1.
Astarion scoops you up into his arms and runs impossibly fast into your palace, down the stairs and into your windowless room. It's just in time. Your whole body is covered in tiny fissures branching out from every part of you that had been directly exposed to the sun, deepening and spreading should you move over much. You hold your body as still as you can as he sets you down, holding your arms in his hands. Frantically he looks you over, incredulous that he couldn't stop you from burning.
"Astarion, my love, I'm OK." You try and fail to calm him. You want to heal yourself, to prove to him that you really are fine, but you can't muster your magic. Perhaps you had already used the last of it on instinct to save yourself from the sun.
"No. No this cannot be happening. I am the Vampire Ascendant! If I want to extend my protection to you, then so it should be. I will not tolerate being denied!" Indignantly he growls to no one.
"You're not being denied. Please, my love," You reach out to caress his cheek, but he recoils from your ruined hand, "Sorry…" You bring your hand back, clutching at the open front of your dressing gown, covering yourself, trying to hide your charred body within it.
"This has to be some kind of mistake," He mutters under his breath, turning away from you to pace in front of the fireplace, "How is this beyond me? Vampires can pass on their gifts, so why can't I?"
"Maybe…" He stops, your soft voice pulling him out of his thoughts, his eyes slide over to yours, "Maybe it's like calling the wolf and my raven… Maybe it will just take some time?"
He sighs heavily, striding over to you,
"Perhaps you are right, pet." His hand comes to your cheek, caressing your face, seemingly no longer disturbed by your burned flesh, "Perhaps, all I need is time. We will wait for me to further come into my powers and try again."
You watch your skin slowly start to heal itself. The fissures sealing, the rough dry skin smoothing out once more as you wait for a bath to be filled. It's not just that ruined moment in the sun, but everything else has left you covered in filth and gore; you want nothing more than to scrub all of it away.
The water slowly grows cold as you continue to soak in it. Astarion went upstairs to speak with the survivors that are still being treated in your ballroom, he said to join him once you were presentable again. Maya comes to your side with a sheet to dry off with, her quiet voice assuring you the sun has set and all the curtains have been drawn to protect you. You slip your arm out of the sheet, examining it. There's no trace of your burns and you can even feel some of your magic returning, you could even continue to treat those Astarion wants favors from.
You sit at the vanity so Maya may brush out your long hair and dress you. She has brought a simple and elegant gown, one of the ones you decided was not to your liking, but it will have to do for now. She dresses it up with a velvet sash tied tight around your waist and a few pieces of delicate jewelry, making you almost appear like one of them. You thank her, preparing your performer's smile to face these nobles still in your home.
The palace is less full now that some of them have returned to their palaces. The ballroom is quieter than you would have thought as you enter. You look around briefly and find Astarion happily speaking with an older man. You recognize this man, he was at Gortash's inauguration. Astarion sees as you and holds his hand out to you, waiting to introduce you,
"My love, this is Duke Eltan." You lightly hold his hand as you curtsy deeply to the duke, "This is the lady of my palace, Talia." You rise and smile demurely.
"What a lovely creature she is," He looks from your to Astarion smiling. Then, turning to you, he holds out his hand so he may take yours and place a chaste kiss on the back of it, "Lady Talia, I cannot thank you enough for your help in this tragedy," He continues to hold your hand, patting the back of it, accentuating his sentiments, "Our glorious city reduced nearly to rubble by these monsters. It is unthinkable that it should happen here. Such wanton destruction. Such a waste of life. Regrettable, truly… But I digress. My Lady, you were a beacon of light in the midst of it all. An angel sent to us. I do not know how many you saved, but thanks to you, this city will have many of its ruling class here to bring it back to its original, glorious, illustrious state again."
"I only wished to protect my home and those that make it such a joy to live in." You smile sweetly and dip your head to his rambling praise, "Did you require further healing, my Lord? I am able to fully restore you now that I have had a little rest." You place your other hand over his, giving it a tender squeeze, as Astarion nods approvingly.
"I am quite well now, thank you. Though there are some here that could use more of your gentle touch, my dear. Many were grievously injured, and though I know you did what you could to keep them alive, not all would be able to return home in their present condition. Please, if you would, see to them." He pats your hand before holding it out to the others around the ballroom, releasing you to help his fellow patriars.
