Sorry for the long wait for this chapter. Real life has has been a bit of a pain recently. I'm hoping the next one won't take as long to get out. Thank you as always for reading and I hope that everyone has a great holiday season.
Raven
The group had taken care of the rest of the goblin camp outside of the temple. The only being they left alive was a baby owlbear. Evie felt sad that this little ball of feathers was now orphaned. They had encountered him and his mother a few days back. Thankfully she was able to back their group out of the cave without a fight, but the goblins came for them it seems. She held out her hand for it so get her scent. Having the strange feeling she too was an orphan her heart went out to the little creature. He skittered off right after and she hoped he found them later when he was ready. Heading back to the Grove had been postponed after hearing raised voices on the path back. Evie felt the collective aggravated sigh from some of her friends. Her curiosity and drive to help people did grate on a few of their nerves. The group rounded the bend and saw two men with farm tools yelling at a old woman.
"I swear on my life I've never clapped eyes on your sister, I will help you look for her though." Evie caught a glint of a lie in the woman's eyes. Something about her felt off, wrong, like being dipped in cold water suddenly. The old woman looked up and smiled seeing a large group of heavily armed and armored adventurers. "Please help me, these young men won't let me leave and I just want to go home."
"What is going on here?" Evie crossed her arms and discreetly pulled a hidden dagger from her sleeve. She didn't trust any of this situation. As she listened to the men and then the old woman again, she could see more of the deceit in the older woman's words and expressions. "Tell them, where their sister is." Her voice firm and she took a step forward toward the old woman. A once kind, scared visage of the aged woman turned annoyed and cruel.
"You were supposed to come to my defense love." Magic spiked the air and that cold dreadful feeling in Evie's gut intensified. "Word of warning, should you ever darken my door, your head should be bowed and one hells of apology should fall from those pretty little lips of yours." In a blink the woman was gone. The brothers turned to each other with shocked looks.
"Why does she have your sister?"
"Mayrina, she hasn't been the same since her husband died. She started talking crazy, saying she was going to bring him back to life. She went to the hag and we haven't seen her since."
"I could help you find your sister." An exasperated sigh sounded right behind her. She knew the sigh well, Astarion gripped her arm and squeezed.
"We have our own problems darling. Let them deal with theirs." She turned her head and stared him in the eyes. He knew that look and he knew her mind was already made up. Since the bard she had been trying to wash the blood from her hands with noble deeds. "Alright, alright, but cautiously please. Last time you ran off and got yourself hurt." She gave him a grateful smile. The older brother scoffed at her offer of help and led the other brother away from the group. "There, now we don't have to help." Evie sighed out of frustration.
"They will get themselves killed, they had no armor, just farming tools for weapons...if she truly is a hag they won't have a snow ball's chance in the hells." Astarion groaned and motioned for her to lead on. "I owe you yet again."
"Oh darling one day I'm going to collect..." Crimson crawled up her neck at the way his voice sounded at that statement. It was a promise, not a menacing one, but one that set her blood on fire. She shook her head to clear it. She needed her wits about her, this beautiful, sunlight mash felt wrong. Something was off. Closing her eyes she took a deep breath she focused on the feeling. The cheerful birdsong, the chorus of crickets and the smell of wildflowers all ceased. The stench of a stagnant bog hit her nose, the chitter of redcaps echoed in the once vibrant space. Evie opened her eyes, the once sunny day was now a dark, foggy swamp. Once she saw it for what it really was the tadpole's connection to the others broke it's glamour for them too. "Ew."
"Ew is right. This place is cursed." Astarion made a face was they walked the soggy path. His feel of unease only grew the further they sloshed into the marsh. Evie took point which in hindsight probably wasn't the greatest idea. She moved carefully through, but her human eyes were not as keen as his vampiric ones. She stepped off the uneven path and let out a yelp. A trap of barbed wire wrapped around her calf. It sliced through her doeskin pants and when she tried to pull her leg away the barbs went deeper into the meat of her leg. She let out a hiss.
