A/N: oops my hand slipped and I made a new one-shot? Which might be a three-shot? This takes place during Act 1 of BG3.
Of Blood and Ice: Meetings and Awakenings
"I trust you."
Astarion could have laughed. She was sincere. It had been less than six hours since he held a knife to her throat. She really was the perfect target.
"I'm asking you to trust me just a little more. I need blood - just a little. It'll make me stronger, help me think better... I need you alive, and you need me strong."
There was a pause. A long moment, made all the longer by the conflicting emotions that played across the sorceress' face. Where on Toril had she been taken from; how could she possibly be both so powerful and so innocent? He'd believe it was a ruse, but he had seen her try to lie to Gale earlier about something to do with the Weave - what exactly Astarion wasn't sure, he hadn't fully been listening. Still, it was obvious to everyone who had eyes Meia couldn't lie worth a damn.
Finally the pale teifling spoke, her whisper barely audible. "Okay. You can feed from me."
"I can?" his disbelief tinged his voice for a moment before he recomposed himself, sauve mask slipping back on as he gave her a smile. "Oh, well, let's get a bit more comfortable then, shall we?"
She didn't struggle as he laid her back against her bedroll, her silvery eyes meeting his before darting away. He could hear her pulse beating in her chest, the steady rhythm speeding up as he leant over her.
"I'll be as gentle as a babe," he murmured, lips hovering over her neck. Her pulse spiked higher, and he could feel her shiver in his arms. That was an interesting reaction. Maybe this plan of his would be easier than he thought.
"No more than you need," Meia reminded him, voice hushed. Then she turned her head slightly, angling her neck up towards his mouth. Oh, she was perfect.
Astarion brushed a few strands of her purple-black hair out of the way, his fangs puncturing her neck without warning. She stiffened at first, to be expected, and then he felt her relax in his grip. Her blood. He had only just gotten a taste and his world narrowed to the flavour, the feeling of the hot blood, drinking down mouthful after mouthful. It sparked like electricity down his throat; smoky, sweet, delicious, addictive. He couldn't get enough of it, greedily pulling her closer, cradling her head.
She said something, but he couldn't understand her, following his hunger that urged him to quench this thirst, to finally abate the parched dry feeling that had clung to him since he had turned 200 years prior. It was when she pressed a hand against his chest, fingertips splayed out against his bare chest through the cords that fastened his shirt that he came to, processing her words."Astarion, that's enough."
Her voice was weak, but the tone firm. Reluctantly, he pulled away, noting the pure white tiefling had become even paler. He didn't know that was possible. He gave her an almost sheepish look as he stood up. "Ah, right, of course."
A thousand thoughts swirled through his mind at once. Despite all the noise in his head, there was one sensation that stood out the most. "I feel... happy."
Meia had sat up, though she looked like she might collapse at any moment. He probably took a bit too much of her blood, but he couldn't help himself. The thought of pining her down and finishing what he started flashed across his mind, and he quickly pushed that away. He hadn't been lying - if he was going to survive this unwelcome guest in his skull, he did need her. The last thing he needed was his companions chasing after him like that Gur had been.
"Now, while you are delicious darling, I need something a little more... substantial." He caught her questioning glance, and he gave her a slight bow. "This is a gift you know. I won't forget this."
She didn't say a word as he disappeared into the forest.
~*)*(*~
Meia woke with a throbbing pain in her neck. She winced, hand reaching up until she remembered the events of the previous night and she froze. It hadn't been a dream. Tentatively, she touched the skin, and sure enough, she could feel the puncture wound, hissing as it stung. Fuck.
She groaned, stretching in her bedroll. Outside the confines of her tent, she could hear muted voices at the remains of the campfire. There was no way she could go out and face him yet. She had thought the entire incident had been an odd dream borne out of him threatening her earlier that day, and the fact he was so damned attractive it was distracting.
Fuck. She had recruited a vampire. And he had fed on her.
And she had liked it.
Urgh, what was wrong with her? She rubbed her eyes with frustration, letting out a sigh as she looked up at the thin cloth that barely stopped the bright sunshine. Today was going to be another sticky, hot day if this was any indication. This isn't how she imagined she'd be spending her summer.
Steeling herself, she pulled herself out of her bedroll, focusing on putting her armor back on. Tying the laces just so, making sure they were double knotted but still allowed her to breathe without discomfort. There was no sense delaying - time was moving on, and if Gale was to be believed, it wouldn't be long before they started sporting symptoms. She felt a pang of regret about leaving the githyanki in the cage. Maybe she actually did know of a cure and Meia had thrown it away in a moment of spite. The words of Sister Loraine came back like a bad rash - reminding her to be more patient, more understanding...
Lingering on the past would do her no good. Meia pushed the cloth flap away, and immediately froze as her eyes locked with Astarion's across the camp. Fuck. Had he been waiting for her to get up? Why?
She swallowed the feeling of unease that was trying to claw its way up her throat, hoping her face didn't give her away this one time as she walked towards him.
He spoke before she managed to figure out what she wanted to say to him. "Well, hello. How are you feeling darling?"
