Author's Note 2/19/24: This one took longer than I expected. I've been bad and started writing a sequel to this story before I've finished this one. So, I'll be splitting my time between the two, and chapters may take a little longer to come out. But hopefully it's worth it.

1.

You don't know how long you cry into her arms, his last words haunting you. Every fiber of your being aches at the thought of losing him, of the fear he doesn't want you, that he never did... Tears continue to fall as you think how the only thing that quiets your darkness, the only thing that lets you feel Loviatar's grace, the only one you can ever imagine being with is him.

Shadowheart rubs your back as you sob. Eventually your tears stop, your ragged gasps quiet down, and you just leave your face on her shoulder, finally feeling soothed by her. Once your breathing returns to normal she leans back and stands before she helps pull you up, her face peering into your eyes as she speaks softly,

"I know that I don't know everything that's going on with you two, but you both need help and neither of you has asked for it. So…"

"I thought I could handle it…" Your voice is hoarse and low.

"Yeah. And he thought no one else would help him to not starve. This is exactly what I mean. The both of you, honestly." She shoulders you gently, "So, let's go give him his dinner," She holds up the bottle and gives it a little shake.

"Yeah." You manage a smile as you shoulder her back.

You continue to ruminate, blindly following Shadowheart. What will you say to him? Should you apologize for lying about not being able to handle feeding him all on your own? Or that you liked it so much you purposefully let him go too far? Should you try to explain that he's the only way you feel the blessings of your goddess anymore? That the darkness in you wants you to submit to him? That you think it's somehow related to how he felt, but you don't know how or why? What are you supposed to say to him? Is he supposed to say something first?

Shadowheart guides you through the tower to a quiet room that Lae'zel commandeered for your bunks tonight. Apparently, she was not about to sleep in the overcrowded barracks with all those cult freaks; they never shut up. You see Lae'zel coming down the hall, you open your mouth to say something, but she just zooms right passed you, not even looking as she rushes by. Confused you turn to Shadowheart, but she doesn't say anything, just hands you the bottle, opens the door, shoves you through and closes it behind you,

"Please go talk to him. I think Lae'zel has had enough of his silent brooding." Her muffled voice comes through the door, then you hear her footsteps fading away.

You turn away from the door and spot him sitting on a crate across the room; hunched, elbows on his knees, hands clasped in front of his mouth, red eyes staring intensely. An awkward silence hangs in the air as you stand there, unable to move, neither of you speaking. Everything you thought you might say vanishes the moment as you see him. Your heartbeat thunders in your chest as an eternity stretches before you, when you remember the bottle clasped in your hand. You twitch into motion, slowly walking towards him, holding it out once you're close enough,

"Here you go,"

"Is it yours?" He leans back, resting on his hands as he looks at the bottle.

"Some of it… The rest is Shadowheart's." You're still holding it out to him.

He lightly chuckles, watching you stand there fidgeting, before finally taking the bottle and bringing it to his lips, swallowing a few times. You watch him drink, fearfully chewing the inside of your mouth, wondering if mixing blood makes it taste differently. Will it taste better? Will he like it more? Will he not want yours anymore? Your friends are trying to help and all you can do is have these selfish thoughts. And it's because you are his. You know it now. You belong to him. So if he doesn't want you, what will become of you? You begin to shake, holding in your despair as you watch him drink.

"Ahh…" He holds the empty bottle for a moment before setting it down on the floor next to him, his eyes meeting yours again, "Are you going to say it? Or am I?"

"I'm sorry!" You exclaim, "I'm so sorry!" You're sobbing again. So desperately afraid he doesn't want you that it hurts.

"What you said before… Is that how you really feel? You want me to hurt you?" His voice is quiet and harsh and all you can do is nod your tear-stained face, "You want to be mine to do with as I please?" He stands, looking down on you.

"Yes… Maiden help me, it's all I want!" Your sobs stop as you look up at his ravenous eyes.

"Then I'll do just that. I'll do whatever I want with you," It's a demanding whisper in your ear that makes you shiver.

