for a moment, staring at it. "I never thought I'd wear this again. I don't feel that man…" Solas said, trailing off. He was nervous and looked at Dani. " Vhenan , you need armor. Something to protect yourself," Solas said.
"Uh…I wish for sexy Dalish scout armor. Foot and arm wraps…everything," she said with a shrug, and just as she wanted, she appeared in silverite chainmail and black leather wraps on her arms and feet. Over the chainmail was a green and silver sleeveless tunic with a black scarf.
Solas' eyebrows raised. "Why that?"
Dani grinned and twirled to show herself off. "Because it's sexy!"
Solas chuckled and shook his head. "Well, you wear it well, my love. Are you ready?"
Dani suddenly felt nervous, but Jasmira soothed her nerves. I am here. Use me if you need me. Trust our loves to protect us.
Dani swallowed the lump in her stomach. "Wait….I have an idea," Dani said; she closed her eyes, and they both appeared outside in the middle of a wooded area with a stream.
Solas looked around at the red rocks and the tranquil sound of water rushing below them. "Dani…where are we?"
"Well, I wanted to take you to Sedona! Also, a few thousand elves in the middle of Seattle might cause a problem. Here, it's pretty open." Dani looked around, listening to the highway above.
"We're still a ways back…no one will notice us at night," Dani took a deep breath and took Solas' hands.
"Okay…here it goes," Dani said and wished for them to go to Thedas, and then the world felt like it opened up and swallowed them.
Solas grabbed her and pulled her against his chest as they 'fell' until the descent slowed until they felt solid ground beneath their feet. Dani opened her eyes to see broken walls, a waterfall, a large eluvian, and…..oh shit, Qunari all around them. Solas pulled Dani behind him, and his eyes flashed, turning them to stone.
The Viddasala, in all her fury, rushed up the stairs, and Dani realized they were at the end of the Trespasser DLC, so her character would be arriving next!
"Shit! I didn't know this was where we'd land," Dani said, grabbing onto Solas.
Solas wasn't as composed as he was in the game as she looked up to see him bearing his teeth at the approaching Qunari. "Stay behind me, Daniella," he said, holding his hands out and crouching as if ready for a fight.
"You have a human in your ranks, Agent of Fen'Harel?" the Viddasala asked, coming closer.
"She is of no concern to you. Leave now and tell the Qunari to trouble me no further," Solas said in a tone that reminded her of when they first met.
The Viddasala readied her spear, and Solas' eyes flashed, turning her to stone. Dani gasped and closed her eyes, pressing herself against his back. She was terrified. Reality was so much different than the game. The look of terror on the Viddasala's face as she realized what was happening to her made Dani want to cry. In her last moments, Dani felt the Qunari's panic and terror.
Solas straightened and turned to Dani. "Daniella?"
"I felt her fear," Dani said, trembling. Then she heard someone else coming up the steps.
"Solas," Dani's Inquisitor said as she came towards him. Solas turned to her, and Dani felt her Inquisitor's pain and exhaustion.
Dani stepped out to look at the person she’d created. Freya Trevelyan, Knight-Enchanter. The wife of Cullen, friends with everyone (except Solas). Freya's eyes locked onto Dani's.
"Who are you?" she gritted through the pain.
Solas stepped forward, and his eyes flashed, calming the mark in her hand. "Your creator," he said simply, and Freya's eyes widened, looking at the tiny human in Dalish garb.
Oooooh! Let's have some fun with this ! Jasmira said in her mind, and Dani could feel her excitement. Dani tried not to chuckle, but she straightened herself and walked to stand beside Solas.
No, Jasmira. Let’s be nice to the scared woman, Dani silently said to her djinn.
You’re a party pooper…. Jasmira complained. Dani ignored her disappointment and turned her attention back to Freya.
"I did create you, yes, and have guided your actions. Solas and I, however, are no longer enemies," Dani said, then nudged him, making him frown at her. “I’m the reason you’re mean to him.”
"And…your Fen'Harel? You're the Dread Wolf?" Freya asked, and Solas nodded with a hint of a smile.
"I am Fen’Harel, Inquisitor. I was Solas first when I was a child. Fen'Harel came later when he was bound to me. I am no god, however. I am just a mage like any other of my people," Solas said. He began answering her questions without the hostility he usually would have done with a low approval Inquisitor.
Instead, he was gentle with her and almost looked as if he pitied her. Dani watched as the myriad of confusion crossed the young woman's face.
"That's the past. What about the future?" Freya asked, looking between Dani and Solas.
Solas paused and looked at Dani with a smile. "I will disappear from your world and return to Daniella's. Her people created Thedas and its people."
"Are they…are you a god?" Freya asked Dani.