"Troubles darling?" He could smell the blood dripping from her wound. He peered around and saw the trap sprung on her. "Oh my, quite the nasty trick. Give me a moment and I will have it off of you." He crouched down and took out his tools. "Hold these for me will you? Don't want this muck making a mess of them." Evie grit her teeth as he worked to snip the wire. His nimble fingers made short work of the wire and he carefully pulled the razors from her leg. To her credit she didn't make a sound when he knew it had to hurt like hell. "There we go, you should heal yourself so it doesn't fester." Her blood covered his fingers and he had to resist the urge to lick it off. The scent was intoxicating, but now was not the time. They had a hag to contend with. "I should take point from here. I have a better chance to see the traps than you darling."
"Alright, just be careful." Her concern hit him right in the heart. No one has ever cared about him getting hurt before. It was an alien feeling, but most welcome. The group traveled on with Astarion taking the lead.
OoO
"Well they did not make it very far." Evie's voice was frustrated. The brothers lay dead in the muddy path. Blood was splattered everywhere. They never stood a chance. She hoped their sister was still alive or she had dragged her friends through this dank marsh for nothing. The smoke from a camp fire rose to the side of the worn down structure ahead. Maybe someone else was trapped in this hellish place. Evie motioned her group to follow her. Astarion was right at her side his hand on his dagger, ready to strike. A lone man stood warming his hands over the fire. He heard their footsteps sloshing through the soggy grass.
"Ho there friend...forgive the smell." A stench hit her nose and she tried not to gag. Beside her she heard Astarion make a disgusted noise. "Powered Ironvine, makes creatures think twice about making a meal out of me." Astarion let out a low growl. He recognized the man's clothing and features, he was a Gur. His hand twitched wanting to just bury his dagger in the monster hunter's throat. Evie noticed his tense stance and placed her hand gently on his forearm. He turned on his air of indifference and moved up closer to the man.
"A monster hunter? I thought all Gur were just vagrant cutthroats." The man to his credit took the slight in stride.
"What is a Gur?" A small amount of amusement passed over the lone traveler
"A mystical people that curse your crops, seduce your daughters. I wish my people had half the powers settled folk think we have. Alas I am a simple wanderer who has been sent on a task. I came here to beg help of the hag of this land to help, if I can afford her blood price. My mission has run into dead ends. The creature I am hunting has eluded me."
"What are you hunting?" Astarion rolled his eyes. Evie's curiosity will get them all in trouble one day. He decided to step in.
"Something dangerous no doubt. Dragon, cyclops...kobold."
"Nothing so astounding. I hunt a vampire spawn, his name's Astarion and I fear he's gone to ground." Evie slanted her eyes to her vampire companion. His face didn't betray anything, but she felt through the tadpole he was very nervous. She heard Gale inhale and she quickly sent a message through the tadpoles. "No one tell him we have Astarion with us. Do I make myself clear?" She could almost hear the hinge of Gale's jaw snap shut.
"What will you do once you find him?"
"I am to take him back to Baldur's Gate, my people wait for me there." Evie knew this would not end well. She moved and put herself between the Gur and Astarion. Both to defend her friend, but also to keep him from striking first.
"We need to be on our way, but I hope you have a safe journey." The Gur bid the goodbye and she force ably led her vampire away out of ear shot. She pinched the bridge of her nose in frustration. Yet another fire to put out, another past to run from. Taking a deep breath she centered herself. They still had a hag to deal with, a girl to save and the Grove to get back to.
OoO
This place was wrong. The heavy air in the hag's lair smelled of rot and despair. The group had found more victim's of the hag's deals. After finding a way through the sentient door, yet another person twisted by dark magic. So many souls to avenge and it made Evie's blood thrum with anger. They came across people in cursed masks and she was able to talk her companions into knocking them out instead of dispatching them. Astarion handled the traps the deeper they went into the evil den. The twisted, dark path winded around until it opened into large lofty chamber. The Hag was waiting.
"This is my domain! How dare you trespass here!" Evie hefted the hammer off her back and glared at the green skinned abomination.
