Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

I walk down the opulent hallway in what was once the Szarr Palace - an all but forgotten past since Astarion took over. The walls are dressed cleaner, new paintings of Astarion and I hang everywhere in ornate gold frames, the old rugs have been thrown out and replaced with elaborately detailed ones Astarion had imported. Every candle and sconce has been changed. Astarion wanted no remanence of Cazador anywhere in his home, besides the overall layout of palace, and even that was beginning to change. He was renovating the spawn quarters, removing the kennels, and the basement of the palace was being constructed to be a liveable and useable space.

I pass the lavishly framed paintings but stop for a moment at my favourite one. It is a dreamy sunset of Baldur’s Gate the day we had destroyed the brain. I wanted to commemorate it. It is large and hung on an expansive wall near the main entrance of the palace. May all who enter know it was Astarion and I who saved Baldur’s Gate – and now rule it.

My double slit dress billows behind me and between my legs as I continue. The neckline plunges down to my waist, and thin strips of the sheer black fabric wraps around it. It leaves very little to the imagination, but I love to show off my body. A little sword necklace given to me by Astarion sits nestled between my breasts perfectly. He picked it out from a small shop when we went to visit Gale in Waterdeep earlier this year. Astarion said it was a reminder that I was his right hand, and his weapon. I may not be controlled by my father Bhaal anymore, but I willingly accepted becoming Astarion’s eternal lover. Not quite his equal, but I don’t mind. No one dared to get between us, and I liked it that way. No one else can say they are the consort of a Vampire Lord, let alone the only Vampire Ascendent in history.

It has been five years since the brain was destroyed and our tadpoles disintegrated, and Astarion has grown his influence splendidly in our city. Politicians love him and he keeps their coiffeurs full. His influence is exceedingly strong over them since he has generations of wealth now, and his ever-growing powers as the Ascendant Vampire. He has regular dealings with the cities’ developers who admire him for being the owner of most of the city buildings and much of the land surrounding Baldur’s Gate. His wealth, and ownership of the coast grows daily, and the more he gains the more he wants. It is nice for me as he bestows me with gifts, dresses, fine wine and I even own (well, he owns them but he still gifted them to me…), a perfume shop, Figaro’s tailor shop, and the newly acquired Sorcerous Sundries. I have unlimited access to all the books I could ever want now. I regularly couriered books to Gale in Waterdeep who now taught many aspiring wizards. He sometimes sends me books on Vampyrism and theories and speculations on how to cure it… He hasn’t chosen to come visit us yet. He still isn’t comfortable with my choice of staying with Astarion let alone becoming his spawn, but maybe one day he’ll get over it. I appreciate the books still, even though I have no interest in ridding myself of my position here. I do however smile at the thought that he still cares for me.

As I walk into the main hall, the spawn mumble as I pass by. Astarion’s spawn fear and want to sleep with him most desperately, and to drink from him and to be drunk by him. Those are their goals – to please their lord so he will favour them. So, they really hate me. And are so envious, I’m convinced that if they keep staring at me, their red eyes might turn green instead.
Astarion and I have a lavish master bedroom now on the top floor overlooking the city, which is off limits to all spawn. I have a library and workshop I can practice my magic in. The door is warded so that anyone not me, would be immobilized and cursed. I have a taste for theatrics, but I also have some powerful tomes in there that should not be touched by anyone but me. Then we have our dining room, which mostly serves as a sitting room and where we would host certain officials for meetings when we aren’t having extravagant parties. We really have too many parties. Most of the time I just sit and drink wine and keep tabs on the different spawn from my throne beside Astarion’s.

I glance at the other spawn as I passed them in the main hall, and oh how I look down my nose on them - he would never sink so low as to lay with them. A bunch of delusional pawns for us. I think to myself. But maybe I’m also delusional, thinking of them as mine too. I’m not like them. I keep telling myself, but I’ll never be a ‘True Vampire’ since the whole Vampire Ascendant thing changed the rules. Astarion and I feed on each other as consorts, and he gives me just enough to ensure I’m immune to sunlight, (which we learned the hard way that it wears off after some time). He could control me completely with his powers if he wanted to, but he hasn’t needed to yet. I’m quite content with my life and I adore him. So, naturally I’m happy to do his bidding when he asks and oversee tasks and assignments, which he delegates for me to take care of.

A smile creeps over my face as I think about it – control. I read the Necromancy Book of Thay, and the codec when we were on our quest to destroy the Absolute. He wanted to read it, of course – who wouldn’t want that power? But I found it. So, it’s mine, I decided then. And it’s still mine.
Actually, where is it? Oh ya, I think it’s under those books in the library by the book of the gods. I shrug to myself. I’ll look for it sometime. If anyone tries to read it, they’ll just go mad anyways.
I have years of experience as a necromancer and controlling the undead was and still is, my specialty. I don’t brag about this fact as I am surrounded by undead, but I think it frightens the other spawn knowing how much magic I possess, alongside my volatile nature to boot. Regardless, I will never be like the other spawn. I am his consort, his lover forever. Sometimes I think he fears my wrath as much as I fear his. He knows full well my dark urges never quite left… maybe they were never from Bhaal but from deep inside me instead…

Speaking of necromancy, I have all four of my flying ghouls summoned thanks to some criminals that I had hunted early in the week. I often tell the other spawn to collect any bodies so I can use them to resurrect my ghouls or zombies. I walk around with my ghouls more as a show of power than for anything else.

My snow-white hair is nicely braided today and pulled back showing off my delicately pointed ears. I think I like my new handmaid. She knows how to keep her mouth shut and her hair skills are among the best of them so far. I have my standard dark black eye makeup and a dark lip, a small, enchanted circlet across my forehead.

Astarion is sitting up on the dais on his wickedly crafted throne, whorls of dark ebony wood carved this way and that with a padded dark red cushioned back rest, arms and seat. The stitching: golden, of course. He has a sharp looking gold crown, with inset rubies. It’s also enchanted with a detect thoughts spell. I know this because I enchanted it for him myself. I smile. He looks the embodiment of power and authority. Some of his most trusted servant spawn stand around him. Not quite his assassin-bodyguard level spawn, but servants made to fetch him things and take notes as he needs. He is speaking with a merchant discussing a trade route and something about taxes to the palace. When Astarion notices me walking in, his eyes meet mine and he raises his hand to silence the merchant as I enter.
Astarion looks regal and commanding as ever. I smirk seductively raising my chin up to him in acknowledgment, as he stands and calls to me across the hall, “Ah there you are! My beautiful consort. Come, join me.”
I step quickly closing the distance between us, “Hello my love, I have dispatched of the problem. We will be pickier when choosing handmaidens in the future.”
“Of course, my treasure. Whatever you desire.” He purrs.
The servant spawn standing behind Astarion’s throne shift nervously, glancing quickly at each other. I make my way to the chair beside his, but he stops me, and grabs my wrist. Then pulls me in for a deep kiss, in front of the merchant who flushes and looks at his shoes. Astarion’s hands slide down to my rear and he gives me a squeeze in my semi-sheer revealing dress.

We have been almost inseparable since he turned me, and I still want him desperately even now. We are very rarely apart besides some day-to-day business. I might go shopping when the other spawn are asleep, check out my shops and take care of some meetings for Astarion, or go out to the taverns in the evening for a bite or two… but we really don’t stray too far from each other. Sometimes we even hunt together, but the more power and influence he obtains the more he has been busy with meetings and work. It has irritated me greatly, but there’s plenty to do still. However, it has left me wanting in recent months.

Astarion releases me from his embrace, his eyes on me as he sits down on his throne. He pats his thigh and I make myself comfortable as sit down and sprawl across his lap, hanging my one leg over the opposite armrest, the other one between his legs touching the ground with my bare toes. My back is against the other padded arm and his arm loops around under my back. Our standard seating arrangement. The revealing dress shows off my entire leg, thigh, and half my butt which is now on display for everyone in the room.
Some lower spawn, cleaning the far corner of the room, stare at me but are careful not to meet my eyes.

Oh how they wish they could be me. One of them looks defeated then continues cleaning as we are having another party this evening. Decorations were already in place, just some final tidying is needed and laying out of some food and drink. A local caterer will handle the human food, and we procured some fresh blood from some servant familiars eager to please Astarion, for our spawn. The local higher ups and politicians are attending tonight, who are fully aware of Astarion’s vampirism, and our subordinates’ conditions. They have been loyal so far, especially since we have been diligent in removing any suspected monster hunter presence in the city.
The merchant blushes again as he sees me shift on Astarion’s lap and the sheer fabric slides further between my legs. I think I spend more time sitting on Astarion’s lap then I do in my own chair to his right, but I don’t mind one bit. His throne is quite comfortable with its rounded arms, designed to fit us both. I like showing off that I’m his too. Astarion grabs my rear with one hand and moves his other between my legs realizing I have no under garments.
“Oh, I do like this new dress.” He speaks quietly and hungrily to me in my ear. His breath and lips tickling it’s edge.
“I knew you would.” I say wickedly as I pick at my nails - some crusted blood from the earlier events of the day. I suck on my finger tasting a dried fleck, and I think the merchant is about to have a heart attack. I’m hungry. I stop sucking on my fingers and then I casually command my ghouls to stand on either side of us.

I look at the scuffed ring on my finger. Astarion never lets me leave him without this ring and the magic warding bond active. Our matching rings were found in the shadowlands when we were adventuring those years ago, and we haven’t taken them off since. He casts the warding bond on me every morning since the day we found them. He says it’s so he knows I’m safe when I’m not with him.

One time, when we had travelled down the coast together shortly after the brain was destroyed, three very unfortunate souls had the brilliant idea to jump me while I walked back from our room at night. I had gone to change into something more suited to the humid evening air, and left Astarion at the seaside tavern with a couple of very pretty, very human girls who were wide eyed listening to his various tales and adventure stories. They hung on his every word as the pretty white-haired elf in front of them held their undivided attention. His charm and embellishing words enraptured them quickly, he bought them expensive drinks all evening, and we were hoping they would join us for our dinner that night. Rather, that they would be our dinner that night. If there weren’t pretty, innocent girls and handsome young men, there were lowlifes and criminals to feed on but honestly the pretty and handsome ones tasted best to me. Their blood was unspoiled usually and tasted fresher. Young girls would always spot Astarion, be charmed by him and eventually want him to bite them of their own free will. I know the feeling all too well as he had that allure when I first met him too. I jumped at the chance to offer him my neck when he first asked me and allowed him to feed on me every night since then – if he wanted. So, as I walked through the dark garden that humid evening wearing a loose-fitting, low-cut dress I had packed, a very ugly man stepped out in front of me.
“Hello precious little elf girl, what are you doing wandering around all alone?” He slobbered as two other foul-smelling men stepped out from the bushes behind me, one holding a worn looking knife in one hand, flecked with rust. Their clothes smelled of body odour and grime. These people were not from this resort, but probably were lurking around looking to rob the upper class and do other nefarious things…
I crossed my arms assessing them further. I could easily cast a fireball or curse them with blight… maybe just disintegrate them, I pondered. So many wonderful options in my arsenal. But I was on vacation, and I liked the resort we were at. I didn’t want to make a mess. I was still unfamiliar with my vampire senses too and felt awkward in my body.
“Listen, you should really step back to whatever hole you crawled out of. I am Lord Astarion’s consort, and if you’d like to keep your heads attached to your very… erm… putrid bodies… I suggest you leave right now before he notices you near me.” I stated matter of fact.
Pretty much everyone along the coast had heard about Astarion’s rise to success and the power he was beginning to obtain over Baldur’s Gate. The men laughed haughtily, and their breath made me want to gag. The vampirism had made my smell extremely sensitive, and I was still getting used to it back then.
Then, the man in front of me walked right up to me still chuckling to himself, his acrid breath strong enough that I wanted to throw up, it distracted me enough that I didn’t see his punch coming for my cheek and I fell to the ground. I didn’t expect him to be that stupid, but perhaps he hadn’t heard about Astarion yet. I should just take care of the situation myself at this point I realized as I began to get up off the cool grass. I went to cast blight on the man who had punched me but the two men behind me grabbed my arms pulling me to my feet, holding me in place, one covering my mouth with a cloth that seemed to not have ever been washed. One of them pulled my hair back and I let out a small gasp into the rag, as I gagged from the overwhelming smells. The acrid-punching-man walked up to me and had just begun to slowly pull down the straps of my dress as a large swath of bats and dark mist slammed into the ground in front of me making me squint from the force of the wind. The men holding my arms and hair, let go of me backing away in horror. I spat on the ground to get the taste of the rag out of my mouth. The two-restraining-men gaped and stared with wide eyes as Astarion had formed in the mist and walked right up to them, moving past me, and adeptly cut off their heads with his daggers in one definitive motion. Their heads lopped off to the side and their bodies collapsed, as I pulled up the straps to my dress.
“I told you.” I said quietly to the heads.
The warding bond of course – Astarion felt that man hit me, and probably felt my hair get tugged too. The punching man fell to the ground and grovelled on his knees as I walked up to Astarion, who was looking beautiful to me in his wrath and rage. His eyes darkened with hate for these people. Astarion stepped around me and picked the grovelling man up by the neck and then threw him back down with force. He coughed up blood and writhed in pain on the ground. Astarion turned his attention to me and wrapped his arm around my waist protectively. He was about to say something to me but instead inhaled sharply as he noticed a mark left on my cheek from the punch. Astarion grabbed my face turning my head back and forth assessing the damage. Even more fury filled his eyes.
“I was going to just drain him or kill him… but now I want to make him suffer for marking this face.” He let go of my chin and traced the edge of the mark on my face with his finger. He stared and ever so slightly shook his head, as he decided what to do with the punching man.
“Please, my Lord, please, have mercy on me! I didn’t know… I didn’t know she was yours… I… I just…” The man began coughing more as he grovelled on the patch of grass, his friend’s heads lifeless beside him.
A pity, if Astarion hadn’t removed their heads I could’ve raised them as my ghouls for a while. I really enjoyed doing that, especially to people who deserved it.
“Oh, this is mercy. You have no idea the things I would do to you if we were home. But I’m on vacation. You marked my consorts face.” He paused. “Do you not understand? You damaged something of mine. Her beautiful and pristine face is marked - so I will remove yours entirely.” Astarion grinned as he pushed his sinister looking dagger into the man’s left cheek – the same spot where mine was injured - and up under his skin. He slowly cut the skin away from the man’s face as he cried out in agony. The man tried to fight back so Astarion broke both his arms with his foot. “Shh now, we don’t want unwanted company.” He smiled, as he shoved the rag that was used on me, down the man’s throat to muffle his cries.
Needless to say the man was relieved of other… male parts while still alive too for some added flourish. Astarion loved his drama.
After Astarion was done with his fun, he picked me up and misted us back to the hotel room where we had some ridiculously dramatic sex while covered in the blood of those men. It was wonderful. I loved watching him be protective of me and then fuck me like he had to remind us both that I was all his. It just added to my pleasure.

I’m still sitting on Astarion’s lap as I reminisce about sweating in the humid summer air, wet with passion and want as he moved inside me from behind… Holding me close to his chest massaging my breasts, touching me down there and I leaned into him arching my back as he bit down on my neck hard. Thinking about it in the hall here, I can’t help but breathe deep through my nose as I stare at him while he talks, and I began feeling a bit wet between my legs. I lick my lips as I watch his mouth move as he continues talking with the merchant and delegating tasks to his higher-ranking servant spawn. I chew on my lower lip as I try to remember the last time, we had each other like that recently. It’s been a while it seems.
Astarion glances over at me and smirks as he continues to talk but gives me a small squeeze acknowledging my look. He pauses for a moment as the spawn write something in their notes.
“I can smell your hunger, and I don’t mean for blood.” He speaks into my ear and rubs his nose along my neck.
“Just thinking is all...” I touch his jaw and he turns back to his conversation. I pout to myself and clear my head, I’m so unfocused today. I drop my hands to my lap and stare ahead at the far wall. Picturing it burning.

I make the merchant uncomfortable with my presence on Astarion’s lap. His face is beat red and all I can think of is the blood rushing to his cheeks… I’m hungry, I haven’t eaten in a few days and I’m getting hungrier by the minute. It’s distracting me. But I’ll eat later. I don’t like the familiar blood. I want it fresh. I’ll have to hunt or find something. I haven’t had time lately with the party planning and taking care of the day-to-day tasks.

When Astarion finally dismisses the merchant, who seems more than eager to leave, I watch him walk out the door carefully. Just making sure he leaves with that delicious blood still inside him. I send a couple of my ghouls to escort him to the door. The merchant startles as they catch up to him, their wings making fleshy sounds as they stride alongside him, their eyes lifeless and their claws dragging on the floor here and there. Astarion keeps a tight leash on his spawn, but they are allowed here and there to indulge in the occasional human neck if they are careful and high enough ranked. But for the most part, we supply blood from familiars and some animals for them. The higher-ranking spawn are quite loyal to Astarion and do not dare to displease him, but I get concerned with humans in the palace and any of the baby spawn nearby. The spawn cleaning the corner of the hall watch the merchant too hungrily and I clear my throat loudly. They realize me watching them and move away from the man leaving.

Chapter Text

The evening was crisp, and the cool wind drifted through the sheer curtains of our bedroom as fall was upon us. The music in the ballroom sounds bright, danceable, and elegant. A string quartet plays eloquently, and it reverberates throughout the palace bringing life into the halls. Spawn and humans chat and laugh, and Astarion had commanded the spawn to not eat any of our warm-blooded guests. He didn’t use his power over them all too often, but when he did it was impossible for them to disobey. He has some important human guests attending this evening whom he needed alive to fulfill his current plans.
I am wearing a heavily gold embellished and embroidered bodice of black and deep red, custom made for me, sleeveless and neckless with a billowy soft black skirt. My hair is loose and unbraided, tumbling down past my shoulders and I have a delicate ruby circlet set in gold across my forehead. Astarion matches me with his black and gold embroidered high collared jacket, and a larger circlet of gold and rubies across his forehead.
I walk out of our bathing room and as he sees me, he stops his butler from buttoning his sleeves. He dismisses the spawn and they quickly leave the room.
Astarion slowly walks up to me, “You look so beautiful.” He says as he pulls me in to kiss me deeply and longer than I was expecting. He presses his whole palm on my bare upper chest and caresses my neck with his thumb, his other hand wraps around my lower waste pulling me further into him.
I push away slightly after a moment regarding him, “Are you… okay?” I half laugh a bit shocked at this gentle affection.
He touches my cheek with his thumb as if remembering the now invisible mark from that man those years ago.
“Yes.” He pauses. “I just don’t feel I do that enough lately. Who knew running a city would take so much time away from… this.” He looks me up and down with his eyes. “And you do look beautiful, my treasure.”
“You’re pretty beautiful too.”
“Oh, I know, but thank you, let’s make our way down, shall we?”
As we make our way down to the ballroom, humans, and spawn stare at us as we pass by. I have my arm looped in Astarion’s as he leads me down. We enter the lavish hall filled with people eating and drinking, some dancing, and spawn and humans part the way for us as we make our way up the dais to our thrones. Slight bows of the head from some of our human guests, and our spawn bow more deeply as we pass.
The spawn are all dressed up tonight and everyone seems to be enjoying themselves. Good. A nice night is good for morale. I’m fairly irritable though as I have not had much time with Astarion alone, I’m hungry and the smell of human blood and horny spawn make me less than comfortable. My skin itches and the feeling of my hair on my shoulders is sending shivers down my spine.
As we sit down on our thrones, I hold out my hand for my handmaid to get me some wine. I need to drink something more substantial than wine, but I dare not drink anyone or any blood here as I will be ravenous and make a scene. I’ll wait. I decide. Besides, I don’t want to make the humans too uncomfortable. Some of them have been here before, and others not. I look around the crowd and see some wives of the politician men shift uneasy and glance sideways as some of our spawn walk by them. They hug into themselves and huddle together whispering nervously. Their husbands talk jovially and spill their brandy on the floor. I crinkle my nose. I hate the smell of stagnant and old alcohol. I’ll make the lower-ranked spawn clean the entire hall tomorrow and scrub the floor until it’s spotless.
Astarion addresses the crowd, “My dear friends, associates, and my beloved children, welcome here. Enjoy the wine and blood, the music, and the amenities of my home as we celebrate another triumph in securing the shipping routes from the east.”
“Here here!” The fat man who spilled his brandy raises his glass from the crowd, his belly jiggling and his timepiece clanking on his vest buttons as he yells. People clap and whistle. I assume it was maybe that man and the men around him who helped Astarion take control of this supposed new route. I don’t pay too much attention to all his projects as they are many and I have a hard time keeping track. I keep the palace running and oversee the mid to lower ranked spawn. I delegate small tasks and assess their quality as spawn on monthly reports to Astarion. If they are not useful or fail me too many times, I discard them with Astarion’s permission of course. There are always willing people who want to be Astarion’s spawn it seems. He has this charm where he could convince almost anyone to become his spawn. Well, besides Gale of course. I chuckle to myself.
I shift in my less-comfy-than-Astarion’s chair, and my new handmaiden spawn brings me the glass of wine I requested.
“Don’t let this glass get empty.” I speak to my handmaiden, not looking at her.
“Yes, my lady.” She bows.
Astarion’s butler brings him a glass too and they both move to stand behind us awaiting another command. She’s quite beautiful - Astarion turned her as a gift for me. So eager to please and thankfully much quieter than my last one. She still seems unsure of herself and her new vampirism, but she is probably scared to step out of line. She is now replacing my last replacement handmaiden, who had been training her. My handmaidens don’t last all that long. I like to have a few at a time just in case, but now I’m down to just this one. If they look at Astarion the wrong way, they usually don’t the chance to look at anything again. My jealously gets the best of me. However, I have high hopes for this new girl. She keeps her head down.
I smell the wine and take a gulp of it. Wow, this is great wine. I take another swig.
“Astarion, this wine is wonderful.”
“Thank you love. It’s from the new vineyard I acquired a couple of weeks back. I think it will do nicely in the taverns in the Upper City. We are selling it to them already for a tidy profit.” He takes a sip of his wine and looks at his glass. “I’ve already made back all my money on that purchase.” He smiles to himself pleased as he looks out at the crowd.
“Very good, love.” I smile proudly.
I watch the spawn as they mingle in their little groups. Everyone has their groups and friends and the spawn stay in those groups when they are free to socialize.
I finish my glass and my handmaiden pours me more. She brought the whole bottle? I like her even more. I smile.
Two higher rank spawns start approaching the dais and I bristle. Ugh. These girls. Not tonight. Not when I’m feeling this unwell. Cera and Kaitlen. The same girls from the seaside bar that night five years ago when the men attacked me. Some of Astarion’s first spawn. They showed up in Baldur’s Gate a couple months later, knocking at our door begging for Astarion to turn them. I immediately hated them when they looked at him so longingly, overstepping their place in my humble opinion. I know they want my position. They would be happy to sit on either side of his throne. I can’t blame them all too much though. If I was in their spot I would be just as ambitious. Perhaps that is why Astarion and I have kept them around. They are top tier spawn, but I know they are mad at me right now...
Cera bows low to Astarion, her (very) low-cut shirt is barely keeping her much larger chest than mine from spilling out, as she approaches the dais, “My lord, I just wanted to let you know how honoured we both are to serve you. We revel in your beauty and mercy for turning us. What a wonderful evening you host.” She looks up at him through her thick eyelashes giving a ‘please fuck me’ smile. I know that smile. I use that smile. I sneer as I take a sip of wine. Her strawberry blonde hair in light waves pinned away from her porcelain neck. Kaitlen looks nervous, she’s never the brains of any operation, I like her more than Cera for this reason. Kaitlen always follows Cera’s lead. Her olive skin pristine and brown shorter hair bounces around her face as she mimics Cera’s bow.
I snort into my wine. Astarion turns to look at me with irritation, and I keep drinking my wine staring at Cera as my smile fades into my glass. I can feel my own blood boiling. If this was any other night I could keep it together, but I’m at my limit right now. Keep it together, Tav. Don’t do anything… Bhaalspawny. I breathe slowly trying to calm myself.
“Well now, if only the rest of your peers were as well-mannered and well-spoken.” Astarion beams.
I want to stand up and cast the biggest fireball in Cera’s face right now and laugh as her skin melts away from her bones. I picture the scene in my head.
Astarion loves compliments, especially from his spawn. Cera and Kaitlen were calculating. They know I hate them, and they know how to get under my skin. They were probably doing this because I killed one of their trio – my last handmaiden, just this morning. She was just two vampire years old. They had accepted her into their little group taking her under their wing.
I should’ve thought this through better perhaps, I should’ve expected their retaliation... But their friend had to go.
I had caught her snooping through Astarion’s clothes in our bedroom and had watched around the corner silently as she smelled a shirt of his that he had taken off to go have a bath. I was not going to allow that behaviour to progress any further, so I killed her. Well, the sun did. My fingers dug into her neck, as she writhed in pain with the rising sun. Her blood got under my nails and I had been nibbling on them all day. The sun was so bright this morning, my own skin started to feel itchy and hot as she turned to dust. I am upset about it of course; I did like her and now I must retrain this new spawn without help. I sigh.
“My lord, should you need to feed this evening, we offer our necks to you, if you wish to have something… different.” Cera glimpses up at me from under her lashes with her head still bowed.
Okay, if I don’t kill her tonight, I’ll do it tomorrow.
But Astarion spoke interrupting my fantasizing, “How generous of you to give me something that is already mine,” he laughs half mockingly, “but for you to offer is a nice gesture.” He smiles at them, and they smile back seductively.
Alright, I’ve had more than enough of this insulting display.
“Cera, why don’t you go fuck yourself instead? Or perhaps you’d like to join me outside in the morning for something even more fun? I know I’d enjoy it.” As the words left my mouth, I realize I spoke too quickly revealing they had succeeded in getting under my skin. Now I was in even more of a mood.
I should’ve eaten before this party. I’m starting to spiral.
When I get frustrated, we lose spawn and Astarion gets mad at me. “Actually, I have a better idea, how about you grovel at my feet.” I stand and quickly cast a Subjugate the Undead spell - Command: Grovel. Cera’s body instantly falls to the ground prone, and she is unable to move as her hands stick to the wood of the dais and her knees become planted firmly, her head bowed to me now. Kaitlen backs away terrified, and some spawn gasp nearby.
“Tav!” Astarion hisses and stands, grabbing my wrist firmly. I stare down Cera not diverting my gaze as a smile creeps across my face. Astarion continues, “These are my spawn, not yours. Don’t you dare command them at my party when they have done nothing wrong…”
I throw my glass to the side off the dais before he finishes speaking and a group of the male spawn jump to the side as it shatters. Cera is released from my spell, and she gets up quickly looking paler than before.
I yank my wrist from Astarion and glare at him contemplating if I should dare try to subjugate him too. But instead, I slowly turn away my dagger stare and make my way down the dais.
“Behave tonight. I’m not asking you again.” He calls after me.
Reprimanding me in front of those girls? I’ll show you behaving. I vow to myself.
I purposefully bump Kaitlen roughly on my way down. My ghouls shift and let out a low growl moving towards the two spawn girls about to attack them. But I hold up my hand for them to stand down, and they growl in response settling back to their spots on either side of the dais.
I walk briskly to the middle of the ballroom floor to the young, dark haired male elf spawn Astarion had just turned two weeks before. He’s to become one of his personal higher up spawns. He’s so handsome and beautiful, loyal, and all the female spawn have their eyes on him. He is also kind and I believe I have seen Cera talking with him, showing him the palace as commanded by Astarion. Two can play at this game, Cera. This boy was one of the good ones though. I like him. He reminds me of Astarion when he was a spawn.
A pity he may die tonight.
“Hello.” I say as I touch his shoulder. The other spawn look at me and turn away quickly. I can hear them discussing my presence in the middle of the floor. I don’t care, I will fully lean into my chaotic Bhaal-Born nature right now.
Astarion is always watching me, and right now is no different. He stares at me from his throne with caution but amusement. I can see the sadistic smirk on him as he watches me work. And then see him shaking his head in disapproval as he turns his attention to the girls fawning after him by his feet. He’ll let this play out I guess.
“My lady, hello.” The handsome spawn says nervously while looking around for help and guidance on what to do, on how to act, as I walk around him like a vulture. I stop and look him up and down. He wears a plain black laced up shirt and black leather pants. He is nicely dressed. Astarion wants all his spawn nicely dressed at these parties as he feels they are a reflection on him and the state of the palace.
“Let’s dance! I want to dance.” I whine and pout as I put my arms up around his neck and his body stiffens like one of my corpses I reanimate.
I can feel Astarion’s eyes on me again and can feel him begin to bristle.
Astarion is such a jealous bastard. I’ll make him so jealous.
The spawn in front of me looks nervously down at me as I stare up at him from beneath my eyelashes and lick my lips.
Then I smell Cera’s blood. Astarion could feed on whoever he wanted whenever he wanted. I didn’t care so much about that, but we had been so busy lately he hadn’t fed on me in a few days, or slept with me, and I was so achingly hungry for everything I was missing and needed that I want to destroy the world now. My heart sinks and I get a bit sad.
I hate when Astarion and I have these little power struggle spats. Now these girls were taking the attention, that I craved from him, away from me. I guess he was also hungry… and why wait until tonight? When he had them offering right there.
Between my hunger and my jealously, I was becoming more livid and so angry. I was working very hard to not incinerate the entire hall in my wrath.
“My lady, I do apologize but Lord Astarion has said we are not to touch you, so I assume that means no dancing either.”
I roll my eyes dramatically. Astarion had made it clear I was his to the spawn and anyone who dared lay a hand on me would be executed. He didn’t command it though. He occasionally like to have an execution to prove a point.
“Oh please.” I say sweetly. “And who does Lord Astarion really answer to?” I raise my eyebrows. Poor soul, he doesn’t stand a chance.
“Um… You?” He questions me nervously.
I smile at him – good, I’ve got him. I start moving to the music, my billowy skirt flowing around me sensually in clouds of black. Astarion’s eyes are on us again as I move.
I am death, vengeance and tonight I am also being petty. Maybe I’m being immature. Whatever, I’ll just have a little bit of fun right now. I decide to myself.
The last time I got truly jealous, we lost 5 spawn. But in fairness, one-time Astarion got jealous, and he culled 8 at once who had only been bystanders when one of his spawn had tried to pinch my rear. He enacted the rule no one was to touch me after that on pain of death.
As I dance slowly, the handsome spawn still does not move touch me.
He’s a good boy, I almost feel bad. I can see why the other spawn like him too.
I catch a glance of Astarion feeding on Kaitlen now decidedly ignoring me after he must’ve realized this spawn was no harm. Cera sits at his feet looking up at him satisfied.
My hands get hot with fire, and I try to quench the burning feeling. My heart is racing with jealously and I am struggling to keep it together and put on this little act. I let go of the handsome spawn and massage my palms. I’m not going to look over there, but I need to step this up.
I could dive again into my control undead spells and maybe have all the spawn just kill each other right now. I allow myself to fantasize about this as I dance by myself and close my eyes, the music wrapping around my mind and the vision calms me a bit.
This spawn still refuses to touch me and he’s still acting ridiculously nervous standing here, but careful to not insult me by leaving. He looks around again at the surrounding spawn who have gone back to laughing and drinking, some dancing with their friends and others mingling with some of the humans even. No one seems to care anymore… I take a step back from him and turn around leaning my upper body into his chest. Then, arching my back a bit - I press my rear into his crotch. I lift one arm up around his neck, guiding our bodies to face Astarion with my hips. And sure enough, the handsome dark-haired spawn can’t resist. He’s newly turned, and he still has a strong human brained desire for sex. He leans into my neck breathing me in, but still careful not to touch me, and I can feel his exhale on my skin. His lips close to my throat, as we move together.
It’s nice to be wanted right now… I think to myself, and my heart sinks as I see Astarion with those girls up by my throne.
I lean my head back onto the spawn’s shoulder more, exposing my neck further to him as we sway in time to the music. My breasts are accentuated by my arched back and the tight bodice. If he bit me right now, I’m sure everyone standing within a certain radius of this dance floor would die. I giggle to myself.

