1.

You wake in the arms of the man you love, the man to whom you will now belong to, forever; and you feel glorious. Keeping your eyes closed you take in the warmth of him against your back, the smell of his skin as you snuggle into his arm beneath you. Your eyes open and the world comes into sharp vibrant focus. Every one of your senses feels stronger, every color more vivid, every smell more fragrant, every sound clearer. You can even hear his heart beating, his blood flowing through his veins… It's intoxicating and… your stomach grumbles.

"Already hungry?" His breath tickles your ear as he stirs, "I shouldn't be surprised. You always were insatiable."

"And what's that supposed to mean?" You retort in mock irritation.

"Nothing my love," You roll in his embrace to look at him while his eyes take in every detail of your face, "Huh… They stayed mismatched…"

"What?" You take a moment to puzzle out what he means, "Really?" You sit up, excitedly looking around the room for a mirror, "I want to see!"

But then you stop yourself; you can't see them… not anymore. Your hand moves to touch your face, your fingers tracing the outline of your lips, your tongue tentatively sliding along your new fangs, as you realize you will never see yourself again. Your fingers drift down to feel for your pulse only to feel… nothing. The place Astarion loved most is now dead and cold. Your fingertips find the now permanent divots of his bite. Your hand falls away landing in your lap as dread begins to fill your mind.

"Whatever is the matter, pet?" He sits up to look into your dejected eyes.

"I'm…" You're what? You are exactly what he wanted you to be. An immortal vampire just like him, only nothing like how he is now, only like how he was, "I'm yours still, right? …You still want me?" You fear he'll hate the coldness of your skin against his, the change in your eyes, your sharper bite, or worse, your inability to walk in the sun.

"Of course you're mine. I saw to it that you would be mine forever. My beautiful immortal consort." He caresses your face, wiping away the tears that began to fall, "Nothing will ever take you away from me."

You smile into his impassioned kiss and let him push you down into the bed. His hand travels down your body, gripping you roughly, leaving behind bruises, as you moan into his mouth. You open your legs to him, his body ready to prove that his desire for you hasn't changed, if anything it has only deepened. He thrusts into you with renewed ferocity making you cry out at the force of it. Gods, everything feels different now, so much more intense than ever before.

He pins your wrists to the bed, his fags digging into your new scar as he continues to vigorously plunge into you. Your body quivers, your fingers curl, your nails dig into your palms as you lose control and cum. But still, he ravishes you, his onslaught unabating as your body floods and pulses around him erratically. His hand moves to tangle into your hair, pulling your head sharply to one side as he continues to drink and you grasp at him desperately, whimpering,

"More…"

And he obliges your wanton plea. He rips away from your throat, your blood dripping from his lips onto your chest, as he licks his bloody mouth and looks into your eyes, he's just as ravenous as you. He grips the back of your legs, spreading them wider holding them down and rolling his hips. You arch your back, angling yourself to feel him rub against your clit with every move of his hips. You begin to writhe, trying to hold on longer, the pressure building until it's too much. Once more he slams into you and your body squeezes around his cock, spasming wildly, making him groan as he bends to taste your lips, joining you in your little death.

You curl into your nook at his shoulder as he strokes your hair. Your thoughts wandering to when he told you of how he was turned. You remember him saying how much it hurt when his heart stopped, that it took days for the change, that he was buried and had to claw his way out, and once he was freed, he retched up congealed blood only to be consumed by a hunger that's never satiated. Nothing like that has happened to you so far. You wouldn't expect him to bury you, but everything else… Has it been days? You've felt no need to retch. You weren't wracked by pain; not that that would have bothered you the way it did him. You are hungry, but it isn't an all-consuming hunger like how he described. Why?

"There's something different about how you made me your spawn, isn't there?"

"Don't say that my love. I don't like that word." You look up at him confused, "You're not just some spawn. You're my consort. My most beloved treasure. You will not refer to yourself as something so lowly again, understand?"