"Let Mayrina go and I might show you mercy!" The cackle echoed through the hollow. Ethel sneered and threw a spell at a cage hanging toward the far side of the room. In the cage was the girl they meant to save who screamed as the wood ignited. Evie growled and charged the hag, Karlach one step behind her. Lae'zel circled around to the side to hit the witch's flank. The three warriors began a deadly dance. Evie met Gale's gaze and she motioned toward the cage. He used the tadpole to communicate to Astarion and Wyll to help him save the girl while the three women kept Ethel's attention on them.
"I'm going to rip out your spine and suck the marrow from your bone's girl. Then I'll bring you back to do it again."
"You can try." Evie cast smite on her hammer and took a hefty swing catching the hag in the shoulder. Divine energy crackled through the twisted woman and she yelped in pain. Claws slashed into Evie's side making her scream in pain and anger. Karlach stepped up and swung her great ax hitting the hag across the sternum. Sickly black blood coated the ground as the hag howled in fury. Lae'zel charged, using her long sword as a lance. The hag dodged and threw another spell and two mirror images appeared. All three leveled their gaze at Evie.
"Poor little girl, no memories, no past..." Another image cackled and leveled another insult toward the paladin. "No one will ever love you, murderer, tainted blood. Always alone, always shunned." The third hag who was moving closer to strike Evie's back let her words echo through the cavern. "No matter how many you save, you will always be a failure. Villain playing a hero it's pathetic." Ethel grabbed Evie from behind, digging her talons into Evie's chest. A pained scream left Evie's lips and the hag just laughed. "Your friends will watch as I rend you into pieces. Then I will make them into my playthings." A dark surge of energy arched through her body and Evie pried the claws from her chest. She roared, her hammer cast aside and now a dagger in her hand. She twisted in the hag's grip and began stabbing over and over. Ethel stumbled and threw her. With a violent thud Evie smacked against a gnarled root. Quickly she scrambled to her feet ready to lunge back at the creature. Before she could move an arrow whistled through the air burying itself into the hag's stomach. Evie turned her head seeing Astarion ready another arrow. His expression stoic, but his eyes burned with fury.
"Now!" Before Ethel could recover Karlach and Lae'zel were on her slashing and cleaving the hag apart. The wet sounds of flesh being chopped filled the space. Ethel's screams died quickly as the two fighters made short work of the evil hag. Evie sank to her knees panting and gritting her teeth from the wounds Ethel had inflicted on her. Warm energy flooded her and she felt Shadowheart's hand on her shoulder.
"Don't move, let me get you healed first." Evie stayed still till the cleric was satisfied she was healed enough to to move. She held out her hand and pulled their leader to her feet. "You are giving my skills a workout Evie. In the future can you try not running head long into danger. I've grown fond of you and don't want to have to try my hand at resurrection spells." Evie snorted and placed her hand on the cleric's shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze in thanks.
"I can't make any promises, but I'll try to be more careful." Shadowheart rolled her eyes and chuckled. They regrouped with the others to speak with Mayrina. After searching the hag's lair, they found a few useful things, including a wand that the notes said would bring back the young woman's husband. As everything the witch had promised her victims it did bring him back, but not as Mayrina intended. He was not much more than a shambling corpse. The girl to her credit took the wand and her rotting husband. The group watched them leave hoping that she was able to find help in Baldur's Gate like she planned. Astarion appeared at Evie's side and she gave him a small smile.
"Thank you." He quirked an eyebrow up not knowing what he was being thanked for. "I let my anger get the better of me and I would have tried attacking her head on, probably getting myself hurt worse or killed. Your shot at her came just in time." He smirked and wrapped an arm around her shoulder.
"Well darling, I have grown fond of you. Let's try to keep you around shall we." She nodded and the adventurers made their way out of the swamp. The Grove and Halsin were waiting and they prayed he could help direct them to their next leg of their journey.