The other spawn dancing nearby pause as they notice the handsome spawn breathing me in deeper and beginning to get closer to my neck. They widen their eyes. I can hear them begin to hold their breath. They move further away sensing their fate is now held in the willpower of this baby vampire. This dark-haired spawn is enraptured by me now, he doesn’t notice the situation he’s in. I can feel him harden as I push my hips back into him. And his hand reaches down around the front of my hip and he suddenly he pulls me closer to his body. Pushing himself against me while his hand holds my hip firmly. My heartbeat quickens and I begin to realize maybe I need to stop this. He then rubs his nose along my neck breathing me in. Scenting residual blood of Astarion’s mixed in mine - his vampire lord’s intoxicating scent. I stop dancing and go to move away from him, but he grabs my hair aggressively and hungrily, pulling my head to the side and I can hear the saliva on his lips as they pull back revealing his fangs.
My stomach plummets in anxiety in an instant, and multiple events happen quickly: One of the spawn’s fangs graze my skin before I can manage to get myself away. I twist and grab his face with my open palm as I feel his teeth touch the surface of my neck; I whisper a cantrip burning him. I shove the spawn away as he curses me. I immediately touch my neck checking for any blood and see none on my finger, but I continue to wipe my neck frantically. I lock eyes with Astarion and know he must’ve felt the slight poke from the spawn’s fang. Any rosy flush in my pale face is gone. And my heart thrums harder than it has in years. I hold myself and wait for Astarion as he gets up from his throne pushing Kaitlen off him. She crawls away from the throne and Cera pulls her into a cowering hug.
“HOW DARE YOU!” Astarion bellows, and storms towards us with a dark mist filling the space behind him. The music stops and everyone steps back bowing their heads as mists past them reappearing between me and the grovelling spawn. The other spawn fall to the floor, with their foreheads on the ground bowing as low as they can, as he regards the handsome spawn. The humans watch nervously but some of the regulars to our parties casually keep talking in whispers and drinking turning away. This matter does not concern them, although they glance over with amusement.
The male spawn begs Astarion for mercy, on his knees now as Astarion stands over him, “Please my Lord, I only did what she asked…”
“What are the rules regarding my consort, SPAWN?” He spits the word ‘spawn’ with disgust. Looking around the room.
“We shall not ever touch Tav on pain of death.” The group spoke together.
“You dare to even THINK about drinking from MY consort? I should flay you alive and leave you in the sunlight, only to bring you back from the edge of permanent death and do it all over again for years and years until I get bored of hearing your screams.”
Such drama. I think to myself and roll my eyes. But when Astarion’s eyes snap to me, I realize shit. I am in a lot of trouble.
“You! Don’t you roll your eyes at me now!” He seethes speaking low and angrily to me. He grabs my throat firmly and turns my head swiftly assessing my neck. I don’t move as he wipes the side of it with his thumb where the spawn’s teeth had grazed. I look away from him toward the ground allowing him to check me over. He rubs my throat a few more times and looks at his thumb with each stroke. The room is completely silent, besides some hushed whispers from the humans, as the spawn all hold their breath. I swallow anxiously and he releases me seemingly satisfied the skin on my neck didn’t break. And turns his attention back to the spawn.
I stare at my feet with my head lowered. Fuck me and my temper. I might be scared right now. Which is not something I have felt in years.
“My lord, she said you answer to her, that it was okay.” The spawn grovelled.
Fuck this spawn... Astarion’s eyes dart back to me looking livid but I avoid him and look at the spawn on his knees.
“I never said that, how dare you question our Lord Astarion, spawn.” I attempt to speak evenly while trying to keep my heartrate low and I fail miserably. I can feel how mad Astarion is at me, and how disappointed he is in his new spawn. My voice wavers as I speak unable to disguise my anxiety. I don’t need to look at him to know that he can my heartbeat racing. He knows me too well that he knows when I’m scared or stressed. I risk a side glance at him, and he is staring at me. I swallow and go back to looking at the floor.
“But you… you asked me…” The spawn stutters, realizing I did only that – I had only just asked him who Astarion answers to and didn’t say anything further.
Astarion finally turns away from me to look at the grovelling spawn.
“Regardless of your pathetic display of dancing, you attempted to drink from MY consort. She is mine, spawn.” He spits disgusted as he stands over him. “You know, I liked you. I had high hopes for you.” Astarion then takes out his daggers and removes the spawns head before he can say anything further in his defence. The head falls directly in front of my feet, and I grimace guilt washes over me.
Astarion pulls out his handkerchief and wipes off his dagger. The spawns mouth is agape in a silent scream. I don’t move as his blood pools around my shoes, and I get lost watching crimson red falling into the cracks of the dark hardwood floor.
“NOW CLEAN THIS UP.” He yells at the lower ranking spawn and I startle and look up from the head. “And everyone, do enjoy the party. But let this be a warning to you other spawn. Know your place, and if I EVER catch one of you so much as laying a finger on her,” he points to me, “… or a fang anywhere near her, or any other body part for that matter, you will join him!” He gestures at the gaped mouth head on the floor in front of me.
“As for my human guests, I do apologize for the bit of housekeeping I had to attend to just now.” He purrs as a few lower-rank spawn picks up the body and another starts scrubbing the floor with a bucket and sponge in hand. “This home has its rules, and we don’t break them.” He pauses as he looks around at his spawn. “Do we?” He emphasizes louder.
“No Lord Astarion.” The spawn speak together again.
“Good. You would all do well to remember that I made you and you are mine. I can easily… unmake you as you can see.” The spawn nod nervously.
Astarion then turns his attention towards me next.
“Now… you.” He walks up to me and grabs me by the waist with one hand, instantly turning us into black mist and a flurry of bats. He grips me tightly and I hold onto him in silence as we cover distance in the ether of his power.

Chapter Text

Moments later we appear in our bedroom. He slams the doors shut, and the walls reverberate and the paintings in our room rattle from the force. Astarion locks both large wood doors. I hear the music in the ballroom resume, and I quickly make my way over to the wine bottle sitting on a table by the far side of our bedroom. Looking up at the open tall glass doors that lead to the balcony overlooking the sleeping city, I start pouring a glass, I swallow nervously as I watch the red liquid pouring out.
Stay calm. Do I just apologize? No. I’m still angry at him... A cool wind blows in through the curtains and I shiver.
“Tav,” Astarion speaks quietly to me as he stands by our bedroom doors, “come here. Right now.” He speaks eerily calmly. I set down the glass shakily and take my time walking back to him.
I stand in front of him and meet his eyes. Astarion grabs my hips with both his hands firmly. He walks me over to the closed doors pushing my body against them, firmly but gently. He sighs as he rests his forearm above my head, holding me in place with the other hand. I lean my head back against the door and it makes a light thud, my jaw tense.
I’m still mad at him. I’m irritated and hungry too.
His face is inches from mine. He inhales deeply again and looks into my eyes. I’m distracted by his pretty eyelashes and the little creases between his furrowed eyebrows. I forget why I’m upset and now I just want to kiss his soft lips and make things ok between us.
“Explain yourself. Now.” He demands.
I look away anxiously and he moves my chin with his forefinger so that I must look at him.
Fine. “Well, I… just thought maybe you wanted to spend the evening sucking on those pathetic girls’ necks, so I thought I’d make my own fun.” I raise my eyebrows and mock as I lie to him.
“That’s a lie. You don’t lie to me.” He frowns.
I shrug in defiance.
He narrows his gaze at me, “I think you got jealous, and you wanted to make a big scene so I would get jealous, and I’d pay attention to you and only you.”
I just stare back at him for a moment, clenching my teeth, narrowing my gaze back at him. I hate these staring contests we have.
After a moment he tilts his head, raising his eyebrows giving me another chance to explain myself.
“Well, I assumed you were ‘trying something new’ and would bring them back here, to our bedroom, to finish feeding on them.” I swallowed losing my composure a bit thinking about him with them. “That’s what you wanted isn’t it? I know that’s what they wanted…”
He scoffs. “Pet, I don’t think that’s all they wanted.” He smiles wickedly at me.
I can’t hold it together anymore and I let my mask fall. I can feel tears well up and my breath catches. I am so hungry and tired and now I feel sad and hurt. Whatever my expression gives away, Astarion swiftly backs away from me. He stares at me intently searching my face with a look I haven’t seen since he confessed his feelings to me those years ago as a spawn. I let myself slide down to the flood and sit with my knees against my chest and bury my face in my arms as I collapse into myself.
“I’m sorry.” He whispers.
I stay silent for a moment before looking up at him. “What?”
“I’m sorry.”
“For what?” I question.
“You are my treasure, and I think I have insulted you tonight. I don’t want you to cry, let alone me be the cause of it. I wasn’t going to sleep with them, if that was your fear. Why do that when I can have you whenever I want.” He walks over to me and offers his hand. I take it and he pulls me to my feet. “You can kill those girls tomorrow if you want to. I’ll allow it this time. To make up these tonight...” He wipes the bit of moisture from the corner of my eye.
He then kneels in front of me and pulls my hips towards him. He buries his face in the front of my skirt as wraps his arms under my rear holding me in place. I stand there unsure of what to do. I feel terrible in more ways than one, and all I want is for things to be okay. I look down at the powerful Ascended Vampire in front of me. I slowly run my fingers through his soft hair, and we stay like this in silence for a moment.
He looks up at me thoughtfully and I stop.
Gods, I want him right now. I swallow and my breath quickens. I push his hair away from his forehead. He looks magical in the dim light looking up at me.
“Your blood is nothing like anyone else’s. Maybe it’s simply mine mixed with yours, or maybe you are truly special, pet. I do recall always being fond of it.” He gets up and holds the back of my head, his fingers gripping through my hair, then touches my face and my lips with his other hand. He’s assessing me again; I can see him thinking about what to do with me.
After a moment he says while touching my face, “Don’t ever put yourself in that position with one of the spawn again. Remember, we rule over them. Don’t sink to their level. They are just spawn after all. The fact that he touched you… I should’ve flayed him like I said…” His gaze hardens and he frowns recalling the evening’s events.
“I’m sorry.” I look away from him feeling guilty. “I didn’t… I didn’t mean to get so carried away. Well… I sort of did. But I’m sorry about it now, obviously. At least I have you here now with me…” I raise my eyebrows and pout slightly, trying to ease the tension.
He lets go of me and steps back. “My manipulative love… you’re talented, but tonight was sloppy. I’ll have to punish you too, if not for making me kill my new favourite spawn but for getting reckless with your talent. In fact maybe I’ll kill two birds with one stone. We’ll be creative with this punishment. A more… pleasurable manner of punishment shall we say? The very least it will be for me. But I’m sure you’ll find it fun in your own way.”
He lifts me up and I wrap my legs around him. He kisses me then throws me onto the bed. I giggle in response as the pillows jostle around on our large bed laden with deep red silk sheets and beaded pillows. Astarion slowly crawls on top of me, and I reach my mouth to his to kiss him hungrily. I start unbuttoning his decorated jacket, but he stops me.
“I think you need something to satisfy your hunger. And if you wanted someone to bite you, you didn’t need to pick on that new spawn of mine. You know I always take pleasure that neck.” He traces his fingers along the side of it. “I’d have been more than happy to feed on you in front of an audience.”
He says smoothly and then grabs my bodice with both hands and pulls it apart. Beads tumble onto the floor and fly across the room. He then throws the pieces behind his shoulder onto the floor.
“I honestly didn’t mean for that to happen… I didn’t think he would be so stupid. Maybe you should pick smarter people to turn.” I shimmy off my skirt.
“Hah. Perhaps you’re right.” He leans onto me and sucks my erect nipple, and then kisses me before continuing, “Tav… You are mine. I made you. Ask me anything, and you shall have it. Remember this the next time you wish to have one of your hellish outbursts...” He pulls off my underwear next and throws it behind him adding to the pile of my clothing.
“I really liked that dress.” I lean forward seeing at the heap of torn fabric on the floor beside our large bed, as he stands to take off his jacket and shirt.
“I’ll buy you a better one.” He sighs while removing his pants. I lay on our bed, as I have done countless times before, completely bare to him.
Finally.
I relax my thigh and it falls to the side, so he has full view of me. I want him and my core aches with a forming wetness. He finishes removing his clothes and stands naked beside our bed looking me up and down with his eyes, casting an expression I cannot read.
“What’s wrong?” I ask cautiously, closing my legs subconsciously as I sit up.
He pauses, then walks up to the large bed climbing back on top of me slowly and dominating, pushing my leg open and further up at my side with his leg. He frames my head with his hands possessively as he looks down from on top of me. I can’t do anything but look back up at him. I can feel his hardness press against my core, and I tense with anticipation. I lift my chin up to him elongating my neck. He doesn’t move for a moment, so I touch his forearm anxiously as he continues to regard me beneath him.
“I only want you; you know... No one else has been through what we have, no one else helped me get this power – I can admit that I would not have this power without your help… And no one else has been by my side… ever, for that matter. I want you. All of you. Forever.” He lowers his lips, so they are grazing mine then continues giving me gentle kisses on my face, he presses his stomach against mine as he lowers down onto me slightly, “And you’re all mine, I will have you tonight and countless times again.” He rubs his teeth against the side of my neck teasing me and I let out an involuntary sigh. “The other spawn are beneath you, but they are also mine. Do not take my things from me without my permission again.”
“I won’t.” His breath is so sweet and intoxicating I forget everything that has happened this evening.
“Good girl.”
I nod submissively reaching my lips up to his face as he pulls away just out of reach from me. I open my thighs more and he pushes himself deep into my wetness, his full length in one movement. I gasp at the full feeling and then sigh already feeling better. I squeeze down on him wanting more.
“And now, all of Baldur’s Gate will hear my name cried from your lips. Everyone in the palace will be reminded that you are mine alone.” He begins to move excruciatingly slowly. I want him to go faster, move faster. I squeeze my core around him, willing him to move faster. He pulls himself out of me so slowly it makes me tense my body up. I pull my legs further up and wide inviting him to go inside me deeper.
“Astarion… please.” I sigh out. I tap his shoulders in frustration.
“No, my pet, I’ll get what I want, and you’ll get what you want too… but only when I allow it.” He leans down and kisses my neck as he continues to move achingly slow. My body trembles with need and want. He was going to make me come fast like this anyways, it’s been days now, and I won’t be able to contain myself. I was barely holding on now.
He slides his hand down my body and caresses me at my peak, feeling my wetness and the blood that has engorged down there. He licks his fingers tasting me and then brings them back down there moving his fingers around in slow little circles as he pushes himself further into me.
I let out a moan and he pulls out suddenly from me and buries his face between my legs.
His tongue strokes me ever so gently and then he sucks in spots. His nose and lips kiss the inside of my thigh as his fingers push into me. I arch my hips pushing into him. I need his length inside me, this is torture. Just then he bites me gently on the inside of my thigh. I gasp surprised as he sucks hard. He kisses the same spot then pulls his fingers out of me and grabs me pulling my hips towards his mouth. Astarion swirls his tongue around my peak and sucks hard. I let out a moan and I move my hips with his tongue. But he stops abruptly as I start to get lost in his mouth, and instead he stands up on his knees, fully erect and spins me around, giving me a playful slap on my rear.
“Not yet my dear.”
He pulls my hips up to him and enters me thrusting hard and fast and so deeply. I exaggeratedly arch my back more and bury my face down toward the bed giving him a better angle. He is so hard, I can feel him inside me moving against the wall inside me, I moan his name as he slams into me possessively. I squeeze down around him as he thrusts harder, and I tighten myself around his length. He lets out a gasp and moan of his own pleasure and moves instinctively faster in and out of me.
Astarion grabs my hair and gently pulls it wrapping his fingers around the long strands. He must’ve felt that I was about to come because he stops abruptly.
He lays on the bed and grabs my hips and pulls me on top of him. I move myself back and forth and then up and down. I lean forward and kiss him pushing my tongue into his mouth. He pushes his tongue into my mouth as he bucks into me, and I can feel myself get wetter and tenser and stop kissing him feeling my tension building.
He stops, and I let out a whine of disappointment, and moves us so he’s back on top of me. Astarion begins moving in a rhythm I know so well, the one where I can’t contain myself. He holds me in place as he fucks me, he kisses my lips and I breathe in his smell. He slows down and I feel his body with my hands. I can feel the ridges of the scars still on his back, and his strong arms as he holds me.
His lips begin to graze my neck and I move my head to the side. He further slows his thrusting, and my wetness spreads out on my thighs as he bites my neck for the first time in days.
I grasp his curls and pull him into my neck willing him to bite me harder. He lets go and then kisses my lips, and I taste my own blood – even that making me hungrier. He smiles at me then he bites down aggressively gripping my neck with a wider and open jaw, my fingers release his hair and I gasp in pleasure. I can feel my blood rushing into him. I can feel him get even harder as he pushes deeper into me. I am completely his.
I squeeze myself around him and release which makes me almost lose myself. He releases his bite on me as he feels me about to come and my fingers grip his shoulders roughly. He knows my body better than mine. He’s been inside me countless times already and will be countless more.
“Wait for me, pet.” He whispers in my ear as he picks up a rhythm. “We’ll come together tonight.” His sweat beading down his forehead as he moves faster.
“Astarion, I can’t…” I was going to scream, I was fighting so hard to hold it in, but I wanted to let it out so badly, this was exactly the punishment he had in mind.
He moves in such a way that he caresses and awakens spots inside of me with himself, that I didn’t know existed. He was using all his methods, skills and years of seduction and knowledge of sex tonight – custom to what I would like of course, and it made me feel terrible and sick to know, and yet felt amazing to experience. This was horrible and yet wonderfully torturous, and a punishment that I will be asking for again.
“Astarion…” I let out breathlessly between some noises I was making that were animalistic.
“Louder.” He commands me between thrusts.
I look up at him and see he is staring right back at me, and we smile wickedly at each other. The sweat beads on his forehead slide slowly down his temples and along his cheek. I pull his face in, as I move with him pushing my hips up into him. I kiss him moving my tongue around his delicious mouth and play with his tongue. He moves his tongue to my fangs cutting it purposefully on the sharp points. A drop of his blood sits on my tongue, and I savour the complexity and power in it.
Oh gods his blood was always so delicious.
He pounds me harder and moves one hand along my side touching my curves, moving his hand up to my erect nipple and swirls his thumb around it. He breathes heavy and I moan at every touch.
I gasp tensing my body from all these sensations. I can’t contain myself anymore and everything he is doing to me, combined with his most perfect tasting blood sitting on my tongue… his tongue caressing my fangs… I scream as I explode. I let out all my frustration and tension and I cry out his name and it doesn’t stop. My body is completely out of my control from the pure ecstasy he knows how to give me, and as I gasp and shake with him inside me still, he spills himself into me loudly moaning. He thrusts into me harder as he finishes, I can feel him pulsate and inside me and grips my shoulder. I can already feel the soreness in my core building that I will be feeling tomorrow. Good.
So all of Baldur’s Gate probably did hear that… most definitely the palace. I flush again. The large glass doors to the balcony were wide open as the curtains billowing.
Astarion gets up from me abruptly, pulling himself out of me. He begins to put on his clothes. I lay spent looking at the tall, decorated ceiling, above the bed canopy. I do not want to get up. I roll onto my side staring at him in satisfaction.
“Come cuddle.” I half pout and reach out to him.
“We should be getting back to the party; I still have to speak with some of our guests, if they haven’t left.” He’s completely back into work mode.
I grab my favourite black beaded and gold embellished pillow. I hug it as I watch him dress.
“Please. Come back to bed.” I whine at him. I want more. I was so hungry too and I could feel my foul mood already returning. Quick sex is so annoying to me, it leaves me wanting more and he knows it. This was a punishment.
“Darling,” He laughs and walks over and kisses my forehead saying, “we can’t all just get fucked and then lay around drinking wine naked.” He takes a step back thoughtfully. “What a pretty life I have given you.” He gestures to the door. “Now let’s go.”
I grumble. Hugging the pillow closer wrapping my leg around it.
He sighs. “My consort, such a foul mood today. How about you go kill those two overzealous girls then reanimate their corpses or do whatever magic things you like to do? That always cheers you up, no? Be creative with their deaths how about? Bring back some of the old Bhaalspawn repertoire how about? Hmm… Although they have been good spawn.” He considers himself for a moment. “You’ll have to train their replacements. I think I have an idea who we could promote.”
“Astarion, you already know I can’t reanimate undead... dead. But, should you kill any disgusting human’s downstairs, let me know." I grumble quietly, "let me feed on them first though.” I roll over, exposing my naked back to him with my knees curled up in my chest still hugging my pillow.
I don’t hear anything for a moment, and I turn slightly to see where he is. I feel the bed depress and Astarion pulls me towards him. I lay on my back and look up at his chin, naked beside him, I lean into him, but he is fully dressed again. He may be the most powerful vampire in existence, but it seems he still wants to make me happy. My fingers run along the designs on his jacket as I wait for whatever he has to say to me.
“So. When was the last time you fed?” Astarion asks as he rubs the inside of my thigh where he bit.
He knows a lot more about vampire hunger than I do. I’m feeling itchy and more irritable than my normal self, I didn’t typically have that many death-creating outbursts and I guess the pieces have begun to fall into place for him.
I pick a piece of lint of his sleeve. “I… I think a few days.”
“What?” He turns to look at me abruptly, somewhat angrily. “Why? Why are you starving yourself?”
“I’ve just been busy, I’m fine it’s no big deal.”
“I forget sometimes how young you are.” Astarion says under his breath. “You need to pay better attention to your hunger. You need to feed. Now. No wonder you’re in such a bitter mood. You also mentioned you felt itchy and a bit of burning in the sun? Your protections are probably wearing off. From now on you’re not allowed to starve yourself. I won’t allow this again. Come to me should you experience these feelings again. That must’ve been why I felt a bit warm this morning, probably feeling you burning through the warding bond…”
He gets off the bed and immediately begins to unbutton his jacket again, then removes it. He lays it flat on the edge of the bed smoothing it down.
I sit up. “What are you doing?” As I watch him take off his shirt.
“Letting you feed on me. I won’t have you at risk of injury or… gods forbid… death… from the sun… No, we can’t have you at any risk.” He shudders as he shakes the thought from his head. He stares at me intently. “I’m not losing you. You’re not allowed to die…” He trails off lost in thought. “If you have errands to run in the day, I’m coming with you to make sure you’re safe. Just until we know there’s nothing wrong with your protections. Actually, take tomorrow to rest. You need a day off. Maybe I’ll take the day off too and we can fuck and drink wine like we used to…” I watch him as he paces slightly, and I could see him spiraling a bit.
“Astarion – I am fine. I’ll be okay, I can just stay in tomorrow, we’ll have to clean up from the party anyways.”
His shoulders relax a bit, and he begins to crawl on the bed towards me.
I question him, “Why did you take off your jacket?” Astarion only ever lets me bite his wrist, and most of the time he bites himself and only lets me have a few drops of his blood at a time. It was all that was needed it seemed to allow me to walk in the sun like him.
“You’re going to feed on my neck yourself.” He says as he lays back on the mass of and pulls me on top of him.
I hesitate as I sit naked astride him on his delectable stomach. I touch his abs and he laughs a bit. Seeing him smile genuinely like that makes me melt. But the cautious me wonders if I am still being punished and if this is a trick... He considers me with his hands on my hips. He pats me impatiently.
“Pet, I did say I had to get back to the party so if you’re not interested…” He shifts to get up.
“No! I, well… okay… are you sure?” I bite my nail as I look at the left side of his neck, the scars from Cazador on the other side. He raises his eyebrows, and his lips purse a bit. I take it as a ‘this is your last chance’ look.
I don’t hesitate and I bite down on his neck in one motion and drink very greedily. I suck harder and adjust my bite so it’s more secure. His hand moves up to the back of my head, in what I assume is to yank me away by my hair should I overstep.
Gods his blood was enough to make me come again right here. Maybe I’ll be permitted to drink his blood sometime during sex and that orgasm would be the end of me.
He stretches his throat towards me, as I drink more and more, his blood sweet and warm filling my mouth. I can feel his heart quicken through his chest as my bare breasts push into him and I suck harder. His blood is giving me strength and intoxicating me with the power coursing through it. The thrill that I am drinking from his delectably soft and perfect neck. I want more, and I feel the bloodlust taking over my mind as I become enraptured with his most perfect blood. I bite down harder more viciously with a greed I haven't felt before. He grips my hair and pulls back on it as a warning to release him, but defiantly - I don’t let go. I, in turn, grip his hair tightly and completely lose myself in the bloodlust. I bite down harder again but immediately, he digs his nails into the side of my rear and squeezes hard in response, his other hand pulls my head away with sureness. I relinquish my bite on his neck and sigh heavily as I lick the sides of my lips careful to not waste any of his blood. I look back at him beneath me and lunge to bite him again, but in an instant, he pushes me onto my back so I’m now underneath him. I fight him as he pulls me towards the edge of the bed. He’s strong, but careful not to hurt me as he holds the back of my head.
"Easy now, darling." He laughs as I lean up again to bite him. I ignore him and snap my teeth again growling at him in anger, I need his blood now. It's all I can think of. He positions my head over to the side of the bed and bites down on my elongated neck possessively and dominating. I squirm and begin to snap out of my bloodlust, not wanting to be restrained after drinking such power from him, I bare my teeth and try to get a bite on his shoulder, but he does not release his grip on my head. My teeth bite down with nothing in their grasp and an animalistic sound comes out of my mouth as I try to bite him again. Astarion pins my legs with his thighs and uses his weight to hold me in place. he easily overpowers me. He's taller, being the most powerful Vampire in existence also helps... I'm sure... He bites down harder to assert himself over me, and I grip his shoulders with my nails, digging in to his skin, beginning to draw blood. I try to shift under him as I begin to feel uncomfortable from his hard bite which hurts more than normal. His weight presses into me and I start to get nervous as he holds me in place and drinks more than he needs. My heartbeat begins to race, and I get dizzy with a building anxiety, and I release my grip on him. My head leaning off the bed isn't helping, but I finally force a calm upon myself and the haze of the bloodlust fades. I stay submissively still.
He takes another big drink of me, as I sigh in defeat and begin to relax and come to. Astarion then releases and he pulls me further onto the bed. He kisses me deeply and both of our bloods intermix in our mouths, it tastes heavenly, and I drink what is remaining in his mouth. Then, he pulls away from me.
"I'm... I'm sorry I don't know what happened. The bloodlust..." I try to explain myself.
“My fiesty girl… Yes. You got a bit carried away; I won’t let you be so greedy without consequence. You must know your place. But my pet… I did enjoy that.” He purrs and smiles. “We will definitely be doing that again sometime soon. I trust you'll be more in control next time.” He licks his lips and grabs a handkerchief off the side table dabbing any blood drips on his chin.
I sit up feeling refreshed, my face still covered in his and my blood. My neck aching and bruised, covered in some blood too, but I love it. My hair is messy, and my makeup smeared, and I look just as wild and untamed as I feel. I forget the animalistic side of my vampirism sometimes and how easy it is to get lost in bloodlust. I don’t usually let my meals live, so I was not used to not being greedy when I drank. But perhaps that's also why I don't normally drink from Astarion's neck.
“I want you again. Come here.” I reach for him as he gets off the bed and begins putting his shirt on again.
He sighs. “Oh, my insatiable love, I will give you whatever you so desire… after I attend to this party. I must do this so I can replace and afford all the dresses I rip off your delectable body.” He kisses my forehead and puts on his jacket once again. “I quite like the idea of you staying in here naked and we fuck and drink from each other all day tomorrow or maybe for the next decade. Hmmm… I would lose a lot less spawn too.” He brings his hand to his chin and ponders mockingly and smirks at me.
I crinkle my nose at him then tilt my head to the side considering that idea though.
He laughs then says, “Unfortunately, we have too much work to do. Come join me when you are ready. Clean up the blood though, the wives of the politicians looked like they were about to keel over when I killed that spawn.”
“Astarion. You ripped my dress…” I look at the heap of scattered beads on the rug, threads undone, ripped gold embroidery and frayed black fabric on the floor.
Damn. I really liked that dress. Figaro had made it specifically for tonight for me. Best not tell him.
“You will wear that little number you had on earlier today. No underwear allowed of course.” He smirks about to leave the room. His hand is on the ornate handle, but he pauses. “Actually. I have something else for you to wear.”
I watch him as he walks over to the tall rosewood carved armoire on the other side of the room that held his best jackets and shirts. I never went in there; he had a particular way of keeping his best clothing and I didn’t want to intrude into his private things. Astarion reaches up to the upper shelf and moves some things aside. He produces a small ebony wood box wrapped with an overzealous silk black bow.
“I bought this hoping to give it to you on our anniversary. The day I ascended and the night you became my beautiful dark consort binding yourself for eternity to me in blood. It’s next week after all. I have some other things planned too so an early gift is okay.” He talks with his hands, the box in one of them, as he walks back over to the bed my eyes following the box like a pup watching a ball. I love things in small boxes. Astarion gets me jewellery every anniversary… and every other week. But the anniversary gifts are always the most elaborate. He has the most exquisite taste. I sit up and reach out my hands greedily.
“What is it?” I say eagerly as he hands the box to me. Sitting naked and cross-legged on our silken sheets, I start carefully unwrapping the bow. Astarion sits beside me on the bed and watches my face as I open the lid. In the dim room, the most beautiful oblong and pointed moonstone ring gleams in the dark. Two crescent moons sit on either side of the set stone followed by leaves and vines wrapping around itself to make the band. I gasp at the otherworldly blue flash of the stone. It looks enchanted too. I can feel the magic coming off it.
As I take it out of the box Astarion smiles, “Read the inscription.”
I turn the band in my fingers and raise it to my eye. On the inside a perfect inscription of the words “Aeterna Amantes” are carved into the band. I smile staring at it feeling my eyes get a bit glassy. One of the first things he said to me when he turned me.
“It’s a moonstone from Evereska, if you haven’t already guessed. I mentioned them to you about how beautiful they are years ago. Our elvish heritage is still something to be treasured, despite our… upgraded bodies now. You needed a better ring than that old one we found in the graveyard and that wretched House of Healing.” He made a grimacing face as he remembered back. “This one is much more befitting of you.” I turn to him as he stares at me thoughtfully. I give him a gentle smile. He continues, “I got a matching one for myself - a bit different of course, but the same idea. The new rings are enchanted with a new Warding Bond. It’s stronger too. That’s the magic you undoubtably feel.”
“How did you…” I question as I turn the ring over in my hand, pulling off the old worn gold band, setting it beside me and sliding the new ring onto my finger. It fit perfectly and it was so much more beautiful on. “That magic is unknown to me, otherwise I would’ve done the enchant myself.”
“I know. That’s why when we went to Waterdeep, my intention was not to visit Gale out of want for his company of course, but I needed his help with the rings. I corresponded with him before we left to visit him. Also, he didn’t do it for free,” He frowns. “He overcharged me I’m sure, but I know you’d be a bit happy about that.” He raises his eyebrows at me tilting his head as he pulls out his new ring from his pocket – a thicker band with leaves wrapped around it with a moonstone in the centre just like mine, he slips off his old worn ring and put on his new one too. He takes my old ring off the bed and sets both the worn ones together on our nightstand.
I smile to myself. I would have to write Gale thanking him.
I jump towards Astarion and hug him. I kiss him as I hold his face in my hands.
“Thank you. It’s perfect and I love you.” I say to him as I pull away looking at my hand again.
“Happy anniversary.” He speaks softly and gets up to leave. “Make sure you make a little extra scene about your new ring in front of those girls when you join us. I do enjoy watching you toy with people.” He smirks sadistically.
“You know I will…” He didn’t have to ask me, that was already my intention. “I’ll be right down love.” I say looking at my hand. This was much more suited to me. I hold up my hand and move it around in the light.
He had walked over to the crowns in our display case by his wardrobe and grabbed a wickedly organic looking obsidian crown and placed it on his head. He then looks over the selection and pulls out the matching one, sauntering back over to the bed and places it on my head.
“Perhaps we need to show a bit more authority around the spawn right now after your display. You will wear this instead when you come down. And Tav, no more disobedience tonight, okay? I made you; you are mine. You will not undermine me in front of our political guests or the spawn again at future parties. I have given you authority over them, but I am still your Lord, and I will not stand for you to act out.”
“Yes, my Lord.” I bow my head nodding at him.
“Good. See you downstairs shortly. Make haste. We need to be seen as a united front.”
“Yes Astarion.” I nod again. Then went back to staring at my ring.
He pauses again. Walking back up to the bed looking down at me. He grabs my chin tilting it up towards him and brushes my hair away from my face.
“I like you here naked, wearing a crown with my blood on your face. You look every bit as wild as I know you are. But I am serious about what I said, Tav. I know we’ve had similar conversations before.” His eyes darken a bit, as he contemplates his next words, or actions. I look back up at him intently, tilting my head further back and he slides his hand on my neck and gently massages where my bites from him are. I’m careful not to break eye contact with him. “I’m saying this again - do not disobey me again. You have free reign here; and I haven’t had need to use my power over you. I don’t want to... So do not force my hand. Should you become too… unmanageable… you will leave me with no other choice.” He squeezes my neck for an instant… warning me, I know. I raise my eyebrows somewhat defiantly, and he chuckles and let’s go of me, but doesn’t move.
“Don’t threaten me with a good time, my love.” I touch my throat then suck my finger staring at him.
“Bad girl.” He bends down to me and strokes my wetted lips with his tongue. I playfully touch my tongue to his and reach for his pants. He lightens a bit more and laughs, but quickly steps away from me, “You are my consort. You do know I love you, right? Look at all the things I have given you. This gift of eternity with me - you by my side for all time. Remember everything I have given you Tav. We are together forever. Let’s have fun, shall we? Enough of this petty drama of yours and darkened mood. I have given you Baldur’s Gate. You and I rule it together.”
I swallow hard. A honeyed threat: ‘Look at what I have given you…. And so, imagine everything I can take away from you.’ He was so good at that. Probably why the politicians were so obedient to him.
“We are sovereign, now act like it.”
I bow my head in acknowledgment with my lips pursed, “I apologize, my love.” Shit. Still in a bit of trouble.
He nods back at me then lingers a moment regarding me with my head bowed as I look up at him from below my eyelashes waiting for him to finally leave.
“Good. Be quick to return to me. You will not keep me waiting.” He says as he leaves the room closing the door behind him.
I sigh. Well now I’m going to have to get back in his good graces again. He likes me headstrong and to show my unyielding nature… but not towards him, and not enough to defy him. I crinkle my nose and frown. I will let those girls live. Any interference with his spawn will not go well for me. He’s so possessive of them. Fuck. FINE. I’ll be good. I’ll be nicer to my handmaiden too. I’ll talk to Cera and Kaitlen tomorrow. After I torture them - figuratively speaking, with my new bites from Astarion and my ring, tonight.
I get up from the bed still naked and walk over to the wine glass I had poured and not drank earlier. I step onto the cool stone balcony. The wind making my nipples harden. My hair fluttering around me in wisps. The city was so pretty. I take a large gulp of wine from the black glass. Not as delicious as Astarion’s blood. I look at my new ring in the moonlight, it glimmers iridescent blue and shines even more out under the stars. Beautiful. The inscription in it, reminding me I’m his forever.
I did have a beautiful life. I love being with Astarion, and I am happy he can now get whatever he ever wanted whenever he wanted it. I think back every once in a while and wonder what our life would be like if I hadn’t helped him ascend. He wouldn’t have this place or be able to walk in the sun. I would eventually die and leave him alone for eternity. But spawn him would never want to control me. He cherished me in a different way. I swallow hard and feel my eyes get glassy, but I push those thoughts out of my head. No use on dwelling on the past. What’s done is done and those thoughts make me weak.