He grabs you suddenly, pulling you into him as he kisses you hard. His mouth fierce, voracious, and you happily give in to him; your darkness waking at his touch. His hands move; undoing the belts of your armor, dropping your chainmail to the ground, your padded tunic all but ripped off your body. Between it all he kisses you harder, biting newly exposed skin, making you whimper and moan. You stand naked before him, his darkly hungry eyes devouring the site of you. You feel deliciously exposed, awaiting his command…

He says nothing. He sits himself back on the crate and looks at you, smirking expectantly. You flush, dropping to your knees, sliding your hands up his legs. He grabs a fist full of hair, forcing your head back as your hands undo the lacing of his pants, freeing him. Your hand grasps him, lightly squeezing, stroking, your other hand sliding up under his leather armor, a silent plea for him to be as naked as you. He only shakes his head as he pushes your head down to swallow his cock whole, the grip in your hair tightening at he sets your pace.

The stone scrapes your knees, tears sting your eyes as he pushes you down hard every time, the tip brushing the back of your throat. Gods, the feel of him, the taste of him makes your body crave more. You squeeze your thighs together, feeling they're slick with your desire. You sway your hips, desperate to feel the relief of friction, moaning around him, he shudders at the sudden vibration. You press the tip of your tongue up, adding pressure, swirling it at the tip every time you slide up, sucking harder as you go. His other hand tangles into your hair, increasing your pace until he cums, filling your mouth. The salty sweetness going down smooth as he wrenches your head back and growls,

"I want to fucking tear you apart,"

"As you wish," Your voice husky and low as your own voracious smile spreads across your lips.

He moves you to straddle him, the crate digging sharply into your shins as you slide down, engulfing him, rolling your hips. His fingers dig into the softness of your hips, his teeth nip your breasts and tease your nipples. You move your hips faster, grinding down with every roll, feeling your clit rub against him, quickly bringing you ecstasy. You pant, quivering in his grasp, and yet he's not done.

He stands, holding you to him, still deep inside you as you grip him with your legs. He kneels, bringing you to the floor, laying you down on the cold stone, his mouth finding yours as he begins to move. He's rough, ferocious, unforgiving in his thrusts. Each one driving you to the edge again, but his rhythm is tortuously slow: you ache for him, and he knows it. He smiles, watching your anguished face silently beg for him to give you release. He relents, building speed, plunging into you, relishing the sounds you and your body makes as he fucks you into oblivion.

He lays on top of you, still buried in you as you mindlessly twirl his curls around your fingers and trace the grooves of his muscles, careful not to linger on his scars. He had you twice more before his desire for you seemed to subside and you feel marvelous. You sense Loviatar's presence; approving, encouraging; your goddess returning and filling you with Her grace once more.

Your eyes drift towards the door, wondering if Shadowheart and Lae'zel meant to return to the room or if they had found other accommodations. You suppose it doesn't really matter. He kisses your neck where he had just been biting you; not draining you, just enjoying the taste of you. He leans up and looks down at you with a bloody smirk, you slide your hand from his hair to his face, your thumb on his lips, smearing your blood across them,

"What now?" You smile dreamily at him while he ponders the question.

"We should probably clean you up a bit." His eyes drift to all of his love bites and bruises covering your body.

"I suppose we should," You pass your hands over every spot you can still feel stinging and then let him guide you to the rest, "And now?"

"Get some rest." He stands to look for anything in the room that will serve as bedding.

"That's not what I meant, Astarion." You stand and see if your tunic is still wearable and pull it on, "What are we going to do now?"

"Whatever I want." The look he gives you flashes with predatory desire, making you bite your lip to stop from begging him to fuck you again.

You're only mildly irritated at how he won't answer you. You join him in looking around, thinking quietly to yourself, realizing he did answer you... You will do whatever he wants. And whatever he wants is what you want. All you need is him; your darkness shivers with anticipation as you accept your fate as his, to do as he pleases with you.

2.

Morning comes. Or at least you assume it's morning judging by the noise coming from down the hall and the grumbling ache in your stomach. It's then you remember you hadn't eaten dinner and Astarion had his way with you for what must have hours… You need to eat. You shake Astarion, hoping to rouse him quickly, instead he pulls you back down to him, trapping you beneath him, so he can nip at your neck,

"Wait, my love, I haven't-" But he ignores you and bites down, taking only a little before pulling away.