"It would be my pleasure," You curtsy slightly before walking away from them to help the others.
The duke had exaggerated a bit, there's not that many injured grievously, you know you saw to that during the battle. But on you go, deciding to simply fully heal them all. You go to each makeshift bed, padded chair, chaise and sofa, speaking to each great lord and lady as your magic flows into them. Every one of them thanks you profusely; some inviting you and Astarion to their homes to enjoy their hospitality as a more appropriate show of gratitude. You thank them, assuring them that you will be happy to avail yourselves of their good company.
Once again, your magic drains away to nothing, leaving you feeling fatigued, but all of the people in your home have been cured and have gone on to their homes or that of family and friends if theirs lie in ruin now. How thankful you are that your home remains undamaged after this harrowing ordeal.
You drift over to one of the curtained windows, quietly musing to yourself. It's funny to think you had had all these names memorized once; patriars, noble houses, merchant lords and other such people. Now you have faces to go along with almost all of them. You wonder which ones indulged in the masques. How many have had you? How many recognize you, or even Astarion? Do they all know they owe their lives to people they saw only as pleasurable playthings?
"So… you're on the arm of a new lordling?" His deep voice rumbles near your ear. It's him, the oaf, the one who does know who you truly are. The one you are now fearful is an Eltan; a powerful patriar family, their patriarch on the council that rules the city. He leans down to whisper in your ear, "Are you what happened to Gortash, I wonder?" His breath stirs the hair at the side of your face, his closeness denoting his desire.
Is that what the rumor is? That Gortash's consort, the mystery woman, killed him? None besides this oaf know who she was, who you are in that regard. Not so long as he keeps his mouth shut.
"I don't know what you could possibly mean by that." You hold very still, staring straight ahead at the curtained window; you're sure he would grab hold of you if you tried to walk away.
"I was no friend to Gortash, I don't care what became of him. If you were his demise or not. What I don't like is you pretending like I don't know exactly who and what you are, my little kitty," He drapes his arm over your shoulders, bringing you closer to him, breathing in the scent of your hair as you remain motionless, "Why not leave this new one and come to me instead? I would have gladly taken you after Gortash, if you had let me."
"I did not wish to be there with him. I do not wish to be anywhere other than here. This is my home, where I belong." You finally turn to look him in the eyes, to let him see you're not as you were when you were held at the fortress, "Please, remove your arm."
But he doesn't notice the difference in you. He only sees what he wants to see, the Paramour he enjoyed and now a personal toy to take home. You can't lash out at this man, but neither can you let him entertain the idea that you can be taken. You try to think of how to get away from him without drawing attention, or worse, hurting his noble pride. You attempt to turn away, but his grip tightens. You look around slightly frantically and see Astarion coming to you with Duke Eltan.
"Do you know the Lady, Darius? I did not know you had met her before." He looks at Darius' closeness to you, his arm around you, narrowing his gaze on his errant son.
"No, of course not father," His hand slowly slips away from your shoulder, "I was simply expressing my gratitude for her help in all of this. She has been most gracious." He walks to his father's side and looks at you intently.
"It pleases me that 'My' Lady was of such great service to you on this dark day," Astarion glares at Darius, his arm wrapping around you, pulling you into him, his hand possessively gripping your hip, "Do you require anything else of us?" He looks as though he'd like to rip Darius' throat out.
"We shall be bidding you good evening. Thank you again for your exceptional hospitality. Your heroism is sure to be celebrated in the coming weeks. I shall summon you when the council meets again. We must begin work on the city's reconstruction, with your generous offer of aid, of course. Good evening, Lord Ancunin, Lady Ancunin." The elder Eltan turns waiting for his son.
"Good evening to you both. I look forward to our next meeting." Darius bows slightly, holding Astarion's stare without so much as flinching.
You feel Astarion bristling as they walk away,
"The gall! The utter audacity of that whelp to lay hands on you. Were he not an Eltan, I'd have killed him on the spot." He holds your chin so you look up into his eyes, seeing the barely contained rage in them. You'd have liked to see that. You can't stand the way that boy thinks himself entitled to you.
"I know, my love."
2.