I sigh again heavily as I go back inside to find my very revealing dress from earlier in a corner of our room by my vanity. I put on the black sheer strips of cloth. Wipe the blood from my face with a wet cloth and comb my hair although some blood still stains a few strands. I put the crown back on; it’s wickedly pointed tips make me smile as they poke my fingers. It’s vicious and aggressive. I center my sword necklace between my breasts and look at the ring one more time as I exit the room. I walk barefoot down to the ballroom - I don’t need shoes in my own house. The mix of new carpets and wood feeling cool and soft on my bare feet.
As I enter the ballroom again, the spawn immediately bow their heads to me as I walk to my seat. I don’t look at anyone. I am a bit embarrassed now that my head is clearer, and the hunger is gone. I was being juvenile. I need to act like Astarion’s chosen consort. He was right to reprimand me. I was still just a young and naïve vampire. Five years old in vampire years was nothing more than a petulant child.
Astarion is standing in front of the dais chatting and laughing with the human politicians. They are drinking more brandy as I came to pass them on my way to my seat. Astarion, still talking with them, looks at my dress approvingly and catches my eyes as he watches me intensely as I approach the dais. I bow my head to him as I pass. He nods and smiles acceptingly at me, and our silent conversation ends as I shift my gaze to the human men’s eyes standing around him. I can see their faces flush with blood as they trail off staring at my chest and thighs. I step up onto the dais and sit down crossing my legs and my handmaiden is waiting for me. She hands me a glass of wine and bows low.
“My lady.” She says with lowered eyes.
“Thank you I appreciate it, Faran.” The first time I had used her name.
She looks up surprised but composes herself, bows again, and then goes back to standing behind me.
“Faran?”
“Yes my lady?” She rushes back to my side.
“I want to let you know… you are doing a most excellent job. And I quite enjoy your hair skills.” Ugh. I am being sickly sweet to her. I feel the bile well up in my throat. But I will myself to smile at her instead.
“Thank you, my lady.” She beams and goes back to her place.
Now where were those two spawns? I want them to see my new bite marks from Astarion. My neck was very bruised from his bites, but they would heal quickly. His bite was so much stronger nowadays than when he was a spawn. When he was a spawn, I never bruised like this. I shift my gaze to the men by Astarion and notice some of them still staring at me. They look away quickly. I see a couple of them tug at their pants uncomfortably. And another lower their glass in front of their crotch. I chuckle to myself and uncross my legs and widen my seat a bit, just to torture them. Human men were so easy to control. Astarion uses my presence to his advantage. While their minds flood with hormones and all the blood from their brains go to their erections, he can easily convince them to do whatever he wants them to agree upon in his business dealings. We do make a good team. Astarion glances up at me and immediately goes to work on them, talking with his hands and the men nod with flushed cheeks, distracted, but agreeing to whatever Astarion is saying to them.
I shift my wine glass to my left hand and make sure my ring is facing outwards. It dances with the lights in the room, and then I see the girls staring at me from across the room. They glare at me angrily and jealously and then notice my new ring. They lose some colour in their already pale faces, and I grin happily to myself.
Astarion walks up the dais to his throne and reaches his hand out to me join him before sitting down. I hand my wine glass to my handmaiden without looking. I take my place on Astarion’s lap wordlessly and look up to him as he runs his fingers along my exposed thigh.
“I really do love this dress.” He smiles at me. He’s in a much more jovial mood, his discussions with the humans must’ve gone well. He slides his other hand up between my legs. “Good, I like when you do what I say.” He states as he assesses the crowd. His hand under my dress resting possessively on my lower pelvis.
His other fingers trail up my thigh sending a shiver down my back. I press my forehead to the side of his cheek apologetically and he intertwines his fingers over mine. Our moonstone rings rub together as he holds his hand over mine in full view against my thigh.
“May I have your undivided attention please.” He speaks and the hall silences. I lean my head against his shoulder submissively, as I sit across his lap, and I listen to his voice echo and hum in his chest. His hands pull me up closer to him as he speaks, as if accepting my unspoken apology. Or at least I like to think he does.
Cera and Kaitlen stare at me. I look away from them and just stare at a couple of my ghouls still standing obediently for me nearby.
I was looking forward to the night being over and maybe getting some romantic and less torturous sex, some cuddles as we sleep, and more blood if Astarion allowed. Although, I don’t think that was all going to happen tonight.
“Thank you to all, once again, for joining us this evening, my consort and I are thrilled to host you and hope to again soon. May the alliances we have forged remain true, unbreakable, and loyal - just as my consort and I are to each other. And a reminder to any spawn who choose to step out of line or get between me and my consort remember my dear children… you will be joining our friend in the hells. So, respect the rules to avoid any unpleasantness. Now drink!”
I smirk at him as he slides his hand down between my thighs. I lick my lips and close my eyes feeling his hands on me and breathe deep.
“I love that you want me still.” He says after a moment. As he leans into my mouth and kisses me possessively in front of the ballroom. “You’re mine, remember that.” He states between deep kisses.
“I know, and I love it.” I breathlessly say, as I move my hands up to his face. I want him so badly right here and now. I glance sideways as I notice the politicians staring at me with want, either wishing they were Astarion or wanting me… probably both.
Astarion looks at the men watching us and breaks away from our kiss. He whispers into my ear, “I’ll have you again after the party. More than once. Maybe, if you’re good the rest of the evening, I’ll allow you to bite me while I’m inside of you.” I tense up at the thought and feel myself respond to the idea. Instantly feeling warmth and wetness form between my thighs. He notices it too and his eyes widen a bit and he moves to lick the side of my neck suggestively and sucks on a spot of blood I missed. This is not helping to calm my need.
“How about right now.” I sit up on him opening my legs a bit wider and wrap my arms around his neck, pressing my forehead to his.
“So eager.” He pats me leg. I kiss the bottom of his chin with more hunger and need as he goes back to surveying his party from his throne.
“Aeterna amantes.” I say softly looking at my ring going back to resting my head on his chest.
He tucks me into him closer while being handed his wine, he takes a sip and responds, “Yes. You’re my lover. Forever.”

Chapter Text

My study is a mess. The floor is littered with spell scrolls and some gemstones, some piles of rare tomes, and other magic books sit in piles at the base of my bookshelves. The curtains are half drawn and askew. Broken glass lines the perimeter of the room, along with splinters of wood sticking every which way out of the walls. Scorched wood and ash appear as large spots on the floor. The paintings are falling out of their broken frames. But I’m leaning over my large, dark mahogany desk staring at a stupid book which has been the cause of the destruction. Or rather - my inability to do this magic. I can’t figure out this spell combination, and I can feel my magic swelling every time I try with my frustration, getting more potent.

I read over the spell combination again, and I turn to the spell circle I’ve drawn in the middle of the floor. I drew it in blood, as most of my necromancy spells require, but this one is different, and I don’t think I own chalk. So, I assumed blood would do since we have plenty of it in the palace. I pushed my dark purple and gold embroidered rug to the side to make more room in the study. I walk over and kick it a bit further towards the wall.

I take a sip from my glass goblet and then tie my silver white hair up and pin it away from my face.

“Okay. I can do this.” I whisper to myself.

I stand in the centre of the circle and begin the hand gestures. I look over for a second at the ghouls I’ve had summoned for a few days now in the corner. They sway and stretch their wings in boredom.

It’s been weeks since they’ve had anything to do. The palace has been quiet, no spawn drama, beside one of the new spawn girls breaking up with their boyfriend. Astarion turned her so she could be with her boyfriend ‘forever’, and now that’s off the table. She’s cried and looked miserable all week. But besides that, it’s been boring.

Astarion has been away seeing to some business in the surrounding towns of Baldur’s Gate, and then he supposedly went up the coast to the vineyard to check out the new batches of wine that will be shipping to the city soon. I told him I wanted to stay back and hold down the fort. But I’m going insane now. It’s the first time I haven’t had the warding bond cast on me in over 6 years. It feels odd. Astarion knew that after a week of not drinking his blood I would be stuck in the palace during the day, since my daylight protections have completely worn off. So I assume he thinks I won’t get into too much trouble at night, when I have the advantage. Having to watch over the spawn has been like having to watch over 40 some odd children. They don’t listen to me fully, but they fear me enough to half-heartedly do as I say. And there’s been no deaths in the house to that’s a win in my books. Astarion left half his guard here too, and they’ve been driving me insane following me everywhere, making sure I’m safe. Although, I’m pretty sure I could take them all out with some of my spells in one cast should I feel so tempted.

Out of boredom a week ago, I went over to Sorcerous Sundries at night and snooped around the Vaults. I found a tome I hadn’t seen before and decided to bring it home to try out. It contains some interesting spell combinations that involve quickly casting one spell, then containing it with another, and then channeling that contained spell into a deadly cast. I’ve been practicing on my ghouls… a pile of gore lays in the corner, and I must tell my servant spawn to clean it up. I don’t like letting them in here however, so I’ll have to supervise.

The problem with this tome is it’s fucking difficult. Maybe Gale would be able to help, and I’ve been considering telling Astarion I’m going to Waterdeep as soon as he gets back. He should be back any day now. It’s been oddly… okay to have some distance from Astarion since we’re almost always together. We have eternity together so a few weeks away from each other is barely a drop in the pond of time. I am however stuck inside during the day and its summer. I’d much rather go down to the beach or walk in the sun while the other spawn is sleeping. But I’m instead on the same sleep schedule as them and stuck playing with dangerous magic.

The tome did allow me to discover a most useful spell: A daylight ward. I warded all the windows of the house with the new spell. The spell allows the windows to be seen through but removes any harm the daylight could cause to a vampire. Unfortunately, I haven’t figured out how to mutate the spell to create a daylight ward on a vampire yet. But I feel like I’m on the right track. I will keep trying, although it's not a high priority for me… unless Astarion leaves for weeks again. The spawn gather by the windows in the early mornings on the east side watching the sun rise. It’s somewhat wholesome, and I’m not sure what Astarion will think when I show him what I’ve done… but whatever. He’s not here right now.

I take in a deep breath about to complete the hand gestures of the first part of the spell.

“You. Come here.” I command one of my mindless ghouls to step forward from the other remaining two. It hobbles over standing at the edge of the circle. “Good. Stay there.”  It grunt/gurgles in response.

I finish the combination of hand gestures and a giant swell of bright blue light forms swelling larger and larger moving from me fast, and I quickly cast the second part of the spell containing it. The swelling blue light immediately shrinks as if contained inside an invisible ball of energy.

“Gods! I have it!” I gasp. I turn slowly aligning the ball with my test subject ghoul.

I can do this. I urge to myself. I haven’t managed to get this far yet with this volatile spell.

I breathe deep and prepare myself to focus the contained magic directly at the ghoul. I’m hoping it ends with the ghoul disintegrating or disappearing in smoke as though it never existed.

I hesitate and breathe again.

“Okay, here we go everyone…” I speak out loud to the ghouls, and I concentrate deeply and focus my magic as I do the last quick hand gesture.

I hear the door click open and my magic ball shoots forward towards the test subject ghoul and it poofs in a cloud of smoke.

“Hah!” I yell in victory. But the magic keeps going and the ghouls standing behind it are also incinerated, and then the magic grows and ricochets off the bookshelf behind the ghoul dust and explodes the shelves causing an explosion of paper confetti and wood splinters. I am launched backwards from the blast into the shelves behind me. The force knocks the wind out of me and I fall to the floor as books and trinkets fall with me with cascading thuds around my body. I cover my face as a book lands close to my head. I stare up at the tall ceiling a bit dazed and try to catch my breath.

I did it! I think to myself as I watch the chandelier above sway back and forth violently and then fall with a giant crash into the middle of the magic circle. It shatters, scattering crystal beads across the floor.

I look up and behind me at the door as one of the beads rolls to stop at Astarion’s feet.

“What in the absolute hells happened in here?” Astarion takes in the room with wide eyes and then sees me laying on the floor. “GODS! Tav what the…” He runs over to me almost tripping on the crystal beads, broken metal, and slipping on some of the blood circle. “Gods below Tav what in the hell are you doing?” He frantically says as he kneels down pulling me up.

“Astarion I did it! I finally did it!” I cough and help pull myself up, I’m excited but he grips my face and takes in the mess that I am.

“If that was success… I’d hate to see how the failures went. By the gods, look at you! Let me see.” He looks over my face and turns my head side to side. “You have scratches all over your face and you’re bleeding! I can smell it. Where?”

I look at my torso and then raise my arm, noticing a sting and a chunk of wood is sticking out from my arm.

“Well, that’s no good.” I grab the chunk and pull it out, blood gushing down my forearm and dripping off my elbow onto the floor. The sight of it making myself hungry.

“What if that had stuck your heart?!” Astarion’s voice raises, and he sounds shrill.

“I’m fine, I just didn’t have my armour in that one spot I guess….” Or I forgot to actually put on my mage armour.

“No, no no. No more of this. Look at this place! It’s a mess, you’re a mess. I’m getting you cleaned up and we’ll get the spawn to clean this place up.”

“No! Not while I’m not here, I’ll watch them tomorrow.”

“Fine.” He helps me get up from the floor. And I wrap my arms around his waist hugging him hard, while burying my face in his chest. He hugs me back, and then kisses the top of my head.

“I missed you; you know? If I had known this is what you’ve been up to... I would’ve come back sooner…” He then cups my face looking displeased with a frown but kisses me gently. I lean into it and kiss him hard, my tongue searching for his and I claw at his jacket. “Easy now darling. Let’s get cleaned up first. But yes, I’m home now. No more of this. I won't allow it.”

I smile and I kiss him quick one more time, “Good. I can’t go out of the palace; the sun burns me. Oh! But!” I run over to the windows, the sun is just setting, and I throw open the curtains. “Look!”

“Tav!” Astarion runs over to me in a panic but stops abruptly when he realizes I’m okay.

“Ta daaaa!" My eyes are alight, and I continue, "I found a spell. I warded the windows to give daylight protection." I walk over to the next large floor to ceiling glass windows pointing. "It dims them a bit, but now we can keep the windows open during the day, if we want to. I did all the windows. It took a while to get the spell right. I tested it on Cera, she was most displeased. You’ve been gone a while… and I’ve been inside for the last few weeks during the day, at least. Inside for one week. i don't like being inside during daylight. How did you do it for 200 years? I can't. I...” I sound a bit crazy listening to myself talk. “I might be going a bit stir crazy. Or just crazy. But I’ve only murdered my ghouls, I thought you’d be so pleased.”

“Yes, thank you for not murdering my spawn…” He says sarcastically trailing off, but Astarion is staring the windows for another moment and seems to be lost in a memory. “I walked these halls for two centuries without having these open during the day… “

I look out the windows at the setting sun over Baldur’s Gate. “Incredible.” He says and I turn to him seeing him staring at me.

Astarion closes the distance between us and wraps his arms around my waist from behind, and I close my eyes smelling his sweet scent. He kisses my neck softly as he hugs me and we watch the setting sun.

“Tav?” He kisses my neck with gentle pecks as he tightens his grasp.

“Mmmm?” I murmur feeling better than I have in weeks.

“You need a bath, and your arm is still bleeding. I need to feed on you later so we need to get you cleaned up.”

I roll my eyes and go to push him away, but he pulls me in again, lifting my damaged arm and licks the trailing blood. It’s fucking hot.

I smile then narrow my eyes at him. “Alright, but if I see a single spawn in here without me they will be my next test subject.” I grumble as I make my way to the door with Astarion following behind me.

As I walk down the upper hallway to our bedroom, I hear rustling down the spiral stairs and the spawn are starting to wake up.

“Look do you see!”

“Wow it’s so pretty, I forgot how pretty it is.”

I can hear them murmuring and whispering while looking at the west facing warded windows as the sun sets.

“Well, look at you Tav, boosting morale around the palace, not murdering, who would’ve thought?” Astarion runs up to me and playfully goes to pinch me, but I gasp and move out of the way of him. But he manages to grab me. “Wait. Do you have another tadpole in your brain? Are you really my consort or are you some sort of extremely attractive shapeshifter?” He says playfully.

I lean forward to bite his lip, but he moves his head out of reach quickly while smiling playfully at me. I scrunch my nose.

“No, I’m just so amazing.” I say and move out of his arms to open our bedroom doors.

Astarion walks over to the bed and flops down. “It’s fucking good to be home.”

“How was the trip?”

We banter on for a few minutes in a relaxed conversation as I undress and walk around the room sorting things, placing my staff on the wall hook with his daggers, my assortment of staves, and some short swords we’ve collected. I move to the bathroom to run a bath as Astarion talks about his trip. In turn, I catch him up to speed with the minor spawn relationship drama, and the spells I’ve been working on incessantly over the past few weeks. I report to him about the construction of the new lounge in the lower levels which were once the kennels. And how I know his stupid guards have probably already sent reports on all this to him.

“Yes of course you’re correct. I wasn’t going to have you and the palace unsupervised. You’re my consort, heavens forbid something happened to you. I didn’t calculate that it might be you, who would be the biggest risk.” He mumbles the last part. “And yes, before you ask, I did return a few days earlier because the guards were getting nervous and reported that you were ‘locking yourself in your study, loud crashes, blasts, and curses could be heard from the upper floor and a blast which rocked the castle so badly, the paintings in the lower level fell off the walls.’” He quotes as I roll my eyes walking back to the bathroom.

 I call to him from the bathroom, “Can I kill them?”

“No.”

I chuckle. Joking of course, that is, unless he said yes...

“So, what happened between those lovers?” He calls back to me as he walks around in his underwear searching for some less travelled in clothing. I can hear that he’s standing at his armoire. Apparently, he made a beeline for my study as soon as he walked through the doors of the palace without seeing to himself first, which makes me feel warm in my face.

I’m sitting in the bath now leaning my head back on the rim. I sprinkle some more salts in the bath from the container on the ledge, and my aching muscles need it. But my wound stings as it touches the water. I decide I’ll rest my arm outside.

I gasp through my teeth a bit as I move it, and I hear him say, “You’re going to the clerics after that bath.”

“It’s fine, it’ll be better once I have some blood.” I sigh, then continue. “So, I told you she’s just absolutely heartbroken right?”

“Right.”

I love gossiping with him. It reminds me back in our adventuring days when he was a spawn and we would gossip about Karlach and Wyll.

“Well, apparently, he was seen making out with one of our ‘favourite’ spawn… Can you guess who, my love?”

“Was it Cera? That saucy little troublemaker I thought she –“

“Nope! Wrong!” I call out of the room cutting him off.

He appears in the doorway wearing the black shirt and a pair of very fitted black pants. They have no right making his butt look that good. He leans against the doorframe and crosses his arms regarding me.

“Oh gods, it was Kaitlen wasn’t it? That girl is really coming into herself.”

“Ding ding ding, you got it. Honestly, I thought they learned their lesson, but I guess they think messing with each other within the spawn ranks is better than –“

“Dealing with you?” Astarion walks over to the tub and sits on the edge behind me and leans down to kiss my forehead.

“But of course.” I smile up at him, and this is the second time I’ve seen him upside down in the last hour since he’s arrived home. “You look good upside down. Very bat like.” He gently bites my nose playfully grazing it with his teeth.

“Yes, you’ve definitely gone crazy in my absence.” He gets off the tub ledge and heads for the door.

“Wait, where are you going?” I get up out of the water and grab a towel and start to pat myself dry.

“I thought I should go address the spawn and announce that I’m home. But on second thought, I like this view a lot better.”

I turn and see he’s returned to the bathroom staring hungrily at me.

I drop the towel. “I need you.” I breathe out.

He rushes over to me and scoops me up in his arms, I wrap my legs around his stomach, his hands gripping my rear. My body is still wet and my hair sticks to my shoulders and down my back.

“I need you too.” Astarion says as he kisses me with ferver and pushes me against the marble wall of our candlelit bathroom. His kiss is intense and full of want. My fingers find his hair and tangle into it. I feel his hips push into me and I gasp with at the hardness forming in those delectable pants.

“Bed.” I say between kisses, and we are moving into the other room. He pushes his tongue further into my mouth and I force mine into his as he carries me to our bed.

He throws me onto the sheets, and I pull apart his black buttoned shirts with force, so much so that buttons are heard scattering about the ground. He leans down onto me and feeling his bare chest to mine makes me feel comforted.

I push off his pants with my toes and he shimmies the rest of the way out of them, and his length pulls free. I reach down and line him up with my slick core and pull his hips toward my opening with my legs as they wrap around him. I moan with delight feeling the fullness of him inside of me and he lets out a relieved sigh.

“I’ve missed you so much.” He says between kissing me as he pushes further into me. I arch my hips more and move with him needing more. “Fuck, Tav…” He trails off as he kisses my neck. “I need to taste your blood.”

“I need yours too, can I bite you please?” I plead with him.

“You’re going to come so fast…” He warns playfully, as I kiss his smile.

“I don’t fucking care.” I bite his neck as he pushes and pulls out of me almost all the way, each time filling me up with wonderful teasing pleasure. I drink greedily and then let out an almost orgasmic moan, and sure enough, I’m so close already from the taste of his blood.

He chuckles. “See?” He begins fuck me harder and more rhythmically, and then bites down on the side of my neck. He grips my head in place and then touches my erect nipple, rubbing circles around it. I grab his hair and pull his face into my neck more, urging him to bite me harder, and I raise my legs higher so he can penetrate me deeper. I moan as he pushes himself completely into me and I release my grasp of him as I arch my back needing more.

“I… need…” Sensing what I was trying to say, and failing, he rolls me on top of him and I rock my hips back and forth rubbing my peak against him. He helps move my hips as I tense up from the building pressure. I reach down and bite his neck and grind harder into him until I can’t hold in the pressure anymore. He reaches down and massages my bud and press into his hand. I stifle my moan in my bite on his neck as I come on top of him, he moves me rhythmically as my body seizes and tenses with the release from my pleasure. I’ve just finished and relax on top of him and kiss his soft lips with thanks. I’m more relaxed and relieved than I have since before he left. He holds my waist and flips me beneath him onto my stomach, pulling me halfway off the bed with him standing. Gripping my legs over both his arms, Astarion slides back inside me, and bites the other side of my neck.

"Astarion..." I fumble out as he thrusts hard building to his pleasure.

His pace quickens and I hear him sigh as he throws his head back closing his eyes. The steady pace is building, and I can feel my body responding, wanting to come again. I can't move but he pulls me closer and slams into me harder and then moans as he spills into me. His cock pulsating inside me as he moans in pleasure at his release. Apparently, it’s also been some time for him, as his orgasm lasts longer than typical. I smile up at him and he leans forward kissing my lips, and then pulls himself out of me gently. I pull myself further onto the bed and he climbs on it beside me. He flops onto his back hugging me into his side. I kiss his cheek and curl into the crook of his arm.

Astarion pulls at some of my damp hair and drops it on my chest.

“I like when you’re all wet…” He closes his eyes and smiles.

I poke his side and he swats my rear.

“Fuck. Maybe you should go away more often. Because that was fun. Although, I want more.” I stare at his face and playfully graze my teeth along his shoulder.

“No. It was too long, and I hate being away from you.” He says a bit too seriously. “I hated it. Not to mention the destruction you got up to while I was gone. And you always want more... you're insatiable. I could give you 10 orgasms and you'd still be begging for more.”

“Pfft. 10 sounds nice..." I suck on his earlobe and he swats me playfully again. Then turns toward me and bites the air in front of my face. I roll on my back again staring at the ceiling contemplating. "Also, I expect if I died, you would go down to the hells to find my soul and bring me back to be with you anyways.”

“Absolutely.” He smiles wickedly. And I roll my eyes at him.

“See? Nothing to worry about then.” I kiss his cheek and then move off the bed and head back to the bathroom to finish my bath.

Chapter Text

After I am, once again, cleaned up, and Astarion is too, we dress and head down to the ballroom where all the spawn are already eating. We have a lot of new familiars, and blood donors, mostly lower city folk looking to make some money and hopefully not be drained dry. They sit between the spawn as they feed on them. There is animal blood mixed with human blood in carrafes on the table for the lower ranked spawn. Only our higher ranked get to drink directly from the source.

Astarion and I walk in together and we are more casual today. I’m still feeling that after sex afterglow, and I have my arm linked around his. I’m being ridiculously attached, but I did miss him a lot. I also do want to ask him about visiting Gale. But maybe later.

“Lord Astarion!”

“He’s back”

“Finally… I want something new to do.”

“Mom and dad look happy.”

I hear the spawn’s comments as we pass, and they bow their heads. I giggle to myself at some of the comments. Someone made a ‘mom and dad’ comment months ago and now I hear them refer to us as such occasionally. I kind of like it, but I have kept it from Astarion. I feel he would prefer to be called ‘lord, master, my lord’ or any assortment of those type of words over ‘dad’.

We stand in front of our thrones and Astarion addresses his spawn. “Hello, my lovely spawn!”

“Welcome back, Lord Astarion.” The spawn speak in unison. The faint sucking sound of gulps of blood can be heard here and there but the hall is otherwise silent.

“I trust you have kept well while I have been away, but if there are any issues you wish to have addressed, please submit those requests to Tav and we will discuss how to resolve them together.” I nod slightly at him as he looks at me. “You have a new assignment. High ranking spawn and my guards meet me in my study in one hour. Mid ranking spawn, you are on tax and wine duty tonight. Go to the various taverns and brothels in upper city and collect taxes from each, and take inventory on which establishments need replenishing. Leaders - split the group into 2 and I will be assigning four guard spawn and 2 of my chosen to oversee the two groups. And my dear baby spawn, there’s only 7 of you now, and you get the fun job tonight…”

I swear I hear one of them say “oh no.”

Astarion continues, “You get to assist Tav in cleaning up her study.”

“Really??” I hiss at him.

“Yes.” He states under his breath. No arguing. I sneer at him and then go back to smiling at his spawn. “Report to Tav after breakfast in her study. No wandering the hall as that wing is off limits, any who deviate or wander that floor will be…” He side eyes me then continues, “…Tav’s next test subjects. So do exactly as she says.”

“Happy?” He turns to me. I’m trying not to laugh.

I smile sadistically. “Yes, thank you love.”

Astarion looks to his spawn again. “Newly turned, you’re on kitchen and cleanup. I want all the new spelled windows washed so everyone can enjoy the sunrise in the morning.” The spawn cheer. “Oh, one last thing! Where is that young spawn? The heartbroken one.” Astarion calls out across the tables searching. “And where is… Kaitlen?”

The two ladies stand.

“Come. The rest of you go back to feeding.” The spawn do, but watch from the corner of their eyes.

Gods, it feels so good to not be the centre of attention for drama tonight. I sit on my throne smugly.

“My dear, I am sorry, what is your name?” Astarion reaches out a hand while seated on his throne now. A timid young spawn with dark brown hair and red eyes – from crying – not her vampirism, steps forward to place her hand in his. Kaitlen, stands at the bottom of the dais and is flushed, and I can hear her heart race from my throne. My servant spawn brings a beautiful familiar to me and I take a bite from her arm as I watch the situation unfold.

She shakily says, “It’s Laura, Master.” And kneels in front of him by his feet.

I raise my eyebrows and turn to Faran, my handmaiden. “Master.” I mouth to her. She smiles at me and raises her eyebrows in turn. We have developed quite the bond over the past year. One could almost call us friends. Not like Gale or Shadowheart, but still - friends.

“My child, I have heard of your broken heart, and the ones who have scorned you. I’m so very sorry to hear of this.” Laura starts to tear up. She is clearly still very upset. I feel bad for her. I couldn’t imagine Astarion begging me for him to turn me to just leave me a few months later. To give up the sun, and any chance at finding a home outside the palace… I would probably try to kill him or myself and not care if I failed or succeeded at either. I pity this sad girl.

“Thankk-thank you, my Lord.” She sniffles.

“My dear girl, what would you like me to do to alleviate some of your pain?” She looks up at Astarion with fear and question.

I’m not sure I like where this is headed or what he has planned. How very ‘me’ of him. I think to myself.

“Where is your love? Trevin, right?” Astarion asks and she nodsin response. “Trevin?” He calls and his spawn stands, then makes his way over to the dais. “This one?” Astarion gestures at the dark haired boyish looking spawn.

Laura nods again. Astarion stands and walks around the kneeling Laura, to Kaitlen and Trevin, at the bottom of the dais..

I cross my legs and shoo away the familiar with a flick of my wrist. I need to watch this.

Astarion regards them with their bowed heads. He stands between them and raises both of their chins with a grasp of their necks. Kaitlen gasps. I know she loves Astarion dearly, and her greatest fear is to displease him. She must be terrified right now.

“You, have some balls, I must say.” He narrows his eyes at Kaitlen. “And you. Why would you hurt the girl who gave up the sun and a mortal life for you?” Nodding behind his shoulder over to Laura.

“I’m so-sorry my lord.” Trevin trembles out.

“Don’t apologize to me, apologize to her.”

“Laura I’m sorry.” Trevin pleads looking beyond his master to the girl sitting by Astarion's throne.

Astarion, still holding Kaitlen, his grip tightens around her neck. “And you?” Kaitlen doesn’t speak but attempts to swallow her fear. “I see.” Astarion says with a slow nod.

“I do not want to displease you Lord Astarion, It was never my wish.” Kaitlen looks up to him with his fingers around her throat. He turns behind him to Laura. He taps Kaitlen's neck impatiently and grips hard, she brings her hand up to his as her eyes widen. Her fear is palpable, and yet I can't help but feel a bit jealous that his hand isn't around my neck.

“Laura how do you want them punished?” Astarion asks. She looks confused, so he clarifies, “You’re the lover scorned; how do you want them punished?”

I raise my eyebrows at Astarion, and he smiles wickedly at me. Oh, my sweet sadistic love, I want you so badly. My eyes darken, and I see in his expression he must know what I'm thinking, I subconciously bite my bottom lip, and he shakes his head smiling wider at me in response. He mouths the words "later" silently promising me.

“I… I…” Laura stutters and puts her nails in her mouth and chews anxiously. Her eyes wide and unsure. “I don’t know. I don’t know if I want them punished.”

“Oh?” Astarion cocks his head to the side in question. He turns back to the two spawns. “You both should be kneeling for me right now.” They both drop to their knees and he releases them with a slight push of their necks, and they bow their heads. “Stand up Laura.” She stands.

“Can they just go? And like… could I be assigned to helping my lady, Tav?” Laura timidly asks.

“What.” I say flatly. “Really? You’re going to let those two off the hook, Laura?”

Astarion interjects. “Is that what you really want, my very young spawn? To let these two go, and you wish to help Tav clean the viscera, gore and glass from her study?” Astarion asks incredulously with a high amount of amusement, he looks over to me and I shake my head with widened eyes urging him to not allow it.

Laura nods again.

“May I ask why?” I inquire feeling suspicious and annoyed at the idea of now 8 spawn touching my things in my study.

“I’ve always been interested in magic and…” Laura looks over to me nervously. She’s only been at the palace for a couple months. She hasn’t seen much of my rage, or my outbursts that cause the death of spawns as collateral. Laura is still learning the ropes, and is used to cleaning and washing floors. I don't even know if I've heard her speak though. She continues. “… and I really want to maybe learn a few spells someday.” She looks at me more intently. “And I just think you’re so pretty, and powerful, and you’re like this beautiful vampire queen that has all this magic…”

Maybe I like this girl.

She continues, “And the master loves you soooo much." She goes silent for a moment, then says softly, " I want that one day...” and she trails off lost in thought. I look at Astarion whose staring at me smiling amusedly. “I… I just wish I could be like you. And maybe you could teach me sometime if I’m worthy of it…?” I must look surprised. Or pleased. Because she lights up when I don’t immediately scowl at her.

Astarion looks at the kneeling spawn who haven't dared to move. Kaitlen and her new boy of the month stare at the ground with their heads bowed, the back of their heads exposed to Astarion. He sighs. “Go. No making out in front of Laura, and if I catch you both causing any more drama, or this little love affair causes any trouble with your duties, you’ll watch sunrise from the palace balcony outside. Or, perhaps Tav will give you a demonstration into the new spells she’s learned. I’m not sure which would be more painful.” He winks at me, and I sneer at him rolling my eyes but failing at hiding a smile.

"Yes, my lord." They say together and the two spawn run off quickly to the back of the room and sit back at their table.

“Laura, fine you’re with Tav after breakfast. As for learning magic, that is entirely in Tav’s hands and up to her discretion. But, you’ll never be a vampire queen like her, beautiful like her, as powerful or have my affection. But I do appreciate your candor and ambition. Thank you for complimenting my consort, now go before I change my mind.” He sits back down on his throne with a sigh and Laura scuttles off quickly, finding a place close to the front of the room. Another spawn hugs her and Laura whispers to her. She looks back and forth between Laura and Astarion and I, her mouth dropping and I can't make out what they are saying, but they talk in hurried tones.

Astarion reaches over the seat of his throne, with an open palm to his right. “Well, looks you have an admirer.”

I take his hand with my left, and he grasps it resting our hands on his armrest. I look out towards the spawn. “Like I said earlier, I am pretty fucking amazing.” I smile to myself raising my chin.

Astarion leans over the edge of his arm rest towards me tugging at my hand, pulling me closer. “Yes you are. How lucky you are, that I chose you as my consort.” He kisses me once. Then slumps back into his padded throne, snapping fingers and his servant spawn bring him a goblet of blood instantly. He pauses as he takes a long drink. “Don’t teach that girl magic while she’s so upset.”

I huff. “Of course not."

"Good." Astarion squeezes my hand, but I have plans of my own.

After breakfast the groups move off to their assignments. Astarion walks into his study down the hall, through the large heavy wooden, and warded doors, followed by his horde of most favoured spawn and his honoured guard spawn. They are all clad in leathers and dressed to the nines with daggers. Half of them travelled on the road with him, which is about 10 of them. They are all trained assassins and mercenaries he turned near the start of his rule. They are incredibly loyal to him, hence him hearing about my exploits. His most favoured spawn are ones that have also been around the longest and carry out most of his assignments and hold more important responsibilities.

I’m stuck with the young adult equivalent spawn right now, and one baby. A few month-old vampire with a broken heart is a terrible combination. But Laura said some nice things to me so I’ll allow her wide eyed stares and shadowing. Perhaps I will take her under my wing. Faran and I can show her the ropes. Normally Kaitlen and Cera help new spawn to adjust, but I doubt Laura wants to be anywhere near Kaitlen.