"Sorry, my sweet. Just needed a little nibble to get me going." He gives you a roguish smile.

"Mmhmm. If you say so. Now let's go before our friends come looking for us and so I can eat." You gently push on him, so he'll let you up.

You finger comb your hair in an attempt to tame it enough to braid again, then putting on the rest of your things you try to make yourself as presentable as possible. Astarion lets you fuss at him, tugging at his armor and smoothing back his curls, his eyes watching you all the while.

You leave your little storage room and make your way to the entrance hall where you spot Lae'zel and Shadowheart sitting at a table, eating. Gods, you're hungry. They wave you over, as you go to sit Shadowheart stops you, you don't have time to sit and eat, you will be eating on the way back to the inn. You want to beg to stay a little longer, but she shuts you down with how you all need to get back, the others must be worried sick. She shoves a small bundle of wrapped food into your hand as Lae'zel presents Astarion with another bottle. You pout, following them out of the tower as you dig into the bundle to find hard cheese, sausage and a soft bread roll, not a bad meal to munch while walking.

The pace Lae'zel wishes to set is not conducive to eating, nor to drinking, judging by Astarion's refusal to match it. She gives up, an exasperated groan escaping her lips and Shadowheart just sighs at the two of you. You know this isn't some leisurely stroll, but you really are starving, so you wolf down the food while Astarion takes his time drinking. While your mouth is otherwise occupied Shadowheart tells you of how Lae'zel was able to talk her way into yet another room for the two of them to sleep in unmolested by the cultists. You try not to laugh, afraid you'll choke on your half-chewed food as you picture her being coyly deceptive, flirtatious even, with one of the half-orc guards. As the two of you giggle and chatter Lae'zel turns to look back,

"So, did you do as I suggested, Astarion?"

You perk up at her saying his name and turn to see him just staring at her before smilingly taking another sip from his bottle. Unable to contain your curiosity you turn to her,

"What did you suggest he do?"

"If he has not said, then it is not my business to say." And with that she moves ahead of you and Shadowheart.

You turn a questioning face on him, but he only gives you a smirk then polishes off the bottle. Shadowheart has no idea what they're talking about. She hurries to walk beside Lae'zel, whispering to her as Astarion strides over to your side, wrapping his arm around your shoulders as you continue walking.

The moment your group is spotted on the bridge you're rushed by Karlach and Scratch, both of whom bombard you with questions and barks,

"Oh gods, you're alive! What happened? Where have you guys been? Gods, I was worried sick! Why didn't you come back last night? I waited up! I-" While Karlach clamors on, Scratch circles your little group, snuffling away as you try to make your way across the bridge. Thankfully she's cut off by Shadowheart.

"I'm sorry, Karlach. We were not trying to worry you, but maybe everyone deserves to hear what happened?"

"Right! You guys head inside, I'll grab everyone." She runs off, Scratch hot on her heels.

You gather inside, waiting for the others. You sit on a bar stool, Astarion stands behind you, so you lean back and relax into him. As soon as everyone is gathered Shadowheart and Lae'zel relay what happened at Moonrise, how now you will be going to find the necromancer to get what information you can from him and plan from there. Lae'zel cautions it may take more than a day or two, the place is unknown and from the sounds of it, dangerous. With your little misadventure explained away Halsin begins to tell of what they were up to and what they need to do next.

You're finding it difficult to pay attention; Astarion has started to wrap his arms around your waist so that he can lean into your neck and breath you in. His breath tickles delightfully, you try not to squirm, his closeness making your heart race and your breath go ragged. You manage to hear they need to perform a ritual before Halsin readies to walk away. But Shadowheart says there's more that needs to be discussed, she pulls Astarion away from you so he can address everyone,

"Right… So, it would seem that I need… help from everyone. You see, there's nothing for me to hunt here, so I have no sources of food, as it were," He pauses for longer than Shadowheart likes so she nudges him to continue, "I was wondering if you all would be willing to… help feed me."