OoO
The hot bath felt nice on her aching joints. After meeting with Halsin, Evie and her friends were invited to celebrate their victory over the goblins. The tieflings were now safe to continue their journey and Evie and her crew had a direction forward. When she and her companions were offered a chance to bathe and have their armor fixed she jumped at the chance. They all needed a little down time after what they had been through. Evie sank into the perfumed water. She couldn't remember the last time she had felt clean. Her memories still just images in the dark. The dirt and blood had been scrubbed from her body her hair though needed some desperate attention. It was caked with blood, tangled and greasy. She sat up and grabbed a bottle from the stool beside the tub. She popped the cork and inhaled. It smelled of ginger and cloves. The warm scent filled her senses. Pouring a generous amount into her hands she worked it into her hair. It felt amazing. Once she rinsed she rose out of the tub and wrapped a rough linen towel around herself. Searching her bag she found her normal camp clothing had been replaced by a beautiful dress. It was a low cut in the front, dipping to show off her cleavage. The skirt was slit high on both thighs. A note lay on top of it.
Evie,
I took the liberty of changing out our normal patchwork attire for something a bit more flattering. I hope you don't mind, just a thanks for all you have done for us all.
Shadowheart
She blushed a little. She was grateful for her friend. Though her memories were all but gone she felt like she never really had anyone show her kindness like this. She gave a nervous chuckle seeing the set of under garments their lovely cleric had also left. Silk panties and a breast band with delicate lace accents. She brushed out her hair and dressed quickly. Not wanting to have everyone gawk at her while she made her way to camp she threw on a cloak to cover herself. She felt a bit overwhelmed, being a hero was not something she felt she was used to. She swallowed her nerves as she heard the sound of laughter and music. The sight in front of her was joyful. The tieflings were smiling and carrying on in celebration. Her friends were mingled in chatting and laughing, well most of them. She didn't see Wyll anywhere. His new found demonic look she knew unsettled him. She quietly made her way to Halsin. He smiled at her warmly.
"You shouldn't waste your time talking to me. So many people want to attention tonight. Go find a drink before the others drain the wine."
"I just need a minute, this is all so much." The large druid chuckled a little. He knew her feelings all too well, he was more at home in the wilds than in a social situation.
"Victories like these are hard won, enjoy the night. Come morning we will talk about your next steps." He shooed her away and she found herself moving toward her vampiric companion. He looked stunning in the moonlight. Before she could reach his tent someone grabbed her arm and pulled her to where the tieflings were singing and dancing. Her heart sank a little being pulled away from the one person she wanted to be around, but the joy of the refugees was infectious. She took a drink that one of them passed her, drinking deep she tried to enjoy the energy of the revelers. The bard Alfira was playing something lively. Cal one of the tieflings she talked into staying and helping asked her to dance. Thankfully for her it was a large group dancing, linking arms and changing partners as they went. It didn't give her a chance to think. The movement,the rhythm got her caught up in the joy of the people. When the song finished she was breathless, but smiling. She thanked Cal for the dance and let the group continue without her. She hated she couldn't remember if she ever been to a celebration like this before. So much lost, yet she didn't feel sad per say. She had done a good thing and it felt amazing. All thoughts of the poor bard she had killed were forgotten. Since this entire thing started she had felt heavy, angry and now she felt something akin to peace. Lost in thought Evie didn't realize she was now very close to Astarion's tent. His voice broke through the haze and she turned around with a smile.
"Enjoying yourself?" His eyes held some mirth and something else. She couldn't quite place it, nervousness maybe. He took a long swig from the wine bottle in his hand. "You know, I've never thought I would be called a hero, never thought anyone would thank me for saving their lives...and now that we are here..." He paused giving an almost bitter smile. "I hate it. This is awful." Evie let out a small chuckle at the disgust on his face.
"Oh it wasn't so bad, think of all the goblins you got to kill." His eyes lit up and he laughed.
"You're right. That was fun." He took another drink and grimaced. "Though I would like more for my trouble than a pat on the head and vinegar for wine." Being bold Evie took his bottle and took a nice long drink. The wine was rich and sharp, a very dry red. It hit hard and she wrinkled her nose. "See? Awful! All I want is to have a little bit of fun."
"More killing?" His eyebrows went up in amusement. She couldn't be that innocent. Could she? He had to keep reminding himself that she didn't have a past to her knowledge. It would make this even easier. He gave her his best smoldering look and he heard her heart beat a little faster.