The spawn meet me at the ballroom doors and I walk them up to my study, up the staircase to Astarion’s and my floor. The spawn talk in whispered tones as they are quite excited to see this upper level. It’s completely off limits to any spawn, except Faran now, since Astarion’s butler had an unfortunate run in with an angry boyfriend of a lady he was flirting with at a tavern one night. Astarion was incredibly disappointed and he hasn’t chosen a replacement yet.

We stop in front of the the doors to my study, one half off the hinges and the other with various holes. I turn to the spawn before opening the doors. They all stand in front of me at attention. Sometimes I like the younger spawn because they are so eager to please us. “Okay guys, prepare yourselves; it’s going to be a bit of a sight. Let’s get this cleaned up before sunrise, if we can.” I swing the large doors open, one falling more off the hinge and I steady it resting it off to the side.

The spawn stop, some gasping and all of them unsure what to say while they take in the destruction of the room.

“What happened…” One of them asks and I ignore them.

“Ya, so. Welcome to my study. If you steal or break anything additional, Astarion says I can kill you, so there’s that. How about we start with stacking all the-” I walk up to some books on the ground that aren’t ripped apart, and pick up one and dust falls out of it, pages disintigrated. “- salvageable books here by their corresponding shelves, and you,” I point to a timid looking boy whose been with us for almost a year, and I recognize him as one of the ones Astarion turned trying to replace the spawn I killed a year ago during a ball. “Go get a broom and you help him get a mop and some water too.” I gesture to the boy standing beside him. “Go now quickly, I’m timing you.” They run out of the room in a hurry.

I wink at Laura and mouth, “I’m not.” She giggles and I smile. Being nice is… different. Spending a month with the spawn away from Astarion has softened me maybe too much. I'm losing my edge.

“Uh ya. You guys are on chandelier cleanup duty. And we’ll just be throwing it out, so gather everything and toss it in the garbage at the back of the palace.” Another 3 of the spawn get to work. A spawn raises their hand nervously. “Yes. You.” I point to a blonde, beautiful elf spawn, I’d be jealous of her in another life.

“Can I fix your paintings? I like to paint, and I can fix the frames too.”

I smile curiously, “You paint?”

“Yes, I mean… I used to before I turned.” She looks at her hands lost in a memory.

I study her. “What is your name?”

“Annabella, my lady.”

I can’t remember names for the life of me. But I’ve been trying lately.

“You may fix the paintings. Also there’s paints and supplies in storage in the lower level. You’re free to use them if you wish. If you need anything else, come to me.”

Annabella’s face brightens and she looks at me with an uncomfortable wonder that makes me feel like I should take back what I just said.

“Thank you, my lady.” She bows low and goes to the the painting half hanging on the wall.

I sigh and smooth my dark purple robes, the gold embroidery and stones shimmer. I stand for a moment assessing the spawn as they work. Anabella is looking at some of the broken paintings and she picks up the pieces of the frames with care. The boys have returned and immediately get to cleaning. Everyone is efficient. I toss my hair over my shoulder turning towards my desk. “Laura, you’re with me.” I say as I walk over to it passing her.

“Really?” She gasps, her eyes following me.

I turn quickly walking up to her closely. “Yes, really. And don’t question me.” I snap. “Listen, I’ll tell Astarion to kill you and your dumbass ex-lover, and I’ve been really wanting to kill Kaitlen for a while... So don’t tempt me with any inane questions or disobedience. Got it?.” She looks stricken. The other spawn work quietly and any talking ceases. Good. I’ve being too nice to all of them. I don’t want these spawn to think I’m like them, or get any ideas that I’m equal with them. I turn to the room and address the spawn, “Listen to what I say. And be sure to remember, I helped get Astarion his powers. You all know where I sit. You all know this is my palace, who I fuck at night, and who I drink from. You know the powers I hold, I could make you do whatever I want and you'd have no control over it. You're all undead. I'm a fucking necromancer so you better not get comfortable in here! I’d be so fucking happy to give you a demonstration too. Anyone care for a demonstration?” They all shake their heads in an obvious ‘no’. I smirk and I see a guard appear at the doors, probably from hearing my yelling. I continue, “If any of you step out of line, and I mean any of you,” I look at Laura and painting girl, “or fuck up anything in here, be certain Astarion will know. If you disrespect me, you disrespect him. If you so much as think about stealing anything in here, or gods help you, you look at me the wrong way in this study, you’ll end up like that pile of gore in the corner. So do your job and everyone lives to see the sunrise safely inside the palace. Got it?” I spit. The guard quickly rushes off for fear he also might be part of the group I'm addressing, I assume.

“Yes my lady.” They say in unison and hurriedly get back to cleaning.

I get to my desk and Laura follows me like a lagging shadow.

“My-my lady? What should I do? What can I do for you?” She stumbles.

I hate timidness. “You, are going to stand here and assist me. I’m teaching you one spell. Which you will not use unless you are about to be staked or beaten.”

Laura nods slowly but excitement is behind her eyes.

“Have you done any magic before?” I question.

“No.”

Great. I have my work cut out for me. “Okay no matter. I’ll teach you a simple spell, firebolt. If you burn down the palace, I will make sure you burn with it and take immense pleasure watching your flesh melt off your bones, you understand?” I lean over my desk. The stars glisten behind me, and my magic lanterns, and arcane sconces cast an eerie blue glow around the room as I flip through my tome on my desk.

“I promise.” She steps closer to me.

“Watch. Ignis.” I cast firebolt at some unlit sconces around the room and they alight with fire. The spawn jump and a few let out a shriek as a bolt passes their heads. Controlled, precise, perfect. I smile at myself and my skill. The simplest of spells.

“That was so cool!” She watches the flames dance in the sconces.

I watch her watching the flames with curiousity. “How old were you?”

“What?” Laura looks at my quizzically turning to me.

“What is your human age? Or, the age you were turned?” Which was only a couple months ago… so I guess the question ‘how old are you?’ would’ve sufficed.

“I just turned 19.”

Wow. Okay she really is a baby. “And how old was Trevin?”

“Well, he turned before me. But he was 25.”

I snort. What an asshole. She’s too innocent and has too trusting eyes. When she’s been trained, she’ll be an excellent spawn and bring us back top tier spawn pledges. I’ll mold her into something terrifying. I think to myself.

“Listen to me Laura. Do you know who I am?” She doesn’t answer and just stares. “I’m the pureblood daughter of Bhaal. The god of murder. My husband is the most powerful vampire in all of history and the most powerful there ever will be. I have so much power. I get more power the more I study, too. But you know what you have?”

“What?”

“Ambition, like Astarion said. I like you. I hate that Trevin broke your heart, so how about we break his? Slowly. Didn’t you say you want to be like me?” I smile wickedly.

“Yes.” She’s questioning herself. “No… I mean yes, I want to be like you.”

Good. “From now on you will assist me. No weakness. Don’t be timid. Don’t bite your nails unless you’re trying to seduce. Don’t cry in front of others unless it’s out of pleasure with future lovers. Don’t let others take what’s already yours. If they do, make them pay.” I clear my throat, “I mean, all this within Astarion’s rules that is. Astarion is your Master.” I straighten myself and rifle through the pages of my magic tome.

“S how do we break his heart?” She touches the desk looking down at my assorted relics and scattered papers.

I smile widely at her. “That’s my girl. We will turn you into something he fears. Something he wants. Something he’ll never have.” I smile and she smiles back. “We start with the basics.”

*****

Chapter Text

As the other spawn work, I watch Annabelle gluing and nailing a frame together and wrapping it tightly so it sets in place. She does have skill. She's managed to touch up a bad scratch on one of the other artworks and it leans against the far wall drying. The chandelier is all cleaned up and the floor has been washed. It's been a long day (night for everyone outside of the palace). While the others work, besides some minor interruptions - one of which where I managed to scare one of the spawn out of the study, but he was swiftly returned by one of the upstairs guards, I've been teaching Laura the basics of magic and channeling the weave. Gale would be so proud. She managed to get the smallest spark after a few hours of practice but honestly, it’s something. I was pleased at her progress since some magic users take a week to get that far. Perhaps she is a sorcerer and doesn't know it? Maybe she has a magic affinity but it was never encouraged. I guess time will tell. I look around the room and the place is looking much better. It’s almost sunrise I realize.

“Okay that’s enough for today, everyone go get ready if you want to watch the sunrise. Thank you, and you’re all back here tomorrow to finish up.”

“Yes, my lady, thank you, my lady.” They say somewhat tiredly as they leave the study, and I hear them quickly making their way down the stairs.

I flop down at my desk chair, and pick up a letter Gale had sent me a couple months back. I miss him a lot. Laura tries one more fireball and fails. But I smile, I'm a bit proud. She walks briskly to the desk, and I’m exhausted - how the hells does Gale do this all day? I sit up slightly to listen to what she has to say as she approaches me.

“Thank you so much, my lady, for your help today. I feel… less sad.” She brushes her hair back and rubs her hands as if willing the flame to form.

“Good. And call me Tav. Everyone constantly calling me, ‘my lady’ sometimes makes me feel so... old. But only when we are in here.” I pointedly emphasize. “If I catch you calling me Tav in the ballroom I will feed you to my ghouls.” Laura smirks and bows her head at me. I smile back. She leaves the study swiftly.

Fuck. Disgusting. Being so nice. I don’t like to make friends with spawn. They die a lot, usually by my hands. Faran is okay, I guess. Laura is my apprentice now? I guess. I should tell Astarion before he finds out from Laura or another spawn. Fuck they are probably already all blabbing with each other. I’m sure she’s already told half of them. I shoot up from my chair and run quickly to the open doors, turning to my left to go down the hallway and smack directly into Astarion’s chest. Annnnnd fuck. He already knows.

He holds my arms in place. “Heyyyy…” I say smiling with my teeth, “the study looks realllly nice you should come and…”

“Tav, didn’t I specifically tell you not to teach that emotional baby spawn any magic?” He releases the grip on my shoulders and crosses his arms. He looks menacing but there’s a hint of amusement in his eyes.

“I may recall something vaguely along those lines, but she’s, um, I sort of made her my apprentice, so I thought ‘why not?’” I cross my arms mimicking him and can see his surprise. His face and his jaw tense, and I can see his temples flexing in the candlelight of the hallway. He goes to speak, then shuts his mouth and furrows his brow frowning at me.

“Did you just say… apprentice?” He lowers his chin, and his nostrils flare. 

He can't be THAT angry. “Yes, and I don’t see what the problem is. You sent her to me. She’s pretty disciplined. She hangs on every word I say. It’s really wonderful.”

He sighs in frustration releasing his crossed arms and rubbing his eyebrows. “Exactly what I was worried about. She hangs on every word YOU say. Tav." I shrug. "Tav. Tav, please, I just got back and we’re doing this again? No. I said no earlier. You will do as I say. She can’t apprentice you.”

“And why not? She’s fine. I’m loyal to you and…”

He scoffs. “I do question your definition sometimes. Directly disobeying me isn’t my idea of loyalty. I did hear from the guard about your little outburst at my spawn and I was pleased though.” He thinks to himself.

I'm tired from teaching all day, and babysitting. I've had enough of this conversation. “You’re being ridiculous.” I push past him, but he grabs my wrist as I pass. I spin to meet him with a dagger stare. “Let go right now or I'll fucking lose it, my love.” I pull away my wrist but he does not let go. “Let me… go.” I say slowly and yank my wrist again, with more force, and he doesn’t release it.

"My, what a mouth you've developed with me being absent. Have you forgotten, you're mine?" He seethes. He stares into my eyes and walks right up to me holding my wrist off to the side, pushing me against the wall. I have to tilt my chin up to look at him, but I don’t. Instead, I look up at him through my eyelashes with my chin still down and scowl at him. I sneer to myself as he looks down at me threateningly. I try pulling my wrist from his grasp, and this time he lets go, but I don’t move. He's blocking me from leaving. I don't know where to put my hand now that it's free. I refuse to put it at my side, because it feels too timid, and I don't want to put it on his chest, because then he wins too. We stare at each other in silence, and I find myself fighting a smile.

Astarion stares at my face watching me and takes a step back from me and lets out a long sigh. “You want me to grab your wrist again, don’t you?” He steps closer again and I can’t help but tilt my head staring at his lips. Like this? He grabs both my wrists and holds them above my head. And I lick my lips, getting turned on. “You…” He shakes his head at me incredulously and sighs loudly again, kissing me hard with my head against the wall. He presses his hips against me, and he releases my wrists. I wrap them around his neck and his hands pull my waist into him. He pulls his lips away and says, “You are incredible and an incredible pain in my ass and defiant as hell, and I question my sanity whenever you manipulate me with your lovely body and those lips. You’d be long dead by now if you were anyone else, I hope you know.”

I grab his shirt and kiss his chin and then he pushes me roughly against the wall again, and I smile wickedly. I grasp at him pulling him towards me and I push my tongue into his mouth. He moves to kiss my neck and i arch my back and stretch out my neck for him. He stops, staring at me searching my eyes, and I can't help but notice a flicker of deep sadness that flashes in his, and leaves as quickly as it came. He says softly almost at a whisper to himself, “You’re going to end up being the death of me one day, won’t you?”

I frown, and then lighten the mood and say seductively, “You can be the little death of me right now…” I smile and laugh trying to snap him out of it. It works, and Astarion laughs and pulls me in burying his face in my neck. I wrap my arms around his and close my eyes as he hugs me. I lump rises in my throat, and I feel sad all of a sudden. “I missed you so much.” I whisper as I touch his hair running my fingers through his curls and he holds me tighter. I pull away to look at him with my arms his neck. He notices my twinge of sadness, and I hide it quickly and ask, “Can I pleaaaase have her as an apprentice. I had a lot of fun today. It makes me… happy. We’re going to make it so Trevin is so sorry for what he did to her.” I narrow my eyes thinking about our plans.

“Oh, I get it now, so this is your ‘let’s get revenge on the guy’ plan?”

“Maybe…” I tilt my head and smile, pursing my lips.

He considers me for a moment and narrows his eyes. I smile more sweetly, and comically bat my eyelashes at him. He rolls his eyes and me and finally concedes. “Alright fine, you know that I can’t resist a good revenge plot. But you must continue reminding her she’s still MY spawn.”

“Of course, my love. I wouldn’t want them to think otherwise.”

He pauses, staring at me. “Right.” He obviously doesn’t believe me. But he kisses my nose and then lets me go. “You’re trouble.” He says as he turns and walks away from me, heading down the hall to the bedroom.

“You knew what you were getting into!” I call after him, turning to head in the opposite direction back to my study.

But I hear him call back to me. “You’re coming with me. Pun intended.”

I stop and huff, but turn to chase after him. My feet lightly thumping on the dark red wool rug down the hallway lined with golden candle sconces. I get to the open bedroom doors, but I don’t see him. I stand in the threshold scanning the room, but then I realize a moment too late. “No! Don’t you–“ Before I can turn he grabs my waist and I’m sucked into his black mist, as I let out a half laugh/half shriek. We appear a second later but I’m now laying on my back across the bed with him straddling me laughing hysterically. I playfully whack his stomach. “You know how much I hate that! You asshole.”

He laughs, “I know you hate it, but I think it’s hilarious.”

“You’re horrible.” I whack him again.

“I know. And you are too, my bloodthirsty treasure.” He leans down and kisses me and he relaxes on top of me, and then moves to bite my neck. I wince and he drinks from me and I play with his soft curls. When he’s done he brushes my hair away from my face with a thoughtful expression.

I stare at him and question, “I’m the bloodthirsty one?”

“Mmmm…” He starts drinking from me again ignoring me, and then I remember that I wanted to ask him a question.

“Hey, so I want to go see Gale.” He lets go of my neck immediately and stares at me incredulously. I light up as I adlib and add to my plan, “Maybe I can bring Laura!”

He lets out a breath and gets up to sit himself off the edge of the bed and I see it as an obvious pout. “You’ve only been with this girl a few hours, and I’m already getting jealous. And then, you have the audacity to bring up Gale? In my bed? Please, Tav. Can’t you just be thankful that I’m allowing you to have that spawn as an apprentice? You’re really testing my patience this evening.” He snaps. This time it’s my turn to pout, I slide off the other side of the bed to leave to go back to my study. He continues talking. “Tav, wait. I just got back from being away for a month. I’m… tired." I stop and look at him sitting on the edge of the bed, slouching. He looks small in my eyes, and he does look tired. Maybe I am being too difficult for him. I suddenly feel pity for him. He continues, "I just want to fuck you, drink you, be wrapped up in you, and not hear the name – Gale, in our bed, while I’m thinking of you naked.”

Hmm. Maybe that was a bad time to bring that up.

I walk up to him and stand between his legs and I brush his hair back as he looks up at me. “Okay I’m sorry.” He smiles, getting his way once again. “But we’re talking about this again soon.”

“Bossy today... Not tonight. I have a month of catching up with you to do, my pet.” He purrs.

I consider this. “Fine. Invenium Via.” I cast misty step, and move myself to the doorway shrugging playfully. “Guess I’ll just go back to my study, if we're not talking tonight.”

“Nope. that is not happening.” He whispers as he mists himself and I scream laugh as I misty step again, this time down the stairs to the middle of some spawn mingling in the lower hall. One of them squeaks a gasp as I surprise them. Laura is there wide eyed watching me, with concern but I grin a playful smile back at her.

“Don't worry, I’m fine you’ll get used to us being–“ I’m cut off as I’m enveloped in Astarion’s black mist.

He wraps his arms around me tightly, “You’re mine, remember? No work tonight, no Gale talk.” And then we’re back in our bedroom. “You are staying right here, with me inside you forever.” I’m laughing and I kiss him with want, and he picks me up and slams me against the wall. I wrap my legs around him as he pushes his tongue into my mouth. I’m looking forward to tonight. But I’m still distracted: I’m excited about my new spell and I really want to tell Gale about it, and show off Laura to him.

“I know you’re thinking about something. I’ll work hard to distract you.” He kisses my throat and along my neck and we move to the bathroom. “I had the handmaid draw a bath and bring some bottles of wine for us.”

He sets me down and the bathroom is lit with candles and fresh black and red roses sit in vases around the room. I flush and hug his waist; he can be so cruel sometimes and so kind other times. Vampires are so moody. I sigh to myself. But I guess he did miss me. “This is so nice, thank you.” I begin to remove my robe.

“I have another surprise for you but it’s most definitely not appropriate for tonight. You’ll have to wait until tomorrow.” He says as he pulls his shirt over his head and tosses it over his shoulder. He stands in front of the bathroom mirror looking at his face at different angles.

I watch him curiously and wonder what this surprise could be. “What is it?” I ask bluntly.

He continues looking at himself in the mirror and looks closer at his eyes, and then grabs the hairbrush to his right and brushes his curls delicately. “No. You must wait. Don't ask me again. But you’ll love me even more than you do already, little love.”

I shrug to myself and lower myself into the bath. It feels heavenly, I’m still sore from hitting the bookshelves this morning. My back is bruised, but they are already fading. The cut on my arm is sealed and starting to turn a light pink, but my muscles still feel like I ran a marathon.

“Fine, I’ll wait so patiently. With bated breath.” He ignores me and pours two glasses of wine for us. He sits shirtless on the edge of the bath and hands me a glass. “Are you joining me?” Something is bothering him, but I know it’s best to not push him.

“Yes. I just… I missed you. And I felt… weak while away.” He sneers. “I hated it. I was... worried about you." He looks off at the wall with unfocused eyes. "So I decided, next time I have to go away, you’re coming with me.”

I take a giant gulp of wine. Now THIS is a conversation for another time. “Ya, because me trailing you around is going to be so much better for those trips. You’re going to love that, I’m sure.”

“It’s better than feeling weak!” He snaps at me and gets off the ledge. “You are my weakness!” He says turned away from me looking sideways in the mirror, I stare at the scars on his back marring his pale skin. “This is why the other vampire lords before me didn’t have consorts.” He mumbles to himself.

My heart thrums. What is he saying? I stay silent.

“You’re coming with me next time. That’s final. You’re mine, and you’ll do as I say. You’re not going by yourself to see Gale, either. So don't ask. Let alone would I let you take one of my spawn with you.” He storms out of the room.

Well I guess that’s that. I take another gulp of wine and sink further into the bath. I don’t hear the door open. So I know he’s still in the bedroom. Perhaps he’s gone to the balcony. It’s technically the morning. Or bedtime for the spawn and myself. I finish my bath and change into my black silk robe and walk into the main room of our bedroom. He’s standing outside on the balcony with his hands looking on the stone railing looking out over the city, the morning sun illuminates his hair so it glows ethereally.

“Astarion?” I call softly to him. “Are you coming to bed?”

He turns and reaches out his hand for me to join him. I walk towards the open the doors but as I pass into the sunlit beam, my skin starts to itch and then burn. I gasp and take a step back from the sunlight, back into the shadows.

Astarion’s face goes even paler, and he rushes inside closing the doors with force, and one of the large windowed doors cracks loudly from the bottom to the top in a spiderweb. He flings the dark black curtains closed. I guess he forgot I warded all the windows because he runs up to me covering us in a dark impenetrable black mist.

“I’m...I'm sorry - I forgot you haven’t – you haven’t had enough of my blood.” He looks at my singed hand repeatedly turning it over and back again. He pulls me into him and the black mist blots out all light. I can only feel him. My vampire eyesight in his superior dark power is useless. He holds me against him tightly and I feel him losing himself in some sort of mental spiral.

I tap his back in assurance. “Hey, I’m fine. Are you okay? You’re acting so weird tonight.”

“What if I lose you?” He rushes out.

Is this why he’s acting so weird? “What are you on about? I’m right here, and also, I thought you promised me a month of catch up sex? You’re being extra moody... even for you.”

The darkness becomes almost suffocating around us. “What if I lose you? What if something happens to you?”

“Listen,” I feel around find his face, “I’m fine, you’re fine. I’ll go with you wherever you want, whenever you want, alright? I’ll be more careful with some of those spells.” Well, I’ll do my best to. “I’m not leaving you, nor do I want to. You can give me some of your blood tonight and the sun won’t bother me tomorrow. It’ll make me come like 50 times too.” I smile and roll my eyes hoping he can see me. “Maybe one day I won’t have to worry about the sun, I’ll work on that daylight ward, okay? One less thing for you to have to worry about.” The mist fades, but he’s still holding onto me.

“You always know what to say, my love.” His mood is lighter.

He gives me whiplash with his mood swings. I know he’s worried that if I died, it would make him weaker or vulnerable. But maybe it’s also some form of twisted love. I don’t fault him for it. If I was him, I would feel the same.

“You’re going to love your surprise. Not too much though… You know what I mean.”

I roll my eyes at him. “We better get to bed then so I can see this surprise.”

“Yes, my love, and I look forward to hearing these 50 orgasms.”

I shake my head, raising my eyebrows and smile, somewhat nervously.  He leans in to kiss me softly as his hands search my body, and I’m ready to make him forget these worries... and mine now. 

*****

Chapter Text

It’s been a week since Astarion returned from his trip. And in the last few days, he has been in nothing but a vile mood once he realized that my ‘gift’ would be delayed.

In the meantime, I have managed to clean up my study and continue teaching Laura minor spells, which she has begun to catch on to quickly. The study looks better than it ever has, and I placed all of Gale’s correspondence with me in my desk drawer, along with the tome he gave me on curing vampirism. Best to keep that in my desk and not on the shelves now that I have allowed a select few spawns in the study.

The week presses on and this familiar numb begins to settle in my chest. It’s an unease of routine, and my body aches to do something more. I miss adventuring and the drone of life at the palace lately is raking on my mind.

~~~~~

My knees hit the cold stone ground with a thud shooting pain up my thighs as I collapse. My hands touch the rough stone floor, and the blood beneath me seeps between the cracks disappearing. I reach out in front of me, as blood drips off my palm, calling for Astarion. An pain in my stomach churns as I smell the fresh blood around me and my mouth salivates for it. Only too late do I realize it is mine. Astarion cannot help me as my body buckles backwards by an invisible force, and my back begins to spasm in an unnatural angle as I lift off the ground. My vision grows red, and then darker at the edges as it slowly spreads to cover my entire vision. The last thing I can make out is the enormous stone skull of my father, his menacing red glowing eyes piercing my soul as all fades to black. Utter blackness. I scream Astarion’s name but only silence comes out of my mouth. There’s nothingness and no one around and I am alone.

I wander in the dark screaming his name with no response.

“Please…” I whisper as the hopelessness sinks in. I’m cursed to walk in this darkness forever.

The black is endless, and I choke on the emptiness in my chest. I cry out for anyone but there’s still no response. I break into a run and then push myself to run even faster. I’m looking for anything or anyone, my body is sore, or is it?

Is this real?

It should ache at the speed in which I’m moving. But I realize I can’t feel anything. My body is numb to everything except the suffocating dark.

“Tav?”

I stop and snap my head around this way and that, searching for the voice. Willing my vampiric eyes to see something, but even they are useless in this abyss.

“Hello?!” I scream as loud as I can, but my voice is swallowed by the empty space. The sound begins to echo all around me and I am blind in the nothingness that consumes me. I curl into myself and begin to shake and cry. This is eternity.

Then, hands grip my shoulders and shake me violently.

“Tav!? Wake up!”

My eyes flutter and I awaken from the nightmare with a gasp – no, not a nightmare, but a memory. I orient myself with the room, the vampire lord leaning over me on our bed, hands gripping my shoulders with a firm grasp as though if he were to let go, I would disappear back into the black. A look of concern spreads across his features. His eyes flicker with frustration over something out of his control. The opulent room is dim, some sunlight spreads out across the far end of the room by the balcony doors. Not quite sunset yet.

“I’m fine. I’m okay.” I say as he releases me, and I sit up rubbing my eyes and pressing my face into my palms trying to erase the memory.

He lays down on his side and opens his arm to beckon me closer.

“But you’re not fine. Don’t lie. It was one of your Bhaal dreams again, wasn’t it? You were screaming my name to help you…” He speaks quietly but I can hear the irritation in his voice at my dismissal, and then trails off as if remembering the nightmare himself. He did live it if even for a few moments.

I lay back down to cuddle against his bare chest as he wraps his arms around me holding me firmly to him. I press my forehead to his chest and breathe a deep sigh out of my nose as I close my eyes.

“Yes. It was of when I died in the temple again…” I concede. I feel numb and I push myself closer to him. He reaches his hand up the back of my camisole and strokes my clammy skin slowly and reassuringly.

I can feel him press his lips to the top of my head and sigh. A frustrated, angry sound. Like he’s mad at the memory, or me for bringing it up.

“If any god, mortal or immortal ever tried to claim you, I would unleash all my power and armies against them. I would not stop until they were dead and dust. If it cost everything and everyone in this world to stop them from taking you - I would do it.” He says darkly. “You have nothing to fear, I will always protect you. You are mine, and mine alone, and I am never letting you go.” Astarion grips his fingers into the skin of my back and releases it continuing gentle strokes along my spine.

I tilt my head back to look up at him but I’m too close to his chest. He loosens his grip a bit and looks down at me. His brow is furrowed and there’s determination in his expression. I know that he means every word of what he just said. It’s both menacing and yet comforting to me, knowing that he will protect me at all costs.

I kiss his chin, as he reaches his hand up to my neck, stroking my lips with his thumb staring intently into my eyes.

“I mean it.” He reiterates.

I lick my bottom lip; it tastes salty from my sweat. “I know.” I tell him.

Astarion kisses me roughly, and I part my lips for his tongue. There’s a ferventness to his kiss, as though he almost lost me to my nightmare. His fingers grip around the back of my neck, wrapping his fingers in my hair. My hand reaches down under his waistband and he rolls on top of me pushing up my thigh as he frames himself above me, leaning on his forearms. He lets out a low growl as I find his hardness with my hands, and I smile into his kiss. He playfully bites my bottom lip but then abruptly stops.

“Darling –“ I kiss him again interrupting him, wanting to forget the nightmare. I want a distraction. He tries to continue speaking as I push down his waistband. “We should get up; I have to show you something.”

“I’d much rather see this though…” I emphasize my thoughts by looking low on his body.

He leans into me and reaches down to pull off my underwear and I help him remove it.

Astarion pushes into me with ease as I wrap my arms around his shoulders letting out a sigh of relief as I feel him inside me.

I pull him down towards my face to kiss me and I push my thighs further back for him. I lose myself in his body and forget the horrors of my mind that lurk constantly just below the surface. But for now, they are kept at bay once again.

~~~~~

My sleep was restless and fitful from the nightmare, so I opted for a dark purple dress for the day. I was in no mood to teach magic, no mood to deal with errant spawn drama, and I decided I just wanted to sit on the balcony for the remainder of the day and read. Astarion gifted me the dress from his trip, which is made of an airy and light sheer fabric. It is almost completely see-through besides a bit of modesty around the skirt and my breasts, but not much is left to the imagination. The top is v-cut and the back mimics the front. Gold embroidery floats around the hem and edges, and delicate gold hardware criss-crosses against the skin of my chest. I opt for a somewhat matching gold circlet and get my handmaid my braid my hair in a long single braid.

I stand in front of the gold ornate boarded floor length mirror next to the wardrobe in my bedroom.

“We need redo this. Now.” I say as I stare in the mirror going even more pale.

My handmaid, Faran, looks confused at her work. “But m’lady, you look beautiful, I – “

“No! Now! Undo it. Double braids and two buns on top.” I shout, but it’s fear in my voice.

She just nods and immediately starts undoing my braid. I stay quiet as I sit back in my chair by the balcony doors. Faran is careful not to go near the sunlight as it streams in, I woke her up early and the tiredness is seen around the edges of her eyes and strained her in smile.

I didn’t want to get into an explanation about how my hair reminded me of Orin, my sister, and after that nightmare – memory – whatever… I didn’t want to talk about it. But I don’t have a lot of friends, so I opt to explain a bit.

“It was beautiful, Faran. But it just reminds me of a past life I don’t wish to remember today.”

I stare out towards the city. I don’t like showing weakness to the spawn, but I’m tired and have grown to like my handmaiden as a friend even.

I feel her stop for a second considering my words. “Thank you for sharing my lady, we’ll do a better style.”

“Thanks.” I reply flatly and stare at out at the fading sky.

Chapter Text

The sun is just setting and the large chaise chair I’m sitting on on our balcony is warm with the sun. The book I’m reading has captured my attention away from my bad rest, and it is the much-needed distraction I wanted. A day off finally. With Astarion back from his trip, I don’t need to take on as much responsibility as I had before.

Let him deal with his spawn.

I lock the bedroom doors when Faran leaves. I don’t even bother going down for breakfast. Astarion has a key to the room of course, not that he would need one… But I strictly do not want to be disturbed and I tell our guards to not bother me unless absolutely needed.

The city sounds are a mere hum this high up, but it is a comforting background noise. I stretch out my bare feet and reposition myself on the dark blue padded lounge, folding a golden pillow under my arm. It’s large enough to fit two people – Astarion and I of course, but it is my favourite reading spot on my own.

I take a sip out of my goblet, Astarion gave me a bit of his blood and the strength in it fills my belly with warmth.

A short time later, I hear a click of the bedroom door lock and my anger begins to swell.

This better be worth disturbing me…

I sigh in frustration, and I don’t bother moving as I continue in my book. I hate when anyone, including Astarion, interrupts my reading. And for once this isn’t a magic tome, this is just another ‘silly romance book’ as Astarion has calls them. I got very mad at him for saying that once and since then he hasn’t questioned my book choices.

I smell Astarion enter the bedroom, which is cleaned and pristine since our morning sex. I can also smell that he is with someone. The scent is familiar and yet I can’t place it…

My jealously strikes and goes to dark places in my mind.

Does he know I’m here? Is he bringing another woman in here? Is he turning another spawn in OUR bedroom?

I throw my book to the side and it skids across the stone, I shoot up from the chaise, almost tripping on the thin fabric of my dress. I stride to stand in the middle of the tall balcony glass doors to our bedroom, ready to confront whoever is in my room and potentially add their corpse to my displays. But I stop short when I see him.

“Well, aren’t you a sight for sore eyes, and possibly even more beautiful than the last time I saw you, if that is even possible.” Gale stands beside Astarion crossing his arms. A smug expression on both of their faces. Gale is wearing a rich purple embroidered and embellished robe, complete with jewels and ornate designs. His full arch wizard garb, and I suddenly feel too casual and exposed in my sheer lounging dress.

The overwhelming feeling of happiness and a tinge of sadness at seeing him suddenly is too much, and I can feel tears well up in the corner of my eyes. The idea that Astarion brought him here for me, planned this before I even asked about it, and Gale being here to stay… at least I hope for a bit… is too much.

I let the tears fall and I stride quickly over to Gale with open arms, and he hugs me tightly.

“You’re here! You came.” I speak into his robe and pull away to look at him.

“Oh gods, are these tears for me? I – I didn’t…” Gale looks horrified and looks over to Astarion.

I quickly step back and wipe my face, “No, I mean, yes sort of. I am just so happy to see you. It’s been so long.” I turn to Astarion, who looks flustered at my reaction, “Thank you, Astarion. Are -are you staying with us, Gale?”

Astarion’s brow furrows ignoring my question towards Gale, “Are you alright, love?”

“It’s that nightmare… it just got to me more than usual.” I admit. “I’m okay.”

Gale’s face softens, “Is it the Bhaal temple one? You mentioned that in a letter over a year ago. You’re still having those dreams?” His face falls. “I am sorry.” Gale was always one to wear his feelings and I appreciate it right now.

I force a smile. “Astarion, did you tell the other spawn not to –“

He cuts me off, “No one is going to touch Gale, not that they could anyhow. If Gale is any sort of competent wizard, I think he could probably deal with some troublesome vampires if he needed to. Not that any of my spawn are troublesome. They know to obey me. And they have been commanded, Tav. No one is going to give our wizard friend any nighttime bites.” Astarion smugly smiles at the thought of his power. “I will show Gale to his room down the hallway, and then you can show your study to him, as I know you’re probably excited to.”

“I would LOVE to see your study!” Gale’s face lights up at the thought of us going through all my collected tomes and the magical artefacts Astarion has collected for me.

I smile at him brightly, and nod as they leave the room discussing Gale’s journey.