After enjoying a rather late dinner with Astarion, he decides to simply relax in bed. You lean back against his chest, nestled between his legs, his arms around you, as he begins to tell you of his designs to rule Baldur's Gate,
"I shall make this city mine. Ours. Of course, we will need to do it quietly. Charming these fools into handing over the reins of power to me. I am starting with donating to the reconstruction efforts, Duke Eltan is already most grateful. His approval will aid in gaining the trust of the rest of the council. And you, my love, have been unexpectedly marvelous thus far. Your rescue efforts, healing all that were brought to you, your support of those fighting and then how well you handled them here, in our palace. I had not realized you were so well trained at conducting yourself in high society- outside of masquerades. I am quite impressed."
"I was expected to be able to entertain in more ways than one, you know." You smile coyly.
"Were you now?" He gives your ear a nibble, making you shiver, "I quite enjoy your other talents. Though I suppose no one else will get to experience them, now that I have you."
"What? You don't wish to share me?" You tease, enjoying the thrill of riling him up, how it makes him more vicious with you.
"I do not like other people touching my things," It's a growl in your ear and a fearsome grip on your body. You lean back into him further, relishing his possessiveness, "You're mine. And we will be together forever. You shall be by my side as I take this city. And then the world."
"And after that?" You close your eyes, your hands gripping his legs as he leans down.
"We shall dominate it until the sun itself melts. And then, we will give ourselves to the night." He bites down on your shoulder, eliciting a cry from your lips. The suddenness of it making the pain all the more delicious, "We have a glorious future ahead of us, my love."
He bites again, your body tensing at the fierceness. His hands slide down your arms, gripping your wrists, bringing them up over your head to hold tightly in one hand. He twists you over one leg, pinning your wrists to the bed, leaving his free hand to come down hard on your exposed rear. The loud slap of his hand striking your body is excruciating, it makes you bite down on your lip. You know he's smiling, enjoying your moans of pleasure.
His warm hand caresses you, soothing the sting, then rises and strikes again. You cry out this time, torn between wanting him to keep going and wanting him to fuck you. You wiggle your hips ever so slightly, silently begging for more of whatever he wants of you.
One more strike and caress before he releases your wrists. They're bruised, beautiful shades of purple blooming under the skin. You stay exactly as he left you, awaiting his next desire. He strokes your hair, sliding his hand up along your scalp to grasp a handful, pulling you, bending you back sharply. He puppets you, bringing you up to his face, kissing your lips as you strain blissfully in this position. His free hand caresses your neck, dragging his fingers down to a nipple to pinch, twist and pull, down again past your navel until he reaches his destination. His fingers sliding between the wet lips between your legs, circling your clit before slipping into you easily. You moan into his kiss as his fingers move in and out of you, swirling, teasing you. Panting, you breathe into his mouth, squirming at his ministrations. You're so close. You need more and yet...
His fingers leave you as he pulls back away from you, denying you what you crave. He smiles wickedly, moving you to push you face down into the bed. His hand releases its grasp on your hair to glide down your spine where both his hands take hold of your ass, pushing to angle you up, arching your back sharply. You can feel him pressing against your pussy, anticipating the pleasure he will give you, but he holds off, waiting for you to try pushing back on him. He wants to make you beg. He wants you to beg him to give you deliverance from this mounting pressure. You whimper his name as he teasingly slides between your squeezed thighs, along your dripping folds, tormenting you.
The wait is excruciating, but you can't move, he won't let you. You begin to cry from the tension, ever rising but finding no absolution. And just as you cry out for him, he relents, and you feel him penetrating you. Sweet release is instant. You can't help the immediacy of your climax; he made you wait an eternity. And now he continues on through the pulsing waves of your body until they subside. Never relenting in his thrusts, your body shivering all the while, readying for you to cum again. The continuous onslaught of him pumping into you is a divine affliction. You grip the sheets, biting them to stifle your screams of unsurpassed pleasure as you both succumb to a little death.
His grip on you lessens as he pulls away from your shaking body. You lay still a moment, your mind almost blank except for Her divine presence, enjoying the pain he brings you, an offering She gladly welcomes from her immortal Chosen.
3.
