Chapter 45 – To Catch a Killer

*****

My queen was on her knees in our bedroom, showing my cock plenty of attention with her mouth and tongue, though this was merely the warm up before the main event. She all the time looked up when pleasuring me, the devotion in her eyes plain for anyone else to see, though we were alone as all the time. It was a good way to begin the day.

I didn’t want to cum in her mouth, not this time, so I leaned down, gently lifted her up and placed her on the bed, on her knees, Anora laying her head down as she wiggled her arse in my direction. I buried my face into her pussy without delay, earning a loud moan as my tongue found what I wanted. I also teased her arse at the same time, and she had admitted recently that she was open-minded about trying it, though she added that she needed the confidence. So far, she had discovered a love for my tongue back there, and we were up to three fingers. I was eager to take it slowly, so that when she did eventually take my cock, she would only discover it enjoyable.

Flipping her onto her back, she spread her legs wide as I buried my face again, this time I was looking up as she looked down, her eyes now suggesting I hurry up and either make her cum, or stick my cock inside her. To be honest, I think we were both desperate for the latter, and although I loved eating her out, we were both desperate to fuck.

And that’s what it was. Since our return from Antiva City, we’d spent a lot of time making love, reaffirming our love and commitment to one another, but spent time getting hot, sweaty and simply fucking each other’s brains out. It was wild at times, and Anora certainly grew adventurous. Fucking on her desk was definitely a new one, and it was amusing being discovered by Solona, who didn’t imagine Anora would ever do something like that again, obviously forgetting what we’d got up to back in Ferelden, when I’d fucked her on the desk there and we also fucked outside in the courtyard.

By the time she had me on my back, climbing onto my cock, we were both into each other completely, in more methods than one. Anora rode me hard and fast, and I thrust up into her for good measure. We barely spoke except for the occasional word. “Harder”, “Faster”, “Maker”, and numerous others. She eventually rested her forearms to either side of me as I reached down, grabbed her arse, and really started to pound her.

“Fuck me, Ragnar. Fuck your queen,” she moaned. I moved a hand down and started to tickle her little hole. That made her giggle. “Soon, Ragnar. Right now, you need to fill my pussy.”

“Going to fill you to the brim,” I groaned.

She sat up again, really bouncing up and down, resting one hand on her arse, the other now fondling her breasts. “Love them?” she thought, knowing the answer.

“Perfect,” I replied, “Like the rest of you.”

“Maker, your cock is perfect too. You’ve turned me into a sex addict, Ragnar.” Leaning forward again, she added, “Great way to start the day, though. I’m sure people I see in the first meeting always wonder what’s put a big smile on my face.”

“Should leave something on your face one day, see if they react.”

“Ragnar, that is only ever going in my mouth, my pussy, and one day, my arse.”

“Gods, you say the most beautiful things, Ani.”

That made her laugh before she kissed me, making her whimper as I started to fuck her even harder, feeling my climax approach. Breaking the kiss, she rested her forehead against mine. “Going to cum?”

“Soon. Real soon.”

“I’m nearly there too.”

We both shut up, just looking at each other, kissing occasionally, as I felt myself pass the inevitable. My orgasm was fast approaching and there was no stopping it now. I watched her face, the little signs that suggested she was nearly there. A bite of the lip. A parting of her lips. The way her body started to convulse. And when I felt her begin to squeeze my cock and release a loud moan, I knew she was nearly there.

Enjoying an orgasm together is all the time a brilliant way to begin the day. Once the blissful heights passed, Anora relaxed against my chest, both of us breathing deeply as I held her with one arm, feeling the sweat, though that didn’t bother me. She started to giggle, which made me laugh. Not sure why, but it was a sound that had been missing for a while. We were not quite where we were yet, but we were getting there. “I’m going to be walking funny for a few minutes,” she stated, “You pounded my pussy this morning, Ragnar.” She looked up and smiled. “Just what I needed. A nice fuck before breakfast.”

“If I hadn’t just cum inside you, I’d rather something else for breakfast.”

She picked up a pillow and hit me in the face. “Maker, you are so corny sometimes, Ragnar.” She leaned down to kiss me. “It’s one of the many reasons why I love you.” She gave me a squeeze. “This cock inside is me probably the biggest reason. Well, it’s big as it is…”

We finally got up, cleaned up, dressed, then headed downstairs. Brosca and Solona were already there. “So I assume Anora is full?” Brosca asked, “And before you say anything, of course we bloody heard you as you left your door open. I think you did it on purpose.”