"Nothing so trivial, just you, me and maybe a little death." Evie's pulse quickened even more, her eyes pupils went wide and she felt like Karlach had lit her blood on fire. Astarion smirked and leaned in closer. His voice purred in her ear. "Let's wait till the others go to bed, then we will find each other." She could only nod. Walking away in a slight daze she headed to Shadowheart's tent trying very hard to quiet her hammering heart. Her cleric friend slowly smiled at her as she approached. She could tell she was well into her cups by the amount of wine bottles on the small side table at the front of the tent.
"Did you enjoy your dance?" Evie laughed a little and nodded. "You know Astarion was watching you like a hawk while you were out there."
"Really?" Shadowheart patted the ground next to her and Evie sank down.
"Yes really, he is constantly watching you." The cleric nudged Evie with her shoulder and handed her a bottle of ale. "Liquid courage." Evie arched her eyebrow. "He invited you to his bed didn't he?" A crimson blush raced up the paladin's cheeks and she turned away sheepishly. "Oh don't be embarrassed, we are all adults here. Why the hell do you think I left you that dress?"
"You knew?" Shadowheart chuckled and clinked her bottle to hers.
"Of course I knew, we all know. You two have been dancing around each other since he pulled that dagger on you. I have to admit I'm a little jealous, he's beautiful." Evie took a long swig of her ale and felt the liquid calm her nerves. The two talked a bit more and watched the celebration start to die down. Most the the refugees were joyfully drunk and stumbling off to their bed rolls. Their companions also looked like they were ready to turn in for the night. "You should make your way to your tent." Evie rose to her feet, feeling nicely buzzed, but not drunk. She noticed Astarion was nowhere to be seen. "Looks like he is waiting for you. Have fun!" Evie felt a tingle in her head and a voice calling her name. Before she got to far she heard Shadowheart say one last thing. "I want details later." Evie let out a laugh and rolled her eyes playfully at her friend. She quietly left camp. The forest was still other than a few fireflies blinking in and out through the trees.
"You're on the right track darling. Keep coming deeper into the woods." Evie took some calming breaths, the dense corpse of trees opened to a small clearing. Two large oaks stood in the middle. Movement made her still. Astarion came out from behind one of the oaks. He was shirtless and the moonlight illuminating his alabaster skin making him look otherworldly. Light bounced off his white curls looking like a halo. Evie couldn't take her eyes off him. He moved like a large cat stalking its prey and she was dinner. He stopped a few feet from her and smiled warmly. "There you are! I've been waiting...waiting since the moment I laid eyes on you." He stepped closer and his voice sent her stomach flipping. "Waiting to have you." She gave him a wry smile, finding her voice finally.
"You don't have me yet." Amusement sparked in his eyes. He liked this cheeky side of her.
"Don't I? You're here and I don't think you want to talk." He closed the distance and gently brushed a strand of hair behind her ear. Her body gave a small shiver and he knew he had her right where he wanted her. "I think you want to be known, to be tasted." His voice was sultry, but something in his eyes gave her pause. They looked haunted. Her hand raised up to cup his cheek and those crimson orbs widened at the gesture.
"What do you want?" No one had ever asked him that before. Not his father who planned his life for him, not Cazador who forced him to do his bidding and not the mindflayers who forced them into this mess. Here was a little human asking him what he wanted and a small bloom of affection warmed his soul. Her caring expression was too much, too kind, too sweet and he fell back into his rakish facade.
"What do any of us want? Pleasure, yours, mine...our collective ecstasy." His face turned a bit sad and he hoped she didn't notice it. "Isn't that what you want? To lose yourself in me?" She smiled and rose up on her toes. Her lips brushed his cheek and he turned his head to capture them. At first their kisses were soft, testing. His arms wrapped around her and pulled her flush against his bare chest. Her hands ran up his chest, palms resting over his heart. One of his hands made it's way to the ties of her dress. With deft fingers he unhooked the chains that held the front of the dress together. She gasped into his mouth as a cool hand went under her breast band and gently squeezed. His other hand began pulling the dress from her shoulders. The top pooled at her waist as his hand ran down her back and under the silky fabric to grab her ass. Evie didn't think they could get any closer, but he proved her wrong. Pressing her closer with her lower hand she felt his arousal pressing against her abdomen through the fabric of their clothes. With shaky hands she let them fall to his waist and she began fumbling with his belt. After a couple of tries she was able to get it undone and she worked the pants down his hips. He grinned into their kisses. She was far bolder than he thought she'd be. He was waiting for her touch to make his skin crawl like it had always done with his other conquests, but her light touches felt good.