---~~

After Gale has had time to settle into his guest room down the hall, I meet him at my study. He’s full of light and life and being around him instantly lifts my mood.

As we walk into the study Gale’s smile widens and he stretches out his arms to take it all in as though he could hug the space. His mouth agape, he scans around the room at the tall bookshelves, and freshly painted walls. Everything is clean and organized, and I know in my heart, it never normally looks like this.

“This is incredible!” Gale gasps as he walks over to the shelves looking at the various tomes’ spines and runs a finger over a particular book of interest.

I cross my arms and smirk, “You should’ve seen it a bit over a week ago… it looked… different.” I walk over to the desk at the back of the wide study. “Gale, I keep all our letters. I wanted to thank you for the vampirism tome but I…” I stop short as I open the drawer. It’s not there. The tome explaining how to cure vampirism is missing. I swallow hard and hold my breath. Gale is distracted by a netherese tome at the far bookshelf.

“Gale I just remembered I have to tell Astarion something, my apologies, are you alright to stay here for a moment?” I begin walking to the doors.

“Hmm? Ah yes, no problem.” Gale almost all but ignores me enraptured in the book as he walks to the nearest lounging couch settling in.

I turn to Shovel who is laying on a pile of blankets and pillows playing with some bleached bones. “Watch Gale.”

Shovel nods and goes back to playing with her bones.

Spoiled thing. I think to myself.

I walk towards the door calling over to Gale, “If my apprentice shows up, don’t be weird with her - she’s really pretty.” I wink at him as I exit the room and see a slight blush form on his cheeks.

“Your – “ I don’t hear him finish his question as I rush down the hallway and then down the large stairway, running across the landings as I descend.

I approach the tall doorways to Astarion’s office, guarded by two heavily armoured spawn of his personal honour guard. I go to reach the handle but they stop me.

“I’m sorry Consort, he is not to be disturbed.” One of the guards says.

“Go ask Astarion if that means me.” I leer at him, and he stands aside immediately. I open the door to see Astarion in a meeting standing over a map on his desk with his assassins and more of his guards surrounding him. They all turn towards me, and for a second time, I regret my attire of the day as I notice their eyes go towards my chest and hips.

“If any of you continue staring at her I will remove your eyes. Leave us.” Astarion hisses and they scatter with vampire speed closing the doors behind them. Astarion sits down in his chair with a huff reaching a hand out for me to come closer.

I approach his desk with caution. “Astarion, the vampirism tome Gale gave me – I had it in my desk in my study, it’s missing. I don’t know… I swore I put there for safe keeping. I warded the study…” Then the pieces fit together in my head. I was in such a rush to tell him I didn’t think it through… only Astarion and I can enter the study when I am not teaching or allow others in.

He must’ve took it.

Astarion assesses my face and then reaches into his own desk drawer and pulls out the small tattered dark blue tome holding it in his right hand. “It’s not missing.” He lets it fall to the desk with a light thud. “I took it.”

I stare at the tome, not sure where he is going with this. “Okay, well I am glad one of the spawn didn’t take it, I was –“

He cuts me off and says, “Why didn’t you mention Gale sent this to you? Why did you keep this from me?”

“I didn’t think… It’s not really of relevance since I had no intention to use it, but it’s useful to have in our collection…” I make note to say our so he doesn’t think I intended to hide this from him.

Astarion stands up and begins to walk around his large desk, “You didn’t think a tome that cures vampirism was relevant to me? Me, who controls a coven of vampires?”

My face heats. “I didn’t keep it from you! Keep it here, I don’t care. The spell can only be used once, and then the tome is destroyed. If you actually read it, you’d know that. So, you don’t have to worry about all your spawn curing themselves.” I turn to leave, and he is instantly in front of me. He grabs my left thigh and slams me down on his desk, but his arm protects my head and breaks the abruptness of the movement. Laying on my back I stare up at the ceiling, the gold and black filigree swirling and shimmering in the moonlight. His eyes meet mine and I can see he searches them for the lie.

He leans forward over me, and I place my hands on his upper arms, he’s pinned me so he’s between my legs as they dangle over the side of his desk. Some fond memories in this position on this desk flash in my mind.

He stares at me for another moment in silence, and says at a whisper, “Are you planning on leaving me, Tav?”

I scoff and say, “You can’t be serious…” And I stifle a laugh which quickly fades as I realize, he is in fact serious. Jealous, possibly. Worried? Most definitely. With all his power, he still has this fear. I’m suddenly unsure about how to handle this situation. “I’m not leaving you. I told you, keep the tome.”

Theres a bite to his words and he pulls back a bit from me, as though I should know better. “I don’t care about the tome; I care if you were planning on leaving me.”

There it is.

“No, I… I wasn’t.” I had in fact, kept the tome as a backup plan in case things ever got bad. In case I needed to run. But I had no intention of doing that anytime soon if ever. “Why would I want to leave you?” I counter.

He pauses for a moment, “I – I don’t know. It’s a silly notion, I’m sure. Why would anyone want to leave all of this?” He looks around the room.

I pull his face to mine kissing him gently on his lips, “No, why would anyone want to leave this.”

I can feel his shoulders relax finally, and he roughly kisses my lips, and they taste of sweet wine and rosemary. His hand caresses my thigh as he hikes up my dress, letting out a low growl when he finds I’m not wearing underwear.

“I am quite glad I sent the guard out of the room with such speed.” He lowers himself on his knees and presses his mouth to my peak making me gasp at the sudden sensation. His tongue playing and swirling around my most sensitive areas.

“Astar-“ I moan arching my back along his desk and I reach to the side to grasp something but I instead knock off some books and a bottle of ink that crashes onto the floor loudly.

Astarion swirls his tongue around my folds, and I gasp as I grip my fingers around his curls pulling him into me.

A loud knock is heard at the doors to his office. “My Lord! Is everything alright?”

He sucks deeply around my bundle of nerves, and I push my hips into him further, he grasps my hips holding me to him.

“Go away!” He yells at the door before immediately going back to work between my legs.

“We heard a loud sound, do you need assistance?” The guard sounds genuinely nervous and concerned.

“If you wish to live to tomorrow, you will get the fuck away from the door right now!” Astarion growls at the direction of doors. I laugh covering my mouth with my arm as he goes back to burying his head in me.

“Ahhh Astarion…” I sigh out rolling my head back pushing my hips into him in a constant back and forth motion.

“Um yes my Lord, my apologies my Lord.” We both hear the guards step away from the door.

Astarion pushes his soft fingers into my wetness, and I gasp at the sensation. He plunges them further as he works his tongue around my clit.

I sit up to watch him and he looks up at me through long eyelashes between my legs. I tilt my head back and get lost to the sensation. The tension builds and the pace of his fingers and tongue sends me over the edge.

“Astarion… Astar-ah!” I cry out as the rolls of pleasure wrack through me and he holds me to his face to extend my climax.

He pulls his fingers out of me as the aftershocks of my orgasm cease, sucking on his fingers slowly. His dark pants do nothing to hide his arousal, and I pull him into a kiss as I fumble to release him from his pants.

Our kissing is aggressive and claiming as we both work to release his length and guide him into me in one motion. He growls in pleasure into our kiss, and I wrap my legs around his hips, my arms tangled around his neck and my hands in his hair. My hips at the edge of the desk as he thrusts into me, rattling the remaining items onto the wood surface of the floor. Books and an ornate hourglass fall with a crash, the hourglass spilling black sand everywhere. I hear a ripping sound beneath me and realize the force of his thrusts and the sweat on my thighs is ripping the map he was staring at when I entered. His fangs nip at my lips and move to my neck, as his pace quickens.

“Please bite me.” I say breathlessly and he sinks his teeth into my neck and I tighten around his cock as the pressure builds again in my lower stomach.

“Fuck, Tav.” He says under his breath and thrusts harder, his hands pulling down my dress exposing my peaked breasts. His mouth trails down to my nipple sucking deeply and I moan loudly in pleasure.

His mouth finds mine again and I can taste my blood on his lips. His hand grabs my chin, and his other hand pulls my hip into him as we both near our climax.

I bite his lip playfully and he pulls away for a second looking at my flushed face.

“Don’t ever leave me.” He whispers bringing my lips to his again as I’m sent over the edge again taken by the waves of pleasure, as he spills into me.

We still for a moment and I kiss him again. “I won’t. I promise.”

A flicker of relief passes over his face, but it quickly vanishes as he pulls himself out of me. I look around at the office and he offers his hand to me as I get down off the desk. The map is destroyed, glass and books and ink spilled around the office.

I pull up my dress and smooth the fabric. I bring my hand to my neck and see blood on my hands. Astarion notices and walks back over to me as he does his pants back up. In one motion he licks the side of my neck greedily, cleaning around the puncture marks. The dress does not hide any bites, but they should be gone before the end of the day.

Oh shit, Gale is still waiting for me. I realize.

“Ahhh haha… I wonder what Gale is going to say.” I raise my eyebrows as I continue to smooth my dress.

Astarion smugly smiles at me, “Darling, he’s most definitely seen you with my bites many times over.” I flush and realize how true that is.

He turns me around undoing the end of one of my braids, then adeptly re-braiding it so it doesn’t look like I was just fucking on a desk.

“Thanks, okay.” I turn around to kiss him. “That was fun, let’s do it again later.”

He grabs my wrist as I turn to leave and swings me back around to him grabbing my rear with both hands. “I could go again shortly…” He purrs as he rubs his nose along my neck. I press my palms to his chest pushing him away.

“Later, we have company.”

He relinquishes me reluctantly and moves back to the other side of his desk sitting down in the oversized black leather and ebony chair.

“Fine. Send everyone back in as you leave.”

“Yes, my love.” I bow my head slightly to him and leave the study.

The spawn and guards do not make eye contact with me, and I can see them blushing and shift nervously waiting for me to speak.

They obviously heard me. Next time I have to remember to use a silence spell around us…

“Your Lord Astarion wants to see you all, do not keep him waiting.” I say curtly as I turn to the make my way back up the stairs.

~~~~~

My ghouls are standing soullessly outside the doors and Shovel is chewing on something as she talks to herself.

“What in the hells are you eating? And didn’t I tell you to watch over Gale?” I stand staring down at her as she sits across from the study doors. Chewing on what appears to be a fresh liver.

“Laura gave us livers! Shovel perhaps found a new master?” Shovel excitedly states.

I narrow my eyes. “No, Shovel has not found a new master, and if you say that again it will be your liver that I feed to you next.” I turn and open the study doors.

Laura and Gale are standing in the middle of the study with their backs to me, Gale is showing her a spell and Laura tries to mimic it and fails. She laughs and I realized that I don’t think I’ve ever heard her laugh. Gale’s eyes are alight, and he presses her to try again. She clumsily tries again but does much better to her credit, than a moment before.

“Ahem.” I make my presence known. Laura turns and she’s wearing the old robes I gave her, dyed purple with spiderweb designs across the chest that make her look all the more a wizard than ever. Her hair is in a messy bun with some soft waved pieces falling down her cheeks, Gale looks at her as though she is one of the rare artefacts from the hells.

“Oh Tav! Professor Dekarios was just showing me some magic. He is such a wonderful teacher. He showed me how to channel the weave too!” She walks over to me gesturing to Gale. And Gale beams from behind her.

I cross my arms narrowing my eyes at Gale who blushes, “Yeah he likes to do that…” I roll my eyes at him.

Gale ignores me. “Well, it’s an honour to teach such a talented new wizard. And please, call me Gale.” Laura looks like she could die (again I guess) happy right there.

This better not become a thing, Astarion would disapprove, I’m sure.

I scrunch my nose up. “Yes yes, archwizard and Professor Gale is a great teacher we all know. Don’t feed his ego.” Shovel enters the room with the liver in her mouth and stands beside me. “And don’t feed Shovel, Laura. It makes her unruly. You would know that if you studied your necromancy tomes.” I give her a pointed look and she flushes.

“Perhaps she wishes to learn another school of magic? Evocation, perhaps? You know, you would love Blackstaff Academy. You could take some classes there, Laura!”

What in the nine hells is Gale doing? Astarion would never allow this.

I decided to interject. “You do know she is a vampire spawn?” Gale looks over to me confused. “Astarion’s vampire spawn, Gale...”

“Yes, and if memory serves me correctly, you are also one.” Gale crosses his arms at me.

I’m instantly irritated and insulted. I’m trying to protect her and Gale. “I’m his Consort. And between her and I, only I can walk in the sun. I don’t know how many night classes are…”

Gale interrupts me, “OH! We have had werewolves even, a couple vampires in the past, and yes, we do host some night classes. Perhaps you could stay with me, and we could…”

I scent him before I hear his steps, and seconds later Astarion stands in the doorway with two black leather clad guards on either side of him. There are throwing daggers in lines down their chests and two sheathed short swords and more daggers on their backs and sides. One of them is the one who tried to stop me from entering his office.

“Gale, my friend, I trust you’re enjoying yourself so far and the guest room is to your standards?” Astarion asks sweetly.

Gale smiles, “Yes thank you, everything is perfect.”

Astarion smiles genuinely at this.

“Lord Astarion, would I be allowed to give Profess- er – Gale a tour of the palace and the grounds?” Laura asks eagerly.

My eyes flicker to Astarion who looks curiously as he takes in the scene. He pauses as though thinking carefully at her question. “Yes, you are permitted to do so, these two guards will go with you.” He motions to them, and they move forward to stand beside Gale.

Astarion walks towards me wrapping his arms around my waist pulling my back to his chest, resting his chin on my shoulder.

“And Laura…” She looks over towards Astarion who rakes his teeth along my neck, right where my fresh bite is. The sensation makes my lower stomach tighten. “Try not to bite him unless he asks really, really nicely.” He smiles wickedly, and Gale blushes a deep shade of crimson red as he now notices my bites and Astarion’s possessive hold on me. Astarion laughs and then releases his hug around me slightly, “But in one hour – Gale, please join us for dinner at my new restaurant in Upper City overlooking the bay. I know it will be a late dinner for you, I’m sorry about that. Tav, I trust you’ll be switching your sleep schedule to daylight hours while Gale stays with us, so you should get to bed shortly after.”

Gale smiles, “Delightful!” His flush leaving his face at the change of subject. “Laura, my dear, are you joining us for dinner?”

My eyes widen and I cannot hide my surprise, but I manage to conceal my smile as I look up and back to Astarion. I can’t read his face, but I see his tense look of surprise at the question. Laura looks from Gale to Astarion. If this was anyone else but Gale, he would show how livid he is.

“She… May join us if she likes.” He stifles out.

Laura immediately looks to me her eyes slightly wider and I know she’s looking to me for approval. My neck heats up as I can feel Astarion’s grip tighten in a jealously that his spawn is asking for my approval. I give the slightest nod to her, and she beams almost jumping in delight.

She rushes to Gale and grabs his hand for him to follow, “You have to see the new lower level it’s really nice!” She walks past us dragging him behind her. The guards follow a few steps behind.

“Don’t be late.” Astarion warns Laura, as they pass.

“You know the curtains were much uglier back before Astarion took over…” Gale’s voice grows fainter as they move further away leaving Astarion and me in the study. We stand in silence for a moment and Astarion turns me to face him.

“So now that they are gone, did you want to see what we can do in an hour?”

“Absolutely.” I wrap my arm around the crook of his as we walk out of the study.

As I walk into the bedroom, I immediately notice the vampirism tome sitting on my nightstand.

I freeze staring at it.

Astarion notices me staring and says, “We should keep that book here. It’s safer here than in your study. If it truly is a one-time use thing, then we should be the ones who own it.” He states as he looks through his jackets, now shirtless, standing in front of the wardrobe.

I turn to him and see the deep scars carved onto his back and can’t help but think that if we had only had this tome sooner, his spawn self would’ve been ecstatic, he wouldn’t have ascended and our lives would look very different.

“You’re right, my love.” I push the thought out of my head, remove my dress laying it on the bed, and walk up to the opposite wardrobe where I keep my dresses and robes. Standing in front of the open wardrobe naked I put my hands on my hips and decide I need more dresses.

I pull out a light summery sheer black one with silver embroidery, stars are stitched here and there in the underlayer of the skirt resembling a clear night sky. Strong arms wrap around my waist, and I am undistracted as he kisses my neck.

“I like that one, but I prefer you like this...” Astarion mumbles as he breathes in my neck and gently runs his fangs along it.

I lift the dress out of the closet. I arch my neck away from him, but he pulls me in closer and pretends to bite my neck tickling me instead.

“AH!” Astarion lifts me up and cradles me in his arms while I still hold the dress in my arms, assessing it. “I thought we were getting ready?”

“Well, we have an hour. And I can do a lot in an hour…” He says as he carries me to the chaise on the balcony.

Chapter Text

We sit with the back doors of the restaurant open which overlook the pier. The stars twinkle and the glow of the firelight on the tables is cozy and romantic. The restaurant is delightfully busy, and I’m pleasantly surprised that Astarion chose to keep it open for the public. Besides a few stares from some patrons recognizing three of the ‘Saviours of Baldur’s Gate’ sitting at the same table, we are otherwise not disturbed. Astarion has four of his guards that I can see, two beside our table on either side. Two near the middle of the room and I’m sure there are two stationed outside each entrance. He takes no chances with safety in the city, even upper city. Especially when he has me with him. Although he has seemingly been more on edge as of late. I’m not entirely sure why, but I figure that if he wanted to inform me, he would.

Laura and Gale seem to have hit it off and they pay us almost no attention when we first met up with them, they eagerly discuss magic and Gale tells her stories which she eats up hungrily. I haven’t seen Gale so happy ever. He stares at her so intently and I feel a hint of jealousy creep into me. Not that I want Gale to look at me like that, but I want to spend some time with my friend too, and I also miss when Astarion first looked at me like that.

Astarion must’ve noticed me tense because he immediately pulls me closer to him putting his arm around my shoulders and giving the top of my head a quick kiss.

“So, Gale, tell us of your teaching escapades. Any promising students?” Astarion interrupts his spawn’s chattering. I lean into him and take a sip of the wine that was just presented to us.

Gale turns and smiles at Astarion and goes into a longwinded story of some of his students trying to play a practical joke on him but Tara managing to sabotage them. Laura laughs loudly and I look up to see Astarion’s expression is unreadable.

“Tav, and you Astarion, must come guest lecture again. You can stay with me and Tara. And you too Laura, we’d be happy to have all of you.” Gale beams and Laura looks back at Astarion hesitantly and then to Gale’s wide smile.

She says, “That would be lovely. It would depend on my Lord Astarion’s wishes, however.”

“Yes, we will have to see about that Gale, but thank you for the offer.” Astarion says smoothly dismissing the subject.

Gale’s food arrives, and I nibble on some side plates, but the staff soon bring fresh blood for us vampires at the table. It is extremely delicious, and I dare not ask where, what or who it is from. But most certainly it is custom made for us. The wine on the table is from the vineyard Astarion acquired a bit ago now. It’s still my favourite, and Gale seems to agree with the taste as well.

“Gale, do you have anyone special in your life right now?” I ask with a smile as the wine starts to make me feel a little bolder. I know the answer of course.

Gale coughs on his wine as he takes a sip, “Erm… not, no, well… no one back home no.”

Astarion laughs, “Gale you’re a fine catch I’m sure someone has caught your eye, has there been no one since we last met?” I elbow him and look at Astarion with a frown mouthing the words, ‘don’t be rude.’

He just raises his eyebrows at me and smirks. I roll my eyes at him as Gale fumbles for words mumbling something about working across the table.

Astarion pulls my chin towards him, and I look up at him playfully. He mouths the words, ‘don’t roll your eyes at me.’ I Immediately roll my eyes and his widen with surprise. He leans to whisper purring in my ear, “Bad girl.”

I snicker as I drink out of my wine glass turning back to hear Gale’s answer.

“Sorry, what was that, Gale?” Astarion turns his attention back to him.

“I said no, Astarion. I work and learn and sleep.” Gale does not hide his dejection well.

I take another sip from my wine and look across the table from me at Laura who has a hint of mischief in her eyes. I smile at her and finish off my wine which is promptly refilled by the waiter beside our table.

Astarion whispers in my ear, “My love, there is also alcohol in the blood, just so you know.“ I didn’t realize this, and his voice tickles my ear point. I turn to him pulling his face towards mine and kiss him too sensually in full view of the public. The mix of the alcohol and all the sex we’ve been having is making me bold and heady. He doesn’t pull away and instead opens his mouth for my tongue before squeezing my thigh.

I realize where we are after a moment and I compose myself while I clear my throat and rearrange the silverware on the table as Gale says, “Well. You two seem to be just as obsessed with each other as the last time I saw you.” He says it sardonically and with more than a hint of jealousy.

Astarion chuckles and lounges further back relaxing into his chair.

“Yes Gale, Tav and I are well of course, thank you for noticing.”

“Hard not to…” Gale mumbles taking another bite of his food and eyes the bites on my neck.

Changing the subject to ease off poor Gale I say, “Thank you so much for making the trip here, Gale. I am very happy to see you. Truly.”

Gale smiles warmly at me and reaches his hand across the table squeezing mine.

“You are most welcome; I am happy to be here.”

~

The night continues, and Laura and Gale do most of the talking, I interject occasionally in the conversation about learning magic and the weave. Astarion looks off out to the pier away from the discussion and I notice him being quiet lost in thought. I slip my hand into his and give him a squeeze.

Astarion turns to me with an expression realizing he was off somewhere else. He pulls me into his embrace wordlessly. And I decide to move to his lap to be closer to him. I rest my head against his chest and watch Gale talking animatedly. Astarion rests his hand on my thigh, the other wrapped around me.

“I’m sorry.” He whispers to me.

I turn to him while searching his eyes, “For what?”

“For accusing you this morning. I… I got… concerned when I found the tome. The idea of you leaving is absurd.” His expression is pained but he doesn’t look at me, he just watches Gale with his spawn. His face softens a bit when Laura laughs at one of Gale’s terrible jokes, they both take another sip of wine, and I can hear Gale’s heart a flutter.

“I love you. You know that.” I kiss Astarion’s forehead then relax back into him.

He whispers, “I know.”

I watch Gale and Laura for another moment before reaching my mouth up to Astarion’s to kiss him slowly and with want. He kisses me back sensually. I taste the linger of the wine and blood on his soft lips and he says on an exhale, “Let’s leave.”

I get up abruptly rattling the glasses on the table as I bump it with my hip, and I notice Astarion smirk as he coolly gets up pushing our chairs back in.

“Well, we are heading back to the palace. Gale, please watch over my dear spawn here. Tav and I have taken a liking to her. I trust you will protect her?” He nods to the two closest guards, and they know to stay behind with Gale and Laura.

Gale doesn’t look at Astarion but stares intently at Laura, “With my life.”

Astarion takes my hand to lead me away, as I call back to Gale and say, “Gale, I’ll see you in the morning, we will take a walk into lower city to show you the new developments.”

“Goodnight my lady and lord.” He nods with a smile and goes back to his conversation with Laura.

Astarion and I walk out into the dim street of the Upper City and he swings me into an embrace.

“You know you look beautiful in the starlight.” He says and his guards turn away, 6 of them forming a circle around us.

“You’re not bad yourself,” I say playfully, “Not Gale good but still ok.” I smirk.

He scrunches his nose and playfully bites the air in front of mine. “Again, bad girl.”

“What are you going to do about it?” I challenge.

Astarion lowers his gaze and rushes towards me as I let out a squeal as he grabs me tightly and the dark mist of his powers swarm around us. In a few moments we are back on our balcony overlooking the city.

He pulls off my dress and notices I forwent my underwear. He growls at me in approval as I stand before him naked under the moonlight on our stone balcony. He removes his clothes swiftly and the grabs me hoisting me onto our balcony stone railing.

I hesitate and grab onto his forearms and he stands between my legs, I look behind me at the darkness of the city below and I can feel my heart race in response at the height.

“I would never let you go.” He says with assuredness.

I let go of his arms and lean back against the dark of the drop throwing my arms above my head. I feel his shadows holding me up, wrapping around my waist and supporting my head.

“I’ve got you. Always.” He says as he kisses along my stomach and in the ticklish sensitive area of my hip bones, then moving lower to my thighs.

He gathers me up into his arms and he places me gently on the chaise I was reading on earlier, and he climbs on top of me. He reaches down between my thighs feeling the warmth gathered there, the wetness forming. He doesn’t wait as he guides himself into me and I relish the stretch of him every time. The stars shine brightly overhead, and his hair is illuminated in a glow of the moonlight, as he moves on top of me bringing multiple waves of pleasure.

~~~~~

I wake up to the warmth of the sun on my skin, the noise of the city stirring below. Astarion’s even breath is against my neck as he is curled around me holding me to him. A blanket half covers our bodies, and his one hand rests lightly across my breasts.

I arch my back in a stretch pushing my hips against him absent-mindedly as I mentally prepare for the day.

“Mmm if you keep doing that, we aren’t going to leave the room.” Astarion sleepily says to me as he releases his hug around me stretching.

“Well, that sounds good.” I mumble.

“No, we have plans. Go get dressed and then collect Gale.” He says as he gets off the chaise and I stare at his naked body as he walks into the bedroom.

I put on my embroidered deep purple enchanted robes. The gold embroidery vivid against the purple, the fabric rich and expensive.

Actual clothing today is the correct choice. I tell myself.

I walk down the hall to the guest room that Gale is staying in and give a light knock on the door. I wait for a long moment and there is no answer. I knock again.

“Uh… uhh just a minute!” Gale calls from the other side of the door.

I frown, so unlike Gale to be late to rise. “Gale, are you alright? Did you drink too much?”

“Yes, I’m fine, one minute, I’ll uhh… meet you in the study!” I hear something fall and then I swear I hear a laugh.

I step away from the door. “Okay see you soon.”

I wake up Shovel who is still sleeping in her corner and pat her head. Then I sit down in my padded desk chair and look through some tomes I have been studying, while I wait for Gale to arrive. As Gale enters, his hair is disheveled, and he looks paler than usual. But he smiles warmly at me.

“Gale, are you sure alright?” I walk up to him, and he somewhat stumbles on a step, seemingly off balance.

“Yes, yes I’m fine.” He is flush and pale, and I can see beads of sweat on his forehead.

The blood drains from my own face, “Gale… Have you been bitten?” I grab his robe and pull down the collar revealing multiple sets of bites on both sides of his neck. “Gods, are those from Laura?” I step back somewhat impressed. “That little minx… I didn’t hear you… Oh gods, did you use a silence spell??”

Gale pulls up his collar further ignoring me. “Tav, she’s incredible I… We… yes, obviously they are from her.” I make a face. “Don’t judge me! I see your neck – in fact I SAW your neck the entire time we were travelling together.” Gale scoffs, “But… now I see the appeal.” He blushes turning away from me.

I laugh, “Gale, I have no judgment, but I am a Vampire Lord’s Consort, I have my duties to him. I’m not a lower spawn biting a guest wizard in my master’s home.” Laura is going to be in trouble, although technically Astarion did say to only bite him if he asked nicely… so maybe… this is Astarion’s own fault. “You need to sit down.” I say as he wobbles in place again. He walks over to the closest couch. “Where else did she bite you? These aren’t enough to explain how pale you are.” Gale looks somewhat horrified.

“Well, I have an idea where else.” I start laughing and poor Gale looks horrified. “You need some meat and a lesser restoration spell. I have an amulet Astarion used to wear, if I can’t find it I’ll get the cleric. But I know it’s in my bedroom. Stay here.” Gale puts his hand to his head in embarrassment, and Shovel walks over to him.

“Will you become one of Shovel’s friends?” Shovel questions cocking her head to the side while speaking with Gale.

As I’m walking out of the study I call back to to Shovel, “NO SHOVEL. HE’S NOT GOING TO BE ONE OF YOUR FRIENDS.”

I can hear Shovel huff, and I laugh again as I walk to my bedroom down the hall. I make a bee line for the drawer on Astarion’s side of the bed and open a small wooden box of his. It’s filled with some keepsakes that I had completely forgotten about. The amulet sits alongside a drawing I made of Astarion when we were travelling together, before defeating the brain – before he could see himself. The old warding bond rings we found in the shadowlands, a pressed night orchid I had collected, a small potion made from my blood, and a piece of a broken mirror. As I pick up the amulet and feel the weight of the gold in my hand, my fingers caress the pendant. Memories flitter through my mind of when I started making him wear this. I turn to leave holding the amulet in my palm while staring at it, only to crash into Astarion’s chest who is now standing in front of me.

I startle, “Fuck! ASTARION! Don’t do that! You know I hate that!” I playfully push his chest away, with some irritation. He throws his head back laughing then grabs my arm and pulls me into him. He pushes his lips to mine and nips at my bottom lip drawing the tiniest amount of blood and licks it off my lips. His tongue is sweet and warm. I think about the other things that tongue can do and I feel a tightening in my body. I nip back at his lip but only catch air, as he pulls away from my bite while smirking.

“No. Not now, at least. Maybe later if you’re good.” He says as he pulls away and then goes to gather some papers off the table, which I assume was why he was coming back into the bedroom.

I huff. And walk up to him then lean back on the table beside him as he assesses the paperwork. I run my fingertips along his hand delicately, and ask, “How about if I’m bad?” I say as seductively as I can, while I look at him from beneath my eyelashes.

His eyes widen ever so slightly, but I catch the bit of surprise. “Well, most definitely later then.” He purrs. “My wicked little pet.” He says softly as I hop off the table.

“Wait.” He grabs my wrist and turns my hand over for me to open my palm to him. I reveal the amulet gripped in my palm. “What are you doing with my amulet?”

I hope Laura is prepared for whatever consequences are in store for her.

“My love… it seems our beloved spawn has grown to like the taste of Gale.” I lick my lips as I see Astarion’s eyes widen in shock and, anger.

“WHAT?” He looks furious and moves to walk around me, but I stop him putting both my hands up and against his chest.

“No no no, my love. Wait.” He looks irritated but allows me to continue. “You told Laura, ‘Don’t bite him unless he asks really nicely’ well apparently… he asked really nicely.”

Astarion opens his mouth as if to say something, and then closes it at a loss for words. He ponders for another second before saying, “Fuck. I didn’t realize that undid the previous compulsion…” He thinks for a moment. “Gale? Really?” He crinkles his nose in apparent disgust but fails to hide a smile creeping at the corner of his eyes and lips. “I’m coming with you, any chance to see Gale embarrassed is worth seeing.” Astarion takes the amulet from me and grasps my hand as we walk out of the bedroom. In the study, Gale looks quite exhausted and is in the same spot I left him. I slip on the amulet and cast the lesser restoration spell on him quickly, then remove the amulet handing it back to Astarion which he places in his breast pocket.

Gale instantly looks better, and colour returns to his face.

Astarion grabs me and pulls me closer into a hug from behind as he says, “Gale… Have you been fraternizing with one of my spawn? I’m impressed. I didn’t think you had it in you.”

“Astarion, let me take her to Blackstaff please. You can come with Tav and visit, she shows promise. And… please.” Gale pleads with Astarion and I suddenly feel like I should leave them to discuss this in private.

“I can go if you two want…” Astarion cuts me off though.

“You want to take my spawn away to Waterdeep?” Astarion questions.

Gale looks at his hands and then raises his chin towards Astarion, “Please.”

Astarion stiffens. Then he searches Gale’s face. “I will…” He pauses and looks unsure of his next words but continues, “I will consider this, my friend.”

Gale nods a bow to him and Astarion kisses my cheek and leaves us in my study. I break out laughing.

“What?” Gale asks.

“Gale you’ve got some balls, I’m so impressed right now and I’m so happy you are here.” I throw my arms around him and hug him tightly. “I missed you. Thank you for coming here. I love seeing you two irritate each other like old times.” I laugh again and fight back happy tears.

“Tav, will he let her go?” Gale asks too seriously for my liking.

My face softens and I genuinely do not want to hurt Gale’s feelings, but I don’t want to give him hope either. “If he said he would consider it, he will consider it.”