Meia tamped down the flutter of butterflies in her stomach at the endearment. Now as not the time. "A bit woozy, but I'll be fine."
"It'll pass," Astarion agreed, his expression betraying his concern as he looked her over. "Honestly I'm just glad you've decided to be sensible about this, here I was worried I'd wake up to pitchforks... though there is still time for that."
She blinked, looking back over her shoulder as she suddenly became aware of Gale, Shadowheart and Karlach standing behind her. She was vaguely aware of Shadowheart's comment about them all at risk of becoming monsters, and Gale trying to deter Astarion by claiming his blood tasted terrible - something she wasn't sure was real or invented. Based on the expression on Astarion's face, he also wasn't sure about that. Within a few moments, their compatriots drifted away, leaving Meia standing alone in front of Astarion once again.
He gave her a reassuring smile, and her heart flipped in her chest. "Um, you aren't going to need to do that every night..."
"Oh heavens no!" He exclaimed, and then fixed her with a discerning look. "Unless... you want...?"
She could feel her cheeks burning, and she quickly looked down at the dirt with a cough. "I wouldn't mind," she finally said.
"Darling, you only had to ask," and the tone of his voice sent the heat from her cheeks straight to pool between her legs. She was in deep trouble now.
"You can feed on me again tonight, if you want," she whispered, raising her eyes to his own, catching the hunger in that crimson stare, and smug satisfaction on his face.
"Then I will come to you, after the others are asleep," he replied, the corners of his lips turning up.
She quickly nodded, and all but ran away from him. She needed ... air. To be away from that distracting elf, to have a moment to think. There were far more important things she needed to be focusing on right now. When she risked a look behind her, he still had his eyes fixed on her, reminding her of a predator waiting for the right moment to strike. Oh, she was in so much trouble.
But somehow she didn't mind.
~*)*(*~
Their number had grown from four to five as the Blade of Frontiers paid them a visit when Meia called for them to turn in for the day. Astarion was hardly impressed by the man - anyone who couldn't tell Karlach was a tiefling rather than a devil raised questions on the soundness of their mental faculities. Still, the little sorceress had managed to broker peace, convincing Wyll to spare Karlach. He was grateful for that. The firey woman packed a hell of a punch in a fight, and Astarion had a feeling they were going to need all the help they could get.
He found his eyes lingering on Meia as she sat between Wyll and Gale by the campfire. The three of them were drinking, though Meia had drank much less than the two men - the pair were on their sixth and seventh mug respectively, while she had only just finished a second. Not that he had been counting. He was merely protecting his source of blood. He couldn't very well drink from her if she ended up in one their tents instead of her own.
The flickering firelight played off the scales on her face, indication of her draconic heritage and the source of her magical talents. Here, in the company of the two men who were fairly obviously vying for her attention, she seemed completely at ease, laughing and smiling. It seemed like he had his fair share of competition.
He always enjoyed a challenge.
Astarion found his thoughts wandering back to the locked book tucked away in his pack. When he had offered to take it off Meia's hands earlier that day, he hadn't expected her to just hand it over to him. He had spent the time Gale and Karlach had been preparing the evening meal to examine it closely, finding no latch or lock to pick, much to his annoyance. He could only hope he was lucky enough that there was some key left behind in that ruined village which would allow him to finally open it.
Meia's eyes caught his own and he had to wonder if perhaps he had already used up all his good luck. To be free of his master after 200 years of torment was a blessing, even with the risk of turning into a mindflayer. The fact he had a willing victim... Could he really ask for more?
Something one of her companions said drew her attention away from him, and he felt a spark of annoyance flash through him. The pair of them were trying so hard to win her favour. It was bordering on embarrassing if you asked him. He absently checked his fingernails, pleased to see his recent stint 'roughing it' (as Karlach put it) hadn't damaged them.
He would have plenty of time to pursue the sorceress - before long Wyll and Gale would be heading to bed, while he only needed a scant four hours to be fully rested. If last night was any indication, Meia liked to stay up late.
Sure enough, it wasn't long before Gale bid Meia a goodnight, giving Wyll a long look before he headed back to his tent. Astarion shifted his weight, feigning attention in his book as he kept an eye on the pair sitting by the fireside. The wizard's implication was clear, to him at least. Wyll didn't seem to have caught the hint - or he didn't care.
The campsite had grown quiet enough he could hear their conversation with little difficulty - seemed like Meia was trying to get to know their newest companion. Wyll's answers were vague at best - though Astarion could all but feel the man's discomfort when Meia had asked if his stone eye was a sending stone. It wasn't long after that Wyll excused himself to sleep, and then Astarion had the tiefling all to himself.
He gave her a few moments of silence, no longer hiding his observation as she stared out over the lake that bordered the edges of their camp. The sound of insects and the croaking of frogs could be heard over the faint popping and crackling of the fire, but still she didn't move, seeming lost in her own thoughts as she chewed her lower lip. In the past few days since the crash, the only time he had seen her this still had been when he snuck up on her in her tent, unable to ignore his hunger any longer.
Coming up behind her, he cleared his throat, hiding his amusement as she jumped. "You're up late, my sweet."