He pulled back from their kisses, dragging his fangs across her bottom lip. One caught the tender kiss swollen skin, nicking it a little. A small dot of crimson beaded up and she licked her lip watching him kick off his boots. His pants followed soon after. Evie wanted to pinch herself, he was too beautiful to be real. Well defined muscles rippled under his pale skin as he moved. He did really remind her of a cat. He quirked an eyebrow as he smirked, arms crossed like he was waiting for her to make the next move. Never one to turn down a challenge Evie pushed the fabric of her skirt down letting the dress hit the ground. Her arms reached back and unhooked her breast band and let it fall down to join her dress. Her eyes met his, she knew she should have felt subconscious, but the fire burning in his eyes told her he liked what he saw. With a wink she let her hands drop the lace panties she wore. Her thumbs hooked the delicate fabric and she slowly stepped out of them. No more boundaries between them, Astarion rushed forward capturing her lips again, savoring the tang of blood that lingered from the small cut he had left behind. Evie wrapped her arms around his neck, anchoring herself. His hands began roaming her body. His cold, dagger calloused hands made her skin break out in goosebumps as they moved to her breasts. He smirked into the kiss as he felt her nipples harden at his touch. She broke the kiss to let out a breathy moan. Wanting to hear more he began pinching and kneading before taking one of the pebbled peaks into his mouth. Evie's moans and sighs were music to his ears. Her fingers tangled in his hair trying to keep her knees from giving out. After paying due attention to one breast her switched to the other.
"Gods, that feels so good..." He kissed his way back up her chest, to her neck and back to her lips. His kisses were light, tender as his hand moved down to grasp the back of her thighs. Taking the hint she jumped up slightly wrapping her legs around his waist. She felt so light in his arms. It made him wonder how the hell she hit things so hard, being so petite. Needing a little more leverage he stepped closer to one of the big trees and entered her in one swift thrust of his hips. Evie let out a gasp as her back hit the rough bark. A little bit of fear had hit her moments before since she wasn't sure she had ever been with a man. All that went away feeling him inside her. His forehead dropped to her shoulder as his hips began to find their rhythm. The feel of her warmth enveloping him made him groan. He had thought to just seduce her and go through the motions, but now he let himself enjoy it. He enjoyed the feel of her, her voice, her scent, warm and alive. Her nails gently scratching his scalp as her fingers were back in his hair. Each thrust brought such wonderful sounds from her. He lifted his head to look at her face. Her bright eyes held such affection in them, her hands slipped from his curls to his shoulders. A warm smile on her lips and if it could his heart would have skipped a beat. Using the tree at her back she pushed him back. He lost his balance and fell backward to the ground. She came down right with him, never losing the connection of their bodies. Using her knees she kept her full weight from coming down on him. He let out a laugh seeing her smirking down at him. It had been a long time since anyone had gotten the upper hand on him. She leaned down to kiss him, but he grabbed her hips and rolled them over. Letting out a surprised giggle she reached up for him and turned her head. A silent permission for him to drink her blood. His one hand braced itself on the ground next to her exposed neck while the other gently cradled her face on the opposite side. Astarion thrust his hips at the same time his fangs pierced her skin. Evie arched her back off the forest floor and moaned loudly. It was all too much, the lightheaded feeling from his feeding, the feel of him inside her, his delicious scent, all she could do was hold on to him to keep from drifting away. Her fingers dug into his back and somewhere in her mind she could swear she felt raised scars. Trying hard not to dig her sharp nails into them, she used her legs to tighten her hold on him. Astarion angled his hips to hit a deeper spot in her. Pulling his fangs from her vein he purred against her skin. Her blood rushed through him making his head spin. He knew he wouldn't last much longer, but he would be damned if her didn't take her over the edge with him. He took his knee and pushed her one leg to open wider. The new position opened her up and he was able to hit the spot he knew would send her. Evie met each thrust moaning his name over and over. His movements became erratic hearing his name fall from her lips. The building pressure finally exploded in her and she spasmed around him. She screamed his name to the night air. Astraion threw his head back and howled, spilling himself within her. He rode out his orgasm with a few more shallow thrusts then he fell to side pulling her with him.
