Once he's certain Cullen's asleep, Alistair lets out a long, heavy breath, tucking his face against Cullen's shoulder.

Cousland's been searching for years now. If she were going to find something beyond vague leads and ideas, he has to think she would've found it already. And some of those leads -- well. He can read between the lines. He knows some of her paths have been darker than what she usually dares to venture down.

(If she finds a solution, but it means Cullen would never be able to look at him again, Alistair doesn't know what he'll do.)

He'll write her. He'll (his gut clenches) see if she's had any luck getting ahold of Fiona. That was one lead that she claimed fizzled out, but maybe Alistair can...there's no other way to put it. Exploit that desire for connection Fiona wanted with her son. Use it to track her down. Rattle off a slightly kinder variation on you owe me this after you abandoned me.

He turns an eye to the leaves above them, and tries not to squeeze Cullen too hard.