"I like the quiet," she said, leaning back with her hands resting behind her in the dirt. "The last couple of days have been... a lot."
Astarion made what he hoped was a sympathetic sound, sitting down beside her. He caught the quick glance she made towards his leg as he folded his foot in, making sure he wasn't touching her, but only just. He also caught how she swallowed before looking away from him again, her pulse picking up. "I can't disagree with that," he said at last.
They fell into silence, stretching on as he tried to figure out what to say next. A thought occurred to him. "So, where did you come from Meia?"
"Hm?" her silver eyes looked into his, brows furrowed. "What do you mean?"
"Well, you've been asking all of us where we came from before the crash - what about you?"
"Oh!" she exclaimed, and he could see the understanding dawning across her face. "Nothing... glamorous," she deflected, picking at a string dangling from the cuff of her shirt.
When she glanced back over at him, he raised an eyebrow, wordlessly inviting her to continue. Her cheeks turned a lovely shade of pink, and she looked down at her hands in her lap. "Um, well, I was raised in a Temple of Ilmater in Rivington. I was told I was abandoned on the doorstep when I was a baby - an orphan."
Her being raised in the Temple of Ilmater made a lot of her behaviours make more sense to him. For a moment she looked like she was going to elaborate, the sentence hanging in the air feeling unfinished. The tiefling shifted, hugging her knees to her chest and resting her chin on top of them. Enlightening though it was, this... wasn't helpful.
"Is it your first time outside the city then?" Astarion tried, desperate to change the topic to something lighter. Stick to the plan.
She blinked, pulling herself out of her thoughts to look at him. "Yeah, I suppose it is. What about you?"
"Being a magastrate didn't often take me out of Baldur's Gate," he replied easily. It wasn't exactly a lie. "Come, it's getting late. We'll need to start early tomorrow and make the most of what time we have."
Meia frowned, but she nodded. He stood up with her, hearing the hitch in her breath when he stepped in just a bit closer. Emboldened by her reactions, he ran his finger along her jaw, tipping her head up to look him in the eye. "Go to bed my sweet."
There was pure trust in those silver eyes, and it made an unfamiliar feeling surge through him. He didn't have time to try to figure out what it was as she nodded, taking a step backwards and nearly falling over a rock. He grabbed her arm, catching her with growing amusement. He couldn't say he was displeased with the visible reaction he had on her.
"Do be careful," he chided gently, letting her go when he was sure she had steadied herself.
"Right, yes," Meia said, clearing her throat. "Um, thank you, and... goodnight."
"Good night. I'll be seeing you soon," he replied, enjoying how the blush on her cheeks intensified as she turned quickly and headed to her tent.
~*)*(*~
Meia grumbled as she broke yet another lockpick. She was going to get this chest unlocked without Astarion's help. Behind her, Shadowheart cleared her throat, her boots scraping on the ground. "Do you think maybe it's time-"
"No, I've just about got it!" Meia cut in, waving a hand back at the cleric who simply sighed.
"Right, well, I think I spotted some interesting herbs outside the cave - Wyll, would you mind?"
"Hm? Oh, of course," he replied absently, and Meia heard them head out of the mouth of the cavern.
Karlach sat heavily on top of another locked chest that Meia had been struggling with earlier. "Alright soldier, what's on your mind?"
Meia looked up. "Huh? What do you mean?"
"We all heard the argument you two had before we headed out this morning," the other tiefling said. "What's the deal with you and Astarion?"
She flushed, focusing her attention back on the damned lock again. "Nothing! Nothing is happening with me and Astarion. I just... thought it might be an idea to switch things up since you and Wyll didn't start off on the best foot. Get to know one another, build some camaraderie."
"Uh huh," Karlach said, sounding unconvinced. "Look, I understand you want to help as many people as possible out here, but Astarion's right, as much as I hate to admit it. We have limited time."
Another lockpick snapped and Meia let out an aggravated growl. The two mercenaries who had been throwing alchemist's fire hadn't lasted long when the gnolls began their assault in earnest, leaving behind their precious cargo. Before all of this, she would have been content to leave a locked box well enough alone, worried of the repercussions of prying into things that were none of her business. Now... the spark of curiosity had been lit. Likely due to the influence of that annoying elf who clearly cared more about his self-preservation than helping others. He just made her so... mad!
"Just go talk to him soldier," Karlach urged, drawing Meia back from her thoughts. "Build some camaraderie, right?"
Meia made an exhausted, forlorn noise. "Fine, fine. I'll go talk to him. But only because I really want to know what's in this box."
"That's the spirit!"
It wasn't long before they got back to the clearing at the side of the lake where they had set up camp. Karlach gave Meia an encouraging shove towards the pale elf, making her stumble just a little. By now she could tell when he was actually reading, and when he was pretending to read so people wouldn't be as likely to catch him snooping. This was more of the later.
As she approached, he snapped his book shut and looked her in the eye. The now familiar flutters took over her stomach, and she again pushed them away - a near hourly experience by now.
"Oh, hello. And what can I do for you?"