"As you wish, my love. I'm not your spawn," You draw out the forbidden word and he glowers at your cheekiness, his hand tangling into your hair, griping fiercely, "Ahh.." You bite your lip, enjoying his ire, but he releases his hold, so you to snuggle back down, "Sorry… But I'm right, aren't I? Something's different."

"Yes. Everything is different for you," He keeps his hand in your hair, gently rubbing your scalp as he continues, "I drained you dry, and at the height of your delirium I gifted you one drop of my own blood."

"But what does that mean? What will be different? Will I be able to walk in sun?" You pepper him with nervously excited questions as he chuckles softly.

"It will be no trouble to extend a fragment of my protection to you. I want you by my side, always. And I cannot have that if you are only able to be with me in the dark of night."

"I suppose. You certainly don't like being denied what you want," He gently tugs your hair at that, making you smile, "What about my eyes, my love? …What do they look like now?"

He tilts your head to look up at him, staring into them for a long moment,

"They're perfect… One is dark and deep, like a most precious ruby and the other… like stained glass in the sun."

"And what about you? What's different for you? Aside from you being so very warm?" You lean in closer, nuzzling his chin.

"Many things… and more that I have yet to discover. All of which I shall tell you, but first we should dine."

He slips his hand from your hair, reaching over to the bedside table and rings the little bell that sits upon it. Not long after one of the servants you hadn't seen before enters holding a large tray. There's a plate of roasted meat, vegetables glistening in a pool of melted butter and slices of fresh crusty bread. Alongside the plate is a large golden goblet and a bottle of wine that clink together as the servant sets the tray down on a table. Then they scurry away wordlessly and close the door. You slip out from under the covers and walk over to the table to look upon this sumptuous meal. Licking your lips you scoop up a bite and bring it to your mouth… You pause, your hand suspended in the air as you look at the fork; the thought of opening your mouth and putting it in disgusts you. Your lips turn down and you sneer at the offending food. Astarion chuckles behind you,

"No, my love. That's for me," He pushes your hand down while reaching with his other to grasp the goblet and places it in your hand, "This is for you."

You take it, looking down at the dark thick liquid inside; it's blood… Your mouth begins to salivate, you bring it up to your lips and gulp it down greedily. Astarion takes hold of the goblet, pulling it away from you as trails of blood trickle down the sides of your mouth to your neck,

"Slowly, love. Slowly," You gasp, reaching out to take it back, to drain the other half but he puts it just out of your reach, "You mustn't gorge yourself. You'll only retch it up if you drink too quickly."

"But… it's so good…" You pout at the denial of that delicious elixir.

He simply laughs at your dismay, wiping your messy face before settling down to eat his own meal. He sits with the plate before him, holding the fork and knife awkwardly, his brow furrowing as though he's not sure where to start. How long has it been since he's eaten food? Used utensils? It's your turn to giggle at his ineptitude, and though he turns an angry face to you, you only smile and slide into his lap. Once there you take away his fork and knife, proceeding to cut his food, balancing small bites on the back of the fork and placing them in his mouth, sweetly feeding him. His hand strokes the bare skin of your thigh, the other twists a lock of hair as you both enjoy this silly little domestic moment.

2.

You wake for the third time, still in this room, still with him. You don't know how long you've been sequestered here; there's no windows and time has lost all meaning. All you have done is indulged his every appetite, for you, for your body, for your blood, and you have loved every moment of it. But not this time… This time he leaves the bed, dresses and dons his armor. He's planning on doing something, though he hasn't told you what. You cast your gaze around the floor, searching for your long-discarded things, but aside from your chainmail everything else lays in tattered shreds… You hold up the scraps of your tunic to your chest when Astarion turns to look at you,

"Don't be absurd, pet. You'll not be wearing anything like that again," He waves at you to drop it and so you let it slip from your fingers back down to the floor in a crumpled heap, "I'll have them bring you something more suitable while I'm out." He kisses the top of your head before heading to the door.