Astarion holds you close as he waits for breakfast to be brought in and the fire stoked to light the room. His hands play with your hair and trace little circles on your skin, you delight in how he enjoys touching you. Maya comes in with the tray and a gown for you to wear. She looks at you apologetically, word was sent from Facemaker's; it will be a few more days for your order to be delivered, extenuating circumstances and all. You will make do with what is already here. She then turns to Astarion, eyes cast down as she assures her master that the house is ready for you to walk in and not be at risk. He scowls at the need to block out the sun for your sake. You try to gentle his gloomy mood,
"We can attempt today, to experiment with what it will take for me to join you in the sun again, my love. My magic is fully restored, I'd be able to heal immediately. There's no risk." You caress his face, a hopeful smile playing on your lips.
"That would be an acceptable morning activity," He smiles down at you, nuzzling into your hand, "Though I am waiting on a summons, I do not know how long that will take. I also have some private matters to attend to, so I cannot spend too much time with you this morning, pet."
"I understand."
"Although, one of the matters I must attend to is apparently the hiring of builders for our palace? Something about a doorway needing to be put into my study. You wouldn't happen to know anything about this?" He raises an eyebrow as you flush, a little embarrassed at being found out before you could have the final plans drawn up and presented to him for approval.
"I had meant to talk to you about it once I had everything ready, my love…" You're unsure if you can flush in your vampiric state, but if you can you are now.
"You were trying to surprise me? Haha, that's cute." It's a sweetly indulgent chuckle, "I would like to hear this idea of yours."
"That room, next to your study, well… it seemed like the perfect place to have our bedchamber moved to…" He waits for you to continue, "I know you love how the sun shines into your study, I've seen you just standing in it, smiling and I thought… Maybe you'd like to wake in bed with the sun shining in on you as well…" You fidget a bit, waiting for him to respond.
"You are the sweetest thing," He nibbles on a wrist, teeth barely breaking skin for a little taste, "I shall see to it that you are provided with everything you will need to make us a grand bedchamber, one best suited to our… proclivities." He bites down harder now drinking you in and you squirm, wondering if he's going to indulge further or if he's just teasing you.
He's teasing you. He releases you and goes to the table to eat while you pout at him. He laughs, telling you to join him, you do as he says, sitting at the table and drinking slowly while finishes up. Once done he rises to get dressed and Maya dresses you. As she fusses at the gown another servant comes in, there's been latter from Ana delivered. They bow and hand it over before going to Astarion to whisper.
Excitedly you break the seal and begin to read, sitting back down at the table. Ana lets you know everyone at the temple is safe, though there were a few who transformed into hideous tentacle monsters. Davora was able to kill them. Ana had no idea she was a formidable fighter, neither did you, for that matter. There's been some damage to The Chateau, but not enough to prevent normal services being rendered, just now there's fewer rooms available and appointments must be made, no wandering in for boredom's sake. You giggle and wonder how many will be turned away now that it must be prearranged. It is good to hear Ana and everyone else is safe. You ask Maya to bring you pen and paper so you can write Ana back with your own updates.
"Do not reveal too much, my love. I do not expect our letters to be intercepted, but you never know who's reading them. We must be especially careful now that I am to be playing the Grand Game."
"Of course not. I shall use the utmost discretion in my correspondences. It'll only be when she's here that we will talk freely." You give him a wink and continue your writing.
You may not have been a devotee to the goddess of secrecy, but that was still a large part of your former life. The rich and the powerful decidedly loath being embroiled in scandal and yet ironically crave hearing of their peers' misfortunes. You finish and follow Astarion up to his study to try again bathing in sunlight.
You sit next to a window, Astarion holds one of your hands while beginning to move a curtain to one side, his face creased with concentration. You feel the warmth of the sun on your skin, and for a brief moment it seems to be working, but then you feel the sting that comes before the burn, and he quickly closes the curtain as you begin to heal yourself.
He curses, muttering under his breath and paces, puzzling out what just happened; what he was just attempting and what he can adjust to make it work. He looks to you to let him know you're ready to try again. You hold out your hand, ready to go. Again, he places your hand in the sun and concentrates. This time lasts longer, but still you burn. He glares at the offending window as he releases your hand to be healed again.