“I seem to remember hearing someone shout ‘Put that massive cock in my tight little arse’ at some point last night, Brosca,” Anora retorted.

“Touché. And, thankfully, he did just that. Still feeling it this morning, Dragonborn.”

“Any news, Solona?” Anora asked.

I wondered it would have been a lot more awkward, but after our return, Anora sat down with Solona in private and explained everything that happened, and the fact it just looked like the Maker would not grant her the joy of motherhood. Anora would not ask anyone to be a surrogate but…She did want children around the embassy, even if they couldn’t be hers. How she… I loved her but, by the gods, did she make me proud as well. Solona did want more children and Anora encouraged her to try, so whenever it was the perfect time, she insisted that Solona and I spend plenty of time together.

“I’m not sure, Anora. It might be a little time yet before I can confirm or not. I’m still amazed I had our son considering I’m a Warden.”

“My fingers are crossed for you.”

Solona could only smile before replying, “Thank you.”

We ate in comfortable silence, Anora and I having worked up quite the appetite. After we finished, I held my son for a little while, the little fellow continuing to get bigger with each passing day. Solona suggested he might be getting ready to walk, while he was certainly making enough sounds now that we figured he may say his first word soon too. Anora was now very much an active part too. She couldn’t feed him but she enjoyed doing everything else. I think it helped ease the heartache, Solona and I making sure she was just as involved.

You may have noticed that I didn’t mention the Hawke sisters and Leandra. After our return from the Deep Roads, they had enough money to purchase the old family home. The family moved in, leaving Gamlen in his hovel, with offers to other friends to join them. I think Merrill was thinking about it. As for the others, most had their own homes already, and would probably think they were intruding.

Anora had another busy day planned. I had a vague idea of what she did but I didn’t get too involved. A lot of meetings and paperwork. Brosca kept herself occupied, though would sometimes join me in whatever shenanigans I was up to. Solona now helped Anora with some of her work while looking after our son.

The one thing we had all discussed was my proposal to Anora, and her counter-proposal regarding everyone else. We asked one or two people and had it confirmed that me marrying multiple women wasn’t allowed. But we found a sympathetic sister in the Chantry who couldn’t legally marry us but could at least perform the ceremony. So far, Anora, Solona, Natia, Bethany, Hawke and Merrill had all accepted my proposal. Isabela wasn’t interested in marriage, but would continue our physical relationship, Eliza had by now moved out and was living with her new partner, Lyna was now committed to Fenris, while Neria and Lenina were living in the alienage. As for Leandra, she would not marry again, but my six girls made sure she was still part of my harem.

I also had to sit down with each one for a real heart to heart, make sure they realised what they were agreeing to, and after Anora and I shared absolutely everything we discussed, asked if they wanted children. Solona we already knew about. Natia wanted children but wasn’t sure a human-dwarf pairing could produce offspring, and her being a Warden would make things more difficult still. Bethany was a no, aware being a Warden would make it difficult to conceive, believing Solona was just lucky, while Hawke was almost an adamant no, though both suggested they could change their minds in the future. Merrill wanted children but wanted to wait and simply enjoy our burgeoning relationship for the time being.

Life settled down in the months after returning from Antiva City. I’ll admit to spending some time relaxing as life seemed non-stop since arriving in Kirkwall, taking time to actually explore the city. Though my focus was still on Anora as she continued to heal, I tried to spend an equal amount of time with all my girls. I generally tried to be with them alone, though temptation got the better of Bethany and Hawke, and we enjoyed a few threesomes. They didn’t do anything with each other though I was aware that the desire to be naughty was all the time present. I figured they’d give in eventually, and we’d end up having a secret of our own.

Kirkwall was slowly turning into a hotbed though. Things were definitely happening between the Circle and the Templar Order. Even normal people seemed to be scared of the power of Knight-Commander Meredith. I didn’t know the woman at all, but most of the things I’d heard were not pleasant. Maybe she just ruled with iron fist and people just had to accept it, but I know a lot of noses were put out of joint. The Viscount was a pathetic, weak man and virtually no help at all.