You watch him go, feeling so utterly alone. You climb back into the bed, watching the fire slowly die when there's a soft knock at the door; it's the servant from earlier. She whispers that there's a bath ready for you and an ensemble to wear after, then she silently walks over, holding out something for you to wear now. You stand, smiling at her as you slip it on. It's a lovely white silk gossamer dressing gown that ties closed with a wide sash around your waist; it floats about as you follow her down the hall. She leads you to another room with two beds and a corner hidden by a folding screen; that is where the hot bath waits for you.

You toss the dressing gown over the screen and happily slip into the scented water, sliding down, fully submerging yourself in the warmth. You sway your head beneath the surface, your hair swirling in the water before you come back up. Opening your eyes to the servant girl standing there, a proffered tray of sponges, soaps and oils ready for you to use. You take a sponge and soap, lathering the sweet-smelling bar, it, along with the water and oils smells of lilies, your favorite.

You emerge from the bath, patting yourself dry and anointing your skin with the oil, breathing in the sweetness. You walk over to one of the beds, there's a dark green silken tunic dress with matching slippers laid out for you. It's a little too big for your petite body, but it is quite comfortable, just needs to be tied tighter. The slippers are just right, soft and supple fabric that molds instantly to your foot.

You return to your room. It's been cleaned; the dishes have been removed and the bed made, even the sheets have been changed. You smirk, thinking that's probably for the best. Astarion's bites have grown more vicious, leaving you a bloody mess and your body has become so much more responsive to his touch, another mess that would need cleaning… You shake your head, clearing it of such thoughts and walk over to the vanity.

You sit at on the small, padded stool and reach for a brush. Before you can bring it to your hair it is gently taken from your hand by the silent servant girl. She brushes your hair until it's smooth and shines like polished coral. You luxuriate in the softness of her touch as she finishes, placing the brush back on the vanity. You turn to look at her, to thank her only for her to cower back, her eyes glued to the floor.

"You don't have to be scared. I'm not going to hurt you," You softly speak to her, tiptoeing to her, leaning down to see her face, but she turns away, "Really. I'm not…" Poor thing, must think you and Astarion are going to be just like Cazador. You straighten back up, pondering if maybe she can show you around, "Do you know if there's a garden here? I can't imagine a palace as grand as this doesn't have one."

You turn away from her, letting her stand and walk over to the door where she motions for you to follow her. She guides you through the palace, up to the now sparkling clean ballroom to a small door leading out to an overgrown little patch of green; it must have been beautiful once. There's a stone gazebo, paved paths, the remains of a tiny hedge maze and all the overgrowth is that of sweet-smelling flowers. You leave her standing silently by the door as you explore this secret garden.

You stop and smell every bloom you pass, able to name most of them, each reminding you of your aunt's hollow tree surrounded by every flower she could find. The bushes of the maze have spread too much for you to walk those paths, so you make your way over to the gazebo. Inside is an ornately carved stone bench and with just a little clearing away it's suitable for you to lay on and listen to the birds twittering around the grounds. Their songs remind you of Ana, wondering how she's doing, hoping maybe you can go to The Chateau for a visit soon. You spare no thoughts for the ones you had called companions and friends just days ago.

You're unsure as to how long you lay there but at some point, you drift off in the warmth of the sun, dreaming… A shimmering figure stands before you, the visage of your goddess, Loviatar. She beckons to you, calling you to return to the place of your conception, to the place of your birth, to come to Her. She leaves you then, the loss of Her divine presence waking you. You blink in the glare of the setting sun to see Astarion standing over you, a smile on his lips and a golden goblet clasped in his hand.

He waits for you to sit up, but you take your time; stretching languidly, spreading your hair over the bench, letting it cascade over the edges, your dress riding up to where your legs bend at your hips and you rock them back and forth suggestively, his eyes following your every move,

"Must you tempt me so?"

"Yes." A teasing smirk graces your lips.