"I have some research to do. There are books and scrolls in the chapel below us, hidden knowledge of his that I will need to consult further. I have already begun to read them, and they have taught me much about true vampirism. But I do not yet know all of it nor how much of it will be applicable to me, now that I am so much more," He smiles down at you and plants a small kiss on your forehead, "But now, I must get to work. You may return to your little project in the room next to me. Your garden will have to wait."
"As you wish, my love. I hope you do find something of use." You rise and walk briskly to the door, closing it behind.
The moment the door latches you see sunlight pouring out from beneath it, and you swallow your disappointment. You will be with him in the sun again soon. You hate the way he looks so distraught, not being able to do something he knows he has the power to do. Not having full control yet is irritating him to no end. Your eyes rise from the light on the floor, looking to the door leading to your soon to be bedchamber. Maya comes down the hall with all your notes; it's time to continue your work.
4.
Several weeks have passed, the cleanup and reconstruction of the city is well underway. Of course, the first buildings to be rebuilt are those of the upper city. Meanwhile a parade is being planned to celebrate the heroes that still remain in the city; those only being Astarion, Shadowheart, Gale, Halsin and Jaheira, all the rest are gone. They have all been busy helping in the reconstruction efforts in the lower parts of the city.
You've reached out to Halsin about helping with food for the people. You may be long out of practice, but you still know druidic magic used in the cultivating of plants, you could assist him in growing fruiting trees and vegetables in the city's parks. He has happily accepted your offer. As much as Astarion is concerned with keeping the upper city residents happy you know that the denizens of the lower city should be kept happy as well. If for no other reason than unfed populations tend to riot and attempt revolutions. Such things would hinder Astarion's grand plans. You both must be seen as a hero to the people as well as a friend to the elite.
Once again you can go into the sun, but only is Astarion is with you. He is yet to master the ability to protect you, he must be able to see you for it to work for now. It has been a marked improvement. You can now enjoy your garden while he is in his study; he has a perfect view of you as you work to make it bloom again.
The bedchamber is complete, all your needs and wants met within its four walls. The large windows are hung with heavy drapes, the grand fourposter bed is canopied with thick curtains on all sides so you can be protected even if Astarion is away. Other, more fun, embellishments have also been included; both of you enjoying their inclusion.
Some of your new neighbors, that you had rescued during the battle, have paid you visits. All of them enjoying your hospitality and beginning to plan parties, balls, bacchanals, some even being so bold as to mention masquerades again. You smile innocently as Astarion welcomes the chance to host all of these soirees in the coming months.
The Chateau remains as indomitable as its Truescar, all members doing well in the wake of everything. It pained you to see the beautiful building damaged, but now Davora plans to expand the building, adding many more improvements, so excited by the very prospect of it all. You promise to help with the gardens once she's finished the construction.
Ana has been visiting you more often since The Chateau is limiting its business. So, she watches you putter about in your garden as she sits on the bench, drinking and gossiping. She joins you on shopping trips and sometimes even sings for you and Astarion. He is adamant she be among the entertainment of his first masquerade. You think it's because he wants a chance to show all of them who the two of you are… were. But he needs to be discreet, investigating who the members of the great houses that attended.
The parade is set for the next ten-day. It will start at the Wavemother's Temple at the harbor and work its way up to the upper city, ending at the construction site of the new Ducal Palace. You will wear your lycoris gown while Astarion has had new garments of his own ordered from Facemaker. His parade coat will match your gown in color and have a pair of embroidered spider lilies over the front. He plans to give a grand speech at the very end, something to inspire the people to think him genuine in his efforts to bring prosperity in the face of adversity. He tells you next to nothing about how he will accomplish these things, but you don't need to concern yourself with the minutia of it all. You smile hungrily at all of his ambitions. You know your influence, your very presence, as the Chosen of Loviatar will only ever drive him to further seek power, more and more of it. His appetite for it all, as the Chosen of Bane, will only ever grow stronger. And you can't wait to live that life. A life of unprecedented wealth, luxury, pleasure and pain with him. Forever. Until the world falls down.
The End.
There will be another chapter after this one, but it won't be more of this story, it will be bonus material from this story. Take a look if you're interested, otherwise...
Thank you for reading. I hope you enjoyed it.