Silence hangs in the air as everyone's eyes briefly focus on you. You hunch down into your shoulders, making yourself a small as possible, wondering if they all know you were the only thing he was having.

"Sorry, mate. As much as I'd like to help you out, I don't think you'd like to be on fire. But anything else, I got you." Karlach looks genuinely sorry for not being able to, she's always looking for ways to help her new friends.

"I fear I will also have to abstain from aiding you, my friend. Something tell me this Netherese magic I have consuming me has made me taste absolutely awful. Magic can do queer things to blood. And I do not know if it would affect more than just the flavor, there could be other, even less savory side effects." Again, Gale's loquaciousness muddles a simple 'sorry, I can't help you'.

"How was I not the first you asked, Astarion? Look at me!" Halsin gives a jolly chuckle, gesturing to his ridiculous size, "I clearly have the most to give!"

"I do not like having to do this, but if it will keep you from draining the smallest of us, I'll help out, too." Wyll looks at you like he pities you, like this wasn't something you willingly did, like he thinks Astarion made you do it.

"I can still help." You glare at him, you are not some hapless victim, you're choosing to help him, "I just need a little time to recover between… his feedings…" But the fact of the matter remains, it is more than you can handle, and not just because you let it go too far.

"Then that is settled. We will all take turns providing Astarion with sustenance. Shadowheart and I have done so already today, but we must take provisions with us. She and Talia will gather what's needed from you before we depart." Lae'zel looks to the volunteers before going to prepare the rest of your party's needs.

Halsin and Wyll stay with you and Shadowheart as you collect their blood. Halsin wasn't wrong when he said he'd have the most to give; he nearly fills two bottles and doesn't even seem fazed by the loss of that amount. You thank him, his meaty hands clasping yours when you try to close up the gash, his gentle smile spreading as he speaks quietly to you,

"You do not have to take on so much on your own, little flower." How did he know that's what you were called as a child? He sees your confusion, "Sorry. Did I say something wrong?

"No, not at all. It's just that's what my aunt called me, when I was little."

"I thought it would suit you, seems like I wasn't the first. I do not mean to pry, but I know I sensed Sylvanus' magic in you, are you also a druid?"

"No… I grew up in a druid's grove, I did learn some of it, but... But I was never welcomed there… Sylvanus' blessings always felt wrong to me… You see, there's something about me…"

"A darkness. I saw it when you rescued me. Don't worry; I won't ask you to explain, I won't judge you for it, nor will I speak of it to anyone. We all have darkness in us. And it doesn't seem yours makes you a cruel girl. Just be careful, whatever it is. Know that you can come to me, should you need to."

"Thank you, Halsin." His kindness warms you, the first druid to not look at you like you're a monster.

Halsin goes off to handle his own business as you walk over to Shadowheart and Wyll. She still hasn't gotten started, and you don't understand why, then you see… Wyll is grimacing like a child as Shadowheart tries to hold his arm still so she can open his wrist. You stifle a giggle at this squeamish man, wondering if the reason he's reticent to help is because he doesn't like being in pain, no matter how little. Of course, he's fine in a fight, the heat of battle probably distraction enough, but just doing this makes him squirm.

You leave them to is as you go to ready your packs before Lae'zel tells you it's time to go. You walk towards the stairs, feeling his eyes following you. You turn to see Astarion sitting at the bar talking with Gale, a darkly possessive smile graces his handsome face, making you shiver ever so slightly. Something's changed in him and you can't get enough.

You pack your things and Astarion's, making sure his bottles are wrapped and stowed safely deep in his pack. You hurry down to hopefully eat something before leaving. He already has a bowl and bread waiting for you beside him. He knows you so well. You beam at him, scooching as close as you can while inhaling the delicious porridge; Halsin as clearly taken over the preparation of food here, shame you have to leave again and miss out.