"Tsk. Tsk," He arches a brow and purses his lips as you sit up, "You should drink, my sweet. You must learn how to live with this new hunger," He holds the goblet out and you take it, drinking deeply but not ravenously, "Soon I think you'll be able to leave without fear of attacking the first person you see."

"The hunger hasn't felt like how you said it would, my love," You gesture at the silent girl by the door, "She's been with me all day and I've felt no need bite her."

"Is that so?" He turns his eyes on her and furrows his brow.

"So maybe I can go out tomorrow? I want to go to The Chateau. I think I've been summoned…" The dream from moments ago felt unlike any dream you've had before. Astarion's eyes question you, "I believe Loviatar was calling to me just before you arrived."

"I will think on it, pet," His hand caresses your face, and you nuzzle into it, "It seems you enjoyed this sad little patch of dirt out here." He looks around, dismayed by the shabby conditions.

"I have," You smile and look around at the little walled garden, "Shame it's been neglected for so long. I can only imagine how lovely it must have been."

"Then it shall be yours to do with as you please," You look up at his indulgent smile, "It is after all our palace."

"Ours?" You only thought to stay here for a short time before returning to The Elf Song. He was concerned about you being around people so soon after your change, "But I thought this place belongs to the Szarr family. Surely, they would have something to say about us squatting here?"

"I have made the necessary arrangements. It is now the Ancunin Palace. It is ours, my love." The devious satisfaction in his smile sends a shiver down your spine as the reality of it settles in; this mansion is now your home, with him.

You jump up into his arms and shower him with kisses. He takes the opportunity to carry you back down to the room that is now yours and his.

3.

The fire pops as you stand before it, warming your body, waiting for the great bath to be filled. Astarion wishes to have you join him, and though there is the room you used earlier to bathe, he is uninterested in going in there. He wants nothing to do with any of the other rooms until all vestiges of his former life in them have been erased. As soon as there's sufficient water in the tub you shoo away the two men hauling buckets and close the door behind them. You creep over to the where Astarion lounges in the bed with his eyes closed and you whisper to him that it is ready. He smiles, getting up to follow you to the bath and he settles in, waiting for you to climb in. You nestle between his legs, leaning back against him, relaxing into a peaceful soak.

His hands roam over your body as you tip your head back to nip at him. He grips you roughly and groans as you slip a hand behind you, taking hold of his cock, sliding your hand up and down, squeezing lightly, your thumb tracing a small circle at the head every time your hand goes up. He leans forward, biting down on your shoulder, drawing blood before kissing you. You relinquish your hold on him, letting him turn you to straddle him. His hands hold your hips, guiding you down onto him, taking him in to the hilt before you begin to roll your hips. Tight tiny circles as you rise and fall, circling one way then the other. Enjoying the friction on your clit your eyes close, your hands gripping his shoulders.

"Eyes on me, pet." A devilish command from your love as his hand slides up your body to your neck.

Your eyes flutter open, he's watching you find your pleasure using him, a look of possessive pride in his eyes as he holds your gaze. You want to close your eyes, but you can't look away. Your hips move faster, your climax inching closer and still he looks into your eyes. You begin to tremble, you're so very close. His hand at your neck shifts, grasping you, his thumb pressing down just above his mark, his fingers gently constricting ever tighter. Your lips part, your breaths panted out as he bucks his hips up into you, his gaze intensifying. The water sloshes out onto the floor as your fucking escalates. You can't hold on any longer. You tighten around him, quivering, digging your nails into his flesh, crying out as you cum. He pulls you down, going in for another bite, drinking you in as he empties himself deep inside of you.

You stay like that, breathing heavily, the heat from the water and the pleasure making you lightheaded. He brings you in closer, wrapping his arms tightly around you, continuing to drink. And then, all too soon, he takes his fangs away and you whimper. You curl down to nestle into his neck, feeling his pulse thrumming against your forehead, his hand slips up the back of your head, cradling you and you wonder how you could be so lucky to have this life.