It’s all I can say, but I know it offers him little assurance.

~~~~~

Chapter Text

Astarion has the afternoon planned, and the three of us are walking around Baldur’s Gate with a small human honour guard of Astarion’s that he uses for daytime excursions and meetings. I have my arm linked in Astarion’s and he looks so proud of himself as he shows of the new renovations to buildings he owns, and how much Baldur’s Gate has grown with his influence.

We walk down by the water’s edge along a pathway by the harbour that has various merchants and their carts, peddling their wares. I smile as I pass them, and I soak up the hot sun. My arms are bare, and it feels wonderful to be out with Astarion, for once not working.

Gale and Astarion banter back and forth and it’s just like old times again, they argue here and there, and I chuckle to myself.

Astarion’s honour guard are clad all in black and they look ominous surrounding us. I ask one of them if they are dying in the heat, and he gives a tight-lipped nod. And I nod apologetically. They do not complain though and are alert as they survey the surrounding area constantly.

Astarion talks with his hands, and I unlink my arm from his and run up to a merchant that has the most beautiful roses I have every seen.

Astarion stops mid-sentence watching me and calls to me, “Tav, don’t go too far from the guards.” Hesitancy in his voice.

I pick up a bundle of roses and the stout dwarf behind the stand says, “This is my best collection so far, my lady but they pale in comparison to your beauty.”

I inhale deeply into the fresh cut roses, and they smell divine. I call back to Astarion, who is a way back still and stopped in place listening to Gale, but his eye is on me. “Astarion, love, can we get these?”

“Sure, darling, whatever you want.” He calls back to me and turns back to Gale who is in one of his long-winded speeches.

I turn back to the merchant and smile and tell him, “We’ll take all of them.”

He stares in shock, and I smile as I take another inhale of the bundle of deep crimson roses I’m holding.

The next moments happen so quickly I barely had time to register what was happening:

I see a glint out of the corner of my left eye and as I turn towards it, only to find a masked assailant lifting a dagger above my head, I see Astarion grab one of his guards’ blades, and in a half misty half-formed self, he closes the distance between us in a heartbeat shoving the blade up through my attacker’s chin and out the top of his head with a wet cracking crunch sound. The assassin’s blade falls to the ground with a clank, as his grip releases it. His body follows, as Astarion withdraws his blade, blood splattering in a line across the cobblestone. Astarion’s left hand reaches around his back pulling me into his back, His arm twisting around holding me in place, in a protective stance. He glances around scanning for any other threats, with his blade held facing outward in an attacking grip. Once he deems it safe, he turns quickly to me, wrapping his free arm around my shoulders crushing the roses I hold between our chests. His hand cups the back of my head protectively and he holds the blade out in front of him continuing to turn around, me following in his grasp, to see if there are any more assassins. My heart races at the reality of how close the assassin got. The adrenaline courses through me, and under the hot sun I shake as though I am cold.

“You are USELESS!” Astarion bellows over my head at his guards, and I flinch at his anger. He covers my ear pulling my head to his chest still holding out the blade. “Find out who he was, who he is working for, and send for backup. Find out how this happened.”

I let the crushed roses fall to the ground after I realize how tightly I am holding onto them.

Astarion doesn’t let go of me and I don’t want him to. If I was fast enough, I could’ve used a spell and destroyed him, but I wasn’t. I turn my head from Astarion’s chest and see the blood seeping into the cracks on the street and staining the light stone road. The man’s eyes are lifeless and the blade lying beside him seemed unremarkable. I stare at the corpse and ponder if I could use it to raise another ghoul later. But the idea makes me feel ill for some reason.

“Pay this merchant double for this mess and have the roses brought to the palace.” His guards bow low apologizing to us. “I will decide your fates later. I did your job for you. You were tasked to protect her, and you failed. Deal with this! NOW.” He yells at them and my ears ring as he grips my head closer to his chest.

The guards move away from their protective formation around Gale, and he runs up to Astarion and I. “Tav! Are you… Who was that? Why did they attack you? Does this happen often Astarion?”

“I will find out Gale, and before I’m done with them, they will wish they were dead.” Astarion pulls me away from him and assesses my face. I realize I haven’t said anything yet, and Astarion looks equally concerned and furious at the situation. “Are you hurt? You are bleeding.”

I shake my head and then look down my hands which are bloody from gripping the rose stems. I finally feel the pain of some remaining thorns stuck inside them.

Gale grabs one of my hands and I wince as the thorn pinches.

“Gods, your hands are all torn up. Do you have healers Astarion?”

Astarion’s rage is teetering, and I can feel his own magic and powers ready to explode. “Yes. I have a couple clerics at the palace. We will cut the day short, and head back there now. She will be fine though; her hands will heal quickly. We need to get the thorns out before they do though.” Astarion lifts my hands and picks a thorn out with his teeth spitting it on the ground. And licks the blood seeping out of it before kissing it gently. When he releases my hand, I gingerly pull out another thorn and lick my other hand stopping some of the blood.

Gale looks pale and I remark, “I’ll be fine Gale, let’s go home.”

Astarion turns to the remaining guards, “Double the guards around the palace. Double them at every entrance. Double the guards on the upper floors until we know what this was about. Inform the other spawn to be on alert. No one goes out tonight either.” The guard nods and we begin to walk briskly to the palace. My knees are shaky from the adrenaline, and I stumble. Astarion picks me up and I lean against his chest cradling my hands in front of me. Gale glances over at me with concern.

“I’m alright Gale, they will heal in a few hours.” I assure him.

“I’m not worried about your hands…” His forehead is creased, and I know what he means.

Once my hands are mended by the healers and all the thorns are finally removed, I make my way back to my bedroom, escorted by a ridiculous 6 guards. I feel it’s overkill, even more so within the palace… A palace of vampires and now a very angry Ascendant Vampire and an overprotective Archwizard… I feel more than safe. Gale is following me around annoyingly close, and he looks very close to sending a fireball at anyone who dares threaten me.

“Tav, are you alright?” Gale tentatively asks, “You are unusually quiet for… well… you.”

I let out a large sigh I have been holding in. “Gale, would you mind if I just went back to my room and read my book? Maybe you could see if Laura is awake already. The palace is on lockdown so maybe you can explore. Or you guys can use my study to practice…” I realize I should clarify, “Magic, Gale. Practice magic. Don’t get weird in my haven or I’ll have to burn the couches and I just replaced them.”. Gale snickers and I hear one of the guard’s snorts. Our party walks up the stairs deep red carpeted stairs and I roll my eyes.

“Sure, Tav, I’ll catch up with you later. Be safe.” He heads to his room down the hall and two of the guards follow him to his door.

Four of the guards now open the bedroom doors and do a sweep of the room as one stays beside me, checking to make sure the balcony door is locked, all corners of the room are safe from intruders. How they would get past my wards AND without Astarion and any spawn or guard noticing is beyond me, but Astarion isn’t taking any chances. I notice the roses from the merchant’s stand are already in vases on the side tables, the table by the balcony doors, and in the bathing room. The room smells wonderful.

“Leave me.” I dismiss the honour guard with a wave of my hand, as they pull the door closed with a click. I flop down on the bed staring up at the ceiling. I pull one of my beaded pillows to my chest and wrap my leg around it closing my eyes.

I hear shouting a few moments later and I sit upright in a flash, my heart racing. I stare at the doors, and I prepare to cast a hold person spell, or a command spell on whoever opens the door. The doors fling open and Astarion enters. I shove my hands under me before accidentally casting a command spell on him, which probably would not work, but it wouldn’t make him happy. He slams the doors closed, and the paintings on the walls shake. He re-wards the doors with the arcane lock spell that I taught him.

He looks over to me sitting upright on the bed, his face hard and then softens at the corners of his eyes, his jaw tense as he strides quickly to the bed. Astarion quickly climbs on it to join me and then pulls me in to his arms and onto his lap so I’m sitting across his legs. His arms wrap around me and then he grabs my face and brings it to his pushing a fervent and pleading kiss on my lips. His lips are slightly wet, and I taste the sweetness of some remaining strong alcohol drink he’s had recently.

“I almost lost you.” It’s not a question, it’s just a fact. He kisses me again and his grip around my waist tightens. I can feel his pulse race as I shift on top of him.

I reach up to touch his face, but he leans into my hand kissing my palm where then stares into me. His forehead creased with concern as he gently kisses the healing red thorn marks.

“I’m still here.” I say with a weak smile, and I shift in his lap, and he moves to lean against my massive collection of decorative pillows, resting his head back.

He lets out a sigh and closes his eyes.

“Well, look at the positive, we know you’re still quick with a blade! I would’ve thought you’d be rusty by now what with our life of leisure.” I tease.

He scoffs, “I will never be ‘rusty’, I train, just as you do with your magic.”

“You saved me.” I rest my hand on his.

He lifts his head as if realizing this for the first time, “Of course, I told you I’d protect you always. I’m never letting you go. This won’t happen again. I failed at stopping you from getting hurt today, I won’t forgive myself for that.” He picks up my hands and looks at them.

“That doesn’t count, I was just gripping the roses too tightly…”

I lean my head against his chest, and he strokes my hair. I close my eyes breathing in his scent.

“I’ll protect you from those too.” I hear the humour in his tone, but I know he is being serious.

~~~~~

I wake up to an empty room and the sun is beginning to set. Astarion has left at some point as he was nowhere to be found. I stand and walk toward the double doors of our bedroom to find them locked. I try to unlock them, and they still do not open.

I cast a knock spell and only then do they blow open wide, startling the guards on the other side of the doors.

“Where is Astarion?” I ask the guards.

“Consort, he told us to keep you here until he returns with information on the attacker.”

“Keep me here? No, I will be in my study.” I move to head down the long hallway but one of the guards’ steps in front of me. A familiar rage bubbles up to the surface of my skin.

“I’m sorry Consort, but he said for you to stay in the bedroom and to not go to your study.”

I narrow my eyes at him and can feel the tall guards shift behind me. I can smell there are 4 humans and 2 of his spawn here in this guard assortment. I can easily take out the humans with a circle of death or blight spell in seconds. I look down the hall towards my ghouls and they sense my gaze, beginning to sway as though bringing life back to their limbs. Shovel opens the study doors and hops towards us with the four winged ghouls following closely behind.

The guards look over me and the ones in front turn around to see my approaching minions.

“My study is the safest place in the palace. I’m giving you one opportunity to leave here unscathed, but if you dare stop me in my house from going to my study, I will kill you all. And I will enjoy reanimating your corpses later.”

The guards shift looking between each other. “Our orders are commands from Lord Astarion.” The two spawn looks fearful as they should.

“And you?” I turn to the spawn.

“I… I am commanded by Lord Astarion, I can’t go against his will my lady, please have mercy.”

“I consider them for a moment. I’ll try.”

Immediately two of my ghouls’ swipe at the spawn in front in an instant, and Shovel and the other two behind me to tackle the 4 human guards. One of them screams as Shovel bites their throat and tears it open with her claws. I yell ‘Pere’ at the fourth human, and they instantly fall to a pile of blighted flesh and ash. One of the humans screams and runs to the stairwell disappearing but I quickly cast another spell yelling ‘Tormentum’. The bolts flow from my hands and I hear a stifled yell and a body topple down the stairs.

The hallway smells richly of blood and death. One of the spawns has managed to kill one of my ghouls who disappear in a flash. Shovel and my other ghouls have managed to kill the other 2 humans. I cast a command undead spell at one of the spawns and they drop to their hands and knees as magic runes swirl around their arms and legs and light up the floor in unholy energy.

It’s me and the first spawn who first spoke to me. My 3 remaining ghouls stand behind me and Shovel has her claws out in front of her.

I begin to prepare my Artistry of War spell to finish off these two spawns with a flare, when a gust of dark energy and shadow crashes into me.

Astarion folds my arms tightly to my chest and holds me to his. I struggle in my rage, and my ghoul swipes at his back ripping his jacket, in an effort to protect me.

“No, stop!” I yell at them too late, as Astarion slashes a dagger at them, and they disappear in a magic haze. “Shovel, go back to the study now.” She pulls out the liver from the human guard she killed, quickly putting it in her mouth, before running down the hall disappearing into the study.

Astarion holds me aggressively tight as I try to break free in frustration. “Let me go! Now!”

“Let my spawn go first, Tav.” I realize the one spawn is still pinned to the floor and Astarion releases me so that I can stop concentrating on the spell. He gets up and steps away from me, fear in his eyes.

“Now both of you leave.” Astarion commands them. They rush away without hesitation.

Astarion swings me around to face him grabbing my shoulders. “What in the hells are you doing? I’m trying to keep you safe!” He yells at me, and I turn my head away from him cooling my anger. “I wasn’t gone that long, I just wanted to make sure the palace was safe… What were you thinking?!”

He shakes my shoulders and I push away from him.

“Don’t ever lock me in our room or tell me I can’t go to my study otherwise I will tear this fucking place apart!” I hiss at him.

He steps back, as if surprised. “You were not locked in, I warded it so others couldn’t get in. Not so you couldn’t get out. I didn’t grasp that you wouldn’t be able to. And here you are after all.”

I stare at the dead humans at my feet. Only 2 will be suitable for me to raise new ghouls. Perhaps the one on the stairs too if it the corpse is not too poorly damaged.

“Don’t do it again.” I say under my breath turning my back to him. An action I don’t normally do out of respect for him, but I’m still angry.

“Tav!” I look over my shoulder and see he’s rubbing his hands on his face. “I can’t deal with this right now. Go to your study or the bedroom but –“

“By the gods, what happened here?” Gale gasps as he reaches the top of the stairs, I see Laura quickly step away and rush back down the stairs.

Smart girl.

“Oh, just Tav’s temper Gale, you remember it well, don’t you?” Astarion mocks me, his lips pursed as he crosses his arms.

“Tav did you kill these men?” He turns to me with wide eyes.

I throw up my hands in frustration, “Yes, okay? They wouldn’t let me leave.”

Gale stares at me, his mouth agape and Astarion shakes his head in disapproval.

“We will discuss this later.” Astarion stares pointedly at me and then heads to go back down the stairs.

“Astarion, what will you do with Laura.” Gale grabs his arm before he moves past him.

Astarion stares at Gale, and Gale releases his arm realizing. “I will deal with her as I see fit.” He disappears down the stairs and I can vaguely hear him sending more guards but to stay on the middle landing - leaving enough distance away from me. One of them hauls the human body to the top and then turns to block the top of the stairs.

I assess the floor.

How dare they ruin my rugs with their blood. I’ll go shopping for new ones soon.

“Gale, help me take these to my study.” I gesture to the corpses.

“Tav, this is disgusting you know? I’ve never liked that you are a necromancer, although I applaud your skill.” Gale frowns as he and I drag the bodies down the hall to my study.

“Thanks.” I say flatly a smile creeping along my face. Gale hides his.

Later that evening, I sit in bed reading the book I started a few days ago now. I’m in a black lace camisole and leaning against the pile of pillows.

The door clicks and Astarion enters the room walking straight for the bath without acknowledging me.

I can hear him brushing his teeth and then he walks back into the wide expanse of our bedroom and throws off his clothes, throwing them on the circular rug in the middle of the room. He pulls on a pair of loose black pants, he lazily had on the back of a chair then makes his way to the bed.

“Hello, my Consort. I need to speak with you.” He takes the book from my hands and sets it on the nightstand face down, so I don’t lose my spot.

“As much as I appreciate your sadism, and your skill in causing utter destruction, please do not kill the guards.”

I fold my hands on my lap as I sit up and cross my legs, clearing my throat I say, “I’m sorry. I got angry.”

“Yes, I know. At least you only killed those humans, they were useless today anyways. They failed to protect you in the street. So, I’m not mad, I was going to kill them anyways.”

I smile wickedly at him, and his eyes darken.

“Next up talk about though, is the subject of Gale and Laura…” He trails off looking at the bedroom, seemingly distant. “Do I let her go with him?”

I’m absolutely blindsided and shocked at his question. “I… I guess that depends on what you want. What does she want? We know what Gale wants… But I…” I hesitate.

“You will talk to her tomorrow. Gale leaves in a couple days, find out what she wants.”

“And if she wants to go?”

His lips purse. And he searches my eyes pausing for a long moment. “Then maybe she goes.”

~~~~~

Chapter Text

The next evening, I am sitting on the balcony as the sun sets. I spent the day sleeping which Astarion was more than happy with since he still had the palace on lockdown. Gale slept through the day too, since I know he spent the night with Laura again.
I’m debating when would be best to go talk to her.

I lean my head back on the chaise and absorb the last bit of warmth on my face from the setting sun.

I hear a faint scrape of stone and turn towards the sound opening my eyes and peering to the edge of the long balcony.

I hear a distinct scrape again and stand up quickly. I’m in my enchanted robes, and I even have my staff with me right now, as per Astarion’s request, but my ghouls guard my chamber doors and Shovel is probably napping.

I make my way to peer over the ledge and just then a dagger flies inches from my face, I barely have time to register it as I duck out of the way. An agile man flips over the balcony wearing a crimson scarf across his mouth and I immediately connect the dots.

“TRAITOR! You were supposed to be Bhaal’s chosen! You ABANDONED us!” He bellows as he lunges at me with another dagger.

Fuck. This was years ago now!

“Well, none the less you will die by my hands today.” I block him with my staff, and I call upon the forbidden knowledge I learned from the Necromancy book of Thay, summoning the Danse Macabre. They appear out of the ground and surround the man as I push away, they take turns swiping at him, inflicting long gashes across his torso which spray blood along the glass windows of the tall balcony doors.

“If I don’t kill you, someone else will. We will not stop. Sarevok will have his revenge!” He bellows holding his stomach and the assailant throws a dagger at me which lands in my left upper shoulder.

I cry out at the impact, and my heart races, my mind blurs, the smell of his blood and mine intermixing in my nose, along with an acrid hint of something I can’t place. I drop my staff and grasp the hilt of the dagger as I wrench it free. Blood spraying across the back of the undead in front of me. I stumble into the room, and I look down at the moonstone ring on my hand and remind myself Astarion will be here soon. He would feel this through the warding bond.

I hear the risen undead cry before disappearing, and I turn to see another assassin has arrived and is making short work of my minions. I rush to my bedroom doors as the blood soaks my royal purple robes and my right hand. I reach for the door, but I’m yanked back by my hair. I scream at the pain and frustration, as the Bhaal assassin pulls me backwards. I fall back and hit my head with a thud on the dark wood floors.

“Per-“ I try so muffle out my Blight spell but I’m silenced by what I realize is a poison seeping into me that must’ve been on the dagger.

The injured man pulls my arms above my head, and the stretch of my shoulder injury makes me light headed. The new assassin straddles me pinning me down with his weight. I kick out and squirm under him but he’s larger than the other one and has a wicked scar across his forehead.

“You gave me this Bhaalspawn. How far you have fallen. Pathetic.”

His breath is sour, and my vision swims from the poison and my head injury. I blink back stinging tears as I see a wicked and ornately curved dagger being raised above me through my blurry vision, he’s about to plunge it into my heart and all I can think of is how much this will break Astarion.

“Astarion…” I can only cough out his name as my vision continues to swim.

“For Bhaal!” He screams this, spit splattering on my face, and I stare at the tip of the dagger.

I will not look away at my death. I was death incarnate and I will embrace the dark this time.

I brace myself for the blow, but instead a strong gust of wind and dark shadows sweeps over me, making my eyes burn. I feel the weight of the man lifted and look above and over my shoulder to see Astarion holding the man by his throat against Astarion’s now broken wardrobe… The man holding my arms releases them seeing the angry Vampire Lord, and makes a run for the balcony. I look towards the door to see Gale entering the room and sending an overly large fireball above me, straight into the man’s back, incinerating him in seconds. The blast shakes the room and cinders from my wardrobe, the balcony doors and table fall to the charred floor. Glass sprays outwards onto the balcony and into the city below.

I look back to where Astarion was only to see the assassin has fallen and is trying to get up out of the broken wardrobe he was forced into. I startle as I feel arms picking me off the floor, and I groan in pain at my shoulder.

“Ow, fuck.” I cough again and my head thrums at the quick motion into Astarion’s arms. I meet Astarion’s rage filled and horrified eyes.

“Tav, please? Are you okay? Fuck. What have I done?” Astarion is frantic, and rushes past a mass of guards flooding the room. “Don’t kill him.” He yells at them “I need to question him. Thoroughly.”

Gale then lands a hold person spell on the man, who is now immobilized, and I see more guards flood past us asking Astarion for orders. He says something but my head pounds and I feel myself losing consciousness.

Astarion envelopes us in a black mist to his office past multiple guards and the doors slam shut from the force of his powers. I can feel him placing me on the padded red velvet couch in the middle of the room by the coffee table. The room spins, and I groan at the nauseous feeling I haven’t felt in years.

“I can smell the poison in your blood.” He backs away from me thinking for a moment before saying, “I know it.” Astarion rushes to his armoury attached to his office through a single door, I can hear the rustle of potion bottles as he searches for an antidote. I close my eyes for what I think is a second, but I’m startled by the motion of him raising my head up and pouring the liquid from a small vial down my throat.

“Ugh, Astar-“

“Shut up and drink the rest.” He holds my head, but I obey and drink the rest of the vial. It tastes of black licorice and stale bread, and I try not to gag.

“Good girl.”

“I feel so stupid.” I slowly move to sit up. He presses a hand to my shoulder stopping me. “It’s the Bhaal temple assassin’s, Sarevok is still alive and after me. We must kill him.”

“I know, I discovered that this morning, there have been other attacks... I wasn’t sure who they were from before... I didn’t want to concern you. I was so caught up in organizing a plan I…” Astarion suddenly stands up and turns away.

I lean my head against the back of the couch and gingerly unlace the sides of my robe to assess my wound.

Astarion stares at his hands, “What use is this power if I can’t protect her?” I can barely hear him whisper this to himself. I chose to ignore it though, as I continue to unlace my robes. He turns back towards me and rushes over again.

“Stop. Let me.” He quickly unlaces the sides and slides the top layer over my head. My undershirt is crimson with my blood. And he pulls off the top over my head.

“Ah, careful!” I wince. I’m in my dark purple bralette and I stare at Astarion’s face, watching it fall while he assesses the wound.

“You’ll need the cleric.”

I look at my shoulder, it’s deep and will take time to heal with just blood.

“I need blood first, or I’m going to pass out.” I waver on the couch and press my fingers to my forehead, a dull ache forming there.

Astarion pulls off his black shirt in one motion and sits beside me before pulling me on top of him.

“Then drink. Now.” He stretches his neck for me, and I bite down swiftly. His hand reaching up my back as I can feel the warmth of his blood filling my mouth and body. I let out a relieved sigh as I drink greedily.

“Easy, slower darling…” His hand traces along my hip and I release my bite from him. I move to kiss him, and he eagerly opens his mouth for my tongue. My bloody hands caress his face, and I can feel him harden under me.

“Thank you for saving me again.” I say each word between fervent kisses as he moves me beneath him on the couch. He pulls down my trousers and I arch my hips to aid him, I press my toes on either side of his waistband and help him remove his own. His hands are frantic, and he pulls off my lace bralette ripping it.

“Don’t ever thank me for today, I nearly lost you. I… I failed at protecting you. We’re going to eliminate any threat to you. And until then you will not leave my side. Maybe after too. I should never have let you out of my sight since the last attack.”

I roll my eyes. I’ll discuss the details of this with him later.

Astarion presses into me, and I arch my neck gasping at the feeling. He kisses along my neck and scrapes his fangs along it, sending shivers through me before going back to kissing me and moving slowly in and out of me.

I roll my hips towards him. “I’m not biting you; you still have poison in your blood, and you’ve lost too much.”

I whimper in response but he’s right. He breaks his kiss from me and strokes my hair gently. Before sighing and kissing me on the forehead.

“We need to get you the cleric. This can wait.” He pulls himself from me and stands up, I stare at his erection and lick my lips subconsciously.

He smiles wickedly. “I need you in full health for what I want to do with you.”

“Okay, deal.” I stare at my bloodied clothes and then sit back again on the couch. The room spins a bit at the movement of being upright again.

Maybe he is right. I do need the cleric.

“Astarion… Gale incinerated my clothes. And these are bloody.”

His shirt lands in my lap and I pull it on, then slip on my underwear and trousers which seem to be unscathed. “Thanks.”

He stalks to the door as I pull on my sandals.

“Bring the cleric and send for Gale. And… Bring the spawn named Laura.” I hear him speak low to the guards outside of the door. “Is the assassin in the dungeon?” A pause. “Keep him there. I will deal with him myself.”

I stand but then waver and Astarion is immediately beside me steadying me, sitting me back down on his lap.

I rest my head on him. “I wasn’t quick enough to realize what was happening. I used to be better than this. That’s twice now.” I am embarrassed and my cheeks flush at my incompetent spell casting.

“No. The poison silenced you. And taking on two assassins while silenced, AND injured is not easy. You are strong. Don’t ever say you are weak. No Consort of mine is weak.” He scolds me.

I scrunch my nose and still beat myself up in my head about the situation.

Moments later the cleric spawn arrives and works on my shoulder and gives me a large healing potion. Gale and Laura come into the office together and Gale blushes at my bare shoulder and Astarion shirtless behind me now. I’m sitting between his legs, and he has one arm around my waist and his chin rests on my shoulder as the cleric works.

Her hands shake and I imagine it is because Astarion stares at her as though he will murder her instantly if she makes a mistake.

I whisper in his ear, “Maybe lean back for a moment?” He does before telling Gale and Laura to sit on the opposite couch.

The cleric finishes up and Astarion pulls up the neck of his shirt on me to cover the now healing wound and any excessive cleavage. Although, I have worn much more revealing pieces around the palace casually, I wonder if he’s just being overly protective around Gale.

She leaves and the doors click shut.

Astarion leans forwards wrapping his arms around my waist. “Thank you for saving her Gale.”

“I didn’t, I wouldn’t have known if it wasn’t for-“

“No.” Astarion cuts him off. “You made these rings for us. Thank you.”

Gale nods, his forehead creased. Laura sits close to him, her head slightly bowed. I can see her leg touch his and he does not move away. I nestle into Astarion’s bare chest, and he pulls me closer to him. She looks a bit exhausted, but more incredibly nervous. I don’t think she has ever been in Astarion’s office before, and I catch her looking around at the tall ceilings and the wickedly ornate relief work. The tall windows behind his desk and a collection of rare weapons and treasures displayed here and there on the dark shelves running the length of the space.

“Laura.” She straightens looking at Astarion, and to me, and I can see her wring her hands nervously. “You fed on Gale. I would’ve addressed this sooner, had the security issues not been more important.”

A statement, not a question, but still she nods. “Tav pointed out you didn’t break any rules, due to my poor choice of humour, so we speak no more of this.” Her gaze flickers so mine and then back to Astarions. “Laura, do you want to go with Gale to Waterdeep?” Her eyes widen and so do Gale’s.

“Astarion I –“ Gale begins but Astarion interrupts again.

“Gale, I am speaking to my spawn.” I look up at Astarion and he tightens his grip on me almost uncomfortably. I shift and can’t read his expression either than it is stern. I know I’d be nervous to have his gaze in this moment. Gale sits back into the couch but reaches over and places a hand on Laura’s knee protectively. Astarion notices this immediately and I can feel his body stiffen against mine. She is his spawn after all, and Gale just declared otherwise, whether he realized it or not. I can feel Astarion about to speak but I place my hand on top of his and can feel his body relax so slightly. He takes a breath and then says, “Answer me. Now, spawn.”

Laura shifts and then straightens looking at Gale and then holding eye contact with Astarion.

“I… Yes, my Lord, that is what I want.”

Gale sits up and then smiles widely, “What do you say Astarion? We could all go; I think you both need a vacation after everything that has been going on.”

“No. We need to eradicate the threat to Tav first. You wouldn’t want to bring this ugliness to Waterdeep I’m sure… Laura?” Astarion stands lifting me to standing too, guiding me around the coffee table towards the door. “You may leave with Gale.”

Laura stands, “My Lord I… Thank…”

Astarion leads me out of his office before she can thank him, and I have time to register what just happened.

We head up the stairs, but we don’t turn right to our bedroom at the top of the landing, and instead he leads me to the other guest room closer to my study to the left. It’s a whole lot smaller but it has been made up for us until, I assume, he has our bedroom repaired. There are so many guards patrolling the hall and as he shuts the door behind us he motions for me to stand by the doors as he stalks around the room assessing for danger. He checks to make sure the balcony doors are locked and closes the curtains.

“You’re letting her go?” I ask him blatantly. I stare around the room and notice the vampire cure tome, some keepsake boxes, my staff and some Astarion’s favourite daggers have been moved into this room for now.

“Yes.” It’s all he says and sounds like the end of the discussion. There are some new looking boxes on the bed and he begins to open them, unwrapping the paper around the garments. He pulls on a white asymmetrical cut shirt and then opens the next box. He pulls out a beautiful iridescent purple dress and holds it up. The neck is high cut and the back exposed. The material shimmers in the dim light of the room as he hands it to me. “This is for you.”

“How… did you get these clothes so fast?” I hold it up and pinch the fabric between my fingers before laying it down on the bed. He rolls up his cuffs and picks up his daggers strapping them to his back and waist. I remove his shirt in one motion off me and I catch his smirk and stare at my nakedness. He pushes off the empty boxes and opens another to reveal some exquisite undergarments.

“These are also for you, but I prefer you naked, of course.” He says matter of fact, but I slip on the new pieces and then the dress which he clips behind my neck without me asking. He brushes my exposed back with his fingers and then kisses the top of my shoulder. “I already had these; I was already planning on giving these to you. We’ll stay here until our room is repaired. I can’t say I’m unhappy to see Gale leaving tomorrow after what he did to our bedroom… But it was fun to see him get all murderey again. I thought he was getting a bit boring.” He laughs in a high sing-song laugh I hadn’t heard come from him in forever.

I reach up and pull his face to mine to kiss him gently. “Thanks for the lovely dress.”

“My pleasure.” He purrs.

“Don’t rip it when you remove it later.” I take his hand and he leads me back out of the bedroom to the ballroom.

Astarion pauses. “You will not leave my side.” He tightens his grip on my hand and I follow him down the stairs.

Chapter Text

Astarion called the spawn to gather to update them about the attacks, they all murmur quietly to each other at the news, some are half asleep and the younger ones all huddle together nervously gossiping. Astarion drones on about the importance of the safety of the palace, and every able-bodied guard patrol around watching the spawn as though looking for someone. All spawns are on lockdown in the palace until further notice.

Which is fine because the carpets need a good cleaning. I’ll make sure the lower spawn start on their chores asap after the have a bit more rest.

Laura runs up to me, “Tav, I’m so happy you are safe.” She grabs my hand and I recoil internally but allow her to squeeze it in an apparent gesture of friendship. “Is it true?”

“What?” I question.

She leans closer to me and whispers in my ear, “Will Astarion actually let me go?”

I take a step back from her considering her question. “He means what he says.” At least at the time. I think to myself, but don’t add. She beams, her eyes widening and then runs away to talk to some of her friends. Faran walks up to me next looking horrified and somewhat anxious. She wrings her hand and is looking around nervously.

“My lady… the attack. I am sorry.” She bows and then walks away speedily. Faran is never this nervous… but then I spot Cera and Kaitlen looking disappointed I didn’t die, and I scrunch my nose at them. I ponder when they will slip up next, so Astarion will let me actually kill them. I smile at the thought.

Gale stands off to the side of the dais and I descend it as I walk over to him. I pull Gale aside away from the crowd leading him around the larger pillars as Astarion answers questions and continues to address his spawn.

“Join me?” I ask and he nods. We make our way through some doorways and around a corner to the lift bringing us to the cavernous ancient dungeon, where Astarion ascended: The ritual circle area. We’d been deconstructing and remaking it to be another useable area of the palace. The areas are all in various stages of construction, deconstruction, and renovation. Astarion has been slow to revamp the area, I have the feeling he doesn’t like to be around it, but he would never say it.

“Never thought I’d be back down here...” Gales says as we stroll through the cavern across the glassy tile. His voice echoing in the chamber.

“Yeah, I don’t know if we’ll ever actually use this place for anything…” I trail off stopping and looking up and around me before continuing, “But Gale, I just wanted to say thanks for saving me. And… I hope you and Laura are happy together. I really want you to be happy, Gale. I missed you a lot.” I move to hug him, and I breathe in his comforting scent of fresh linen, a spicy note of magic around him, and lavender. “We both love you, Gale. I know Astarion doesn’t really know how to show it but letting Laura go with you is his way of saying it.”

He pulls me away from him to look at me, I can see the crow’s feet deepened at the corners of his eyes as he smiles, he squeezes my shoulders. A few more streaks of grey in his hair that weren’t there before.

“I know. Be safe, Tav. If you need me to help with Sarevok do not hesitate to call upon me. It’s been a long while since I had a good fight.”

I beam at him, “I won’t. Although, I think Astarion wants to take care of this himself.”

We walk together in the dim light of the cavernous space and talk about magic. I show off some of the new complex spells I have learned. I manage to knock down an ancient, rusted cage and it takes a while before I hear it crash to the bottom of the cave. We laugh and discuss him and Laura, I press him for details which he blushes bright red as he shares. The deepening red of his cheeks make me realize I am a bit hungry, but I push down the feeling. I feel the familiar warmth of our friendship like we used have when we would gossip around the campfire, while traveling together. We spend a few hours reminiscing and catching up on everything. He helps me refine a few of my spells showing me a trick to make casting some spells easier. I am envious at how good he is at magic.

“Gale are you sure you aren’t a sorcerer?” I nudge him as we head back to the lift.

“No, I am not, it’s through study – you need to just study more. Your life of leisure has made you too comfortable. You would do well to come attend… and teach… some classes at Blackstaff again.”

I laugh, “Absolutely. I’ll make sure we get there soon.”

We finally ascend the lift and the smell of the palace wafts into my nose, replacing the dusty and cold smell of the caverns. I immediately spot Astarion’s commanding honour guard rushing towards me. The heavily armoured commander stops in front of me, another spawn guard following close behind him.

“Oh, thank the gods,” He seems extremely relieved. “Consort, I am Commander Ryder. I- “

“I know who you are.” I snap at him. I do not, I cannot remember their names, except for the insignia ranks on their chest of the black leather armour the wear. I just know he is a spawn from his smell, (all Astarion’s spawn have a similar smell who have been turned by him), and that he is a commanding guard.

“Yes, my Lady, of course. I’m so glad we found you, are you hurt?”

I look at Gale then back to the guard, “I was in the basement, is something the matter?”

The lesser ranked guard shifts in spot and looks nervously at the ground as his commander clears his throat. He is taller than both Gale and I, muscular, a mess of dirty blonde hair and strong masculine facial features. “Uh, Consort… T-The Master has been looking for you.” He stutters and I suddenly realize with everything that has happened I should’ve told Astarion of my plans perhaps.

Oh, shit. Did he say I wasn’t to leave his side? …Fuck. Astarion needs to say things less in passing if he is serious.

My eyes widen, and I look to Gale then back to Ryder who says, “There have been… casualties. He has sent human guards into the city streets looking for you. He feared you were taken by loyalists of your father while everyone was distracted. We have been searching the palace and the human guard have been searching the palace grounds… The spawn rank has been searching everywhere inside, and waiting for reports...”

I interrupt, “Gale you’re coming with me.” I grab Gale’s sleeve and turn to Ryder, “Take me to him, I’ll deal with this.” The spawns turn and I follow close behind making our way towards Astarion’s office.

“I feel this is something maybe you and Astarion should deal with privately…” Gales sounds nervous.

“Ohhh no, no way, you are my shield and don’t be afraid to cast a Globe of Invulnerability if needed.” I half joke.

“I hope you aren’t serious.”

I don’t answer because I am honestly not sure.

We round the corner to Astarion’s office, and the guards open the tall double wooden doors to the dark length of Astarion’s office. I pause in the threshold alongside Gale to find a very angry Ascendant Vampire holding one of his guard spawns by the throat, his feet dangling off the ground, and another dead guard spawn by his feet.

“-I TOLD YOU TO FIND HER!” He bellows at him, the spawn struggles and grasps at his arms. Gale looks horrified.

“Astarion!” I call to him, and he turns towards me immediately dropping the spawn. His face softens, but it’s mixed with relief and fury.

He mists over to me with speed and cups my face in his hands, “Where in the hells WERE you? Are you alright? What happened?” He looks over me and turns my face in his hands looking for injuries.

“I am fine,” I say as I pull his hands down from my face, “I was just in the basement with Gale. Showing him… the ongoing renovations and playing with magic, talking about Laura and catching up.” He looks over to Gale and then back to me. His eyes widen and I can tell he’s doing his best not to take his frustration out on everyone in the room. Before he has a chance to speak, I move to stand beside him and face the commander, Gale and the other guard spawn who are watching the situation unfold. I grab Astarion’s hand with both of mine, hoping it eases some of his anger.

“Leave us. Call everyone back.” Astarion hisses at everyone and grips my hand hard. Everyone, including Gale rush out of the room closing the door. Astarion drops my hand aggressively and turns to face towards the dead spawn on the floor near his desk, and I now notice a few other bodies in different parts of the room. “I thought I had failed to protect you once again…” He whispers it and my heart breaks a bit at the quietness in which he says it.

“I am sorry, I truly did not mean to worry you I-“

He interrupts, “Do you have a habit of hiding in the ritual space? Do you have… regrets?” He walks back to stand inches from me, and I’m forced to look up to meet his eyes.

“No, I just wanted to go for a walk IN the palace where it is SAFE and somewhere where I know it’s quiet.”

His eyes narrow at me as though trying to find the lie in my words, but he won’t find any. It’s the truth. Astarion grabs my chin and throat firmly and he tilts my chin up further towards him, his thumb brushing my lower lip. He smiles wickedly and shakes his head as though he’s having a silent conversation in his head. I part my lips and he plants a possessive and forceful kiss on my lips, I take in his tongue as it searches my mouth, and then suddenly he pushes me away from the kiss, shifting his grip to the back of my head.

“Don’t ever make me feel that way again. I TOLD you; you were to stay by my side. I don’t use my command powers on you as a courtesy, and still you disobey me!” He yells and I flinch. “You have disobeyed me for the last time!” I crease my forehead getting more angry at him for being yelled at for doing nothing wrong.

“I didn’t realize I was doing anything wrong. I was just hanging out with Gale, In OUR palace.”

He takes a step back assessing me. “On your knees, Tav.”

“Oh, we’re playing big Vampire Lord, are we? No.” I say defiantly crossing my arms.

“Yes.” He hisses.

I don’t move and I know I am playing with fire, but I’ve done nothing wrong, I feel guilty for worrying him but that’s about it. If we actually got into a fight I could probably land a control undead spell on him quickly, but he just has to speak his own command spell and I wouldn’t be able to do otherwise. He wants real loyalty. He wants me to want to obey him.

I stand my ground; my jaw is tense and I can see the little muscle in his flicker. “No. I didn’t do anything wrong.”

He is so quick I don’t even see him move but in an instant my back is pressed to his chest and his holds my neck and body against him. “You have such a defiant nature. If you were any other spawn, I would lock you away, command you, or think of something else. Such a bad girl…” His breath tickles my ear.

I scoff. “You know that I can be a lot worse. And you already locked me away in our bedroom. A lot good that did…”

Maybe don’t talk back right now, Tav. I think to myself.

He makes a low growl and snaps the collar of my dress off in one motion.

“HEY, you promised!” I say as he holds the fabric against my chest covering my breasts, the fabric dangling over his hand, the claps noticeably broken.

He rakes his teeth along my now exposed neck, “I promised you no such thing, and I’m never buying you a dress that covers this neck again.” He presses his fangs achingly slow puncturing the skin on my neck, it’s too slow and I wince at the feeling. I try to shift away but he holds me in place. “You’re staying right by my side until I say otherwise.” He bites down harder, and I gasp.

“You’re not serious right? Also, ow.” He bites again harder, and I know he’s making his bites a punishment. I submit and let out a sigh, trying to subdue my anger.

My defiance definitely turns him on, he’s so obvious. I smile to myself.

He finally releases my neck and says, “Gale leaves tomorrow afternoon, and then we will deal with the threats to your life. After, we will assess.” He bites down again taking a deep drink and I roll my eyes and shake my head in irritation. “Fine.” I agree, I’ll stay by his side. He spins me around and he’s smiling like a toddler who just got their way.

“Good girl. And now I will show you how much I was worried about you.” Astarion gathers me up in his arms and carries me out of his office and as we exit, he turns to the guards outside his door. “Deal with the bodies, and I’m not to be disturbed until the early afternoon.” He moves swiftly past them before hiding us in his dark shadows as he carries us up the flights of stairs to our temporary bedroom.

As we enter the bedroom, he sets me down to stand and I remove the remaining dress and my underwear. He lifts his shirt off in one motion and pulls me into a deep kiss pressing his thumbs into my hips reaching around me to lift me up, and I wrap my legs around his waist as he walks us to bed.

“Never letting you go.” He says under his breath between deep kisses and feeling my naked body with his hands. Then moving to kiss along my neck and lips, devouring me.

“Mmmhmm…” Is all I can respond.

He drops me on my back on the bed, and it is noticeably not as nice as ours… but will have to do. He pulls away from me removing his pants, his cock springing free. He climbs on top of me teasing my entrance which is now slick with want. But he stares at me intently and I wait for him to say what’s on his mind. He goes to say something but instead just moves to my breast gently sucking on the peaked nipple and then biting just above it. He kisses along my stomach and then moves his lips along the inside of my thighs. I close my eyes relishing in the feeling, and then he bites down almost too hard. I flinch but his hands caress my stomach and then around my hips and rear, pulling my thigh further into him. He releases my thigh and licks the blood off the corner of his mouth pushing my legs up to make way for him as he looks wickedly into my eyes.

“You are mine.” He says as he spins me onto my stomach and plunges the full length of him inside of me. I gasp and the stretch feels wonderful. I arch my back further for him to go deeper and I push against him, but he pulls out of me only to slam back harder. His soft hand reaches around to swirl around my peak as he picks up speed. He pulls me back towards him one hand massaging around my breast as he works me into a sweat.

“Easy, you have to wait a bit longer,” he leans towards me and breathes into my ear as I press into his hand as he moves in and out of me with his cock, “I plan to fuck for you for a while yet.” I moan out as he bites the other side of my neck and it’s enough to bring me to climax, I shake from the pleasure, and I gasp at the sweet release. He playfully spanks me as he turns me around on my back on the bed. “I said not yet.”

“What are you going to do about it?” I challenge him breathlessly.

“Nothing you won’t want more of...” He pulls my hips to him, as he moves to stand off the bed. Grabbing both my thighs he pushes back into me, reaching deeper at this angle and I gasp at the feeling. He begins to work up another quick pace, fucking me harder as he presses my thighs further up against me so he can be deeper inside me. He pounds into me his fingers gripping my rear and his other holding me in place above my shoulder.

“Fuck… Tav…” He sighs between thrusts, and it makes my core tighten around him. I grasp his forearm and lean back into the bed getting lost in the pace when suddenly stops. He pulls himself out of me and kisses me aggressively. I wrap my legs around his waist, and he swings us around in one motion so I’m now on top of him. I slowly move him out of me and the quickly back down. He lets out a low growl of pleasure and I kiss along his chest, as I continue to move up and down and rub myself against him. I lean down and I lick my earlier bite mark on his neck and rub my nose against him. He lets out another sigh of pleasure as I slow my movements even further, pulling him completely out of me and then plunging him back into my wetness.

“Are you teasing me, my love?” He purrs.

I snicker and run my teeth along his neck, “Can I please?”

“Not yet.” He says and move to bite him anyways, but he grabs my hair and then bites me instead, as he begins to move at a quicker pace beneath me.

“Ah!” He bites low on my throat and then pulls away and I lick the trickle of blood from the corner of his mouth. He smiles wickedly and then nods at me slightly.

I bite him hard on his soft neck, right on the same bite as earlier, and he does the same on mine.  We still for a moment as we enjoy each other’s blood. I draw in deep mouthfuls, and I feel rejuvenated and the ecstasy of the power flowing through his blood gives me a tickle of bloodlust. As though noticing, he squeezes my butt and then in one motion flips me on my back again and I’m surprised by the quick movement. He works up an unforgiveable pace.

“Astarion, I…” I gasp feeling him inside me and him holding my body, holding my head, and touching my breasts. I tense further and I’m near my climax. As if by invitation, he moves faster and the coiled feeling inside my lower stomach builds. He moves to kiss me so deeply and with a worried intensity that I get distracted for a moment, worrying about him and what he is thinking about. He adjusts my body, and the angle is sublime. I involuntarily moan into our kiss and get lost in the feeling of him, my hands grip onto his shoulder and then on the soft fabric below. I cry out his name in broken syllables as I find my release again. He quickens his pace and then bites down on my neck again just to send me into a deeper release. He moans into my neck as he spills inside me. He settles on top of me, and I brush his hair away from his face.

“I’m yours.” I say contently as he leans into the palm of my hand kissing it.

He smiles almost sinisterly, but replies, “Forever.”