"No. It's complicated, but I am human…with magic that no one else in my world has. We are here briefly, but you will no longer have to worry about Solas after this. There are other threats to worry about in Tevinter. Tell Dorian to watch out for Magister Rezaren Ammosine," Dani said, and Solas scowled at her.
"What? It might save Fairbanks. I like Fairbanks, okay? And Meredith will have a harder time coming back," Dani protested.
"What?!" Freya asked, and her mark flared again. Solas quieted it and sighed, shaking his head.
"Meredith might still be alive, and she has the Red Templar at her command, Freya. I will not be here to help this time. Thedas will be on its own. I need to take the mark before it consumes you," Solas said, reaching for her arm.
Freya hesitated, then extended her arm, and Dani watched as Solas severed it from the Inquisitor’s elbow. He placed his hand on the open wound, healing it.
"You are on your own from now on, child. Daniella and I need to prepare to return. Tell the Exalted Council I am no threat, and tell them what Daniella has shared. Do not…please do not give the Inquisition to the Chantry. Disband. Live your life with your husband. He will do good with his freedom and help break templars of their addition to Lyrium."
Solas stepped back from Freya, took Dani's hand, and walked toward the eluvian. Dani turned back to the person she created and smiled at her before they disappeared through the eluvian.
***
Freya hobbled out of the eluvian toward Dorian, Iron Bull, and Varric, collapsing into Iron Bull's arms. "Boss! Are you alright?" Bull picked her up, noting that half of her left arm was missing.
Freya took a deep breath and shook her head. "I…I don't know. Solas took my arm to save me and healed me. He was with a woman who said she created me. I'm so…I need Cullen," she sobbed and hugged Iron Bull.
An eluvian activated close to them, returning them to the Darvaarad and then to the Winter Palace. Iron Bull carried her until they reached a healer. Freya wasn't physically hurt since Solas had healed her, but her emotions were frayed from battling the Qunari and meeting her creator. Cullen held her while she cried, trying to soothe her when Divine Victoria, known as Cassandra in private, entered the room.
"What happened? Are you alright?" Cassandra asked, sitting in the chair next to her bed.
"Andraste's sake, Cassandra! Can't you wait until she's well -?" Cullen snapped, but Freya placed her hand on his.
She sat up through sniffles, Cullen still steadying her. "It's okay, Cullen. I don't know why I'm so emotional right now…" she said.
She felt like herself but also as if she was waking from a dream. Someone had controlled her actions this entire time, and she couldn't tell what was real. Daniella, the woman with Solas, controlled her….she wasn't sure how to process that.
Freya looked at the man she thought she loved, but now, she was doubting everything. She loved her friends, but…did she really or had she been Daniella’s puppet the entire time? Freya tried to piece everything together. It was confusing, and she was scared.
"Someone…or something has been living my life through me. There was a woman with Solas, and he was so different that how he was before. He was kind…more kind than I expected. She told me she created me and that her people created Thedas. She was…a human, but she and Solas were more powerful than any mage I’ve ever met," Freya said, taking a deep breath to steady herself.
"Maker…what do they want with us?" Cassandra asked with a gasp.
Freya swallowed. "They warned me about Meredith being alive and controlling red templars. They also said something about a magister in Tevinter. Rezaren Ammosine, I recall. He's up to something. But…Daniella said Solas is returning to her realm and that Thedas is ours to handle."
Cassandra and Cullen looked at each other, confused and skeptical about Freya's recount of what happened to her. "We should gather the Exalted Council and report what Freya has told us," Cassandra said.
"I believe him, Cassandra. He could have killed me, but…he didn't. She could have too…I don't understand why a human and Solas were working together, but they acted as if they were lovers," Freya said. "And the woman knew things from the future."
"Perhaps she is an agent of the Maker. We don't know, but Leliana will need to research," Cassandra mused. Then she rose from her seat. "Rest now, my friend. We'll speak more later."
Cassandra walked out of the room to where Leliana and Josephine waited for her. "The woman she speaks of catches my interest, but…I am concerned. If Solas is Fen'Harel, he's more powerful than he let on. If Solas is gone, I'm worried about what he was shielding us from," Leliana said. She was uneasy with all these uncertainties and information Solas and Dani provided to Freya.
"I understand, but Freya is emotional. I don't know if she's reliable right now," Cassandra said.
Josephine frowned, thinking to herself. "Do you think we can learn more from this woman?"
"How would we find her?" Leliana asked.
"Good question. Ask the elves in the Inquisition. Or…we can see if Freya’s connection to the woman remains?" Cassandra asked.
"Grab Dorian and Vivienne," Leliana said.