"That was …..."
"Perfect." He laughed. She was right it did feel perfect. The sweat cooled on their bodies and she curled herself closer into him. He felt her heart start to slow to a peaceful rhythm.
"Did I wear you out darling?" She sighed a laugh and nuzzled his chest. The fatigue from the day caught up to her and she let sleep come. Astarion felt restless. His plan had worked it seemed, all too well with how she clung to him. He normally didn't stay to cuddle, he would do the deed and trick his marks into following him back to Cazador. Laying with someone in his arms was different. He looked over her serine face, she looked so young. Hours later his restlessness got the better of him. He slowly untangled from her and gently placed her arms over herself. It was then he noticed the scars on her wrists. He had seen marks like that before, deep groves from rope tied too tight and from struggling to get free. She normally wore long sleeves or thick leather wraps around them, so he had never seen them before. "What happened to you?" A small pang of sympathy hit him. Her past was a mystery, but those scars told him they were more alike than he first thought. His own scars carried over centuries were brought to his mind. The pain from that night still fresh. He sighed and rose to his feet and found his pants. The horizon started to lighten as the sun started to rise. He looked back at her and gave a small smile. He would let her sleep a little while longer. Seeing the sun rise these past weeks was a miracle and he would enjoy it while he could. Warm rays broke through the clearing and he stepped forward. The warmth spread over his skin and he closed his eyes. He had taken it for granted in his mortal life, even cursed it when the summer would get too hot. Now he would give anything to just stay right there, bathing in it's warm glow. He didn't know how long he was standing there when her melodic voice sounded from behind him.
"No staying for a cuddle." Her words were light, but he could hear a little disappointment in them. He put on his mask of playful indifference even though he felt a little guilty for hurting her.
"You sleep light, I thought you's be exhausted after our fun last night." He looked over his shoulder and saw her sitting up looking at him with a small smile on her lips. She was still naked and it took some restraint on his part to not rush to her and take her again. Her pale skin glowed in the sunlight, she really was beautiful.
"Did you enjoy it?" Her eyes slanted to the ground, afraid he would laugh at her. "You seemed to be holding back a little." He thought he hadn't disconnected as much as he used to. She was much more observant than he thought. He couldn't face her, not just yet. He didn't want her to see the truth in his eyes. She was a means to and end, protection from the world, Cazador and their companions. He let his voice slip back to it's sing song way.
"It's true I held back a little, as delicious as you are, I didn't want to go too far." Leaves rustled as she got to her feet and slowly walked towards him. The scars she felt under her fingers last night were now in front of her. Somewhere in her memory the script was recognizable. "We should get back, before the others worry I whisked you away and corrupted you."
"Before we go, can I ask about the scars on your back?" He sighed wishing he had put a shirt back on.
"They are a poem, Cazador thought himself quite the artist. He carved those over the course of a night...he made a lot a revisions as he went." The pain in his voice made her want to reach out and comfort him. She knew better, he let her touch him last night, but she knew he wasn't the type to want comfort.
"Did he always write in Infernal?" Astarion whirled around, confusion on his face. She stepped back at the sudden movement.
"Infernal?" She nodded and he grit his teeth. "Who knows, that bastard is insane..." His eyes searched hers. She looked concerned, he thought he'd see pity, but to her credit she showed none. For that he was thankful. He grabbed his shirt and quickly pulled it over himself. He leaned down and picked up her clothes. Handing them over she quickly dressed and stepped next to him. "Now let's go, before someone else thanks me for saving their tails."