~~~~~

Gale is ready to depart for Waterdeep the next afternoon. Astarion and I spent most of the night and morning in bed, besides a couple hours where he had to take care of some work, which I followed him to his office and lounged on one of the couches. His office was pristine of course, no indication of the previous days tantrums. After he was done, we went back to the bedroom where I rested. I was so exhausted from all the sex, and a bit blood drunk off Astarion’s rich blood that Gale was ready to leave before I was ready to let him go.

We now stand near the entrance to the palace under the shaded overhang. Astarion is beside me, no indication of exhaustion or anything.

I hate how he recovers so quickly compared to me.

Laura is holding her backpack and looking extremely excited. She wears the robe I gave her and her hair is nicely braided. She has a long hooded cloak, which she can use to cover herself just in case but she is careful to stay in the shade of the overhang. Gale is careful to have the portal fully the shade.

I still cannot believe Astarion is letting her go, neither can Laura it seems, as she keeps looking to him ready for him to change his mind. But Gale was always convincing, and Astarion has always had a soft spot for him. She eagerly watches as Gale prepares his portal. It’s a new spell I wish I had asked him to teach me, but perhaps next time I see him.

I’m feeling uncomfortable. I don’t have a lot of friends at the palace. And now I’m losing one of my two ‘friends’ here. I can feel a bit of emotion at the corner of my eye but I tap it back down and breathe deeply pushing that feeling away.

I am strong. I’ll figure it out.

My mind keeps flickering to the fact that we still don’t quite know how the assassins got past our security, and I have a general unease that I am missing something. I told Astarion I wanted to help figure things out, and he reluctantly agreed. But if I’m going to be around him 24/7 until things are sorted out, I might as well help.

I walk over to Laura and turn her away from Astarion and Gale who are now saying their goodbyes and I hold out a parcel in front of me wrapped in black cloth. “Live your life. Be who you want to be, don’t let others tell you who to be.” I hand her the cloth wrapped parcel and she pulls me into a hug. I push her away and then say to her intensely, “Do not break Gale’s heart. Or I will find you.” I say narrowing my eyes at her, but slightly smiling. She nods warmly and hugs me again.

“Thank you for everything Tav. I hope we can see you soon!” She wipes a tear from her eye and do everything in my power not to show that I might cry too.

“Me too.” I whisper and smile weakly.

I startle as I notice Astarion and Gale now standing beside us. I turn to embrace Gale in a long hug. I don’t want to let go. But when I finally I do, I tell him to not be a stranger and that we will visit as soon as we can.

He nods sympathetically and replies, “See you soon.” Gale reassures me.

I quickly add, “I love you Gale, thanks for being there for me.” He nods at me knowingly.

Gale takes Laura’s hand, and they step into the portal. “Take care you two, see you soon.” Gale waves and with that they disappear in a puff of magic that dissipates into the afternoon air.

Astarion turns to me as I stare at the now empty space. The hum of magic all but faded. I let out a big sigh and turn to look up at him. He looks at me quizzically.

“You gave her the tome.”

“Yes. I did.” I say quietly as I stare back at the emptiness in front of me.

Astarion takes my hand and kisses the back of it. “Someone has grown soft...” He snickers as he pulls me into a hug. I’m surprised he isn’t livid with me. Giving up the one tome that we know of to cure vampirism. But I’m more insulted that he would call me soft.

“Don’t be rude.” I sneer.

He smirks and he kisses my forehead and then takes my hand again as we walk back towards the large metal doors of the palace as the guards open the doors for us. He sighs, and says, “I’m glad you gave it to her.”

As we enter the palace and doors close behind us I say under my breath, “Me too.”

~~~~~

Chapter Text

I’m going to fucking kill him. I think to myself as I casually summon magic in my palms then dissipate it. The spawn guards, including Ryder, stand around the large mahogany desk set up for his attack plan to finally get rid of Sarevok. It’s been two months since Gale left, and just as Astarion promised - I have not left his side. Besides the occasional meeting I’m not privy to, which usually means I’m stuck with multiple guards surrounding the room I’m in. Leaving me with wanting to murder Astarion over the past week. The proximity and lack of freedom within the palace is raking on my nerves, and I cannot stand another moment being worried about. I cannot wait until this stupid threat is over and we can go back to having some distance between us, at least as much as there was before.

I build up another orb of magic as I lounge on the puffed red couch in Astarion’s tall ceilinged office. I look at the artefacts and various daggers and weapons on display on the shelves, trying to notice things about them I haven’t noticed before. I slouch further onto the couch in boredom and the necrotic magic ball pops startling me.

“Ah, shit.” I curse under my breath. The spawns all look at me in distraction. “Don’t look at me or the next orb I cast will be aimed at your fucking heads!” I snap. Ryder chuckles then clears his throat when he notices that Astarion is glaring at him. We’ve been getting along recently as he’s now one of my only friends in the palace. The other spawns have gone back to fearing me as my mood has become fouler. Even Faran has stayed away, I haven’t seen her in a couple days and my hair looks terrible.

“Leave us.” Astarion waves his hand, and the room is emptied in haste, as he saunters over to the couch kneeling in front of me. I don’t move or acknowledge him, instead I just focus on my next spell.

“Darling?” Astarion says affectionately.

My jaw tenses. “What?” I say uninterested, but with a bit more edge than I meant to.

I can see my response irritates him and he exhales loudly in a frustrated sigh. “I am doing this to keep you safe. I want you to be safe. We’re going to put an end to this and then you’ll… we’ll be fine. It will be good.” I can see the worry at the corner of his eyes that he tries to hide from me.

“We could go on a vacation after. Perhaps we visit…” He clears his throat as though struggling to get the words out, “Gale… and Laura. See how they are faring perhaps? Maybe Gale has chased her away with his incessant talking.”

“What? Are you serious?” I perk up. This better not be a ruse. “Seriously, we could go to Waterdeep after?”

Astarion stands and he sighs again, running his hand through his curls. He looks off out the tall windows behind his desk as though considering. He looks exhausted if that is even possible for the vampire ascendant. He looks back to me with his forehead creased before he forces a smile. He doesn’t want to see Gale so soon again, or leave the palace, or risk anything going wrong in his absence, but he wants to make things right with me, and that makes my heart flutter.

“Yes. Of course, my consort. Anything for you.” He holds out a hand for me to take. I grab it and he pulls me to stand beside him before gathering me into an embrace, his hands resting on my lower back. “Yes. It would be good to get away together. Maybe just us. Once this threat is gone, that is.”

I can’t help but smile and I emphasize my eye roll. “Fineee.” I say taunting him.

He scoffs and then nestles his face into my neck pretending to bite it, tickling me in the process. I push away from him laughing, but he brings me back towards him, his lips finding mine. He kisses me as though I haven’t been around him pretty much 24/7 for the past two months, and I can feel my stomach clench. It’s been a while since we have had sex, and I know it’s mostly from my vile mood that has progressively gotten worse over the last few weeks.

“Tav, I want you to be happy. And safe. Can you just put up with this all for a bit longer.” He presses his forehead to mine, and I swiftly feel like I’m being a bratty child.

“Yes, I just… need some sort of outlet. I feel so agitated and tense.” I conclude.

“Hmmm…” His eyes darken, “I could help you get rid of some of that tension, you know?”

I push him away playfully, “I meant magic wise, but also… maybe both.” I admit.

A low growl escapes his throat, and he pulls me to his chest, his eyes searching mine as if deciding something.

“Follow me.” He says in a sultry tone and turns on his heel leading me out of his office.

We are apparently heading for the ballroom and as we pass through the large doors some spawns stop their conversation, they are sitting at the long table to my right. They stand as Astarion approaches, knocking over one of their goblets of blood onto the table, the contents spilling crimson on the polished wood. I frown.

“Don’t you have something you should be doing instead of chatting about? Leave now, or it will be your own blood spilling on my table.” Astarion seethes and they hurriedly rush past me through the doors. Astarion stands in the middle of the ballroom pleased with himself and I am aroused as his display of power.

“My love…?” He notices me staring at him hungrily and smirks. “Lock the doors.”

I cast an arcane lock on the doors, and they glow for a moment after being shut closed.

Astarion walks over to his overly elaborate throne up the dais overlooking the empty room and sits down comfortably before patting his leg.

“Come here. Now.”

I smile wickedly and walk down the middle isle of tables towards him, but not before I kick off my sandals while unclipping the shoulders of my dress and letting it fall in a puddle of silky fabric at my feet. I then pull out the jeweled clip in my hair, dropping it on the dress, and my silver hair falls in loose waves over my shoulders. I can see Astarion’s eyes widen and the corners of his lips curl in hunger.

“Oh, my Lord Astarion,” I say in my most sarcastic damsel in distress voice, “It appears I have lost all my clothing, whatever will I do?” I stalk towards him confidently.

He sits forward on his throne, his eyes taking in every inch of me, as I make my way up the dais. “You will sit here on my lap, but not before you kneel here before me.” He growls.

I snicker. “Like this?” I get down on my knees in front of his throne, sitting between his legs. “Or like this?” I say as I undo his trousers pulling his cock free.

His body forsakes his composure and I grip his hardness and swirl my tongue around his tip. A gasp escaping his lips as he settles leaning against the back of the throne.

“Yes, just like this.”

I giggle as take his length into my mouth, I suck and caress the head of his cock with my tongue and his fingers find my hair, entwining in it and pulling my head down to I take him in deeper. I work him faster and his grip tightens on my hair, as he lets out a moan in pleasure. Then, he pulls my head back by my hair and his cock pulls out of my mouth. I lick my lips as I wait for him to speak.

“You’re going to sit on my lap so I can finish in your pussy.” He releases my hair and I stand up slowly before climbing on top of him, my legs on either side of his. He spreads his legs open more making my straddle on top of him wider in turn. Astarion places both his hands on my hips and guides me down onto his hardness while thrusting into me in one motion. I arch my back at the feeling and let out a guttural sound in pleasure.

“Good girl.” He says as he watches me with widened eyes, as I match my rhythm with his.

“Yes,” I sigh out. It’s been so long and all the tension in my body building to a sweet release.

He leans forward sucking on my peaked nipple as I pull him in and out of me, I can feel him twitch inside me as he bites down on my breast, sucking deeply. He releases his bite and finds my lips and I wrap my arms around his neck as I ride him. The throne creaks and I let out a laugh before he pulls away for a better angle to thrust into me faster.

“Star-“ I use the nickname for him I hadn’t said in years, and I surprise myself for a moment at that. I open my eyes and notice him staring at me.

“Be good and come for me.” He says between quick breaths, and I come undone. I cry out, my voice echoing through the ballroom, and I can feel him pulse inside me as he finds his release. “Fuck.” He sighs and pulls me into another deep kiss, and I’m still trying to catch my breath. I collapse on him leaning against his shoulder as he kisses my neck.

“Fuck is right.” I lick the side of his neck and pull on his ear with my teeth. “So delicious.” I sigh.

He licks my neck and then bites down, and I stretch it out for him. His hands supporting my back as he drinks deeply. Astarion pulls me towards him and then guides me to his neck and I take the invitation to bite him. We stay wrapped in each other’s embrace drinking from each other on his throne for a few moments in silence. When he releases my neck, I release my bite too, and he cups my face in his hands. His soft and wetted lips from my blood, finding my bloodied lips from him, and I open my mouth for him. His tongue swirling around mine and we kiss each other as though we hadn’t seen each other for weeks. I can feel him start to harden inside me again and I smile as I rub my nose against his. His hands moving to my rear and squeezing as he begins to move again inside me. But he pulls his face away from mine and then cups my chin, brushing a sweaty strand of hair from my face.

“Tired girl. Let’s go to bed.” I pull him out of me, and I immediately miss the feeling. He stands pulling up his pants and then lifts me up into his arms carrying me. He uses his powers to move quick to gather my clothes, and then we appear at far end of the ballroom at the magically sealed doors.

“Oh right.” I cast a knock spell and the doors swing open as Astarion covers us in shadow, since I am still naked, and we appear in our bedroom a second later.

The room has been completely repaired, and Astarion had the balcony doors reinforced and the glass all replaced with thicker panes. He imported black whorled wardrobes of ebony with walnut accents for both of us, replaced the table with a matching one to the new wardrobe, and replaced the burnt curtains with fine black velvet ones with silver accents running up the edges. While he was at it, he had the bed replaced and side tables, the bathroom remodelled, and the floors replaced. It looked like a whole new room. Astarion said he didn’t want anything to remind him of the day he found me with the Bhaalists. Of course, I mentioned interior design didn’t change that it happened, and he only frowned and changed the subject in response.

Astarion lowered me to my feet and then removed his remaining clothes kicking them off to the side.

“My love, come rest with me.” His hand outstretched for mine, I take it and he pulls me into an embrace and pulls us both onto the bed. We get under the covers, and I rest my head on his chest as he settles grabbing another decorative pillow from behind him and tossing it onto the ground. I kiss his chin and then drift off before noticing how exhausted I was.

~~~~~

I awake and the sun is just setting. I flop my arm and hand to Astarion’s side of the bed with my eyes still closed, expecting him to be gone getting ready for his day, and to be met with the empty sheets but instead my palm is met with his hard back.

“Ow…” I hear him say muffled into his pillow.

I turn over quickly, “Gods, sorry I did it out of habit, I expected you to be getting ready, I thought you had a meeting this morning.”

He slowly turns his head towards me with a tired smile, “No, I cancelled it, I wanted to be here. I thought we could spend some time together. Just us.”

I simper. “That might be nice.” He reaches over to me and touches my lip.

“Or we could stay in bed.” He purrs.

“Mmmm… maybe.” I shuffle closer to him, and he wraps his corded arms around me as I kiss his lips breathing in his scent.

This is nice. I think to myself.

Astarion stiffens suddenly and his grip on me tightens as he breaks away from my kiss.

“Wha-“

“Shh.” He cuts me off. He’s alert and listening intently to something my ears cannot detect. I can smell the faint hint of something I can’t place though.

Astarion shifts off the bed and grabs his black loose pants off the floor putting them on in haste.

“Astarion, what’s wrong?” I question sitting up in bed, he picks up my short black nightgown.

“Put this on.” He tells me and I don’t question him. “Stay here. He says as he walks over to the bathing room.”

I stand and look around the room confused, and a moment later I hear a knock on the door.

“My lady? I have some blood here for you, as requested by Lord Astarion.” I can hear Faran at the door.

I shrug and walk over to open the doors. Ryder stands at the door alongside another spawn, both in full armour, and both turn away when they notice my skimpy nightgown.

“Good morning, my lady.” Ryder nods averting his eyes while clearing his throat.

“Morning Ryder, have you eaten today? Set it on the table, Faran.” I stand aside for her to enter with her tray with a goblet and pitcher of blood.

“Not yet my lady, I was told to keep watch while the master is in his meeting…” Ryder’s eyes meet mine and he nods so slightly at me. I turn to see Faran placing the tray on the table on the room, and she begins pouring my glass. I meet Ryder’s eyes and he shakes his head so slightly at me. The smell lingers. It’s so faint I wouldn’t notice it if I hadn’t been alerted by Astarion. My heart sinks. I step back into the room, with Ryder and the other guard following close to me but they stop just inside the door. Another guard rushes up to Ryder whom he speaks quickly with and then the guard rushes off.

“Faran…”

“My lady, your breakfast.” She holds out the goblet to me. I walk slowly over to her where she waits at the table. I stand in front of her now, I’m taller than her and I notice the slight shake to her fingers, and the way her forehead creases as I take the glass.

“Thank you.” I say as I take the goblet.

“Lord Astarion will meet you in his office after you are ready, I thought we would do the single braid today. What do you think?” She hurries to my wardrobe to hide her nervousness.

I can smell the poison hidden in the blood; it smells like the one used on the dagger by the Bhaalist. My heart clenches and my mind races.

Rage fills me and I ask through my teeth, “What did you do, Faran?”

I see her turn towards me as I set down the goblet. She lowers the dress in her hand and feigns confusion. I can hear more guards rushing up to Ryder and them speaking in muffled tones.

“What do you mean, my lady? Aren’t you hungry today?” She has an edge to her voice I’ve never heard her use before. “Drink.” She says adamantly.

“How dare you speak to me that way?” I bite back. “What have you done?”

“Fucking, bitch.” She drops the dress and lunges at me but is intercepted by Astarion who grabs her neck. She claws at his hands leave long scratches on his ivory skin like a feral cat.

“You are going to tell me everything.” His eyes glow a deep red, and he commands her to speak. But Faran only laughs a hideous and terrible sound.

Ryder rushes up to me and positions himself in front of me with his sword pointed towards Faran, and two other guards flank me on all sides in a protective stance. More block the door to my room. Astarion must’ve had this all planned. That’s why he was still here this morning. He must’ve suspected something would happen.

Astarion lets Faran go, and she falls to the ground gasping and laughing. “Fucking… vampires.” She transforms into her hideous true form of a shape changer. Astarion takes a step back surprised by this. It tries to make a run for the open doors, but Astarion cuts the beast off and slams a fist into its chest knocking it backwards prone. It lands with a thud, its head snapping backwards hitting the flooring.

“Take it to the dungeon. Guards must be posted always.” Astarion commands and the guards move in to restrain it. It fights their grip, but they manage to remove it from the room. Astarion walks over to me surrounded by the guards and they step aside for him bowing their heads to him. He cups my face and kisses me. I push him away though shaking my head.

“Care to inform me of your plans? Also, we are not remodelling this room again!” I step away from the group, but Astarion catches my arm in his grip. He goes to speak but another guard steps into the room holding a bloodied man interrupting us.

“We found him on the grounds, Master.”

Astarion considers the bloodied man, still holding my arm. “We already have one prisoner, and you all must be hungry, take him to dining hall. Decide amongst yourselves who is most deserving to feast. Any other intruders meet the same fate. Now go.”

The spawn’s eyes widen in excitement and Astarion gives them leave. He still holds onto me as we stand in the now emptied room.

“Where is Faran?” I whisper.

Astarion lets go of my wrist. “I’m sorry.” His expression softens, “ Tav... We found her dead.”

“I – Why…” I stutter out and I can feel my eyes getting blurry. Dead? “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Do not feel bad for her. She was the one who told the assassins how to get into this room the first time. We found letters inside her mattress. They promised her she would have a place at the temple if she did this. Freedom from me. Why anyone would want to live in that filthy place compared to here is beyond me…” He considers this for a moment. “But from what it sounds like after the last attack, she tried to back out of it. I suspect that is why they killed her.” Astarion takes the goblet on the table and sniffs it before pouring it back into the pitcher.

I shake my head in disbelief, “But why? Why would she do this? Why… Wait… When did you find the letters?”

Astarion pauses, his jaw tensing. I guess he didn’t think I’d ask this question. “Two months ago. We searched all the spawn’s quarters after the attack here. If we didn’t find her dead, she was destined to suffer a much worse fate by my hand. But I needed to see how this played out to our advantage.”

“You knew all this and didn’t say anything to me?” I seethe and I can feel my magic in my chest swell, and a prickle on the back of my neck flow down my spine as though I am ready to burst with all my frustration and anger. “Why leave me in the dark about all of this?” I yell at him.

Astarion closes the short distance between us fast and he looks down into my eyes intensely with a sliver of disapproval at my tone. “You have a habit of acting rashly. I told you I would protect you. And I am. Even from yourself.”

I glare up at him. He is right. I probably would’ve confronted her as soon as I found out. My lip twitches and I sigh in frustration.

“I don’t like you making decisions for me.” I turn away, but he grabs my chin quickly and pulls my face towards his. I stumble slightly at the motion, and I press my hands against his chest to steady myself. His other arm wrapped around my waist restraining me.

“You forget yourself, my consort. You are mine, and I will make every decision for you if it’s the decision that will keep you safe.” He hisses at me in frustration but pulls my face to his kissing my lips with force. He pushes my face away and turns to walk over to his wardrobe.

I stand there feeling humiliated in my reprimand and it further flares my anger.