You sit up in the bed waiting for Astarion to join you; he still hasn't said whether or not you can go to The Chateau. You want to go as soon as possible, you have never been summoned by Loviatar before, and it wouldn't do to keep Her waiting. Davora did say that you are Her Chosen, but it still doesn't feel like you are, or at least you don't know how it's supposed to feel being a Chosen. You grow anxious thinking about it when he finally slips under the covers with you,

"So, about me being able to go out… can I?" You turn to him as he settles onto his pillows, raising an arm for you.

"Where was it you wanted to go again, pet?" His eyebrows rise in question, still waiting for you to go to him.

"Just back home- No, sorry. To The Chateau. I don't think I should keep my goddess waiting." You give a pleading smile before settling into your nook.

"I think that may be permissible. So long as you take an escort from among our servants. You will need to have a proper lady's attendant soon enough. And possibly a guard or two. For appearances sake."

"OK." You think a moment, other than your silent shadow from earlier you haven't interacted with any of other servants, "That girl from earlier, I can bring her with me. She seems nice enough. Maybe she'll even speak this time."

"Very well, I'll allow it. You may go to see your goddess, find out what she has need of you for, then come home. I'll be out most of tomorrow. There is much that I have to take care of for this whole brain thing to be done with."

You had forgotten all about that… How could you have forgotten? You had been trying so hard to rid yourself of that damned parasite… and then you lost yourself these passed days with him. Nothing else mattered, not even that. It's such a daunting thing, a monumental ordeal, a task so far beyond your capabilities. And so far-removed from the life you had been living, from the life that you want, from the life that you tasted here, with him. Even still, you were helping… you were even improving, becoming an integral part of the team. What happened? …Astarion ascended… That's what happened. You never wanted adventure. You never wanted to be a hero, or anything of that sort. At every turn you were miserable and just wanted to go home. Your only comfort had been Astarion and finding your destiny with him. Something that had already been set in motion before your abduction. Before that fucking elder brain stole you away from everything. No, you want nothing more to do with that mess, that world no longer matters to you. Let Astarion handle it. If he wants you to join him, you will, but barring that it is no longer your problem. You can finally go back to what you were before: a carefree city girl.

4.

You stand in the foyer of the palace, waiting for that meek girl to come open the door for you. Astarion insists that you no longer need to do such menial things, like opening doors, dressing yourself or even brushing your hair. Honestly, the hair thing is nice, this girl has a gentle touch and since you no longer have a reflection anything more than a simple braid is beyond you. But waiting on doors seems a bit much. She finally comes scurrying out of the study, Astarion's study, now that it has been cleared and cleaned. She bows to you,

"Sorry for making you wait, mistress." He voice is hardly even a whisper, but it's sweet.

"It's nothing to worry about. Let's go." You smile even if she doesn't look up to see it.

You step out onto the sun-soaked street and breath in the sweet scent of the upper city, your attendant swiftly moving to walk ahead of you. There're flowering plants lining every street and growing abundantly along the walls of every palatial home you pass. How many of these manses have you seen the inside of and not know it? You laugh to yourself, if only Ana was here to speculate with you. But you will be seeing her soon enough. You almost skip the entire way to The Chateau.

A smiling initiate opens the fate for you and ushers you inside. They step away as you sit on a stuffed bench, beckoning for your attendant to sit with you, but she shakes her head vehemently and stands beside you instead. A few minutes pass and the initiate returns to take you to Davora's office, your girl is told to wait where she stands.

You're led to the door where you knock, waiting to be invited in, but your impatience doesn't let you, you walk in moments after knocking. Davora sits at her desk fussing at some papers, she looks up and smiles warmly, shaking her head indulgently at your impertinence,

"Welcome back, my child. Or should I be addressing you as My Lady?" She gets down and comes to greet you, pausing in front of you, taking in the site of you, "And I imagine some congratulations are in order?" Her eyes fix on yours, having already noticed their change.

"I suppose so, but please don't call me 'My Lady'… That's just wrong coming from my Truescar." You scrunch up your face in distaste, waving away such a formal title.