Shadowheart and Lae'zel had a few more things to take care of before departing so you wait with Astarion on the bridge. He stands close to you, fiddling with your braid, enjoying a quiet moment alone. You find yourself slowly leaning back against him and his arms wrap around you, his chin resting on the top of your head as you close your eyes. Your mind wanders back to what Lae'zel had said on the way here,

"What did she tell you to do?" You don't even know if you meant to ask it out loud.

"What was that, my sweet?"

"On the way back, Lae'zel asked if you did what she told you to do,"

"Hmph." His breath rustles your hair, "It's nothing you need to worry about. But I did do as she suggested," He leans further down, his breath in your ear now and you can't help but feel flushed, "Let's not bring it back up again, hmm?"

"Of course not," You settle further into his tightening embrace, "If you say I don't need to worry about it, then I won't."

"And what of you, hmm? What were you and Halsin talking about while he was holding your hand?" His grip on you tightens, his fangs scratching along your pulse, and you fight back a moan.

"Nothing, my love. He was just saying if I need help, I can go to him." You tip your head back against his shoulder, your body aching for more, your hands gripping his arms.

"Come to me first, my sweet." It's such a jealous growl breathed into your ear.

"As you wish." You hardly get the words out when his fangs pierce your skin.

It's the smallest of tastes, your blood only dripping a little so he can lick up your neck before he moves away to kiss you and you wish the two of you were anywhere but here. Lae'zel's annoyed clicking tongue breaks you apart. It takes only a moment for you to prepare and head out.

3.

You walk with Shadowheart most of the way, she wanted to gush more about all the things related to Shar in this place, she's never seen so much dedicated to her dark goddess nor seen her so openly worshiped. You continue through a graveyard until you can see a gated stone archway a little way ahead, surmising this must be the entrance marked on the map Z'rell gave Lae'zel. Shadowheart grabs your hand and rushes the two of you to the front, eagerly looking around,

"Can you feel that? The curse isn't as strong here, almost entirely gone. Shar must be protecting where we're going. Come on! Let's go! Hurry!"

She pulls you and starts to run, but her glee is immediately dampened by that smarmy faced devil. He's reciting some new cryptic warning in guise of a poem, his eyes, always hungry, and always lingering on Astarion. You glower at Raphael, your hand still in Shadowheart's as Astarion steps forward to speak with the devil,

"How long were you skulking there, practicing that rhyme before I arrived?"

"Until it was perfect. I've grown quite fond of you, you know. In my own way." His eyes stay fixed on Astarion though he's speaking to all of you, "I thought it only fair to warn you about the dangers ahead."

"Did you now? And what danger would that be?" Astarion continues to speak to Raphael as you step closer to him, Shadowheart coming with you.

"There is a creature that lurks in silence and shadow. A creature, who like me, is very much of the infernal persuasion." His voice rises, growing sharper as he continues, "In truth it is carnage incarnate. So, if you meet the devil of which I speak, kill it. Consider no other course of action." He takes a breath to calm himself, "And don't think I've forgotten your proposal, Astarion. When the beast is dead, I'll consider that payment enough to translate those scars of yours."

"Really? That is suspiciously fair." Astarion shifts his weight, considering what the devil says.

"You wound me, spawn. I always deal fairly. Now vanquish the beast and all will be revealed." And with that final word he vanishes, leaving you all to think a moment.

"Is it really OK to agree to this?" You look up at his face, not really knowing if Raphael is truly being fair or if he has some ulterior motive for helping Astarion. You want him to learn about his scars, but you don't want him doing something that will only bring him further misery.

"I think so. We only have to kill some beastie after all. Poor beastie, but I need to know what these say," He looks into your mismatched eyes, tucks a stray lock of hair behind your ear and smiles confidently, pushing your worries aside, "Come. We have work to do."

At first you think the mausoleum is a desecrated mess left by grave robbers, but then you realize the jumbles of bones and shattered tombs are the result of someone making effigies and performing the profane rites of Myrkul. One of the disturbed remains is a skull mounted on a pike spouting a recorded message. It's from Balthazar, the necromancer Z'rell sent you to fetch, something about not wanting to be disturbed, to go away. At least it looks like he's still alive.