I ended up visiting Hawke and the family at their home, with the invite of coming and going whenever I wanted. Leandra greeted me with a kiss on the cheek, letting me know Hawke was in the front room with Aveline. After greeting them both, I took a seat as Aveline suggested I should listen in to what she was explaining to Hawke.

She mentioned a templar by the name of Emeric. I vaguely remembered it until she reminded us of how we would know him, having helped with an investigation into a efficient serial killer working around Kirkwall. The investigation hadn’t gone further than where we’d last left it, but Emeric had caused some trouble and embarrassment for the guard, and also the templars, Meredith herself apparently getting involved, telling Emeric to back off.

And that’s where Hawke and I came in. She wanted us to help Emeric as, despite any evidence to the contrary, she wanted to help him at least, admitting that there was at least an element of truth to what he had to say. I wanted to ask why the guard were not investigating themselves but didn’t particularly want an argument, and Hawke seemed keen on trying to help, so that’s what we did, agreeing to meet Emeric the next day.

We found him in the Gallows courtyard after breakfast the next morning. He didn’t appear surprised we were taking an interest, guessing correctly that Aveline had been to see us. Asking for his own opinions, he said at least three other women had disappeared since we last spoke to him, and that he suspected a man by the name of Gascard DuPuis was responsible. He admitted that the guard had searched his home and found nothing, but he was convinced that he was responsible.

He asked us to investigate Gascard before doing anything else. I thought what we could possibly discover when interviewing him, when he not so subtly suggested we don’t exactly question him. “Breaking and entering? I haven’t been a thief in years,” I stated.

“I’m not asking you to steal anything, just find evidence of his crimes.”

“Supposed crimes,” Hawke retorted.

“I know he’s involved somehow. Find what evidence you can, even question him if you have to, but return to me with whatever you find. If you find nothing then…” He sighed. “No, I know I’m right about him. He’s involved. He’s either the killer or he’s helping whoever the killer is.”

With wishes of good luck ringing in our ears, we had to wait until evening to make our move, as trying to enter his place during the day would only draw the attention of the guards. Anora was pleased to have me around for the day as a welcome distraction when she wasn’t in meetings, and I had two lunches with her at her desk. One was food, the other was her pussy. Solona found us again, and Anora was in such a good mood, she had Solona sit next to her so I could eat her out next. “Is the timing right?” Anora asked as I was going down on Solona.

“Not sure,” she managed to reply. I liked to think I was doing a good job so she was rather distracted.

“If you want, he can fuck you.”

“No, it’s okay…” She trailed off as she released a loud moan. “I’m loving what he’s doing now.”

“Once you know, you can have him whenever you want.”

I looked up to see Solona gently grab Anora by the hand, the pair smiling at each other. What happened next made me stop what I was doing, as Solona leaned over to kiss her, and Anora responded. This was a woman who was adamant it wouldn’t happen.

I sat back and watched for the few seconds it happened. When they broke aside, both looked at me. All I did was clear my throat, gesture, and asked, “What the fuck was that about?”

“It was just a kiss, Ragnar,” Anora replied, “Don’t get over-excited.”

“It wasn’t just a kiss though. It was a… Well, a proper kiss.”

“It was,” Solona agreed.

“I just got caught up in the moment. I’m not going to get down there with you and start licking her pussy, Ragnar.”

“I wouldn’t complain if you did,” Solona added.

“Just give her an orgasm, Ragnar. I have a meeting soon.”

I did as she requested and Solona exited the room with a smile on her face ten minutes later. I wondered I was gonna just go myself, but she pulled me close, fumbled at my trousers and once my cock was free, I slid it inside her. I wondered she wanted a hard, fast fuck, but she immediately slowed me down. “You don’t need to cum, neither do I,” she whispered, “I just wanted to feel you inside me for a few minutes.”

“What if I cum inside you before your meeting?”

The smirk told me she wondered that was a good idea. I left the room fifteen minutes later, just as her visitor walked into the embassy. I could see her looking around as he walked in, and it was only then that I held up her panties. She visibly flushed, and I had to stifle laughter as introductions were made. She walked towards me to close the door. I wondered she’d be furious. Instead, she simply smiled, glancing down, and I suddenly knew why. Anora could be very naughty when she wanted to be. “Love you,” she said softly before closing the door.

“Are those her panties?” Solona asked from the stairway.