"As you like. You do look magnificent, Talia. Even if those clothes of yours are ill fitted. Does the new vampire lord not have the means to dress you properly?" Her eyes look you up and down ashamedly.

"Oh, no, that's not it. Its hasn't been that long and there's a lot he has to take care of, and I haven't had the time to go shopping. These were just things in the palace that were the closest to fitting me." You don't mention that this is the first time you've left your palace, or that you haven't had much need for clothing recently.

"So, I see," She holds out the fabric, rubbing it between her fingers, appraising its worth, "It is fine cloth. Perhaps you can simply have these remade to suit you more. No sense in wasting such luxuries. Fabrics like these are rare and expensive. Tell Figaro over at his boutique that I sent you. He will be happy to have the latest Lady give him patronage."

"Thank you." You're excited to have an excuse to go to Facemaker's.

"Now, why are you here? Other than to take up my precious time and steal away with Ana?" She sighs, only mildly exasperated.

"I believe I was summoned… I think I need to go to the inner sanctum."

She hums to herself, holding her chin and nodding,

"Then I best show you down," She shuffles over to the statue behind her desk and moves something, causing the statue to slide back, revealing a spiraling stone staircase going deep into the ground, "Come. Best not keep Her waiting."

You hurry after her as she lights a candle and begins her decent. The walk isn't as long as you'd thought it would be, the stairs end abruptly at a heavy wood door that she pulls out a key to open. She pushes it out away from the steps then holds out her hand for you to go in ahead of her. She keeps her head bowed as you pass. As soon as you're in she wordlessly reaches over and closes the door behind you, plunging you into complete darkness. Your eyes strain to see anything, but there's no need. A moment later a soft glow begins to emanate from the foot of a large and truly imposing statue of Loviatar. The light does not even reach to the head, but you can make out every detail. She stands tall and fearsome with sharp features, wild and loose hair streaming down her back to her hips, a flowing robe draped elegantly over her figure and a nine tailed flail held aloft.

You bow before stepping onto the hallowed ground. You can feel Her there with you as you approach the obsidian altar stone. On it you see a flail matching the one in the statue's hand; you know what to do. You disrobe, neatly folding your dress and placing it on the alter stone. Then kneeling before the statue, you strike your back with the flail, drawing blood and a reverent whispered plea for her to grace you with her presence.

"You have come at last, my eternal Chosen." Her voice echos in the chamber, a darkly rich sound that makes you tremble.

"My Maiden of Pain…" You look up to see her before you, a misty figure, almost incorporeal and yet somehow perfectly visible in every detail, "You summoned me? What would you have of me?"

"Rise and hear me," You stand before her, childlike in your size compared to Hers, "You are now ready to know your destiny as I have designed it to be."

"My Lady, please… if I could ask you something?" You wait, fearful your interruption will have angered her, but when she doesn't speak you continue, "Why did you never come to me before? If I have been your Chosen since my birth, why did you never summon me? Never speak to me as you are now?"

"You were not ready my child. And you never needed to hear my words to do as I wished. You always followed your darkness. You never denied what I made you to be. You only ever needed my blessings, or their withholding to guide you." Her smile is a proud thing as She looks down on you.

"So, you were guiding me, all this time? You were leading me to Astarion?"

"He was not always the intended for you, but even as a god, I have no direct control over mortals. And many have seen fit to thwart My Lord Bane and myself." Her voice grows icy, steely as she gnashes her teeth at being hindered by mortals, "But that is no longer of concern. You have accomplished much and more for me and mine. You only now have to serve me as you have always done. For the rest of your immortal life, all your pain is mine to feast upon."

"Truly? That's all you would ask of me as your Chosen? Just to continue paying homage to you?"

"Yes child. All I require from you is that you remain by the side of my beloved's Chosen. Serve him as you serve me, and you will fulfil all that I desire from you. He is your Lord and Master. Heed him as you would me."

"As you command, so shall I obey." You drop back down to your knees at her feet where she graces you with a touch on your head before you feel her presence vanish.