The question was devoid of any malice, no sign of irritation from their earlier disagreement. Maybe she was overthinking things. "Well, we found some locked chests and-"
"And you need my expertise to unlock them," he finished for her. "Well, obviously I would, but you're a bit crowded as is."
Meia glanced back over her shoulder. "You can take Wyll's place, he can probably use a break after the news we heard at Waukeen's Rest."
Astarion nodded, smile curling up his lips. "Then I'm all yours darling."
She belatedly hoped he hadn't noticed the way her cheeks were burning as she turned back away, but she was sure he knew. He definitely wouldn't have missed the thumbs up Karlach sent her from across the camp, and she repressed a groan. Whatever was in the chest had better be worth all this trouble.
~*)*(*~
The plan had been to scout out the goblin camp - try to figure out where the missing druid was, see what kind of resistance they were up against... at least that had been the plan. Astarion had to admit, it had been clever of Meia to get that goblin cleric to agree to meet in private. It would be much easier to take her out without witnesses.
He trailed behind the rest of the group as Meia explored the main room, stopping to chat with a merchant who had set up in a corner. He was glad he didn't strictly need to breathe - the smell was repugnant. He honestly wasn't sure how the rest of the party managed. Neither Shadowheart or Karlach complained as Meia crossed the room again, peeking through a door and trying to talk to the 'famous' writer through the cage he was in. She was going to try to save this idiot too, wasn't she? Astarion could feel a headache coming on.
The conversation was cut short by the grouchy goblin who was guarding the cage, and the tiefling quickly moved on, sending Volo an apologetic look as she went. The woman really could use getting her priorities straight.
She dipped into the next room, and Astarion recognized the robe on the cleric. An adherent of Lovitar, in a goblin camp? Unusual, but not wholly unexpected. After all, they had Zhentarian setting up shop.
"I've been brought in to assist with the interrogation in the next room," the cleric said, bringing Astarion back to the conversation. "The goblins are woefully unskilled in the art of pain, but unwilling to listen. But since you've also been brought in to help, I could show you, if you want?"
Astarion repressed a laugh at Meia's alarmed expression. "Oh, I want to see this. Don't you dare say no."
He caught her look back towards him, and he let her see the smallest edges of his smile. Her expression became resolved, and she nodded to the cleric, taking up position in the blood spattered alcove.
He had to admit he was a little concerned when he saw the cleric pick up a mace, but he had enough faith in Shadowheart's healing capabilities to know that if anything happened to Meia, she would step in to fix the problem. Worst came to worst, he had at least one scroll of revivify, and there was that bag of bones back at camp if everything else failed.
With the first strike, Meia cried out. She wasn't a particularly good actor, it sounded over the top, but the cleric bought it, giving her words of encouragement. The second strike brought an edge of pain to her voice, and Astarion found himself absently wondering if that's what she might sound like in other far more pleasurable situations.
When the third strike from the wicked mace hit the tiefling, she cried out again, begging for mercy, and that - that was genuine. He didn't expect the words to sound so sweet in her voice, and he became aware of an uncomfortable tightness to his pants that hadn't been there before.
The cleric struck her again, speaking some horseshit about how his Goddess was pleased by Meia's performance. The sorceress was blooded, panting, but she looked like she was in a bit of a daze as the cleric spoke with her. He caught her eye - if he didn't know better, he'd say she was looking for his approval.
That train of thought was cut off by Shadowheart as she placed a hand on Meia's arm, healing some of the worst damage. "Well, that was... interesting. We should carry on."
"Yes, you're right," Meia agreed, grabbing a potion from her pack and drinking it down before continuing on to the interrogation room next door. To her credit, she recomposed herself quickly. Things to discuss later.
As it turned out, the prisoner being interrogated in the next room was a member of the group of mercenaries who had come to find the Nightsong. As soon as he mentioned the druid had turned into a bear, Astarion cleared his throat. "Didn't one of the goblins you were speaking with mention a bear had been taken to the basement?"
Meia nodded, turning her attention back to the bruised and bloodied man who was weakly rubbing his wrists. Astarion repressed a wince. He knew what it felt like to be tied up for an extended period. He wasn't sure if the numbness fading into pain after being set free was worse than the pain of the punishment inflicted... But then again, with Cazador, the pain was never actually over, just postponed. He pushed the thought from his mind, again trailing behind the party as Meia led the way further into the ruined temple.
After a few innocent questions, it wasn't long before they were standing in front of a rusty gate that held a giant brown bear at bay. She certainly would get points for efficiency if she lost some for her absolute lack of subtlety. And when Astarion thought she couldn't get any more obvious, she loudly insisted she wouldn't allow the goblins to continue to hurt the bear, making the creature roar. He had to admit he jumped back, and he was glad that he had when the bear reared up, bringing down the gate on its tormentors.
The battle was short, bloody, and at the end, the bear transformed into a very tall, very burly elf. It looked like they had found the missing druid.
"I must confess, if I accompany you I may not be able to contain the bear," Halsin warned. Meia looked back over the rest of the party, her eyes lingering on Astarion's for the longest.
"Having a shape-shifting bear by my side would greatly improve my chances," she said at last, giving the druid a smile.
