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"This went better than I expected," Alistair commented as he led his dance partner towards the ballroom floor. They both wore finery that wasn't commonplace for them and the palace had been decorated to represent the momentous occasion - the wedding of the Hero of Ferelden was an extravagant affair.
Theia glanced around at the crowd swarming around the room, leaving the center open for them. "What were you expecting to happen?"
He shrugged, taking her by the waist and waiting for the music to begin. "The usual - screams, bloodshed, swooning, mayhem."
"The night isn't over yet," she pointed out, her fingers tightening on his hand and arm when he started to lead her in a dance. "The last time I wore a wedding dress, it didn't end well."
He remembered her telling him the story the first time they'd gone to the alienage together - how she'd become a Warden because she'd killed humans that had kidnapped her and her friends during an arranged marriage ceremony. "This is different."
"I know." She could hear the buzzing murmur of voices all around them, but she couldn't look away from the man holding her and she noticed him watching her just as intently. "Something on my face?"
"You're beautiful," he said quietly before he could stop himself.
She felt the tips of her pointed ears go red. "Charmer." He'd always had a way of catching her off guard with the simple sincerity of his words. Others began to dance around them, filling up the floor, and she had to shift closer to him as they spun around. "I would have preferred something smaller."
He gave her a cocky half-grin. "Oh, was the entirety of Ferelden squished into Denerim palace not your ideal party size?"
"Vigil's Keep would have been better." It surprised her how quickly the place had become home and how eager she was to return to her duties as Warden Commander.
Alistair moved them around another set of dancers, weaving his way around the room in a way he never would've been able to years before. "And deprive everyone of witnessing your happiness?"
"The things we do for our people." She meant it to be teasing, but she saw his expression darken and felt his hold on her tighten.
His voice quieted, his eyes searching hers. "Are you happy?"
She knew he wanted the truth from her so she remained silent, considering. Then she nodded, smiling up at him. "Yes, I'm happy."
"No regrets?" He didn't know why he was asking but he wanted - needed - to make sure….
"Oh, multitudes." She cupped his cheek as the dance ended, allowing herself a moment to remember how things had once been. "I'll always love you, Alistair."
He leaned into her touch, taking in the sight of her as if it would be his last. "And I you."
"But you have to let me go." She glanced over to see a dark-haired man heading in their direction and dropped her hand. "In more ways than one."
He didn't want to, but he knew she was right. It took more effort than he expected to release his hold on her. Stepping back, he inclined his head slightly towards the man approaching them. "Warden Howe."
"King Alistair." Nathaniel returned the gesture and then held out his hand to Theia. "If I may? I'd like to dance with my wife before the night ends."
"Of course." His hands curled into fists that he kept at his side. He wanted to grab the woman, convince her that they could run away from it all and be together. That they could be each other's as they once were. But that time had passed. "Thank you for the dance, Theia. I wish you both well."
Alistair moved to the side and joined the other onlookers, watching as Nathaniel took Theia into his arms. For just a moment, he allowed himself to imagine that things were different - that she was still his, that he was still hers, and that duty had never torn them apart. Then he turned away and disappeared into the crowd.