***
Solas nervously led Dani through the eluvian network, finally arriving at the last one that took them to his base of operations. Solas held her hand tightly, and Dani sighed.
"Honey, you're aura is like me when I've had too much coffee. You need to relax," Dani said, and Solas gave her the side-eye.
"I cannot believe you, of all people, are telling me to relax," Solas grumbled.
"Well, I learned from the best," Dani said with a grin, then raised to the tips of her toes and kissed his cheek. Solas sighed and looped his arm around her waist.
"Thank you for trying to alleviate my stress, but I am worried about bringing a human into my sanctuary," Solas said. Dani frowned, trying to pull away from him, but Solas pulled her in tighter.
"That was not a slight against you, vhenan . My people have mistrusted humans for centuries." Solas cupped her cheek and kissed her. "You are wonderful and perfect. They will see that."
Dani smiled lightly, then leaned into him. She was very insecure since Solas was a god amongst his people and she was just a nobody and human at that. She was afraid his people wouldn't like her…or trust her.
Solas kissed the top of her head. "Come, my love. We should return sooner rather than later."
"You miss the ginger menace, don't you?" Dani asked with a grin, referring to their kitten. Solas smirked, then grabbed her hand, pulling her through the eluvian.
Dani's eyes widened at the beautiful valley blanketed with wildflowers, autumn trees, and a stream when they came through. "Oh my god, I just entered a painting."
Solas chuckled and gave her a few moments to appreciate the scenery. Dani looked at the Keep with a dozen stone structures with smoke coming out of the chimneys. "Your people have homes here," Dani said with a smile. "It's nice."
A group of elves approached, their eyes narrowing when they saw Dani. They placed their hands on their weapons but didn’t point them at her. "Lord Fen'Harel," one greeted him, and Dani recognized the voice.
"Abelas," she said, and his golden eyes locked on her. He was significantly taller than the other elves, and she was surprised he wasn't wearing his hood. His face was bare now; his vallas'lin must have been taken away.
"How does this shemlen know me?" Abelas asked.
"Doesn't shemlen mean mortal?" Dani asked and arched her eyebrow. Something about his tone pissed her off, and she crossed her arms, lifting her eyebrow. Her aura flared hot, and the elves took a step back.
" Vhenan… " Solas warned. Dani rolled her eyes and tried to calm down.
"She's not a mortal, Abelas," Solas said, and he hooked his arm around her waist. "And she is my mate. We have much to talk about."
Dani gave Abelas the sassiest smile in her arsenal and walked toward the castle swaying her hips. Abelas arched his eyebrow at Solas, and Solas sighed, knowing full well that Dani would not behave herself.
Solas walked after her, and his people seemed amused but also terrified of the tiny human who fearlessly walked into their sanctuary.
***
Mythal felt the presence of an old enemy cross realms into Thedas. At one time, she tried to enter a reality that gave birth to many realities. The people of this world could create worlds with a simple thought, a stroke of a pen, or a swipe of a paintbrush.
When Fen'Harel destroyed the original Thedas until there was nothing but ash, Mythal searched between realms searching for a new home or a way to bring back her world. Then she stumbled upon a world that created alternate realities by imagination alone. It was remarkable that the people of this world could bring it to life by simply writing it on paper or telling a story to children.
The spirits of this world walked invisibly, whispering suggestions in their ears or granting them fortune or desires with a flick of their wrists. Mythal tried to break through to 'inspire' a mortal to recreate her world. Except the gods of this world did not take kindly to a wandering goddess from another realm.
Mythal put up a fight until she was ultimately struck down by a warrior named Jasmira, a djinn with immense power beyond simply granting wishes. After she pierced Mythal's chest with her lance, she banished Mythal from Earth. It took a few thousand years for Mythal to return and whisper thoughts into a mind that became the recreation of Thedas.
The problem was…it only worked part-way. The history of Thedas remained the same, but the future followed a similar path with different variations depending on choices. Mythal still couldn't influence the story enough to change the fate of Thedas. Solas would still destroy the world, and then Thedas will become a barren wasteland.
The Fade would eventually collapse, and Mythal woul be alone, floating in the ruins of her world. She was beginning to lose hope that she'd be able to save it…then Jasmira arrived.
Mythal found a disciple close to Jasmira's aura and looked through their eyes. Jasmira was with Solas in the body of a human. Then her anger erupted when she saw the human and Solas holding hands.
Fen'Harel belonged to her. Solas was hers. Solas called the woman his mate, and Mythal's rage caused pain to her disciple, who grabbed her head, whimpering in pain.
Solas saw what was happening and turned the disciple to stone, blocking Mythal from spying on them.
Solas pulled Dani to him. "I believe Mythal knows you're here."