Halsin nodded in understanding. "Nature's will be done." There was another surge of light as he transformed again, the burly animal occupying the space the elf had been standing moments before.
"Let's turn some people inside out," Astarion said, heading up the stairs. From behind him, there was a sharp exhalation, but the expected complaint from the pale tiefling didn't come as she passed by him to lead the way through the door back up to the temple. With a grin, he poisoned his blades. There were a lot of goblins to murder.
~*)*(*~
When she had invited the tieflings (and Halsin) back to her camp to celebrate their victory against the goblins, Meia hadn't considered exactly how many people that was going to be. She politely raised her half filled tankard to a pair of boisterous tieflings who very well might have been having their first celebration since the fall of Elturel. She felt a small swell of pride at that thought. At least she could give them that much.
The wine left a pleasant buzz in her head, making her feel like she was floating - not too unlike how it felt when Astarion had bit her the first time. She quickly took another swig of her drink. She was not going to spend her time pining over him. It was just a crush. The more she got to know him, the more apparent it was becoming that they had nothing in common except the worm in their heads.
She looked up and caught him staring at her again.
Meia immediately looked back down at the drink in her hands. Crying God grant her strength, what did Astarion want from her? The intensity of that look was... alarming, and exciting all at once.
Fuck. Fuck fuck fuck.
Why had she suggested he travel with her in the first place? The elf was trouble, he had held her at knife-point at the first opportunity and seemed more than willing to spill her blood - or at least until she shocked him.
It had been because his panic and distrust had made sense, far more sense than anything else that had happened since she woke on the nautaloid. Because she could understand his anger was borne out a fear that permeated the thoughts the tadpole had shown her, stretching back long before his abduction. And because above all else, there was something in him she recognized in herself - a loneliness that burned at his core.
Her cup was empty. Probably time to correct that.
She stood up and immediately had to put her hands out to either side to steady herself so she wouldn't fall back down. Okay, maybe it was time to drink some water instead.
Grabbing a canteen from one of the boxes that dotted the campsite, she looked up to see Astarion's eyes still on her. At this rate she should just go talk to him and find out what in the hells he wanted, since he didn't seem willing to leave his tent to come speak with her. Though that might have more to do with the noise from the rest of the tieflings, they seemed to be congregating by Gale and Halsin. She hadn't missed Wyll's lack of presence, but that was something to look into later. For now, she should see what it was the vampire spawn wanted from her.
He gave her a smile as she approached. "You know, I never pictured myself as a hero."
She cocked her head to the side, inviting him to continue as she drank more of her water. She hadn't been aware of how thirsty she had been.
"And now that I'm here... I hate it."
Meia laughed. "It can't be all bad - think of all the goblins you killed."
"That was enjoyable," he agreed. "But all the thanks I get for all my efforts is vinegar for wine."
Incredulous, she took the bottle from him and took a drink. It tasted like a dry red wine to her, but she was no expert on wines.
"See? Terrible."
"And what would be a suitable reward for your effort?" she asked, the words spilling out of her mouth before she could stop and rethink them. That was a fair bit more forward than she had intended - probably an effect of all the alcohol she had drunk.
Astarion made a thoughtful noise. "Oh, I could think of a few things. Gold is an obvious one."
She felt a pang of embarrassment. Clearly she had been reading into things. Stupid foolish heart, making her think he was in any way interested in her-
"But," he continued, cutting off her thoughts before she could spiral too far, "I think tonight I'm looking for a more... physical kind of reward."
There was nothing innocent about that tone. Or the look that came with it. Meia ducked her head, her mouth suddenly dry. He couldn't mean... She glanced back up to see he had stepped closer during her inattention, and she froze as he leaned in, lips brushing against her ear.
"I'm talking about sex, darling."
She made an inarticulate noise, blinking as she tried to process what she had just heard. "I... Uh... With... me?"
He laughed, a low sound that sent shivers shooting down her spine, a heat settling in her core. "Yes, with you. If you're interested, that is."
"I - yes, I am."
"Then I'll see you after everyone else has gone to sleep," he said, stepping back. There was a smug smile on his face, but Meia was too overcome by the flutter of butterflies in her stomach to care. "Come find me."
"When everyone's asleep," she confirmed, taking in a deep breath before awkwardly turning away. She was going to need a lot of time to recover from that conversation. And maybe more to drink.
Meia caught Karlach's look as she moved away from Astarion's tent. Oh no. She had heard hadn't she? The grin on the red tiefling's face made it seem like she definitely had heard.
"So, you and Astarion huh?" Karlach asked, the second time in two days. "Don't get me wrong, I'd ride him to the Feywild and back, but I wouldn't trust him."
"Karlach!" Meia gasped, and the other tiefling simply laughed. She didn't think her cheeks could get any redder than they already were when she had been talking with Astarion. She sent a glance back over at him, but thankfully the elf hadn't seemed to have heard.
"You know, I was going to take this party as an opportunity to finally shoot my shot, but looks like I missed out," Karlach continued, giving Meia a wistful smile.
"I think you might have more luck with Shadowheart," Meia replied, gesturing with her chin to the half elf who very quickly made it look like she hadn't been listening to their conversation.