Lae'zel nods, satisfied that so far, it's not a wasted trip, before heading to the back, beyond another empty tomb to a hidden entrance of a temple of some kind… It's a temple to Shar. Shadowheart gasps and drops to her knees, praying, paying her respects before entering its hallowed grounds. Though you don't kneel, you do bow your head in mild deference, this goddess, though not your own, should be shown your respect. You hear Astarion scoff lightly, garnering an angry look from Shadowheart and a questioning look from you. What is he doing? This isn't the time for his disapproval of the divine. He only arches a brow at you as you follow Shadowheart in.

The room looks deep and dark, two enormous statues of Shar loom on either side of a magical platform. As you all step on it the statues ignite with a purple glow as the platform descends into the darkness. You look up and around you, marveling at the opulent violet and golden room, grand staircases curving back up to where you just were, but they lay in shattered ruin, most of the entrance does, but it doesn't detract from the beauty of the place. Shadowheart joins you in looks, her awe eclipsing your own.

You walk beside her, the two of you moving slowly, taking in every detail of the hall until you come to a small dancing statue of Shar encircled by a purple glow. A deep and sultry voice echos in the round room, the voice of Shar,

"Shar's warriors must not be caught, must not be tricked. Only loss awaits the unworthy." The voice fades and you and Shadowheart lock eyes.

"The Gauntlet of Shar before my very eyes, the Dark Lady guided me here. She wanted me to find this place." Her voice goes breathy and quiet.

"Does this mean you can fulfill your dream, that you can-"

"Become a Dark Justiciar? Yes, I think it does… Oh, Talia, will you," Her voice grows louder, as does yours.

"Help you? Of course! This is amazing! I can't believe you're defying your Mother Superior!"

"I know! But this is something I've always wanted and now I know My Lady wants it for me as well. I can do this." You smile brightly at each other, excited to do this with your friend.

"Intriguing. Shadowheart, would this perhaps improve your combat skills?" Lae'zel gives the smuggest smirk you've ever seen on her.

"Yes, Lae'zel, I do believe it would." She matches the snark and does her little head shake you find so cute.

"Ugh. Do we really have time for this little side thing for her?" His irritated scoff breaks into your bit of fun.

"Astarion!" You turn to him, almost astonished he would say that.

"What? I have my own matters to attend to down here, not to mention that business for the cultists." You give him a little pout and he sighs, rolling his eyes at you, "Fine. So long as we can kill the devil Raphael has sent us after."

"Of course we will, my love." Did he truly think you'd abandon him to help her?

You step closer to him, your fingers gingerly reaching out for his hand. He looks at you, grabs your hand and pulls you passed the others, moving deeper into the temple, not even waiting for them to catch up.

You continue into a cavernous room that branches out in four directions. Off to one side there's three shambling skeletons in armor that halt your progress,

"You do not belong here." One of them shouts.

"No. You do not belong. This is the Dark Lady's home. She has no use for old, faithless bones." Shadowheart's face darkens with rage as she looks at these trespassers in her goddess' temple.

"You blunder. You meddle. You upset my plans. Leave before-" They all speak, but in turns, all with the same voice. Then they pause a moment before yelling at your party, "Stupid, worm-infested cockheads! You have awoken the shadows! My forces are split. The defenses are thin. Rally on me, a wall of bone and blade against the darkness. Now!"

The bones scatter as two swirling dark purple portals appear and empty animated Dark Justiciar armors begin to attack all of you. The talking bones help fight, taking on the armors at the portal nearest them. Astarion releases your hand to run into the fray with Lae'zel and Shadowheart. You see one of the skeletons shooting arrows at the swirling dark and realize you can damage that, prevent more armors from coming through. You run to the far one and swing away with your short sword. Astarion comes to your side of the fight, keeping the armors near you occupied until you get the portal closed. It's doesn't take long; the fight is over before you can get winded. You look up at the others to ensure they're ok. They're fine but the skeletons seem to have run off, disappearing deeper into the temple.

Shadowheart watches them running down a corridor and says to ignore them, she wants to investigate this large room. She begins to pour over every nook and cranny of the place with you while Lae'zel and Astarion quibble about where to set camp; either inside where the curse is entirely absent but there are those skeletons and guardian armors or back in the mausoleum where the curse is only lightly present but may still present unforeseen dangers.