“Get dressed. You will come with me to question the doppelganger.” He pauses as he grabs an almost black, dark purple jacket with gold embroidery, and a black pair of pants. He walks over to my wardrobe and picks out a matching dress to his outfit and hands it to me. “You will still not leave my sight.”

~~~~~

Chapter Text

I stand in the dank dungeon watching Astarion torture the doppelgänger. Hours have passed, and the creature hasn’t explicitly said anything new in some time. I pick at my fingernails and sigh audibly loud, eliciting a sideways glace from Ryder, whom I roll my eyes at. Faran had been taken a couple of days ago when she was out running her errands for me. Ryder tracked her upon Astarion’s orders and found her remains in some dark alley in a corner of Baldurs Gate. She had been seen in the palace again once Ryder returned and Astarion hatched his plan.

I tire of all this drama and part of me wants to just head to Waterdeep now and get away from it all. Let Astarion and his spawn deal with these threats. There will always be something, or someone trying to steal back power or challenge Astarion in some way and I don’t know if he’s realized it yet. The thought makes me tired, and a heaviness falls over me at this thought.

I lean against the cold stone wall of the cell, and stare at Ryder, whom I’m also mad at. Even if he couldn’t tell me anything by Astarion’s orders, I’m still angry at everyone for keeping me in the dark. I’m not some fragile flower. I sigh again loudly at my racing thoughts and push myself from the wall heading towards the dungeon door.

“Where are you going?” Astarion flips a dagger in his hand in front of the bloodied doppelgänger.

I pull open the door without turning around, “Outside of this room.”

“No.” Astarion demands.

I pause. “Yes.” I challenge him and I’m back to wanting to kill him.

“My Lord, I can accompany her.” Ryder mediates.

I look back towards the tall hulking spawn. His hair golden and coiffed. It looks as though he is trying to mimic Astarion but cannot quite get his hair to cooperate.

Astarion flips the blade again in contemplation. The hum of the metal piercing his silence. The blade tings again as it twirls. I am mesmerized by it. The gold hilt glints off the dim candlelight and the wicked curving blade drips fresh blood. At one point it was mine, before it was Orin’s, and then mine again, before I gifted it to Astarion. I frown at the memory and cross my arms with impatience.

I tap my foot in irritation, “Astarion. For the love of – “

“Thank you for your offer, Ryder, but perhaps we need a break. We still haven’t had breakfast.” He strides over to me and holds out his arm for me to take. I loop my arm around his reluctantly. “Report to me if anything happens. Ryder, you are welcome to try a hand at it, but don’t kill it. I’ll send some blood down for you and your guards to keep up your strength.” Astarion ushers us out of the room.

“Yes, Lord Astarion. Thank you.” Ryder bows as we exit.

---

The spawns are already feeding in the dining hall. The bodies of not one but two, assassins lay out on a table completely drained. Everyone is in good spirits it seems.

As we enter the ballroom everyone stands as we make our way to the dais. I let go of his arm to sit on my throne, but Astarion pulls me onto his lap instead. I seethe and my jaw tenses.

“Do I need to help you release some tension again?” Astarion’s voice tickles my ear, and I can tell he’s trying to flirt to break my foul mood. I still think he should’ve told me about the situation. I don’t want to be sitting here right now with him.

“Definitely not.” I stare forward watching the hall.

Astarion scoffs as if surprised at my response, “Then you better start acting like you aren’t upset with me and behave.” He says through his teeth.

I move to stand up, but he stops me.

“I will bite you, or maybe one of my necromancy spells will-” I threaten too boldly.

He interrupts me. “Try it.”

I meet his eyes and they are wicked with confidence in his dare. I consider it. I could bring him to his knees right now. That will cause quite an issue for me after, I’m sure. Also making him look weak in front of the spawn is not for the best. I narrow my eyes at him. Then I sit back down on his lap and purposely bite at the air in front of his nose in a playful submission. I’m not happy about it but it’s the best option at this moment. He pats my leg and pulls me closer seemingly satisfied at me backing down.

He wins this time.

Astarion takes a long drink from his glass and winces.

“This is foul, take it away.” He spits and almost throws the goblet at the servant spawn.

“I’m sorry Mas-“ They bow apologetically but Astarion cuts the young vampire off.

“Do not apologize, just do better. Tell the kitchen of my displeasure. I’ll speak to them later.” Astarion waves his hand, and they leave.

I take a sip from my goblet, and it seems fine, and I place it back on the side table.

He’s just being picky and showing his position.

As I think this, he brushes my hair away from my neck and bites down on it, his right hand slides up my chest to my chin holding it in place, and his left wraps around my waist.

He sighs into my neck as he takes another long drink from me, and then readjusts his bite.

“Ow… You could’ve said something before you bit me.“

He releases my neck, and I can feel his breath against my ear, “I’m not in the mood to deal with your attitude, my defiant little love.” He snaps at me and then grips my chin tighter as he goes back to feeding off me. I can feel him harden beneath me and I don’t know if it’s from putting me in my place or from my blood.

*****

After an arduous day of Astarion torturing and then killing the doppelgänger, he has enough information to launch his attack on our enemies. I hope it’s taken care of soon because if I spend any more time glued to him, we might seriously end up killing each other. So, as I get ready for bed, I am more than irritable. Astarion hands me a goblet of his blood.

“Drink. I need you strong.” He tells me as I take the goblet from him, peaking at him from above the gold rim as he smirks in approval. “Good girl.”

I finish all of it. It’s delicious as usual.

“Astarion…” I sigh as I slip into bed. “I need this whole thing to be done. As much as I love you, you are driving me insane. And that is saying something…” I mumble the last part, but I know his keen ears can pick up my whispers.

He slides into bed and leans over to kiss me, ignoring my comment, and I turn away from him. He huffs and grabs my chin turning my head to him before planting a forceful kiss on my lips.

Astarion sneers at me and says, “Don’t be in such a mood. You should be happy this will be over soon. Although… I’ve grown accustomed to you accompanying me always. Maybe we should keep it that way?”

My face falls, and luckily, he’s turned away. A hesitant “No.” slips out of my lips before I can stop it.

“Excuse me?” He turns around to face me in our bed and the look behind his red eyes mimics anger, but I can see the fear under the surface of his façade.

“It’s not healthy. We need space. I need space.” I shake my head in disbelief at him.

His body is still as a statue as his eyes flick back and forth between mine. The last few weeks have been tedious and often we have fallen into heated arguments more often than not.

“We will talk when this is over and revisit the idea of you having more space.” He dismisses me.

I glare at him, my jaw tensing. “You promised me – “

“I did no such thing!” He interrupts me biting with his words.

I sit back as my brain wracks over our discussions. He might be right. I feel foolish and like a child.

“Now please, rest. Enough of this talk. You’ll feel better tomorrow.” Astarion turns away from me again.

I know what this means – we won’t revisit it.

*****

Chapter Text

I startle awake from hearing a repetitive sound. The sky is bright, Astarion is not in bed which means he left early for some unknown reason to me, but my door is heavily guarded. I search the room and hear the sound again: a tap, tap, tap coming from the balcony doors.

I throw the covers off me and walk tepidly across the wood floor of our bedroom.

“Tav, will you please hurry up, there are some pigeons on the roof begging to be gobbled.” I hear a muffled lady’s voice as I approach the glass.

I rush over as I see Gale’s Tressym tapping the glass with her clawed paw. “Tara?!”

Opening it she struts inside and jumps to sit on the round table beside a wine bottle, and my empty goblet I used for Astarion’s blood. She grooms herself as I stand in surprise at her visit. I cover my chest realizing I’m in my see through black nightgown that leaves nothing to the imagination.

“Tara what is going on? Why are you here?” Panic rises up in me. “Is Gale okay?? Is… Is Laura…” The blood drains from my face and I think about the cure for Vampirism tome I gave her, what if it didn’t work and she is cinders now and Gale blames me… My mind races.

She stops grooming herself. “Everyone is fine, and I’m happy to be away from those two lovebirds. Gale’s constant giddiness is wearing on my nerves. Although, his mother is delighted he finally brought a nice girl home.” Her eyes light up.

She must spot the relief on my face because she stands on all fours and tilts her head in a serious tone, “A nice, mortal girl, might I add.”

I can feel my eyes well up and I push that feeling aside. The tome worked. Gale is happy. Laura is happy. At least I did something right. A sigh of relief escapes me.

“That – that is good to hear, Tara.” I hear a noise in the hall, and I peak around her to the mahogany doors and hold my breath. After a moment I relax again. “Now please, tell me why you are here.”

“Ah yes, here.” She puffs out her chest and I notice the small, embroidered leather pouch attached to her collar. “Take this.”

I remove the pouch and open it. Inside is a large gem, but small enough to fit in my palm. It gives off an ethereal blue glow as though the twilight sky had been captured and placed inside. Swirls of glittering magic move throughout it. A note is also in the bag with Gale’s seal, unbroken, on it. I crack open the dark purple wax.

Tav,

You have given me a chance with the love of my life. She is free of her curse, and I think I might, in fact… I’m certain I am able to replicate the spell. I have done some study since you left, and I’m sure I can cure you too. I know you love Astarion, but if you ever change your mind and want to leave and be free of your curse, come visit us. The gemstone can act as a waypoint to my tower in Waterdeep. If you use this gem and come with Astarion, I promise to not mention the cure to him, and it won’t be mentioned again. Burn this letter, my friend. We both love you.

 – Gale

At the bottom of the note a simple incantation is scrawled that is needed to activate the gem. A chill runs down my spine and I crumple the letter in my hand and incinerate it quickly. Ash falls to the floor.

“Well, there I have delivered Gale’s message. Now I must go.”  Tara hops down from the table and makes her way to the open balcony door.  “I hope to see you soon, Tav.” And with that she flies into the sky before I can thank her.

I clench the gem in my hand tightly. I stand in silence in the empty room. I look towards the open door of the balcony, and then at the closed door of our bedroom that opens to the rest of the palace. Unclenching the gem in my hand I stare at the bluish stone. I look back towards the open doors again.

“Fuck it.” I resign.

I rush over to my wardrobe quickly and push aside the sheer dresses, ballgowns, to the back of it to find my favorite magic imbued robe. The rich purple with gold embroidery glints in the dim light of the room as though I found a gem in a sea of dull rocks. I pull it out and hastily change into it.
I don my rings and necklace, my old worn enchanted bracers, circlet and boots, then speedily take Markoheshkir off the wall and run my hand along the staff.

“You’re coming with me.” I stare at Astarion’s collection of daggers and decide to put Rhapsody in my pack. I look over the other mess of weapons we have collected and sigh.

I turn to walk out of the balcony doors but catch myself in the mirror. Astarion’s blood making my reflection more solid than it has been in the last few days. I frown at myself. I look… tired. I crease my forehead and then walk over to the desk and take a scrap of parchment and write a messy note to Astarion.

Gone to Waterdeep. Find me when you’re done being a jerk. - Tav

I crumple it up and burn it in my hand and begin writing another note.

Gone to Waterdeep. Used a teleportation stone. Come find me when you want to.

I love you.

…Don’t be mad. – Tav

I place it on his nightstand and slip off the ring he gave me. The moonstone glowing softly. I walk towards the balcony door again and stop myself. I stare at the open door and throw my head back before rolling my eyes at myself and retrieving the warding bond ring. I slip it back on my ring finger.

If I leave this, he will panic. But at least he will know I am safe if I take it with me. I scrunch my nose at myself feeling a bit pathetic. But then I rush out the balcony door and repeat the incantation Gale gave me while clutching the gemstone close to my heart.

****

I stand in front of Gale’s tower. It’s been a while since I have been back here. The rose vines climb up the sides and Waterdeep is aflutter with richly clothed merchants and patrons alike. The bright sun hurts my eyes making me squint and my head hurt. The warmth of the light instantly makes me feel too warm in my thick robes. My face feels as though it’s burning, and I turn away from the heat of the sun. I swing my messy braids back over my shoulders to protect my neck from the light. A small woman nods at me as I step aside for her to pass with her baskets overflowing with veggies and bread. The buzz is not unlike the Baldur’s Gate markets but for some reason the air feels… lighter. Bright gemstone colours decorate the buildings with paint and banners. I take in Waterdeep for a moment and breathe a sigh of relief. It feels so nice to be out of the palace, and away from Astarion. Although a lump in my throat rises as I walk through the courtyard of Gale’s tower. The beautifully carved double doors rising before me hum with the familiarity of Gale’s magic. I stand there staring at them hesitating before knocking. Panic starting to rise further up in my throat. An acid taste of blood and bile making me feel physically sick.

I left him. He’s going to kill me, or at least kill some of the spawn, or he’s going to kill Gale… what happens if he kills Gale? What have I done? I’m so fucking stupid.

I turn on my heel with my mess of thoughts and rushing through ideas of how to get home before he notices, I nearly trip on my robe hurrying down the stone steps when I hear the heavy doors behind me creak open.

“Tav?” I hear Gale’s surprised pitch call from the threshold. I stop in my tracks, trying to hide the tears threatening to fall from the corners of my tired eyes. I can hear his footsteps approach me as he descends the steps. “Tav, I didn’t expect you so quickly I –“

I turn around and throw my arms around Gale, unable to hide my emotions anymore. Gale hugs me back but then pushes me away to look at me in my watery eyes, he squeezes my shoulders with concern, “What has happened?” He asks cautiously.

“I just…” I hesitate, pulling away from him. I compose myself, breathing slowly. “Tara came at the right time. I needed to get away. I - I didn’t come here to cure my vampirism. Although…” I trail off thinking about that choice. I shake my head. Now is not the time to discuss this. “I just wanted to come see you guys. I needed some time away.”

Gale relaxes a bit, but I can see his smile doesn’t reach his eyes. He knows I’m not telling him everything. Regardless of my omittance, he nods a few times assessing my words carefully.

“Well, it’s good to see you again. We are of course so happy to have you.” We begin to head back up the steps to the tower. After a moments silence he adds, “And Astarion?”

I stop halfway up the steps. “What?”

“When will Lord Astarion be joining us?” Gale’s voice has an underlying subtext of ‘when should I be prepared for the very angry Vampire Ascendant to unleash his fury upon us?’ and I don’t miss it.

I don’t meet his gaze. “Soon. A week at most, I would think.”

Gale nods again not looking at me. We enter his home, and he wards the doors with some powerful magic behind me.

*****

Chapter Text

When we get to the main floor of the tower, I’m greeted with a smell of butter and onions cooking on a stove. Laura has her hair down and she’s wearing a dark blue dress with silver embroidery like starlight she hums to herself as she adds garlic to the dish she’s cooking for their dinner. Her pallor is gone, and her face glows with a warmth I hadn’t seen in her when she was a vampire. As she turns to see Gale and I approaching her eyes widen and I see they have lost the red colour of vampirism and are now the colour reminiscent of the Waterdeep sky.

“Oh my gods, Tav?!” She drops the wooden spoon in her hand and wraps her arms around my neck almost throwing me off balance.

“Hi, you look beautiful.” I say quietly.

She smiles warmly at me, “Thanks to you.” She sighs, “How long will you be staying here with us? Gale mentioned you might show up sometime soon.”

I give Gale a side eye and he ignores me, “I am unsure. A week… but maybe more. If that is okay –“

“It’s more than okay. I can’t wait to show you the magic I’ve learned! You’d be so proud, and we can go shop they have the most amazing stores here, Tav. And we can –“

“Laura, I am going to find some comfortable clothing for Tav of yours. Tav and I need to have a quick chat.”

Laura nods looking between us and then goes back to her cooking. I follow Gale but Laura calls back to us, “I’m glad you’re here. Dinner will be ready in an hour.”

I then realize I don’t know what or who I will be able to feed on tonight. Perhaps a local butcher would spare some blood, but Astarion doesn’t have influence here and people don’t take kindly to vampires… so I don’t know how I would go about getting it. I could hunt, but I don’t want to make things bad for Gale. Astarion always made sure I was fed. I might just have to go hungry tonight.

Sensing my silence as I walk through the hallway to Laura and Gale’s room, Gale opens the door saying, “We’ll figure things out.”

***

I explained the last few months since Gale had left. Faran, the doppelgänger, Astarion’s mood and my growing anger with him up to Tara showing up with the gem and me running. It left me feeling exhausted rehashing everything, but Gale listened carefully. He assured me that when Astarion showed up we’d take care of it. I thought about Gale and him fighting. I don’t really know who would win, Gale is maybe the strongest wizard around, and yet Astarion’s Ascendant powers were ever growing. I know he has some powers he hasn’t even shown me yet. I fear for Gale and Laura… and Waterdeep. The images of the destruction of Waterdeep cloud my mind as Gale continues talking, Gale’s head ripped from his body, Astarion’s fingers interwoven in Gale’s hair in one hand, and my throat in his other, his eyes aflame with fury. Laura, beautiful in her second mortal death at his feet.

“Tav?” My name dissolves my nightmare.

“Yes, sorry. I’m just scared for you.”

Gale scoffs. “Please. Have more faith in me.”

I smile weakly and nod, although I’m unconvinced.

***

Gale gave me some of Laura’s lounge clothes and set me up in the guest room. Laura said she would take me around town tomorrow, but I realized I didn’t bring any gold with me and did not think this all through. Astarion would’ve realized I’m gone by now and I push the panic down letting out a deep sigh as I stare out my room’s window of Gale’s tower standing in the shade. The sun feels much too strong here. I make a mental note to find a cloak tomorrow. The sun is almost set, and I feel so tired. I press my palms to my eyes and turn to towards the room lined with bookshelves of Gale’s overflow books. My eyes focus again, and I flop down on the bed. Not as comfortable as mine at the palace. Astarion and I have stayed in this room a couple times over the years. It’s not large but it’s enough for 2 people. It seems much bigger without him even with the excessive wooden bookshelves. I roll over on my back and stare at the ceiling before curling towards the head of the bed. I notice the small etching on one of the posts. My heart sinks. In messy writing a small heart with Astarion’s and my name is half hidden by a pillow. I carved that on our first visit here, Astarion kissing my neck as I giddily carved it with Rhapsody which now sits in the bag at the foot of the bed.

I shift away from it and begin to notice how hungry I am. I hadn’t eaten much the day before, Astarion had fed on me too greedily, and I didn’t have much at breakfast or dinner. I had the goblet of Astarion’s blood, but it was only enough to restore some of my daylight protections. The frustration in me begins to grow, and the itchy feeling along my spine from the hunger begins to get stronger. I get uncomfortable in my skin and I move to pace the room trying to breath.

What do I do? Do I go hunt? What if I’m caught? What if -

A knock on my door startles me from my thoughts.

“Tav?”

“Yes, come in.” It’s Laura and Gale. They enter the room looking concerned. “Is everything okay?”

Laura looks up at Gale, her arms crossed. “Listen Tav, I know you’re hungry I can see it. I know that feeling. We both decided you can have some of our blood tonight, and tomorrow Gale will figure out getting you something else.”

My eyes widen, “Oh no, no, I can’t ask that of you. I would- I can’t allow that. I…” I stutter and stumble over my words. I feel so much hungrier than I’ve ever felt in my vampire life suddenly. I stumble and grab the post of the bed as a needle like pain swells into my stomach and my throat begins to feel as though I’m breathing in the fires of Avernus.

Gale catches me from falling, and I can smell the warmth of his blood so close to my face that I begin to salivate. I push him away and back up and hit the wall beside the bed.

“Stay away from me!” My voice is shrill. “Something is wrong. Something is wrong.” The pain in my stomach grows and I keel over trying to catch my breath.

“Tav, what is it?”

“It’s the hunger Gale… I think Astarion… “ Laura realizes the same moment as I do.

I slam my fist on the stone floor and let out a frustrated scream as I clench my stomach. “Fucking hell! He fucking lied!”

Gale stands awkwardly unsure of what to do. “Can someone explain?”

I swallow the fire in my throat and look up at him, “It’s not only his blood that gives me the protections… it’s him. It’s my proximity to him. I always assumed it was his blood since he said it after I was turned...” I wonder how long he’s known this or if he’s always known. Another form of control. “The month he was gone… I had his blood, its stronger than anyone else’s so I didn’t notice the pain… but my daylight protections disappeared as he travelled further away. By the time he came home I was going a bit insane, I ran out of his blood and I couldn’t go outside. But I just took it as me being stir crazy. But Waterdeep…” My stomach cramps. “So much further…”

“Which means no sunlight and you need more blood.” Gale states.

I look at him hiding my grimace from the pain. “Yes. It appears so.”

Gods dammit Astarion. He did protect me all this time. He knew this was what it was like. But it still doesn’t give him the excuse to lie to me about it, what else has he kept from me? A sadness washes over me, and I hate myself for missing him right now.

Laura pushes past Gale, and she kneels beside me. “Tav, just drink.” She holds out her wrist inches from my face.

My eyes widen and I can hear the pulse of her blood through the fair skin of her wrist. I hesitate which takes every ounce of my strength to do so.

“Laura, no I-“ I gulp and hold my breath. “I don’t want to hurt you!”

“Gale if she starts to hurt me just fireball her.” Laura turns and winks at me. “It’s fine. It’s the least I can do for what you did for me.”

I look back to Gale who looks ready to fireball me already. “Fine. But Tav, if you do hurt her, I won’t hesitate to stop you.”

The pain swells in me again and I catch myself before falling over. My hand shaking as I push myself back up to a seat. “Good. Don’t hesitate.”

I swiftly grab Laura’s wrist with both hands and sink my fangs into her thin wrist. She lets out a surprised gasp, but I continue and drink deeply. I instantly feel the warmth of her blood calm the fire in my throat and ease the pain in my stomach. I close my eyes and sigh relief as I grip her wrist harder and feel her tug away a bit. I notice and it takes everything in me to stop feeding.

“I’m sorry. Are you alright.” I stand up and move away. I can still feel the hunger in me, and I need more but she’s so slight, I fear making her ill or worse if I continued.

Laura stands and I can see she is a bit woozy, “I’m fine.” She holds her wrist. “I’m fine.” She says more adamantly to Gale. “But you need more. I know it. Don’t hide it from me.”

We both look at Gale. Gale sighs. “Fine, but tomorrow I’m finding you a different solution.” I nod at Gale and mouth the words ‘I’m really sorry’ before I bite into his offered wrist. His blood doesn’t taste as good as Laura’s. Maybe some residual Netherese in his veins, perhaps a permanent bitter taste left from the orb. I release my bite after another moment.

“Thank you, and I’m sorry.” I already felt terrible about showing up suddenly, and now feeding on my friends makes me feel so… gross… I’d never fed on Gale before. Astarion would kill him if he ever found out.

Laura surprises me by hugging me tightly around my waist, “Stop apologizing. We love you. Come join us for din- “ Laura laughs, “Well, come have some wine with us while we have dinner.”

I smile but my mind trails back to the pain I felt moments before and the fact that Astarion had maybe, most likely, been lying to me all along.

****

Chapter Text

Astarion

“Where the fuck is she?!” I toss the guard spawn down the hall. Their faces bloodied and bruised. “Where?!”

They mumble and cough as I throw them again into the wall, breaking the large, framed painting on one side. My other guards cowering like rats on the stairs leading up to my bedroom. I stride to the bedroom doors, blowing them open with my powers and they shatter into thousands of pieces. I stalk around the room and throw the table at the glass balcony doors shattering them.

Where is she? We are supposed to attack the temple tomorrow. I only left for a few hours how could she just disappear? This is why she needs to stay by my side always.

I move to leave the bedroom and notice a tiny scrap note on my side table that wasn’t there when I left. I pick up the hastily written note in Tav’s scrawling handwriting. I read it and re-read it 3 times until I just stare at it and the ink feels fuzzy in my eyesight.

She’s so far away from me. She left me.

Panic rises in me. I haven’t been away from her except when she’s been safe here. She’s never been a vampire on her own.

Waterdeep? Gale must’ve given her something. Fucking wizards.

I feel frozen and helpless, and I hate that she made me feel this way again. I scream angrily and I can hear my spawn hurry away from the room. I place the note in my breast pocket.

I’m going to kill Gale. I’ll kill everyone in that Bhaal temple, and then I’ll go to Waterdeep and burn his tower to ash and bring her home. This will be okay. I just need to bring her home.

I feel my eyes burn and an unfamiliar feeling lodges in my throat. Overwhelming fury and power sings in my veins but a horrible fear is prominent in my mind: What if she steps outside not realizing she doesn’t have my protection? What if I go to Waterdeep to burn it down, but she is already ash?

A single tear threatens to fall, and I press my thumb to my eye. No, I would know if she was hurt. I stare at my matching ring to hers. She’s okay. As much as I hate Gale right now, I know she is safe with him, and that thought stirs up more anger in me.

I pace the room as a strong breeze blows through the broken doors to our balcony messing my hair and catches the ripped curtains in the gust. I stop and stare out at the dusky sky.

She’s going to be so hungry, that stupid girl doesn’t know. Maybe it’s my fault for not being honest with her… No, I did that to protect her. What if she feeds on Gale?

I grab the nearest vase and throw it against the wall shattering it thinking of her feeding on Gale’s neck. Maybe they’ll fall in love. Why is Gale stealing all my spawn?

I breathe heavy and panic swells in me. I collapse and try to catch my breath feeling weaker than I’ve felt in years.

I have given her so much was it not enough? Does she not love me? Was it a lie?

I scream again and turn into a dark cloud of death. I appear in the streets of a darkened slum of Baldur’s Gate and grab the first human I see sinking my teeth into their neck. I throw the body to the side after draining them dry. I walk along the cobblestone curved street and a scantily clad woman approaches me.

“Hello handsome.” She smiles seductively and walks up to me before her expression turns to that of horror. Her eyes widening as I come into the moonlight revealing the fresh kill still crimson on my lips.

I flash my fangs and in a moment I’m at her throat drinking in her life, the warmth of her blood filling my throat. Her gasps of the last breaths of her existence sound helpless, muffled by my fingers over her mouth. I drain her in moments. Her lifeless body slumping at my feet.

Weak. I stare at her. Tav isn’t weak. She’s chaotic and strong. Beautiful. Even more beautiful as a vampire. As my consort. Mine.

Frustration wells up in me again. I need to get to her as soon as I can. I vow silently to myself to destroy everyone who gets in my way.

*****

Chapter Text

Tav

A week passes by, and I try to surpress the rising panic in me. I pace back and forth in my room in Gale’s tower, Tara sits on the bed lazily watching me.

“My dear, you’re making me dizzy.” She yawns and then closes her eyes attempting to nap on the new blankets Gale found in the market for me, hoping to cheer me up. The rich purples and gold embroidery now covered in cat hair.

“He hasn’t come. I thought he would be here by now. What if something happened? I left him to deal with my family threat by himself. I’m so stupid…” I mumble to myself as I stare out the open window, the seagulls squawking in the distance and the water glistening in the sun. I hide just out of the beam of light. I reach out with my fingertip and it instantly starts to sizzle. I pull my hand back reflexively and rub the burnt spot. It’s slower to heal now. I should be sleeping but I can’t. I’m restless.

Tara snores on the bed not responding to myself pitying.

I roll my eyes and exit the room to the main living area. The walls are lined with books, more organized than before thanks to Laura’s hand. I’m sure.

I scan the room; the windows are open letting in long beams of sunlight. I step carefully in my bare feet around them trying to draw some of the curtains closed. With a yank I pull the large violet curtains shut. A streak of sunlight grazes my arm in my haste.

“Ah! Ouch, shit.” I drop the curtain rope and cover my bare forearm now singed.

I slowly release my arm to look at the burn and flashes of me holding spawn down in the rising sun accost my mind. Such a painful death I caused them. I shake my head at myself in disgust and I plop down on the overzealous pillowed couch. I hug one close and squint my eyes shut.

Maybe I am a terrible person. I deserve this. A deep loneliness settles into my heart and a chill runs down my spine.

What if he doesn’t come for me?

I press my fingertips into my eyes and try not to panic. Ice starts to prickle in my hands, and I hush down my magic. I feel completely out of control.

Astarion

I rip into the neck of another Bhaalist amongst the chaos of the battle, tearing open their throat and spraying blood on my face along with the surrounding area. Shouts, the clank of metal, the squishing sound of flesh being pierced and bitten, and the overwhelming delicious scent of fresh blood lingers in the air.

I breathe deeply and smile licking some of the crimson off my lips. My spawn and I are winning this battle, although some have been killed. I look over my shoulder to Ryder who fights gracefully despite his size. I hear a glint of metal to my right, and I phase into mist reappearing behind my attacker stabbing them with Bloodthirst through their body, pulling upwards for extra damage. I could cut them in half, but I enjoy watching the ones who attacked my consort bleed out on the floor. Ironic that the blade that meant so much to them, was now decimating them all one by one.

I stride towards Sarevok who deftly dodges an attack by 3 of my spawn, cutting one of them down with his long greatsword… The halves of their body falling in a wet thump onto the ground. I flinch at the sight, but it only makes me angrier. I rush over and jump preparing to stab him with blades in both hands. My mark lands and he screams out in pain as he takes a knee from the blow. I stand before him and he gasps as he tries to rise, but I kick him hard in the face knocking him back.

“I expected more from you.” I spit as he lays almost defeated on the ground.

His breath rasps and he coughs blood. “She may have given up her birthright, but she will always be greater than you.”

I try to hide my surprise at his words and kneel so I’m inches from his face, staring into his glowing eyes. I sneer at him before he meets his end by the blade Tav gifted me.

The only thing I say as I smirk, bringing the blade to his chin is an agreement.

“I know.”

Sarevok gasps one last time as I plunge the blade up through his skull.

Chapter Text

Tav

A week and a half have passed since I left, and I decided to focus on my magic studies with Gale. Getting some lessons from him is always a treat. It’s kept my mind off Astarion and the last few days I’ve started to enjoy my time at Waterdeep.

Gale and I are sparring with magic in his training studio, while Laura and Tara watch. Laura pops a dried potato chip into her mouth and a tingle of jealousy wells up in me. I miss food often. Even more as the blood Gale has been providing me with is awful. But at least it’s something.

Gale hits me with an ice spell knocking me on my back.

“Ow.” I pick myself up slowly and then reach for Gale’s outstretched hand helping me to my feet.

“Tav, c;’mon now, that was an easy block.” He sounds judgmental.

I brush the snow off my robes, “Ya, I know… I’m just distracted. Stupid hunger makes me think slower too.”

Gale looks at me sympathetically and I roll my eyes. “Maybe we call it for now.” I say as I brush the remainder of his spell off my robes.

We make our way out up the spiral staircase of the tower before hearing a pounding on the doors followed by a loud thud. And then the same knocking followed by another loud thud.

We pause to listen, as we hear another loud thud. We both rush up the stairs and I look out through one of the stained-glass windows. Ice runs up my spine and not from Gale’s spell.

“Gale… it’s Astarion…” I panic and yet feel simultaneously so relieved.

“I warded those doors so that if he tries to open them, they’ll throw him back.” Gale says as he opens the heavy doors. “Astarion! So good to see you.”

“Gale, don’t fucking start with me… where is she? Is she hurt? Where is she? I felt her get hurt! Where is she?!”

I stare down at my ring and feel stupid for not taking it off while sparring with Gale. My face flushes. Laura joins us near the doors and she clutches Tara nervously. I realize how uncomfortable of a situation I have made for her. Her having to see him again, no longer as his spawn, and him threatening her love in this moment. Even though I know Astarion wouldn’t hurt Gale though… I think. I face Laura and give her a sympathetic look.

“Laura, you don’t have to be here…” I trail off uncertain of my own words. “We-we’ll be fine, you go.” She nods apologetically and then runs up the stairs to the main floor, her feet quick on the stone. I hear the bedroom door slam and lock behind her.

“Astarion please, Tav is fine – “ Gale holds out his hands in front of him trying to calm the angry vampire lord down. He’s failing by how angry Astarion looks in response to the gesture. Shadows creep around his feet and threaten to burst from him. His eyes aflame with fury.

“Where is she Gale?! Bring her out here now!” Astarion bellows as he climbs the steps again.

“My friend, please calm – “ Gale continues stoically trying to peace keep.

Peeking out the side window I can see him face to face with Gale now. “Friend? You steal my… you…” I can hear Astarion stumble on his words, and emotion wells up in my chest, making it hard to breathe. He pauses for a moment and says almost uncharacteristically pleadingly, “Gale… Please.”

I can’t remember the last time I heard Astarion plead to anyone. I rush through the door pushing Gale aside and throw my arms around Astarion’s waist, breathing in his sweet scent. The embellishment of his jacket pressing against my face cool against my skin. Surprised by my action Astarion hesitates before enveloping me into his strong arms. He turns us away from Gale and I look up at him with tears in my eyes.

“I’m sorry.”

His eyes are angry and tired and desperate at the same time. His hands reach for my face, and he cups it as he kisses me hard with his soft and hungry lips. I bring my arms up around his neck as he pulls my waist flush to him. I purposefully knick my tongue on his fang and he sucks it with want. I hear a noise behind me followed by an “ahem” as Gale clears his throat. I ignore him and then kiss Astarion again followed by an audible sigh from the wizard. Gale throws his hands up before them landing with a thump at his sides while clearly rolling his eyes at us. I can hear him mumble something about being ‘too old to deal with this’.

Astarion breaks our kiss first. “You said you wouldn’t leave me.” Astarion whispers low to me.

“You said you wouldn’t lie.” I respond. We stare at each other in a stale mate, and I know he understands what I mean.

“Ahem! I don’t mean to interrupt, but Astarion, will you be staying with us tonight? And who else have you brought with you?” Gale questions cautiously.

Astarion doesn’t take his eyes off me as he wipes away the tears falling down my cheeks with his calloused thumbpad. “It’s just me, Gale.”

I touch his cheek and study his face. I feel his tiredness as he leans into my hand closing his eyes.

This is the Astarion I know. I hope he stays like this.

He grabs me again wrapping his arms around me like he’s concerned I’ll run away any second. He buries his face into my neck, and I can feel his warm breath against my skin as he takes in a long inhale of me and my blood. His nose tickling under my ear. I smile at that familiar feeling.

“I need you.” He whispers low so only I can hear him. “I’ve needed you.”

“Me too.” I whisper back.

He releases me and we both turn to finally acknowledge Gale who is flush with embarrassment.

“Gale,” Astarion walks up to Gale standing right in front of him before patting him awkwardly on the shoulder. “Thank you for keeping care of her.”

Chapter Text

After a bit of too friendly chatting, I lead Astarion back to our guest bedroom and close the rich wooden doors with a creak. As I turn back to face Astarion, his lips are already finding mine with a fervour I haven’t felt from him in months. A deep soul need that makes my heart skip a beat and my stomach flip. I want to push him away, yell at him, cry and tell him how much I hate him – how much I love him too… but my mind races at his touch and my body’s wants to fill me with an excruciating lust in this moment.

His tongue finds mine as he presses me against the door. His hips pressing to my lower stomach and I can feel the firmness growing through our layers of clothing. I tear at his embellished jacket, the buttons cool under my fingertips, and he shrugs it off without missing a beat. He returns the favour in kind and pulls my new robe over my head but rips the undershirt in haste leaving torn fabric crisscrossed across my skin.

Astarion steps back and takes in my exposed upper body, his pupils dilating at my naked breasts. I watch the rise and fall of his chest as he stares, and his eyes darken as a smirk curls the corner of his lips upward. He shakes his head as if arguing with himself and then lifts me around his waist. His hands searching my back and removing the tattered fabric before throwing me onto the bed.

“I’m so mad at you right now,” He kisses my breasts and sucks my nipple into his mouth, playfully nipping at it and I instinctively arch my back at the sensation, I reach to touch his hair, but he pins my hands above my head as he licks down my stomach. “But I need you more than you know right now.”

I push his pants down with my toes and he assists me in removing them before aggressively pulling my underwear down my thighs. Our mouths crash again, and I push him off me rolling myself on top of him.

“I’m mad at you too.” I say hovering atop him. His hands grip my hips, and I can feel his erection against my entrance. He pushes himself up towards me, so his tip caresses the wetness of my core, but I hold myself firm. He chuckles before spinning me playfully so I’m underneath him again.

“Mmm… well, how about I fuck you now, and we argue tomorrow?”

“Deal.” I say on an exhale as he pushes his erection inside my wet core. The stretch is exquisite as he pushes all of himself into me to the hilt. Astarion’s nips at my neck, and I rock my hips to find the angle so he can rub against that spot inside me. I reflexively moan at the sensation, and he quickly covers my mouth with his stifling the sound.

He slows for a moment holding himself back teasing me, and I dig my nails into his shoulders in protest. Astarion gets the hint, and he pushes deeper and harder into me and a sigh escapes my lips. I stare hungrily at him and pull his neck towards me and sink my teeth into his soft skin, sucking in swiftly in case he pulls away, but he doesn’t. I can feel him tense as my teeth initially pierce the skin, but he allows it. His nose caresses my cheek as I indulge on his blood, the warmth and sweetness of it igniting every nerve in me. My days of hunger slowly dissipating and I moan into my bite at the delight of the power rushing through my body.

I relax under him as he so slowly bites the skin of my neck in turn causing me to squeeze around his length, which only makes him thrust into me faster.

He’s unrelenting and the days of frustration of my disappearance are evident with his deep bite and his even deeper thrusts into me. His hand grips my thigh pushing it up higher so he can sink even further into my body.

His mouth finds mine, still coated in my blood, and his tongue plunges into mouth claiming me.

“You’re mine.” He whispers as he kisses the shell of my ear and picks up the pace, I’m close as he adjusts his angle hitting a deep spot in me eliciting a moan from my lips. “Say it.”

I gasp and grip his hair pulling his head back to look at him in the eye, “I’m yours.” I say obediently and with a hint of a smirk.

He grins wickedly and then kisses bringing me to the edge of my orgasm.

“Don’t stop…” I cry as the sound of him fucking me echoes in the room, my senses alight from his blood and my magic thrumming under my skin.

“Come for me, darling.” He sings in my ear, and it pushes me over the edge. I cry out pulsating around his cock as he finds his own release, the warmth spreading inside me.

He gasps as he fills me and pushes me into an aftershock of pleasure. I arch my back at the sensation and his hands wrap around me pulling me into him.

We collapse in a heap, and he rolls off of me. We stare at the ceiling of Gale’s guest room in silence. The bed creaks below us now and I worry that we cracked the base of it.

Astarion pulls me into an embrace and then kisses my forehead. I nip at his chin, and he pulls away giving me a squinty ‘don’t push it’ look.

I push him away in defiance.

“Oh no you don’t.” He pulls me back and hugs around my waist. “Not going anywhere right now.” He nestles his face into the back of my neck and the gesture makes my heart flip flop.

I lean back into him as he pulls the covers over us in silence.

A heaviness hangs over that silence between us.

“Astarion…” I whisper into the dark. “I never wanted to leave you; I just wanted you to notice I needed things to change. I need us to be… different. I want us to be… happy. Together.” He doesn’t say anything and waits for me to continue. A tear falls down my cheek. I turn around to face him and his eyes widen noticing my tears. He wipes them away with his hand on my face and his thumb brushing the tears as they come. “I love you… I just I want us to be okay.” I fight the tears, and they betray me. I’m embarresed by it.

Astarion shakes his head and kisses my lips tenderly. More tenderly than he has in forever and it makes me cry harder.

“I’m never letting you go. I can’t be without you, Tav. Don’t ever… don’t… please don’t leave me again… Please.” He pulls me closer to his chest and rests his chin on my head. “I… I love you too much.”