"You think?" Karlach asked, looking back and getting a bashful smile from Shadowheart.
"Never know unless you try," she said, moving towards the side of the lake for some peace and quiet now that Karlach was safely diverted.
Hopefully that would put an end to the gossip.
Meia settled down on a broad rock, looking at the reflection of the moon on the quiet waters. Here, away from the noise of the party, she could finally breathe. Gods, what kind of mess was she in? It had been four days since she had been abducted from the street. On the first day she had made her first kill, a pair of zealots traveling to Moonrise with their brother, mauled by an owlbear. Earlier today she had exterminated easily fifty goblins, inflitrating their camp and learning everything she could about their plans and their leaders before releasing their captive and cutting a bloody swath on her way out.
Now the way to Moonrise Tower was clear, either by the hidden passage through the same ruined Selunite temple they had just cleansed, or the mountain path that Lae'zel had insisted led the way to a cure at her people's crèche. Given the less than warm welcome the githyanki had received at the bridge, Meia wasn't sure her companion's confidence was well founded, but it was worth investigating at the very least.
Along the beach, she caught sight of a pair of very distinctive horns. That's where Wyll had disappeared off to. From the look of him, he was brooding.
For a moment, she considered leaving him to his thoughts. He had clearly come out to the edge of the water for the same reason she had; some peace and privacy. She really had no right to intrude, he had just found out his father had been kidnapped and likely would suffer the same fate they had, without the benefit of the strange device Shadowheart had been carrying.
That same device had suddenly appeared as they approached the goblin camp, protecting them from the near overpowering presence of the voice of the Absolute, settling back into Meia's pack as the voice faded away. When she had tried to hand the device back to Shadowheart, it simply appeared in her bag again the next time she looked. The pair of them had agreed Meia could hold on to it for the timebeing, at least until they reached Baldur's Gate.
Standing up, she brushed off her pants and walked over to the newly minted demon. She had a feeling that was at least part of his current mood. And if she could do something to improve that, then she had to at least try.
"Not feeling very celebratory?"
"Hm?" Wyll looked over like he hadn't heard her approach, and he very well might not have. "No, not particularly. You don't want a demon at your party. The horns might pop the balloons."
She laughed at his attempted joke, getting a small smile from him in response. "I think they're lovely horns. Much nicer than my own."
"Your horns suit you beautifully," he rebutted, and then sighed, humour seeming to drain out of him. "In truth, I don't really feel like celebrating. I'll be fine in a while, and I appreciate you coming to check on me."
Meia gave him a small smile. "Take the time you need. We'll still be here."
"Thank you, for seeing beyond the blade."
She reached up to pat his shoulder before she left, seeing Gale critiquing the spells being cast by magical aspirant Rolan. Hopefully she could intercede before he said anything too judgemental, she didn't think Rolan's ego could bear it.
"Ah, Meia. Just the person I wanted to see!" Gale exclaimed as she approached, and she slowed, sure her confusion was visible on her face.
"I was?"
"Yes, I was planning on inviting you to a magic lesson in a more private locale, however I could see someone else got to you first," he said, and there was no missing the acidic look he sent toward Astarion.
She looked over her shoulder to see Astarion had raised an eyebrow, almost as if he was challenging Gale...? When the pale elf spotted her, he sent her that same smug smile from before, and she could feel the blush spreading up her cheeks to the very tips of her pointed ears. She quickly turned back to look at Gale, who gave her an almost pitying smile.
"If you change your mind, you know where to find me."
She furrowed her brows at his comment, sending a nod to Lae'zel as she gave the woman's tent wide berth on her way back to her own tent across the campsite. She did not want to think about the heated gaze the githyanki had given her, the fighter was clearly on the prowl and that was much too weird for her. No, she was going to sober up, and wait for the party to settle down... then go find Astarion.
It took a few hours, but quiet finally blessed their campsite. Meia popped her head out of her tent to look around. A few of the tieflings remained on the spare bedrolls, but most seemed to have gone back to their caravan. They would likely be heading off for Baldur's Gate early the next morning, so that made sense.
Astarion's tent was notably empty.
Forcing down the rising butterflies, she set out on the now familiar path out of camp into the forest. She probably should have asked him where to meet him, but she had faith enough that he wouldn't go too far. Probably.
"This way, darling," his voice rang out through the darkened trees, distant but clear. There was a cool fog hugging the ground, muffling her steps as she moved deeper into the darkness. She was thankful for her infernal heritage, otherwise it would be much too dark for her to see. Given her history of clumsiness, perhaps this had been a bad decision.
Before too long she reached a clearing, and Astarion stepped out from behind the trees, bare from the waist up, and all conscious thought left her head.
"I've been waiting for you my sweet," he said, stepping closer. She was transfixed by his eyes; red, hungry. She couldn't move an inch. The elf closed the distance between them until he was close enough to run a hand up her cheek. "I've been waiting... to taste you. Ever since my first bite."
Her heart fluttered in her chest, and her eyes closed on their own as he leant down and kissed her. When she kissed him back, he made a sound of approval, and she wrapped her arms around his neck. She was vaguely aware of him pulling her shirt over her head, breaking the kiss for a moment before he claimed her lips again, and she was lost, melting into him.