“Aye.”

“And you two obviously just fucked in there?”

“Aye.”

Solona cracked up laughing. “So some of your cum is now running down her leg?”

“Aye.”

“Well, I think you are definitely having an effect on that women, Ragnar. And it’s a good thing. She showed glimpses of it before but she’s letting herself off the leash now.”

Sitting beside her, I said, “We need to have fun together because… you know… It keeps both our minds occupied.”

Hawke and I agreed on a team, that being Varric and Isabela to help break us in, Bethany and Hawke would be the mages, and I would be the guy up front, dealing with any demons we might run into, because we all knew, by now, shit would probably hit the fan. It was just how it worked.

We moved rather late in the evening, once Solona had fed and bathed our son and she was in bed, while Anora was still at her desk, though she was only reading over a few things. She kissed my cheek, told me to be safe, but knew I’d be back sooner rather than later. She had confidence in me, at least.

Breaking in wasn’t too difficult, Isabela manging to pick the lock after a couple of minutes as the rest of us kept watch, but no-one even walked down the street. Once inside, we were immediately set upon by shades. Not too many but enough to cause slight concern, and Hawke muttered something about Emeric perhaps being right after all. We battled our way forward, shades popping up in every room we entered. Once we killed them, we looked for any evidence that linked Gascard with the murders.

We didn’t discover that, not exactly, but we found evidence that he was a blood mage, and was also looking for mages that had escaped the Starkhaven Circle. I knew something about that, apparently the tower had burned down during a revolt or something. I couldn’t remember exactly but I knew the templars in Kirkwall were searching for any apostates.

Hearing a scream, that’s when we jogged upstairs towards what turned out to be the master bedroom. I strode in with sword in hand, ready to just begin swinging. My eyes first went to the woman on the ground. I didn’t see blood, nor bruises, only the fact she was crying. A man stood a couple of metres away, and through process of elimination, that could only be Gascard. I pointed my sword at him. “Sit,” I ordered.

Wisely, he took a couple of steps back and sat on the bed. “Look, all of this can be explained,” he stated.

I waited until everyone was by my side. Bethany stepped forward to console the woman, who didn’t want to move. “You’d better have one hell of explanation for the fact we’ve just been attacked by numerous shades, and now we find a woman in here, obviously in terror,” Hawke stated.

“As I said, I can explain. You know who I am already, I guess?”

“Aye, we do,” I replied.

“What you won’t know is why… I know why you are here. That templar, Emeric, believes I am a serial killer.”

“Right now, I find myself agreeing with him,” Hawke stated, no humour in her tones this time.

“I can assure you I am not. We are on the same side.”

“I’m finding that hard to believe,” I interjected.

“My sister was killed many years ago by the same killer. His modus operandi is the same with his victims in Kirkwall in relation to how he killed my sister and other girls where we used to live. Once I heard of the murders in Kirkwall, I moved here and started my investigation. I thought I was getting close until the guards were beating down my door, accusing me of the crimes.”

“Explain her then,” I suggested, gesturing to the woman.

“Alessa? I took her because I know she is to be his next victim. As I said, I know how he works, I just can’t find out who it is exactly.”

“He hurt me,” she said softly.

I looked at Gascard, not needing to voice my question. “I’m sure you’ve already figured out I’m a mage. I used a bit of her blood so I can trace her if she were to be abducted. I haven’t done anything… untoward or… I’m sure you’re probably thinking things.”

“Has he been unduly cruel?” Bethany asked quietly, “Has he touched you inappropriately?”

“He took my blood but… nothing else. He just won’t let me leave.”

“It’s for your own safety, Alessa,” Gascard said, and his voice was… honest. He seemed to genuinely care. I glanced at Hawke.

“You got evidence for this story?” Hawke thought.

“I keep a journal with everything I’ve discovered so far. Though it is immensely private, I will allow you to read certain sections.”

“So we’re believing him?” Bethany asked.

“No, you can’t!” Alessa cried, and before any of us could react, she got up and sprinted out of the room. I think Bethany was gonna chase after her but Hawke called out to her to stop. Instead, Gascard offered Hawke the journal and she took a few minutes to read the selected pages. She would show me every so often a piece of evidence, and the longer time passed, the more that we simply had to believe Gascard. It was an uneasy feeling but… He hadn’t lied at all.