The Shadows | Astarion

~ 13 ~

They'd spent the rest their time at the inn waiting for sunset and discussing where their route would lead them next.

Shadowheart pointed out a small town that was a few hours walk away from the inn, "We could ask around, see if they have heard whispers of the Sun-Walker ring."

"Our chances of getting attacked on the way there are slim but not impossible, who's to say the people in this town won't attack us?" Gale murmured, looking at the map.

"They probably won't even dare to speak to us, if they notice a vampire prowling amongst them." Astarion grumbled, his eyes narrowed.

Aelia tilted her head, "I could ask around. I'll just walk around the town and pose as a travelling healer, and try gather information that way." She said, and Shadowheart smiled at her proudly.

"Then that's the plan." She said, beginning to roll up the map, but Astarion held up a hand.

"Hang on! Are you certain you're alright with this?" Astarion asked, looking down at Aelia who nodded.

"I'm sure, I'll be fine." She said, reassuring him. He nodded and let it go, and Gale peered out the window.

"We should probably leave soon." Gale observed, so they decided to get their things packed. Aelia left the room and entered the one she shared with Astarion.

She hadn't unpacked much, but decided to change out of the dress that was covered in blood. She'd have to remove the stains soon.

Rifling through her pack, she chose a black dress lined with gold, the neck line was low cut, and tightly fitted around her waist.

She'd just finished getting dressed when Astarion knocked at the door, she murmured that he could come in.

He sauntered through the door and made a show of looking her up and down, "Let's hope I won't have to mend that one." He grinned, his hand gesturing to the dress.

She flushed as he looked at her, and turned to her pack, "Hopefully I won't be attacked by any flying arrows." She joked, folding up her red dress and putting it in the bag.

As she turned to him again, she noticed his eyes had grown a little darker, and she stepped closer to him, "Are you alright? Do you need more blood?"

His eyes then cleared, he looked a little shocked, "Thank you but not yet, but I'm glad to know you want me to bite you again. I knew you'd be begging for it again." He grinned, and Aelia swatted him away.

"I'm concerned about your definition of begging." She smirked and shouldered her bag, walking past Astarion to the door closely, but not close enough to touch.

Without looking back, she walked back into Shadowheart and Gale's room and both of them looked ready to leave. Astarion was behind her shortly after, and they locked the doors to the rooms and took the keys downstairs.

As soon as Aelia had finished walking down the stairs, she stared at the group of males that had been there earlier in the day. The man who had followed her kept his head down.

Astarion followed her eyeline, and eyed the table curiously, until his nostrils flared and his eyes narrowed.

A smile then spread across his lips, and he touched her elbow gently, "Excuse me for a moment, darling." He whispered in her ear, and Aelia frowned as she lost sight of him in the crowd.

Shadowheart was giving the keys back, so Aelia was left with Gale.

"Once this is all over, we need to drown ourselves in alcohol and finally relax." He said, leaning closer to her.

"Hopefully it'll be soon." Aelia replied, her eyes glancing around the room to try spot even a glimpse of white curly hair. But she didn't.

Shadowheart had come back from the bar, looking confused.

"Where's Astarion?" She asked, looking at Aelia, who shrugged.

"We can wait outside for him." Gale said, and they made their way out of the inn and leaned against the wall waiting for the vampire to appear.

Aelia couldn't help the slight worry that nibbled at her heart, wringing her hands.

He then strolled out the tavern, looking rather pleased with himself. Blood was spattered across his face.

"What did you do?" Aelia asked, and Astarion put his hands on his hips and rolled his eyes.

"Gods, can't a vampire have a little fun?" He asked, his tone light, but his eyes were full of anger.

"It depends what you mean by fun." Gale said, and Shadowheart agreed.

"I simply taught someone a lesson, now do you have any other questions or can we leave?" He said, sighing.

"Fine, let's go before you do anything else mysterious." Shadowheart said, and they set off down the road.

Aelia kept eyeing up Astarion, looking at the blood splattered across his face and armour.

They were a little behind Gale and the cleric so Aelia decided to ask asked, "Astarion?"

"Yes, love?"

"Who's blood is that?" She questioned, "And don't lie."

"I would never lie to you." He said, holding up his hands.

"Then who's blood is that?"

He sighed and waited a few moments, "The blood is from the male that followed you," Aelia's mouth opened to speak, "I didn't kill him! I just made him bleed a little." He said, his voice a little higher.

"How did you even know which one it was?" She exclaimed, staring at him.

"I remembered the scent of his blood from your clothes." He grounded out, looking down at her.

"Astarion, thank you for defending me but I handled him." She said softly, and touched his elbow gently before moving away.

Astarion sub-consciously stepped closer to her, and they walked on to the small town.