Meia yelped as he lifted her, her back colliding with the trunk of a tree with enough force to knock the air out of her lungs. She gasped, and he laughed, kissing along her bare collarbone up her neck, his sharp teeth grazing along her skin as he went.
"Any second thoughts?" he asked directly into her ear, the words sending a shiver down her spine.
She shook her head, not trusting her ability to speak at this moment. He pulled back and used a hand to turn her chin so she had to look him in the eye. "Use your words Meia."
For a second time, her mind went blank. When she caught up with what he had said, she swallowed nervously, again shaking her head. "No, no second thoughts."
"Mm, good," Astarion purred, kissing down the other side of her neck. She could feel him pressing up against her, her legs wrapped around his waist as his cool hands explored her skin. His kisses dropped lower, trailing down her chest until he pulled her sensitive nipple into his mouth and sucked, making her groan despite herself.
He released her with a pop, blowing on the damp skin. "Absolutely perfect," he murmured, locking eyes with her before moving on to the other nipple, making her arch towards him, her eyes fluttering closed again. The ache between her legs was growing hotter still, and a whine climbed out of the back of her throat as she clutched his shoulders, taking care not to scratch him with her nails.
When he bit down, she cried out, her eyes flashing back open as she looked down into his own. He was grinning, maintaining eye contact as he began to feed. The searing pain fading into a now familiar comfortable numbness, and she rolled her hips against his, trying to create some kind of friction to relieve the building need.
"Patience my sweet," he whispered only a few moments later, using his tongue to ease the sting from the bite wound, lapping up the few drops of blood that threatened to drip down from her breast. She had long since stopped trying to quiet the moans he was pulling from her throat. That was a battle she had already lost.
"Please, Astarion," she managed to say before he captured her lips again in another searing kiss. She could feel his hands between them, working on the ties of her pants, and she reached down to assist, desperate for more.
He laughed, a vibration she could feel through his chest, and he let her take over. "So eager," he teased, pinching her nipples, eliciting a wail of pleasure that would make her blush under normal circumstances.
"Please," she gasped. "I need-" the rest of her sentence was cut off by a moan as he returned his attention to her first breast again, circling with his tongue before he bit down again to leave a matching mark.
"Tell me what you need, Meia," he encouraged when he let go after just a taste, her blood dripping from his mouth.
"You," she moaned in reply, trying desperately to catch her breath. "I need you, please, Astarion."
He somehow managed to remove her pants and undergarments in the same movement as he pulled her away from the tree and down to the ground. It would be impressive if she wasn't so preoccupied with the fact that he was still half clothed. She squirmed in his grasp, and was rewarded with him gathering her hands, pinning them over her head.
"Will you be a good girl?" he asked, immediately quieting her whine of complaint. When she nodded, he gave her a stern look.
"Yes," she whispered, "I'll be good." Any remaining shame was drowned out by the intense desire coursing through her. What she needed was for him to stop teasing her, she was going to lose her mind if he continued this tortuously slow pace.
Astarion hummed his approval, kissing along her neck and collarbone again. When his free hand slid between her legs and finally stroked the sensitive skin there, she arched up with a keening wail. "So wet already," he said, and she could hear the smugness in his tone.
She pressed herself closer to his fingers, trying to urge him to give her more. He pulled away in response, drawing another whine from her. "You promised you'd be good," he reminded her, punctuating the words with a light slap against her pussy. Meia hissed at the impact, the sensation drawing attention to how achingly empty she felt at the moment.
"Please," she begged, resisting the urge to pull her hands out of his grasp and undo his pants herself. Gods, he was going to be the end of her.
"All in due course darling," the elf promised, his fingers slowly running along her skin, teasingly dipping between her lips for all too short a time before retreating. When he moved his hand up, a finger lazily circling her clit, the muffled whimpers turned into a full blown cry, her hands clenching into fists.
Meia's breathing was coming in short pants now, cracking her eyes to see that Astarion was staring at her, watching her every reaction. "Please, I can't take much more of this," she gasped out.
"You can," he said, moving his hand back down to slide a single finger inside of her. She wailed, arching up towards him again. He set a slow pace, letting her get used to the intrusion and before long she couldn't help but rock her hips against him, needing more. He made a sound of approval. "Such a good girl."
That in and of itself might just kill her. She had no idea why his praise had such an effect on her, and she didn't have the presence of mind to try to figure it out, not when his fingers were bringing her closer and closer to the edge. He slid a second digit inside her and she swore she saw stars. "Fuck, Astarion!"
He picked up the pace, thumb moving back to her clit to circle in tandem. She was gasping for breath around her moans, enthusiastically matching his movements. Gods she was so close.
Then, all at once, he stopped, removing himself from her and she whined her complaint. Opening her eyes, she saw him lick his fingers that were still wet with her juices. "Delicious."
"Will you hurry up and fuck me?" she grumbled, and he had the audacity to laugh at her again. He was finally undoing his pants though, so she was counting that as a win. When she caught sight of his size, she gasped. She hadn't had much experience before this, but he was larger than either of dicks she had seen before now. The compulsion to taste him came unbidden, and was immediately forgotten as he ran the tip of his cock along her slit.
