The Shadows | Astarion

~ 15 ~

Aelia felt herself stir, and she gently opened her eyes and looked up at the ceiling, her gaze trailing along the wooden carvings.

She then realised she wasn't in her own room, but Astarion's.

Turning her head, she saw that Astarion was still meditating, and she got out from under the covers. Silently, she walked to the door.

Glancing back, she saw that he was watching her.

"You're not very good at being quiet." He spoke, his voice low.

"I'm sorry, I didn't want to disturb you." She said, and put her hand on the door handle.

"Wait." Astarion said, "Could we talk for a moment?"

Aelia stilled but nodded, turning around and sitting on the edge of the bed. She looked at him, waiting for him to speak.

He glanced at his hands and looked back up at her, "I'm beginning to feel rather confused, about us." He paused and his eyes tried to watch her reaction to his words.

Aelia swallowed and nodded, "Go on."

"I've never had somebody who treats me like you do. No one has been kind to me for the sake of just wanting to be kind, and you're... you're different. You're... well, you." He answered, his voice soft and hesitant.

The healer's eyes softened and she looked at him, "Astarion, I am kind to you because you are good. You may not believe it and may think you do not deserve such kindness, but you do."

Astarion looked away, but he looked happier.

"After everything with Cazador, I felt like I was still stuck in the past. But with you, I feel like I am more than what he created me to be." He added, his eyes locked on hers.

"You are more than that." She whispered, and there was a tender silence between them.

"You're more incredible than I thought you'd be. You make me feel heard, feel seen." He said, sounding sincere.

"I think you're the first real friend I've had where I feel like you understand me completely." Aelia replied, and Astarion smiled.

"I strive to please." He made a mocking bow, and Aelia laughed quietly. She then noticed he was glancing at her neck, then realised his eyes were a little darker than normal.

"When was the last time you had blood?" She asked, and his pupils widened at the word.

"Want me to nibble at your neck again, my darling?" He teased.

"Astarion."

He sighed, "The last time I had blood was with you in the cave." His voice was quiet.

"That was days ago!" She exclaimed, and moved closer to him on the bed.

"What are you doing?" He asked, sounding confused.

"You can't go in the sun and it's not even noon yet, so you can't go outside. Plus, I'm going into the village today to ask people about the ring." She explained, staring at him like it was obvious.

"Are you alright with me doing this again?" He asked, sounding hesitant.

"I'm sure." She answered, and Astarion nodded. His eyes brightened, his eyes on her neck.

He leaned forward, and Aelia lay back onto the bed, then he was hovering over her.

Her heart was pounding, and he could probably hear it.

His breath fanned against her neck, and his fangs grazed her skin before he sunk them into her neck.

She closed her eyes at the sudden pain, and tried to focus on him. His hand found itself in her hair, and he held he tighter as he drank her blood. He groaned against her neck, and Aelia tried to ignore the feeling that sound gave her.

She tapped his arm and he slowly pulled away from her neck, the blood smeared around his mouth.

He breathed out heavily and tried to wipe the blood from him mouth away, "That was...amazing."

Aelia felt the blush on her cheeks and sat up, "I'll take that as a compliment." Astarion then looked at the marks on her neck.

"Why do you not heal the marks away?"

She shrugged, "I like them." And Astarion couldn't help the grin that spread on his lips. Aelia then got up from the bed, "I need to get ready to go into the village."

Astarion nodded, and watched as she walked to the door, "As fierce and scary as you are, you will be careful out there, won't you" He looked slightly worried.

"I'll be fine, and I'll be back before sunset anyway." She replied, giving him a bright smile before she left, going into her own room.

Entering her own, she looked at the bright sun shining through the window and sighed happily. Looking through her pack, she found a dark blue dress, with a slit in the leg. Putting it on, she looked at her reflection in the mirror and smiled.

She rarely admired her own reflection, a hundred and fifty years of being told she was worthless had rubbed off on her. But right now, she was pleased with how she looked.

She gathered some normal salves and potions and put them in another pack, shouldering it. She left her room and locked the door, heading towards Shadowheart's room.

She knocked on the door, and opened it. She smiled at the half-elf cleric, "I'm heading off into the village now, anything you want me to get."

Shadowheart shook her head, "No thank you, just be careful. We've all grown very fond of you, it'd be a pity for something to happen to you." She teased, and Aelia laughed.

"It would be very unfortunate, I'll be back before sunset, hopefully I can find some answers." The healer said and nodded at her, she then left the room.

She stopped outside Astarion's room, wondering if she should go in, but thought it was better not to. She thought he needed some space and time to himself.

Setting off down the stairs, she made her way through the bar and left through the door, beginning the short walk to the village.