Shadowheart insists staying in the temple is the better option, she's adamant that Shar would not allow the guardians to attack you, it was those skeletons and whoever is controlling them that the guardians are after. You would also prefer the temple to the mausoleum, the temple has a lovely grand atmosphere you find pleasing, despite things trying to kill you. A compromise is reached; you'll camp at the entrance where the magic platform was, it will provide the most protection from the shadow curse and if anything in the temple should attack, you will have a quick escape.

You go back to set up, it is getting late and between walking from Moonrise to the inn and the then inn to here and having a minor fight you are all wiped out. You set to dragging a brazier to the center of the room and start a fire while Shadowheart and Lae'zel get to setting up the bedrolls. As soon as they are put out Astarion moves yours further away from theirs and then settles with you on the floor by the fire. He leans into you as he drinks his dinner and you nibble on yours, enjoying the feeling of being near him.

4.

You wake to the feeling of Astarion's hand roaming under your tunic, his lips brushing against your neck before he bites down. You clasp a hand over your mouth to silence yourself, you don't want the others to hear you. He's not there long, only taking a sip or two before he pulls his hand out of your clothes and gets up to start his day. You pout t the sudden loss of him, your hand moving from your mouth to the fresh punctures on your neck, closing them. You sit up and see you're the last to leave bed, so you hurry to join the others in eating breakfast and putting on armor. It's decided to leave camp set up so you're not lugging around everything while trying to explore and most likely needing to fight more.

You head back to the large room from yesterday to start looking around more. Lae'zel believes the skeletons from yesterday belong to the necromancer you're here for, so she wants to follow their trail. Shadowheart wants to look for the trials so she can perform them and Astarion looking for signs of his quarry. You let them each search for what they want to while you wander around. You notice an unusual number of rats, mostly congregating around sarcophagi and small altars; but no one wants to pay attention to you, so you keep quiet and keep wandering. And that's when you spot it. It looked like a panther, but why would a panther be down here? You quietly creep down the way you saw it run off, unsure if you really saw what you think you saw.

It leads you to a broken stairway where it sits on the other side. It's beautiful, but not what you thought, it's no panther. It does have sharp claws on large paws, but there's too many of them… there's six of them… And there's strange tail like feelers coming off its face that swirl around its body. You want to reach out and touch it… It looks like its fur would be so very soft…

"Are you serious, Talia?" His raised voice jolts you back from the stairs' edge as he strides to you, "Why did you wander off without telling me?"

"I didn't mean to…" His angry face flusters you, "I thought I saw something, so I went to check it out."

"Gods. Every time." He mutters under his breath, "What was it?" He looks passed you at the now empty stairwell.

"It was like a panther, but not… I don't know what it was." For some reason his ire is so… enticing.

"Have you found something?" Lae'zel comes up behind Astarion, her eyes also searching behind you.

"Apparently…" Astarion continues to stare down at you with mild disapproval, and it makes your heart race, "She says she saw something over there though I didn't catch a glimpse…" His nose crinkles a bit, "But I do smell something foul coming from down there. It may be worth a look."

"Sounds good. I'll fetch Shadowheart."

The moment she's out of sight he grabs your arm yanking you to him, lifting you up onto your toes,

"Don't do that again." It's a whispered, growled command.

"Do what?" You can't help the mischievous smile spreading across your lips.

"Your curiosity is liable to get us all killed." His fingers dig in.

"Hasn't killed me yet." He glares at you, and you feel yourself wanting to push him… To fan the flames, make him angrier.

"Then how about I just don't like you wandering off where I can't see you… And without my permission…" An implied threat lingers between you as he claims your mouth in a fierce kiss.

"Ahem!" Shadowheart clears her throat, drawing attention to the fact you now have an audience, "Were we interrupting just now?"

"Sorry," You lower your head, looking up at him through your lashes as he releases the iron grip he had on your arm.

"Not at all. Shall we go?" Astarion answers for you both, his eyes never leaving yours.