"Are you ready?" He was holding himself tense, staring at her like he wanted to devour her. And he just might.
"I'm ready," she said, with more confidence than she felt. Gods, she wanted him. Needed him.
Then he pressed into her and she threw her head back with a scream.
"Gods you're tight," he gasped out, slowing pulling back before pressing in slightly deeper. He was so large, so thick, she couldn't think, he felt so good inside of her.
"Don't... you dare... stop," she groaned between thrusts.
"Believe me, that is the furthest thing from my mind right now," Astarion said, letting out a moan of his own that matched hers as he finally sunk all the way into her. "Fuck Meia, how do you feel this good?"
She was robbed of the ability to speak, only able to cling to him, rolling her hips to meet him. At some point he had let go of her wrists and she hadn't noticed. The heat in her core wound tighter, and tighter, her world narrowing to the feeling of him, the delicious friction she craved. He pressed his head towards her, and she tipped her neck towards him, wordlessly inviting him.
He bit down sharply and the tightness inside her snapped. She screamed his name, body spasming as the wave of pleasure swept through her. She could feel the draw of blood from her throat, the fullness of his cock sheathed inside her - he sped up, thrusting harder and her vision blacked out as her eyes rolled back.
She came to as he pulled her closer to him, folding her almost in half so her feet were above her head. When he started to move again in earnest, she couldn't stop the moan that escaped her mouth. He claimed her lips with his own, swallowing the noises she was making. She had only just cum and he was about to send her over the edge again.
"I'm close," Astarion groaned, burying his head against her shoulder.
"Please, Astarion," she gasped into his ear, trying to pull him closer, matching the frantic rhythm. She was so close, so very close, and he growled as he came inside of her, the shallow thrusts of his dick and the friction of his pelvis against her clit was enough to send her tumbling after him into ecstasy.
He untangled himself from her, and she stretched out muscles she hadn't noticed were sore, a lethargy settling into her bones. It had been a long day, but that was the kind of celebration she could get used to.
~*)*(*~
Astarion woke to a comfortable warm weight against him, and opened his eyes to see the pale tiefling curled up at his side. He let his smile show, she wasn't awake to see it. Everything was going to plan. Seducing her had been surprisingly easy. Now he just had to ensure she remained attached, at least until they reached the city. After that... he would figure it out.
Having a readily available and willing supply of blood on hand was a novelty he could get used to though.
Stretching not unlike a cat, he pulled away from his most recent (and most successful) conquest. Satisfying as last night had been, they were supposed to be heading to Moonrise Tower this morning. He very much doubted that any of their compatriots would care to be held up on their account.
Well, maybe not his account. Meia on the other hand? It seemed like most of the camp was besotted with the sorceress, making his victory all the sweeter. He stood up, pulling on his pants before stretching out his back and shoulders.
"Interesting choice in tattoos," Meia's voice came from behind him, sounding rougher than usual.
"A poem - a gift, from Cazador," he said over his shoulder. "My master, and tormentor."
She made an expression he couldn't read. "Interesting choice to write a poem in infernal," she said at last.
"Infernal?" he asked, unsure if he heard her correctly. He turned to look her in the face, searching for any sign of deceit. Not that she was any good at lying. "What the devil was he doing - no matter. Can you... read what it says?"
"Um," she stood up and took a tentative step toward him, gesturing he turn back around. "I'm not very good at it, but I can try..."
"Go ahead," he said, trying to bury his impatience. There was a long moment where he could hear her sounding out words in a rough, guttural language. "Well? What does it say?"
"It's... honestly, it looks like some kind of legal document. And only a part of that document, a fragment of a devil deal perhaps?"
Astarion was stunned speechless for a moment. Of all the things he expected, that wasn't on the list. "Well, it's a start. Uh, thank you."
She reached down and picked up her discarded clothing from the night before, giving the shirt a frown. The sleeves had been ripped, and the cord that had held it closed was missing. He had been a bit rough on that particular article of her clothing, but in fairness he was eager to get her undressed.
"Glad I could help," she said at last, sending him a genuine smile.
An uncomfortable feeling bubbled up inside his chest, something he couldn't name. "Come, I should get you back to camp before they start worrying that I've eaten you," he said, and she laughed, pulling her own pants on.
"You're right, we have a long trip still in front of us, and I don't think Lae'zel will much appreciate us delaying any longer," she joked, trying and failing to get her shirt to sit properly.
"I'll get you a replacement," he promised, pulling the shirt forward with a finger and taking a look at the tiefling's exposed breasts, the teeth marks still visible and red from the night prior.
Meia placed her hands on her hips and gave him a mock scowl. "You better. It's not like I packed planning on travel."
He snorted. "I'll see what I can find. It's not as if we have many options between here and Baldur's Gate."
"You're resourceful, I'm sure you'll come up with something," she retorted over her shoulder as she began walking back to camp.
He paused for a moment, enjoying the feeling of the sunshine warming his normally cool skin. Yes, this was something he could very much get used to.